Belly Up to the Bar With Bendy and Her Friendies!!! Button Pics & New Thread Started!

[shovan]

Oh yummy! That looks wonderful! At that price??? Nice!

 

[whogirl'smom]

Tatania, that meal looks beautiful! The crab cake especially.

Chelle, I can't believe you all got all that snow that totally missed us! We had flurries all that day, but that's it. 70 degrees here tomorrow!

Brenda, you anniversary plans sounded really good until you got to the cleaning and painting! We've been painting here the last two weekends and got the mudroom floor tiled (we hired that one out). Flower beds and mulching were going to be this weekend until dh decided we'd get the driveway re-paved next week, so the mulch has to wait till after. Asphalt is 40% cheaper now than it is in summer, so no spring break trip for us this year!It's hard making these grown-up decisions, dang it!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Three-star Michelin chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, just opened a new restaurant in Vancouver and a group of us went for lunch the other day.
You could have any two dishes on the menu plus dessert for $28 and all the food was exquisitely prepared.

All the food looks heavenly! We went to Jean-Georges place in Vegas, Prime Steakhouse and sadly, our bill was about 20 times more for two people. You guys got the deal of the century! Thanks for sharing the pics with us. Now those bathroom mirrors...that's just creepy.

 

[ChelleinNC]

With the banking, insurance, manufacturing & auto industry all in a meltdown, it's a scary situation for everyone and I agree about the no whining for all of us who still have jobs. Being in the entertainment business we haven't seen audiences shrink too badly yet, but that can all change very quickly if people have no money to spend and corporations can no longer sponsor concerts. My summer job as tour host in Europe is toast for now because the travel industry is in a huge slump - made worse by the fact that the Canadian dollar keeps plummeting.

I am so glad that DH is out of the automotive industry now. He's in healthcare/travel insurance which is a much better field right now (although Canadians are their primary clients )
Here's hoping the economy starts to pick up soon for everyone

Tatiana, that meal looks wonderful! What a great experience, except for the bathroom

Chelle, I can't believe you all got all that snow that totally missed us! We had flurries all that day, but that's it. 70 degrees here tomorrow!

Was that crazy or what?! We had 3 inches of rain before the snow started Sunday night. Today was 70 and they're calling for 77 this Sunday Absolutely crazy weather, but I much prefer the 70's to the snow

 

[Tatania]

All the food looks heavenly! We went to Jean-Georges place in Vegas, Prime Steakhouse and sadly, our bill was about 20 times more for two people. You guys got the deal of the century! Thanks for sharing the pics with us. Now those bathroom mirrors...that's just creepy.

Actually, Vancouver is a great place for foodies to vacation. We're known for having superb restaurants at very affordable prices. Also, because of the melting pot population you can find every kind of cuisine from Pan-Asian and Middle Eastern to gourmet pizza and the best sushi anywhere. I always cringe when I see the sushi prices posted from places like Disney because our sushi is a fraction of the cost and the best anywhere.

 

[oybolshoi]

afternoon tea review has been posted on the smelly thread if anyone wants to take a look-see.

 

[luvillians]

Well, I did it. I finally posted on one of Brenda's thread. I'm a self proclaimed professional lurker but Brenda has drawn me out of my shell. Not an easy task for me.
I am a self confessed foodie as well.....and tonight was dedicated to Brenda. I took a trip to Tulsa today and for the first time went to Whole Foods. I had heard of it here on one of Brenda's threads a while back and was surprised when I found we finally got one in my neck of the woods. True to her word, the cheese section was to die for. I picked up some of the Fromager D Affinois, a baguette, some Mousse Imperial, marinated mushrooms, etc. I even joked to my husband earlier as I made my (not so little) cheese tray for one, that I should take a pic of it just in case...
Let me just say that so far Brenda's suggestions have been spot on! The Rosa Regale, the brie, the cocktail recipes. I'm in awe and a devoted reader.
Keep it coming foodie lovers, the food porn is well appreciated by those of us lurkers that admire your flair for the verbal presentation.
And I promise to try to comment more often.

 

[oybolshoi]

Well, I did it. I finally posted on one of Brenda's thread. I'm a self proclaimed professional lurker but Brenda has drawn me out of my shell. Not an easy task for me.
I am a self confessed foodie as well.....and tonight was dedicated to Brenda. I took a trip to Tulsa today and for the first time went to Whole Foods. I had heard of it here on one of Brenda's threads a while back and was surprised when I found we finally got one in my neck of the woods. True to her word, the cheese section was to die for. I picked up some of the Fromager D Affinois, a baguette, some Mousse Imperial, marinated mushrooms, etc. I even joked to my husband earlier as I made my (not so little) cheese tray for one, that I should take a pic of it just in case...
Let me just say that so far Brenda's suggestions have been spot on! The Rosa Regale, the brie, the cocktail recipes. I'm in awe and a devoted reader.
Keep it coming foodie lovers, the food porn is well appreciated by those of us lurkers that admire your flair for the verbal presentation.
And I promise to try to comment more often.

First of all ... thanks very much for taking the time to post. Lately, especially on the review thread, I've begun to wonder if many people are reading anymore so your post makes me feel better.

Secondly ... I am thrilled and relieved that you found Whole Foods to be all that I and others have talked it up to be. I'm glad our suggestions so far have been good ones ... I really would feel like a steaming cow patty if I'd recommended something only to have you come back and tell us it was craptacular.

Thanks again for your post and kind words ... I actually needed a boost tonight so you really had perfect timing.

 

[oybolshoi]

This meal looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the pics with us.

I wish we were still planning on coming to Vancouver in February 2010 ... even though it's cold we really wanted to spend a week at the winter olympics. Not going to happen now, but maybe it's better to visit our friends to the north when they're not so busy with other things. We'd want to visit for the food ...

With the banking, insurance, manufacturing & auto industry all in a meltdown, it's a scary situation for everyone and I agree about the no whining for all of us who still have jobs. Being in the entertainment business we haven't seen audiences shrink too badly yet, but that can all change very quickly if people have no money to spend and corporations can no longer sponsor concerts. My summer job as tour host in Europe is toast for now because the travel industry is in a huge slump - made worse by the fact that the Canadian dollar keeps plummeting.

I love the snow pictures as it looks so romantic. We don't get a lot of it on the Best Coast.

Three-star Michelin chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, just opened a new restaurant in Vancouver and a group of us went for lunch the other day.
You could have any two dishes on the menu plus dessert for $28 and all the food was exquisitely prepared. We started with:

Steamed Shrimp Salad Tender Greens, Avocado, & Champagne Dressing

and Dungeness Crab Cake with Celeriac-Pink Peppercorn Remoulade

The shrimp were plump and tender and the Champagne Dressing had just the right amount of tartness (I don't like dressings that have too much vinegar). The crab cake tasted heavenly - perfectly seasoned & cooked.

For the main course I had Soy Glazed Short Ribs with Apple-Jalapeno Puree
& Rosemary Crumbs

The ribs were boneless and tender enough to eat with a fork. I liked the contrast of the crunchy julienned apple with the very tender meat.

Other entrées were Arctic Char with Truffle Vinaigrette and Beef Tenderloin with Soy-Caramel Sauce.

I could live off of sweet things so my favorite course is always dessert. The Warm Chocolate Cake was good but I've had "Lava Cake" type desserts many times and this wasn't the most outstanding.

Better was the Pavlova with Passion Fruit Sorbet but again, it wouldn't be something I'd rave about.

My girlfriend and I had a laugh over the individual bathrooms which are extremely elegant and lined it with mirrors. The last thing you want to see either during or before your meal is yourself sitting on the porcelain throne from every angle! That puts me off my feed for sure

 

[luvillians]

I pretty much check for updates on this thread and the "Smells" thread on a nightly basis. I actually lurk on lots of threads but this thread is really right up my alley since I'm such a foodie. I would go into more of the different foods that have hit my line up after reading about them here but then I think it makes me look more like a stalker than a lurker...... .
I do some light catering for a local small theater group here in town now and then, suffice to say some of the recipes I read on this board have crept their way into my menu with much success .
Again I say...keep it up, it is very much appreciated by many.

 

[oybolshoi]

I pretty much check for updates on this thread and the "Smells" thread on a nightly basis. I actually lurk on lots of threads but this thread is really right up my alley since I'm such a foodie. I would go into more of the different foods that have hit my line up after reading about them here but then I think it makes me look more like a stalker than a lurker...... .
I do some light catering for a local small theater group here in town now and then, suffice to say some of the recipes I read on this board have crept their way into my menu with much success .
Again I say...keep it up, it is very much appreciated by many.

I think it's great that so many of the recipes and ideas posted here have been useful to you - I'm sure everyone who's posted them would agree with that.

My next update on the review thread will be Blue Zoo ... an absolutely amazing dinner experience that Jay and I would very much like to repeat this fall.

FABULOUS!!!!

 

[oybolshoi]

I guess we're crossing a baseball game off the list in May unless one of us is able to get free tickets through work (not likely this year).

When the cheapest seats available will cost us $50 before "convenience fees", processing, tax, and shipping and then there is the cost of parking on top of that ... well, Jay just said he'd rather spend that money on dinner somewhere.

It just makes me sad ... he's a huge baseball fan, a real Mr. Redbird, and has never had a chance to see a game in the new stadium. I guess the days of affordable baseball have gone by the wayside unless you stay home and watch it on Fox Midwest.

 

[luvillians]

My next update on the review thread will be Blue Zoo ... an absolutely amazing dinner experience that Jay and I would very much like to repeat this fall.

FABULOUS!!!!

I love to add in one "fancy" dinner night at least while at Disney. Last year was V & A's. This year was a toss up between Narcoossee's and Cali Grill. Narcoossee's won out despite mixed reviews. If you had to choose just one really nice dining experience while at The World......where would it be and why?

 

[oybolshoi]

I love to add in one "fancy" dinner night at least while at Disney. Last year was V & A's. This year was a toss up between Narcoossee's and Cali Grill. Narcoossee's won out despite mixed reviews. If you had to choose just one really nice dining experience while at The World......where would it be and why?

Tough question.

Vicki & Al's wins out for the fancy dinner, for sure; although, I'm disappointed that they no longer offer foie gras. Also, I keep a pretty close eye on their menu and I think that it doesn't change up as much as it used to. I don't know if the restaurant is being pressured to cut costs or not but it seems like I keep seeing many of the same items over and over again. Frankly, for a five-star restaurant that's not acceptable in my book.

For the next dining level ... we have a group of restaurants that we think are very very good.

Bistro Paris in Epcot was a tremendous experience. It's a lovely, elegant setting for a restaurant smack dab in the middle of a theme park. Because the restaurant doesn't accept the dining plan and because they don't offer a children's menu it tends to be a quiet, soothing oasis where adults can share a relaxed, French-inspired meal. They also offer a tasting menu with wine pairings ... we tried that about two years ago and it was just wonderful even though I think they use mushrooms in too many dishes.

Blue Zoo over at the Dolphin was a revelation last Fall. Jay and I love seafood and had been trying to get ourselves over to Todd English's place for about three years (something always got in the way). The menu is creative and fun, the presentation is whimsical, and the food was amazing. I really thought it was over-hyped before we finally got there but the people here on the DIS who have been raving about it were right. It's pricey but worth every penny.

Flying Fish at the Boardwalk is our other seafood restaurant of choice. I think that Blue Zoo wins for presentation and menu variety (including non-seafood options) but it's a tie as far as taste goes - we had a wonderful meal at Flying Fish the last time we dined there and the potato wrapped red snapper is a must-have.

Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is another favorite of ours although every time we dine there we're surprised by how many young children are usually there. It's a fairly big restaurant and it can get loud (although nowhere near as loud as CA Grill) but we love the setting and the food. Although, to be honest ... there's not as much on their menu that I can eat compared with Jason. He's the one who's really tried a lot of different selections over the years.

Citricos at the Grand Floridian was amazing! It really lived up to the hype, although again we were surprised by the number of small children in the dining room. This restaurant has a comfortable ambiance and an open kitchen with exceptional service ... the food was terrific and restaurant management stepped in to fix a miscue by the GF bakery and their improvisation really put a lovely stamp on the meal. It was the last dinner of our most recent WDW vacation and it was everything we hoped it could be with delicious food. I will say that I thought their dessert menu was a little boring but I can't speak to the taste because we didn't actually order from that menu.

Narcoossee's was a big step below Flying Fish and Blue Zoo in our opinion; CA Grill was not as good on this last trip as it has been in the past so we're giving it a rest for a while; Artist Point was a total bust the night that we tried it and we've no interest in ever going back; and Yachtsman is the only signature we haven't tried because we just can't bring ourselves to dine at a steakhouse while in Floridia ... not when they're a dime a dozen here in Stinktown.

Hope this helps a little. I'll be interested to read other people's responses.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Lately, especially on the review thread, I've begun to wonder if many people are reading anymore

Well I can't speak for everyone else, but....are you nuts???!!!! Of course we're still reading and waiting anxiously for each update

Thanks again for your post and kind words ... I actually needed a boost tonight so you really had perfect timing.

DS (Jason--good name don't ya think? ) turned 12 yesterday and asked me to post the pics of his bday dinner here

For his birthday dinner he requested Jiko Mac & Cheese For the rest of the meal we had ribeyes wrapped with bacon (DS LOVES bacon!),and spinach salad with tomatoes, avocado & bacon.

He loved his dinner and was a very happy boy

Yes, the windows are open behind him. What a difference a week makes! Snow last Sunday, 79 & sunny this Sunday


His birthday cake was a rice krispie treat with M&M's (his other request was creme brulee, but I don't have a torch thingy to make it)

 

[ibouncetoo]

First of all ... thanks very much for taking the time to post. Lately, especially on the review thread, I've begun to wonder if many people are reading anymore...

I've been patiently (NOT!) waiting for Blue Zoo and Citricos...should I have been nagging you?

You guys....since I've been home for eleven days I've actually been cooking, partially do to all the posts here and watching LOTS of the Food Network. As a matter of fact, I have to go re-stock because I'm down to cereal and soup!

.

 

[Circusgirl]

Tough question.

Vicki & Al's wins out for the fancy dinner, for sure; although, I'm disappointed that they no longer offer foie gras. Also, I keep a pretty close eye on their menu and I think that it doesn't change up as much as it used to. I don't know if the restaurant is being pressured to cut costs or not but it seems like I keep seeing many of the same items over and over again. Frankly, for a five-star restaurant that's not acceptable in my book.

For the next dining level ... we have a group of restaurants that we think are very very good.

Bistro Paris in Epcot was a tremendous experience. It's a lovely, elegant setting for a restaurant smack dab in the middle of a theme park. Because the restaurant doesn't accept the dining plan and because they don't offer a children's menu it tends to be a quiet, soothing oasis where adults can share a relaxed, French-inspired meal. They also offer a tasting menu with wine pairings ... we tried that about two years ago and it was just wonderful even though I think they use mushrooms in too many dishes.

Blue Zoo over at the Dolphin was a revelation last Fall. Jay and I love seafood and had been trying to get ourselves over to Todd English's place for about three years (something always got in the way). The menu is creative and fun, the presentation is whimsical, and the food was amazing. I really thought it was over-hyped before we finally got there but the people here on the DIS who have been raving about it were right. It's pricey but worth every penny.

Flying Fish at the Boardwalk is our other seafood restaurant of choice. I think that Blue Zoo wins for presentation and menu variety (including non-seafood options) but it's a tie as far as taste goes - we had a wonderful meal at Flying Fish the last time we dined there and the potato wrapped red snapper is a must-have.

Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is another favorite of ours although every time we dine there we're surprised by how many young children are usually there. It's a fairly big restaurant and it can get loud (although nowhere near as loud as CA Grill) but we love the setting and the food. Although, to be honest ... there's not as much on their menu that I can eat compared with Jason. He's the one who's really tried a lot of different selections over the years.

Citricos at the Grand Floridian was amazing! It really lived up to the hype, although again we were surprised by the number of small children in the dining room. This restaurant has a comfortable ambiance and an open kitchen with exceptional service ... the food was terrific and restaurant management stepped in to fix a miscue by the GF bakery and their improvisation really put a lovely stamp on the meal. It was the last dinner of our most recent WDW vacation and it was everything we hoped it could be with delicious food. I will say that I thought their dessert menu was a little boring but I can't speak to the taste because we didn't actually order from that menu.

Narcoossee's was a big step below Flying Fish and Blue Zoo in our opinion; CA Grill was not as good on this last trip as it has been in the past so we're giving it a rest for a while; Artist Point was a total bust the night that we tried it and we've no interest in ever going back; and Yachtsman is the only signature we haven't tried because we just can't bring ourselves to dine at a steakhouse while in Floridia ... not when they're a dime a dozen here in Stinktown.

Hope this helps a little. I'll be interested to read other people's responses.

Hello! I've had frightfully little time recently to keep up, but am enjoying a little window of catching up and saying hi!

I've eaten all of these places except Narcoossees and agree that V&A is in a league by itself for a special experience especially if you haven't tried it yet.

Blue Zoo's food was extraordinary and remains my favorite of this list for pure food experience. If you would like to be in a slightly more Disneyesque location then Bistro de Paris is wonderful for the food, ambience and location. It's terrific to stroll out into WS after the meal.

I had an equivocal experience at Flying Fish. I ate good food that I didn't enjoy as much as I had hoped to. The dining room was crowded and noisy the night I was there with a baby screaming for almost the entire meal. (The parents just left her in her little seat - they didn't pick her up, walk with her or do anything! It was awful.) I had gotten soaking wet in a huge cloudburst on the way there so I was also a little chilly and that may have adversely affected my evaluation. It felt expensive for what it was, while Blue Zoo seemed well priced for the quality of the food and service.

I've eaten at Citrico's and Jiko on all of my recent trips and enjoy the quality and variety of the food options at Citrico's (although I agree the dessert menu is not inspired) and the great food and lovely atmosphere at Jiko.

Ooh, how fun to have a minute to chat Disney and food!

 

[luvillians]

Narcoossee's was chosen for this trip due to the ability to see the fireworks from there and the fact that DH does not care for seafood or Asian inspired food (which threw out Flying Fish and Blue Zoo). I love all types of food, the more unusual the better. As long as DH can get a good steak he's happy.
However, I LOVED V & A's last year. It was sooo good. I would like to try some of the Boardwalk area food this year as I've never been over there.

 

[Tink rules]

IT OFFICIAL!!!!

The new ships in the DCL line are to be named...

DISNEY DREAM

&

DISNEY FANTASY

​

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...-bk-disney-cruise-names-031009,0,762379.story

To celebrate... DOD's on me!!!
​

 

[D&R love Disney]

I guess we're crossing a baseball game off the list in May unless one of us is able to get free tickets through work (not likely this year).

When the cheapest seats available will cost us $50 before "convenience fees", processing, tax, and shipping and then there is the cost of parking on top of that ... well, Jay just said he'd rather spend that money on dinner somewhere.

It just makes me sad ... he's a huge baseball fan, a real Mr. Redbird, and has never had a chance to see a game in the new stadium. I guess the days of affordable baseball have gone by the wayside unless you stay home and watch it on Fox Midwest.

I know what you mean about the ball game costs, it's almost impossible to see a Red Sox game at Fenway. The cost is outrageous!