Birthday and Mother's Day Deluxe Dining...completed! Need ideas for next trip.

[cmesq61]

We have three breakfasts there next month and I am so excited to try the lobster eggs benedict. Since you could not get appetizers, were you allowed juice as your breakfast appetizer?

 

[TigerKat]

I have seen pics of that freaking lobster eggs benedict and it looks INCREDIBLE!

 

[jgazda]

We have three breakfasts there next month and I am so excited to try the lobster eggs benedict. Since you could not get appetizers, were you allowed juice as your breakfast appetizer?

Yes she told us we could order juice, coffee, tea or hot chocolate. The smoothies were not part of the plan. Hope you enjoy your breakfast as much as we did!

I have seen pics of that freaking lobster eggs benedict and it looks INCREDIBLE!

Seriously one of the best breakfast items ever. I'll probably dream about it tonight now LOL! We're putting that place on our list to go to next time specifically for that. This is coming up in another report but the 1900 Park Fare breakfast also had this entree...

 

[jgazda]

Had ADR's for Plaza Restaurant for 12:55 and arrived about 5 minutes early. This place was hopping and I heard them turn away at least three different walk ups. We received a pager and waited 25 minutes to be seated. Our table was in the main dining room close to the front door.

We sat down and waited, and waited, and waited some more. And then after waiting more our waitress FINALLY came over and took our drink orders. We probably waited 7 minutes for her to come by which I think is terrible. I understand the place was busy but at least acknowledge that you see us and that you will be over soon. She took our drink orders and my husband asked for her to bring two drinks for him since he was really thirsty and she seemed really miffed by it. She disappeared for another 5 or 6 minutes and then appeared with our drinks and took our appetizer and entree order. I went with the tomato bisque with homemade croutons and my husband chose the salad. I really wasn't that impressed with the soup. Our grocery store here has a better bisque. The croutons were the only thing that gave it taste and there were only about 5 in there so that went fast. My husband said his salad was, well a salad. Light and refreshing with the perfect amount of dressing.

For our entrees I went with the Plaza club and my husband went with his safety, the cheeseburger. He changed it up a bit and had bacon thrown on there. Ooooooh! He said it was very tasty and hit the spot. My club was really good as well. It's just like a BLT with some smoked ham and turkey layered in. It isn't so huge that you can't eat it which I like. We both got fries and they were equally good. Our server still had not lightened up at this point and didn't even make eye contact. Until...

She came by to take our dessert order and I ordered the plaza sundae with mint chocolate chip ice cream and my husband went to order the banana split but asked if instead of the ice cream that was listed on the menu he wanted to have chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Mind you that is EXACTLY what the menu says. At this point the waitress breaks out into a fit of laughter and from that point on did a complete 180 and was super nice the rest of the meal. Not sure why it took so long for her to come around but from that point I really liked her and we got our drinks much quicker. By the way the desserts were awesome. Hard to screw up a couple sundaes but truly they were super.

Our little munchkin had the salad for her appetizer which she didn't touch ( I might have picked at it since the soup was seriously lacking) and then got the chicken strips with apples and rice. She ate nothing. We did take her to first aid immediately following this meal because she came down with what we believe to be prickly heat so not sure if that had anything to do with it. For dessert we got her a Mickeylodeon which is basically an ice cream cone upside down in a cup with cookies as Mickey ears. That she ate. Go figure!

As a whole we thought this was a decent meal and would try it again. Once the service improved we were really happy with everything. Dessert was definitely the best part so even if you only go in for that it's worth it.

The one thing that was slightly annoying is that there is no bathroom inside the restaurant. You had to walk outside and use the bathroom right next to the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station. Not a deal breaker but a little bothersome.

 

[TigerKat]

Sorry you had such terrible service, no excuse for that! We tried the Plaza for the first time last year and we loved it. I'm not much on french fries but their's were really good and we had the club as well which was great!

 

[KatMark]

Sorry about your service at Plaza. We go every year and love the food. Service has been hit or miss...some of those people just don't seem to be happy to be there. Last year, we had Dot (I think this was her name). She has been there since Disney opened. She was very sweet.

 

[jgazda]

Sorry about your service at Plaza. We go every year and love the food. Service has been hit or miss...some of those people just don't seem to be happy to be there. Last year, we had Dot (I think this was her name). She has been there since Disney opened. She was very sweet.

Not sure if it was the heat because there were a lot of cranky people around, but I was just happy she came around eventually. THe food is great so we will definitely return.

 

[jgazda]

Ok let’s get in our way back machines and flash back to November 2008. We had ADR’s for ‘Ohana one evening and we got there and checked in. They said they were very behind and we may have to wait 30 minutes. Not a big deal. We sit down and relax. My son (the boy who cries sick) says he isn’t feeling well. He probably tells me this 3 or 4 times a week so I never truly know when he’s really not sick or just nervous about something. I tell him to use the bathroom to see if that doesn’t help. He comes back and says he’s fine now. Great! He sees all the goings on in the restaurant and says he doesn’t want to eat there, he doesn’t like shrimp or turkey etc etc. Right after that we get seated and they bring out the salad and wontons. I am encouraging him to eat something maybe he is just hungry. No go. I’m getting a little frustrated with him and tell him (now this is where I win bad mom award) “You better be sick!” Seriously, not more than 30 seconds goes by and he gets up and right there in front of everyone… PUKE! I felt awful. ‘Ohana doesn’t do take out so they didn’t charge us for the meal and we left immediately to get him back to the hotel. As a result he learned to only say he is sick when he is REALLY sick and I will believe him when he says so.

Anyway, my husband got to try one piece of meat while I was dealing with the fiasco at hand and loved it so much he wanted to make sure we got to go there on our next trip. At the 90 day mark I called in and got the right day and right time. Ahhhh perfection.

Ok, now back to May 2009…

So we had just finished up lunch at The Plaza and it was almost 2. I don’t know about you but there was no way I was going to eat again in 3 hours, especially at ‘Ohana. We decided to go back to the pool to see if we could swim ourselves into an appetite but that didn’t work so we cancelled our ADR and went back to Turf Club at 7.

One thing I forgot to mention last time that I didn't want to forget this time was the bread and butter they brought out. THe bread was out of the oven hot and the butter was the perfect temperature so that you could easily spread it and it was served sprinkled with sea salt. Wowzer. Really complimentary to each other and could have eaten an entire loaf if I didn't already know about the potatoes that were coming...

I ordered the crab cakes as an appetizer this time and they were really good. Probably more of a bread taste than a crab taste which seems to be the norm but they were still quite good. My husband went with the buffalo chicken nuggets again since he loved them so much the first time.

Speaking of repeats, I once again ordered the steak crusted with crab meat and since I was ordering it again my husband ordered it as well. One bite and he knew why I had ordered it again. It’s really good! And the potatoes! Once again, YUM! Our server was delightful and made sure we never lacked anything.

For dessert we both ordered what the other had ordered the night before. I went with the lava cake and he went with the pound cake with strawberries. The lava cake is unbelievable and there is no reason to look at anything else on the menu if you like chocolate. The center was hot and oozing and the outside wasn’t too dry. Simply devine. My husband really enjoyed the pound cake as well.

Once again we really think this is a great place and hope that more people will give it a try. Just not on a night we’re trying to get in.

 

[jgazda]

Had an early ADR (8:25) for 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. Having had just been there the day before we knew right where to go and to leave ourselves an hour of transportation time to get there. (Next time we are staying on the monorail!)

We arrived right on time and were given a pager probably for rule following purposes because no sooner did I turn my back and the thing went off. Handed it right back to her and we proceeded to have our picture taken and were than led in to the restaurant to be seated.

Alice was pretty much at the table waiting for us so we visited with her for a bit and then attacked the buffet. There was so much food you almost don’t know what to try first. I can distinctly remember chocolate croissants, fruit, cheesy eggs, breakfast pizza, bacon, sausage, lobster eggs benedict, cereal, waffles, strawberry soup and of course ice cream. There was MUCH more than that but I think at one point someone at our table had one of all of those things. My favorites were the strawberry soup, the lobster eggs benedict, and the breakfast pizza. The strawberry soup is so refreshing and wonderful without being too terribly sweet. Really really good. The lobster eggs benedict was also fantastic. It was server a little differently then when we had it at the Café. It seemed more like the lobster was in tiny chunks throughout instead of the big chunks we were served but don’t get me wrong it was still amazing. The breakfast pizza was also really good as well. The crust was a little chewy but I still really enjoyed it. My husband is a buffet guy so he made many a trip up there and ate to his hearts content and didn’t complain about a thing. He was a very happy man after the breakfast.

Our daughter ate very little with all the characters around but she did eat some eggs and bacon but most of all wanted cereal which they did have.

Our server was amazing! We loved her. She brought us new juice when we were only halfway done and when my daughter got her cereal she brought milk over without me even asking. She was truly something special.

The characters we saw were Alice, Mary Poppins, Mad Hatter, Tigger, and Pooh. Each of them were fantastic and when the Mad Hatter realized our daughter was nervous he slowly came over and talked to her a bit before approaching for a picture. We really love the job that the characters do.

I do have a picture of some of the food seen here: (and yes she is dressed as Alice)




We really can’t wait to return to this wonderful restaurant and eat again. I think next time we are going to try the dinner so we can see the stepsisters.

 

[jgazda]

Because we had a buffet at breakfast we chose to take a late lunch at Le Cellier since my husband HAS to eat there once a trip. Since we already missed ‘Ohana there was no way I was going to have him miss that. We arrived at 1:00 and were seated almost immediately. Can’t remember which Provence we were but it was close to the front of the restaurant. Our server greeted us immediately and took our drink orders.

Since we were on deluxe we needed to pick out an appetizer. My son had gotten the soup back in November so I faintly recall the taste after trying a spoonful of his and reading everyone on here liking it so much I was drawn to it, but it was stinky hot out and wasn’t really in the mood for soup. Nothing else on the menu was really calling my name either so I ordered the soup and my husband did the same. Our waitress brought out the soup along with the fabulous bread and the Epcot shaped butter balls (so cute!) and I don’t know if it was the heat but the soup just did nothing for me. My husband devoured his and said he loved it so I’m sure it was just me.

For entrees I choose the filet mignon with the risotto since I’m a mushroom lover. Anybody want to take a stab at what my husband ordered? You got it, the cheeseburger! I ate almost every bite of mine. I just love this dish it is so divine. The steak is melt in your mouth delicious and compliments the risotto and the risotto is rich and creamy and full of mushrooms and compliments the steak. What a perfect marriage of flavors. My husband loved his cheeseburger as well. It was cooked just the way he asked for and was very flavorful.

My husband skipped on dessert as he wasn’t feeling well but I went with my usual, the “Moose”. I just think he is so cute and tasty I couldn’t pass it up. It was wonderful as always.

The little one had pizza, veggies and a sundae and ate the pizza and the sundae only. The veggies were barely cooked and too hard for her to enjoy.

Once again we had a great meal here and even though it can take some creative planning to get an ADR, we plan on returning each visit.

 

[MelanieC]

Thanks for the reviews - Loving them so far

 

[jgazda]

Thanks for the reviews - Loving them so far

Thank you! Remembering all the good food can be torture. A few more to go...

 

[jgazda]

Because this was a three-meal day, we had later reservations (7:30) for Nine Dragons. We rode Test Track right before and hauled it over there as quickly as we could and were 8 minutes late but the hosts were very nice and accommodating and seated us immediately. Our waitress came over and took our drink orders and returned right away with our drink orders.

I had seen a review once that showed the shrimp and taro lollipops and I knew I was getting that for an appetizer but my husband wasn’t sure. After looking over the menu he decided on the shrimp and chicken egg rolls. I know, way to be adventurous. I am not exaggerating when I say this, our appetizers were brought out 2 minutes after we ordered. Good thing we were hungry. The lollipops were so good. Very distinct shrimp taste and the sauce they are served with enhanced the flavors. Highly recommend this dish. The eggrolls were very good too. There were noticeable chunks of shrimp and chicken and the veggies all cooked perfectly so that all the different textures meshed well. We very much enjoyed both appetizers.

For our entrees we went with the honey sesame chicken since my husband has a SERIOUS weakness for sesame chicken and I chose the peppery shrimp with spinach noodles. The noodles were spinach noodles, bright green and had a slight hint of spinach flavor. The shrimp was cooked perfect and was in a peppery light sauce. Really tasty and flavorful. There were at least 8 to 10 large shrimp in there so they didn’t skimp at all. My husband loved his honey sesame chicken. Very sweet and the sauce was a nice thick consistency and went well with the chicken. There is nothing like it around here and I think he would hop on a plane right now to get some.

Our daughter had the combo plate which had both the sweet and sour chicken as well as the meatballs and lo mein. She ate quite a bit. I love the combo plate idea so the kids can try both dishes.

We were full but I had heard rumor of a dessert here that wasn’t on the allears menu that I just wouldn’t be able to pass up so I asked her waitress and she said they had it so both my husband and I ordered it. That’s right we each got our own. Banana Cheesecake Eggroll! Not only that it is served with vanilla ice cream drizzled with a caramel sauce. It’s like a little piece of heaven. I ate more than I should have just because I wanted to savor one more bite. The waitress practically had to pry it out if my hands. If I was a different person I would have licked that plate clean. Not saying the dinner wasn’t good, but I would go again just for that. Mmmmmmmmm.

Our server was fantastic and made sure we never went without drinks or condiments, however, it was really rushed. We had our appetizers within two minutes of ordering and our entrees were served before the appetizers were even finished. Slight pet peeve. Other than that minor thing it was great and we can’t wait to return.

 

[Malibelle]

Great job on the trip report. Wow, you ate a Turf Club twice! I am really thinking of trying it when we go back in Sept. We own DVC at SSR but never ate there. The Plaza is another place I want to try for lunch.

My husband is a picky eater, no sauces, no cheese, no condements, everything dry like you sister. I have gotten him to try some things but it can be frustrating.

That is so funny about you husband and cheeseburgers!

Did you find the Deluxe dining was too much food? I am considering upgrading but I think it might be too much.

 

[jgazda]

Thank you!

I was having the same dilemma, but since you pay for the number of nights but get to use them for the number of days we were able to space a lot of them out enough where there were only two days that we had three meals and even then we spaced those out a lot. The plaza was a nice light lunch (except for the ice cream )so it was a great meal for a three day plan.

We own at AKL but stayed at SSR because of the developer points and we really like it there, especially because of Turf Club. It was really wonderful, from the food to the view to the service, we had nothing to complain about. I'm sure they can take the sauce and whatever else for your husband so he'll eat. I keep trying to get my husband to broaden his horizons but he won't stray either. I have a review of Liberty Tree coming up and I'm sure it's no surprise he got a cheeseburger there as well. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but there is so much good food out there at Disney!

 

[danalee]

Love your reviews, and your little one is a doll baby!

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

That’s right we each got our own. Banana Cheesecake Eggroll! Not only that it is served with vanilla ice cream drizzled with a caramel sauce. It’s like a little piece of heaven.

Oh my goodness, I have never heard of this but I am SO getting this next trip

 

[jgazda]

Love your reviews, and your little one is a doll baby!

Awww thanks. We think so too but we are really biased.

Oh my goodness, I have never heard of this but I am SO getting this next trip

Seriously so amazing. It's so hard to describe how wonderful this thing is. We are making decisions for our trip in November and are going to return specifically to get that again. Wow...just wow.

 

[jgazda]

We originally had 8:15 ADR's at Crystal Palace, but since it was our last day we called and cancelled and ate at Artist Palette so we could make sure all of our stuff was packed and ready to go to bell services so we could enjoy one more day in the Magic Kingdom.

Both my husband and I ordered the bounty breakfast platter and that comes with eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, waffle, and a biscuit. My husband is a big eater and was able to polish this off on his own, I split mine with our daughter and we both had plenty to eat. It is a BIG breakfast. And with the dining plan you get two juices so it was perfect. Everything tasted good, the waffles are the same everywhere and the bacon and sausage seem not to differ much either. The eggs weren't as tasty as the ones at 'Ohana but they were fine. Potatoes were good too. Definitely a good counter service breakfast and we would happily return there if we stay at SSR again.

My only issue with this place is every time we have eaten there we have waited in a line 15 minutes long to get food and then 5 more minutes to pay. Now I know that SSR is a big resort, it's just when you aren't a morning person and you are hungry...well it's not a good thing. Everyone has always been very nice and the food is good so it is worth it in the end.

 

[jgazda]

We had late lunch ADR’s (2:15) at Liberty Tree so we could have one last meal before we boarded that dreary ME bus back to Orlando Airport to go home. We arrived right on time and were seated within 10 minutes. I love the cozy feeling you get in this place with the creaky wood floors. It feels like my grandparents house used to feel. Our server greeted us almost immediately and was a very nice man. (he gave us a special treat to take home…stay tuned!) He brought back our drinks within a couple minutes.

For an appetizer I ordered the declaration salad with the buttermilk dressing and it was super tasty. Very fresh and crisp and wonderful. My husband went with the clam chowder. Anytime it is available there is a 90% chance that he will order it and he didn’t disappoint. He really enjoyed it and finished every last spoonful.

I was having such a hard time deciding what to order. Last time we were here I had the pot roast and it was really fantastic but I wanted to try something new. Be adventurous. I was almost decided on the vegetarian pot pie until the server came over and explained what the fresh catch was that day, grilled salmon on top of a corn and potato mash cake served with vegetables. Ok twist my arm! I got that and I was so happy I did because it was such a wonderful dish. The salmon was cooked perfectly, couldn’t have asked for better. The potato cake was similar to mashed potatoes with corn throughout and it was really good. I think there were green beans on the plate but I was too busy with the salmon and potatoes to even notice. Sorry. The hubby went with the cheeseburger, as usual and he was very pleased with his choice. He finished the entire thing so it must have been great. Our daughter had the macaroni and cheese with fries. She ate fairly well. She was tired and ready for a nap so she wasn’t overly hungry. We made a comment to our server that she never eats this well at home (she truly doesn’t) and that it must be the plates so he came back and gave us a clean one to take home. Our little bit of pixie dust right before we left!

We were too full for dessert at the time so we took two orders of the ooey gooey toffee cake to go and ate them on the plane. I love this dessert. It’s like eating a skor bar but in a cake fashion. Really good!

Everything about this meal was great, from the service to the food. What a great way to end a trip to Disney. And right after we paid the bill and left we caught the end of the parade. Even more magic.