snorris49
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2009
- Messages
- 533
Well, I'm trying to actually get my review around close to around the time I came back from my trip, since I was months behind on the last one! So far so good! 
This was a birthday trip for myself and my mom. Last year we did a birthday trip, and had a fairly good time, though I got sick with a mini-Crohn's flare midweek. Last time we stayed club level, but have since joined DVC, so we stayed for the first time at the Boardwalk Villas. I have to say the villas are great for anyone who has allergies or wants to cook and save some money on food. We stayed in a studio, so we had a kitchenette with a microwave, toaster (which I don't use b/c of cross contamination), refrigerator, coffee maker, etc. We stopped at Publix's near the Premiere Outlets and got food for breakfast and snacks. They sell all Boar's Head deli meat at their meat counter, which is great b/c it is GF. They also sell pre-cooked hardboiled eggs, which were a nice addition for breakfast. I had rice chex and bought rice milk (not my favorite, but they did not carry my favorite So Delicious Coconut milk). They had a nice variety of alternative milks.
Day 1: Tangierine Cafe and Garden Grill
Our first day was low key. I arrived from the airport about the same time as my mom and stepdad who drove down from Michigan. We decided to head to Epcot for a quick bite to eat before dinner at the Garden Grill. We had decided to try Tangierine Cafe, since a lot of Mediterranean food seems GF and we had a very enjoyable meal at Restaurant Marrakesh previously. I'd also seen some good GF reviews on it. Unfortunately, this one turned out to be a bust. They had an allergy book out, and the chef came out to see me, but he told me the only options I had gluten free and dairy free were 1) Meatball platter served with yellow rice and 2) Vegetable Platter minus a lot of the items. He did not seem too thrilled to modify anything, so I decided to go w/the meatball platter and gamble on the meatballs, since I normally don't eat ground beef or ground lamb. I also discovered they had no dessert option (we were on the DDP this trip). I got the baklava and gave it to my mom. The meatballs themselves tasted ok, but slightly greasy for me. The rice had corn in it, and I picked around it, since I have problems digesting it. Otherwise, it tasted ok, but wasn't anything special. I think I will stick with the TS on this one, rather than the CS. I'd give it a 5 out of 10 for lack of options, no dessert, and lackluster service.
I have to say, after the so-so lunch, I was looking forward to a nice substantial dinner at Garden Grill. This was our first time there, and I have been wanting to dine there for years. Boy, we have been missing out!!! This is one of my new favorite places. It was soooo good. First of all, it's got great character interaction (yes, I got lots of pics with the characters) and it is such a nice calm environment. I love going around the Land! Upon arrival, we were greeted with menus and also birthday cards. How nice! Last year, we didn't really get anything special on our birthday trip, so we were quite surprised this trip (we got a LOT of great birthday meal experiences). Chef Tom came out and talked to me about the dietary restrictions. He was very helpful. I was able to get a lot of the regular offerings, though some slightly modified. First up were the Energ-G rolls (I had brought my Earth Balance margarine but forgot it at the hotel room! This restaurant did not have any on hand) and a garden salad. They made one big salad for all of us, with the dressings on the side (and no croutons). I had oil and vinegar for mine. This was an excellent salad too--very fresh and lots of yummy add-ins to it (bacon, egg, tomato, cucumber). I usually have to take it easy with the salad, but I admit, I scarfed a lot of it down. For my main plate, Chef Tom brought me crushed garlic potatoes, turkey, plain grilled fish with sauteed fresh veggies. I could have also had the steak, but I do not eat steak at all. I would be really sick if I did. It was all very good. Actually, it was one of my favorite meals of the trip. The veggies were nice and soft and so flavorful, and I ate a lot of them. The fish was mahi-mahi, and very tasty. They even gave me gluten free gravy on the side for the turkey and mashed potatoes, which was nice. I was very full by the end of the meal!!! Dessert options were limited, but I had my standby brownie, which is always very good. Chef Tom was so accommodating and very helpful. He even came by later to check in and see how the food was. Overall, I cannot say enough nice things about this restaurant. Both the food and service were impeccable. I give this a 9 out of 10 (only because of the dessert option). My mom and stepdad said the food they had was also extremely good, and we all liked it so much I switched ADRs for my April/May trip to add in this restaurant again. Loved, loved, loved it!!
Up next, breakfast with Donald at Tusker House and an unfortunate night at Jiko....

This was a birthday trip for myself and my mom. Last year we did a birthday trip, and had a fairly good time, though I got sick with a mini-Crohn's flare midweek. Last time we stayed club level, but have since joined DVC, so we stayed for the first time at the Boardwalk Villas. I have to say the villas are great for anyone who has allergies or wants to cook and save some money on food. We stayed in a studio, so we had a kitchenette with a microwave, toaster (which I don't use b/c of cross contamination), refrigerator, coffee maker, etc. We stopped at Publix's near the Premiere Outlets and got food for breakfast and snacks. They sell all Boar's Head deli meat at their meat counter, which is great b/c it is GF. They also sell pre-cooked hardboiled eggs, which were a nice addition for breakfast. I had rice chex and bought rice milk (not my favorite, but they did not carry my favorite So Delicious Coconut milk). They had a nice variety of alternative milks.
Day 1: Tangierine Cafe and Garden Grill
Our first day was low key. I arrived from the airport about the same time as my mom and stepdad who drove down from Michigan. We decided to head to Epcot for a quick bite to eat before dinner at the Garden Grill. We had decided to try Tangierine Cafe, since a lot of Mediterranean food seems GF and we had a very enjoyable meal at Restaurant Marrakesh previously. I'd also seen some good GF reviews on it. Unfortunately, this one turned out to be a bust. They had an allergy book out, and the chef came out to see me, but he told me the only options I had gluten free and dairy free were 1) Meatball platter served with yellow rice and 2) Vegetable Platter minus a lot of the items. He did not seem too thrilled to modify anything, so I decided to go w/the meatball platter and gamble on the meatballs, since I normally don't eat ground beef or ground lamb. I also discovered they had no dessert option (we were on the DDP this trip). I got the baklava and gave it to my mom. The meatballs themselves tasted ok, but slightly greasy for me. The rice had corn in it, and I picked around it, since I have problems digesting it. Otherwise, it tasted ok, but wasn't anything special. I think I will stick with the TS on this one, rather than the CS. I'd give it a 5 out of 10 for lack of options, no dessert, and lackluster service.
I have to say, after the so-so lunch, I was looking forward to a nice substantial dinner at Garden Grill. This was our first time there, and I have been wanting to dine there for years. Boy, we have been missing out!!! This is one of my new favorite places. It was soooo good. First of all, it's got great character interaction (yes, I got lots of pics with the characters) and it is such a nice calm environment. I love going around the Land! Upon arrival, we were greeted with menus and also birthday cards. How nice! Last year, we didn't really get anything special on our birthday trip, so we were quite surprised this trip (we got a LOT of great birthday meal experiences). Chef Tom came out and talked to me about the dietary restrictions. He was very helpful. I was able to get a lot of the regular offerings, though some slightly modified. First up were the Energ-G rolls (I had brought my Earth Balance margarine but forgot it at the hotel room! This restaurant did not have any on hand) and a garden salad. They made one big salad for all of us, with the dressings on the side (and no croutons). I had oil and vinegar for mine. This was an excellent salad too--very fresh and lots of yummy add-ins to it (bacon, egg, tomato, cucumber). I usually have to take it easy with the salad, but I admit, I scarfed a lot of it down. For my main plate, Chef Tom brought me crushed garlic potatoes, turkey, plain grilled fish with sauteed fresh veggies. I could have also had the steak, but I do not eat steak at all. I would be really sick if I did. It was all very good. Actually, it was one of my favorite meals of the trip. The veggies were nice and soft and so flavorful, and I ate a lot of them. The fish was mahi-mahi, and very tasty. They even gave me gluten free gravy on the side for the turkey and mashed potatoes, which was nice. I was very full by the end of the meal!!! Dessert options were limited, but I had my standby brownie, which is always very good. Chef Tom was so accommodating and very helpful. He even came by later to check in and see how the food was. Overall, I cannot say enough nice things about this restaurant. Both the food and service were impeccable. I give this a 9 out of 10 (only because of the dessert option). My mom and stepdad said the food they had was also extremely good, and we all liked it so much I switched ADRs for my April/May trip to add in this restaurant again. Loved, loved, loved it!!

Up next, breakfast with Donald at Tusker House and an unfortunate night at Jiko....