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....
He also said he'd look in the back to see what GF pastries he had and if they were dairy free (he ended up not having anything, which was fine, I pigged out anyway!). Then he took me around the buffet to point out safe and not safe items. Fruit of course was safe, and I grabbed a lot of pineapple. Also, most of the meats were ok (bacon, sausage, ham, etc.) The yukon gold roasted potatoes were safe as well (and they were awesome). I also grabbed some rice. Then Chef Chris came out with more food. Holy moley!!! He must have made 6 eggs. It was a huge plate. Then the Mickey Waffles were crazy. Four big waffles with syrup and Earth Balance butter!! hurrah!!! 
Boy, did I go crazy on the waffles. I scarfed them down and ate about 1/2 of the eggs and then went back up to the buffet for more ham and potatoes. Add Jungle Juice on top of it, and I was one stuff girl. It was all so good though, I couldn't help but eat a lot! This was another restaurant were the chefs just went above and beyond. Another 9 out of 10, for simply great service and food. And yes, I will definitely be back! 
I decided to go w/the tilefish b/c it was supposed to be mild. It was. It was just a nice maize crusted fish with a light broth and plantains. A much better choice of entree. The chef was at least nice enough about it, but the waiter got madder and madder at us as the night progressed. He seemed irritated that we didn't order alcohol or any desserts, etc. The worst waiter I've had on Disney property ever. It was a bummer too b/c the meal could have been so nice, but the waiter brought everything down. I ate my fish, but I was really sick by the end of the meal. I felt terrible all around. Overall, it was a pretty unfortunate meal. I know that they have a new head chef there and that the menu has changed quite a bit, so I think it will be a long while before we head over there again. Overall a 4 out of 10 for bad service, lack of allergy knowledge and lackluster food. 
I missed out on those...of course, we went in the evening and selections were a little scant by that time. I kept meaning to get back over there in the AM but never did. Maybe when we go back this fall! Thanks for the great reviews...your blog is one I've had book-marked since deciding to go to Disney last summer! 
Then the chef came over and he was confused. I said I was gluten and dairy free and he said "what about the pork?" I was like, um, I eat pork. I'm not allergic to it. He and I were both very confused. He kept saying that my form said pork allergy and that he had made chicken sausage for me. I kept reiterating that no I was gluten and dairy. He said they could make me a gluten free dairy free waffle and also I could get an omelet and everything but the pork was safe...um, dude, I'm NOT allergic to pork. This was just getting weird. (they had asked my name in the beginning and he said it matched my name). Well, as I was getting my omelet (they used a clean pan and oil), he came out and showed me an allergy form for a Sarah...but no me. Evidently, he couldn't find my form and he saw Sarah and a reservation for the same time and assumed it was me. I suppose I could reason with that, but then he still brought me out the chicken sausage, to which I responded, "Are you going to have some for this other person when they show up?" He said yes, but to please eat it. So, I did. It was really good. Some kind of chicken and apple sausage. The waffle he brought out was good (not as good as the Mickey waffles, but I'm biased! 
The blog pics are great! 
