California Dreamin'-A 14 Day Odyssey to San Fran,Yosemite & DL! 8/2013 COMPLETE!1/9!!

[DWGal210]

How fun that you got to hang out with Stephen and his son! Very cool that you've all kept in touch.

Can't wait to hear all about Napa Rose!

 

[MEK]

Plaza Inn - another restaurant that's going on my bucket lit. How cute! And the chicken looks pretty yummy, too!

Yeah Pods looks like he can hardly contain himself. on Space Mountain.

Edited to say: How fun that you met up with one of your old friends.

 

[franandaj]

I LOVE this little fact about Walt! Thank you for sharing it!


Cool! I know you did say this when we were power shopping- but I think I may actually have a request for her- a DL Alex and Ani bracelet? I would love to have one of your POSITIVELY BREATHTAKING castle- they were all out when I was there, i was so disappointed! If she ever sees one while on her travels in silver, I would be THRILLED! Thanks!

While we're talking about the Plaza Inn, I also remember that when it reopened (after a major refurb and menu change), we got to tour the kitchens. Unless something major changed, the chicken is actually not fried, but baked using a cutting edge process for the late 1990s. It used some sort of convection technique to give it that fried texture, without actually adding the fat calories of frying in oil.

What is an Alex and Ani bracelet? I look at the jewelry counter in every store (Main Street, Elias and Co and WoD) when I go and I have four trips scheduled this month. I am laughing right now, because I first typed two trips (both DISmeets) and then I remembered a third and went back and erased that, then I remembered the fourth! Life is good when you live this close to the park! I would be happy to pick on up for you if I can find it.

Nice that you got to reconnect with an old friend!

 

[dizneeat]

All caught up again, Ellen!
Sorry for falling behind. Trying to stay with you for now as I am on vacation - finally! But then we are leaving for our summer vacation in less than 3 weeks.

 

[pillow]

What a cute story, and I love the 80's pic! Tell Pods he has aged well. He looks almost exactly the same. Man, I hate it when men do that!!

Jodie

 

[scottny]

I lived in Burbank and Glendale back in 95-96. Hated it and moved back east.
I love Surf City. We had a house in North beach.
It is nice to catch up with old friends in person.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

You definitely need to- all of that- how much longer til your big summer adventure? You know- the one where you meet me at a rest stop on 95?

Just a few weeks now, right? We leave in less than 2 weeks.

You're going to have to keep reminding us about meeting up with you--our brains are going to be so fried when we get back I wouldn't be shocked if we forget everything! So keep bugging us!

 

[jenseib]

Both Pods and Stephen have a little less hair these days.

How nice to be able to visit with him again though.

 

[podsnel]

I swear if LA wasn't so far from London I would be on my way to DL right now!
Love your photos and can totally see what an amazing time you are all having
I realised that I didn't comment on your awesome DIS meets - such fun!
I seriously can't get over the artwork and memorabilia in the 1901 Lounge - I would loose my mind!
Great that you got to spend time with such wonderful DIS'ers whose TRs I adore

I hope you get to meet them all one day, too! They are such great people- I feel lucky to have connceted with them in life.

How fun that you got to hang out with Stephen and his son! Very cool that you've all kept in touch.

Can't wait to hear all about Napa Rose!

Coming soon! I have been especially hard hit with baseball lately-

Plaza Inn - another restaurant that's going on my bucket lit. How cute! And the chicken looks pretty yummy, too!

Yeah Pods looks like he can hardly contain himself. on Space Mountain.

Edited to say: How fun that you met up with one of your old friends.

yea- what is with Pods, anyway??? It must have been on that ride that he started to realize how much money we were hemorraging in Cali...

While we're talking about the Plaza Inn, I also remember that when it reopened (after a major refurb and menu change), we got to tour the kitchens. Unless something major changed, the chicken is actually not fried, but baked using a cutting edge process for the late 1990s. It used some sort of convection technique to give it that fried texture, without actually adding the fat calories of frying in oil.

It's not FRIED???? OMG- I wish we would have had this little conversation a while ago!

What is an Alex and Ani bracelet? I look at the jewelry counter in every store (Main Street, Elias and Co and WoD) when I go and I have four trips scheduled this month. I am laughing right now, because I first typed two trips (both DISmeets) and then I remembered a third and went back and erased that, then I remembered the fourth! Life is good when you live this close to the park! I would be happy to pick on up for you if I can find it.

They are the skinny metal bracelets with the charms hanging off- http://www.disneystore.com/jewelry-...and-ani-disneyland-silver/mp/1311151/1000295/

BUT....it's in stock on the website so don't worry about it! I can order one now- thanks Darlin'! You and Fran must have brought me online shopping luck-


Nice that you got to reconnect with an old friend!

And some newer ones-

 

[podsnel]

All caught up again, Ellen!
Sorry for falling behind. Trying to stay with you for now as I am on vacation - finally! But then we are leaving for our summer vacation in less than 3 weeks.

Karin!! Don't you EVER apologize to me for falling behind! I am the Queen of falling behind! Both in writing AND reading. I was just looking at your tickers- your 1st Med cruise in all these trips? This one must seem like a bargain!

What a cute story, and I love the 80's pic! Tell Pods he has aged well. He looks almost exactly the same. Man, I hate it when men do that!!

Jodie

I will tell him Jodie- that is so sweet- I ama lucky girl! And yea- OMG- SOOOOOO totally 80's that pic- mullets and ALL!

I lived in Burbank and Glendale back in 95-96. Hated it and moved back east.
I love Surf City. We had a house in North beach.
It is nice to catch up with old friends in person.

Really?! That's very interesting about moving out and moving back- you may be the only one I know! You and Kramer!

Where in North Beach- well, that's probably a hard question to answer- all the streets are kind of the same, all residential. I was just in North Beach a couple of weekends ago! Still beautiful and quiet as I am sure it was when you were there-

Just a few weeks now, right? We leave in less than 2 weeks.

Yep! About a month away from Alaska for me -

You're going to have to keep reminding us about meeting up with you--our brains are going to be so fried when we get back I wouldn't be shocked if we forget everything! So keep bugging us!

I did and i will!

Both Pods and Stephen have a little less hair these days.

LOL!!! Definitely!!!

How nice to be able to visit with him again though.

It was- he never comes home either- so I was so glad to spend so much time with him. He is an awesome Dad- so nice to see.

 

[podsnel]

Tonight's dinner was at the acclaimed Napa Rose at the GCH. Just Pods and I would be going on this dining adventure, and we were REALLY excited, because I had heard it was sooo amazing!

And well, it was! But....at the time, I remember being a little disappointed- I think because I had it built up SO high, and to a more personal experience. It was extreeeeeemely uber fine dining, and they were all very nice and skilled. But I thought it was one of those deals where the chef kind of makes up some stuff for you based on what you love. Well, he doesn't. Especially if HE (Andrew Sutton) isn't even there that night, lol! Everything, however, was brilliant and beautiful, and I would definitely return if I am ever lucky enough to be in the area again. A couple of pics before we sat-





60 days in advance, I had popped out of bed, air-head that I am, and ran downstairs frantically to call and book the Chef's Counter- being a WDW trained DISgeek, I wasn't sure just how fast this type of experience booked up. Fortunately, it was FINE that I had forgotten all day to call and reserve, there were still plenty of seats available (in fact, there were that night, too). So now here we were, celebrating our 27th Anniversary from 2 months prior. Many things to choose from-



Tonight, we were having the Vintners Table-



I was going to start with a cocktail-



Unfortunately, our wine was being poured to compliment our first course before the drink ever arrived. So I cancelled it. A close up of the main courses-



I had heard that the mac n cheese was TDF from a little bird (named Alison) so I was hoping when they asked what our food preferences were and I said truffles- we LOVE truffles- that they would get my not so subtle hint.





I wanted to show you everything close-up, because since we were both having the Vintner's Menu, they were going to surprise us each with different courses. Bread-



LOVED this bread-



A little amuse bouche to get things rolling....



and....I will be back in a few to continue-sorry!

 

[podsnel]

So, we were having the Vintner's Menu but they were giving us random things, we had said surprise us, we are foodies, LOVE unusual dishes we would not find elsewhere. Some things were listed on the Vintner's, some were parts of other dishes, it varied, but it was all on the menu somewhere in most cases.

Tangierine lobster and tempura fried avocado- so different than any other avocado I have ever had-



Smiling Tiger Salad (minus the beef, i think)



The view-





Pan Roasted Diver scallop on a sauce of lobster and lemon accented with vanilla-



I usually hate vanilla in savory food- I remember this was the first time I did not. Pods and I were sharing everything (of course!) and I think this next dish is what made me crave octopus for this past year...it was lemon verbena grilled fish of the day, Spanish Octopus, fingerling potatoes and zinfandel vinaigrette.





A very pretty restaurant-



Next- Roasted maple Leaf Duck Breast with fennel honey puree, pistacios, baby portobellos and local cherries



I think this was rabbit with summer tomatoes, fava beans and parmigiano- but it was a risotto, not on polenta-



Portobello Mushroom Cappuccino with brandied thyme froth-



This was a lamb porterhouse, but different presentation-



Beef tenderloin, different presentation-



And he remembered the truffles-





Of course, we were incredibly full- it was a LOT of food!! But still there was dessert-





I think this was a warm dark chocolate truffle cake with bailey's gelato



And I sadly can't recall what we were served completely, but we got to choose, which was nice, and they recommended trying this one with the cherries because it was coming off the menu the next day as this was the end of cherry season.



It was very god, for sure!

We rolled out of Napa Rose, past the special Lasseter wines....







SO cool, aren't they?!



And past the empty lounge-



Oh...what a lovely meal, but I think I would go again and order exactly what I wanted next time, rather than leaving it up to the chef. Maybe. Probably depends on if HE is there- or not.

Once back to our villa, the kids were lounging around in the livingroom- I took the opportunity to tickle Tyler to pieces (his nick-name is Tickle -me-Tweelie and Timmy would be the FIRST one to tell you, but since he's not here, I will tell you instead!)- because NOTHING ends a nice night out like coming home and making your 16 year old fall to bits from a few tickles (oh- MAN is that kid tickle-ish!!),



HAHAHAHA! Up next- A Walk in Walt's Footsteps......

 

[KristiMc]

Yum - everything you had looks great.

 

[jedijill]

Dinner looks awesome! I loved the Chef's Counter but I will choose my own meal unless Chef Sutton is there. I, too, was hoping for some special dishes but didn't get them. Everything was yummy though!

Jill in CO

 

[rentayenta]

Nice update. Dinner looks lovely. I am sorry the Chef wasn't there to prepare your meal. Wasn't that mac n cheeses so rich? M and I ordered it and could only finish about 1/3 of it. I did eat it for the breakfast the next day though.

I wish the dessert we had was there during your visit. It was called hot chocolate something or another. It was the creamiest most wonderful hot chocolate with two handmade filled donuts. OMG to die for. I think it may be a winter dessert.

 

[podsnel]

Yum - everything you had looks great.

It was- very nice. But I think Remy is nicer...

Dinner looks awesome! I loved the Chef's Counter but I will choose my own meal unless Chef Sutton is there. I, too, was hoping for some special dishes but didn't get them. Everything was yummy though!

Jill in CO

I agree- and thanks for saying that- I feel like a spoiled BRAT! But what you just said is EXACTLY how we felt.

Nice update. Dinner looks lovely. I am sorry the Chef wasn't there to prepare your meal. Wasn't that mac n cheeses so rich? M and I ordered it and could only finish about 1/3 of it. I did eat it for the breakfast the next day though.

Yes, it was good- I think I liked the one at Club 33 more though...

I wish the dessert we had was there during your visit. It was called hot chocolate something or another. It was the creamiest most wonderful hot chocolate with two handmade filled donuts. OMG to die for. I think it may be a winter dessert.

Wow- that sounds so cool! Was THE chef there on your visit?

 

[DWGal210]

Everything looks delicious! YUM! What a special meal.

I am with Tyler, I am SUPER ticklish...wait, should I be telling you that, AEP roomie?!?!

Great update! Hope baseball is calming down for you even a little bit. This summer is FLYING by. I was thinking today, I had no travel plans this summer, had this laundry list of things to do, I was going to be super productive.....nope. It's already July 9th and I feel like the summer is SCREAMING by.

 

[franandaj]

I don't think the chef is anywhere any more. He has so many obligations, he's no longer a chef who prepares food regularly, he's a figurehead who travels amongst his various restaurants checking on the chefs.

I think the whole idea of them making you what you want is overrated. They do pick and choose stuff off the menu that you would like. I prefer to pick my favorites off the menu too. Those scallops and the smiling tiger salad are definite favs. I also like the pizza with the grapes.

I'm glad in hindsight you enjoyed the meal. We like going there too. We ate there in April and it was great!

 

[podsnel]

It's a new day! WOW- we were on vacation FOREVER last year!! On this morning, our 3rd day in DL, I was going to begin my day with a tour of DL- specifically, the Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour. Because, really, isn't that what this park is about? This is the one where WALT was- as if it wasn't already special enough here. I left everyone snoring in the villa and cut through CA. Here's a pic for you, MEK-





Sooo casual...



I did need to go over to the booth and check-in pre-tour. I still needed to eat breakfast, and was hoping to go to the Coronation Café, but the CM said there probably wasn't time for that. So off to Jolly Holiday I went for some counter service....



As you can see, it was packed-



lunch-



But I was here for breakfast, which was a quiche (that I did not enjoy very much) and some fruit-



After I finished, I still had plenty of time to kill (making me wish I had not listened to that CM and gone to the CC like I wanted to, because I never made it there, and I had really wanted to try as many different restaurants as possible, of course. Anyway, I ended up browsing in the stores-







Sorry the pic quality is not the greatest- at this point I was kind of over lugging around the big camera and just had the water camera with me. I went into Crystal Arts and fell in love with these precious miniature sparkly friends-



I also fell in love with some earrings that were waaaaay more than I wanted to spend. I did however start a collection of these- with a purchase of Jiminy Cricket- he seemed like the right choice for a souvenir from DL. Back outside-



So sweet, isn't it?



I'd be going up there later today- TOUCHING things when the scary lady wasn't looking...lol...but you'll have to wait for that-



Right now, however we were just here to begin our very magical tour....





With a walk down Main street...



And a stop at the Partner's statue-







All the while our CM Tour Guide was giving us great details and info about Walt, and what this park really meant to him. It was AWESOME!!!!!

I have to run, but I will try to finish this later today....

 

[MEK]

Dinner looks delish and Napa Rose looks like a beautiful restaurant. So lovely! Glad you enjoyed your meal even though you would rather pick yourself.

Thanks for the shout out picture!

So it looks like Denny wants to go to DL in June instead of February of next year. Do you think I can make it that long?

I really want to do the footsteps tour!