Cheap and Easy (the Reviews, Not the Food) from Sept 5-11, Updated 9/28 with Day 3!

[quixoticvalue]

Excellent reviews, great pictures, and I am enjoying the photo to word ratio! I am totally visual.

I am visual as well--it has plagued me in all aspects of my life, including listening skills and even studying!

 

[quixoticvalue]

TONY'S TOWN SQUARE LUNCH

from, Day 2, September 6th

Reservation Time: 12:15 PM

Server: Daniel

Situation: Magic Kingdom's dining is limited. So limited that we were forced to try Tony's a couple trips ago. Well, believe it or not, we LIKED it. We REALLY liked it. Perhaps because it has the best pizza that Dustin has ever had, and he is a pizza lover since he grew up on watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Michelangelo....). Okay I am rambling now. Just enjoy.



Review:

See how empty it was? We didn't even need a reservation!

Hey! An embarrassment opportunity!

Mine is not that far behind....


Calamari (tossed with olive relish and served with a side of marinara sauce)

Isn't that the look of fried calamari perfection? It definitely was perfect. Fresh and hot calamari with a lightly fried breading. Not very greasy and had an interesting flavor with the relish. Plus, it was easy to split--Dustin had the non-relish ones while I savored the relished.



Bianca Flatbread (blend of five cheeses, garlic, basil, and oregano)

Dustin's: (insert Homer's famous donut loving moan)

It is SO good! The cheeses, the garlic, and the soft and chewy flatbread all amount to a wonderful white pizza. However... it wasn't as good as last couple times! It was just slightly more greasy and had less ricotta. But still delicious.


Summary:

(We paid this one OOP and used the DDE)
Time Stamped on Reciept: 12:58 (quick lunch, eh?)
Calamari: 9.49
2 Bianca Flatbreads: 23.98
2 Diet cokes: 4.58
Total w/DDE discount + auto grat: 39.27


Our server was very efficient and friendly. He chit-chatted with us inbetween courses, and never let us have an empty glass. Great. The food was nice, although the flatbread was better last time (I love a LOT of ricotta cheese), but still simply fantastic. I have had their eggplant before and it was good as well, but I am not sure about their dinner offerings. I just know that their flatbreads rock.

Later today: 'Ohana dinner.

 

[rentayenta]

We tried Tony's too (last minute) on our last trip and loved it!!! I think it's highly underrated which is fine by me; keeps the riff raff out. Our server was efficient, we had a wonderful table by the Lady fountain, and the food was good. It's on our possible duplicate list for our next trip. I was attempting to try all new TS but why mess with happiness?

 

[quixoticvalue]

We tried Tony's too (last minute) on our last trip and loved it!!! I think it's highly underrated which is fine by me; keeps the riff raff out. Our server was efficient, we had a wonderful table by the Lady fountain, and the food was good. It's on our possible duplicate list for our next trip. I was attempting to try all new TS but why mess with happiness?

I think going to the same place the next trip is great, except when you go to it over and over again every trip (like what we did this time with Tony's). We still enjoy it so much, but changing it up every now and then is fun too!

 

[jess20k]

I am enjoying your reviews! Thanks!

I have always wanted to give Tony's a try, but I have always changed my mind, mostly because I see lots of bad reviews for it. However, your review sounds great, and the food looks delicious!!!! I may have to cave in and give it a try. That is if I could decide which ADR I am willing to give up for it..lol

 

[rentayenta]

I think going to the same place the next trip is great, except when you go to it over and over again every trip (like what we did this time with Tony's). We still enjoy it so much, but changing it up every now and then is fun too!

We've only been once so May 2009 will be our 2nd trip. The three I would like to enjoy again are Cal Grill, Tony's, and 'Ohana for dinner. I am looking forward to trying Chef's, Le Cellier, Marrakesh, and Crystal Palace. Raglan Road was also really good, great bar, and the boys want to try the T-Rex Cafe which we'll do. Beaches and Cream also looks SO good.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Ok sister you helped me out a ton with the Tonys lunch review. DH wants Sci Fi but I really dont and I have been trying to get him to cancel it for months. So just now I showed him your pics from Tonys (he is a calamari and pizza fiend!) and he said "ok now that you have found a suitable replacement you may cancel Sci Fi"

Oy vey!

 

[quixoticvalue]

I am enjoying your reviews! Thanks!

I have always wanted to give Tony's a try, but I have always changed my mind, mostly because I see lots of bad reviews for it. However, your review sounds great, and the food looks delicious!!!! I may have to cave in and give it a try. That is if I could decide which ADR I am willing to give up for it..lol

Give it a try! You might even enjoy it like we did!

We've only been once so May 2009 will be our 2nd trip. The three I would like to enjoy again are Cal Grill, Tony's, and 'Ohana for dinner. I am looking forward to trying Chef's, Le Cellier, Marrakesh, and Crystal Palace. Raglan Road was also really good, great bar, and the boys want to try the T-Rex Cafe which we'll do. Beaches and Cream also looks SO good.

Those sound like excellent choices.

Ok sister you helped me out a ton with the Tonys lunch review. DH wants Sci Fi but I really dont and I have been trying to get him to cancel it for months. So just now I showed him your pics from Tonys (he is a calamari and pizza fiend!) and he said "ok now that you have found a suitable replacement you may cancel Sci Fi"

Oy vey!

I hear you. Dustin is so keen on eating at Tokyo Dining for his birthday in January... but we did that LAST year.. and we ate there again later in the year... he inists until I find a replacement...

 

[quixoticvalue]

'OHANA DINNER

from, Day 2, September 6th

Reservation Time: 6:30 PM

Server: Pedro

Situation: We happily refreshed at our hotel, relaxed, and purged ourselves of the day's exhaustion to enjoy a hoped-to-be leasurely dinner. You see, 'Ohana means family, where no one leaves hungry.



Review:

"WELCOME" BREAD

The hostess picked this up at the big ol' fire pit before leading us to our table. This was amazing. Hot, fresh, and filled with bits of pineapple. Even Dustin loved it. We stupidly ate the whole thing.

It was early on when the entertainment started by this lovely woman. She set the mood for the rest of our dinner.



SAUCES (Peanut, Harissa, and Chimi Churri) AND SALAD (with honey-lime vinaigrette)

My favorite was the peanut, while Dustin's was the chimi churri. We weren't too particular for the harissa, but it wasn't bad, just kind of bland. The salad was absolutely lovely. That vinaigrette! What do they put in there? Liquid gold? Wonderful. And Dustin of course, didn't have it.



PORK DUMPLINGS

I didn't have any of these, but Dustin remarked later that this was his favorite part of the meal. He said it had a juicy inside and an interesting sweet sauce ontop. Even so, I think he ate only 4 of these because of the sheer abundance of the food.



STICKY WINGS

Dustin liked these as well, if not just a tad bit too messy. We didn't get any wet wipes or hot towels until later on in the meal.



STIR-FRIED BROCCOLI AND PEA PODS

These were okay. I like my vegetables a bit softer, and for some reason, they just tasted like steamed veggies. I think next time I will ask for no vegetables as they somewhat went to waste.



UDON NOODLES

Tasted like a perfect lo mein. These aren't the udon noodles that I am used to, they are of the thinner variety. However, the taste itself was dense, rich, and somewhat addicting, even. We polished this off.



STIR-FRIED TOFU

After I told Pedro that I was a pescetarian, he offered the vegetarian dish of noodles and tofu, but I knew better about the amounts of food offered. Therefore, we simplified the matter by coming to a middle ground--just the tofu, please. It was fine... tofu, yeah.



SHRIMP

I was given TWO WHOLE skewers of shrimp! And it was against my will! Pedro just gave it to me, then said, "I don't care if you interject, as this is the only meat you will eat here." I have to say, even though you have to peel them, the flavor of these beauties were amazing. And they were large, too! Not small at all. And great quality. I loved these dipped in the peanut sauce.



STEAK, PORK, AND TURKEY

Dustin really enjoyed these. He said his favorite was the steak with the chimi churri sauce. Said it was an interesting zing that really complemented each other. The pork pieces were HUGE and the turkey was just two small medalions, but that made it easier to stuff down, he said.

By this time, the entertainer-woman was making her last round with her songs, and we were completely beaten with food.

See how that is?



BREAD PUDDING WITH BANANA FOSTER SAUCE AND VANILLA ICE CREAM

Lived up to its hype. Hot, steamy scared: ), yet cool from the ice cream, and tasted like a fine dense spice cake. I know, strange description, but it was very very good. Heck, even the vanilla ice cream tasted premium. Oh, and I ate the offending banana pieces for Dustin.


Summary:


2 Adult Dinners - 53.98
Total w/ tax: 57.21
OOP Tip: 9.71
2 TS Credits

Everything here screamed quality. You know that saying, quality over quantity? Well at 'Ohana, you get the best of both worlds. Pedro was a complete ham--he joked with us inbetween courses, made funny comments, and was absolutely wonderful with the plates and drinks. I have to say though, next time I will request a seat in the main room as the entertainment really interested me. I just wish I saw most of it. But anyway, 'Ohana was a truly soothing, fun, and delicious experience.







KONA ISLAND SUSHI BAR

This is solely for the people on the Disboards. Some were interested in what the offerings are at the new Kona Sushi bar. Well as we were exploring the Poly after dinner, I saw the display case and had to take some pictures for everyone.


CALIFORNIA LUAU ROLL

SHRIMP TEMPURA ROLL

VOLCANO ROLL

TUNA POKE

KONA CRAB CAKE ROLL

Up next, Breakfast at the Mara and Lunch at Kringla Bakeri in Norway.

 

[habg1]

Love the 'Ohana review. Makes me thank goodness I kept the ressie I had. Can not wait til we eat here.

Awesome reviews... Thank you

 

[plutosgirl]

Great great great reviews so far!! I can't wait to get to Ohana!!! And the sushi is so pretty...wish I liked it!

 

[butiflfeet]

Wonderful reviews so far! Thanks for all the pics

 

[MickeyNicki]

Um DUCK DUMPLINGS?! Ok DH is going to kill me, first I found out a few weeks ago that the meatballs from Tangierine Cafe in Morocco are actually lamb and now the dumplings are DUCK!

OMIGOD if he found this stuff out he would kill me. I wish I had a pic of him scarfing down the dumplings...why this is so funny ...I wanted to go to Kona to try the duck dumplings and he said more power to ya, eat all you want but dont expect me to try one.... So I had to book Ohana for the PORK dumplings...ahahahahahaha

Oh boy, how the heck am I going to keep a straight face with him?!

The dumplings were amazing, pork or duck or whatever, we loved them and I will still eat the meatballs too....but only I shall know the real truth behind the food

 

[John's Mom]

More great reviews and pics!

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
Thanks for your great reviews!! I don't eat meat, but loved the shrimp at O'hanas. They were so much better than last year when they were served in a bowl. Thanks for sharing!!

 

[butiflfeet]

Um DUCK DUMPLINGS?! Ok DH is going to kill me, first I found out a few weeks ago that the meatballs from Tangierine Cafe in Morocco are actually lamb and now the dumplings are DUCK!

OMIGOD if he found this stuff out he would kill me. I wish I had a pic of him scarfing down the dumplings...why this is so funny ...I wanted to go to Kona to try the duck dumplings and he said more power to ya, eat all you want but dont expect me to try one.... So I had to book Ohana for the PORK dumplings...ahahahahahaha

Oh boy, how the heck am I going to keep a straight face with him?!

The dumplings were amazing, pork or duck or whatever, we loved them and I will still eat the meatballs too....but only I shall know the real truth behind the food

I thought the dumplings were pork too! Oh well, I guess I like duck and I never knew it

I won't tell my DH about it either, what he doesn't know can't hurt him.

 

[tiggerlvr27]

I thought the dumplings were pork too! Oh well, I guess I like duck and I never knew it

I won't tell my DH about it either, what he doesn't know can't hurt him.

No wonder dh and I couldn't figure out what they were!! We never had duck before!! I am not going to tell him!!!

 

[Lynn5700]

Hi!!!

Great reviews..I love this!!!!

I did not know that the dumplings were duck....they are so good but please tell me that is not duck meat in there...

 

[oybolshoi]

Thanks for taking those pictures from the Kona Sushi Bar ... those CA rolls look mighty tasty and I know a certain husband who'd love to get his hands on that volcano roll. Yum!

Now the question ... can we manage a second dinner after dinner at Kona?

 

[AussieAngel]

It says they're pork dumplings on the AllEars menu!!?

Augh!! I was really looking forward to these, but... I don't do duck!!