Okay, so I know I was going to continue posting about Epcot, but all of a sudden I'm thinking about our favorite restaurant in all of WDW:
California Grill.
The name alone sends shivers up my spine. Oh, the gastronomical memories.
The first time I visited was a few days into our honeymoon.
We were wowed by the attention we received (those little "Just Married" buttons were a real treat - I remember being spotted by a fellow honeymooner in the Poly lounge who, on seeing my button, went running back up to her room because she forgot hers, saying to me "I'm not leaving without it! Those things are like gold!!!"). We were wowed by the service. We were wowed by the view.
I was wowed out of my ankle socks by the food.
The flatbread was to DIE for. The Rainbow Roll was out of this world, I had never had such fresh sushi before.
But nothing touched the revelatory experience thereafter known to me as the Shrimp Tempura Roll

.
It was part of the combo platter and...well...I sorta made a bit of a fool of myself while trying a piece. Like, eyes closed, hands gripping the tablecloth, feet kicking foolishness.

I was discreet, though. But you don't even understand - it was as if a whole new world had been opened before me. I have been in love with it ever since. Meanwhile, DH tried the Spicy Kazan and almost cried, it was so good.
He discovered Blue Moon beer that night.
And we have a picture of him cutting his filet with a butter knife, if that tells you anything.
It was a special night for both of us.
Last year we went on our 1st anniversary since, for us, this was the most special restaurant we'd be visiting.
We knew what we were in for and weren't disappointed - in fact, I think I enjoyed myself even more (and this time we both went for the Spicy Kazan - no sharing at our table!). DH had a scallop dish which I keep praying they'll put back on the menu for our trip...of course I'm sure it won't happen. But it was so good - seared scallops, homemade gnocchi and pears in a bacon emulsion. I do wish they'd magically put it back on the menu for our return trip! (Keep dreaming, I know...)
It was a magical, 2 hour long meal and it was perfection. Right down to the after-dinner cocktails as the sun set over the MK...
Of course, I was so stinking full afterwards that I thought I would explode. I still managed to shove a forkful or two of wedding cake into my mouth as we watched Wishes, just for the sake of tradition - as well as for the sake of the fact that I went through so much personal drama getting a few pieces there!
That's an ugly, stilly story for another time...
Needless to say, we're returning for our 2nd anniversary in just a few short weeks. I can almost taste that sushi now...Yoshie had better prepare herself for my visit! Maybe I should call and warn her in advance...?
