So sorry for the delay, folks. Life caught up with me for a moment.
On with the reviews...
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Our plane landed at MCO at 1:14PM, and we arrived at CBR STARVING around 3:00PM. The check-in went quickly and smoothly--though the CM checking us in was a little less than enthusiastic--so we went directly to our room--Martinique 2437. It was beautiful, but we were so hungry we just dropped our bags off and went straight to OPR. This was our first time staying at CBR, so we didn't know what to expect.
But we loved the whole set-up of the food court. IMHO, it is more efficient than the Riverside Mill (we usually stay at POR). We got quickly in line.
BTW, we had
free dining!
Our orders:
DM: cheese pizza with salad, fruit cup, and water
DD: cheese pizza with salad, chocolate cake, and water
ME: pepperoni pizza, chocolate cake, and water
Sorry I don't have any pictures for this one, but the pizza didn't stay on our plates long.
We all ate the pizza--which was extremely fresh and hot--took the waters to go, and stored the salads and desserts in our handy dandy room fridge. Overall the meal was delicious, but the salads turned very fast,
The food court was a tad crowded, but the lines moved fast and the tables turned over quickly, so no complaints!
OPR lunch: 3 counter service credits
Grade: B+
Now, onto the Coral Reef. I had been trying (unsuccessfully) for weeks to score any kind of ADR at CR since I learned about the diver/personalized menu. About three weeks prior to our trip, I was able to nab a cancellation for 6:10 on Sept. 2! I was so excited. I called up the restaurant as soon as I got an ADR and left a message requesting the diver sign/menus. Yvette called me back and left a message the next day around 1:00PM and gave me her e-mail to send the info and pictures to. I asked her to send me back a confirmation e-mail, but she never did. Still, she did everything perfectly. Got a tankside (!) table, got the personalized menus, and the diver. She even wrote SURPRISE on our seating receipt thing so everything would be extra special. So thank you, Yvette!
Arrived: 5:45PM
Seated: 6:25PM
Actual ADR Time: 6:10PM
We arrived early, and had to sit on the floor for a while before a seat on the bench opened up. They really need a new set-up in that way. But we didn't have to wait that long after our ADR time.
Kevin was our waiter and was exceptional. He took our appetizer, entree, and dessert orders all at once, but everything was brought out in a timely manner. He was there when we needed him, and yet didn't hover.
DD got this drink. I forget what the name was, but I think it was something like "Octopus Cooler." I believe it was a very tropical drink with two different kinds of rum in it, but don't quote me on that. Both DD and DM thought it was delicious--so much so that DD was tired of sharing and ordered one for DM as well!
And now what you have all been waiting for: FOOD PORN!
My appetizer:
Sea and Land - Grilled shrimp with cucumber salad and BBQ beef skewer with creamy polenta $9.49
The shrimp was tasty, and although I didn't really like the sauce on the beef, it was still pretty good if you wiped some of it. The polenta was good, but I HATED the cucumber salad. It tasted more like seaweed than cucumbers.
DD's appetizer:
Creamy Lobster Soup - chervil, brandy $6.99
He said there was lots of lobster and devoured it easily. He LOVED it, and he usually doesn't eat all that much lobster.
DM's appetizer:
Caesar Salad - with shredded parmesan cheese and croutons $5.99
The lettuce was big to cut, but she found this Caesar to be superior than the rest served in the World. It was waaaaaaay too big to finish.
My, DD's, and DM's entree:
Grilled NY Strip Steak - served with potatoes au gratin, and broccolini $31.99
And no, we didn't order it just because it was the most expensive item on the menu; we are just meat people!
The steak was AMAZING. Seriously. My dad even thought it better than the NY strip he would have later in the week at Le Cellier. It was tender and very flavorful. There was just enough sauce not to overpower it; it brought out the flavors nicely. The broccolini was good, but I just don't like potatoes au gratin. DD and DM said it was tasty, though. The steak was waaaay too big to finish, but I wish I could have--it was THAT good.
My dessert:
The Chocolate Wave - with brandied cherries $7.99
I liked this, though the inside was just too rich for me.
DD's and DM's dessert:
Bailey's and Jack Daniel's Mousse - topped with a ganache and chocolate cigar $7.99
I would have preferred to get this--the flavors blend well together and the chocolate cigar was DELICIOUS.
I haven't got the receipt on hand, but I think it was like $183 for just the three of us! Woah, expensive!
If we didn't have FD, we wouldn't have even eaten here, but that is the beauty of the dining plan. It turned out to be the BEST meal of the entire trip! We would eat here again in a heartbeat, if we struck gold.
CR dinner: 3 table service credits
Grade: A+
Next up: Backlot Express and Boma
P.S. Sorry this is sooo long.
P.P.S. Let me know if you want to see a picture of the diver.
Thanks for reading!
I'm enjoying your review, and yes, I'd love to see your pic of the diver!
