Dining Reviews 9/28 - 10/8 - I Started A Blog

[disneyfav4ever]

I copied Oybolshoi's idea, and have started my own blog, details are in my last post.

Restaurants to Be Reviewed

Flame Tree BBQ - Day One - Page One - Post Nine
Boma - Day One - Page One - Post Ten
Everything Pop - Day Two - Page One - Post Eleven
Pecos Bill Cafe - Day Two - Page One - Post Twelve
Aloha Isle - Day Two - Page One - Post Fourteen
Chef Mickey's - Day Two - Page One - Post Fifteen
Everything Pop - Day Three - Page Two - Post Twenty
Sweet Sunday - Day Three - Page Two - Posts Twenty-Three & Twenty-Four
Food & Wine Festival Booths - Day Three - Page Two - Post Twenty-Seven
Le Cellier - Day Three - Page Two - Posts Twenty-Eight & Twenty-Nine
Everything Pop - Day Four - Page Three - Post Thirty-One
ABC Comissary - Day Four - Page Three - Post Thirty-Two
Brown Derby - Day Four - Page Three - Post Thirty-Six
Crystal Palace - Day Five - Page Three - Post Forty
Pinocchio Village Haus - Day Five - Page Three - Post Forty-One
Kona Cafe - Day Five - Page Four - Post Forty-Nine, Fifty, & Fifty-Two
Everything Pop - Day Six - Page Four - Post Sixty
Food & Wine Festival Booths - Day Six - Page Five - Post Sixty-One
Tangerine Cafe - Day Six - Page Five - Post Sixty-Two
Food & Wine Festival Cooking Demonstrations - Day Six - Page Five - Post Sixty-Three
Kringla Og Bakeri - Day Six - Page Five - Post Sixty-Four
Flying Fish - Day Six - Page Five - Post Seventy
Everything Pop - Day Seven - Page Five - Post Seventy-One
Food & Wine Festival Cooking Demonstrations - Day Seven - Page Five - Post Seventy-Two
Food & Wine Festival Booth - Day Seven - Page Five - Post Seventy-Three
Wolfgang Puck Cafe - Day Seven - Page Five - Post Seventy-Five
Everything Pop - Day Seven - Page Six - Post Seventy-Eight
Everything Pop - Day Eight - Page Six - Post Seventy-Nine
Flame Tree BBQ - Day Eight - Page Six - Post Eighty
Tambu Lounge - Day Eight - Page Six - Post Eighty-Five
Ohana - Day Eight - Page Six - Post Eighty-Six
Main Street Bakery - Day Nine - Page Six - Post Eighty-Nine
Cosmic Ray's - Day Nine - Page Seven - Post Ninety-Two
Party for the Senses - Day Nine - Page Seven - Posts Ninety-Three, Six, Seven, Eight, & One Hundred and Three
Everything Pop - Day Ten - Page Seven - Post One Hundred and Four
Writer's Stop - Day Ten - Page Seven - Post One Hundred and Five
Boulangerie Patisserie - Day Ten - Page Eight - Post One Hundred and Six
Food & Wine Festival Booths - Day Ten - Page Eight - Post One Hundred and Seven
Akershus - Day Ten - Page Eight - Posts One Hundred Fifteen & Eighteen
Food & Wine Festival Booths - Day Ten - Page Eight - Post One Hundred Nineteen
Everything Pop - Day Eleven

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Okay, so I haven't actually left yet. But since I got the idea from the other pre-dining review thread, and since I really like writing my dining reviews, and since I already have my pre-TR started, I've decided to start my dining review thread early. Now, some of you may remember me from my previous dining review threads located here; http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1302533 (Dec 2006's reviews,) http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1360376 (Feb 2007's reviews,) http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=936658 (and Oct 2005's reviews, though I'm less proud of these reviews then the ones from Dec and Feb.)

Now, if you've read my reviews, (and if you haven't please feel free to do so, I'm very proud of them,) you know that I have a wide range of tastes. I'll go to everything from buffets and character meals to the signature restaurants, and I'll go solo. Now this trip is a little different. I'm still going to buffets, character meals, and signature restaurants, as well as two Food and Wine Festival events, and I'll also be eating at more CS then usual since I have the free DDP this time, (this is my first time using the DDP, and I'm very excited about it,) but no, the biggest change of all, is that this time I will not be solo, so some introductions are in order.

Me - Kind of obvious, but I am me. This will be my sixth trip to Disney, the fourth trip since I'm an adult, and my second trip during the Food and Wine Festival. I eat almost anything, the one notable exception being mushrooms. I also don't really like mussels, oysters, clams, sweetbreads, or foie gras. Things I do really like; crab, cheese (especially blue and cheddar,) berries, chocolate, caramel, peaches, bananas, coconut, and peanut butter. I also like a really good steak.

My mom - Pretty self explanitory of who she is. I don't want to give away her age, I'm afraid she wouldn't speak to me if I said, LOL, but in very good shape for her age, so she should be able to keep up with me in the parks, LOL. This is my mom's fourth trip to Disney, but the first in about ten years, and the first time she's going during the Food and Wine Festival. She does not really like lamb, rosemary, and that may be about it. Neither one of us are really picky eaters, and we'll both try almost anything. What she does like; crab, dark chocolate, wine, and she likes a lot of fruit. Her biggest worries are 1) we'll gain too much weight, and 2) we won't have enough fresh fruit and veggies or salads during this trip. Also my mom can be kind of critical, so there may be something "wrong" with every meal, even though whatever's "wrong" may not be that big of a deal.

We'll be going to ten table-service meals, which I'm 99.9% sure are not going to change, and I'm also 99% sure we'll make it to all of them. Something drastic would have to happen for me to miss a meal, LOL. Out of the ten table-service restaurants we're going to, I've been to all but two of them before. With my mom though it's completely the opposite, she hasn't been to any of them before, so I'll be anxious to hear her opinion on some of them, since they're all "old" for me.

The restaurants we're going to, in order, are; (all are dinner unless otherwise noted;

Boma
Chef Mickey's (New for Me)
Le Cellier
Brown Derby
Crystal Palace (Breakfast)
Kona Cafe
Flying Fish (New for Me)
Wolfgang Puck Cafe
Ohana
Akershus

We'll also both be going to Party for the Senses, and I'll be attending a Sweet Sunday, mom didn't want to go to that one. I have no idea why, she was saying something about "too much food," but whatever.

The counter-service locations I'm planning on, these may change, but this is what I'm planning on. (I would love any opinions on any of these locations thought.) These will all be for lunches.

Everything Pop
Pecos Bill's
Kringla og Bakeri
ABC Comissary
Pinocchio Village Haus
Tangerine Cafe
Earl of Sandwhich
Flame Tree BBQ
Cosmic Ray's
Boulangerie Patisserie
Columbia Harbor House

For breakfasts, expect a lot of reviews from Everything Pop, though you may also be seeing reviews from Main Street Bakery, Sunshine Seasons, and Starring Rolls.

Our snack credits will be mostly used at the Food and Wine Festival booths, if that's allowed this year, hopefully it will be. But we'll be using some on some of my favorites; Dole Whips and Figaro fries as well as a few others.

Well, I don't leave for another 19 days, but you can expect the reviews to start on 10/9. Which I just realized is a month away from today, so maybe I am starting this review a little too early, but whatever.

 

[TigerKat]

I can't wait!!!

 

[Minniespal]

Looking forward to reading more

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Also, if anyone has any suggestions on what to order, I'm all ears. My mom and I will probably split everything we get, so we're going to have to pick two things we can both agree on at most restaurants.

The only things I have on my "must-list" to try is the red snapper at Flying Fish, as well as a few snack items, like school bread and some items I want to try from the Food and Wine booths.

 

[my3disneygirls]

Have a great trip. Can't wait to hear your dinning reviews.

 

[disneyeeyorefan]

Looking forward to your report
Have a wonderful trip

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Well, I'm back, and I got back a week ago, but our computer at home is on the fritz, so it's going to be a bit, about two weeks before I get around to the reviews.

The list of places we ate though is pretty accurate, we made it to every table-service meal, except my mom did not go to Wolfgang Puck, and we skipped a few counter service meals here and there, but we did use every single credit.

As soon as I can I will be posting all the reviews, and pictures, but it may be about two weeks.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Well, we finally got a new computer, and internet service again, so I can finally start my dining reviews now, two months after my trip. I have most of the day tomorrow and Saturday to myself, and I plan to spend a lot of time devoted to them, since I really want to get to work on them.

In the meantime though, here is a list of all the places we ate, in the order we ate at them. I'll also be added the page and post number where that review is located as I add the reviews.

Flame Tree BBQ - Day One
Boma - Day One
Everything Pop - Day Two
Pecos Bill Cafe - Day Two
Aloha Isle - Day Two
Chef Mickey's - Day Two
Everything Pop - Day Three
Sweet Sunday - Day Three
Food & Wine Festival Booths - Day Three
Le Cellier - Day Three
Everything Pop - Day Four
ABC Comissary - Day Four
Brown Derby - Day Four
Crystal Palace - Day Five
Pinocchio Village Haus - Day Five
Kona Cafe - Day Five
Everything Pop - Day Six
Tangerine Cafe - Day Six
Food & Wine Festival Cooking Demonstrations - Day Six
Food & Wine Festival Booths - Day Six
Kringla Og Bakeri - Day Six
Flying Fish - Day Six
Everything Pop - Day Seven
Food & Wine Festival Cooking Demonstrations - Day Seven
Food & Wine Festival Booth - Day Seven
Wolfgang Puck Cafe - Day Seven
Everything Pop - Day Seven
Everything Pop - Day Eight
Flame Tree BBQ - Day Eight
Tambu Lounge - Day Eight
Ohana - Day Eight
Main Street Bakery - Day Nine
Cosmic Ray's - Day Nine
Party for the Senses - Day Nine
Everything Pop - Day Ten
Writer's Stop - Day Ten
Boulangerie Patisserie - Day Ten
Food & Wine Festival Booths - Day Ten
Akershus - Day Ten
Everything Pop - Day Eleven

Overall, the food was very good, so was the service. We were on the free dining plan, so we paid for very little out of pocket. I'll get to the actual reviews tomorrow, right now I am loading all of my pictures, so I'll be including them in my reviews.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Day One - Flame Tree BBQ

We got to Disney at about 11:00 AM, and were at Animal Kingdom at about 1:30 PM. My mom had eaten breakfast, and then had snacked on the plane, so she wasn't really very hungry, and knew we had a buffet dinner coming, and I knew that I didn't want to eat a full CS meal on my own, since I knew I would eat plenty at Boma. I hadn't eaten anything all day though and needed something to hold me over for the next few hours, so I decided I'd get onion rings at Flame Tree BBQ.

I paid for them out-of-pocket, since I knew we'd agreed to share everything we got with the credits, and my mom wouldn't really be eating any of them. I did, however, have my Disney Dining Experience discount, which is used at the Animal Kingdom counter service locations.

The onion rings were very good, just as good as I remembered them to be. My mom tried them and thought they were very good too. This is definatly the place to get onion rings on Disney property.

Cost - Approx $3.17 With Tax & DDE Discount (Sorry, I lost my reciept for this.)

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Day One - Boma

We got to the Animal Kingdom Lodge, where Boma is located, at 5:00. We were early for our 5:45 dinner reservation, so we browsed the gift shop for a little while before checking in at 5:20. We were seated almost immediatly after checking in.

This was my third time dining at Boma, and my Mom's first. I was excited to be here again, since Boma is one of my favorites, even though I usually am not a big fan of buffets, but Boma, (and Crystal Palace,) are exceptions to the rule.

Our server for the evening was Paul, and he was excellant. He kept our drinks filled, and told us what his favorites were that evening.

I went up to the buffet first, while my mom waited at the table to keep an eye on our purses. This is what I came back with;

The soup in the bowl is she-crab bisque, which I'd had before, and it was just as good as before, very creamy, with a nice amount of crab, and just a hint of spices.

Going clockwise around the plate, is fufu, which are mashed sweet potatoes with cinnamon and other spices, a favorite of mine, coconut-curried salmon, which was good, but not a stand-out, prime rib, which was excellant as always, Boma has the best prime rib of anywhere I've ever been to, and I've been to a lot of very nice restaurants, lentils in ginger juice, which I liked very much, which was a suprise to me, since I usually don't care for lentils that much, but I tried them since I do like ginger, and pork loin in a pineapple chutney that was excellant.

While I was eating my mom went up and got some food, she had a bowl of the coconut-curried seafood stew, which she loved, and some kind of jicama salad that she also enjoyed.

Here's a picture of the soup, sorry I don't have a picture of the salad.

My mom and I have different ways of going through buffets. She'll be more traditional, and start with soups and salads, before moving on to meats and things, while I'll grab whatever looks good when I see it, though I will save desserts for the end of the meal.

My mom finished her soup and salad before I finished my big plate of food, so she went up for seconds, while I was still eating my first plate. This is what she came back with;

She really liked the fufu, which she had gotten at my recommendation, and the pork with the pineapple chutney that I had also had. She liked the prime rib, but wasn't as thrilled with it as I was, and trying to be healthy, she also had some roasted vegeatables that she said were good. She also had some sort of lamb dish (bobotie?) that she didn't really care for, though she's never really liked lamb, so that was more a matter of personal taste, since I'd had that a different night I ate at Boma, and enjoyed it. She also didn't like the potatoes with afritude, which I had on a previous visit, and didn't care for that much either.

I went up for seconds then, but I was already getting pretty full so I didn't grab much;

I had another piece of prime rib, as well as a bowl of butternut squash soup, which I had before, and loved the last time, and this time I liked it just as much. Also contrary to things I've read, this is definatly not the same butternut squash soup Jiko, (Boma's neighbor,) has on their menu some nights, which I was not too thrilled by.

Mom went up for more then;

and came back with some crab soup, which I insisted she had too try since she loves crab, and a variety of hummus; sun-dried tomato, roasted red pepper, and olive. I tried the hummuses as well, and really liked the sun-dried tomato one, but could of passed on the other two, but my mom really liked all of them, though she agreed that the sun-dried tomato was the best.

I then had another bowl of soup. This time I tried the coconut-curried seafood stew, since my mom kept on saying how good it was. I loved it as well, though I made sure not to get any mussels in my bowl, since I really don't care for them.

Then, even though we were full, it was time for dessert.

I went up and got a plate full of just about everything there. My mom and I decided to just share everything on the plate I had just gotten, since 1) neither one of us could eat much more, and 2) I had gotten almost everything.

Neither one of us were too thrilled with any of the desserts, except I really liked the zebra domes. Everything else; banana bread pudding, the fruit tart, milk tart, and some kind of orange thing that was almost like cheesecake, were all right, but nothing that great.

My mom then went up to the buffet since she had seen peach cobbler earlier, and that was one of the few things I hadn't gotten on my plate, and I'm sorry, I also don't have a picture of that, but we both tried that as well, and like the other desserts, weren't blown away.

At some point while we were eating the chef had brought out a platter of deep fried oreos to the table sitting behind me. They were a very nice couple, who I believe were celebrating their anniversary. Anyway, they asked us if we'd like to try them, since there was no way they could eat them all, so me and my mom both had one.

Let me just say, it's a shame they don't have these on the buffet, because this was much better then any of the other desserts we had, with the excepetion of the zebra domes.

Cost - $64.72 (Used 2 TS Credits)

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Day Two - Everything Pop

This was our first of many breakfasts at the Everything Pop food court at Pop Century Resort, where we were staying. We decided for our first breakfast, and our first counter-service meal I might add, that we would get the breakfast wrap.

Since this was our first time using the dining plan for a counter service meal I wasn't 100% sure what was included. I knew a drink was, but dessert wasn't, so I just grabbed a bottle of water to go with the wrap. The cashier informed me I could get another drink, so I got another bottle of water.

Every morning we always got two bottles of water, so we each had our own bottle, that we saved for the parks, since we had our mugs to use at the food courts.

Anyway, the breakfast wrap was very good, and fresh. It was filled with eggs, cheese, and bacon, though it could of used a bit more bacon.

Cost - $9.85 (Used 1 CS Credit)

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Day Two - Pecos Bill's Cafe

We had spent the morning at the Magic Kingdom in Frontierland and Adventureland, so we decided to eat lunch at Pecos Bill's Cafe, since it was close by, and since I had been wanting to try it.

I ordered while my mom went to get napkins, utensils, and I asked her to get lettuce, tomatoes, and whatever else looked good from the condiment bar. Well, after I had gotten the food, and had found my mom, she hadn't gotten any toppings, because she hadn't found the toppings bar. I don't understand how she had missed it, since it's a pretty large bar in the main room, which she had been in.

So I went back to get tomatoes, onions, pickles, and lettuce, but I had left the tray at the table, so I had to put the toppings in napkins to take them back to the table. Some lady looked at me like I was being incredibly weird, but I didn't want to have to go back and get the tray, and then go all the way back to the topping bar.

For lunch we had a bacon double cheeseburger. I know we could have gotten an extra bun, but that didn't make any sense to me to spend an extra $1, instead of just cutting the burger in half, which is what we did.

The burger was good, and filling, so it's a good thing we got one to split instead of each getting our own.

For dessert we had the chocolate brownie with peanut butter icing.

This was excellant, and one of my favorite desserts all week. I'd go back here just for that brownie. My mom really liked it too. This is one thing I really didn't feel like sharing though, LOL.

Cost - $13.70 (Used 1 CS Credit)

 

[Disney owl]

thanks for the reviews loved the photos

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Day Two - Aloha Isle

Before the parade we decided we wanted to get ice cream. I had a Dole whip float, which is pineapple soft-serve ice cream with pineapple juice;

And my mom had a dole whip, which is just the ice cream. Sorry, no picture of that.

My float was very tasty, and I try to get one of these every trip.

Cost - $7.33 (Used 2 Snack Credits)

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Day Two - Chef Mickey's

We had gotten to the Magic Kingdom for the 9:00 opening, and my mom was ready to leave right after the 3:00 parade, so we got to the Contemporary very early, at about 4:00.

Since we had an extra hour before our 5:00 dinner ADR, I decided to look and see if they had the earrings I wanted. Not only did they have them, but they rang up for $4 instead of $8. I don't know if that was a mistake, or if they were just on sale. I would have asked, but I didn't notice until I was going through my reciepts later that night, at Pop, and I didn't go to the Contemporary again during the trip, so I didn't worry about it.

We went to the check-in podium at about ten minutes to 5:00, and the line was already very long, and went past the Concourse Steakhouse, (which I am sad to learn is closing next year, and I won't get a chance to try.)

After checking-in we had our picture taken in front of the big plate, and later in the meal we did buy the picture, though I haven't seen it since that night, since my mom had it packed in her bag, and I have no idea what's happened to it since we've been home.

We were seated immediatly after having our picture taken, and as soon as we were seated we saw Donald, Goofy, and Mickey, in their cooks attire, who were already in the room. We were in a room that was up from the buffet area, so it was quieter then being in the main dining room, which I realized was a bit loud and crowded.

This was both mine and my mom's first time at Chef Mickey's, so I was anxious to try the food, since I've heard both very good and very bad things about it. The server, Lachen was very good, and said that both sides of the buffet were the same.

As we were getting ready to head up to the buffet Pluto stopped by our table to say hello. So before we had even eaten anything we had seen four of the five characters.

My mom went up to the buffet first, and this is what she came back with;

She had a roll, some seafood salad, (in the back, you can't see it in the picture past the green salad,) green salad, with I believe ranch dressing, tortellini salad, and peel and eat shrimp. She thought everything was good, and that the seafood salad was excellant.

After she came back, and had started eating, (and after I had gotten a picture, lol,) I went up to the buffet for my first plate. This is what I came back with;

I also had a roll, peel and eat shirmp, and tortellini salad, which I also thought was all good, especially the tortellini salad, as well as some carrot, pineapple, and coconut salad, though it wasn't anything special, (and they have a very similar salad at Boma, that is much better.)

While we were eating, we saw Minnie Mouse, who was very friendly, and this is also when the guy with the pictures came around and sold us ours.

My mom then went back up to the buffet, and this is what she came back with this time;

Going from the bbq ribs in the back, that she thought were excellant, and going clockwise, are chicken florentine penne, that she didn't like, mandarin-glazed carrots, that she didn't like either, more of the seafood salad she'd had on her previous plate, apparently she really liked this, because she rarely has seconds, unless she really likes something, and tamarind-glazed salmon that she liked.

Then I went back up to the buffet;

As you can see, I also had a bbq rib, which I agreed with my mom was good, but I had a pretty fatty piece, so I didn't enjoy it quite as much. I had the chicken florentine penne and mandarin-glazed carrots also, but unlike my mom I liked both of them, especially the penne. The macaroni and cheese was very good, probably the best I've had at Disney, except for Liberty Tree Tavern's. (Though I never actually order macaroni and cheese at restaurants because it's so ordinary, I will usually have a little at buffets, because I do like it. Does that make any sense?) I also had some stuffing, another favorite comfort food of mine, it was okay, but I've had much better, at home, and at Liberty Tree Tavern. The parmesan mashed potatoes were good, but nothing to rave about. The tamarind-glazed salmon was good, but not very hot, though that may have been because I am a slow eater, and I believe that's one of the last things I got around to eating. I also had a Mickey ravioli;

which honestly, I just grabbed because it was cute, and I wanted a picture of it, lol, but it was good, though nothing special.

This is what my mom had for dessert;

She was trying to be healthy, and had gotten an orange, and a banana, though she only ate the banana and took the orange back to Pop with her. She also had some German chocolate cake that she liked, and cheesecake that she thought was really great.

These were my desserts;

I had some chocolate mousse that was okay, but it was really cute with the Mickey ears, cheesecake that was very good, a key lime tart that was good, but the pastry wasn't that great, and banana bread pudding with caramel sauce that was excellant, and much better then the banana bread pudding I'd had at Boma the night before.

I also had some ice cream.

I had chocolate soft-serve with chocolate syrup, and Oreo cookie crumbs. (Can you tell I like chocolate.) It was good, but I would have rather had hot fudge, and I didn't see any up at the buffet.

Cost - $69.70 (Used 2 TS Credits)

 

[jakenjess]

Great reviews so far! Those onion rings at FT BBQ look fantastic!

 

[wilma-bride]

Really enjoying your reviews. I am looking forward to hearing about Le Cellier and Wolfgang Puck since we are due to eat there again on our next trip.

 

[John's Mom]

Thanks for sharing your interesting reviews and pictures!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Great reviews so far! Those onion rings at FT BBQ look fantastic!

They are really good. Ever since I tried them I've gotten them each trip.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Day Three - Everything Pop

We had breakfast at Everything Pop this morning, I really didn't even want breakfast, since I had Sweet Sunday in a couple of hours, but my mom did, so we decided to get French toast, and share it. (We shared breakfast every morning except when we ate at Crystal Palace and Main Street Bakery.)

The French toast came with a piece of sausage and two pieces of bacon. We each had a piece of bacon, and we cut the sausage in half. The meats were good, but nothing special.

The French toast was very good. It came with powdered sugar and some kind of struesel on top, which I really liked, my mom thought it was too sweet though.

We got two waters with our meal again, but used our mugs and took the waters to the parks with us.

Meal Cost - $10.53 or 1 CS Credit