mom2fivecs
Mouseketeer
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Nice reviews so far...can't wait for more.
Dining Reviews 9/28 - 10/8 - I Started A Blog
- Thread starter disneyfav4ever
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disneyfav4ever
No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep
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I edited all of my reviews and added prices at the end, since I just found my little notebook where I was keeping track of all the costs.
We were on the dining plan so we didn't pay attention to costs, but I did keep track of the final bill when we paid so I could add the costs to my dining reviews, since I know some DISers like to know those kind of things, and I do like my reviews to be thorough.
Also, we didn't ever order things because they were worth more and to get a better value. My mom isn't a big steak eater, so we only had steak once I believe the whole trip, and that was at Le Cellier. We did eat a lot of seafood though, but that was because of our tastes, not getting it because it cost more.
We were on the dining plan so we didn't pay attention to costs, but I did keep track of the final bill when we paid so I could add the costs to my dining reviews, since I know some DISers like to know those kind of things, and I do like my reviews to be thorough.
Also, we didn't ever order things because they were worth more and to get a better value. My mom isn't a big steak eater, so we only had steak once I believe the whole trip, and that was at Le Cellier. We did eat a lot of seafood though, but that was because of our tastes, not getting it because it cost more.
disneyfav4ever
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Day Three - Sweet Sunday
This was the first time I've attended a Sweet Sunday. It was the first Sweet Sunday of the 13th annual Internation Food and Wine Festival at Epcot, and even though it's not a restaurant, it was food, so I'm including it, (along with everything I ate that was part of the Food and Wine Festival,) in my dining reviews.
The event was scheduled from 10:30 to 12:30 on Sunday morning, (hence the name Sweet Sunday.) For those of you who don't know Sweet Sundays are held each Sunday during the Food and Wine Festival, and each week features a different chef who demonstrates how to make three different desserts, which you sample.
They were getting to a late start this morning, and we weren't seated until fifteen minutes after the start time, which wasn't a big deal, but then we did run late, and that made meeting up with my mom afterwards a bit trickier then it would have been if it had been on time.
Seating, as I've read in other reviews, seemed to be an issue, not for me, since I was solo, but it looked like there were groups getting seperated, and cast members were walking around looking for empty seats.
Before the demonstrations began we were allowed to go through a breakfast buffet. I had already had breakfast, though I hadn't eaten a lot, (one piece of French toast, see previous review,) that is still more then I'm used to eating in the morning, since my usual breakfast at home is diet Coke.
Anyway, I went through the buffet, since it was included, and I had paid a premium for this event. Here's my plate from the buffet;
In the front is some fresh fruit; pineapple, blackberries, some blueberries, and a strawberry. All of the fruit was nice and fresh, (and I believe it was the only fruit I ate the whole trip, (I'm not a very healthy eater in Disney.) Going around clockwise from the fruit is a piece of chicken-apple sausage that was very good, ham and white cheddar strata that was excellant, and potatoes o'brian that were good.
Also with breakfast we were given glasses of Martini and Rossi prosecco, which was good, but I'm not a big wine or champagne drinker, so even though I drank it all, it wasn't a real standout to me.
To Be Continued. . .
This was the first time I've attended a Sweet Sunday. It was the first Sweet Sunday of the 13th annual Internation Food and Wine Festival at Epcot, and even though it's not a restaurant, it was food, so I'm including it, (along with everything I ate that was part of the Food and Wine Festival,) in my dining reviews.
The event was scheduled from 10:30 to 12:30 on Sunday morning, (hence the name Sweet Sunday.) For those of you who don't know Sweet Sundays are held each Sunday during the Food and Wine Festival, and each week features a different chef who demonstrates how to make three different desserts, which you sample.
They were getting to a late start this morning, and we weren't seated until fifteen minutes after the start time, which wasn't a big deal, but then we did run late, and that made meeting up with my mom afterwards a bit trickier then it would have been if it had been on time.
Seating, as I've read in other reviews, seemed to be an issue, not for me, since I was solo, but it looked like there were groups getting seperated, and cast members were walking around looking for empty seats.
Before the demonstrations began we were allowed to go through a breakfast buffet. I had already had breakfast, though I hadn't eaten a lot, (one piece of French toast, see previous review,) that is still more then I'm used to eating in the morning, since my usual breakfast at home is diet Coke.
Anyway, I went through the buffet, since it was included, and I had paid a premium for this event. Here's my plate from the buffet;
In the front is some fresh fruit; pineapple, blackberries, some blueberries, and a strawberry. All of the fruit was nice and fresh, (and I believe it was the only fruit I ate the whole trip, (I'm not a very healthy eater in Disney.) Going around clockwise from the fruit is a piece of chicken-apple sausage that was very good, ham and white cheddar strata that was excellant, and potatoes o'brian that were good.
Also with breakfast we were given glasses of Martini and Rossi prosecco, which was good, but I'm not a big wine or champagne drinker, so even though I drank it all, it wasn't a real standout to me.
To Be Continued. . .
disneyfav4ever
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Day Three - Sweet Sunday - Part Two
The chef for today's Sweet Sunday was Will Goldfarb, who has a dessert restaurant in New York City, Room 4 Dessert, as well as his own website where he sells speciality baking ingrediants; http://www.willpowder.net/
I did some research before going to Disney, and I was delighted that two of the items he'd be preparing that day were two that were featured in magazine articles I've read, campari meringues and kaocha squash cake. But the first thing he made was something so "basic," I was wondering why it was included in an event such as this; a chocolate chip cookie.
Even though I've made chocolate chip cookies many times, the demonstration kept me interested. He was a very good presenter, with a sense of humor, which I always enjoy, calling himself the king of all food, machines, and plastic wrap.
The cookie itself was delicious, it was served on a plate with a shot glass of milk, and a chocolate drizzle decoration, which was a quite beautiful set up.
This was probably one of the best cookies I've ever had, and I've eaten a lot of cookies, lol.
Next was the campari meringue, which was baked with raspberries and peaches, so had the same combination as a melba dessert, also very tasty, and probably the most formal of all the desserts served.
Last was the kabocha squash cake, which was my favorite of the three desserts. I love anything with pumpkin, sweet potato, or butternut squash, and this was very similar to those flavors. It was served with brown sugar cream, (that's what the sauce is on the plate.)
We were also served a glass of Martini and Rossi's asti spumante near the end, which I liked better then the first champagne that was served.
I enjoyed the event, but I wouldn't do it again. It is a glorified version of the free cooking demonstrations. And while I like the cooking demos, it makes no sense to me to pay that much money when I can see pretty much the same thing for free.
The chef for today's Sweet Sunday was Will Goldfarb, who has a dessert restaurant in New York City, Room 4 Dessert, as well as his own website where he sells speciality baking ingrediants; http://www.willpowder.net/
I did some research before going to Disney, and I was delighted that two of the items he'd be preparing that day were two that were featured in magazine articles I've read, campari meringues and kaocha squash cake. But the first thing he made was something so "basic," I was wondering why it was included in an event such as this; a chocolate chip cookie.
Even though I've made chocolate chip cookies many times, the demonstration kept me interested. He was a very good presenter, with a sense of humor, which I always enjoy, calling himself the king of all food, machines, and plastic wrap.
The cookie itself was delicious, it was served on a plate with a shot glass of milk, and a chocolate drizzle decoration, which was a quite beautiful set up.
This was probably one of the best cookies I've ever had, and I've eaten a lot of cookies, lol.
Next was the campari meringue, which was baked with raspberries and peaches, so had the same combination as a melba dessert, also very tasty, and probably the most formal of all the desserts served.
Last was the kabocha squash cake, which was my favorite of the three desserts. I love anything with pumpkin, sweet potato, or butternut squash, and this was very similar to those flavors. It was served with brown sugar cream, (that's what the sauce is on the plate.)
We were also served a glass of Martini and Rossi's asti spumante near the end, which I liked better then the first champagne that was served.
I enjoyed the event, but I wouldn't do it again. It is a glorified version of the free cooking demonstrations. And while I like the cooking demos, it makes no sense to me to pay that much money when I can see pretty much the same thing for free.
momofdbsdc
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Excellent reviews! I can't wait for the rest!
disneyfav4ever
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Day Three - Food & Wine Festival Marketplace Booths
When my Sweet Sunday ended it was almost 1:00. I changed, (I always had an extra shirt in my bag,) and met up with my mom, who luckily wasn't that hard to find, since she had followed directions, and was near Mexico, like I'd told her to be.
I wasn't hungry, my mom was. She wasn't that hungry though, and we did have dinner in three hours, (we had early dinner times all week,) so instead of getting a counter-service meal, we decided to just get some snacks from the Food and Wine Festival booths.
Before we had left home we had decided that we would use most, if not all, of the plan's snack credits on the Food and Wine Festival booths, and we used all but three on the booths, (over four different days though.)
Today we sampled three different items;
This is the durban-spiced chicken skewer, from the South Africa booth. It was very good, and one of my favorites of all the items we tried at the booths throughout the course of the trip. My mom liked it too.
Cost - $3.50 (Used 1 Snack Credit)
This is meze from the Turkey booth. It was a little sampler of several small items. The white stuff in the cup is eggplant puree, then there's pita bread, olives, and cucumber and tomato salad. I liked everything except for the olives, but I've never really liked olives, except for black ones. My mom liked everything, but she's always really liked anything Meditteranian like that.
We also had the pistachio baklava, also from the Turkey booth. I can't seem to find the picture of it right now. I liked it, but my mom thought it tasted kind of stale.
Cost - $5.25 (Used 2 Snack Credits)
When my Sweet Sunday ended it was almost 1:00. I changed, (I always had an extra shirt in my bag,) and met up with my mom, who luckily wasn't that hard to find, since she had followed directions, and was near Mexico, like I'd told her to be.
I wasn't hungry, my mom was. She wasn't that hungry though, and we did have dinner in three hours, (we had early dinner times all week,) so instead of getting a counter-service meal, we decided to just get some snacks from the Food and Wine Festival booths.
Before we had left home we had decided that we would use most, if not all, of the plan's snack credits on the Food and Wine Festival booths, and we used all but three on the booths, (over four different days though.)
Today we sampled three different items;
This is the durban-spiced chicken skewer, from the South Africa booth. It was very good, and one of my favorites of all the items we tried at the booths throughout the course of the trip. My mom liked it too.
Cost - $3.50 (Used 1 Snack Credit)
This is meze from the Turkey booth. It was a little sampler of several small items. The white stuff in the cup is eggplant puree, then there's pita bread, olives, and cucumber and tomato salad. I liked everything except for the olives, but I've never really liked olives, except for black ones. My mom liked everything, but she's always really liked anything Meditteranian like that.
We also had the pistachio baklava, also from the Turkey booth. I can't seem to find the picture of it right now. I liked it, but my mom thought it tasted kind of stale.
Cost - $5.25 (Used 2 Snack Credits)
disneyfav4ever
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Day Three - Le Cellier
We arrived at Le Cellier at about 3:50, a little early for our 4:00 dinner reservation. Before we were seated all of the hostesses and servers sang O Canada in the waiting area, since it was the begining of the dinner service. We were then seated immediatly.
Our server today was Zach, and I absolutly loved him. We were seated next to a solo diner, who we chatted with througout the meal, (and then by mere coiencidence (sp?) ended up at O Canada with right after the meal.) We were talking so much in fact, that Zach, gave her our DDE discount for her meal.
Zach told us that we were able to get smoothies on the plan, so I got a chocolate-raspberry one, since I've heard such good things about it. My mom didn't want a smoothie, since she thought it would be too much like dessert, and she doesn't like sweet things during the meal. I on the other hand, said that it was like getting an extra dessert, (I can never have to much chocolate,) and Zach said this way I could start and end with dessert. So I had the shake, and my mom had some kind of wine with dinner, though I have no idea what kind it was. (The only thing I didn't keep track of very well is what my mom was drinking.)
The shake was very good, very thick and creamy, with a rich chocolate flavore, and just a hint of raspberries.
We were also served the breadsticks with our drinks. Since this was my third time at Le Cellier I knew exactly what I wanted, so I grabbed a rather large piece of the pretzel bread, and a small piece of the multi-grain. I've never really cared about their sourdough though, so I didn't take any of that. This was my mom's first time at Le Cellier, so she tried a small piece of each bread. She liked the multi-grain the best, but she thought the pretzel bread was too salty.
Since we were on the dining plan we were able to each order an appetizer, entree, and dessert. We had decided that we would each get something different, and then split the two appetizers so that we could try more things, and we just agreed that we wouldn't order anything that didn't appeal to both of us, though we both eat just about anything, so this really wasn't an issue for us.
I ordered the duck confit appetizer.
This was wonderful! I've always liked duck, but I don't get it very often. I rarely cook it at home, (it's just not that easy to find quality duck meat at the stores where I live, I do believe we're having duck, (and turkey,) for Christmas dinner though,) so I like to order it when I'm out as much as possible.
It came with crispy prosciutto ham, frisee, and pomegranate molasses. It was a good combination, but I thought the pomegranate molasses was a bit bitter. My mom really liked it too, and in fact, said it was one of her favorite appetizers all week. I have to agree with her on that.
My mom ordered the shrimp cocktail, which I'd had on my last visit at Le Cellier.
She didn't really care for it. She thought it was a wierd combination with the chili sauce and wasabi slaw. I liked it, but I liked the duck a lot better, plus I couldn't get too excited about something I'd had before, since I really like trying new things.
For our entrees my mom ordered the salmon.
We both agreed that it was very good. It came with butternut squash risotto, but I didn't really think that had that much taste, but I did really like the maple butter and pecan vinaigrette that were served with it.
For our other entree I ordered the seven-ounce filet mignon.
I'd had this the first time I'd eaten at Le Cellier, and was craving another one. Plus I really like steak, and how often do I eat filet mignon? Not often. The steak has a maple-bbq glaze, which I like, and cream cheese mashed potatoes, that I love as well. My mom also liked it as well, and she is not even a big steak eater.
Also, a word about steaks, and this is for all over Disney property, not just Le Cellier, but I've found, more often then not, that steaks are always a bit under-cooked. This isn't really a problem for me, since I'm not at all picky, and neither is my mom, but at home I'll usually order steaks medium, and at Disney medium well, and they are usually never that well done.
Desserts coming up.
We arrived at Le Cellier at about 3:50, a little early for our 4:00 dinner reservation. Before we were seated all of the hostesses and servers sang O Canada in the waiting area, since it was the begining of the dinner service. We were then seated immediatly.
Our server today was Zach, and I absolutly loved him. We were seated next to a solo diner, who we chatted with througout the meal, (and then by mere coiencidence (sp?) ended up at O Canada with right after the meal.) We were talking so much in fact, that Zach, gave her our DDE discount for her meal.
Zach told us that we were able to get smoothies on the plan, so I got a chocolate-raspberry one, since I've heard such good things about it. My mom didn't want a smoothie, since she thought it would be too much like dessert, and she doesn't like sweet things during the meal. I on the other hand, said that it was like getting an extra dessert, (I can never have to much chocolate,) and Zach said this way I could start and end with dessert. So I had the shake, and my mom had some kind of wine with dinner, though I have no idea what kind it was. (The only thing I didn't keep track of very well is what my mom was drinking.)
The shake was very good, very thick and creamy, with a rich chocolate flavore, and just a hint of raspberries.
We were also served the breadsticks with our drinks. Since this was my third time at Le Cellier I knew exactly what I wanted, so I grabbed a rather large piece of the pretzel bread, and a small piece of the multi-grain. I've never really cared about their sourdough though, so I didn't take any of that. This was my mom's first time at Le Cellier, so she tried a small piece of each bread. She liked the multi-grain the best, but she thought the pretzel bread was too salty.
Since we were on the dining plan we were able to each order an appetizer, entree, and dessert. We had decided that we would each get something different, and then split the two appetizers so that we could try more things, and we just agreed that we wouldn't order anything that didn't appeal to both of us, though we both eat just about anything, so this really wasn't an issue for us.
I ordered the duck confit appetizer.
This was wonderful! I've always liked duck, but I don't get it very often. I rarely cook it at home, (it's just not that easy to find quality duck meat at the stores where I live, I do believe we're having duck, (and turkey,) for Christmas dinner though,) so I like to order it when I'm out as much as possible.
It came with crispy prosciutto ham, frisee, and pomegranate molasses. It was a good combination, but I thought the pomegranate molasses was a bit bitter. My mom really liked it too, and in fact, said it was one of her favorite appetizers all week. I have to agree with her on that.
My mom ordered the shrimp cocktail, which I'd had on my last visit at Le Cellier.
She didn't really care for it. She thought it was a wierd combination with the chili sauce and wasabi slaw. I liked it, but I liked the duck a lot better, plus I couldn't get too excited about something I'd had before, since I really like trying new things.
For our entrees my mom ordered the salmon.
We both agreed that it was very good. It came with butternut squash risotto, but I didn't really think that had that much taste, but I did really like the maple butter and pecan vinaigrette that were served with it.
For our other entree I ordered the seven-ounce filet mignon.
I'd had this the first time I'd eaten at Le Cellier, and was craving another one. Plus I really like steak, and how often do I eat filet mignon? Not often. The steak has a maple-bbq glaze, which I like, and cream cheese mashed potatoes, that I love as well. My mom also liked it as well, and she is not even a big steak eater.
Also, a word about steaks, and this is for all over Disney property, not just Le Cellier, but I've found, more often then not, that steaks are always a bit under-cooked. This isn't really a problem for me, since I'm not at all picky, and neither is my mom, but at home I'll usually order steaks medium, and at Disney medium well, and they are usually never that well done.
Desserts coming up.
disneyfav4ever
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Day Three - Le Cellier - Part Two
For dessert I ordered the creme brulee.
It is no longer the sampler. It is now vanilla, topped with berry preserves and a rolled cookie. The portion is unreasonably huge, but it is very good.
My mom ordered the chocolate "moose."
The presentation was very cute, but the taste was lacking. We both thought it wasn't chocolaty enough. And my mom thought the cookie crumbs were stale tasting.
Cost - $112.58 (Used 2 TS Credits)
For dessert I ordered the creme brulee.
It is no longer the sampler. It is now vanilla, topped with berry preserves and a rolled cookie. The portion is unreasonably huge, but it is very good.
My mom ordered the chocolate "moose."
The presentation was very cute, but the taste was lacking. We both thought it wasn't chocolaty enough. And my mom thought the cookie crumbs were stale tasting.
Cost - $112.58 (Used 2 TS Credits)
SmallWorld71
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Enjoying your pictures and reviews and signing on for more.
disneyfav4ever
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Day Four - Everything Pop
We had breakfast at Everything Pop again today. We got a breakfast crossiant this morning.
It was very good, and big enough to share. We also had two bottles of water with our sandwich.
Cost - $10.38 (Used 1 CS Credit)
We had breakfast at Everything Pop again today. We got a breakfast crossiant this morning.
It was very good, and big enough to share. We also had two bottles of water with our sandwich.
Cost - $10.38 (Used 1 CS Credit)
disneyfav4ever
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Day Four - ABC Comissary
I've read some reviews here that say ABC Comissary is the worst restaurant on Disney property, so I was a little hesitant to try it. But, I like the decor and theming there, so I decided to give it a try anyway.
We decided to get the fish and chips as our entree.
It was excellant, much better then I expected it to be. The fries were nice and hot, crispy on the outside, and soft on the outside. The fish was delicious as well, very crispy tasty coating, and perfectly cooked on the inside.
For dessert we had the chocolate mousse, not that we had much of a choice, since the only other dessert option there is a sugar-free strawberry parfait, and my mom does not eat artifically sweetened things.
It was okay, but nothing I'd have to eat again. The mousse part was good, but the cakey part it was sitting on had a kind of grainy feel to it.
Cost - $13.53 (Used 1 CS Credit)
I've read some reviews here that say ABC Comissary is the worst restaurant on Disney property, so I was a little hesitant to try it. But, I like the decor and theming there, so I decided to give it a try anyway.
We decided to get the fish and chips as our entree.
It was excellant, much better then I expected it to be. The fries were nice and hot, crispy on the outside, and soft on the outside. The fish was delicious as well, very crispy tasty coating, and perfectly cooked on the inside.
For dessert we had the chocolate mousse, not that we had much of a choice, since the only other dessert option there is a sugar-free strawberry parfait, and my mom does not eat artifically sweetened things.
It was okay, but nothing I'd have to eat again. The mousse part was good, but the cakey part it was sitting on had a kind of grainy feel to it.
Cost - $13.53 (Used 1 CS Credit)
disneyfav4ever
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Yeah, I don't get why it gets so many negative reviews. Except we did get there right after it opened, so maybe that's why the food was so good? I'd definatly go there for the fish and chips again.
tyandskyesmom
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Enjoying your reviews so far!
disneyfav4ever
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Day Four - Brown Derby
I've always been so pleased with the quality of the food at Brown Derby that it's a must-do for me every trip, so this was my fourth time eating here, but it was only my mom's first. I also book it with the Fantasmic dinner package whenever I eat here, since I really think that's a good deal, especially with the dining plan, since it uses the same amount of credits to get the reserved seating as it does just to eat.
Our server was Jerry, and he was good, a little less engaging then some of the other servers we had, but he was pleasant and fast, so I have no complaints about him
Once again we decided to share all of our food. I ordered the sea scallop for my appetizer.
The scallop was excellant. It was served over a barbecue Kurabota pork belly and gingered butternut squash with crisp shallots. Though I've never understood the concept of putting scallop and pork together, it worked. This was my second time having this as an appetizer, though the last time I had it, (in February,) it was served slightly differently, with corn instead of butternut squash. I preferred this one.
My mom ordered the crab cake, (you'll start noticing a pattern here, with my mom ordering crab cakes.)
The crab cake had a potato crust and was served with savoy cabbage slaw, dijon mustard, and remoulade sauces, though you can't really see the slaw in the picture since the flash cut it out. This was very similar to their last crab cake as well, (that I had in December,) but again, not exactly the same.
My mom loved it, and I liked it, but my favorite crab cake that I've had at Brown Derby was the one I'd had in 2005, not that this one wasn't good.
For our entrees I ordered the grouper.
It was pan-fried, and served over balsamic-roasted asparagus, sweet onion marmalade and citrus juices. The grouper and the asparagus were both good, and my mom really liked both as well, but she did not like the onion marmalade. I liked it, but I found it very unmemorable compared to the other entrees I've had at Brown Derby in the past.
My mom ordered the duck breast and venison sausage for our other entree.
I really liked the presentation of this. Unfortunatly, that is the only part I really enjoyed. The duck was cooked well done, (as poultry should be,) but it was almost rubbery when chewing it. The sausage was all right, but not the best. The carrots that came with it were undercooked, and the celery root puree that it was also served with had a bitter taste to it. My mom didn't like it that much either.
So the entrees paled in comparision to ones I've had there in the past, (rack of lamb, tuna, and filet mignon.)
It was then time for dessert, which I was hoping would salvage the rest of the meal. We'd had great appetizers, but one decent entree, and another entree that I would never order again, (and I noticed is already off the "updated" menu on All Ears.)
For our first dessert I ordered the grapefruit cake.
It was good, and I'm glad I tried it, but it's not something I would order again, it just wasn't sweet enough for me. My mom really liked it though.
My mom ordered the flourless chocolate cake.
When it was brought out I had to take tons of pictures of it, since this was one of the prettiest plates I've seen in a long time. (The special "celebration" desserts always have the best platings IMO.) So my mom ate the grapefruit cake first, and it's a good thing too, because if she had started with this, she probably wouldn't of shared! LOL.
It was so good, very rich, (so I guess it's a good thing we did share,) and chocolaty. The only thing we didn't eat was the Sleeping Beauty decoration, since that was made of white chocolate, and neither of us really likes white, we like dark.
Brown Derby is still on my list of restaurants to eat at next year, but it used to be at the top of my list, and now it's behind Boma as well as a few others. It's also not the best deal dollar-wise on the dining plan, since it does use two credits a person.
Cost - $109.54 (Used 4 TS Credits)
I've always been so pleased with the quality of the food at Brown Derby that it's a must-do for me every trip, so this was my fourth time eating here, but it was only my mom's first. I also book it with the Fantasmic dinner package whenever I eat here, since I really think that's a good deal, especially with the dining plan, since it uses the same amount of credits to get the reserved seating as it does just to eat.
Our server was Jerry, and he was good, a little less engaging then some of the other servers we had, but he was pleasant and fast, so I have no complaints about him
Once again we decided to share all of our food. I ordered the sea scallop for my appetizer.
The scallop was excellant. It was served over a barbecue Kurabota pork belly and gingered butternut squash with crisp shallots. Though I've never understood the concept of putting scallop and pork together, it worked. This was my second time having this as an appetizer, though the last time I had it, (in February,) it was served slightly differently, with corn instead of butternut squash. I preferred this one.
My mom ordered the crab cake, (you'll start noticing a pattern here, with my mom ordering crab cakes.)
The crab cake had a potato crust and was served with savoy cabbage slaw, dijon mustard, and remoulade sauces, though you can't really see the slaw in the picture since the flash cut it out. This was very similar to their last crab cake as well, (that I had in December,) but again, not exactly the same.
My mom loved it, and I liked it, but my favorite crab cake that I've had at Brown Derby was the one I'd had in 2005, not that this one wasn't good.
For our entrees I ordered the grouper.
It was pan-fried, and served over balsamic-roasted asparagus, sweet onion marmalade and citrus juices. The grouper and the asparagus were both good, and my mom really liked both as well, but she did not like the onion marmalade. I liked it, but I found it very unmemorable compared to the other entrees I've had at Brown Derby in the past.
My mom ordered the duck breast and venison sausage for our other entree.
I really liked the presentation of this. Unfortunatly, that is the only part I really enjoyed. The duck was cooked well done, (as poultry should be,) but it was almost rubbery when chewing it. The sausage was all right, but not the best. The carrots that came with it were undercooked, and the celery root puree that it was also served with had a bitter taste to it. My mom didn't like it that much either.
So the entrees paled in comparision to ones I've had there in the past, (rack of lamb, tuna, and filet mignon.)
It was then time for dessert, which I was hoping would salvage the rest of the meal. We'd had great appetizers, but one decent entree, and another entree that I would never order again, (and I noticed is already off the "updated" menu on All Ears.)
For our first dessert I ordered the grapefruit cake.
It was good, and I'm glad I tried it, but it's not something I would order again, it just wasn't sweet enough for me. My mom really liked it though.
My mom ordered the flourless chocolate cake.
When it was brought out I had to take tons of pictures of it, since this was one of the prettiest plates I've seen in a long time. (The special "celebration" desserts always have the best platings IMO.) So my mom ate the grapefruit cake first, and it's a good thing too, because if she had started with this, she probably wouldn't of shared! LOL.
It was so good, very rich, (so I guess it's a good thing we did share,) and chocolaty. The only thing we didn't eat was the Sleeping Beauty decoration, since that was made of white chocolate, and neither of us really likes white, we like dark.
Brown Derby is still on my list of restaurants to eat at next year, but it used to be at the top of my list, and now it's behind Boma as well as a few others. It's also not the best deal dollar-wise on the dining plan, since it does use two credits a person.
Cost - $109.54 (Used 4 TS Credits)
disneyfav4ever
No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep
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Day Five - Crystal Palace
Today we woke up extra early, and for a change, we did not eat breakfast at Everything Pop. Today was our special character breakfast with Pooh at Crystal Palace. I was very excited, I hadn't seen any of the Pooh characters yet this trip, (characters are a big deal to me,) and I loved the food at Crystal Palce, which is a must-do for me every trip, and this was my fourth time eating there.
My mom, who had never been there before, was looking foward to it as well, since I am always saying how this is one of my favorite restaurants.
We go to the Magic Kingdom a little after 7:00 for our 8:05 ADR. It was raining, but we were there so early that there was space under the covering that is over the turnstiles for us.
They let us in a little earlier then they usually do, (this was my third time with an pre-park opening ADR here, which I prefer over a late breakfast,) though I think it was probably to get us out of the rain.
We were seated right on time. Our server this morning was Karen, and she was very good. She brought me out a diet Coke right away, and my mom was delighted to have her own pot of coffee. My mom really liked the coffee, and said it was the best she had all trip.
My mom went up to the buffet first, and came back with a plate of food.
She had some fruit with cottage cheese, smoked salmon, vegetable frittata, and a croissant. She said all of the food was very good.
Before I went up to the buffet Pooh stopped by our table, and we each had our picture taken with him. Then I went up to the buffet.
I only grabbed three different things, breakfast lasagna, puffed French toast, and breakfast pizza, and didn't even going through the buffet line, since everything I like is on the center table, and the kid's buffet. Everything was as good as always, if not better.
While we were eating we saw Piglet, and my favorite Pooh character Eeyore, then my mom went back up to the buffet.
She got another croissant, chocolate this time, and she got some breakfast lasagna and a piece of the puffed French toast. She hadn't wanted a whole piece of the French toast, but I wasn't sharing, lol, so she had to get her own.
We then saw Tigger, before I went up to the buffet again.
I had another piece of breakfast pizza, as well as some oven-roasted potatoes, and some potatoes in cheese sauce, both were very good.
It took less then an hour to eat, because we were able to make it to rope-drop at the Liberty Square bridge that's near the castle.
We had a total of twenty table-service credits for theh trip. Since I had booked ten table-service restaurants, two of which were signature, we would be four credits short. My mom had made it clear before I even made the reservations, that she did not want to have to pay for any food. So I made this a very belated Mother's Day present, (I had given her an I.O.U. with her card,) and paid for this out of pocket, but it didn't actually cost me anything, because I had a $40 Disney gift card that I used for the meal.
Something I noticed this time was that there were a lot of child-free parties in the restaurant, or at least in the section we were seated in. I counted at least six adult-only tables.
Cost - $40 (Paid for with Disney Rewards Card)
Today we woke up extra early, and for a change, we did not eat breakfast at Everything Pop. Today was our special character breakfast with Pooh at Crystal Palace. I was very excited, I hadn't seen any of the Pooh characters yet this trip, (characters are a big deal to me,) and I loved the food at Crystal Palce, which is a must-do for me every trip, and this was my fourth time eating there.
My mom, who had never been there before, was looking foward to it as well, since I am always saying how this is one of my favorite restaurants.
We go to the Magic Kingdom a little after 7:00 for our 8:05 ADR. It was raining, but we were there so early that there was space under the covering that is over the turnstiles for us.
They let us in a little earlier then they usually do, (this was my third time with an pre-park opening ADR here, which I prefer over a late breakfast,) though I think it was probably to get us out of the rain.
We were seated right on time. Our server this morning was Karen, and she was very good. She brought me out a diet Coke right away, and my mom was delighted to have her own pot of coffee. My mom really liked the coffee, and said it was the best she had all trip.
My mom went up to the buffet first, and came back with a plate of food.
She had some fruit with cottage cheese, smoked salmon, vegetable frittata, and a croissant. She said all of the food was very good.
Before I went up to the buffet Pooh stopped by our table, and we each had our picture taken with him. Then I went up to the buffet.
I only grabbed three different things, breakfast lasagna, puffed French toast, and breakfast pizza, and didn't even going through the buffet line, since everything I like is on the center table, and the kid's buffet. Everything was as good as always, if not better.
While we were eating we saw Piglet, and my favorite Pooh character Eeyore, then my mom went back up to the buffet.
She got another croissant, chocolate this time, and she got some breakfast lasagna and a piece of the puffed French toast. She hadn't wanted a whole piece of the French toast, but I wasn't sharing, lol, so she had to get her own.
We then saw Tigger, before I went up to the buffet again.
I had another piece of breakfast pizza, as well as some oven-roasted potatoes, and some potatoes in cheese sauce, both were very good.
It took less then an hour to eat, because we were able to make it to rope-drop at the Liberty Square bridge that's near the castle.
We had a total of twenty table-service credits for theh trip. Since I had booked ten table-service restaurants, two of which were signature, we would be four credits short. My mom had made it clear before I even made the reservations, that she did not want to have to pay for any food. So I made this a very belated Mother's Day present, (I had given her an I.O.U. with her card,) and paid for this out of pocket, but it didn't actually cost me anything, because I had a $40 Disney gift card that I used for the meal.
Something I noticed this time was that there were a lot of child-free parties in the restaurant, or at least in the section we were seated in. I counted at least six adult-only tables.
Cost - $40 (Paid for with Disney Rewards Card)
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