Dining Reviews Sep 2008 & Feb 2009 Update 8/13 - Complete!

[natalielongstaff]

loved your review

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Thanks for the updates! Restaurantsaurus has always been a tradition for us...next March I'm hoping to get an 8:05am ADR at Tusker house. Did you go straight to Expedition Everest? If so, how did that work out?

Thanks!

I rode the Safari first. I rode Everest the first day I spent in Animal Kingdom (day two,) three times, so I didn't feel the need to rush there at rope drop.

 

[Lynn5700]

Ok I just got to YSH review and I loved it. Love that you loved my favorite winne, Rosa Regale. I knew that was what is was when I looked at the glass...did not even need to read what it was LOL.

I'm LOVING your reviews!! Great job!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Ok I just got to YSH review and I loved it. Love that you loved my favorite winne, Rosa Regale. I knew that was what is was when I looked at the glass...did not even need to read what it was LOL.

I'm LOVING your reviews!! Great job!

That's my favorite wine too. I was at the liquor store today, and was really bummed that they didn't sell it.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Awesome, review, but now i want a Krispy Kreme...Just one more reason to convince DH we need a WDW trip in 2009

I really wish I could still find Krispy Kremes in PA.

Everything sounds so good!

Thank you for taking the time to share all this with us!

Thank you for reading!

Great updates - I am disappointed that I am at work and, as such, can't see any of the pictures but will look again when I get home. Meanwhile, keep up the good work

Why can't you see the pictures at work? Do they have the DIS blocked or something?

Thanks for the Tusker House pics...we'll be there next month for breakfast and the review has me really excited!

It's so good. I can't wait until I get a chance to eat there again, and get some more of that bread pudding.

We always go to Safari first and then head over to EE to give our food a little bit to settle.

A very good reason not to ride EE first.

loved your review

Thanks!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

This was my fourth time eating at Kona Cafe. The first two times had been in 2005 and 2006 for lunch, and both times I enjoyed my meal, but I didn't think it was anything special. Then last year I had dinner there, and it was absolutly wonderful, so I had to make another dinner ADR there for this trip.

Kona had however, undergone a menu change since the last time I had been there, but I was very excited to try some of the new items. Actually, everything I ordered was new since the last time I had eaten there.

My ADR was for 5:10, but I left the park earlier then I needed to, (I hate being late,) and was at the Polynesian by 4:15. I had a drink at Tambu Lounge, (see drinks review in earlier post,) while waiting for my ADR time to roll around. I was seated right at 5:10.

I was greeted by my server, Dolly, who went through the usual spiel of what was included on the deluxe dining plan, and made her recommendations.

I was served bread then.

The bread at Kona is wonderful. It's a soft, sweet, Hawaiin loaf, that is served with macadamia nut butter. It is one of my favorite breads served at Disney, right up there with the onion rolls at Yachtsman Steakhouse and the foccacia at Wolfgang Puck Cafe. I'm so hungry for bread right now, I've been watching what I eat right now, especially with the holidays being next week, but I know that won't last past today, since I have parties to go to tomorrow and Sunday, but I am so hungry for bread right now.

For my appetizer I had something that had just been added to the menu right before my trip, the shrimp roll.

This is also served at the new Kona sushi bar, which is right outside the restaurant, and I would love to have a meal there, since everything looks and sounds so good.

This was tempura shrimp and mango, rolled in rice, served with a passion fruit, orange, and guava sauce. It was so good. Sushi with a tropical twist. Also, for anyone hesitant to try this because it is sushi, this is very untraditional, (but good,) and everything was cooked, (well not the fruit,) but no raw fish.

I stuck with seafood for my entree as well, and had the tuna oscar.

The tuna oscar isn't a very new addition to the menu, but it hadn't been there the last time I had eaten at Kona. It was a very well-seasoned piece of fish, served with fried green tomatoes, asparagus, tempura crab, and wasabi-Hollandaise sauce.

I loved this dish, it was however, a very large portion, and I wasn't able to finish it. It was also my first time trying green tomatoes, and I thought they were good, though I prefer other tomatoes more. If I could make one small complaint though, too little crab, but too much sauce.

For dessert I had another new menu item, the coconut cream kiki tart.

It was a nice light dessert after that protien-heavy meal, though I didn't care for the pastry crust, so only ate out the coconut filling, and the raspberries on the side. I didn't eat the lychee though, I always forget I don't like it, and try it again, and then wonder why I put it in my mouth.

Overall, the meal was very good, though Kona is not on my must-do list, since I've tried pretty much everything there that's of interest to me, except for a couple of entrees, so though I'll probably return sooner or later, it probably won't be the next time I go to Disney.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I am really looking forward to your 1900 PF review, going for dinner for the first time in 3 weeks!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I have really enjoyed your reviews. Your descriptions and your pictures are really great. I especially like the pictures of the restaurants as well. It gives you a sense of where you ate (not just the food you ate).

You are tempting me to do the ddxp plan when I take my solo trip for my birthday in June.

Of course, my friend is hinting about coming along (without her four kids, thank goodness) so the cost of the ddxp might become an issue with her (but then again so would the cost of any sit down dining).

 

[danalee]

loving the reviews

 

[MiaBella05]

 

[Treacle44]

Brilliant reviews and photos, looking forward to the rest!

Which you recommend out of Cali Grill, Yachtman or Jiko for a romantic meal for two?

x

 

[Lynn5700]

That's my favorite wine too. I was at the liquor store today, and was really bummed that they didn't sell it.

It really is the best wine. I found it at my local store...check back maybe they will get it in.


My DH had the tuna ocsar too. It was very good. I tried it and loved it. First time I ever had tuna.

 

[Tatania]

This is the magical star cocktail, which was a new menu item. The server told me this was the first day it was on the menu, and made sure I was happy with it. This was a mix of Parrot Bay coconut rum, (can you tell I like rum?) X-Fusion passion fruit liquor, pineapple juice, and sweet and sour. This was a great drink, and I highly recommend it. Plus it came with the coolest glow cube I had ever seen.

Every other time I had seen a glow cube, it was either red, blue, or green, but this one you could switch between diffent colors, or have it on two colors at once, (like red and blue to make purple, which is what it's set on in the glass,) or it can be set so it changes. I mean it was a really fun little toy that I actually played with for at least ten minutes before getting bored with it. I still have it somewhere though, as well as the one I had with my glowtini. This was a much cooler cube though.

The recipe for this drink (posted on the Disney recipe exchange) calls for 1 part each of Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, X-Fusion Liqueur, Pineapple Juice, Sweet & Sour, plus 1 Rainblow Glow cube.
Preparation: Build in mixing glass over ice, shake & strain over fresh ice.
Garnish: Place Rainblow Glow cube (on fast color-changing mode) in bottom of glass before adding ice, Pineapple Leaf.

Does this sound about right to you or was there more pineapple juice than alcohol in the drink?

 

[BriarRosie]

I'd want to go back to Kona just for the bread and butter. It's Disney crack, that's how good it is.

But seriously, I really want to try that sushi bar. It is always getting great reviews.

 

[Tatania]

I'd want to go back to Kona just for the bread and butter. It's Disney crack, that's how good it is.

That bread recipe is one many of us would love to have but no luck yet. If anyone is going there and can ask or feels like contacting Guests Relations to ask for the recipe you'd be very popular!

 

[Pumbaa_]

It really is the best wine. I found it at my local store...check back maybe they will get it in.

I asked my local package store to order it for us (I have 2 bottles just hanging around )

 

[Disneylover87]

great reviews! were going for 14 days on the deluxe dining plan i cant wait to try all of these great resturants!

 

[whogirl'smom]

Thank you for posting the Kona review--I have been wondering for months about their "fried green tomatoes". So glad to finally see a picture of them and now I realize they are not Southern fried green tomatoes (you know, dipped in cornmeal then fried). That is one of my favorite side dishes/appetizers whenever I can find them. This looked more like a lightly grilled green tomato. I promise you would love the real kind dipped in a little ketchup or ranch dressing!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

UPDATE - I currently do not have an internet connection at home, (long story, don't have time to type it all out now,) so it may be awhile before I get around to finishing my reviews. But I promise I will finish them, it just might not be for awhile.

 

[DWFan4Life]

Great reviews. We just got there last Christmas too and the experience is really wonderful, now we are planning again to go back for the next holidays. I'm a little bit excited again.