Dishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dining (Reviews: Apr20-28 w/pics!) Finally DONE

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Love me some Kona!!! Thanks I'm staying tuned in...

 

[Shelby5514]

What, no Tonga Toast?

I'd try those pancakes, but then I'd have food envy at the first plate of Tonga Toast that passed by and I'd hate myself.

 

[NurseJamie]

How did you not get the Tonga Toast? What other reason is there to go to Kona?!?!?! haha kidding - good coffee is a scare commodity at WDW.... and those pancakes did look super yummy, and I do love me some macadamia nuts. But how could you pass on the Tonga Toast?!?!

 

[C.Marie]

Yay, more pics! We're staying at the Poly in August and I've budgeted for a cup of Kona coffee every day. And seeing those pancakes you got, they look beyond tasty, we just might have to order room service one morning and try those bad boys.

 

[curiouser]

Loving your reviews, but I need to make a note to not look at your pics on an empty stomach.

Isn't it horrible? I was starving and bored yesterday and so I went looking at cupcake photos - well wasn't that a bad idea?! I ended up even more hungry and with a raging sweet tooth!

Glad to have you back in true form!!! You must be feeling much better!

Yes, I am! I was just totally out of it with that cold.

What, no Tonga Toast?

I'd try those pancakes, but then I'd have food envy at the first plate of Tonga Toast that passed by and I'd hate myself.

Passing the Tonga Toast is really simple... I hate bananas! I'll admit they do look quite scrumptious - I've thought once about ordering them without the banana's for just all the sugared toast goodness!

Yay, more pics! We're staying at the Poly in August and I've budgeted for a cup of Kona coffee every day. And seeing those pancakes you got, they look beyond tasty, we just might have to order room service one morning and try those bad boys.

Oooh I've never stayed at the Poly - I hope you have a good time! Getting a good cuppa everyday is worth staying there alone!

 

[1andrea]

Those pancakes look yummy

 

[lawyergirl]

De-lurking to subscribe...

(Seriously - you write one AWESOME dining report!! It's keeping me sane at work!!)

 

[oybolshoi]

Breakfast at Kona is a must for us, too. But my DH would be horrified to know that neither of you ordered Tonga Toast.

Great reviews!

 

[curiouser]

For lunch we had planned to try out the Electric Umbrella. I’d never been there and Jeff hadn’t been there in eons, so it seemed like fair game for being “trying something new”. However, something unexpected happened: I was seduced by the temptress of the flat screen television. Okay, not really, but I am a very visual person. I get quite aggravated when I am expected to order a food item without a very detailed description or photo. HELLO am I supposed to GUESS what’s on this turkey wrap? (More on that in another chapter).

So, we were chillin’ in China (one of our favorite spots), browsing the store, hanging with Mushu and sporting our spankin’ new Bejing 2008 Summer Olympics visors when we stopped to look at the updated menu for Lotus Blossom Café. That’s when it happened. The visual aspect of the flat panel televisions caught my eye and I was drawn in by the Rou Jia Mo – Chinese Beef Sandwich. Having a general love (and fascination with) asian foods, I wanted to try this new dish. Of course, being a girl, I didn’t mention that until we were half way to the Electric Umbrella and had to turn around and go back.

We shared an order of pot stickers, which we were disappointed to find that they had been sitting too long and become quite tough. The filling inside was nice, although I must be honest and say they tasted no different than the frozen pot stickers I get from Trader Joe’s and pop into my microwave for lunch.

My instinct is to compare the Rou Jia Mo as the Chinese gyro/schwarma – it’s street food – meat in a wrap/bread. The bread is folded taco style and light in color, typical of steamed breads. Its very pancake-like. Not like a moo shu pancake, as those are thinner, but very soft, fluffy and lightly chewy – very toothsome – similar to an American style pancake. The meat inside was well seasoned and sliced thinly. It was chewy, the consistency very, very much like it was rehydrated beef jerky. If beef jerky does not appeal to you, I’d recommend staying far away from this dish. Personally, I was raised with a piece of jerky in my mouth (my relatives hunt deer in W Va. They’ve got do something with all that leftover meat) so I found it intriguing, and about two steps away from saying, “enjoyable”. It was flavored with green onions and served with cucumbers and tomatoes on the side. I skipped the tomatoes and added the cukes to my sandwich. They were really fresh and I enjoyed the added crunch they added to the Rou Jia Mo.

Jeff ordered the Orange Chicken. The chicken itself was nicely battered and fried, very typical of the fried chicken “nuggets” you get when you order a dish of Sweet and Sour Chicken. The orange glaze was thick, sweet and very pungent in its orange scent and flavor. It reminded me a lot of eating candied orange peels, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there was grated orange peel in the sauce. As far as over all taste is concerned it was better than your average mall Chinese fast food, but not as good as our local favorite Chinese carry-out. It was served with white rice, but as neither of us are big white rice fans we left it to the side.

All in all, I didn't think Lotus Blossom was anywhere near as horrible as some reviews on the DIS would make it seem. Actually, it wasn't horrible at all. As far as places in WS go, its lower on the list, but I wouldn't never return, either. It just goes to show you gotta let your own taste buds do the deciding...

For dinner we headed to Downtown Disney to hit up Earl of Sandwich. I normally get the Earls Club for the main reason that I can smother it in HP Sauce (sometimes I think I could just drink it safe from the bottle.. but then I think the Board of Health might come after me, not to mention Earl himself) but this time I decided to be different and adventurous. Okay, to be honest, I was totally and completely indecisive and just blurted out the word “Cannonballs” when I got to the register.

(ooh that photo didn't turn out good, did it?)

The Cannonball is Earl’s meatball sub and I can honestly say I’ve been craving another one ever since. I don’t think the menu board said they were handmade, but let me tell you: I work in an office that has a lot of pot lucks and I have had my fair share of Sam’s Club frozen meatballs. These were not frozen. They didn’t have that tough “skin” that seems to develop on reheated frozen meatballs. Rather, these were well seasoned with oregano and basil; they were moist, tender, and spent the day relaxing in warm bath of tomato sauce only to come out and be wrapped in a blanket of gooey mozzarella and provolone. I would’ve actually enjoyed a bit more of the tomato sauce as a lot of it was absorbed into the bread. Oh- and did I mention the bread yet? The bread at Earl is just wonderful. It’s crusty and chewy and more than just a mere vehicle for the fillings: it’s a star in itself. It’s a BMW in the Sandwich Bread World. Scrumptious!

Jeff got the Original 1762 - fresh roasted beef, cheddar and creamy horseradish sauce. Does that really surprise you? He likes his roast beast and horseradish. I actually preferred this to the one at LTT, but I think he liked the one at LTT better. For me, the cheddar offered more sharpness and depth than the mild swiss on the previous sandwich, but truthfully, you can't go wrong with either. And you can't go wrong at Earl.. he makes one mean sandwich!

Dessert was at Goofy’s Candy Company, where sadly, I forgot to take any photos. I am sorry. I have failed you all. I have failed to provide you with photographic proof of the insane wonderousness that is a caramel apple covered in dark chocolate with pecans and peanuts and drizzled with MORE caramel. Oh. My. Lord. It was HUGE. It was huge AND I have a big mouth (I even have all of my wisdom teeth with room to spare!!). And it was wonderful. And would send most people into diabetic shock, I think. I would tell you to bring a knife to cut it up, but I think that ruins the fun of a caramel apple and your DSo laughing at you because you have chocolate all over your face.

Next Reviews: Tusker House and Jiko!!

 

[DisneyJo]

That sandwich sounds great as for the apple!!!!!!!!

 

[BrerMama]

Oh, I must do the Earl/Goofy's combo. Definitely putting it on my list!

 

[lucas]

Fantastic reviews and pics!

BrerMama, are you related to Brer Dad?

 

[Motherofboys]

Just stopping by to say great reviews!!

We also enjoyed the gooey goodness of Goofy's. We opted for the pretzel rods and rice krispie treats instead of the apples though.

Loved your review of EofS, I am so confused by all the people saying it's basically like Subway or Quizno's I've had at least 5 different sandwiches from the Earl and they were nothing like Subway or Quiznos.

Did you try the Earl's lemonade or the cupcakes? Mmmmmm

Can't wait to read the rest!!

 

[shovan]

Great reviews as usual!

Can't wait to hear about Tusker House & Jiko! Two of my favs!!!

 

[curiouser]

Just stopping by to say great reviews!!

We also enjoyed the gooey goodness of Goofy's. We opted for the pretzel rods and rice krispie treats instead of the apples though.

Loved your review of EofS, I am so confused by all the people saying it's basically like Subway or Quizno's I've had at least 5 different sandwiches from the Earl and they were nothing like Subway or Quiznos.

Did you try the Earl's lemonade or the cupcakes? Mmmmmm

Can't wait to read the rest!!

*jaw drop* SERIOUSLY?! Earl is nothing like those two! Don't get me wrong, I visit Subway quite frequently for lunch but Quiznos? YUCK!! The quality at Earl is much superior!!

 

[curiouser]

Great reviews as usual!

Can't wait to hear about Tusker House & Jiko! Two of my favs!!!

Tusker House coming up!! I'm making up for the fact that I was delayed for two days since I forgot to pull the pic of the new Lotus Blossom menu. I couldn't remember the name of the sandwich I ate there!

Jiko might take a while since its a REALLY interesting story!!

 

[Disneyolic]

Tusker House coming up!! I'm making up for the fact that I was delayed for two days since I forgot to pull the pic of the new Lotus Blossom menu. I couldn't remember the name of the sandwich I ate there!

Jiko might take a while since its a REALLY interesting story!!

Post them separately just so we can "get our fix in"!

 

[sham101505]

Who needs a pic of that apple when we have you to explain it in such detail? I can already picture it in my head.... oh, and btw have I told you that I am addicted to your reviews? I look forward to new updates everyday.

 

[2manypets]

As always, you're reviews are great.

 

[curiouser]

There is a long-standing debate on the DIS boards regarding Counter Service in Animal Kingdom. It boils down between Flame Tree BBQ and Tusker House. We’ve patronized Flame Tree many-a-time, because when it comes down to it, pulled pork marinating in a bath of tangy barbeque sauce is heavenly. Beef brisket marinating in a bath of tangy barbeque sauce is heavenly. Barbeque sauce is heavenly. Period. So as you can imagine, I’ve always been on the Flame Tree side of the debate; I realized, however, that’s not really fair as I’ve never been to Tusker House to make a fair comparison.

So we dragged ourselves away from the delicious wafting smells of Flame Tree over to Tusker House. It was a little before noon and not very crowded, or at least it looked that way. I mused over the menu and decided on the Turkey Wrap with Corn Chowder and left Jeff to order while I took our bag in search of a table. I think people came out of the woodwork because in that two minutes no tables were left inside so I found us a little two person table outside, but sadly, in the sun. Oh bother.

Jeff returned with our food: turkey wrap for me; Fried Chicken Sandwich for him. The Fried Chicken Sandwich looked wonderful, it tasted almost as good as it looked. The breading was nice and crispy with a nice peppery bite; the chicken juicy and tender. The bun was plain and I feel they could’ve picked a better bread option since they did so well with the chicken itself. The fries were steak fries, nice and crisp and fresh, though. It pays to be early on the lunch rush!

I got the turkey wrap. Remember me mentioning before that I dislike not having photos or detailed descriptions of my food? Yeah. Turkey wrap with corn chowder. That’s what the menu says. That’s it.

The turkey wrap sucked.

Okay, I should be fair. There was nothing wrong with the turkey wrap. I’m sure many, many people think its good. I, however, did not. The turkey itself was fine. The greens – I think they were arugual. They tasted peppery. I do not care for peppery greens. And the red sauce was just UGH. It might have been trying to be a roasted red pepper sauce but it failed! There was no delightful sweetness typical to roasted red peppers. I had two bites and left it alone.

The corn chowder on the other hand.. boy oh boy! It was 90 degrees out and I was sitting in the sun and I could see the steam coming off the soup but I still ate every single bite. It was rich and creamy and the corn lent a slight sweetness overall. The potatoes were perfectly tender without being mushy and the consistency was just the perfect level of chunky-ness. The cucumber salad was nice and refreshing as well. The cucumber and tomato didn’t suffer any sogginess from the dressing that, although creamy, was very light.

Our afternoon snack was a Strawberry Minnie Bar – refreshing and yummy (AK is always SO hot) and left us ready for our meal at Jiko later that night…