Ellen & Pods alone at last at F&W- with a twist of Vero! 9/25-10/1/09 Update12/14 p.9

[podsnel]

I am ready for anything after the Parisian Cosmo Slush! That was sooooo good I hope it finds a permanent home with the Geese!

Tracy

I agree- it would be great to have to force yourself to go to France for THREE slushies instead of TWO!!! And I LOVE the GEESE!!

 

[podsnel]

So we were slurping down our slushie in France and it was time for Illuminations to begin. I love Illuminations. But I have some sort of Disney freakin' CURSE because I am never in the right place at the right time for it or any other fireworks display WDW offers (well, except Fantasmic, if that qualifies as fireworks- more Pyro technics, that one). I am always watching Illuminations behind a tree, or behind the world's tallest man, or from the bathroom... well, anyway, here are a couple of pics-

So the big show is over, and I'm sooo excited because it is EMH and we don't have the kids with us. And DH says, "That's enough. I want to go back to the room and have a martini."



And I said, "But...it's EMH! TONIGHT. ONLY.

To which he replied with all his complaints and grievences DU JOUR-
"It's enough! We've been here for hours! You said this was going to be a relaxing vacation! We've walked 100 miles! You take too many pictures! It's ENOUGH!"



Ummm...yea...hello, my name is Ellen, we've been married for 23 years, this is how I am....I mean REALLY? He's too tired at 9pm to stay at Epcot for another hour or so?? REALLY??? ANd that's when I knew the sad, sad truth- my dear, wonderful DH had been BODYSNATCHED and replaced! He had horribly flown right by the ages of 50, 60, 70 & 80 and slammed head on into the ripe old crankiness of age 85!!! Although, he did still have all his own teeth, so kudos on that one. Oh, Crap. So we left the park, ya know- ALONE because there wasn't anyone else in Epcot dumb enough to leave, and headed for the beach club (where we had parked.) Some night time pics-

Movies on the beach- looks like no one's there, I wonder why? Oh, I know- they're all at EPCOT WHERE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE!!!!

The place of our next DISmoms trip- I bet THEY'LL stay for EMH!!

We got our car from the free valet (no doubt minutes before DVC members had this perk revoked) who was speedy fast in his shiny white new Nikes! Back at OKW, it was STRAIGHT to the room, where DH proceeded to pour himself a stiff one and turn the TV on to something that was NOT STacey or Casey. Well, I have to draw the line somewhere! So we spent the rest of the evening learning all about the Must Dos and magic DVC suitcases that WDW's finest programming had to offer.

In the morning....DH was thankfully back, a handsome and kind 48 year old once again, apologizing for acting like such an idiot the night before. It seems he was really, really affected by that bad golf game! Well, I think that was the icing on several bad games in a row, so he was feeling not so hot. Poor baby. But he promised to be a happy camper from now on...Thank GOD!!
Because today, we had some really wonderful and RELAXING plans- SSR spa, hangin' by the pool, and the best of all, V&A's!!!! See ya real soon!!

 

[podsnel]

In all my excitement recollecting Pods' instant ageing process, I forgot to mention that when we returned to OKW it was to a new room, 2820. It was still a studio, but now on the second floor and not HA. And NOT next to noisy neighbors! But....this part of Bldg 28 is very close to the road, and the buses going by sounded like airplanes landing, they were so loud!! I think it had something to do with it being right on the part of the road where the buses were accellerating. Fortunately, we didn't hear them too much when we were sleeping.

It was interesting how there were all these little special Mousekeeping touches- like I've posted above, that were not in the other room at OKW at all.

In the morning, i decided to have a breakfast sandwich from Goods to go-

which I shared with Pods before we headed over to SSR for our Mystical Therapies treatments. Unfortunately, i did the unthinkable- I forgot my camera!! Well, we both went in to our treatments, which I have had now (including this one) 3 times- I just love it! 25 minutes of upper body massage followed by 25 minutes of reflexology. Pods enjoyed it, but said the refexology he couldn't even feel- really, if this ever happens to you, you need to tell the therapist to APPLY MORE PRESSURE!!!! We showered up, and headed out to the SSR pool to relax....we were feeling hungry, so we got lunch at AP, which was thankfully very empty. I think we split a chicken spinach artichoke flatbread and a house salad. I decided to blow off the 2pm Puglian wine seminar I had booked us into from home in favor of hangin' by the pool. Where I lasted about 30 seconds before I drove back to OKW to get my camera.

After a nice swim, I changed into some workout clothes and headed to the gym. WOW, does SSR have a gorgeous and HUGE gym!! Of course, there were maybe 3 people in there, and by the time I finished, i had the whole place to myself.

I headed down to the sauna and the steam room for a bit before rinsing off and going back outside to join the very relaxed Pods. We couldn't stay much longer, since we had to get ready for our 5:30 V&A ADR.

Next...is V&A's really worth it?

Oh yes, YES it is!!!

 

[manntra]

OH MY! The horror! No EMH and NO Stacy?
At least he changed back by morning and all was well!
Your spa morning sounded great....when I was at SSR in January I almost booked something for myself and my niece but it was a short trip...
Like your purple punch VB....matches my luggage
Looking forward to V&A..

Tracy

 

[podsnel]

OH MY! The horror! No EMH and NO Stacy?
At least he changed back by morning and all was well!
Your spa morning sounded great....when I was at SSR in January I almost booked something for myself and my niece but it was a short trip...
Like your purple punch VB....matches my luggage
Looking forward to V&A..

Tracy

Well, there WAS Stacy, It was Disney TV all night after THAT! The SSR Spa has become a habit for me- at least on adult trips. Especially doing it on the first day- it just helps you get into vacation mode!! So great, you can literally feel the stress all melt away from that morning's flight and your life left home...

LOVE purple punch!!! Lucky you having the luggage!!

 

[podsnel]

In case I haven't been clear, I really, REALLY like food. I'm a foodie. I just LOVE it. I love to cook it, and I love to eat it. And I will try anything....pretty much. SO this dinner we were going to at V&A's? I'd been dying to go here FOREVER. But, it's not somewhere you go with your kids (under 10 year olds are not even allowed in), so this was a place we had never tried. Until now. Tonight we were going to see exactly what all the fuss is about.

And can I just say, even all the fuss about it doesn't come CLOSE to how spectacular V&A's is. We arrived for our 5:30 ADR (just the one seating at this time of year on this night) and were seated by the most wonderful CM- her name is Diane. I think they should have Diane's picture up all over the backstage areas at WDW with a sign saying "If you try REALLY, REALLY hard, one day YOU might be almost as good as Diane". She was just....awesome. They all were there, but I guess i really just liked Diane alot. Because when she seated us (and she SEATS you- she pushes that chair under your butt so strongly you have no choice but to SIT DOWN!) she said, "Please, take photos. Please take as many photos as you would like, it's ok with us." Just what I needed to hear!

The personalized menus are waiting on the plate in front of you like a precious gift waiting to be opened.

We decided to order different plates for every course so that we could try as much as possible. And of COURSE, we would be doing the wine pairing! One of the things we noticed as we went down the list of items was that Pods & i had different menus...because when they had called us a week or so prior, I had mentioned DH doesn't like melon or bananas- so of course, all melons and bananas were removed from his menu, i suppose so his eyes would not be offended by these heinous fruits!

We were poured a glass of Pommery Royal Brut NV, and served the amuse bouche- and yes, my bouche was once again amused, thank-you very much! This was 4 different dishes using tomatoes-

I apologize, i did not write down exactly what each offering was, and just this one is not on the menu. But I believe the top left was with feta or goat and pignoli with dried tomatoes, the egg held the most AMAZING tomato custard (it was heavenly), the one below that was a tomato sorbet, and the bottom left was tomato carpaccio with mozzerella. I think. (Sorry). Before the 1st course, i asked if someone would be able to take our picture- and who out of the 3 of them was the best photographer. Both Bill & Ann (our two exceptional servers) said DIANE! without hesitation. So Diane runs over and starts telling us how to pose, moving things on the table to get it just right- she was hysterical!!

One like this...

Ok, now please toast with your glasses...

Just one more toast from this angle please...

Then she said when we were done she would come back at the end because we HAD to pose in front of the flowers, etc. This woman REALLY loves her job, she was sooooo into it! We were served the first bread, an absolutely perfect baguette with the sweetest, creamiest butter-

DH- Prosciutto Wrapped Gulf Shrimp with Jamon Iberico (and no melon) served with Maximin Grunhauser Reisling Kabinett Abtsberg, Mosel 2007

I had Seame Crusted Big Eye Tuna with tat soi Salad and Tamari honey foam, paired with Marcel Deiss Pinot blanc Bergheim, Alsace 2005-

The sesame tuna was so pretty-

Next, Pods had Alaskan halibut with Zellwood Corn & Bamboo Rice Ragout, paired with Langtry Sauvignon Blanc Guenoc Valley Estate 2007-

I was having White king Salmon with California Asparagus, Crab & Sauce Bernaise, with Chimay Ale Peres Trappistes, Belgium. Yea, that's right, I was havin' a beer.

Bill told us white salmon is very, very rare, that the reason the fish is white is because of what it chooses to eat. I felt so lucky to be trying it. And it tasted very different from regular pink salmon, it was more delicately flavored. More bread, an herb bread served with an herb butter, i believe-

Cont'd next post...

 

[podsnel]

Next came the poultry course- I was having Poulet Rouge with mushroom Truffle Ragout, English Peas and Yellow Chanterelles, and an Apollo-Falter Spatburgunder Rheinhessen 2007-

Pods went with Duck breast, sausage and confit with Salsify, Cherry Sauce and Acacia "Winery Lake Vineyard" Pinot Noir, Carneros 2006

Sorry, Donald. I know we promised not to, but you duckies just taste so darn good!

The final bread, a grainy one-

And it's special butter, that i can't recall-

Ann brought us our main course-

Pods-Niman Ranch Lamb with fall vegetables and Celery Root, and Castillo Perelada La Garriga Samso, California 2005

And THIS creation- the potato basket- I think EVERY plate should have one- it was beautiful, of course, but it was also so crispy and so not greasy- incredible-

So cute! I had Kurobuta Pork Tenderloin and Belly with Baby Beets and Sherry Bacon Vinaigrette. It was paired with Trinitas "Old Vine" Zinfandel, Contra Costa County 2005. This is why I chose this over the veal tenderloin- I LOVE Old Vine Zin!

Now it was time for coffee, cheese, and dessert. Like we had any room left for this! The coffee is very special- It is "Celebes" coffee, and it is made in a very special apparatus which Bill explained creates a vacuum and makes the coffee. I was fascinated, really!

The coffee grounds are on top, the water on the bottom, the flame underneath-

As the water heats, the vacuum created pulls the water up to the coffee grounds-

Then it goes back down-

And the very skilled server. Bill, pours it for you. Kids! Don't try this at home!

While all this was going on, we were enjoying some cheese- Colston Bassett Stilton, Coach Farms Goat, 36 mo aged Parmiggiano-Reggiano and Thomasville Tomme. Paired with Quita do Crasto Late Bottled Vintage Porto 2002-

For dessert, the Tanzanian Chocolate Pyramid, Hawaii Kona Chocolate Souffle and Peruvian Chocolate Ice Cream and Puff Pastry.

Chocolate Eyelashes- WOW!!

See the little gold leaf on top?

Cont'd next post- too many pics!

 

[podsnel]

We were soooo full...it was nearly impossible to fit this in! We were also served little Friandise, which they packed up in a little box and we ate at home. They put the little box in a black bag, along with our menus and a rose for me, and it was time to say good night to V&A's.

Sadly, our friend Diane was no where to be found when we made our exit- so no Good-bye and no pics in front of the flowers. (It's ok- we'll see her again at some point....).

Dinner at V&A's is absolutely incredible- very expensive, but really one-of-a-kind (and a TIW card helps!). We have had the opportunity to go to some very fine restaurants in our lifetime, being that we live a stone's throw from NYC. This was right up there with the best of them, but actually a bit better- because of the service. The staff at V&A's has been working together for years and years, and they are serving very high end food in a very friendly manner. They are not at ALL condescending, and THAT is something that very often goes hand-in-hand with high end restaurants, unfortunately. We so enjoyed our dinner, everything was perfect- even the harpist who plays throughout the meal (the Beach Boys, no less! When's the last time you heard T-Bird played on a harp?) was just perfection. I am so glad we decided to go!!

Up next- where do we go from here? Let's "ride the rail!"

 

[Tinks "SS"]

YEAH!!! i've been looking for an update to your TR. The food looks really good but i'm not a big wine drinker and don't think i could talk my DH into going there. I'm nervous about our ADR for Cali Grill in Feb with him. He's pretty much a steak and potatoes kind of guy and doesn't like to dress up on vacation or ever for that fact. lol.

So i will continue to live vicariously through you all that get to enjoy V and A's.

 

[dvc4life]

Hi Ellen! Just catching up on your report and wow! Amazing.

Sorry we weren't able to hook up while at Disney the first weekend in November. Sorry to hear that you were all ill. Time just got away from us. We were only there for a very short time and had friends who live in Florida come join us. We were so busy. And have been since being back from Florida. We just got back last night from a week in Texas for Thanksgiving with my MIL.

I love to read your reports and can't wait for more. Hopefully there will be another chance to meet in the future.

 

[podsnel]

YEAH!!! i've been looking for an update to your TR. The food looks really good but i'm not a big wine drinker and don't think i could talk my DH into going there. I'm nervous about our ADR for Cali Grill in Feb with him. He's pretty much a steak and potatoes kind of guy and doesn't like to dress up on vacation or ever for that fact. lol.

So i will continue to live vicariously through you all that get to enjoy V and A's.

Hi! Sorry for the delay- too much cooking for Thanksgiving and I haven't been feeling all that great, so had a bit of a delay on the TR! You'll be ok with your DH at CG, he won't have to get all suited up for one thing, and you can always ask for sauces on the side if he likes his food plain. LOVE that restaurant, the view is incredible, and the food is amazing! I LOVE that Spicy Kazan roll....yummmmmmm.....

And FWIW, if you ever DO get a chance to eat at V&A's, go for it! Wine is not mandatory!!

Hi Ellen! Just catching up on your report and wow! Amazing.

Sorry we weren't able to hook up while at Disney the first weekend in November. Sorry to hear that you were all ill. Time just got away from us. We were only there for a very short time and had friends who live in Florida come join us. We were so busy. And have been since being back from Florida. We just got back last night from a week in Texas for Thanksgiving with my MIL.

I love to read your reports and can't wait for more. Hopefully there will be another chance to meet in the future.

Hey there! It honestly is very difficult to hook up in WDW for me if I am with my kids, so I completely understand! If I had gone over to MK on Sunday night, I would have called you- but I ended up having a cocktail in the TOWL and going to bed- because being sick in WDW is EXHAUSTING! Glad you had a good trip and a nice Thanksgiving. Where in Texas were you?

And yes, i hope we meet another time, too!

 

[BigEeyore]

Loving your TR! What an amazing experience at V&A. I can see how that would be just a dream for a foodie or wine lover (I am neither I'm afraid!). That coffee thing is so cool! Thank you so much for sharing your trip!

 

[manntra]

What a great update!! I am a foodie and also love my wine so your post was just incredible! It must also be a wonderful place for the chefs because they can be so creative and really put their signature on the dishes.
Love that you chose the pork over the veal so you could have the older Zin
What a great experience and the pictures of you and your husband were lovely!

Tracy

 

[podsnel]

After dinner (oh, it was so hard to walk out that V&A door and leave behind all that luxurious pampering and being fussed over!!!) Pods asked me what I wanted to do, and I said I wanted to ride the monorail and check out the CG for fireworks. So we checked our bag of goodies with bell services at the GF and Pods told them, "We're goin' to RIDE the RAILS!!!" Ok, choo-choo train boy! First, a look at the new GF mosaic floor that was being installed- for MILLIONS of dollars-

I can guarantee you that when Pods "rode the rails" on a family WDW trip at age 7 he NEVER thought he'd be riding them one day in a suit and tie!

Oh, the things I do for my wife.....

Yea- that's right- I've got all the power and control in THIS relationship!

Unfortunately, the CG was filled to capacity, and there would be no goin' up to watch wishes from the bar for us! So we headed over to the Outer Rim instead, and got wine- which I had about one sip of before handing it over to Pods to finish, because I was REALLY too full! They were showing a movie at the pool-

Since we were pretty much the only people there (everyone else was upstairs watching the fireworks) the bartender was happy to come over and take a few pics-

Then it was time to turn the camera on him- Peace, Cosmic Ray!!!

Nice guy- we said we'd be back to visit when we came back in a month, but he wasn't working when we did. We thought we might catch the fireworks from the Poly, so back to riding the rails-

See ya in a month, CR!

Look! It's Hallowishes!!!

Of course we got there right when it ended, but that was ok- the Poly is always pretty to visit and it is the one resort Pods & I have been wanting to stay at since we were kids. Someday.....

It was time to call it a night. And what a fantastic night it had been. See? It doesn't take THAT much to make me happy- just drop mucho several hundred $$$ on me, and I'm as giddy as a school girl! Back at OKW, we were greeted by this welcoming comittee outside our door-

And I showed off my dress one last time before hittin' the hay-

Obviously Cosmic Ray used his shrinker-laser on me because I look waaaaay too short in this picture!

Tomorrow is our last full day!! I wonder what we'll do.....

 

[podsnel]

Loving your TR! What an amazing experience at V&A. I can see how that would be just a dream for a foodie or wine lover (I am neither I'm afraid!). That coffee thing is so cool! Thank you so much for sharing your trip!

Well, Thank-you so much for reading about my trip and saying hello! I truly appreciate knowing people are reading!

What a great update!! I am a foodie and also love my wine so your post was just incredible! It must also be a wonderful place for the chefs because they can be so creative and really put their signature on the dishes.
Love that you chose the pork over the veal so you could have the older Zin
What a great experience and the pictures of you and your husband were lovely!

Tracy

Yes- it IS foodie heaven at V&A's, absolutely awe-inspiring from start to finish. I mean, even the COFFEE is amazing there!!

And yea, I can't pass up a good old-vine Zin. Too yummy! Thanks!

 

[Patricia721]

Excellent trip report - thanks for sharing!

 

[work2play]

Another most excellent trip report! Thanks Ellen!

 

[dvc4life]

Hey there! It honestly is very difficult to hook up in WDW for me if I am with my kids, so I completely understand! If I had gone over to MK on Sunday night, I would have called you- but I ended up having a cocktail in the TOWL and going to bed- because being sick in WDW is EXHAUSTING! Glad you had a good trip and a nice Thanksgiving. Where in Texas were you?

And yes, i hope we meet another time, too!

A cocktail at TOWL sounds like a grand time to me. Glad you enjoyed it. Too bad you had sickness while there. That sucks!

Texas, it is a VERY big state. The furthest we were was at South Padre Island. Both my parents and DH's mom are down around the Harlingen/Donna area. The trip was around 2400 miles all together. It was a very long drive from here and something we are not looking forward to again any time soon. However, it was nice to see where our parents stay down there.
So when is the next update? Soon I hope.

 

[podsnel]

Excellent trip report - thanks for sharing!

You're welcome!! Thanks so much for the compliment and for reading!!

Another most excellent trip report! Thanks Ellen!

Thank-YOU for saying so!! I love sharing my trip, I always hope it helps someone- whether to plan what to do, or what not to do, or even just to virtual travel while you can't be there- I read loads of TRs, it's my favorite thing to read!! (Although I DID like that Twilight series alot, and the book The Help is INCREDIBLE!!!)

A cocktail at TOWL sounds like a grand time to me. Glad you enjoyed it. Too bad you had sickness while there. That sucks!

Texas, it is a VERY big state. The furthest we were was at South Padre Island. Both my parents and DH's mom are down around the Harlingen/Donna area. The trip was around 2400 miles all together. It was a very long drive from here and something we are not looking forward to again any time soon. However, it was nice to see where our parents stay down there.
So when is the next update? Soon I hope.

I went on Spring Break in So Padre Island right before Pods & I started seriously dating in 1984....Actually slept the first night in a girl's house in Harlingen, what a small world! Her Mom made the best breakfast...she had such delicious sausage! See, I am RIDICULOUSLY food crazed- I remember what I ate for breakfast over 25 years ago!! That's just SICK!!!

That would be quite a haul for you, I bet. We flew People's Express (with sub sandwiches brought from home!) into Houston and drove to So Padre. Even THAT took a while- EVERYTHING is big in Texas, LOL!!!

I'll probably update in the morning- I've only got the last 2 days, then I can start the Kidani/HRH/BLT extravaganza!!

 

[podsnel]

I had read on the OKW lovers thread, and knew from friends here at home who have been many times, that at OKW it's alot of fun to rent bikes and ride along the river to DTD. My plan was to go to the Basin store to pick up some gifts for all the moms who had helped make this trip possible by schlepping my boys around to their activities. Soo...off we went to Hanks to rent 2 bikes for an hour. The CM told us we had to stay on the paths, no riding on busy roads. Ok, fair enough! A pic before we left-

It's a really nice ride through the OKW property and then on to the path that goes to DTD. I was hoping to see river otters...but didn't. Oh well, another time! Soon we were passing SSR and on our way into DTD. It was about 9 am, so DTD was not super crowded when we got there and began by riding right through the middle of it- to which we were VERY QUICKLY approached by a CM on Segway who told us we couldn't ride there, we would have to use the path along the parking lot that runs behind DTD. Geez, Big Brother is watching EVERYTHING!!! It is probably safer for people purusing DTD if we are not slammin' down the middle of the "mall" but those paths behind DTD were not to safe for anyone. Anyway, we made it to the Basin store- Pods waited outside while I went in.

Pods HATES to shop. I HATE to shop with him. It is just a horrible, awful experience that we avoid ALWAYS. Even him being outside the store while I shop is bad. I can feel the pressure to hurry up and the words "we don't need it, they don't need it" circling in my head like an anti-shopping mantra the entire time I'm trying to pick something out.

This was my first visit to Basin and may I just say..WOW!! What a cool store!! All of these beautiful sliced up soaps in all different flavors, bath salts galore, just really, really cool. Since it would be the beginning of Oct when I handed them out, i chose a slice of the purple ghost soap (it smelled great!!) along with a tube of some orange bath salts which they shrink wrapped and tied Halloween colored ribbon to. So CUTE!!! I wish I had taken a pic before I gave them away!! Actually, i meant to go back in there on this last trip in November, but never quite made it. But in May? On the DISmoms trip? Shopping GALORE!!! They would make great, inexpensive teachers gifts for Tyler's teachers (he's in 7th grade and switches for every class, so it's alot of people, but I'd like to give a little something to them, if I can).

Soooo...back to OKW! This time I stopped a few times for photos-

We were back in just about 1 hour, it was just right. I took a few photos around OKW before we went back to the room-

Really need to eat at Olivia's another time-

And back to our room-

Next- well, what do YOU think? We're going to Epcot to eat at F&W!!!!