Final Installment.....REVIEWS!!!

[Erikarate]

Recap of places and players:

Me and DH for impromptu anniversary trip, didn't bring kids...

I will use my standard rating scale:

10- everything perfect...food, service, atmosphere (very rare)
9- excellent, almost perfect
7-8- very good, overall great experience
5-6- mediocre, might not return
3-4- bad, not returning
1-2- should close this place down!!!

2/18/03
This would be our last full day, as we were leaving early on the 19th to drive back to CT . Now that we drove it though, it has opened up new opportunities for us to make last minute trips!

We took advantage again of early entry, this time at MGM, DH's favorite park. We rode RRC several times and decided on some breakfast. We didn't want pastries or bagels, which they had at Starring Rolls, so we went to Hollywood and Vine. We asked how much the buffet was...$16.99 I think. We were like NO WAY!!! I KNOW I could NOT eat my money's worth of that. So the CM told us ABC Commissary had breakfast. We went there.

2/18/03 breakfast, ABC Commissary

DH and I ordered the scrambled eggs breakfast which came with sausage or bacon (I had sausage), hash browns, and a biscuit for about $6.50. We also ordered coffee. I thought this was very good!!! What a pleasant surprise!

Overall Rating: 7 1/2 for fast food breakfast category. Would come back for sure and even peaked my interest for lunch!


Went back to room, showered and drove to the contemporary...

2/18/03 dinner, California Grille:

This is our favorite restaurant on Disney property, and maybe anywhere!! We could only get an early seating at 5:30pm, but this ended up being a good thing because we got a window table and arrived before the crowds. The only slight deduction for the evening was our waiter who was efficient, but aloof. We're a cute, fun couple who like to joke a little with people...this guy hardly cracked a smile...oh well, the food however was perfect (and I rarely say that). We didn't hold back on the food...We started with th House smoked salmon with chive-meyer lemon creme fraiche...the salmon was buttery and just lightly smoked, not fishy in the least and an ample portion. The lemony creme complemented the fish perfectly with a fine balance of tartness and creaminess. DH had the "peeky toe" California Roll (and gave me a taste) it was perfect. THEN we shared handmade pork egg rolls with mizuna and voodoo mustard sauce...OMGoodness if these were served at my local chinese joint I'd become an addict!!! They were awesome! For our entree we both had the beef filet with cheddar Potato Gratin, swiss chard and Tamarind BBQ. Fantastic steak, the sauce was tangy and a bit sweet. delicious! (however the actual meat I liked better at Artist Point..the sauce here was better though). The potatoes were creamy with a zesty cheese flavor (tasted like there might be gruyrere cheese in them too). For dessert we split a warm valrhona chocolate-banana bread pudding with banana rum ice cream, one word HEAVEN.

We rolled out of there and walked out onto the observation deck...very cool!! What a great way to end our vacation.

Overall rating 9 1/2: Might have been a 10 if our waiter was more engageing.

Well...that's all folks...until next time...

Any questions?

 

[travelin' tigger]

Just wanted to say thanks for the great reviews...I'm still drooling!!! (It doesn't help that it's lunch-time!) Sounds like you had a great time and a happy belated anniversary!!!

Just a side note: How's Darien? I was a wee folk when we lived there many years ago and haven't been back since. Have few, but fond memories...

 

[Pammy_from_WI]

Thanks for the great reviews!

Perfect timing too, I just posted a question about ABC serving breakfast and it looks like they still do! I'm not a doughnut person, so we used this place for a hot breakfast on our MGM day, but I was unsure about them still serving breakfast, getting conflicting reports. I agree it's not a bad place for a quick fast food breakfast.

You're reviews cleared this one up tho, so thanks!

Pammy

 

[KayleeUK]

Thank you for your reviews

Kaylee

 

[Erikarate]

Travelin Tigger:

DH lived here his whole life so he is more of an expert that me, however in the 5 years I have lived here, I've noticed a lot of changes. Any small home on big lots have been torn down to make room for giant homes (we call them McMansions). Also many wooded parcels of land have followed suit. It's still gorgegous here though which explains the nearly disgusting cost of homes...we're glad we were already in the market before the boom! It's still all-in-all a sleepy little community which I think people want to keep it that way.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Great review of the CG. It's why I always recommend it as a "first nite" spot for dining at WDW.

 

[Princesstimes2]

Thanks for your reviews. I enjoyed reading them.