First a Little Pomp & Circumstance,then a Whole Lot of Disney Dining! COMPLETE

[Linda67]

Right, that has settled it

I need to go back to Y&Y and demand HOT WONTONS

 

[emmysmommy]

I confess that we tend to ignore AK as well in our trip plans.... pretty much out of a 10 day trip we give it a 1/2 day. But I do like it when we visit so go figure.

I have been reluctant to try Y&Y due to very mixed reviews but those cream cheese wontons... absolutely look like they are worth a trip (and the Yak Attack cocktail!) The egg rolls look/sound delicious as well.

As for your bonus review... hmmm.... that is two very lovely people dining at Kouzzina.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I just stumbled upon your dining review thread while searching for some reviews of Tutto Italia. I ate at Via Napoli my last trip and really liked it and I am debating which one to do so I'm looking forward to your VN review to compare which you liked better. I really love all your reviews! I will be staying tuned!

 

[jabead]

Thanks for the reminder! Need to figure out what I'm bringing, and well as start a new review thread - our flight's on Friday at 6am!

Thanks for giving me the heads up that you would be starting your new thread soon. I was on the lookout for it then and got to be first to sign in. YAY!!! I don't think I've ever been first before.

And, by the way, your dining plans look great so far...but what about YSH???

Right, that has settled it

I need to go back to Y&Y and demand HOT WONTONS

I feel your pain, Linda! I definitely know what it's like to feel ripped-off by a Disney dessert, as I found out that I paid $12 for that yucky dessert at Tutto Italia when DonaldDoleWhip paid only $8 for the same dessert next door at the new wine bar. I too need to go back and tell them I want my $4 back!

As for your bonus review... hmmm.... that is two very lovely people dining at Kouzzina.

Ding, ding, ding!!! You are absolutely correct! The bonus review will be of DD1's dinner at Kouzzina. She is coming home today for a very short holiday visit so I'm planning to get a few more details from her regarding her ratings. Then I'll be all set to post her review.

I just stumbled upon your dining review thread while searching for some reviews of Tutto Italia. I ate at Via Napoli my last trip and really liked it and I am debating which one to do so I'm looking forward to your VN review to compare which you liked better. I really love all your reviews! I will be staying tuned!

Thanks for joining in, Danny!

Apparently I found and answered your Tutto vs. Via Napoli question on the general Restaurant Board at the same time that you found my reviews here.

 

[smile4stamps]

Thanks for the Yak n Yeti Review!! I have plans to go there for lunch on our first AK day. I guess I am strange as I have planned to go to AK twice!!!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Thanks for giving me the heads up that you would be starting your new thread soon. I was on the lookout for it then and got to be first to sign in. YAY!!! I don't think I've ever been first before.

And, by the way, your dining plans look great so far...but what about YSH???

Glad you got to be first for the first time! I'm happy you'll be following along.

We would love to do Yachtsman again, as it's currently our second favorite Disney restaurant. But with only 3 nights available, we decided to stay in the MK area for our dinners. We'll definitely miss Yachtsman, so hopefully Cali Grill and Narcoossee's won't make us regret our decision.

 

[DsnyMama]

MmmMMM! LOVE Y&Y's wontons and egg rolls!!! Never had a Yak Attack though! Must try that!

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Enjoying your reviews so much.

We haven't been to Yak and Yeti in several years, but it is on my list for our next trip.

I really appreciate you sharing Tutto's new menu. It is one of my son's favorite places, but I share your pain about the overpricing there. I paid $15 for a side salad that was very small, about half the size of the salads at most of the signature restaurants.

 

[jabead]

Thanks for the Yak n Yeti Review!! I have plans to go there for lunch on our first AK day. I guess I am strange as I have planned to go to AK twice!!!

Actually, according to my DS, I am the strange one!

Glad you got to be first for the first time! I'm happy you'll be following along.

We would love to do Yachtsman again, as it's currently our second favorite Disney restaurant. But with only 3 nights available, we decided to stay in the MK area for our dinners. We'll definitely miss Yachtsman, so hopefully Cali Grill and Narcoossee's won't make us regret our decision.

I know you are probably busy packing now since you are leaving so early tomorrow morning, but I just wanted to say....HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!

Oh, and I must also admit that I was just a little disappointed to hear that you are only there for three nights. Because when it comes to your wonderful reviews and pictures, I say, "the more the merrier"!!!

MmmMMM! LOVE Y&Y's wontons and egg rolls!!! Never had a Yak Attack though! Must try that!

Yes, the Yak Attack seems to be very well-liked by those that have had it, but I don't regret my decision to get the Big Bamboo instead. It was really good! But I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Enjoying your reviews so much.

We haven't been to Yak and Yeti in several years, but it is on my list for our next trip.

I really appreciate you sharing Tutto's new menu. It is one of my son's favorite places, but I share your pain about the overpricing there. I paid $15 for a side salad that was very small, about half the size of the salads at most of the signature restaurants.

Yes, I think Yak & Yeti is a good choice for an AK park day. As for your $15 side salad...YIKES!!!

 

[vettegirl]

I love the potstickers and the egg rolls at Yak and Yeti, what I would not give to have a bite of each right now

 

[jabead]

I love the potstickers and the egg rolls at Yak and Yeti, what I would not give to have a bite of each right now

Yay!!! You read my Yak & Yeti review! I was hoping you would so that you would see that you made a guest appearance. Thanks again for remembering to take a pic of the menu that day.

 

[emmysmommy]

Just have to say... you have such influence over me. I was able to make an ADR for Y&Y for lunch next month. Even though I really want to go only for the dessert, I think I can stuff a few of the egg rolls in me!! Actually, DH will probably want a sit down option at AK and DD thought it looks really good as well.

 

[vettegirl]

Yay!!! You read my Yak & Yeti review! I was hoping you would so that you would see that you made a guest appearance. Thanks again for remembering to take a pic of the menu that day.

If only we would have known we could have said hello to each other Your welcome for the picture!

 

[jabead]

Just have to say... you have such influence over me. I was able to make an ADR for Y&Y for lunch next month. Even though I really want to go only for the dessert, I think I can stuff a few of the egg rolls in me!! Actually, DH will probably want a sit down option at AK and DD thought it looks really good as well.

Well, I am very flattered. And I think you have made a wise decision. The food is pretty good at Y & Y (much better than at Flame Tree, if DS's meal there was an accurate representation), plus I think you will enjoy the air conditioning when you are there in August.

Also, I've been meaning to ask if you'd had any luck with booking the tea for you and your daughter?

 

[jabead]

As you may recall from my last review, DD1 spent this day at Epcot with a Florida friend who was visiting for the day. So while DD2 and I were having lunch at Yak & Yeti, DD1 and her friend were drinking their lunch at...

At La Cava they each got a margarita to go and took them outside to La Cantina where they got this to share...

La Cantina Nachos - corn tortilla chips with ground beef, nacho cheese, fresh tomatoes, jalapenos, black beans, and sour cream (I don't see any sour cream in the picture so they either got it on the side or they didn't get it for some reason??? Oh, and how about all those jalapenos? WOW! )

But I was just happy to see that they got food at La Cantina and not a second margarita.


They enjoyed their La Cava margaritas and the nachos inside the air-conditioned La Hacienda de San Angel restaurant, as it has available seating during the early afternoon for the customers of the Cantina.

DD and Friend seated inside La Hacienda with their La Cava Margaritas
​

Midnight Blue Margarita - 100% Agave Tequila Reposado, blue Curacao, fresh lime juice and agave nectar, served on the rocks with a hibiscus Himalayan salt rim

-and-​

Avocado Margarita - El Mayor premium silver Tequila, melon liqueur, fresh avocado, agave nectar and fresh lime juice, served frozen with a hibiscus Himalayan salt rim



Sadly, DD didn't like the Avocado Margarita quite as much as I do, I think mostly because she generally prefers margaritas that are served on the rocks rather than frozen. This might be due to the fact that she is highly susceptible to "brain freezes".



Later in the afternoon they stopped in at Germany's Sommerfest and each got these...

Authentic Hand-twisted Soft Pretzel and an Altenmunster Oktoberfest Beer





Then they concluded their day together at the Boardwalk by having...

Dinner at Kouzzina

​

Unfortunately this was the one and only picture that DD was able to take at this meal because the battery on her phone (which she was also using as her camera) was getting very low. Consequently, I have borrowed a few pictures for this review, giving credit to the source when known, of course.


They started off their meal by each ordering a glass of red wine sangria, which can be seen on their table in the above picture. This is described on the menu as...

Superfruit Sangria – Made from organically grown grapes and an organic blend of antioxidant Pomegranate, Blueberry, Acai, and Blood Orange juices, topped with VeeV Acai Spirit.



Oh, and speaking of menus, here is a picture of the current (I believe) Kouzzina Dinner Menu...

They then shared this appetizer...

Crisp Calamari and Lemon - Coated in three Flours with Smoked Tomato and Onion Salsa



They both really enjoyed this, giving it a "Very Good" rating. DD added that it was better than the Calamari that we had Il Mulino.




For their entrees, DD was having a difficult time deciding between the Pork Tenderloin and the Short Ribs. Her friend then offered to order one of these and she would order the other and then they could share both. What a nice friend, right? So DD ordered this...

Braised Short Ribs over Smoked Feta-Mashed Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetable (which appears to be Broccolini?)


FYI: As you can see from the watermark, this picture was taken from the Disney Food Blog. It was part of a recent review (June 3rd) of Kouzzina done by AJ. Here is a link to this well-done review:

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/06/03/review-dinner-at-kouzzina-by-cat-cora/



DD really enjoyed the short ribs and the mashed potatoes with feta cheese. So much so that her friend graciously offered to let her have the whole thing to herself (except for the small taste test that he had) and she gratefully accepted his offer. Again...what a nice friend! The short ribs and mashed potatoes received a rating of "Very Good", while the Pork Tenderloin only got a "Good" rating.




They ended their meal by ordering a dessert from this menu...

DD was leaning toward the baklava, as she loves it, but her friend really wanted to try the Chocolate Lava Cake so that is what they ended up having.

Chocolate Budino Cake - Warm Molten Chocolate with Seasonal Sorbet


FYI - This picture is also from a Disney Food Blog review done by AJ, but this one was written shortly after the restaurant opened in Sept. 2009. DD says the cake she had looked pretty much the same as it does in this picture from 2009, so apparently it has changed very little in appearance over the three years. The only difference is that she probably didn't have the same flavor of sorbet as that pictured, although she can't recall the flavor she did have???

They were both quite disappointed with this dessert, giving it only an "Okay" rating. In her critique of it, she commented that it paled in comparison to the similar dessert we had had at California Grill, both in terms of presentation and taste. However, since it costs $13 compared to the Kouzzina price of $8.49, the CA Grill Lava Cake should look and taste much better.

California Grill's Valrhona Chocolate Cake - Warm Chocolate Cake with Molten Center



So their overall rating for their meal at Kouzzina was:

Good...Opa!!!


NEXT UP: Dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse

 

[emmysmommy]

Well, I am very flattered. And I think you have made a wise decision. The food is pretty good at Y & Y (much better than at Flame Tree, if DS's meal there was an accurate representation), plus I think you will enjoy the air conditioning when you are there in August.

Also, I've been meaning to ask if you'd had any luck with booking the tea for you and your daughter?

Definitely looking forward to a restaurant with AC in August !! I will still get me some FT BBQ when we go a 2nd day to AK.

As for the tea, I didn't book it for this trip since this is the first "family" trip (well, excluding my 3 sons) in a while and DH definitely doesn't want to raise his pinky finger for tea! If we left him on his own to find something for him to do, I'd feel a little guilty so.....the next girl only trip we will definitely try to do this. Thanks for your review and the amazing photos so that we would even know to book this in the future.

Now I have to go read your Kouzzina review.

 

[emmysmommy]

That really is a nice friend to share so well! The short rib entree looks very tasty! I'm such a feta lover that I really should have tried to have a dinner at Kouzzina - especially since we are staying our first 4 nites at BW Villas.

Another item that I have seen repeated is the Avocado margarita - I'm thinking I need to get me one of those!

BTW: Are those pretzels as huge as they look or is the cup of beer small??

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Even though you weren't there, the Kouzzina review definitely gave me a great idea of how the meal went. IMO, the most impressive dish in that review appears to be the California Grill chocolate cake (although the short rib entree also looks great).

And I'm excited to see a Yachtsman review coming up!

 

[jabead]

Another item that I have seen repeated is the Avocado margarita - I'm thinking I need to get me one of those!

BTW: Are those pretzels as huge as they look or is the cup of beer small??

If you like sweet, fruity (tastes like fruit to me, not avocado at all ) frozen drinks then you should definitely try the Avocado Margarita! It's currently my favorite Disney margarita, so will soon be making another appearance in my Dining Report.

Oops, it just dawned on me that an avocado is a fruit. So I guess I should say that this tastes like some other kind of fruit (like maybe banana??? )

As for the pretzels, yes they are as huge as they look! I have a feeling they shared one pretzel and each had a beer to wash it down.

And I'm excited to see a Yachtsman review coming up!

Ahhh yes...speaking of Yachtsman. I must admit that you had my hopes up there for a little while that YSH was your mystery dinner. Then you nixed that idea when you responded to Brenda's (emmysmommy) post. Now after your clue to her that Narcoossee's was close, I'm thinking that you went to Citricos. But then again, I can't imagine how it would be an adequate replacement for Artist Point???? (Oops, there goes that nasty old "Chip" again...the one that still sits on my shoulder regarding the poor service I received there during both of my visits to Citricos. ) I suppose one of these days I might give up the grudge I have and give it a third chance, as the food was pretty good there last time.

So anyway, am I right...was Citrico's your mystery dinner??? Wait, don't tell me. I want to wait and find out when you reveal the answer in your Dining Report. I think I can wait a few more days.

Okay, I'll get back to writing my Yachtsman review now.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Not Citricos either - I have a feeling that our third night will be surprising in quite a few ways.