BACKGROUND: The girls had never been to Artist Point. Well, that is, unless you count having breakfast there with Winnie the Pooh & Friends.
Artist Point Character Breakfast - Dec. 2000
Does anyone else remember when Artist Point hosted a character breakfast? Unfortunately this one with Winnie the Pooh didn't last all that long...from 1998 to June 1, 2001. For the two years before that, it was Pocahontas & Friends (with Captain John Smith, Meeko and Governor Ratcliff). Now that would have been awesome, especially hosted in the beautiful and very appropriate setting of the Wilderness Lodge. Anyway, here's one more picture from our Winnie the Pooh & Friends breakfast...
Artist Point Character Breakfast - Dec. 2000
During our first experiences with taking pictures at character meals, it seems like we often had the problem of cutting off the characters heads.
And of course you wouldn't realize it until after you had your roll of film developed.
Did anyone else have this decapitation problem? Does anyone remember using cameras that required film?
Anyway, as I was saying before, having dinner at Artist Point was a new experience for the girls but as for me, this was my second dinner there. The first time was in Nov. 2010 (during our 25th anniversary trip), when DH and I had dinner at Artist Point.
Our First Dinner at Artist Point - Nov. 2010
I very much enjoyed that dinner, which for me consisted of the Smokey Portobello Mushroom Soup, Salmon, and this for dessert...
Artist Point Berry Cobbler - Nov. 2010
Not only did they serve us this candlelit dessert in celebration of our anniversary, but also gave us complimentary glasses of dessert wine to have with it. Unfortunately the meal was not a total success though, because DH did not like his entree at all. He had the Grilled Beef Tenderloin (which was very tough and chewy), served with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes (which were unevenly heated, parts were hot and other parts cold). Consequently, he was not at all impressed with Artist Point after this first experience.
But with him not being along on this trip, I thought it would be the perfect time to return for...
Dinner at Artist Point - Part I
Our reservation was for 5:30, which is the opening time of the restaurant. Since we were one of the first parties to be seated, we quickly took some pictures while the surrounding tables were empty.
This is the menu we were presented:
Artist Point Menu as of May 23, 2012
I apparently was very thirsty that evening because I was a two-fisted drinker, ordering both an ice tea and a glass of King Estate Pinor Noir.
None of the appetizers sounded appealing to the girls except for the cheese plate. But when I saw there were only 3 cheeses included (and one of them a blue cheese, which they wouldn't eat) for $14, I didn't think it was worth it.
So for their appetizer they shared the entire...
Bread Basket served with both butter and dipping oil
Now I believe this was sourdough bread and that it was good, but I actually didn't have any because I was happily devouring this...
Smokey Portobello Soup with Roasted Shiitakes, Chive Oil, and Sourdough Croutons
I think
Belle5's description of this soup in her recent review pretty much says it all...
"Now, one of the reasons I was wanting to return to AP was to drown myself in this soup. The word "soup" is really too lowly a word for this glorious concoction."
And I say...Amen to that, sister!
Now I'm not quite sure if it was the blissful look on my face or if I was making some sort of groaning sounds (unintentially, of course
) as I ate, but something spiked DD1's curiosity in my soup. When she asked to taste it, I rather selfishly reminded her that it was chocked full of mushrooms.
But not even this would deter her, so I begrudgingly allowed her to take a spoonful. And wouldn't you know it, she very much liked this mushroom soup.
So much so that from that point on it became a race between our spoons, as to which of us would get more of the remaining soup in my bowl. Ah yes, the sacrifices we mothers make for our children.
Now I must cut off the review here, so please stay tuned for Dinner at Artist Point - Part II.
I do believe that I learned about ordering them on their own as opposed to in the Big Kahuna from Mickinicki as well! We went in August of 2011 and I knew that I definitely had to get them by themselves and they were amazing. They are so filling that it didn't look like I put a dent in them but highly worth it and I'd do it again! 
Hi Nicky (darthtatty)! Thanks for joining in and posting a comment.
I don't even have to look at a menu when I go there any longer! Sooooo delish! 
Thanks for joining in here and adding your comment! 
Now I know there are pitfalls in this theory, as DonaldDoleWhip has proven to me many times. He sometimes orders things that I am unfamiliar with or that sound unappealing to me from their menu description, but somehow they end up looking and sounding wonderful in his reviews...well, most of the time anyway. 
Would my hopes be fulfilled? 
