figment814
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 9, 2008
- Messages
- 469
In the six weeks before the our trip, I lost 8 pounds...and gained it back in 8 days between Vegas and Orlando.
Here is my little review.
Rainforest CaféDowntown DisneyWe arrived late on Sunday and were seated right away. We werent super hungry, so we decided to share Brave New World (barbecue chicken pizza) and cheese sticks. The cheese sticks were great, with a good sauce. The sauce on the pizza was super tangy, not my favorite kind, but super picky bf loves it.
Cape May CaféBeach ClubI wanted our first meal in Disney to be a character meal, and my dbf just eats where I want to, just to make me happy. He is a not a big breakfast person, and even less of buffet person. I picked Cape May for several reasons, mainly good reviews here that said it was quieter than others and had better food, with great character interaction. I agree on almost all accounts. We had a late, if not the latest ADR (10:35 a.m.) The food was quite good for a buffet; I really enjoyed the breakfast pizza, the spinach egg dish, Mickey waffles, etc. My bf was really happy with the quality of the food and went back for seconds. The only issue I had with the whole experience was related to the characters. We were finished with our meals for 20 minutes and finally had to ask for the characters to come over. I think all other latecomers were seated in one area, and we were the only ones seated in our section by that time. By the time the characters made it over, we were the last group left in the restaurant and I felt a bit rushed. Not a huge issue, and I cant imagine what a challenge it is to make it all work. I would go back to Cape May again!
Epcot Food and WineTo be reviewed at a later date.
Magic Kingdom SnacksDole WhipYummy!---PopcornSuper Yummy!---Premium Mickey BarI miss the one with the face and the dipped ears from my childhood.
Pecos BillMagic KingdomTypical fast food fare at a park. Blah.
JikoAnimal Kingdom LodgeThis was the reservation I was most looking forward to on the trip. Walking into AKL, I was awed. How beautiful! We made our way to Jiko, and were greeted by a wonderful hostess and waited just a few minutes for our table in the cute little bar. We started with the cheese plate and the Ostrich. I am usually the more adventurous eater, unless it comes to different types of meat, but my super picky bf wanted to try the ostrich, and I couldnt stifle this opportunity, and thank goodness I didnt! WOW. It was the tastiest, most tender, richest meat I ever tasted. It was a perfect appetizer, as it may have been too much as an entrée. I am just dipping my foot in the cheese world, and enjoyed the plate very much. We both got the filet with macaroni and cheese. The filet was very good, but the macaroni and cheese wasnt even warm. The flavor was good but not great. Neither of us was overwhelmed with the dessert menu, so we took a pass.
T-RexDowntown DisneyI conned DBF into this one, we went for lunch on Wednesday and were seated right away. Being a new restaurant, I knew we would be in for some growing pains, which there were, but I am sure they will be worked out in time. We started with the Megalosaurus Mozzarella (Seared mozzarella with creamy marinara and mozzarella fingers.) The sticks were good, but the seared mozzarella was warm around the edges and cold in the middle. I had the Mega Mes-O-Bones (Tender, slow-roasted St. Louis Ribs, basted with BBQ sauce) and had garlic mashed potatoes and cole slaw for my sides. The ribs were decent and the mashed potatoes were very good and garlic-y! DBF had a filet that he loved and double order of the mashed. I didnt really like it. He was awed over the ice room. The service was spotty at best, but they are just working out the kinks I think. We really loved the themeing.
Downtown Disney TreatsGoofys Candy CompanyI was like a kid in a candy store here or an adult. I was overly excited about creating my own treats. Three pretzels, three combos, best was milk chocolate and peanut butter cups. YUM YUM YUM.
California GrillThe ContemporaryWe had to wait about a half an hour at the bar before we got seated. Not a problem, I like getting different perspectives. I was disappointed in the bartender (must remember she is a bartender, not a sommelier.) We asked for wine recommendations, and she neither knowledgeable nor friendly. Ah well, I did get a nice malbec. The evening went up from there though. Our hostess and our waitperson were both great. Since the bartender never told me what wine I was given, my waitress helped my figure it out and allowed me to taste two before we found it. I started with the cheese plate and my once super picky dbf ordered the Triple Cheese Flatbread - Made with Pecorino, Asiago, and Provolone with sun-dried tomato and basil pesto. For our mains, I had the Grilled Pork Tenderloin - Served with goat cheese polenta, button mushrooms, and Zinfandel glaze. Probably the best thing I had all trip, the polenta was addictive. DBF had the Oak-fired Filet of Beef - Served with Boniato mashed potatoes, sautéed haricot vert, and teriyaki BBQ sauce. For dessert, I had The Original - The California Grill's legendary butterscotch crème brulee with a duo of banana cakes, and caramelized bananas. The crème brulee was good, the duo of cakes were quite blah. DBF had the Valrhona Chocolate Cake - Warm chocolate cake with molten center. I tried to steal it from him. Sooooo good. (On our way out of the contemporary, we peeked into the Wave and I definitely look forward to trying it on a future trip.) I will say I was really floored by the way people dressed here. I was raised that one should dress appropriately for the occasion and believe that all the senses make the experience when dining out, including visual. I know this is Disney, and I dont expect everyone to be dressed in their finest, but I thought people would at least be in khakis and capris. I saw one person in track pants and one in jean shorts. (just my personal opinion though!)
Le CellierCanada in EpcotI couldnt get a dinner reservation for this trip, so I mad a lunch reservation. I had the prix fixe menu. I had cheese soup for my starter, really good! For my main course, I had the prime rib sandwich. While it tasted it good, it was heavy on the onions and light on the meat. For dessert, I had the chocolate mousse, which was also tasty. DBF had the New York strip. The meal was fine, but did not blow me out of the water.
Planet HollywoodAnimal KingdomWe actually had the same meal as above, just in a different location.
Here is my little review.
Rainforest CaféDowntown DisneyWe arrived late on Sunday and were seated right away. We werent super hungry, so we decided to share Brave New World (barbecue chicken pizza) and cheese sticks. The cheese sticks were great, with a good sauce. The sauce on the pizza was super tangy, not my favorite kind, but super picky bf loves it.
Cape May CaféBeach ClubI wanted our first meal in Disney to be a character meal, and my dbf just eats where I want to, just to make me happy. He is a not a big breakfast person, and even less of buffet person. I picked Cape May for several reasons, mainly good reviews here that said it was quieter than others and had better food, with great character interaction. I agree on almost all accounts. We had a late, if not the latest ADR (10:35 a.m.) The food was quite good for a buffet; I really enjoyed the breakfast pizza, the spinach egg dish, Mickey waffles, etc. My bf was really happy with the quality of the food and went back for seconds. The only issue I had with the whole experience was related to the characters. We were finished with our meals for 20 minutes and finally had to ask for the characters to come over. I think all other latecomers were seated in one area, and we were the only ones seated in our section by that time. By the time the characters made it over, we were the last group left in the restaurant and I felt a bit rushed. Not a huge issue, and I cant imagine what a challenge it is to make it all work. I would go back to Cape May again!
Epcot Food and WineTo be reviewed at a later date.
Magic Kingdom SnacksDole WhipYummy!---PopcornSuper Yummy!---Premium Mickey BarI miss the one with the face and the dipped ears from my childhood.
Pecos BillMagic KingdomTypical fast food fare at a park. Blah.
JikoAnimal Kingdom LodgeThis was the reservation I was most looking forward to on the trip. Walking into AKL, I was awed. How beautiful! We made our way to Jiko, and were greeted by a wonderful hostess and waited just a few minutes for our table in the cute little bar. We started with the cheese plate and the Ostrich. I am usually the more adventurous eater, unless it comes to different types of meat, but my super picky bf wanted to try the ostrich, and I couldnt stifle this opportunity, and thank goodness I didnt! WOW. It was the tastiest, most tender, richest meat I ever tasted. It was a perfect appetizer, as it may have been too much as an entrée. I am just dipping my foot in the cheese world, and enjoyed the plate very much. We both got the filet with macaroni and cheese. The filet was very good, but the macaroni and cheese wasnt even warm. The flavor was good but not great. Neither of us was overwhelmed with the dessert menu, so we took a pass.
T-RexDowntown DisneyI conned DBF into this one, we went for lunch on Wednesday and were seated right away. Being a new restaurant, I knew we would be in for some growing pains, which there were, but I am sure they will be worked out in time. We started with the Megalosaurus Mozzarella (Seared mozzarella with creamy marinara and mozzarella fingers.) The sticks were good, but the seared mozzarella was warm around the edges and cold in the middle. I had the Mega Mes-O-Bones (Tender, slow-roasted St. Louis Ribs, basted with BBQ sauce) and had garlic mashed potatoes and cole slaw for my sides. The ribs were decent and the mashed potatoes were very good and garlic-y! DBF had a filet that he loved and double order of the mashed. I didnt really like it. He was awed over the ice room. The service was spotty at best, but they are just working out the kinks I think. We really loved the themeing.
Downtown Disney TreatsGoofys Candy CompanyI was like a kid in a candy store here or an adult. I was overly excited about creating my own treats. Three pretzels, three combos, best was milk chocolate and peanut butter cups. YUM YUM YUM.
California GrillThe ContemporaryWe had to wait about a half an hour at the bar before we got seated. Not a problem, I like getting different perspectives. I was disappointed in the bartender (must remember she is a bartender, not a sommelier.) We asked for wine recommendations, and she neither knowledgeable nor friendly. Ah well, I did get a nice malbec. The evening went up from there though. Our hostess and our waitperson were both great. Since the bartender never told me what wine I was given, my waitress helped my figure it out and allowed me to taste two before we found it. I started with the cheese plate and my once super picky dbf ordered the Triple Cheese Flatbread - Made with Pecorino, Asiago, and Provolone with sun-dried tomato and basil pesto. For our mains, I had the Grilled Pork Tenderloin - Served with goat cheese polenta, button mushrooms, and Zinfandel glaze. Probably the best thing I had all trip, the polenta was addictive. DBF had the Oak-fired Filet of Beef - Served with Boniato mashed potatoes, sautéed haricot vert, and teriyaki BBQ sauce. For dessert, I had The Original - The California Grill's legendary butterscotch crème brulee with a duo of banana cakes, and caramelized bananas. The crème brulee was good, the duo of cakes were quite blah. DBF had the Valrhona Chocolate Cake - Warm chocolate cake with molten center. I tried to steal it from him. Sooooo good. (On our way out of the contemporary, we peeked into the Wave and I definitely look forward to trying it on a future trip.) I will say I was really floored by the way people dressed here. I was raised that one should dress appropriately for the occasion and believe that all the senses make the experience when dining out, including visual. I know this is Disney, and I dont expect everyone to be dressed in their finest, but I thought people would at least be in khakis and capris. I saw one person in track pants and one in jean shorts. (just my personal opinion though!)
Le CellierCanada in EpcotI couldnt get a dinner reservation for this trip, so I mad a lunch reservation. I had the prix fixe menu. I had cheese soup for my starter, really good! For my main course, I had the prime rib sandwich. While it tasted it good, it was heavy on the onions and light on the meat. For dessert, I had the chocolate mousse, which was also tasty. DBF had the New York strip. The meal was fine, but did not blow me out of the water.
Planet HollywoodAnimal KingdomWe actually had the same meal as above, just in a different location.
