Girls Only Trip with reviews but NO PICTURES......UPDATE 2/11 Liberty Tree Tavern

[lynn46356]

I was lucky enough to talk a friend of mine into a Girls Only Trip to WDW (me Lynn and friend Lori). Having just gone with my family the beginning of December I was ready to tackle Disney alone for a change. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my family but I was looking forward to Disney by myself. We made our ADRS six months ago which included 1900 Park Fare (dinner), Grand Floridian Café (dinner), Le Cellier (dinner), Ohana (dinner) and Liberty Tree Tavern (late lunch). Lets see if we can keep to the schedule!

We arrived at WDW in the afternoon of Sunday, January 30th, having drove from a concert in Nashville, Tennessee. We were very tired for some reason. Haha. We checked into Pop, unloaded our bags and freshened up. Off we went to the Grand Floridian to check in. Our wait was very minimal. Once seated we made our way to the buffet. Now, I’ve read many a review on 1900 Park Fare and knew some liked it and some didn’t. The character interaction of course was a plus for many on these boards and I have to agree with that. We had our pictures taken with all of the characters and found them charming even with us (two old ladies). Haha. If I had a daughter, it would be a reason to make an ADR. Having only sons, this was the first time I ate here. On to the food…………………..well I will preface this with I’m not an adventurous eater and try to stay away from beef because of stomach issues. This was NOT the place for me. I had no idea what I was eating most times although I believe the strawberry soup was very good. I ventured over to the kids section of the buffet to add a slice of pizza to my plate. Desserts were more my thing but they didn’t really exceed my expectations either. Bread pudding, rice krispie squares for me. We enjoyed the ice cream that was brought to our table which I wasn’t aware of and was a surprise. Our overall impression by both myself and Lori was that we would not make a return visit here. We were surprised by the food selections and thought that our families also would NOT have enjoyed it. More concerning for me was that we had a reservation for Grand Floridian Café the next day. What will we do????? Stay tuned for our decision.

 

[marcyinPA]

I've been to 1900 once for dinner and enjoyed it, but I am not picky and do not have any food issues. I love LOVE LOVE the strawberry soup!! In fact, I was sort of craving it on our trip last week, but we didn't have an ADR there.

 

[lynn46356]

Waking up on Monday morning we were somewhat undecided on our evening ADR at the Grand Floridian Café. I think I was more uncertain than my DF. After breakfast at POP (a yummy cherry turnover) we headed to the concierge to decide if we should change our ADR. First off the castmember printed out the menu for the GFC and we looked it over. I knew I wasn’t so thrilled with it. We also decided to look over the menu for Captain’s Grille at the YC along with Teppan Edo which I had ate at before and had enjoyed. My vote was for either CG at the Yacht Club or Teppan Edo. The CM gave us her opinion which was TE as she thought they had some of the best scallops in WDW. I was interested in the crab legs at CG but would be happy with TE also. I let the final decision rest in my DF’s hands and she picked Teppan Edo. We were lucky enough to snag a 5:00 ADR and we were off running for the day.

We arrived at TE at approximately 4:45 and were seated shortly thereafter. The two of us shared a table with a family of four along with their parents. Small world but they were also from our area of Indiana living less than 30 minutes away from us. It really is a small world. They were a great family and we enjoyed their company very much. I ordered shrimp and chicken with my DF ordering the scallops. Both meals were very much enjoyed by the both of us. She was braver than I and ordered the green tea pudding with myself ordering the vanilla ice cream. Yes, I am boring! She let me try hers and I will order the green tea pudding for myself next time. It was VERY GOOD I thought. It reminded me of custard with a caramel flavoring. Looking back I am so glad we switched our ADR for this one. I don’t think I would have really enjoyed the GFC. This was the only ADR that we switched during the week also. On another note, we had spent all day at Epcot and being able to stay in the park and not waste a bunch of time was another benefit I believe. It saved my feet for the day also! I also had a Toyko Sunset (I think that was the name) which was very very good!!!!!!!

 

[lynn46356]

Of course, most everyone enjoys a meal at this beloved restaurant, DF and I included. Our ADR was a bit later in the evening at 7:10 p.m. but we arrived a bit early at 6:30. We were told at check in that we would not be seated for some time and that wasn’t a problem with us. We walked down to the lobby of the restaurant and before we could even be seated on a bench our buzzer went off. So much for a long wait! We were happy and hungry.

We were seated and began the process of deciding what we wanted to eat. I knew immediately I wanted the filet with the maple bbq sauce that was on the menu years ago. DF was undecided so we asked our waiter Jeremy. He suggested the coffee rubbed Kansas City strip steak which she took as her entrée along with the cream cheese mashed potatoes. I went with the maple bbq filet and ordered french fries instead of any other potato. Yes, I’m a lover of french fries and do not like mashed potatoes at all. I also ordered a cup of the cheese soup so we could dip our pretzel bread into it. We also asked for pretzel bread only which he brought to us. I loved the soup and DF not so much. That was ok as it was more for me! We also ordered drinks which I had the pina colada and she had them make up a drink that she likes which is called a GQ Martini (I think) which I believe had melon liqueur, coconut rum and pineapple juice. Drinks were delivered and we enjoyed them enough that DF ordered a double GQ. Jeremy was kind enough to warn her of the alcohol tab that would be included on her bill as he was expecting it to be somewhere around $8 a drink. Heck we were on vacation and we didn’t care but I thought it was very kind of him to warn us so we wouldn’t be upset when we got the bill.

Our entrées were delivered. I remembered the bbq sauce was directly on the filet the last time (years ago) I ordered it and this time it was brought in a separate bowl. I had no problem with this I was just surprised. That being said I ate all of my filet with no problem along with my fries. DF enjoyed her steak but thought afterwards she should have ordered the filet also. She liked her steak but there’s more work to eating a strip steak than a filet she thought. Just an opinion for what its worth. We both ordered the maple crème brulee for dessert which was delicious! We both thought our meals were delicious. I loved everything and DF loved her meal just wishing she had picked a different steak.

Also, Jeremy went above and beyond during the time he served us. He was the best server we had all week while on vacation. He took the time to chat with us even though he was extremely busy. We tipped above the suggested amount because we had such a good meal and great service. Looking back now this was our best meal during the trip by far when you include both food and service. I’m curious what will happen to the menu once dinner becomes 2TS credits. I guess time will tell.

 

[lynn46356]

We spent the day at HS I think. Who can remember last week? Haha. Both DF and I were really looking forward to this meal as both of us had brought our families here on prior vacations. More importantly they were highlights of past trips. We decided we’d try our luck with checking in early again as we had such good luck the night previously at Le Cellier. By the looks of the lobby tonight we wouldn’t be getting a table early. We decided to have a seat at the bar and make ourselves at home. I ordered another pina colada and DF ordered the same drink as the night before but this time it was on the drink menu so she didn’t have to give out the recipe. Drinks were enjoyed by both of us of course. She ordered a second drink and I passed (I’m a light weight). Soon afterwards we decided to make room at the bar for some other folks and found a few chairs to wait out the duration of the time. Finally, our buzzer went off. Our reservation this evening was for 5:35 (checking in at 5:00) and we were seated close to 7:00. I pitty those with ADRS after us. Walking in we noticed a ton of empty tables. I know that is how it goes but with a fixed menu you just have to wonder sometimes.

First off, walking to our table we ran into the chef. DF asked if there was a spicy rub on the shrimp as she doesn’t enjoy spicy food and he said yes. She asked if she could have her shrimp plain and he said that wouldn’t be a problem but she needed to inform our server and he would then let him know. Our server/cousin came to the table and she told him what she wanted and he told her that wouldn’t be a problem. Soon after our bread and salad arrived at the table. I don’t know why but I really enjoy the salad here. I love the dressing so much. I should look up the reciepe and make it myself. I think its very tasty. We consumed some of the bread but not much as we didn’t want to fill up on that. It was good as usual but I thought I remember it being served warm. Anyone remember? Perhaps I’m CRAZY! I think it would be much better warm but that’s ok. Next came the noodles, potstickers, wings and broccoli. Let me tell you, I LOVE those noodles. Yes, many here do not think they are as wonderful as I but I enjoyed them hot, warm and cold. I ate more than my share of potstickers and also had a few wings definitely enjoying ALL OF IT. I did put a little broccoli on my plate and thought it was much better than I remembered. Ok, I’m old and don’t remember much!!!!! I had to kick myself as we still had meat to enjoy. Chicken and beef came first. YUMMMM! I had one piece of steak and it was ok. I like my meat HOT and it wasn’t served to me hot rather on the luke warm side. I could have asked for more but chose to just eat it and it was fine. I was looking forward to trying the chicken. My first two pieces were the first coming off the skewers and were burnt to a crisp or almost. I tried eating around the crisp part and ended up just waiting for more. There was hardly any meat on either piece that I was able to eat. Lesson learned if they look burnt they are! Ask for more pieces. Soon after they came to the table with shrimp. I had about 4 pieces and also enjoyed them just not peeling them. They were hot and good. Now, DF was waiting patiently for her shrimp she had asked the server for. More chicken came to the table and I asked for a few more pieces without crisp edges. Haha. Still no shrimp but our server said just another few minutes for them. One minute, two minutes, five minutes or more and the chef came out with 5 skewers of shrimp for DF. He apologized over and over for the delay telling us that our server had neglected to give him the order knowing full well someone having dinner was waiting for them. DF got through 4 of the skewers and enjoyed them very much. Finally it was time for dessert. It came out and it was just ok in my opinion. Again, I thought I remember the bread pudding being hot and this time it was cool not even warm. In my book bread pudding is suppose to be hot. Oh well. I was full enough but not miserable and that was ok. While eating our bread pudding the lights dimmed for Wishes. Wow it was that late already!!!!! We watched a small amount of Wishes as we were at a back table and many people were in front of us and we decided we wanted to get out of dodge before the magic kingdom crowds ate us alive. Mission accomplished. Looking back we decided that the evenings meal was ok. Nothing spectacular. I think we were both disappointed. The food wasn’t terrible but we both thought our service was less than spectacular that evening. Oh well. Life goes on. I’ve really enjoyed Kona on our last few trips and think I’ll plan on making a return visit whenever I go again. All in all nothing bad and nothing good. GOSH, I’ve written a book………………………..sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cymbaldiva]

Wow, I had no idea that Ohana's could do the skewered meats to order ~ definitely something to remember! =)

I hate reading your experience with the bread pudding ~ I don't even like bread pudding and I loved this stuff...I'm quite sure when I had it that it was served warm though; I don't think I would've cared for it cool.

Sounds like you had a great trip ~ keep the reviews coming please!!

 

[lynn46356]

I was getting out of the boat on this ADR. This was my 9th visit to WDW and my first visit to Liberty Tree Tavern. Now, I knew full well for dinner it was a fixed menu and lunch was pick what you want. Horray for lunch!!!!!! I am NOT a lover of turkey and as I don’t like mashed potatoes I wasn’t infavor of the fixed menu for dinner. I love a good pot roast but being a farm girl I like to make them myself. Of course, I voted on the lunch menu knowing I wouldn’t be getting a great value out of my meal. Oh well, I’ll live. Heck, the dining plan was almost free. We paid $10 a day to upgrade from the quick to the basic plan so I really wasn’t worried.

Looking over the menu I was leaning toward the angus chuck cheeseburger or the colony salad (Washington apples, sweet pecans and applewood smoked cheddar and grilled chicken tossed with field greens in honey shallot vinaigrette). Being a good girl on vacation (at least for today’s main course ) I picked the colony salad. To be bad I ordered DF and I the tavern fried cheese to share. You can’t be good too long!!!!! DF also picked the colony salad. We both asked for the dressings on the side. I asked for the dressing that came with the salad and she got a strawberry dressing. Soon after the fried cheese arrived at the table. What’s not to like about fried cheese. We both enjoyed both types of fried cheese and left the bowl empty. We waited a bit for our salads enjoying sitting for a bit and chatting. Time for salads and were they large and good. I don’t know what I was expecting but I was more than happy when I dug into it. Warm grilled chicken, a wonderful dressing, pecans, cheese equaled YUMMMMM! We ate and ate on our salads. I swear they grew while we were eating them. My dressing pick I thought was very good. DF liked her dressing too. Wow, did I say how much we loved our selections? We both didn’t quite finish our salads but made sure we got all the good stuff out of it leaving just some lettuce. Desserts were next. We asked our server what she recommended and went with her selections of the ooey gooey toffee cake and the apple tart having decided to split them so we could both enjoy each of them. Did we, yes we did. Both came out warm and topped with ice cream. What’s not to LOVE. I really think these were two of my favorite desserts while at WDW this week. Perhaps this isn’t the best value for the dining plan but let me tell you we REALLY REALLY enjoyed our meals. I would definitely make a lunch reservation at LTT the next time I visit. It was so good.