We did another weekend deluxe dining stay for ESPN the Weekend, so I thought I'd post some more reviews.
We did 1900 Park Fare for breakfast.
The chef came out and told me what was okay on the buffet line and mentioned he could make Mickey waffles - I said I was concerned about cross contamination and asked if he could make me some eggs as well. The Mickey waffles were kinda weird tasting/texture (in my inexpert opinion, I think it was that the restaurant just opened and the waffle maker was not preheated enough) and the eggs were kinda runny, but the fruit was exceptional and a really nice surprise. To be honest, I mostly wish there were more of things, or some procedure to ask for more? How do you guys handle buffets? Do you ask the waitress to ask if the chef can make you more? Do you find you don't usually need to? Am I just a piggy?
I didn't have this problem at Crystal Palace because the chef brought out so much food I was stuffed and at 'Ohana both the chef and waitress made sure I didn't need any more, so it was unexpected and I wasn't really sure what to do. But when we do these weekends, we get up at 4am to make 8-9am reservations and then don't have dinner until 8pm or later. So three Mickey waffles and a couple eggs and some fruit isn't very much to go on.
It wasn't a bad time, but we do prefer 'Ohana and CP as far as breakfasts go that we've been to.
Dinner was Cape May. I took a picture here, but it came out blurry and there wasn't much to show anyway. Just a couple pieces of chicken and some mashed potatoes. I had the same problem here as breakfast with the addition of not liking seafood and a chef that seemed more harassed than anything (they were busy, so I found that understandable). I asked about bringing things from the back - I just asked for chicken and mashed potatoes since I could see they were right beside gluten foods (gravy and something breaded, IIRC) - and thought I'd risk the tomato soup and corn from the line - but then while in line, the person in front of me used one ladle for both soups and then someone a few people up dropped breaded shrimp on the corn so I just went back to the table without anything. The chef said the flan was okay from the desserts, but I didn't want to risk that at that point either. I don't like dark meat chicken so I just ate a couple bites of that. But the mashed potatoes were excellent.
So by the time dinner was done I was starving.
But everything was closed, really, so we just climbed in the hot tub for a little bit and then went to bed.
DH loved Cape May, and I think ate enough for both of us.
So it was okay, really. I just wish the default was to bring things from the back, not suggest going through the line where I'm likely going to get sick, especially since they won't let me just go in and sit with DH while he eats without paying myself.
I think in the future on this one, we will split up and meet back later.
Anyway. The next day was MUCH better.
Our first stop the next morning was Babycakes!! DH got all four snack credits our first weekend since it was Food & Wine, and then 3 last time because I couldn't figure out what I wanted to spend my second one on (Babycakes wasn't taking the snack credits yet), so this time he gave me 3!
I had a cookie sandwich for breakfast:
Sorry for the cell phone picture - I left my camera in the car.
Always excellent.
I looked for the parfait Sarah mentioned in her awesome reviews, but they didn't have any out, so I asked if they'd have any later - and she said, well, about what time? - and I said, probably not until late, like 9. She said, if you come by at 9, we'll have one for you! Wow! I also loved peeking into their actual bakery area. I usually just rush in and out and Babycakes, but it was sprinkling so I sat inside and it was cool seeing everything. (I know it's probably crazy, but I was totally - "Look, look - it's Xanthan Gum!!")
Then dinner at Mama Melrose was at 7ish - they were running a bit behind. Our chef was Julie and she was so awesome. She actually said she had received and read my allergy form (first time I'd had that happen). I'd asked on the form if they still did the GF breaded chicken parm, and she said no, they grill it and do it that way. So I asked if they could do the flat breads, and she said yes, absolutely. So I ordered the mozzarella tomato salad for an appetizer, flatbreads for dinner, and a flourless chocolate cake for dessert (the gelato and I think something else was also GF, but the cake sounded so good).
She also brought out the tapicoa rolls. I'd had them at Le Cellier in December and thought they were awful. But here they were heated PERFECTLY and were warm and soft on the inside and nicely hard on the outside.
Everything was absolutely fabulous.
Very full, we rushed from the Studios (remember our ADR was a little late, plus we were parked in the verry last spot on the row - the opposite end of the lot from our tram stop) and made it to DTD at 9:15. And my Cake in a Cup was there! Yay! I was (way, way) too full to eat it right then, but when I did, I was in heaven.
Cell phone picture:
I spent my last credit on a Dole Whip float during late night EMH (right before midnight so the credit wouldn't expire) and shared it with DH.
And I bought a bucket of popcorn for the trip home (we pulled into the driveway about 5:20am - almost 48 hours exactly from when we left!) but was really still too full to eat much of it, so I'm eating it now.
I had the parfait for breakfast today.
So, five stars to Mama Melrose and Babycakes, and I'm thinking buffets may not be for me.
ETA: I found out from Chef Julie at Mama Melrose that the same grenadine is used all over property, and Chef Julie at 'Ohana confirmed that the grenadine is gluten free. So I had a Shirley Temple while waiting for food and wine with dinner.
The sweet and sour mix is not GF (I found that out asking about the Lapu Lapu), so a lot of mixed drinks are out. I know the Grand Marnier slush made me ill (I didn't ask, I just assumed - and paid for it). But the food and wine both called about the Bacardi Frozen Torched Cherry Colada for me (during Food and Wine - I don't know if they sell it elsewhere not during Food & Wine) and that was fine (I only had a few sips, but I get sick pretty easily). The chocolate milk I think is okay everywhere, too. Anyone else have any experience with drinks?
I guess that's what "forces" me to go back again soon!
). No issues at all. And then the mousse at Boma the chef said would be gluten free. What you said is kind of what I thought...why would it have gluten in it??
So hearing all these great things about eating gluten free and being welcome is so wonderful!! Thanks for the info..keep the reviews coming!!!
Thank you in advance for some more info.
