Hey! You had your trip, this time I'm in charge! Nicki & Todd LIVE!! Completed :(

[lildebbie107]

I was just at California Grill in September and the potatoes were not purple. Was that new or did he request purple potatoes? I loved the steak, but don't know how much I would have liked it if the potatoes looked like that.

 

[WDW2012]

Coming out of lurkdome to thank you for your dining reviews. I have read a few and always enjoy them. Can't wait to see the rest.

 

[tinacaplan]

Yummy drinks and appetizers at Food and Wine. I love the pictures of Todd holding the plates so I can get a sense of how much food you're getting. And all the drinks...yum. Especially the banana cabana at the Poly. That would have been calling my name, too! I think I'll be able to sample one pretty soon! Thanks, too, for posting pics of the Captain Cook's menu...we'll be eating there, too, I'm sure.

Doesn't sound like you guys were all the into your Cali Grill meal. The flatbreads have been kind of boring lately, IMO. I had some crazy pastrami thing (if you can believe that) that was honestly out of this world and a combination of flavors I never would have dreamed up.

Sounds like you're having a great time!

 

[MickeyNicki]

I am really not sure what I like most about your report the awesome food porn or the brilliant conversations with Todd !!

Ask Kathy, this is how we are in day to day life all the time!

That's it, now I need to plan a fall trip. Had a pumpkin bagel today that was delish

Do they still have the adult grilled cheese here or was that somewhere else? Sorry I know you can't do a ton of cheese.

I'm hoping they keep the pumpkin dessert that you had at the F&W, but I'm guessing it'll be rotated out by the time I get back to it.

Quick question, do you guys bother with the dining plan? DH doesn't like to be limited to what he has to or can't order, so I'm just curious.

WHERE..did you get a pumpkin bagel?? I have to know!! Yes they did have the adult grilled cheese on the menu boards but not on the touch screen order system. No, we have never used the dining plan, we do have TIW though. We like to wing it too much to be tied down to a plan and the way Todd snacks, well, we would blow through those credits in the first hours we are in WDW!

Glad you got to meet TigerKat and had a nice visit.

All of the goodies from F&W look pretty darn good. But so do the drinks (guess I have to go to F&W with you to get you two to have a drink with me ).

That steak looks right up Mark's alley at Cali Grill.

It was so great, cannot wait to see her tomorrow. The drinks are excellent! Todd is really looking forward to Shula's tomorrow night

I am the happiest girl in America right now!!!!! The peanut butter gelato is back!!!! It hasn't been on the menu since 2009!!! I check alllllllll the time!! I pray they have it in 2 1/2 weeks!!! It was my heaven!! I jumped and said something inappropriate in joy, lol---scared Dave and Baxter

He's excited about the purple potatoes, lol.

Glad you're having fun

Happy because you are getting married in a matter of days or for the peanut butter gelato

Okay, I'm ready for it to be next year now so I can go again.

CA Grill looks really good. The last two times I ate there it was underwhelming, but maybe I'll add it to my plans for next year. I had a flatbread there that was really good once, something with figs and blue cheese, so yummy. Maybe the next time I go there I'll just pig out on appetizers.

CG was very good, wish I was hungrier though...I was just too full from cocktails!

Loving the look of your drinks today!!! Yummo! I can't wait to be staying at the Poly in a few days and always have the Tambu Lounge at my disposal!!! Yay!!! Hope you are all recharged for tomorrow! Oh...by the way...was hoping to pop into the Contemporary while there and get a strawberry cupcake...did they not have that one? Heard it was seasonal, but hoping that wasn't true??!!

Make sure to take the time and hang by the pool bar, its a great way to spend the afternoon! The CR didnt have the strawberry cupcake.

Great reviews once again! I love flatbreads so I may have to have a sampling of them at CG sometime. And that dessert on the menu - the S'mores chocolate cake sounds amazing! (I love anything S'mores flavored, that combo just really gets me!). Okay, that's it - I will go to CG someday and try some flat breads and then enjoy the S'mores cake

And as cool as it is to see wishes from there, the sunset is just stunning!

DH really wanted that dessert but he was too full...hopefully they will have it the next time we go

What a great day u guys had!!! My husband said "that yellow drink"[mojito] looked good. Then I showed him the pic of Todd holding it & told him the price. He said he hoped he's just a really, really big dude for how small that cup was for 8 bucks! But, it musta been good to get it twice!

Todd is a big guy but those drinks are very tiny...worth the $8 though...no spending cap on vacation

Oh, what a day!

It was a fantastic day but a very exhausting one too!

I love all the photos from F&W! You are my heros being able to taste all of those dishes!

The dishes are small and we share them but man do we get full fast! Still have a few more days to sample!

Kathy and Johnny are such nice people, I really hope we get to meet with
them again some time soon. Give them a hug from me when you see them again!

I sure will do that!

Interesting new menu at Captain Cooks. We might pop over to give it a try in February.

I thought so too, would love to try the pork nachos

Those cupcakes at the Contempo Cafe brought back such nice memories ..... they were really yum yum!!

Wish I skipped the dessert at CG and had a cupcake instead

Guess you didn't ask for Ron at the Cali Grill, or was he off that day?
That flatbread looked really good - I have a soft spot for them. .... and I got all excited when I saw the breadpudding on the menu again, but then it looked very different.

We did request him when we checked in but didnt get him...we had a guy names Michael from Cleveland

Oh, and I LOVE your conversations! Thank you SO much for doing that review for us - I don't know how you do it, but you must be some kind of "super" woman!

Its so much fun to share our experiences with all my friends!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Morning Nicki

Thanks for helping me to kick into gear for work each morning

I look forward to grabbing a cup of tea and checking in with your adventures each day

We'd really like to give CG another go some time and just stick to Sushi/Flatbreads/Salads as neither of us was wowed by their entrees

Looking forward to the next installment

Happy to help you out Linda Next time we go to CG I might get the flatbread again, it was terrific!

Sounds like you two had another great day! We also tried a lot of the things you ate yesterday. Sorry you didn't love the shrimp cake. That was one of my faves. Oh, and those tacos were YUM (especially when accompanied by a blood orange margarita from The Ditch!).

I miss Cali Grill. I'll have to make sure to get there next fall, as it's not on my agenda for April (traveling with too many picky eaters). Oh, and those Contempo Cafe cupcakes look wonderful!! We had a scrumptious red velvet cupcake from Starring Rolls recently. Those look just as good!

Hope the weather gods continue to bless you with glorious weather. Have a wonderful day today!!

Everyone around us was saying that shrimp cake was incredible, maybe we had a bad batch? The tacos were great, hope to get more of those! I think our meal in May was better than last night and I remember our Nov 10 dinner wasnt that great either..must be something with the heavy fall menu

I was thinking the same thing.....That smores cake sounds amazing. I hope they have it in December. Does anyone know how long they keep desserts on the menu before switching them up again?

Hope they have it then so you can taste it!

I was so happy to see your review and menu pics from California Grill, as this is another restaurant which is on my list for our upcoming trip. I'm really looking forward to Wednesday's Shulas and Saturday's Flying Fish reviews. And I can't wait to see where you have dinner tonight. I'm hoping for either Yachtsman or Rose & Crown, as those are the other two dinners we are considering. As of now we have six restaurants (also includes Citricos, which you already reviewed) on our wish list for dinners but we will only be there for five nights...so I have to eliminate one. Your reviews (and updated menu pics) will be very helpful in making my decision. Thank you so much for taking the time to do a live review!

We are very excited for Shula's tomorrow night. We just booked R&C for lunch on Sunday. THanks so much for reading them!

Hi Nicki,
Just home from work and checking your reviews. The sunset from the Cal. Grill is beautiful. I had one delicious dinner there, and another time, I had one that was almost inedible. I don't eat meat, so I guess it's just hit or miss with the vegetarian options. Looking forward to more reviews!! Thanks!
Joan

Love that view! I wish they have a better pasta dish, I love mushrooms but not in my pasta

Loved your CG review and that sunset picture is so beautiful! I really want to try their flatbread now and those desserts! Yum! Can't wait to see what you all try next!

I was glad to get the flatbread, very tasty!

Nicki, I had to laugh with your CG review. Being too tired to get back to the resort. You sound like me, go on vacation and run yourselves into the ground! When will any of us slow down on vacation and completely relax? I also had to chuckle about the bread pudding. You go to a signature dining restaurant and get yucky bread pudding when the best bread pudding can be had at either O'Hanana or Reglan Road. Enjoyng your reviews so far but the 10 days is going too fast.

Oh Jane, we were sooo exhausted and I will admit, I was super cranky! Note to self, you want bread pudding go to Boatwrights, it was excellent! I just told Todd that our time is flying by..he reminded me that we have 4 full days and one half day but for some reason that made me even more depressed!

I was just at California Grill in September and the potatoes were not purple. Was that new or did he request purple potatoes? I loved the steak, but don't know how much I would have liked it if the potatoes looked like that.

That is how they came out...he said they tasted like any other potatoes

Coming out of lurkdome to thank you for your dining reviews. I have read a few and always enjoy them. Can't wait to see the rest.

Welcome!

Yummy drinks and appetizers at Food and Wine. I love the pictures of Todd holding the plates so I can get a sense of how much food you're getting. And all the drinks...yum. Especially the banana cabana at the Poly. That would have been calling my name, too! I think I'll be able to sample one pretty soon! Thanks, too, for posting pics of the Captain Cook's menu...we'll be eating there, too, I'm sure.

Doesn't sound like you guys were all the into your Cali Grill meal. The flatbreads have been kind of boring lately, IMO. I had some crazy pastrami thing (if you can believe that) that was honestly out of this world and a combination of flavors I never would have dreamed up.

Sounds like you're having a great time!

Yeah, his hands are pretty big and the food is pretty small yet it is very filling! Love the banana cabana, might get back over to the Poly before we go home. The food was good at CG, I think we were too tired to enjoy the experience though..should have listed to him and gone back to the room for a nap first!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Very happy this morning, it was Magic Kingdom day, finally! Decided to eat at Main Street Bakery because I love the everything bagels there and I was pretty sure DH was going to get a cheese danish...yeah, again, and yeah he knows I love them and cannot eat them...I think thats why he gets them!

Crowds were not bad at 9:30, we breezed on through...I was just about to order when someone pipes up

Todd - Get me the cinnamon bun

Me - Oh for the love of Mike, lets not do this again

Todd - Do what?

Me - Go through this again, for the millionth time you do not like them here anymore, no I am not going to "humor you" and I am telling you now, you do not like them!

Todd - Bet you are wrong this time, look how gooey they look

Me - Fine, but listen up, if you do not like it I am not standing in that line to get you something else and I am not sharing my bagel

Todd - Jeez...dont get all bent out of shape, its just breakfast!

He makes me sound like a grump all the time but does he realize what gets me this way?

So the boy gets his cinnamon bun and he is eating it and not saying a word. Mind you I am in bagel heaven and munching away

Todd - So...Nic..you gonna eat all that bagel?

Me - Planning on it (making overly loud yummy munching noises to drive home a point)

Todd - Can I have some?

Me - There are some crumbs on the plate, help yourself

Todd - Ok you win, I dont like the cinnamon bun

Me - Deja vu....we had this conversation in May, and Feb and the last Nov too, from now on you are not allowed to eat at MSB ever again unless you let me order for you

Todd - Fine fine, just gimme the bagel

The bagel was very tasty and the cinnamon bun, well I didnt eat it but according to Forgetful Jones he said the very small inner middle was soft but the rest was hard and almost crunch and the gooey mess all over the top? It was very sweet and sugary and not buttery or cinnamony like he prefers.

I love MSB and plan on eating there...maybe I will just make him grab a seat while I do all the ordering!

 

[Elcheetah]

I remember he dosn't like the cinnamon rolls of MSB! Husband... They never learn...

 

[MickeyNicki]

MK was awesome, yes there were lots of crowds but funny enough there wasnt a wait on any rides and we were able to get lots done. My husband was acting funny though, he was walking in circles and I had no idea why he wanted to check out POTC so much and then light dawned and I realized what the heck he was doing

Me - Um babe, its 11 am, is your belly clock telling you its time for an egg roll?

Todd - Finally you understand me, took you 21 years but you have arrived

Me - I dont see anyone at the egg roll stand...do you want to grab a bench and wait it out?

Todd - Nah, lets do lunch.

Me - I'm not hungry but you can get your taco salad

Todd - How do you know I want that

Me - 21 years dear, 21 years....

Well look at that, Peco Bills is right there! No lines either, well I'll be! One taco salad please with 2 sour creams and plenty of toppings!

I think he put everything on the topping bar on his taco salad, we sat outside since it was so nice out and I watched him devour this thing...I swear you would think he never ate one before. He said the shell wasnt greasy and the meat was full of flavor. He also said he wants another one while we are here which is good because I saw the BBQ pork sandwich and onion rings and I really would love to try that..too bad I wasnt hungry right at that moment.

So we did more stuff and basically waited for me to get an appetite but it never happened so we decided to go back to the resort and have some pool time

Todd - Hold up, got to get something before we leave

Me - The egg rolls are not out yet, we just checked...give up the dream man

Todd - Not that, the other thing

Me - Care to clue me in?

Todd - Mickey Pretzel

Me - You just had that

Todd - THat was an Epcot one, I want a MK one

As if there is a difference! Over to Frontierland we go and get his pretzel

Cute huh? He loved it and smeared the entire thing with spicy mustard and handed it to me for a bite...and dropped it right on me, not just part of me, oh no, it bounced off my shirt and then landed mustard side down on my shorts...oh joy. I stand up, look like I have something really bad all over me and somehow made it to the ladies room, where I proceeded to make it look even worse.

Um babe.....its SO time to go!

 

[MickeyNicki]

The bus ride was so wonderful, a really nice younger couple with triplets that all decided to melt down at the same time...screeching at the top of their lungs and nothing would quiet them down...but they were nice enough to fall asleep 2 seconds before the bus stopped The poor parents, they looked as tired as the girls did.

Todd - You need to eat lunch

Me - Why are you so concerned about me eating lunch? WHen I am hungry I will eat something!

Todd - Well when you eat I get a bite so I guess its my way of telling you I can go for a snack

Me - Oh for crying out loud, FINE, lets get lunch

We changed into bathing suits and went to the Boardwalk...we both decided some sangria would be lovely and he wanted a slice of pizza and I knew there was no way that was happening for me so I went in to the bakery for a salad. They have a great grilled chicken with mixed greens already made up and I love Ken's Italian dressing...oh yeah, I got another pumpkin cupcake!

We sit down and I reach for the camera only to realize its in the room in my bag!

Me - Go get the camera

Todd - (munch munch munch) Sorry, eating here

Me - Well stop it and get the camera

Todd - Nic, its sangria, pizza and a salad....you are the Dis wiz, do your best to describe it without pics

Ok fine, so I will! The pizza looked gross, it was doughy and the sauce was heavy and the cheese looked waxy....he said it was nothing special. The salad was very good, lots of chicken and romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, onions etc. The pumpkin cupcake was wonderful but this time the whipped cream topping was dyed orange and the sangria was to die for, its $7 each and served in huge plastic cups. We each grabbed another one for the pool.

Tonight was supposed to be Rose and Crown night but as we were lounging in the hot tub neither one of us were hungry but we did want to go to Epcot and see the Boyz II Men concert. Another problem was a. We still wanted to get in at R&C and b. we knew we would be hungry later. Problem a. turned out to be an easy fix, I booked it for lunch on our departure day...lets see if we stick with it!

After we were all cleaned up we made it to Epcot, to the concert area in USA right at 5pm. The line to get in was huge but the CM told us that was for the 6:30pm show and that were were some seats for 5:15. We had great seats, almost center about mid way up and the concert was AWESOME! I remember when B2M first came out, summer 1990 and I have been a huge fan ever since and I sang all their songs at the top of my lungs! They danced and made jokes and threw roses to the crowd. We were going to see it again but the 6:30 show was almost to the full point and forget about
the 7:45, it was mobbed! All these years they have played at F&W I have always missed them, so glad I was able to see them this time!

Tons of pictures on my FB page

After the show we strolled and had a snack or two, we were still pretty full from so much sangria but thats a great way to be full! The title of this review should be the Sangria Files

We did stop in USA for a lobster claw cuddler. What a waste of money. It was all dried out and just a tiny little taste of meat but what was there Todd said was very tasty and sweet

We shared a braut and kraut from Germany...we both loved these although DH eats the sauerkraut (I hate that stuff!)

The one thing I wanted to try was the Empanada from Argentina..it was horrible! So hard and dry and the filling was light my mouth on fire hot. This couple standing by saw me spit it out and they said they had one yesterday and it was soft and tender and not spicy but they agreed with me and the one tonight was just gross

Stopped at the coffee stand by the entrance to the countries for a diet coke and I took these pictures

I wish I was hungrier because there is still so much left to try and I have got to get my hands on that pumpkin funnel cake

Tomorrow I think we are going to Kouzzina for breakfast and then pool time, lunch at Epcot and dinner is Shula's....cannot wait for those!

 

[MickeyNicki]

I remember he dosn't like the cinnamon rolls of MSB! Husband... They never learn...

You got that right sister!

 

[lynn46356]

Wonderful pictures and reviews as ususal! Don't you love proving Todd wrong about the cinnamon roll from MSB!!!!! I have a question about the Mickey shaped pretzels. Probably a silly question but do they taste the same as the standard pretzels???? Not that I'm a pretzel snob but near us (Shipshewana) they make the best pretzels. They aren't the standard pretzel you get at a ballpark, amusement park, etc. They are more like Auntie Anne's. Ok, enough about pretzels, I'm making myself hungry. Have a great Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[librarygeek]

The commentary between the two of you is just priceless! I love reading it. Haha, he shouldn't doubt you on stuff like that cinnamon bun! I have to say your everything bagel looks really good, I LOVE everything bagels! I really wish I had one right now lol. Guess what I'm adding to my shopping list for tomorrow...

 

[cbg1027]

That sucks about the Empanada! They were just perfect when I had one on the 14th.

Well if I don't run to you tomorrow, I will definitely see you in less than 48 hours at the Slushie meet (if you and Todd left any for the rest of us....although since you're addicted to the sangria, we may be safe!).

 

[dznyacct]

Loving your reports Nicki . Because of your love of all things pumpkin and your love of "adult" beverages, I think you would really like something that a friend of ours brought over the other night. It's called Fulton's Harvest Pumpkin Pie Cream Liquor: http://ei.isnooth.com/wine/Fulton-s-Harvest-Pumpkin-Pie-Cream-Liqueur.2_5_3.wine_5655037_detail.jpeg .It is like drinking a pumpkin pie. OK, that sounds kinda gross , but it is really tasty .

 

[dznyacct]

Ooops, duplicate post .

 

[dizneeat]

Thanks for more reviews, Nicki!

It's a shame you didn't get Ron ...... we have never been denied a request there, but some times it involves intensive waiting!

Guess what, when you mentioned the MSB I thought about Todd not liking the Cinnamon roll and was LOL when he DID ask for it ..... MEN, very predictable!

Glad you enjoy it so far ...... I sure enjoy "coming along".

 

[MrsSpratt]

Hiya. Nicki!

Can't believe I made this one while it is still live! Loving it!

 

[AshClan]

Good Morning Nicki!

Add me to the list who remembered about Todd and the cinnamon buns at MSB! Well, maybe this was the last straw and he'll remember next time!

I'm often looking for a good salad in the World, after all the junk I eat down there. Thanks for the tip about the pre-made chicken salad at the BW Bakery. I will definitely keep that in mind! (Even though I didn't get to see a picture of it )

Bummer that you got a lousy empanada. I LOVE those things, and the one I got earlier in the month was very good. If you haven't tried it yet, the beef with chimichurri sauce and boniato puree is delicious too! Those are the two offerings that I never skip!

Hope you have a great day today!

 

[jenandjuice]

I have to say I love love love your reviews, and you two remind me of how my bf and I act with each other...we're a snarky sarcastic goofy couple

Thank you so much for sharing...I hope November 2012 gets here soon, I can't freaking wait!

 

[tybrilinja]

I am loving your reviews, you have me LOLing and my DH is looking at me like I have lost my mind. We too, have almost the same banter as you and Todd, my kids love it and ask whats wrong when we don't do it....lol. Enjoy the rest of your vacaction, as I can't wait to read all about it.