MrDiamond
Geez, someone in Cleveland win something already!
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2001
- Messages
- 57
Just returned from Disney HHI, back after 6 days in a one bedroom at the Live Oak Lodge. First time there and we will definately be back. I have some trip notes and some restaurant comments I hope are interesting and may help someone in the future.
Arrived on Sunday from Ohio and it was pretty cold and really windy. Rest of the week was in the low to mid 70's, but Monday didn't get out of the 50's. Tropical Storm Noel impacted the weather later in the week, mostly wind, but I knew this time of year weather could go either way. Met Mike at the Beach House (really friendly guy and really helpful) and he gave us some great tips. Like the fact that the wind direction was such that the pool at the BH was sheltered from cold breezes and we were able to use the pool on Friday even though it was windy and the high was 70. With plenty of sunshine, it was comfortable. Mike also put an extra hook on my crabbing net to hold an extra shrimp. By the way, pick up some chicken necks at Piggly Wiggly, the crabs can't run with them as easy as the shrimp.
Anyway, I imagine the BH is usually busy, but there was no more than 3-5 other people there any of the times we went over. Nice facility and I had no problem having that seperate from the rest of buildings. Took the dolphin cruise with Ryan and saw a manatee in the Harbourtown harbor. First one of the year Ryan had seen. Some few dolphins too. Recommend this outing, seeing the island from the water is worth it alone.
Now here was something I learned and my wife and I took full advantage of it. Our kids are both away in college, so this trip was just the two of us, so it was easier for us. The epiphany? Early bird specials.
So we ate at 5:30 instead of 6. Big deal, still worked great for us. For example:
Crazy Crab - I hadn't been there before and I didn't expect much, but it was great. Had fried shrimp, though I would get breaded butterflied, but they were whole, no tails, in a light batter. Absolutely tender and excellent. Had about 15 pieces, baked potato, corn on the cob. Wife had 1/2 crab legs and 1/2 shrimp, which was way more than half pound of each. Early bird included soft drinks. Total cost, with tax, before tip? Less than $29. Wow.
Red Fish - Two beers, two glasses of wine, I had ribs with a Cuban flair, wife had shrimp fettucini, both came with soup or salad. Less than $41 before tip. Again, excellent.
Blake's - Date nights Monday and Thursday all evening. Includes bottle of wine, any entree and chef selected desert to split (choc mousse for us), 40 bucks! And my bbq shrimp and grits was wonderful. And I learned that shrimp and grits even made sense together, guess that is a local thing.
If you like wings, go to Wild Wing Cafe, enjoyed those a lot. And Frankie Bones is on our list for next time, stopped for drinks and split a cannelloni when we got hungry. Neat place if you like a 'rat pack' atmosphere. Was packed, popular place.
We saved Hudson's for the last night and it was the only disappointing meal we had. And about the only meal we paid regular price on. Had combo platter with shrimp and scallops. Scallops were perfect, but shrimp was overdone, small and only six of them. They would have been adequate at the Red Lobster but I expected more from Hudson's. Last summer, had a great meal there.
Bottom line, loved our trip and ate very well. Don't forget to get the restaurant book from the front desk when you check in, has all of the eating establishments with menus and specials listed.
Jim, who needs to get back to work, eating 'regular food', and raking leaves before the snow arrives this week.
Arrived on Sunday from Ohio and it was pretty cold and really windy. Rest of the week was in the low to mid 70's, but Monday didn't get out of the 50's. Tropical Storm Noel impacted the weather later in the week, mostly wind, but I knew this time of year weather could go either way. Met Mike at the Beach House (really friendly guy and really helpful) and he gave us some great tips. Like the fact that the wind direction was such that the pool at the BH was sheltered from cold breezes and we were able to use the pool on Friday even though it was windy and the high was 70. With plenty of sunshine, it was comfortable. Mike also put an extra hook on my crabbing net to hold an extra shrimp. By the way, pick up some chicken necks at Piggly Wiggly, the crabs can't run with them as easy as the shrimp.
Anyway, I imagine the BH is usually busy, but there was no more than 3-5 other people there any of the times we went over. Nice facility and I had no problem having that seperate from the rest of buildings. Took the dolphin cruise with Ryan and saw a manatee in the Harbourtown harbor. First one of the year Ryan had seen. Some few dolphins too. Recommend this outing, seeing the island from the water is worth it alone.
Now here was something I learned and my wife and I took full advantage of it. Our kids are both away in college, so this trip was just the two of us, so it was easier for us. The epiphany? Early bird specials.
So we ate at 5:30 instead of 6. Big deal, still worked great for us. For example:
Crazy Crab - I hadn't been there before and I didn't expect much, but it was great. Had fried shrimp, though I would get breaded butterflied, but they were whole, no tails, in a light batter. Absolutely tender and excellent. Had about 15 pieces, baked potato, corn on the cob. Wife had 1/2 crab legs and 1/2 shrimp, which was way more than half pound of each. Early bird included soft drinks. Total cost, with tax, before tip? Less than $29. Wow.
Red Fish - Two beers, two glasses of wine, I had ribs with a Cuban flair, wife had shrimp fettucini, both came with soup or salad. Less than $41 before tip. Again, excellent.
Blake's - Date nights Monday and Thursday all evening. Includes bottle of wine, any entree and chef selected desert to split (choc mousse for us), 40 bucks! And my bbq shrimp and grits was wonderful. And I learned that shrimp and grits even made sense together, guess that is a local thing.
If you like wings, go to Wild Wing Cafe, enjoyed those a lot. And Frankie Bones is on our list for next time, stopped for drinks and split a cannelloni when we got hungry. Neat place if you like a 'rat pack' atmosphere. Was packed, popular place.
We saved Hudson's for the last night and it was the only disappointing meal we had. And about the only meal we paid regular price on. Had combo platter with shrimp and scallops. Scallops were perfect, but shrimp was overdone, small and only six of them. They would have been adequate at the Red Lobster but I expected more from Hudson's. Last summer, had a great meal there.
Bottom line, loved our trip and ate very well. Don't forget to get the restaurant book from the front desk when you check in, has all of the eating establishments with menus and specials listed.
Jim, who needs to get back to work, eating 'regular food', and raking leaves before the snow arrives this week.
My DS & DH saw one a couple years back swimming through the creek at the end of the Disney pier. Definately a sight they will remember! 
It sounds like we're getting our first dusting tonight.
It's been quite a while, though, so maybe there have been some positive changes! But we'll have to give the one on the way to the mainland a try. Thanks again.
