Hi guys, I'm back! :( UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, BACKLOT EXPRESS + WPE 11/10

[disney_princess_85]

San Angel gets more than its fair share of bad reviews, we put it off last year because of them, this decided to go for it and glad we did, we all enjoyed what we had. Looks like a hit and miss place.

Yeah, it's definitely one of those places I think. I won't write it off forever, I'm sure we'll be back to give it a second chance at some point!

I think it also has a lot to do with what you are expecting. I accept that poor service can totally ruin a meal, no matter how good the food is. But I also think people sometimes have an idea of what they expect to be eating and when it is not as they imagined, they get upset. More so for the WS restaurants. You get Mexican food and you get westernised Mexican food. People generally prefer one over the other to the point that if they are served authentic food when they are used to eating Tex Mex, they think there is something wrong with it and vice versa. I could be wrong, but I expect that is often a problem.

I agree. I think we were expecting something more authentic. There just wasn't much to it- as I said, the food was very bland. I haven't been to Mexico but I imagine the food there to be much more flavoursome.

Generally, it was just a boring experience. It was supposed to be "fun" (hence the tequila shots beforehand ) but we left feeling disappointed. Maybe we were expecting too much, I don't know. It didn't help that the service was rubbish!

Eek, look at your ticker!!

 

[igk]

Yeah that vegetarian platter thing doesn't look that inspiring does it? That said I wouldn't have oprdered it anyway with all the meat that's on offer Was that something not on the menu that they prepared? Would have thought they could be a bit more imaginative

I must admit I do have rose tinted spectacles when it comes to San Angel Inn - last year's dinner there was OK but not spectacular (and certainly not worth the money had it not been for DDP), but I still cancelled Cape May for it this year (to then be subsequently cancelled in favour of La Hacienda)

 

[fizz13]

what a shame about san Angel, I had it on my list of places to try for ages and when i did was seriously dissapointed, considering the wonderful setting i really wish they would sort the service and food, i really want to like it

Havent commented before but really enjoying all the pics and reviews

 

[dixonsontour]

Yes that veg dish doesn't look great. We've gone with a hacienda de san angel adr instead.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Following our disappointing meal at San Angel the previous night, we were looking forward to returning to one of last year's favourites. We were very boring and ordered exactly the same items we ordered last year (right down to the fruit punch, which I highly recommend!).

Lauren: Vegetable lo mein, $15.99. Fried wontons, $7.99.

This is the only vegetarian entrée on the menu and, thankfully, I really enjoy it. It's basically a load of crunchy vegetables and noodles in a soy-based sauce, so while it's not particularly sophisticated, it's certainly very tasty!

This is one of the best desserts I've ever had. It's just awesome! You would expect it to be a bit more sickly than it actually is- there's a good amount of pineapple and strawberries to counteract the heaviness of the cream cheese. The ice-cream is great too. I'll definitely be ordering this for the third time next year.

Andrew: Shaoxing steak and shrimp, $24.99. Mango pie, $6.99.

I love how this dish is presented. I'm happy to report it has both style AND substance- Andrew enjoyed it as much as he did last year. The steak is served medium as standard and I'm not sure if they would be able to cook it another way, as it may interfere with the presentation.

The mango pie is a bit too sweet for my liking but Andrew really likes it. It's got a cheesecake-like texture but the flavour is quite tangy.

We were glad we returned to Y&Y and will happily do so again next year.

Verdict: 9/10

 

[disney_princess_85]

Yeah that vegetarian platter thing doesn't look that inspiring does it? That said I wouldn't have oprdered it anyway with all the meat that's on offer Was that something not on the menu that they prepared? Would have thought they could be a bit more imaginative

No, it was on the separate vegetarian menu. There were two options, the other one being a salad.

I must admit I do have rose tinted spectacles when it comes to San Angel Inn - last year's dinner there was OK but not spectacular (and certainly not worth the money had it not been for DDP), but I still cancelled Cape May for it this year (to then be subsequently cancelled in favour of La Hacienda)

I think you've made the right choice. We'll definitely be trying La Hacienda next year.

what a shame about san Angel, I had it on my list of places to try for ages and when i did was seriously dissapointed, considering the wonderful setting i really wish they would sort the service and food, i really want to like it

Havent commented before but really enjoying all the pics and reviews

Thanks Claire. I really wanted to like it too! It was very disappointing.

Yes that veg dish doesn't look great. We've gone with a hacienda de san angel adr instead.

Good call.

 

[wayneg]

Never fancied Yak and Yeti but your pics may have just converted me. That steak & shimp looks great, so do both desserts. Sorry a dish of noodles does nothing for me

 

[laura_<3]

Great photos

 

[igk]

Never fancied Yak and Yeti but your pics may have just converted me. That steak & shimp looks great, so do both desserts. Sorry a dish of noodles does nothing for me

Was about to say virtually the same!

 

[Linda67]

Oooh Yak and Yeti looks yummy

We have never tried it but it may well make the list for May

 

[disney_princess_85]

More pics/reviews coming up later today.

Never fancied Yak and Yeti but your pics may have just converted me. That steak & shimp looks great, so do both desserts. Sorry a dish of noodles does nothing for me

I love noodles!

The menu is quite interesting, you should give it a try (before they take any of the good stuff off ).

Great photos

Thanks!

Was about to say virtually the same!

Oooh Yak and Yeti looks yummy

We have never tried it but it may well make the list for May

You should do! We really like it.

 

[wayneg]

I love noodles!

Me too as long as theres half a pound of meat with them.

 

[Pinky166]

I love noodles!

The menu is quite interesting, you should give it a try (before they take any of the good stuff off ).

What do you mean about the menu? Are they changing it?

We are trying it for the first time in January and I really fancy the steak & shrimp after seeing your pics.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Me too as long as theres half a pound of meat with them.

Ah, I see!

What do you mean about the menu? Are they changing it?

Not as far as I know. It was just a reference to other menus they have changed recently (e.g. Tutto Italia).

We are trying it for the first time in January and I really fancy the steak & shrimp after seeing your pics.

Hope you enjoy it.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Lauren: Vegetable burger with fries, $6.79. Triple chocolate cake, $3.59.

Andrew: Deluxe 1/3-pound Angus cheeseburger topped with bacon, onion rings and BBQ sauce with fries, $9.09. Triple chocolate cake, $3.59.

Sorry, I know the pic isn't very good!

This was actually quite good- much better than our dry, lacklustre burgers at Cosmic Ray's last year. Both burgers were really fresh and they weren't too greasy. I had to pick my veggie burger up from a separate grill behind the toppings bar, which I was impressed with.

If you just want a quick bite, Pecos Bill is a good choice. Also, it was really easy to place our order via the touchscreen computer system. We'll be back!

Verdict: 7/10

 

[disney_princess_85]

Lauren: Special of the day: mushroom, cheese and spinach omelette with breakfast potatoes, $6.99.

This was very similar to the omelette I had at WPE, although it probably wasn't as good. I enjoyed it though, particularly the potatoes.

Andrew: Bounty breakfast platter, $8.29

The platter comprised: bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, a biscuit and a Mickey waffle. Phew! It was very large and while Andrew didn't manage to finish it, he really liked it (apart from the biscuit, which he thought was too heavy).

These are the drinks we got with breakfast. They were all fine apart from the Minute Maid orange juice, which tasted very synthetic and Sunny D-esque!

Overall, we enjoyed our breakast at Artist's Palette. It was quick, tasty and plentiful- ideal for an early start.

Verdict: 7/10

 

[igk]

I'm not a vegetarian, but I could certainly eat a mushroom, cheese & spinach omelette for breakfast
Great updates thanks!

 

[TCO]

Hi Lauren just wanted to say I like the way you do your food review updates so I'm going to copy the format ha.

We took pics of most things so may as well try and help others out in the future.

I always thought Pecos Bill was called Peco Bills until this trip and still think my way sounds better.

 

[disney_princess_85]

I'm not a vegetarian, but I could certainly eat a mushroom, cheese & spinach omelette for breakfast
Great updates thanks!

It was very nice.

Hi Lauren just wanted to say I like the way you do your food review updates so I'm going to copy the format ha.

We took pics of most things so may as well try and help others out in the future.

I always thought Pecos Bill was called Peco Bills until this trip and still think my way sounds better.

Hi Tom, thank you for the praise! I know what you mean about Pecos Bill. Its full name, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, is a bit of a mouthful.

 

[tinks_1989]

Hi Lauren,

Your photo's are making me very hungry we didn't enjoy artist pallet this year we only went there once as we liked Wolfgang puck express much more. With being in Congress Park it was just as easy to walk there.

Looking forward to more

Leanne