Hungry Are The Damned! 10/15/07-10/25/07 - COMPLETED W/LOTS OF PICS!!!

[DisneyDeeva]

Oh shoot! I'm so sorry I didn't find your trip report earlier.

 

[Poppinsme]

AAAHHHH so nice to come to the DIS and read your reviews after working 4 twelves (me tired). Now I'm perked up. This is my day off so I'm sitting here with a glass of ice wine from Canada and catching up DIS wise.

Your reviews as always ..............fabulous!

What the? Gotta go our next door neighbors horse just ran in our barn and our horses are having a fit.

 

[PinkPrincessZ]

Hi Brenda,

I love room service - there's something so decadent about it. What's not to love about individual-size ketchup and jam jars! heh heh

I actually look forward to business trips based solely on my chance to order those overpriced meals. Is that a little twisted? Maybe it's because I'm by myself and no one is there to judge that ice cream sundae with extra whipped cream...

I'm glad Jay's illness didn't last longer - it's such a bummer to be sick on vacation.

I am really excited to hear about Senseless. I'm thinking about springing for it this next trip...

 

[Tink rules]

I just assumed he was related to the AFLAC duck and never blinked an eye (or both eyes, I do NOT resemble Plankton in any way shape or form...ok maybe form )

That's good to hear... I can only take one eye staring at me on the cruise at a time...

Just found out - contest is already over. I missed my one shot at fame ... I'm going to go drown my sorrows in cheese.

So who do we write to to ask for a guest spot for you??? I've heard their webcasts and their review are NO WHERE near yours!!! (We just LOVE our Bendy...) (a nom de plume perhaps???)

 

[oybolshoi]

Oh shoot! I'm so sorry I didn't find your trip report earlier.

Oh that's OK - I appreciate the thought and at least you're enjoying our stuff, too.

AAAHHHH so nice to come to the DIS and read your reviews after working 4 twelves (me tired). Now I'm perked up. This is my day off so I'm sitting here with a glass of ice wine from Canada and catching up DIS wise.

Your reviews as always ..............fabulous!

What the? Gotta go our next door neighbors horse just ran in our barn and our horses are having a fit.

I wondered where you'd disappeared to - it's great to see you posting again!

And thanks as always for letting me know you're enjoying the madness!

I just realized ... you've got a situation on your hands where you can close the barn door before the horses leave.

Hi Brenda,

I love room service - there's something so decadent about it. What's not to love about individual-size ketchup and jam jars! heh heh

I actually look forward to business trips based solely on my chance to order those overpriced meals. Is that a little twisted? Maybe it's because I'm by myself and no one is there to judge that ice cream sundae with extra whipped cream...

I'm glad Jay's illness didn't last longer - it's such a bummer to be sick on vacation.

I am really excited to hear about Senseless. I'm thinking about springing for it this next trip...

I'm with you - I love room service. The more choices the better! I was actually a little disappointed in the room service menu at Yacht & Beach Club in October - they had really pared it down compared with the prior year. Even the milk and cookies option was gone (although when I asked about it I was told they would still do it for us if we wanted).

You should definitely attend PFTS this fall if you get the chance ... especially before Disney jacks the price up so much that you'll have to mortgage your home or sell an ovary in order to afford the cost of admission.

So who do we write to to ask for a guest spot for you??? I've heard their webcasts and their review are NO WHERE near yours!!! (We just LOVE our Bendy...) (a nom de plume perhaps???)

Oh that's really sweet but I don't think they'd want someone like me on the podcast. I tend to be something of a verbal loose cannon and they'd end up having to bleep me or something.

I've never actually listened ... I miss it during the day and then once I get home I'm usually busy doing other stuff and I forget. I guess if someone's going to win the contest it ought to be a DISer who at least listens to the broadcast.

 

[oybolshoi]

We're going to have our own cheese plate tonight with dinner ... yummy!

And I'm even going to take pictures and post a brief review on the blog ... because I can.

And ... we're going to take my parents to the only 4-star restaurant in town in April for my step-dad's 70th birthday so I'll be reviewing that too!

Keep checking up on us ... we're posting recipes now, too!

 

[Tink rules]

I stole this from someone elses siggy because it made me laugh...

I think a good laugh belongs here... especially about books...




"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside a dog, there isn't enough light to read."

 

[whogirl'smom]

So glad you both were feeling better the next morning, Brenda. I'm ashamed to say that I have not had room service since our honeymoon in Jamaica. And that was only because the mob from some other country had taken over the restaurant at the resort for their private use the rest of the week! But my dd6 brought me breakfast in bed yesterday--Fiber One yogurt and a cup of milk in her Cinderella teacup!

Can't wait to hear about taking Grimmie to dinner on the blog!

 

[BabyPiglet]

Thanks BabyP! We ended up sleeping away most of Saturday and by that evening we were actually feeling pretty good. I didn't have any more problems for the rest of the trip, but Jay was kind of all over the place. From a health standpoint I think he needed to focus!

But I'm glad you were feeling better at least. Being sick at Disney is not fun.

Oh, please call me Jenny (if you can remember, I myself am horrible at names).

 

[ncsjodi]

We're going to have our own cheese plate tonight with dinner ... yummy!

And I'm even going to take pictures and post a brief review on the blog ... because I can.

And ... we're going to take my parents to the only 4-star restaurant in town in April for my step-dad's 70th birthday so I'll be reviewing that too!

Keep checking up on us ... we're posting recipes now, too!

Wait a minute... you're taking Grimace to a 4-star restaurant??? What kind of lottery tickets did you have to bribe her with??

 

[oybolshoi]

I stole this from someone elses siggy because it made me laugh...

I think a good laugh belongs here... especially about books...

"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside a dog, there isn't enough light to read."

I've seen that one here, too; it's wonderful!

So glad you both were feeling better the next morning, Brenda. I'm ashamed to say that I have not had room service since our honeymoon in Jamaica. And that was only because the mob from some other country had taken over the restaurant at the resort for their private use the rest of the week! But my dd6 brought me breakfast in bed yesterday--Fiber One yogurt and a cup of milk in her Cinderella teacup!

Can't wait to hear about taking Grimmie to dinner on the blog!

Your room service yesterday sounds just lovely!

And Grimmie might surprise us all ... since it's dinner for Jon's big 70. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens!

But I'm glad you were feeling better at least. Being sick at Disney is not fun.

Oh, please call me Jenny (if you can remember, I myself am horrible at names).

Jenny it is!

Wait a minute... you're taking Grimace to a 4-star restaurant??? What kind of lottery tickets did you have to bribe her with??

Actually since Jay and I have offered to foot the bill she gets to spend her portion of the cost of the meal on lottery tickets or the casino. So while I didn't bribe her exactly, we all know that gambling was on her mind when she agreed.

And Jodi ... I almost peed my pants when I saw the "cowbell" in your signature. Jay and I just watched it and we were howling ...

 

[ncsjodi]

Actually since Jay and I have offered to foot the bill she gets to spend her portion of the cost of the meal on lottery tickets or the casino. So while I didn't bribe her exactly, we all know that gambling was on her mind when she agreed.

And Jodi ... I almost peed my pants when I saw the "cowbell" in your signature. Jay and I just watched it and we were howling ...

Just call me a sheep because some other Disers got the idea of putting that skit in their siggies and I just followed along... Baa! Strange thing is, I don't even really like Will Farrell. But Christopher Walken just killed me in that sketch. I'm more a fan of the old SNL (Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, etc.)

 

[ncsjodi]

Actually since Jay and I have offered to foot the bill she gets to spend her portion of the cost of the meal on lottery tickets or the casino. So while I didn't bribe her exactly, we all know that gambling was on her mind when she agreed.

And Jodi ... I almost peed my pants when I saw the "cowbell" in your signature. Jay and I just watched it and we were howling ...

The cowbell thing started over on Buzz's trip report (MontanaDisneyFan). Just call me a sheep because once other Disers started changing their siggies, I just followed along... Baa!

Strange thing is, I don't even really like Will Farrell. But Christopher Walken just killed me in that sketch. I'm more a fan of the old SNL (Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, etc.)

 

[oybolshoi]

Just call me a sheep because some other Disers got the idea of putting that skit in their siggies and I just followed along... Baa! Strange thing is, I don't even really like Will Farrell. But Christopher Walken just killed me in that sketch. I'm more a fan of the old SNL (Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, etc.)

I agree ... I much prefer older SNL. And Will Farrell doesn't do much for me either. But I'm a huge Blue Oyster Cult fan and I love watching Christopher Walken when he's on SNL ... he's so deadpan.

The only problem now is that when I hear Don't Fear the Reaper all I'm going to think is "Needs more cowbell!"

 

[oybolshoi]

Saturday, October 20th - Eat, Drink, Rinse, Repeat ... Eat, Drink, Rinse, Repeat ... Eat, Drink ... You Get the General Idea, Don't You?

Rather than give you a lot of backstory with this post, I'm just going to cut right to the chase. Party for the Senses is held every Saturday night during the Food & Wine Festival - it actually begins with reserved seating at the Eat to the Beat Concert at the America Gardens Theatre. Then guests make their way over to the World ShowPlace tucked behind some large gates between the UK and Canada. From 6:30PM until 9PM ravenous guests are treated to the offerings of more than 25 eminent chefs from around the country as well as more than 70 wines and beers. At random times during the evening guests are fortunate enough to also see acts from Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba.

Cost to attend PFTS in October 2007...?

$135 per person, plus tax.

This was our first chance, finally, to attend this event. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Disney holds the line on F&W price increases for a while...cue hysterical laughter...because the cost to attend PFTS has increased by 42% since 2005, when it was only $95 per person.

Jay and I thought it was worth every penny we spent to attend - the food and the alcohol were amazing and the performances by Cirque were incredible. But the price tag is already steep; if it increases much more we could save money by just having dinner at Victoria and Albert's instead.

There were a group of us here on the DIS who were planning on meeting up prior to the event so that we could share the evening together. For a whole bunch of different reasons, this unfortunately did not happen. Jay and I were very sorry not to have had the chance to meet everyone - when we arrived at the event "staging" area there were already massive crowds and we thought it was best to just get in line and hope to run into everyone during the course of the evening. Had we realized just how large this event is, I doubt that we would have made such an error in judgement.

There was a bright DISnote - we were lucky enough to share the evening with Shovan and her husband, who are really two of the nicest people you could ever want to meet. I looked for Yearbook50, having met her briefly the day before at Le Cellier's F&W pairing, but never did see her.

Jeanne and her husband Marcel did find us over the course of the event, and we were also lucky enough to meet Magicinmyheart - it was truly a pleasure meeting all three of them. I can only offer my sincerest apologies for my bad manners - I was so busy stuffing my face that I really didn't talk very much. Since it was our first PFTS we really wanted to eat our way through as much as possible, especially since Jay was finally starting to feel better from the prior day's "disturbance."

At any rate, we look forward to a future PFTS where we can all meet, eat, and drink together.

And now, for your viewing pleasure ....

Party for the Senseless

The obligatory self portrait...

Let us in ... we're hungry!

Open up already!!!

One thing I should explain - the venue that this event is held in is extremely large. Guests are all given a program with color-coded sections that detail all the food and beverage offerings for the evening. Once inside the main portion of the venue, guests will see large colored canvas awnings hanging from the ceiling. Those awnings correspond with the colored sections of the program. So if something sounds particularly tasty from one section, find the matching awning and there your treat will be!

Guests are also given a lovely wine glass to drink from during the course of the event and to take home as a keepsake. We tried to take a picture of it, but it just didn't work; trust me when I tell you that it's a very nice glass with the Epcot F&W Festival logo etched on it.

Color-coded gastronomic joy...

Squeeee! It's Keegan Gerhard!

It's still Keegan! Or should that be Squeegan?

I just have to say that Keegan Gerhard seems like the nicest guy. As the event first started there were a lot of ladies gathered around his booth watching him and his dessert but no one was really talking. So I took a deep breath and said, "My husband and I really enjoy watching you on Food Network. I bet you hear that all the time, dont you?"

He has the cutest smile. And he said, "It's great to know that people are watching Food Network."

And then I heard myself say, "I like Food Network but I love chocolate so may I please have some?"



Here are pictures of some of the other food stations and chefs from that evening.

What does that Keegan guy have that I don't?

Do you think anyone will notice if I eat just one?

Just take it man.

Come on over and eat this ... whatever it is.

We're taking a break; you gotta problem with that?

Maybe we should go hang out at Keegan's food station...

Some woman in a blue dress just came through and ate all of our food...

We love it when guests match the decor!

OK, OK ... here comes the food. Please note that everything you see was shared between Jason and me - that's how we were able to eat so much in the first place. Get out your drool buckets!!

Miso-glazed salmon, onion sesame sticky rice, and pickled cucumber salad - Chef Jon Ashton, John Ashton Enterprises, Orlando, FL

Pan seared snapper with sweet corn pancakes - Chef Nicholas Crispino, Olivia's Cafe, Disney's Old Key West Resort, Orlando, FL

Smoked pheasant rillette with pickled celeriac and granny smith apples - Chef Edward Mendoza, Citricos, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, Orlando, FL

Shrimp, tuna, and octopus ceviche (in the martini glass) and Alfajores: mini cornflower cookie filled with caramel - chefs from Lima Peru

Curried chicken with red pepper relish - Chef Lisa Riggio, Sci-Fi Dine in Theater, Disney MGM Studios, Orlando, FL

Utopias!!! Samuel Adams Brewery, Boston, MA

I have a funny story about the Utopias. I had my wine glass with me when I found their booth and just assumed that they were going to pour me a taste ...heh heh heh. Not likely. According to Sam Adams this stuff is about 25% alcohol by volume (I think) and they just want you to have taste of the finer side of beer so that you'll rush out the next day and purchase a $200 bottle of the stuff.

Despite being give a spit-cup of Utopias, Jay and I both agreed that it was incredible. It looked like a tawny port and tasted like a mellow sherry. And we are on a quest to purchase some now. We wants it. We needs it. We must have the Utopiassssssssss.

Party for the Senseless to be continued in the next update - I'm out of picture space and it's waaaaaaaaay past my bedtime. Thanks for reading!

 

[Tink rules]

hey Brenda...

Just got through and didn't crash DCL's site to make ressies for Planky....

Signed him up for cliff diving in Acapulco...

Can Planky Swim??? Duh...

 

[oybolshoi]

hey Brenda...

Just got through and didn't crash DCL's site to make ressies for Planky....

Signed him up for cliff diving in Acapulco...

Can Planky Swim??? Duh...

Congrats on getting through to make your ressies!

Cliff diving, huh? Just make sure Planky doesn't wear a speedo...please.

 

[jakenjess]

Great pictures, Brenda! Party for the Senses looks like so much fun, I hope it's still (somewhat ) affordable by the time I manage to get around to trying it! Keep it coming!

 

[Hedy]

"I like Food Network but I love chocolate so may I please have some?"

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

I like it! I like it a lot!

It sounds like a great event... they let you loose at the food, and you eat as much as you can! Great times!

That pricetag is shocking however!!