It's been years since the TIKi (Toddler Is King, though in my case it was TIQue) years. While it's not hard to dredge up those memories and the lovely reminiscent feelings that accompany them, I've no strong desire to do them over. I remember the days of craving just couple time, of having to entertain instead of (or while) eating. Nap times. Shoehorning a Disney visit schedule into the time table we'd developed for the Que, umm, child. Still, I fondly recall the Daddy Express (on the shoulders from a park entrance to the ride on the FAR side of the given park), the thirty-leven purchased autograph books, matching Cinderella jewel for jewel after the BBB visit and seeing her in person at 1900 PF, et. al. Thanks for reviving those memories.
Enjoyed your reviews so far and agree with those we've similarly tried. Chicken and waffle fare is too sweet and cloying and takes too long to make. Skipper Canteen is a welcome change, only the food and drink just aren't quite in the good category. Solid, yes, so I'm sure we'll return at some point (P.S. Tiffin's is way better). As for F&W, we've noticed a sameness to the menus over the years, and such inaction has led to a decline in quality. Meanwhile, portions continue to shrink. We like the F&W festival, but we like the idea of it better than the actual execution. Still, we continue to hit F&W most years.
Joining in!
Sugar Cane Mojito for Chad and Lost on Safari for me. These drinks are always tasty and strong, especially for premixed drinks. I like the juice in the Lost on Safari which they refer to as Pangani Punch, not really sure what that consists of. It also has Captain Morgan original, which I normally don’t care for, but the Pink Pigeon Mauritian Rum seems to overpower it, certainly fine by me. Chad likes the Starr African Rum that is in the mojito and we were wondering if you can buy a bottle anywhere on property.
We've had some of the strongest, tastiest Bloody Marys there.They both sound good. I'll have to stop at the Dawa Bar and get something to walk around with. I've never noticed the bar and I'm sure I've walked past it 20 times.
This is my favorite bread on property I have to stop myself each visit from eating all of it!We also started off with their delicious Kalamata olive bread, served with sea salted butter. It was great, we gobbled it up.
Well that makes 2 awesome servers at Citricos. On all of our visits we've had Rony, requesting his section after we had him on our first visit. He is phenomenal, in my dining reports I've told others to request him! He's all that Christina is and more!Christina totally got what we were going for, helped us figure out what should be our first and second courses, and made sure to put the orders in so that we would have two separate courses without being rushed.
Exactly. On our third visit we were able to see high HEA fireworks from our table, but not on our first couple visits. Didn't matter at all. We did have nice views of the GF grounds which was good enough for us since the food is out of this world.I loved how food-focused this restaurant is, sure you can have a nice view by the window, but it doesn’t really matter where you sit because the food is just incredible.
. Between the service and food, this was one of my top signature experiences and I wouldn’t hesitate to return and request Christina if possible.
Yes you do!Next time I have to try dessert though!
Totally agree on the tacos being a solid choice. They are surprisingly good for a QS, especially the black beans and rice. I went for the Cucumber and lime margarita which was refreshing too.We all shared the Tacos de Barbacoa: Seasoned Beef, Homemade Corn Tortillas, Mexican Rice, Refried Black Beans, and Red Salsa while Chad and I each had a Patrón Lime Margarita on the Rocks.
Haha! Sounds just like my DH!We got several more Fantasyland and Tomorrowland attractions in during our whirlwind of a morning and then the big baby started getting hangry. And I’m not talking about Asher.
Sounds like an interesting concept........is Yucca a root veggie? I think aioli would be better too.We also ordered the Safari Snack: Yucca Fries and Cucumber Planks with Dipping Sauce
I really loved Skippers Canteen too and went for appies as my meal too. The joys of not being tied to the DDP!S.E.A. Shu Mai: A legendary blend of Pork, Shrimp, Edamame Beans, and Spices wrapped in Gyoza Skin and the Orinoco Ida's Cachapas: House-made Corn Pancakes, Mojo-braised Pork, Black Bean Salad, and Avocado Cream. The shu mai were fresh and hot, with a strong briny fish flavor that I enjoy. The pork for the cachapas was tender and citrusy and went well with the whole kernel corn studded pancakes and accompaniments.
UK fish and chips are fab!The fish and chips were very good this trip. We’ve been eating them forever and have seen the quality wax and wane over time. The pieces of fish were very large this time, fresh tasting, and super hot just out of the fryer. The “chips” aren’t as good as they have been at times in the past, but I’m afraid the days of the more authentic wide cut chips may be over. They’re really just fries, but at least they’re not QS fries, they’re thick and do a good job of soaking up the malt vinegar that I pour all over my fish. The Bass Ale is IMO the perfect pairing with the fish and chips and this meal is one we have to do at least one time per trip, it’s one of our traditions.
Putting this on my must do list for my next trip!Of course, when strolling trails in AK what one needs is a rum drink, so a stop at the Dawa Bar was in order. We each have our favorite from this spot, Sugar Cane Mojito for Chad and Lost on Safari for me.
I loved the atmosphere in Saut'li too but I did not order well. Next time I am definitely going for one of the bowls.Since it was lunch time and we were very hungry, we decided to go with Satu’li Canteen since it was so convenient and a good spot to get out of the brief shower that had begun. I used the mobile ordering so that I could quickly pick up the food while Chad waited with Asher outside. The patio area was a madhouse from people getting out of the rain, but inside there were plenty of tables and a much more peaceful atmosphere and we found a nice spot to enjoy our meals. I had the Slow-Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef Bowl: Slow-Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef marinated in a blend of Garlic, Herbs, Red Pepper Spice, and Red Wine Vinegar topped with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Boba Balls served with your choice of Base and Sauce, and I chose the Romaine and Kale Salad as my base and the Charred Onion Chimichurri. This was stellar! The beef had a wonderful chargrilled flavor, was cooked to a perfect medium, and both the salad and vegetables were fresh and crispy. The chimichurri went perfectly with the beef and was simply delicious. Asher had the same beef in a kids dish over rice and he also enjoyed it. I normally would have shared with him, but I wanted the salad and knew he would like rice, so I paid too much for a kid’s meal for a 2 year old, but at least Chad ate his leftover beef.
Chad’s entrée was the Sustainable Fish Bowl (MDE says it’s panko breaded, but I don’t remember that being the case) but he chose the quinoa vegetable salad base and the black bean vinaigrette. He enjoyed it very much and it was delicious from the taste I had, but I preferred my beef dish, mostly because of the chimichurri I think.
Citricos was one of our boys' first signature restaurants when they were little and the cheese and grapes was their fave appie too.Asher was hungry so we went ahead and ordered the kid’s appetizer of Cheese & Grapes with Crackers which was a huge hit and large enough to be his meal. There was a cup of Goldfish crackers, which was a major treat because it’s not something we eat at home (weird, I know), a large cluster of grapes, and three large pieces of assorted cheeses. The boy ate as though we hadn’t fed him in days, I think he was happy to have some basic familiar foods.
I love making a meal out of starters. Sounds like an absolutely perfect evening with excellent service.Our first course included a crab salad, which the current menu’s description doesn’t seem to match. It was constructed in a stack and involved watermelon, so it was more a summery dish. It was light and refreshing, the crab was very fresh and the flavor of the watermelon enhanced the sweetness of the crab. We also ordered the country pâté and were told it was the chef’s grandmother’s recipe. It was delicious and came with an assortment of accompaniments such as stone ground mustard, cornichons, and something oniony, can’t remember if it was a jam or marinated onions. We loved it and the Veuve was perfect with both of our first course dishes.
Our second course appetizer selections were more hearty and could easily have been entrées. The Key West Shrimp: Trofié Pasta, Puttanesca Sauce, Baby Spinach, Parmesan was a very nice size to share or have as an entrée for one person. Everything about the dish was fresh tasting—freshly made pasta, fresh shrimp, fresh sauce. It was really incredible and the pungent sauce a bit spicy. We also had an octopus salad, but it was a warm salad with potatoes, also hearty enough to be an entrée. The octopus was some of the best I’ve ever tasted, sooo tender and fresh and went perfectly with the baby potatoes in the dish which were also cooked to a tender perfection. The sauce was light and airy, foamy, but not in a gross way and you could taste the quality olive oil, very authentically Spanish.
I'm glad you had a great meal at Citricos. I've been wanting to try it for a while. What a great idea to do tapas style with multiple appetizers. I've been to restaurants where multiple appetizers appeal to me and never thought to do this.
I love how adventurous y'all are! everything ordered sounds delicious, can't wait to make my way over there.
Just found your report. Great to read along and hear about a dining experience with a little one
Hi Heather! Loving your report so far. Your son is beyond adorable! Can't wait for more
Citricos is our absolute favorite signature so I was very excited to see you were reviewing it, and super excited after reading how much you loved it!
Thanks for your comments! Yes, yucca is a starchy root veggie, similar to potato but more fibrous. Asher usually loves it but what we get at our local Cuban place is cut fresh and what we had at Skipper Canteen was probably frozen. It wasn't bad, just not as good as what we're used to.Sounds like an interesting concept........is Yucca a root veggie? I think aioli would be better too.
Asher’s first monorail ride was a hit and thus began our obsessive hand sanitizing due to his insistence on holding onto poles, handles, rails, etc.