I might be solo but I still got to eat *California Grill*

[gardengirl628]

Great pics from the BWI club!

 

[ClareH37]

Enjoying your reviews especially of the BWI club level offerings. We will be at the BWI January 20th and although I have a standard room booked, I've been thinking about possibly upgrading to Club Level.

Not quite sure yet.

Thank you, I love the BWI whether club level or not, it's got such a great feel about it, but club level at the BWI is very special, the CMs are amazing.

Great reviews

I've never eaten at the Rose and Crown but it does seem to get really good reviews

Nothing like a bit of football banter with your lunch to make you feel right at home

Thanks, I really enjoy the Rose & Crown for lunch, especially the outside patio - makes for a very relaxing lunch.

Great pics from the BWI club!

Thanks, I'm missing it soooo much.

 

[ClareH37]

The great thing about being a 'solo' on vacation is the flexibility to do whatever I want without having to think about anyone else

I awoke early and as I couldn't get back to sleep I decided to order room service breakfast whilst I decided what I was going to do.

Within 20 minutes or ordering my breakfast arrived:

Open-faced Three Egg Omelet, with cheese and onions, served with breakfast potatoes and a side of bacon.

This omelet was hands down the best omelet ever - it was light, fluffy and extremely cheesy - loved it! The potatoes took me by surprise, they were a mix of 'normal' and sweet potatoes diced, they were delicious.

The bacon was the usual bacon, but overall this breakfast was a winner.

To accompany my breakfast I went with a glass of mimosa, I'm not really a morning alcohol person but there's something about sparkling wine and orange juice that doesn't really count The mimosa was served in a bucket of ice, it was the perfect start to my day.

 

[ClareH37]

Flying Fish is my favourite restaurant, I dined there three times in a previous trip I loved it so much. However, I was on the DXDP that time, this time I was paying OOP using TIW so I was being a little more cautious (financially) about where I was dining and had in fact only made a reservation (through one of the InnKeepers Club CMs) earlier that afternoon.

I arrived at just shortly before 6.30 pm; the restaurant was very busy and as people were checking in they were being given pagers and told to return when they lit up, thankfully as my reservation had been made by the club level team as I gave my name I was taken straight through and asked where I wanted to sit. I requested to sit at the bar so I could be served by the same server who looked after me last year - my request was successful and I was seated at the bar and greeted like a long lost friend.

Unfortunately Chef Keating was busy so his 'number 2' was dealing with the dining allergies that evening, I was asked what I wanted off the menu and whereas the previous year had been told they could make adjustments to anything, this time it wasn't to be. However, there was still the majority of the menu I could have so I went with the shrimp cocktail. Whilst waiting for my appetiser I opted for a Kir Royale, it would have been rude not to wouldn't it.

Our Chefs’ Eco-friendly/Sustainable Shellfish Appetizer: Floribbean Wild-caught Gulf Shrimp Cocktail, Vero Beach Red Watercress, Spiced Radishes and Palm Hearts, with a Horseradish-Piquillo Cocktail Sauce

The shrimp were beautifully soft and fresh and the cocktail sauce gave a new dimension.

Next up was my main, I of course had to have my all time favourite.

Our Signature Flying Fish Café “Potato-wrapped Red Snapper” Leek Fondue, with a Veal Glace, Red Wine, and Cassis Butter Reduction

This didn't disappoint, it's my all time favourite fish dish and it's on my list again next time.

To accompany my fish, even though it didn't really need anything, but I was easily talked into it by my server LOL

Aged Gruyere and Parmigiano Potato Gratin - this was pure heaven on a plate, boy was it good!

This was way too much food and I could not even eat half of what was on my plate, it was a huge waste of food, but I was on vacation and wanted to have 'old favourites' as well as try new dishes, and of course it was my own money I was wasting.

Even though I was full to bursting I opted to finish with the cheese course. I love cheese and what I like about the cheese courses are the small sizes of cheese, plus the cheeses are normally the kind that aren't readily available back home.

Brillat Savarin, Fiscalini Farms Bandaged-wrapped Cheddar, Fiore Sardo, Midnight Moon Goat Cheese, Rogue Creamery Smokey Oregon Blue with accompaniments of Raisins on the Vine, Fig and Almond Tor ta, Wild New Zealand Honeycomb, and a Spiced Cherry, Huckleberry, Red Onion, and Currant Compote “Agrodulce”. The compote unfortunately was in a filo basket, which obviously wasn't gluten free, so after I took this picture, the Chef brought out another plate for me minus the filo basket with the compote in a separate pot for me.

Another superb meal at the Flying Fish, this restaurant never fails to disappoint.

 

[kelleigh1]

Oh yum!! Flying Fish is on our list for next trip and I have seen so many wonderful reviews of it that I just can't wait.

 

[onelilspark]

I'm definitely joining in!!

How did you find the booths in F&W with your gluten allergy? Did they have a list somewhere with the booths that could accommodate you? I don't have problems with gluten, so I'm really just curious!

 

[kindakrazy2]

I'm curious about how you found Disney with the gluten issues as well. My DD has celiac and this will be our first time traveling since her diagnosis. I understand the table service restaurants are good about accomedating for it but how were the counter service places? Any recommendations or warnings?

 

[ClareH37]

Oh yum!! Flying Fish is on our list for next trip and I have seen so many wonderful reviews of it that I just can't wait.

I love Flying Fish, hope you do too as well

I'm definitely joining in!!

How did you find the booths in F&W with your gluten allergy? Did they have a list somewhere with the booths that could accommodate you? I don't have problems with gluten, so I'm really just curious!

I contacted Disney special dining to ask if they had a list of what was gluten free at the booths, unfortunately they were not able to provide a list as all the food is prepared in the same area of each individual booth so therefore cross contamination is a big issue for those celiacs who cannot tolerate anything that has touched their food. I don't have this issue (fortunately) so before I arrived in Disney I had already looked through the food offerings and from that kind of took a guess at what may be gluten free - I then asked at the booth and the CM advised whether it was gluten free or not.

I'm curious about how you found Disney with the gluten issues as well. My DD has celiac and this will be our first time traveling since her diagnosis. I understand the table service restaurants are good about accomedating for it but how were the counter service places? Any recommendations or warnings?

The table service restaurants really are amazing at handling all food allergies I've also found the counter service locations very good as well, for example at Pecos Bill in MK they have gluten free buns for the burgers.

I'd recommend you contact Disney's special dining department (email: specialdiets@disneyworld.com), they can provide a list of those counter service restaurants that offer such things as gluten free buns for their burgers, gluten free pizzas, etc.

Thankfully I've not had any bad experiences with counter service locations, although often the food does take longer to prepare as they prepare it in a separate area so you might find that you have your food first and your DDs takes a while longer.

My favourite gluten free item has to be the gluten free chocolate muffins at the boardwalk bakery - you can pre-order them, they are absolutely delicious.

I hope you have a great trip, I love Disney as it's such a stress free dining experience.

 

[kindakrazy2]

Thanks for the info. I appreciate you taking the time to post that for me!

 

[gardengirl628]

Flying Fish is one of our favorites, as well! It's where I discovered my love for cheese plates!

 

[archdandy]

Mmmm everything looks so delicious! I don't even like omelettes and the way you described the one you had made me want to try it Maybe I'm just hungry, ha ha! Great reviews so far.

 

[ClareH37]

* apologies for not updating this thread for a while - normal service has now been resumed *


I usually visit in May or early December so this time of year and food & wine were a first for me. One of the events that had caught my eye was the food & wine pairing at Tutto Italia, I love Tutto anyway so this was the perfect opportunity to return to a restaurant I enjoyed as well as try a food & wine event. I'd booked this event the moment it opened up for booking as I didn't want to miss out.

I'd already spent an hour in Epcot that morning (before the crowds hit) before relaxing on the Boardwalk, let's just say when I re-entered Epcot to make my way to the event I was shocked at how crowded it was - apparently it was a near level 10 now that I've experienced crowds of that size, let's just say I won't be doing it again if I can help it.

Thankfully Tutto appeared a haven from the business outside and after waiting around 15 minutes in the reception area the manager invited everyone who was attending the event into the restaurant, we were led to a small private dining room at the back of the restaurant, gave our names and were directed to our tables.

I was sat on a round table for 8 people, everyone soon relaxed and the conversation started to flow - if any Dis'ers were on my table, it was nice to share the experience with you.

Tutto had customised my experience to be gluten free so in addition to photos of my own food I have taken some photos of the 'normal' food offered, thanks to the lovely lady sat next to me who allowed me to take photos of her food.

The table:

The manager talked everyone through the menu and a sommelier from Banfi Vineyards (who provided the wine) talked through the accompanying wines.

The menu for the event was as follows (although as previously mentioned mine was customised in places to be gluten free), with wines:

Capesante e Cannellini
Scallops, Cannellini Beans, Pancetta Ham, Rosemary, Tuscan Olive Oil
Wine: San Angelo Pinot Grigio

This was delicious, the scallop fresh and melt in the mouth, the cannellini beans with rosemary and tuscan olive oil provided a good contrast in both taste and texture - and the pinot grigio was the perfect accompaniment, served beautifully chilled. All in all a very nice start.

Next was the pasta course:

Raviloi D'Aragostra Tartufati
Lobster Ravioli, Truffled Butter, Tomato Sauce

Gluten free version:

Wine: Centine Rosso
The wine was 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot - as a red goes it was fairly light and a perfect accompaniment to this course.

Now I know this does not look quite so impressive as the lobster ravioli but believe me this was divine. The pasta was cooked perfectly 'al dente' with a basic fresh tomato and basil sauce, although this sauce was very 'basic' it was perfect, I could have eaten a bowl of the sauce alone.

I was by now very full, I was meeting friends for dinner at Teppan Edo later so I knew I had to pace myself, so I decided to eat only 'half' of what was on my plate.

I could not believe it when the main course was served - a full size beef filet!

Filetto de Manzo con Gorgonzola
Beef Filet, Gorgonzola Cheese, Mashed Potatoes

Gluten free version:

Beef Filet with a red wine veal demi glace, mashed potatoes

I am so glad I had this version as purely from my own perspective I think I would have found the gorgonzola too rich/heavy for me - my steak was cooked medium, cut like butter, and the red wine veal demi glace together with mashed potatoes were heavenly. Hands down this steak is the best steak I have ever had.

Wine: Belnero
The wine was described as being 'harmonious with soft, well balanced tannins'. I personally found it a little heavy for my taste although it was a very good accompaniment with beef.

Finally, after all that food and wine, desert was served.

Piatto di Delizie
Dessert 'Trio'. Torta Di Ricotta, Torta Di Cioccolato alla Nutella, Mocha Tiramisu

Gluten free version:

Lemon gelato with strawberries in balsamic vinegar

This dessert was sooooo good, it was light with a lovely delicate taste, the perfect end to a perfect dining experience.

Wine: Rosa Regale - a dessert wine, and absolutely beautiful.

If ever I return during the food & wine festival I would have no hesitation in attending this event again, for $65 (including tax and gratuity) I personally felt this was very good value. The event lasted a couple of hours, not only was the food amazing but the company on my table great too which made for an excellent couple of hours.

 

[ClareH37]

Despite being extremely full from the afternoon's Tutto Italia food and wine event I was attending a preplanned dinner with friends at Teppan Edo.

I was feeling rather 'green' at the thought of more food so I knew I wouldn't be having appetisers or desert that's for sure!

The crowds during the Saturday evening (last weekend of food and wine) were even larger than those during the afternoon, I couldn't believe the lines for the food booths, and also the amount of drunken people!

Everywhere you looked there were masses of people, thankfully Teppan Edo was pretty 'quiet'. There were 6 of us in my party so we were shown to our 'table' and another couple joined us. We warmly welcomed the other couple but they were quite happy doing their own thing so we left them to it.

I hadn't been to Teppan Edo since 2007 so I was keen to return.

It was just as good as I had remembered, the chef was very entertaining and our waitress perfectly hospitable.

As I am gluten free (we call it that in the UK whereas in the US it's referred to as a 'gluten allergy'), the chef prepared my meal separately before everyone else, I was glad to see they had gluten free soya sauce and the chef also advised the fish sauce had no gluten in. He gave me 3 little pots lol

I chose chicken and shrimp, the noodles contain gluten so my accompaniments were just vegetables and rice. For something so simple this was a very tasty dish. The chicken and shrimp were cooked perfectly.

Unfortunately as I was still full from lunch I really couldn't do this meal justice and left more than I ate, but what I did eat was very good.

The original plan was to go to the Magic Kingdom afterwards as it was opened late but I'm afraid my full belly got the better of me and I ended up calling it a night.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

glad you're back. Looking forward to the rest.

 

[kelleigh1]

That is my fear about F&W...an abundance of drunk people and overcrowding at WS. We are going to our first F&W this year, the week of Halloween. I'm hopeful that maybe, just maybe, it won't be quite so crazy since it's not the "last weekend".

And I think we'll probably avoid WS on the weekend days that we are there, although we are staying at YC so we'll be very close. Thankfully we arrive on a Saturday (and I was thinking spend that day at DHS so we are still relatively close to the resort in case we can't check in upon arrival.). And we leave the following Saturday, so the only weekend day really would be the Sunday.

 

[ClareH37]

glad you're back. Looking forward to the rest.

Thank you

That is my fear about F&W...an abundance of drunk people and overcrowding at WS. We are going to our first F&W this year, the week of Halloween. I'm hopeful that maybe, just maybe, it won't be quite so crazy since it's not the "last weekend".

And I think we'll probably avoid WS on the weekend days that we are there, although we are staying at YC so we'll be very close. Thankfully we arrive on a Saturday (and I was thinking spend that day at DHS so we are still relatively close to the resort in case we can't check in upon arrival.). And we leave the following Saturday, so the only weekend day really would be the Sunday.

I know everyone looks at things differently but having experienced a weekend at food & wine, I agree with those people who reported how busy it can be and to try and work your visit into a weekday.

Even some of the CMs were caught off guard by how busy it was during the last weekend (same time as Jersey week), apparently a lot of the resorts were either at 100% capacity or close to (I saw the 'attendance' sheets so I can verify this), I think you'll be fine when you go.

 

[bababear_50]

Just wanted to pop in and say thank-you for sharing your
dining experiences . Great Pictures!

I'm always looking to try something new but hesitate as I have a severe shellfish allergy and cross contamination is a big issue for me.


The food and wine pairing looked like alot of fun.

Hugs Mel

 

[sue and co]

Great to see you back. We have only been once during F&W and it was manic, unfortunately for me the kids were only little then and didn't want to queue at any of the F&W booths so I only got to stop at one. I would love to go back with DH and do F&W properly.

 

[Linda67]

Great updates

Your lunch at Tutto looks wonderful

We must head back to Tepan Edo sometime, we've only been once before and that was years ago; you've just reminded me how good it is

 

[cajunbaby1]

Great report. I'll be at wdw in May for my 1st solo trip & I cant wait. Love me some room service too