It's Magical! A 10yr Anniv Dining Report with Extras! Updated 9/4!!!

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I went to Trail's End for lunch three years ago and thought it was good, although I haven't been back since. They do have some interesting things on the menu, though - the chicken and waffles look very tasty!

Interesting that the crawfish pieces were separate from the remoulade - I wouldn't have expected that either.

 

[kastoney]

Happy anniversary day!!!! What a great idea to take and slow for the day. I've been reading good things about trails end as of late and didn't know that lunch wasn't a buffet (which typically aren't my fav ). May have to meander that way when we r at WL. Your tomatoes and chicken and waffles look awesome. Good to know there is good old fashioned southern food in the world.

 

[disney meema]

Great start to your anniversary day and nice to have a relaxed morning and afternoon : ) Trails end's fried green tomatoes & chicken and waffles looks really great, yum! Glad you were able to head to Disneyland for the 4th (( fun )) We are leaving next Sunday for a 2 week Vegas, Disney, Universal and San Diego trip ... So ready to get back to California and out of Utah since it's blazing hot here.
Looking forward to reading about your anniversary dinner at California Grill and I am sure it will be spectacular : )

 

[emmysmommy]

Yum. Chicken and Waffles! That's my kind of lunch entrée. Doesn't Trails End have the pudding in a jar dessert thing??

I think I prefer the lunch menu options at Trails End to the dinner buffet. What would seal the deal is that wonderful corn bread. I loved that at Hoop de Doo.

 

[jabead]

Between your lunch review and Jeri's recent reviews from both breakfast and dinner, I am definitely feeling the need to try Trail's End for the first time on my next trip. I don't think I'll make it there for lunch though, as I already have a more than full lunch schedule (I really need to eliminate some, not add anymore ) but I'm determined to get there for either breakfast or dinner.

 

[DisneyMomFanatic]

We opted out of Chef Mickey (DD wanted it) and Cape May Clam Bake (they no longer offer crab legs on the buffet) to go to Trail's End for Breakfast and Dinner on our trip later this week/next week. The only meal we won't be eating there for is lunch, like you guys had. It does look good though!

 

[Wood Nymph]

We opted out of Chef Mickey (DD wanted it) and Cape May Clam Bake (they no longer offer crab legs on the buffet) to go to Trail's End for Breakfast and Dinner on our trip later this week/next week. The only meal we won't be eating there for is lunch, like you guys had. It does look good though!

Cape May still serves crab legs according to CM Teena who works at the BC and personally talked to the chef in order to find out whether this rumor was true or not. According to the chef, there are no plans to stop serving crab legs at Cape May.

 

[smile4stamps]

Your fried green tomatoes and chicken and waffles look excellent! I may have to go for the trifecta this trip and do breakfast, lunch and dinner at Trail's End. I wasn't sure if I wanted to eat there for lunch or not, but your photos definitely swayed me. Great updates!

I was so sad that we didn't make it over there for breakfast when staying at the WL. I think I would have enjoyed that. Lunch was good!

I don't think I've ever read a review of Trail's End until Cynthia's (eandesmom) and yours. If I remember correctly, they went for dinner.

Hunter's cheeseburger looks really good and Mark would love your waffles and chicken. We had that once at Cheddar's Café, I think, and he fell in love with it.

Too funny about the balance on the gift card and the cost of your purchases.

What a lovely way to spend the day; and Hunter did great improvising with the chair.

I LOVE chicken and waffles! I wish I could find a good version in more places. Yes.. the gift card was incredible! I couldn't believe it!

It was a wonderful day!

I learned two things today - Trails End serves lunch AND they serve fried green tomatoes. I had no idea you could get them anywhere in Disney. How very cool! Your lunch looked yummy!

What a pretty view from your patio!

The lunch was good! I loved that there were unique food choices!

The patio was a nice quiet space!

And how crazy about your gift card being the exact amount of your purchase. What are the chances?

I know right?!?!

I went to Trail's End for lunch three years ago and thought it was good, although I haven't been back since. They do have some interesting things on the menu, though - the chicken and waffles look very tasty!

Interesting that the crawfish pieces were separate from the remoulade - I wouldn't have expected that either.

Yes.. it was a surprise with the crawfish but they took care of us! It was a good lunch.

Happy anniversary day!!!! What a great idea to take and slow for the day. I've been reading good things about trails end as of late and didn't know that lunch wasn't a buffet (which typically aren't my fav ). May have to meander that way when we r at WL. Your tomatoes and chicken and waffles look awesome. Good to know there is good old fashioned southern food in the world.

Yes. hunter generally isn't a fan of buffets so I thought this would be a good way to try the restaurant out. Turned out to be a good choice!

Great start to your anniversary day and nice to have a relaxed morning and afternoon : ) Trails end's fried green tomatoes & chicken and waffles looks really great, yum! Glad you were able to head to Disneyland for the 4th (( fun )) We are leaving next Sunday for a 2 week Vegas, Disney, Universal and San Diego trip ... So ready to get back to California and out of Utah since it's blazing hot here.
Looking forward to reading about your anniversary dinner at California Grill and I am sure it will be spectacular : )

I actually left Disneyland on the 3rd lol. I had to be back at work for the 4th. Working the holiday will be paying for my Party for the Senses in October!

Oh!! I hope you have a fabulous trip! I love Disneyland!

Yum. Chicken and Waffles! That's my kind of lunch entrée. Doesn't Trails End have the pudding in a jar dessert thing??

I think I prefer the lunch menu options at Trails End to the dinner buffet. What would seal the deal is that wonderful corn bread. I loved that at Hoop de Doo.

I believe they do have the pudding in the jar... I just didn't have room for any!

Between your lunch review and Jeri's recent reviews from both breakfast and dinner, I am definitely feeling the need to try Trail's End for the first time on my next trip. I don't think I'll make it there for lunch though, as I already have a more than full lunch schedule (I really need to eliminate some, not add anymore ) but I'm determined to get there for either breakfast or dinner.

that's too funny! For me it is always my dinner slots that are overfull!! Have you determined if your husband will be joining you in October?

We opted out of Chef Mickey (DD wanted it) and Cape May Clam Bake (they no longer offer crab legs on the buffet) to go to Trail's End for Breakfast and Dinner on our trip later this week/next week. The only meal we won't be eating there for is lunch, like you guys had. It does look good though!

I've heard such great things about both breakfast and dinner. I hope you enjoy it! That's too bad about the no crab legs! I think I had 3 plates of them when I went last June on a solo trip!

Cape May still serves crab legs according to CM Teena who works at the BC and personally talked to the chef in order to find out whether this rumor was true or not. According to the chef, there are no plans to stop serving crab legs at Cape May.

And you've saved the day! I couldn't imagine them going away but the rumors are sure flying!!

 

[smile4stamps]

Now its time for our Anniversary dinner. Our original plans included dining at Citrico’s with both Chef Eddie (from CA Grill) and Chef Phillip (from Citrico’s) getting together and cooking for us. However when we dined at Citrico’s one of our first nights of this trip Chef Phillip was supposed to discuss details with us and he forgot and had gone home early. We weren’t liking the sounds of this and Chef Eddie had already told us he would be unable to cook at Citrico’s that day since he was needed at CA Grill. So after our meal at Citrico’s.. which was delicious! Hunter sent Chef Eddie a text to see if it would be at all possible to get us a reservation there. (I had had 2 there up until a week prior for this night… should have kept them!) To make things more interesting we were celebrating with Barb, Brenda and Michael and her son and his girlfriend making us a party of 7! Thankfully Chef Eddie and his assistant pulled through for us and were able to get us a reservation around 7pm!

We decided to head over early and have a pre-dinner cocktail.

Taking a peak at the menu

I decided to go with a Twisted Mai Tai

I believe Hunter went with an Old Fashioned

Slowly the other members of our group trickled in and then once everyone was present we were seated at a very large table (can seat 12 people!) and one end of the dining room.

Ours was obviously not the table with the dirty stuff!

Everyone let me pick were to sit first. I decided to sit kind of in the middle with a view of the castle.

On the table I spotted a card.

I bet you all are going… where is the food!!

Well.. we started with the CA Grill bread basket with sourdough wheat rolls and the lavender foccacia bread.

Watch your finger Michael!!

Hunter and his classic “job” with Mickey Confetti!

Chef Eddie and his team shortly brought out a very tasty amuse bouche.

This was a deliciously stuffed pepper then fried in a light tempura batter. Very yummy!!
Sadly I don’t remember what it was stuffed with!

I started with the BBQ Pork and Apple Flatbread

This was REALLY tasty! Unfortunately I knew I couldn’t eat it all so I pawned much of it off on other people!

Hunter began with his usual the Pork Belly Nigiri with Soy Paper

Yes it fits!

For my entrée I went with the Pork two ways!

I love this dish! It is however very filling and I couldn’t even eat half of it! The Pork Belly is utterly delicious and the Pork Tenderloin is excellently cooked with the creamy polenta!


Hunter went with the Filet.

Again a fabulous entrée and he wasn’t able to eat all of his either! Why we didn’t share one of them I’m not sure!

Up Next: Part 2!

 

[smile4stamps]

And now it is time for dessert! I was sitting there feeling a little full but still with my plate in front of me as I tried to eat a little more and thinking it’s been a wonderful meal. I look to see everyone has their camera’s out and I’m thinking.. oh.. we must be getting the dessert platters again!

Nope!!

Instead this is what happened (Click to see the video and yes.. you get to hear my super emotional high pitched voice)


And now the myriad of photos I took.

And finally after I was done with all my pictures… The inside!

It was a marble cake with a chocolate mouse filling. Absolutely delicious!

So.. how did this anniversary cake come about?!? Turns out Hunter was pretty sneaky! Several times during the week he had stepped out saying he had to talk to his mom. I figured okay.. Pretty usual. No.. instead he was calling the cake line!! He even had Chef Eddie checking up on it while we were at ‘Ohana to make sure all was good! I guess he googled how to do it and this was the result!!

I have to say I was floored and amazed and it was just “Magical” that he did that for me!

So.. How was California Grill for our Anniversary Meal?!? It was fabulous! I was so happy to spend the evening there with Hunter and our friends! The food and company were both wonderful!!

Up Next: R&C Pub, Les Chefs, ESPN Zone

 

[KatMark]

One of these days I will get to CG (I just keep telling myself that and one day it will come to be).

Your pork looks heavenly as does Hunter's steak.

And what a beautiful and wonderful surprise from your hubby for your anniversary. The cake is so very pretty. I wouldn't have wanted to cut it.

 

[disney meema]

Amazing gorgeous anniversary cake (( love it! )) Hunter did really good, just beautiful : ) I know it's hard to surprise your wife or husband and especially during a trip when your together all the time ... Nice job saying he was talking to his Mom!
Your entire anniversary dinner and day overall was a complete success with time together during the morning and afternoon, with friends for dinner and a sweet ending with that gorgeous cake!

 

[Linda67]

Aww, that is so sweet of Hunter!
The cake looks fabulous, what a wonderful surprise

 

[disney meema]

Didn't want to post this with your anniversary comment since it's sooooo off topic (( well kinda )) But reading your comments after your trails end chicken and waffles and wanted to mention that in Las Vegas & San Diego they have an incredible restaurant with incredible chicken and waffles ( actually bacon waffles ) It's called Hash House A Go Go and here's the link
http://www.hashhouseagogo.com

Knowing you took a quick trip to Disneyland I'm thinking you may live near Calif. or Vegas so thought I'd toss it out there if your ever near one. They also have one in Orlando but personally I like disney restaurants during our disney trips, so maybe if your visiting Vegas or San Diego give it a try ... Everything's made to order and farm fresh too : )

 

[kbarrett]

Wow! What a thoughtful hubby!!! Your cake was beautiful and everything looked so wonderfully delicious! Looks like you had a lovely anniversary celebration!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using DISBoards

 

[auntfrannie]

How sweet of Hunter! I've been following your posts for quite some time and the two of you seem like the perfect couple....so well suited to each other! Congratulations on your anniversary!

 

[dvc4life]

Paula, I know I don't post much on your thread but I absolutely love reading them! Your reviews are so amazing and fun to read. Thank you so much for sharing them here.

And, you have an awesome hubby! That cake is absolutely adorable. And it looks like it was really yummy too. So glad that you had an extra magical anniversary dinner. Nothing better than to celebrate it with great food, great friends and in the greatest place on earth!

 

[jabead]

Wonderful review from your anniversary dinner at California Grill!!! Reading about the presentation of that beautiful cake and seeing the video again brought a few tears to my eyes, just as it did when it actually happened. Such a sweet and thoughtful thing for Hunter to do...he's a pretty awesome guy!

I know that I've told you this before, but I just have to say it again. Your dining report from your 5th anniversary trip was the inspiration for my 25th anniversary trip to WDW. Though it wasn't easy to persuade my DH, your report gave me the confidence I needed to be persistent. I never could have imagined then that five years later I would not only have met you both but also have the great honor of being present at your 10th anniversary dinner.

I can't thank you enough for allowing me to join you on this anniversary trip...reading about the last one was great but actively being a a part of this one was sooo awesome!

 

[WildGinger]

Aw, that is so sweet! The cake looks delish!

 

[DizzneyDi]

Paula, I just had to delurk to tell you that I actually got a bit misty over those gorgeous cake pics. I don't post much, but have really enjoyed getting to "know" you and Hunter through your wonderful dining reviews. Thanks for letting us all share your special day with you. Hope you have many more happy anniversaries!!