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

[bangzoom6877]

Very nice review of Sanaa! We loved it there when we went a while back for dinner. Their tandoori chicken is great, and I also love the bread service. It's such a nice restaurant!

 

[Tinker12]

Oh! Oh! Oh! We will be at DW in Sept/Oct as well! How exciting!! Also, I was soooo thrilled to see you complete a review for Saana lunch! We made a reservation there for our upcoming trip. All I've been able to find are reviews for dinner. After reading your review, I can't wait to go and it defiantly is a place I want to try out. THANK YOU!!!

 

[dsnydiva2]

Enjoying your report. Hope you had a very happy anniversary!

 

[Couchy]

Paula- the bread service looks amazing. I love naan bread!.
What luggage hassles though

 

[sydneysmom]

everything looks so good!!!!!!!

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

You ate at two places I have never had before and I am really torn about adding to our September trip. 50s Prime Time and Citricos. I'm just not totally sold on either one, but I really want to try something new.

Too bad about your Boatwrights meal. Our experience there was not all that great either. How frustrating about th food allergy lecture. That would put me off. However, your nachos look delicious!

The bread pudding at Sanaa looks so good! So does the sampler. I may have to put Sanaa back on my radar as well.

 

[BeckWhy]

I'm joining in a little late... but better late than never!

I want to say that I think you could be Emma Stone's sister! You have such an amazing smile.

I tried to read through all the posts, but I might have missed something... am I allowed to ask how much the giant drink was at Paradiso? I totally want one!

Being from the Buffalo area, I find it amazing that people call it "Buffalo Sauce." Here, it's just hot sauce. LOL The town I'm from actually favors a honey mustard sauce over the standard hot sauce. You can go to any bar, pub, or lounge here and there's 40 different flavors for wings.

About the allergy situation... I have really strong opinions about this. I don't have food allergies, but I don't think someone should have to pronounce it right away. I feel that's kind of discriminatory. And the fact they lectured you on it... I might have cancelled the rest of my food and not left a tip. I'm really strict when it comes to judging customer service. I worked as a manager in retail for years and I would expect 100% from my staff... and my 100% is probably a bit more than most people expect for customer service... yes I am one of those people who expects a smile the whole time, I don't want to hear anyone say anything negative (which is something I experience a lot when I walk into a retail store), I expect to be checked up on often, but not pestered... I think noting your allergy before hand is considerate on your part, but I don't think it should be required. I mean that's my opinion. Had I been sitting at a nearby table and heard them lecturing you I would have butted in... yes I am one of those people. I would have told them to shut it I don't want to hear it. We're adults and on vacation.

 

[smile4stamps]

You all are so adventurous ... Going on 2 buses for appetizers : ) Your awesome and fun, you go!!!

We actually don't mind Disney transportation most of the time so it was no big deal.

The bread service is probably my favorite thing at Sanaa - glad you loved it. I like how 2 of the accompaniments are really spicy, but even the others are quite flavorful. The bread pudding also looks really good! If I could stop myself from ordering the dessert trio (with an extra chai cream in place of something else), that looks like a solid option.

I LOVED most of the chutney's. I'm not much of a spicy person but I did try them all but the Jalapeno one! I almost got the dessert trio after reading so many reviews of the Chai Cream but I beyond happy with the bread pudding choice!

Very nice review of Sanaa! We loved it there when we went a while back for dinner. Their tandoori chicken is great, and I also love the bread service. It's such a nice restaurant!

We loved it and it is now a must do on our upcoming trip!

Oh! Oh! Oh! We will be at DW in Sept/Oct as well! How exciting!! Also, I was soooo thrilled to see you complete a review for Saana lunch! We made a reservation there for our upcoming trip. All I've been able to find are reviews for dinner. After reading your review, I can't wait to go and it defiantly is a place I want to try out. THANK YOU!!!

I'm sorry that the review was only apps but it was really tasty! I would go again just for the bread service! I think next time we will be there for dinner but I haven't made many ADR plans for our trip! If you see us in October make sure you say hi!!

Enjoying your report. Hope you had a very happy anniversary!

We did have a fabulous Anniversary! Thank You!

Paula- the bread service looks amazing. I love naan bread!.
What luggage hassles though

Yes.. luggage and clothing issues seemed to be the story of this trip!

everything looks so good!!!!!!!

It was!

You ate at two places I have never had before and I am really torn about adding to our September trip. 50s Prime Time and Citricos. I'm just not totally sold on either one, but I really want to try something new.

Too bad about your Boatwrights meal. Our experience there was not all that great either. How frustrating about th food allergy lecture. That would put me off. However, your nachos look delicious!

The bread pudding at Sanaa looks so good! So does the sampler. I may have to put Sanaa back on my radar as well.

Oh! 50's is SO FUN! We will definitely be back in October. Citrico's I would rank near the top for us. The Short Ribs there are just wonderful! The Fish I had was also fabulous with the pasta!

Boatwrights was a pain.. I can understand they don't want to be liable for allergy issues but a lecture isn't necessary!

I'm joining in a little late... but better late than never!

I want to say that I think you could be Emma Stone's sister! You have such an amazing smile.

I tried to read through all the posts, but I might have missed something... am I allowed to ask how much the giant drink was at Paradiso? I totally want one!

Being from the Buffalo area, I find it amazing that people call it "Buffalo Sauce." Here, it's just hot sauce. LOL The town I'm from actually favors a honey mustard sauce over the standard hot sauce. You can go to any bar, pub, or lounge here and there's 40 different flavors for wings.

About the allergy situation... I have really strong opinions about this. I don't have food allergies, but I don't think someone should have to pronounce it right away. I feel that's kind of discriminatory. And the fact they lectured you on it... I might have cancelled the rest of my food and not left a tip. I'm really strict when it comes to judging customer service. I worked as a manager in retail for years and I would expect 100% from my staff... and my 100% is probably a bit more than most people expect for customer service... yes I am one of those people who expects a smile the whole time, I don't want to hear anyone say anything negative (which is something I experience a lot when I walk into a retail store), I expect to be checked up on often, but not pestered... I think noting your allergy before hand is considerate on your part, but I don't think it should be required. I mean that's my opinion. Had I been sitting at a nearby table and heard them lecturing you I would have butted in... yes I am one of those people. I would have told them to shut it I don't want to hear it. We're adults and on vacation.

It's NEVER too late to join in! I hope the links helped to guide your through the report!

Thank you! I've been told a few times I look like Emma Stone... funny thing is.. it's always Disney people that say that. The very first time was in Disneyland! I can only wish we were related!

I will have to go back and find my receipt for the Paradiso drinks. I have to be sleeping soon so I will get back to you on that!

I love wings but without the Buffalo sauce. I'm not sure why it is called that! It's too vinegary for me!

Yes, the lectures were inappropriate. Hopefully it won't be an issue in the future at all.

Hope you enjoy more of the reviews to come!

 

[smile4stamps]

After we finally had all of our luggage and were changed we headed out to the boat dock to meet back up with Barb (Jabead). Today was her Birthday! We were happy she chose to come to Walt Disney World and to celebrate with us! She is also writing a dining review so you can read about her review of this meal HERE & HERE.

Just as she was walking down the dock a boat was arriving and as luck would have it… It was the one we needed to bring us directly to the Contemporary Resort. Soon we were sitting at the bar with some wine and our pager.

As tends to be our luck the pager was going off before we had enjoyed our drinks and so they were brought to the table for us. We were lucky to be getting a window seat and since it was Barb’s Birthday I let her have the side with the castle view!

My iPhone doesn’t get very good pictures of items really in the distance

This is about as zoomed in as I get!

The menu

Our table has a lone 3 MickeyFetti’s on it… I said it must be one for each of us! Lol

Bread and Butter

I like the Foccaccia bread on a good day… Some days it is dry but today it was nice and soft.

Chef Eddie then brought us a little dish of yumminess!

Gnocchi with mushrooms and bacon!

This was delicious! A little on the oily side but when you dunked the bread in the oil to get every last drop it was divine!

Hunter & I ordered the charcuterie to share.

My favorites are the Pork Belly Rilletes and the Duck Pate!

For my entrée I went with something out of the ordinary. I went with the Seafood Stew. Normally I stay away from seafood when I am with Hunter but this just sounded so good I couldn’t resist!

This has plenty of seafood in the form of clams, mussels, prawns, and lobster! It was delicious! It was also very filling in that the entire bottom of the dish was filled with rice!

Hunter went with his favorite thing on the menu… the Pork Belly Nigiri!!

They bring his with soy paper wrapping instead of the Nori (seaweed)

They then brought us Dessert Menu’s (why I am not sure!!)

Sometime in here we went out to the observation deck to enjoy the fireworks but the soundtrack wasn’t playing so I went back inside. We did let Chef Eddie know the sound wasn’t working and he went to fix that.

We purchased a Grand Marnier Flight

This was not for anyone at the table though. This was a thank you to Chef Eddie for all he does for us. He brought it back to his office to have after the kitchen was closed.

For our dessert we were presented with the Sundae Sampler. I am HUGE fan of this dessert and I almost always end up eating the whole thing!

Overall it was another wonderful meal at California Grill for Hunter & I. Make sure you check out Barb’s experience HERE & HERE!

Up Next: A Morning in Epcot

 

[disneyquilter]

Wonderful report and photos so far, Paula!! I am loving it!!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Looks like a great meal at California Grill, and yay for ordering seafood (although sorry that Hunter can't indulge!). Haven't had pork in a while, but the pork belly nigiri looks really good. In fact, even though I try to avoid red meat and pork, I might need to try the pork belly nigiri and filet/bison.

 

[disney meema]

Great review on CG ... Love the wine, love the appetizer, love the lobster part of your stew and your dessert looks amazing. Fabulous vacation : )

 

[emmysmommy]

Oops! I'm two reviews behind.

Are any of the sauces with the bread service at Sanaa like what they serve at Jiko? I don't want to give anything away for your upcoming review....I like the idea of a sampler. But I like the idea of bread pudding even better.

What a great way to Celebrate Barb's birthday with CA Grill! That amouse bouche looks great. Such nice little touches (or magic as you may say) with your chef connections.

That's a very nice looking seafood stew. Yikes! Those prawns are huge.

 

[jabead]

Being at Disney World on my actual birthday and having my birthday dinner with you and Hunter at my favorite WDW restaurant was a dream come true for me. Thanks so much for everything you did to help make this happen!

Oh, and great California Grill review...I loved reading it and reliving that special night one more time.

 

[wilma-bride]

I'm all caught up Paula (on your reviews anyway, can't say the same for Brenda and Barb's).

You seem to have had some great (and not so good, but we'll gloss over that) experiences so far. The Pork Belly Nigiri looks amazing. I know it is bad for you but I absolutely love pork belly. Gary doesn't like it but Daniel and I both do so we occasionally indulge at home. Not many places here serve it so I'm always excited to see it on the menu when we go out.

I am excited to see what you got up to next.

 

[smile4stamps]

Wonderful report and photos so far, Paula!! I am loving it!!

Thank you!

Looks like a great meal at California Grill, and yay for ordering seafood (although sorry that Hunter can't indulge!). Haven't had pork in a while, but the pork belly nigiri looks really good. In fact, even though I try to avoid red meat and pork, I might need to try the pork belly nigiri and filet/bison.

It was a wonderful meal! The Pork Belly is so good. We've dined at CG multiple times since the re-open and have gotten it I believe EVERY time! I think I would have to break my rule of no pork/beef at CG as they really do a fabulous job! However, if you are not willing there are lots of options there that do fit that bill!

Great review on CG ... Love the wine, love the appetizer, love the lobster part of your stew and your dessert looks amazing. Fabulous vacation : )

It was a fabulous meal! My seafood stew was yummy but actually VERY filling!

Oops! I'm two reviews behind.

Are any of the sauces with the bread service at Sanaa like what they serve at Jiko? I don't want to give anything away for your upcoming review....I like the idea of a sampler. But I like the idea of bread pudding even better.

What a great way to Celebrate Barb's birthday with CA Grill! That amouse bouche looks great. Such nice little touches (or magic as you may say) with your chef connections.

That's a very nice looking seafood stew. Yikes! Those prawns are huge.

The sauces are different at Sanaa and I actually enjoyed the ones there much better! The Bread Pudding was outstanding!

The Prawns were a good size! Definitely a good potion of seafood!

Being at Disney World on my actual birthday and having my birthday dinner with you and Hunter at my favorite WDW restaurant was a dream come true for me. Thanks so much for everything you did to help make this happen!

Oh, and great California Grill review...I loved reading it and reliving that special night one more time.

I'm happy you had a wonderful day Barb! You are welcome! and I am so sad our trips do not overlap in October!

I'm all caught up Paula (on your reviews anyway, can't say the same for Brenda and Barb's).

You seem to have had some great (and not so good, but we'll gloss over that) experiences so far. The Pork Belly Nigiri looks amazing. I know it is bad for you but I absolutely love pork belly. Gary doesn't like it but Daniel and I both do so we occasionally indulge at home. Not many places here serve it so I'm always excited to see it on the menu when we go out.

I am excited to see what you got up to next.

Ha-Ha.. yes.. and the not so great experiences of the trip are still to come!

We LOVE Pork Belly! What?!? It's bad for me?!? You should go to CA Grill to try this out! It's fabulous!

 

[smile4stamps]

Monday was an Epcot day! (My Epcot days always seem to be Mondays lol)

We met Barb at the bus stop (I’m pretty sure?!?!) and took the bus to Epcot. I tried to snap a few pictures as we headed to our first FP+ ride.

Can you guess the ride?

How about now?

Man I wish I was that skinny!

But I could do without the holes in my head!

Am I a server?!?

Barb had an Identical Twin with her!

Next we headed to the Land to get some food.

We choose some options from Sunshine Seasons deciding we could share.

We got the bounty platter subbing an extra biscuit for the French Toast. I think this breakfast is pretty good. The Bacon could use some help but otherwise everything was pretty tasty.

Hunter also got a Cinnamon Roll

This looked hard to me but it was actually pretty soft and tasty. He enjoyed it!

Barb was also kind enough to share her Berry Croissant Bread Pudding. I have had this a few times but it’s not something I crave. I find it rather dense and I would like more blueberries in it. That is just me though as I know Barb LOVED it!

After enjoying our breakfast we went for a tour on Soarin’ using our second FP+ and then decided to use our third right in the Land as well on Living with the Land.

When we were at Sunshine Seasons Hunter was going to get some coffee but it looked like Water so I promised him we would stop at Starbucks!

We then hit up our first F&G booth were Barb treated us to the Tilapia

This was tasty if a bit oily but not spicy like you would think since it was supposed to be Ghost Pepper dusted

We also checked out some of the plants and discovered this Baby Eggplant!

This is REALLY out of order but I wanted to be able to link it to the same post!

We only hit up one other F&G booth this day and that was the Smokehouse Booth.
I only tried the Piggylicious Cupcake

This cupcake was dense with a lot of bacon pieces in it. However the whole thing just tasted very artificial to me and I was not thrilled with it as I had hopped to be!

And now Backtracking to some time in Mexico!!

 

[smile4stamps]

Ahh…. There is a picture of the Starbucks!

Barb was craving her Avacado Margarita and some air conditioning so she wanted to see if we could get a table at San Angel Inn.

As she was checking that out Hunter and I had some fun with Sombrero’s!

We were seated after a short wait at a Water Side Table. We had a great view of the Pyramid!

The picture didn’t come out clear but I think its pretty cool looking!

Some Menu Pics at San Angel Inn

Hunter decided to follow Barb’s lead and try the Avocado Margarita!

Blinded by the flash!

We just ordered a few apps as our goal was to hit more booths.

We went with the Soupa Azteca – Traditional Tortilla Soup

and the Tlacoyoos de Chilorio – Corn Cakes topped with black refried beans, pork, chorizo, queso fresco, sour cream and green tomatilla sauce

Both items I thought were a little bit bland (this is saying a lot for me as I DO NOT like SPICY!) It was a good break from the heat though and finally got to have a try of the Avocado Margarita. We had not been to San Angel Inn in 5 years and it may be that long before we return again! While we only had apps nothing is calling me to return.

After enjoying lunch we boarded a Gran Fiesta Tour but I declined to take pics this time!

From Mexico we crossed the Atlantic and got to Norway where we checked out the Norsk Church? Which had been converted to show the influence of Norway on the movie Frozen

And Norway wouldn’t be complete without a Frozen inspired Topiary!

We walked by China pretty quickly!

Too find our way in Germany! And what is in Germany?!? SHOTS!!

We offered one to Barb but she declined.

Flower and Garden Inspired town in Germany

From Germany it was to Italy

Where we craved some more Air Conditioning!

And some more liquid refreshments!

More World Showcase Next (namely France!)

 

[smile4stamps]

After enjoying our fabulous Sangria we headed out and passed through America where I had the cupcake mentioned above. We then continued around the World Showcase but not stopping again until we were in France.

For some more liquid Refreshments! (Hey Barb!, I think Hunter and I did more drinking around the world this day than on our official day back in December!)

And some Grand Marnier Shots

Cheers!

(and you can see the wedding band that was my Anniversary gift to Hunter, his band from our wedding is 4 sizes too big and unable to be resized)

We also got to enjoy the acrobat in France

He makes me nervous!

From here we headed via boat to Hollywood Studios and then by bus to the WL where we got changed and ready for dinner.

Up Next: Jiko!

 

[MEK]

Subbing in! I figure I subbed to Brenda's dining report so I might as well sub to one of her DIS compadres. Back to read!