Jill's Solo Dining Extravaganza 5/7-5/15

[Mikes:)Mom]

I'm in
For some reason it been harder deciding on ADR for my solo trip!?! It help reading solo reports. Thanks!!

 

[annichan]

Great start, I am looking forward to more! And until then: enjoy the remainder of your trip!

I started with the Smokey Portobello Soup. (I accidentally took a bite before taking the picture...this is going to happen a lot!)

I can totally relate, I do that all the time and then frantically try to disguise it by rearranging the plate.

Rack of Lamb (this was carved tableside...very cool presentation!)

That rack of lamb looks absolutely mouth-watering. I have to try Bistro next time! We never went there as they didn't accept the Dining Plan (right? Or am I confusing this now?), but that won't deter us next time.

 

[jedijill]

Great start, I am looking forward to more! And until then: enjoy the remainder of your trip!



I can totally relate, I do that all the time and then frantically try to disguise it by rearranging the plate.



That rack of lamb looks absolutely mouth-watering. I have to try Bistro next time! We never went there as they didn't accept the Dining Plan (right? Or am I confusing this now?), but that won't deter us next time.

They do not accept the dining plan and don't have a child's menu. There were kids there though.

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

Monday, May 9

The Wave

I hadn't realized that The Wave served breakfast but decided to try it out. They have an ala carte menu and buffet. I looked at the buffet and was impressed but decided to order the Sweet Potato Pancakes as an homage to the delicious breakfast that is no more at Boatwright's at POR.

The pancakes were good and sweet but not overpowering. They are served with a generous serving of pecan butter. The server brought me syrup but I didn't need it. Also had bacon with it but it was typical Disney bacon. I also ordered hot green tea.

$12.78 with TIW discount

I knocked out quite a few rides in the MK and then headed back to the Contemporary to get my car. I decided to look a the cupcakes that I had heard about at the Contempo Cafe.

Contempo Cafe

I ordered the Florida Strawberry cupcake. Oh my, this was delicious. Strawberry cake, strawberry filling, and a strawberry frosting. Not too heavy but very good.

Contempo also has a dos leches and black forest cupcake that look really good.

$4.25 with no discount

Prime Time Cafe


This is a prennial favorite. I had the Fried Chicken and subbed corn for the nasty greens. Also had a PB&J shake. Chicken was good and the shake was fantastic as usual. I screwed up and forgot to take a picture before I dug in but here is the after effect!

$21.66 with TIW discount

Yachtsman Steakhouse

I originally had Sanaa scheduled for swapped this out due to some really good reviews. I had a less than stellar experience a few years ago and decided to give Yachtsman another chance.

I had a 7:20 reservation and was seated very close to that time. I ordered a glass of MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir and started with the Caesar salad as I was feeling the need for something a bit lighter. I forgot to take a picture but this was a standard deconstructed Caesar which meant that the romaine was whole and had to be cut up. I found that annoying but it was pretty and tasted very nice.

I got an onion roll and a sourdough roll along with butter with Hawaiian sea salt and roasted garlic. The onion rolls are to die for!!!!! I requested a second one and devoured it as well. Yum!!!!!

(Sorry that the pic is a little dark)

My entree was the filet cooked medium rare along with mashed potatoes. The filet was cooked perfected and absolutely delicious. Mashed potatoes were great with skins mashed in. Had another glass of the MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir.

I ordered the Banana Napoleon for dessert. Very nice if you like banana. The custard with the caramelized banana was the winner on the plate but the mouse in the phyllo was very good too.

I also ordered a cappuccino.

One note on service as I've seen some horror stories on the boards lately. My server was very good but she told me that she and someone else would be taking care of me. I never saw the second person. Service wasn't as attentive as I would have expected but she was handling all her tables by herself. Weird but no issue for me.

$86.58 with TIW discount


Jill in CO

 

[maxiesmom]

I think I need to start taking notes. Anyone who not only loves Rosa Reagle, but the MacMurary Ranch Pinot, AND strawberry cupcakes is someone I can relate to!! Loving the pictures and the report, and finding it hard not to lick the screen. Yummy!!!!!!! More please!!!

 

[ireland_nicole]

I may be late to the party, but I had to chime in and tell you how much I am loving the reviews so far- btw, another huge rosa regale fan here- you're really making me wish I wasnt on call tonight...

 

[Disneyfreak616]

LOVING the reviews so far! That strawberry cupcake looks like

Can't wait for more!!!!

 

[rachel09985]

WOW---that strawberry cupcake looks sooo good!!! I think I may need to go there in June to get one of those.

 

[jacksmom]

Love your reviews!

 

[basketlacey]

I am loving your reviews! Your trip is much like I would eat if I weren't there with my three kids! Maybe someday LOL.

I need to see if I can find that Rosa Regale here at home - is it hard to find?

 

[TanzUnited99]

Love the strawberry cupcake!! Am definitely adding that to our snack list!

 

[cbg1027]

That strawberry cupcake looks divine! Thanks for the cross section photo. I'd love to get my hands on that Black Forest one too...

 

[ClareH37]

Loving your reviews Jill

Can I ask which you preferred from a solo dining perspective out of Bistro de Paris and Yachtsman?

I've got my other ADRs sorted but I can't decide whether to go for Bistro or Yachtsman, I'm not sure which is most 'comfortable' ambiance wise from a solo perspective.

Thanks

 

[butiflfeet]

Great reviews! I'm glad you're doing them during your trip so I have more to salivate over before I leave on my trip

 

[jedijill]

Loving your reviews Jill

Can I ask which you preferred from a solo dining perspective out of Bistro de Paris and Yachtsman?

I've got my other ADRs sorted but I can't decide whether to go for Bistro or Yachtsman, I'm not sure which is most 'comfortable' ambiance wise from a solo perspective.

Thanks

Bistro is definitely a step above Yachtsman for both food and service. A very nice experience. I've never felt uncomfortable dining solo anywhere.

HTH

Jill in CO

 

[ClareH37]

Bistro is definitely a step above Yachtsman for both food and service. A very nice experience. I've never felt uncomfortable dining solo anywhere.

HTH

Jill in CO

Thanks Jill, that's great to hear.

 

[myheartlivesatwdw]

I am soooo in!!!

 

[BarbP]

I am loving this live report. Cannot wait to hear about V&A's. Been several years since we ate there.

 

[jedijill]

Tuesday, May 10

I started the day off in DHS. After doing the TSM run and first ride, I stopped by...

Starring Rolls

for a cheese danish and OJ. The Danish was good although not as good as the ones from Starbucks.

$5.10 with no discount

After riding TSM again, along with RNR and TOT and stalking Star Tours to see if they were doing any soft openings (denied!) I headed to Epcot for lunch but I first bought a Carrot Cake Cookie at the Villians candy store. These are also available at the Writer's Stop. I ate the cookie later on the way to the outlet store. It was good but tasted exactly like a carrot cake whoopie pie. (no pic again)

$3.68 with no discount

Le Cellier

This has always been a favorite and I haven't experienced the issues that so many others have reported. I was seated a bit early and had a very nice server. I ordered from the prix fixe menu. I started with a cup of Cheddar Cheese Soup and then the Chicken Ceasar Salad. About half way through my salad, my good friend Deb showed up and joined me for lunch. She had a bowl of soup and then creme brulee for dessert. I had the passion fruit sorbet and it was very light and refreshing! I forgot to take pictures here.

$29.92 with TIW discount

California Grill

I had a 9:10 reservation with Wishes at 9. Deb and I checked in about 8:45 and were taken right up. We were looking for a table in the lounge when the buzzer went off and we were seated by 8:50. We placed our orders and then headed out to the observation deck to watch Wishes. It was amazing as usual. Our appetizers came shortly after we returned to our seats.

Deb had the Corn Soup with Lobster and it was divine! The soup tasted just like fresh sweet corn.

I had the Crispy Pork Belly. So good.....I discovered pork belly last year and now I order it whenever I can.

We both ordered the Pork Tenderloin as our entrees although Deb subbed the marscapone mashed potatoes for the polenta.

The pork was tender and delicious. The polenta had a lot of goat cheese in it so you need to like goat cheese. Deb was very happy with her mashed potatoes.

I shared the Valrhonna Chocolate Cake with Deb. It was served with strawberry ice cream and was absolutely decadent as usual.

I also had a glass of Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir.

Total $79.47 with TIW discount.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

that crispy belly pork looks amazing - as does your pudding