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

[jedijill]

I thought that I would share my dining experiences to try to pay back for the many great reviews that I've poured over the last few months. I'm not witty or a particularly good writer but I hope you enjoy my review.

Let me start with a basic introduction. My name is Jill and I love food and wine. (Hi, Jill!....Oops, wrong audience!) I'm single and live in Denver, Colorado but was born and raised in Missouri. I've visited Disney a lot over the last 10 years and bought into DVC in 2007.

This trip is another solo trip. My DBF is headed to Fiji to dive with his dive buddies (rough, I know!) and I decided to head to my favorite place and plan a trip around my love of food and wine. I work a very demanding job and this is a much needed break from reality and constantly checking my Blackberry.

I've spent many hours planning my ADR's and think I'm finally done changing them. I have a TiW card left from my last trip in October. I'm heading back in October to take my niece (2) and nephew (4) on their first trip to WDW so this trip is about adult experiences.

Here are my current plans:

May 7 Fly to Orlando from Denver arriving about 1:30. Pick up the rental car and swing by DTD to either grab a sandwich at EoS or WPE for a late lunch. Check into OKW and then get ready for dinner at Artist Point. I'm meeting one of my employees who happens to be in WDW with his DW at Raglan Road for drinks after they get done with the Luau.

May 8 Breakfast at Olivas and the day at MK. Dinner at Bistro de Paris which is a first for me.

May 9 Trying breakfast at the Wave for the first time. Lunch at 50's PTC and dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse. I am still wavering on this....I've read some really good reviews lately and I think I want to give it another try (have eaten there before about 5 years ago).

May 10 Le Cellier for lunch and California Grill for a late dinner.

May 11 Tutto Italia for lunch and Victoria and Albert's for dinner. Super excited about V&A!!!!

May 12 Breakfast at Kona and dinner at Jiko.

May 13 Thinking about going to Sea World today. Citrico's for dinner tonight.

May 14 AK Rainforest Cafe for breakfast since I have a $10 coupon. GF tea in the afternoon (first time for this!) and then Flying Fish for dinner. I haven't eaten at FF before....really looking forward to trying this one.

May 15 Sadly I have to leave today. I have an ADR for one last lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern before heading to the airport.

I will try to take lots of photos. I'm super excited to get this break from work and to indulge one last time before hitting my diet again when I get back.

I hope I am able to pay it forward with my reviews. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Jill in CO

 

[E-P-C-O-T]

Hi Jill

Can't wait, I'm really looking forward to read about V & A's and Bistro. They are both on my to do list...

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Sounds great!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Hi Jill! I'm joining in and looking forward to all your reviews including V&A!

 

[vettegirl]

: I love solo trip reports. I went by myself in Nov and had a fab time. My mil did join for a few days but after that I was on my own. I would try YM again, my DH and I had a great meal there last May and hope to have another in a few weeks. Enjoy your trip!

 

[TigerKat]

Count me in!

 

[jedijill]

Thanks guys! I'm not the best writer in the world but wanted to pay it forward for all the great reviews that I've read on here. I hope I don't disappoint! I can't wait to leave Saturday.

Jill in CO

 

[irishsharon]

Have a wonderful trip! The only time l get to myself is going grocery shopping and a girlie movie every once in a while.So cant wait to hear all about the wonderful food and wine.

 

[let'sgo]

Looks like you've got some great choices! Can't wait to read more about your dining adventures. Are you going to post pictures as well?

 

[jedijill]

Looks like you've got some great choices! Can't wait to read more about your dining adventures. Are you going to post pictures as well?

I'm planning on it! I love seeing the pictures in dining reviews.

Jill in CO

 

[psupple]

Hi Jill,

I'm in! I will actually be in Disney from 5/8-5/13. I have to attend a conference Mon-Thurs during the day but plan to have a fun time in the World at night! Solo trip for me, too (not my first). I hope you have a wonderful time; it sounds like you have some great ressies! My kind of girl!!

Pam

 

[jedijill]

Hi Jill,

I'm in! I will actually be in Disney from 5/8-5/13. I have to attend a conference Mon-Thurs during the day but plan to have a fun time in the World at night! Solo trip for me, too (not my first). I hope you have a wonderful time; it sounds like you have some great ressies! My kind of girl!!

Pam

Thanks! Wish I could get work to pay for my trips to Disney. Instead, I get to go to Philadelphia and NJ. Not quite the same!

I love solo trips. Not my first either but a whole lot of fun!

Jill in CO

 

[princessallegra]

Wow you've got tons of great plans!! We loooove V+A's!! So excited to read all of your reviews! Have a magical trip!!

 

[oybolshoi]

hope you enjoy Bistro - it's always been one of our favorite dinner spots. save room for the frozen grand marnier souffle if you can!

 

[saintstickets]

Sounds like a fantastic food fest! DW and I ate at V&A and Bistro de Paris on our last trip and we cannot put into words how great it was. I don't know when your ADR is at Bistro but if it is later (8:30-9:00), ask for a window table so you can watch the fireworks while you dine. We were lucky to get one and it just added to the magic at Bistro. I can't say enough about V&A. It is one of only a few dozen AAA 5 diamond restaurants in the entire U.S. and it deserves the rating. The wine pairing is well worth the added expense too. Hope you enjoy your trip. We'll be looking forward to your review.

 

[jedijill]

And I'm off! (some would say my rocker!) I'm soaking up some A/C at OKW and decided to get started on some reviews.

Just to recap: This is my solo dining trip with your friendly host, Jill! I live in Denver, Colorado and am a DVC member. I debated the dining plan but with too many signatures, my TIW discount came out as a better deal. I'll try to post my totals as we go along but depending on the amount of wine I've consumed, pics and reciepts may be misplaced.

Saturday, May 7

Airport food

I woke up at 4AM to finish last minute packing and headed to the airport. I stopped and got a cinnamon raisin bagel with strawberry cream cheese and a Cahi from Einstein Bagels. Sorry..no pics as my camera was packed in the bottom of my backpack.

$7.33 with no discount

Flight on SW left 10 minutes early (Horray for all the people that got on and seated quickly!). We picked up some nice tail winds and gained another 20 minutes in the air arriving in Orlando 30 minutes early.

Grabbed an Iced Green Tea from the airport Starbucks (Yes, I am an addict!) and went to pick up the car and check into OKW. My room wasn't ready yet so I headed to to DTD for some lunch.

$2.72 with no discount

Wolfgang Puck Express

I haven't eaten here in a long time so based on Dizneeat's recent reviews I decided to try lunch. I had the Chinois salad and it was delicious! Crispy wonton strips, cashew, chicken, and a light sesame dressing. Very good. I also tried the creme brulee and it was also very delicious!!! (I apologize for no pics--forgot to unpack the camera!)

$15.34 with 10% DVC discount

My room still wasn't ready so I swung by Publix and picked up some supplies.

$62.95 with no discount

I finally got my room and after some pool/hot tub/reading time, I got ready for my dinner at Artist Point.

I had a glass of wine at the Territory Lounge before my table was ready. It was allegedly a Pinot Noir but it was AWFUL! Sharp and looked like watered down cherry Kool Aid. Gross! I've never left a glass of wine before but I did this time. I'm so ashamed but life is too short to drink crappy wine!

Argyle Pinot Noir

$10.07 with TIW discount and automatic gratuity

Artist Point

I've always loved AP and knew pretty much what I was going to order before I got there. I ordered the wine flight which is 3 smaller glasses of wine paired to what you order.

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

Omg, this is good. I hate mushrooms but this doesn't taste like them at all. It is rich, smokey, with just a hint of bacony goodness. I could eat a bucket full!

The waiter finally brought the bread and butter. It's good but not worth filling up on.

I ordered the buffalo strip steak. It came with a delicious mac and cheese and brussel sprouts. The brussel sprouts weren't too bad...of course it helped that they had bacon in them! The buffalo was delicious but I wouldn't order it past medium. I had some pieces that were more med rare and they would much better than the more medium pieces. Overall, very good! Paired with a really nice dry Sryah.

Last but not least was dessert. I was getting full but I can't resist dessert on vacation! I was torn between the Strawberries and Cream and the Upside down peach cake. I ended up with the Strawberries and Cream at the waiter's suggestion and he wasn't wrong. It was to die for! Paired with a semi-sparkling muscato.

Strawberry Consommé with Grand Marnier, Vanilla Panna Cotta, and Buttered Pound Cake

O. M. G. This was good! A great blend of flavors and textures. Fantastic!

Great dinner and I highly recommend Artist Point.

Total: $93.92 with TIW discount and 18% automatic gratuity.

Jill in CO

 

[dizneeat]

Sorry I missed the start of this, Jill, but I am here now!

Great review of Artist Point! We loved it there last year too!

And I am glad that the food at my fellow countryman's restaurant, Wolfgang Puck's Express didn't disappoint either.

AND you are staying at my all time favourite resort, OKW!!!!!!!!!!!! Where are you staying? Say hello to the resort for us - we'll be back in just 14 short weeks!

Can't wait for more! Thanks for taking the time!

 

[John's Mom]

As soon as I saw the Rosa Regale, I knew I had to read your reviews.

 

[gardengirl628]

Hi! Count me in! That smoky portabello soup is to die for! Love it!

 

[H20DogsNDisney]

great can't wait for more