JustEmmy and Emmysmommy return to WDW for some wining and dining

[JustEmmy]

Great Yak and Yeti review. I looooove that place.

Thanks! So do we.

One day I WILL try Yak & Yeti… but I just LOVE Tusker House!! It's so hard with limited park hours to do everything I want to do!!! I love your shots though! Can't wait for more!

You HAVE to try it. AK definitely makes for some compromises in the schedule, but it's so worth it. My mom and I, on the other hand, need to make our way to Tusker House. I keep hearing such good things!

Great reviews and awesome pictures!

Thank you!

Yak and Yeti is on our must do list for next trip. The pot stickers look delicious, and thanks for the clarification between the side and appetizer egg rolls.

No problem! It's such a nice little hideaway in the park. I don't think there's anything better at Disney World during a hot, muggy day than air conditioning and a good meal.

Trying to do some Dis catch-up in between final papers and exams - incredible pictures from Yak & Yeti! And not just the food (although you've reminded me how much I miss those wontons ) - that tile work in the foyer is stunning, and I actually haven't noticed it before.

Thanks! We're missing the wontons too right about now. I love taking pictures of things like the foyer. It really is the small details that captures the essence of... well, just about anything in the park. haha Good luck with finals!

You have captured such great details! Love the photos!

Thanks, Rachel! Love your pics too.

Great review of Yak & Yeti and and your pictures are FABULOUS!! Those cream cheese wontons are probably my favourite dessert in the World, sooo good! Ok, I'm hungry now ... LOL!

Thanks Carol! Haha we love them too! Definitely a favorite. So long as we are taking trips to Disney, we'll make time for lunch here.

 

[JustEmmy]

So, I've faced two major problems. The first one is that my software for photo editing won't let me open it. Not only can I not edit my photos, but I also can't even view them because I import them raw and export them to jpeg. Until I can fix the software, my review is on hold. Hopefully, my tech-savvy boyfriend will be able to come over sometime this week and fix it. I had one review ready to post, but now my internet is down (I'm using data on my phone to post this). No matter what I try, I can't fix it. I get the feeling that it has something to do with my computer rather than the network though. I apologize for the stand-still in my report. It'll be back on track as soon as possible.

 

[Linda67]

So, I've faced two major problems. The first one is that my software for photo editing won't let me open it. Not only can I not edit my photos, but I also can't even view them because I import them raw and export them to jpeg. Until I can fix the software, my review is on hold. Hopefully, my tech-savvy boyfriend will be able to come over sometime this week and fix it. I had one review ready to post, but now my internet is down (I'm using data on my phone to post this). No matter what I try, I can't fix it. I get the feeling that it has something to do with my computer rather than the network though. I apologize for the stand-still in my report. It'll be back on track as soon as possible.

Aargh, it drives you crazy doesn't it !!
I can't stand it when my photos don't play ball
We are all happy to wait Em!
PS - hope you had a great Spring Break

 

[ocalla]

Oh darn!!! I was wondering.....I check this thread every day hoping for an update from you.

We will just have to wait patiently, and after seeing the first few pics, I know the wait will be worth it!!!

 

[Cshel85]

Joining In

 

[KatMark]

I'm sorry you are having computer issues, but it kept me to being only one update behind.

I loved your review of Yak and Yeti. We've not been there since the year it opened and we absolutely loved our meal there. I'm debating now cancelling Tusker House for breakfast and having lunch at Yak & Yeti...but then we'd have to miss Flame Tree. This is such a hard decision.

The decision breaker might come down to your mom's pina colada. I love pina coladas and that one looks so good.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Great review of Y+Y! We ate there for the first time last week and ordered almost the same line-up as you did (we got lettuce wraps instead of egg rolls). Your pictures put mine to shame! Great job!

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Thank You for your reviews, so far!

I am looking forward to reading more.

 

[JustEmmy]

Captain’s Grille​

So, this was the night that we checked into the Yacht Club and got upgraded to the admiral suite. Naturally, we didn’t want to leave the room! However, we had some friends from home that happened to be in the area at the same time as us, so we were going to get together for dinner. We were planning on getting a bite at Beaches and Cream, but the wait for a table was an hour, so we decided to try something that mom and I had never tried for dinner before—Captain’s Grille! We’ve always had good experiences in the morning there, and the same was true for our dinner. The staff’s hospitality in particular made a difference in our meal, but the food was just as exceptional.



This is my rosemary-brined pork tenderloin with braised pork belly, pears, apples, pear puree, and ham jus. The meat was cooked perfectly and the pears and apples complimented it very well. As far as the pork belly is concerned, I was hesitant to try it; I thought it would be gristly and greasy, but it was actually buttery. Another great meal!



Mom wasn’t feeling very hungry on this night in particular, so she opted for the Farmers’ Market Salad with walnut granola, Granny Smith apples, dried cranberries, mascarpone-blue cheese cream, and champagne vinaigrette. Mom really enjoyed this. The only problem is that she was hungrier than she realized!

Mini bonus:



Did you know that all of those flags below the words “Captain’s Grille” spell out, “Captain’s Grille”? Neat, huh?

So, after showing off our room to our friends, we decided to get some dessert at the club level lounge. Here are a few of the things they put out:



Here we have some cheesecakes and brownie bites. I didn’t care for the brownie at all, but the cheesecake was pretty good. It was the typical cheesecake with a graham cracker crust.



They also have assorted cupcakes. They were a little dry, but I’ll give them some grace: when something like cake is left out, it does dry up a bit. So, maybe if we hadn’t had dessert so late, they would have been a little fresher. The frosting was nice and creamy though and who doesn’t love Mickey sprinkles?



Last but not least, we have a cappuccino from the club level Nespresso machine! I try to stay away from coffee or anything with caffeine, but we got our money’s worth in coffee thanks to this little beauty. The machine offers about ten different kinds of drinks, and they are all delicious. I couldn’t resist!

 

[JustEmmy]

Club Level Breakfast​

So, we really loved our room. It was such a luxury that we didn’t want to leave. It had a gorgeous panoramic view of the lake, so we decided to take advantage of that and Club Level. We went up to Club level to grab some breakfast and then came back down to our room to enjoy the view from our balcony. Here’s what we had to eat.



They offer a variety of breads, Danishes, and muffins and mama and I love a good bagel as well as a good cheese Danish. (well, mom is more of the cheese Danish person… I like a more fruity pastry)



I also like a good, flaky croissant like this one. The mini apple muffin and lemon poppy seed bread were also good. And, of course, there’s an egg for protein. (a perfectly hard boiled egg, might I add)



Judging by the fact that this is, indeed, a bowl of melon, this must have been my mom’s bowl of fruit. Mom likes melon, but I, on the other hand, don’t prefer it.



I do like cornflakes though! They offer other cereals such as fruit loops and cheerios as well and skim and low fat milk.

I’d also like to add that the Nespresso machine is available in the morning and they also have a few different juices (apple, orange, and cranberry) out to drink in the morning. There are also always glass water bottles available so you can pour yourself a cup.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

So excited to see an update here, especially a positive one for Captain's Grille! I also tried it for dinner in December, and it exceeded my expectations. Several of the dishes on the menu (like your pork duo) are still pretty new, since they overhauled a lot of the menu in September (for the better, IMO)!

Also, I had no idea that the flags underneath Captain's Grille actually had a meaning! That's a really interesting detail. A lot of people see Captain's Grille as a rather generic optio, but between the nautical motifs everywhere, the interesting menus, and the relatively calm atmosphere, it's gradually become one of my favorites at WDW.

Edit: Just saw your club level breakfast update - everything looks so good. I like how YC and BC now serve hard-boiled eggs, since it's nice to have a protein option in addition to the continental breakfast offerings. That croissant looks especially tasty (it's 2:30am and now I'm feeling really hungry).

 

[JustEmmy]

50’s Prime Time Café​

We were excited for our first day in Hollywood Studios. It’s such a fun park and there are some really great, unique restaurants to choose from. The one that we always go back to is 50’s Primetime Café. We had a small appetite that afternoon though, so here’s how we ate light, but still had a great taste of our favorite DHS restaurant’s food.



Mom opted for the chicken Cesar salad. The dressing was good and the chicken was cooked nicely. This is really a pretty standard salad. After having this a few times, mom says that she’s ready to try something else next time.



I love 50’s fried chicken and mashed potatoes. It’s hands-down my favorite thing on their menu. (We also have some very good fried chicken at the Plaza Inn at our home park; I’m a sucker for it!) My only problem I had with choosing it this time around is that it’s so much food. Well, I asked our server if they had a smaller portion, and she offered the kid’s portion, which ended up being perfect. The chicken is always seasoned so perfectly (just salty enough) and has a crispy outside and a juicy inside. The mashed potatoes are never sub-par. They have just the right balance of creamy and savory flavor. In case you’re wondering, the kid’s portion comes with a leg and a thigh. It’s perfect if you’re not hungry enough for the full portion.



The best part of getting a light entrée is that you save enough room to enjoy dessert. Mom didn’t want any, but I chose the warm apple crisp a la mode. This had an overall good flavor and was served hot, which I think is especially good when ice cream is being served with it. My only complaint is that I’m not a fan of oats in apple crisp, but that’s entirely a matter of preference. I would absolutely get it again.

And here I have a few pictures of the restaurant:



They brought these back!

 

[JustEmmy]

Yachtsman Steakhouse​

My mom and I have a special relationship with this signature restaurant. Our experience last August was so wonderful that we will always make time in our schedule for it. Undoubtedly, the food alone is exquisite, but the service that we’ve had both times (which I’ll discuss a little later) is what really makes us come back. But for now, let’s talk about the food.



Mom went on a Bloody Mary kick during this trip, and the one she had on this particular evening was her favorite.



I don’t really take the time to talk about bread, but Yachtsman’s onion popovers are so good that they have to be mentioned. They’re very buttery and light, but the onion on top makes them perfectly savory. They’re served warm with butter and roasted garlic (picture below). You’ll definitely need at least two baskets of these… maybe per person.





Mom and I were in the mood for starters that night, so mom got the shrimp cocktail. The sauce had the perfect amount of kick for my mom—she likes her cocktail sauce spicy. And it’s served in such a unique way. For reference, my mom asked for a little extra spice in the cocktail sauce, so if you too like spicy cocktail sauce, just ask your server.



I decided to have the Cesar salad, which is served with hearts of romaine, focaccia croutons, shaved parmesan, and shaved slices of pork shoulder (Coppa Secco). This is the best salad I had on the trip. The croutons were a nice twist; they still had the focaccia flavor because they weren’t entirely crunchy. The Coppa Secco was delicious. If you like salami, you’ll probably like this. It's a little classier than a good ol' slice of genoa salami, but it's the same idea. The salad dressing, which was creamy but peppery, complimented these flavors very well. This salad was hearty, but light at the same time. The flavors were all wonderful together.



For an entrée, mom had the braised beef short rib with baby root vegetables, heirloom apple, and natural jus. Mom really enjoyed this meal, and anticipated it after tasting how good the short ribs were at Jiko.



I decided to have the rib eye steak with sweet onion jam, bone marrow, and brioche. I chose this not because I thought I could finish it, but because I knew the marbling would make it the best steak of this trip. I was right. Our server suggested having it cooked medium, and it was absolutely perfect. It was tender throughout with the best flavor. The onion jam was sweet, but just a little too sweet for my liking. I was nervous to try the bone marrow; it’s a new thing that I didn’t think I would like, but it tasted a lot like the fat of the steak. The brioche, which was buttery and flaky just like good brioche should be, was meant to be paired with the marrow and jam.



For dessert, I had the Yachtsman sundae: vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate gelato with Amarena cherries, whipped creams, and chopped peanuts. I’m typically not a cherry person, but I’ve had this twice now, and I’ll continue to order it because the mixture of flavors is just so great.

Our Server, Ricardo:​

I said I would talk about our server, so here’s my report regarding that. Our server’s name is Ricardo and he is literally one of the best cast members in the Walt Disney World Resort. WDW has begun to recognize its most hard working, enthusiastic cast members by awarding them with a special ceremony and a name tag exclusive to this 1-2% of workers. The nametag is a dark blue color, so if you see someone wearing one of these name tags you’ll know how much work they do and how much pride they have for the work they do. Ricardo has been a cast member for over twenty years and is always charismatic, enthusiastic, and incredibly hard working. He goes above and beyond to acknowledge the small details that no one would even think of, and even though he always has a full schedule, he takes the time for each guest with warmth and kindness. Here’s just a few of the details that he made sure to see to.



When we arrived, there was a post card of our table welcoming us (we had emailed him months before to secure a table with him).



We asked if we could keep the menu as a reference for the dining review, and we made sure that it left with us in a fashionable manner.



Mom didn’t want to insult the chef by asking for the mashed potatoes (which she adores) instead of what was served with here entrée, so she asked for a side of them. When we got the bill, we saw that they were a “gift” from Ricardo.

Along with this, we always have such lovely conversation with Ricardo. He’s a wonderful man, so if you ever get him as a server, get excited!

 

[JustEmmy]

Well, mom and I leave the house for Nebraska at 5:15 tomorrow morning, so it's way past my bedtime. Before I hit the hay, I wanted to thank everyone for being so patient with my technical issues. I'll get to individual replies when we get home, but for now, goodnight (or morning?) everybody! Have a good weekend.

 

[CaliBear]

Have fun in Nebraska, Emmy. Your pictures are just so amazing. You really have a gift. And good tip about the kid's portion! DH and I often share one main, but sometimes we don't want the same thing and one of us (read: CaliBear) has to compromise! Kid's portion sounds like a good alternative!

 

[smile4stamps]

Wonderful pictures Emily!

Love the tip about the kids chicken portion at 50's! I don't see it on the menu but may ask about it!

So lovely that you were able to get one of your favorite servers back at Yachtsman! Sounds like a lovely meal!

 

[emmysmommy]

So this is what the kid was doing last night!

It's kinda fun to read Em's perspetive even though I was there!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Great updates! I've never tried Captain's Grill but your review has me wanting to . I loved getting a peak into the CL offerings. And I had no idea about the special name tags for the extraordinary CMs - that is fascinating and now I'm on a mission to find one next time we're there!

Have a great trip to Nebraska.

 

[AuroraBrit]

Sorry to hear you were having technical issues-it's always a pain when that happens!

But fantastic updates and reviews-your photos are so lovely and they make me want to be sat in the restaurant myself!

Ricardo seems such a lovely man from what you wrote and also from reading about him from your Mom's past DR's.

 

[jedijill]

Fantastic photos and reviews! I need to put Captain's Grille on my list. I ate at PTC and Yachtsman last week and agree they were fantastic! I loved the twist on the Caesar salad at YSh.

Jill in CO