Kona Cafe Breakfast 6/9/2013

[bleeps]

(Links to my other recent reviews from this same trip [with more to come!]:
Monsieur Paul
Artist Point
Tutto Italia)
San Angel Inn
Rose & Crown
Kouzzina breakfast
Coral Reef lunch
Mama Melrose lunch)

Kona Cafe seems to remain a must-do, breakfast favorite for most people who give it a try, and it is consistently recommended as *the* resort, non-character breakfast. Actually, we'd rate it as consistently the best breakfast on property, period, and it is absolutely a must for us!

So of course, it featured on our WDW trip last month!

(To recap, if this is the first of my reviews you have read: our little family of 3 has 9 WDW trips under our belts [and one DL/DCA trip]. We've been going with the DDxDP for years, and this trip was no exception. We stayed at BC -- we pretty consistently choose either YC or BC, primarily because of all the great access to amazing food within walking distance!)

Our Kona ADR was for 8 a.m. and we jumped in a cab from BC over to the Poly. Yes, it is *possible* to use WDW transportation for early morning ADRs, but we do budget in a few cab rides to our trips for convenience; getting a little extra sleep in the morning and not having to stress over catching the bus to MK and then the monorail to Poly makes life easier -- especially before I've had my first cuppa coffee!

And speaking of which:


One of the many reasons I look forward to my Kona breakfast each trip is for the press pot of real Kona coffee. Even though I am officially the only coffee drinker in the family, and even though this is listed on the menu as serving two, and even though I never finish it, I still treat myself and it is well worth it. It used to be that because the DDxDP allows for 2 morning beverages (so, OJ and coffee, as an example) you could order this one item as your two beverages and have it covered by the plan. Alas, that's no longer the case and it is charged as an extra. STILL worth it, but kind of a shame. BTW, if you order this and can't finish it, you can easily get a to-go cup to bring along with you for your day.

The other thing I really look forward to here is:


The Somoan - poached eggs with Hollandaise served over smoked pulled pork hash. I love everything about this! The flavors meld together perfectly, the portion size is just right, and the floor manager that morning (who happened to stop by the table to see how everything was) said that this, along with Tonga Toast, is considered their signature dish. The touch of lemon in the hollandaise just sets off the flavors of the pork and eggs beautifully, and the greens on top here add a nice element without being overwhelming. The eggs were poached just right. Heavenly.

DH ordered:


Ham and Cheese Omelet - with home-fried potatoes and a biscuit. He is an omelet guy, and found this one tender, filled to the just-right level with juicy ham chunks and cheese, and the potatoes on the side were fantastic. Sometimes the outside *skin* on an omelet can be a little tough, but this one was perfect.

DS, 15, went with:


French toast with bacon. He does love French toast, and was happy to slather this with maple syrup. Bacon was done just the way he likes it -- not over-cooked yet just crispy enough.

The Poly is a gorgeous resort. We did stay here once and always pine just a little for it -- in rainy weather it can be a bit of a drag that the rooms are all in their own, separate buildings and so you have to walk outdoors to the Grand Ceremonial House (where all the restaurants, shops, and monorail stops are) -- but the tropical feeling is magical.

Although we were among the first seated at Kona that morning, we still always make an ADR here and I do highly recommend doing so. It was full with a line waiting to be seated when we finished.

After breakfast we just hopped the monorail over to MK, and you know what? We truly did have a magical day!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Thanks for another great review. We have breakfast at Kona at least once on every trip.I always have to order the press pot of real Kona coffee for myself. Since my wife does not drink coffee I get a to-go cup.

 

[Minnesota!]

The samoan is what I have been drooling over! Looks SO good!!!! Is it "just" hash or is there the traditional english muffin or such under there, too?

 

[bleeps]

I always have to order the press pot of real Kona coffee for myself. Since my wife does not drink coffee I get a to-go cup.

I only wish I could drink that much coffee without going over the hyper edge! (And then my next wish would be that I could have this at home every once and a while, but maybe if I ask Santa for a press pot and some Kona coffee for Christmas, my wish could come true....)

 

[bleeps]

The samoan is what I have been drooling over! Looks SO good!!!! Is it "just" hash or is there the traditional english muffin or such under there, too?

It is just the hash and no muffin underneath, but trust me when I assure you that in this case it works perfectly -- and I really think the muffin would get in the way! The blend of textures, and the amount and flavor of the hash, mean that you get luscious forkfuls each time and you aren't trying to cut the muffin underneath and get some of everything on the fork. Also, because there's no muffin, I feel it means you get more hash, which is a really good thing!

 

[sjs314]

I am looking forward to eating at Kona's for breakfast as it will be our first time.

Thanks for the review everything looked yummy

 

[Minnesota!]

It is just the hash and no muffin underneath, but trust me when I assure you that in this case it works perfectly -- and I really think the muffin would get in the way! The blend of textures, and the amount and flavor of the hash, mean that you get luscious forkfuls each time and you aren't trying to cut the muffin underneath and get some of everything on the fork. Also, because there's no muffin, I feel it means you get more hash, which is a really good thing!

Thanks That's what I was expecting, but wasn't sure 100%! I just made a Kona bfast ADR lol! Samoan here I come (now...can I get a bloody mary here, too??)

 

[bleeps]

(now...can I get a bloody mary here, too??)

Wow -- that's a really good question and I do not know the answer. Maybe someone else who reads this can chime in? I don't know if certain dining locations are not licensed to serve, or if they are all licensed. What I do know (or, what I understand from conversations with CMs) is that all the kitchens in a given location are connected in the back. So, behind the scenes, CMs *can* get something from another restaurant in the same building because it is all connected and it's cost effective to have a central point for basic prep and food storage, etc. It doesn't necessarily mean that every CM *will* get you something, or that the managers in a particular location allow it. As I think about it, though, the Tambu Lounge wouldn't be open that early, but if you can order a bloody mary from room service in the a.m. (IF you can), then I'd think it would be possible to order one at Kona.

(Of course, someone else is likely to read this and say, duh, there are cards on all the tables with alcoholic beverages choices and I just never noticed )

 

[Linleedo]

We have eaten at Kona Cafe for breakfast twice. We had good service one year & horrible service the second time. When you order coffee & you want Kona, please specify that you want the 100% Kona. Otherwise, they will bring you the Kona blend. The Samoan is delicious . It has smoked pulled pork under the eggs Benedict. It's delicious. The Tonga Toast is outstanding too.It is served with the syrup, and strawberry compote on the side. It's an indulgence ! But, what a way to start a day

 

[bleeps]

what a way to start a day

 

[darnheather]

The coffee is the one thing I plan to purchase for myself OOP on our upcoming trip. Having dinner there so I may need a sleeping pill afterwards but dang it I have to try it!

 

[cdtommie]

Wow -- that's a really good question and I do not know the answer. Maybe someone else who reads this can chime in? I don't know if certain dining locations are not licensed to serve, or if they are all licensed. What I do know (or, what I understand from conversations with CMs) is that all the kitchens in a given location are connected in the back. So, behind the scenes, CMs *can* get something from another restaurant in the same building because it is all connected and it's cost effective to have a central point for basic prep and food storage, etc. It doesn't necessarily mean that every CM *will* get you something, or that the managers in a particular location allow it. As I think about it, though, the Tambu Lounge wouldn't be open that early, but if you can order a bloody mary from room service in the a.m. (IF you can), then I'd think it would be possible to order one at Kona.

(Of course, someone else is likely to read this and say, duh, there are cards on all the tables with alcoholic beverages choices and I just never noticed )

They used to have a wasabi bloody mary, mimosa etc. listed on the back of the breakfast menu but when we were there in May it was gone. We asked the server and was told you could still "special" order (just like the secret ham and shrimp omelette I always get).

 

[Jonathan Swift]

Wife and I ordered the macadamia nut pancakes and Tonga toast. Then we cut each in half and shared them. I probably gained 10 pounds on just that meal, but it ought to be something everyone does at least once.

 

[bleeps]

Wife and I ordered the macadamia nut pancakes and Tonga toast. Then we cut each in half and shared them. I probably gained 10 pounds on just that meal, but it ought to be something everyone does at least once.

Sounds awesome! I really am going to have to try the Tonga Toast next time~~~

 

[MrsB1228]

What a great review, the Samoan is calling my name, LOL. This will be our first trip using the DxDP and breakfast at Kona is a must-do.

I have a question regarding the DxDP. Are you still allowed 2 beverages (but not applicable to the press pot) or is it only 1 beverage now?

 

[mom2of2]

The Samoan hash actually consists of pork, potatoes and an English muffin all chopped up together. It's my favorite!
Wasabi bloody Marys and Mimosas are available at breakfast, the servers make them. The menus are in the process of being reprinted to include them.
On the DXDDP you can order a press pot but it counts as the beverage for two people
Hth

 

[tiggerlvr27]

Sounds awesome! I really am going to have to try the Tonga Toast next time~~~

I have my first ressies there in November, just to try the Tonga Toast!

 

[bleeps]

The Samoan hash actually consists of pork, potatoes and an English muffin all chopped up together. It's my favorite!
Wasabi bloody Marys and Mimosas are available at breakfast, the servers make them. The menus are in the process of being reprinted to include them.
On the DXDDP you can order a press pot but it counts as the beverage for two people
Hth

Thanks for all the clarifications! It's funny, because when I look at my photo I can see the chopped up muffin in the hash, but for all the times I've eaten it I just never noticed that detail. Guess I need to slow down and stop inhaling the food I actually do like, as I said, that it is not served on top of a muffin because it does make it so much easier to eat.

Also great to know that the drinks are available (makes total sense).

I could of course be wrong, but I believe the particular CM we had that morning said that we had to pay OOP for the press pot; as she explained it, she said it wasn't covered on the plan. If I can, I'll try to find the receipt to find out. It's good to be armed with the knowledge that it perhaps CAN go on the plan but just counts for 2 people.

 

[Karbase8]

Thanks for the review! I and DS13 are going there for breakfast for the first time I am torn between your choices and the Tonga Toast! And would definitely like to try the coffee!!!

 

[DLFan123]

Thanks for your review. We have never tried breakfast at Kona but have it on our wish list. We love dinner there! We are hoping to do our first Poly stay in October, and maybe we will find just the right time for our first Kona breakfast. The press pot coffee sounds like it hits the spot!