Let's Do It Again - January Trip Report

[Niki Andiokno]

According to the few photos I have left, I believe I am on Wednesday. That means WINE WEDNESDAY at JIKO!!!!

We started the day at Wolfgang Puck Express. I am certain y'all know what this stuff looks like, so I won't bother borrowing any photos. DH and I split theBreakfast Pocket - Scrambled Eggs, Ham, Roasted Potatoes, Red Onions, Mushrooms, Cheddar. This was fabulous. Lots of ham and cheese wrapped in a pizza dough. This is the only breakfast CS I have found that is worth the trouble. And it was Yummy!! A new must do.

Now on to Wine Wednesdays at JIKO.

Every Wednesday at 3:00 Jiko opens its doors for a tasting of African wines paired with a cheese plate. For $35, not so bad. The experience varies, based on the sommilier you have. This guy was not as good as our other experience, as he was more purely educational and not as much fun. Also, he didn't refill our glasses or pull out a special "suprise" like last time. Still a great experience. Here are the wines we had:



Looking at my photos, it appears as though they may serve the same wines each time. But no worries. They were excellent anyway. African wines are so rich in flavor. I find a lot of cherry undertones to each of these wines. And they all pair well with food.

Here was the wonderful cheese plate:




I love the Midnight Moon. Goat cheese is right up my alley. This was so smooth, yet had a pungent kick. Just wonderful.

This is so much fun. I believe we will always do this when on vacation in the World. If you like wine, this is a great deal.

 

[maiziezoe]

I love Tangerine Cafe, it is one of my favorite places for a quick meal.

I also love EoS but I haven't had breakfast there.

Great reviews! (I'm also in Illinois - faaaaar NW burbs of Chicago).

 

[Niki Andiokno]

This is a photo-less review, as I can't even find a photo of what we had. We went to Shutters at the Caribbean Beach Resort. We went there because last October we were at a Food & Wine Festival seminar where the Shutters chef was the presenter. He made a wonderful dish of curry scallops with green lentils. This was so good, I couldn't wait until my January trip to go.

Well, we went. Let me start off by saying that the Shutters staff was really attentive. Miguel was the server. This I could remember because DH is named Miguel. So easy peasy, for once. He was Johnny on the Spot when it came to refilling drinks. DH had wine. I was a bit wined out, after our tastings, so I went with ice tea. It had a berry flavor to it that was really good. Also, it was unsweetened, which is hard to find with flavored teas. Very nice.

The food was just OK though. We started with Braised Beef and Pepper Jack Cheese Empanada - Chayote Slaw and Piquillo Pepper Dipping Sauce. This was pretty good, but not much different than empanadas you can find at a neighborhood restaurant for $1 a piece. I know I seem to complain a lot about how expensive Disney restaurants have been, but I guess that is DH influence.

I wanted to post photos here, and tried to find some on this board to borrow, but I couldn't find any photos of what we ate. DH had Today's Sustainable Fish - Yucca Dumplings, Roasted Mushrooms, Peas, and Curry-Lemon Butter Sauce. I recall it was tilapia. The taste was outstanding. The dumplings were not great. Reminded me of gnocchi, but had a little bitter taste to it. The rest of the dish was really good. The peas and mushrooms were clearly fresh. The curry was yellow, but not overpowering.

My dish was Pan-seared Chili-rubbed Mahi Mahi over Conch Chowder - Wilted Spinach and Cilantro-Lime Aoli. I am so torn about this dish. This was the one I wanted the photo of to explain. Since I seem to be the only person on the Disboards that has had this dish and lived to tell about it. I will try to describe it as best as possible. First the good. The mahi mahi had a nice spicy seasoning on it. There was a bit of heat to it I really liked. The Cilantro-Lime Aoli was drizzled over the fish tasted fresh and wonderful. The bad was everything else. The fish was placed over the "Conch Chowder" which tasted suspiciously like Campbells Alphabet soup. I mean JUST like Alphabet soup. Tiny canned carrots and peas. The only thing missing were the pasta letters. While I was a fan of Alphabet soup as a kid, it had no place beneath a high priced piece of fragrant, spicy, wonderful mahi mahi. If you had a photo you could see. It was just so obvious. Sandwiched between the Alphabet soup and tasty fish was spinach that tasted like it had wilted, and not just from cooking. In short, the top was great, the bottom was really bad. Again, some of the best and worst food all trip, all in one dish.

After dinner, our server came and said he noticed I didn't order alcohol even though DH did. He asked if I drank alcohol, generally. I said Yes. I had just had a bit too much to drink earlier and was taking a short break. Next, he came out with a super sweet glass of sparkling wine. A very nice gesture, and not too bad. Just a little sweet for my taste. He also gave us a special dessert I don't see on the menu. It was a pretty flavorless vanilla cake with some sort of gelatin like substance between the layers. It was red, so I assume it was supposed to be strawberry or something. The entire thing had no flavor.

The service was very good. Everyone was very nice. This was the second time we had received something special for our anniversary. Even without that, the service was some of the best all trip.

The food was good and bad. Even the good seemed to be missing something, though. The dishes were nothing like the outstanding little taste from the chef at the Food & Wine Festival. I left feeling a bit cheated, like there was a bait and switch here.

I am sorry to say, we won't be back any time soon.

 

[Niki Andiokno]

I love Tangerine Cafe, it is one of my favorite places for a quick meal.

I also love EoS but I haven't had breakfast there.

Great reviews! (I'm also in Illinois - faaaaar NW burbs of Chicago).

I am actually in the suburbs now too, Addison. Off to the west. I get up NW all the time. Aren't you sick of our weather?

 

[maiziezoe]

I am actually in the suburbs now too, Addison. Off to the west. I get up NW all the time. Aren't you sick of our weather?

I'm in Algonquin! I am beyond tired of the weather, except today! Today was BEAUTIFUL!

 

[Mikka]

Hi, lurker here.

I've never done that Jiko's wine and cheese pairing, but it looks like fun- I've always wanted to try it. I love African reds; they're some of my favorite wines in the world, if I'm doing that generalizing thing (and German Rieslings for my whites, mmm). I've never had an anniversary at WDW (I've never had an anniversary at all, actually, hm), but I've gone a few times for my mother's birthday... it's always nice when special things happen. ^_^ Oddly, we often find the signature's are better at that then other restaurants, generally. We've gotten a few free creme burlees, chocolate covered strawberries, and at buffets, free (rather tasteless) cupcakes.


Glad that you enjoyed BlueZoo! I've always been a Flying Fish girl, but lately more and more often I've been enjoying BlueZoo more and more. Their desserts are the best part. If you ever go again, try the chocolate truffle dessert. They bring out around eight of them, all different flavors, and they're delicious- and go well with a nice glass of port or red, if you're in the mood.

 

[smile4stamps]

Hi Niki!! I just saw that you have a Dining Report going to stopped in to check it out!!

Just a few comments… You have TIW don’t you? Everywhere I have looked Boma offers TIW discounts.

Next is.. get yourself one of these… you will not run out of battery again!! I can charge my phone several times on this!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DMWV3EU/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


We had a Fab meal at bluezoo our first time but then when we attempted it again it just wasn’t meant to be.

Hunter has done tea twice with me.. I think he enjoys it but pretends like he is doing it to make me happy so I don’t know that!

 

[barbeyg]

Just added the DISboard app, and your yummy reviews provoked my first comment. Thanks for the heads up on the wine tastings and restaurants. I've marked a few to try out on our trip there this November. Appreciate it!

 

[Niki Andiokno]

Hi Niki!! I just saw that you have a Dining Report going to stopped in to check it out!!

Just a few comments… You have TIW don’t you? Everywhere I have looked Boma offers TIW discounts.

Next is.. get yourself one of these… you will not run out of battery again!! I can charge my phone several times on this!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DMWV3EU/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


We had a Fab meal at bluezoo our first time but then when we attempted it again it just wasn’t meant to be.

Hunter has done tea twice with me.. I think he enjoys it but pretends like he is doing it to make me happy so I don’t know that!

Hi Paula! I have a mophie, which is the same thing as the one you gave me the link to. Problem is that you have to charge that too, and I always forget. My worst personal attribute is that I always forget to charge my electronics.

I sure hope Bluezoo isn't that way for us. I really loved it, so I hope to have another great experience there.

The first time Mike did tea, he said he was just humoring me and Sally. But now he admits that he had the best time of all three of us. He is a tea convert, so it is HIS must do each trip not mine.

I really wish y'all were coming again in October. I met you guys so late in the evening, on the last day of the trip. I am certain we could do some serious damage together. LOL

Just added the DISboard app, and your yummy reviews provoked my first comment. Thanks for the heads up on the wine tastings and restaurants. I've marked a few to try out on our trip there this November. Appreciate it!

 

[Niki Andiokno]

I am back guys. Had a bit of a car accident last weekend. Sideswiped on the highway. Hit and run. Doing OK but needed to rest a bit.

What I was able to do was locate those random photos I had been missing. Yay. Here are a few.



This was the photo from Shutters at the Carribbean Beach Resort that I really wanted to use. As you can see, there was a beautiful piece of fish sitting on top of Campbells vegetable soup. Can't you just see the mushy peas and canned mushy carrots? The fish was soooo tasty and good. This dish could have been so much more. The "chowder" was just so wrong.

Here is a photo of DH's fabulous dish. I seemed to have plate envy on more than one occasion.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

How scary! Glad you are ok! Looking forward to the rest of your reviews!

 

[Niki Andiokno]

Good morning all. Sunday is a chore day, but I have a bit of time for another update.

Thursday of my vacation, we played a bit of golf. When we were done, it was lunchtime. Since the course is so close to the Poly,we decided to stop in at Captain Cook's. I have ordered my beloved Tonga Toast from here, but never ventured into the yummy lunch/dinner options. DH and I got two entrees and shared.



I am a pulled pork fiend. It is one of my favorite foods. This pulled pork sandwich was fantastic. The pork was moist and sweet. It may have had some ginger and soy sauce in its preparation. Yum. The fresh cukes and tomato were fabulous.

We also shared the nachos. The toppings were great. I thought the chips were a little oily, but DH says I am way off. He loved these nachos. The mango salsa was fabulous. Very much like what we make at home. Manilla mangos are so much better in salsa than the green Mexican ones. This was certainly those small sweet Manilla kind.

No trip to the Poly would be complete without these babies.



Yes. One of the best Mai Tai in the world. And so strong. Yummy. I can't believe I waited so long in the vacation to have one.

I am glad we will be able to get Bread Pudding at the Tambu Lounge. I love everything about the Poly. I hope the changes to the lobby are great. They better be.

 

[smile4stamps]

Ah yes.. charging can be the difficult thing. On vacation I simply plug in both the charger and my phone every night before falling asleep.

I will be there in October... just not for the F&W classic We will likely leave around the 16th or so.

 

[Niki Andiokno]

Ah yes.. charging can be the difficult thing. On vacation I simply plug in both the charger and my phone every night before falling asleep.

I will be there in October... just not for the F&W classic We will likely leave around the 16th or so.

NOOOO Paula. You must come later. We arrive the 24th. I think Barb will be there then as well. Anyway, have a great time. F&W is so much fun. I can't wait.

 

[smile4stamps]

NOOOO Paula. You must come later. We arrive the 24th. I think Barb will be there then as well. Anyway, have a great time. F&W is so much fun. I can't wait.

Our AP's expire the 18/19th so we can't come later. We aren't renewing or even returning for a few years so our trip has to be in the first half of the month.

 

[Niki Andiokno]

Sorry so long since I have updated. Why does real life have to get in the way of Disney food?

I have wanted to go to WPE for breakfast for a long time. It just never seemed to be in the cards. Well on this trip, I made the effort to get out of bed early on golf days and go. Boy, am I glad I did. These photos are from two different trips. The portions are so big here, that we were able to share.

First up was our favorite, the Breakfast Pocket - Scrambled Eggs, Ham, Roasted Potatoes, Red Onions, Mushrooms, Cheddar



This is breakfast heaven for me. The eggs were fluffy. The veggies added some flavor. The ham was perfectly salty. The bread, which tasted a lot like pizza dough, was awesome. Talk about the spuds. These were so tasty and well seasoned that even DH, the Asian rice eater, thought these were super. This was the perfect savory dish. And it was humongous! This is going to be a must do from now on.

The second trip, I begged to try the breakfast pizza. DH is not a pizza fan in any form, so trust me, this took a ton of begging. Here it is. TaDa!!



This was good as well. I am glad they exchanged the ranch dressing for onions. Those sweet little babies added some texture to the dish. I really liked this, but it was not my favorite of the two. Plus, you don't get potatoes, so the Pocket definitely won out.

 

[vettegirl]

Great breakfast review! I didn't even know they served breakfast

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[DisneyJo]

Everything looks very delicious

 

[Niki Andiokno]

Great breakfast review! I didn't even know they served breakfast

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Thanks. I love WPE. Those dishes are worth the morning trip to DTD. They don't open really early, though. I think 9 am. Not a good place to go if you are trying to park early. Try breakfast on a lazy morning. So worth it.

Everything looks very delicious

It was delicious. I can't wait to go back.

 

[Niki Andiokno]

DH and I loved the La Hacienda Parrillada Del Mar so much we went back again. This time we tried to Parrillada La Hacienda.



This had New York Strip steak, chorizo and chicken al pastor. DH really loved this plate of meat. The steak was really tender. The chicken had a pretty heavy lime taste, very good. DH loved the chorizo, but I did not. I am not a fan of Mexican chorizo, so I guess I am not a good judge. I prefer Spanish chorizo, which tastes completely different. DH thought it was very tasty.

It came with all the sides, grilled corn, grilled mixed veggies, beans and rice. There is so much food there, we couldn't eat even half. We took it back to the resort. Unfortunately, we were leaving the next day, so we had to snarf it down fast the next day for breakfast. We were still so full from the night before many of the leftovers went untouched. Sad. This has to be earlier in the trip, but this was kind of a last minute addition. Even though we had leftovers of the Del Mar, this was much much much more filling.

We both prefer the Del Mar, but DH wants to get the steak again. Our waiter let us know that next time we come, we can add a piece of steak to our Del Mar for only $10 more. That is our plan for October, when we are bringing our adult nephew along. All three of us will be more than stuffed with the Del Mar and an extra piece of Strip steak.

I almost forgot, I had the spicy orange margarita.


I had just downed an Avocado margarita from La Cava, so I had already started on the tequila goodness. Then I went a bit slower on this one. I usually love the hot stuff, but I was not a huge fan of this one. It was really spicy, but not too spicy. It just didn't have a lot of flavor. The orange was overpowered by the chili in the drink. I guess I expected a bit of sweet and fire. I didn't get any sweet, only fire. But, the salt on the rim was not really hot like I expected. I know this part of the review is a bit disjointed, but that is how I felt drinking it.

Good thing was that it packed a SERIOUSLY WICKED TEQUILA PUNCH! At one point I was afraid I couldn't walk a straight line out of Epcot. I am certain it wasn't straight.

All I can say is Go To La Hacienda. The food is really good.