Loosen a button...8 days of Free Dining

[MainStMandy]

Well first of all I have to warn you that we have no pics...well not NO pictures, but I took about 250 the whole trip and only a small fraction were of the food. I hate dining reviews without pictures, so I will probably make this short for those of you who share my opinion!

Cast:

Me-28 yo former CM. I travel to Disney at least one if not more than that a year. I am a meat and potatoes kinda girl...love steak!! I am not too into exotic food, but will try new food once in a while

Mom-Not sharing her age, lol. Mom had gastric bypass done a few years ago and also has been doing Jenny Craig. She didn't stick to any kind of "diet" this week but you will notice she's a light eater.

 

[MainStMandy]

Our original flight had us getting in around 7 p.m. but we were lucky enough to get an earlier flight and landed around 2 p.m.

After grabbing our rental car we went straight to DTD and Earl of Sandwhich. Since we ADR's at 7 we split an original, each grabbed a bag of chips and a drink. As usual it was WONDERFUL and was just the right amount. We did NOT use the dining plan for this, mainly because we hadn't checked in yet.

Our ADR at 7 was for Raglan Road. We had decided not to use the dining plan as we both wanted Salads. We were planning on saving this credit for later in the week.

Mom and I each had a Celtic Sangria which tasted a lot like a fruity Long Island Iced Tea. YUM!!

For our entrees I had the Goats Town Salad ($19.95!!!!). While it was extremely tasty, it was ridiculously expensive. Mom had some other type of salad with a lemony dressing. She also thought hers was quite good.

The main reason for our trip was so that I could have the Bread and Butter Pudding. It did NOT dissapoint and was just as good as I remember. I would probably say this was the BEST dessert of the entire trip. Mom had the Stickey Toffee Pudding and LOVED it.

We thought it would be a good idea to not use our DP credits for this meal but when the bill came and gratuity was added it came to $85!!!! For salads...it was good but COME ON!!!

 

[MainStMandy]

Day 2 started out with no breakfast...not really a great idea. We were at AK for rope drop and didn't eat until about NOON. I had no idea the heat would affect me the way it did and by that time I was starving and EXHAUSTED.

Here was our first mistake of the trip. Hot food on a hot day BAD IDEA!!

Don't get me wrong, the food was delicious but just too hot and didn't agree with us.

Yak and Yet counter service was on the schedule. We headed over there with a group of disers (Gmax and Mom, Poohbear67 and Antss)

Both mom and I had honey chicken. Mom was smarter than me and got frozen lemonade as her dessert while I tried the Mango pie. The meal was AWESOME and was way too much food which ends up being the trend. The Mango pie was awesome but warm by the time I got to it. Mom and I split her lemonade as it really hit the spot.

After a quick dip in the pool and a rest in the room, we headed to EPCOT where we had ADR's with some Diser's at Le Cellier.

Let me first say, we went overboard, lol. But I had been looking forward to this for SO long.

Le Cellier was running a special...they had a 3 course meal in which you picked from a small selection of appetizers, entree and dessert. As I had my heart set on the Mushroom fillet, I didn't opt for this, but Mom did.

We both started with the Cheddar Cheese soup (mom's came with a bowl, but I ordered a cup and we switched). Just like the bread and butter pudding, I had been looking forward to this and it did NOT dissapoint.

My entree was the Mushroom fillet and mom had the prime rib. Mine was delicous but a bit salty. I actually find BETTER mushroom risotto later in the trip.

Mom loved her prime rip and couldn't stop raving about the potatoes. For dessert I had the maple creme brulee...awesome! And mom decided to take the Chocolate Moose to go...I warned her it would melt the server reassured her it wouldn't.

Several hours later, back at the hotel, she decided to have dessert....warm, melted Moose!!! She said even if it hadn't melted, she didn't think it would have been that great.

I know there are a lot of mixed reviews of Le Cellier, but we loved it. The server was AWESOME and the food was just incredible.

Our group had 3 seperate ADR's and while we requested to be seated close together, we weren't. And not only were we not seated together, but we were seated in 3 opposite corners!!! Oh well...we knew it was just a request.

 

[luvpooh]

I'm looking forward to the rest of your reviews!
Are you serious!?!? Twenty Bucks for a Salad!?!?! Were there shaved truffles on it, or kobe beef?
The allears menu shows it as $9.95 - did they give you an entree portion and charge you double or something?

 

[MainStMandy]

For a change, I decided to let mom "sleep in" as I knew the next day we would be getting up early for DHS.

Today was MK day and I was SO excited. This is by far my favorite place, plus we had dinner ADR's for Kona.

We arrived at MK around 11 a.m. and after exploring the shops on Main St and visiting with the Dapper Dans, we headed to the Main St Bakery for breakfast.

Here we got:
2 drinks (can't remember what)
Cheese danish
Chocolate Croissant
French Toast Loaf

We ended up using 1 counter service and 2 snack credits here.

Everything was great, but the French Toast loaf STOLE the show!! It was amazing.

After wandering Tomorrowland and Fantasyland a bit, we decided to get some ice cream. It was already stifiling at this point. We spent a few more hours in the park before heading to the Poly. I was absolutley exhausted by this point. I was quickly discovering that my body just didn't like the heat.

We arrived at Kona about 4:30 for our 5 p.m. ADR. So we saddled up to the bar and orderd a few Pina Coladas...please keep in mind we were VERY hot, tired and had very little water all day While waiting for dinner we ran into Wirki and her husband who were drinking around the monorail.

By the time our buzzer went off for dinner, mom was really feeling the affects of her Pina Colada (she had only drank HALF!)

Dinner was amazing...although we had a bit of trouble understanding our server due to his thick accent.

We started off with lots of water and bread That really helped mom feel better but she was done with her Pina Colada for the night. The entrees we chose were...Me: Teriyaki Strip steak Mom: Coconut Almond Chicken.

Both of us LOVED our food and were really eating to the point of being stuffed. Too full for dessert, we both orderd the chocolate lava cake to go.

Our plan was to head back to MK for Spectro and Wishes but I could barely keep my eyes open at this point. We made a quick stop at DTD and headed back to the resort.

Kona is a definite must do!!!

 

[MainStMandy]

I'm looking forward to the rest of your reviews!
Are you serious!?!? Twenty Bucks for a Salad!?!?! Were there shaved truffles on it, or kobe beef?
The allears menu shows it as $9.95 - did they give you an entree portion and charge you double or something?

I was wondering the same thing...it definitely wasn't an entree size portion But I swear it was $19.95...figure almost $40 a piece for dinner...$8 for the drink and dessert. It adds up to be right

 

[MainStMandy]

So we began Day 4 without breakfast either...well not really. The night before we grabbed some yogurt parfaits at Earl of Sandwich along with some fruit. Well by the next morning, they were more than a little soggy. I managed to eat some of the yogurt and Mom had the fruit.

After hitting up Toy Story Mania we were STARVING!!

We decided to go to Starring Rolls. I had some type of cherry pastry and I don't remember what mom had...a pastry I am sure. We grabbed some water and milk and got in line...and waited.

It drives me INSANE when people spend a small FORTUNE on vacation and have NO idea what they are doing. The woman in front of me, with her husband didn't have any clue about the dining plan. Didn't know what credits they were using or what counter service even was. I was trying to be patient...really I was.

But when it was finally my turn the CM asked if I was from NY. I told her yes, but how did she know? We aren't from NYC so we don't really have an accent. She said she knew because of how irritated I had gotten with the couple in front of us...tapping on the counter and just looking impatient

We had switched our dinner reservation to a lunch reservation. The heat was making it very difficult for us to make it through the day. One of my Mom's FAVORITE places is Mama Melroses and she was tickled to be going there today.

For starters we orderd Bellini's and Artisan Breads and Spreads ( freshly baked breads served with an arugula and chive pesto, sun-dried tomato, roasted vegetable and roasted garlic spreads)

YUM YUM YUM, lol we ate way too much bread but Se La Vie!!

Our entrees were Mom: Oven Baked Chicken alla Parmigiana and Me: Tuscan Chicken Bruschetta . Now this isn't anything like I would normally order but let me just say...WOW!! This was an open faced sandwich served on this delicous olive bread. I really enjoyed as did Mom her Chicken Parm.

Dessert here was very dissapointing. Mom had a cheesecake that she seemed to enjoy. Now one of my favorite desserts is Tiramisu. And what better place to order than an Italian restaurant. WRONG. It tasted stale and just...well yuck. Remember this for later in my report.

Moving up our ADR was really a good idea. Again we headed back to the hotel for a swim and nap and then wandered over to EPCOT for dinner. Both Mom and I agree that EPCOT's World Showcase at night is one of our FAVORITE places.

We both wanted something a bit different for dinner, so I grabbed dinner in Japan (Shogun Combination - teriyaki chicken thigh, sukiyaki beef, and steamed rice One of my favorites in all of WDW!!!) then we headed to France. We grabbed a few slushies (Grey Goose!) and mom grabbed a hot ham and cheese sandwhich from the Patissere.

Really this is one of my favorite moments from the whole trip. We sat right outside the bakery and had a WONDERFUL meal

 

[TigerKat]

Enjoying your reviews! I am looking forward to meeting some DISers on our next trip as well!!

 

[MainStMandy]

After realizing how the heat was affecting us, we began moving around as many ADR's as possible. Since we left AK earlier in the week and missed FOTLK, we decided we would head to Boma for breakfast and then AK.

Our ADR was for 10:30 a.m. and I was worried that there wouldn't be much left as we were toward the end of breakfast. Boy, was I wrong!! We had originally planned to use a credit for this meal, but the more I thought about it, it just seemed like a waste, so we paid OOP.

Boma was awesome as usual, but our server was HORRIBLE. We barely saw him, he never asked about the DDP and basically just showed up with the check.

Tonight we originally had plans with GMax and Mom for Cape May but after our rearranging...and seeing how little my mom was eating (She wasn't finishing most meals) we made ADR's for Wolfgang Pucks.

As we left the resort around 6:15 we noticed it was startign to sprinkle. Thinking nothing of it, we didn't bother to grab umbrellas.

Well as we pulled into the lot at DTD, it was raining CATS and DOGS!! I wish I had pictures...we were up a creek without a paddle, almost literally!! There was no way we could head into the restaurant, we were wearing kitten heel sandles and skirts! So we waited it out. At about 6:59 there was a break in the sky.

Mom and I looked at each other, took our shoes off and RAN as fast as we could into the restaurant. We must have looked quite hysterical. We had no problems checking in an were seated almost immediately. I was kind of suprised at some of the guests waiting in the lobby, complaining about how expensive it was...

We started out with a glass of wine each...I usually chose a Reisling. I know I should chose something to go with my dinner, but I know what I like. Mom likes sweet wine, so I recommended the Plum wine, which she loved. She also got a cup of tea.

For dinner tonight, we actually chose an appetizer (Artichoke and Five Cheese Dip ) Seriously, we could have licked the plate on this one. We also chose to split a side salad...history would tell us we were crazy for ordering this much food, but we did anyway!

For our entrees, mom chose the Pepporoni flat bread while I had the Macadamia crusted Chicken...I remember this being good, but WOW, it was to die for!! Mom liked her pizz...I mean flatbread. We were stuffed (again) so we ordered dessert to go. I had the flourless chocolate cake and mom had the carrot cake.

After dinner, we met up with some Diser's at Jellyrolls and had a blast...I even danced on stage!!! (kinda)

 

[MainStMandy]

Enjoying your reviews! I am looking forward to meeting some DISers on our next trip as well!!

Thanks!!! We had a blast with everyone we met!

 

[Nie0214]

We arrived at Kona about 4:30 for our 5 p.m. ADR. So we saddled up to the bar and orderd a few Pina Coladas...please keep in mind we were VERY hot, tired and had very little water all day While waiting for dinner we ran into Wirki and her husband who were drinking around the monorail.

Not surprised! (I kid!!) Did she tell you how her Trip Report would be titled "I'm not an alcoholic, I just play one in Disney"?

Oh, and shouldn't you be working?! Your meals sound good, I was thinking of trying to book Mama Melrose's. Maybe next time!

 

[MainStMandy]

Not surprised! (I kid!!) Did she tell you how her Trip Report would be titled "I'm not an alcoholic, I just play one in Disney"?

Oh, and shouldn't you be working?! Your meals sound good, I was thinking of trying to book Mama Melrose's. Maybe next time!

Lol that's so funny...but I think Earl has one leg up on her

Mama Melroses is great EVERYTIME we go.

Sorry we didn't get to hang out more than those 30 seconds at EPCOT
And yes I should be working but I can't focus today...plus I leave in 3 minutes to go see dbf who I haven't seen in over a WEEK

 

[DLo]

Enjoying your reviews. Kind of dissapointed there aren't any picutres ; ). Sounds like you and your mom had a great (even though it was hot) time.

 

[John's Mom]

Great reviews!

 

[Nie0214]

Sorry we didn't get to hang out more than those 30 seconds at EPCOT

I know, huh? My brother was whining, and my mom really wanted to see Fantasmic, so we took off for that. I love Fantasmic though so I was okay with it. We got prime seats too.

 

[MainStMandy]

Finally got pics uploaded and while not many are of food, here are a couple

Celtic Sangria

Bellini's from Mama Melroses

Bread platter from Mama Melroses

Told you there wasn't a lot

 

[MainStMandy]

Notice a theme? Lol, Mom just loves EPCOT

So today started super early...earlier than I planned simple because I couldn't remember if I booked the KTKT at 8 or 8:30....turns out it was 8:30. That gave us just enough time to grab some more french toast loaf and coffee at the Main St Bakery.

I can't say enough about the KTKT. It was just awesome...plus lunch was included. Nothing spectacular. We both had the chicken nuggets and fries (Columbia Harbour House)...the bonus was I got to have vinegar with my fries!! YUM!!!

We left MK around 3 and headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. The skies were looking fairly clear but we heard we may see remnents of Ike again near dinner. We stopped by the gift shop to get mom a umbrella...plus a couple of drinks (Mudslide for me and Corona for mom)

We left the hotel around 4 for our 5 p.m. ADR at Chefs De France...and boy was that cutting it close!! We used a rental car everyday except today. We got an amazing parking spot at MK and planned to head back for fireworks so we left the car there.

As we got off the bus at EPCOT it started to rain...we were smarter this time and brought umbrellas. It was just a sprinkle but by the time we got to Canada it was POURING. What's a girl to do??

There were quite a few people there when we arrived, but afterall it was raining and the restaurant hadn't opened yet. I don't know the hosts name...or he may have been the restaurant manager, but he was GREAT. What a personality.

For starters we each had a glass of wine (me a reisling and mom had something the server recommended) We also started with a bowl of french onion soup. I think it was partly because of the rain, but the soup really hit the spot!

Our intent was to split our entrees...Macaroni and Cheese and Tenderloin of beef. But when they arrived, Mom really loved the macaroni, which I didn't care for and vice versa...so we had a few bites of the other's dish but mainly ate our own It was really amazing.

For dessert Mom had the crepes and a cup of tea, while I had Tarte au chocolat, banane et noix de coco, sauce pralinee. It was very good but not something I would normally order. The Mousse was to die for.

This meal was very excellent but this is one thing that bugs me about the DP. Chefs De France seems like a very nice, even upscale...two things really got me though. The first was the family sitting behind us who's little girl (maybe 4 or 5) was putting penne noodles on her fingers...while her DAD helped!! I get that Disney is for kids too, but that doesn't mean every restaurant is appropriate for children or that even if you decide to bring your kids there they should act like that.

The second was the mom that came in with her 3 kids...soaked to the bone. I mean really drenched...hint for all you ladies that don't know...don't where a colored bra and a white t-shirt on a day that rain is expected. The host brought all 4 of them TABLECLOTHES to wrap themselves into.

Overall the meal and the restaurant were great though!

 

[Nie0214]

The second was the mom that came in with her 3 kids...soaked to the bone. I mean really drenched...hint for all you ladies that don't know...don't where a colored bra and a white t-shirt on a day that rain is expected. The host brought all 4 of them TABLECLOTHES to wrap themselves into.

Wow, it seems I left right before the rain storms! And how sweet of the waiter! I know how cold those places feel when you aren't soaked, so that's really cool.

 

[MainStMandy]

Yes, EPCOT again lol. This was the part of the trip Mom was probably looking forward to the most. Chocolate Croissants from Sunshine Seasons...I know they are probably the same as EVERYWHERE on property but for some reason she likes these the best.

We desperately needed to use counter service credits so the plan was to get counter service breakfast AND lunch today...but that never happened.

We did however get breakfast. We both had breakfast platters, scrambled eggs, homefries, sausage and a biscuit or french toast. The thing that bugs me is that breakfast comes with 2 drinks...we don't need two drinks! We did however each need a chocolate croissant, lol.

Later that morning, after riding Soarin 2 more times, we met up with a friend of mine who is a CM at the MK. We did a few rides and then he treated us to ice cream (or frozen lemonade for me). It was hot as heck and we weren't hungry. So we said our good bye's and went back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.

Tonight was our last night and we were both VERY sad but looking forward to dinner at Citrico's. We actually got this ADR at the very last minute. Our original ADR was for California Grille at 9:40 but we knew we would NEVER make that. So we got all gussied up and heading over the GF. We were a bit early so we walked around a little before heading up to the restaurant.

I was pleasantly suprised. The restaurant was beautiful, we were seated in front of the kitchen much to my Moms delight. Plus our server David was FANTASTIC!!!

I had a glass of wine while mom had a bellini. I was torn between the fillet and the pork dish but David quickly assure me the Pork was the better choice. OMG he wasn't kidding. This was the BEST meal I have had in a very long time, plus the mushroom risotto was out of this WORLD. Mom enjoyed her fillet and had a taste of the potatoes, which were good, but not like my risotto.

When it came to to dessert, I was again stumped. Too many choices Mom had no trouble chosing the Warm Chocolate Banana Tart and did everything but lick the plate, lol.

I was stuck between the lemon cheesecake, the creme brulee and Tiramisu. I explained to David I had some very sub par Tiramisu earlier in the week. He said without a doubt, the creme brulee...BUT he said that even better than that was the Seasonal Berry Gratin. Here is where David dissapointed me. The dessert was ok, but I didn't find it spectacular...it had a VERY strong taste of alcohol that almost over powered the rest of the dish. It was good....just not great.

We spent the rest of our night at DTD doing some last minute shopping. I had an iced Cafe Mocha from Ghiradelli that was AMAZING...really almost better than my dessert with dinner!!!

Only one more meal to go!

 

[iluvpluto27]

Enjoying your reviews. I'm pleased to hear a good review of the pork at Citricos, I was thinking about trying that dish next week, so happy to hear it's good.