Lost front teeth! Still gonna eat-UPDATED 7/22- FINISHED!

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

So here's my grading of our meal at Cali Grill

Atmosphere- B

This restaurant has a beautiful panoramic view, but we didn't get to enjoy it much since we were seated as far away from the windows as you get. That is my fault, next time we eat here I think I will request a window seat. Cali Grill really is on the noisy side, but I do admit to liking the open kitchen and watching what is going on there.

Service- B

Our waiter was Dale and other than taking a bit longer than usual to take our order he did a good job.

Value- C

Our bill was $90.69. That is with a $17.58 TIW discount and and $15.82 in gratuity. I've noticed that I was charged for Brianna's chocolate milk, but I thought that drinks were included with the price of her kid's meal. Brian's steak was $47 and even though it was excellent it was on the small side. I think the flatbread are a good buy at $13, but I will get a different one next time. The salad at $14.00 is probably pricey too, but so worth it.

Quality- B-

Everything we ate was excellent except for that flatbread. I know I sound like one of those judges on a cooking show, but putting dried beef on anything is just unacceptable to me. I should have googled bresaola before I ordered it.

So the final grade of Cali Grill for us was...

B-

Up next will be a regrettable lunch at Electric Umbrella.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Great reviews so far! Sorry you didn't love Johnny Appleseed's cake - you're totally right about the craisins being all over that cake, which is a good thing for some people but not others.

And interesting review of California Grill - thanks for posting the full menu. We've had our ups and downs there, but I still want to try it again - the Korean chicken flatbread sounds really good.

 

[vettegirl]

We enjoyed the Cali Grill back in May 2010 and our meal was great accept my DH's flatbread was way to greasy.

 

[iloveeeyore]

I can really relate to how being disappointed in the item you're most looking forward to (the flatbread) can really spoil your dinner! That happened to me at Flying Fish. I had amazing appetizers and desserts, but that Potato Wrapped Snapper just did NOT do it for me, and it left a bad taste in my mouth about the restaurant (even though all the other items on the table, including the other entrees, were fantastic)!

I think bresaola isn't supposed to really be dry like leather. My mom used to make it, i think she started with flank steak, and seasoned and stuffed it in a particular italian way. It always came out sort of stringy and...not moist...but not dry like jerky. Anyway, I wouldn't want it on a flatbread, either. Sorry your CG experience wasn't great.

 

[LuccaDrake]

I'm in!

We have eaten at LTT a couple times for lunch and dinner and I wouldn't go back for dinner but the lunch is one of my favorite table service places in the MK. We also ate at CG last trip and we thought it was over-rated. Our favorite is Jiko. Have you been there?

~Beka~

 

[CanadianPaco]

I'm signing for the Flying Fish review! Can't wait!

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Great reviews so far! Sorry you didn't love Johnny Appleseed's cake - you're totally right about the craisins being all over that cake, which is a good thing for some people but not others.

And interesting review of California Grill - thanks for posting the full menu. We've had our ups and downs there, but I still want to try it again - the Korean chicken flatbread sounds really good.

I think the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake is far superior to the Johnny Appleseed cake. There were so many craisins on the cake I wondered if Liberty Tree has some kind of marketing tie-in with Ocean Spray.

The korean one was the other one I was considering. I wish I would have chosen it. We also will be back to California Grill. I just think that flatbread wasn't my taste.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

We enjoyed the Cali Grill back in May 2010 and our meal was great accept my DH's flatbread was way to greasy.

Glad you enjoyed your meal at Cali Grill. We ate there in December and had a very good meal so we will definitely try it again.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

I can really relate to how being disappointed in the item you're most looking forward to (the flatbread) can really spoil your dinner! That happened to me at Flying Fish. I had amazing appetizers and desserts, but that Potato Wrapped Snapper just did NOT do it for me, and it left a bad taste in my mouth about the restaurant (even though all the other items on the table, including the other entrees, were fantastic)!

I think bresaola isn't supposed to really be dry like leather. My mom used to make it, i think she started with flank steak, and seasoned and stuffed it in a particular italian way. It always came out sort of stringy and...not moist...but not dry like jerky. Anyway, I wouldn't want it on a flatbread, either. Sorry your CG experience wasn't great.

I had never had bresaloa before, but what was on the flatbread was dry and very salty. We still like CG very much and will go back. It was disappointing because everything else we had was very good.

My husband ate that snapper at FF this trip and he didn't like it either. I'm getting ahead of myself because I plan to review it later, but it didn't have much taste.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

I'm in!

We have eaten at LTT a couple times for lunch and dinner and I wouldn't go back for dinner but the lunch is one of my favorite table service places in the MK. We also ate at CG last trip and we thought it was over-rated. Our favorite is Jiko. Have you been there?

~Beka~

LTT is probably my favorite spot for lunch at MK too.

I would love to try Jiko. It is one of 2 Signature restaurants that we haven't been to yet. Glad you give it a good endorsement.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

I'm signing for the Flying Fish review! Can't wait!

Should be coming up after a quick review of Electric Umbrella. Can't say we loved Flying Fish, but we would try it again.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

The next day we headed over to EPCOT. I was looking forward to the fish from the Yorkshire Fish Shop. I've eaten the fish at Rose and Crown which I really enjoyed and wanted to compare. The weather changed my mind when it came a monsoon right after leaving Mission Space. We wanted to take cover, so like many others we headed into Electric Umbrella.

The last time I ate at Electric Umbrella I really enjoyed a Greek Salad. Sadly this has been removed from the menu and replaced with the generic chicken ceasar salad that is at many CS places. I didn't know what to order since nothing really appealed to me so I ended up getting this burger from the kids' menu.


Kids burger from Electric Umbrella by Smiling Cheshire Cat, on Flickr

This burger reminded me of those ones they serve at school cafeterias. I didn't eat much of it. I kept thinking about what I had seen on the news recently about something called "pink slime" being in processed hamburger patties. At least the fries were good and Brianna ate a few of the grapes.

Brian chose the meatball sub.


Meatball sub from Electric Umbrella by Smiling Cheshire Cat, on Flickr

Brian said this sub was okay, but would have been better had the bread not been so hard.

Luckily when we left Electric Umbrella the rain had passed. One of the survey takers was outside polling people who had eaten at Electric Umbrella so I got to give my 2 cents worth about how limited I think the menu is and that I wish they would bring the Greek salad back.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Here's my grade of Electric Umbrella.

Atmosphere- B

We were happy to find a place to eat that was dry during the rainstorm. Also, EU has plenty of eating space with several window tables.

Value- C

Our total bill was $23.55 for Brian's sub, my kids' meal, a side of fries for Brianna, and drinks for all. No discounts here. I wish WDW would discount food at CS places for passholders like Disneyland does.

Quality- D

Other than the fries, nothing we ate here was all that good.

So my final grade of Electric Umbrella is a...

C-

Here's hoping that there might be some changes to Electric Umbrella since Disney had someone surveying their diners. It is a great location in the middle of Future World. I just wish the menu was a little more diverse and the food better.

Up next will be Flying Fish!

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Flying Fish

Since we were staying at Caribbean Beach, dinner at Flying Fish required some planning ahead. We took a bus to DHS and then the boat on to the Swan/Dolphin. We then got out and walked across the bridge to the Boardwalk. We beat the boat by doing this because it had to stop at the Yacht/Beach Club before heading on to the Boardwalk.

I absolutely love the Boardwalk area and recommend staying there. The theme of Flying Fish is right on par with the theme of the Boardwalk. It looks like a seafood restaurant you would picture in upstate Maine. We checked and waited about 15 minutes before we were led to a table. I noticed there were several families like us dining, but also what appeared to be a lot of business travelers that had probably come from the convention centers nearby.

Our waiter was Tim and he did an excellent job. After looking over the menu and ordering he brought us this basket of bread.


Bread from Flying Fish by Smiling Cheshire Cat, on Flickr

I can't say I loved this bread. It was very grainy and earthy. I guess I'm more of a white bread girl.

Brianna still complained of a tummy ache, but we persuaded her to order these french fries. Don't you just love the presentation in the little fry basket? She only ate a couple of these, but I helped her out and can say they were delicious french fries.


Brianna's french fries from Flying Fish by Smiling Cheshire Cat, on Flickr

I am such a big salad eater and love trying all the different gourment type salads that are served at the Signature restaurants so I knew I was going to order the EPCOT Bibb salad. I was so charmed by the idea that the vegetables for this salad were grown over at the Land pavilion.


salad from Flying Fish by Smiling Cheshire Cat, on Flickr

Having eaten salads at Citricos, Cali Grill, Artist Point, and the Brown Derby within the last 6 months, I have to say this one is near the bottom of my list of favorites. (I liked it better than the one at Narcoosee's.) It was very hearty, full of tomatoes, cucumbers, and oranges, but it was too citrusy and tangy for me. And the elephant chips seemed misplaced. I think I like my salads a little sweeter.

Brian went with the Flying Fish's signature dish, the Potato Wrapped Red Snapper. I know it has been photographed many times before, but here's once more...


Potato wrapped snapper from Flying Fish by Smiling Cheshire Cat, on Flickr

Brian wasn't a fan of this dish. He said it just didn't have a lot of taste. I tried a bite and have to agree with him. Also I just don't think it even looks all that appealing, the colors of the dish are so bland.

Brian also ordered a side of graten potatoes. I also tried these and thought they had an overwhelming smoky flavor. I like the ones I make at home much better.


Potato graten from Flying Fish by Smiling Cheshire Cat, on Flickr

Since I had been such a piggie and eaten most of Brianna's french fries we decided to skip dessert this time.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

So for a final grade of Flying Fish-

Atmosphere- A

I love the seaside, ocean look of Flying Fish. The intricate tiling in the floor and walls to look like water was beautiful. I'm also a sucker for any place that has the open kitchen. I think I could sit there for hours watching them cook. Brianna's only complaint was that they only had blue crayons.

Service- A

I think Tim gave us the best service we had this trip.

Value- C

Our total bill was $61.81 with $10.78 for gratuity and a discount of $11.98 with my TIW card.

Brianna's fries seem a good deal at $3.50. And if you like tangy, citrusy salads, I think $10 was reasonable since it was a large, filling salad. But Brian's fish at $36 was not much of a value since he didn't like it much.

Quality- C

Neither Brian nor I was impressed with the taste of our choices.

So for a final grade I will give Flying Fish a...


B-

Since several of my favorite reviewers here on the Dining Boards are fans of Flying Fish we will give it another try the next time we are staying in the Boardwalk area. I think Brian and I just didn't make the right choices to suit our tastes.

Up next will be lunch at Marrakesh.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Restaurant Marrakesh

We headed over to EPCOT after spending the morning at Animal Kingdom. I thought it was smart of me to catch the bus from AK to the Beach Club and then walk in to EPCOT via the International Gateway.

We headed to the back of the Morrocan Pavilion where Restaurant Marrakesh is. This place doesn't get much street traffic and didn't have any windows. We wondered if we would see any belly dancing. Sadly we didn't. Maybe this is just nighttime entertainment? Here's a couple of pictures of the inside of Marrakesh.


Restaurant Marrakesh by Smiling Cheshire Cat, on Flickr


Ceiling of Marrakesh by Smiling Cheshire Cat, on Flickr


Brianna at Restaurant Marrakesh by Smiling Cheshire Cat, on Flickr

Notice in the picture of Brianna there is only one other table occupied. At 12 o'clock noon there were only 6 tables with people dining at Marrakesh. This has got to be the least busy restaurant I have ever dined at while at WDW.

We were seated and a very nice young man came by and filled water glasses for us. Our waiter, Jamal, came by and asked what we would like to eat. Brian remembered about halfway through the meal that he didn't ask us if we wanted drinks. I was fine with water, but Jamal seemed hurried and annoyed with our questions about the food. This was suprising since the restaurant was so empty.

Brian and I decided to split a meal. I wanted the kebabs, but Brian won out and we had the chicken couscous.


Chicken Couscous from Marrakesh by Smiling Cheshire Cat, on Flickr

I actually enjoyed this dish very much. The chicken was very tender and the couscous was cooked perfectly. It also had chick peas, zucchini, carrots, and another vegetable that looked like a potato but had more texture to it. My only disappointment with this dish is that the meat was on the skimpy side so maybe this is a place not to share.

Brian decided he wanted dessert. He asked about baclava, which was on the menu in one of the fixed price selections but not by itself. Jamal insisted we order the bastilla saying we would love it.


Bastilla from Marrakesh by Smiling Cheshire Cat, on Flickr

Jamal cut it for us and here is my half. While this was a generous portion I can't say I liked this dessert. It would have been so much better if it had been warm, but it was really cold.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Here's the grading for Marrakesh

Atmosphere- A-

I thought this was a beautiful restaurant and enjoyed it not being so crowded.

Service- C

Jamal was efficient enough, but didn't deliver any special service. He seemed uninterested in answering any questions we had about the menu.

Value- C+

Our bill was $26.82 with a TIW discount of $5.20 and gratuity of $4.68. Considering the couscous had a rather small piece of chicken I can't say it was a good value.

Quality- B-

I liked the chicken couscous but didn't like our dessert at all.

So my final grade of Restaurant Marrakesh is a

B-

If we had gotten better service I would have given Marrakesh a better grade. Maybe someday we will go back and give it another try.

Up next will be Earl of Sandwich.

 

[iloveeeyore]

We also had Tim as our server at Flying Fish! He is so awesome! Like your DH, I found the signature snapper very disappointing. I didn't think the veal demi glace matched well...at all, actually...with the fish? I thought maybe this was an "off " night, maybe the sauce was a little burned, since so many of MY favorite reviewers rave about this dish?! I have to say, everything else we tried there...and we tried several more dishes than your family, since we were 4 hungry gluttons...was excellent. The mussels were the best we have ever tasted, by FAR! However, my DD was a little bit disappointed with her scallops because they weren't as perfect as the scallops at AP, and DS didn't love his salmon as much as the salmon dish at CG...so even though it was mostly excellent, we end up ranking FF at the lower end of the signatures we've tried. Like you, we will try to return one day when we stay in the BW area. Next time, I will stay away from the snapper. In the meantime, we continue to dream about the mussels.

And Marrakesh...I agree that Bastilla is NOT good! At all!

 

[ilovepete]

Enjoying your reviews! I have a six year old as well, I can't wait for him to lose those two front teeth, so cute! Brianna looks like a sweetie!

 

[jacksmom]

Great reviews! Can't wait for more!