Once again, we'd decided that we really liked the early dining time, so we were set to be at dinner at 5:45 each evening. And tonight's dinner was in the new Animator's Palate, which I was really excited to experience!
Already, I was loving all the details!
We were led to our table, which was #8, and happened to be right by one of the big screens that Crush appears on!!
We were the first to arrive at our table, and we figured the rest of the crew would be there shortly.
I noticed even more detail on the table and was really impressed with all the new changes!
Within a few minutes, our Assistant Server, Bertram from Jamaica came over and introduced himself. He asked if the others were going to join us, and we told him yes. Since they still hadn't arrived, Mike gave them a quick call on the wave phone. I think there was a little confusion, as they said they were just going to skip the restaurant and go eat at the buffet. We were all a little disappointed since this was the first dinner of the cruise, and our only night in AP! So, we let Bertram know that they weren't coming after all.
He went ahead and brought us the menus and took our drink orders.
Shortly, thereafter, we met our Server, whose name totally escapes me at the moment!!
Before we knew it, our appetizers had arrived. I went with the Wild Mushroom Risotto and Porcini Twist, which I discovered on our last cruise and totally fell in love with:
And Mike had the Smoked Salmon Tartare:
Dustin decided he didn't want an appetizer, which I think he ended up regretting after he saw Mike's!
Our appetizers had just arrived when the rest of the gang finally showed up!! We never figured out what the confusion was all about, but I think maybe Allen didn't want to eat in the dining room that night. Either way, we were glad they were there!!
Next up were our soups, which Dustin also decided to skip on.
Mike had the Creamy Butternut Squash:
And I went with the Baked Potato and Cheddar Cheese, which was really good:
I think it was around this time that Crush started appearing on the different screens around the restaurant. He was absolutely hilarious as he picked on a couple from a couple tables over that were just married. (They were actually part of the DIS group.) It was too funny as he made the groom talk in "Crush" to his Bride! We all got a good chuckle, and the Groom was a great sport!
By this time, the rest of the gang that were late had gotten all caught up with their appetizers and soups. I thought the servers did a good job of getting everything out quickly for them!
And soon after the main courses started to arrive. I decided to go with the Marinated Angus Beef Tenderloin, which was very tasty!
Dustin and Mike both had the Baked Salmon, which they both enjoyed:
Right before dessert came out, we noticed our servers along with the head server and a couple others walking towards our table with a dish and it hit me that I had noted our Anniversary on the reservation!! We were celebrating 12 years today! They made us both blush when they tied our hands together with a napkin then sang us a song!
I didn't realize that
DCL now had their own versions of the celebration buttons!
So, in addition to what we'd already ordered for dessert, we also had a little something extra!
Mike had the Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake:
And I had the Cookies and Cream Sundae (Gotta love the Mickey on top!):
Again, Dustin decided to skip this course. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was trying to watch his figure!
We thoroughly enjoyed our meal, and Mike and I both decided that the AP food was better than we remembered!
With our first night's meal behind us, we decided to head to the shops before taking a stroll around the ship.
Next up: The Dream after dark!
I know what it is like to lose a furry member of your family and my heart goes out to you! One day you will think about her and just be happy that you got to share your life with her, instead of just bawling your eyes out, I promise you 
You angel furbaby knows that you had her best interest at heart. After all dogs are many times wiser than we are!
Yes, you HAVE to do a TR for that one, for sure!!
I think the Fantasy is going to be SO VERY COOL!
love all the delicious food picks! Glad the rest of the gang finally joined you for dinner 
