Mmmmmmm....5 Nights with Shameless Pics! *Updated with California Grill!

[MemoryMakers2669]

For those of you who have never been, check-in for Boma is in the main lobby, just to the right of the main entrance if you are facing the lobby doors from inside the lobby.

Sorry if someone else asked this, but since when is Boma check in UPstairs, in the Lobby? I just ate there at the end of December and it was downstairs IN the restaurant. Did they change it??

Really a good idea honestly, as that area gets so congested, at the restaurant entrance.

 

[west&east]

Thank you SO much for posting the Biergarten beer menu!!!! I have been searching for their beer list for a year now, trying to figure out the names of the yummy beers I had in the beer flight on my last trip. Thank you!!!

You are so welcome! Which beer did you like the best?

Sorry if someone else asked this, but since when is Boma check in UPstairs, in the Lobby? I just ate there at the end of December and it was downstairs IN the restaurant. Did they change it??

Really a good idea honestly, as that area gets so congested, at the restaurant entrance.

I had no idea this was a new thing. And I'm not sure if the lobby check in was being used at breakfast (DH checked in and got us a table before I came down from our room.) After your pager goes off, you still have to report to the desk at the front of the restaurant.

Up Next: Cosmic Rays' and then CALIFORNIA GRILL!!

 

[west&east]

We began our second morning (Friday) with an early breakfast in the AKL concierge lounge. We were at MK before rope drop and had an energetic morning. We decided on Cosmic Rays for lunch.

When we walked in, I immediately felt overwhelmed. It was very crowded, and I realized that there were different zones for different foods. I don't do well with crowds and choices when I'm hungry. (This was such a contrast with the previous day's lunch at ABC Commissary which was empty.) I put my fate in DH's hands. He went to the "Chicken" station to order for the adults, while I stood at the Burger station to order for the kids. I thought it odd that they have no kids burger meals. So I decided to order one 1/4 pound burger and fries for the kids to share. DS was happy to have his half plain (with ketchup) while Minnie was excited to add grilled onions and mushrooms to her burger from the fixin bar:

I was getting a little cranky and wondered what Grumpy would choose for my lunch. Hooray! He returned with a hearty meal of ribs, served with green beans and mashed potatoes. I almost hesitate to admit this, but I preferred these ribs to those from Boma. They were moist and meaty with a nice tangy traditional bbq sauce. I was impressed that the green beans were hot yet crisp and a beautiful bright green (I don't like mushy veggies). I also really enjoyed the mashed potatoes which were creamy and had pieces of potato skin. What a nice meal:

Grumpy had a similar lunch but with the 1/2 rotisserie chicken:

I forgot to get his input, but I am pretty sure he enjoyed this.

All in all, a better than expected lunch, even if I had to deal with the crowds.

 

[Busymom85]

Great reviews.Thanks for the pics. cosmic Rays doesn't look too bad. We had fun at Biergarten too. Entertainment made it.

 

[momofdbsdc]

Great reviews!!! I think we may put Biergarten on the list!!! Thanks for sharing!

 

[TigerKat]

DH & I were both very impressed with our meals at Cosmic Ray's on our last trip. We both had the chicken plate, it was one of the best CS meals we've had at WDW!

 

[west&east]

We saw the very first Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade! We found a spot on the sidewalk right in front of the candy store, so Grumpy and I took turns with the kids getting snacks. Baloo got some blue cotton candy which he enjoyed and which stuck to his fingers in a sugary glue.

Minnie chose maple walnut and cookies and cream fudge:

She seemed to like the fudge but couldnt finish those two big squares. She brought it back to the hotel but didn't seem drawn to it.

I chose a toffee pretzel which was on the small size, but just right for a snack. I love the combination of salty and sweet:

My biggest complaint about the candy store was the service. There seemed to be four or five cast members at the cash registers, but none of them actually ringing anyone up! It was very disorganized and somehow the guy behind me got served first. But we got our treats before the parade which I guess is what matters.

 

[west&east]

We arrived at the Contemporary a bit early for our 7:55 ADR. When we checked in, we were informed that they were running 20 to 30 minutes behind ADR times! What's up with that. I was exhausted and Grumpy was concerned that I wasn't up to enjoying our special night out. (Minnie and Baloo were at Simba's Clubhouse!)

For those of you who have not dined at CG, you check in on the 2nd floor of the Contemporary, are given your pager, and are escorted upstairs in the elevator with a cm. When we got to the restaurant, we found it fairly busy. DH found me a seat at the bar (no lounge tables were yet available). He ordered a 12 year old Macallan scotch ($10.25) and I ordered a diet coke to perk me up.

Grumpy was attentive and quick on his feet and secured us a lounge table next to the window. We chose to stay at this table during Wishes. They do dim the lights somewhat and pipe the music into the restaurant. It was a wonderful way to enjoy the fireworks that night, as I was probably too tired to even go to the balcony! The caffeine in the diet coke did its trick and I began to perk up as we were directed to our table.

I was a bit disappointed in our table which was one row away from the window. The adjacent table for two was next to the window and was used for two different couples celebrating their anniversary. Each time, I observed that the table was festively decorated for the celebration and a special dessert was presented. As I had intended this evening to be our anniversary celebration, I was disappointed that we didn't receive the prime table or the special treatment. I found out later from the AKL concierge that our reservation did not have any special notation about our celebration. This was probably my fault for not making it clear and confirming it. I also got a little peeved at the other window table next to ours. A young couple were seated there in jeans, shorts, and tshirt. They proceeded to order a bottle of water and some flatbread before leaving. I fully understand and even support anyone having a quick dinner at CG, but please dress appropriately! In any case, I tried to shake off my irritation (I guess I was the grumpy one that night) and enjoyed the evening.

It has been our tradition to enjoy a glass of bubbly at the start of special meals. So we ordered two glasses of the Roederer Sparkling Brut, Anderson Valley. Crisp and refreshing! Because I am a slow drinker, I got to enjoy it a bit more with our first course. Read on...

 

[TigerKat]

I'm excited about this one!

 

[west&east]

Sorry about the delay everybody. Minnie was out sick for 3 days last week and I was trying to catch up on real work. So here is the next installment of California Grill!


We started out with the Yellowfin Tuna Three Ways (Poki, Tartarte, and Tataki):

Here is another view of the same plate:

The tartare is a finely chopped tuna; the poki is more of tuna chunks (think Hawaiian poke style) and the tataki was very lightly seared. I preferred the tataki as I am sort of a purist when it comes to sushi. Just give me the raw fish. I enjoyed the different caviars served with each of the tunas. The block of sushi rice in the middle was very good with bites of the fish.

Since we both love sushi, we knew ahead of time that one option was to just eat sushi for dinner. We also knew the food at CG is great, but this tuna just wet our appetites for more sushi. So we decided to continue and order more sushi for our meals.

Around this time we were ready for more wine. So it was a glass of the Conundrum for me and a glass of the Hess Cab for DH. Yes, we drank red wine with our sushi and loved it!

 

[west&east]

For our main course, I ordered the Tempura Malibu Roll Roll:

This roll had grouper, snapper, cobia, hamachi, and more of the tuna tartare with a spicy sesame sauce. I love tempura rolls (I have a weakness for fried food!) but even Grumpy (who doesn't like fried things) thought this was really good. It was just lighly fried. Tons of fresh fish flavor.

Grumpy ordered the Spicy Kazan roll but I think he got the double crunch rainbow roll which has tempura crunch on top.

It didn't really matter because we were happy and it was all yummy! We shared both and ate every last morsel.

When you have sushi for dinner, you feel a bit less guilty about dessert. Next post!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

The roll your husband got was the Spicy Kazan Roll. While the menu doesn't specify, it does come with tempura crunch on top. This is my favorite roll at CG so I've had it many times.

 

[west&east]

The roll your husband got was the Spicy Kazan Roll. While the menu doesn't specify, it does come with tempura crunch on top. This is my favorite roll at CG so I've had it many times.

Thanks Tink! Good to know there wasn't a mistake. We didn't notice anything that night, but I got confused as I was writing the report and comparing it to the menu. I have to admit that the wine was probably going to my head by this point!

 

[MinnieMom]

LOVE the sushi at CG. We had the California Rolls there in September and they were the most amazing I have ever had! I can't wait to try more.

 

[Joie29]

Looks great!

Yes, Dh had the Spicy Kazan Roll as his starter and his looked exactly like Grumpy's. He loved it! He debated continuing on in sushi as well, because it was excellent.

 

[west&east]

For dessert, DH ordered the Valrhona Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Ice Cream:

The molten center was warm and fudgy:

This was a reliable dessert, yummy but not soaring.

I ordered "The Original": Butterscotch Creme Bruelee with a Duo of Banana cakes and Caramelized Bananas:

I can appreciate creme brulee (although I won't try to type it with the correct punctuation!). This was a top notch version. Creamy but not to heavy with the a nice butterscotch flavor. The burnt sugar was not too thick and had a nice crunch. It paired well with the carameized bananas. The cakes were a complete waste, unfortunately. I found them dry and tasteless and not even worth eating. That was a disappointment.

Overall, I would say that my visit to California Grill was a bit disappointing compared to our earlier visits 4 to 5 years ago. Maybe the appeal has just worn off or maybe they are not as good as they once were, or maybe it was just my mood that night. I would definitely return, especially for the sushi and wine, but I will not make it my one adult evening out. Next time, I'll bring the kids and not have such high expectations.

Coming up: some snacks in Epcot followed by Chef Mickey Dinner!

 

[west&east]

By the way, I have the Menu (flatbreads, sushi, first course, main course, and featured wines/sake) and Dessert Menu from California Grill (at least from January) that includes their Ports, Madeira and Dessert Wines as well as the Cordials, Single Malts, Brandies, and Cognacs. Did you know that you can get a 1 ounce pour of Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac for $135?

I don't think I would ever splurge on Cognac but a 2 ounce pour of Charbay Black Walnut Liquer ($32) might be worth a try sometime as might a 3 ounce pour of 1964 Broadbent Boal Madeira ($53).

 

[Joie29]

By the way, I have the Menu (flatbreads, sushi, first course, main course, and featured wines/sake) and Dessert Menu from California Grill (at least from January) that includes their Ports, Madeira and Dessert Wines as well as the Cordials, Single Malts, Brandies, and Cognacs. Did you know that you can get a 1 ounce pour of Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac for $135?

I don't think I would ever splurge on Cognac but a 2 ounce pour of Charbay Black Walnut Liquer ($32) might be worth a try sometime as might a 3 ounce pour of 1964 Broadbent Boal Madeira ($53).

Although we loved our meal at CG, I was very disappointed in my dessert. Seemed like whoever made it, wasn't such an experienced pastry chef...or had an off day.

How fun for the liquers! I didn't even look because I was not at all interested after my glass of wine and the night before. The Black Walnut one sounds delicious!

 

[Kimberly2477]

Mmmm....those desserts look fantastic!

 

[Flossbolna]

Although we loved our meal at CG, I was very disappointed in my dessert.

I am third one who was not impressed with dessert either. Last year we had the banana butterscotch buzz which was something really special, but this year the selection seemed really bland.

I am sorry that you did not enjoy your meal as much as in previous visits. I have been there three times in winter now and start thinking that I might enjoy it more in a different season since they seem to try to use ingredients when they are fresh (or would have been fresh before greenhouses and such were invented). This trip I started to feel like while it is a nice meal, it is more about the experience.