My March 2009 DDE Dining Report w/pics, updated 6/9 pg15

[marsh0013]

California Grill, dinner, 3.5.09

Originally, my BFF's parents weren't going to be able to join me for this dinner, but I'm so glad their plans changed and they did indeed join me.

First things first, we ordered drinks after sitting down in the little bar/lounge area. Then Morgan's dad took me out onto the observation deck, while we waited for our drinks to arrive. So awesome out there! I imagine seeing Wishes from up there is amazing. Anyway, here's a couple pics of the view

And here's me, all "dressed up", or as dressed up as I get! I bring this skirt with me and carry it in my bag and change before my dinners that require it. Ha, I'm so not a dress up person, but for good food, I can be persuaded.

Anyway, once we got back inside, our pager went off. Oh yeah, I guess it would help to know that my ADR was for about 9pm. I had already seen Spectro and Wishes before that, at the Magic Kingdom.

So we went back and I took a picture of my drink, which was my typical Long Beach

The Florida parentals also got drinks, I think a Tom Collins and a glass of red wine. But I don't have pics of those, sorry!

I was really looking forward to this meal, and I couldn't wait to get sushi for an appetizer! I'm pretty sure that the one I ordered was the Double-Crunch Rainbow Roll - Cobia, Salmon, Tuna, Tempura Crunch and Tobikko. But I could be wrong, I know it was some sort of rainbow roll, but it also came with a citrus dipping sauce. So maybe it's something different. Either way, delicious!

BFF's mom ordered some sort of salad, something with apples in it that isn't on the allears menu. So yeah, I'm guessing the description of my sushi wasn't correct. Oh well. She picked out the radicchio, since she doesn't like it, but said the rest was good.

BFF's dad got soup. Definitely wasn't the Butternut Squash allears lists. I'm thinking it was some kind of cream of something soup? I wish I had written it down! Or taken a pic of the menu. I apologize for not doing that. Anyway, he licked his bowl clean.

For my main meal, I couldn't resist the ravioli. Hand-crafted Japanese Pumpkin Ravioli with wild mushrooms, spinach, parmesan, and mushroom tea. Oh my goodness! So so glad I went with this! Absolutely delicious, perfectly cooked pasta outside, creamy pumpkin inside, and a delicious light broth.

BFF mom got the Oak-fired Filet of Beef with cheesy Yukon gold potato mash, sautéed broccolini, and and teriyaki barbecue sauce. She managed to eat about half of it, but said it was very good. I don't do beef, but hey, for those of you that do, thumbs up

BFF dad got the Grilled Pork Tenderloin with goat cheese polenta, button mushrooms and zinfandel glaze. Seems like the main meals are the same as on allears, just the other stuff isn't. Anyway, again, he enjoyed.

While waiting for dessert, I snapped a pic of the open kitchen, which we were seated near.

I didn't really want anything for dessert, but BFF dad asked me if I would at least have a bite of anything. Well, there was some sort of dessert trio, and one of the components was berries in a zabagion (spelled that wrong, but I really have no idea!). Anyway, I don't remember the other things included. May have been some sort of cheesecake and something else. I wish I could do better, but here's the only picture I have of it

Yup, that's my finished off plate! Haha, I totally forgot to take a pic before we started digging in. I took the berries and sauce and put them on that plate, while BFF dad kept the main plate with the other stuff.

Oh yes, and BFF mom ordered creme brulee, which I actually managed to get a shot of!

Alongside it were a couple of mini cake type things. BFF dad took care of those. I remember he said one was a banana nut type of thing, I think. And the other was chocolate? Not sure, but he sure gobbled them up!

We also each got a cup of decaf coffee with the desserts. Just a very nice end to a very nice meal. This was a great experience, from beginning to end. Plus, I got a ride back to the hotel out of it! Door to door service, I'll take it! And I love getting to spend time with BFF's parents, who I refer to as my Florida parents

So yeah, great meal, great night, highly recommended!


next up: lunch @Plaza

 

[BreTyPres87]

I'll tell u that picture of the cobb salad makes me crave a cobb salad really bad, but for some reason I can't see myself going all the way to Disney for a salad maybe when I get to the AP level like all the other cool kids!

That empty dessert plate is hilarious! CA Grill looks yummy i'm an avocado junkie so all these pics with avocado chunks (cobb salad, sushi) are making me so hungry
great reviews keep 'em coming!!!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Awesome review of Cali Grill and I am so excited to finally eat there this June..the pork dish looks sooo drool-worthy!

 

[wilma-bride]

Great reviews still Marcia

 

[disneyfan61]

Love the update on Cail Grill!! My DH & I will be celebrating our 25th next year & want to eat there. We have never eaten there. It sounds wonderful!!

 

[skellingtonfreak]

Great reviews! Can't wait for the rest. Your stamina with the drinks just astounds me...I would be on the floor with half of what you drank in one day.

 

[marsh0013]

I'll tell u that picture of the cobb salad makes me crave a cobb salad really bad, but for some reason I can't see myself going all the way to Disney for a salad maybe when I get to the AP level like all the other cool kids!

That empty dessert plate is hilarious! CA Grill looks yummy i'm an avocado junkie so all these pics with avocado chunks (cobb salad, sushi) are making me so hungry
great reviews keep 'em coming!!!

yeah i know what you mean, i have ordered cobbs elsewhere, and they are never the same! i love the avocado too! so so good!

Awesome review of Cali Grill and I am so excited to finally eat there this June..the pork dish looks sooo drool-worthy!

yeah this was my first time! it definitely lived up to expectations! i'm sure you guys will love it.

Great reviews still Marcia

thank you!

Love the update on Cail Grill!! My DH & I will be celebrating our 25th next year & want to eat there. We have never eaten there. It sounds wonderful!!

ooh yeah, definitely give it a try! maybe even for the fireworks. gorgeous!

Great reviews! Can't wait for the rest. Your stamina with the drinks just astounds me...I would be on the floor with half of what you drank in one day.

thanks! and, well, i dunno where i get my drink stamina...at home i can have 3 drinks a night and be okay, i guess i attribute it to the weakness of the drinks (especially the epcot ones!), or maybe i eat more on vacation too? who knows! either way, i won't let anything slow me down!!!

 

[marsh0013]

The Plaza, lunch, 3.6.09

This is another place that I absolutely adore for lunch. After spending the morning conquering Fantasyland, I had definitely worked up an appetite. So I went to get into the Plaza right when they opened, at 11am.

I pretty much knew what I wanted to eat here. So I ordered right away. Unsweetened iced tea for a drink (surprised? haha).

Now I absolutely *love* the vegetarian chili here. I know I've mentioned it before, but I'm pretty sure it's the same as they have at Columbia Harbour House. Fine with me, more opportunity to get it! One minor flaw - it has olives in it, and I do not like olives. It's okay, I just pick them out, no biggie.

Yum, yum, as good as ever! It's nice and hearty, with beans, tomatoes, other veggies. And it's not really spicey either, in case that's an issue for anyone. Just good good stuff

And then I also got the Chicken Strawberry Salad - fresh garden greens, grilled chicken breast, fresh strawberries, gorgonzola cheese, tossed in a white zinfandel vinaigrette dressing. I've had it before, and have always enjoyed it. The waitress asked me if I liked gorgonzola, since some people get upset that it's on there. Well, I think those people are silly, since it *says* it's on there. If they don't want it, they should ask to hold it. But anyway, that was really nice of the waitress, but I assured her that I *love* gorgonzola.

It's a really nice light salad. Good sized chicken breast, and nice and warm on top of lots of lettuce and veggies. Oh, and I got the dressing on the side, since I don't like it when my salad is drowned. Not a problem, they brought it out in a container on the side.

Oh yes, before I ordered, I was brought out a little plate of condiments...

I just had to take a picture, since it was a hidden Mickey! Too cute!

I was out of there by 11:35am, which was pretty perfect, as I had a few fastpasses I wanted to use before leaving the park!

up next: World Showcase alcoholic beverages!

 

[TigerKat]

oooh, you know....my AP expires nov 11, so i've def been thinking about making another trip before then, and i was thinking of sept/oct for food & wine and mnsshp. i'm gonna subscribe to that thread and def keep you up to date!

 

[TigerKat]

I love The Plaza as well. Their club sandwich is really good. Looking forward to alcohol in the next post. I can drink with the best of them and I'd love to hang with you for a few!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I was thinking that I was going to bypass Hollywood Brown Derby this trip, but the pics of that salad are making me change my mind. It looks so good!

 

[woodleygrrl]

i adore your reviews. I think because I have the exact philosphy as you do on vacation: eating and drinking are what I look forward to the most. until your reports I didn't even know about the tune in. I am definitely going there in May.

Keep up the good work, lady. your reports are great

 

[angelsmith52]

Everything looks great! Some of the places we are not going to this time because of the kids but DH and I are going back for our anniversary and we are going to try some of these places!

 

[suzimar57]

oh, marcia, thank you for posting that photo of the cobb salad!!!

love love love it!!!!

 

[DisneyBunny15]

The Plaza, lunch, 3.6.09

This is another place that I absolutely adore for lunch. After spending the morning conquering Fantasyland, I had definitely worked up an appetite. So I went to get into the Plaza right when they opened, at 11am.

I pretty much knew what I wanted to eat here. So I ordered right away. Unsweetened iced tea for a drink (surprised? haha).

Now I absolutely *love* the vegetarian chili here. I know I've mentioned it before, but I'm pretty sure it's the same as they have at Columbia Harbour House. Fine with me, more opportunity to get it! One minor flaw - it has olives in it, and I do not like olives. It's okay, I just pick them out, no biggie.

Yum, yum, as good as ever! It's nice and hearty, with beans, tomatoes, other veggies. And it's not really spicey either, in case that's an issue for anyone. Just good good stuff

And then I also got the Chicken Strawberry Salad - fresh garden greens, grilled chicken breast, fresh strawberries, gorgonzola cheese, tossed in a white zinfandel vinaigrette dressing. I've had it before, and have always enjoyed it. The waitress asked me if I liked gorgonzola, since some people get upset that it's on there. Well, I think those people are silly, since it *says* it's on there. If they don't want it, they should ask to hold it. But anyway, that was really nice of the waitress, but I assured her that I *love* gorgonzola.

It's a really nice light salad. Good sized chicken breast, and nice and warm on top of lots of lettuce and veggies. Oh, and I got the dressing on the side, since I don't like it when my salad is drowned. Not a problem, they brought it out in a container on the side.

Oh yes, before I ordered, I was brought out a little plate of condiments...

I just had to take a picture, since it was a hidden Mickey! Too cute!

I was out of there by 11:35am, which was pretty perfect, as I had a few fastpasses I wanted to use before leaving the park!

up next: World Showcase alcoholic beverages!

This all looks amazzinngggggggg

 

[wilma-bride]

We love the Plaza - can't beat it for a reasonably priced park meal

 

[MinnieMom]

Oooh . . . that strawberry chicken salad at The Plaza is one of my favorite dishes at Disney!! It's just so nice and light on a hot day, yet filling all at the same time! Delish!

 

[marsh0013]

yeah i even have a flight on reserve...i have until tonight at 11 to decide on it!

I love The Plaza as well. Their club sandwich is really good. Looking forward to alcohol in the next post. I can drink with the best of them and I'd love to hang with you for a few!

oh yes, if i come in october (which i'm really really thinking i will!!!), we will def have to spend some time drinking some booze!

I was thinking that I was going to bypass Hollywood Brown Derby this trip, but the pics of that salad are making me change my mind. It looks so good!

yay! i know, i can't pass it up, just for the salad alone!!!

i adore your reviews. I think because I have the exact philosphy as you do on vacation: eating and drinking are what I look forward to the most. until your reports I didn't even know about the tune in. I am definitely going there in May.

Keep up the good work, lady. your reports are great

exactly! i love eating and drinking on vaca! so much fun! def check out the tune in, it's so much fun!

Everything looks great! Some of the places we are not going to this time because of the kids but DH and I are going back for our anniversary and we are going to try some of these places!

oh yeah, some places aren't good for all kids. i mean, you gotta have kid friendly meals! but i hope you do get to try them on your anniversary trip!!

oh, marcia, thank you for posting that photo of the cobb salad!!!

love love love it!!!!

anytime! i love looking at it too!!!

This all looks amazzinngggggggg

i must agree, glad you liked it!

We love the Plaza - can't beat it for a reasonably priced park meal

yup, exactly. i'd spend just as much as a counter service. that's what i tell myself anyway!

Oooh . . . that strawberry chicken salad at The Plaza is one of my favorite dishes at Disney!! It's just so nice and light on a hot day, yet filling all at the same time! Delish!

mmm, yeah, so so good. sometimes i go in thinking i'll try something different, but the salad always calls to me!

 

[marsh0013]

World Showcase & Tangeriene Cafe & more World Showcase, alcohol & snack & alcohol, 3.6.09

Ah yes. This Friday, I had been promised that Jamie would be there playing with Off Kilter, as he wasn't there on Wed. What they didn't tell me was that then Mark would be off! Sheesh, I didn't get to see the whole band together until Sunday! Anyway, so I decided against a break this afternoon, so that I could catch all of the Off Kilter shows before my dinner at the Prime Time Cafe. And have some yummy beverages!

So I left the MK, grabbed a bus to the Boardwalk, and walked myself over to the International Gateway by 2pm. First stop...Italy! Just needed to get myself an Italian Margarita. I love these things! They are nice and tart, and slushie, but not too cold. I think I've described it that way before, not sure if it makes any sense but oh well! Here it is!

Some non food porn, but here's some Off Kilter porn. Randy and Jamie!

Okay, so right, 2:30 Off Kilter, then I had some time to kill before the 3:30 show, so I mosied on over to France to grab myself a Grey Goose slush. Oh man, love these things so much! Every time I try to convince myself to try the orange, but I could never do it! Stay tuned on that one! Oh yes, so here's the lemon slush

At this point, I got a text from my server at the Prime Time telling me he wasn't going to be working that evening. So I switched around plans and decided I'd just stay in Epcot and stay with Off Kilter all afternoon!

Since I had lots of time to kill until the 5:30 show, I spent some time in Future World, then made my way back the long way around the water. Stopping in China. For a drink. Duh! I love mango, and I saw they had a new drink (well new to me) called a Mango Gingerita. I should have just stuck to my normal Peach Schnapps Peach Slush. Live and learn. Cuz the gingerita, well, you can imagine, had ginger in it. So, it wasn't spicy, but it had a kick. Hard to explain. But I drank it anyway. Alcohol!

And the drink menu from China

On my way back to Canada, I stopped by Germany to see if they had anything for a single person, for once I was done Off Kilter-ing . I asked for around 8:30, and that was no problem whatsoever. Awesome!

More fun w/Off Kilter at 5:30

At this point, I needed a snack, so I stopped by Morocco. Got myself a side of lentil salad, and then a Moroccorita to go along with it. I love it that I can get a nice snack here.

The lentil salad hit the spot. And I don't think I've ever tried this drink before, it reminded me of the Italian Margarita, but not as strong. Still pretty good.

More Off Kilter at 6:30. No pictures this time.

Then I went back to France. I struggled with this, but I convinced myself that I needed to try the orange one, the Gran Marnier Slush. So I did it. I buckled down and ordered it, and looked longingly at my beloved Grey Goose slush.

I must say, I do prefer the lemon one. This was okay, but I'm much more of a lemon girl I guess. Not that I didn't enjoy this one! Believe me, I sucked it down. So fast, that in fact, by the time I got to the UK, I was ready to order something else to take with me to the final show. Ha, yeah, I like my booze

I noticed on the drink menu at the R&C pub that they had something called a Rainbow-tini. I'm guessing it's one of those standardized drinks. So yeah, I ordered that. Two pictures, as the cube changed colors

I'm looking at my pics and seeing Illuminations, and being confused. Then, I'm remembering that Epcot closed at 8pm that night! Because I'm pretty sure it had evening magic hours. Duh Marcia. So yeah, I stopped in Japan and watched that on my way to dinner.

next up: dinner @ Biergarten

 

[If U Had Wings]

My Epcot drinks-to-try list is just growing and growing while reading this!