New Empty Nesters take on the World OOP...10/18 Complete!

VegasVick · Sep 21, 2010

We had a huge breakfast at the Kona Cafe, and were planning dinner at the California Grill, so we knew that lunch needed to be on the lighter side. What we found was that not all of the food locations were open...mid-week? end of August? rainy day? Your guess is as good as mine... So, we headed to the main dining location. No pictures because I didn't bring my good camera to the water park.

The lines were minimal. Service was quick and friendly. We shared a chicken wrap and chose apples as our side, instead of fries. Washed it all down with a sweet tea. There were plenty of tables, but not all of them had umbrellas. The chicken wrap was okay. Not too much dressing, chicken tasted fine, veggies were crunchy. The apples were okay for being pre-packaged...

Quality Food was fresh and tasted fine.
Service Food court friendly...best way to describe it...
Overall We would eat at this location again.

Total cost: $13.50

TruBlu · Sep 21, 2010

Been reading a lot of reviews with poor service at Kona lately. We decided to cancel our dinner ADR there and go to La Hacienda instead. Hopefully it will be a good choice... :goodvibes

Pooh&OurHunny · Sep 21, 2010

Joining in...great start so far and can't wait for more yummy reviews popcorn::

VegasVick · Sep 21, 2010

TruBlu said:
Been reading a lot of reviews with poor service at Kona lately. We decided to cancel our dinner ADR there and go to La Hacienda instead. Hopefully it will be a good choice...

Just to add...my son and his girlfriend had dinner at Kona last December, the week before Christmas. They loved the food but were disappointed in the service. They felt they were ignored because they are young (20 and 19 at the time) but after our breakfast, I'm not so sure. My gut says you made the right decision.

VegasVick · Sep 23, 2010

Well, I haven't found my notes about the wine tasting, but I did find my receipts. I decided to go with OOP because we had military tickets and a 40% military discount on the room. Because of this, we didn't qualify for the free dining. Anyway, I've gone back and added the price of the meals to each post. For those who've subscribed, here's a quick rundown on the reviews to date:

Sassagoula Floatworks: All food & mugs $65.41
Le Cellier lunch: Drinks, food, tax, tip $105.00
EPCOT eating and drinking: $100.35 (the margaritas were $30!! -- who knew?)
Kona Cafe breakfast: Food, tax, tip $40.00
Lottawatta Grill: $13.50

Next up: California Grill

dsmom · Sep 27, 2010

I'm late jumping in but I love your reviews! Can't wait for more... :yay:

VegasVick · Sep 27, 2010

The California Grill is our favorite Disney signature restaurant. We try to eat here on every trip, and this trip was no exception. Our ADR was for 7:40 p.m. We drove over and checked in on the second floor around 7:30 'ish. We asked to wait for a table by the window, emphasizing that we were in no hurry. No problem, and we were escorted upstairs. First order of business...a cocktail. I chose a vodka martini and Joe had a white russian. The bartender was kind enough to take our picture...

We didn't even finish our drinks before our pager went off. And, we got our window...

The first wonderful surprise...the table was decorated with Mickey confetti for my birthday celebration. The second wonderful surprise...our waitress was Carol, who we've had before...she even recognized us!

Now the bad news...I was not a very good photographer...I always get too excited about the food! Here's Joe...

We decided to share an appetizer. We chose the sushi plate of shrimp tempura and California rolls...I remembered to get a picture before we ate the entire thing...

Carol also brought us some of the yummy bread and butter, which we proceeded to gobble down like we hadn't eaten for weeks! For our entrees, Joe had the "Oak-fired Fillet Of Beef - with Tillamook Cheddar Gratin, broccolini, and teriyaki barbecue", which is what he always gets. He also had a glass of wine with his meal. I decided to try the "Grilled Pork Tenderloin - with goat cheese polenta, button mushrooms and zinfandel glaze". I decided to have another martini, since the first one was so good. Well, you guessed it...we dove right in and no pictures were taken. I hated the goat cheese polenta...yuck...Carol quickly brought me some mashed potatoes...my meal was saved. Joe's steak was cooked perfectly (as always) and I could barely get him to share a small bite. I really enjoyed the pork...it wasn't dry. But, I think I'll stick to steak next time.

Now, the great thing about Carol was that she really respected our request to take our time. She took the appetizer order...after we finished eating it, she took our dinner order...she let us relax and have a totally un-hurried meal. After we ordered dessert, the fireworks were starting. We sat at the table, listened to the music, and watched the show. When the fireworks were over, our cappuccinos came...nice and hot! We had decided to share the "Mascarpone and Meyer Lemon Cheesecake - Whipped cheesecake and meyer lemon panna cotta w/huckleberry jam"...

But Carol wasn't having any of that!! No sharing on my birthday...as I was served a lovely piece of complimentary chocolate cake...yummy!!

Roll me out the door...

Quality Yes, it was "better than good"...delicious to be exact!

Atmosphere We lucked out...everyone was quiet near us, so we could actually hear each other talk. This restaurant can be really loud, but it wasn't too bad this time...being by the window was very romantic.

Service You knew that...she was excellent!!

Overall Still our favorite.

The bar tab with tip was $19.30; our dinner tab, with tax and tip, was $175...yup, we actually got out of there for under $200...4 drinks, 1 appetizer, 2 entrees, 2 coffees, and 2 desserts...excellent value! We'll be back...

Next: Sci-Fi Dine-In

catne · Sep 27, 2010

Loving your reviews...and your "dinner" around the World Showcase. A very liquid dinner, lol. I like your style, gal!

Isn't it fun to be empty-nesters and go to Disney World. Best time ever :thumbsup2

VegasVick · Sep 28, 2010

catne said:
Loving your reviews...and your "dinner" around the World Showcase. A very liquid dinner, lol. I like your style, gal!

Isn't it fun to be empty-nesters and go to Disney World. Best time ever

It was so much fun! And the fact that DH wants to have "dinner" around the world again, just proves to me that he had fun too...LOL

VegasVick · Oct 18, 2010

Hi! Sorry to those who've been reading along...it's been awhile, but I thought I'd get back to this dining report!!

On our Hollywood Studios day, we had an 11:30 ADR at the Sci-Fi Dine-in. We'd never eaten here before, and I was looking forward to it.

We waited about 5 minutes and were seated in the back seat of a car...we were the "hitchhikers". The black and white movie trailers were so funny!

Joe at the drive-in

Yours truly waiting to order

Our waiter was unmemorable...not too attentive, brought our order, brought the check, wished me happy birthday...

We split an order of onion rings which were very good, but not alot of them for the money. I had a reuben sandwich and water. The sandwich was good...the vegetable black bean relish was yucky...

Joe went with the "Beef and Blue" salad. The salad was mostly iceberg lettuce, with a small amount of other stuff on top and too much bleu cheese dressing...he said the meat was okay but not too tender.

We shared a hot fudge sundae for dessert...just the way I like it with vanilla ice cream and a cherry on top...yummy (yup, I ate more than my share)

Quality It was just okay. In fact, now that I've seen the novelty, I don't need to go back.

Atmosphere It felt like a drive-in, but with air conditioning. It was also very dark...made it hard to read the menu. Everyone should try it once...I wish we'd just had dessert.

Service The service wasn't anything special...wasn't bad, wasn't great.

Overall It was just okay...I think we'll stick with counter service in the future at DHS because this so-so meal cost $51.30...

Next...Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian...

VegasVick · Oct 18, 2010

I love afternoon tea...any time, anywhere...and the tea at the Grand Flo is one of my all time favorites. So, I dragged Joe along since he'd never been.

Our ADR was for 2 p.m., when they open. Mrs. Potts greets you...

Everything is served on beautiful china...

I don't know why I was looking at the menu since I knew what I wanted before I sat down...

We both decided to get the Grand Tea. Joe went with hot Jade Leaf Green...

And I chose iced Earl Grey...

The grand tea starts off with a glass of champagne...

We also decided to share a cheese plate, since this was our lunch...

The tea sandwiches were good...there were five different kinds (which I don't remember) and once again, no pictures because we ate them so fast! The second course was scones & jam tarts with Devonshire cream...yummy...

We were really getting full, but just couldn't resist fresh strawberries and cream for dessert...

It appears that they've discontinued giving out roses, or maybe it was just for today...I was a little disappointed.

Quality Like I said earlier, I love afternoon tea and this one is superb...the food is fresh, well prepared, and they don't skimp...

Atmosphere Quiet, relaxed, air conditioned, comfortable...just what you need after a hot morning at the MK.

Service Our waitress was very nice. She did rush us just a little, but we ignored it.

Overall experience I'm looking forward to my next time...this has become a "must do"...

For the two grand teas, cheese plate, tax & tip...$79.00

Up next: Our final ADR for this trip at Raglan Road.

Pooh&OurHunny · Oct 18, 2010

Wonderful update, especailly the High tea...I love having High tea anywhere and your pictures brings wonderful memories back.

VegasVick · Oct 18, 2010

We had a late ADR at Raglan Road for our last meal at Disney for this trip. We love this place too! We asked to wait for the great room, and they seated us promptly.

The view of Creel, the band (duo)...

Ready for a beer, or two...

Black & Tans...

One Irish dancer...

Two Irish dancers...

Three Irish dancers...

The entertainment tonight was fantastic!! In all the times we've gone here, it's always been a female dancer, so it was fun to see the male dancer...

And the food...yummy...we shared the Scalloppea...seared scallops on a pea puree. No picture...I had my usual entree of Ribs to the Power of Two. Short ribs, mashed potatoes (with horseradish), carrots and parsnips...

Joe always tries something different. I don't remember what it was, but it was pretty tasty...

Once again, we were too full for dessert. And, since I can't find the receipt, I have no idea how much we spent. I'm pretty sure it was less than $100.

Quality The food is delicious. Having never been to Ireland, I can't speak to its authenticity, but I bet it's pretty close.

Atmosphere I love Irish music, so this is my favorite evening venue in DTD. Three dancers seemed like an added bonus.

Service I don't recall his name, but he did a great job. Made sure our water glasses were always full, brought extra soda bread, didn't push us out after we'd finished eating...

Overall experience We'll be back...

And that ends our Disney Dining. Adding it all up, we spent about $650 on food out-of-pocket. I think we need to try the Food and Wine Festival next...it sounds like our cup of tea...

Thanks for reading.