No Longer coming to you Live from Disney World! Take 3 DDW'S TAMBU LOUNGE 8/6

[jabead]

Now it's time to look over the menu...




mousegear's DS




Cree629's DH




Kimmy2Disney's DH


Perhaps you will choose to partake of one of their many wines...



- Photo by DonaldDoleWhip -


Either by the bottle...



Hunter & Paula
- Photo by smile4stamps -


...or by the glass.



Patty (emmebear)


And maybe if you are celebrating a special occasion, you might be offered a complimentary glass of sparkling wine...



Gisele (Arielle71)


Or you could just stick to the water like Smiling Cheshire Cat's DS...




Rachel said, "Chase had 8 glasses of water. Our waitress told us it was Italian and triple filtered."


But whatever your beverage of choice, it's great to start out your meal with a toast...



- Photo by emmysmommy -


Now on to the food, beginning with the new bread basket...



- Photo by DonaldDoleWhip -

DDW said, "The bread basket included sourdough rolls and lavender focaccia. I really enjoyed both, but my mom's favorite was the focaccia bread."


...and the butter with sea salt.



- Photo by DonaldDoleWhip -




Menu from Oct. 2013
- Photo by DonaldDoleWhip -


We will start with the "From the Wood Burning Oven" section...



Oven-dried Tomato Flatbread - Beefsteak Tomatoes, Mozzarella di Bufala, Aged Balsamic
- Photo by seasidespences -




Three-Meat Signature Meatballs with Picholine Olives, Herbed Orzo, Chimichurri, and Lavender Mint
- Photo by want2bminnie -

She said, "A little spicy. I wouldn't get them again, they were dry."




Pork Pate Flatbread with Roasted Garlic, Mascarpone Cheese, and Royal Trumpet Mushroom Chips
- Photo by Arielle71 -

She said, "This was totally a 5/5."




Baked Jumbo Prawns - Charred Lemon, Blistered Baby Tomato and Cipollini Onion Relish, Watercress
- Photo by seasidespences -




Roasted "Surf & Turf" - New Smyrna Clams, Saffron-infused Corn Chowder, Chorizo Butter, and Bone Marrow
- Photo by GoofySon'sMom -

Vicki said, "The clams were wonderful. Small, tender and very flavorful."​

 

[jabead]

If you are a sushi fan, then you will probably find something in the next section of the menu that will be to your liking.








Tuna Four Ways - Poke, Tartare, Maki, Nigiri
- Photo by DonaldDoleWhip -

DDW said, "This was excellent. My favorite dish at California Grill used to be the Tuna Three Ways, and this dish was just as enjoyable (with the poke and tartare tasting exactly like they did before, IMO)."




Yuzu-marinated Sashimi - Yellowfin Tuna, Salmon, Hamachi, Snapper, Wasabi Oil
- Photo by emmebear -

Patty said, "My favorite was the hamachi (yellowtail). It was so buttery and the texture was exquisite. The slivers of ginger and the greens were so nice with the velvety texture of the fish."




Dragon Roll - Spicy & Tataki Tuna, Shrimp Tempura, Bell Pepper, Avocado, Chili-Soy Glaze
- Photo by Kimmy2Disney -

She said, "Joe had the Dragon roll - he thought it was very tasty and the wasabi had a good flavor."


Here's another great photo of the Dragon roll, which was taken by JulieODC...






Spicy Kazan Roll - crab, shrimp, scallops, tuna and fireball sauce
- Photo by emmebear -

Patty said, "This was spectacular as always."



Jenna said, "For apps, we had a Spicy Kazan roll, which was absolutely amazing! We also had the California combination roll, which was equally as delicious."




California Combination Roll - jumbo lump crab with avocado and cucumber and shrimp tempura
- Photo by DisWishes720 -





Pork Belly Nigiri - House-cured Pork, Bacon and Yuzu Rice, and Spicy Teriyaki
- Photo by peteykirch -

Peter said, "All I can say is WOW, each one of the five bites of Nigiri was simply amazing. The pork belly melted in your mouth, the terriyaki glaze had a sweet but spicy kick to it."


Here's another great photo of the Pork Belly Nigiri sent to us by JulieODC...





Then last is a combo platter that Paula (smile4stamps) managed to snap a quick pic of before it was served to those who had ordered it...



Pork Belly Nigiri, Dragon Roll, California Roll, & Shrimp Tempura Roll


The next section of the menu labeled, "Soups, Salads, and Appetizers" includes the following:



Crispy Rock Shrimp Salad with Spicy Baby Greens, Subarashi Pears, Soy Reduction, and Wasabi Cream
- Photo by peteykirch -

Peter said, "The Rock Shrimp salad is something I only had a small bit of the first time I was here as it was my Mother's appetizer, and if I could I would've ate the entire bowl of salad she ordered. The wasabi cream giving a nice kick of heat to the dish, the rock shrimp delicately fried, not greasy at all."




Heirloom Tomato Salad - Daily Variety with Grilled Bread, Baby Basil, Ricotta, Blistered Shisito Vinaigrette
- Photo by jimnlahaze -


Though I didn't receive photos/live reviews of either of the other two salads listed on the Oct. menu (Farmers Salad or Baby Romaine), I do have one of this salad which had replaced the Heirloom Tomato on the December menu...



Heirloom Apple & Kale Salad: Cripps Pink Apples, Marcona Almonds, Cranberry, Feta, Cider Vinaigrette
- Photo by jabead -

I wasn't sure if I would like the kale but I took a chance and am so glad I did. I loved this salad and am hoping that it's still on the menu when I'm there in 9 days!


Here is the soup which is listed on the menu...




Carrot & Cilantro Soup with Spiced Paprika Oil, Lime Blackened Whitefish, Citrus-Coriander Bloom
- Photo by rachel09985 -

Rachel said, "I am obsessed with cilantro so I knew I would love it. And i was right! It was a little spicy which was good and it was just really flavorful. Loved it! I wanted to save room for my dinner so I only ate about half. This was a big portion unlike the soup at Artist Point. I really liked the fish in the soup, surprisingly."



A new appetizer which was added to the menu after the remodel was the...



Duck in All its Glory - House-made Sausage, Rillettes, Prosciutto, Duck Liver Pate and Cranberry Compote
- Photo by MichelleWDWfan -


Patty (emmebear) gave us a great live review of this: "I enjoyed everything about this platter. It was very tasty. My favorite was the duck sausage and pate. It was very high quality and well made. The accompaniments were also well thought out and delicious!"


And last but not least, the California Grill signature appetizer remains on the menu...



Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli with Tomato-Fennel Broth, Crispy Mushrooms, Basil, Benziger Estate Olive Oil
- Photo by Riles_and_Gabe -

She said, ""It was so wonderful. It was my first time having Goat Cheese and it definitely won't be my last. The broth it was served in was so good. I wish it had come with a spoon so I could have eaten it like a soup."



​

Entrees coming soon!

 

[jabead]

Here are the entrees which appeared on the menu when California Grill first reopened in September 2013:



- Photo by DonaldDoleWhip -


I believe that all of these except for the Salmon and the Roasted Squash Ravioli were reviewed by one or more of our live reporters.


So let's start with the...



Pork Two Ways - Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Goat Cheese Polenta, Mushrooms, Lacquered Belly, and Applesauce
- Photo by Arielle71 -

Gisèle's DH rated this a 5/5.


And photos by emmysmommy of the two components of this entree...








Brenda said, "I was looking forward to trying the new incarnation of the pork tenderloin which is now a smaller portion of the tenderloin with the ever delicious creamy goat cheese polenta. They have now added a pork belly piece atop an apple slice. As much as I liked the pork dish before, I am so much more a fan now. Specifically because they have down sized the portion of the tenderloin and added the amazingly flavorful and tasty pork belly chunk. I ate every last bite of this down to the wonderful apple slice. I’ve always been a fan of the goat cheese polenta so I was glad that this had not undergone any changes."


Next is their new version of the filet, which got a positive review from my DD...



Oak-Fired Filet of Beef served with Local Tomato Risotto, Baby Vine Tomatoes, Petite Basil, and Tomato Butter
- Photo by jabead's DD Emily -

DeeDee's (buzz1121) DH had the filet during their dinner in September and here is what she reported: "I asked DH specifically about the tomato risotto and whether there was a strong tomato flavor. DH felt the tomato flavor was subtle and was a slight enhancement to the stronger basic risotto taste. He felt the different flavor elements tied together well. He was more than pleased with the dish. He felt his steak was cooked perfectly and there was not a speck of food left on his plate."



Though we are missing the salmon entree, by the time that Rachel (Smiling Cheshire Cat) & family visited in mid-October it had been replaced on the menu by this entree...



Florida Red Snapper with Warm Crimson Lentil Salad, Tiny Buttered Vegetables, Lemon Foam, and Almond Pistou
- Photo by Smiling Cheshire Cat -


Regarding this entree, Rachel's DH Brian said, "It was on a bed of vegetables and polenta. Though the fish was excellent, the sauce and polenta were too citrusy."





24-Hour Short Rib "Filet" with Caramelized Root Vegetables, Olive Oil Potato Puree, Red Wine Butter
- Photo by Arielle71 -

Gisèle said, "It was too salted but very good, I rated it a 4/5."


This entree had changed slightly by December when I had it...



24-hour Short Rib “Filet” with Winter Squash Purée, Brussels, Grilled Forelle Pears, and Pomegranate Pinot Syrup
- Photo by jabead -

As you can see the short rib was served sliced and the accompaniments and sauce had changed. This was good but not great. I'm glad I tried it but would probably not order it again if it were still on the menu...which I don't believe it is.




George Bank Scallops with Handmade Gnocchi, Smoked Pork, Grilled Onions, Baby Brussels, and Parmesan Foam
- Photo by Riles_and_Gabe -

She said, "These were so amazing. I don't know how any of my meals the rest of the week are going to compare. They were perfectly cooked with the wonderful sweetness that the scallops have. I was excited to see that brussel sprouts were in the meal because they are one of my favorite vegetables."


As of March 2014, the Scallop entree had been changed to this...



Jumbo Scallops and Grits with Crisp Pork Belly-Pepper Jack Grits, Creole Sauce, Pickled Okra, and Pepper Relish
- Photo by emmebear -

Patty said, "The pork belly infused grits were amazing but I was disappointed that the scallops were so small, especially for $44.00. The scallops were cooked nicely though."




Bell & Evans Chicken - Teriyaki Barbecue Glaze, Truffle Macaroni & Cheese, Glazed Vegetables, Chicken Sausage
- Photo by seasidespences -

She said, "I couldn't have asked for a better entree, the truffle Mac & Cheese that went with this was great too!"


This entree had changed slightly by the time that Kim had it in November...



Bell & Evans Chicken with Smoked Tillamook Yukon Potatoes, Braised Lacinato Kale, and Caramelized Onion Jus
- Photo by Kimmy2Disney -

Kim said, "For dinner I had the Bell and Evans chicken- I didn't like the surprise sausage patty that was underneath everything, but I loved the chicken, potatoes and kale!! The skin was perfectly salted and soo crispy!"


And while we didn't receive any reviews of the Roasted Squash Ravioli, we did have one of the entree which replaced it...



Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Cauliflower Cream, Baby Spinach, Hazelnut Emulsion, Minus 8 Vinegar
- Photo by emmebear -

Patty said, "This is a great vegetarian option and I loved it! The gnocchi was perfectly cooked. Soft pillowy goodness with a great chewiness to it."


And from the re-opening night menu, that leaves only this entree...



Pacific Halibut with Parsnip Silk, Roasted Heirloom Beets, Arugula, Macadamia Vinaigrette, Beet Syrup
- Photo by DonaldDoleWhip -

DDW said, "For our main course, we both chose the halibut. It was great - the dish was full of color, and the fish was perfectly cooked (crispy on the outside, yet soft and flaky on the inside)."


This has since been replaced on the menu by this entree...




Atlantic Swordfish with Parsnip Silk, Roasted Heirloom Beets, Arugula, Macadamia Vinaigrette, Beet Syrup
- Photo by emmebear -

Patty said, "Rachel (rachel09985) enjoyed it. I had a bite and it was yummy."


I have one other review of an entree which appeared on the menu in December...



Bison Center Cut Striploin with celery root puree, Chanterelles, Fig Bread Pudding, and Madeira-Fig Demi Glaze
- Photo by rachel09985 of Paula & Hunter's shared entree -


Paula said, "This was delicious! It was a good thing we had each had an appetizer or I would have wanted more!"


That's all I have for entrees, but I'll give you some time to digest before I bring on the desserts. ​

 

[vettegirl]

Just amazing guys! I am thinking a future reservation is in store for the CG!!

 

[jabead]

Ready for dessert? Well, ready or not...here it comes!



Dessert Menu as of Oct. 2013 (Photo by DonaldDoleWhip)


First listed on the dessert menu is a good option for those who don't have a sweet tooth...



Chef's Selection Cheese Board



- Both photos by DonaldDoleWhip -

DDW said, "To be honest, we weren't thrilled with the new dessert menu. Instead of getting a sweet dish, my mom chose the cheese plate, which she really enjoyed."





Chocolate Pudding Cake - Luscious Chocolate Cake with Nutella Filling, Meringue Kisses, and Mint Chantilly

- Photo by jabead's DD Emily -

Emily's comment was, "They had me at chocolate...but the Nutella and mint were a nice bonus."

Here's a great close-up shot that Brenda (emmysmommy) took of the Chocolate Pudding Cake...





Next up on the menu is my personal favorite of the new CG desserts...



Warm Homemade Fritters - Banana-stuffed, Cinnamon-dusted Fritters with Toasted Caramel Marshmallows complemented with a Trio of Dipping Sauces


There are those who would say these are merely doughnut holes...



But for me, what makes these especially delicious is the...



Trio of Dipping Sauces - Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Salted Caramel
- Photos by jabead -

I loved all three of these, so was glad I didn't have to choose just one.


seasidespences took some great photos of this next dessert...



Sundae Sampler - Unique and playful Sundaes with a nostalgic twist: Caramel Corn, Coke Float, and Strawberry and Basil




Caramel Corn




Coke Float




...and Strawberry and Basil.




Lemon Meringue Cheesecake - Meyer Lemon Mascarpone Cheesecake, Citrus Cookie, and Charred Meringue Clouds
- Photo by DonaldDoleWhip -

DDW said, "I tried the lemon meringue cheesecake, and it was pretty good. Not one of my favorite Disney desserts, but I enjoyed the touch of fresh citrus on the side."


And the last dessert on the Fall 2013 menu was the...



Seasonal Tasting: Heirloom Apple: Apple Cupcake with Cream Cheese, Streusel and Peanut Butter Caramel, Warm Cider, Apple-Cinnamon Creme Brulee, and Apple Almond Tart with Spiced Compote






- Photos by peteykirch -

Peter said, "First off, this was the first time I ever had creme brulee so I may not be the best judge, but if they all taste like this then it's amazing. The caramelized sugar on top covering the creamy apple cinnamon flavored custard. The little cup of cider came with a stick of rock candy to sweeten if needed. I enjoyed it tart, so it was fine the way it was delivered. The cupcake was so moist and delicate, and when you pick up a little of the peanut butter caramel it was just unbelievable. The tart was good, my only complaint was that it was a bit hard to eat with just a spoon."


And speaking of creme brulee, it was added to the dessert menu sometime before mid-November. Also it frequently was given as a complimentary dessert for those celebrating birthdays...such as Kim's DH.



Vanilla Crème Brûlée - Rich Vanilla Custard, Caramelized Turbinado Sugar Crust, and Fresh Fruit
- Photo by Kimmy2Disney -


However, you could always pre-order a special cake like Rachel (rachel09985) did for her sister Jessica's birthday celebration...



- Photo by emmebear -


And that just leaves the wonderful Dessert Platters which have been presented to Paula & Hunter due to their friendship with Chef Eddie...



Paula & Hunter with Chef Eddie
- Photo by smile4stamps -


From their first dinner during their Oct. 2013 trip...



I think I even see the Kids rice krispie sushi dessert in the background.


Here is a photo of Paula at the conclusion of this meal, which Paula called her "food coma" pic ...




And when Paula & Hunter returned for a second dinner in October they received this platter...



...which was similar to the first, but with the addition of the fritters.


These were quite impressive, however the best was yet to come. ​

 

[jabead]

So what could possibly beat a complimentary platter of delicious desserts?



Two Complimentary Platters of Delicious Desserts
- Photo by smile4stamps -

This is what our group was presented with during our dinner at California Grill in December.


This first platter included the Heather’s Holiday Tasting which consisted of; Pumpkin Cupcake with Ginger Cream Cheese Icing, Spiked Eggnog Brulee, Toasted Pecan Shortbread Cookies, and Peppermint Cake Pop on the left side of the plate...



...and the Chocolate Pudding Cake and Chocolate Chip Cookies (Kid's dessert option) on the right.

- Photo by jabead -


The second platter included the Sundae Sampler Dessert at the top, the Banana-stuffed Fritters on the right, and some kind of sorbet in the dish on the left. I didn't taste this so I can't tell you what flavor it was.



- Photo by jabead -


And speaking of Heather, we had the privilege of meeting this lovely young woman while we were enjoying these desserts...one of which is named after her.



- Photo by emmysmommy -


And we also had the honor of meeting Chef Eddie and personally thanking him for everything he did to help make this dinner very special for all of us.



-Photo by emmysmommy -


That concludes the dessert portion of this montage of California Grill live thread highlights, but I would like to now touch on what this restaurant has to offer for the kiddos.



Children's Menu as of Oct. 2013 (photo by emmebear)

First the two appetizer choices:



Baby Iceberg Wedge Salad with curled carrots, baby tomatoes, and fat-free ranch dressing
- Photo by seasidespences -




Grilled Seasonal Vegetable Lettuce Wraps with Hummus Dip
- Photo by Riles_and_Gabe -

"Gabrian liked the lettuce and let me eat the hummus and veggies. I thought they were very nicely seasoned."


seasidespences kids also tried these two appetizers and this is what she reported: "Honestly, these were both good but my kids' palates haven't expanded to this level yet...neither like salad and they've never tried lettuce wraps. We knew that neither app would be a success but we had them order one just to try something new."


Now for the Kids entrees, all of these were reviewed for the live thread except for the Pasta.



Citrus-glazed Grilled Chicken Breast with Baby Steamed Carrots and Crushed Sweet Potatoes
- Photo by seasidespences -




Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Baby Carrots, Crushed Sweet Potatoes, and Ketchup Sauce
- Photo by Riles_and_Gabe -

She said, "I got a bite of it and it was perfectly seasoned and cut like butter. It was another winner in our meal."



And that leaves just the Hand-formed Provolone Cheese Pizza...



- Photo by emmebear -





Rachel's (Smiling Cheshire Cat) DD Briana also had the cheese pizza...



Rachel said, "She ate most of this. The crust was a little thicker than the flatbreads and it had very little sauce."


Now for the desserts...



California Grill Signature Puffed Rice Sushi
- Photo by mousegear -




Seasonal Fruit Kabobs with freshly made Yogurt Dip
- Photo by JulieODC -

Julie said, "My DD loved these, especially the yogurt dipping sauce. Sorry I took the picture after removing the skewers - consider it "deconstructed" fruit skewers!"




Cookies & Cream - Freshly-baked Chocolate Chip Cookies with Vanilla and Pop-rocks Ice Cream
- Photo by Riles_and_Gabe -

She said, "It looked really great but neither of us tried it. As you can by the next picture he passed out between ordering the dessert and having it delivered. He was out like a light."




Patty's DD Emme had just the ice cream part of this dessert...



- Photo by emmebear -


And Brenda took this great photo of the Chocolate Chip Cookies that were one of the included items on our dessert platters...



I can personally attest to the fact that these are very good. ​

 

[jabead]

And finally, no highlights reel of California Grill could be complete without mentioning the beautiful views from this 15th floor restaurant...










- Photos by DonaldDoleWhip -


And if you are there in the evening, then be sure to take advantage of the new observation deck...






- Photos by emmebear -




- Photo by mousegear -


And if you are lucky you might get to see the...



Castle decked out in its holiday "bling"
- photo by jabead -




Celebrate the Magic Castle Show
- photo by emmysmommy -




Electrical Water Pageant
- photo by emmysmommy -


And Wishes, HalloWishes or...



Holiday Wishes




- photos by jabead -


Just be sure to bring along your zoom lens if you are planning to take photos.




- photo by emmebear -

Like Emme, I'm feeling a wee bit sleepy now...perhaps I'm slipping into a food coma. ​

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

That was such a pleasure to read, Barb! Cali has consistently been my favorite Disney restaurant and I love seeing all of the comparison pictures. This is the one experience I really want to share with Andrew and his girlfriend if we get there next year for our family trip.

 

[buzz1121]

After having such a great, long stride with wonderful meals during our holiday trip, we were bound to encounter the "law of averages" in Disney dining at some point. The DeeDee "law of average" in Disney dining is backed up in science by such laws as "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction" and "what comes up must come down". Put simply in dining terms, for every great dining experience, there may be an experience that is less great to even bad.

This next review, I'm very sad to say, falls into the less than stellar category.


On the eighth day of our Christmas trip, our family chose to eat...Dinner at Boatwright's.


Let me start off by saying that Boatwright's at Port Orleans has been a Buzz family favorite since our second family trip to the World. Boatwright's is one of the few dining locations at WDW that serves fresh brewed sweet tea. My family, with the exception of me, enjoys sweet tea as it is very common to have as a beverage offering in the South. Boatwright's has been a hidden gem for us for several years as it has made the dining lineup on every family trip.

Prior to May 2013, Boatwright's had a terrific entree option that consisted of filet medallions with asparagus and macaroni and cheese. The medallions were always extremely tender and flavorful. This "go to" item for us disappeared with a menu update late last Spring.

Not to be deterred, I booked an ADR anyway as I thought a few of the new menu items sounded interesting.

We were seated after about a five minute wait. Despite having had terrific service in all previous meals here, on this particular night our luck really ran out. Our server never smiled, not once during the entire meal. She was very obviously disinterested in being there or in making our experience a good one. When asked any questions, she could offer little to no feedback and it was like a literal wet blanket on the meal.

I will say the cornbread with soft butter was terrific as always. Drink refills were extremely difficult to obtain.

DD selected the kid's macaroni and cheese with green beans for her side.




As you can see in the photo, DD had a review system of her own, with a thumbs up or down indicating her impression of the presentation of the meal. She is a mac and cheese fan so I believe this serving did meet her expectations. The green beans were a different story as they were barely steamed and had no flavor at all.

DS went with his old standby, the kid's pizza with green beans.




DS said this pizza was not as good as other pizzas he had eaten on the trip and his green beans suffered the same fate as DD's.

DH and I made a tactical error and ordered the exact same entree, the Slow Cooked Beef Short Rib with cheesy grits and red wine reduction. This entree was topped with crispy onion straws.




Red wine reduction sauces appear in many Disney dining establishments including many of the signatures. I have had this many times before and had no reason to think this version would be so drastically different. Boy, was I wrong! This reduction was cloyingly sweet and thick, and I mean think molasses thick. I'm pretty certain this was the worst sauce I have ever had. It was impossible to remove as well. The short rib itself was hard and overcooked. The cheesy grits, while okay, were not great. They had no flavor and seemed to just serve as the requisite starch on the plate. But in comparison to the short rib, they were the star of the plate.

Paula, I believe you are contemplating an ADR at Boatwright's. Based on our many great experiences here, I would not discourage you or anyone from going there. It may have been an off night and we had the double whammy of poor service and bad food. I will go back myself, but I will absolutely order a different entree. But based on our most recent experience, it is not currently on our upcoming trip's ADR list.

This meal was, quite simply, disappointing.

We left Boatwright's and headed to DHS to enjoy EMH. We had one full day left in the World and we still had a good bit left to see and do!

 

[smile4stamps]

You are right DeeDee. We are contemplating Boatrights for next week. I hope if we do end up there that our meal is more like yours of the past! It sounds like your short rib was actually under-cooked though as opposed to over cooked. An over cooked short rib would just get more and more tender. Simply falling apart when touched!

I had heard they had Banana Foster as a dessert and was hoping to give that a try!

 

[jabead]

Sorry to hear that your luck ran out DeeDee. Your less than stellar dining experience at Boatwright's has brought it to the forefront of my mind today and piqued my curiosity. I myself have only dined at Boatwright's once and that was more than 10 years ago and was for breakfast, which as of 2009 is no longer served there. I seem to recall having a banana-stuffed french toast at Boatwright's that was pretty darn good, however I guess not quite good enough to warrant a return visit during the next 6 years or so that it was still available. Looking back over the live dining reviews, of which there were only 8 (one of these from DeeDee in April 2013), I found that they were for the most part good.

So if you haven't guessed by now, the theme of my live thread highlights post today is...



- Photo by Gracefulskinny -


Here is how the official Disney World website describes this restaurant, which is located at the Port Orleans - Riverside Resort...

"Bona Fide Bites in the Big Easy"
Dine in a rustic shipyard warehouse and savor the flavor of tasty New Orleans cooking. Hanging lanterns illuminate the cavernous dining hall, and the skeletal hull of a lugger fishing boat is suspended on high as its centerpiece.




- Photo by quietgirl -


I only received a few menu photos, including this one from quietgirl...




These all appeared to be the same except for this last one, which was sent to us by Gracefulskinny in Oct. 2013...




Unfortunately this photo is not easy to read, but just as DeeDee mentioned it appears to be somewhat different from all the previously received menus.


So as DeeDee said, Boatwright's is one of the few places on Disney property where you can get Sweet Tea...



- Photo by quietgirl -


And another plus is that corn bread is served...



- Photo by quietgirl -

quietgirl said, "I'm really not much of a bread person, and not a cornbread fan either, but this was delicious. It was moist and flavorful, and the butter was soft."


However Chris (dvc4life) described the corn bread that she was served here as very hard and dry.



- Photo by dvc4life -


roxysmum123's DIS friend Deena (LuvLuvLuv) tried the French Onion Soup...



French Onion Soup Au Gratin with Provolone and Swiss Cheese, Roasted Crouton
- Photo by roxysmum123 -

She said, "This is enough for a meal so if you want to do soup and a main I hope you're hungry. It looked like there was more cheese on here than was on my flatbread last night."



Chris (dvc4life) had the...




Romaine Salad - Romaine, Parmigiano-Reggiano Croutons and Prosciutto served with our House Dressing
- Photo by dvc4life -


In June 2013, disnmooner2013 tried something that I no longer see on the new menu...



Chicken and Andouille Gumbo - slow cooked in a Cajun-spiced broth



Now for some entrees, starting with the...



Jambalaya - a Creole recipe with Spiced Chicken Thighs, Andouille Sausage, Shrimp, Rice, and Vegetables
- Photo by dvc4life -

Chris said, "This was my Jambalaya. It was very good and not too spicy. The sausage was really good in it."


While disnmooner2013 didn't seem quite as impressed with his Jambalaya.



He said, "The food was not very good at Boatwrights but service was very fast."


And speaking of Jambalaya, they also have a Vegetarian version...



Vegetarian Jambalaya with asparagus, mushrooms, peppers, onions and tomatoes with rice
- Photo by Giselle22 -

Lauren said,"I had the vegetarian jambalaya. It was decent, but definitely nothing special."


In January 2013, quietgirl had this Pork entree...



Grilled Pork Chop with Amber Ale barbecue sauce, served with Cheesy Grits and Onion Rings


By Oct. 2013, this entree had changed to...



Sweet Tea-Brined Pork Chop with Sweet Potato Hash, Citrus-Whiskey Glaze, and Onion Straws.
- Photo by Gracefulskinny -


Back to Jan. 2013, when quietgirl's DGF had this entree...



Slow-roasted Prime Rib with Red Wine Demi-glace and Horseradish sauce, served with Yukon Gold Potatoes and Watercress with Balsamic Vinaigrette


quietgirl said, "I was actually torn between the pork chop and the prime rib, but since DGF was going to order the prime rib she promised I could try hers. These entrees were AMAZING! I can't say enough good things about them, I don't have the vocabulary! My pork chop was very tender, which was amazing since it was also incredibly thick!! The BBQ sauce on it was awesome, and did a great job of flavoring the meat. I was a little worried about the cheese grits- while I love grits, I consider those a breakfast item, but they were delicious and went great with the pork. The consistency and texture was just right. And the onion rings! Wow! Perfectly crispy, not greasy, and yummy! DGF's prime rib was delicious as well. It was perfectly cooked, and flavor was amazing. The horseradish was a spicier horseradish, and I loved it too!! I did taste her potatoes, and thought they were great too. I just can't say enough great things about these entrees!!!"


By May 2013, the Mashed Potatoes side which comes with the Prime Rib entree was slightly changed...



Slow-roasted Prime Rib with Horseradish Mashed Potatoes and Red Wine Demi-glace
- Photo by dvc4life -

Chris said, "My DH and oldest daughter had the prime rib and loved it."





Pasta with Chicken - Spinach, Olives, Eggplant, Shallots, Goat Cheese, and Sun-dried Tomatoes with Orecchiette Pasta
- Photo by Giselle22 -


Lauren said, "My brother had the pasta with chicken. He said it was okay but needed more chicken."



In April 2013, roxysmum123 had this entree...



Grilled Beef Tenderloin Medallions served with Macaroni and Cheese, Seasonal Vegetables, Crawfish Beignet, and Red Wine Demi-glace

She said, "My main was the Grilled Beef Tenderloin Medallions. This plate was empty by the time I was done with it. It all just worked together."

Jillian's (sunnysideup3) DH had this entree too: Jillian said, "Nate got Steak Medallions and subbed potatoes for the Mac and Cheese because it has truffle oil in it and he has an allergy. He raved about it."


And DeeDee (buzz1121) also had this during her visit in April 2013...



DeeDee said, "The entire entree was delicious, the steak was tender and very flavorful and the mac and cheese was so yummy. It was a great accompaniment to the steak."


Despite all these rave reviews, the Steak Medallions entree didn't make it onto the new menu.


Jillian (sunnysideup3) had this entree in Nov. 2012, another one that doesn't appear on the Oct. 2013 menu...



Salmon Salad
Mixed Greens, Grape Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onions, Carrots, and Citrus Vinaigrette


Jillian said, "I had the Salmon Salad and it was delish. The salmon was blackened just right and the citrus vinaigrette was a great compliment, and the greens were really fresh."


Desserts to follow in next post...​

 

[jabead]

Here is the only Dessert Menu photo that I received for the Live Thread...



- Photo by quietgirl -


Four of these desserts were reviewed by our live reporters and the reviews were quite mixed.



Bananas Foster Angel Food Cake served with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

roxysmum123 said, "It was delicious and a great ending to the meal."




Butterscotch Crème Brûlée with Seasonal Berries

Jillian (sunnysideup3) said, "I had the Butterscotch Creme Brûlée and it was perfect, not too overwhelming of a butterscotch flavor."


And Jillian's DH had the...



New Orleans Bread Pudding with Rum Raisin Ice Cream and Foster Sauce

Jillian said, "Nate had the bread pudding and said the Rum Raisin ice cream was awesome!"


For her dessert, quietgirl had the...



Chocolate Cake with fresh cream and raspberry sauce



And quietgirl's DGF went with the butterscotch creme brûlée...



quietgirl said, "My chocolate cake was fantastic, very moist. I ate every bit of it- the splashes of cream and raspberry on the plate were great with it too! DGF didn't really like her creme brûlée- she said it was too butterscotchy- since I don't like creme brûlée or butterscotch, I didn't even taste this."


Gracefulskinny got her desserts to go...



Rachael said, "We gotthe chocolate cake, which was good but a tad dry. Also got the bread pudding, which was good but not as good as 'Ohana."


And here is what Giselle22 had to say about their desserts: "I don't have pics of dessert but I want to mention them--we got butterscotch creme brulee, angel food cake bananas foster, and the bread pudding to share. The creme brulee was really thin and we didn't think it tasted like butterscotch at all (which is funny because I know another review had it and thought it was too butterscotchy. ) The bananas foster was NOT good. The angel food cake and ice cream were just what you'd expect, but the bananas were very weird and disgusting. They were strangely chewy. Ick! The bread pudding was the only dessert we thought would be worth ordering again."


So in conclusion, the live reporters' comments regarding their overall experience at Boatwright's were for the most part very positive...


Jillian (sunnysideup3) said, "We were supposed to go to Raglan Road, but with an overtired 5 year old and having been there and back for lunch, we cancelled and booked Boatwrights at POR. What a hidden gem."


quietgirl said, "For me, this was BY FAR the best meal of our trip. Everything was right on point, and I am so glad we tried it! We will definitely be returning!"


roxysmum123 said, "I would absolutely eat here again on a future trip."


Regarding her April 2013 visit DeeDee said, "In my opinion Boatwright's is a hidden gem, though I don't know how hidden it is anymore. In the past few visits it has become much busier."


Well, except for this one...


disnmooner2013 said, "The food was not very good at Boatwrights but service was very fast."


However, these comments were all based on the old menu. Is there anyone else who would like to share their recent experience at Boatwright's? We'd love to hear about it.


That concludes this Live Thread highlights post...any suggestions for the theme of my next one? ​

 

[Linda67]

Loving all the restaurant round-ups Barb.
Now I really want to try and get a seat at the CG sushi bar next trip
Dee Dee - shame about Boatwrights. We are staying at POR for a couple of nights pre-cruise and had considered it but decided against it in the end

 

[jabead]

Good morning and Happy Easter!

Seeing no requests, I will again choose the theme for my next Live Thread Highlights post. Since I devoted a couple of pages of posts to California Grill, the favorite meal of Paula, Vicki, and myself from our December trip together, I thought I should dedicate at least a few posts to Brenda's favorite. Finding only 7 reviews (two of these from Brenda) in my Live Thread arsenal, I have added just a few photos from my one and only experience there in Nov. 2011.


And so the theme for this Live Thread Highlights post today is dinner at ...




- Photo by Chavaleh -




- Photo by amandaC -



This is appropriately located at the Walt Disney World "Dolphin" Hotel. This description of the restaurant theme and decor from the official Disney World website should explain why this is a fitting location...

Perfect Season, Perfect Steaks
This “Perfect Season” steakhouse features succulent steaks, plus an excellent selection of fresh seafood. Decorated with photos and memorabilia of the 1972 Miami Dolphins’ “Perfect Season” under Coach Don Shula, Shula’s Steak House celebrates the only undefeated team—and the most successful head coach—in NFL history.



- Photo by emmysmommy -



- Photo by jabead -

If somehow you've managed to miss the theme of this restaurant during the walk to your table, it should be quite evident when this is placed on your table...



- Photo by amandaC -



But if you don't enjoy reading a menu from the side of a football , no worries because you also receive a multi-page menu "book" which looks like this...



- Photo by bigdave10000 -



In addition to these cocktails, Shula's also has an extensive wine list. Here are just a few of the red wines which are available by the glass...



- Photo by emmysmommy -

Oh, and you know how Yachtsman Steakhouse showcases their steaks in a glass display case at the front of the restaurant...



- Photo by jabead -


Well, Shula's goes one step further and actually brings (what I will call) their "Let the Buyer Beware" display to your table on a trolley cart...



- Photo by emmysmommy -

Brenda's comment, "The cuts of meat run from, "ok, I think I can eat that" to "Good Lord! What are you thinking!"



Ok, let's move on to some food that isn't raw now, starting with the bread basket...



- Photo by Couchy -

Brenda said, "We were started with hot and delicious sourdough bread with room temp butter, the way it should be. This is bread perfection!"




- Photo by Chavaleh -



Then let's take a look at the Appetizer section of their menu...





Unfortunately only one of our reporters indulged in an appetizer...



Pan Seared Sea Scallops

- Photo by Chavaleh -

She said, "The scallop appetizer was perfectly cooked and super delicious."



I went to my own Shula's review from Nov. 2011 for another example...



Barbequed Shrimp Stuffed with Basil

Here is what I said regarding the shrimp, "These were delicious and DH and I quickly ate all four of them…lucky for us, DS doesn’t eat shrimp."



We had a little better coverage of the Soups and Salads section of their menu...





The first one is again from my own Nov. 2011 dining report...



French Onion Soup
- Photo by jabead -

This was wonderful...my favorite FO soup on Disney property, as it is made with beef broth and very flavorful. I much prefer this over Be our Guest's (made with vegetable broth) and also like it better than the French Onion soup at Chefs de France (which I think is made with chicken broth).



bigdave10000's DW tried the...



Lobster Bisque
- Photo by bigdave10000-

David said, "Colleen had the Lobster Bisque and said it was very good."



Both Brenda and Beth had the House Salad during their December dinner together...



Shula's House Salad
- Photo by Couchy -

Brenda commented, "Em and I started with the Shula's house salad which we split. It was a perfect start to the meal. Between that and the bread we were off to a great start."


Though our live reporter, SwirlyGirly, and her DDs had the next two salads listed on the menu (The Wedge, and Tomato Mozzarella Chopped Salad), no comments were made or pictures taken. So skipping to the...



1/2 share of the Traditional Caesar Salad
- Photo by bigdave10000 -

- Continued in next post -​

 

[jabead]

But it is the items in this section that you are probably here to see...




I don't believe that anyone had the Steak Mary Anne, so we will skip that one and move on to the Filet Mignon...



- Photo by emmysmommy -

Brenda said, "I chose the 8 oz. filet that is not on the printed menu but available (It is the filet for the Surf & Turf). It was served with sauce bernaise. They had us cut into the steak to check if it was cooked to our preference. Perfection for both! I never eat an entire steak and this disappeared!!"





SwirlyGirly said, "I had the 8 oz filet which is not on the menu but available by request. It was the perfect size for me. Of course I left the photography to the 8 yr old, and my hand is covering the steak!"



amandaC said her full-size 12 oz. filet was very, very good...



- Photo by amandaC -




- Photo by Couchy -

Beth said, "Filet, and one that melts in your mouth. Thanks to Brenda I knew I could order an 8 ounce filet that was not listed on the menu. That is much more reasonable for me to eat than the 12 ounce on the menu. It was delightful and my mouth is watering as I type."




And speaking of Brenda, here was her filet from her second visit to Shula's...



8 oz. Filet Mignon with Bearnaise Sauce
- Photo by emmysmommy -


However, Em was in a New York state of mind...



16 oz. New York Strip
- Photo by emmysmommy -


Brenda said, "Ohhhhh man! We discovered that Shula's was not just a one meal wonder. These steaks were just as amazing as last time. They were carne perfection! They have you check the done-ness of the steak while the server hovers over you with their little light. Our steaks were cooked perfectly so we had no complaints. Like last time, when we used our steak knife to cut into the meat it glides through it like butter. Perfectly tender."


Em also enjoyed the NY Strip on their first visit to Shula's last August...



- Photo by emmysmommy -


bigdave10000 had the New York Strip steak too...



- Photo by bigdave10000 -

David said, "It was perfect."



Though no one ordered the Kansas City strip, there were several who chose the...



22 oz. Cowboy Ribeye

- Photo by Chavaleh -


amandaC also tried the Cowboy ribeye steak...



- Photo by amandaC -

She said, "Good, but not great. I was a little disappointed in this one."


However Couchy's DH Wil did enjoy his ribeye...




And SwirlyGirly said, "My dad chose the 24 oz cowboy and managed to eat it all."




There was also one review of the...



24 oz. Porterhouse
- Photo by amandaC -

She said, "Matt ate it all!"



Surprisingly no one ordered the Prime Rib, and an even bigger surprise...no one had the ("feed you whole family") 48 oz. Porterhouse for $105!! I suppose if you were in training to earn a free meal in the 72 oz. Challenge at the Big Texan, the famous restaurant on Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, then eating this 48 oz. Shula's would be a good way to start.


By the way, you may have noticed that the plates look rather bare, with only a bit of garnish to fill the void usually occupied by a side dish or two. This is because everything is served a la carte at Shula's so there are no sides included with your entree. If you should choose to purchase a side dish, you would have these options to choose from...



Keep in mind that these are large enough to be shared by two or more people.


Here are the ones which were ordered by reporters for the live thread:



Grilled Asparagus Spears
- Photo by Chavaleh -



Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Photo by Chavaleh -





SwirlyGirly said, "My dad's side was a double baked potato, which he said was excellent."




Crab Macaroni and Cheese
- Photo by bigdave10000 -




- Photo by amandaC -

amandaC said, "We got the garlic mashed potatoes (yumm!!) and steamed broccoli (steamed broccoli...what is there to say about that?) with hollandaise sauce."


The only other photo I have is from my Nov. 2011 dining report...



Sauteed Mushrooms and Hash Brown Potato Pancake (which seems to have been removed from the menu)
- Photo by jabead -

Here was my comment: "The Sautéed Mushrooms were fantastic! DH and I loved these and got them all to ourselves…DS won’t touch mushrooms."


I'll be back tonight with dessert, until then...Have a great holiday!​

 

[emmysmommy]

DeeDee: Sounds like such a disappointing meal at Boatwrights between the food and service. From Barb's look back at past Boatwright meals I'd not mind trying the bread pudding.

Barb: THANK YOU for the Shula's look back. That was awesome! Definitely my most recent favorite for dinner at WDW. I've been curious as to some of the sides so that was a treat to get a preview.

Happy Easter everyone!

 

[jabead]

Now back to...



- Photo by emmysmommy -


...for dessert, of which we have photos of four of those on this Oct. '13 menu.





The first two of these must be ordered at the beginning of your meal...




Chocolate Souffle
- Photo by jabead -

This was my dessert from our Shula's dinner in Nov. 2011. As I recall, this was quite good.




Molten Chocolate Lava Cake topped with Creme Anglaise
- Photo by Couchy -


Beth said, "Em told us how good the chocolate lava cake is here so we decided to split one between the three of us and I am glad we did. I was scrapping the plate."


The other two dessert photos were sent to us by SwirlyGirly.



Carrot Cake




SwirlyGirly's DD with the Creme Brulee Trio



And now for the overall comments from our six reporters, which were nearly all very positive:


SwirlyGirly said, "We had an awesome meal."


After her first meal at Shula's Brenda (emmysmommy) said, "The food, the service, and the atmosphere here were phenomenal. This was an awesome meal and a great way to end an incredible day!"


Chavaleh said, "Last night was the actual date of our 20th anniversary so we had a nice meal out at Shula's. The service was fantastic."


bigdave10000 said, "Service was great as usual. Shula's really is amazing. So much better then Yachtsman."


amandaC said, "It was packed with convention goers at Shula's tonight. The rooms are pretty dark and VERY loud."


Beth (Couchy) said, "Dinner was a success and I could hardly waddle after it I was so full. I was glad to see Brenda and Em again. Shula's is fantastic and they accept Tables In Wonderland which makes it even more appealing."




Em, Beth, Beth's DH Wil, and Brenda
- Photo by emmysmommy -

After this second meal Brenda said, "This was a seriously spectacular meal - one of our favorites of the trip. I was especially glad that we were able to share it with Beth and Wil."​

 

[vettegirl]

Shula's looks better than the Yachtsman! The crab macaroni and cheese looks amazing as do all of the steaks.

 

[jabead]

Last week when I did the first Live Thread highlights posts featuring Mickey ice cream bars and sandwiches, Paula commented that her frozen ice cream treat of choice at Disneyland is the...

Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich


This consists of vanilla ice cream (or sometimes other flavors are available) sandwiched between two chocolate chip cookies. This is available at two locations at Magic Kingdom. The first one offers a variety of ice cream flavors...








Chavaleh's family enjoying their ice cream cookies sandwiches at a table outside the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor.



Although the standard vanilla is quite popular...




ness0905 with her Vanilla Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich






Vanilla Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich
- Photo by JintyB -






Vanilla Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich
- Photo by Chavaleh -



The Plaza does offer other flavors, such as...




Chocolate Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich
- Photo by Chavaleh -






Cookies 'n Cream
- Photo by StuffedwFluff -

StuffedwFluff said, "Look at the size of this thing! The cookie was super soft and the ice cream was super yummy. Love this dessert."




Mint Chocolate Chip
- Photo by slk537 -

She said, "It was huge and very, very good."



And it looks like you can also have your ice cream cookie sandwich served in a bowl instead of on a plate...



- Photo by scanne -



The Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich is also available at Magic Kingdom's...




- Photo by Chavaleh -





- Photo by wdwpirates -



And what's better than one Sleepy Hollow ice cream cookie sandwich?...




- Photo by Arielle71 -
(March 2013)


When Gisèle returned to Disney World in October 2013, she again visited Sleepy Hollow for an ice cream cookie sandwich, but this time it was a little different...



- Photo by Arielle71 -

Gisèle (Arielle71) said, "Not bad. Last March we had the same sandwich here and it was made with scoops of ice cream. This time it was soft-serve, still good but we prefer the old version."




A variation of the Cookie Sandwich is also available at Italy's Gelato kiosk at Epcot...



- Photo by MichelleWDWfan -



Ginamarie said, "DSis got a gelato sandwich (vanilla gelato with chocolate chip cookie) from the cart at the front of the Italy pavilion. They had chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry gelato to choose from."




"It was a big hit!"


MichelleWDWfan also tried the Gelato Cookie Sandwich during her visit to WDW in late Sept. 2013...



Michelle said, "They made the sandwich fresh and it was made with two chocolate chip cookies...yum!"



Two other types of Ice Cream sandwich can be found in Epcot at France's...






- Photos by Kimmy2Disney -





Croque Glace - Pressed Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich




- Both photos by rachel09985 -

Rachel said, "Oh my lord, this was amazing. I was not expecting to like this a lot at all, but it surpassed my expectations. It is crazy how they press the brioche to make the ice cream stay in there. I got caramel ice cream with a little chocolate syrup. It is so weird that it was good but it was. The warm bun with the cold ice cream was wonderful, along with the fresh brioche."


amandaC also did this live review of the brioche sandwich...



Amanda said, "We were dying to try this! DH and I shared a coconut white chocolate with chocolate sauce and the boys had profiterole with chocolate sauce. These were soooooo good!!!"


And then there is this Ice Cream Sandwich, which received a rating of 5/5 from DonaldDoleWhip...




Chocolate Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich
- Photo by DonaldDoleWhip -

DDW said, "This was definitely the best macaron I've had in WDW (and my favorite Epcot snack of the day). Since it contains thick ice cream and is served cold, the sandwich has a wonderfully chewy texture (and a great flavor). Hopefully they'll add more flavor options soon - pistachio or salted caramel would be perfect!"



Does anyone know of anywhere else in the World that an ice cream cookie sandwich is available? If so, please let me know where and post a photo if you have one. I was thinking that they were served at one of the resort food courts but couldn't find anything in any of the live reviews. ​

 

[smile4stamps]

Lol Barb! The kind of Ice Cream Sandwich I get at DL is far more basic... but readily accessible all over the place in the ice cream carts!!

I really enjoy these on a hot day!