Our delicious Deluxe Dining Adventures! Lots of pics! Final thoughts - All Done!!

[LIBLULA]

Awesome food report!!!!!! We are on the Deluxe plan this September--can't wait to try some of these restaurants!!!!!

 

[Dreamer & Wisher]

So the next day was Day 9 of our Disney vacation! Wow! By this stage, we were officially, constantly full. Too much food!! Seriously! We were also pretty exhausted!! Luckily, we had a "day off" from the parks this day. Our plan was to sleep-in, head to lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe, relax at the Wilderness Lodge, then head to Epcot for dinner and Illuminations that night. a much-needed lazy day!

And that's exactly what we did! After a lovely big sleep-in, it was off to lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe!

I wasn't feeling great this day. I don't know if it was all the food gurgling around in my tummy, or if I wasn't drinking enough water, or if I'd caught a tiny version of the horrible bug going around Disney when we were there. My tummy felt squeamy and icky. I was looking forward to just something small for lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe...

Anyhoo, we made it to the Grand Floridian Resort. Wow, beautiful!! That lobby really is amazing! We found the Grand Floridian Cafe and checked in, which for some reason proved to be a bit of a problem at the front desk. I don't know if they couldn't understand our Australian accent or if they didn't have our reservation, but for whatever reason, it took a long time to check in! They finally got us sorted and we were shown to our table.

I'd always fancied the menu at the Grand Floridian Cafe from the AllEars website, and so had DH. I'd only read a few reviews about it on the DIS boards though, so I didn't really know what to expect.

Wow, the Grand Floridian Cafe is big!! And empty!! There were probably 6 other tables being occupied in there. Definitely a nice quiet place for lunch! It was very pretty, with lots of white decorations and lovely views of the Grand Floridian gardens.

We met our server who was nice, but she kind of seemed in a world of her own. She seemed to be walking around in a bit of a daze most of the time. Hehee.

So, appetizers!! I ordered the Shrimp Trio - Citrus Poached, Warm Tomato Basil, and creamy Champagne Scampi...

This was really good! My favourite was definitely the creamy scampi shrimp, on the right. In fact, I could have had a whole plate of just this dish! There were two shrimp sitting on a tiny little toasted bread, smothered with a creamy sauce. Yum! The others were also good, but not as yummy as the scampi.

DH decided he was in the mood for soup, so he went with the Tomato-Basil Soup...

Check out how thick that soup is!! It was really more like a dip! DH really liked it though, and ate it all up, then licked the bowl clean. Hehee, okay, he didn't really lick the bowl. But he did eat it all!

For my entree, I chose the Rustic Chicken Sandwich - Herb-marinated Chicken Breast with Cold Smoked Vine Ripe Tomatoes, Cheddar, Pesto Mayonnaise, and Arugula Salad served on warm Ciabatta Bread, with home-made potato chips...

I was really looking forward to trying this sandwich. It sounded great!! And it looked great too!! But... it tasted funny. I know that's not a good explanation, but it really did just taste funny. Like maybe the chicken was not quite right, or past it's used by date. In fact, it smelt funny too. Like a really smokey, icky chicken smell.

It may have just been because I wasn't feeling great, and my nose and tummy was a bit sensitive to yucky smells. But I took about 3 bites of the chicken sandwich, and I was done. Oh dear!! I asked DH to have a little taste too, and he agreed that it had an odd taste to it. So from then on, I just stuck to the home-made potato chips, which were AWESOME!! Very crunchy and ultra-tasty!! Much nicer for my queasy tummy.

I'm always a bit paranoid about chicken, so I was worried that I'd be sick later. But phew, I wasn't!! Which leads me to believe that there was nothing wrong with the chicken - it was probably meant to just have a smokey flavour. Still, it wasn't nice.

Anyway, DH had the Roast Beef Sandwich - Balsamic Onions, Pesto Mayonnaise, Arugula Salad, and Tomatoes served on Focaccia with home-made chips...

He enjoyed this a lot more than I enjoyed mine!! The sandwich was huge, with lots and lots of beef! I don't think he ate it all, but he certainly liked it. I ate most of his potato chips too. They really were delicious!!

So now onto dessert. A few weeks prior to leaving, I'd called the Grand Floridian Bakery to order a Cinderella Slipper Dessert as dessert for this meal. Just as a fun special treat! I'd seen photos of it and thought it looked beautiful!! But when I ordered it, the person I spoke to struggled to speak English. She didn't even seem to understand what I was actually ordering. I gave my credit card details as requested, which she had to confirm about 18 times because she kept getting the numbers mixed up. Hehee. Needless to say, I really didn't think they would have our order there ready for us. I thought it had just gotten lost in translation somewhere along the line!

I asked our server anyway, and she said she'd check out the back to see if there was anything there for us. She didn't sound very hopeful.

But... woohooo!!! She came back with this!!

Yayyyy!! Miraculously, it was there waiting for us!! I was amazed!! And it was so pretty! Lots of other servers were popping over to our table for a closer look.

And most importantly, it was delicious!! We felt a bit bad to eat it, because it was so pretty! DH ate the little chocolate mousse boat, and I ate the white chocolate slipper, which was filled with whipped cream. Yum!!! The raspberries were great too, as was the decorative raspberry sauce. A big thumbs up for the Cinderella Slipper!!

So since we paid OOP for this, we still had the dessert on our dining plan left! Oh my goodness. I'd forgotten all about that!! We really didn't need anything else, but we decided to be little piggies and order the Sampler Dessert Plate for Two anyway!!

Look how pretty it was!! How could we not order it!?! We really only had little tastes of everything, but it was lots of fun and so colourful!

On the plate, there were four of their mini-desserts. The New York-style Lemon Cheesecake...

This was probably our favourite. It was great! The perfect mix of cheesecake with a hint of lemon. Yum! And again, so pretty!!

There was Tiramisu...

... which we only had a little taste of, because it tasted of very strong coffee, and we don't like coffee!

There was also the Chocolate-Hazelnut Mousse Cake...

DH really loved this one! He loves anything chocolate and also loves hazelnut, so how could he not!?! I had a little taste and it was very chocolatey and good!!

And lastly, was the Key Lime Pie...

This was nice too, but was very sweet! After so many other desserts, it was probably a bit too sweet for my tastes!!

We just loved our amazingly pretty desserts!!

So overall, our lunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe was quite good! Everything was great, apart from my Chicken Sandwich. Service was so-so, but for a quiet, lazy lunch, it didn't really matter that much! We enjoyed our time there, and especially loved the desserts!

We gave Grand Floridian Cafe 3 smiley men out of 5!

Next up... Dinner at Chefs de France!

All that looks yummy

 

[AussieAngel]

The desserts at GF Cafe look totally delicious! I love how they did the sampler. The cheesecake kinda looks like the zebra domes at Boma, only white. The last time we went to GF Cafe we did everything but the dessert, now I see that was a mistake. I'm glad they didn't foul up your slipper dessert either, that looks so good!

The desserts at GF Cafe really were great! And you're right - the little cheesecake really did look like a Zebra Dome! It was pretty much the same size too. Maybe they used the same mould!? You should go back to the GF Cafe next time just for dessert, to make up for missing it last time!!

The last time and actually the only time we went to the Grand Floridian Cafe, my meal went more like yours.
We wanted it to be good. The service was great. The food looked fantastic. But it was just off. Tasting just strange- off or something kind of bland. And that was for everyone's meals not just mine. They all needed salt and more.
So unfortunatly, that one came off the list of our restaurants. Too bad though because they were all trying very hard.
Those desserts look amazing.

Sorry to hear about your so-so experience at GF Cafe! Ours was all good really, except for the chicken. Ew! The desserts were definitely the best part though.

Thanks for the great update! Sorry you didn't like your sandwich, but I'm really they had your Royal Slipper desert!
If you don't mind me asking, how much was it? I've seen it on t.v. several times, and it looks so neat! I'd love to try it sometime!

Hmm, I'm pretty sure the Slipper dessert cost around $14 or $15. I think that's pretty good for a fancy big specially made dessert! I thought they would have charged my credit card when I booked, but I ended up paying for it on the day instead, which worked out fine. It was great, I recommend it!!

i had something too when we were there in december and i heard it was going around. i never got sick - just felt very icky!
this looks so good!!!!
and so do these!!! i will have to add GFC to my list of restaurants to try. it sounds wonderful (aside from your chicken)!

I think you'd like the GF Cafe! It's a nice little place with some really good food! And extra pretty desserts. I was the same with the Disney sickness thing going around - I was never actually sick, just felt very icky and sluggish!

Awesome food report!!!!!! We are on the Deluxe plan this September--can't wait to try some of these restaurants!!!!!

Yay, I hope you have a great time in September!! Thanks for stopping by and saying hi! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

All that looks yummy

It was yummy!!

Next review coming up soon! It's a long weekend here in Melbourne so we all have today (Monday) off work. Yayyyy! More time to play on the DIS boards!!

 

[AussieAngel]

That night, we headed to Epcot for our 6pm ADR at... Chefs de France!

We'd had a nice relaxing day hanging out at the Wilderness Lodge around the pool, but I still wasn't feeling very well. I was never actually sick - I just felt very sluggish and yuck! I also had really bad stomach pains. So much so that while we were walking around the World Showcase to Chefs de France, I had to sit down quite a few times and have a break. Oh dear!! I really wasn't feeling up to dinner, but again - the Deluxe Dining Plan was calling our name and we didn't want to cancel our ADR!!

So we eventually arrived in France and checked in at the Chefs de France podium. We were seated within 5 minutes and met our cute French server dude. He was nice and very French! Service was a little bit slow at times - we waited a long time to receive our glasses of water - but generally it was fine.

We started where most meals begin - appetizers!!! Of course, I already knew exactly what I was going to order - The classic onion soup topped with Gruyere cheese...

I'd seen so many photos of this soup here on the DIS board, and I couldn't wait to try it!! I love anything cheesy, and even though my stomach was trying to advise me against it, I couldn't help but order it anyway. And it was just as great as it looks!! Lots and lots and lots of cheese!! The soup itself was great too - just the right amount of oniony flavour without being overwhelming. Delicious!!

DH went for something a bit more simple, the house salad - Selected greens, house vinaigrette dressing...

He said this was okay, but nothing amazing. Very basic and standard salad. Good for the time though, since he wasn't feeling very hungry either!

I also knew what I wanted to have for my main course - Baked macaroni with cream and gruyere cheese...

Again, I'd been craving this for months!! I could basically hear my stomach saying to me at this stage, "Nooooo! No more cheese!" But I knew I'd be so sad later if I didn't at least try the fancy French mac & cheese!! So I ordered it anyway, and only ate a little bit. It was great! Not overly rich - it was actually quite nice and light. And again, full of cheesy goodness!!

DH went with the Grilled tenderloin of beef with a black pepper sauce original potato gratin of Savoy and green beans...

He said this was okay, but the beef didn't look like a very nice cut of beef. It was pretty stringy and chewy - I think he only ended up eating about half of it. DH loved the potatoes though!! More cheesiness!!

Dessert, oh no!!! Could we really squeeze dessert in!? We tried!!

I wasn't quite sure what to choose, but eventually decided on the Orifuteroles au chocolat - Puff choux with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce...

I wasn't a huge fan of these. I imagined the pastry on the outside to be light and puffy, but actually, it was cold and soggy on the bottom. I ended up just having a few bites, then just eating the ice-cream instead! The ice-cream was nice! Also, that was a LOT of chocolate sauce!! Too much for me!

DH chose the sorbet as his dessert - what else?! He loves sorbet!!

I think the flavours were mango, raspberry and lemon. He ate some of it, but I think we were both just too full to appreciate dessert! I think he quite liked the sorbet though.

By the time we were finished at Chefs de France, my stomach really hated me! So much cheeeeeese!! Auhhhh!!

We enjoyed our time at Chefs de France, but I don't think we'd go back there. The atmosphere wasn't amazing, and although I quite enjoyed my cheesy dishes, DH didn't love his food too much. There's so many other restaurants in the World Showcase to explore, I don't think Chefs de France will be high on our priority list anymore.

We gave Chefs de France 3 smiley men out of 5!

Next up... In-room dining breakfast at the Wilderness Lodge!

 

[morgy827]

How sad that Chefs De France did not turn out for you. We are going there for our first time in May and I'm really excited to try the soup. Hopefully the rest of our dinner will turn out okay

 

[punkin413]

that french mac & cheese = heaven. i love that stuff!!! your picture makes me want some right now.

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Hi there! Reading your amazing reviews has me so excited for my trip - we're eating at a few of the same places. You and your husband make the cutest couple!! And I cannot believe you got to watch Wishes with Cinderella!! Thanks so much for doing all of these and sharing them with us!

 

[wilma-bride]

Absolutely amazing reviews so far - I have only got to page 16 but am not allowed to continue until DS has finished eating his tea as he is enjoying them as well. He's only 6 but is giving every picture a thumbs up or thumbs down, depending on whether it appeals

 

[66Tink]

Thanks so much the review and photos of Chefs de France...we are eating here for the first time in May and DH and I are looking forward to trying the soup and the fancy mac and cheese....yummy

 

[wilma-bride]

Me and DS are all caught up now - incredible reviews

 

[MickeyNicki]

You know DH and I never thought about going to the Castle but your reviews and pics are making me rethink that.

GFC...you ordered the dessert platter like us! We love that, great pics! I am really funny with grilled chicken, I hate the grill taste and I would have sent it back or not eaten it either!

Chefs, how do I love thee? That Mac and cheese is soooo amazing!

 

[trixiequilts]

It's so cool that you order so many of the same things I would order. Chef's didn't make the cut for us this time, so it was almost like being there.

They sure like to make everything saucy there, don't they? That's a fun word. Saucy!

 

[Goldeelox9]

So Many Great Reviews!!! Now I want to have dinner at the Castle! I always have Breakfast there!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Hi! Thank you so much for the wonderful photos! I have really enjoyed you reviews. I think I may need to try some new restaurants this trip. If you had to choose your favorite 2TS restaurant which one would it be? Thanks

 

[AussieAngel]

How sad that Chefs De France did not turn out for you. We are going there for our first time in May and I'm really excited to try the soup. Hopefully the rest of our dinner will turn out okay

The soup was great!! Nothing was really terrible - in fact, I liked my meal! It just wasn't one of our favourite places, that's all! I'm sure you'll like it!!

that french mac & cheese = heaven. i love that stuff!!! your picture makes me want some right now.

It's great mac & cheese, isn't it!? So nice and light and cheesy!!

Hi there! Reading your amazing reviews has me so excited for my trip - we're eating at a few of the same places. You and your husband make the cutest couple!! And I cannot believe you got to watch Wishes with Cinderella!! Thanks so much for doing all of these and sharing them with us!

Thank you for all your lovely comments! Welcome!! I'm so glad I could help to make you even more excited!! I'm sure you'll have a blast!

Absolutely amazing reviews so far - I have only got to page 16 but am not allowed to continue until DS has finished eating his tea as he is enjoying them as well. He's only 6 but is giving every picture a thumbs up or thumbs down, depending on whether it appeals

Thank you, and welcome!! And hi to Wilma-bride's DH!! Now I'm intrigued as to what he gave a thumbs up or a thumbs down!!

Thanks so much the review and photos of Chefs de France...we are eating here for the first time in May and DH and I are looking forward to trying the soup and the fancy mac and cheese....yummy

You're welcome!! You'll love the soup and the mac & cheese! Be prepared for lots of cheesy goodness though!!!

Me and DS are all caught up now - incredible reviews

You did very well to read the whole report! Glad you've caught up! Thanks for reading!

You know DH and I never thought about going to the Castle but your reviews and pics are making me rethink that.
GFC...you ordered the dessert platter like us! We love that, great pics! I am really funny with grilled chicken, I hate the grill taste and I would have sent it back or not eaten it either!
Chefs, how do I love thee? That Mac and cheese is soooo amazing!

Ooh, you should visit CRT! Even if you don't end up loving the food, it's still a fun experience! The dessert platter at GFC was great, wasn't it!? Yum! And yayyy for Mac & Cheese!!

It's so cool that you order so many of the same things I would order. Chef's didn't make the cut for us this time, so it was almost like being there.
They sure like to make everything saucy there, don't they? That's a fun word. Saucy!

We must have similar taste in food! I'm glad you got to experience Chefs even though you didn't actually go!
The French definitely seem to like their saucy sauces, yes!!

So Many Great Reviews!!! Now I want to have dinner at the Castle! I always have Breakfast there!

Thank you! You should definitely try dinner at the castle next time!!

Hi! Thank you so much for the wonderful photos! I have really enjoyed you reviews. I think I may need to try some new restaurants this trip. If you had to choose your favorite 2TS restaurant which one would it be? Thanks

Thanks for reading, I'm glad you've enjoyed my reviews so far! That's a tricky question... If I had to choose between the 2TS restaurants we went to, it would be very, very close between Yachtsman Steakhouse and Jiko... but I think Jiko would win! It was one of my favourite meals of the trip.

 

[AussieAngel]

After our big dinner at Chefs de France the night before, we were looking forward to this morning. We were off to Epcot again that day, but before then, we got to have breakfast in bed!!!

It was time for some Wilderness Lodge In-Room Dining!!

There's just something about having breakfast in bed when you're staying at a hotel, isn't there?! It's the ultimate treat, really! Our breakfast in bed counted as 2 table service meals each on the dining plan, which, when you think about it, isn't really the best value. Especially when you could just run downstairs and grab similar food from Roaring Fork. But... we were on vacation!! And wanted breakfast in bed in our pyjamas!!

It was especially nice because I hadn't been feeling very well the day before, so it was great to be able to sleep for a little bit extra instead of getting up for an early breakfast somewhere.

So we hung our order on the door the night before, which looked a little bit like this...

And yay! Right on time the next morning, it arrived!! (Not magically by itself, I'm afraid. A nice Wilderness Lodge CM delivered it to us instead.)

So we each had a juice to start with. DH had orange juice (on the right) and I had pineapple juice (on the left). Lovely and refreshing!

My food choice that morning was the French Toast with bacon...

Not the most exciting of choices, but I felt like something simple since my stomach still felt a bit unsettled. It was good, but not as crispy as I'd hoped. They were a bit soggy, probably from being put on the plate which was covered with a silver cover, to be delivered to our room. You can see some of the condensation on my plate still. But oh well, that's minor! The bacon was nice!

DH went with the Pancakes with a side plate of seasonal fruit...

He really liked these! Before this trip, I didn't realise DH was so into pancakes. But he is! They were pretty basic pancakes, but sometimes basic is good! We shared the fruit, which was cold and fresh.

So that was breakfast! Nothing overly amazing, but nice and easy. Lovely to eat in bed in your pj's!!

We gave Wilderness Lodge In-Room Dining 3 smiley men out of 5!

Next up... Lunch at Le Cellier!

 

[Tbelle1976]

I think that after so many meals and so much food that breakfast in bed sounds like it would be worth 2 TS credits to me!

 

[khlubb]

Wow, thanks so much for posting all of your pictures and information! My DH and I are looking at different restaurant options and whatnot and this has been so helpful!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Your review of Bistro was great. I haven't been back there in years. The mac and cheese looks so good. However, that dessert was swimming in chocolate sauce...way too much even for a chocolate lover like myself!

 

[momforchrist7778]

Thank you so much for the awesome reviews!