Pie That Brownie, Fruitcake! Updated Post #1832 - The End

[oybolshoi]

Yum! Sorry Jay didn't wake up feeling well.

Sounds like this was definitely a winner!

As a matter of fact, I was counting. j/k...But you are making up for the low count of the previous day!

Yeah, well someone had to drink all the wine we pre-paid for at Bluezoo, right? No wonder the poor guy didn't feel well.

The champagne seminar was very good ... not that anything with champagne is usually bad. And yes ... I definitely had to make up for the lack of drinking that day before!

Great update!
It's been many years since I've dined in Epcot's Italy. My parents took us to Alfredo's a couple times in Epcot's earlier days and we loved it. However, DH and I have always passed it by, much for the same reasons as you and Jay: we can get fabulous Italian food nearby for much less. We tend to do what we can't at home; which with kids generally means dining with oversized woodland creatures, places with hula lessons or stick pony riding and trying food that's not as available here such as German food. But, every review I've read of Tutto has been good, so who knows, we may get there yet.

I am so happy you got flowers!

Well, off to bed. I'm feeling a little tipsy from reading your report.

Thanks for taking the time to read! I totally understand why you guys don't get much of a chance at WDW to try some of the more ... restrained? ... places on property. But you'll get there! And although Tutto was very good I still have some issues with their standard menu prices. I think the last time I looked they were charging $16 for a Caesar Salad and $24 for Spaghetti & Meatballs. Ummm, price gouge much?

Reading my trippies has been known to knock people out! Have a good evening and great holiday if I don't see ya round here before the end of the week!

I hear ya. I have a couple of stories about that in my trip.

It's gross, isn't it?

Looks good; too bad the dumpling was dry.

Other than the "dumpling" the dish was terrific.

You guys really hit the jackpot with this pairing! All the portion sizes were huge, too!

It really was a great F&W event and they were quite generous with the food. I have to say, even with the pairings we've attended that we didn't like as much, it was never because they skimped on the food.

I had looked ahead to the picture before I read your description, and my first thought was that it looked like a plate of grubs!

Great minds think alike!

Someone is obviously taking the birthday drink-a-thon a bit too seriously!

Aw, pretty flowers. And you look cute in your tiara!

Thanks very much ... they were beautiful flowers and I loved having them in the room.

 

[oybolshoi]

I decided to come out of lurkdome to agree with you on the Tutto pairing. I did it 2 years ago I think (first year they were open). It was fantastic. Both the food and the wine were generous. I thought it was money well spent. I went back and had lunch later in the trip. Fabulous food although it is pricey. The TWIT card does make it easier as does those very handsome Italian waiters.

BTW, just picked up a nice bottle of Rosa for NYE thanks to the lovely buy 12 get 3 bottles free at the corner liquor store.

Jill in CO

Hey stranger! Long time no see on a thread!

I forgot about the TWIT card ... Jay and I just have such a tough time going Italian on vacation, although we did try Il Mulino on this trip and it was great. I've also noticed that other DISers suggest trying Tutto for lunch - much like Chefs de France their menu prices increase at dinner time.

I wish we could get one of those buy 12 get three free deals! I spent a ton of bucks this weekend on booze and no one gave me anything free. Well, I did get an eyestopper of free scotch to try, but that was it!

Congrats on the Rosa ... we love having that for NYE!

 

[jeminni]

Great review and the drink total is shaping up nicely for 4:30 in the afternoon.

Love the flowers and the vase.

Did you have any cute waiters at the Tutto Italia F&W pairing?

 

[WDW Fan]

I'm so impressed by the menu and wine selection at Tutto Italia!!! I can see why you rated it so highly. How sweet of your co-workers to send you such a beautiful and perfectly suited flower arrangement!!! It's so special to receive a flower delivery but even more special when you're in WDW Looking forward to hearing about your dinner at the Flying Fish. I can't believe all the food and drink you were able to partake in for your birthday!

 

[oybolshoi]

Great review and the drink total is shaping up nicely for 4:30 in the afternoon.

Love the flowers and the vase.

Did you have any cute waiters at the Tutto Italia F&W pairing?

Hi Bridget! Thanks very much for reading.

Ummm, I'm sure there were some cute waiters there but I didn't even notice. I was so busy eating and drinking and talking that I barely noticed my surroundings ...

I'm so impressed by the menu and wine selection at Tutto Italia!!! I can see why you rated it so highly. How sweet of your co-workers to send you such a beautiful and perfectly suited flower arrangement!!! It's so special to receive a flower delivery but even more special when you're in WDW Looking forward to hearing about your dinner at the Flying Fish. I can't believe all the food and drink you were able to partake in for your birthday!

Hi Linda! Thanks for reading! We really thought Tutto did a great job of serving good, solid food that represented their "normal" menu.

I loved the flowers ... still can't believe they did for that me.

And as I look back ... I'm not sure I can believe all the food and drink I put away either!

 

[onelilspark]

That lunch looks very tasty


And the tiera suits you.

 

[hmgray95]

The pasta really did look like grub worms! But I bet it was still very tasty. I've been avoiding Tutto because of the prices as well....I just can't justify paying that kind of money for something I can get just down the block. But I think that if we do the dining plan next trip, then I will add this one to the list.

And I've sent that margarita arrangement to someone before....isn't it beautiful!

 

[kabuki]

Still never done a food and wine pairing or a lunch and learn or well, much of anything else besides PFTS! Your day looked great!!!
Those flowers still crack me up in that vase!! All I could think is someone really knows her! They were beautiful!
Another great review but what happened to pics of the Tiara????!

 

[TigerKat]

Great review! Looks like y'all hit the jackpot with Tutto. The flowers were so thoughtful and gorgeous!

 

[iloveeeyore]

I've been drooling over your wonderful report for a few months now! Tutto really takes the cake. Today I have both food AND tiara envy!!! (And yes, it DOES suit you.)

 

[jakenjess]

Tutto looks fantastic! We're having lunch there in January (I'm thinking with lunch prices and TiW it shouldn't be too painful ) so I'm happy to hear you enjoyed it. The tiramisu and the Rosa alone would be worth it for me! I've got a bottle of Rosa just waiting for New Year's Eve!

Love the flowers, and you look fabulous in a tiara!

 

[klacey1]

The FIRST thing I thought of when I saw your picture of the Tutto pasta, before reading your blurb was: "That pasta is shaped oddly, but I can't put my finger on what it looks like..."
I spit diet coke on my computer when I read "grub worms..."
Glad you had a wonderful, slosh-y birthday!! Very excited for Flying Fish!!

 

[BriarRosie]

Saturday, October 17th - Food & Wine Pairing at Tutto Italia

For years Jay and I have debated the merits of dining at Tutto Italia, formerly known as Alfredo's. At the end of the day, it always came down to the ridiculous (even for Disney) menu prices and the fact that Stinktown actually has some fantastic third-and-fourth generation Italian places for us to dine at when we feel like driving 90-miles round trip. The Food & Wine Pairings offered by Epcot during the Festival seemed like the perfect way for us to see what Tutto had to offer without committing to a full meal.

The prices (even for Disney!) are what kept me away from Tutto. I've been hearing so many good things, I might cave in and try lunch there. It's more economical (aka cheaper!) than dinner, at any rate.

We were running late, of course.

If you read my last update you may be wondering how it was possible for us to be late when we were already in Italy.

Someone decided that it was high time she had a tiara and the only place she knew to find one that was both affordable and not in another theme park, was Germany. So, with something like 15 minutes to spare we bobbed and weaved over to the crystal store in Germany that sells all that hand-cut Arribas Brothers stuff. A few years back I'd almost bought one and then changed my mind at the last minute ... and I've regretted it ever since. Every WDW trip since then, when we've returned to Epcot, I've gone looking for tiaras only to be told that Arribas Brothers was out of stock.

Not so this day!

Getting a tiara is an acceptable excuse for being late.

I know it's silly but for some reason I've always wanted a tiara, even though I'm not really the kind of person who looks all that good wearing one. I mean, some people look like they were born to be a Grace Kelly or a Princess Diana ... I look more like I was born to be their personal secretary.

ROFL! Yes, I think personal secretary works. It's gotta be the glasses and calm efficiency. But that could also become the Sexy Librarian look, so it's all good.

Anyway, because of my foolishness we were among the last people to get in line for the F&W check-in at Tutto Italia and we weren't able to share a table with our friends Jeanne and Marcel. But we did luck into two seats at a table directly behind them, so we were able to talk with them throughout the afternoon. We were also lucky to be seated at the table we were because there were three awesomely fun people already there. The young couple were both former CMs and one of them, I forget which, had brought mom along for the weekend. And this was a mom unlike the Grimace - she was having fun and enjoying her food and wine and it was really obvious that they all liked being together. What a refreshing change of pace from both of our families!

Sounds like what happened at the Leather Muppet Jerky demo. We managed to sit behind Chelsi and Jason. I think if I could bring my Mom without my sister around, I'd probably have fun.

At the outset of the tasting the restaurant manager came out to speak with us about the event and then he introduced the winery representative. It was hard for me to hear much of what they were saying because I had a pretty good buzz going by the time we sat down. Before I forget, though, I'd like to give Tutto Italia two thumbs up for not only providing us a menu for the event, but with the appropriate amount of silverware as well. **Are you out there Restaurant Marrakesh? It's been three years and I haven't forgotten ... I'm going to keep mocking you until you change your ways!** They kept us well watered with an unlimited supply of Pellegrino and provided each table with a generous basket of sliced bread and breadsticks. Bravo!

Oh, I had a problem with Marrakesh the first year they did a pairing. The food was uninspired, and the wines were astringent unless you took a sip after a bite of food. Never been to a pairing there since.

Jay and I noticed right away that there were four wine glasses at each place setting and four courses listed on the menu; we gave each other the raised-eyebrow-happy-drinker-wink-wink that means we believe we've hit F&W pay dirt. The reason this made us so happy is that most food and wine pairings only offer three courses and three wines, so anything more than that usually means you're in the hands of an over-achiever.

Gotta love the bonus course! I think I lucked out at a pairing at Le Cellier back when Chef Brian was there. (He's since moved to Jiko and most recently, California Grill.) Gotta love four courses!

The first course of the afternoon was Insalata Zucchini, or Thin Sliced, Grilled Zucchini with Crispy Arugula and lots of freshly shaved Parmigiano Reggiano. There was a lot of balsamic vinegar drizzled over the zucchini - I didn't like having to dig around so much in the salad just so that I could smear my cheese in the balsamic, but it sure tasted great once I found it and married the two. I love fresh parmigiano reggiano and balsamic vinegar ... yum! Although I have to be careful about my leafy green vegetable intake, I really enjoyed this first course and once I'd eaten a safe amount (for me) of vegetation I passed along the rest to the hubba who was more than happy to finish mine off as well. The wine we were served with this course was a Vernaccia Di San Gimignano - a nice crisp white from Tuscany.

Insalata Zucchini

Oh man, that looks awesome. I dig that type of salad and cheese.

The second course of the afternoon was Cavatelli Pasta, also known as Sweet Sausage Ragu and Pecorino Romano. It was paired with Bonizio Sangiovese, which was a light, fruitier red wine that I really enjoyed. I also enjoyed this pasta dish tremendously, even if the noodles did look like grub worms. It was a terrific mix of slightly sweet tomato sauce paired with mildly spicy sausage and just the right amount of cheese. The portion was generous and tasty and had us both looking forward to the next selection.

Grub Worm Pasta with Cheese Shavings

I thought, "Mmm, earthworms!" when I saw it. I think I had a grub-like pasta at the one Exquisitely Expensive Evening at Epcot I attended, but it was so good, I wanted to like the bowl clean. That dish reminds me of the pasta I enjoyed.

Our third course of the day was Bracciole di Vitello, more commonly referred to as Veal Rolls with Prosciutto, Basil, Herbs, and Pomodoro Sauce. This was paired with a Chianti Classico from Cecchi Winery which I think may be affiliated with Banfi. The menu neglected to mention that this dish was going to be served on a bed of mashed 'taters ... and oh, other than booze there's no more direct way to my heart than with tasty mashed 'taters, precious. This dish was OK - I thought the sauce and the 'taters were quite good, but the meat was chewy. I'm not a big fan of veal to begin with, and I can't help but wonder if the surfeit of sauce was a deliberate attempt to camouflage over-cooked meat.

Bracciole di Vitello

It's a bummer that the meat seemed to be masked by the sauce to hide potentially overcooked veal. At least you scored some taters!

And then there was dessert! We were presented with Mocha Tiramisu, translated as Mascarpone Cream, Espresso Coffee, Savoiardi Biscuits, and Chocolate piared with everyone's Italian favorite - Rosa Regale!

If they made Tiramisu like this in Stinktown I'd order it for dessert every time we dined Italian, but no one here has ever presented me with something this good and so I've never been a big fan. This was amazingly tasty and just the right amount of subtly coffee-infused cream cheese over spongy, but not soggy, biscuits. And it was wonderful with the Rosa Regale, which I sometimes think is the primary reason that people book this food and wine pairing in the first place.

Mocha Tiramisu and Rosa Regale, too!

This is the true envy part. Not only does that dessert sound amazing, you got some Rosa Regale with it!

We'd received very attentive service throughout the afternoon and were very pleased with the event in general. And then a couple of somethings happened that pushed this event out of the realm of pretty darn good into damn fine. The winery representative had asked a question about her earlier comments and the guest who answered correctly won a full bottle of Rosa! I thought that was a really nice touch on her part. And then the restaurant manager came in and mentioned that there was a couple that had just gotten enaged and they were also given a bottle of Rosa and we all toasted them. If that wasn't enough, he then mentioned that there were two guests celebrating birthdays - they then brought the other guest and me a fabulous chocolate dessert with a birthday candle and we were serenaded with a birthday song. I was totally embarrassed but I was also really impressed by the level of service and thoughtfulness that the Tutto staff demonstrated that day. Certainly they didn't have to anything more than they'd already done, but on this day it seemed like everyone had snorted a dose of that old Disney magic and was intent on sharing it around.

The dessert count is starting to catch up with the drink count!

I would have felt totally spoiled by that!

Our tablemates were nice enough to take a picture of Jay and me with Jeanne and Marcel. Are they the cutest couple ever, or what? She always looks fabulous ... some day I am going to ask her to share her secret with me!

That's a pretty attractive group of DIS-friends!

You just have a knack of finding the most attractive people to hang out with.

And then event was over - they didn't rush us out by any stretch of the imagination but it was also pretty obvious they were trying to get ready for the dinner crowd. Jay and I had dinner reservations at Flying Fish that we needed to think about cleaning up for anyway, so we bid our friends farewell for the time being and ventured back out into the sea of humanity that was Epcot. We didn't think it was possible for the place to get any more crowded than it had been when we sat down at Tutto around 2:30 that afternoon, but we were wrong.

Look at the photographic evidence; you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.

Morocco ... I can barely see the bathrooms!

America-town and Japan ... overcrowding at its worst!

And here's where two worlds converge. While you were probably at your pairing, Catherine and I were in Epcot, too. Noticing the sea of (HOLY CRAP! IS THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF FLORIDA HERE?) humanity, as well. And where were we? In Italy, watching the World Showcase Players!

Yes, we were part of the wretched hive of scum and villainy!

We made it back to our villa, ready for a wine-induced nap and look what I found waiting for me:

Flowers? I never receive flowers!

For the barest second I thought they might be from Jason, but then I remembered to whom I am married. I'm not complaining - he's a wonderful, thoughtful husband, he just doesn't like giving flowers because they always end up dead.

Fair enough.

But sometimes it's still nice to be on the receiving end of some pretty poseys. And my dear friends from work - Anila and Erica - remembered my birthday, and even more impressively the hotel we were staying at, and sent me this goregous giant floral margarita birthday bouquet. Yes, that's right - I have a reputation for drinking in the real world, too.

I admit it, I shed a tear or two of surprised happiness; this was one of the sweetest things anyone has done for me in a long time.

Bendy and her flowers...

Someone is obviously taking the birthday drink-a-thon a bit too seriously!

These flowers were beautiful, smelled divine, and lasted the entire week. They were still going strong when we checked out on the 24th, and if there had been any way that I could have brought them home for the cat to eat I surely would have.

I loved the big honkin' margarita glass o' flowers! I think that glass is appropriate for plenty of us!

Back to the F&W event ... I am going to award the Tutto Italia Food and Wine Pairing our highest rating - the Ren & Stimpy - for the quality of their service and the overall tastiness of their food coupled with the generosity and thoughtfulness of the entire staff.

Jay and I highly recommend this pairing and rank it second on our all-time list of F&W pairings, just behind the Scotch & Food pairing we attended at Rose and Crown a few years back

Birthday Drink Tally at 4:30PM:

1 Mimosa
6 small glasses of Moet & Chandon Champagne
1 shared small cup Spanish red wine
1 shared Happy Lye-chee
3 full glasses of Italian wine
1 glass of Rosa Regale
A whole lotta water!

I think I'd want to book a pairing there, now. Watch it crash and burn next year.

 

[dizneykid]

Saturday, October 17th - Food & Wine Pairing at Tutto Italia

Our tablemates were nice enough to take a picture of Jay and me with Jeanne and Marcel. Are they the cutest couple ever, or what? She always looks fabulous ... some day I am going to ask her to share her secret with me!

That's a pretty attractive group of DIS-friends!

Brenda,

Such a nice photo!! And, thank you very much for the compliment. Not really any secret, I just do what my mom always told me - 1. Never go to bed with your make up on and 2. Always use moisturizer, day and night!!!

 

[dizneykid]

Saturday, October 17th - Food & Wine Pairing at Tutto Italia


Birthday Drink Tally at 4:30PM:

1 Mimosa
6 small glasses of Moet & Chandon Champagne
1 shared small cup Spanish red wine
1 shared Happy Lye-chee
3 full glasses of Italian wine
1 glass of Rosa Regale
A whole lotta water!

OK, this is starting to sound like "The Twelve Days of Christmas"!!!!

 

[d'Isigny]

First...always has to be first – I must pay homage to HP. Am sure I still don’t even rate a tail wag...

Saturday, October 17th - Food & Wine Pairing at Tutto Italia

Jay and I noticed right away that there were four wine glasses at each place setting and four courses listed on the menu; we gave each other the raised-eyebrow-happy-drinker-wink-wink that means we believe we've hit F&W pay dirt. The reason this made us so happy is that most food and wine pairings only offer three courses and three wines, so anything more than that usually means you're in the hands of an over-achiever.

Table setting

Very much enjoyed your recent installment. It’s great to see a true rating when being seated at a table...requires one – to...count the wine glasses. I’ve got the moves down for FOUR. QUESTION – does the sight of FIVE wine glasses rate; an end zone celebration, chest bump or high-fives with high-pitched WHOOPS? Inquiring minds – want to know.

Someone is obviously taking the birthday drink-a-thon a bit too seriously!

When I read about you back-tracking for a birthday tiara...I started giggling. An addition to your DIS Tag collection is required – and should read...

Works a birthday tiara in search of bubbly goodness while perfecting a parade wave

All fun aside...have always enjoyed your writings – this installment is no exception. Thank you for taking the time to share.

Wishing you and all you hold close a wonderful holiday...with health and prosperity into the New Year. Take good care - my friends...K

 

[whogirl'smom]

Tutto looked wonderful! I loved our meal there in 2007 and I really want to go back despite the awful prices. Your tiramisu looked like what I had that was on the menu then, mmmm, and how nice that they gave you another dessert for your birthday!

The flowers from your friends were beautiful; tell me how you got the giant margarita glass home? "No, this does not count as a carry-on; it is my beverage."

Those crowds looked crazy!

 

[TDC Nala]

You know the crowds were bad when the World Showcase Player(s) asked us how bad it really was out there.

 

[cammie810]

Ok! First of all I have been reading your Disboard reviews since you started writing them and you deserve a tiara because you are the Queen of dining reviews. Second of all, my DH and I went to our first F&W festival this year and I was slightly bummed out to find out alot of the reviewers I admire (including you) were going after us. Now that I see your crowd photos I feel much better about our totally uncrowded end of September trip. Finally, Rosa Regale is one of the best wines ever!!! Great review as usual. I know you work and stuff but could you possibly hurry up a little bit. It is difficult to wait between installments.

 

[oybolshoi]

That lunch looks very tasty

And the tiera suits you.

It was a great F&W event and a really fun afternoon. And thanks for the compliment!

The pasta really did look like grub worms!But I bet it was still very tasty. I've been avoiding Tutto because of the prices as well....I just can't justify paying that kind of money for something I can get just down the block. But I think that if we do the dining plan next trip, then I will add this one to the list.

And I've sent that margarita arrangement to someone before....isn't it beautiful!

Hi Heather - nice to hear from you! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks that pasta looks wormy! I think on the DDP or with the TWiT card Tutto is probably a better value.

I love that arrangement and have sent it before but had never received it until my birthday!

Still never done a food and wine pairing or a lunch and learn or well, much of anything else besides PFTS! Your day looked great!!!

Hiya Chelsi! The F&W pairings are usually a great value - we're still bummed that Epcot cut back so many of them because it was a great way to try a restaurant you might not otherwise ever dine at. Next year consider Tokyo Dining ... that one looked mighty fine this year!

Those flowers still crack me up in that vase!! All I could think is someone really knows her! They were beautiful!

They probably wish they didn't know me as well as they do! But the flowers were stunning and I loved them and they made me feel all warm and fuzzy and loved.

Another great review but what happened to pics of the Tiara????!

I was wearing it in the last picture ... trying to be subtle. You know me ... I'm the quiet, unassuming type - try not to draw too much attention to myself.

Great review! Looks like y'all hit the jackpot with Tutto. The flowers were so thoughtful and gorgeous!

Hiya Kathy! Thanks for reading. We definitely picked a winner with this pairing and my friends picked a winner with the flowers!

I've been drooling over your wonderful report for a few months now! Tutto really takes the cake. Today I have both food AND tiara envy!!! (And yes, it DOES suit you.)

Hi there! Thanks for reading and posting and for the lovely compliment. I'm glad to have you along for the ride!

Tutto looks fantastic! We're having lunch there in January (I'm thinking with lunch prices and TiW it shouldn't be too painful ) so I'm happy to hear you enjoyed it. The tiramisu and the Rosa alone would be worth it for me! I've got a bottle of Rosa just waiting for New Year's Eve!

Love the flowers, and you look fabulous in a tiara!

Lori! How the heck are you? I think lunch will be a good deal, epsecially with the TWiT card - be sure to let us know what you think of it once you're back. Mmmmmm, Rosa - we've got two bottles here but we've also got some regular bubbly so I'm not sure what we're going to do for NYE.

Thanks for stopping in to read and thanks for the kind compliment!

The FIRST thing I thought of when I saw your picture of the Tutto pasta, before reading your blurb was: "That pasta is shaped oddly, but I can't put my finger on what it looks like..."
I spit diet coke on my computer when I read "grub worms..."
Glad you had a wonderful, slosh-y birthday!! Very excited for Flying Fish!!

That's great ... I hope you didn't short anything out with the diet coke spew! I will try to get Flying Fish posted this weekend ... obviously the next couple of days are going to be pretty hectic but by Saturday it should be calm again.

Brenda,

Such a nice photo!! And, thank you very much for the compliment. Not really any secret, I just do what my mom always told me - 1. Never go to bed with your make up on and 2. Always use moisturizer, day and night!!!

Hi Jeanne! This is one of my favorite photos from the trip. And you're welcome - you always looks terrific! Thanks for the secrets, though!

OK, this is starting to sound like "The Twelve Days of Christmas"!!!!

Hmmm, I bet if we asked Catherine she could come up with some pretty funny drunken birthday ideas that we could substitute for the lyrics.

First...always has to be first – I must pay homage to HP. Am sure I still don’t even rate a tail wag...

He's taken over this awesome suede / shearling blanket Jay gave me for Christmas and we haven't seen him in days. The furry little wanker is always stealing my warm, fuzzies!

Very much enjoyed your recent installment. It’s great to see a true rating when being seated at a table...requires one – to...count the wine glasses. I’ve got the moves down for FOUR. QUESTION – does the sight of FIVE wine glasses rate; an end zone celebration, chest bump or high-fives with high-pitched WHOOPS? Inquiring minds – want to know.

Thanks for taking the time to read, Kevin. And in answer to your question, in this family five wine glasses means a high five with a very loud WOOHOO!!!

When I read about you back-tracking for a birthday tiara...I started giggling. An addition to your DIS Tag collection is required – and should read...

Works a birthday tiara in search of bubbly goodness while perfecting a parade wave

All fun aside...have always enjoyed your writings – this installment is no exception. Thank you for taking the time to share.

Wishing you and all you hold close a wonderful holiday...with health and prosperity into the New Year. Take good care - my friends...K

I am still working on my wave ... I'll post a picture when it's ready.

And right back at you and yours for a lovely holiday filled with laughter, joy, love, and warmth. Please give all our best to Nan and your girls!!

Tutto looked wonderful! I loved our meal there in 2007 and I really want to go back despite the awful prices. Your tiramisu looked like what I had that was on the menu then, mmmm, and how nice that they gave you another dessert for your birthday!

Hiya Jamie! Hope you're feeling better now. We were really pleased with the event and might even consider trying them for lunch one of these days if we actually remember!

The flowers from your friends were beautiful; tell me how you got the giant margarita glass home? "No, this does not count as a carry-on; it is my beverage."

Those crowds looked crazy!

I didn't bring it home ... I had to leave it, which is a real shame. I supposed if I'd thought about it I could have worked something out with Disney to ship it home but we had so much other stuff to worry about that it slipped our minds. I hope one of the maids took them and enjoyed them at home because they were still going strong a week later.

You know the crowds were bad when the World Showcase Player(s) asked us how bad it really was out there.

Ok! First of all I have been reading your Disboard reviews since you started writing them and you deserve a tiara because you are the Queen of dining reviews. Second of all, my DH and I went to our first F&W festival this year and I was slightly bummed out to find out alot of the reviewers I admire (including you) were going after us. Now that I see your crowd photos I feel much better about our totally uncrowded end of September trip. Finally, Rosa Regale is one of the best wines ever!!! Great review as usual. I know you work and stuff but could you possibly hurry up a little bit. It is difficult to wait between installments.

Hi there! Thanks for taking the time to post and thanks so much for the lovely compliment - you're very sweet. I'm glad you've enjoyed all the silliness that's been posted over the years (did I just say years???) and I hope you enjoy what's to come.

That weekend - the 17th & 18th were ridiculously crowded - but the rest of time we were there, while busy, wasn't too too bad. Could have been better but definitely could have been worse.

So, did you guys enjoy the Festival? I sure hope so! And if you're planning to go back in 2010 I think a lot of the cool kids are going to be there early in October this time.

Thanks again for reading!