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

[TDC Nala]

Do you know what Uncle Joe's Mint Balls cost? I don't recall...but way too much to purchase even for the giggle factor.

Forget the fish in the previous entry. Look at what they did to the CHIPS. Pathetic. I just eat in the Ditch now and I will until they decide to ruin that (noooo - if Disney ruins the Ditch I'm through with them...they don't run it, so there's hope).

I was all interested in Tuna Pita until I realized it was probably tuna with mayonnaise. I don't do mayonnaise. I don't do mayonnaise or lobster so I don't buy the overpriced roll. Iwas picturing seared tuna on a pita because seared tuna is what tuna is to me...now THAT sounds cool.

 

[Redwitch]

The barramundi, which I'd certainly never tried before, was well cooked and had a mild flavor. The problem with this dish as far as we were concerned was the lemon oil, which was so liberally applied that I thought the fish might have been dusted with pledge before they served it to us.

I first tried barramundi at a seafood restaurant at Inner Harbor, I later came face to face with his cousin in the aquarium. Mine was good, sorry yours wasn't.

Sometime you'll have to come to New England so Jay can have a nice, fresh full-sized lobster roll. (or lobstah roll as we say around here)

DD and I ran into a McDonalds while in New England to see if there really was a McLobster sandwich.

I'm gonna be singing Little Bunny Foo Foo all day long now

You have to do the hand motions as well or it doesn't count.

Mint Balls.
That is all i have say

All kidding aside - what the !@## are Mint Balls??

 

[oybolshoi]

Well, I had responses all typed out ... and then I lost them. So .. thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed the update and the mint balls!

I will try to update with Raglan Road this weekend.

 

[oybolshoi]

Wednesday, October 21st - Hey You, Beer Me ... Beer us Together ... That's the Way it Should Be

Jay and I adore Raglan Road; we've never had a bad meal or poor experience here and the atmosphere is a load of fun when the band is playing. The nephew requested that we dine there one night and our response was, "OK, twist our arms!"

I had booked the reservation for about 8:30 because the band usually doesn't begin playing until 9PM ... or at least they didn't until this visit. When we got there, with Chelsi & Jason too because we'd asked them to join us at the last minute, the "band" was already playing. I put band in quotation marks because there were only two people performing. What happened to the rest of the group? Every time we've ever been to Raglan Road there were at least four band members and once I think there may have been five. Two people does not a band make, especially an Irish folk band. Jay and I were both in agreement - the duo performing that night was fine but they just didn't have the same richness of sound that the original group does.

Anyhoo ... the restaurant was pretty crowded and our reservation was only for four people. We could be seated as four right away or wait until a table for six opened up. Chelsi & Jason told us to go ahead and have dinner - they'd grab a drink at the bar and we could hook up once the meal was finished. We were given the best table in the place! Right in the middle of the dining room, directly in front of the area where the "band" performs ... it was a great spot. And this was the first time we'd seen Raglan Road decorated for Halloween.

The "Band"

Scary spider in the light fixtures!

First thing on the list ... ordering some drinks! I couldn't resist my favorite drink ... The Celtic Sangria. When they make it right it's so so good ... and this time I got a strong one rather than the see-through version they tried to serve me last year.

Bendy loves her some sangria ...

Jay and Dylan got themselves some glorious beer: Boddintons for Jay and Murphy's for Dylan.

So cute ... Jay looks nice too!

Beer ... it's what's for dinner.

And then it was time to get down to some family feedbag time! We ordered the Dalkey Duo for sharing ... mmmmm, deep fried little snausages with mustard sauce. I also ordered a bowl of granny's gin-and-tomato soup and shared that with Jay.

I can't believe I didn't think about adding booze to my soup before now.

This should be called the Dalkey Band ... haha!

YUM! Everything tasted great and we were having fun listening to the music of the duo turned band when we got a surprise visit from cruise friends that we haven't actually cruised with. Long story short (is that even possible with me???) Jay and I have now had to cancel three scheduled cruises due to home repair and/or work issues, but have made some very good DISfriends with folks on those cruises anyway. Walt and Di, if you're reading it was such a pleasure to meet you and we are bummed more than you can know that Jay's employer won't give him the time off for the cruise. And you totally freaked out the nephew, who didn't understand at all how someone we'd never met knew who we were!

In short order our entrees arrived: Jen ordered the chicken pot pie; Dylan ordered the It's Not Bleedin' Chowder; Jay ordered shortribs; and I was boring and ordered fish and chips.

Chicken Pie

Chowdah

Short ribs

Fishie Chippies

I believe everyone was happy with their choices - I know Jay thought the short ribs were excellent and Dylan really seemed to enjoy his chowdah. Jen also seemed to like her dinner and at least my fish and chips were better than what we'd had the night before at Harry Ramsden's.

Jay and I ordered a second round of drinks: Guinness for him and Strongbow Cider for me - we were ready to settle in for the long haul because we thought that's what X&Y wanted. Ummmm, guess not. We ordered dessert - the fabulous and filling bread pudding - and then they were ready to leave.

Bread pudding!

The bread pudding was fabulous, as always ... it only could have been better with some whiskey!

X&Y headed back for the bus stop and their hotel, but we had friends waiting in the bar, including a very special someone ...

It's Sledge!

We still had places to go ... unfortunately it was raining so our plans to drink around what's left of Pleasure Island and the West Side took us no further than Paradiso 37. Stay tuned for a brief update coming soon!

 

[kabuki]

OK! I love that you say we were with you.. UMMMMM????!!! Brenda you should have said "Jason and Chelsi invited themselves along!"

We had a great time at the bar and a Bushmill's sampler! Plus the picture of Sledge in the Sky that Jay took! SO FUNNY!!!!

Another great night! Now what did we do from then to now to deserve Pig-Volcano-Tsunami-ER???!!!!

 

[kxs401]

Still loving this. I need to try Raglan Road one of these days.

 

[PNO4TE]

I am so glad to read that you all had another good meal and good time at Raglan Road. Bob and I have decided they need another chance with us. Our meal there in December 2008 was terrific and we couldn't wait to take the girls last year. Bad move to make the reservation for Christmas night. They were packed, they were cranky and the food was not great. It makes me happy to know that you all had as much fun this time as the ones before!

 

[oybolshoi]

OK! I love that you say we were with you.. UMMMMM????!!! Brenda you should have said "Jason and Chelsi invited themselves along!"

We had a great time at the bar and a Bushmill's sampler! Plus the picture of Sledge in the Sky that Jay took! SO FUNNY!!!!

Another great night! Now what did we do from then to now to deserve Pig-Volcano-Tsunami-ER???!!!!

I don't remember you inviting yourselves ... but so what if you did? We had mucho funzo with you guys while the youngsters went home. I wouldn't trade that wacky one-man musical machine at Paradiso for anything (except a bottomless bucket of $100 bills). Isn't that picture of Sledge great?

Still loving this. I need to try Raglan Road one of these days.

We've been at least five times now over the last four years and it's always been a great time and a great meal.

I am so glad to read that you all had another good meal and good time at Raglan Road. Bob and I have decided they need another chance with us. Our meal there in December 2008 was terrific and we couldn't wait to take the girls last year. Bad move to make the reservation for Christmas night. They were packed, they were cranky and the food was not great. It makes me happy to know that you all had as much fun this time as the ones before!

Hi Elin! I'm so sorry your last visit to the Road was so poor - I hope if you pay them another visit it turns out better. Like I said, we've had nothing but great food and service whenever we've been there - it's one of our favorite places to visit, especially when the band is playing.

 

[TigerKat]

Love the pic of Sledge! We love Raglan Road too, that chowdah is some good stuff.

 

[oybolshoi]

Love the pic of Sledge! We love Raglan Road too, that chowdah is some good stuff.

We really liked the chowdah when we tried it at the deminar we attended - Jay made it for our NYE dinner, we liked it so much!

 

[cntkg1]

This should be called the Dalkey Band ... haha![/I]

What is stuck on those "forks"? Looks interesting and yummy whatever it was. If it's deep fried, I would love it!

 

[oybolshoi]

Those are the deep fried snausages goose ... so yummy and tasty! We end up ordering them every time we're at Raglan Road.

What is stuck on those "forks"? Looks interesting and yummy whatever it was. If it's deep fried, I would love it!

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

I guess we're just gonna have to try Raglan Road someday... you've convinced me.

 

[PNO4TE]

Love the pic of Sledge! We love Raglan Road too, that chowdah is some good stuff.

I love the chowdah too. It was the saving grace of the meal. Unfortunately I am the only one who ordered it!

We will be back.

 

[Walt & Di]

Wednesday, October 21st - Hey You, Beer Me ... Beer us Together ... That's the Way it Should Be

Jay and I adore Raglan Road; we've never had a bad meal or poor experience here and the atmosphere is a load of fun when the band is playing. The nephew requested that we dine there one night and our response was, "OK, twist our arms!"

I had booked the reservation for about 8:30 because the band usually doesn't begin playing until 9PM ... or at least they didn't until this visit. When we got there, with Chelsi & Jason too because we'd asked them to join us at the last minute, the "band" was already playing. I put band in quotation marks because there were only two people performing. What happened to the rest of the group? Every time we've ever been to Raglan Road there were at least four band members and once I think there may have been five. Two people does not a band make, especially an Irish folk band. Jay and I were both in agreement - the duo performing that night was fine but they just didn't have the same richness of sound that the original group does.

Anyhoo ... the restaurant was pretty crowded and our reservation was only for four people. We could be seated as four right away or wait until a table for six opened up. Chelsi & Jason told us to go ahead and have dinner - they'd grab a drink at the bar and we could hook up once the meal was finished. We were given the best table in the place! Right in the middle of the dining room, directly in front of the area where the "band" performs ... it was a great spot. And this was the first time we'd seen Raglan Road decorated for Halloween.

The "Band"

Scary spider in the light fixtures!

First thing on the list ... ordering some drinks! I couldn't resist my favorite drink ... The Celtic Sangria. When they make it right it's so so good ... and this time I got a strong one rather than the see-through version they tried to serve me last year.

Bendy loves her some sangria ...

Jay and Dylan got themselves some glorious beer: Boddintons for Jay and Murphy's for Dylan.

So cute ... Jay looks nice too!

Beer ... it's what's for dinner.

And then it was time to get down to some family feedbag time! We ordered the Dalkey Duo for sharing ... mmmmm, deep fried little snausages with mustard sauce. I also ordered a bowl of granny's gin-and-tomato soup and shared that with Jay.

I can't believe I didn't think about adding booze to my soup before now.

This should be called the Dalkey Band ... haha!

YUM! Everything tasted great and we were having fun listening to the music of the duo turned band when we got a surprise visit from cruise friends that we haven't actually cruised with. Long story short (is that even possible with me???) Jay and I have now had to cancel three scheduled cruises due to home repair and/or work issues, but have made some very good DISfriends with folks on those cruises anyway. Walt and Di, if you're reading it was such a pleasure to meet you and we are bummed more than you can know that Jay's employer won't give him the time off for the cruise. And you totally freaked out the nephew, who didn't understand at all how someone we'd never met knew who we were!

In short order our entrees arrived: Jen ordered the chicken pot pie; Dylan ordered the It's Not Bleedin' Chowder; Jay ordered shortribs; and I was boring and ordered fish and chips.

Chicken Pie

Chowdah

Short ribs

Fishie Chippies

I believe everyone was happy with their choices - I know Jay thought the short ribs were excellent and Dylan really seemed to enjoy his chowdah. Jen also seemed to like her dinner and at least my fish and chips were better than what we'd had the night before at Harry Ramsden's.

Jay and I ordered a second round of drinks: Guinness for him and Strongbow Cider for me - we were ready to settle in for the long haul because we thought that's what X&Y wanted. Ummmm, guess not. We ordered dessert - the fabulous and filling bread pudding - and then they were ready to leave.

Bread pudding!

The bread pudding was fabulous, as always ... it only could have been better with some whiskey!

X&Y headed back for the bus stop and their hotel, but we had friends waiting in the bar, including a very special someone ...

It's Sledge!

We still had places to go ... unfortunately it was raining so our plans to drink around what's left of Pleasure Island and the West Side took us no further than Paradiso 37. Stay tuned for a brief update coming soon!

Love you reports, been reading them from the beginning, lurker am I...HEHEHEHE...
Great seeing you "guys"....Yes, Bummed Out, we were so looking forward to cruising with you "guys"....Now. only 6 Bobers will be on board: Heather, Rick, AFEG, Hazel, Di and myself. Unless, Jay's boss relents..

Keep up the Excellent Food Porn...

Walt

 

[oybolshoi]

I guess we're just gonna have to try Raglan Road someday... you've convinced me.

I think you'd really enjoy it - especially in the evening when the "band" is playing.

I love the chowdah too. It was the saving grace of the meal. Unfortunately I am the only one who ordered it!

We will be back.

I've got my fingers crossed for you, Elin! Try the Celtic Sangria the next time - it's quite good!

Love you reports, been reading them from the beginning, lurker am I...HEHEHEHE...
Great seeing you "guys"....Yes, Bummed Out, we were so looking forward to cruising with you "guys"....Now. only 6 Bobers will be on board: Heather, Rick, AFEG, Hazel, Di and myself. Unless, Jay's boss relents..

Keep up the Excellent Food Porn...

Walt

Hi Walt! We still have cruise-cancellation depression over here ... ... I will never forgive Jay's boss for giving him the OK when we booked only to turn around in December and revoke it. I will be thinking about all of you and sending you wishes for the best cruise ever. If any of you are stopping at WDW after the cruise be sure to let me know because we will be there on October 2nd - October 14th and would love to see you again!

 

[oybolshoi]

Wednesday, October 21st - The Kids Went Home While Their Elders Stayed Out Late

Unfortunately it started to rain right around the time we left Raglan Road; no one really wanted to walk all the way over to the West Side in rain so we settled for the nearest establishment, which happened to be Paradiso 37. I admit to being somewhat curious about the place, especially since it seemed to be getting mixed reviews from folks around the DIS.

If anything drove home the fact the Pleasure Island has been utterly destroyed it was Paradiso 37 ... we walked into the bar to find the restaurant seating area completely closed, one couple at the bar, and a very strange one-man band playing a guitar singing all kinds of songs that just didn't make sense coming from him. Jay and I never figured out if his act was supposed to be serious or if it was a joke ... all I know is that we found it hysterical, especially when this middle aged white dude broke into "Baby Got Back."

He was having fun and we were having fun watching him have fun, so it was all good. But how sad that at 10PM on a Wednesday night there was no one to be found. It made us sad for the good ol' days ... had things been the way they used to be, we would have ended up at the Adventurers Club drinking Kungalooshes and taking the membership oath. Or maybe we'd have gone out on a limb and stopped at a dance club. But no ... Disney must destroy the only area on property where adults could go and have some late-night fun in order to replace it with even more crappy little stores and medicore eateries that close down at 11PM.

Jay and I have never been big late-night party people, but we always enjoyed spending an evening or two at Pleasure Island and miss having that option now when we're at WDW. What are people supposed to do after 10PM if they want to go somewhere for a drink or a late-evening meal? The choices are woefully limited and I, for one, don't understand why the company is seemingly turning its back on a significant demographic group that visits the resort on a regular basis.

Anyhoo ... as far as Paradiso goes ... we're pretty much on the fence. We didn't try any food, other than a dessert and some drinks. Jay's brother and his family had lunch there recently and thought the food was pretty good, so we may go back and give it another try, but the service was kind of meh the night we were there and the horrible Irish Coffee travesty that they visited on Chelsi's Jason was totally inexcusable. Was the bartender dumb or lazy? Inquiring minds want to know!

My throat was starting to bother me, a pre-cursor to the bronchitis I ended up bringing home as a vacation souvenir, so I ordered a frozen margarita. I think it's actually called the Mangled or Muddled Margarita ... can't recall exactly and can't find a freaking drink menu for Paradiso anywhere. It was good - cold and strong and kind of fruity.

Pretty!

Jay ordered a standard frozen margarita ...

YUM.

And Chelsi ordered a "normal" margarita on the rocks. As previously mentioned, Jason asked for Irish Coffee, which resulted in a blank look from our server. The end result was a tall glass of coffee which may or may not have had whisky in it and which was certainly not made properly.

That's not Irish Coffee!

As for dessert, we ordered the Mini Ice Cream Cones, which are four waffle cones of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and cookies & cream ice cream topped with sprinkles. The presentation was cute - I think kids especially would really enjoy it.

Mini cones!

We were all kicked out promptly at 11PM and rather dejectedly made our way to the old Pleasure Island bus stop for a ride back to the Beach Club / Boardwalk. Paradiso was something of a bust, and for that reason I must give them a Worker and Parasite rating: there's some potential there but indifferent service, bad bartending, and early closing leave a lot of room for improvement.

 

[kabuki]

That was a strange experience! and my margarita was HORRIBLE! I still don't know what they brought Jason but it was not Irish Coffee!
Maybe they thought we would be so entranced by the Song Stylings going on that we would drink anything!

 

[oybolshoi]

That was a strange experience! and my margarita was HORRIBLE! I still don't know what they brought Jason but it was not Irish Coffee!
Maybe they thought we would be so entranced by the Song Stylings going on that we would drink anything!

I never hear Baby Got Back any more without breaking out into a cold sweat.

 

[TDC Nala]

I preferred Baby Got Back when Emil Bleehall would sing it, trying to pass it off as the Club song. Of course he'd only get a few words in before someone would stop him. Too bad that didn't happen with the Paradiso dude.

(I haven't forgiven Disney for closing the Adventurers Club and probably never will)