Por favor, manténgase alejado de la salsa chimichurri PTR

[dansyr2514]

Well, we're back and I'm missing "the world" already.
But, on to the food reviews!!!!

Our first night was off site at the Sheraton Buena Vista. We won this on price line as a 4 star hotel. Well, 4 stars it was not, but it was trying. The hotel still needs some remodeling but the staff was fantastic. Here's a pic of the pool area.

Oh...I think the beds are or are close to the Heavenly beds as the Swolphin. DBF spent several days after checking out talking about how comfy the bed was and how the pillows were fantastic.

Anyway, so after arrival, we decided we were pretty hungry. We asked the staff and they pointed out that there was an Orlando Ale House right across the street. I had heard about this restaurant before and knew it was decent food for a decent price. So off we went.


We started off with these... which then became DBF's entree because they were huge!!!!

ZINGER® POTATO CHIP NACHOS Zingers® Tossed in Medium Garlic Sauce, Cut into Bite Size Pieces and Served over Homemade Potato Chips. Topped with Jack & Cheddar Cheeses, Diced Tomatoes, Green Onions and Sour Cream. $8.99

These were good. A nice change from typical nachos.

I decided I wanted the conch chowder.

I was a little disappointed in this. However, maybe it was my inexperience with Conch chowder that prompted my disappointment. I envisioned something creamy and exotic. This was basically Manhattan clam chowder. It was ok...but nothing I would order again.

Next up...the entree

SOUTHWEST BISTRO STEAK SALAD All Natural, Marinated, Thinly Sliced Beef over Fresh Greens with Monterey Jack & Cheddar Cheeses, Fire Roasted Red & Green Peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Black Beans and Corn. Topped with Vinaigrette Dressing. $9.95

This was AWESOME!!!!!! I know ..it's a salad you say. How can it be that great?? Well, let me tell you ...It was a perfect medley of flavors. The steak was tender, plentiful and flavorful. The rest of the salad had just enough spice but not overpowering. This is the perfect warm weather meal!!!!

I split this with my dbf and he also loved it....Who says Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus??? ( well, at least when it comes to food)

Out of 10, I would give this place a 7. The food was good and fairly inexpensive. Some items were better quality than others.

 

[dansyr2514]

The plan was to head over to Epcot and snack around Food and Wine for dinner. However, our stomachs went on strike and said...No Mas!!!

However my tummy was cooperative for one of these....

This was a green tea plum wine slushie from the Joy of Tea cart in China. A co worker of mine raved about this and made me promise to try one. I was unsure about this when the cast member said..."Are you sure? It's a little sour" after I ordered it. But I did promise to try it so....... Can you say YUMMMMM! However, I think this is something you will either love or hate. It has quite a few levels of flavors. I'm not a huge slushie drink person normally. Usually, they are way to sweet and no alcohol to be found. However, this was just right!!! Not too sweet, not too sour ...and very refreshing.

 

[dansyr2514]

So, the next morning we said goodbye to our heavenly bed and pillows and headed over to our studio at the Boardwalk.
Since we had a lunch ressie at 2:45, we just grabbed "breakfast" at Boardwalk Bakery.

So we picked up our refillable mugs and this;

Chocolate peanut butter cake. MMMMMMM!!
2 thumps ups

Dbf just had a bagel..which he said was just ehhh.

So we wandered WS for awhile and headed over to Le Cellier for our lunch ressie. I'll be honest, I did not have high expectations for this meal.

First came the bread basket. It contained a sourdough, pretzel stick and a multi grain. All were very good especially after we received a plate with butter on it.

Let me explain by saying our waitress was sweet and for the most part good but I think she may have been having an off day. She did bring us out butter plate. However, the plate was empty. Once we asked if we could have some butter, and she noticed the empty plate ..she seemed a little embarrassed. We reassured her...all was fine. However, she forgot our straws and utensils for dessert. She was very apologetic so I think she may just have been having a bad day.


So we started with the
Tomato Stack - Made with caramelized onions, cucumbers, crumbled blue cheese, and Yuzu vinaigrette. - $8.99

I had to borrow these pics since I was so hungry I forgot to take a pic.
The salad was very tasty however, $8.99 for the three slices of tomatoes was bit much.

We both decided on the;
Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon - Served wild mushroom risotto and white truffle-herb butter sauce. - $26.99

Le Cellier....you done good!!! Great flavor, done perfectly and I think DBF may have licked every drop of truffle sauce off the plate. I haven't been here for a few years. Our last experience was less than stellar so I was not expecting such a great meal! However, although it was good, I still don't think it should be going to 2 table service credits for lunch.

It was very very hot outside this day, so although I indulged with the steak, I didn't want a heavy dessert. So I decided on the no sugar added option.
Spiced poached apples, puff pastry and vanilla-honey mascarpone cream -$6.99

This was really good! Unless noted on the menu, I would never have known this was a no sugar added option. This was the perfect option when you want a little dessert but nothing too heavy.

DBF had Chocolate “Moose”
Chocolate Mousse rolled in Toasted Chocolate Crumbs with
Maple Leaf Antlers 6.49

DBF liked it but he said it wasn't anything different than any other chocolate mousse.

So, all in all I would rate this meal an 8. It would probably be slightly higher if service was a little better and the prices were slightly more reasonable.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Your Le Cellier dessert looks and sounds so good! Spiced apples, honey, mascarpone - yum. I hope they keep it on the menu when lunch becomes a 2-credit meal next year.

 

[scojos]

im in!! enjoying your reviews, and suprisingly was interested in the "bed and pillow" comments...
i have fibromyalgia and are looking for a decent (read comfy) hotel for the 1st night of our hols (we then check into okw with ddp and didnt want to "waste" a day through jet lag iyswim... we have done this a few times and it works for us...
im rambling! sorry...
tracy

 

[ryansstitch]

Love your trip report dansyr!! I will be following it closely. DH and I will be there for our first anniversary in 2.5 weeks! BTW, what were your other thoughts on Sheraton Buena Vista? We also got it on priceline, and after being spoiled at Waldorf during (where room service brought me FREE dark chocolate macarons after I told someone there that I was craving them!!), I don't know how we'll survive! JK, I'm sure we'll adapt, but would love to know what were some other good points on the Sheraton.

 

[Ro Z]

I'm in! Yay!

 

[dansyr2514]

Love your trip report dansyr!! I will be following it closely. DH and I will be there for our first anniversary in 2.5 weeks! BTW, what were your other thoughts on Sheraton Buena Vista? We also got it on priceline, and after being spoiled at Waldorf during (where room service brought me FREE dark chocolate macarons after I told someone there that I was craving them!!), I don't know how we'll survive! JK, I'm sure we'll adapt, but would love to know what were some other good points on the Sheraton.

Well, Sheraton Buena Vista is no Waldorf. However, I would stay there again for a night or 2. The beds are amazing! The pool area is gorgeous, especially at night. Parts of the hotel are remodeled and look great..other parts are still in need of refurb. Our air conditioner froze up over night and leaked. However, the staff made up for it and fixed it right away while apologizing profusely. Also, if you have a starwood card, I think they waive the resort fee. Although it's listed as 4 star..I would give it more a 3.

 

[dansyr2514]

im in!! enjoying your reviews, and suprisingly was interested in the "bed and pillow" comments...
i have fibromyalgia and are looking for a decent (read comfy) hotel for the 1st night of our hols (we then check into okw with ddp and didnt want to "waste" a day through jet lag iyswim... we have done this a few times and it works for us...
im rambling! sorry...
tracy

Hi Tracy,

DBF has back and shoulder problems and raved over and over about this bed. Once I told him that I though Swan and Dolphin had these beds....he asked why we didn't stay there?? lol

 

[dansyr2514]

Oops, I totally forgot about this until I looked at the pics again.

So anyway, DBF has never seen Fantasmic and I haven't seen it for quite a few years, so we decided to take the short walk over to DHS for a late Fantasmic showing. We watched the muppets attraction and headed over to the Fantasmic area. We were starting to get hungry so I thought we'd try one of those handwich type things they sell at Min and Bill's. No luck! Min and Bill were gone for the day. So we ended up at Fairfax fare. We had eaten here on a previous trip and it wasn't horrible...so we gave it a try.

We had - Chicken and ribs - Served with baked beans and coleslaw - $14.19

and a close up

I don't know if it was because it was late or if this is always the quality...but the best I can say is ..."it was edible". The baked beans had a good flavor and the cole slaw was good. The chicken was pretty much tasteless and the ribs were rubbery.

Well, we enjoyed Fantasmic anyway

On a scale of 10..we give this a 5.

 

[dansyr2514]

DBF went golfing this morning, so a my dis friend shellyminnie met me at downtown disney to do some shopping. Can I say....I was not happy with the merchandise this year. The resorts have started to carry some great resort stuff....YAY!!!!! However the shops at downtown disney had all the same stuff. Anyway, saved me some money I guess.
I picked up some stuff for some friends who gave me their lists. BTW..green tea lovers.... Did you know that the spice and tea exchange sells green tea mints. A friend of mine made me purchase all they had out in the basket for her. She swears they help her lose weight. I'm not quite sold on that idea but I thought there were interesting anyway.

Well DBF was done golfing about the same time we were getting hungry. So we all met up at WPE at the Marketplace. WPE is one of my fav's. The Applewood Smoked Bacon Pizza - Scrambled eggs, bacon, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses are baked then drizzled with Wolfgang's very own Ranch dressing is a breakfast experience!!!

Unfortunately, we missed breakfast...but...we the lunch is just as awesome.

I had a Chicken Alfredo Cavatappi.

Yummmmmy!! This was a great dish!

DBF had the Spicy Chicken Pizza - With roasted red and yellow peppers, chili oil, mozzarella cheese, tomato, leeks, crushed chilies, and fresh cilantro. - $10.95

DBF definitely like this. I know this because it was gone before I even got a chance to ask for a taste.

Shellyminnie had this - Four Cheese Macaroni - A creamy blend of four cheeses (mozzarella, cheddar, fontina and gorgonzola) baked with macaroni. - $9.95

She liked hers alot too!

DBF and I had frozen yogurt for dessert. It was exceptionally good frozen yogurt but I forgot to take a picture. I believe you can also get some topping on this. I just got sprinkles but I heard our table attendant offer several more toppings to the table behind us.


All in all we'd rate this an 8 out of 10

 

[dansyr2514]

Pool area at Sheraton Buena Vista

The Boardwalk

View from our room.
Yes we were directly above the boardwalk games.

Illuminations

 

[dansyr2514]

Since we had eaten a later lunch, we changed our ressie for Boma to a slightly later time with no problem. We drove over and took some time to look at the animals.

Took some pics..

Shellyminnie and I

DBF and I

The we went downstairs and checked in for our adr. We literally sat down with the buzzer and it went off. We had a nice table way in the back by the window..which was nice and quiet but far from the buffet. It's ok though...I'll deal with that trade off.

Here is my public service announcement. Parents although you are at Disneyworld, please parent your children. This is a buffet restaurant, which means...not only are waiters trying to navigate around your children sword fighting in the aisle, but other patrons are trying to carry hot soup back to their table. Thank you!!!

Anyway, back to the meal.

We started with some soups

seafood chowder -

a type of corn chowder -

Kool Slai, sundried tomato hummus, pita, watermelon rind salad.

cous cous, salad, mac and cheese and pita

prime rib, salmon, chicken, pork, potatoes and the white stuff was some type of creamy grain..almost like grits with spinach ( this I did not like)

zebra dome, pumpkin tart, coffee mousse type thing, bread pudding with rum sauce and vanilla sauce and I believe the last thing was a chocolate mousse type of dessert.


Boma was good. I liked the most of salads and soups. the entrees, and the desserts. I did not enjoy most of the sides. I'm not a huge fan of sweet food....unless it a dessert. I was honestly hard pressed to find any sides that did not have a sweet taste to them. With the other options at AKL I would probably go back to Sanaa or Jiko before Boma.

DBF and I would rate Boma a 6.5 or 7.