ericaseiler
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2005
- Messages
- 238
Just back from a long weekend at WDW. We ate at some of our 'go-to's and some newer (to us) places.
Our family (DH, DD9, DD5 and I) stayed off site for one night and then 2 nights at BLT. I am a vegetarian as is DD5 (mostly). I should preface this by saying while we enjoy dining out, the themeing of Disney restaurants, etc. Disney food is typically mediocre to us. We know that going in and don't have very high expectations- sometimes we are pleasantly surprised
Tusker House
We started our trip at the Tusker House. Though not huge fans of 'buffets' our past visits here have always been good. We made a 10:45 reservations so we got a little breakfast and a little lunch. Everything was good but we were disappointed to learn the new chef (was told he has been there about 6 months) took the samosas and mango chutney off of the menu. We were seated in the side room and liked it over the main dining area. Character interaction was pretty good, service was good and we enjoyed mostly everything we tried notably the coffee cakes, bread pudding and couscous.
Dinner and Breakfast the next morning was off-site with friends. Nona Blue for dinner and La Madeline for breakfast. Both were excellent and I would highly recommend should you ever find yourselves near
Contempo Cafe
We stayed at BLT and and ate 2 breakfasts and snacks at Contempo. We have eaten there before and everything this trip was fine and consistent. The bagels for breakfast were softer than I remember, the breakfast sandwich was impressive as DH and I were expecting it to be "disney scrambled eggs" or a heat and serve egg patty but there were fresh eggs on DH's sandwich. The last time I was at Contempo, the cupcakes were fresh in the case but this time they were in plastic containers in the refrigerated section. We much preferred them fresh. Service was always great, it was always clean and not too crowded. DH and DD9 noted that the bacon here and at Tusker was less "paper bacony" than in the past and they liked the 'upgrade'
Via Napoli
First time here and had and early dinner ADR (430). The lobby was very crowded when we checked in but the restaurant itself didn't seem too busy. We waited about 10 minutes and were shown to a table. Our server was very nice. We ordered a large pizza for DH, DD9 and I to share- Half Margherita and half Carciofi and a kids spaghetti and meatballs for DD5. Within 3 minutes of ordering, they brought out DD's pasta. DH and I laughed that Disney places should at least give the illusion things are made to order. We don't ever order our children's meals to be out first 1- so we can all eat together 2- so the kids aren't sitting there bored and antsy while DH and I eat. We asked our server to please bring it back and let it sit under the heat lamps as we knew our pizza still had to be made. We requested some bread too. About 10 minutes later, someone else brought out DD's pasta. We just shrugged and kept it and let her eat. Our server came over asking if we requested it. We told him no but it was fine and he went and checked on our pizza. He told us 5 minutes. 15 minutes later, the pizza was finally brought out. The restaurant wasn't that busy, there was a manager present but no one came over to the table to let us know how long it would take or apologize for the long wait for the pizza, etc. The pizza itself was very good. DH didn't care for the marg. DD and I thought it was good. We both (DH and I) enjoyed the Carciofi- it is rich though.
Ample Hills Creamery
I have been wanting to go here since it opened. We got the Ice Cream Flight. 6 flavors for us to share and try:
Cotton Candy
PB
Ooey Gooey Butter Bar
Chocolate Cookies and Cream
Oatmeal Cookie
Sally Seashells
(not sure all of those names are accurate). All of the ice cream was creamy and smooth. I don't like Cotton Candy so I didn't try it. DH and the girls said our local place that has amazing cotton candy ice cream was better. DH and I LOVED the PB one. We all loved the Seashell one. I liked the Chocolate Cookies a lot. I really wanted to like the Oatmeal one- the cookie chunks in it were great but the ice cream itself was very heavy on the cinnamon, it was overpowering. The Ooey Gooey was good- not great.
Gasparilla Grill
We stopped in around noon on Monday for lunch. It wasn't busy at all. Friendly staff and very clean. DH got the made to order chicken and brie sandwich. DD and I shared the tomato and pesto pizza/flatbread. They had one sitting out and asked if we wanted that one but DH said since we had to wait for his sandwich to be made anyway, would they mind making us a fresh one- it wasn't a problem. Both were very good (DD5 chose rice krispies w/ milk and a banana for lunch).We also grabbed a cheese danish for dessert to share- excellent!
Prime Time 50's Cafe
We went in with low expectations for the food. We both thought the kids would have fun here and I love the themeing/decor. It was freezing outside and we were all bundled up. We used the restroom in the restaurant which was cramped and crowded and I was feeling warm and a little 'yuck'. We were brought to a table in the corner (thisclose to another table). I asked the hostess if we were to wait, could we get another table as I was feeling claustrophobic in there. I didn't know to request a TV table at check-in or I would have when we walked in. She was very nice and said we'd have to wait a bit, it wasn't a problem. We waited a few minutes and were shown to a TV table in a 'bigger' area of the restaurant. We ordered the mom's sampler but subbed pot roast for double meatloaf, a kids mac and cheese and a kids grilled cheese. The food came out very quickly. Was all decent, server was funny and nice and while we wouldn't go back anytime soon- it was a good experience
Sweet Spells
We grabbed items from Sweet Spells for dessert to eat while waiting for Fantasmic. DH loves Carrot Cake so I pointed out the carrot cake cookie to him- sold!. He really enjoyed it. I am not the biggest carrot cake fan and I liked it too though I think the frosting/filling is way too sweet. DD9 chose a cookies and cream "whoopie pie" not sure why they call it that as it is not like a whoopie pie but she enjoyed it. I got a chocolate chip cookie and DD5 wanted an icee drink (?!). The service was fast and very nice- someone was handing out mickey cookie samples which were delicious.
Snacks from MK
Popcorn- good as usual. Mickey pretzel- good. Churro- my girls have never had one and I haven't had one in years. I remember them being crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. This one was just kind crunchy all over- we wouldn't get it again.
I think that about covers it. Will be back with another quick review in March.
Our family (DH, DD9, DD5 and I) stayed off site for one night and then 2 nights at BLT. I am a vegetarian as is DD5 (mostly). I should preface this by saying while we enjoy dining out, the themeing of Disney restaurants, etc. Disney food is typically mediocre to us. We know that going in and don't have very high expectations- sometimes we are pleasantly surprised
Tusker House
We started our trip at the Tusker House. Though not huge fans of 'buffets' our past visits here have always been good. We made a 10:45 reservations so we got a little breakfast and a little lunch. Everything was good but we were disappointed to learn the new chef (was told he has been there about 6 months) took the samosas and mango chutney off of the menu. We were seated in the side room and liked it over the main dining area. Character interaction was pretty good, service was good and we enjoyed mostly everything we tried notably the coffee cakes, bread pudding and couscous.
Dinner and Breakfast the next morning was off-site with friends. Nona Blue for dinner and La Madeline for breakfast. Both were excellent and I would highly recommend should you ever find yourselves near
Contempo Cafe
We stayed at BLT and and ate 2 breakfasts and snacks at Contempo. We have eaten there before and everything this trip was fine and consistent. The bagels for breakfast were softer than I remember, the breakfast sandwich was impressive as DH and I were expecting it to be "disney scrambled eggs" or a heat and serve egg patty but there were fresh eggs on DH's sandwich. The last time I was at Contempo, the cupcakes were fresh in the case but this time they were in plastic containers in the refrigerated section. We much preferred them fresh. Service was always great, it was always clean and not too crowded. DH and DD9 noted that the bacon here and at Tusker was less "paper bacony" than in the past and they liked the 'upgrade'
Via Napoli
First time here and had and early dinner ADR (430). The lobby was very crowded when we checked in but the restaurant itself didn't seem too busy. We waited about 10 minutes and were shown to a table. Our server was very nice. We ordered a large pizza for DH, DD9 and I to share- Half Margherita and half Carciofi and a kids spaghetti and meatballs for DD5. Within 3 minutes of ordering, they brought out DD's pasta. DH and I laughed that Disney places should at least give the illusion things are made to order. We don't ever order our children's meals to be out first 1- so we can all eat together 2- so the kids aren't sitting there bored and antsy while DH and I eat. We asked our server to please bring it back and let it sit under the heat lamps as we knew our pizza still had to be made. We requested some bread too. About 10 minutes later, someone else brought out DD's pasta. We just shrugged and kept it and let her eat. Our server came over asking if we requested it. We told him no but it was fine and he went and checked on our pizza. He told us 5 minutes. 15 minutes later, the pizza was finally brought out. The restaurant wasn't that busy, there was a manager present but no one came over to the table to let us know how long it would take or apologize for the long wait for the pizza, etc. The pizza itself was very good. DH didn't care for the marg. DD and I thought it was good. We both (DH and I) enjoyed the Carciofi- it is rich though.
Ample Hills Creamery
I have been wanting to go here since it opened. We got the Ice Cream Flight. 6 flavors for us to share and try:
Cotton Candy
PB
Ooey Gooey Butter Bar
Chocolate Cookies and Cream
Oatmeal Cookie
Sally Seashells
(not sure all of those names are accurate). All of the ice cream was creamy and smooth. I don't like Cotton Candy so I didn't try it. DH and the girls said our local place that has amazing cotton candy ice cream was better. DH and I LOVED the PB one. We all loved the Seashell one. I liked the Chocolate Cookies a lot. I really wanted to like the Oatmeal one- the cookie chunks in it were great but the ice cream itself was very heavy on the cinnamon, it was overpowering. The Ooey Gooey was good- not great.
Gasparilla Grill
We stopped in around noon on Monday for lunch. It wasn't busy at all. Friendly staff and very clean. DH got the made to order chicken and brie sandwich. DD and I shared the tomato and pesto pizza/flatbread. They had one sitting out and asked if we wanted that one but DH said since we had to wait for his sandwich to be made anyway, would they mind making us a fresh one- it wasn't a problem. Both were very good (DD5 chose rice krispies w/ milk and a banana for lunch).We also grabbed a cheese danish for dessert to share- excellent!
Prime Time 50's Cafe
We went in with low expectations for the food. We both thought the kids would have fun here and I love the themeing/decor. It was freezing outside and we were all bundled up. We used the restroom in the restaurant which was cramped and crowded and I was feeling warm and a little 'yuck'. We were brought to a table in the corner (thisclose to another table). I asked the hostess if we were to wait, could we get another table as I was feeling claustrophobic in there. I didn't know to request a TV table at check-in or I would have when we walked in. She was very nice and said we'd have to wait a bit, it wasn't a problem. We waited a few minutes and were shown to a TV table in a 'bigger' area of the restaurant. We ordered the mom's sampler but subbed pot roast for double meatloaf, a kids mac and cheese and a kids grilled cheese. The food came out very quickly. Was all decent, server was funny and nice and while we wouldn't go back anytime soon- it was a good experience
Sweet Spells
We grabbed items from Sweet Spells for dessert to eat while waiting for Fantasmic. DH loves Carrot Cake so I pointed out the carrot cake cookie to him- sold!. He really enjoyed it. I am not the biggest carrot cake fan and I liked it too though I think the frosting/filling is way too sweet. DD9 chose a cookies and cream "whoopie pie" not sure why they call it that as it is not like a whoopie pie but she enjoyed it. I got a chocolate chip cookie and DD5 wanted an icee drink (?!). The service was fast and very nice- someone was handing out mickey cookie samples which were delicious.
Snacks from MK
Popcorn- good as usual. Mickey pretzel- good. Churro- my girls have never had one and I haven't had one in years. I remember them being crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. This one was just kind crunchy all over- we wouldn't get it again.
I think that about covers it. Will be back with another quick review in March.
