lkgraham27
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2006
- Messages
- 61
Just returned from introducing Disney World to an old high school friend who had never been. We were on the basic Dining Plan, and we made an effort to book reservations that would give good bang for the buck. Here are some quick reviews:
1.) Cape May Cafe Dinner--since this place tends to feel crowded, we had a reservation for 5:30 when it opened. The mussels were great, but the peel-and-eat shrimp were a bit mushy. I enjoy being able to raid the kids' buffet for mac-n-cheese and chicken tenders. As usual, the Oreo Bonbons were delicious.
2.) Boulangerie Patisserie Lunch--had vegetable quiche and the apple tart. The quiche was well-heated, but the apple tart was so-so. The apples tasted mealy. Next time I might try the strawberry tart. My friend had an eclair and she loved. it.
3.) Le Cellier Dinner--excellent as always. We both has the mushroom filet--perfectly cooked. I always order the chocolate "moose," and I acted like a toddler as I ate its face away first!
4.) Flame Tree Barbecue Lunch--LOVE this place. I usually get the pulled pork sandwich which is very good, but this time I got the 1/2 chicken and I am fully converted. The chicken was very tender and juicy. This time I opted for the chocolate cake dessert and from now on I will stick with the frozen lemonade. The cake was way too rich. We had to fend off the ducks in the seating area as usual.
5.) Tony's Town Square Dinner--this place was underwhelming. I had the Seafood Diavolo, but the sauce was not spicy at all. In fact, it lacked any kind of taste punch. However, the Tirimisu was quite good. I may have been better sticking with the more basic spaghetti and meatballs. I think the Magic Kingdom could benefit from a solid, good-food, non-character restaurant.
6.) Sunshine Seasons Lunch--I had the Asian Bar combo with Sweet and Sour Chicken, a beef dish, and vegetables. Very tasty and high quality meat for quick service. I got the Fruit Tulip for dessert as this pastry bever fails to disappoint. This place has so much variety, and you can eat slowly while you wait for your Soarin fastpass windoe to roll around.
7.) Chefs de France Dinner--excellent food although our server was a bit intense. The shrimp and scallops dish was not too large and the lemony sauce was light and not overpowering. The profiterole dessert was also wonderful and not overwhelming.
8.) Wolfgang Puck Express--the best quick service of the trip. We each got the mushroom and pepperoni pizza and the frozen yogurt for dessert. They let you order your fro-yo after you eat your lunch so that it doesn't melt. They also let you have your choice of toppings, one of which is cookie pieces. Yum!
9.) Mexico Dinner--the ambiance here cannot be beat. I always get the same dish--Camarones con Fideos--shrimp and pasta in a spicy tomato sauce. It is excellent every time. I stick with the vanilla ice cream for dessert because the remaining choices are not that extensive (bread pudding, rice pudding, flan).
10.) Columbia Harbor House Lunch--we always ear here once to satisfy our french fry/chicken strips craving. I think the chicken if very high quality and we like the many sauce choices (ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey dijon). The apple crisp dessert is a nice change from the usual brownie or chocolate cake.
We did well in terms of exceeding the $38/day dining plan cost. Even with paying for gratuities, we felt the dining plan was worth it if you want to eat at a nice sit-down restaurant every evening. Since my friend had never been there before, the dining plan maximized our options. I am going back in two weeks with my mother and sister, and we will not be using the Dining Plan. I think it depends on what kind of vacation you want. Hope you all enjoy your upcoming trips!
1.) Cape May Cafe Dinner--since this place tends to feel crowded, we had a reservation for 5:30 when it opened. The mussels were great, but the peel-and-eat shrimp were a bit mushy. I enjoy being able to raid the kids' buffet for mac-n-cheese and chicken tenders. As usual, the Oreo Bonbons were delicious.
2.) Boulangerie Patisserie Lunch--had vegetable quiche and the apple tart. The quiche was well-heated, but the apple tart was so-so. The apples tasted mealy. Next time I might try the strawberry tart. My friend had an eclair and she loved. it.
3.) Le Cellier Dinner--excellent as always. We both has the mushroom filet--perfectly cooked. I always order the chocolate "moose," and I acted like a toddler as I ate its face away first!
4.) Flame Tree Barbecue Lunch--LOVE this place. I usually get the pulled pork sandwich which is very good, but this time I got the 1/2 chicken and I am fully converted. The chicken was very tender and juicy. This time I opted for the chocolate cake dessert and from now on I will stick with the frozen lemonade. The cake was way too rich. We had to fend off the ducks in the seating area as usual.
5.) Tony's Town Square Dinner--this place was underwhelming. I had the Seafood Diavolo, but the sauce was not spicy at all. In fact, it lacked any kind of taste punch. However, the Tirimisu was quite good. I may have been better sticking with the more basic spaghetti and meatballs. I think the Magic Kingdom could benefit from a solid, good-food, non-character restaurant.
6.) Sunshine Seasons Lunch--I had the Asian Bar combo with Sweet and Sour Chicken, a beef dish, and vegetables. Very tasty and high quality meat for quick service. I got the Fruit Tulip for dessert as this pastry bever fails to disappoint. This place has so much variety, and you can eat slowly while you wait for your Soarin fastpass windoe to roll around.
7.) Chefs de France Dinner--excellent food although our server was a bit intense. The shrimp and scallops dish was not too large and the lemony sauce was light and not overpowering. The profiterole dessert was also wonderful and not overwhelming.
8.) Wolfgang Puck Express--the best quick service of the trip. We each got the mushroom and pepperoni pizza and the frozen yogurt for dessert. They let you order your fro-yo after you eat your lunch so that it doesn't melt. They also let you have your choice of toppings, one of which is cookie pieces. Yum!
9.) Mexico Dinner--the ambiance here cannot be beat. I always get the same dish--Camarones con Fideos--shrimp and pasta in a spicy tomato sauce. It is excellent every time. I stick with the vanilla ice cream for dessert because the remaining choices are not that extensive (bread pudding, rice pudding, flan).
10.) Columbia Harbor House Lunch--we always ear here once to satisfy our french fry/chicken strips craving. I think the chicken if very high quality and we like the many sauce choices (ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey dijon). The apple crisp dessert is a nice change from the usual brownie or chocolate cake.
We did well in terms of exceeding the $38/day dining plan cost. Even with paying for gratuities, we felt the dining plan was worth it if you want to eat at a nice sit-down restaurant every evening. Since my friend had never been there before, the dining plan maximized our options. I am going back in two weeks with my mother and sister, and we will not be using the Dining Plan. I think it depends on what kind of vacation you want. Hope you all enjoy your upcoming trips!
Clear, infomative, and concise!
