Bichon Barb
<font color=darkorchid>Mmmmm. French fries. Oh to
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2002
- Messages
- 5,530
*The author apologizes for any rambling on which may occur in this review 
.
Here we go...
GARDEN GRILL
We had lunch here on our first full day in Orlando. I was concerned about eating such a large meal in the middle of the day, but believe me, after walking around Epcot all morning, we were ready!
DH and myself ordered ice tea, DS7 and DS9 ordered lemonade. Not only did we get large glasses of both, server also came out with pitchers of each. I have to agree with most people who have reviewed the GG, the food was great for a character meal. The flank steak was marinaded nicely, the chicken was fine, and the catfish was great. I loved the mashed potatoes and DH couldn't get enough of the cornbread. Even the kids got into the veggies. Speaking of the kids, they were served large, meaty chicken tenders, fries, and mac & cheese (which they devoured). No one wanted to use up any stomach space by the trying the pumpkin bread . Kids loved the worms and dirt. DH and I lucked out with dessert for that day. It was a chocolate concoction, kind of like chocolate cake without the baking powder, with whipped cream and strawberries. Not too sweet and very chocolatey!
All four characters stopped by for pics and autographs. Overall, a very nice meal and a great way to start our trip. (Even though we did hobble out of there.)
RAINFOREST CAFE AT ANIMAL KINGDOM
This time I went with MIL and DS7 and DS9 for lunch. MIL and I did not want anything too heavy, so we decided to order cups of clam chowder and split an appetizer (quesadillas). The chowder was good. Not too thick and not too thin. The quesadillas were unique, as they were shaped like egg rolls. They were stuffed with chicken, portabellos, black beans among other "stuff". They were served with sour cream and quacamole. Just what the doctor ordered!
The kids ordered cheese burger kids meals. They were served three little burgers and their choice of fries or chips. Cute. They got to keep their cups.
CALIFORNIA GRILL
Ah yes, our night out alone! We started the evening with what we have coined "The Monorail Happy Hour Run" with stops at the Poly and GF with a beverage of choice at each resort. I think we may need to make this a tradition.
We had a PS for 7:30, but arrived at 7:10. I overheard that the walk in waiting time was 1 1/2 hours. We were seated immediately in the wine room
. Okay, so we were seated with a party of 21 people -- about half of them being kids and teens, but hey, you can't win 'em all.
We had a wonderful server who brought us some nice bread while we waited for our nigiri sushi. I've always thought that if you've tasted one restaurant's sushi, you've tasted them all, but I was proven wrong on this. Boy was this sushi fresh. I can still taste the tuna. Even the shrimp was exciting.
We both ordered the pork tenderloin thanks to such high marks on this board. Our server told us that she directed the chef not to make our order until after the fireworks, then directed us to take our wine and go over to the other side of the restaurant and enjoy. Not long after the fireworks our entres arrived. And yes, the pork tenderloin with creamy polenta lived up to its reputation.
For dessert we split the chocolate hazelnut pyramid thingy. Perfect! Earlier in the evening, I was commenting on the dessert wine that the server was pouring for another patron. I was saying that I've never thought to order a dessert wine. She got into the conversation and asked why not. I said that I wouldn't even know when to drink it. With dessert? With coffee? Alone? She told me she didn't believe in rules and just to drink it when you like. Well guess what shows up with DH's cognac? She thought I needed to try the Reisling on the house. I did and enjoyed it immensely! (Maybe she felt bad about us getting stuck with the rowdy party of 21? I have to say I felt bad about complaining to DH about them, because as they were leaving, one of the adults came over and apologized for the noisy kids.)
Definitely one of our favorite dining experiences.
OHANA
DH and I had been here in 1996, but because I spent a lot of the time in the ladies room nursing a screaming two month old (the noise was too much for him), I didn't remember much of it. We tried it again this time with DS7, DS9, and my in laws.
First came a loaf of indescript sweet bread. I ripped a piece off, tasted it, and that's what it was--indescript.
Next came the appetizers (or were they sides?) The chicken wings as well as the shrimp wontons were fun and flavorful as was the rice and salad. But what I didn't get was that they gave us about a salad bowl-sized portion of rice and salad for the entire table of six. We had that finished off well before the skewers arrived. And that was the only time I saw our server. We asked for more sides, but they didn't arrived until we were just about done with the meat. (Oh, the meats were good. The turkey and beef were great, the shrimp was nice and spicey, but the pork tasted a bit like lighter fuel.)
So here is what the dinner looked like: A flavorful appetizer...wait...a plate full of meat...wait...more rice and salad which no one wanted by that time...wait...fresh pineapple with watery caramel that wouldn't stick to the pineapple. The end. Oh, the only game that was played was a hoola contest which started right as our boys started eating. Even the MC sounded bored with the evening.
A good view of the fireworks saved the evening. Don't get me wrong, the food tasted good, but the server just messed it up big time. My recommendation is to let your server know ahead of time if you want doubles of anything and to know that those dishes they give you on the lazy susan are your appetizers as well as your side dishes.
COUNTER SERVICE
Pecos Bill - Turkey wraps are great (and huge). Money saving tip: 3 of us shared one large drink. It was plenty. Boys shared one 1/2 lb burger instead of ordering two 1/3 lb. burgers. The larger is only $1.00 more. Plenty of fries.
ABC Commissary - We wanted a quick bite and passed this place at MGM. They had a nice menu selection for those who are sick of burgers and fries. I had veggie lo mein. It hit the spot. DH had some kind of taboulleh (sp?) wrap. He liked it too. Guess what the kids ordered?
.Here we go...
GARDEN GRILL
We had lunch here on our first full day in Orlando. I was concerned about eating such a large meal in the middle of the day, but believe me, after walking around Epcot all morning, we were ready!
DH and myself ordered ice tea, DS7 and DS9 ordered lemonade. Not only did we get large glasses of both, server also came out with pitchers of each. I have to agree with most people who have reviewed the GG, the food was great for a character meal. The flank steak was marinaded nicely, the chicken was fine, and the catfish was great. I loved the mashed potatoes and DH couldn't get enough of the cornbread. Even the kids got into the veggies. Speaking of the kids, they were served large, meaty chicken tenders, fries, and mac & cheese (which they devoured). No one wanted to use up any stomach space by the trying the pumpkin bread
. Kids loved the worms and dirt. DH and I lucked out with dessert for that day. It was a chocolate concoction, kind of like chocolate cake without the baking powder, with whipped cream and strawberries. Not too sweet and very chocolatey! All four characters stopped by for pics and autographs. Overall, a very nice meal and a great way to start our trip. (Even though we did hobble out of there.)
RAINFOREST CAFE AT ANIMAL KINGDOM
This time I went with MIL and DS7 and DS9 for lunch. MIL and I did not want anything too heavy, so we decided to order cups of clam chowder and split an appetizer (quesadillas). The chowder was good. Not too thick and not too thin. The quesadillas were unique, as they were shaped like egg rolls. They were stuffed with chicken, portabellos, black beans among other "stuff". They were served with sour cream and quacamole. Just what the doctor ordered!
The kids ordered cheese burger kids meals. They were served three little burgers and their choice of fries or chips. Cute. They got to keep their cups.
CALIFORNIA GRILL
Ah yes, our night out alone! We started the evening with what we have coined "The Monorail Happy Hour Run" with stops at the Poly and GF with a beverage of choice at each resort. I think we may need to make this a tradition.
We had a PS for 7:30, but arrived at 7:10. I overheard that the walk in waiting time was 1 1/2 hours. We were seated immediately in the wine room
. Okay, so we were seated with a party of 21 people -- about half of them being kids and teens, but hey, you can't win 'em all.We had a wonderful server who brought us some nice bread while we waited for our nigiri sushi. I've always thought that if you've tasted one restaurant's sushi, you've tasted them all, but I was proven wrong on this. Boy was this sushi fresh. I can still taste the tuna. Even the shrimp was exciting.
We both ordered the pork tenderloin thanks to such high marks on this board. Our server told us that she directed the chef not to make our order until after the fireworks, then directed us to take our wine and go over to the other side of the restaurant and enjoy. Not long after the fireworks our entres arrived. And yes, the pork tenderloin with creamy polenta lived up to its reputation.
For dessert we split the chocolate hazelnut pyramid thingy. Perfect! Earlier in the evening, I was commenting on the dessert wine that the server was pouring for another patron. I was saying that I've never thought to order a dessert wine. She got into the conversation and asked why not. I said that I wouldn't even know when to drink it. With dessert? With coffee? Alone? She told me she didn't believe in rules and just to drink it when you like. Well guess what shows up with DH's cognac? She thought I needed to try the Reisling on the house. I did and enjoyed it immensely! (Maybe she felt bad about us getting stuck with the rowdy party of 21? I have to say I felt bad about complaining to DH about them, because as they were leaving, one of the adults came over and apologized for the noisy kids.)
Definitely one of our favorite dining experiences.
OHANA
DH and I had been here in 1996, but because I spent a lot of the time in the ladies room nursing a screaming two month old (the noise was too much for him), I didn't remember much of it. We tried it again this time with DS7, DS9, and my in laws.
First came a loaf of indescript sweet bread. I ripped a piece off, tasted it, and that's what it was--indescript.
Next came the appetizers (or were they sides?) The chicken wings as well as the shrimp wontons were fun and flavorful as was the rice and salad. But what I didn't get was that they gave us about a salad bowl-sized portion of rice and salad for the entire table of six. We had that finished off well before the skewers arrived. And that was the only time I saw our server. We asked for more sides, but they didn't arrived until we were just about done with the meat. (Oh, the meats were good. The turkey and beef were great, the shrimp was nice and spicey, but the pork tasted a bit like lighter fuel.)
So here is what the dinner looked like: A flavorful appetizer...wait...a plate full of meat...wait...more rice and salad which no one wanted by that time...wait...fresh pineapple with watery caramel that wouldn't stick to the pineapple. The end. Oh, the only game that was played was a hoola contest which started right as our boys started eating. Even the MC sounded bored with the evening.
A good view of the fireworks saved the evening. Don't get me wrong, the food tasted good, but the server just messed it up big time. My recommendation is to let your server know ahead of time if you want doubles of anything and to know that those dishes they give you on the lazy susan are your appetizers as well as your side dishes.
COUNTER SERVICE
Pecos Bill - Turkey wraps are great (and huge). Money saving tip: 3 of us shared one large drink. It was plenty. Boys shared one 1/2 lb burger instead of ordering two 1/3 lb. burgers. The larger is only $1.00 more. Plenty of fries.
ABC Commissary - We wanted a quick bite and passed this place at MGM. They had a nice menu selection for those who are sick of burgers and fries. I had veggie lo mein. It hit the spot. DH had some kind of taboulleh (sp?) wrap. He liked it too. Guess what the kids ordered?
Maybe it would be better to do it before 'Ohanas!
