The Wave
Overall Rating: 5
We were highly impressed with The Wave! This is a must-do in our book. Service was attentive and professional, they were accommodating to my food allergy, and the food was absolutely outstanding, both from a quality and taste level.
Our last meal in WDW! Fortunately, we ended on a very high note. Getting there was slightly annoying, but probably only because we were rushed
we had spent the morning in Epcot and had a 1:45 pm ADR before we were to be picked up by our driver back at WL to head to the airport. We realized at about 1:20 that we needed to push it back a bit because I think we were in France and knew we would not make it to the monorail in enough time. Dh called and spoke to a lady at the Wave who let us know 2:00 pm was the last lunch ADR but they would keep an eye out for us. Very nice!
Finally, this day was warmmost of our trip the weather was very, very chilly. We hurried to the monorail to get over the Contemporary and quickly made our way to the Wave by about 1:55 pm. Dh sat down and DD and I used the ladies room. The restaurant was basically empty, perhaps 2 other tables full? It did feel a bit dark in the room, no windows, but it was a pleasant room overall. The blue wave tunnel and lounge were very cool. We sat in a nice large, rounded booth at the back of the restaurant, which was good for the aftermath of our, only second, preschooler meltdown of the trip. She was tired, hungry, and worn out. So she was able to lay on our laps a bit while we waited for our food.
We had only 2 credits left at this point and our very sweet server helpfully informed us that several dishes were large enough to share with DD (I believe we ended up ordering pasta for her anyway, because she was a bit cranky and not in the mood to be adventurous). Anyway, our server was extremely accommodating. As was the head chef who came out to chat about my mustard allergy. One could tell he was proud of his restaurant, he was upbeat, chatty, and talked animatedly about the lunch selections.
We started with smoothies:
Mega-Berry Smoothie - Raspberry Purée and Nonfat Yogurt blended with Odwalla Berries GoMega, an excellent source of Omega-3 $4.29
Supercharged Tropical Smoothie - A blend of Tropical Fruit Juices, Nonfat Yogurt, and Odwalla Super Protein Original $4.29
No pics of these, but they were good, tasty and fruity, same as in other restaurants. I do remember liking the tropical one a bit more
Now, we suspected The Wave would be right up our alley because many of the menu selections seemed very similar to the way we eat at home on a regular basis. The emphasis on local, organic, and more healthful, whole food options is hugely welcome in our book at Disney. Of course, the food needed to taste wonderful as well. And, it did! Dh was particularly happy about eating here as our last meal because he and I both were quite ready for some more healthful meals at this point
thus, we were excited to try our starter salads.
Seasonal Mixed Greens - with spaghetti squash, edamame, flax seed, baby mozzarella and red wine vinaigrette $7.99
This was my starter and it was truly delicious. I enjoy squash of any kind, but was intrigued about it being paired with edamame (fresh soybeans)it was a hit! The squash was sparingly added, dressed and seasoned and was great, edamame lovely and fresh, the mozzarella creamy, greens were crisp and perfect, and the vinaigrette was terrific! I believe they made me a vinaigrette without mustard
(MANY have mustard in them to emulsify). This was a hit of a salad and I would order it again and often. The flax seed didnt add much, and in all honestly eating flax seed that has not been ground has minimal nutritional benefits, as far as I understand, until it has been freshly ground to release the oil.
Avocado and Citrus Salad - with local greens and orange vinaigrette $7.99
Dh loved his salad tooI did not try it, I believe because of mustardhe adores grapefruit, and we both love avocado, so it was already a winner from that standpoint. He said that the orange vinaigrette went beautifully with the more tart fresh grapefruit, and the creamy avocado cut the acid nicely.
Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich - with arugula, tomatoes, and goat cheese herb spread on multi-grain bread $13.99
Oh my
this was absolutely the best chicken sandwich I have had in a long time.
First of all, I LOVE goat cheese, love it. This was a fresh goat cheese that also contained fresh herbs, spread onto the bread. Yum! It was a high quality goat cheese and with the fresh, beautifully ripe tomato, peppery arugula, and grilled chickenperfect! I was sad when we returned they took this off the menu (according to allears) but now it is listed as being back on, horray! Also, the chicken itself was moist and nicely cooked. Often, I find that a chicken sandwich has chicken that is over-cooked and it simply ruins it. The bread was lovely too, a nice, soft but hearty multi-grain, not too hearty to scrape ones mouth, but hearty enough to be flavorful and rich. I received potato wedges on the side that were seasoned. They were good, but nothing too spectacular.
Mediterranean Tuna Salad - Herb-crusted seared Ahi tuna with green beans, potatoes, roasted red peppers and olive toast $16.99
Seems slightly silly for Dh to have ordered a salad, and then a salad
however, he was really craving veggies and healthy foods, so he ordered this (also on a recommendation from the chef). This was a lovely dish, thoughtful presentation, and ample enough for a main course. The tuna was clearly best quality, prepared rare, and had an herb crust. Crisp crostini with an herb and olive tapenade was served alongside the salad, which in itself was a simply dressed (niçoise/Mediterranean type dressing). Also included were some traditional niçoise accompaniments and new takes on the salad; crisp green beans, roasted veggies, a soft-cooked egg, and boiled potatoes. Dh said this was a fantastic salad! I believe there were four or five pieces of tunaplenty.
We needed to get going and head back to the WL to meet our driver, so asked our server to bring the desserts very quickly, she did. I wish we could have taken them to go, becauseOHtheir desserts! I had been so excited to try these lovely little jewels, but was so full and so ready to get moving. Dh ordered the sorbet sampler and barely touched it, he was too full (no picture, I sampled two of them and they were fabulous).
Freshly Crafted Sorbets - Lemon-basil, Pineapple or Strawberry $7.99
I asked if I could pick three from the listing and she said, of course. I chose:
Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis, Chocolate-Passion Fruit Mousse with Pecan-Olive Brittle, and Chocolate Mousse with Salted Caramel Sauce $7.99
Sadly, I only nibbled on these pretty little creations. They were excellent, and it was super fun to pick three small treats that appealed! I really liked The Waves dessert menu for this reason. The cheesecake I remember being somewhat unremarkable. The other two were dreamy! I am SO looking forward to a future visit in which I will save room specifically for these desserts. By the way, while they are small desserts, three in one sitting would be a too-big serving for me, even if I had saved room for them. This is a generous serving of sweets!
After lunch, we hopped on a boat back to WL to meet the car to the airport. I love this pic of DD laying down on the empty boat bench. It reminds me of the idyllic, but bittersweet, feeling we had at this moment, having enjoyed an amazing trip, but also quite ready to head home.
Well friends, this entry was my last dining review for this trip!
It truly was a spectacular trip with incredible food. We all had such fun, and are planning a return trip in January of 2010.
I am busily in the midst of planning, and re-planning, our meals and proposed ADRs for this upcoming trip
Thanks to all those who read this reportI sincerely hope it may help some of you plan your magical trips to WDW!
I love all the photos and details and thanks for the hair idea.
My DD has long straight hair and I am so not good with the French braids, etc. but I think this "do" is doable.
