Skipper, Morimoto, and Artist Point--Quick Critiques

[sleepydog25]

We're experienced Disney diners, and we didn't use a DDP or TiW card, though we did take advantage of our DVC discount. We were a group of four adults, so if you have any queries about the kids' menu, I'm afraid I'll be of no help. Otherwise, if you have any questions, fire away.

Skipper Canteen: We were in MK early enough on 1 Jan to do a walk-on to POTC and a mere 10-minute wait on the Jingle Cruise. (Editor's note: In fact, crowds during the day weren't bad at all. Busy, yes, but not overwhelming. Major rides were 90+ minutes, but secondary ones were manageable.) We did a FP or two with our friends, then headed over to JNCLSC (that'd be Jungle Navigation Cruise, Ltd. Skipper Canteen for the uninitiated ). We arrived about 11:15, and we had less than a 10-minute wait before we were seated--they don't take ADRs. Your "guide" takes you to the table, pointing out observations regarding your surroundings along the way. We were seated in the S.E.A. Room which was delightfully decorated and themed. Service throughout the meal was prompt, pleasant, and timely. Our server even anticipated the need for split checks before we asked. Below are the items we sampled:
Bread Service - We were given a small, round loaf of cardamom-laced bread with a honey and fennel dip. The crust was crunchy, the taste a sublime savory treat, with the honey providing just a touch of sweet to marry with it. Excellent.
Punch Line Punch - Tasty enough but tooth-achingly sweet. We asked for lemon wedges (quickly and cheerfully given), and that cut the sweet level a bit.
Baladi Salad - Fresh, crisp, and a good portion. The garlic-coriander dressing is light but distinct (in other words, stay away if you don't like coriander). However, there was no zip to the dressing--some sort of citrus or a sweet-sour note was needed to enhance the flavor profile. While good, and lightly dressed (something we prefer), it was rather one-note. The accompanying ambasha bread is more of a crouton and also lacked much distinguishable flavor.
S.E.A. Shu Mai - Essentially, they're steamed pot stickers, though above average ones to be fair. The filling was tasty (shrimp, pork, mung beans, spices) but very compressed and a bit mealy. The dipping sauce was quite flavorful but extremely salty. In fact, I added some honey from the bread service so that we wouldn't feel mugged by the salt, but it only helped a little. The shu mai was better alone, in fact.
Char Siu Pork - While this appears to be the "signature" dish (our server and a couple of others around us pushed it), it was the most disappointing of the meal. Nothing more than what you can get at any moderately decent Chinese takeout restaurant, they were tough and chewy. Sauce was good.
OVERALL: Good service, decent prices, and the food was above average fare; however, they could fine tune the spices and herbs a bit to add a bit more distinctiveness of the dishes, and they need to replace the pork with a better quality meat.

NEXT UP: Morimoto Asia

 

[sleepydog25]

I failed to mention that I believe they take the regular DDP but not the deluxe, nor do they take the TiW card. However, if you're a DVC member, you get your 10% discount.

 

[vettegirl]

I am excited to hopefully try this in May! Thanks for the review.

 

[Redwitch]

I'm intrigued by the spice profiles! I hope they perfect it before our next trip. (You know, the one where Mikka pushes me in a wheelchair!) Thanks for the review!

 

[sleepydog25]

I'm intrigued by the spice profiles! I hope they perfect it before our next trip. (You know, the one where Mikka pushes me in a wheelchair!) Thanks for the review!

We love spices and herbs (and are very adventurous in the kitchen), so we too were intrigued by the spice combos we encountered here. The garlic-coriander dressing was delightful. . .only it was flat as it lacked punch. Some acidic element was needed to elevate the dressing--it appeared to only be oil, garlic, and coriander. Tasty, but lacking. I bake a cardamom bread with a slightly sweet note to it, so the bread service reminded me of it, only lacking the sweetness. The honey/fennel dip was a nice complement to the bread. The kitchen's intent is headed in the correct direction, yet it needs to fine tune those tastes and better support them with less pedestrian meats, fillings, et. al.

vettegirl: Remember, it's a walk-up only TS. . .at least currently. We did lunch figuring it wouldn't be as busy as dinner, and we expected it to be very crowded. It wasn't! I've read quite a few negative reviews so far, and while I understand the complaints (mostly high prices and mediocre food), we didn't find the prices out of line with most Disney TS restaurants, nor was the food abominable, though as I noted, they need to tinker with some of their flavor profiles. We wanted to try something new and different which SC fulfilled. If one goes looking for a place to load up a plate with a mound of familiar flavors, then SC likely isn't a good choice. Hope you try it!

 

[vettegirl]

It looks like they are going to ADR's next month, at least that is the rumor.

 

[sleepydog25]

Morimoto Asia: This was another recently opened restaurant we were anxious to visit as we enjoy Pan Asian and Asian fusion style cuisines. Again, we opted to do lunch as it fit our plans better than heading there for dinner. We were accompanied by our good friends who are also Disney veterans.
Spicy Tuna Roll - We're all huge sushi fans, and while this was a solid effort, we found nothing extraordinary about this. We had hoped for a slightly innovative take on this standby, but what we got wasn't anything you couldn't get from a good sushi place in any mid-major city.
Lo Mein - Excellent noodle texture, plentiful portion, and possessing that soul food appeal that draws so many to such a dish. We had both the veggie and beef, and aside from the meat, there was no difference. The one remark both people had regarding the lo mein was that the dish was a bit oily and nowhere near spicy enough even though such had been requested. I couldn't help but feel the flavor of the lo mein was slightly compromised by the oily nature of the noodles. As for the spice level, a little sriracha solved the issue though it did alter the flavors a bit. Overall, both lo meins were solid efforts.
Morimoto Lunch Set - This option gives you a house salad, miso soup, California roll, dumpling w/kimchi, and a choice of orange chicken, black cod, tofu medley, or kung pao chicken. Orange chicken was the decision by our friend. The salad, miso soup, CA roll, and orange chicken were, again, just average. While we didn't have any specific complaints, we also didn't find any particular craftsmanship, either. Only the kimchi possessed any unique qualities and was an enjoyable discovery.
Duck "Nasi Goreng" - Nasi goreng is called the Indonesian answer to fried rice and flavored with a sweet soy-like sauce, chilis, spices, garlic, and tamarind. Often, an egg is placed on top of the rice that includes scraps of chicken or shrimp, or as in my case, duck. This was a new dish for me, and it was the winner as best of the meal. That being said, my rice definitely wasn't a refried product, rather more of a rice pilaf which means it lacked the texture you expect. Further, it was nearly bereft of tamarind which meant it lacked the piquancy that spice provides. There was duck in it, though the pieces were quite small to the point of almost being missed as they had taken on the color of the slightly yellow rice. The egg was slightly overcooked, but there was enough runny yolk to add to the unctuousness of the dish. The most pleasing aspect of the dish was the accompanying mango papaya salad--crisp, light, pungent (had green onion and cilantro, too), and lightly dressed with a mildly citrus concoction. A bit of the salad with some of the nasi goreng made for an excellent bite. I suspect a genuine version of this dish provides an explosion of flavors--this slightly homogenized example only gave me minor glimpses of glory. Still, it was the star of the day.
Wines - Actually, they have an above average wine list and also offer a few sakes, including a 5-yr aged one. No one tried the sake, but we each had wine. For me, the real gem was the Almaya Torrontes which has a slightly floral note on a crisp, mid-weight finish which makes it a superb pairing for many Pan Asian dishes.

Overall, we enjoyed our meal there, and we'd definitely go back. Prices aren't astronomical, service is excellent, and the open atmosphere and ambiance are notable.

In the queue: Artist Point

 

[sleepydog25]

Artist Point: This has long been one of our favorite, as much a sentimental favorite as it is a Signature dining experience. However, we’ve been dismayed by the inconsistency of food and service there over the past few years. Our last visit this past summer when a new chef had been installed brought us hope that things would change, especially after having a superb meal that night. I’m sad to report the inconsistency still lives.
Appetizers – Overall, these were still quite good. My Smoked Portobello Bisque was sublime, and my wife’s Roasted Beetroot with a local cheese was solid, as well. Our friends’ choices were a salad and the crab cakes, and both were quite nicely done.
Wild Caught Prawn Pho – Fresh seafood, especially tender mussels, unctuous noodles. The only complaint was the broth was lacking in punch and that earthiness you look for in pho.
Filet Mignon – Excellent medium-rare and tender, but the sides were uninspired: smashed potatoes were just small potatoes and grilled eggplant was lifeless.
Buffalo Strip Loin – We were thrilled the actual loin cut had returned, but it wasn’t up to its original glory. Parts were medium-rare and parts weren’t. About ¼ of the filet was gristle which our server attempted to convince us was intentional, “fat left on for flavor” as he put it. Uh, no. Fat, perhaps; gristle, no. The roasted root veggies were two big, fat carrots, one of which was nearly raw, and three small turnips, also bordering on raw. The jus was almost non-existent, and the barley risotto was dry and in severe need of a creamy component. Severely disappointed in this dish.
Chinook Plank Salmon – A signature dish, I will admit the salmon was perfectly cooked—moist and flaky. However, my “local potatoes” were nothing more than boiled small potatoes with a bit of salt. The olive tapenade was just a small dripping buried under the potatoes, and the frisee was a huge pile of green with very little fennel dressing. Upon second thought, I’m not sure how one balances plain potatoes, fennel, citrus (in the salad), greens, and salmon on one plate. My fault for ordering, but I thought the dish would be thought out and harmonious.
Cobbler – Though the crust is much thicker than it used to be, and chewier in a sugar cookie way, the flavors are still there. There were ample amounts of fresh berries on top, and the black raspberry ice cream still delights.
Coffee – Served press pot style, it’s one of the better coffee services in the World.
Service – Average. It started marvelously, but once the place got a little busier (we were seated around 5:45), our server got into the weeds a bit. For example, I sat with an empty wine glass for an extended time and eventually waved him over as I wanted another glass with my entrée. The wine never came. He realized his mistake when he began to clear the dishes before the dessert order, and he even offered to bring it to me free of charge, so that was a nice gesture. I declined at that point. Overall, though, he did a solid job, but certainly, it wasn’t his best service (we’ve had him before).

It pains me to say that AP will likely slide back off our rotation of Signature restaurants. Our entrées averaged $45, and of course, with wine and coffee the bill was significant, even with a DVC discount. I simply can’t fully recommend AP. Yes, it has ambiance aplenty, and generally service there is excellent; however, the food quality and creativity remain highly inconsistent.

Bonus quickie review: Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar
We only had drinks here, but we loved the atmosphere. There are rustic, well-themed outdoor seating areas, as well, and some of them sit on a "boat" that has a faux motor that cranks up on occasion. Others have heaters overhead which came in handy on this breezy and cool day. The gnoshing menu was small, but the drink menu had some unique options. They also had a very citrusy, spirited Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, Montes Limited, I believe. At $9 a glass ($39 a bottle), it's a steal. We'll go back next time we're in Disney Springs.

 

[jmassey1samchi]

thanks for the review, sleepydog. Both morimoto, and particularly AP are places I want to try but am quite particular as to where I'm willing to spend $50+ per person. It seems like many high priced restaurants, both in the world, and locally for me, lose out when it comes to sides. I feel like restaurants try to do too much with the sides, and just end of failing. I think I'd rather have a good ole scoop of mashed potatotes that are done well then some combo of "roasted fingerlings and root vegetables" that are undercooked, not hot enough, and flavorless. One of these days I will try them out, but will probably do some others beforehand.

 

[sleepydog25]

thanks for the review, sleepydog. Both morimoto, and particularly AP are places I want to try but am quite particular as to where I'm willing to spend $50+ per person. It seems like many high priced restaurants, both in the world, and locally for me, lose out when it comes to sides. I feel like restaurants try to do too much with the sides, and just end of failing. I think I'd rather have a good ole scoop of mashed potatotes that are done well then some combo of "roasted fingerlings and root vegetables" that are undercooked, not hot enough, and flavorless. One of these days I will try them out, but will probably do some others beforehand.

Unfortunately, it appears the general trend in World restaurants, in particular the Signatures, over the past few years has been to dumb down menus while simultaneously increasing prices, both steps create a better margin for the eateries. In those interim years, my wife and I have gone from doing almost a Signature a night to, at best, two in one trip. Even then, we realize we're not getting much bang for our buck and have decided that future visits will be further restricted. Meanwhile, we've taken to trying to find hidden gems--those restaurants that have consistently solid to good food and aren't exceptionally expensive (granted, that's still based on Disney standards). Truly, we enjoy dining in the World due to the various venues and experiences you won't find elsewhere, but as you suggest, we've become much more particular. I will say that Morimoto Asia had decent prices given that it's Disney Springs and is a cooperative effort with Chef Morimoto, and the food was good enough we'd return to try alternate dishes. AP? Hmm, I do believe you should give it a shot at some point, but pay close attention to the menu's descriptions. Further, they seem to be having more success with their non-signature dishes of late. One way we have reduced the cost there (and any other place) is to order two appetizers/salads, and then we share an entree and a dessert. That step alone shaves $50-$55 off the bill, and the bread service that accompanies the meal helps fill us, as well (we're not big eaters). The location, ambiance, and romantic nature of AP makes it worth a visit at least once, and perhaps that experience would be one of their "high" nights.

 

[Npbear]

Thanks for the reviews!

 

[sleepydog25]

Thanks for the reviews!

Thanks for reading! For an update on AP, I recently had a conversation with a member of the management team (after having sent a rather lengthy email to the manager with whom we spoke that night before the meal went south). She said all the right things and mentioned that the salmon dish was already changed from frisee and potatoes to a cauliflower "steak". . .hmmm. At any rate, I told her we had cancelled our ADR for AP in February after this last experience. At that point, she asked us to reconsider and offered to make the meal gratis if we rebooked. We said we'd think about it. While the offer is nice, if we go and the meal is wonderful, we'll think it's because they knew we were coming. I suspect we'll take her offer, but we're still mulling it over.

 

[pumba]

thanks for your reviews and update....I agree...they may go above and beyond if they know you are coming...I dont know if I would want another try...thanks again for taking the time to write this all out

 

[sleepydog25]

thanks for your reviews and update....I agree...they may go above and beyond if they know you are coming...I dont know if I would want another try...thanks again for taking the time to write this all out

Thanks for the kind words. We thought it over for a couple of days before calling back and leaving a message that we'd accept. The woman with whom we spoke called back last night to give us our ADR confirmation # and to say they were looking forward to making up "for your disappointing experience." In the end, despite our misgivings, it's a gratis meal offered graciously by the management and at the restaurant most sentimental to us. We are a little concerned that the meal will be good only because they're expecting us, or worse, it will still be mediocre despite our reason for being there. Still, it was a generous offer. I'll report back after that meal as a follow-up, and I promise to be as frank in my assessment then as I have been before.

 

[Mainemama]

Great reviews! I am still in the dining-with-a-toddler crowd, so did not work any of these restaurants into our recent trip rotation, but there is always next time!

 

[sleepydog25]

Great reviews! I am still in the dining-with-a-toddler crowd, so did not work any of these restaurants into our recent trip rotation, but there is always next time!

Yep, we've done the dining-with-a-toddler crowd thing, so I know just what you mean. For what it's worth, Artist Point actually is a good Signature for a toddler. They offer a kids' menu and desserts, and it's not a stuffy place to eat at all. Skipper Canteen and Morimoto Asia both would be fine with kids, too, I would think. The former is very casual and the latter is open, airy, and relatively casual, as well, at least it was at lunch. Now, whether one wishes to take a toddler out to eat at a place charging big bucks is a whole other story.