Surf and Turf Disney Style ..30 days of food on land and at sea! 06/16 WPE

[mamaboogie]

Simon and I are planning to have a 'date night' at Yachtman Steakhouse - we've never been before and we've heard some great things about it. And our kids will be old enough for us to desert them for an evening or too....

Great reviews Karin - I've been away for a week and it's great to come back to lots of new reviews from my favourite people!

 

[dizneeat]

You know I have to tell you every time I sit down to read your reviews I have a craving for hot tea

Hot tea is the best ....... Baronesse Grey is tops!

Your meal at Contempo Cafe looks wonderful! We almost drove over there for dinner tonight but we were exhausted and had a picnic in the room instead.

Way to go Tom on eating that humongous hunk of beef! I love the Yachtsman, so glad you did too!

Todd prefers Shula's over all the steaks he has had in WDW, when I asked him why he said "No sauces, no stacked plates and foo foo presentation, just good tasting beef"

And here I was thinking he liked being fancy

for the picnic in the room ...... sounds very familiar! Contempo has really wonderful choices for lunch and dinner ...... guess we will be eating there again in February!

Nicki, when that plate came out I could not believe the size of the piece of meat! And Tom did a good job with it ...... thank god there weren't too many sides and we did not order any extras!

We've never made it to Shula's. Maybe we can try for it in September!

Great review of Yachtsman! The bread sounds yummy and wow Tom's steak looks massive!

The onion rolls were absolutely devine, especially when spread with the roasted garlic!
Yes, that piece of meat was HUGE!!!!!!!

While I won't be going to the Yachtsmen in December, I will be going to Contempo cafe... mainly for those cupcakes!!! They look amazing!

You should definitely keep the Yachtsman in mind, Ann. We cancelled it quite a few times and now I am sorry we ever did.
The steaks are out of this world good!

They have some yummy cupcakes at the Contempo Cafe, Ann. Just be prepared for sugar overload.

 

[dizneeat]

MMMM Yachtsman looks fantastic. Definitely on the top of my must-do list for Signature Restaurants.

We were VERY pleasantly surprised by the Yachtsman. You really should consider trying it rather sooner than later!

So glad that you and Tom enjoyed Yachtsman Steakhouse :good vibes

We loved our dinner there and DH had the same entree as you and loved it

Contempo Cafe looks great too

I am sure you'd love the Contempo Cafe too, Linda.

Simon and I are planning to have a 'date night' at Yachtman Steakhouse - we've never been before and we've heard some great things about it. And our kids will be old enough for us to desert them for an evening or too....

Great reviews Karin - I've been away for a week and it's great to come back to lots of new reviews from my favourite people!

I am sure you'd enjoy the Yachtsman for a "date" night, just don't forget my favourite, the California Grill - good food, excellent service and fireworks over the castle - can't be beaten.

 

[mamaboogie]

Oh don't worry Karin - we would never be able to miss out the California Grill - the children may insist on coming with us to that one though!

 

[podsnel]

Yummm...I loved your Yachtsman review! We're having dinner there next Thursday- I REALLY hope it's great- last time we weren't that impressed, but were going with they must have been having an off night.

Happy Halloween! Just got our power back after a big Noreaster dumped snow on us on Saturday- I posted candlelight foodporn on my FB page via my iphone.... Trees are down everywhere...it's so, SO odd, this is outrageously early for us to have snow- the trees not only still have their leaves, but the leaves they have are still GREEN!

 

[dizneeat]

Oh don't worry Karin - we would never be able to miss out the California Grill - the children may insist on coming with us to that one though!

Your kids really know to live it up ..... insisting on coming to the California Grill with you!
It's nice you like it as much as we do!

Yummm...I loved your Yachtsman review! We're having dinner there next Thursday- I REALLY hope it's great- last time we weren't that impressed, but were going with they must have been having an off night.

Happy Halloween! Just got our power back after a big Noreaster dumped snow on us on Saturday- I posted candlelight foodporn on my FB page via my iphone.... Trees are down everywhere...it's so, SO odd, this is outrageously early for us to have snow- the trees not only still have their leaves, but the leaves they have are still GREEN!

I really hope you are going to have a wonderful time at the Yachtsman, Ellen!

Speaking of Halloween - it's not as big a holiday here as it is in the US, but it is catching on. Tom called me a little while ago and let me know that he actually handed out nearly all the candy we had bought "in case" someone rings the doorbell! Looks like quite a few kids did, as we had a huge bag full of candy prepared and he let me know that he even had to use some of HIS candy in our Mickey Halloween candy dish!
We saw photos of all the snow on TV here - I could not believe it! Snow in October, flurries yes, but not such a heavy load.
Hope it's getting better and sunnier for you pretty soon!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 6, August 18

Typhoon Tilly's

We spent the morning at Typhoon Lagoon. Around midday we found a nice shady spot at one of the picnic tables near the lazy river for our lunch.

Again we had decided to share two CS credits. One of our entrees was the

Fried Shrimp platter. We had to wait a little for them, so we knew they were fresh and that was what they tasted like. The shrimp were plump and juicy with a thin breading, fried to a perfect crisp. They came with kind of a cocktail sauce for dipping and Tom got mayonnaise and ketchup from the condiments bar too. There were more than enough shrimp for both of us to share and the fries were nice and hot and crispy as well.

Our second choice was the

Chicken wrap. Lots of chicken on a bed of crisp romain lettuce, slightly dressed with Caesar dressing, all rolled into a flour tortilla. While it was a nice wrap we both wished it would not have been so cold. It made the meat harder than it actually was. It got better the longer we left it sitting on the plate.

Since we were on the DDP we picked a dessert each.

Tom chose the

Chocolate Cake. This is the same cake that you get in nearly every CS location. Moist cake with a more than generous amount of frosting. The frosting got very soft in the hot sun, the cake was nice, but far too sweet.

At the waterparks I usually order the

Cheesecake. I am not a huge fan of cheesecake, so I have NO idea WHY I ordered it. It was nothing special and we only about half of our desserts.

What we saved using the FREE Disney Dining Plan:
Total number of credits - 16 TS, 16 CS and 16 snacks
TS: Yachtsman Steakhouse: 120 $ (8 TS credits remain)
CS: Typhoon Tilly's: 34,50 $ (6 CS credits remain)
Snacks: Mickey Bar: 3,50 $ (15 credits remain)

Total saved: 462,30 $

Next up - Le Cellier

 

[TigerKat]

Back home from a fabulous F&W trip. Finally got to meet Nicki & Todd and they were just as I'd imagined. Felt like we'd been friends forever. We shared drinks quite a few drinks and laughs!!! One day we will all get together, how fun would that be?

 

[podsnel]

Back home from a fabulous F&W trip. Finally got to meet Nicki & Todd and they were just as I'd imagined. Felt like we'd been friends forever. We shared drinks quite a few drinks and laughs!!! One day we will all get together, how fun would that be?

That would be AMAZING!!!!!!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Mmm the shrimp pics and description have me drooling and wanting to have fried shrimp for my dinner!

I agree in some of the desserts being meh - a shame that they were not enjoyable.

 

[darthtatty]

just catching up with your reviews.
shame you had a long wait at Mama melrose, your experience sounds similar to our meal. the server was more interested in other diners. I really enjoyed the entree though, I had similar to you but I substituted the chicken for shrimp- it was delicious.
we enjoyed the cupcakes at The Contempo, luckily we stayed at the hotel so cut them in half and ate them over a few days. They were very yummy but very sweet.

cant wait to read more

 

[chip 'n dale rule]

So glad to hear that you enjoyed Yachtman's. We are headed there for the first time in January!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Karin, we have never been to the water parks but the look of your lunch has me wanting to go! We are suckers for fried shrimp

Back home from a fabulous F&W trip. Finally got to meet Nicki & Todd and they were just as I'd imagined. Felt like we'd been friends forever. We shared drinks quite a few drinks and laughs!!! One day we will all get together, how fun would that be?

Right back at ya kid! That would be incredible, lets do it next week ok?

That would be AMAZING!!!!!!

Agreed!

 

[luvmychaos]

The bread at Yachtsmen has me drooling&my husband would choose the same steak as Tom! I just noticed in your siggy you are going to Disneyland in 2013 - that's our stomping grounds, we grew up there&pop in&out all the time! You'll be happy to know there's a Krispy Kreme not too far away in Orange(at the Block)a huge outdoor shopping area & when you go to Disneyland you have to promise me you'll try a chimichanga-big,deep fried burrito deliciousness!!! ; )

 

[Tink rules]

Back home from a fabulous F&W trip. Finally got to meet Nicki & Todd and they were just as I'd imagined. Felt like we'd been friends forever. We shared drinks quite a few drinks and laughs!!! One day we will all get together, how fun would that be?

Honey.. that could be dangerous!!!

 

[Linda67]

Wow, those shrimp from Typhoon Tilly's look delicious

It certainly doesn't look like a water park CS meal

 

[dizneeat]

Back home from a fabulous F&W trip. Finally got to meet Nicki & Todd and they were just as I'd imagined. Felt like we'd been friends forever. We shared drinks quite a few drinks and laughs!!! One day we will all get together, how fun would that be?

I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your trip, Kat! Nicki and Todd are super nice people, just like you and Johnny!
I so wish there were a way to get to WDW for Food and Wine, but as long as I am stuck with the school holidays ..... NO way!
You all have to go and taste the yum food for me too!

That would be AMAZING!!!!!!

Mmm the shrimp pics and description have me drooling and wanting to have fried shrimp for my dinner!

I agree in some of the desserts being meh - a shame that they were not enjoyable.

We were really happy to see the fried shrimp on the menu and they were really good! I would order them again in a heartbeat!
I wish they had a wider variety of desserts and not just cheesecake, chocolate cake and carrot cake ...... they get "old" after you have had them "so many"
times.

just catching up with your reviews.
shame you had a long wait at Mama melrose, your experience sounds similar to our meal. the server was more interested in other diners. I really enjoyed the entree though, I had similar to you but I substituted the chicken for shrimp- it was delicious.
we enjoyed the cupcakes at The Contempo, luckily we stayed at the hotel so cut them in half and ate them over a few days. They were very yummy but very sweet.

cant wait to read more

The mediocre reviews of MM seem to be in the majority lately. I don't know what it is, because the food is quite tasty, but the service was just sub par.

We are going to stay at BLT in February and we are looking forward to have even more Contempo Cafe food then - should be fun to take those cupcakes back to the room and nibble on the balcony!

 

[dizneeat]

So glad to hear that you enjoyed Yachtman's. We are headed there for the first time in January!

It was a wonderful experience. We will definitely return in the summer!

Karin, we have never been to the water parks but the look of your lunch has me wanting to go! We are suckers for fried shrimp

You should really consider visiting Typhoon Lagoon! We only discovered the water parks 2 years ago too, but TL is a lot of fun. And the food is not bad for a water park counter service.

The bread at Yachtsmen has me drooling&my husband would choose the same steak as Tom! I just noticed in your siggy you are going to Disneyland in 2013 - that's our stomping grounds, we grew up there&pop in&out all the time! You'll be happy to know there's a Krispy Kreme not too far away in Orange(at the Block)a huge outdoor shopping area & when you go to Disneyland you have to promise me you'll try a chimichanga-big,deep fried burrito deliciousness!!! ; )

The onion rolls were delicious! You'd love those!
YES, we are going back to California in 2013! Another coast to coast vacation with a cruise sandwiched in between!
Yeah for KK being there too! And I think there is a Bubba Gump's nearby too ..... I am in food heaven. Now add in the Storyteller's Cafe and Blue Bayoo ............
Now, where to get that deep fried burrito from? Any advise?

Honey.. that could be dangerous!!!

I second that!

Wow, those shrimp from Typhoon Tilly's look delicious

It certainly doesn't look like a water park CS meal

They were so good and it was quite a large helping too! We truely were surprised to find that as a water park CS meal!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 6, August 18

Le Cellier

That night we had a reservation at Epcot's newest signature restaurant, Le Cellier. We always loved Le Cellier and were really looking forward to what had been changed to make it a signature restaurant.

We arrived a little early and found the regular crowd waiting outside and inside and were told it would be at least a 15 minute wait. While we were waiting they turned away all the walk ups, so that was a sign that they were really full.

The CMs were still entertaining guests with questions about Canada, so no changes there.

We were pleasantly surprised when we were seated after only 10 minutes of a wait, BUT we were still led into a dining room that was crammed full of tables and we were seated at one of the tiny tables in the middle of the restaurant. It makes for a less magical and signature worthy experience if waiters and guests are currently walking by very close to your table.
The host gave his spiel about the different provinces and told us that a server would be right over. And he was. It didn't take more than a minute until our server appeared, introduced himself and explained the DDP and what we were allowed to order (entree and dessert )
We both ordered a Diet Coke and went back to read the menu.
Shortly after our drinks had been served and the server had taken our order for the main courses he put

the breadbasket on the table. We were used to the breadsticks, so this was new to us. And while the Pretzelbread was still the same, the multigrain and sourdough bread were now smaller rolls. Both types of rolls turned out to be hard and a bit on the stale side - not good!

We were served a slice of butter sprinkled with sea salt to go with the bread.

A food runner brought out our main courses.

I had ordered the Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon, a 8 oz. Canadian AAA Beef Tenderloin with wild mushroom risotto, white truffle butter sauce and micro chervil. It looked exactly as it had looked before the change and it tasted exactly the same too!
The meat was fork tender, perfectly cooked, paired with the creamy mushroom risotto - yum, yum!! I was a very happy bunny with it.

Tom had ordered the Grilled Bone-in Ribeye, a 16 oz. bone-in ribeye with herb-parmesan potato wedges and maple-pink peppercorn butter. Again, perfectly cooked meat, the wedges were very tasty with just a hint of parmesan and the peppercorn butter was perfect. It melted all over to meat and gave it an extra flavour burst.
While the food was really nice (apart from the bread) it was about then that I got really annoyed with the server. As I mentioned before, there is not much room between the tables and whenever the server would walk by he would bend over and ask "And how are WE doing?" It really got to a point where I wanted to tell him that I wasn't sure how HE was doing, but we love to eat in peace. He did it to every table, interrupting conversations and getting into everyones face.

Once our plates were cleared we were handed the dessert menu.
Tom ordered the

Peach Clafoutis, with Ginger Ice Cream and Peach Nectar. He really enjoyed it. the Ginger Ice Cream went very well with the little cake and the sweet peach compote added a lot of flavour.

I tried the

Trio of Chocolate,

Canadian Club Chocolate Mousse,

Chocolate Sorbet,

and warm Chocolate-Almond Cake.
It was different from what I had expected, but the mousse was very nice, not too sweet, the sorbet had a bit of a dark chocolate/cocoa taste while the chocolate almond cake was a bit on the dry side. But all in all it was a nice dessert.

So, was it worth the two credits per meal. Well, not really. While the meat dishes were wonderful, the desserts at other signatures are another league. People in shorts and t-shirts were not really helping the atmosphere either.
Will we return ...... yes, I think so, but we will return for lunch I think. Dinner - not so soon!

We paid our bill and on the way out we discovered what would have been nice to see BEFORE the meal, a display of the desserts!

What we saved using the FREE Disney Dining Plan:
Total number of credits - 16 TS, 16 CS and 16 snacks
TS: Le Cellier: 124 $ (4 TS credits remain)
CS: Typhoon Tilly's: 34,50 $ (6 CS credits remain)
Snacks: Mickey Bar: 3,50 $ (15 credits remain)

Total saved: 586,30 $

Next up - a few more snacks

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Karin, your LC dinner looked great. I think you are right about signature status there. I think they are still working out the kinks on this. When I think signature dining, it's a place with lots of room between tables and people who dress up just a little with servers who have just a little more comportment. Like you, i'll go at lunch, but have my evening meal somewhere else.