Tables in (I) Wonder (how I ate that much food!!) Land! Epic F&W Lunch 11/10

[figment814]

Greetings and Salutations!

This is a trip report/pre trip report combo!

We just got back from a recent trip to WDW, and will be taking two quick weekend trips in November/December.

A little bit about us:

Me: Was lucky enough to fall for a Disney Vacation Club owner six years ago, but it actually took me a little longer to fall for Disney!

He: My DBF, and DVC owner….spoils me with Disney tirps and eating a new restaurants even though he would prefer to stick to his old standbys.

DBF’s DD: Sweet teenage Diva.
DBF’s DS: Disney loving 20 something.

Luckily , both kids tolerate, my food picture snapping ways.

The trips:
October: 4 day trip with both kids
November: 2 day trip, just the two of us
December: 3/2 day trip with DBF’s DS. (They are going for three, I am going for two.
April : 2 day trip, just the two of us.

The Plans:

October at Boardwalk Villas
Flying Fish
Via Napoli Lunch
California Grill Dinner
Grand Floridian Café Lunch (solo)
Sci Fi Diner Lunch
Jiko Dinner
Epcot Food and Wine Lunch


Bonus!!!
April 2010 Trip
Kouzzina, Sci Fi, Jiko, and Lotus Blossom

November at Saratoga Springs
Dinner Offsite-Timpanos
Food and Wine Fest Lunch
The Wave
Tusker House
Turf Club Late Lunch

December at Saratoga Springs
Earl of Sandwich Dinner
Kona Dinner
Liberty Tree Tavern Lunch

April at Animal Kingdom Lodge-Jambo House!!!
Boma Dinner
Coral Reef
Jiko Dinner
Sanaa Lunch

Next up:

Barely making a Flying Fish Reservation because at 9:20 p.m. our Boardwalk Villa was not ready!!! And lots of pictures!!!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Sounds like you ate at, and are planning to eat at, some great restaurants!

 

[figment814]

I knew I was pushing it when I made my initial reservations for the first night of trip. We were initially due to land at about 7:45 and I had reservations for dinner at the Flying Fish at 9:15. Any delays, and we were going to be in trouble…but I had been given a list of restaurants and this was the only way to fit them all in!

Wheels touched ground at about 8 p.m. and we since we didn’t have checked bags, and we have Emerald Club, the only minor bauble was the battle over what car to take. The vote was 3 to 1 and the kids and I won….even though none of us were driving.

We rolled up to the valet at Boardwalk at precisely 9:14 p.m.

But then we had to check in to our room.

The executive decision was made to see if I could check in for dinner, and the rest of them would run the stuff up stairs.

I was given my pager, even though we weren’t all there and seated almost immediately in a perfect spot by the window, where I would be able to see my crew sprint across the courtyard. And then I waited…and waited…and nervously played with my straw wrapper…I was beginning to wonder if I was going to end up just paying for my soda and leaving.

Finally at 9:45, I see them walking briskly towards me from the villas. (I had forgotten that we aren’t a sprinting sort of people.)

After being told that the studio portion of our two bedroom villa still wasn’t ready, and being chastised for not responding to a text (which I never received due to it being sent to my HOME phone) our happy little family preceded to order.

Being a pretend foodie* and a lover of all things cheese, I ordered the cheese plate.

Yummmm!!! I am also forgetful, so I have no idea where I filed the info sheet, but I like everything on this plate.
The youngins ordered the calamari, and were apparently famished, as this was taken about 4 seconds after it landed on the table.

I had avoided calamari for years, after seeing an infamous video of the Spoodles calamari. (Plus I had only started eating fish a couple of years ago.) But it smelled yummy, and the deep fried goodness could not be turned away…and I actually like it. (That maybe just because of the breading, I tried non-breaded calamari days later…and didn’t like it.)
As I was perusing menus pre-trip, I had decided I was going to order something different, than the Red Snapper I usually get, so I ordered:

Okay, so I only get to eat my favorite little fish three times a year, and it had been a long day! Maybe next time I’ll get something different.
My significant other eats three things: Steak, burger and pasta. (okay, that is a slight exaggeration, but not much, so we only go to places with those things on the menu.) While his favorite cut is the filet, he will “settle” for a New York Strip, which he got, and forgot to order without sauce.

It was super yummy, he also got fries.

Our mini Paris Hilton, ordered the salmon, and pretty much finished it off.

Due to my exhaustion, I seem to have forgotten what the Boy child ordered, and thus have no picture.

But I do have a picture of a Blood Orange Margarita.

Next up, Via Napoli!!!!!!!

 

[figment814]

On our first full day in the world, we had reservations at Via Napoli…but first I had to stop to activiate my annual pass and get my Tables in Wonderland card…which took a lot longer than expected, even though I had only one person in line in front of me at both places I needed to go to…I couldn’t get both the annual pass activated and the Tables in Wonderland activated at the same window. (Also, if you get in line behind someone getting a Florida Resident’s annual pass and using the payment plan, pull out a book , it takes a while.)

So, I finally made it through and went off to track down the family and found them in a store over by where Future World and the World Showcase meet up and headed off to our reservation.

We were one of the first groups to check in before the doors even openend, and were seated pretty quickly. I really liked the vibe of this place.

Is Stromboli a volcano?

The kids ordered the Blood Orange Acqua Fresca, and the DBF ordered the Limonata.

I got a diet coke..no pictures.

I had seen the pictures of the Arancini - Fried saffron risotto balls filled with mozzarella and meat ragu, and wanted to try them.

Oops, I ate one.

They were good, but not spectacular. I would only get them if I was really hungry.

The kids got the Calamari, which was also good, but nothing compared to the night before.

When taking your order, they explain that the pizzas come out when they are ready, regardless if anything else is ready.

So, DBF’s Spaghetti E Polpettine - Hand crafted Veal meatballs and tomato sauce came out first.

Though it didn’t look that spectacular, he sure scarfed it down!

Then the pizzas, the girls both got the same Wood fired Authetic Pizza Napoletana - Margherita. Tomato, mozzarella, basil. Indivdual.

We each ate half, so we should have just gotten one.

Boy got the Wood Fired Authentic Pizza Napoletana - Piccante. Italian Spicy Sausage, Brocolli-Rabe, tomato, mozzarella. Individual.

He finished about ¾, and though I kept stealing the sausage off his pizza.
I think pizza is a very personal thing, and people tend to prefer one kind (think, thin, Chicago, New York.) For me, this is not my favorite type/thickness, and I thought the Margherita was just okay. But, I would definitely eat here again, I would just order a different one…probably the piccante, because I sure loved that sausage.

The boys and girl all got dessert, though nothing really appealed to me!
DBF and his daughter got Coppa Di Brutti Ma Buoni - Ugly, but good. Amarena cherry and vanilla gelato sundae with ugly, but good cookies of carnevale

I didn’t taste it, but dbf and daughter each had one and devoured them.

And I think this is what the boy got: Gelato Frizzante - Ice cream soda Italian style, made with San Pellegrino Aranciata and Vanilla Ice Cream

All in all, I will definitely be back…just not immediately!

 

[figment814]

I like California Grill…it is always solid meal, and I love the fireworks. But if you told me I couldn’t go back for 5 years, I would probably be okay. (Give me more time to try all the restaurants I haven’t tried!) But, it’s he and the kids favorite, so I go happily, and usually get a bit tipsy.

Our reservations were at 9:30, and Wishes were set for 10 p.m. We got to our table and had enough time to place an appetizer order, and we got the BBQ Chicken with Triple Cheese, Corn and Red Bell Pepper Marmalade, and Fingerling Potato “Chips”.

It was very tasty, and loved the little potato chips, what an interesting element!

After Wishes, we came back and were shortly brought our entrees.

I got the Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Goat Cheese Polenta, Button Mushrooms, Zinfandel Glaze, and Sage.

I would have licked the polenta off the plate if I had a little less couth, or a little more wine!

He got, surprise of all surprises, the filet: Oak-fired Filet of Beef with “Loaded” Mashed Potatoes, Broccolini, and Teriyaki Barbecue Sauce.

Always yummy. (Girl got the same.)

As for the boy, he got what I believe is the crispy chicken.

I almost always make the wrong decision when it comes to dessert at the California Grill, because I try and be adventurous…so I kicked that idea to the curb and finally ordered what my DBF usually gets

Ah, heaven…

Next up…Liberty Tree Tavern for 3 changed to Grand Floridian Café for 1!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Love your pics and reviews! Really looking forward to trying that pork tenderloin at Calif Grille. I had the tenderloin on my only previous trip and it was delicious!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Thanks for a wonderful review, I enjoyed reading and LOVE your pictures.

 

[butiflfeet]

Great list of places you're reviewing! I can't wait for more of it

 

[figment814]

Sounds like you ate at, and are planning to eat at, some great restaurants!

We sure did! And we sure are! Thanks for joining in!

Love your pics and reviews! Really looking forward to trying that pork tenderloin at Calif Grille. I had the tenderloin on my only previous trip and it was delicious!

I find I actually prefer (well prepared) pork these days more than steak! And California Grill does it well!

Thanks for a wonderful review, I enjoyed reading and LOVE your pictures.

Thank you! Thanks for joining in!

Great list of places you're reviewing! I can't wait for more of it

Thanks so much...next installment coming up soon!!

 

[figment814]

Next up…Liberty Tree Tavern for 3 changed to Grand Floridian Café for 1!

Wake up!! Day 2 in the world…roll over and get out of bed…OUCH!!! Well, I knew I was out of shape, but ouch! As everyone wakes up, everyone is dead tired and wants to ditch the plans to spend the day in the Magic Kingdom…and relax/do their own thing…before heading to Halloween Horror nights that evening.

So I hop on my mobile device and cancel Liberty Tree Tavern for three. I pondered for sometime where I wanted to go…I knew I wanted to at least pop into Magic Kingdom…so I pulled up the available reservations…oh how I love the internet, and found three places that I haven’t tried, at least for lunch, that had availability when I wanted it. Kona (have had their breakfast, but not lunch), The Wave (have had dinner, but not lunch,) and Grand Floridian Café, which I haven’t tried at all.

I decided to go with the Grand Floridian, because DBF is kind of Anti-GF, and if I can only get him to go once or twice it’s going to be Narcoosee’s or Citricos, so I thought GFC would be a nice place to have lunch alone!
Hop a bus to MK, Monorail around to GF, and am still a few minutes early! I am seated right away towards the back of the restaurant, where there are just a few families seated.
I started off with the soup of the day, which was a cream of mushroom…Very thick and creamy..Perfect! (The little nuggets on top were strange and I still am not sure what they were!)

For my main course I had the Roast Beef Sandwich Gorgonzola Spread, Arugula, and Tomato on Ciabatta served with Marinated Cucumber Salad.

It was…fine. I had debated between Roast Beef and the Grand Sandwich (Open-faced hot Ham, Turkey, Bacon, and Tomato with a rich Boursin Cheese Sauce and Fried Onion Straws.) But I hadn’t done my research before I left, and was worried that the Boursin cheese sauce would be too rich after the soup.

I did love the Cucumber salad, it was just like my grandmothers.

I really, really wanted to love the GFC, but I just didn’t. I will go back one, day probably for breakfast, but there are too many restaurants I like better or still want to try, so I won’t be going back soon.

(On a side note, in one week, I'll be back in WDW for our quick November weekend trip!)

Next up Sci Fi Diner...

 

[figment814]

We arrived about 15 minutes before our reservation, and were told we would be seated at about our reservation time….tick tock tick tock tick tock…
We were seated about 30 minutes after our reservation time…which is one of the longest waits I’ve had. (I’ve been lucky most of the time!)
This is my third time to Sci Fi in about a year and a half…so it wasn’t an ADR I was overly excited with, but the kids hadn’t been in years and really wanted to go. I do love Sci Fi for the Atmosphere, the food..eh.

Three of us had the burger, and the boy had the chicken Bruschetta. The kids started off with Onion rings. The only picture I bothered with was my burger...

My biggest complaint about Sci Fi, is that I feel there menu is too small, and uninspired…maybe I’m asking too much, but on pretty much every other counter service menu WDW there are at least two things I want to try, and Sci Fi, I don’t feel that way…

(That’s the last negative review…the rest of the review are more positive…I think!)

Next up…the kids ditch us…but that’s okay!!!

 

[hmillerbarilla]

These are really fun reviews to read. Great job!

I LOOOOOVE California Grill. Can't wait until we're there in December!!

 

[Cinderella94]

Can't wait to read more!

 

[figment814]

These are really fun reviews to read. Great job!

I LOOOOOVE California Grill. Can't wait until we're there in December!!

Enjoy your December trip!!!
Glad to have you along for the ride!

Can't wait to read more!

I won't make you wait long...I want to finish this trip before we go back next weekend!!

Thanks for joining in!

 

[figment814]

DBF has been wanting his son to try Jiko, so I made reservations for our last night for the four of us…but by Sunday night, they just wanted Rainforest Café and to shop at Downtown Disney, no fancy dress up meal!

We dropped the kids off at DD and headed towards Jiko…and were WAY early, and they were WAY busy. I waited in line for about 5 minutes to check in…not long but new for me at Jiko.

DBF had snagged the last seat at the bar while I checked in, and being the gentleman, gave it up when I came over.

I enjoyed a glass of wine, and he had a mixed drink…and then we headed to our table.

I had been hearing rumblings that the Filet may be coming off the menu to see if it was there…I was concerned, because as previously mentioned, DBF is pretty picky.

I quickly scanned the menu and noticed that the Filet was still there. PHEW!! But, the Mac and Cheese was gone…DBF didn’t care for the mac and cheese, so this was no big loss, but I knew there would be a small disboards uproar!

I have always found Jiko’s appetizers so appealing, that I made my dinner out two appetizers instead of a main course. DBF was also interested in a couple of the appetizers too…so we ended up trying FOUR total!

First, we started with the Dips and Assorted Bread…We both loved the Naan. I liked three of the dips and DBF only tried one. This was very good, but I will probably not get it again, because I love the other items so much and bread is so filling.

Plus you get bread anyway!

We also shared the barbecue chicken flatbread with apple jicama slaw. If I had to pick which one I liked better this or the one at CG, I wouldn’t be able to. The accompaniments are so different that each is good in it’s own way!

For my main course, I got the Crispy Beef “Bobotie” Roll with Cucumber Raita, Green Mango Atjar, and Honey Roasted Groundnuts. The online menu says it is Crispy Curried beef, but I’m not sure if it is a change.

The actual bobotie didn’t look like much when it came to the table. To me this was a replacement for the Crispy savannah rolls that used to be on the menu, and are one of my top 5-10 things I have eaten at Disney.

But then I took a bite of it with the Cucumber Raita! Oh, my heaven. Doing a review of Jiko is hard for me because I am unused to the spices, and am at a loss on how to describe them. This was just divine…the cucumber sauce complemented the spice of the beef so well. And it’s creamy texture intensified the crispiness of the roll. (I did not finish the dish because about this time the table next to us got dessert and I knew I had to have some of that! But boy did I want to.

As my second appetizer entrée I got the Grilled Wild Boar Tenderloin with Mealie Pap (huh, I picture grubs), chakalaka (like chaka khan?), white truffle oil and micro cilantro. (One of the best things I have ever ordered was a wild boar appetizer at Artist Point..so I thought I would jump on the chance to try this again!)

DBF wanted to try this, but it was just not “done” enough for him. So it was all mine! The boar was so tender! And the mealie pap and Chakalaka…well, they didn’t look like much…to me it looked like veggies in a tomato type sauce/broth. Then I put a forkful in my mouth, and POW…what a great blending of flavors.

Not that I always trust Wikipedia, but here is what they say:

Chakalaka is a spicy African vegetable relish traditionally served with bread, pap, samp, stews or curries. To balance its fiery flavour, it is sometimes served with amasi (thick sour milk).

Pap a traditional porridge made from mielie-meal (ground maize or other grain), is a staple food of the Bantu inhabitants of South Africa (the Afrikaans word pap is taken from Dutch and simply means "porridge" or "gruel").

Atjar-.An Indonesian sweet and sour salad.

Apparently a groundnut is a peanut.

And now for the part, that has sent many into a state of mourning.
DBF ordered the Oak-grilled Filet Mignon and potato gratin with gruyere cheese, broccolini and red wine sauce. He got it without the broccolini, which I think makes the plate just look sad. But, he honestly thought the steak was one of the best he’s ever had (but he says that a lot!) I took a bite, and it was excellent. He also let me try his potatoes, or at least didn’t shoe my fork away as I dug in! They were alright, to me no better, no worse than the mac and cheese.

I hesitate to post this, as I know that it doesn’t look nearly as appetizing as the past incarnation, but it did taste much better than it looks.

Do we want dessert? Yes Please!

I went with the Amarula Crème Brulee…for reasons that escape me, as I don’t really think that highly of Crème Brulee in general.

It was fine…but I definitely would get something else next time…there was just no WOW!

DBF got the Tanzanian Chocolate, Cherry, and Chocolate

This was much better, and is often customary…DBF handed it over to me after a bite or two! Yippie!

Next up food and wine pics!

 

[figment814]

Monday morning…also known as the day we go home.

We had nothing planned on our last day, as I didn’t want to over plan. DBF and daughter decided it was a lay by the pool day again. The boy wanted to buy a few things at DHS and do a few things he didn’t have a chance to do the day before.

On my own again!

I got a late start and headed over to Epcot to get a head start on Food and Wine before our November trip. We have only one day planned in November and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to try all I wanted to try in one day!

I had no real plan, and nothing in my mind I HAD to try. I ended up trying four different things over the course of several hours.

Pastel de Choclo (Beef and Corn Pie) from Chile

I honestly loved this! I thought it was so tasty. I didn’t quite finish it all , because it was very filling and wanted to try more! I may have to get this again next week!

Medianoche Sandwich from Puerto Rico

Seriously, it’s just a sandwich that is mass produced, that I could make at home…but for some reason, I loved it all the same! (And I probably couldn’t make it taste as good!) I might get this one again too!

Flavors of Africa (Salad, Bread, and Spreads) from South Africa

I love that they have pictures at the cash register that show you what you are getting…that helped me decide to try this. The salad looked really weird, but I enjoyed. I also like the sauces, but preferred the red to the green. The bread was dry, but I didn’t eat too much of it. While I enjoyed this, there are too many other things to try, I will not be getting this again.

Esquites (Pan Fried Corn and Spices) from Mexico

The corn was not good. Nuf said. Won’t be getting this again.

Looking forward to trying some new things next week.

If I am feeling adventurous I will try: the Lobster and Scallop Fisherman's Pie from Ireland, Escargots Persillade en Brioche from France, and the Tuna Sensation.

(I just started eating seafood a couple of years ago so this is adventurous for me!)

If not, I will probably go with Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki, Kielbasa and Potato Pierogies with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream and one of items I loved from last time!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Great update, My husband LOVES Jiko (last trip we ate there and had it for room service as our last night meal).
Can't wait for your Nov food report.

 

[Linda67]

Great reviews and wonderful pictures

 

[figment814]

So, I just realized I have pictures from a trip we took last spring that I never posted…so a few bonus pictures before next weekends trip.

DBF was recovering from a pretty serious illness when we took the trip last spring, and I wasn’t sure how it was going to go…which is why I didn’t really concern myself with any sort of report…but because I wanted him to think things were just like they always were, I snapped pictures of our food!

So here goes, Kouzzina Breakfast

Based on the current online menus, it looks like DBF had the American Two Eggs - with Breakfast Potatoes and choice of Bacon or Chicken Sausage.

We ate here two days in a row, and he got the same thing…so I thinked he liked it!!!

I had the Stacked Kouzzina Breakfast - Two Poached Eggs, Kalamata Olive Toast, Artichoke Spread, and Sweet Potato Hash with Chicken Sausage…

…and the French Toast - Golden Brown Thick Challah Bread with Bacon

While I don’t remember everything…I do remember that I didn’t think too highly of the bacon (greasy/soggy) or the sausage (just not my taste.) I do remember liking the sweet potato hash quite a bit, despite it being a strange mix of flavoring with the sauce.

Just like my most recent review, we ate at Sci Fi and Jiko. I had the burger and the onion rings. Nothing new to report, they were fine, but I don’t need to go again.

As for Jiko…we loved it when we were there in April too.

We started that meal with a Barbecue chicken pizza too! Yum

For my main course I had the savanna rolls, which I loved and was sad to have them gone this time!

And I also had the ostrich…Jiko was the first place I ever had ostrich, and now I have it every chance I get. It is by far my favorite meat!

DBF had the filet…RIP

We both had dessert, but I can’t remember the name of either of them. I believe mine was fresh made donut holes with a coffee ice cream. I do remember loving it!!!!!

We also split a counter service meal at China, Lotus blossom…pot stickers and sweet and sour chicken.

 

[janloz]

Great reviews, we ate at Sci-fi in Sept and our CM told us that they were in the process of revamping their menu to add healthy choices and more children's choices including being able to order milk shake. I believe she said it would be available end of year. We won't return until they change the menu.