C is for: Crusty Loaves, Colorful Caprese, and Completely Surprised
Still in DTD but on a different night altogether, making this my 3rd! trip there on this trip, I had an unexpected but completely delightful, delicious meal.
Originally, I had an ADR for Tiffins, but sadly... I'd just hit the wall. There was very little oomph left in me and my tootsies were tired. Since this was my last night, I decided to head back to POFQ and do my packing and lay down a little maybe. Time would tell.
Sauntering mode was long over; I was reduced to a slow slog. The Disney Departure Blues had hit hard, and I hung my head a bit as I boarded the bus "home". I was sad.
I entered my room to find one last towel animal, but don't have a photo of it. Why, you ask?
Because Mt. Vesuvius had opened up again and I was busy leaving Mousekeeping a bloody surprise. It was Halloween, after all. I slowly got all packed except for my ditty bag (does anyone else call their toiletries bag this?). I took down all my cute little window decorations, pilfered all the soaps and lotions, then laid down for a few minutes. Pretty sure I took a rinse off as well. Blood, sweat <no Oxford comma> and tears and all that....
And then... all of that stomach stretching I'd been practicing all week began to talk to me.
"Hey Steppe, you've spent a lot of money making sure your thighs are never going to be the same. Why stop now?"
"Hey Stomach. Shut up. I don't have an ADR. Besides it's Italian you want and that's gonna be hard to find."
<or is it?>
The MDE POC app was fired up and I started to look at menus for DTD. I wanted another soothing boat ride and one last dose of Disney. I tried Maria and Enzo's but no ressies until way too late. Enzo's Hideaway was too noisy; I needed a quiet place to cry in my spaghetti. HEY!! What's this? Terralina? I'd never even heard of it or at least it certainly wasn't on my radar at that point. Boom! 7:00 is was!
I arrived a little before sunset and told them I was there. They told me it'd be a bit since I got my ADR so late in the game. That was fine, I wasn't in any hurry to be done. I took the time to snap some photos on my cell phone and then took a seat in the very comfortable waiting area.
The fire was nice and the chairs quite comfy.
There are 2 patios for eating and I requested to be seated on the one that is against the water. The evening had cooled down and it was beautifully pleasant outside. I did end up having to wait almost 40 minutes for a table, but it was worth the wait! I was right where I could watch the amphicars come and go while I ate.
I think there was a mix up when I was seated because it took a long time for me to get my bread and water. The server seemed genuinely surprised and flustered when she noticed I was there. I may or may not have gotten seated under the wrong name as well. Seriously. I'm not sure. I thought I heard my name, but it was unclear. I stood up anyway.
Anyway, after a bit, she took my order of:
Caprese - vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, olive oil, balsamico $12
Spaghetti Bolognese - tomato, beef, pork, pancetta meat sauce, shaved parmesan $24
and let me enjoy my bread, which came with bruschetta, and my iced tea. I'm usually pretty careful to not load up on bread saving room for the main stuff. But I can say it was absolutely delicious. Warm, crusty and mmm!!
The salad was equally amazing. There were probably 5 different kinds of heirloom tomatoes, both cherry and slicing varieties with fresh mozzarella and fresh basil. I wished it had had a bit more basil, but for the most part it was all very, very good.
I was REALLY hungry by then being so late so I made a HUGE dent in the ample bowl of pasta. If someone had been with me, they may have left with a fork sticking out of their hand. I can say that for 2 light eaters it was enough to share. Especially, if you're hitting up Amorette's or Ghiradelli afterwards. Which makes me sound like a real pig, doesn't it?
It was pretty late by the time I finished up but I was thrilled I'd found a place that I really love now. I don't think I'd go there every trip simply because DTD has so many good places to offer, but I was quite impressed with my discovery and would totally recommend it to anyone for a good plate of Italian comfort food in a casual, relaxing space.
I'm not at a real computer, so no Multiquoting...
I can't believe you gave up an ADR for Tiffins! Sacrilege.
You left a bloody surprise for housekeeping? Hopefully it's the British type of bloody and not literal. If the former, was the surprise taking all the soaps? You know they're going to hunt you down niw, right? Liesa the hardened criminal.
When you made the ADR is immaterial once the ADR is made! Either the time slot is available or it isn't. Not cool!
At least being able to see the amphicars is cool even if you stole someone else's seat. I'm seeing a trend developing here...
Assault and battery of a wall
Assault and battery of a sack
Theft of soap and toiletries
Theft of seat
Stabbing of people who attempt to share your food
I'm kinda a bit concerned about meeting you in May.
The sauce makes or breaks the spaghetti. As does the pizza sauce...why I don't like papa johns.
More garlic, oregano, basil and sometimes even more garlic! The problem is most places have to be concerned about it being too strong for some and they tend to under season a bit. The problems lies in adding seasonings without allowing them to cook in helps, but doesn't taste the same.
Really good bread can save an otherwise non-stellar Italian meal. I like garlic rolls the best, but good bread works.
Calories don't count at Disney, so how much of a pi.....err...how much did you enjoy at Ghiradellis?
I've never seen that movie but I'm kinda thinking I should. 
I've actually been having a lot of bloody noses too. The doc said to get Calendula cream and put it on a Q-tip and put it inside my nose. Evidently the cold weather dries up the sinuses and they bleed.
