The Derbys Do Disney...Again and Again!

[cbg1027]

Hello! My name is Abby. I'm a longtime DISboards member, but have not been active lately due to life becoming more busy than it used to be. Main reason being that I found my prince charming, Kevin, got engaged, and then planned a wedding with a Disney honeymoon.

I used to do food reviews, but have majorly slacked off in the past two years. But I know I enjoy perusing Disney food porn, so I thought I would make a thread to collect all my photos on. I won't be doing full on reviews as some of these photos will be quite outdated, but I do plan to add to the thread in the future. Our next trip will be in November to celebrate our 1 year anniversary at the Food and Wine Festival.

Here's a couple of non-food photos so you know who your 'hosts' are!

Our wedding! November 17, 2013
(My dress was inspired by Snow White! It's from the Alfred Angelo Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection.)

On one of our many trips to our favorite vacation spot:

Now on to some food!

 

[cbg1027]

Magic Kingdom
Columbia Harbour House is our favorite counter service at MK (I'm not pitting it against BOG, because I don't consider that a true counter service).
Kevin always get the fish and chicken platter, and it has yet to disappoint him. I went for the Garden Harvest Salad, and it is one of the weakest items on the menu. The chicken is completely bland, and the salad is uninspired.

California Grill, pre-renovation.
Herb Rotisserie Chicken Flatbread with Tillamook Cheddar, Mission Figs, Caramelized Onions, Poached Pears, and Arugula
I love CG's flatbreads. I still love CG, but it seemed like there were more flatbread options pre-renovation.

I miss the old Sourdough Bread from CG. I enjoy the new bread basket, but the sourdough was better.

The old signature dish - Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Goat Cheese Polenta, Zinfandel Glaze, and Sage (hold the mushrooms for Kevin). They still have this, but in a smaller portion as part of a Pork Two Ways dish.

Florida Snapper with Sea Beans, Rock Shrimp and Sweet Potato Hash with a Coconut Buerre Blanc

Valrhona Molten Chocolate Cake with Mocha Dust, Coffee Bark, and White Coffee Ice Cream. I miss this dessert. They used to always have the cake with a seasonal ice cream pairing. Not that CG's options aren't good now....I just miss some things about the old version.

Yak n Yeti
Good ol' Fried Green Beans!

Bourbon Chicken for Kevin, hold the veggies.

Lettuce Cups with Minced Chicken - great option for when it's hot and you need something on the lighter side.

Rose and Crown
Rolls (and a Guinness for Kevin!)

Romaine Salad with Mustard Dressing and Cheddar Scones

Fish and Chips

Bakewell Tart - this was a good dessert they don't have anymore. It had a marzipan-like filling.

Sticky Toffee Pudding (don't think this option will be going anywhere anytime soon!)

Wolfgang Puck Express
Mac and Cheese

Caesar Salad

Four Cheese Pesto Pizza

 

[cbg1027]

Back at California Grill!
Heirloom Tomato BLT Flatbread - Tomatoes, applewood smoked bacon, chopped romaine, and lemon mayo.


Florida Peach Salad - artisan greens, hazelnuts, blue cheese brittle, peach vinaigrette.


Oak Fired Beef Filet, Asparagus, Truffled Potatoes, Teriyaki BBQ Sauce


Lamb T-Bone with roasted baby artichokes, caperberries, yukon gold crushed olive oil potatoes, and lemon butter


Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding with crushed toffee pretzels and Chocolate Malt Ice Cream



Via Napoli
Lunch at Via Napoli - Salami and Provolone Appetizer, bread, and Blood Orange Aqua Fresca


House Salad, only available when ordering pizza, minimum 2 person serving. The salad has mixed greens, cucumber, tomato, black and green olives, pepperoncini, marinated mushrooms, and a spicy pepper (peppadew I think?), tossed in a basic vinaigrette.


Large Pizza with Spicy Sausage
Via Napoli has become to one place we go to EVERY trip. We can't find true Italian style pizza in our hometown, so it is such a treat to have at Disney!


La Hacienda de San Angel
Chips with Green Mild Salsa and Hot Chipotle Salsa


Rosita Margarita - El Mayor premium silver tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, rose infusions, served on the rocks with a hibiscus Himalayan salt rim
I love the creative margaritas in the Mexico pavilion!


Puerco en Salsa de Mole Negro - Roasted pork tender loin with mole negro sauce, served with esquites (roasted corn),and vegetables
(Kevin ordered the sauce on the side)


Most entrees are served with Black Beans, Rice, and Tortillas
The beans are so good and flavorful!


Pollo al Pastor - Achiote marinated chicken served with roasted vegetables and pineapple relish


Chocolate Custard


Liberty Tree Tavern
Love the mugs!


Tavern Fried Cheese - aka Mozzarella Sticks


Angus Chuck Cheeseburger


Colony Salad
Washington apples, sweet pecans and applewood smoked cheddar, dried cranberry Craisins, and grilled chicken tossed with field greens in honey shallot vinaigrette


Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake

 

[ThumpersMommy]

Beautiful pictures!!! Congratulations on your wedding and congratulations on your soon to be upcoming 1yr anniversary.

 

[rachel09985]

Congrats on your wedding! I have been wondering what happened to you!

 

[DaughteroftheKing]

Congratulations on your wedding, beautiful photo!

Thanks for sharing your disney food photos, it all looks so good! You've almost convinced me to go to Wolfgang Puck Express instead of Earl of Sandwich on our arrival night.

 

[cbg1027]

Beautiful pictures!!! Congratulations on your wedding and congratulations on your soon to be upcoming 1yr anniversary.

Thank you!

Congrats on your wedding! I have been wondering what happened to you!

Oh my, thanks! I never thought anyone would notice my absence here!

Congratulations on your wedding, beautiful photo!

Thanks for sharing your disney food photos, it all looks so good! You've almost convinced me to go to Wolfgang Puck Express instead of Earl of Sandwich on our arrival night.

Switch it up and give WPE a try! It's fantastic, especially for counter service!

 

[cbg1027]

Yak n Yeti

Egg Rolls - this comes with three, but one was eaten before the camera could make its way out!


Mandarin Chicken Salad - chilled chicken, romaine and iceburg lettuce, Mandarin oranges, almonds, sesame seeds, rice noodles and plum dressing


Jiko

African Spiced Fire Roasted Chicken Flatbread with four cheeses ,bacon, arugula and peppadew peppers


Here's a close up of a piece of the flatbread so you can better see the various toppings:


West African Braised Beef Short Rib with roasted peanuts, spicy tomato demi-glace, and herb-crushed potatoes


Grilled Swordfish with Roasted Veggies, romesco sauce, and stuffed squash blossoms


Vanilla Rooibos Tea Creme over chocolate cake, mint and green tea ice cream, and a homemade 'KitKat' bar



Animal Kingdom Lodge Pool Bar
Skinny Coconut Mojito - Skinny Girl Coconut Vodka, Coconut Water, Mint, Lime Juice, and Agave Nectar.
This was good, but would have been much better if they had actually muddled fresh mint in to the drink.


Via Napoli

Pizza with Chicken Sausage - we prefer the spicy sausage.


Coppa di Brutti Ma Buona (Ugly But Good Sundae) - Vanilla Gelato, Amarena Cherries, Whipped Cream, and Meringue Cookies sundae.
This is amazing! I think it's a beautiful dessert...no idea why it's called ugly!


Captain's Grille

Seasonal Salad with blue cheese, walnut granola, and apples.


NY Strip Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Seasonal Veggies


Chef's Creative Pasta of the Day - Gemelli with Shrimp, Pesto, and Broccolini


Chocolate Mousse Birthday Treat - what a nice freebie! So much tastier than the plain cupcake you get some places!

 

[Dislover1991]

Subscribing!!

I always love reading dining reviews

The mac & cheese at WPE looks delicious - i'm sure my dad will love to try that next year! And La Hacienda looks amazing. I could just fill up on the beans and rice if they keep em coming out

 

[DaisyNY]

Great reviews so far...We are trying LTT for the first time in December. Glad to see the Oooey, Gooey Toffee cake is available for lunch! Yummy!

 

[cbg1027]

Ireland Booth

Cheese Plate with Kerrygold Cheeses, Brown Bread, and Apple Chutney
Lobster and Scallop Fisherman's Pie


Morocco Booth
Beef Kefta Pocket and Harissa Chicken Roll


Flying Fish Wine Dinner
Featured Winery - Iron Horse, California

Iron Horse Vineyards 2005 Ocean Reserve Blanc de Blanc


Amuse-Bouche: Citrus marinated local day boat Hirame and Laughing Bird Shrimp with avocado, dill, pine nuts, and blood orange accents. To die for! Paired with the Blanc de Blanc


First Course: Lemon Thyme and Hazelnut scented Lobster Mac N Cheese. Paired with Iron Horse 2006 Classic Vintage Brut


House Made Garlic and Herb Bread


Second Course: Grilled Scottish Loch Duart Salmon with fondue of trumpet mushroom, fava beans , garbanzo beans, and Zellwood corn. Served with Iron 2003 Chardonnay


First Entree: Caramelized Nantucket Cape Scallops with cherrywood and tea-smoked Veal sweetbreads and balsamico laced chanterelle mushrooms. Paired with Iron Horse 2010 Pinot Noir


Second Entree: Herbes de Provence and Pepperberry Grilled Wagyu Beef Hanger Steak with garlicky greena, confit tomato, Truffled Duck Fat Fries, Yellow Tomato Ketchup and Sauce Foyot. Paired with Iron Horse 2006 Brut Rose


Dessert: Poached Pink Lady Apple and Mandarin and Thai Chili Panna Cotta, Curry Spiced Candied Walnuts, Pomegranate and Meyer Lemon Accents. Paired with Iron Horse 2006 Russian Cuvée


The signature dinners at F&W are always amazing. This was my second time doing one and I had an amazing time. The food was fantastic, the wines were delicious, and the presenter from Iron Horse did an excellent job. I also enjoyed hearing from the chef, Tim Keating. My favorite dishes were the amuse bouche and the steak! I also really enjoyed the pairing of a Brut Rosé with steak. It was not a pairing I would have ever thought of, but it worked really well!

Gaston's Tavern, Magic Kingdom
LeFou's Brew - frozen apple juice with hints of toasted marshmallow


I loved this drink. It is so refreshing for a hot day. I love a good slushie and this was much better than the artificial cherry junk!

Citricos
Calvados Soaked Pear Salad with Spiced Pistachios, Pickled Pearl Red Onions, Dried Cranberries, and Rogue River Blue Cheese


Berkshire Pork Two Ways. Chermoula Rubbed Rotisserie Pork Tenderloin and Roasted Pork Belly with White Cheddar Polenta, Escarole, Bacon and Sherry Brussel Sprouts


Butternut Squash Soup with Merguez Sausage, Riesling Onions, Spiced Cream, and 25 Year Sherry


Arancini - crispy fried risotto with cremeni mushroomsand charred tomato coulis


Tropical Fruit Creme Brulée

 

[cbg1027]

Tutto Gusto, Italian Regional Lunch

Rosemary Foccacia


Tortino di Zucchine - Zucchini Parmesan


Garganelli Salsiccia e Ricotta - pasta with sausage ragu and sheep's milk ricotta


Cacciucco Livornese con Fett'unta - seafood soup


Pecorino Sardo Cheese


Tiramisu


Warren Brown, baker/owner from Cakelove, Washington D.C.
Culinary Deminar

Paired Wine was Jarvis Merlot, Napa Valley
I am not a Merlot person, but I could tell this was an excellent wine. It had better be - it's $100 bucks a bottle!




Blueberry Bundt Cake


Warren Brown was a great presenter. I hate Pam Smith, the festival host. She is too talkative and doesn't like to let the good presenters do their thing without interjecting in to every sentence with a dumb question or needless comment. I understand some chefs need a little nudging to talk, but Pam should realize that some people she can step back with and let them do the majority of the talking. I saw her one year with Andrew Zimmern and she was just as annoying. I mean, come on, the guy hosts a tv show....he knows how to talk to a crowd!

Terrazas Wine Seminar
Argentinian Wine



The white on the left is a Torrentes, the middle is their Malbec, and the left is a Cabernet Sauvignon. My DH enjoyed this much more than me. The seminar itself was fun, but I wasn't a fan of either of the red wines. They just weren't my style - too big, bold, and earthy for my tastes.

Tokyo Dining

Sushi Chefs


Karaage - marinated sliced chicken breast, lightly fried


Sakura Bento Box - chef selection of Japanese mixed grill, braised pork, California roll, tempura shrimp and vegetables, served with rice and miso soup


Tokyo Dining was decent enough, but it tasted like most of the Japanese restaurants in my hometown. I'm more interested in eating food I can't get at home when I go to Disney, so I don't think we'll be returning here. The service was very good - it seemed to all be adorable young Japanese girls, and they were extremely polite and gracious.

 

[ibcindyb]

Thank you and I want more!

 

[vettegirl]

Fantastic! Thank you for sharing

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[cbg1027]

We got engaged at Disney, so we honeymooned at Disney too!

Our first dinner as husband and wife after the wedding was at California Grill.

I started off with their delicious take on a Mai Tai (they call it a Twisted Mai Tai) with Creme de Noyaux.



This was out first visit to the remodeled California Grill.

Baby Romaine - Roasted Garlic Dressing, Boquerones, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Brioche Croutons.
The weakest offering of the evening. I preferred their old Ceasar with the lettuce cut up in a bowl.



Pork Paté Flatbread with Mushrooms and Mushroom Crispies - very decadent and delicious!



24-Hour Short Rib "Filet" - Olive Oil Potato Puree, Red Wine Butter (Kevin had them omit the veggies)


Curry Scallops over a Butternut Squash Ravioli for me. Perfectly cooked scallops and a HUGE portion. Absolutely amazing!


New Cali Grill Breads - Lavender Foccacia and Wheat Sourdough Rolls. I much prefer the old Sourdough...these were just ok. Our server said the change was because the needed a time saver so the bread guy doesn't spend all night cutting loaves.


Seasonal Dessert - Apple Cider, Caramel Apple Creme Brulée, Almond Apple Cake, and Apple Cupcake with Cream Cheese Icing
My favorite was the Almond Apple Cake and the Cider!


Raglan Road

Goat Cheese and Asparagus Tarte.


Brown Soda Bread - delicious with the Guinness Reduction it's served with!


Classic Fish and Chips for Kevin


'Cashel Castle' Salad - crumbled Cashel blue cheese, caramelized pecans, grape tomatos, raspberries, prosciutto crisps, crostinis and raspberry vinaigrette


Ger's Bread and Butter Pudding


Jiko - The Cooking Place

Taste of Africa Breads and Dips




Jiko Seasonal Salad - had Pears.


Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin


Wild Boar Tenderloin over Pap with Chakalaka and Truffle Oil


Chocolate and Tea Safari - Vanilla rooibos-Tanzanian chocolate cake, free form "kit kat" and green tea ice cream (I think this is one of the best desserts Jiko has ever created!)


Sanaa

Malawi Margarita at Sanaa - Frozen and made with Tangerine Liquor


Indian Style Bread Service (You get to choose 3 breads and 3 dips from a whole list of options!) We had two Naan and a Papadum with Tamarind Chutney, Mango Chutney, and Cucumber Raita.


Potato and Pea Samosas over Tamarind Chutney


Salad Sampler - Chickpea Cucumber and Tomato, Watermelon Cucumber Fennel, and Mango. I loved the chickpea one, but I miss some of the old salads (Roasted Beets and Watermelon Radish)


Dessert Sampler: Tanzanian Chocolate Mousse, Chai Cream, and Coconut Cheesecake


The Mara - Animal Kingdom Lodge Counter Service
Chicken Pita with Couscous
One of the better resort counter service locations and menu options. The chicken pita was excellent and the couscous was a nice departure from fries.

 

[cbg1027]

To mark our honeymoon, we had our last dinner of the vacation at Victoria and Albert's!

This was an experience unlike anything I've ever done before. It is very fancy and completely worth the price. A very amazing group of friends that I met through the DIS bought us a Disney gift card as a wedding gift so we could dine at Victoria and Albert's. Shout out to my Friendies!

Beautiful place settings with china and silver


Kevin had the wine pairings, which started with Champagne. They gave me a little freebie for our Honeymoon!


Amuse Bouche - Venison Terrine with House made Pickles


You get a variety of different breads throughout the evening. We started with a French Baguette Style


Pheasant Verrine with Fuji Apples and Walnuts. Loved this dish! There was a little piece of breast on the left, some salad in the middle, and chopped thigh meat over applesauce in the jar.


Wild Turbot with Toasted Capers and Preserved Lemon over Spinach - My favorite course of the night!


Truffle Brioche Bread with Truffle Butter - I could have eaten just this for dinner and have been happy!


Kurobuta Pork with Zellwood Corn and Grits


Palmetto Farms Quail with Serrano Ham and Figs


Third bread - special Austrian recipe wheat


Australian 'Kobe-Style' Beef Tenderloin with Oxtail Ravioli


Niman Ranch Lamb with Squash Ragout, Gnocchi and Red Pepper Sauce with baby veggies


The best wine we have ever had - 2004 Chateau Lassegue St Emilion Bordeaux. A 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon blend.


Coffee, made tableside in this interesting vacuum mechanism brewer


Cheese Course - Parmigiano, Fiscalini Cheddar, Gouda Reypenaer, Rogue Rover Blue.


Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee


Kona Chocolate Souffle


Friandise - Craberry/Raspberry Gelée, Soft Gingersnaps, and Dark Chocolate with Rum Caramels and Murray River Salt

 

[cbg1027]

This was our departure day, so we had a late breakfast at Boma. I love Boma breakfast, but unfortunately, I think anything you eat right after V & A's will be a letdown.

I did want to share these pretty little chocolates they restaurant gave us for our honeymoon though -


At the end of our meal, I asked our server if Boma still makes Goat Cheese and Chive scrambled eggs, one of the dishes I really love there. She said they do it on some days but not all and then came back with a plate just for me!

 

[vettegirl]

Beautiful review of V&A! That truffle butter looks quite amazing as does everything you took a photo of. How awesome of the server at Boma to bring out the goat cheese and chive eggs, I had them once and found them to be quite good! Good to know they don't serve them daily.

 

[OasterP]

Awesome review! I can't wait to read more of yours!

 

[TigerKat]

Hi Friendie!

Enjoying all of the reviews!