The Food Was Not Undelicious: May 25-June 1, 2007!! Completed - Post #794

[A fat english gent]

That sucks Brenda love,how about putting an age limit on the door,either that or give the little sweet hearts a lethal injection on the way in...

 

[HPHammer]

So I totally understand why you didn't want to end your review w/AP!

Here's some belated !!!

A couple of weeks ago, we were at dinner and seated next to this couple with a small child -- they were letting her dance and twirl and scream. She even ran into the waiter a couple of times. And the couple just laughed as if she was the cutest thing and kept encouraging her...We were all set to get up and leave when she dumped an entire glass of ice water in the guy's lap. Nice!

The most bizarre thing is that she wasn't even their kid -- turns out, she belonged to someone sitting a few tables away that this couple didn't even know!

 

[Merylj]

Oh boy - I`m so sorry about your experience at AP. I had the cheese plate and salmon there last sept. they didn`t look like dishes you got!
I too have been known to cry in a restaurant, the insult is after a poor meal you have to pay for it.
Would you consider sending that review to the manager there?

 

[DisneyMom5]

So I totally understand why you didn't want to end your review w/AP!

Here's some belated !!!

A couple of weeks ago, we were at dinner and seated next to this couple with a small child -- they were letting her dance and twirl and scream. She even ran into the waiter a couple of times. And the couple just laughed as if she was the cutest thing and kept encouraging her...We were all set to get up and leave when she dumped an entire glass of ice water in the guy's lap. Nice!

The most bizarre thing is that she wasn't even their kid -- turns out, she belonged to someone sitting a few tables away that this couple didn't even know!

All I have to say to that is

Brenda - I detest children running around at restaurants and generally making a nuisance of themselves.
And that's saying something, considering the sheer numbers of rugrats at my house.

My kid's never do that.
And although I would like to say it's because I have trained them so well, ahem, it's actually because they are "all about the food baby!!!"

I don't think it has ever occurred to my children to run around in a restaurant.
They don't get to go very often, and when they do, they eat like there's no manana.
I think they would be confused by the concept of going to a restaurant to run around.

[So, if any of you witness my family at WDW, and my children are acting differently than I have described, please remember they will have been eating at restaurants for 11 days, and may act accordingly.
If you promise to cut me some slack, I promise to try to try to keep them out of the way, and under control. LOL]

We don't usually take our kids to nicer (and for us, that's Red Lobster or Applebee's ) restaurants for several reasons:

1) We like to be alone sometimes. Call me crazy, but we still enjoy each others company after 18 years together.

2) We don't think the kids appreciate the difference between cheap and expensive restaurants enough...which leads to...

3) It costs to darn much to feed seven children in a restaurant.

Which is why we go to WDW in Aug. or Sept. to get free dining.

I totally understand the "underwhelmed hormonal emotional outburst" thing.
All I can say is ((((Brenda)))).

And both entrees looked pathetic. I was really amazed at the lack of stuff on the plate.
My mama raised me to have a variety of items at every meal.
It annoys me that these froofy restaurants think they are so special and their food is so divine that you should just be astounded by the simplicity of their one uber amazing item that they have put on a very large plate.

If all the FOBs (friends of Brenda) boycotted AP, they would have a lot more time to go out in their cars and smoke. Hmph.

Really looking forward to the V & A report, and have Jay chime in on that too!

 

[punkin413]

sorry to hear about your dining experience at AP. never tried it, so i can't compare thoughts or anything. but i have to say your crying episode totally reminded me of myself while waiting on the monorail from epcot to MK, except these were my thoughts....

i can't believe this vacation isn't reaching my unreachable expectations...
i can't believe ray's miserable.....it's all my fault!
i can't believe i didn't get to meet the beast and got belle instead....what a load!
i can't believe we witnessed a child being beaten on nemo.....should i have called disney security or something? was it selfish of us to basically sprint off the ride?
i can't believe i'm standing here getting ready to get on the monorail to the magic kingdom CRYING!!!!!!!! what's wrong with me???

 

[ncseric]

It annoys me that these froofy restaurants think they are so special and their food is so divine that you should just be astounded by the simplicity of their one uber amazing item that they have put on a very large plate.

There's definitely a balance to be struck between Whispering Canyon's skillet and the three peas on a 12" square plate. And the phlegm/foam they put on stuff is disgusting.

I'm more a meat-and-potatoes guy, myself, but I do appreciate good food cooked well. More a 30-minute-meals than Top Chef, if you watch the food network at all.

 

[cntkg1]

Once again, a perfect update.

So, you need a name for October? Let's see...

How about "Boozin' rather than Cruisin". (Sorry, that one hurt me more than it hurt you).

OK..how about "Here for the Beer" and the food, and the wine, and the...

Pretty lame huh? Now you know why I don't write TR's.

 

[rentayenta]

Brenda, I am so sorry you guys had a bad experience.

 

[kikigirl]

Brenda, I'm so sorry that Artist Point was bad. The parents and I ate there years ago (I believe ten years which makes me because it was so long ago) and it was great. There weren't a lot of kids there ten years ago either...I was the only kid there. I laugh only because I'm turning 21 tomorrow.

I look forward to reading the rest of your reports.

 

[HPHammer]

I don't think it has ever occurred to my children to run around in a restaurant.
They don't get to go very often, and when they do, they eat like there's no manana.
I think they would be confused by the concept of going to a restaurant to run around.

DisneyMom5, your kids rock! And, I totally agree with you:

If all the FOBs (friends of Brenda) boycotted AP, they would have a lot more time to go out in their cars and smoke. Hmph.

 

[zweihund]

Brenda,

I'm so sorry you had a bad night at AP! I almost join the ranks of the stress criers......but for me, I just get really quiet and introspective and sigh alot. My inner dialogue tends to be a repeat of one phrase, usually something like "I'm not having fun anymore!" or "I'm really not happy with this!"

Imagine, spending all that cash on something and being disappointed - who wouldn't cry?

And I must say, I have no problem with children being children.....but what I DO have a problem with is bad parenting. To me, letting your child run wild in a fine dining establishment and just ignoring it or thinking it is somehow "cute" is irresponsible parenting. Every single time we go out to Disney, Lionel and I add something new to the list of what we won't do as parents! Of course, we also add things to the list when at the movies (hello! how about leave the 10 month old at home instead of bringing them to see the midnight showing of Spiderman 3! or could you maybe TAKE THEM OUTSIDE instead of letting them wail for 5 minutes solid?) or even at Target ("if you don't stop hitting your sister, you can't have a toy" - uhhhh, didn't he already lose his rights to that by hitting her the first time?). Crazy.

My, that was a tirade, I'm so sorry! To change the subject, I think you should call your October TR "How meeting Zweihund changed my life."



What?

 

[shovan]

Aawwww Brenda that sucks!!! I also get the crying part, I think sometimes we just try to hard to have fun on vacation! You do the research, the planning, the booking & then get a bum meal, bleaach! I would have cried too!

I'm so glad you didn't end the review with AP!

Anyhoo, we have an adr at AP during our F&W trip. So if a f&w event looks better we may do that. I won't cancel just yet, I think even great restaurants can have an off night. And they just need to start forcing people to control their children!

 

[praisehisname]

Brenda, I'm so sorry you had a bad experience at AP! Even though it was your final meal of the trip, I'm glad you didn't save it for the end of the dining report. That would have been a huge bummer!

And...

How about "Boozin' rather than Cruisin". (Sorry, that one hurt me more than it hurt you).

OK..how about "Here for the Beer" and the food, and the wine, and the...

Those are both very good ideas!!!

Denise

 

[DisneyMom5]

There's definitely a balance to be struck between Whispering Canyon's skillet and the three peas on a 12" square plate. And the phlegm/foam they put on stuff is disgusting.

I'm more a meat-and-potatoes guy, myself, but I do appreciate good food cooked well. More a 30-minute-meals than Top Chef, if you watch the food network at all.

Rachel Ray rocks! And Paula would never serve 3 peas on a 12" plate covered in phlegm. I'm with you, I just want to feel like I am eating something substantial.

DisneyMom5, your kids rock!

Wow, thanks! Imagine how much you'd like them if you actually met them! LOL (Pics in my pre-trip, see siggy ***shameless plug)

They were pretty funny last time when we went to character meals.
"Yeah, yeah Mickey, that's nice, now can you move away so I can eat my waffles?"

*sniff* I am so proud!

 

[andiepie]

*hugs* So sorry your Artist Point visit was so sucky. I understand your stress weeping, and were completely justified in it. Maybe even a tantrum... I mean hey if the kids are doing it, why can't you?! My first (and only) Disney experience was just that bad. I managed to keep the crying in until I got back to our hotel, but that's a long story for another thread.

As for a title for your October trip, I can only think of "The Lunchbox Has Landed." I only thought of that just now, cause I'm watching The Full Monty.

 

[oybolshoi]

Well, it wasn't as bad as it sounded like it was going to be. Screaming/running kids are one of my major pet peeves, probably because of how I was raised. I'd also put in a BLEAH! for the smell of smoke on anyone. It's simply disgusting. The place where I work has banned smoking on the campus, so all the people go to their cars and smoke. It's like a bunch of little chimneys and they all reek when they come back in.

Sorry this place didn't work out for you, but hopefully it didn't ruin the rest of the trip for you.

It definitely could have been worse, I agree. The smoke thing... yucko! And it it definitely didn't ruin the trip - that would have been very bad of me indeed.

I'm calling first thing tomorrow to try to change the reservation to Flying Fish. My husband will B.... about the fact that we aren't even trying the restaurant where we are staying, but too bad.
I tried to get as excited as he was about the menu, but it just sounded too much like all the fancy Northwest lodges (remember Twin Peaks opening credits, I bet you do Brenda) that we've dined in in our long existence together. I might even decide to sell my WL points and add more BCV. (Not because of AP, just because). Can you tell I don't feel very much in the anniversary trip mood tonight. I have my best friend on standby for this trip!
Deb

Oh Deb... don't cancel just because of what I had to say. Sooner or later Jay and I were bound to have an off night after having such a great run of experiences over the last 8 months - too bad it had to be AP. By the way, I'm right there with you on the Northwest lodge food and I loved Twin Peaks!

Well, I hope you end up dining at a great restaurant that treats you extra special on your anniversary. And I hope you have a great trip, regardless of who ends up traveling with you. Remember - you'll be at the Food and Wine Festival - yummo!!!

Hi Brenda!

I've been lurking, and reading your latest food reviews. sorry you had a bad experience at AP...I thought everything looked halfway decent until I saw your picture of your chicken dish...seemed weak. Sounds to me, that they were trying to get "creative" on the menu writing, and someone said...hey lets call it potato risotto..

Looking forward to the next happy installment!

Hi there and thanks for posting! Yeah, the 'risotto' ... more like hash browns! I think you're probably right about the creative menu thing.

Happier reviews will return with California Grill and the Chef's Table!

Bleh- sorry your night at AP sucked! It reminds me a little of the night we had at the Territory Lounge where our server not only got Katie's drink totally wrong, but then ignored us the whole time we were there. It sounds like the WL food staff is kinda sucky!

Thanks Crystal. I'm glad we tried it but I doubt that I'll ever go back. It will definitely take some time and a heck of a menu revision.

I'd forgotton about your experience at the lounge...maybe you're on to something.

Oh, I don't tolerate that. When my niece and nephew were at the fussy age, my brother or SIL would not hesitate to remove the kid from the dining room until the kid calmed down a bit. I guess I think that should be the norm for everyone.

I tend to be the same way - Jay's brother and his wife are really good about removing their kids when they start getting out of hand and I usually expect that from everyone. I'm always a little surprised then when parents don't do that. Just seems like common courtesy to me.

Oh great, from bad to worse! That's another pet peeve of mine, too! I want to yell at the parents for allowing their children to potentially create a danger to themselves and the other diners by their kids running around. It's always fun until someone gets the contents of a hot meal spilled on them!

Couldn't have said it better. It's not only rude behavior but it's dangerous - to the kids, the servers, and the other patrons. What parent in his / her right mind thinks that is cute?

Aww, Brenda. It goes from bad to worse to "I can't take it anymore!" It was so not your night.

While I was writing this review I was remembering an earlier post of yours about Flying Fish and the "no red-snapper incident." This one thing by itself might not have put me off AP, but combined with the rest it sure has. I do not see another visit to this establishment any time in the near future.

Wow. I have something to confess. We were separated at birth. Yes, I know. It's shocking. But it's true. I confess that I am a "stress cryer" when all is said and done. It just gets to be too much...and the dam breaks. And the hormonal part, I totally think that plays a part! It's embarrassing, and I feel like a big baby, too! And the worst part is during the crying jag, you think, "Why am I crying?" and maybe I hear Tom Hanks telling me "There's no crying in baseball!?" But I totally understand why it happened. You had high expectations and had chaos everywhere you turned.

It's all true! I totally bawl when I'm under too much stess and it's mortifying and it's so hard to stop once it starts!

I could just picture Tom Hanks popping into the dining room to shout, "There's no crying in Signature Restaurants!"

Thanks for understanding.

Well, I'm still going, but I'm not getting the salmon! I have my own boring routine: Portabello mushroom soup, Buffalo steak and the berry cobbler. That hasn't disappointed me yet, but maybe if it does, I'll embarrass my mother and sister and family friend with a crying jag.

I hope you have a great experience and you can tell me all about it. Don't you think that if you started crying your mom and sister might join in? I tend to be a "sympathy crier" too; if I see someone else getting upset like that I start wellin'...

The good news is that I can tell Jay that I'm not the only woman who does this...I'm sure that's going to make him feel much better.

What a shame that Aritst Point left such a bitter taste in your mouth. I totally understand about the crying thing - trouble is, once you start it can be awfully hard to stop. The biggest bummer was the fact that this was your last meal - at least you are done now with the horror of regaling the story and can move onwards and upwards to bigger and better things - bring on the rest of the report

Thanks, Joh.

The crying...once I get started like that it's almost impossible to stop - I hate it! I'm glad we can finish the report on a high note now - CA Grill and V&A were excellent!

 

[oybolshoi]

Once again, love the dress! Where did you get it, pray tell?

Thanks! It's another Ann Taylor end-of-season sale dress I found a few years ago. I love dresses like these because they're so versatile and I always try to pick up a few every year - if I can find my size in something I like.

Answer to that question? NO!! I have never understood taking a baby or small children to that kind of restaurant. It's too quiet, it takes too long, and how the heck are the parents supposed to have a good time when their kids are screaming!

I've always wondered the same thing. And doesn't Disney offer baby-sitting services so mom and dad can have a relaxing meal now and then?

Okay, maybe I'm a very mean mom, but I never let my kids out of their seats at a restaurant (ANY restaurant, we're talking Applebee's here ) unless it was to leave or go directly to the bathroom and back. Huge parental pet peeve of mine, letting kids run around a restaurant. I picture flying trays of food and drink, elderly people getting run into, children falling and smacking their heads on tile floors . . no, no, no!

Well kudos to you for being a mean mom - at least you're ensuring that your kids, and by extension other people, are safe.

Oh, this right here would have sent me over the deep end. The last thing I want to be smelling when I'm trying to enjoy a meal is a waiter reeking of cigarette smoke!

The more I think about it the more I wish we'd just left the place and gone over to the MK for one last Casey-dog!

I don't think any of your food pictures look particularly appealing, and that's definitely NOT vanilla and NOT risotto! I've talked to DH about trying this place, and he thinks the menu looks a bit too gamey for our tastes, and he's probably right. We have some others we need to try first.

Now I know it was a good idea to save the Chef's Table for last. Always best to end the report on a high note!

In all honesty the menu was too gamey for me, too. I knew that going in, but I was trying to be nice to Jay who usually defers to my restaurant choices due to my rather annoying digestive issues. I am glad we tried it but I doubt we'll be going back.

I'm glad I switched it around too - otherwise we might all start crying at the end and that wouldn't be any fun at all.

Bren, I'm sorry you had such a 'stinky' time at AP. AP was never on my radar... way to fancy for me. But I have to say I loved the guest appearance by Jason

Thanks. Jason did a nice job in that last review, didn't he? I think I'm going to have to make him come back for the Chef's Table, since we did have different offerings that night.

I have to admit that line made me laugh out loud. I can't wait for the next installment.

I almost wet myself when he said that ... Grimace's daughter...

Thanks for reading - CA Grill will be coming up next!

I'm so sorry Artist's Point was such a yucky experience! I totally understand about the crying--I've sobbed myself in front of the big hat at MGM b/c I thought I wasn't going to get to see Beauty and the Beast if DH dragged me to LMA! So, I know what a tired, hormonal woman can be reduced to at any time in WDW. You just needed at nice cottage pie and sticky toffee pudding on this night! (I loved Rose and Crown; DH was not too impressed. I don't know why--I thought his steak was good, too! Maybe I just like to eat!)

Looking forward to a happier, more magical dining experience in the next chapter!

Thanks so much - it really does make me feel better to know I'm not the only hormonal woman to go weepy at WDW... I'm still embarrassed about it.

It's true - Rose and Crown and a few Boddingtons and some Guiness beef stew and some warm, sticky dessert followed by fireworks would have been better... what was I thinking?

Happier stuff coming soon, I promise!

BTW, did you get to see Beauty and the Beast???

Brenda--I am just getting to read your trippie. I love the pics, especially the ones of y'all right before dinner--beautiful dresses! Y'all look so very nice together. And the food porn, was just wonderful.

Hope you're feeling better and having a great summer.

Paige!! Hey lady - how've you been? Hope that cross-country trip is going well. Thanks for taking the time to check out the newest food porn and thanks for the nice compliment.

Feeling about the same - some days good some days not good. As for summer - bring on Harry Potter 7!!

Keep in touch and be safe!

Now, Brenda, I always tell my kids on tests.... go with your first instinct, it is usually the right one!! Please tatoo this somewhere so you can always remember it.

That's what I get for trying to be nice.

I think I will have Jay paint this across my rear-end, that way I can moon him and we'll both remember!

NO!!!!! And I don't mind saying this as I am a mom and a teacher! We are even putting DS in Neverland Club so we can go eat at Le Cellier one evening! (We are taking him to Coral Reef, because the fish will entertain him.)

I hope you have a great dinner at Le Cellier - be sure to let us know what you think.

And, I'm sorry, but no ice with the Pellegrino or it not being chilled is downright barbaric! The next thing you are going to tell me is that he didn't give you lime slices. Or at least lemon! And as for the smell, I've been really tacky before and left perfume samples and gum with my tip before! (I just happened to have the perfume sample with me!)

I hate to have to tell you this... but there was no lime or lemon with the water. I actually asked for it once but I guess he forgot when he went out for his smoke break. And oh my...June, you just made spew strawberry seeds on my keyboard! I never would have thought to do that, but how funny!

You are correct, that is NOT risotto! I come from a family of cooks, caterers, etc. I know risotto. That is not risotto. It looks like Hash! (gosh, why do I feel like I'm running for vice-president and I'm debating someone?

Hash! That's exactly what it reminded me of, that, or little hash brown potatos that sometimes come with breakfast. Either way - yucky and just wrong!

One more question...

Did you get the Port Flight with Dessert, or did I miss it?

June

Nope, you didn't miss it. I passed on the port because by the time dessert rolled around I just wanted to leave. And I'd been weepy so much that I really only wanted to drink water at that point. Too bad, really, because port might have made the dessert a little better.

Oh dear, I am now reconsidering Artists Point for our last meal at Disney. I was going to order the Venison Rolls (and I hate Spring Rolls that are greasy) I was also going to have your dessert and it doesn't sound too good either. DF would have been having the chicken, but seeing it on a plate, well, it didn't look very appetising. I actually think that we will go to California Grill instead, what better way than to end our Disney stay, than seeing Wishes from there. Hoping to see a wonderful CG review next

I hope you don't change your plans just because of me, but I will say that if I were choosing between the two I'd pick CA Grill over AP every time.

And I promise, you will see a wonderful review of CA Grill - it was terrific!

Brenda,

So sorry about the bad dinner. I will tell you that being a mom of small children we would have not tolerated that behavior from our children. First a baby does not need to be in that type of restuarant I agree. Second, those kids needed to be sitting down (DH would of grabbed them ever so gently and sat them down). We went to a resturant when DS was 2 and our friends with us how also had twins the same age. I was mortified on how they let their children behaved. They were throwing food, silverware. While ours sat in his highchair and colored. The floor was disguising after we left (under their highchairs), we picked up maybe one piece of mac and cheese on the floor from our son. Let me tell you we would have not taken him to an upscale restuarant just because, not that he was bad but things happen and kids get ansy but that was uncalled for. So I just wanted to tell you that not all parents are like that and approve of that kind of behavior. Can't wait until the next review.

Thanks, DisneyLaura. I hope I didn't give the impression that I was lumping all parents together because I surely didn't mean to. I think there are still a lot of moms and dads like you and your DH who try very hard to do the right thing in eating establishments: take good care of their kids while trying to be considerate of others. It just seemed like on this one night all the other parents were having something of a convention at AP.

Happier reviews to come - thanks for reading!

Sorry about the dinner! We have always had such a wonderful time there. What time were you dining? We dine around 8:00- 8:30 and always travel during off times of the year (i.e. kids are still in school!) But I do have to say that you experience would turn me off too. And I am the same way about choking, I mean smoking. YUCK!!!

Our reservation was at 7:30, so I thought we might miss the early dining crowd. We're so used to being at WDW in October that we forgot about how many kids would be there at the end of May. And I do think there are just a lot more families that stay at Wilderness Lodge and AP is convenient, regardless of the menu, and that's just where they end up sometimes. Oh well, at least we tried it!

I am so glad you didn't save this one for last! I'm sitting here getting angry and it wasn't even my meal! I'm right with you on the kid comments; there are a lot of stupid and ignorant parents out there. I don't blame you for crying. It was either that or start screaming at everyone! On a happy note, it's good to know that I don't have to go to a nice restaurant to get risotto. I think I had some of that potato risotto with my eggs benedict at the local breakfast joint recently.

I'm glad I didn't save this for last, either; it would have been a real downer. And your comment about the potato risotto with your eggs benedict...

Brenda - So sorry you had such an awful evening. I can relate to the hormonal crying too especially with the wild kids added into the mix.

Loved having Jason's input though and looking forward to the upcoming happier places!!

Thanks Kathy. I'm going to try harder not to cry during meals in October.

And Jay will be coming back for the Chef's Table - I'll let him know you enjoyed his input!

Brenda,

Sorry you had such a bad experience. I've done the whole crying thing too especially if I'm SO excited and looking forward to something and that something is a letdown.

We have ressie's for AP in August but I'm still going to keep them. We are staying at WL so I know I would be disappointed if I skipped it. We did eat there once before and had a very good meal so I'm going to be optimistic.

Thanks for reading and thanks for the kind words - I thought everyone was going to think I was just being a big baby... Middle-aged woman has melt-down at Artist Point - story at 11!

Please come back and tell us about your dinner at AP - I hope it goes really well and that it's at least as good this time around as it was the last time you ate there.

As for the kids running around - nothing drives me crazier in a restaurant. I'm a mom with 2 kids and we always took our kids to nice restaurants when they were little. They were NEVER allowed to run around. Many times after we were leaving a restaurant, other diners complemented us on how well behaved our kid were. If my kids did get fussy, either me or DH would take them outside. I would rather disturb my meal than someone else's. Some people are just plain rude and inconsiderate.

Looking forward to V&A and also the Shrubbery!

Thanks for sharing that - I knew the great parents outnumbered the poorer ones. And good stuff to come, I promise - this was the only blot during the week.

Brenda - Quick question - What time were your AP ressies that there were so many kids there? We usually make ours around 7:30. Just curious.

Our reservation was at 7:30.

Oh my goodness! I am in a fight with Artist Point! How could they have been so YUCK to two very nice people just trying to have a good and relaxing meal?!

Aww, thanks.

Seriously though, I too am a stress crier...it's awful when it hits b/c it's very hard to stop. I also have a STRONG dislike for the parents of unruly children who feel it appropriate to take them a pricey place like Artist Point and let them run around annoying the crap out of everyone in the place! (you will remember that I made reference to a large group of hooligans masquerading as children who ruined MY Artist Point experience. Their doofy parents just sat back and drank the whole time while their kids threw things, knocked over chairs, screamed, cried and climbed over each other and the TABLE at one point. It was awful and not conducive to appreciating the pricey food you are consuming. I've had more peaceful meals at Chuck E. Cheese! The parents finally said a half hearted "shh" when they noticed that the ENTIRE area around them cleared out due to the noise

Stress crying - it's awful. I was still crying by the time we got back to the villa. At that point I think Jay was probably annoyed with me..."it wasn't that bad. Please stop."

How do you explain to a man that sometimes you just can't stop?

And your experience sounds far worse than ours - I think if I'd been at AP during that kind of dining room fiasco I would have gone nuts.

I think that part of the problem with AP is that it is located at Wilderness Lodge...which is also home to one of the rowdiest eating establishments on property...Whispering Canyon Cafe. The "Signature" status doesn't seem to do much in terms of people distinguishing appropriate behaviors for each place being DIFFERENT. It's frustrating. My Jason and I have an ADR for Artist Point this August. OUR kids (well his kids...my step kids) are going to be tucked away at Cub's Den, where all children should be when their parents are dining at Artist Point! (relax everyone who takes their very well behaved kids to AP...I was kidding...sort of...)

I think you may be right - the rest of the Lodge is so casual that sometimes AP doesn't seem like it belongs there. Maybe if it were located in a different spot that would make a difference, but I doubt it.

Hope you guys have a great meal in August - be sure to come back and let us know how it is!

Jay and I left a place last night b/c it was SO crowded, the hostess seated a couple at a better table near the wall just b/c they looked older even though we were there FIRST, called us "kids" and sat us in the middle of the room, practically in the laps of an elderly couple who was arguing about who left the cap off the polident...no joke. I stood it for about 2.5 seconds. I had the same convesation in my head that you had in yours...except I wasn't Brenda, i was me...Then we left. The stress crying happened anyway, but at least in the car this time!

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope you ended up some place that was better where the ancients weren't discussing denture care.

You rock Brenda! You didn't ruin anything, those loud kids did...the substandard waiter did...the lack of salmon you'd been excited for did...but not you! YOU looked pretty!

so excited to hear about Chef's Table!!!

Thanks for that - I've been feeling like I ruined the whole evening from the time the first tear started to roll (hence the title to this installment). My Jason is a pretty great guy - we both joke about it now but even on that night he was a sweetie...confused, but sweet.

The Chef's Table was awesome - I hope we can do it justice.

Brenda that AP review makes me #1 sad for you that your last dinner was such a bust and #2 so happy that Greg and i bailed on our dinner there on our last night! Not that it would have neccesarily been a repeat of your night, but who wants to chance it. And i really was just going there to try the salmon, and most likely i would have been ripped off of the Copper River kind too...."Artist Pointless"..i like that.
Jay, thanks for stepping in and tag teaming the report..that was a fun touch

Thanks Gina! Hopefully you guys would have had a better experience - I'm sure you could find people who were there the same night that we were who would tell you it was fine. It just wasn't our night.

Glad you liked Jay's input - I think I'm going to bring him back for the Chef's Table.

Brenda, between the misbehaving children, the stinky waiter, the poor service, the not-so-fabulous food, the last big meal of my vacation, and the totally squashed expectations, I would have cried too, even without the sickness and the hormones. At least the rest of your experiences were good!

Thanks - you pretty well summed up the whole experience for me in one sentence! And you're so right - the rest of the week was great so this one evening was just a teeny blip on the radar. Thanks for reading!

 

[oybolshoi]

That sucks Brenda love,how about putting an age limit on the door,either that or give the little sweet hearts a lethal injection on the way in...

Well, it did suck but I can't blame the whole evening on someone's else's kids...there were a lot of other factors too (and one big 37-year old baby).

So I totally understand why you didn't want to end your review w/AP! Here's some belated !!!

Thanks - I definitely think I made the right call by moving AP up. Now we can go back to the fun stuff!

A couple of weeks ago, we were at dinner and seated next to this couple with a small child -- they were letting her dance and twirl and scream. She even ran into the waiter a couple of times. And the couple just laughed as if she was the cutest thing and kept encouraging her...We were all set to get up and leave when she dumped an entire glass of ice water in the guy's lap. Nice!

The most bizarre thing is that she wasn't even their kid -- turns out, she belonged to someone sitting a few tables away that this couple didn't even know!

Weird weird weird. Why do some people think this is acceptable?

Oh boy - I`m so sorry about your experience at AP. I had the cheese plate and salmon there last sept. they didn`t look like dishes you got!

Thanks - isn't it interesting how things change so quickly? I wonder if the "head" chef was on vacation or maybe the restaurant had recently changed chefs. Or maybe, as so many have said, it just wasn't our night.

I too have been known to cry in a restaurant, the insult is after a poor meal you have to pay for it. Would you consider sending that review to the manager there?

This is for your past restaurant weepies... And I never thought about passing this along to the manager after-the-fact. We really should have said something before we left... I almost feel like it's too late to really make an impact at this point. But it is a good idea.

All I have to say to that is

Brenda - I detest children running around at restaurants and generally making a nuisance of themselves. And that's saying something, considering the sheer numbers of rugrats at my house.

My kid's never do that. And although I would like to say it's because I have trained them so well, ahem, it's actually because they are "all about the food baby!!!"

I don't think it has ever occurred to my children to run around in a restaurant. They don't get to go very often, and when they do, they eat like there's no manana. I think they would be confused by the concept of going to a restaurant to run around.

[So, if any of you witness my family at WDW, and my children are acting differently than I have described, please remember they will have been eating at restaurants for 11 days, and may act accordingly. If you promise to cut me some slack, I promise to try to try to keep them out of the way, and under control. LOL]

We don't usually take our kids to nicer (and for us, that's Red Lobster or Applebee's ) restaurants for several reasons:

1) We like to be alone sometimes. Call me crazy, but we still enjoy each others company after 18 years together.

2) We don't think the kids appreciate the difference between cheap and expensive restaurants enough...which leads to...

3) It costs to darn much to feed seven children in a restaurant.

Which is why we go to WDW in Aug. or Sept. to get free dining.

I agree with others - you and your family rock!

I totally understand the "underwhelmed hormonal emotional outburst" thing. All I can say is ((((Brenda)))).

And both entrees looked pathetic. I was really amazed at the lack of stuff on the plate. My mama raised me to have a variety of items at every meal.
It annoys me that these froofy restaurants think they are so special and their food is so divine that you should just be astounded by the simplicity of their one uber amazing item that they have put on a very large plate.

If all the FOBs (friends of Brenda) boycotted AP, they would have a lot more time to go out in their cars and smoke. Hmph.

Really looking forward to the V & A report, and have Jay chime in on that too!

Awww, thanks! I was not impressed with either entree, I admit it. The food at V&A is good enough that they can get away with the presentation effect, but not AP.

FOB... I love it! And yes, Jay will be getting his say in the Chef's Table review. All this attention is going to his head.

sorry to hear about your dining experience at AP. never tried it, so i can't compare thoughts or anything. but i have to say your crying episode totally reminded me of myself while waiting on the monorail from epcot to MK, except these were my thoughts....

i can't believe this vacation isn't reaching my unreachable expectations...
i can't believe ray's miserable.....it's all my fault!
i can't believe i didn't get to meet the beast and got belle instead....what a load!
i can't believe we witnessed a child being beaten on nemo.....should i have called disney security or something? was it selfish of us to basically sprint off the ride?
i can't believe i'm standing here getting ready to get on the monorail to the magic kingdom CRYING!!!!!!!! what's wrong with me???

Oh Dawn, I totally understand. As for the Nemo incident... holy crap! I wouldn't have known what to do there either...do you interfere or walk away - that's a tough tough call. I hope once you got to the MK you felt 100% better.

There's definitely a balance to be struck between Whispering Canyon's skillet and the three peas on a 12" square plate. And the phlegm/foam they put on stuff is disgusting.

Not a fan of foam, or froth, or spit... or whatever they want to call it. Completely unappetizing.

I'm more a meat-and-potatoes guy, myself, but I do appreciate good food cooked well. More a 30-minute-meals than Top Chef, if you watch the food network at all.

Terrific show!

Once again, a perfect update.

So, you need a name for October? Let's see...

How about "Boozin' rather than Cruisin". (Sorry, that one hurt me more than it hurt you).

OK..how about "Here for the Beer" and the food, and the wine, and the...

Pretty lame huh? Now you know why I don't write TR's.

Thanks for reading Nancy, even if this update was perfectly depressing.

BTW, love the trip report title ideas... I will take them under advisement!

Brenda, I am so sorry you guys had a bad experience.

Thanks - it could have been a lot worse and if I put it in perspective, that one less-than-stellar experience didn't detract from an overall week of terrific dining. Keep reading... California Grill is next and I think you'll be happy with that one!

Brenda, I'm so sorry that Artist Point was bad. The parents and I ate there years ago (I believe ten years which makes me because it was so long ago) and it was great. There weren't a lot of kids there ten years ago either...I was the only kid there. I laugh only because I'm turning 21 tomorrow.

I look forward to reading the rest of your reports.

Thanks Kiki! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!

Brenda,

I'm so sorry you had a bad night at AP! I almost join the ranks of the stress criers......but for me, I just get really quiet and introspective and sigh alot. My inner dialogue tends to be a repeat of one phrase, usually something like "I'm not having fun anymore!" or "I'm really not happy with this!"

Imagine, spending all that cash on something and being disappointed - who wouldn't cry?

Thanks Erica. I start off getting very quiet and then all that thinking gets the waterworks flowing.

And I must say, I have no problem with children being children.....but what I DO have a problem with is bad parenting. To me, letting your child run wild in a fine dining establishment and just ignoring it or thinking it is somehow "cute" is irresponsible parenting. Every single time we go out to Disney, Lionel and I add something new to the list of what we won't do as parents! Of course, we also add things to the list when at the movies (hello! how about leave the 10 month old at home instead of bringing them to see the midnight showing of Spiderman 3! or could you maybe TAKE THEM OUTSIDE instead of letting them wail for 5 minutes solid?) or even at Target ("if you don't stop hitting your sister, you can't have a toy" - uhhhh, didn't he already lose his rights to that by hitting her the first time?). Crazy.

Very well said - I agree on all points.

My, that was a tirade, I'm so sorry! To change the subject, I think you should call your October TR "How meeting Zweihund changed my life."

What?

Oh dear...that's great!

Aawwww Brenda that sucks!!! I also get the crying part, I think sometimes we just try to hard to have fun on vacation! You do the research, the planning, the booking & then get a bum meal, bleaach! I would have cried too! I'm so glad you didn't end the review with AP!

Thanks Shovan, and I'm glad I decided not to end with AP, too. Talk about a bummer!

Anyhoo, we have an adr at AP during our F&W trip. So if a f&w event looks better we may do that. I won't cancel just yet, I think even great restaurants can have an off night. And they just need to start forcing people to control their children!

Good for you! I hope you have a great evening because I think you're right - everyone can have an off night and I do think that played into our dining experience. I'll be looking for your review of AP when your back at home!

Brenda, I'm so sorry you had a bad experience at AP! Even though it was your final meal of the trip, I'm glad you didn't save it for the end of the dining report. That would have been a huge bummer!

Denise

Hi Denise! Thanks - I'm glad we didn't save this for the final review either; then everyone would have felt let down.

*hugs* So sorry your Artist Point visit was so sucky. I understand your stress weeping, and were completely justified in it. Maybe even a tantrum... I mean hey if the kids are doing it, why can't you?! My first (and only) Disney experience was just that bad. I managed to keep the crying in until I got back to our hotel, but that's a long story for another thread.

Thanks Andiepie So sorry to hear that you had a similiar Disney experience...here's a belated because you deserve one.

As for a title for your October trip, I can only think of "The Lunchbox Has Landed." I only thought of that just now, cause I'm watching The Full Monty.

Hee hee hee.. that may be more appropriate than you know.

 

[whogirl'smom]

Brenda, yes I did get to see Beauty and the Beast and I loved it even more than Fantasmic! DH gave up Lights, Motors, Action (yawn) even though it was his birthday! I have since found the joys of Evening Primrose Oil to keep the Malificent in me at bay! This year I will sit through LMA and just be happy that I'm not spitting fire like the stunt cars...maybe I can take a book...or maybe just spike my lemonade .

 

[cmp1111]

Okay, maybe I'm a very mean mom, but I never let my kids out of their seats at a restaurant (ANY restaurant, we're talking Applebee's here ) unless it was to leave or go directly to the bathroom and back. Huge parental pet peeve of mine, letting kids run around a restaurant. I picture flying trays of food and drink, elderly people getting run into, children falling and smacking their heads on tile floors . . no, no, no!

I know there were a bunch of other parents here who agreed, too - but yeah. We pull ours out of a Friday's if we deem them unacceptable, so we would never have let that happen! One of my kids will occasionally, at a restaurant, say, "Can I be excused?" and I always say, "And, where do you think you'll be going?" I always say, at that point, that they can be finished eating, but they cannot move.

Our kids go to restaurants often, but not the nice ones, because it's too stressful for ME, worrying about their behavoir.

Brenda, sorry about the bad experience. I am particularly sorry that it happened on your last evening, as that couldn't have been good. If it had been earlier in the week, either it might not have seemed so bad (though the food doesn't look very appealing to me, either) but also because you'd have "recovery days" to make up for it.