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

[oybolshoi]

Hi Kathy! Thanks for reading - always nice to get feedback from other foodlovers on the DIS.

Having tried both I still think California Grill is the better of the two, but I'll be honest and admit that some of my preference is due to the type of food offered and the scope of the menu choices.

I think Jiko is very good, but there are so many things I can't order there that it's precluded from being a favorite for me, even though I would consider going back again this Fall.

California Grill has such a variety of offerings and serves things that are much more to my personal taste so it's the hands-down winner for me.

I'll check with Jay and see what he has to say - you'd probably get a less biased opinion from him.

Oh yeah - you are definitely in for some good eats on your next trip! I can't wait to hear all about it.

And thanks for the compliment on the dress - another AT end-of season sale from last year. I love the color!

Thanks for a great review of my favorite place! The pictures from the observation deck were awesome. We're going back next trip along with our first trip to JIKO. Lots of folks say that JIKO is better, so looks like we're in for some mighty fine dining!

Love the dress!

 

[wilma-bride]

Another gorgeous dress Brenda. I have to be honest and say that nothing you ate at CG appealed to me in the slightest but then we already know that I am the most unadventurous person in the whole of unadventurous land My dining report is going to be a thrilling read

The CG looks amazing though and the views are wonderful. I am so pleased you decided to get AP out of the way and now you get to finish your report on a high

 

[cntkg1]

Jay ordered Coconut Panna Cotta with Passion Fruit Gelee' and Hand-Crafted Cookies.

It may taste good but it looks disgusting

I took one look at this and almost tossed Jay's cookies! The Passion Fruit Gelee' perched in the middle of the panna cotta makes me suspect that someone in the kitchen has a bad cold.

That's exactly why I always say, "Never p-off your dentist, surgeon, auto mechanic or waitstaff".(Not that you did ). Personally, I think Plankton had something to do with the looks of that 'dessert'. He's an evil, evil little man to spike your dessert like that when you weren't looking. I say, send him on a cruise with those Konked Kruiser people,...that'll learn 'im!

 

[oybolshoi]

Another gorgeous dress Brenda. I have to be honest and say that nothing you ate at CG appealed to me in the slightest but then we already know that I am the most unadventurous person in the whole of unadventurous land My dining report is going to be a thrilling read

Thanks for the compliment on the dress - it's one of my favs. And I'll still read your dining report Joh, so don't worry!

The CG looks amazing though and the views are wonderful. I am so pleased you decided to get AP out of the way and now you get to finish your report on a high

The view is stunning, that's for sure. And it can't get any better than finishing with V&A can it?

That's exactly why I always say, "Never p-off your dentist, surgeon, auto mechanic or waitstaff".(Not that you did ). Personally, I think Plankton had something to do with the looks of that 'dessert'. He's an evil, evil little man to spike your dessert like that when you weren't looking. I say, send him on a cruise with those Konked Kruiser people,...that'll learn 'im!

It's nasty looking, isn't it?

As for Plankton...wouldn't sending him on a cruise be a reward for bad behavior?


BTW... Kathy, are you still out there?

Jay said he would pick CA Grill over Jiko due to the variety of the menu, epecially with appetizers and the sushi choices. But... he did say that the scallops at Jiko were better than the ones he had at CA Grill last October.

How's that for a wishy-washy opinion?


Sorry guys... right now everything is funny... we've been drinking our bottle of Rosa Regale while Jay's grilling dinner and I've got a very pleasant buzz going.


Thanks again for reading!

 

[50 years Too!]

Brenda,

You look loverly in your dress. It looks like a sunset, perfect for CG.
Nice accessorizing with the kir.
I don't know why I booked CG for the night before my anniversary instead of the night of...
Remind me again please, can we come early for our reservation and request a cocktail hour on the observation deck? If so, I'll definitely request the wine bar for dinner.
Also, where do I pick up anniversary pins?
Your consult fee check should be sent where?

Deb

 

[kikigirl]

That Shipwreck sounds YUM. I wrote it down, and I'll ask mom about the alcohol inventory. It's never too early for something yummy like that!

They really do have an extensive menu which is helpful for us Crohns. And I understand about the seeds, I really do. And I don't blame you for avoiding them - I've got things that I never eat anymore for just the same reason. Better safe than sorry.

I totally understand that. I only have strawberries if they've been through a blender, like in a smoothie. Mom makes a great black olive-tofu spread so I can have olives. It's so good.

 

[AnninIowa]

Brenda - May I ask where you buy your dresses? They are so darn CUTE!!

 

[oybolshoi]

Brenda,

You look loverly in your dress. It looks like a sunset, perfect for CG. Nice accessorizing with the kir.

Thanks Deb - completely unintentional about matching the drink, but it was pretty cool, wasn't it?

I don't know why I booked CG for the night before my anniversary instead of the night of...
Remind me again please, can we come early for our reservation and request a cocktail hour on the observation deck? If so, I'll definitely request the wine bar for dinner.

Aren't you going to Flying Fish on your anniversary? That should be tasty...or you could try to switch them around if you really want to eat at CG on your anniversary...I bet you could still get a decent ADR.

I've never tried that at CG, but I don't see why you couldn't - just let them know when you check in that you don't want to be seated early because you'd like to enjoy a drink out on the deck. I'm sure they'd accomodate you.

Also, where do I pick up anniversary pins?
Your consult fee check should be sent where?

Deb

Pick up your buttons at any Guest Services location at the theme parks or at Downtown Disney. Sometimes the hotels have them too, but I think you're better of getting them at GS because you know for sure that they will have them.

Send a blank check to ....

No fee - just have a good time!

That Shipwreck sounds YUM. I wrote it down, and I'll ask mom about the alcohol inventory. It's never too early for something yummy like that!

Let me know what you think if you get a chance to try it - the Shipwreck is something we lifted from Hurricane Hannahs over at the Beach Club before all the pool bars and hotel loungues standardized their drink menus...jerks.

I totally understand that. I only have strawberries if they've been through a blender, like in a smoothie. Mom makes a great black olive-tofu spread so I can have olives. It's so good.

You can have my olives, too.

Brenda - May I ask where you buy your dresses? They are so darn CUTE!!

Hi Ann, thanks for the compilment.

Almost every dress in this TR is the result of late season shopping at Ann Taylor - they have some great summer sales in August and September and I usually try to pick up a couple of dresses each year (if they have my size and something I like). A couple of those dresses are from three years ago and the two reddish colored ones are from last year.

Check on-line, too - sometimes you can get a better price and free shipping if you shop at the right time.

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

How can you go wrong with a giant ravioli stuffed with warm, tangy goat cheese taking a lukewarm tomato sauce bath? Every bite was sheer pleasure - I would have ordered another ten but I thought maybe that was a little excessive.

First -- I am glad your experience at Cali Grill was enjoyable. This restaraunt is traditionally the last TS meal for us (the night before we go home) and is always a winner. The last time we went I got the (one) ravioli and was amazed by it. The goat cheese was sooooo smooth!! It was my favorite appetizer we had last trip!

Second -- I cannot tell you how excited I am to read about your trip to V&A's. DH and I are going to the Chef's Table in October - (btw - what are the dates for your Oct trip?) - and I think that dinner is what I am looking forward to the most.

Third - Glad you got the "Artist Pointless" review out of the way first. I would have hated to finish this DTR up on THAT note

 

[carri5317]

Just finished reading your food report, it's great, can't wait to hear about V&A. Sounds like you had a great time, can't wait to hear more!

 

[MA pigletfan]

yay cali grill!! we are hoping to try that for the first time in december ( note the new ticker!)..that spicy sensation looks phenomenal!

 

[CampbellScot]

Very good review!! We're not going to make the Cali Grill this trip, but I think we may have to try it when we go sans kids this Christmas! (YES, we are the bad kind of people who go to Disneyworld WITHOUT kids! ) are you shocked?

Very excited for the Chef's Table!!!

 

[Jennifer48]

Finally able to catch up.

I'm sorry to hear about Artist Point. I haven't heard many bad reviews from there but anything is possible. I can't stand when children are running around an upscale place like that. Not cool. I would have broken down also. Sorry B!

I need to get to the California Grill and I say it all the time. I was actually outvoted on it for my small trip after the cruise in September. I think I might need to put my foot down and go to the Grill instead. Thanks for the tip about the Wine Room. I wouldn't know what to do if I was unable to get a window table esp not having any children myself, Wine room sounds great.

 

[DisneyLaura]

1). Don't you just love Doritos.

2). Yes your drink matches your dress perfectly.

3). Your dinner looks marv-a-lous.

You are such a wonderful writer. I love your posts. They make me laugh and I laugh harder when directed too.

 

[oybolshoi]

First -- I am glad your experience at Cali Grill was enjoyable. This restaraunt is traditionally the last TS meal for us (the night before we go home) and is always a winner. The last time we went I got the (one) ravioli and was amazed by it. The goat cheese was sooooo smooth!! It was my favorite appetizer we had last trip!

Yes, that goat cheese was incredible -so smooth and creamy and I really do wish I was eating it right now!

Second -- I cannot tell you how excited I am to read about your trip to V&A's. DH and I are going to the Chef's Table in October - (btw - what are the dates for your Oct trip?) - and I think that dinner is what I am looking forward to the most.

Congrats on the Chef's Table!! You will love it, I'm sure - it's an incredible experience.

We are going to be in WDW 10/15 - 10/25... when will you be there?

Third - Glad you got the "Artist Pointless" review out of the way first. I would have hated to finish this DTR up on THAT note

I agree - it would have been such a "down" note and since everything else was so good it seems to make more sense to finish on a high note!

Just finished reading your food report, it's great, can't wait to hear about V&A. Sounds like you had a great time, can't wait to hear more!

Thanks for reading! We should start working on the V&A update tomorrow night if all goes according to plan.

yay cali grill!! we are hoping to try that for the first time in december ( note the new ticker!)..that spicy sensation looks phenomenal!

Good for you - a trip in December! If you like spicy sushi then this is the dish for you. Jay was still talking about it last night and I finally had to say, "Can you just wait three more months?"

Very good review!! We're not going to make the Cali Grill this trip, but I think we may have to try it when we go sans kids this Christmas! (YES, we are the bad kind of people who go to Disneyworld WITHOUT kids! ) are you shocked?

Very excited for the Chef's Table!!!

Thank you - isn't it nice to read something a bit more entertaining than Artist Pointless?

I don't think you're bad for taking a trip to WDW without the kids - even mom and dad deserve some fun on their own now and then. And this way you get to experience the World from a totally different point of view.

Chef's Table tomorrow night, hopefully!

Finally able to catch up.

I'm sorry to hear about Artist Point. I haven't heard many bad reviews from there but anything is possible. I can't stand when children are running around an upscale place like that. Not cool. I would have broken down also. Sorry B!

Hey Jen! Glad to see you're back! Counting down the days to HP7!!!

Thanks for the AP hugs - I was really surprised by the way the evening unfolded (crying not included) just because I've read so many great things about the restaurant. Definitely an off night - next time we'll try another new one and hope that my tear ducts, poor service, and rowdy children don't collide.

I need to get to the California Grill and I say it all the time. I was actually outvoted on it for my small trip after the cruise in September. I think I might need to put my foot down and go to the Grill instead. Thanks for the tip about the Wine Room. I wouldn't know what to do if I was unable to get a window table esp not having any children myself, Wine room sounds great.

Oh yes...CA Grill would be a great place for you and the man; I think you'd really enjoy it.

1). Don't you just love Doritos.

2). Yes your drink matches your dress perfectly.

3). Your dinner looks marv-a-lous.

You are such a wonderful writer. I love your posts. They make me laugh and I laugh harder when directed too.

1) Yes I do, and I eat them far toooooooo much.

2) If I tried to do that on purpose it would never happen... but it's a cool effect isn't it?

3) And it was!

Thanks so much; I'm glad you're enjoying everything. I always feel good when someone gets a laugh out of our reviews - they're supposed to be fun.

I take it that means you were laughing about our inability to eat enough food to justify the dining plan?

 

[praisehisname]

I would like to mention that a very nice lady used her final CS and Snack credits to buy lunch for us in Artist Palette that afternoon.

I don't think we'll have any leftover credits, but if we do, I think it would be fun to do that for someone!

My husband and I just don't eat enough to justify the dining plan."

Yeah, right!


On Cali Grill: If hubby and I ever make it to DW on a kidlet-free trip, we'd love to try this place. The cheese plate looks fabulous!!!

Time for a drink...hmmmmm. I feel like celebrating - again. I ordered a Kir Royal - dazzle me California Grill, I dare you!

Mmmm, can I order this at places other than California Grill?

Eeeewww, it looks like someone vomited! Sorry, Jay!

Looking forward to V&A!

Denise

P.S. I'm leaving tomorrow to go camping for the rest of the week, but I'll catch up next Sunday! Didn't want you to think I left ya...

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Oops! I typed up a response, and then never hit "post"! D'oh!

I love your red CA Grill dress!

You know, you've given me a brilliant idea. I bet I could eat for an entire trip just by befriending people on the dining plan that look like they're about to go home. Brilliant!

 

[NancyFancyPants]

Well I'm new around these parts, but I just wanted to tell you I've been really enjoying your trip report. Not many reports elicit the "silent, shaking shoulder laugh" from me, but your report has on more than one occasion. Looking forward to more.

 

[rentayenta]

Try for a window table? I will pull a Tonya Harding and bust some knee caps for one.

 

[oybolshoi]

I don't think we'll have any leftover credits, but if we do, I think it would be fun to do that for someone!

I think it would be great, too. If we hadn't had to leave so early in the morning last Fall I would have loved to pass all those CS credits on to some hungry family in the BeachClub Marketplace.

On Cali Grill: If hubby and I ever make it to DW on a kidlet-free trip, we'd love to try this place.

Just so you know, CA Grill is actually very kid friendly, especially in the main dining room. Of course, I understand completely if you're looking for dinner for two, but I don't want you to think that it's not a restaurant where kids wouldn't be welcome.

Mmmm, can I order this at places other than California Grill?

Oh my yes! Any bar worth its salt can make a Kir Royale. If you hit WDW during the F&W Festival and the French booth is selling Pomegranate Kirs, get one of those!

Here's what it looks like:

I can't promise you that it will come with chocolate creme brulee and a goat cheese tart, but you can always hope! That permanent booth in France that sells the alcoholic squishees also sells Kir Royales.

Yummy!!

P.S. I'm leaving tomorrow to go camping for the rest of the week, but I'll catch up next Sunday! Didn't want you to think I left ya...

Have a good trip and be safe! Thanks for letting me know, otherwise I would have worried that the goop on Jay's dessert drove you away from our reviews forever.

Oops! I typed up a response, and then never hit "post"! D'oh!

I love your red CA Grill dress!

You know, you've given me a brilliant idea. I bet I could eat for an entire trip just by befriending people on the dining plan that look like they're about to go home. Brilliant!

Crystal you crack me up every time you post! And you've got a new tag!! When did that happen?

Thanks for the compliment on the dress - it's one of my favs.

Good luck with your dining plan plan...that doesn't sound quite right, does it? Anyhoo...I'll be watching your rummy report to see what happens!

Well I'm new around these parts, but I just wanted to tell you I've been really enjoying your trip report. Not many reports elicit the "silent, shaking shoulder laugh" from me, but your report has on more than one occasion. Looking forward to more.

Hi there! Thanks for posting - I'm honored to have the first one and I'm glad to know you're enjoying the food trippie.

Try for a window table? I will pull a Tonya Harding and bust some knee caps for one.

I can just hear the family you'll "mug" for the table, "Whhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyy? Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?"

I'll look for your picture in the Orlando Sentinel come August.