The trip where everything tastes amazing, ESPECIALLY the F&G booths!-"Best of" Awards

[librarygeek]

Sleepy Hollow and Columbia Harbor House

We had just made our way through Tomorrowland and Fantasyland when we decided we were ready for lunch! We were right near Columbia Harbor House, so I suggested we go there. My parents seemed good with it, but as we were deciding what to order I decided I really wanted to try a waffle sandwich from Sleepy Hollow. DH decided to come with me, and my parents stayed at Columbia Harbor House. After we got our waffle sandwiches we brought them back to CHH to eat with my parents.

Even though it almost doesn't seem like a lunch food, I went with the nutella and fresh fruit waffle sandwich:



This was better than I even imagined it would be! The waffle was great, it was crisp and delicious. But for me the fruit was the real highlight - all of the fruit was super fresh and full of flavor. It was incredibly messy to eat though - I definitely made a mess It was very filling too - it held me through til dinner 5 hours later and I didn't get get a snack when the rest of my family did in the afternoon because I was still full from the waffle! For around $6 I think it's a really good bargain for lunch too in WDW. I give it a 9.5 out of 10. The only downside of it is that it is really, really sweet, so there are times when I'm craving something a little more savory for lunch that I wouldn't want to go with this.

DH got the sweet and spicy chicken waffle sandwich:



He gave it a 7.5 out of 10. It got points off because he says it was "too messy." It did taste good, and he liked the spiciness of it.

My mom got the fried shrimp and fish at Columbia Harbor House:



She gave it a 6 out of 10, saying it was "good for what it was." My dad got the friend fish and chicken. He had already eaten almost his whole meal by the time we got back from Sleepy Hollow! One of the nice things is that they couldn't decide if they wanted shrimp, or fish, or chicken, but the people there let them mix and match the dishes so they could have some of each. My dad got french fries with his, but mom got broccoli. I think she enjoyed the broccoli more than the main course - she said it was very nicely cooked broccoli and they gave her a ton of it. She joked that no one ever asked for broccoli and they wanted to get rid of it so they gave her so much of it.

Here's the inside of where we were sitting in Columbia Harbor House:

CHH also gets high marks because it has so much seating available. We've never had trouble finding a seat there.

Overall we give Columbia Harbor House a 7 out of 10, and Sleepy Hollow an 8.5 out of 10. I think Sleepy Hollow will be my new go-to place in the Magic Kingdom!

 

[bluejasmine]

Was this upstairs? Its my favorite place to sit and watch ppl go into HM!

 

[Cshel85]

Joining In

 

[wilma-bride]

The waffles at Sleepy Hollow are great, aren't they? We had the nutella and fruit one last summer and I am still dreaming about it.

Columbia Harbour House is our favourite counter service place at MK

 

[librarygeek]

Was this upstairs? Its my favorite place to sit and watch ppl go into HM!

It was actually downstairs, way off to the side. I do love sitting upstairs though!

Joining In

Welcome!

The waffles at Sleepy Hollow are great, aren't they? We had the nutella and fruit one last summer and I am still dreaming about it.

Columbia Harbour House is our favourite counter service place at MK

So good! And I agree Columbia Harbor House has been my favorite counter service at MK so far. Though I'm hoping to be able to try the Be Our Guest lunch at some point!

 

[Linda67]

Joining in
Mmm, I wonder if there is anywhere near my office that I get get a nutella waffle for lunch

 

[librarygeek]

Joining in
Mmm, I wonder if there is anywhere near my office that I get get a nutella waffle for lunch

Mmm! I might have to try making one myself soon!

 

[librarygeek]

Be Our Guest

This may have been the meal I was most looking forward to. I had been here for dinner in February and absolutely adored everything about it - the atmosphere, the food, the Beast! So I was very happy to be back. We had an early reservation at 4:45, and only had to wait about 5 minutes to be seated. We'd been walking around a lot all day and it was good to finally sit down!



We were lead through the "castle" to our table, at the far end of the ballroom. I thought it was a great table and gave us a good view of the entire room. We were also right next to the window, where it was snowing outside!



To start the meal off we were brought rolls and butter. The butter is with sea salt and is just so good! It took a little time to order and get our drinks, but once we were settled with drinks the food came out lightning fast! My mom and dad ordered a bottle of chardonnay, and I had one small glass of that, in addition to a soda:


DH had the red wine that was recommended to go along with his meal.

Both my dad and I got the Sautee Shrimp and scallops - With veggies in a puff pastry with creamy lobster sauce:



I had wanted to order this last time I was here, but there were mushrooms in it and when I asked they said they couldn't do it without. This time we asked again and they said they could make it without the mushrooms! And I am so glad they did, because this was outstanding. I wanted to lick the plate clean. I have to give it a 10 out of 10 because I honestly can't think of anything that would make this dish better. The shrimp and scallops were great and the sauce was so delicious.

My mom had the Grilled Strip Steak - With Garlic and herb butter and Pomme Frites:

She gave this a 9 out of 10. She said everything was really good, and the steak was nice, moist, and tender. She had been hesitant to order it because it's the "most expensive thing on the menu," but we convinced her it was okay! The garlic herb butter is a great accompaniment, and those french fries are amazing! I love the seasoning they put on them. I probably ended up eating about half of mom's french fries.

For his meal, DH got the Thyme Scented Pork Rack chop - With au gratin pasta:


He said, and I quote: "Best pork I've ever had. I didn't know pork could be that way, so melty and moist and flavorful. I was skeptical when the pork came and they only gave me a butter knife. It's a bold statement, like saying, 'it's so good, you won't NEED a steak knife.' But it was true. No steak knife needed. 10 out of 10." And my husband very, very rarely gives out perfect scores - I can think of only one other time a dish at Disney received a perfect score from him, and that was the creme brulee at Chefs de France. So, this is big

We weren't planning to get dessert since we had the dessert party scheduled later that evening. However, I'd had the passion fruit cream puff and it was one of the best desserts I've ever had so I couldn't resist ordering it again - all four of us shared it:



I give it a 9.5 out of 10. It's got such a great flavor, very sweet and tropical tasting. Those crunchy little pearls on the top were so good too, I only wish there were more of them!

And then, because were celebrating birthdays, we were brought the gray stuff!

My dad and I had our birthday buttons on, since our birthdays had just passed in April. However, the waitress was nice enough to bring one for DH too, because she noticed he had an upcoming birthday in May! It worked out well that the 3 of us got it because my mom can't eat chocolate anyway. The gray stuff is good, though it's nothing outstanding. I love that they do it, though.

Then, on our way out, we got to stop and take our picture with the Beast. We were waiting on line and were about half way through, when the Beast, in between pictures, suddenly left. He headed right toward us, and we thought he was trying to get through so we stepped aside... but he walked right up to DH, shook his hand, and then went back to taking pictures! It was the weirdest thing. The Beast was a funny character. When we got up there he was trying to mime ask us if we enjoyed our dinner by rubbing his belly, but we totally weren't getting it haha.



Overall I think we have to give Be Our Guest a 10 out of 10. The food is outstanding, it's absolutely gorgeous, and you even get a bonus character photo. I think it may now be my favorite Disney restaurant that I've tried so far (rivaling only Narcoossee's!).

We were able to use my Tables in Wonderland card here, which saved us a lot - especially on the bottle of wine. In total TiW saved us $36.39. (I'm keeping a tally to see just how good of a value TiW will be for me this year. I always tip at least 18% anyway so that doesn't detract from the value of it for me like it apparently does for some).

 

[wilma-bride]

Great review of Be Our Guest. Now I am determined to keep trying to get a reservation for November.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Joining in!

Wow that Nutella waffle looks amazing!!! When we were there last month I walked by someone having one and said to myself that we had to make it back for one but the trip slipped by and I never did . Next time!

Great review of BoG. We really enjoyed our meal there too. Now I want to go back to try the pork chop and shrimp and scallops!

 

[Lauralooneyfordisney]

I am joining in! We will be eating at a lot of the same places.

 

[vettegirl]

Great BOG review

 

[librarygeek]

Great review of Be Our Guest. Now I am determined to keep trying to get a reservation for November.

I hope you get your reservation! Good luck!

Joining in!

Wow that Nutella waffle looks amazing!!! When we were there last month I walked by someone having one and said to myself that we had to make it back for one but the trip slipped by and I never did . Next time!

Great review of BoG. We really enjoyed our meal there too. Now I want to go back to try the pork chop and shrimp and scallops!

Yes, you should definitely try and get that waffle sometime! I had been meaning to try it for awhile too, which is why I made the last minute decision to leave Columbia Harbor House and go get it!

I am joining in! We will be eating at a lot of the same places.

Glad you're here! You've picked some good places to eat

Great BOG review

Thank you!

 

[klacey1]

Ahh, I have been trying everyday for a reservation at BOG for our September trip to no avail :-(. Your meal looks delicious!! I REALLY want to eat there!

 

[jecskc]

Joining in !! Enjoying so far !!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Great reviews so far! I am super excited to try Be Our Guest and even more so now!!! Looking forward to more!

 

[RGirl]

I'm loving your reviews!

BoG looks amazing. I'm so glad to read your overwhelmingly positive review. We will be dining there in August, and I am so excited for it!!!

 

[librarygeek]

Ahh, I have been trying everyday for a reservation at BOG for our September trip to no avail :-(. Your meal looks delicious!! I REALLY want to eat there!

My fingers are crossed for you that something turns up! Keep checking!!

Joining in !! Enjoying so far !!

So glad you're here!

Great reviews so far! I am super excited to try Be Our Guest and even more so now!!! Looking forward to more!

Thanks! I hope you get to try it soon!

I'm loving your reviews!

BoG looks amazing. I'm so glad to read your overwhelmingly positive review. We will be dining there in August, and I am so excited for it!!!

You'll have such a great time!!

 

[librarygeek]

Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party

DH and I had done this on our honeymoon in September 2011, and I knew it was something we definitely had to book when my dad came with us - he just loves desserts! We got there right around 9 and were seated pretty quickly. We had a great table - right up near the castle with no one in front of us, and close to the dessert buffet too! We went up to grab some food.

They always have a very good variety of items here. Most of the things were the same as when we went a year and a half ago, but there were a few things I didn't remember.



My recollection of what these items were - starting with the one in the cup at the top and going clockwise - mango shooter, banana cream tart, creme brulee, chocolate peanut butter tart, key lime tart, chocolate covered strawberry, fruit tart. This was my first plate. I didn't really care for the chocolate peanut butter one - the peanut butter taste was too strong. Everything else was good, but the fruit tart was by far my favorite. I love fresh fruit. I think I got two more of these for the evening.

This was DH's first plate. I think he got some sort of apple crisp tart that you can hardly see, the mango shooter, a rice crispy treat, creme brulee, and... I believe that was some sort of cheesecake cup.



They also had ice cream, which DH and my dad indulged in despite the temperatures. We also all went for the hot drinks since it was getting pretty chilly out. DH had the hot chocolate, my mom and I had tea, and dad had coffee - all of them were lukewarm at best. Pretty unappealing.

We got to sit for most of the party until about a quarter of 10, when people started standing and we went to claim a place at the railing to watch Wishes. It's my favorite show







All in all I give the dessert party a 9 out of 10. It's really a great experience. I think it's wonderful to have a nice view of the fireworks without giving up time to stake out a spot, and I really enjoy the desserts. However, I was pretty disappointed in the beverages this time around. The dessert party is definitely also on the pricey side, so while it's not something I would do every time I go, I will definitely do it again if I'm bringing people that haven't done it who I think would really enjoy it.

 

[bluejasmine]

Hoping to get dessert party reservations for DH & I anniversary trip in Sep! Never done it but DH has a huge sweet tooth & we are using our TS for lunch that day as to save room for the dessert! Lol. Wishes is also my favorite show/fireworks!!

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