franandaj
I'm so happy, I could BOUNCE!
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2009
- Messages
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F&W weekend March 18-21
Saturday
Waking up to this view never gets old!
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Jenny came out this morning to join us and sleep on the couch later that night. Fran wanted to just stay in the room and rest up for our big evening that night. So after breakfast (sorry no pics) the three of us (Jill, Jenny and me) went out to hit the parks. We went on Soarin’ first. It was the awesome California version that they brought back for Food & Wine. Everyone in the theater cheered after the ride ended.
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Next up we rode TSMM, several years ago, Jill and I were able to unlock a lot of the secrets and scored pus- er cats. However this time we were still just Beavers.
.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
A look back out at Pixar Pier.
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.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
We decided to ride RSR next, however we discovered that it had been down, because as we were walking into the Radiator Springs, the ride came back up and everyone who had LL came running to get in the queue. It was as if there had been a "people funnel" at the end of the street and people just came pouring into the line. It extended all the way past the intersection where Flo’s V8 Cafe is located. No way we were getting in a line like that.
We decided to peruse the festival merchandise. Fran had asked me to take pictures of what they had available. I ended up purchasing one of these shirts later in the weekend.
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And one of these wine glasses. I have a collection of glasses from all the festivals, but I’ll probably never drink out of them for fear of breaking them!
.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
We went back to the room because Fran needed our help to get herself to the car and go home to pick up a few items that we had forgotten. She rode my scooter to get the car, and then I took it back from her. The line for RSR had finally gone down, so we decided to get in line for that now.

As we were getting off the ride, Fran came back to the hotel and we helped her get back to the room, by doing the scooter switch thing again. Then it was back to the room. I just love staying at the Grand!

We had planned on taking a break in the afternoon so that we could go down to the pool area and sit in the hot tub for a bit. Then we all showered and got dressed for our big dinner. Club 33 is celebrating its Emerald Anniversary, and I am so fortunate to be able to get reservations here. All four of us were super excited about the evening. They even had special dishes made for the Anniversary.


They had a special new menu.

And new drinks too!

I ordered the Tropical Lily Pad, you can see Fran’s drink in the background. It was the Earth Grazer.

And here’s a full shot of Fran’s beverage.

For Mardi Gras Shag had designed this special mug, Jill got one of those to take home.


Since three of us had scallop the night before, no one ordered that starter (Jenny doesn’t care for scallops). Fran got the Tempura Fried Zucchini Blossom, Shaved Zucchini, Zucchini Caponata. It was very good! She let me have a bite.

Hers was paired with this Sauvignon Blanc, Craggy Range from Marlborough, New Zealand.

The rest of us got the House Made Tagliatelle Pasta, Artichoke, Lemon, Braised Veal. Super tasty as well, and we were all very happy with it!

Mine was paired with this Vermentino, Guado al Tasson from Bolgheri, Italy. I believe that only Fran and I got the wine pairings.

Fran got the Garden District Salad of Marinated Cucumbers, Creme Fraiche, Tender Mache cause she really likes cucumbers. She really liked it.

The salad was paired with a Chardonnay from Grand Regnard in Chablis, France

The rest of us got Potato Leek Soup, Smoked Chicken, Emerald Oil and also enjoyed it. I gave Fran the last bit of mine because I was already getting full.

I was served this Chardonnay, Domaine de Bellene, Santanay, Les Charmes Dessus, Cote de Beaune, from Burgundy, France.

For the main course, I really wanted the catch of the Day, but when they told us it was Salmon, I had to figure out something else because I don’t like salmon. Fran got the Catch of the Day, Basil Gnocchi, Mediterranean Mussels . I hope to try it with another fish someday, at least that’s what I wrote back in March, I don’t see that happening anytime in the near future.

Fran was poured the Chardonnay, Chateau Montelena, from Napa Valley

Jenny got the Spanish Style Spring Lamb T-Bone, Chorizo, Green Garbanzo, Fingerling Potato which she couldn't finish and took it home.

Jill and I got the Seared Filet Mignon “Oscar”, Crab Fritter, Asparagus, Hollandaise, which was superb, but way too much for either Jill and I. We combined our leftovers which Jenny took home and turned into lunch for Michael and herself the next day.

I was served this Red Blend from La Serena, Pirate TreasuRED, from Napa Valley. I’ve had this one several times before and it’s quite tasty!

Of course we saved room for dessert! We all got the Key Lime Pie and split a Pistachio cake for the table.


So much Yum! And I believe that everyone at the table got a glass of this lovely Royal Takaji, 5 Puttonyos, from Hungary.

The ground was wet when we left, and on the way back it rained on us. Not a hard rain, but stronger than a mist. Enough to get the scooters somewhat wet.
Back in the room Fran went right to bed. I had too many drinks to take a bath, but Jenny and I stayed up extra late chatting on the sofa, before I finally called it a night.
Saturday
Waking up to this view never gets old!
.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Jenny came out this morning to join us and sleep on the couch later that night. Fran wanted to just stay in the room and rest up for our big evening that night. So after breakfast (sorry no pics) the three of us (Jill, Jenny and me) went out to hit the parks. We went on Soarin’ first. It was the awesome California version that they brought back for Food & Wine. Everyone in the theater cheered after the ride ended.
.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Next up we rode TSMM, several years ago, Jill and I were able to unlock a lot of the secrets and scored pus- er cats. However this time we were still just Beavers.
.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
A look back out at Pixar Pier.
.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
We decided to ride RSR next, however we discovered that it had been down, because as we were walking into the Radiator Springs, the ride came back up and everyone who had LL came running to get in the queue. It was as if there had been a "people funnel" at the end of the street and people just came pouring into the line. It extended all the way past the intersection where Flo’s V8 Cafe is located. No way we were getting in a line like that.
We decided to peruse the festival merchandise. Fran had asked me to take pictures of what they had available. I ended up purchasing one of these shirts later in the weekend.
.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
And one of these wine glasses. I have a collection of glasses from all the festivals, but I’ll probably never drink out of them for fear of breaking them!
.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
We went back to the room because Fran needed our help to get herself to the car and go home to pick up a few items that we had forgotten. She rode my scooter to get the car, and then I took it back from her. The line for RSR had finally gone down, so we decided to get in line for that now.

As we were getting off the ride, Fran came back to the hotel and we helped her get back to the room, by doing the scooter switch thing again. Then it was back to the room. I just love staying at the Grand!

We had planned on taking a break in the afternoon so that we could go down to the pool area and sit in the hot tub for a bit. Then we all showered and got dressed for our big dinner. Club 33 is celebrating its Emerald Anniversary, and I am so fortunate to be able to get reservations here. All four of us were super excited about the evening. They even had special dishes made for the Anniversary.


They had a special new menu.

And new drinks too!

I ordered the Tropical Lily Pad, you can see Fran’s drink in the background. It was the Earth Grazer.

And here’s a full shot of Fran’s beverage.

For Mardi Gras Shag had designed this special mug, Jill got one of those to take home.


Since three of us had scallop the night before, no one ordered that starter (Jenny doesn’t care for scallops). Fran got the Tempura Fried Zucchini Blossom, Shaved Zucchini, Zucchini Caponata. It was very good! She let me have a bite.

Hers was paired with this Sauvignon Blanc, Craggy Range from Marlborough, New Zealand.

The rest of us got the House Made Tagliatelle Pasta, Artichoke, Lemon, Braised Veal. Super tasty as well, and we were all very happy with it!

Mine was paired with this Vermentino, Guado al Tasson from Bolgheri, Italy. I believe that only Fran and I got the wine pairings.

Fran got the Garden District Salad of Marinated Cucumbers, Creme Fraiche, Tender Mache cause she really likes cucumbers. She really liked it.

The salad was paired with a Chardonnay from Grand Regnard in Chablis, France

The rest of us got Potato Leek Soup, Smoked Chicken, Emerald Oil and also enjoyed it. I gave Fran the last bit of mine because I was already getting full.

I was served this Chardonnay, Domaine de Bellene, Santanay, Les Charmes Dessus, Cote de Beaune, from Burgundy, France.

For the main course, I really wanted the catch of the Day, but when they told us it was Salmon, I had to figure out something else because I don’t like salmon. Fran got the Catch of the Day, Basil Gnocchi, Mediterranean Mussels . I hope to try it with another fish someday, at least that’s what I wrote back in March, I don’t see that happening anytime in the near future.

Fran was poured the Chardonnay, Chateau Montelena, from Napa Valley

Jenny got the Spanish Style Spring Lamb T-Bone, Chorizo, Green Garbanzo, Fingerling Potato which she couldn't finish and took it home.

Jill and I got the Seared Filet Mignon “Oscar”, Crab Fritter, Asparagus, Hollandaise, which was superb, but way too much for either Jill and I. We combined our leftovers which Jenny took home and turned into lunch for Michael and herself the next day.

I was served this Red Blend from La Serena, Pirate TreasuRED, from Napa Valley. I’ve had this one several times before and it’s quite tasty!

Of course we saved room for dessert! We all got the Key Lime Pie and split a Pistachio cake for the table.


So much Yum! And I believe that everyone at the table got a glass of this lovely Royal Takaji, 5 Puttonyos, from Hungary.

The ground was wet when we left, and on the way back it rained on us. Not a hard rain, but stronger than a mist. Enough to get the scooters somewhat wet.
Back in the room Fran went right to bed. I had too many drinks to take a bath, but Jenny and I stayed up extra late chatting on the sofa, before I finally called it a night.