Plasticletters
Ride a Bike
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2009
- Messages
- 174
Our third day was spent at Disney's Hollywood Studios. We had a great time at the park and had worked up a good appetite by lunchtime. We stopped into Starring Rolls Cafe because I remembered getting a really good veggie sandwich there before. Unfortunately, by the time we got there, they seemed to be all sold out (Starring Rolls doesn't have a full menu available to look at and just sells whatever they make that day and have out behind their display case), so we walked over to Backlot Express and both got the grilled vegetable sandwich. The pesto they put on the sandwich is vegan (!) but it also comes with cheese that you have to specifically ask them not to put on it. The cast member serving us seemed angry when we requested no cheese, informing us "YOU are going to have to wait a long time". We said that was ok, then she informed us that we needed to pick a dessert because of our dining plan. We asked her if there was anything we could substitute for dessert since everything Backlot Express offered contained dairy and/or eggs. She told us we could get bottled water instead, but that was it (we were later to learn that each counter service place handles dessert replacement on the dining plan in a different way - some MUCH better than others), so we got bottled waters. We waited a long time for our meal, but when we finally got it, it tasted delicious. It also came with a really good bean salad that we were told was vegan.
It rained A LOT on our Hollywood Studios day. But we were able to beat the rain for the most part while waiting in line or going on indoor attractions. When we got to The Hollywood Brown Derby for our reservation, it was pouring (we must have picked a good time to eat). Even though we checked in before several groups of our same size, many people checking in after us were seated earlier than we were. We waited a LONG time to be seated even though there were many empty seats in the restaurant, and when we WERE seated we waited quite a while for our server, while our wet, rained on bodies froze in the blasting air conditioning. When our server DID finally come he was very polite and attentive. He let us know that our dietary preference had been noted and asked if we'd like to talk to the chef. When we told him we would like to talk to her, he said she would come right out and mentioned to us we might want to order one of the salads without meat, egg and cheese. We figured the chef might give us some better options, but she took quite a while to come out. When she did finally come out to let us know what we could eat she seemed like we were inconveniencing her. Neither of us remember her name and simply refer to her as "the crappy chef". She opened the menu and said "well, let's see, for an appetizer -" (we got an appetizer because we booked the Fantasmic! Dining Package, which you can also get for free on the Dining Plan, and which includes an appetizer in addition to the entree, drink and dessert you would normally get on the plan) "-we don't have much for you. You can get one of our salads without the meat, eggs or cheese. that's about it. Our vegan entree is the coconut tofu, so you can get that, and we don't have any vegan desserts". We asked if there was anything we could substitute for dessert and she said "oh. well we have a house made mango sorbet that is vegan. You can have that" then she left. There was a mixed greens salad or a cobb salad that we could order for an appetizer, so I figured I'd order one and Emily would get the other. Our server then informed us that the cobb salad was for two people and would take up both of our credits, we were thinking of just getting that when he also told us "but it's pretty much all meat, cheese and eggs. If you order it without all of that you'll just be getting shredded iceberg lettuce and avocado". We decided to get the mixed greens instead, which didn't come with avocado but at least offered more than shredded iceberg (normally it came with goat cheese, which we of course asked for it to be made without). Our server offered to bring us out some avocado at no additional cost, which was very nice, but still, the salad was basically a plate of greens with red wine vinaigrette dressing (good dressing, but a sparse salad). We also got some hot rolls and a plate of vinegar and oil with fresh pepper to dip it in. The bread may have been my favorite part of the meal.
Our main entree was coconut tofu stir fry. We had seen pictures of this several months ago and Emily had been excited to try this meal ever since we started researching possible vegan options at Disney World. It came with snap peas in the pod, noodles, bok choy, mushrooms, lima beans, and I think one more vegetable I cannot remember.
The coconut crusted tofu itself was absolutely delicious, but don't let the picture fool you - it was tiny! We only got one piece of tofu each and it was the smallest thing. We were expecting some kind of tofu steak and what we got was in actuality smaller than a York peppermint patty. Everything was mixed in some kind of indistinguishable broth that was not all that tasty. The noodles we uncharacteristic for asian cuisine (they tasted like cheap spaghetti noodles) and kind of gross to choke down. Many of the vegetables tasted raw and their taste was further diminished by the broth they were soaked in (I can most liken it to mushroom soup mixed with soy sauce). I'll say again that the tofu itself was wonderful, but the rest of the entree was crap. Neither of us finished it. Next came our sorbet
take a look at the picture and reflect upon how large that grape looks in comparison to the scoop of sorbet we were given. A small child could have easily swallowed the entire portion of sorbet in one gulp. Again, the sorbet was pretty delicious but it was SO small and everything else around it was sub-par. The melon that came with our sorbet had pretty much no taste and from its color appeared to be cut from the tough part of the fruit attached to the rind. We were so disappointed in this meal and the whole experience surrounding it. On top of it all, the Brown Derby charges TWO table service credits on the dining plan so we were left with one crappy meal in the place of two possibly delicious ones (by contrast, 'Ohana only charges on table service credit... there is something totally wrong there. Oh how I wish we had just booked two extra times at 'Ohana instead!). To top it all off, the vouchers you are given for Fantasmic! are only good for the first performance, entitled you to seats that are not all that great, and expire if the rest of the amphitheater is full and they need the "dining package" seats to put extra bodies. We didn't use them and just went to the late Fantasmic! show. I can't even remember what else I wanted to say about the Brown Derby now because I am so mad thinking about this whole ordeal. Maybe Emily will remember. This was by far the worst meal we experienced during our stay and the biggest waste of time/table service credits we can think of anyone using. Do yourself a favor when at Hollywood Studios and go to the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater or the 50s Prime Time Cafe instead. Andrea (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2180199&page=6) gives great vegan reviews for both. We made a mistake not going to one of those neat places!
It rained A LOT on our Hollywood Studios day. But we were able to beat the rain for the most part while waiting in line or going on indoor attractions. When we got to The Hollywood Brown Derby for our reservation, it was pouring (we must have picked a good time to eat). Even though we checked in before several groups of our same size, many people checking in after us were seated earlier than we were. We waited a LONG time to be seated even though there were many empty seats in the restaurant, and when we WERE seated we waited quite a while for our server, while our wet, rained on bodies froze in the blasting air conditioning. When our server DID finally come he was very polite and attentive. He let us know that our dietary preference had been noted and asked if we'd like to talk to the chef. When we told him we would like to talk to her, he said she would come right out and mentioned to us we might want to order one of the salads without meat, egg and cheese. We figured the chef might give us some better options, but she took quite a while to come out. When she did finally come out to let us know what we could eat she seemed like we were inconveniencing her. Neither of us remember her name and simply refer to her as "the crappy chef". She opened the menu and said "well, let's see, for an appetizer -" (we got an appetizer because we booked the Fantasmic! Dining Package, which you can also get for free on the Dining Plan, and which includes an appetizer in addition to the entree, drink and dessert you would normally get on the plan) "-we don't have much for you. You can get one of our salads without the meat, eggs or cheese. that's about it. Our vegan entree is the coconut tofu, so you can get that, and we don't have any vegan desserts". We asked if there was anything we could substitute for dessert and she said "oh. well we have a house made mango sorbet that is vegan. You can have that" then she left. There was a mixed greens salad or a cobb salad that we could order for an appetizer, so I figured I'd order one and Emily would get the other. Our server then informed us that the cobb salad was for two people and would take up both of our credits, we were thinking of just getting that when he also told us "but it's pretty much all meat, cheese and eggs. If you order it without all of that you'll just be getting shredded iceberg lettuce and avocado". We decided to get the mixed greens instead, which didn't come with avocado but at least offered more than shredded iceberg (normally it came with goat cheese, which we of course asked for it to be made without). Our server offered to bring us out some avocado at no additional cost, which was very nice, but still, the salad was basically a plate of greens with red wine vinaigrette dressing (good dressing, but a sparse salad). We also got some hot rolls and a plate of vinegar and oil with fresh pepper to dip it in. The bread may have been my favorite part of the meal.
Our main entree was coconut tofu stir fry. We had seen pictures of this several months ago and Emily had been excited to try this meal ever since we started researching possible vegan options at Disney World. It came with snap peas in the pod, noodles, bok choy, mushrooms, lima beans, and I think one more vegetable I cannot remember.
The coconut crusted tofu itself was absolutely delicious, but don't let the picture fool you - it was tiny! We only got one piece of tofu each and it was the smallest thing. We were expecting some kind of tofu steak and what we got was in actuality smaller than a York peppermint patty. Everything was mixed in some kind of indistinguishable broth that was not all that tasty. The noodles we uncharacteristic for asian cuisine (they tasted like cheap spaghetti noodles) and kind of gross to choke down. Many of the vegetables tasted raw and their taste was further diminished by the broth they were soaked in (I can most liken it to mushroom soup mixed with soy sauce). I'll say again that the tofu itself was wonderful, but the rest of the entree was crap. Neither of us finished it. Next came our sorbet
take a look at the picture and reflect upon how large that grape looks in comparison to the scoop of sorbet we were given. A small child could have easily swallowed the entire portion of sorbet in one gulp. Again, the sorbet was pretty delicious but it was SO small and everything else around it was sub-par. The melon that came with our sorbet had pretty much no taste and from its color appeared to be cut from the tough part of the fruit attached to the rind. We were so disappointed in this meal and the whole experience surrounding it. On top of it all, the Brown Derby charges TWO table service credits on the dining plan so we were left with one crappy meal in the place of two possibly delicious ones (by contrast, 'Ohana only charges on table service credit... there is something totally wrong there. Oh how I wish we had just booked two extra times at 'Ohana instead!). To top it all off, the vouchers you are given for Fantasmic! are only good for the first performance, entitled you to seats that are not all that great, and expire if the rest of the amphitheater is full and they need the "dining package" seats to put extra bodies. We didn't use them and just went to the late Fantasmic! show. I can't even remember what else I wanted to say about the Brown Derby now because I am so mad thinking about this whole ordeal. Maybe Emily will remember. This was by far the worst meal we experienced during our stay and the biggest waste of time/table service credits we can think of anyone using. Do yourself a favor when at Hollywood Studios and go to the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater or the 50s Prime Time Cafe instead. Andrea (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2180199&page=6) gives great vegan reviews for both. We made a mistake not going to one of those neat places!
). I don't see how anyone would PAY for this meal. I wish we wouldn't have used two whole credits for this meal, but we did and I can't really dwell on it. The best I can do is just to make sure other people don't go there!
haha
I can't wait to read more!
Probably funnier to me, than you, but at least he knew what it meant! 
what amazing food you were served! TJ is a legend! He obviously rose to the challenge. That tower of vegan loveliness really made me drool!
at the Brown Derby. It looked sad. 
