Venting about complainers!!!!!

[JerseyJanice]

In other words it's wrong to expect most of the food to be good if you have bread and water lol

We did go get food after Chef Mickeys. No I really didn't want mashed potatoes after I saw a kid stick their hand in it.

I'd like to say that you should've alerted a CM, but I get not doing that if you're feeling disgusted about the whole experience. Sometimes you just give up. It's vacation after all, and you don't want any confrontation.

I guess it's another discussion entirely, but the food at Chef Mickey's dinner really went downhill over the years. Tho I guess the food being very good at one time is why the place is still so popular. The price for dinner is higher than any other Disney buffet and ADRs are hard to come by.

Back in the day, CM's Parmesan mashed potatoes was a signature dish. Those potatoes, carved prime rib, some salad and the spectacular dessert table made it worth the $30 or so they charged in 1999.

The desserts were depressing to see the last time we ate there in 2010. So downhill! The gorgeous cheesecake decorated with chocolate wafers printed with Mickey faces was replaced by low quality cake squares that the local cheapo buffets might serve.

CM used to have a make-your-own sundae bar with every topping imaginable, including many kinds of candy--nonpareils, M&Ms, Reese's pieces, gummy things, etc. In 2002, our waiter gave us a Ziplock bag to take the candy my then 6 year-old filled a dish with, while under the "supervision" of his aunt.

The last time we went, I noticed that the containers that used to hold the sundae toppings were filled with rubber balls instead. That bummed me out so much, I swore I wouldn't go back till I had grandkids.

The food at CMs was really sumptuous at one time. At the same time, my toddler had a party with the characters, and it was a total win-win. It hooked me into the Disney World obsession that I obviously still have to this day.

I'm not down completely on Disney dining, but CM is clearly resting on its past laurels.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I understand where you're coming from, OP. I'm from eastern NC, and we have a particular style of pulled-pork BBQ here that is, to me, the gold standard of how pulled-pork BBQ should taste (with the vinegary sauce). However, I know that BBQ is one of those things that can differ greatly from region to region, and really, there isn't "our" style in many other parts of the country. So I didn't expect Flame Tree to have the kind of BBQ I'm used to and love, even though I'd read many rave reviews of the place. I didn't think Flame Tree was all that, honestly, even going into it knowing not to expect anything like my home BBQ. But I don't assume that means Flame Tree is garbage and people who like it have no taste. I assume that means *I* didn't think it was all that great.

I'm hoping we do Hoop Dee Doo when we return next December, but I'm already prepared for the fried chicken to pale in comparison to the amazing fried chicken at our local hole-in-the-wall joint. It gets good reviews, and I'm sure it's adequate, but I won't expect it to be "the good stuff" like I'm used to getting here at home.

I do think sometimes people forget that just because THEY didn't care for a certain restaurant or dish or whatever, that doesn't automatically mean it's "bad". Opinions of food are just too subjective. Beyond the actual taste, there are so many other factors that can sway one's perception of food. A person's physical and mental/emotional state can greatly impact their appetite and meal experiences. Being either too exhausted or too keyed up, suddenly craving pizza when you have a reservation for Coral Reef, or finding yourself at the mercy of a 50's Prime Time server when all you want is to crawl back to your room for a nap, can have a profound impact on how you perceive the food you're eating.

I agree that food taste is subjective. IMO, food quality is less so.

I'm with you on 50's, HDD, LTT, etc. They won't compare to southern, comfort food made in a home or Mom & Pop restaurant, so it doesn't make sense to compare them. It would ruin an otherwise fun experience.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

OMG!! It is loud! But I will tell you, when my little Nola is playing in her backyard three doors down, I can hear her every word! Every. Single. Word. LOL!!! No inside voice for her little self! Thank goodness we chose CM for her and her sister Ryrlee's first visit! They blended right in! LOL!

We had taken them out to dinner all Summer long, practicing their good manners, and after that first introduction to their Celebrity Characters, they were better able to contain themselves, but that first meal! Holy Excited!!!

LOL,
I always say "I'm Italian, I have NO inside voice"!
I agree, I know enough not to order CHH lobster roll ( It tastes like McDonald's $8.99 lobster roll they have all summer in New England.) I also do not order pizza at WDW because the water in Orlando is horrid (imho) and good Pizza dough begins with flour and water. I have recently heard, however, that Via Napoli uses imported water, so I'm planning on trying theirs sometime.
I wouldn't dream of ordering food that is local here (I'm situated perfectly between Boston and NYC) and that i love. I know I probably won't like it so why put myself in a position of hating my meal?
But I will honestly review what I do eat, and frequently I've been surprised at the quality of some of our meals...
(Shutters for example)
So, I will continue to review to the best of my ability, good, bad or indifferent.
Thanks @Nancyg56 !

 

[tarheelmjfan]

LOL,
I always say "I'm Italian, I have NO inside voice"!
I agree, I know enough not to order CHH lobster roll ( It tastes like McDonald's $8.99 lobster roll they have all summer in New England.) I also do not order pizza at WDW because the water in Orlando is horrid (imho) and good Pizza dough begins with flour and water. I have recently heard, however, that Via Napoli uses imported water, so I'm planning on trying theirs sometime.
I wouldn't dream of ordering food that is local here (I'm situated perfectly between Boston and NYC) and that i love. I know I probably won't like it so why put myself in a position of hating my meal?
But I will honestly review what I do eat, and frequently I've been surprised at the quality of some of our meals...
(Shutters for example)
So, I will continue to review to the best of my ability, good, bad or indifferent.
Thanks @Nancyg56 !

Some Florida water is horrid & some isn't. I have a sister who lives in a small city in NC & her water is disgusting. They all think our water is good. Naturally, it isn't as good as the spring water in NC that I grew up drinking, but all water in FL isn't equal.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Some Florida water is horrid & some isn't. I have a sister who lives in a small city in NC & her water is disgusting. They all think our water is good. Naturally, it isn't as good as the spring water in NC that I grew up drinking, but all water in FL isn't equal.

I should have clarified and not said Orlando water, but WDW water.
I really do believe good tasting water can make or break a dish though. I even buy bottled water for my room to make coffee, that's how strongly I taste the water there.
No offense meant...

 

[Nancyg56]

[QUOTE="Nancyg56, post: 56436982, member: 94834]

"NOLA" is New Orleans.

New Orleans Louisiana (LA) to explain the LA part of it.

Was your little Nola named after NOLA?[/QUOTE]

Thanks got the LA! I never say that soI always forget.

I have no idea where Welby came up with Nola, but I know it was not from NOLA. They moved in a few doors down just before Nola was born. My DH works with her DH so I went down to visit when Nola was born. I fell in love! 7 weeks later when Welby was going back to work their daycare fell through and the next thing I knew, Nola was mine! And then her sister came along. I went from one granddaughter to three! I'm blessed!!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I should have clarified and not said Orlando water, but WDW water.
I really do believe good tasting water can make or break a dish though. I even buy bottled water for my room to make coffee, that's how strongly I taste the water there.
No offense meant...

No worries. Most WDW restaurants suffer from poor quality. The best water in the world won't fix that.

 

[Lesverts]

I must be missing something. Cheddar must be aged. Cheese curds are fresh, with essentially no aging, similar to a fresh mozzarella. I'd probably like the flavor of cheddar bits better, but I wouldn't consider them curds. I suppose there could be a difference in the curdling agent, but without aging, I don't expect that to have a huge impact on flavor.

I had vegetarian poutine at a Smoke's in Toronto. I suppose one could argue against authenticity outside of Quebec, and it's hardly enough to make an expert out of me, but I enjoyed it as I'm used to vegetarian gravies.

To make any cheese you have to first separate the curd from the whey. Traditional poutine is made from curds that would have otherwise been destined to become Quebecois cheddar cheese.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

To make any cheese you have to first separate the curd from the whey. Traditional poutine is made from curds that would have otherwise been destined to become Quebecois cheddar cheese.

I so love poutine! (Heart attack on a plate though)
I cannot buy curds anywhere here in CT, so must go poutineless. It's rare these days I get to Montreal or Quebec.
I'm hoping to make it to the new Poutine restaurant in DS when im.there next!

 

[TeresaWen]

A great crab cake is hard to find anywhere. How something that has such basic ingredients can be ruined so may times is beyond me

Agree! Its because people like to play with the recipe and add ingredients that have no business in a crab cake. I wow so many friends with mine. So simple & easy - less is more!

note: have no idea how my cheese picture got attached or how to remove it

 

[goofyintoronto]

I so love poutine! (Heart attack on a plate though)
I cannot buy curds anywhere here in CT, so must go poutineless. It's rare these days I get to Montreal or Quebec.
I'm hoping to make it to the new Poutine restaurant in DS when im.there next!

Poutine is delicious! Of course I love poutine, im Canadian. But really, what a wonderful combination...gravy AND cheese! Let me tell you, i've seen a few restaurants here use regular shredded mozerella instead of cheese curds. Of course curds are always better than mozerella, but honestly mozerella still tastes pretty good! I've done it this way at home too. I dont mind it at all! And my DS doesnt complain either. I cant wait to try the poutine place in Disney Springs myself. The breakfast poutine looks good with the tater tots and egg on top.

 

[Nancyg56]

Poutine is delicious! Of course I love poutine, im Canadian. But really, what a wonderful combination...gravy AND cheese! Let me tell you, i've seen a few restaurants here use regular shredded mozerella instead of cheese curds. Of course curds are always better than mozerella, but honestly mozerella still tastes pretty good! I've done it this way at home too. I dont mind it at all! And my DS doesnt complain either. I cant wait to try the poutine place in Disney Springs myself. The breakfast poutine looks good with the tater tots and egg on top.

True story. My niece is a trooper in VT and lives as far to the north as you can get without stepping foot into Canada. Well, we do not have passports but had been assured that if we had verified licenses we could go into Canada and then come home. So we scramble to get my license verified....must have Poutine you see! Well we all pile in the fa with my nieces and off we go! How exciting! We find the restaurant and all enjoy our dinner, pile back into the car for hem. It is FREEZING!!!!!! But so much fun. Until we get to the border......Moral of the story...Poutine is delicious, but you cannot convince the border patrol the is worth crossing without a passport. And there is something just wrong when your nieces are amused that their Auntie has to explain why she is a model citizen!!!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Diners in New Jersey serve "disco fries" which sound similar to poutine. Disco fries are French fries topped with melted mozzarella and brown gravy.

If the gravy is decent, it's very tasty.

 

[tony67]

Stella Artois is Belgian, cocktails are you kidding and what self respecting British pub servers Bass!!

Also, as a northerner please don't get me started on whatever passes for Mushy Peas in WDW

They could just open a can of Bachelors Mushy peas.
As for the beers - for what I;'ve seen in the last few years (at least in Ireland) and heard from friends in New Castle - Coors Light, Corona and even Budweiser are extremely popular. I've even seen PBR on sale Ennis Ireland - It was more expensive than than the Belgian beers and every pub has Coors Light on draft these days .

At least they use imperial pint glasses at R&C - at the Raglin Road they serve the Guinness in an US pint glass (4oz less) and still charge like it's a full Pint. I find it very annoying to say the least.

Hear, hear! We need lutefisk at Norway, haggis at the UK, and fugu at Japan.

Oh, wait, fugu is illegal in the US. Maybe dancing icefish instead. Or perhaps shirako.

Haggis is Illegal too - because of the sheep lung - but I think they are trying to change that - also I heard the EU is trying to ban authentic haggis as well.

 

[tony67]

venting about complainers - personally I have much bigger issues with the Disney can do no wrong crowd. every thing at Disney is OMG the best thing I ever had. Give me more Kool Aid. Disney food is pretty average at best - and in many cases just awful. I'd much rather go expecting average and be pleasantly surprised.

 

[GaryDis]

Haggis is Illegal too - because of the sheep lung - but I think they are trying to change that - also I heard the EU is trying to ban authentic haggis as well.

That explains why last year they only had vegetarian haggis at F&W. Wikipedia says that veggie haggis really is a thing in Scotland, and it's the one savory F&W item that would have tempted me, but I believe it's off the menu this year.

Thanks for the info. I hadn't known that about haggis and sheep lung in general.

 

[Kbendig]

I am Italian from NJ. I am an Italian food snob. When we would go visit my in laws in Ohio I refused to eat the pizza, it's not pizza to me. That said, in Disney I do change my expectations. When my son wanted Via Napoli for his birthday dinner I questioned him and did say it won't be like the one at home. But it was good, not like home but good. We ate at Tony's and it was terrible, not different actually terrible. And I refuse to not complain about it because of where I am from. Just because it won't be like home doesn't mean we shouldn't expect something edible.

I did laugh at Via Napoli when I ordered something and the server started to explain it to me because it confuses people. My husband laughed and said "she is Italian from NJ" and I said "yea, actually my grandfather came from your home town (yay nametags)". She said ok, that people get it and send it back all the time.

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

As a Canadian I will not even bother trying WDWs attempt at Poutine.

 

[goofyintoronto]

As a Canadian I will not even bother trying WDWs attempt at Poutine.

LOL! I hear you! I had the same thought. But now im actually curious...i'd like to know how it would compare to back home. You never know, it might be the best darn poutine ever. I'm going next month so i'll report back and let you know!

 

[tony67]

LOL! I hear you! I had the same thought. But now im actually curious...i'd like to know how it would compare to back home. You never know, it might be the best darn poutine ever. I'm going next month so i'll report back and let you know!

From what I understand (even from the people who work in the Canadian pavilion) it is nothing like Poutine - it really should be curds in the signature or just call them cheese fries - but it's not unusual inb Montreal to see the option to replace cheese curds (for an extra dollar) with cheddar, at least in my experience.

That being said the Korean Barbecue Poutine and French onion both sound interesting...but again even General Toa Chicken Poutine usually has curds - to me the curds is what makes it Poutine.

It's unfortunate that they don't sell it at a stand in the Canadian Pavilion, maybe next to the beer cart would be a good location...or replace the mill stage with a Poutine stand.

Am I complaining again???