Where we ate for two weeks...

[epcotfan]

El Pirata Y El Perico - MK

It was actually open? I'm amazed. It has been closed for so long. Even last summer during the busy tourist season. I'm glad to hear it was open.

 

[Momof6]

Yep! We have never - in all our two week trips - found this place open! It was only open for limited hours...11-4 a couple of the days we were there. We noticed on the day before we left that it was actually open. We ordered the tacos, an order of nacho chips and two of the taco salads. The menu is very, very limited. Our DD14 wanted the beef empanada (as did many of the people in line) but it was 11am and they said that they wouldn't be ready for at least another 1/2 hour. The salads and tacos were good. The shells were fresh, and the meat was hot. I was somewhat disappointed in the nachos - which were just chips served with salsa. No cheese. They were ok, and we were hungry, as we didn't eat breakfast that day.
I don't think that people realized they were open at first - but by the time we were finishing up our meal the lines were long. Everything was clean, but the CMs were a little less 'fun' than in other places. Not too many smiles here.

Denise

 

[Momof6]

Well, I think we would actually like Liberty Tree Tavern! Liberty Inn is the counter service restaurant in Epcot America's pavilion. I am always so disappointed in this place. Only DD12 got food here. The rest of us were eating fish, and that didn't appeal to her that night. She ordered the chicken strips meal. IMO - it always seems like the lines are longer here - the food is just so-so - and it is dirty. Many of the tables had food left on them, napkins underneath, etc. Maybe it is just me. When her chicken came out we asked if there was any dipping sauce with it - the CM said no, they don't have any. Fortunately another CM heard the conversation and said that the sauce was on the toppings cart. We realized after getting out there that there are different things on each of the carts, so be sure to check both for what you might like! Couple chicken strips and a small handful of fries was $7.05 with tax. We didn't have any change on us - so we ended up with a full handful of nickels as change...she said, "I only have pennies and nickels." Hmmmm.
Anyway, all that to say, we will eventually eat our way over to the Liberty Tree Inn!

Denise

 

[Momof6]

Didn't forget you guys...I'll post the ones you asked about today!
I can get sucked right into being on here all day...so I force myself to do a few things in between reliving our wonderful vaca!
Today I have to get the rest of our film developed! Besides our digital camera - 500 pics, I took 22 rolls of film with my SLR camera. Had a new lens with me and I had so much fun!

Denise

 

[Momof6]

Just a note - I have written this 2 times before and my computer FROZE up...so I am trying again! It is long (as usual) and I was so frustrated when it froze that I couldn't try again yesterday!

We decided to eat at Rose and Crown for dinner on our last day. We had 5:40 PSs and had to wait about 15 minutes. It was no problem for us, because we wanted to look around in the UK area more anyway.

We ate outside (like under the covered area) and it was a very pleasant night. The setting sun was a little bright at one point, and it made it difficult to see if you were facing away from the lagoon.

We wanted to try an appetizer. Decided on the Mushroom Ragout. Yes, we all like mushrooms and garlic and shallots...It was a big portion (bowl not cup). We thought it was very good. It was hot and loaded with mushrooms.
They brought rolls with butter as well.

DH ordered the Steak and Prawns with mashed potatoes and green beans. The shrimp were enormous. He said that the steak was very tender, and cooked as he requested. He also enjoyed the Imperial Sampler of beer - 5 glasses (maybe 6oz?) of beer.
DD12 and I ordered the Chicken Pasty with mashed potatoes and green beans. The chicken is in a pastry with mixed fresh garden veggies and has cream sauce on it. Also very good, and large portion. Noticed the trend towards 'heavier' foods here on the menu.
DD14 ordered the Pan-seared salmon filet with saffron rice, green beans and caper relish. She really liked the salmon. Didn't necessarily care for the rice with it. I think she was jealous because she really likes mashed potatoes, and we all had them. I tasted her salmon and it was very nicely seasoned.

We decided that we wanted to get dessert - not because we were hungry at all...more because I was not leaving our last WDW dinner without dessert! We decided to get the Chef Signature Dessert Tasting (creme brulee, sticky toffee pudding and warm apple crumble.) It comes out on one long dish with three smaller round dishes on top. I loved the creme brulee - best I've had. DD12 and DD14 loved the toffee pudding and DH the apple crumble. We each tasted everything. We got a piece of Guinness Chocolate Cake to go. It sounded so good. We ended up eating it very late while we were packing. Maybe it was just because we were not in a happy mood - but we didn't finish it. I didn't think it was that good. Probably worst part of the whole meal for us.

In all the meal was realy, really good. We did notice a big difference in our bill from late lunches to this being a dinner hour meal. Our total was $117.15 with tax but not tip.

Oh - and in answer to your question about the fish and chips. I didn't notice anyone in the restaurant with it. We did eat it one night from the counter. We noticed that the line for the counter was very long every time we passed the place, and it smelled really good. Sorry I can't help you out there!

Hope this helps,

Denise

 

[Momof6]

I was so optimistic before leaving about the food at SOG being good. Unfortunately we were mostly unimpressed. We wanted to try Manginos - but didn't realize until too late that it wasn't open every day. We had PSs for the days that we could have fit it in.

We got food from the take out window at Evergreens one day while we were by the pool. It was ok. I didn't think the prices were all that much better than at the parks quite honestly. I paid like $6.50 for tuna fish and a handful of chips - and it was on white bread that wasn't all that fresh. DHs wrap from there looked better than the sandwich. The person at the window was kind of freaking out every time we went in there (it is near the bathroom so we got to see her nearly every day.) AND every day it was the same stressed out attitude there!

We decided to try the restaurant one night. Too bad. The menu is exactly the same as the take out window. Kind of disappointing. The drinks are served in plastic cups, and they are small. The waiter was odd - trying to act funny but it was more of an uncomfortable funny than anything. We had to ask for some different silverware - two dirty forks. We settled on three appetizers, since non of us seemed that hungry once we were in there. The place was empty and they seated us in the middle of the room. I asked to be moved - but she just moved us down a table, still in the middle of the room. Anyway, when he brought out the appetizers he brought out small plates for us to use - again, one was dirty (really sticky like it had honey or something on it.) They were plastic plates. He seemed put out when I asked for a new one. Sorry, I don't want a dirty plate. The onion rings were greasy - really greasy. The chicken wings were unappealing to me (but I will say that we are from western NY near Buffalo - so when they say Buffalo wings we know what they are really supposed to be like.) The nachos were probably the best thing we got. There were a lot of them and there was enough cheese on them. We wanted dessert - but he brought our check and left it on the table before we could ask for anything. When he came back I said that we would like to see the dessert menu...he picked up the check and did an about-face and went to get it. I'm sorry to rant, but I didn't like this at all. We got dessert. It was ok. Shared the Key lime pie and apple crisp. The ice cream was completely melted by the time he brought it out. IMO - we wouldn't go back there. Maybe just the take out window.

The Garden Gallery was the only other place we tried. It was ok. Typical buffet food. We didn't do dinner - only breakfast. I think dinner might have been better. They had scrambled eggs, home fried potatoes, bagels, fruit, danish, french toast, oatmeal and grits, cottage cheese, orange and apple juice and sausage. I think that was it. Be careful if you go - when they say they close at 11 they close at 11! People had just sat down about 15 minutes before and they were closing things up! I would be mad. Our meal was adequate. I don't think it was worth the price.

I'm thinking that Manginos is probably a good place to eat. Maybe we hit it on an off day when we went. We really aren't picky eaters. We don't need fancy food. Mostly I get mad if things don't seem clean or if the staff is abrupt. That's what we got!

Sorry so down. Probably our worst dining experiences during our whole 2 week stay.


Denise

 

[Momof6]

This was a winner! The Express Cafe had very polite staff behind the counter. The food was good, the menu limited but adequate. The prices were very reasonable. There were enough chairs and tables when we were there to accomodate everyone who needed them. Everything was clean. I would recommend this for a change of pace over in your room food. Much easier to get some protein with their egg and cheese/bacon/ham/sausage, etc. croissonts (sp?) than an in your room muffin. They had V8 and other juices. We only stopped there for breakfast - but they were open for other meals as well. Convenient to the bus, too.

Denise

 

[DaveT1]

Thanks for taking the time, it is appreciated. Sounds like most everything went well for you.

 

[baileybelle]

Momof6...Thanks so much for the info on Sog restaurants. Sorry to hear the food wasn't very good but we probably will be eating mostly in the parks anyway. The only place we'll eat often at is the Express Cafe in the morning. Thanks again!

 

[Minniespal]

Excellent report ~ Thanx for sharing.