Following a great lunch at Le Cellier, our family from California that traveled across the country was going to have California food in Florida. Just seemed kind of funny. We were looking forward to this dinner not only because it was a signature restaurant but it was also just a short boat ride away. The girls were very impressed about checking in downstairs and taking a private elevator to the restaurant. We had a 7:30 reservations and no plans on staying around for fireworks but were hoping for a nice sunset. Unfortunately it was overcast and did not get much at all. Here is the view which is truly spectacular.
We did not get a window seat but one near the kitchen which was fine with us. Our server started us off with some great Sourdough Bread with butter and sea salt. It was almost as good as what we get in San Francisco.
DD16 had the Seasonal Beefsteak Tomato soup with crispy shrimp. Very rich and creamy.
DW broke from her salads by ordering the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli with Sun-dried Tomatoes, Pesto, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Basil. She really loves goat cheese and this did not disappoint.
I have had my eye on the Crispy Asian Rock Shrimp Salad with Florida Citrus, Red Onions, Soy Reduction, and Wasabi Cream since I saw it on the menu before we left. I should mention here that we are such an OC planning family that DD16 made a menu book up back in January with a collection of menus from all of the restaurants we had booked. Many times at dinner talking about vacation we would whip out the menu book and see what our choices would be, sad but true. Anyway back to the salad. This was by far the best appetizer that I had the entire trip. The combination of salad, citrus fruit, crispy shrimp and wasabi dressing made it unbelievable. The wasabi favor was so strong that my first reaction was to wait for heat that was sure to come but it never did. Not sure how they did this but it was yummy.
For entrees, DD16 stayed with the Seared Day Boat Scallops with Chorizo, Baby Squash, Fingerling Potatoes, Heirloom Tomatoes, Sorrel Pistou. She said that scallops were better than the ones at Artist Point but the sauce was not. Still in all good.
DW made the obvious choice of Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Goat Cheese Polenta, Roasted Mushrooms, Zinfandel Glaze, and Sage strictly on the Polenta. This dish is to die for if you like the ingredients. It was the easy winner for best dish of the night.
About this time DD10 had run out of gas on the steak option especially since we had fillets for lunch. She opted for the Handmade Fettuccine with Sautéed Chanterelle and Summer Mushrooms, fresh Buttermilk Ricotta, Tiny Basil. The server made a point of asking her if she really liked mushrooms. When she got it we could see why. It was chalked full of mushrooms which DD loved.
Since I was feeling a bit anemic, I decided that I needed more red meat and ordered the Oak-fired Filet of Beef, Mascarpone Potatoes, Blue Lake Beans, Arugula Oil, Teriyaki Barbecue. I wanted to make a comparison with lunch after all. Anyway this was just as good as lunch but with a much different taste.
DD16 continued her quest and ordered the Tanzanian Chocolate Crème Brûlée Crème Brûlée with a Citrus Financier and Chocolate-Hazelnut Bark. Her comment on this was that it had too strong of a chocolate taste. How can that be? It was very good.
DW wanted something lighter so she ordered the Lemon Trio, Pudding Cake with Citrus Syrup Lemon Curd with Huckleberry Compote Lemon infused Tapioca. I had not know this but none of my family had every had tapioca before. I mean I grew up on the stuff but to them this was some new and exciting find. All of the trio were good.
DD10 and I ordered the Valrhona Chocolate Cake, Warm Chocolate Cake with Molten Center, Macerated California Strawberries and Grand Marnier. I loved it even though it had strawberries. She thought it was OK.
As I mentioned we sat across from the kitchen and it was fun watching them all running around like Iron Chefs preparing dinners.
After dinner we walked out on the observation deck to catch a view of the Magic Kingdom. I did not drag my tripod along with me so we did not stick around for the fireworks.
DD16 has great tastebuds
And mine are 
