You’ll never get me on a cruise. Unless it’s to ALASKA! Recap and New PTR Link! 2/1

[eandesmom]

I have no idea why I didn't comment here - loved your last update! I just love history, and the places you went were so cool!

Do you remember the frog commercials? RAINIER! RANIER! RAAAAINEEER BEEER! We lived in the Seattle area when I was ages 7-11.

I do remember the frog ones although the one that sticks in my mind is the herd, I can hear it now!

Raaaaaaaaaaaaain

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeearrrrrrrrrr

beeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr


LOL

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

I thought I commented on this last update, but I can't find it anywhere...

I don't know beer at all, but after reading your update I wish that I did! The places that you visited were cute! I wish we had stopped to visit them when we were there.

 

[eandesmom]

I thought I commented on this last update, but I can't find it anywhere...

I don't know beer at all, but after reading your update I wish that I did! The places that you visited were cute! I wish we had stopped to visit them when we were there.

I know the feeling! I'm so behind but then again that's nothing new

It's a very cute town, we had a fun day! I'm hoping to get an update up later today.

 

[eandesmom]

When I left you I mentioned that we ALL had dates to get ready for!

I meant it.

We were going here!

On either the first, or the second, night of the cruise we discovered that our tablemates had booked the same night we had for Palo. Prior to leaving we had been questioned, repeatedly,…..”what/where will we eat while you are at Palo”

My response had been….”we’ll figure it out. I have no worries that you will eat”.

As you may recall the first night raised some concerns about separating kids from parents.

The second showed the kids winning, saying basically we like being with the other kids, leave us alone.

The reality of all the adults having a date scheduled for the same night presented an interesting situation. One I’m quite positive none of the adults involved had ever even considered. One that the kids, definitely figured out.

“We want to eat in our dinner rotation”

“Without you”

“All four of us”

“No adults”

“Animators is our FAVORITE, we don’t want to miss it!”

Huh.

I admit. That scenario never occurred to me. Room service, counter service, etc. Sure. 4 kids on basically a double date, sans adults, nope. And somehow…I wasn’t buying the animators is our favorite line as the primary motivator (Evan’s 7th grade text logs support this…oh has that boy discovered girls…or vice versa! But I digress).

I admit. An amazing server and assistant server that all 4 kids, that we could trust to report back anything wonky? Hadn’t occurred to me either. However, when the kids presented their grand plan to the four of us, we had to agree.

They had sound logic.

They’d shown themselves to be moderately responsible.

They clearly got along.

And really….why the heck not?

And so it was. Our table mates had a early Palo ressie, ours a later one. We all got ready for our evening, albeit Jeff and I a bit more dressed up than the boys. We took the boys in to make and made sure they were settled with the girls (and reminded our server to report back). On the way we had a Snow White sighting and… a little stalking under the guise of checking out our pictures. Horrible pics but, the only time I saw either of them all cruise until the goodbye show and the kids were asking for pics so...here you go.

We then headed up to Palo. Our tablemates were just leaving as we sat and waited for our table, and raved about their dinner. They were taking the “after dinner” shift since we’d “checked” the kids in.

I really wish I had pictures. I read cruise TR’s and see the lovely Palo pics of couples all dressed up. Heck, I saw tons of them at shutters. We ate at Palo twice. Once for brunch, once for dinner. Nary a photographer to be seen. Which is a bit sad as I had rather cute dresses on. Oh well! My camera didn't exactly fit in my evening bag either so...no pics (at least from me)

What can I say about Palo? DO IT! Well worth the small surcharge. Amazing amazing food. I admit.

Here’s how they start you out

Pane Casalingo
Freshly-baked Bread in our Pizza Oven, served with Palo's Famous Dips. Grissini Sticks, Olive Rolls, Ciabatta Rolls and Six Grain Wholemeal

Specialita' Del Palo: Antipasto Freddo
Prosciutto, Bresaola, Parmesan Reggiano, Marinated Olives and Sun-dried Tomatoes

I SWEAR the antipasto included some amazing red peppers that were, for whatever reason simply heavenly to me.

I am fairly sure we both had this…but then again it seems like one of us had a Caesar, which I don’t see on the menu now.

Mozzarella and Plum Tomatoes with Balsamic Dressing
Our modern interpretation of a traditional dish

And then these, to share

Penne Arrabbiata
With spicy fresh Tomato and Basil Sauce and topped with Grilled Shrimp
Wild Mushroom Risotto
with freshly shaved parmesan and a chianti reduction
Get this. Our CM, who was not Italian (I want to say Russian???) asked in detail, how we liked our Arrabiatta and explained that their normal version was rather Americanized but he could kick it up for me. And so we said…go for it! It was PERFECT.

For our entrees I had

Osso Buco di Vitello
Slow-roasted center cut veal shank with gremolata and risotto Milanese
I found a picture online…so I am borrowing it!

Branzino in Cartoccio
Sea Bass Papillote with spaghetti vegetables and ginger orange glaze
For Dessert?
More borrowed pics
Panna Cotta
Sweet, White Cream Custard with fresh Berries

Chocolate Soufflé
With Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Sauce

The soufflé was divine, though I’m not a huge fan. The Panna Cotta was good but…mine is better.

All paired with an amazing bottle of Barolo (we splurged) and then coffee with dessert (they may have been coffee drinks lol, I don’t recall) it was just an amazingly lovely night.

Having a 8:30 ressie did mean that Palo pretty much took up the entire evening, it is not a quick experience, nor should it be. The kids called after their dinner to ask if the could hang with the girls and the mom’s and do some pin trading. We agreed…with the caveat of a 10:30 bedtime . In reality, we weren’t far behind! We were in bed by 11:30 ourselves I think and the kids were out cold. Chatting with them the next day, they raved about their dinner (the reality that each had 2 desserts coming out later, not necessarily volunteered) and pin trading. Another great evening all around!
It had been an early day,a long day and a good day! Tomorrow was Juneau and our “big” excursion. We went to bed excited, and slightly nervous about whether or not we’d have any kind of weather issues that might cancel our outing. It was also a shorter port day (leaving at 4:30) so we wanted to make sure we were up in time to actually see some of the city before our 12:15 excursion.

 

[heaven2dc]

How cute that the kids wanted a dinner away from you parents! I had no doubt that they would behave - they seem like such great kids Would have liked to be a mouse watching their interaction though

Your dinner looks yummy - I am so convinced now to take another cruise!

 

[Flossbolna]

Sounds like you had a wonderful evening!! How funny that the boys had a date, too! And I am very impressed that they did so well with having dinner on their own and getting to bed on time. Sounds like they have great parents who are bringing them up.

I am bit confused however, from what you wrote it sounds that the penne arrabiata were served with risotto?? Sounds like a strange combination. But otherwise the food sounds delicious!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I love Palo too!!! I'm glad it worked out with your tablemates and their kids!!! Fun for everyone!

 

[eandesmom]

How cute that the kids wanted a dinner away from you parents! I had no doubt that they would behave - they seem like such great kids Would have liked to be a mouse watching their interaction though

Your dinner looks yummy - I am so convinced now to take another cruise!

It's funny, I think I was less concerned with their behavior (which was likely that much better because we weren't there) than what other diners might think of 4 tweens eating without adults!

It was delicious!

Sounds like you had a wonderful evening!! How funny that the boys had a date, too! And I am very impressed that they did so well with having dinner on their own and getting to bed on time. Sounds like they have great parents who are bringing them up.

They are smart enough to know that not getting to bed on time, and checking in, means those kinds of privileges won't be allowed again. In fact they wanted to call again to check on something and the mom's told them not to, that they'd take responsiblity if they got in trouble for being late (I think they got in 15 minutes later than the agreed upon time). The one mom thought was was great that they were so concerned. I thought it was a reflection on how mean we are when they don't follow the rules.

I am bit confused however, from what you wrote it sounds that the penne arrabiata were served with risotto?? Sounds like a strange combination. But otherwise the food sounds delicious!

No, it was two different courses. Which is a bit odd I know, as really I could have skipped the pasta course and just gone to the entree...but I really wanted some arrabiata! I'm also not a huge fan of saffron risotto, I always want to like it and I love risotto but for some reason saffron just doesn't do it for me.

I love Palo too!!! I'm glad it worked out with your tablemates and their kids!!! Fun for everyone!

We really enjoyed it and were so lucky to be able to go for brunch and dinner. It really couldn't have worked out better

 

[pixarmom]

I love it! As the mom of two tweens (along with our 4-year-old), I fully appreciate this update to your trip report - hilarious!

We've been on the fence regarding Palo. It sounds great but I usually don't eat much for breakfast/brunch and I wasn't sure about leaving the boys for dinner. (That's largely due to my own guilt, but that's probably silly because I'm guessing they don't really care that much.) So we don't usually do date night on vacation unless my parents are traveling with us, and this would be a first. But your report is making me rethink this - maybe an 8:30pm Palo reservation would work for us . . .

Looking forward to your day in Juneau!

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

(the reality that each had 2 desserts coming out later, not necessarily volunteered)

That's always funny when that happens, I remember on one cruise I couldn't decide between two deserts on the menu, I chose one on the recommendation of the server. Then about two minutes after he brought the first one out he cam over with the second.

 

[Happydog]

Palos!!! sigh. SO good!!! we are on for all three of the options, Brunch, Tea, and Dinner.... yeah yeah glutton! Oh well. I missed the tea and brunch on our last cruise so I wanted to be sure to get it this time!!! I am glad you enjoyed your dinner! We really just cannot say enough about it! That is great that your kids were able to have dinner at Animators just together, of course "why not!" if anywhere it can certainly happen on a Disney cruise!

Looking forward to your next excursion!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Oh, what a date night you all had!

Your Palo dinner looks wonderful. It seems like a different menu than we had, but maybe I just didn't notice the items you had.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Palo's sounds like a perfect date night, and the boys sound like they did well on their own (with the girls) at Animator's! What a great time for everyone!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

How fun the kids got a night on the town on their own! And with two desserts... you are raising them right.

Palo sounds amazing. If I ever do a cruise, that will definitely be tops on my list to try!!

 

[eandesmom]

I love it! As the mom of two tweens (along with our 4-year-old), I fully appreciate this update to your trip report - hilarious!

We've been on the fence regarding Palo. It sounds great but I usually don't eat much for breakfast/brunch and I wasn't sure about leaving the boys for dinner. (That's largely due to my own guilt, but that's probably silly because I'm guessing they don't really care that much.) So we don't usually do date night on vacation unless my parents are traveling with us, and this would be a first. But your report is making me rethink this - maybe an 8:30pm Palo reservation would work for us . . .

Looking forward to your day in Juneau!

Well, we will have that same issue if we do end up on the Dream in August. We won't want to leave Kendall for dinner, I don't think. But brunch might be ok. We didn't do much of a date night on our previous WDW trip, not wanting to ditch the in-laws either but in retrospect, we should have done a full night. It was a lovely night for all, very glad it played out the way it did (and lucky!!!).

That's always funny when that happens, I remember on one cruise I couldn't decide between two deserts on the menu, I chose one on the recommendation of the server. Then about two minutes after he brought the first one out he cam over with the second.

We didn't have 2 desserts but Jeff had a second veal chop the 1st night and I know we had multiple salads or starters various times. VERY easy to totally overeat!

Palos!!! sigh. SO good!!! we are on for all three of the options, Brunch, Tea, and Dinner.... yeah yeah glutton! Oh well. I missed the tea and brunch on our last cruise so I wanted to be sure to get it this time!!! I am glad you enjoyed your dinner! We really just cannot say enough about it! That is great that your kids were able to have dinner at Animators just together, of course "why not!" if anywhere it can certainly happen on a Disney cruise!

Looking forward to your next excursion!!!

I couldn't see Jeff getting into the tea but would love to know what you think of it. The kids were thrilled with how it worked out, they'd been envisioning room service or the buffet, or counter service and really didn't want to miss Animators.

Oh, what a date night you all had!

Your Palo dinner looks wonderful. It seems like a different menu than we had, but maybe I just didn't notice the items you had.

We did have a lovely date night! I do wish we actually had pictures of it but oh well.

 

[eandesmom]

Palo's sounds like a perfect date night, and the boys sound like they did well on their own (with the girls) at Animator's! What a great time for everyone!

It was a great night all around, couldn't have asked for better!

How fun the kids got a night on the town on their own! And with two desserts... you are raising them right.

Palo sounds amazing. If I ever do a cruise, that will definitely be tops on my list to try!!

The 2 desserts thing was funny. I think they thought we'd care or be upset. It's a cruise! It's already paid for! Go for it (as long as you ate your dinner first of course).



You would love Palo!

 

[jedijill]

Palo is one of my favorites. I ate there for dinner one night and had the souffle and I think I tried one of the other desserts....definitely pigged out! My waiter showed up at my cabin door about 1 1/2 hours later with ANOTHER souffle! OMG, I didn't ask for it...I nibbled just because they are so fabulous but I really think I overdid it that night!

Jill in CO

 

[eandesmom]

Palo is one of my favorites. I ate there for dinner one night and had the souffle and I think I tried one of the other desserts....definitely pigged out! My waiter showed up at my cabin door about 1 1/2 hours later with ANOTHER souffle! OMG, I didn't ask for it...I nibbled just because they are so fabulous but I really think I overdid it that night!

Jill in CO

They brought a souffle to your room??????? What room where you in?

 

[jedijill]

They brought a souffle to your room??????? What room where you in?

I was in a regular cheap inside cabin! No concierge for me. I didn't order it...my server just decided to bring it to me.

Jill in CO

 

[eandesmom]

I was in a regular cheap inside cabin! No concierge for me. I didn't order it...my server just decided to bring it to me.

Jill in CO

Wow! I thought only the Walt and the Roy got Palo room service (I don't think regular concierge gets it but could be wrong). You must have made a big impression on your server.