You mean I DO get to go to WDW in 2014?? - Link to TR in post #523

[franandaj]

For our final Disney adventure we were able to score reservations through my friend at a special Club 33 dinner with the Winery that makes wine for Kurt Russell.

They started us off in the lounge for Steakhouse 55 with a Rose.



There were butler passed hors d’oeuvres. These are Green Olive Phyllo treats filled with strawberry compote, I think there was goat cheese in there too. I’m glad they didn’t tell me about the olives or I wouldn’t have eaten one.



This plate contained Tenderloin of Beef Medallions, Chive Sour Cream, Rose of Syrah Sea Salt, and Hearts of Palm and Squid Ink with Calvedos Misted Sea Grass. I passed on the Hearts of Palm, but the Steak was brilliant!





We were seated at our table and given menus.





We were served Bread and Butter immediately.



Our friend was kind enough to take pictures of us.





Kurt Russell was sitting only a table away from us, but the room was so dark, I could barely snap a picture. Instead our first course came out. It was a Maine Lobster Cocktail tossed with Lemon Verbena Aioli, and a Lavender Mustard Seed Cracker. It was served with a GoGi, Lulu Viognier, from Santa Rita Hills bottled in 2012. It was fantastic as was the wine.



Kurt Russell got up to speak, and I took dozens of pictures of him, but with the lighting and the way we kept moving, I was lucky to get what it did.



Our next course came and it was the Pan Seared Halibut Cheeks with Pancetta Bacon Snow, Seared Watermelon and Cipollini Charcoal. It was served with the Goldie Chardonnay also from Santa Rita Hills, 2012. Now this was REALLY good, both the wine and the fish, but the seared watermelon was also great! The sauce was just perfect on the fish.



Kurt got up to speak and he told us about the name Gogi. He couldn’t pronounce his middle name “Vogel” so he called himself Gogo and the family used it as a nickname, turns out Goldie had the same nickname, so now Kurt is Gogi and she’s Gogo. Hence the name of the wine. I kept trying to take pictures of him, but it was so dark, they are just big blurs.

Our next course came out. Sonoma Duck two ways, Jilleybean Vegetable Bolognese, Truffled Potato “Fettucini”, it was served with a Jillybean Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, 2010. This was very good, but I was definitely starting to get pretty full. The Potato Fettucini was really unique and good. I couldn’t finish this one.




[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]


Bob Gurr was also in attendance at this even and he came around to the tables to chat and take photos with folks.



Our next course was Grilled Elk Chopped Steak, Egg Creamed spinach, Candied Carrot, Rhubard Demi Gastric. It was served with and Ampelos Grenache from the Santa Rita Hills, 2008. This was very flavorful and I really liked it, but was so full that I could only eat a couple bites. They let us take this one home. Actually Olga quite enjoyed this.



Kurt Russell spoke some more, this time about his time making movies as a kid. He was way on the other side of the room so there was no way I could get a picture of him this time. We were served our dessert which was a Manjari Chocolate Tart, Caramelized Banana, Hazelnut Crème Anglaise, with a Mango Sorbet. It was served with an Ampelos, Late Harvest Viognier. I didn’t care for this very much, I’m not a big banana and chocolate together fan, but other really enjoyed it.



Chef Marcel came out so I asked if he would take a picture with me.



And then I was able to snag one with Kurt Russell



And then we headed out of there and took Jill home to the Anabella.

I’m going to go ahead and wrap this up since the rest of our time together isn’t quite enough for a full update. The next day Jill called when she checked out of her hotel. I gave her directions to the new house and we met there for a tour. After that we decided to head out for lunch. We decided on the Crab Pot, a local seafood place at the marina in Long Beach.





We got the Seafood Feast with Dungeness and Snow Crab, also includes Shrimp, Andouille Sausage, Clams, Mussels, Red Potatoes, and Corn. Basically they tie a bib around your neck, give you a mallet and a little fork, some paper towels and butter and you just go for it.



Then we took the Nickel tour of Long Beach.

Over the bridge to Belmont Shore





Down Ocean Blvd.





Over to visit the Queen



We went up to the top of Signal Hill to look out over the city.





And that concluded our tour. In case you’re wondering about the different times of day that the pictures came from, I just recycled those from old pictures, none of them actually represent pictures we took on that day. And then we said goodbye. Another great week of DISmeets!

 

[Pinkocto]

Ok, even though your dinner looked fabulous I can not get over that you were in the same room as Kurt Russell, let alone TOOK A PICTURE WITH HIM!!!!! I'm having heart palpitations just imagining it! Wow, what an evening!

So did you eat one of the olive apps?

Lunch the next day looked fun.

 

[Fairy Floss]

Oh my goodness!
That potato soup....
Dinner with Kurt Russell....
And... That seafood feast
Mmmmmmmm......

 

[PrincessInOz]

And then I was able to snag one with Kurt Russell

OMG! OMG!!


You. TOUCHED. him!!!!

HE. TOUCHED. YOU!!!!!



I'm in 7th heaven. Someone I know actually got to touch the Computer that Wore Tennis Shoes.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Wow! What an amazing couple of days DisMeet.

What a jackpot!

Kurt Russell AND Bob Gurr AND Chef Marcel AND that food. I'm so envious.

(Say hi to that friend of yours for me.)


That seafood place looks great. Maybe next time I'm there, we can go there.

 

[franandaj]

Ok, even though your dinner looked fabulous I can not get over that you were in the same room as Kurt Russell, let alone TOOK A PICTURE WITH HIM!!!!! I'm having heart palpitations just imagining it! Wow, what an evening!

So did you eat one of the olive apps?

Lunch the next day looked fun.

The dinner was wonderful and they couple next to us kept feeding us their extra wine. We ended a little more tipsy than we expected.

I'm not a big star struck person. I enjoy the fact that I could take pictures with Bob Gurr and Kurt Russell but I didn't really get out of stride. I just figured it was nice to get a shot with the headliners to round out the night.

Oh my goodness!
That potato soup....
Dinner with Kurt Russell....
And... That seafood feast
Mmmmmmmm......

It was all good!

OMG! OMG!!


You. TOUCHED. him!!!!

HE. TOUCHED. YOU!!!!!



I'm in 7th heaven. Someone I know actually got to touch the Computer that Wore Tennis Shoes.

I'm not sure about the Computer that wore Tennis shoes, but he did grab a hold of me and hold on for the picture!

Wow! What an amazing couple of days DisMeet.

What a jackpot!

Kurt Russell AND Bob Gurr AND Chef Marcel AND that food. I'm so envious.

(Say hi to that friend of yours for me.)


That seafood place looks great. Maybe next time I'm there, we can go there.

We could definitely hit the Crab Pot next time, I bet we could order what Jill and I got for me you and your DH, DS and still not eat it all!

I forgot to post the pic of how I repurposed the leftovers that night. Seafood cakes and potatoes and corn.

 

[PrincessInOz]

That's great use of leftovers.

 

[rentayenta]

Holy chit! Best update ever!!!! You ladies look lovely and Kurt is still so totally handsome.

Long Beach. I can't believe I willingly moved away.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Kurt Russell yeah! Love his movies. What a great evening! That is brilliant you meet him. Love the photo of you with him. You all look very nicely dressed btw.

The menu looked good to me but hold the mango with chocolate with banana tart...strange combo!

Oh love the sound of lobster pot lunch. Right up my street just bib me and tuck in to fish n seafood. Glad you had a good time with your friend. What a Dismeet

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I was just watching Man vs Food. He went to Philipe's in LA for their famous French Dipped sandwich. Omg how nice do they look! Have you been? I was licking the TV....( vegetarians turn away it was meat , meat and more meat )

 

[dolphingirl47]

That dinner looks and sounds absolutely amazing.

Corinna

 

[franandaj]

That's great use of leftovers.

Thanks! I have this "thing" about eating the same thing for two meals in a row, so this worked out as a nice change.

Holy chit! Best update ever!!!! You ladies look lovely and Kurt is still so totally handsome.

Long Beach. I can't believe I willingly moved away.

Thanks! I do have to he is pretty handsome. Normally I don't give too many guys much of a second glance.

Kurt Russell yeah! Love his movies. What a great evening! That is brilliant you meet him. Love the photo of you with him. You all look very nicely dressed btw.

The menu looked good to me but hold the mango with chocolate with banana tart...strange combo!

Oh love the sound of lobster pot lunch. Right up my street just bib me and tuck in to fish n seafood. Glad you had a good time with your friend. What a Dismeet

Thanks, the invite did say Semi-formal on the attire so we cleaned ourselves up. Actually the mango sorbet worked pretty good. I'm not a fan of the chocolate and bananas. When you and Jo come to California, we can go there and put on our bibs for seafood!

I was just watching Man vs Food. He went to Philipe's in LA for their famous French Dipped sandwich. Omg how nice do they look! Have you been? I was licking the TV....( vegetarians turn away it was meat , meat and more meat )

I have not been to Philipe's, but Fran and I have talked about going there for years. Supposedly they invented the French Dip.

That dinner looks and sounds absolutely amazing.

Corinna

Thanks! I was on a high from such a great experience!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I finally caught up on your latest update and that was amazing dinner.

A very nice night.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Club 33?? Well, la-dee-da.

Seriously, it looks like it was a great night, and not too many people can say they have a picture with Kurt Russell. Nice going!

 

[ACDSNY]

I'm with PIO, I'm so happy you were able to take such a great picture with Kurt Russell.

 

[dgbg100106]

The star wars package - OMG, that is fabulous!!! Congrats on getting that!

The food porn is killing me this morning, breakfast cereal did not cut it...

Wine dinner that is truly amazing, so freaking jealous!

 

[disney ny]

Hi Alison- I am still following along and have a little catching up to do on your reports since I was on vacation. I thought of you the other day as I am trying to convince my husband that after my trip to WDW this summer we should go to Ca and Disneyland next time and use our points there. So when I think of Ca I immediately think of what else.....fran and aj of course!! I also wanted to let you know I am going to start my very first PTR after lurking about around here for years reading all of yours and the reports so many others in this thread post. You are all my favorites and I hope some of you will follow as I am trying to follow your sage advice such as what you had replied to me earlier in this thread:

Your quote: I think you should do a TR, and you can start the PTR anytime you want! I always do mine in Word and then copy and paste them on the DIS that way I can work on it as I have time and post when I am able. The main thing is people want pictures! Most folks are more apt to follow a TR when you have pictures and if you want Jenny to follow, you need to have pictures of your family! She likes to know who the people are. I like pictures of anything! Food, resort, people, attractions, but mostly the food, resort and parks and attractions, I like to see the people, but if that's all there is I get bored because I like to learn about new things that I didn't know about, games, sights, tasty treats....I would read your TR!


Ok- I am taking your advice and getting ready to post my first part of the PTR! Hoping you will follow along and I may need some help along the way as I know I am already having photobucket issues! Trying to learn from the best! Hoping to get my first post up tonight as I have been super busy at perfecting this whole thing!

 

[franandaj]

I finally caught up on your latest update and that was amazing dinner.

A very nice night.

Thanks! Almost as good as the one we had Saturday night!

Club 33?? Well, la-dee-da.

Seriously, it looks like it was a great night, and not too many people can say they have a picture with Kurt Russell. Nice going!

I'll have to start a celebrity photo file, right now my only pictures are with Celebrity Chefs!

I'm with PIO, I'm so happy you were able to take such a great picture with Kurt Russell.

Thanks!

The star wars package - OMG, that is fabulous!!! Congrats on getting that!

The food porn is killing me this morning, breakfast cereal did not cut it...

Wine dinner that is truly amazing, so freaking jealous!

I can't wait to do the Star Wars package, it's going to be so fun! I've been lucky this last month, had some amazing meals!

Hi Alison- I am still following along and have a little catching up to do on your reports since I was on vacation. I thought of you the other day as I am trying to convince my husband that after my trip to WDW this summer we should go to Ca and Disneyland next time and use our points there. So when I think of Ca I immediately think of what else.....fran and aj of course!! I also wanted to let you know I am going to start my very first PTR after lurking about around here for years reading all of yours and the reports so many others in this thread post. You are all my favorites and I hope some of you will follow as I am trying to follow your sage advice such as what you had replied to me earlier in this thread:

Your quote: I think you should do a TR, and you can start the PTR anytime you want! I always do mine in Word and then copy and paste them on the DIS that way I can work on it as I have time and post when I am able. The main thing is people want pictures! Most folks are more apt to follow a TR when you have pictures and if you want Jenny to follow, you need to have pictures of your family! She likes to know who the people are. I like pictures of anything! Food, resort, people, attractions, but mostly the food, resort and parks and attractions, I like to see the people, but if that's all there is I get bored because I like to learn about new things that I didn't know about, games, sights, tasty treats....I would read your TR!


Ok- I am taking your advice and getting ready to post my first part of the PTR! Hoping you will follow along and I may need some help along the way as I know I am already having photobucket issues! Trying to learn from the best! Hoping to get my first post up tonight as I have been super busy at perfecting this whole thing!

I just made it over there! Great start, your family (well sister, Mom and kids) are adorable...I don't think you posted a picture of your hubby did you?

I'm not sure how much help with PB I can be, sometimes it boggles my mind too!

 

[franandaj]

I thought I better get back over here and sort of wrap this thing up since I'll be leaving on the road trip in three more sleeps!

A few updates: Mickey Mail! We got our DME tickets for the ride to Coronado Springs. I realized that I had not registered us for DME for the ride home and now you can do it online!

I plan to place our grocery order with We Go Shop before we leave on the roadtrip. Other than that, no real updates for this trip. It's too far out for any micro planning yet.

So on with the PTR!

Oh no! Our last day has already arrived!

This is always the saddest day of vacation, but again it also can be bittersweet. By this point we are starting to miss that we have no cats in our bed. Often we bring a stuffed kitty along with us to aid in the withdrawal process, but still the stuffed kitty doesn’t make up for the “real kitty” experience. Tesla and DC are constantly getting into entertaining battles on the bed and Milo and Velcro usually find themselves engaged in a love fest. We have other kitties and often times we find ourselves in the #1 apartment with six or more kitties on the bed, so vacation is sometimes a shock when we have the bed to ourselves. But I digress.

The ONLY plan we have on this day is for a dinner reservation at Be Our Guest. I kind of like to keep that last day pretty open. Inevitably Fran has some secret activity that she wanted to do, that I know nothing about and then we have to squeeze it into my jam packed days.

Already we have somewhat rearranged our schedules from what I have posted here, but that's the fun of the actual Trip Report right? No matter how well you plan it, everything goes different.

So, I may post some pictures from a few experiences that I've had in the last week while we wait for the trip to arrive, but other than winging it for the last day, and catching DME at 8AM the following day, that pretty much wraps up the plans for this trip!