Oh My! – The Brits Are At It Again! **COMPLETED** 11/13/11

[Linda67]

Great HBD review. The server can really make a huge difference, especially when they know their stuff. Do you happen to remember the server's name?

I'm afraid I don't remember his name which is awful of me
I think I might have had 'Margarita Brain' by the end of the meal

HBD is not on our list for next year - I'm starting to think that maybe it should be.....

Great review Linda - fantastic, mouthwatering pictures!

Thanks Shari
When are you going next year?
I'd love to hear your plans

Wow the grouper looks amazing, and I love the presentation of the food there.

It was an amazing dish and you're right, the presentation was excellent

I'm so happy that you enjoyed Hollywood Brown Derby! It's my favorite restaurant in any WDW park (even above Bistro de Paris), and the perfect place for a lunch in Hollywood Studios (if I ever stayed in the park until dinner time, it would be a perfect choice for dinner too).

I miss that grapefruit cake so much right now. Some people really don't like it, but it's perfect for me.

It was your reviews that made me decided to try HBD
I am thinking about going to Citricos in May as it's the one signature we haven't tried

I've missed a couple of updates.

Sorry Columbia Harbor House was not open for you. Your bun does look like a float went over it; funny, when we ate there, mine was fine.

Those cupcakes have me absolutely drooling right now as I only had a small salad for lunch which was not nearly enough to satisfy my hunger pains.

I'm so glad you enjoyed your meal at Brown Derby. We went in 2007 and had horrible service (the worse sevice we have ever had at Disney) and an unforgettable meal and we've hesitated going back. I know if we do that Mark won't get the grapefruit cake as he detested it. But, perhaps he would like it better if he ate it the way you and hubby did.

And I love the haircut story.

Poor service can really spoil a meal, even if the food is great
It's been rare that we have had poor service to be honest but our server at HBD was a total star and a credit to his profession

We have never been to HBD, but your review would certainly make me look at this if we ever go again

I would highly recommend you give it a try

Wow, those cupcakes look heavenly! They remind me of Crumbs. (Huge cupcake chain we have here in NY.)

The food at HBD looks amazing as well, esp. the margaritas!

Mmm perhaps a cupcake with a margarita chaser is the way to go next year

Sounds like the whole experience was great for you at HBD. The pork looks and sounds delicious to me and the desserts looked stellar too!

We really enjoyed ourselves - I'd love to go back for dinner sometime

WOW!!! HBD has shot to the top of my must do list quickly! This is the third "rave" review I've read lately. Have to re-tweak my February ADR's.

That's the problem with these boards, you plan your ADRs and are then constantly tweaking them

 

[Linda67]

for the red velvet cupcake - I tried it too on our last trip and enjoyed it very much, but these things are sweet .... and I do mean SWEET!!

your DH for finishing the butterfinger one!

Love the BD review - we didn't enjoy it just as much on our last trip even though the food was very good. There were lots of loud (crying) kids in there and it made it a bit awkward with the "overdressed" waiters.

Hi Karin
I must admit it was nice and peaceful inside HBD when we were there, I guess it wouldn't have been so enjoyable if it was chaotic and loud

HBD holds lots of sentimental memories for me, i've eaten there four times now, once with my mum and dad, once just me and boyfriend (now DH) and twice with DH and the children.It never fails to delight me
We've given it a miss the past few times, wanting to spread our wings, but reading your review is making me think now

I NEED MORE ADRS

I'm just about to start making ADRs for our next trip and it's soooo hard to fit everything I want to do in

Mmmmmm cupcakes! I was just thinking about what to make for dinner and I saw your reviews and now I'm even more hungry! The pork also looks delicious. I'm so glad you guys enjoyed your time there!

I hope you enjoyed your dinner

 

[Linda67]

Wednesday 12th October Part Three

After our wonderful lunch at HBD we headed back to The Boardwalk for some pool time and to rest for a while

Tonight we had a reservation for the Haunted Carriage Ride at Fort Wilderness so we decided to head over to Wilderness Lodge for dinner and get the boat from there to FW

Oh how we love Wilderness Lodge

We stayed there for two weeks in May and loved every second

We arrived nice and early so that we could enjoy a drink at the Trout Pass Bar before catching the boat

Caribbean Limeade -Skyy Infusions Pineapple vodka, Midori Melon liqueur and Simply Lemonade– Trout Pass Bar

DH grabbed a Coke and we sat and relaxed for a while before heading to the Boat Dock

As a side note the Haunted Carriage Ride was awesome; it’s nice and spooky listening to the story of the Headless Horseman and I am sworn to secrecy as to the rest of the experience

All that spookiness made us thirsty so before heading back to WL we grabbed a Coke for DH and a nice cold Bud Light for me at Crockett’s Tavern before catching a boat back for dinner

Drinks At Crockett's Tavern– Fort Wilderness

We spent plenty of time at Roaring Fork when we stayed at WL and have always had good food there so that’s where we headed

Tuna Sandwich with House Made Chips

I’ve lost count of how many times I have ordered this in the past and it’s always really good; the multi-grain bread is always lovely and fresh and the House-Made Chips are excellent

This really hit the spot

DH decided to order a Cheese Flatbread (another old favourite of ours) and selected a side salad instead of dessert

Roaring Fork - Cheese Flatbread

Roaring Fork - Side Salad

This was made to order and was, as always, delicious

We both really enjoy the flatbreads here, the base is nice and thin and there’s plenty of cheese and a really tasty tomato sauce

Whilst DH was good and ordered a salad I wasn’t quite so good when I spotted this in the bakery cabinet

Carrot Cake Cupcake

OH MY GOODNESS

This was divine, hands down best cupcake of the week (stay tuned for a very close second later in the trip)

The cake was moist and fresh and the cream cheese frosting was the perfect combination; it wasn’t too sweet and if you enjoy carrot cake at all you have to get this!!!

Mmm, the perfect end to a wonderful day

Next Up ………….. A Full Day Of ‘Munching Around The World’ at Food & Wine

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

It was your reviews that made me decided to try HBD
I am thinking about going to Citricos in May as it's the one signature we haven't tried

I'm sure you would enjoy Citricos very much. It's not 100% authentic or the most creative, but the food is upscale and executed really well for the most part. Plus, we've had consistently good service at Citricos, and (like at Artist Point and Jiko), there's some nice background music.

The veal shank and the short ribs are the most raved about dishes there, but I've also had great seafood dishes there (such as swordfish or salmon).

And that carrot cake cupcake is amazing. It's the only cupcake that I believe I could actually finish whole (we split it last time, but it definitely wasn't overwhelmingly sugary or lardy like many other Disney cupcakes).

 

[DisneyUnited]

Oh how we love Wilderness Lodge

We stayed there for two weeks in May and loved every second


We also stayed there for two weeks in May, what a wonderful place!

 

[KatMark]

Great update. After having a small ceasar salad just now for lunch, I am drooling over that cupcake.

 

[dizneeat]

Since we are staying at BLT in February I think a trip to WL for breakfast and a carrot cake cupcake could easily be in my future!
I LOVE carrot cake and adore the carrot cake cookie at DHS ..... thanks for pointing me in the right direction, Linda!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Linda you make me want to go back just to try out all the food!

The tuna sandwich looks right up my street

 

[dixonsontour]

All looks great - lovely photos as usual

 

[Linda67]

I'm sure you would enjoy Citricos very much. It's not 100% authentic or the most creative, but the food is upscale and executed really well for the most part. Plus, we've had consistently good service at Citricos, and (like at Artist Point and Jiko), there's some nice background music.

The veal shank and the short ribs are the most raved about dishes there, but I've also had great seafood dishes there (such as swordfish or salmon).

And that carrot cake cupcake is amazing. It's the only cupcake that I believe I could actually finish whole (we split it last time, but it definitely wasn't overwhelmingly sugary or lardy like many other Disney cupcakes).

I've read a lot of great reviews for Citricos so I think I will make an ADR for May

We also stayed there for two weeks in May, what a wonderful place!

You were probably there at the same time as us; just love WL

Great update. After having a small ceasar salad just now for lunch, I am drooling over that cupcake.

That's the problem with the 'real' world, I can't have cupcakes for breakfast

Since we are staying at BLT in February I think a trip to WL for breakfast and a carrot cake cupcake could easily be in my future!
I LOVE carrot cake and adore the carrot cake cookie at DHS ..... thanks for pointing me in the right direction, Linda!

Can't wait to hear what you think of the carrot cupcake if you go to WL for breakfast you have to get the Bananas Foster Mickey Waffles

Linda you make me want to go back just to try out all the food!

The tuna sandwich looks right up my street

I only have a week or so before I can start making ADRs for May 2012, can't wait to get me some Disney food

All looks great - lovely photos as usual

Thanks so much

 

[dizneeat]

Can't wait to hear what you think of the carrot cupcake if you go to WL for breakfast you have to get the Bananas Foster Mickey Waffles

That's exactly what is on my radar!!!!!!!

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Linda, I have to laugh, sometimes, the simplest foods are the best! I looked at that tuna sandwich and I started to drool!! We always look for food that is gourmet, when the simple things are always the best. Loving your food reviews so far.

 

[Linda67]

Linda, I have to laugh, sometimes, the simplest foods are the best! I looked at that tuna sandwich and I started to drool!! We always look for food that is gourmet, when the simple things are always the best. Loving your food reviews so far.

You are so right, sometimes something simple just really hits the spot

 

[Linda67]

Thursday 13th October – Part One

Right brace yourselves people we are about to consume an awful lot of food

One of the main reasons for this trip was to visit the Epcot Food & Wine Festival for the first time so I was really excited by the prospect of spending a whole day touring the booths

So elasticated pants at the ready …………

Ireland – Lobster & Scallop Fisherman’s Pie

This was divine, I had heard many people rave about this dish and now I can see why. It’s packed full on both lobster and scallop and the cheesy mashed potato topping was delicious

Greece – Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki

So this was DHs dish. He spent a little time living in Greece way back before he had the pleasure of me in his life and used to live on Souvlaki so this brought back lots of memories; he said that this was a good example but did feel that the Tzatziki was a little lacking in flavour

Australia – Shrimp on the Barbie with Pepper Berry Citrus Glaze

This was one for us to share and it was another winner; the shrimp were hot and well prepared and the citrus glaze was a good pairing

Parisian Cosmo Slush – Ciroc Vodka, Grand Marnier and Cranberry Juice

No this wasn’t DHs choice ; oh boy this was great ……. France suddelnly looked even more beautiful

Brazil – Seared Mahi Mahi with Steamed Rice, Heart of Palm and Coconut-Lime Sauce

This was one of the more generous sized dishes we sampled and we both loved it; I’m not usually a fan of coconut sauces but you actually couldn’t really pick up on that taste; the Mahi Mahi was perfectly cooked

Mexico – Strawberry Lime Margarita on the Rocks

Well it would be rude not to sample this considering my love of a good Margarita and I am happy to say I enjoyed every drop

I love Mexico!

South Korea – Lettuce Wrap with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw

This was one of DHs favourites, it was light and fresh and packed with flavour

South Africa – Bunny Chow (Vegetable Curry served in a Bread Loaf)

So we had to have one dud and this was it, totally tasteless

I expected it to have some spice and heat, well it is a curry, but it had neither

The bread was actually just like a Yorkshire Pudding which anyone in the UK will be familiar with but it was a poor example, cold hard and yuk

Germany – Apple Strudel Featuring Wether’s Original Karamel and Vanilla Sauce

Now this should have been amazing but it was not particularly warm and that kind of spoilt it for me, crowds were low and there were no lines at the booths but they were still plating up dishes and leaving the sitting for too long

"Right let's head back to the Boardwalk for a lie down and re-group"

Stay Tuned For Part Two …………..

 

[mamaboogie]

Most impressive! A great line up of food and cocktails! Linda - once again, I salute you!

 

[Linda67]

Thursday 13th October Part Two

We returned to Epcot around 4.30pm in order to check in for our 5pm Culinary Demo.

I thought it would be fun to try at least one of these demos to see what they were all about and as this demo was to be a vegetarian dish we could both enjoy it

Our Chef for the event was Jeffrey Bliss from the Yachtsman Steakhouse

Jeffrey Bliss Culinary Demo Menu

We both love Mozzarella so we were excited about the prospect of tasting this and it sure looked pretty when we were presented with our dish

Hand Pulled Mozzarella Cheese and Tomato Salad

Unfortunately this dish was a feast for the eyes but not for the tastebuds

What the chef actually did was take the Mozzarella he made and pump air into it to create a kind of ‘Mozzarella Balloon’ so basically it was a skin filled with air and had no taste at all

It was a shame as it was fascinating watching the chef actually make the Mozzarella and I would have much preferred to just have a regular serving of it; I don't get why sometimes we feel the need to over-complicate a simple dish

Oh well, there were still plenty of goodies to sample back in World Showcase

Argentina – Beef Empanada

DH wasn’t really wowed by this, he expected a little more spice in the filling and felt it was a bit bland

Singapore – Shrimp Cake on a Sugarcane Skewer with Singapore Noodles

We shared this one and both loved it, both the shrimp cake and the noodles were really tasty and it was good and hot and clearly freshly cooked

Morocco – Royale Mimosa

Now this was heaven in a glass – 10 out of 10

Morocco – Kefta Pocket (ground seasoned Beef in Pita Bread)

Another of DH’s choices; he thought this was just ‘OK’ and again just needed to have more seasoning/spice

His next choice was much more successful ….

New Zealand – Lamb Slider with Tomato Chutney

DH loved this, the lamb was tender and well seasoned and the tomato chutney really added a nice dimension

New Zealand – Seared Sea Scallop with Kumara-Red Curry Puree

This was another clear winner, the scallop was perfectly cooked and in fact it was much better than the ones I had at the Flying Fish Cafe earlier in the week

The red curry gave the whole dish a nice lift

At this point I feel obliged to point out that there was at least a 10 minute gap between the next two photos

France – Sparkling Pomegranate Kir

France - Grey Goose Slushie

Funny how I seem to be spending so much time in France isn’t it

Time for dessert to enjoy watching Illuminations ......

Belgium – Belgium Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream

I have to admit I was a little disappointed with this, the berry compote was wonderful but I found the waffle to be a little hard in texture and didn’t have the lightness that in my opionion a good waffle should have …….. forgive me for waffling

Hops & Barley – Pumkin Mousse with Ocean Spray Craisins and Orange Sauce

This is probably the most fun you can have for $1.50; what a bargain and what a wonderful little sugar rush

Phew ….. time to waddle back to the Boardwalk

Coming Up Next ……….. Our Final Day

 

[Linda67]

Most impressive! A great line up of food and cocktails! Linda - once again, I salute you!

You snuck in between posts hope you enjoyed the second batch of cocktail fun Shari

 

[dizneeat]

 

[mamaboogie]

A never ending parade of food and drink! This is why we love you Linda! I can only echo Karin:

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Was the button undone at this stage?