Cimicats
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2009
Hi All!
I live for dining reviews and am excited to have the chance to share my own! My DH and I just returned from a fabulous week and I'm still full! But it was worth it.
We had booked the trip just 90 days out so I was late with making reservations. For the most part I was able to get everything I wanted. I would just say don't give up keep trying. It took a few weeks to get BOG but I did. Even while I was at Disney I swapped some things around so you never know.
Also, we didn't do the dining plan. We don't do a lot of QS and not enough TS for the deluxe. We're stuck in the middle and I felt it was more cost effective to pay oop.
Here we are! Starting things off with one of my favs - Kir Royale from France.
We arrived Friday at 4:30 and had made a reservation at the Yachtsman since we were staying at the Yacht Club. Also, we were celebrating DH's birthday so the Yachtsman was a perfect choice. Thankfully we had no delays with our flights and our luggage arrived with 20 minutes to spare before dinner! Phew!
We checked in and were seated within about 15 minutes of our reservation.
To start I had the wedge salad and DH had the charcuterie
I really enjoyed the wedge. Crisp and fresh with a tasty dressing. The charcuterie was also quite good. It had Mortadella, Pork Loin, Wild Boar Rillettes, Saucisson en Brioche (sausage in brioche), Chasseur Pate. Delicious!
We also received their basket of bread. I LOVE bread so it takes a lot for me not to like it.
The onion pull apart bread is my absolute fav and the star here. The regular dinner rolls are just ok. I wish they just did a basket of the onion bread.
For our entrees we each ordered the 12 oz NY Strip Steak with brandy sauce and potato gratin. AMAZING. Steak was flavorful and cooked perfectly. The potato gratin a perfect side. We also ordered a side of spinach which was also very good.
Dessert I was very excited about because I had ordered a mini-cake from private dining for my DH! It was so easy, I just called the number from the cake thread and ordered it. It was chocolate cake with white chocolate mousse and white chocolate ganache frosting.
This cake was amazing. Seriously absolutely delicious. I figured it'd be just ok and was more about the novelty of it but it was so good! We contemplated ordering one to have at the end of the week. We never did but now I'm sitting here typing this thinking dang, why didn't we order another cake!
This dinner did not disappoint and was a great way to kick off our vacation.
Next up: Frontera Cocina and California Grill.
Sorry my pics are on the dark side. As I was taking them they didn't seem that dark!
After a great first meal we woke up Saturday ready to try a new restaurant I was excited to try - Frontera Cocina - Rick Bayless' new place at Disney Springs.
The inside is a bright, open, airy space. I can see this spot being lively at dinner time. We arrived for our noon reservation and they weren't that busy yet. Things definitely picked up as we finished.
We ordered a few Pink Flamingo margaritas(watermelon flavor) as well as the bacon guacamole. The margarita tasted great, very refreshing and not too sweet. It went very well with the guac. The chips were hearty and not airy like the ones you get sometimes. I liked the guac a lot too. The bacon added a nice texture.
For my meal I had the Carne Asada for Tacos. Delicious. Often times I find steak to be tough in meals like this but it was really tender. Beans were delicious and the fresh corn tortillas made for tasty little tacos.
Also ordered a side of plantains because I love plantains. So good.
DH ordered the Caesar Salad with the chicken. This had to be one of the best Caesar salads I've had. The dressing is delicious and it was just a really nice salad. Did have some kick to it so keep that in mind if you like things on the mild side.
For dessert we shared the Coconut Lime Cuatro Leches
It looks so rich but this was actually a light dessert. I mean not calories wise I'm sure, but it was so good with the coconut and lime flavors. Perfect way to end the meal.
I thought the food was really good and we really enjoyed our lunch. Does add up when you get drinks and an app but it was worth it.
So what do you do when you are absolutely stuffed from lunch? Visit the cupcake ATM!
Sadly I liked using the machine more than the cupcakes.
The machine gives you a list of options. I went for the Chocolate Marshmallow and Banana.
I think if I had eaten them fresh it would have been better. The banana was very good, like a banana bread. The Chocolate Marshmallow was good but not great.
Still, I love that you can get these out of a machine! Next time. I'll eat them on the spot.
For dinner we headed over to California Grill. This has always been a favorite of ours. The sunset view is incredible. But if you want to go on the deck for pics go fast, it's amazing how quick the sun sets. We were seated on the Epcot side of the windows and you had a great view of the Star Wars fireworks in the distance.
On to the food!
I'm a bit on the same page with this basket as I was at Yachtsman. The dinner roll was just ok but their soft bread, I guess like a focaccia, was outstanding. I wish it was just that.
To start I had the heirloom tomato salad with burrata cheese. Maybe I've been spoiled by some great tomatoes over the summer but this was just ok. I've had better burrata cheese recently too. It wasn't bad, just ok.
DH opted for the charcuterie. After having it the night before at the Yachtsman he thought it was a good time to get it here as well and compare.
Delicious. This all really worked and was yummy. The toast they serve is perfect to go along with the pate and some of the meats. DH gave the edge to Yachtsman as a whole but some of the individual items he liked better here. Honestly you can't go wrong at either place.
We both went for the pork which is pork tenderloin with polenta and pork belly.
This really doesn't photograph well. It looks a little too rare but wasn't so in person. Usually I'm not one for saying there's too much but I feel they could dial back on the tenderloin a bit. There was so much of it. Hard to tell in the pick but they were really big pieces. The polenta and belly tasted great.
We were too full for dessert but they brought over a cupcake for DH's bday. This cupcake was delicious! Just yellow cake and chocolate frosting but it was so good.
Our dinner was good but I think I'm ready to bring a new restaurant into the rotation.
Sunday was our HS day and I had booked a ressie at Brown Derby.
First comes the bread. YAAAAAAS. These rolls are fantastic. Crusty on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. YUM
DH and I decide to split their andouille crusted chicken sandwich and Cobb salad, but first we each got the carrot ginger soup with duck confit.
I know, it's 1000 degrees out but I'm in the mood for Fall and this soup was just what I wanted. It was great, creamy, delicious, and the duck confit worked really well.
I have to say Chad our server was the best. One of the best this trip. He brought out the sandwich already split for us and split up the salad for us as well. I mean that's not the only reason he was great, he was just super nice and really attentive.
The salad I've had before and it never disappoints but this chicken sandwich? Wow, was it delicious. So flavorful and exceeded my expectations. It came with a spicy slaw that also worked well. My only wish is that I had the whole sandwich to myself!
Finally we decided to split a dessert and have a couple cappuccinos.
Banana Toffee Cake, Amaretto Flan, Grapefruit cake
I love the Grapefruit cake. You can get the whole piece but I wanted to try a trio. Surprisingly the Banana Toffee Cake was my least favorite. The Amaretto Flan, wow. Amazing. I wish that came in a soup sized bowl!
I had been on the fence about keeping this ressie and I am so glad I kept it. This was one of my favorite meals.
For dinner we were staying close to the hotel and went to Beaches and Cream.
DH started with a malted. He thought it was good but not a malted. Tasted like a normal shake.
DH went with the chili dog with fries and I went with the patty melt.
DH LOVED his hot dog. After trying his fries I wish I got those instead of the watermelon. Though high marks for the watermelon, it was really fresh and good. But those fries. YUM
The patty melt was good but not the best I've had. The burger tasted really fresh but the bread, and onions, didn't have that nice gooey consistency I've had wth other melts. But still, it was really good.
So, I really wanted to get a Mickey Pants aka Mini Sink Sundae. But when I heard everything that went in it I didn't want that, I wanted more of the No Way Jose. So I asked if I could get the No Way into the sink and our server said well you can use buy the pants separate. So I did! It was 9.99, I know, I'm a sucker, but I needed it.
This is the two scoop No Way Jose.
We really enjoyed our dinner here. Oh and PS - where they are is a perfect view to see the HS fireworks looking across the way. So we had a nice fireworks display at 7:45 before heading in for our 8 o'clock ressie.
I live for dining reviews and am excited to have the chance to share my own! My DH and I just returned from a fabulous week and I'm still full! But it was worth it.
We had booked the trip just 90 days out so I was late with making reservations. For the most part I was able to get everything I wanted. I would just say don't give up keep trying. It took a few weeks to get BOG but I did. Even while I was at Disney I swapped some things around so you never know.
Also, we didn't do the dining plan. We don't do a lot of QS and not enough TS for the deluxe. We're stuck in the middle and I felt it was more cost effective to pay oop.
Here we are! Starting things off with one of my favs - Kir Royale from France.
We arrived Friday at 4:30 and had made a reservation at the Yachtsman since we were staying at the Yacht Club. Also, we were celebrating DH's birthday so the Yachtsman was a perfect choice. Thankfully we had no delays with our flights and our luggage arrived with 20 minutes to spare before dinner! Phew!
We checked in and were seated within about 15 minutes of our reservation.
To start I had the wedge salad and DH had the charcuterie
I really enjoyed the wedge. Crisp and fresh with a tasty dressing. The charcuterie was also quite good. It had Mortadella, Pork Loin, Wild Boar Rillettes, Saucisson en Brioche (sausage in brioche), Chasseur Pate. Delicious!
We also received their basket of bread. I LOVE bread so it takes a lot for me not to like it.
The onion pull apart bread is my absolute fav and the star here. The regular dinner rolls are just ok. I wish they just did a basket of the onion bread.
For our entrees we each ordered the 12 oz NY Strip Steak with brandy sauce and potato gratin. AMAZING. Steak was flavorful and cooked perfectly. The potato gratin a perfect side. We also ordered a side of spinach which was also very good.
Dessert I was very excited about because I had ordered a mini-cake from private dining for my DH! It was so easy, I just called the number from the cake thread and ordered it. It was chocolate cake with white chocolate mousse and white chocolate ganache frosting.
This cake was amazing. Seriously absolutely delicious. I figured it'd be just ok and was more about the novelty of it but it was so good! We contemplated ordering one to have at the end of the week. We never did but now I'm sitting here typing this thinking dang, why didn't we order another cake!
This dinner did not disappoint and was a great way to kick off our vacation.
Next up: Frontera Cocina and California Grill.
Sorry my pics are on the dark side. As I was taking them they didn't seem that dark!
After a great first meal we woke up Saturday ready to try a new restaurant I was excited to try - Frontera Cocina - Rick Bayless' new place at Disney Springs.
The inside is a bright, open, airy space. I can see this spot being lively at dinner time. We arrived for our noon reservation and they weren't that busy yet. Things definitely picked up as we finished.
We ordered a few Pink Flamingo margaritas(watermelon flavor) as well as the bacon guacamole. The margarita tasted great, very refreshing and not too sweet. It went very well with the guac. The chips were hearty and not airy like the ones you get sometimes. I liked the guac a lot too. The bacon added a nice texture.
For my meal I had the Carne Asada for Tacos. Delicious. Often times I find steak to be tough in meals like this but it was really tender. Beans were delicious and the fresh corn tortillas made for tasty little tacos.
Also ordered a side of plantains because I love plantains. So good.
DH ordered the Caesar Salad with the chicken. This had to be one of the best Caesar salads I've had. The dressing is delicious and it was just a really nice salad. Did have some kick to it so keep that in mind if you like things on the mild side.
For dessert we shared the Coconut Lime Cuatro Leches
It looks so rich but this was actually a light dessert. I mean not calories wise I'm sure, but it was so good with the coconut and lime flavors. Perfect way to end the meal.
I thought the food was really good and we really enjoyed our lunch. Does add up when you get drinks and an app but it was worth it.
So what do you do when you are absolutely stuffed from lunch? Visit the cupcake ATM!
Sadly I liked using the machine more than the cupcakes.
The machine gives you a list of options. I went for the Chocolate Marshmallow and Banana.
I think if I had eaten them fresh it would have been better. The banana was very good, like a banana bread. The Chocolate Marshmallow was good but not great.
Still, I love that you can get these out of a machine! Next time. I'll eat them on the spot.
For dinner we headed over to California Grill. This has always been a favorite of ours. The sunset view is incredible. But if you want to go on the deck for pics go fast, it's amazing how quick the sun sets. We were seated on the Epcot side of the windows and you had a great view of the Star Wars fireworks in the distance.
On to the food!
I'm a bit on the same page with this basket as I was at Yachtsman. The dinner roll was just ok but their soft bread, I guess like a focaccia, was outstanding. I wish it was just that.
To start I had the heirloom tomato salad with burrata cheese. Maybe I've been spoiled by some great tomatoes over the summer but this was just ok. I've had better burrata cheese recently too. It wasn't bad, just ok.
DH opted for the charcuterie. After having it the night before at the Yachtsman he thought it was a good time to get it here as well and compare.
Delicious. This all really worked and was yummy. The toast they serve is perfect to go along with the pate and some of the meats. DH gave the edge to Yachtsman as a whole but some of the individual items he liked better here. Honestly you can't go wrong at either place.
We both went for the pork which is pork tenderloin with polenta and pork belly.
This really doesn't photograph well. It looks a little too rare but wasn't so in person. Usually I'm not one for saying there's too much but I feel they could dial back on the tenderloin a bit. There was so much of it. Hard to tell in the pick but they were really big pieces. The polenta and belly tasted great.
We were too full for dessert but they brought over a cupcake for DH's bday. This cupcake was delicious! Just yellow cake and chocolate frosting but it was so good.
Our dinner was good but I think I'm ready to bring a new restaurant into the rotation.
Sunday was our HS day and I had booked a ressie at Brown Derby.
First comes the bread. YAAAAAAS. These rolls are fantastic. Crusty on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. YUM
DH and I decide to split their andouille crusted chicken sandwich and Cobb salad, but first we each got the carrot ginger soup with duck confit.
I know, it's 1000 degrees out but I'm in the mood for Fall and this soup was just what I wanted. It was great, creamy, delicious, and the duck confit worked really well.
I have to say Chad our server was the best. One of the best this trip. He brought out the sandwich already split for us and split up the salad for us as well. I mean that's not the only reason he was great, he was just super nice and really attentive.
The salad I've had before and it never disappoints but this chicken sandwich? Wow, was it delicious. So flavorful and exceeded my expectations. It came with a spicy slaw that also worked well. My only wish is that I had the whole sandwich to myself!
Finally we decided to split a dessert and have a couple cappuccinos.
Banana Toffee Cake, Amaretto Flan, Grapefruit cake
I love the Grapefruit cake. You can get the whole piece but I wanted to try a trio. Surprisingly the Banana Toffee Cake was my least favorite. The Amaretto Flan, wow. Amazing. I wish that came in a soup sized bowl!
I had been on the fence about keeping this ressie and I am so glad I kept it. This was one of my favorite meals.
For dinner we were staying close to the hotel and went to Beaches and Cream.
DH started with a malted. He thought it was good but not a malted. Tasted like a normal shake.
DH went with the chili dog with fries and I went with the patty melt.
DH LOVED his hot dog. After trying his fries I wish I got those instead of the watermelon. Though high marks for the watermelon, it was really fresh and good. But those fries. YUM
The patty melt was good but not the best I've had. The burger tasted really fresh but the bread, and onions, didn't have that nice gooey consistency I've had wth other melts. But still, it was really good.
So, I really wanted to get a Mickey Pants aka Mini Sink Sundae. But when I heard everything that went in it I didn't want that, I wanted more of the No Way Jose. So I asked if I could get the No Way into the sink and our server said well you can use buy the pants separate. So I did! It was 9.99, I know, I'm a sucker, but I needed it.
This is the two scoop No Way Jose.
We really enjoyed our dinner here. Oh and PS - where they are is a perfect view to see the HS fireworks looking across the way. So we had a nice fireworks display at 7:45 before heading in for our 8 o'clock ressie.