The Three Amigos eat their way through Disney FINAL UPDATE 1/24 Parisian Breakfast

[ThreeBoyMama]

I swear we must have hit the Africa booth on an off day because the chicken was just so-so and the bebere beef was totally flavorless! The Food & Wine Classic looks really fun--hoping to attend some day. Looking forward to the rest of your report!

 

[alex9179]

Beautiful dogs! I just love Dobermans. We adopted the mix from a shelter as a pup and then rescued our GSD from Animal Control when she was around 4

Back to your report, very enjoyable! I like the variety you all eat and drink.

 

[Niki Andiokno]

Day 3 Starring Rolls and French Family Traditions @ Monsieur Paul.

Mike and I were again the early risers and made rope drop at Hollywood Studios. After I kicked Mike's button on Toy Story Midway Mania, we grabbed a quick breakfast at Starring Rolls Bakery. We both had danishes. I only have a picture of my cherry. Mike had cheese.
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We then rode Tower of Terror
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and headed to Epcot for our Special lunch in France. Here we met Sally, Barb Paula and Hunter. This event took place at Monsieur Paul, the fancy schmancy restaurant upstairs from Chefs de France. This is a gorgeous restaurant. The winding staircase leading up to the luncheon was pretty easy to handle. I am afraid it was a lot more difficult to navigate after 3 plus hours of French Wine. I made it safely down, I am happy to report.

The napkins were folded into cute little tuxedos. Here was the menu.
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We were met with sparkling Lillet tonic with a raspberry inside. We also got a first course of cheese bread.
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Our next course was a wonderful baguette. Crunchy outside. In the words of Collette in Ratatouille, "This is what good bread sounds like. "
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It was served with this lovely Blanc from Samour. It was very mild, went well with the bread, as well as the appetizer that came with it.
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The appetizer was the BEST THING I HAVE EVER TASTED Vichyssois soup covered with puff pastry and infused with cream!! This was beautiful, velvety potato soup, covered in buttery puff pastry. The pastry came in tact. The server then came by to crack your pastry and poured in luxurious cream. One taste of this and my eyes rolled back into my head and I ascended into momentary bliss. I mean angels sang!! This was very very very good. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this. If this were on the regular menu I would eat here every day on vacation. By now, you are saying "Niki shut up and show us the picture." Well here it is. TA DAAA
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The dish gave the wine a buttery taste as well. It was all pure decadence.

The main course was paired with this
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This wine had all of my favorite flavors. It was spicy. It tasted like dark chocolate and blackberries, one I found my favorite combinations.

I wish I had loved the main course as much as the wine. It was duck confit cassoulet with white bean stew made with smoked sausage. I love duck, so for me to go meh on this was so disappointing. T have enter duck was OK, but a bit oily. The beans just d u don't seem to go with the duck, especially since it contained something that reminded me of pol I should sausage/kielbasa. This made t b email beans seem oily as well. This was not really bad, I ate a good portion of it, but it was not something I would expect at a high end restaurant. Out of place with everything else we ate and drank.
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Next came the cheese plate. The blue was good, but I am not a real blue fan, so others loved it more than me. The other cheese beneath had no blue and was wonderful.
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The wine with this was a nice blend of Bordeaux, Merlot and Cabernet. It stood up well to the strong cheeses.
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Finally we came to dessert. I say finally because I was rather full and wasted by this time. One tip for this event THEY JUST KEEP POURING!!! All the time you are on the course, they come to refill your glass. I can't tell you how many glasses of the reds I had because I lost count. Not only were my fpDis friends all a blast, but the refills just kept coming.

This dessert had to be my favorite dessert EVER!!!! Trust me, I have had excellent desserts in my life because I live for my sweets. This tops them all. Think sophisticated ho ho. Chocolate mint cake roll with cream, thin dark chocolate silky smooth frosting and homemade mint ice cream. Again, angels sang when I put this in my mouth! It was paired with a sparkling blush wine JCB No. 69. This was fabulous, light and refreshing. Perfect end to a heavy meal.

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Isn't this just beautiful? It tasted even better than it looks, if you can imagine that!

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Hunter had a glass of this as you can see, but I suddenly lucked out. Everyone was too full to finish their bubbly. I can never say no to bubbles, so I begrudgingly finished everyone else's who could not. Then I got a refill. I admit I tend to overindulge, and I really did this time. I was feeling wonderful and happy and was walking sideways. But my overindulgence in these great French wines left me with no headache or hangover.

Then I doubly got lucky. Three of our party couldn't finish their dessert. This was just food for the God's, so could not go to waste. Kind actually got to take the remaining leftover dessert Togo back to the room!! How lucky am I?

Actually my friend Cap'n Mark and his family met my drunken self back at our room to go swimming, and he and n his family shared this wonderful minty concoction. They loved it as well.

Here is the Captain
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And Mike's cousin
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That night we were laid back. Mike's cousin and family came to the Beach Club, together with the Captain and family. We grilled out salmon and steak, with Asian rice pilaf, grilled asparagus and my c [locally] famous dark chocolate cinnamon fudge with sea salt I had whipped together the day before. This was a great day filled with food, wine, fun, family and friends. I am truly blessed.

 

[Niki Andiokno]

Day 4 Animal Kingdom

I love this park. Everything is so green and beautiful. The animals are great. Expedition Everest is really cool. Food here is good too. We decided to try a new lunch spot, Yak n Yeti Local Food Cafe. This is the counter service spot.

We started out with an order of egg Rolls. Mike liked it. I didn't. I can't really say why. I am fussy about egg rolls. I really love one, or don't like it at all. This one was not good to my fussy taste. Others love them, including my husband.
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While in line we saw that the portions were really big. We split two entrees between the three of us. Mike and I shared the Teriyaki Beef Bowl - Marinated Beef, Carrots, Snap Peas, Onions, Mushrooms in Sweet Teriyaki Sauce with White Rice. Sally and Mike shared the Kobe beef cheeseburger, and we all munched on the fries. The beef blown was really good. It had a relatively light sauce for Chinese food, with a ginger soy type sauce. The rice was jasmine, which I love. It is like eating flowers. So fragrant and good for plain white rice. I took a bite of the Kobe burger. It really was tastier than a regular Disney hamburger. Those fries were AMAZING, we fought over those babies.
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There was a little stand on the side of the building where you can order drinks. It was hot, and I needed my alcohol fix. I had originally planned to get a Yak Attack - mango daiquiri, Don Q Cristal rum & wild berry flavors. When I got up to order I saw a Mango Margarita. I decided to go with that. Really bad decision. There was no mango flavor, no alcohol I could detect, and tasted like awful Margarita mix you get in the. Cocktail gift sets from KMART at Christmas. BAD BAD BAD. So bad I took it back. The staff member offered to squeeze more mango syrup in my green drink, but I just wanted to exchange. He happily obliged and I got the flavorful rummy Yak Attack. I learned my lesson. Here is the good product.
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After the safari, we passed through a candy store nearby. There were plenty of treats.
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I couldn't help but get this little beauty. Solid dark chocolate with chili peppers. Yummy.
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Yes, I was the kid who bit off the Easter bunny ears and Santa's head. I just couldn't help but bite off Mickey ear immediately. This snack had more of a kick than expected. I loved the heat. This lasted a long time, eating bit by bit. Great snack value. Sally got a chocolate chip cookie. Said it was OK. I don't have a picture but we all know what a cookie looks like.

 

[kastoney]

Hi Niki!!!! I'm fashionably late but all caught up now and of course loving all the copious amounts of alcohol. All the food and wine beverages (and snacks) and especially the special french meal look amazing!!!! Speaking of amazing, wow is about all I have for the swan and dolphin classic. We actually had tickets this year but ended up not being able to go. #sigh

Sorry to hear about your dog. We've got some giant dogs too, Newfoundlands, who are 9 and 10. They are amazing dogs but its so hard when they get old

 

[archdandy]

Following along! The dark chocolate with chili peppers sounds like something my husband would like, thanks for the heads up on it!

 

[ariane37]

First of all, Disney danish is the BEST danish. And that's that.
I tried the Yak Attack a few years back (yes I purposely wrote that b/c it rhymes) and loved it! Last couple trips I've been sticking with the sangria from Harambe Market but I may have to get a YA again in May.
We've never been to Monsieur Paul because the menu doesn't interest me, but in addition to the bread that Vichyssois soup sounds amazing and I can't even fathom how delicious that dessert must have been!

 

[Niki Andiokno]

Hi Niki!!!! I'm fashionably late but all caught up now and of course loving all the copious amounts of alcohol. All the food and wine beverages (and snacks) and especially the special french meal look amazing!!!! Speaking of amazing, wow is about all I have for the swan and dolphin classic. We actually had tickets this year but ended up not being able to go. #sigh

Sorry to hear about your dog. We've got some giant dogs too, Newfoundlands, who are 9 and 10. They are amazing dogs but its so hard when they get old

Thanks for joining Kari. I do love all my beverages. The French meal was delicious. A great deal too at $95. A meal at MP would cost that much without libations. I have read other reports that had a better main entree than us, but the soup was worth it all. Going to the Classic this October. I would love to meet you and drink copious amounts of alcohol together.

Following along! The dark chocolate with chili peppers sounds like something my husband would like, thanks for the heads up on it!

The kick was a bit creeper but wow what a kick. Your DH should try it.

First of all, Disney danish is the BEST danish. And that's that.
I tried the Yak Attack a few years back (yes I purposely wrote that b/c it rhymes) and loved it! Last couple trips I've been sticking with the sangria from Harambe Market but I may have to get a YA again in May.
We've never been to Monsieur Paul because the menu doesn't interest me, but in addition to the bread that Vichyssois soup sounds amazing and I can't even fathom how delicious that dessert must have been!

Get yourself another Yak Attack asap. I love writing it too LOL. This was a first at MP for us as it seemed overpriced. The only thing that really appeals to me is the oxtail soup on the regular menu. The French Family Traditions was so fun, the majority of the Food outta this world good, I will try the event again next year. I don't see myself going there otherwise unless they make me the Vichyssois or mint ho ho. I would demand it from the chef if I could.

Thanks for staying with me. More to come. I am trying to get organized with my photos.

 

[Niki Andiokno]

Next day saw Epcot again for culinary demos. We did two but can't find all my photos. First up was Chef Rome making quail.


The quail was really good, and Chef Rome is so good. We did one from him last year too. I love Meomi pinot noir. We actually get this at our local movie theater to drink while watching movies. Price point at local Benny's is under $20 price point, so a really good deal.

Between our seminars we went to the free Ghirardelli display and got our free piece.






This is an awful picture of the wonderful drinking chocolate from Ghirardelli and the red blend wine they sold there. We sacked them both down so quick because they paired so well together. We split them and drank alternatively. We also has Rose Regale too but I can't find a picture. Must have sacked that down really fast as well.

Our second demo was a 5 bean and shrimp salad paired with a La Crema Pinot Gris. I just made it again last night but have no photos. Needless to say this recipe was a keeper.

 

[Niki Andiokno]

That night we went to Bluezoo, my favorite restaurant. We started out with another one of the best dishes I have ever put in my mouth. Yellowfin Tuna Tartare - Miso caviar, scallion cream, nitro siracha aioli . Tuna tartar in a sesame marinade served with Sriracha dippin dots. The cracker things are a bit like kropek, shrimp crackers. Yummy yummy yummy!! And the presentation comes out all smoky from the nitro. Just phenomenal.
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Mike and I both got the Simply grilled fish with warm crab, dijon mustard and chive sauce. Mike got Corvina. I got Grouper. Mike's was very moist and light. Mine was a fish steak that was a bit more dense. We agreed mine was better, though the Corvina was great too. Sorry I couldn't help but dig right in. BAD Niki.
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Sally is a steak girl. She got Cast Iron Seared Filet Mignon - fork crushed fingerling potatoes, slow-cooked broccoli, creamy heirloom tomato. I had the pleasure of tasting this. It was one of the best steaks ever. So tender it cut like butter. So very good I would be tempted to eat this. I am a fish girl though, and this is the best.
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Notice the butter is gone. I don't have a picture, but the bread service is great. It has a white crusty bread, but also a thin parmesan crisp. Really good.

Onto dessert. This started out as an orange colored white chocolate dome. Along side were pieces of oranges and chocolate fudge. Absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately the waiter poured a hot sauce over it before I could snap a photo. It melted to reveal a dark chocolate Gelato inside. This was heavenly. The hot orange sauce with the cold chocolate was divine. Orange and chocolate was never my favorite flavor combo. Mike and Sally love this flavor pallette, so we ordered it. I have changed my mind. This tasted so good together. No one had gotten it right until Todd English, or at least his pastry chef.
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We ordered wine throughout the meal, all good. I don't recall what they were. Bluezoo has a great wine list.

Here is where my only complaint comes in, and it was so weird. When the bill came, the waiter brought out a little machine for me to put my debit card with chip in it. The waiter handed it to me. Practically leaned over my shoulder, and explained how to add the tip. I waited for him to back off to give me room to add what tip I wanted, but he just kept leaning and looming. I was very uncomfortable, as he was totally in my personal space. And I am not a person who requires much personal space. This was just rude. I got flustered, and entered,my pin wrong, then he complained he had to cancel. Then reminded me again how to put on the tip. Then loomed in ,my personal space again. Had I not been so tired and intoxicated I would have told him to back off. I don't know why I didn't. I just felt rushed and violated. Clearly he was trying to bully me into a good tip. I tip well anyway, and we had a really large bill, so why would he think I was going to stiff him? Oh well. I tipped him20% and left it at that.

Other than that wierdness, his service was great. Everything was filled at the right time and his wine pairings were fabulous. Just a crazy way to end a night of wonderful food and service.

I can't tell you how much we all love this restaurant. The ambiance is classy, the decor beautiful and the food superb.

 

[amberpi]

Here is where my only complaint comes in, and it was so weird. When the bill came, the waiter brought out a little machine for me to put my debit card with chip in it. The waiter handed it to me. Practically leaned over my shoulder, and explained how to add the tip. I waited for him to back off to give me room to add what tip I wanted, but he just kept leaning and looming. I was very uncomfortable, as he was totally in my personal space. And I am not a person who requires much personal space. This was just rude. I got flustered, and entered,my pin wrong, then he complained he had to cancel. Then reminded me again how to put on the tip. Then loomed in ,my personal space again. Had I not been so tired and intoxicated I would have told him to back off. I don't know why I didn't. I just felt rushed and violated. Clearly he was trying to bully me into a good tip. I tip well anyway, and we had a really large bill, so why would he think I was going to stiff him? Oh well. I tipped him20% and left it at that.

Other than that wierdness, his service was great. Everything was filled at the right time and his wine pairings were fabulous. Just a crazy way to end a night of wonderful food and service.

I can't tell you how much we all love this restaurant. The ambiance is classy, the decor beautiful and the food superb.

Sounds like a European waiter. It makes me uncomfortable too, but its part of the dance.

 

[Niki Andiokno]

Sounds like a European waiter. It makes me uncomfortable too, but its part of the dance.

He was from California

 

[amberpi]

He was from California

Yelp, then he just sounds like a weirdo. Because that happens, even at WDW. Bluezoo is a must do every trip, and since I always stay Epcot area, and usually Swolphin, there are some trips, I've gotten a drink there every day. I'm not sorry.

 

[Disneyhayes]

I hate it when you have to tip in front of the waiter or at a place where you pay before leaving at a register. It's so uncomfortable

 

[Niki Andiokno]

Yelp, then he just sounds like a weirdo. Because that happens, even at WDW. Bluezoo is a must do every trip, and since I always stay Epcot area, and usually Swolphin, there are some trips, I've gotten a drink there every day. I'm not sorry.

Never be sorry for something that wonderful. I am so jealous. How are the Bluezoo mixed drinks. I always drink wine there. I tried the sangria but was disappointed. I love a good cocktail and would love any suggestions.

I hate it when you have to tip in front of the waiter or at a place where you pay before leaving at a register. It's so uncomfortable

I totally agree. I am used to the whole pay at register thing because my parents only liked those greasy spoon kinda places. We would often leave the tip on the table in cash. But at a high end restaurant where the bill is a couple hundred bucks (or more, the three Amigos like to drink) it is just rude. I have never been so uncomfortable with a waiter in my life.

 

[amberpi]

Never be sorry for something that wonderful. I am so jealous. How are the Bluezoo mixed drinks. I always drink wine there. I tried the sangria but was disappointed. I love a good cocktail and would love any suggestions.

I'm not much for sweet booze but the Zooberry is incredibly balanced and tart if you dig that and I do. I'm not a Manhattan girl at all usually, but the ones they make are smooth and subtle and wow. All the men I've had in my life and vacationed all around the globe are bourbon guys (not that I have a type) and they all rave about that drink at Disney, and then laugh. The Thyme Bourbon is also delicious. Ok, I can't wait now.

 

[Niki Andiokno]

I am starting to get my days confused, so please bear with me.

One night we went to The Wave at the Contemporary Resort. I had high hopes for this place. I consistently gets good reviews. A friend of mine said it had the best steaks of her trip, and she had eaten steak almost every day. I was really looking forward to a good steak.

Unfortunately we were disappointed. We showed up withinn5 minutes of our reservation time. We were asked to wait a few moments for our table. I really liked the c I n temporary decor and comfy seats in the waiting area. I went to the bathroom and saw that the place was almost empty. So I hurried back from my potty break. Then I waited another10 minutes. I had to ask at the hostess stand to check again if we could be seated. She then agreed to seat us.

When we walked into the dining room, which was almost empty still. Why make us wait? Dunno. Also we smelled a fishy smell, and not a yummy Bluezoo fishy smell but a day old fishmonger type smell. Mike and I turned our nose a but, but Sally almost wanted to walk out. She is not a fish girl. We decided to stay figuring it would decrease as we went closer to where the steaks were.

I also kept hearing about the great organic wines available with exotic friendly screw tops. I perused the wine list, but didn't see anything unusual or organic that wasn't only by the bottle a t a high palongrice point. We each ended up with a typical glass of Meomi pinot noir.

I don't have many photos here. My phone had little charge, Mike nor Sally had enough charge for pics, so I only got one. For the appetizer Mike and I shared the Prince Edward Island Mussels - house sausage, grilled fennel. This had so much potential, but they were a fail. The Mussels themselves were good, not grainy. They just didn't have much flavor. The sausage didn't have much flavor. The fennel was nonexistent. This picture shows the empty shells, but you can see there weren't that many Mussels to begin with. Such a disappointment.
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Then came the steaks. Kari, I think you have pictures of these but I don't. Mike and I got the New York Strip with Mac n' Cheese. The steak was closer to medium well than medium rare. The strip was cut pretty thin, so that could be why they were overcooked. The Mac n' Cheese was pretty good, but not excellent. The flavors were good, but everything was overstalted a bit.

Sally got the Filet with mashed potatoes and green beans. She didn't eat the beans, as they seemed frozen. The mashed were good. Her steakm2as also over salted, but she liked it better than we did ours. She didn't finish it though.

We were so disappointed by thismtime, and with the steak gone the fishy smell was back, so we skipped dessert.

I know most people love the Wave, but we won't be back.

 

[Niki Andiokno]

I'm not much for sweet booze but the Zooberry is incredibly balanced and tart if you dig that and I do. I'm not a Manhattan girl at all usually, but the ones they make are smooth and subtle and wow. All the men I've had in my life and vacationed all around the globe are bourbon guys (not that I have a type) and they all rave about that drink at Disney, and then laugh. The Thyme Bourbon is also delicious. Ok, I can't wait now.

Thanks for the suggestions. I just made a reservation for my trip in May. While I like fruity drinks I also like tart. I love a VODKA Manhattan, so I might try that. I am more of a scotch girl, but I do like bourbon. A lot to think about. Hmmm.

 

[amberpi]

Thanks for the suggestions. I just made a reservation for my trip in May. While I like fruity drinks I also like tart. I love a VODKA Manhattan, so I might try that. I am more of a scotch girl, but I do like bourbon. A lot to think about. Hmmm.

Vodka Manhattan? Never tried that! I know what I'm getting Friday night! I've had my share of vodka martinis though, and they're my favorite and go-to drink. Very dry, assertive twist.

 

[Niki Andiokno]

Vodka Manhattan? Never tried that! I know what I'm getting Friday night! I've had my share of vodka martinis though, and they're my favorite and go-to drink. Very dry, assertive twist.

I hate autocorrect. V O Manhattan using VO whiskey is what I meant. I have had a Vodka Manhattan, also known as a White Manhattan. Pretty good too.