NoOrdinaryPrincess's Inaugural Dining Report: And we're back! (Updated 10/18)

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

The Preface:

As our vacation begins in just over a week, it seems appropriate that I begin my first ever DR. Though I've never written one of these before, I've read my fair share of DR/TRs, and one of my greatest pet peeves is people who begin their reports with disclaimers. For every report I read that begins with "Well, this report won't be as good as [insert other username here]'s but I'll try" I become overcome with the desire to give them a great big hug and yell "YOU HAVE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE TO THIS COMMUNITY YOU SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED!" That said…this report begins with a disclaimer.

And that disclaimer is this.

The Mr. and I took a quick weekend getaway back in May [2 nights, 1 day at Epcot], and I took all the pictures and notes to prepare a DR, and then chickened out. I will say that some of my reservation stems from the fact that I'm a relatively private person and have serious reservations about my personal information accessible and searchable on the internet in such a way. The rest of my hesitation lies in the idea that I didn't think I'd do a proper job (which, we have already established, is bullocks).

However, I aspire to rectify this problem by providing that DR 5 months late as a lead-up to my upcoming vacation.

Vacation Plans, Past and Future:

Unfortunately for the Mr. (also known as "J") our anniversary and my birthday are a week apart, and so to ensure we had properly celebrated both events, we headed down for a weekend at Disney arriving on a Friday in early May, and departing on Sunday. During this visit we sampled such Disney classic cuisine as Earl of Sandwich and had our first Tonga Toast as well as special birthday and anniversary celebratory dinners.

Our upcoming trip includes 7 nights on the DDP, and we will be traveling with two of our closest friends "A" and "P". We intentionally planned our trip to coincide with the F&WF which will be a first for all of us. Our ADRs include restaurants such as California Grill and Coral Reef, as well as a surprise "boys night" in which A and I allowed the boys to plan an entire day of our vacation (we figured it was only fair, as we had planned the other six). Time permitting, I may add some speculation as to what that mystery ADR might be. I will say that I plan to primarily photograph and comment on my own dining selections, out of respect for my travel companions and well as my [potential] readers. I don't feel like I can give as useful a review on a meal I didn't eat.

Hopefully I'll be able to navigate these two simultaneous DRs with minimal confusion.

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Earl of Sandwich is one of our favorite Disney restaurants, and our go-to if we're paying OOP for a meal. For us, not only is EoS one of the most affordable dining options on Disney property, but also one of the most consistently good.



On this particular occasion I opted for the Caprese, and I must say, I would order this again! The bread was fresh and not soggy from the balsamic as often happens with this kind of sandwich. I am very picky about the freshness of my tomatoes, and these were nicely in season. Mozzarella and basil is a combination I always enjoy on all kinds of foods. Winner all around in my opinion.



J ordered a cannonball, and quite enjoyed it. Every time we return to EoS he says he will try something new, but consistently returns to his old favorite. I sampled a bite of two of his, and it was good, no doubt, but in my mind it just did not compare. Perhaps it was because I preferred my lighter option to his heavier one, but for my taste the Caprese is far superior.

[jabead]

Yay, you decided to do a DR! Joining in and adding the link to my list.

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Originally Posted by jabead

Yay, you decided to do a DR! Joining in and adding the link to my list.

I did it for you, Barb. Thanks for reading along.

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

This next update is going to require some back story.

Though my age can be best described as "Young Professional" I have a life long affection for Young Adult literature. One of my favorite books is a really fun read by Maureen Johnson called "13 Little Blue Envelopes." The premise of this story involves the protagonist Ginny receiving a package from her eccentric aunt a few months after that aunt's unexpected death. The package contained 13 blue envelopes that send her on an adventure from her American bedroom around Europe. Throughout the adventure Ginny finds landmarks of significant importance, meets people and completes tasks while trying to figure out why her aunt would send her this way. The story is light, but quite well crafted, and everyone I have recommended it to (all older than the "young adult" demographic) have enjoyed it.



Unbeknownst to me, J had also read the story, and incorporated it into my birthday present (note the girly-looking cover art, this was no small sacrifice).

On the night before our spring departure, J and I went out to dinner, and what showed up but my very own package and blue envelopes! [the Tardis illustrations have more to do with my own Whovian affections and do not play a significant role in the story]




The letter told me I would be off on my own quest through far off lands during the days to come, and, like Ginny who had to travel to New York before beginning her European adventure, I too, would be traveling to New England. More specifically, the Beach Club and Cape May Cafe to celebrate an important birthday dinner.

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

To say that I enjoy seafood, particularly shellfish, would be a bit of an understatement making Cape May a perfect surprise celebratory dinner. J and I loaded up our plates with mountains of crab legs, steamed clams and mussels. I even managed to decorate my plate with some of the non-aquatic offerings.


I like to think I'm a fairly moderate eater normally, but with this kind of cuisine I am an absolute glutton. To say I shoveled in the food in a very unladylike manner would not be entirely inaccurate, but to me the mussels were the standout portion of this meal (prior to dessert, of course). They were perfectly salty, satisfying and fresh. I loved them.

On my second helping I expanded my scope and sampled the beef as well finding it a bit fatty for my taste. To me this was the weakest aspect of the meal; though, I will be the first to admit this was likely, largely bias.



[I also want to apologize for the half eaten appearance of my food. Pictures from buffets really get you to appreciate the time professional chefs put in to the presentation of their dishes.]

Finally, it was time for dessert.

Cape May brought me a birthday cupcake. A nice gesture that I seem to fail to have gotten a picture of. I must have been too eager to sample the buffet's offering of desserts.




On this night they had strawberry cheesecake, key lime tarts and the famous oreo bon bons.

The cheesecake was good. The key lime was a bit too tart for my taste, but I know others would enjoy it. The bon bon?



Let me just say, I am part of the crowd that is absolutely gutted this item has been removed from the Cape May menu. Absolutely outstanding. The filling was cool and sweet with a hint of vanilla. The oreo was a little soft but not unappetizingly mushy. Excellent, excellent dessert.

After dessert what did I find, but another letter, of course! [note the birthday dessert in the upper right-hand corner]


Where would this particular note send me? Stick around and find out, but not before breakfast at Sunshine Seasons!

[Dalamara]

Subscribing! I'm hooked already! :D. Your hubby sounds so sweet.

[jecskc]

I just saw this !!! Girl, I am so proud of you !! I know this will be great, so I am going back to read now !!

[jecskc]

Coming back to comment.

1. I love your writing style. Excellent.

2. You do a great job of describing food and their combination of flavors so we can imagine it ourselves. Unlike MY descriptions which are basically, "we ate here. It was good." LOL.

3. I have to read that book now. It sounds like a great one !!

4. How sweet of your DH to send you on this scavenger hunt !! Oh my goodness ... he's a keeper !!! Lucky you !!

5. I can't wait to see what happens next !! Thanks so much for sharing !!

Susan

[partyof2]

I too love YA fiction and Doctor Who!

Your own personal blue envelope journey is so romantic, and I'm not known for being soppy!

I'd love to do the Cape May Cafe buffet but my boyfriend hates seafood, and wouldn't even entertain the idea despite the fact he would actually have to eat any if he didn't want to.

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Originally Posted by Dalamara

Subscribing! I'm hooked already! :D. Your hubby sounds so sweet.

Aww thank you very much. He is the greatest!

Originally Posted by jecskc

Coming back to comment.

1. I love your writing style. Excellent.

2. You do a great job of describing food and their combination of flavors so we can imagine it ourselves. Unlike MY descriptions which are basically, "we ate here. It was good." LOL.

3. I have to read that book now. It sounds like a great one !!

4. How sweet of your DH to send you on this scavenger hunt !! Oh my goodness ... he's a keeper !!! Lucky you !!

5. I can't wait to see what happens next !! Thanks so much for sharing !!

Susan

Thank you very much for you nice compliments. One thing I wanted to accomplish with this report was to create entries that would help people understand my preferences and why I had the opinions I had, so they can determine if it would be right for them (ie, the snakebite was a little hard to drink for me because it was so carbonated, but someone who is more accustomed to drinking carbonated beverages may like it more.

And yes, J is the best.

Originally Posted by partyof2

I too love YA fiction and Doctor Who!

Your own personal blue envelope journey is so romantic, and I'm not known for being soppy!

I'd love to do the Cape May Cafe buffet but my boyfriend hates seafood, and wouldn't even entertain the idea despite the fact he would actually have to eat any if he didn't want to.

J is quite the romantic (we both are, really). I'm quite fortunate to have him.

What is your favorite YA? J titled this adventure "13 Little Who Envelopes" and the narrative in the letters discusses how we are traveling through time as well as space to get to these destinations. It's really quite creative!

I really enjoyed Cape May and wouldn't hesitate to return, even without the inclusion of the oreo bon bons, but perhaps you can find some compromise. Narcossees has some good seafood options (the lobster is even included on the DDP!), but also some excellent terrestrial options. Coral Reef is known for it's steaks. Maybe one of those would be a good alternative?

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

This next letter instructed me to travel to Italy, as per the story, and try "un bacio" an Italian chocolate and hazelnut candy. Also the Italian word for "a kiss".



This particular delicacy can be found in the Delizie Italiane shop in the Italy pavilion. These are bell-shaped candies with cream filling surrounding large chunks of hazelnut and a dark chocolate coating.

I also have an image of me giving my Dearest un bacio, but you don't get to see that one.


Up next, the adventure that wasn't...

[partyof2]

Originally Posted by NoOrdinaryPrincess

What is your favorite YA? J titled this adventure "13 Little Who Envelopes" and the narrative in the letters discusses how we are traveling through time as well as space to get to these destinations. It's really quite creative!

I really enjoyed Cape May and wouldn't hesitate to return, even without the inclusion of the oreo bon bons, but perhaps you can find some compromise. Narcossees has some good seafood options (the lobster is even included on the DDP!), but also some excellent terrestrial options. Coral Reef is known for it's steaks. Maybe one of those would be a good alternative?

I love a UK author called Sarra Manning.

I know she's had a few things published in the US but I feel her books are very British. Her Diary of a Crush series is a favourite of mine, I can read it over and over again - although this likely has more to do with nostalgia than anything else, it was originally serialized in Just Seventeen when I was in my teens.

That mushroom fillet is my most anticipated meal! I absolutely cannot wait to try it, did the juices run cooked medium rare? Generally that's how I have my steaks cooked, but when they are served with sauces I prefer them to be pink but not runny.

[Dalamara]

I am a librarian and I LOVE YA literature! :D. I am a big fantasy fan, and some of the best fantasy series I have read have been YA or even J.

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Originally Posted by nfggirl5454

Oh, you should read The Bermudez Triangle, I thought that one was really good. Have you thought of the library? I'm looking forward to The Madness Underneath too, and hopefully another Scarlett book sometime soon. I love John Green! Do you watch any of the Vlogbrother videos? Or the Lizzie Bennet Diaries? I don't mean to get away from the food topic, but my only friends who read YA are my younger sister (thanks to my influence) and a former college roommate who teaches HS English, so it's always nice to meet someone else who's into it.

Back on topic, does the Italian shop have many other candies? That one sounds good, but I'm not a big fan of hazelnut.

Feel free to fill my thread up with as much YA talk as you want! I *love* the Lizzie Bennett Diaries. Why haven't they shown us Darcy yet? I feel like they might be building up too much anticipation for their own good.

Do I watch Vlogbrothers videos? French the Llama, how could I not? Really. Seriously. Can we have a nerd[fighter] party on the Disboards, please? [I'm sure anyone else on the boards reading this likely thinks we're crazy by now, but this is my DR, and I'll be as tangentially nerdy as I like!]

Regarding your culinary question, yes they did have other candies at the Italian shop, but as I don't read italian, and was somewhat preoccupied with my own mission, I couldn't tell you much about them. Perhaps I'll stop by and investigate more when I'm there next week.

Thanks for reading along and DFTBA

Originally Posted by Dalamara

I am a librarian and I LOVE YA literature! :D. I am a big fantasy fan, and some of the best fantasy series I have read have been YA or even J.

J loves fantasy. He went to university for physics and creative writing, so he has all the trappings of a good fantasy or sci fi author. He only writes for fun, though. Right now we're working our way through the Temeraire series.