So sadly for me this contest and therefore this Dining Review has come to an end.
But the good news for me (and I hope you will share in my excitement) is that there will soon be another.
You see a few weeks ago (when we were more than knee-deep in snow here in Illinois
), I was feeling pretty down about the fact that I probably would not be able to get my DH back to Disneyworld for at least a year, but more likely two years. Although I think he enjoyed our anniversary trip, it was our second visit to the World in one year. As he is not a big fan of Disneyworld
(more or less just tolerates it for my sake and the kids), I know that he won’t be open to the idea of another trip there for quite awhile. And to make matters worse, in addition to suffering from Disney withdrawals, I will soon be facing one of life’s dreaded milestones.
Yes, my DIS friends, I am turning 50 at the end of April.
But then one night as I was surfing the DIS boards, a brilliant idea came to me.
What better way to celebrate this event (or at least make it tolerable) than to take a trip to the Happiest Place on the Earth…a happy place even for old ladies like me???
And then I had another brilliant idea, to take my oldest daughter (age 21) with me and make it a mother/daughter trip. Now when I asked her to go along on this trip with me I explained that it would be totally different from her previous (family) trips to the World. This one would be all about the food, wine, and various other alcoholic drinks. Oh, and of course taking lots of notes and pictures of all of these for our dining reviews.
I asked her if she was up for that kind of trip. Her response (with no hesitation whatsoever)…”I think I was born ready, Mom.” Yep, that’s my girl!
The one wrinkle in my plan is that she is in college and is not done with her semester exams until May 11th, therefore we won’t be able to leave until the 12th. So although I won’t get to be there on my actual birthday, we will be there just two weeks later. We will be doing a split stay again at our two favorite resorts, with 4 nights at the Boardwalk Inn and then 3 nights at the Polynesian. Also I think we will dine without the
DDP for the first 4 nights (I will have TIW discount though), but add the Deluxe Dining Plan for our last 3 nights at the Polynesian. And last but not least, here is our Dining Wish List (as of now anyway
):
Breakfasts
I’m really hoping this time to make it to at least two (if not all three) of these. Unlike her dad, DD is much better at getting up early in the morning. However, she usually doesn’t eat much for breakfast, but hopefully she’ll make a few exceptions on this trip.
Kouzzina – I’ve not eaten here before but have read some good reviews and several things on their Breakfast menu have caught my eye. I guess I’ll just wait and see which one of these I feel like having at the time.
Kona Café – The Macadamia Pineapple Pancakes are still calling my name. Hopefully I’ll get to try them this time.
Grand Floridian Café – Must have that Maple-Vanilla French Toast again, and I think DD will like it too!
Lunches
Via Napoli – Will probably share an individual pizza and those yummy ricotta fritters with chocolate sauce for dessert. Oh, and hopefully the cute waiters will still be there…DD would enjoy the eye candy.
Sanaa – They have some really interesting things on their menu that I’d like to try, plus we have not yet been to Kidani. It looks quite beautiful from the pictures I’ve seen.
Hollywood Brown Derby – Despite two or three visits here, I have never had their Signature Cobb Salad. I plan to rectify that omission this time, as I love Cobb Salad. I might even have to try the Grapefruit Cake. I wonder if I would like it, even though I don’t like grapefruit???
Teppan Edo – Ate here on our March 2010 trip and DD really liked it…especially the iced green tea and the green tea pudding for dessert. I got the filet and DD got the shrimp for our entrees and then we shared. We would probably do this again, as we prefer the filet over the sirloin steak that is served as part of the steak & shrimp combo.
Coral Reef – Discovered the mahi mahi here on our last trip…very good. Also really enjoyed their Appetizer for 2. Although it was really loud here last time, the food made up for the noise. Plus DD and I aren’t nearly as sensitive to loud restaurants as DH is.
Kona Café – Have enjoyed both breakfast and dinner here several times before, but have never had lunch. Their menu has a few new (to me) things I’d like to try, as well as a few old favorites like the Banana Crème Brulee for dessert. Plus, since we are staying at the Polynesian for our last three nights, this restaurant would be a convenient location for lunch during an afternoon break from the parks.
Le Cellier – I was quite shocked to snag a lunch reservation here at less than 3 months out. We are looking forward to dunking those pretzel breadsticks into their cheddar cheese soup again. Oh, and last time I discovered their delicious Chocolate Whiskey Cake. It seems to be missing from their new dinner menu, but I’m hoping it’s still on the lunch menu.
Now here is where I need your advice. We will only be able to eat at 6 of these on this trip, so please help me decide which one to cut.
DINNERS
Artist Point – Loved the salmon, and DD really likes salmon so would probably like it here.
Jiko – We haven’t been to this restaurant since 2002, and haven’t even been to AKL since we had breakfast at Boma in 2006. In 2002, DD and I both had the Filet with Mac & Cheese and loved it. I know they’ve changed the side dish served with the filet on the menu, but am wondering if you can still get the mac & cheese with it. Anybody know?
Yachtsman Steakhouse – Just like her mom, DD’s favorite cut of steak is the filet. I loved the filet here last time…best steak of the trip! I think DD will like it a lot.
Flying Fish Café – Last trip (first time here) I went into this meal with high expectations due to the great things I’d heard here about this restaurant. Although my appetizer (crab cake) was great, the rest of my meal (steak, banana napoleon) was nothing special. So I was thinking of getting the red snapper this time, which I was going to get last time but caved and got the steak when DH surprised me and didn’t order it. Unless you have a better suggestion? Also, suggestions for dessert would be welcomed and appreciated. Anyway, this restaurant has the added bonus of being conveniently located, since we will be staying at the Boardwalk Inn for the first 4 nights of our visit to the World.
Citricos – Pretty much the same story as Flying Fish. The shrimp appetizer was great but the meal went downhill from there. We had the chicken and pork dishes last time, so I was thinking of trying either the short ribs or the filet this time around. Any opinions on this would be welcomed. As for dessert, I’m hoping to finally get to try the chocolate banana tart. Hopefully this time they won’t run out just before I order it.
Narcoossees – DD really likes lobster and enjoyed the Whole Maine Lobster that she had here on our March 2010 trip. I love the shrimp & crab chowder and the almond cheesecake for dessert.
California Grill – The CHAMPION from our last trip, so I’m hoping for an equally great meal here this time around. DD loves sushi and is really looking forward to trying it here. I really enjoyed my entire meal here…flatbread appetizer, filet, and valrhona chocolate cake for dessert. Not sure if I’ll try anything different or follow the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Il Mulino – Despite having stayed at the Swan & Dolphin Resort three times, we have never eaten at any of their restaurants. In exploring the options, I discovered that this restaurant serves dishes from the Abruzzi region of Italy. Well, that happens to be the area where my grandparents are from. My two daughters, sister, niece, and myself did a week long Food & Wine tour in this area in June 2009. The food was incredible, so I’m very tempted to give this restaurant a try. Will it bring back fond memories or pale comparison and therefore be a big disappointment? If you have dined at Il Mulino, I would love to hear your opinion.
BlueZoo – This is the other S & D restaurant that interests me. DD and I both like seafood and a couple of the seafood dishes on their menu have caught my eye. Also I have seen and heard about some of their cocktails that seem quite tempting.
And so, another dilemma here… there are 9 restaurants on my Wish List, but sadly we have only 7 nights here. So please help me decide which two to cut from the list.
Ok, well that’s a wrap then. Thank you so much for joining us in celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary. I hope you will check back in late May for our Dining reviews from my birthday trip. I think I’ll call it…
Please join us in celebrating my 50th Birthday. That is, unless I can come up with a better, more clever and witty title by then.
But until then, I look forward to hearing your opinions/comments/advice regarding the dining plans for our May trip. Thanks again for reading!