Served with Flair, My Culinary Cabaret (Solo May 2016 DR), updated 11/12, Earl of Sandwich

[Lisa F]

kind of a dumb question - is there a layer of cream between the cake and the strawberries in the shortcake? To keep the cake from getting all wet and mushy? This dessert might be challenging for my son with sensory issues but if the cake is sitting on the cream he might be good with it!

 

[Saphire5742]

kind of a dumb question - is there a layer of cream between the cake and the strawberries in the shortcake? To keep the cake from getting all wet and mushy? This dessert might be challenging for my son with sensory issues but if the cake is sitting on the cream he might be good with it!

Not dumb at all. I had to look at the picture again to answer this. It looks like the bottom layer of the cake is sitting in the strawberry sauce. But I think if you let them know about your son's issues beforehand, they could give you the strawberry sauce on the side. From what I've read Disney is very good with allergy issues, so I don't think they'll have any problem adjusting the dessert to meet your needs.

 

[Lisa F]

Not dumb at all. I had to look at the picture again to answer this. It looks like the bottom layer of the cake is sitting in the strawberry sauce. But I think if you let them know about your son's issues beforehand, they could give you the strawberry sauce on the side. From what I've read Disney is very good with allergy issues, so I don't think they'll have any problem adjusting the dessert to meet your needs.

on the side! what a simple idea! lol. I did ask ages ago if i could get the cake without but on the side would work for both of us. He is getting to be more adventurous lately though so who knows, it may be fine

 

[SarahDisney]

I'm kinda surprised that it doesn't say anything about there being pork in the beans on the menu, especailly because there are people who don't eat pork and might not expect it to be in the beans. That's weird. I'm glad they got you some substitute, even if the vegetarian beans weren't great.

I keep hearing amazing things about the cornbread at Hoop Dee Doo. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it too.

The show sounds like a lot of fun!

 

[ariane37]

I pretty much ate JUST cornbread and strawberry shortcake when we did HDDR! Oh, and some salad That food is fantastic comfort food and the show is great. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I mention this whenever someone talks about having done the Hoop, but when we did it my DH was picked to be Davey the Angel and it was absolutely hysterical to everyone but him
I love the picture of you that was taken before you went in

 

[Saphire5742]

Planning on writing up an update later today of what ends up being one of my favorite meals from the trip. In the meantime some overdue replies.

At least you didn't forget the most important part...THE FOOD!

Hahahahaha. Yes, food is very important. In this case though I think I enjoyed the show more than the food. Well except for that heavenly cornbread and the strawberry shortcake I could barely eat at the end. Then again I did go mostly for the show anyway.

If we ever make it back (right now it's planned as a once-in-a-lifetime trip)

I remember when I called this past trip a once in a lifetime too. That is until I started really getting into the planning and quickly realized that I needed to get back (hopefully it ends up being sooner rather than later)

Looks like a great evening - glad you were able to fit it in and enjoy it after Universal!

It was a great ending to the day. But if I ever make it back to Universal I won't be scheduling any Disney dinners that same day.

And it's always a good sign when you can't finish dessert, right? I mean, good for feeling that you made the best choices?

Except in this case there are no choices. It's a set menu.

I'm kinda surprised that it doesn't say anything about there being pork in the beans on the menu, especailly because there are people who don't eat pork and might not expect it to be in the beans.

Yeah, they should definitely mention it. Maybe they're counting on people mentioning they don't eat pork while making the reservation since one of the menu items is pork ribs???? Still it is weird

I keep hearing amazing things about the cornbread at Hoop Dee Doo.

That was most definitely the STAR of the meal!

I pretty much ate JUST cornbread and strawberry shortcake when we did HDDR!

Smart move. I should've done just that. Maybe if I ever make it there again (I doubt it though since I'm not in a position to go very often and there are many more places to try....)

I mention this whenever someone talks about having done the Hoop, but when we did it my DH was picked to be Davey the Angel and it was absolutely hysterical to everyone but him

That is hilarious!

 

[kastoney]

Sounds like you enjoyed hoop just as much as we did!!!!

 

[DrunkJam]

Fab reviews. Looking forward to more. Thank you!

 

[Saphire5742]

Sounds like you enjoyed hoop just as much as we did!!!!

Yes I did. It was a lot of fun

Fab reviews. Looking forward to more. Thank you!

Hello and Welcome! Another update coming up next

 

[Saphire5742]

After a morning spent zooming in the dark to the sounds of Aerosmith twice, plunging down 13 flights in an elevator ride gone wrong twice, shooting targets, and meeting some movie stars it was time to step back in time and enjoy some of Mama’s home cooking at no other than:





As I was checking in for my 11:25 lunch, the CM immediately noticed my tiara and asked if that’s how I wanted to be called from the waiting area. Already major bonus points there.

I sat for maybe 5 minutes in the waiting area:








Then I heard “Princess” being called. I was escorted to a corner table opposite one of the tables with a TV:






As you can see the table was empty (and in fact remained empty until I was almost done) so I enjoyed some clips from 50’s sitcoms.

Just sitting there and being in that laid back 50's atmosphere felt very cozy.

When my server arrived I knew exactly what I wanted to order.

Behold:






Let’s take a moment to admire these gorgeous beauties shall we?


How unbelievably mouthwatering do these look????



I just LOVE onion rings. And these were perfection. Large, hot, and crispy – just how I like it. They arrived with horseradish dipping sauce which I was apprehensive about, but it turned out was actually quite tasty and worked really well with the onion rings. Of course this made me question my decision to leave out the horseradish sour cream over at BoG.

And since I just adore onion rings I was quite pleased with the portion size. I proceeded to attack them with gusto and my server attempted to warn me not to fill up with them so I would have room for my entrée.

While happily munching on those delicious onion rings my entrée was brought out:



Mom's Old-fashioned Pot Roast
Slow-cooked ‘til fork tender served with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Brown Gravy, Carrots, Celery, and Onions

Oh my word! Words cannot even begin to describe how in love with this dish I am . Everything about it was absolute perfection!

Mama does not kid around when it comes to her pot roast. No Sir-ee!

Meat so tender it was practically falling apart, creamy smooth garlicky mashed potatoes, doused in a wonderfully flavored gravy.

And to drink it all down I chose none other than the Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake. I forgot to photograph this, but the ones I found on my google search do not do the size of it justice. This was a huge milk shake, which I was more than ok with. Another winner.

There is no question that I finished every single bite of both app and entrée. My server obviously greatly underestimated my abilities ! I had been sipping from my milk shake throughout the meal but had left most of it to the very end as dessert. It took me nearly half an hour to finish that thing! And let me tell you, I had a bit of a difficult time towards the end, but there was no way I was leaving any of that peanut butter and jelly goodness behind. I finished it all to the very last drop. It was so worth it. After my meal though I did have to find a bench and sit down for another half hour. “Rest and digest” took on a whole new meaning !


One of the reasons I booked 50s PT was because I had read about the servers’ shenanigans and it sounded like fun. Later on I also read that not all servers were equally entertaining, and as it turned out my server wasn’t so engaging. I don’t know if he was having an off day or if that’s just how he always is. There was the occasional comment about elbows on the table, but other than that not much else. It was slow when I first arrived so after I ordered, he just sat silently at the empty table adjacent to mine while waiting for new diners to arrive. I’ll admit that it was a little disappointing. Especially considering the server in the section opposite mine. He would have conversations with his diners, telling them old family stories, and when new diners arrived to his section he’d have those already there greet them with a hearty hello. At least I got to witness it though.

That said, this was one of my most favorite meals of the trip and I wouldn’t hesitate to go again. In fact this will be my go to meal anytime I should find myself in Hollywood Studios.


Tune in next time for another Studios meal at Hollywood and Vine.​

 

[DisneyJo]

It sounds like you had a great meal

 

[kastoney]

I don't know how you found onion rings that I haven't tried in the world but you did and now I must have them. Oh those look so good. As does the pot roast. Think we are finally going to 50's in August (after almost a 20 year gap) so I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SarahDisney]

I've heard mixed reviews of 50's Prime Time, so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed, despite the not so great server. I think part of the fun is seeing the fun interactions around you, so it's good that you got some of those!
I've actually thought about going there just for the PB&J Milkshake ... I might have to do that one trip!

 

[ALEXandFAB]

I remember when I called this past trip a once in a lifetime too. That is until I started really getting into the planning and quickly realized that I needed to get back (hopefully it ends up being sooner rather than later)

Yeah. Just since my last post, my husband and I have been talking . And decided that depending on how November trip goes, we'd like to go back . We hope we get a good bounce-back offer while we are there. We'll see.

Behold:

Let’s take a moment to admire these gorgeous beauties shall we?


How unbelievably mouthwatering do these look????

Onion rings are one of my favorite foods ever. These look scrumptious!

There is no question that I finished every single bite of both app and entrée. My server obviously greatly underestimated my abilities !

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[ariane37]

We haven't been to 50's for awhile but mmm....., those onion rings bring back good memories!
The first time we went there we had a fantastic server. She was really into the role and great fun with the antics, yet not overboard. The 2nd time though, not so much and it was a bit uncomfortable. Unfortunately it's hit or miss I think.

 

[Saphire5742]

I don't know how you found onion rings that I haven't tried in the world but you did and now I must have them.

I did think of you when I was writing that update.

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed, despite the not so great server. I think part of the fun is seeing the fun interactions around you, so it's good that you got some of those!

That's true. At least there was that

I've actually thought about going there just for the PB&J Milkshake ... I might have to do that one trip!

You must, you must!

Onion rings are one of my favorite foods ever. These look scrumptious!

Yes. I do find it difficult to resist whenever onion rings are on the menu. Once I was at this deli restaurant with my sister in NY and of course I had to get them onion rings. My sister was horrified at the size of them and proceeded to have two just so I wouldn't eat them all (not cool by the way)

Maybe your server was just shy having not served royalty before.

Spoken like a true fellow princess. Makes total sense. I heartily approve.

I really approve of your rest and digest philosophy!

It was very much needed

We haven't been to 50's for awhile but mmm....., those onion rings bring back good memories!

That was a really great meal, which makes writing the next update a little hard

 

[Saphire5742]

Approximately 7 hours after my fabulous lunch at 50s, it was time to join Minnie and Friends for dinner. I booked this having high expectations regarding the theme. Anyone here who’s also following my TR and has seen my many floral photos so far knows how much I love flowers and plants, so I was very excited when I first found out about this especially seeing Minnie and Friends in their spring outfits.

I did end up seeing photos of the dining event before my trip. Was very disappointed to see the very sparse and lackluster theming and considered canceling, but seeing the characters in their spring attire was the thing that made me keep this ADR (plus the food looked decent enough). Had to eat dinner somewhere so why not at a place where I would get more photo opportunities with the classic characters? I also booked it as a Fantasmic dinner package.

So on to the dinner itself.

Daisy Duck greeted me at the door when I checked in:


(me trying to pull off a glamorous pose )





Don't you just LOVE Daisy's bow?!

I wore that floral dress especially for this dinner. Found it on sale at H&M a few days before my trip for $10 (I bought an additional two with different patterns).

And when I sent this photo to my family (since this first one is photopass and I had memory maker) one of my sisters commented about how nicely our dresses matched. Score!

Now the buffet had a good selection of items, but lunch (even a good 7 hours later!) and the especially brutal heat that day got to me. I passed on any meat, chicken, or fish. Just keep that in mind as you read the rest of my review.


First plate:




On the left there is some mac and cheese. Didn’t care for the cheese sauce in this version. The one at 1900 was so much better.

Next going clockwise is a risotto of some kind (I think. I’m not sure and I don’t have any notes, was much too lazy for note taking). This was very tasty and I went for seconds of this.

A cole slaw salad with dried cranberries. This was my second favorite thing on the plate. Went back for seconds on this one as well.

Some tater tots and a corn dog. Pretty standard.

Cooked kohlrabi. Now I enjoy kohlrabi in a salad as well as roasted, but this was very very bland. Did not care for it at all.

And then some broccoli to round it out. This could have used some seasoning as well, but being that it’s from the kids section I understand why it was plain.

(I warned you, not a very exciting review)


Dessert plate:




Chocolate covered strawberries, a cream puff, mini key lime, mini cheesecake with passion fruit. All good.

As you can tell I wasn’t enjoying the food very much but as I wrote before there were some contributing factors. And my server also noticed as such and wasn’t surprised at all when I mentioned the lunch at 50s. Lesson definitely learned for next time I should find myself in HS: DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SCHEDULE ANOTHER SIT DOWN MEAL THE SAME DAY AS 50S PRIME TIME!


Now for some character photos (which is really the only reason I kept this ADR):



Minnie actually sat at my table across from me and we chatted (well I chatted and she gestured) for a bit before posing for this photo. One of the perks of dining solo.
I will have a similar encounter at another character meal later on which lasted a lot longer.....











Don't they all look so dapper?

Now you do get a signed card before being led to your table, but I did see the characters sign autograph books as well.

Also when Donald Duck came by my section, I was photographing the couple next to me with one of the characters so he bypassed my table. I told this to one of the CMs and they made sure to bring Donald back, but he came around the same time Mickey stopped by. Felt so special having them both by my side. I suggested (and was so hoping) to have a photo all together, but alas was told it could not be done. I do understand why, but still it was worth a try to ask anyway.

And there you have it.

Stay tuned next time (and I will try to update sooner) for Animal Kingdom where I booked lunch at a location just for a dessert that was gushed about on another DR. ​

 

[TeresaNJ]

Loving your report! You're making me reconsider my SciFi reservation for 50s! That pot roast looks so good! Maybe I'll just have to do two days at HS! Enjoying your report very much!

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

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