Condo lunch again
I was thinking of cancelling dinner plans and eating in the condo but DH insisted we go out as we are heading home soon.
So off we went to the Tambu Lounge at the Polynesian Resort. For over 12 years, Ohana has been our favourite restaurant and we kept going even when we weren’t on the dining plan and as prices increased.
In 2022, we went in August and then again in October. Unfortunately October’s experience wasn’t amazing. We had to reorder the beef 3 times before we got the medium rare we asked for. The chicken wings were blah until the 3rd attempt as well. Our server was not as nice and argued with us saying that it was how it was cooked. I explained (nicely) that we were regulars and we knew it could taste better.
Anyway, we did end up getting good food (trick with Ohana is - if it’s not amazing, ask them for another round). However, it made me seriously consider the price to value ratio. It’s over $60pp nowadays. And our favourite parts were the cheap things like noodles and potstickers. We really didn’t care much for the entrees (chicken, shrimp and beef) especially since the beef is so inconsistent we typically need at least a 2nd attempt. I miss the skewers they used to bring around.
Very long story not-so-short, I have decided that Ohana has finally outpriced me. Sad as we were Ohana die-hards.
Anyway, this trip, I decided it was time to make the trek to try out Tambu Lounge, where I have been told we can ask for off-menu items from Ohana
I was going to park at MK and monorail over but decided to give it a shot and drove up to the Poly first. Told the guard I was headed to the Tambu Lounge and he waved me in after checking photo ID. Woot! Prob helped that it was now 5pm so not like I was parking here and going to MK for the whole day.
We strolled upstairs to the Tambu Lounge but no seats were available. We asked the server but were informed they do not seat us so we were left to hover for a seat.
At first we snagged a small low table in the corner. But DH pointed out he would have a lot of trouble eating without a normal height table. There are two 6 seater high top tables but we would have to share with another family and we weren’t keen on that. So we sat patiently and eyed the two normal height tables next to us. Eventually a family finished their food and left. So we hopped up, grabbed our food that had just been delivered, and snagged the table quickly. Success! And it was a lovely window table where I had a fabulous view of the Castle, the Volcano pool, and the lake.
We started with Ohana’s wings and potstickers. The potstickers were pretty good. But had obviously been sitting under a heat lamp for a little bit. We didn’t mind though. It made it a bit soggier for DH. He did have some trouble eating it though. They are deep fried and the edges were still crispy. I have been in a crazy potsticker mood for a few months so thoroughly enjoyed them. It is a surprisingly large portion - maybe 10 potstickers? (Most places give you 4-6 as an app)
We moved on to the wings. Unfortunately they were slightly dried out and overcooked so they also gave him trouble. I found them slightly salty and desperately needing more sauce. Or maybe just more juiciness. Still reasonably good and I ate them lol.
We then ordered one bowl of noodles. I had planned to get 2 but decided to see if DH could eat them first.
It’s hard to tell but there are a LOT of noodles here. Basically an entree sized amount. Just as well since they are dirt cheap to make - just plain noodles with no meat and a smidgen of vegetables.
Still, I love them. And whatever else Ohana is inconsistent with, the noodles are always delicious. I love that they are a bit sweet and never too salty. I have tried, but cannot recreate the flavour at home.
Even better, DH was able to eat the noodles. We were thrilled as it was looking like we were going to have to get him food elsewhere. He was even able to eat more potstickers when mixed in and chopped up with the noodles.
I thought about getting a second plate of noodles but I was starting to get really full. And DH said he was satisfied too.
It was now time for the star of the show. It is not an Ohana-lite dinner without the famous bread pudding. And boy is it plated beautifully at the Tambu Lounge!
It is a gigantic slab of bread pudding. Like 4x the size of my tres leche the other night. And so very, very good. It melts in your mouth. There is a layer of crushed pineapple in the crust that adds that something extra.
My only wish is that there was more ice cream to go with it. It’s definitely not enough and I let DH have most of it.
I have had some very good bread pudding in other Disney restaurants. But this one still reigns supreme. I don’t think entirely due to taste - a lot of it is Ohana nostalgia too.
But if you’re talking about price and value - the Ohana bread pudding at Tambu Lounge is a gigantic portion and a steal at $12. Especially considering the $9 I paid for that tiny tres leche at Three Bridges.
Overall, we had an Ohana-lite meal at half the cost of eating at Ohana. And I still had to waddle out, I was so full. Next time - just noodles and potstickers and bread pudding. Like all the meats, the wings are just too inconsistent there.
Oh and if anyone is wandering around, the little cafe outside Kona Cafe has chocolate covered bacon (we didn’t try it)
We monorailed over to MK for a couple of rides before hightailing it out of there just before the fireworks started. So we got to watch it from the resort boat back to the Poly.
Fantastic view. But it doesn’t come close to being on Main Street with the projections and the music.
It sure was nice not to have to do that awful long walk from the TTC to the parking lot though.
. What you are showing is how to "live'" with cancer. So sending tons of pixie dust my friend. Please be kind to yourself and give lots of self love its very hard to be the care taker and takes up loads of energy. 
I have to think about packing up. So happy we will be back in just 2 more weeks!
