14 NIGHTS SAPPHIRE FALLS...MARDI GRAS-MINIONS-HARRY & MORE...MARCH 2019 TR

Oh, I am so sorry about your experience at flippers! We ate the one in Kissimmee on our last trip and had a wonderful meal. The service was pretty slow though. I hate that I may have recommended a bad place.

Oh Andrea don't feel bad…...it wasn't you I saw post!!!

It`s been over the last couple of years I`ve seen it mentioned in passing with some passion I might add, so I guessed it must be decent...….but, no......lol....we certainly wouldn't go back now, especially to that one.

Slow service must be standard in all their places by the sound of it.

:wave2:
 
Once off the boat, we see the crowds seem busier tonight....quite a lot of folks heading in which surprised us as usually most folks are in the park and stay for the parade. But, we joined the throngs of people heading towards the gate...….

Once in, we go straight to the Mardi Gras area again......we still have many items left on our lanyard, so we get the one thing we liked a little.....the shrimp and sausage po boys.....

These are quite nice, I don't eat the bread but Tom enjoys his and the chips weren't too bad either....quite hard though.....but that was our lanyard done for us and as I said, I think we had 3 or 4 items left we wouldn't use.

For us, the lanyard was something we were glad we had bought, but generally the food hadn't impressed us at all.

HHN food seems to be a much better variety and quality......of course I understand the theme of the food ahs to fit in with Mardi Gras theme, and I do like that style of food.....but this was a bit of a disappointment.





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We tried to decide where to stand tonight, and went for the area behind the Disabled area opposite Macy`s......we had lots of space as there was hardly anyone around us.....to either side of us quite busy though...…..





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And yes, it was cold!!!!





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It was definitely busier tonight, not mobbed....you could easily wander in just as the parade started and easily have a place to stand and see the parade easily...…





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By the time the parade comes around to this area it`s beginning to get much darker than when the parade originally starts at 7.30. Which is nicer to see the floats all lit up as you should see them in all their glory...

And once we see the OPD motorbikes......we look forward to the floats.....and the beads...….





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I do love a bit of confetti or ticker tape or bubbles......or even better a mix of all three!!!!!




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Tom and I were both collecting beads tonight, but not as vociferously as previous nights......we really didn't want to be taking many out with us tonight...…

But, a man to the side of me, around 50`s maybe, was almost attacking everyone around if they reached for the beads on the ground.…...of course I found it funny to see a grown man so vehemently collect plastic beads.....and he did have loads by the end!!!! He looked proud!!!!





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There are many performers during the parade and they are all amazing....and sparkle throughout the whole parade...….their interaction is wonderful with the crowds and a lot of them spent time waving and interacting with children and the folks in the disabled area...….nice to see.




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This spot was probably our least favourite area to stand...….we do like to see the parade coming towards us, so seeing them side on wasn't just as clear as previous spots, still ok, but we would choose to stand at one of the other spots if we ever go back to Mardi Gras.



More coming up...…….
 
Maybe they are more of a takeout place. We've gotten take out from there many a time , and it has always been fine.
 
Maybe they are more of a takeout place. We've gotten take out from there many a time , and it has always been fine.

I think you might be right...….they certainly seemed to focus on their delivery pizzas and the folks that were there for pick up...…

With the amount of ovens they have, they must have cooked a lot of pizzas in 45 minutes before they did ours!!

Glad you enjoyed your experience with them though...….:)
 


We left straight away tonight...….we do pass on all the beads tonight to anyone who wants them.....it`s all very well and good collecting them, but what the heck does the average person do with them...…

As the parade passed us, the crowds seemed to appear from nowhere and follow the parade down past The Mummy....I guess folks were heading to Potter for the last hour or so...….but it did look crowded!!!!




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Not for us, we were heading out the park but did manage to stop for a picture or two...…



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We did think of stopping to go on RRR, but certainly for us wimps that we are, it was too cold and we didn't want to be going around the ride at speed when it was already to cold for us!!!! So, we passed on it tonight.




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Crowds has dissipated in this area already so maybe everyone had gone to Potter.





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For the first time in years…...we saw barely a line for Despicable Me....so if you didn't have EP this seemed to be the perfect time to ride...….




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After having a wander around the store, we headed out for the boat back home......and of course as the parade had just ended it was busy!!!! So we knew we would have a little wait to get back tonight...….so Tom of course passed the time taking pictures...….

Citywalk is beautiful at night...….the lights bring it so much to life...…..




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We get on the second boat, which doesn't take long and soon we are back in the hotel where it is warm despite the air conditioning...…..much warmer than outside that`s for sure.

We drop off our jackets in the room and turn the heat up in there too......Turndown had left the room very cool......so by the time we got back from Strong Water it would be lovely and warm...…..





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Strong Water was busy again tonight...…..even the bar was busy, but we managed to find a nice table in the middle where Maggie would be looking after us tonight.....we adored her!!!




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Before we sat down we saw Fernando and thanked him so much for sending us the lovely bottle of wine, of course he said it was a pleasure....and we had enjoyed it a lot. We chatted and he said he`d be over to see us in a little while......well, we`d be there for the rest of the evening.....

Tom`s first drink tonight was a Fountain of Youth, and I of course opted for the beautifully fruity Rum Revival...…





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We were a little bit peckish as we had only sampled the po boys tonight.....so we ordered a dish we had missed every single visit.….their shrimp dish!!!!

I had just said to Tom they needed a pure shrimp dish when Fernando pointed out the blatantly obvious.....couldn't believe we had missed it......camarones…….and it sounded beautiful......we did ask for no extra cilantro as Fernando explained they marinate the shrimp in many things including cilantro, then more is added to the sauce......so we could get it easily without the extra......and that's one of the many things we love about this place, is how fresh everything is.





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When the dish arrived we knew we had made a mistake, huge mistake, in not ordering one each!!








The aroma hit us first.......garlic was one of the more prevalent ones, but oh my goodness did this look delicious or what...….

And it was divine. The shrimp were plump and tasty......good texture and not overcooked in the least.....and the sauce was perfect......I truly wanted a spoon so I could finish it up!!!! But, of course we had bread to absorb the sauce...…..





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After we had finished, Fernando did indeed come over and sit down for a chat, where we discussed a few things.....a lot of rum talk of course...….

The rum below we got a taste of too as it became quite the talking point as it was part of a drink we were discussing...….he brought it over for us to see and have a little sample......

It was unusual, and not something I`d order.....but I was glad to have the chance to taste it...….I could see what he meant when he said it got mixed reviews.





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We were chatting about restaurants we like too, and Fernando did tell us about one we had seen but always wondered what it would be like...….well, when he told us him and his wife go, we knew it was a place we would like......and we did indeed plan to go the very next night, if we could get booked.

He was so busy, and we were thrilled he had sat and chatted with us for so long, he is so nice and runs an excellent bar, it`s lovely to hear the staff speak so positively about their boss...…

Maggie managed to have some time with us too as did Brittany who are just the loveliest of ladies...….

I was still a little peckish, and I didn't think Tom would want any more......and usually I would order anyway....but then he said those four famous words I wanted to hear...….

Want some more shrimp?????








Next time Maggie came over, we asked for another dish of camarones……..no problem...……

And when it did come out, it looked even better than the previous dish!!!! Maggie did ask if we wanted extra bread for the sauce, and we rather foolishly declined.....as we did have a little left over after we demolished the shrimp and most of the sauce...….

This really had been a find tonight...……




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Tom ordered a nightcap of an Old Fashioned...….it was a little too strong for me, and had a strong taste of orange which I don't really like...….I stuck to another rum revival...….

Not sure why I didn't get a picture of the drinks, I guess we were busy chatting and just forgot...…

Little bit of a not so nice thing was, the couple who latterly came and sat beside us, who were British, looked at us a few times, then as we were leaving made a rather sneering comment of how it was obvious we knew everyone so well as all the staff had stopped off to speak to us......but, it wasn't said nicely, it was said with a lack of warmth.

Wasn't quite sure how to reply, so I just yes, yes we do...….and sadly, this wouldn't be the last time this was commented on during our trip.

But, for tonight, we looked for Fernando and others to say goodnight to, and then headed along to our room which was cosy and warm as the heat was set high!!!!

It was cosy…….but we didn't sit up late tonight at all......it had been a lovely day again, relaxing and some park time too...….


Tomorrow we planned to go to Winter Park and a new dining experience in the evening.
 
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Gosh I just love the pictures you and Tom take.

Thanks Vicki...….

He has a very good eye with pictures......I need my glasses on to see up close, so can`t really see what I`m taking very well......so, I`m better leaving them to him!!!

Glad he enjoys taking pictures so much.....::yes::
 


Well of course the staff and everyone is friendly and chatty with you all. Your demeanor just invokes that. Heaven's sake look how friendly and chatty you are with all of us here on the dis and how perfect strangers all consider themselves friends.
Some of us are VIPs too! (at least in our own minds:rotfl2:) I, for example, am probably an eccentric millionaire (on some planet somewhere).

I really don't understand why people have this stupid jealousy. What a waste of time and energy.:confused:

Although I must say sheepishly, I am insanely jealous of that shrimp dish.....the yucky pizza...not so much.
 
I am all caught up again, love all your adventures and food reviews, good and bad!

The Mardi Gras parade does look like a fun time!
 
WEDNESDAY MARCH 20TH



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This morning was a wake up early day again...….although we had been late-ish in bed last night, we had slept so well and felt very refreshed this morning...….

Although we did have a relatively lazy day planned again...…..

We showered and dressed before heading over to the RP for breakfast...…...and as always we enjoyed the walk from the vivid colours of the Caribbean, to the more muted classic décor of the South Pacific.....















It seemed to be raining right now, but the forecast was better as the day went on.....and it was cool again, but not as cold as yesterday.…..I was looking forward to tomorrow when it was supposed to warm up again.....









Breakfast was our usual light fare and we had such fun chatting to everyone as always...….we did notice one set of people constantly look at us, but never once said a word to us, it wasn't uncomfortable, but it was noticeable...….

We chatted for a little while after we had finished then set off back to get the car and head off to Winter Park.....

And the sun had come out again...……

Universal Orlando has certainly changed the landscape of this area, from years ago, it looks very different and bears no resemblance to just over 10 years ago.










Of course we again go on the I4 which is just dreadful......this road is never fun to drive on, but at least we don't get delayed today for any reason.....quite the opposite.....traffic is free flowing and flowing quickly....anyone who is remotely nervous of speed, crazy drivers and tight lanes really shouldn't drive this road...…...I am a confident driver, but this road really does test your concentration.....and courage at times!!!!

With the roadworks you don't take the regular turnoff, but a little further down....of course the satnav doesn't recognise this and tells you to do a U turn till you do actually turn off a little further down...…

Winter Park is a beautiful little town......it is peaceful, classic and very old town feel about it, and we always enjoy a walk around any chance we get. It does have wonderful restaurants and of course the classic and fabulous but not fancy in any way, 4Rivers Smokehouse. This is an amazing place but we didn't visit this time, but hope to visit in May as it is has wonderful food.

Today we park in the street as the car park we usually park in is no longer a car park!!! So, unlike the UK you can park for free in so many places.....including the main streets...….

We walk into the park area and there is a couple who are getting their engagement or celebration pics of some kind taken...….they were a little different shall we say. But, they looked happy enough...….









yes, it wasn't quite warm enough to remove the jacket...….just yet......although the sun was continuing to build up and it was improving...….considering how cold it was back home, we felt incredibly lucky.....










Some people we know come here on the train from Sand Lake Road...….it is very convenient I guess for some, but parking is so easy here, it`s not worth it for us.....

However, the station is pretty, very pretty...….and very fitting to the rest of the town...….











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And we see the I guess you would call it the local train...…..it`s not so pretty.....but impressive all the same.







We walk back along the park and it is so relaxing a place to be.....we have never heard a lot of noise here, everything seems so placid and laid back.....I can guess why folks love to live here. We do know someone who lives there and she loves it...….wouldn't live anywhere else.....

Even traffic seems placid too for some reason...….it`s almost got a Truman Show feel about it......It`s much nicer than Celebration and feels a lot more real somehow.....probably because it is...….








And yes, the jacket is off now...….it is warm...…..








This was around 11am on a Wednesday morning in Downtown Winter Park...….it`s perfect...…...









We strolled around some areas we hadn't been before and I`m sure there is more we have still to see there, so we have a few more visits to enjoy there.


One of the newest gems we found was the Winter Park equivalent of the Olive Oil Company in Mount Dora.....we hadn't seen it before and were delighted to find such a lovely little place that sold some amazing delicacies and treats.....

The people that owned and worked there were so friendly, and helpful...…










It had a similar idea of having samples of oils and dressings.....but they had so much more, much smaller store but had more products and you could try most of them...….




















We did purchase more than we intended...….oops......I was thinking of those suitcases again















We purchased some spicy olive oil, regular oil, flavoured salad dressings x 3 and some olives......and all in heavy jars and bottles!!!!!

Maybe we should purchase another suitcase and pay the extra for it at the airport!!

We headed back down the street and Tom went ahead to put our rather heavy bag into the car which was up the street a little...…..

Meanwhile as he walked back down, I saw an older lady wave to me...…..I did the usual and looked behind me to see who they were waving at....lol......but she pointed to me again and her husband was smiling too...….

They knew me. Or so they thought. As they got closer they realised I wasn't who they thought I was and looked a little embarrassed......lol.....I smiled as they passed not acknowledging now they thought they knew me...…..oh dear!!!!

Tom was laughing now as he thought this was funny......he said he thought I had found two new friends....but he commented how often this has happened...….I had one of those faces I guess!!!!

The little shopping areas are so cute, and this one had a Koi pond and the fish were positively scary.....I swear one looked like it had piranha teeth!!!!!















We walked along to the corner, which has such a pretty feel to it again and then we decided we were both ready to go get some lunch...…..






Lunch coming up and a new place for dinner...…….
 
Well of course the staff and everyone is friendly and chatty with you all. Your demeanor just invokes that. Heaven's sake look how friendly and chatty you are with all of us here on the dis and how perfect strangers all consider themselves friends.
Some of us are VIPs too! (at least in our own minds:rotfl2:) I, for example, am probably an eccentric millionaire (on some planet somewhere).

I really don't understand why people have this stupid jealousy. What a waste of time and energy.:confused:

Although I must say sheepishly, I am insanely jealous of that shrimp dish.....the yucky pizza...not so much.

I wish I could give you 100 likes for that!!!!! :D

Thank you so much....that is so kid of you to say....:flower3:

We have been so lucky to have met some lovely people off the Dis alone, and even folks I haven't met yet, I do feel there is always a connection with at times.....and the people we have met in the hotels, and some we have known for years are incredibly special to us. So, I never feel guilty for having a lot of people there feel like family...…

I agree, I have never understood jealousy....I have had a few nasty comments levelled at me through other people`s social media for example, it`s amazing what gets back to you....lol......and even people feeling the need to compete makes me laugh....and it`s so obvious...…

That whole " we can do that too" is unnecessary and yes, such a waste of time and energy.....I have seen a few that I`m sure if I said I had broken two legs, they would have broken three :laughing:....you know the type I`m sure......jealousy must be a dreadful curse I`m thankful not to suffer from.....competitiveness has never been my strong point.....quite sad folk feel the need to say things like that....

Oh the shrimp was delicious!!!! I think that may be our first dish the night we arrive.....::yes::
 
I am all caught up again, love all your adventures and food reviews, good and bad!

The Mardi Gras parade does look like a fun time!

Yes, even bad meals and experiences are all part of the trip.....but thankfully we have more good than bad!!

Glad you`re all caught up…...yes, Mardi Gras is a lot of fun...….the parade is colourful and vibrant and we did enjoy the nights we went ::yes::
 
Trying to catch up on your latest trip!! I'm glad the weather was warming up for you. I think we were in South Florida at the same time and for a few days it was rainy and cool, so may have been part of the same cool front.

Can't wait to hear about more dining, and I have to go back and catch up and see where in DS you ended up going...

BTW, I'm going to your side of the pond to London in May...and can't wait for all the English sweets :))
 
Trying to catch up on your latest trip!! I'm glad the weather was warming up for you. I think we were in South Florida at the same time and for a few days it was rainy and cool, so may have been part of the same cool front.

Can't wait to hear about more dining, and I have to go back and catch up and see where in DS you ended up going...

BTW, I'm going to your side of the pond to London in May...and can't wait for all the English sweets :))

Yes, it was a very cool phase, I remember you were down there at the same time......too cool for us!!! But, last few days and first week were glorious during the day....

We had a lovely meal at DS!!!

How lovely you`re going to London......we always enjoy it when we visit.....so much to do and so easy to get around.....in saying that, we tend to stick to the same areas when we go down now...….have you go some lovely plans when you are there or is it play it by ear.....so much to see and do...….

We always plan to go to Whitechapel and do the Ripper tours...….my niece used to go there for a business meeting a couple of times a year, and she said some places always had an eerie feel.....my kind of place....love a good ghost tour!!!!
 
It was time for lunch and we had looked at a few places as we walked along the street......we had seen several we liked the look of, but decided on an Italian which is not my favourite choice usually, but they had a special of lobster mac n cheese which Tom liked the sound of.....so in we went.

They were very welcoming and our waitress was very nice and asked if we had been before, we said we hadn't and she said we would hopefully enjoy it enough to come back again.....

I ordered a glass of Pinot Noir and Tom who had lost the race for the key fob this morning, was on lemonade......I can move fast when need be!!!!

I have to say the wine was very nice, but would stick at one for lunch...…..




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The menu was decent, obviously Italian, and it`s not my favourite cuisine, but they did have flatbreads and pizza, so as Tom ordered his much looked forward to lobster mac n cheese, I decided to go for the rather dull I suppose choice of bbq chicken flatbread omitting the onions...

The restaurant is very nice, and was themed quite authentically and it got fairly busy while we were in...certainly seemed popular enough which is good to see.




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You could add an unlimited salad bowl to your meal for a little extra but we didn't bother as we felt this would be enough for us.....and it was!!! But, the salad looked nice and very fresh...….




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As we waited our waitress brought the nicest bread......it really was lovely, and a garlic and anchovy (which I hate) paste with olive oil......and I have to say when you mixed them together it was beautiful...….very, very garlicky.....which I regretted later. I can`t eat whole garlic, but pureed down it`s ok if I have a little....so I don't really eat it often......so I had forgotten how strong the taste can be!!!!! I did buy a tub of extra strong mints and used my ultra strong mouthwash a few times before we went back out...….

But, it was delicious!!!!





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When the food arrived, my flatbread looked delicious...….she said the chef had been amused to be asked for pineapple on it......I guess not a popular choice then......I love it!!!!

And the flatbread was lovely...….chicken was so tasty and the sauce was tangy as I liked it, and I did check this time and it didn't have MSG...….glad to hear it...….




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Tom`s however, looked a little odd...….wasn't mac n cheese pasta that we use.....it was more like tubes....although we did like it had jalapenos on top...…..

I was curious to see what it tasted like.....

Once it was mixed through a little it was much better looking and not at all dry.....but Tom said it was the weirdest lobster mac n cheese he had eaten, but it was nice......I tasted it and yes, it was nice, a little lacking in lobster, but we didn`t expect much...…..




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Always the best test, I asked if he would get it again......yes, he would...…

We paid the check and it was a bargain at $35...….one of best bargain lunches anywhere......not including tip of course.....we had definitely enjoyed this place and would happily come back......thing is there are so many places to choose from here, and we do like to try different places...….and Tom was hankering to get back to 4Rivers....so that might be our next stop whenever we come back.

We got back to the car and head off out of Winter Park...….

The road out isn't the most scenic that's for sure and of course, soon back on the I4 which I think is worse as a passenger.....

We were impressed by the way the newest hotel is coming along and glad they made the announcement it would be open even earlier than planned...….it was certainly bright enough!!!!

It would be lovely if they developed this whole area and really cleaned it up a bit as you go further down I Drive.....it looks shoddy and untidy with the cheap tat stores......hopefully that's in the plan as the other end looked much better since they added the golf and kart place and of course the whole Orlando Eye area has made a huge difference..…..looks amazing.




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We did a few (little) bits of shopping in a few stores, and also headed to the Walmart in the Metro West area......we always use the one on Turkey Lake Rd, and wondered what this was like...…..

I`ll just say we will go back to the Turkey Lake Rd one from now on...…..the bathrooms were so bad I`d have rather gone outside in the main car park in a bucket :sick:...….so we were now on a mission to use a bathroom.....

As we had shopped, we decided to head back to the hotel, it was mid afternoon by now and Tom had a bit of a headache, so we thought we may go for a snooze...….and we also said we would Facetime Kyle this afternoon....so back to the hotel, where thankfully the bathrooms are immaculately clean...….

Back in the room we again, added to the ever growing pile of stuff in the closet......and I noticed it had over spilled into another area too...…….oops.....we really should stop buying stuff now...….

We Facetimed Kyle who was doing great and was so looking forward to his two weeks up in Scotland with work, and he had also been asked to another project back in schools where he among three others talked to 16-18 year olds about the importance of finances and having them in order.....he`s perfect for that as I swear that lad has been financially aware since the age of three!!!! So, he was happy to have been chosen again and we were proud too that it had been him.

He was doing great and was having blast while we were gone......although he was looking forward to us coming back.....we had a good catch up and told him any news we had.....and a few stories too......it`s always lovely to chat to him while we are so far away....it really made a difference to me as calls just aren't the same.....but, he was off to do something so we said our goodbyes and said we`d speak to him Saturday morning before we left...…

We then did go for a snooze as Tom was tired, and he as usual went to sleep on the sofa as he likes the tv on while he snoozes.....I don't, I like peace and quiet.....and we both slept for about an hour and a half.....

We had snoozed plenty this trip, and it was lovely.....

I think Tom was already awake as I stumbled through looking nothing like Snow White as she was awakened from her slumber.....maybe a HHN version!!!!! First thing Tom said was what happened to your hair...…

It`s amazing how my hair can look like a 1980`s perm after a sleep!!!!

But, I was awake......had a bottle of water and asked Tom how his headache was...it was gone, so I guess it had been tiredness affecting him...….

Into the shower I went and began to get ready, although it was quite early yet......but I like to be ready early and then just chill out till it`s time to go...…..

And it looked beautiful outside again.....decent weather was returning...…




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We had a bottle of wine in the room so I suggested we open it and I have a glass now......….








We had planned to take a cab tonight, but Tom said he`d rather take the car and then order a bottle of wine in Strong Water later...….so it was just me then......alrighty then!!!!!

And it was a lovely bottle of wine too...….I did just have the one glass...…::yes::




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Tonight we were going to Seito Sushi...….we had seen it many times as it`s in the same area as Wholefoods on Turkey Lake Road.....but had always wondered what it was like......so, when Fernando told us he loved it, we booked a table as soon as we got back to the room last night...…..only a few minutes away, and highly recommended.....sounded good...….

We headed out into the lobby and actually ran into Fernando who was in the lobby....so he came over to greet us and we told him where we were going...….he was pleased and fervently hoped we enjoyed it....

I knew what he meant.....if you recommend somewhere and someone doesn't enjoy it, not much you can do really....but it`s nice if it`s a nice experience......he told us to come let us know how much we enjoyed it, we said we would be back in later to see him......he wished us a good evening, had a hug and we set off for the car.

It really is only five minutes along Turkey Lake Road, you spend longer at the lights than you do getting here!!!!

It is busy when we get there...….much busier than I thought to be honest, it was obviously a popular choice and I wished we had gone before now.....I just hoped we enjoyed it.

You do get a lovely welcome and it is noisy in the main dining room...…we tell them we have a reservation and she says immediately are you from Scotland.....I laugh and say yes, how did you guess......turns out she was going with her mum to Europe for a Graduation gift and Scotland was one of the places she had chosen.....her enthusiasm was catching….

We did get taken through to one of the back rooms which thankfully was much quieter than the main room....and it was very pretty.....

Our waitress chatted and asked if we needed any help with anything, we said we had never been before but knew sushi, so should be fine...…

And it all looked beautiful…….the menu too, we would take a while to choose this meal...….




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I opted for the green salad with a zesty and zingy house made ginger dressing, Tom who hates ginger, abstained from trying it as he could smell the ginger from the other side of the table......it was very gingery so I loved it...….and I ordered a very nice Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina......Tom drawing the short straw again, had lemonade...…I told him he could easily become an aficionado of lemonades around Orlando...…bless him...….





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Both were lovely I have to say......and Tom enjoyed his lemonade...….



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Our waitress asked about Scotland and told us some other options she had to visit also.....she mentioned Romania and said she wasn't sure whether to add that to the countries they were already going to....we told her to drop France in a heartbeat and choose Romania......we loved it there and from what she said she enjoyed, she would love Romania......she was excited to hear that as her mum hadn't been sure about it, now she was adding it!!! And dropping France...….

We really liked this place and hadn't been in that long, but knew it was a place we would return to again....definitely on our next trip in May.

We finally decided on our order......we would have one dish each then share a third if we had room.....who am I kidding, we always have room...….:rotfl:

Tom had decided, after much deliberation...….to try the Torchmaki, which had Spicy crawfish, asparagus, blackened whitefish on top and it was rather dramatically seared with a torch

I have to say this was amazing!!!! The fish has the weirdest texture, but in a good way....the searing made it almost chicken like.....and the taste!!! Wow......if this was the standard, we wouldn't be disappointed with anything...…..

And I got to eat Tom`s pickled ginger!!!




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I had decided on the The Distinguished Gentleman, which was beautifully made with Maine lobster meat, masago, scallions, avocado and delicately wrapped with Wagyu steak tataki and topped with fresh jalapeno and a wasabi aioli...I omitted the truffle salt as truffle is a flavour I cannot enjoy in any way...…
And this was sublime!!!!
You could separate the differing flavours and the mix of everything was perfect......the rare beef was delicate but the taste still came through...…..lobster, delicious. Very delicately done and we loved them both.
I think Tom and I had both found our perfect dish...…..




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We finished those dishes and she asked if we wanted another, we said maybe in a little while, so I had a second glass of wine, which was lovely again and we passed some time just chatting and enjoying this new experience for us...….

And she did leave us for around 20 minutes or so, before coming back to ask if we wanted anything else....and we had actually studied the menu and decided on another we`d like to try....although it came down to around three dishes eventually!!!! But we chose one and ordered that between us....

We had ultimately decided on the Sweetheart, which rather temptingly had Coconut shrimp, mango, cream cheese, topped with snow crab salad, eel sauce with a beautifully sweet apricot glaze.




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I loved this dish too......it had a sweet flavour that Tom wasn't overly fussed on......which was a shame, but he still ate it of course......I enjoyed it immensely and would order it again.....I did counteract the sweetness though with a little larger than normal addition of wasabi...….this worked a treat for me......sweet and spicy is one of my favourite combinations...…I was glad we ordered it, I think Tom would have chosen something else as a third dish to share.

We hadn't planned to have dessert, but I spotted a ginger crème brulee…...and I couldn't resist ordering it.....I told Tom to try it as he does like ginger cake, ginger beer and things like that.....just fresh ginger he hates......he said he`d try it...……





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Nope, he didn't like it.......and his face didn't hide it either!!!!

All mine then...….and it was delicious......I adore Crème Brulee and this was exceptional......it had the hardest crunch of any I`ve ever had......always a sign the chef knows what he`s doing...….

We finished up and paid the check and wished the young lady with her trip to Europe.....lucky girl going to such beautiful countries..…..

We wandered out through the main area which was heaving now and ultra loud...….but I was impressed with their wine storage.....it was reminiscent of Ocean Prime`s wine display, but this one was smaller...…




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The bar area looked a cool place to eat too, we do enjoy sushi at the bar and watching them make it all up in front of you...….




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We had forgotten to take a picture on the way in, but it`s quite pretty in the dark.




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The short drive was even quicker in the fact we got through every single light without having to stop.....although technically the one turning onto Hollywood Way was red, but we were turning right so it was all good.....and we dropped the car off and headed into Strong Water...…..

We sat at the bar and Mike appeared straight away and gave us a hug and asked if we had enjoyed the meal.....we said we had loved it......he did want us to tease Fernando and say it was awful, but, I can`t do that....I knew I`d laugh..….he said to try......and then said he had called him downstairs to say we were back in and he`d be up soon..….how lovely...….

We got a chance to see the unique décor behind the bar too.....I don't think we had sat this far down before...





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Tom ordered us a bottle of Cabernet and I said we still had some in the room, so we changed it to two glasses instead...….that would be plenty tonight......and it was a beautiful wine.....




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Fernando did appear and I just couldn't keep a straight face, I gave it away immediately told him laughing Mike had wanted us to tease him......lol....he has a good sense of humour…..and was very pleased we had loved our meal there.

He asked what we had and when I told him the dish I had, he said after we left he wished he had told us to try that one as it was amazing.....so he was glad we had tried it......but, we did say we would be going back again next trip......actually I must make that reservation soon, before I forget...….or wait.....does that sound too much like planning for me!!!!! :scared1:

Every single time I hear someone talk about intricate spread sheets for a vacation I remember the one I saw from the Disney obsessed family staying at RP few years back for one night.....they had it out in the Club Lounge and it was detailed...….always reminds me of this....







Nah......I`ll wait...…I`ll book it the day before like this time...….

We had a lovely hour or so in there, chatting and laughing with everyone.....and we saw one of the waiters we knew from last year, he came straight over when he saw us.....lovely guy and had been off....so it was lovely to see him again too...….

Fernando and mike both asked if we`d like a pastelito, we said we were full.....but he brought out some for us to take away with us...…. We would enjoy them with a cup of tea later.....I`m sure we would have room in a little while...….so lovely of him.


We said goodnight to everyone soon after, and Maggie asked if we would pop in tomorrow night to say goodbye to her and Brittany as they were off Friday night and we wouldn't see them again till next trip....we said we absolutely would.

Back to our room we got into jammies and poured a glass of wine each and watched some tv while I sent an email or two off....and mooched around on several sites...…..

We ordered tea from room service and as soon as it was here, we brought out the pastelitios…..and they were delicious...….with hot tea, they went so well...….
It wasn't much later we began to feel tired, and bed was welcome tonight again.....


And no plans yet for tomorrow.....
 
I don't eat sushi, but I adore Pickled ginger. My dad bought me a jar of it from an Asian grocery store, and it was such a special present!

lol.....I always have at least one jar of that at home!!! I have been known to just nibble on some, then Tom wonders why it`s gone...…

I`m the only one who likes it, so can`t blame anyone else for it all being gone...…:blush:

It is lovely, and yes, that's a nice gift to get......:)
 
Loving your report so far!!! And that sushi looks delicious!!!

But I do have a comment on the rude people... I don't think they understand that the staff consider you family... In fact, the staff probably see you more than they do their real family!!! And the reason people whisper and stare at you is because they're know you're famous, they're just trying to figure out from where!!!
 
Loving your report so far!!! And that sushi looks delicious!!!

But I do have a comment on the rude people... I don't think they understand that the staff consider you family... In fact, the staff probably see you more than they do their real family!!! And the reason people whisper and stare at you is because they're know you're famous, they're just trying to figure out from where!!!

Awwwww.......maybe infamous would be a better description.....:rotfl:

The sushi was delicious! I always rave about Orchid Court and up until that meal hadn’t tasted better close to Universal.....but this was slightly better I have to say........maybe just because we hadn’t tried it before, but we’ll go back.

People are funny. We seem to have had a few comments over the last couple of years from folks who feel the need to “compete” or let me know they can do the same.......couldn’t give a rats patoottie........if folks have an issue with me that’s their problem, and I guess it’s funny really.......

But, yes, thank you......we consider so many folks there like family......we spend a lot of time with them on numerous visits and we feel so at home there too.......

I’m glad you’re enjoying the report, always nice to see you comment........:wave2:
 
Always enjoy the food installments of the trip reports!
OMG! That sushi looks heavenly! I may even be tempted try the jalepenos, maybe, lol!

I do have to agree with Tom about the ginger, and would have skipped the dessert. I recently gave ginger another try at a wine/chocolate pairing tasting. It was candied ginger covered in dark chocolate. So weirdly spicy/hot and horrible!! Gross! Yuck! Gives me shivers thinking of it:scared:

P.S. I really liked your dress, you looked lovely Carole!
 

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