Look Honey They are Unshrinking Cooke's Menu - A Nov. 2019 Dining Report updated 5/03 Homecomin dinner

ncc1701

Scotty I need Warp 10 to WDW
Joined
Sep 21, 2009
Hello . I am Nancy & welome to my second Dining Report. DH & I got back last week from a 6 night visit to WDW staying at "our" resort POFQ. It is where we had our honeymoon and have stayed ever since.
We live in a NJ suburb of Philadelphia. I am retired but DH ( he who will not be named) is still working in the City.
There was some great food, good food and ok food. Fortunately nothing bad . Which describes the service too.
The weather was another matter. The temps rans from 82 on arrival day to low 50s on the last day. And temperatures in between. But you work with what you get.

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We visited long time favorites, new ones from our 2017 trip, a former favorite who returned to glory and a new one that didn't disappoint.
So welcome to the report.
 
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Day 1 11/12 Arrival & Wolfgang Puck Express #1

Originally we were to leave Philadelphia at 7:00am and get into MCO around 9:30am so I had plans of maybe hitting another resort for lunch. So much for my plans.Our flight changed to 8:35am. Unfortunately I think it was due to the issues with the 737-Max and the airlines having to regroup.
There were no other direct AA flights before our new time and even the ones with connections or layovers didn't get us to Orlando much earlier than the new time of 11:14am. Based on past experiences with I figured we wouldn't be at our resort until 1:00ish so lunch in the food court at either POFQ or POR was going to be our first meal .

Our good luck this trip with transportation started on Day 1. Even with leaving Philadelphia a little late we got to MCO early & had a quick ride to the gate ( not always our experience at MCO)and then the big surprise. We got down to DME and boarded a bus right away & it was on it's way in about 10 minutes. By 12:40 we are at POFQ, a ride of 50 minutes even after stopping at SSR & OKW . We dropped our carry-ons at Bell Service and grabbed a boat to Disney Springs.
We were both hungry so went with an old favorite since our first visit in 1998. Wolfgang Puck Express Marketplace. We shared a Cheese Pizza which was very good, not soggy in the middle & hot. Just basic tomato sauce & cheese .20191127_205817.jpg
DH had lemonade & I did a Bud Light.
After lunch we did a walk through the Christmas Store then grabbed a boat back to POFQ. It was a bit after 2:00 & we hadn't gotten the room text so we got our carry-ons & just as we got in line to check room status the "Magical Text" came & we were off to our room in Building 620191112_145000.jpg

Up next sunshine by the pool ( not in big supply this trip) Puck Express #2 & night time at Mardi Grog .
Until then Happy Thanksgiving to all celebrating .
 
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Early arrival and beer with lunch, looks like you're off to a great start to me!
 
I agree with Kari, looks like an excellent start to me! I really enjoy Wolfgang Puck Express but haven't visited in quite a while … so dang many great spots in Disney Springs these days it's impossible to fit them all in. What a great problem to have, LOL. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip!
 
Following!
Thanks for coming along
Early arrival and beer with lunch, looks like you're off to a great start to me!
Yes we were .
I agree with Kari, looks like an excellent start to me! I really enjoy Wolfgang Puck Express but haven't visited in quite a while … so dang many great spots in Disney Springs these days it's impossible to fit them all in. What a great problem to have, LOL. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip!
Thanks for coming along. Between the new places at Disney Springs and a few Park spots we haven't gotten too I think we would need to book a 10+ day visit . 😀
 


Day 1 11/12 Part 2 Puck Express #2, ice cream and Mardi Grogs

After we got our room we dropped offed our carry-on, changed in to shorts and headed down to the pool to relax before dinner.20191112_152148.jpg

After a short discussion we decided let's go back to Puck Express. DH wanted pasta and I just wanted a sandwich and Puck fit the bill.20191112_175805.jpg

Apologies for the lighting. Puck must have been under the assumption it was still daylight savings time .
I got the Meatloaf sandwich. Meatloaf, Port wine sauce, provolone cheese, horseradish aioli and onion strings on a roll. The meatloaf was moist but needed more Port wine sauce to counter the bread. I never turn down the onion strings and these were crisp on the outside but tender inside. I got the horseradish on the side. I knew DH would want to try the meatloaf and he doesn't like horseradish . For me the horseradish didn't add anything to the sandwich.
We shared the side Casear Salad. Your basic version with the added tomato crostini. This was very good, lettuce was fresh and there was the right balance of salad dressing.
DH got the Macaroni and cheese. Rigatoni with melted cheddar & mozzarella topped with roasted bread crumbs. This was sooo good. I got some in exchange for some of my meatloaf. Cheesy with out being a gooey blob & the pasta was cooked just right . Next time I might go for this or at least the children's version. In the corner of the pictures is a glass of Puck Chardonnay. My go-to beverage for dinner at any Puck location. Fortunately they have glass & a half pour which works well at a QS location.
After dinner we did some shopping at World of Disney. We had a mission to get the Christmas crocs for our niece. Our luck continued , they had them and her size.
To celebrate we grabbed ice cream at Ghirardelli . Cookie dough with milk chocolate fudge sauce.
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After that it was the boat back to POFQ. Mardi Grog's was open and best of all Shelley was working. Shelley is a fantastic bartender as any one who has had a beverage at the bar can attest.
After a beverage or 2 it was off to sleep. Up next lunch at WDW new park of construction a.k.a Epcot
 
I love going to Ghiradelli's in Disney Springs. I always get the sea salt caramel sundae. Soooo good. I bet their cookie dough sundae was good too!
 
I love going to Ghiradelli's in Disney Springs. I always get the sea salt caramel sundae. Soooo good. I bet their cookie dough sundae was good too!
I will have to look into the ingredients of that Sundae. We usually get some scoops of ice cream with a sauce or 2 on top as neither of us are big on whipped cream. Unfortunately this trip the weather other than our 1st night wasn't the best for eating ice cream outside.😔
 
Day 2 11/13 EPCOT and an old favorite returns to glory

Today was our EPCOT day . We went down to the Sassagula Floatworks for breakfast and shared the 1st of 3 Mickey Waffles this trip with a side of house cured ham. Just PSA this ham is very good. We had it on our last trip and picked it every time it was an option on this trip. Unlike WDW food court bacon or sausage it was consistenly good. The waffle come with triple berry compote made of blueberries, strawberries & raspberries. Depending on the mix of the day it was either more blueberry or strawberry. While the waffles aren't made to order they are making them at the station so they were warm & fresh.
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After breakfast it was off to EPCOT. We wandered around what was left of Future World doing some rides including saying good-bye to the Dame Judi Dench version of Spaceship Earth.
Originally our plan ( actually mine;)) was to do some F & W booths for lunch. However the Artic blast that hit home after we left had dropped down to Orlando. It was windy, overcast & on the cool side ( not as much as it would be at the end:sad2: ). So we scrapped that idea & decided to give Rose & Crown a try. We had enjoyed several meals at lunch here starting with our honeymoon in 1998. Then we did a few dinners & had less than stellar food. After reading some good lunch reviews here on the DIS decided to grab an ADR while walking around Future World.
Of course we got seated on the patio but they did have the heaters going & during our meal they started putting down the plastic windows to block the wind.
I started the meal with a favorite Pimm's No. 1 cup. Pimm's is a Gin based liqueur from the U.K. The drink is Pimm's & soda ( usually something like Sprite or ginger ale ) with some fruit & sprig of mint.

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For lunch I got their Fish & Chips. This was great. Pretty sure the fish was Cod. The batter was crispy & not soggy or greasy. Same could be said about the Chips ( aka French Fries). Everything was hot which hadn't been our experience on the last few visits. I forgot to tell our waitress to hold the lemon, tartar sauce & ketchup. The only thing I want on F & C is malt vinegar and maybe some salt.

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DH had the Shepard's Pie. Ground meat with some veggies topped by mashed potatoes. There was some cheddar cheese mixed in the potatoes and the meat mixture had a slight tomato flavor. This came out hot ,the beef had no fatty pieces & the only negative was at this price point they could have included a small serving of mushy peas or salad. DH enjoyed it and would order it again .

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This lunch redeemed Rose & Crown for us after bad dinner experiences. We will be back but not for dinner.
While we in the UK area we got a glimpse of Mary Poppins doing her thing.

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And saw the Skyliner thing which due to my height issues, which have been life long, I doubt we will use any time soon. . Looking out a plane at 30,000+ feet is one thing . But I don't do 2nd level at Citizen Bank Park (Phillies) or Wells Fargo Center ( Flyers) . And I have blocked my memories of being in the upper levels of the old Veteran's Stadium

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Up next back to Disney Springs.
 
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Your Rose & Crown food looks great! We haven't gone there in a few years after some pretty poor meals at dinnertime. Maybe it's time to give lunch a try. I do enjoy the fish supper from the Yorkshire take out kiosk and like you think it only needs salt and malt vinegar to make it great :thumbsup2
 
Your Rose & Crown food looks great! We haven't gone there in a few years after some pretty poor meals at dinnertime. Maybe it's time to give lunch a try. I do enjoy the fish supper from the Yorkshire take out kiosk and like you think it only needs salt and malt vinegar to make it great :thumbsup2
All the lunches I have had since the 1980s have been good to great. The dinners overall not so good. Maybe because it is so popular for viewing the nighttime show they are rushing things.
 
Day 2 11/13 Polite Pig still great

First off Happy Holidays to everyone. Due to hosting a family party , Christmas stuff and my draft disappearing 😤 I'm bit behind but am ready to get moving again.

After finishing up at EPCOT we headed back to POFQ. The wind died down so sitting outside enjoying a beverage or 2 was an option. Unlike the few brave folks in the pool we were happy to just sit.

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After some time at the pool and Mardi Grogs, which had more bodies then the pool 😉, we got changed and boated back to Disney Springs. Tonight we decided to split an entree at a favorite from last trip The Polite Pig.
There was a line when we arrived but staff was handing out menus so people could get an idea ahead of time what to order. Unfortunately they can't do much about people wanting to do beer tasting before ordering one of the draft beers. :sad2:
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Like 2 years ago we shared the Rack of Ribs( Baby Backs with dry rub & their sweet sauce) which had a few changes. They are now cut in half & the ratio of sauce to rub is different. Last time is they were a dry rub with a bit of sauce. Now there is more sauce but the dry rub is still there just not as visible . The rub saves them from being too sweet. Personally we prefer ribs dry but this won't stop us from getting them again. The ribs still tasted fantastic. They were moist & tender, not one rib was dried out.
All entree s come with a side item, Cole Slaw & a Jalapeno Corn Muffin. For the side we got the Baked Beans & upgraded from the included Cole Slaw to a small Caesar Salad. The salad was fine ,fresh lettuce & the right amount of dressing. The beans were great. They were in a thick ( but not too thick) sauce with burnt end bits . The sauce did have a slight tomato flavor . If they aren't house made I want to know the brand so I can get them at home. The muffin was fine, not to spicy or dry. Somewhere on the table is my Yuengling draft. Due to the crowds I stuck with something I know & like rather then subject those behind me to waiting while I taste test. Next time we may explore eating at the bar where I wouldn't feel guilty doing a taste test.

After dinner we boated back to POFQ. Mardi Grog's was closed due to cool weather ( & no outside heaters) so we walked up to POR to catch Yeeha Bob .
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Up next breakfast with Pooh & co.
 
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I got the Meatloaf sandwich. Meatloaf, Port wine sauce, provolone cheese, horseradish aioli and onion strings on a roll. The meatloaf was moist but needed more Port wine sauce to counter the bread.
Yum! This sounds delicious. What a great combination of flavors.

We went down to the Sassagula Floatworks for breakfast and shared the 1st of 3 Mickey Waffles this trip
You guys seriously love some Mickey Waffles!

For lunch I got their Fish & Chips. This was great. Pretty sure the fish was Cod. The batter was crispy & not soggy or greasy. Same could be said about the Chips ( aka French Fries). Everything was hot which hadn't been our experience on the last few visits. I forgot to tell our waitress to hold the lemon, tartar sauce & ketchup. The only thing I want on F & C is malt vinegar and maybe some salt.
Oh this looks and sounds so good. I'm a sucker for a good fish and chips and like you just give me some vinegar to douse everything with. Glad to hear the Brits redeemed themselves for you.

And I have blocked my memories of being in the upper levels of the old Veteran's Stadium
Me too! A. I don't like heights either and B. I was there routing for another team once and we had beers and paper and my favorite batteries thrown at us :P

Like 2 years ago we shared the Rack of Ribs( Baby Backs with dry rub & their sweet sauce) which had a few changes. They are now cut in half & the ratio of sauce to rub is different. Last time is they were a dry rub with a bit of sauce. Now there is more sauce but the dry rub is still there just not as visible . The rub saves them from being too sweet. Personally we prefer ribs dry but this won't stop us from getting them again. The ribs still tasted fantastic.
Oh these look and sounds great. I keep seeing so many good things about Polite Pig we'll have to get there some time

The beans were great. They were in a thick ( but not too thick) sauce with burnt end bits . The sauce did have a slight tomato flavor . If they aren't house made I want to know the brand so I can get them at home.
Yum! These sounds great too. I LOVE baked beans and am always searching for the perfect recipe
 

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