The following day, Tuesday, 5/22, was my older nephew’s family’s last full day at the World. They were headed to Clearwater beach the following day. They are land locked where they live out west. My nephew grew up going to the beach all summer in New Jersey, so this was their chance to see the ocean (the Gulf of Mexico actually) for the year unless they decide to visit us in NJ this summer. Got my fingers crossed that they do—I enjoyed them all so much this trip.
Anyway, with it being a PM EMH and the weather forecast being decent, we decided on a marathon day at Epcot. I was able to snag a Fastpass for Soarin late in the day and we were gassed to hit the Flower & Garden kiosks.
We started at the Cider House. I got a cider flight while SIL and younger nephew got the biscuit filled with salmon. They both raved about it and it sounded delicious, but I did not get to try it.
The flight had three cider flavors: black cherry, pineapple and orange mimosa. Hands down, the pineapple one tasted the best to me. The black cherry was reminiscent of cough syrup, and the orange mimosa was just weird. I’m not sure I get the point of drinking a cider that’s mimicking another drink.
We moved on to Northern Bloom near Canada and got orders of scallops and the tenderloin tips with mash and veggies. I loved the potato and green bean salad that was part of the scallop dish. It was similar to a green bean and potato salad with vinaigrette that is an old family recipe. In fact, I will be making it this weekend to bring to a barbecue at my in-laws.
The meat and gravy was very savory; the mashed were good. (I have already expressed my affinity for mash early in this report.) I wanted a Fin du Monde from the beer stand, but they only had a blonde ale from Unibroue. I wound up getting a flight of Unibroue’s from the F&G kiosk and then a couple of the blonde ale that I shared with my younger nephew and niece.
Next I made a big mistake—I went to the Refreshment Port and got a cup of Cheddar Cheese soup. It is crazy delicious and I’ve loved it since I tried it for the first time in 2000. But boy, was it filling on a hot day. It kinda wrecked my appetite for the afternoon. Meanwhile, younger nephew got an order of traditional poutine that the three of us split. Man, it was delicious! I could eat it as a meal.
We moved onto the Bee-Stro where I got an order of roasted cauliflower which was made interesting by sunflower brittle. My nephews really liked the chicken flatbread there and got a couple of those. I was interested in the honey cheesecake, but my SIL bought me a Dole Whip with rum from the Pineapple booth. Nothing beats dessert with booze in it. LOL!
We made our way into Future World and did a bunch of attractions there. The brother who lives an hour away took the afternoon off and met up with us. The evening is kind of a blur now. I know we did some more snacking and drinking.
We watched Illuminations in front of Norway and dashed onto the line for Frozen Ever After when it ended. Next, we headed to La Cava in Mexico. We got there and found out they were getting ready to close.
I ordered two jalapeño margaritas right away, one for myself and the other for my sister-in-law. I kinda owed her from the Dole Whip earlier, and these jalapeño margaritas were our favorite thing at the 2016 Food & Wine Festival.
I offered drinks to my nephews as the nieces and babies were taking potty breaks. They asked for “Twitter Shots.” Apparently, La Cava offers special $8 tequila shots if you show that you follow them on Twitter.
The shots were Casa de Noble Reposado tequila. I am not knowledgeable about tequila at all, but my nephews assured me that this is very fine and a deal at $8.
The shots were served in a tray with three shots of something that resembled a pulpy tomato juice as well as little cups of limes and salt. The bartender told us that in Mexico, they don’t take the lime and salt, and they don’t slam down the tequila.
Rather, they take alternate sips of the tequila and the juice. The juice was a sweet and spicy blend with tomato juice, hot sauce and fresh pineapple. So I thought, when in Rome, and drank my shot the way he suggested with sips of tequila followed by sips of juice.
It was quite good and my nephews ordered themselves two more while I started on my margarita. That jalapeño margarita might be my favorite drink ever. It’s not too sweet or sour, but it is refreshing and the way it makes your lips tingle is a great sensation. Reminds me of partying at NYC nightclubs in the 1980s if you know what I mean.
We walked out of La Cava and they locked the door behind us. I looked at my receipt and couldn’t figure out how it cost that much. I paid for 3 tequila shots at $8 each plus 2 margaritas, but it was more no matter how I looked at it. I told my SIL and she guessed that they rang up 3 margaritas.
She got her Bronx up and tapped at the door. They let us back in and the bartender admitted that he charged us for 3 margaritas. The manager wanted to give us cash back for one, but I said we’d happily take another margarita. They were so glad to do this that they gave us 2. One more for me and another for SIL. Man, we were so happy! We love those margaritas.
My nephews took the babies on the boat ride while my nieces drank Dos Equis that they got from the stand outside, and SIL and I enjoyed our margaritas. I guess it’s just as well that I can’t get those drinks where I live because I’d probably become an alcoholic if I could have them all the time.
After that, we made our way slowly back around the World Showcase to the International Gateway. There just aren’t enough hours in a day when it comes to Epcot. We enjoy ourselves so much there.
Back at the resort, I went to Picabu and got a couple of pizzas and two 6-packs of Phins and Feathers, the exclusive craft beer of the Swan and Dolphin. Sold warm for $15 each 6-pack, sold cold they were $7.50 each can. I iced them in the sink in the room and we enjoyed them with the mushroom pizzas I bought. This was a super fun day and night.
