No, not a pro--just food junkie in a restaurant mecca and avid home cook. But some of my friends are part of the fine dining world and I've been fortunate to have enjoyed a lot of incredible meals over the years.I love that you know these facts! Do you have a culinary background? Since the trip, I have bought some Mahi Mahi, which is individually frozen. Not the same I know, but I thought I would try experimenting with cooking with fish at home.
I like your sentiments. I like how the memory of your extravagant Bellagio dinner has stayed with you nearly 20 years later. Very cool. Since that first experience, have you done many since? Have you ever done V&A?
Food nerds unite, indeed!! Fantastic reviews thus far! I agree the brunch at California Grill is outstanding. I also had the chicken and waffles and it was fine but not great so I’m looking forward to trying something different next time (July). I’ve only been to Tiffins once and it was a special dinner so I didn’t order off the menu but it was fantastic. And Nomad Lounge never disappoints either. Unfortunately, I think people are “scared” by the menu as it seems to always have availability. Wow, wow, WOW on your meal at V&A’s. It looks and sounds incredible!! I was lucky enough to dine there several years back and took a similar approach, being open to trying new things. And I was pleasantly surprised to find I really enjoy a couple of things I could have sworn I hated. Can’t wait to hear about more of your food adventures!
That “salad” is unacceptable. What the heck is that? No way worth $13, even at Disney prices. Sorry. The drinks look lovely though!Tuesday continued: Dinner
We had scheduled dinner at the Monsieur Paul’s, which I was really excited to try, but Mr. J’s ankle was bothering him and it had been a long day. We were tired and hungry. Dinner was not scheduled until 8:30 PM, so we opted to change the reservation to something sooner. We hopped on the monorail and went to the Polynesian and ate at Kona’s. I think this was the meal that helped offset the fact that I used 2 credits at Tiffins instead of sharing.
Now my last trip, back in May/June, my family stayed at the Poly. We ate at Kona and really liked it. And I had eaten there on a previous trip and really liked it. I feel like something has happened since then, like they are cutting corners. Our waitress, while nice, was slow as molasses. Like to the point that I did not tip her 20% because it was ridiculous. The dessert options are now stupid little shooter glass desserts, which I feel is a cheap cop out to what they used to serve.
Drinks:
My Rum Swizzle $11.25 and Mr. J’s Alcoholic drink (it had rum and was probably a similar cost) est. $11.25.
I always like a fruity rum drink.
Appetizers:
We received complimentary fresh rolls and butter, but I forgot to take pictures of that.
Pickled Vegetable Salad: I was in the mood for veggies, so I opted for a salad. I got a really weird salad. Like sooooo weird. I can’t even tell you what was going on because it was bizarre. It was presented nicely and the veggies were all very fresh. Texture wise, the weird black stuff was kind of gravely, but I ate it mixed in with my salad. On point for freshness and presentation. It was not too pickled. $13.00
Presenting Bizarro Salad
Mr. J. got Seafood Coconut Curry Soup- shrimp, scallop and Crab. $10. He didn’t voice any complaints.
Dinner:
I got Prime NY Strip, which did not come with a side. It bugs me when you don’t get a side with your meat, especially since this isn’t a fancy place. I don’t consider the arugula a side, at least a side I would want ha ha. $42 The steak was good.
We paid OOP for the asparagus, of which they gave us an ample portion and we shared. $8 They cooked it just right and I like that it was blackened in some spots.
Mr. J got 10 oz Verlasso Salmon Steak (28) and an add on of hollandaise sauce ($3). $31 He said it was good.
Dessert:
Le sigh. Shooter desserts. While these were not bad tasting, I do not like shooter desserts. If I want pudding in a shot glass I can do that at home, and I don’t. I had the Banana Trifle. It had a surprise malt ball tucked away inside. Mr. J. had a chocolate shooter dessert. I think it was Smores. $5 each
Dining Plan Cost: I only have a photo of my receipt, which was $75.89
OOP: Asparagus- Total 8.52 ($4.26 each)
Mr. J estimate: 57.25 before tax
Prior to this meal, I loved Kona Cafe for any meal. After this experience, I will be taking a break from it until maybe the menu changes again. I thought the entree was overpriced, which is saying something considering it was Disney. I was bummed with the direction they went with dessert and did not like the slow waitress making us sit around forever. I also don’t like it it when a server is not attentive to offering a drink refill or another beverage. It might seem strange to take a break from it when the entrees and aps were not bad (aside from no sides). But there are just too many other places to eat and spend money at Disney to invest in a just okay meal. I did buy my kids some stuff from the gift shops and then we opted to take a Uber to our resort.
Wednesday: Magic Kingdom
Pre-Park Opening Breakfast at Be Our Guest
We shared a credit here. We pre-ordered and Mr. J opted for the Cheese/Meat plate as I told him to choose. I didn’t eat any of the meats, but did enjoy the bread and cheese and marmalade. The pastries were good. We didn’t feel like alcohol so went with a basic pop (soda). This was prepaid so I don’t think I got a receipt. We ate in the room with rose (west wing?), so it was very very dark. Mr. J enjoyed the ambiance, but did complain that it was too dark to see what you were really eating.
Cost: 28 + 3.99 before tax
As I previously stated, we did this solely for PPO Seven Dwarves access, which worked out well for us. Because we shared a credit, I was okay with what we got for it- a ride and food. That said, I think the meal is grossly overpriced. If I came here with my family of 5, I would have to do 2 meals for everyone to have enough to eat.
Lunch: Skipper Canteen
I don’t have a copy of Mr. J’s receipt, but based on photos and the Disney website I can estimate the pretax version of his meal.
Drinks:
I had a glass of wine. $11
Mr. J’s alcohol drink estimate 11
Appetizer:
I had the Shiriki Noodle Salad. I have had this before and like it a lot. It is light, flavorful, and fresh tasting. Noodles, Edamame Beans, Mushrooms, Green Mango, and Cucumber tossed in
sweet chili sauce. $11
Mr. J had Orinoco Ida’s Cachapas. Housemade corn pancakes, mojo-braised pork, black bean salad, and avocado cream. $11 He liked it. My husband has also eaten this before and liked it.
Entrees:
Sankuru Sadie’s Seafood Stew-Shrimp, sustainable fish, octopus simmered in fragrant coconut sauce served with jasmine rice. I asked them to leave off the mussels and I hid that creepy faced sea creature behind my bowl so I wouldn’t have to look at it. I enjoyed this. It was light and not fishy tasting.I wish the coconut flavor was a little stronger. It had an abundance of seafood in it. I would get this again. $27
*See, my seafood bravery with this one!
Mr. J had Baa Baa Berber Lamb Chops- Berber-spiced lamb chops, roasted carrot puree, and arugula-cauliflower salad tossed in a citrus vinaigrette. He liked it, but avoiding eating the pureed carrots, I think because he equates puree with baby food. $28.
Dessert:
Jasmine Rice Pudding. Oh woe is me. It was a sign that when our waiter came back to take our dessert orders he automatically stated, “2 kungalooshes for dessert,” instead of asking. This was so blah I didn’t even finish it and I am a girl who loves dessert. It was pretty though and I am not sure if Rice pudding is supposed to be bland, but if it is, then this dessert is for you. $8
Kungaloosh! Chocolate cake with caramelized bananas served with cashew-caramel ice-cream topped with coffee dust. Mr. J liked this as well. I had a nibble of the chocolate cake part and it was moist. $8.
Cost: My receipt was $60.71. Note how much better my food was here in presentation and quantity vs Kona’s and how much cheaper!
Mr. J’s estimated receipt: $58 before tax
I really like Skipper Canteen and will continue to return here, but know now to avoid the rice pudding.
Magic Kingdom Snacks:
2 Dole Whips with Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Snack Credit: $13.98 (before tax, no receipt)
This was so good! The cake was moist and flavorful, not too sweet. This was Mr. J’s first time having Dole Whip. He approved. We mobile ordered this while watching the parade and then popped over to grab it where it was ready for us.
Try the rice pudding at Sanaa, I LOVED it. Anything but bland, so sweet, with coconut in it, and stewed fruit, and a mango puree. Best dessert of my trip! And I agree about the Toffee cake at Liberty Tree. I tried it for the first time at Thanksgiving week, and it was meh. I'd much rather have a pineapple Dole Whip float!
OOh dear...that salad from Kona! It's the William Hung audition intepreted as food. Or a first-round elimination dish on one of those Food Network challenges featuring pre-teen cooks. Your critique was so polite. WWGRS (What Would Gordon Ramsay Say)...or Pete Werner, for that matter.