Baloo Da Man!
11-13-2009, 08:31 PM
Nov. 7 -11. Just got back. Had a conference in Orlando so DW and I ditched the kids and stayed at Poly, taking a little extra time for ourselves. Here is my first of 3 dining reviews:
California Grill - 5 out of 5 stars. Holy Moly was that good - and expensive. DW and I asked for and received a seat at the chef's counter, overlooking the open air kitchen. We sipped an excellent Sonoma Valley pinot noir while chatting with Mark the chef who was making sushi rolls right in front of us. We had excellent sashimi and a Malibu roll (cobia, tuna tartare, tempura wrapped, etc.) for appetizers. DW is a major sushi snob and only accepts the freshest and best and she gave this offering 2 thumbs up.
Chef Mark then took us through the menu, describing in detail each of the dishes and their preparation. Our waiter was very good too, but Mark gave us the inside scoop. For the first course, DW had the lobster and goat cheese risotto while I had the tomato soup (nothing like Campbell’s). For the main course DW ordered the signature pork tenderloin on goat cheese polenta, I went with a crispy chicken and pork butt dish with beet relish that was premiering on the menu that night. It was a recent creation of the sous chef that Mark said all the chefs raved about. It was awesome. The pork was slow cooked forever in a perfect barbecue sauce and melted in my mouth. All the tastes on the plate were unique, yet they all belonged together, creating one of the more diverse dishes I have ever had. I never would have ordered it without Mark's recommendation. I eat so much chicken at home I usually avoid it in restaurants. What a great way to enjoy a gourmet meal, learning from (and joking with) one of the chefs, and watching the machine that is a gourmet kitchen.
Dessert was a sinful chocolate cake with a hot melted chocolate center and salty caramel ice cream. We finished with a cordial, very full bellies and fireworks. Outstanding service, great food, perfect ambiance, and a correspondingly colossal bill. This place earns its reputation. I would have to sell one of the kids to eat there every night, but on special occasions, it is worth every penny.
Tip: I don't think I would bring my picky-eater kids there. Too expensive for chicken nugget devotees. Perhaps a baby sitter and a night for mom and dad is a better option. Love the chef's counter. Hands down, it was my best dining experience at WDW (caveat: never been to V&As).
California Grill - 5 out of 5 stars. Holy Moly was that good - and expensive. DW and I asked for and received a seat at the chef's counter, overlooking the open air kitchen. We sipped an excellent Sonoma Valley pinot noir while chatting with Mark the chef who was making sushi rolls right in front of us. We had excellent sashimi and a Malibu roll (cobia, tuna tartare, tempura wrapped, etc.) for appetizers. DW is a major sushi snob and only accepts the freshest and best and she gave this offering 2 thumbs up.
Chef Mark then took us through the menu, describing in detail each of the dishes and their preparation. Our waiter was very good too, but Mark gave us the inside scoop. For the first course, DW had the lobster and goat cheese risotto while I had the tomato soup (nothing like Campbell’s). For the main course DW ordered the signature pork tenderloin on goat cheese polenta, I went with a crispy chicken and pork butt dish with beet relish that was premiering on the menu that night. It was a recent creation of the sous chef that Mark said all the chefs raved about. It was awesome. The pork was slow cooked forever in a perfect barbecue sauce and melted in my mouth. All the tastes on the plate were unique, yet they all belonged together, creating one of the more diverse dishes I have ever had. I never would have ordered it without Mark's recommendation. I eat so much chicken at home I usually avoid it in restaurants. What a great way to enjoy a gourmet meal, learning from (and joking with) one of the chefs, and watching the machine that is a gourmet kitchen.
Dessert was a sinful chocolate cake with a hot melted chocolate center and salty caramel ice cream. We finished with a cordial, very full bellies and fireworks. Outstanding service, great food, perfect ambiance, and a correspondingly colossal bill. This place earns its reputation. I would have to sell one of the kids to eat there every night, but on special occasions, it is worth every penny.
Tip: I don't think I would bring my picky-eater kids there. Too expensive for chicken nugget devotees. Perhaps a baby sitter and a night for mom and dad is a better option. Love the chef's counter. Hands down, it was my best dining experience at WDW (caveat: never been to V&As).