Figment!
10-31-2012, 05:02 PM
Rumours of My Fictitiousness Have Been Slightly Exaggerated
Figment!'s ICOT 15 Dining Reviews
Part One
Day one
Lunch: Wolfgang Puck Cafe Express- Downtown Disney Marketplace
Downtown Disney was my first stop of the trip. After encountering a much longer line than expected for 2:00 on a Tuesday at Earl of Sandwich, I opted for my adjacent second choice. Had the meatball wood-fired pizza and a brownie for dessert. I'm a fan of wood-fired pizzas and found this one to be up-to-par. The restaurant was very quiet and had lots of seating available for a late lunch. Wolfgang Puck Express continues to be a good plan B for me when I don't feel like waiting 30 minutes and then fighting my way for a table at Earl of Sandwich next door.
Pre-Dinner: The Outer Rim - Disney's Contemporary Resort
Had some time before Dinner, so I went up to the Outer Rim. I did experience, as I had read, many Guests waiting for their Chef Mickey reservation in the lounge area. Despite this extra crowding, I was able to find a spot in the back near the bar with a good view out the window. Had the Kona Longboard Lager, it was a nice, crisp beer to enjoy while looking out at Bay Lake.
Dinner: The Wave- Disney's Contemporary Resort
First time dinning at this relatively new location. As I walked down the illuminated hallway, I could still see images of the Food & Fun center in my mind. Those images quickly faded as I approached the new swanky check-in and lounge area. I checked in and waited probably about 10 minutes for my 5:40 reservation. Upon being seated I received a spiel about the organic offerings available and that no food is fried. After a quick review of the menu I settled on the Lamb shank with couscous. The lamb was extremely juicy and literally fell of the bone and the couscous was also tasty. For dessert I opted for the "creamy" dessert sampler. This included a chocolate mouse, butterscotch crème brulee, and New York cheesecake. The crème brulee was fantastic, I have never had a butterscotch version before, but I will definitely be looking for it now. The cheesecake and the mousse were both a little too rich for my pallet, but I still enjoyed nibbling on them. As a extra glimmer of indulgence, the chocolate mousse came with a flake of edible gold. The atmosphere was a little darker than what I enjoy. Although I can appreciate the mood and ambience created, it was verging on not quite seeing my food in the right light. The meal here was very good and the server was attentive, this is definitely a place I will return to on future trips.
Day Two
Lunch: Backlot Express-Disney's Hollywood Studios
Backlot Express is a must do for me every trip. It is not high on my culinary criteria, but the atmosphere is an icon I can't miss. Every time I dine there I am finding new details in the props and scenes around the seating area. With the basic staples here I chose the Chili Dog as I thought I would take a divergence from the ubiquitous burger fare. The hot dog and chili were what I expected from a Disney quick service location, although the bun was not as soft as I expected. I ended up cutting up the hot dog and eating it with the chili without the bun. In addition to the re-fill station, another beverage plus for me was Sprite Zero in the options.
Snack: Sweet Spells-Disney's Hollywood Studios
In between rides on the Tower of Terror, I stopped in at the corner of Sunset Blvd. for a quick treat. After perusing the case of confections, I settled on the Mouse Ear Brownie. I'm a sucker for anything with mickey ears, and a chocolate covered brownie sounded fantastic. The dome shaped brownie was coated in chocolate and had two chocolate disks creating the ears. The treat was quite delicious and a good sugar rush to keep me moving through the Studios.
Dinner: Sanna - Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Got to the resort a little ahead of my 6:20 reservation, so I decided to view the savanna for the Kidani Village section. The view was spectacular; saw a herd of zebras, several ostriches, and several yak-type animals all in perfect view. After watching the zebras play for a while, I went downstairs to the restaurant. I would highly recommend that any diners here plan for some extra time before or after their meal to enjoy the savanna from the viewing balcony off the lobby. Upon being seated I came to find that my views did not end with the change of location. Sanna has massive windows that look out onto a section of the savanna, while I ate I saw several giraffes walk by. For dinner here I choose the beef short ribs, butter chicken, and 5 grain rice. The food was good, although the portions of meat were a little less than what I expected--I soon found myself with more than half the rice left and all the meat eaten. I am aware that many eastern dishes have a low protein to carbohydrate ratio, but it still seemed off to me. Any lack of sustenance from the entree was quickly quelled by the decadent banana sundae I had for dessert. The square slab of banana ice cream came with a chocolate sauce filled divot and some seasoned nuts. The server here was also very attentive and was great with describing the dishes.
Figment!'s ICOT 15 Dining Reviews
Part One
Day one
Lunch: Wolfgang Puck Cafe Express- Downtown Disney Marketplace
Downtown Disney was my first stop of the trip. After encountering a much longer line than expected for 2:00 on a Tuesday at Earl of Sandwich, I opted for my adjacent second choice. Had the meatball wood-fired pizza and a brownie for dessert. I'm a fan of wood-fired pizzas and found this one to be up-to-par. The restaurant was very quiet and had lots of seating available for a late lunch. Wolfgang Puck Express continues to be a good plan B for me when I don't feel like waiting 30 minutes and then fighting my way for a table at Earl of Sandwich next door.
Pre-Dinner: The Outer Rim - Disney's Contemporary Resort
Had some time before Dinner, so I went up to the Outer Rim. I did experience, as I had read, many Guests waiting for their Chef Mickey reservation in the lounge area. Despite this extra crowding, I was able to find a spot in the back near the bar with a good view out the window. Had the Kona Longboard Lager, it was a nice, crisp beer to enjoy while looking out at Bay Lake.
Dinner: The Wave- Disney's Contemporary Resort
First time dinning at this relatively new location. As I walked down the illuminated hallway, I could still see images of the Food & Fun center in my mind. Those images quickly faded as I approached the new swanky check-in and lounge area. I checked in and waited probably about 10 minutes for my 5:40 reservation. Upon being seated I received a spiel about the organic offerings available and that no food is fried. After a quick review of the menu I settled on the Lamb shank with couscous. The lamb was extremely juicy and literally fell of the bone and the couscous was also tasty. For dessert I opted for the "creamy" dessert sampler. This included a chocolate mouse, butterscotch crème brulee, and New York cheesecake. The crème brulee was fantastic, I have never had a butterscotch version before, but I will definitely be looking for it now. The cheesecake and the mousse were both a little too rich for my pallet, but I still enjoyed nibbling on them. As a extra glimmer of indulgence, the chocolate mousse came with a flake of edible gold. The atmosphere was a little darker than what I enjoy. Although I can appreciate the mood and ambience created, it was verging on not quite seeing my food in the right light. The meal here was very good and the server was attentive, this is definitely a place I will return to on future trips.
Day Two
Lunch: Backlot Express-Disney's Hollywood Studios
Backlot Express is a must do for me every trip. It is not high on my culinary criteria, but the atmosphere is an icon I can't miss. Every time I dine there I am finding new details in the props and scenes around the seating area. With the basic staples here I chose the Chili Dog as I thought I would take a divergence from the ubiquitous burger fare. The hot dog and chili were what I expected from a Disney quick service location, although the bun was not as soft as I expected. I ended up cutting up the hot dog and eating it with the chili without the bun. In addition to the re-fill station, another beverage plus for me was Sprite Zero in the options.
Snack: Sweet Spells-Disney's Hollywood Studios
In between rides on the Tower of Terror, I stopped in at the corner of Sunset Blvd. for a quick treat. After perusing the case of confections, I settled on the Mouse Ear Brownie. I'm a sucker for anything with mickey ears, and a chocolate covered brownie sounded fantastic. The dome shaped brownie was coated in chocolate and had two chocolate disks creating the ears. The treat was quite delicious and a good sugar rush to keep me moving through the Studios.
Dinner: Sanna - Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Got to the resort a little ahead of my 6:20 reservation, so I decided to view the savanna for the Kidani Village section. The view was spectacular; saw a herd of zebras, several ostriches, and several yak-type animals all in perfect view. After watching the zebras play for a while, I went downstairs to the restaurant. I would highly recommend that any diners here plan for some extra time before or after their meal to enjoy the savanna from the viewing balcony off the lobby. Upon being seated I came to find that my views did not end with the change of location. Sanna has massive windows that look out onto a section of the savanna, while I ate I saw several giraffes walk by. For dinner here I choose the beef short ribs, butter chicken, and 5 grain rice. The food was good, although the portions of meat were a little less than what I expected--I soon found myself with more than half the rice left and all the meat eaten. I am aware that many eastern dishes have a low protein to carbohydrate ratio, but it still seemed off to me. Any lack of sustenance from the entree was quickly quelled by the decadent banana sundae I had for dessert. The square slab of banana ice cream came with a chocolate sauce filled divot and some seasoned nuts. The server here was also very attentive and was great with describing the dishes.