"MAY INCLUDE RUM"..14 NIGHTS SAPPHIRE FALLS.. MAY `19 TRIP REPORT

[schumigirl]

The parks, despite some saying the options at Universal are poor......we find the opposite. We are never short on places to eat and have enjoyed many lovely lunches within the parks...…Citywalk has some good options too that we love.

Both parks have places we enjoy and like to go as often as time allows......

There are places however, we won`t visit......and I`m listing these as a few people have asked where we go and where we don't go...…..


Mel`s Diner
Monster Café......although worth a visit for the memorabilia...…
Café 4
Circus McGurkas
Richter Burger
Finnegans (only for cocktails)
Capt America Diner
Comic Strip Café
Bubba Gump
HRC
Toothsome


Some are places that don't appeal to us at all, and others we have just had consistently bad experiences and won`t return to.

Mythos is somewhere we have had good meals, and then rather poor meals......last few experiences have not been good at all, so it`s out of the equation for a few years.

Both Potter restaurants while having consistently good reviews.....just aren't for us food wise.....nothing appeals to us there, although the drinks like pumpkin fizz and lemonade are very nice. Butterbeer isn't something we enjoy at all...….except the butterbeer fudge....we like that...…..

But places we do enjoy are varied...…..

Louie`s Pizza

​

This is one of the best bargain places around...….

The slices are huge....and a full pizza could easily feed a family of 4......it is large. We haven't tried the sandwiches here, the meatball sub we did try about 10 years ago, it was decent, but nothing special......you really do come to Louie`s for the pizza...…..

You can get a deal with pizza and salad and others, but we always just get the pizza. It`s fairly filling.....or good as a snack to share as one slice now can easily be shared between two.....not as a lunch though.....only a snack...……

They also serve gelato, but not overly keen on it anywhere.....much prefer ice cream!!!! The only thing we don't like about this place is the way you order your pizza.....sometimes you have to wait to pay if it`s really busy and if there are folks on the dining plan, that takes forever as they never seem to know what`s included.....so your pizza gets cold.

When this happens we always ask for a fresh one.....only once was the manager not thrilled, but he still exchanged....that was over 10 years ago now......but it can be an issue.

MARGARITAVILLE​

Margaritaville is one place we loved initially......then it had a lull of a few years for us, but few years ago we went back and it had improved massively.....

We prefer to sit at the bar when we eat in there.....cocktails are excellent and food has been excellent last few years.

The menu is varied and there really is plenty for even the fussiest of palates...…

They have an amazing cocktail menu...….and we over the years have sampled most of them...…and we love the fruitier ones over a stronger drink...…

My favourite is the blackberry margarita...….fruity and tangy and I have to say they do give a good pour.....our favourite barman there left last year, Greg.....he was so funny and could have sold ice to Eskimos!!! But the other staff are excellent too...…...

We love sangria......white, red or sparkly......we`re not fussy when it comes to sangria...…..and this one is good.....I asked Greg before we tried it once if it was good and he said to try for myself...….and it was!!!!

We did enjoy a margarita flight one evening...….it`s a lovely way to try a few and see if you like them or not......I was surprised how much we enjoyed the watermelon one.....very refreshing...….but they were all lovely...

Of course food is our main reason to go there...….and you can get the same menu at the bar as at the tables......it`s a little less manic at busy times....

One of our favourite dishes is the lava lava shrimp.....but there is a vast choice for everyone.....

I will say....the sandwiches are huge...….we shared this and couldn't finish it between us......but it was lovely....

All the above dishes we have enjoyed over many visits, and although I can`t eat onions now....I did love those onion rings!!!! Crab cake sandwich was lovely, and the burgers never disappoint...

One of the most famous dishes they serve is the head turning Volcano Nachos.....we ordered this once and once only...…..and everyone does turn to look at it as it`s brought through the restaurant to your table.....it is massive......and we always get chicken in nachos as we don't like chilli…...and there`s always loads of meat in the mix too...….

The time we ordered this she asked if we wanted some bbq chicken as I believe the chef was being creative.....and we said absolutely....and it was lovely...….

Confisco Grille​

One place that does get overlooked occasionally in favour of Mythos is Confisco Grille...….

Set at the end of POE it hides a little gem of a restaurant.....the décor is beautiful and the menu is one that suits us down to the ground.

You can also get the same menu when you are in the Backwater Bar...….it`s first come first served for a table there or seats by the bar works too...….

This is one of those places where I get a little dull.....I usually order the same chicken and shrimp sandwich with some extra jalapenos......but it is delicious...….

The burgers and sandwiches are top notch especially the croissant moon sandwich.....very fresh croissant filled with turkey, lettuce and tomato and a side of potato salad which I`m informed is delicious...….I think this is one of Tom`s favourites..…..

Mine from here is the chicken and shrimp Pad Thai.…..again, it could be spicier......but it is beautiful and I prefer this one to the one Mythos serve......it looks the same, more or less......but just nicer somehow.....

They also do an appetiser of nachos, not as impressive as other places that serve nachos, but it was pretty decent...…

I have to say Tom wasn't impressed with the ribs, but I think we were in on a bad day as one of my friends had them a few weeks ago and said they were lovely......the day Tom ordered these we had an issue with my meal too, for the first time ever, we had to send it back......but over 12 years, that`s not bad...…we do always look forward to at least one meal here over a visit.

Sal`s Pizza​

One of the best onsite pizza, you can get at Sal`s within PBH...…

This is the main reason we visit this hotel as the other food options don't thrill us very much. They weren't great with allergies for us, so we decided not to visit again. But, Sal`s is amazing...…

This is Kyle`s joint favourite pizza place along side Louie`s and even Jake`s Bar...….all get 10/10 from him which we always class as praise indeed...….

He gets the much maligned bbq sauce base, and just cheese on top.....his all time favourite….plain and simple......and he demolishes this regular pizza with relish...…..

While Tom and I share the regular size between us......it really does feed two or even three.....and is the usual with us, we do always like to adapt things a little though...…..

We do order the bbq chicken pizza, minus the scallions and we add pineapple and jalapenos...….and it is delicious....genuinely delicious!!!!

As well as pizzas and salads, they also serve sandwiches......and we have tried them a couple of times and they ve been very nice...…..

We had the shrimp po boy and a couple of others...….but, we`ll stick to the pizzas now.

More to follow including Jake`s and Strong Water Bar...…….

 

[JaxDad]

along my friend...….

lol......I wish I was going to 4Rivers tomorrow!!!! Hope it was nice whatever it was......only fair if you share what you had...…..

Glad to see you on this one too....hope it`s a fun read!!!

I’m sorry I didn’t take any photos, but I had Burnt-Ends, Tri-Tip, Sweet Potato Casserole, Southern Green Beans, and Iced Tea. And luckily I had a couple extra holes in my belt to loosen my pants!

 

[chicagoshannon]

The restaurants you list as not going to are the ones we go to often because they have the generic kids food our kids eat. We are so looking forward to not having to worry about food the kids will eat this trip!

 

[schumigirl]

I’m sorry I didn’t take any photos, but I had Burnt-Ends, Tri-Tip, Sweet Potato Casserole, Southern Green Beans, and Iced Tea. And luckily I had a couple extra holes in my belt to loosen my pants!

Oh didn’t expect pictures.......lol......but.....sounds lush!! Although green beans are something I detest......actually don’t like any bean.......but the sweet potato casserole......oh my goodness!! That is a delight......

Glad you enjoyed it and I’m not at all jealous you can just nip to one of those for lunch

 

[JaxDad]

Oh didn’t expect pictures.......lol......but.....sounds lush!! Although green beans are something I detest......actually don’t like any bean.......but the sweet potato casserole......oh my goodness!! That is a delight......

Glad you enjoyed it and I’m not at all jealous you can just nip to one of those for lunch

I feel guilty if I don’t have something green on my plate, AND the 4Rivers green beans have bacon!

 

[schumigirl]

The restaurants you list as not going to are the ones we go to often because they have the generic kids food our kids eat. We are so looking forward to not having to worry about food the kids will eat this trip!

Yep, I can see why........it seems fairly easy to feed “most” kids in the parks.......I can imagine it must be difficult for some parents.

That’s the beauty of Universal....something for everyone.

Oh yep, you’ll have a blast eating where you both want to without considering your children........so many choices!!

 

[schumigirl]

I feel guilty if I don’t have something green on my plate, AND the 4Rivers green beans have bacon!

Oh bacon!!! Now you’re talking.......

I think I’m going to try the bacon wrapped jalapeños this time.....not sure why we haven’t tried them before......although it is so much food I guess I thought, rightly so we wouldn’t have room........

Those jalapeños are green aren’t they........

 

[JaxDad]

Oh bacon!!! Now you’re talking.......

I think I’m going to try the bacon wrapped jalapeños this time.....not sure why we haven’t tried them before......although it is so much food I guess I thought, rightly so we wouldn’t have room........

Those jalapeños are green aren’t they........

Green enough!

 

[schumigirl]

Green enough!
View attachment 398181

That works!!!

 

[ckmiles]

Carole- thank you so much for your detailed list of places to go and eat! I admit I spent most of the day on research (at least thats how I would phrase it to my boss...) I looked at all of the menus I could find and I want to eat at all of them! And why is it so much fun to look at menus.... ??

Hopefully we can coordinate a meet up- if our schedules can work- more than just a drive by the pool this time!

 

[schumigirl]

Carole- thank you so much for your detailed list of places to go and eat! I admit I spent most of the day on research (at least thats how I would phrase it to my boss...) I looked at all of the menus I could find and I want to eat at all of them! And why is it so much fun to look at menus.... ??

Hopefully we can coordinate a meet up- if our schedules can work- more than just a drive by the pool this time!

You are so welcome.......glad to help in any way.......

Oh researching menus are an integral and very important part of any day we love doing it!!!

I hope we can meet up at some point.......lol....yes, more than a quick chat by the pool.......we can pm when we’re there and hopefully our schedules will work........

 

[schumigirl]

Royal Pacific Resort has always had for us, some amazing food options.

Islands Dining Room is fabulous......they do the famous buffet breakfast in there and it is excellent......it then opens for dinner at 5pm and you can order from an Asian inspired menu which is beautiful......and on certain nights they do the Wok Experience which I have spoken about in previous trip reports...….

Bula Bar by the pool is the best onsite pool bar for food onsite.....for us only closely followed by The Dhrum Club at Sapphire.

They have a good menu and some lovely cocktails...….but the past trip was too cold for us to have any pool time at night, so we gave them both a pass.....hoping to change that this upcoming trip.

ORCHIDS SUSHI BAR​

Of course this will be changing soon, but hopefully the essence of the place will still be here.....

Situated in the lobby area of RP Orchids opens at 5pm every night, and they serve the most beautiful sushi!!! I once saw someone comment they couldn't get decent sushi around here.....well they`ve obviously never come here ...…we love this place and have always been impressed with the standard of sushi you are served.

Chef Dan has been here for years and has a wonderful enthusiasm for his work......nice guy too...…I`ve lost count of the amount of times we have eaten here and enjoyed every single dish

The menu is varied and has a choice of spicy dishes or some more traditional dishes like the California Roll....we tend to go for the more spicy dishes usually.

The first dish was the special of the day when we went in March...….it was delicious...….

And of course you can add any type of seafood or sashimi to your order......we love snow crab and smoked salmon, so we tend to add that a lot...…

JAKE`S AMERICAN BAR

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Possibly one of our favourite places in RPR, although we do enjoy them all, is Jake`s...…set on the ground floor level, beside Islands and close to the pool area.

Very much a bar atmosphere...….we do enjoy sitting at the bar here too and have enjoyed a few late night cocktails and laughs in here...….fabulous staff who really do engage with you......

But they have an amazing restaurant, and some of the staff have been here a while too...…

There are so many dishes we love and have enjoyed over many years....and one of our newer discoveries was the large cocktail bowl....…..I had ordered my usual cocktail, and Tom said he`d have the same....so Pong, a waiter we`ve known for a few years suggested we do the bowl...….and it was a success...….it comes with flames in the centre for full effect...….although the first time we got it we had to have another made as the flames melted the then plastic straws......it was funny at the time.....Kyle spotted it first and said I think you need another drink......lol...…

Pizza is high on the list of good options here......Kyle always, and I mean always gets the bbq sauce based cheese pizza......and it is lovely......they do a very good base here.....I know New Yorkers argue there is no good pizza outside of NY, and they may be right......but this one is the next best thing for us who can`t get NY pizza...…

The one below is one that's not on their menu any longer....but it was so good......prosciutto with a peach glaze and arugula on top.…...oh my, this flatbread was wonderful!!!

I will say, Kyle never, ever eats the crust...so he does leave a good amount of the pizza uneaten which is fine of course.....we always told him to eat what he wants.....no point in stuffing himself for no good reason...….

Spicy wings and crawfish chowder are two of the best staples on their menu...….we have eaten these so many times and they are always fabulous...…and it comes with house made blue cheese dip......we both hate blue cheese, but this is beautiful......strange isn't it......we have tried it elsewhere and nope, can`t eat it......

The chowder we were introduced to only two years ago, by Samuel in the Club Lounge, who incidentally doesn't like seafood......but he thought this was wonderful......now we get it almost every visit...…

Fish and chips, burgers and sandwiches are all excellent...….never been disappointed in any food we have been served in here....

Another of our usual own creation pizzas...……

And for the sweet toothed amongst us...…..flourless chocolate cake...…..

It`s not technically on the menu, but it is on the room service menu, so it wasn't asking the chef to do something they don't offer.....which we wouldn't do anyway...…but this is something Kyle loves and looks forward to every time.......it is quite a heavy dessert strangely...…and he has managed two on occasion...….usually when he hasn't had the pizza first!!!

I can honestly say all of the restaurants are wonderful...….and this trip we probably will only eat at Jake`s out of the RP options.....but the sushi is always tempting...….but we can of course have our appetites satisfied with Seito Sushi this trip...….



Strong Water Bar up next...…….

 

[kbelle8995]

NBC Sports Bar has a lovely lunch as well. We Love the Leaky Cauldron but the Three Broomsticks not so much. But I can also understand not caring for those. Loved Sal's when we went over there.

Those pictures of the food are making me hungry. Especially the French Fries.

 

[schumigirl]

NBC Sports Bar has a lovely lunch as well. We Love the Leaky Cauldron but the Three Broomsticks not so much. But I can also understand not caring for those. Loved Sal's when we went over there.

Those pictures of the food are making me hungry. Especially the French Fries.

Lol......food pics are so naughty at times.......yes, gets me hungry too!!

Sal’s is so good........yes, we’ve enjoyed NBC too, but not for a while........they do very good burgers, and their cornbread is delicious......

 

[chicagoshannon]

I think we're going to try out the breakfast buffet at Islands. My husband just asked me if there were any breakfast buffets. I told him he's in luck there's one right in our hotel!

 

[schumigirl]

I think we're going to try out the breakfast buffet at Islands. My husband just asked me if there were any breakfast buffets. I told him he's in luck there's one right in our hotel!

Oh I know he’ll love it........

Plenty of choice and the omelette station is always a hit.........

 

[luvdisdogs]

Crawfish Chowder is on my list to try this year! It looks so good.

 

[schumigirl]

Crawfish Chowder is on my list to try this year! It looks so good.

It is amazing!

Creamy, peppery and so tasty...can’t believe we didn’t order it all the previous years we’ve been staying there...

 

[schumigirl]

STRONG WATER BAR
​

One of the best bars in the whole of the Universal Orlando Resort is the Strong Water Bar in Sapphire Falls resort...….

One of the friendliest bars there is, you always get the best welcome from the staff, and it serves amazing food and of course the rum cocktails are beautiful...…

We first enjoyed this place in 2016 when the resort opened.....and haven't looked back yet......the décor and ambience is second to none and we have enjoyed every visit here...and there have been many!!!

The entrance is through the rather large and elaborate lobby area.....you really can`t miss it from the central area...…..it can get busy on certain nights, and they have live music on a Saturday night which is beautiful.....it`s a couple who have been singing in the bar since it opened......she has a beautiful voice and they`re not too loud which isn't pleasant if you`re wanting to sit and chat...there is a guitarist plays on different nights too, he is also very good.

The décor is classic and I love the real rum barrel lids on the ceiling and everything just works together.....there is a massive screen on the wall and they show all sorts of sports on it...….but, it still maintains a very warm feel when you go in.

The menu is something we have loved since we first came here...….it doesn't suit everyone, but the style of food they offer is right up our street...…

Caribbean style tapas is the basis of the menu and they do have specials on too which I have to say, the specials we have tried have all been wonderful...….

There are several Ceviches on offer and we have tried them all, with our favourites pictured below...….the first one is the Florida Ceviche, which has spicier notes within the dish......it is beautiful...…

Choripapa is a warm dish, which has potatoes, sausage and other items with a slightly spicy sauce.....but it`s not too spicy if you don't like food that is too hot...….this is one dish we always seem to choose if we can`t make up our mind......

And this is probably my all time favourite dish in here.....the Caribbean Ceviche which has a mix of seafood and coconut flavours with a coconut cream......I do get a little selfish when this one comes out!!!

Mexican ceviche is another delicious dish......we have only had this dish twice, as there are so many dishes to choose from...….

I don't think they do this dish any longer, as the menu is changed and updated regularly......but it was like a chicken rillette and I honestly can`t remember if that was a coconut sauce it sat on.....but it was nice.....not amazing...….

Basic chicken and rice that was full of flavour!! And a beef slider in the background....Tom fancied a burger one time and this is on the menu...….

Oh my, I loved this dish below......apart from the cilantro sauce on the side......it is the most tender beef with pineapple and peppers and has a very char grilled flavour……

The curry below is nice, but nowhere near spicy enough for us.....but it does have a nice flavour and alongside the chicken it contains potatoes, sultanas and onions...….

The next two dishes were a real treat......the first is the Camerones, which is garlic and cilantro shrimp....although we did ask for no extra cilantro in the sauce and we enjoyed it because of that...the shrimp are marinated in cilantro, but it didn't affect the taste for us.....beautiful dish...

The Octopus was a special that was on while we were there....and it was on the night we met Lori and I`m glad to say she enjoyed it too...…Tom is not a fan of Octopus in any shape or form and didn't even attempt to try it...…..I don't think he even enjoyed seeing it on the table!!!

I usually have octopus sliced or diced, so it was different having it all in one piece and having to cut into it.....but we enjoyed it and I would get it again....

One of Chef Carlos more special "specials" was the two and half pound of pork chop...…

This really was a treat and we enjoyed this a lot.....it is marinated for a time, then cooked in the sous vide, then chargrilled before serving with rice and beans and fried plantain......absolutely beautiful and well worth the higher cost for such an item.

Of course it wouldn't be a rum bar....without enjoying some rum...…

There are so many delicious cocktails, and yes, we have tried them all...….and here are just a few......

The cocktail below is one of the newest ones to make it on to the menu...….Fool`s Gold designed by one of the staff......she created this while we were there in March and it did get top marks from us!!!!

Another fun thing to do is have a rum flight...….there are many to choose from or you can speak to Lenny or one of the other Captains, but he is our favourite of the Captains......and between your tastes and his expertise he`ll come up with something you`ll hopefully enjoy.....

Tom hasn't found flight yet he didn't like...…..

And for the sweet toothed again...….I have to say I love these desserts too...….the Tres Leche cake is delightful and the Pastelitos with espresso ice cream (surprisingly nice) below are gorgeous...hard to choose just one on any visit....

And the views from the balcony area over the lagoon is beautiful...….

So, this was really a quick over view of the bar and it`s offerings...….

It`s one of these places, you can`t help but love......the staff are truly amazing and we love to see them all when we do visit......the service is outstanding and it`s just an all round perfect place to enjoy an evening or two while you`re staying here....although when we stay at RPR it is just a short walk back through the hotels.....although that walk back to RP after an evening in the bar does seem longer somehow...…

So, as you can imagine, this is definitely one place we will be frequenting over our stay....and so looking forward to that.....a lot!!!!

​

 

[elfling8]

Beautiful food pics. That was the one place I wanted to go that we didn't make it to this trip. We'll just have to plan another