Free Dining Part II - 8/26 to 9/2 - Day by Day Report

[kath1210]

Thanks everyone for your kind words! I have to fight my son for computer time to write these reviews, but since I am paying for the internet access, I usually win!


August 29, 2006 – Columbia Harbor House and Raglan Road

Today’s weather started off so nice! It was probably the hottest day of the week so far, but the sky was so clear and blue. The crowds at MK were pretty light. The longest wait we saw was Peter Pan’s Flight at 45 minutes. We had maybe a 5 minute wait for Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Winnie the Pooh. We walked right on to the TTA and the Carousel of Progress. We got a fast pass for Peter Pan and then the rain started!

Anyway, this is a dining review. For lunch, DD12 and I went to Columbia Harbor House. (DH and DS15 stayed at WL today). I have heard/read so many good things about this restaurant that I was anxious to try it. It did not disappoint. DD12 got the chicken and fish platter, and I ordered the Ham sandwich. We were trying to be good, so we ordered carrots instead of fries or chips. DD12 ordered the triple chocolate cake for dessert, and I ordered grapes because I wanted to get a Mickey Bar later. The chicken and fish were hot and freshly cooked. They gave us some fries by mistake, so we tried a few (and threw the rest away). They were also hot and crispy. The sandwich was awesome. It had ham, muenster cheese, broccoli slaw and tomato on fresh and chewy wheat or whole grain bread. Yum! The carrots were really pretty good, too, and the grapes were cold and sweet. DD12 tried the triple chocolate cake, but just was not in the mood for chocolate overload, so that went into the trash as well. (We did order a Mickey Bar and Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich later and boy were they good!)

For dinner, we had reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern at 8 p.m., but did not feel like staying in the park that late. The heat and rain just wore us out. I called Disney Dining and they had a 7:30 p.m. reservation available at Raglan Road. We had eaten there last December, but not on the meal plan. It also seems like the menu has expanded since then.

We ordered two appetizers that were meant to be shared by at least 2 people – the Dalkey Duo and the Scallop Forest. Both were very good! The scallops were hot and fresh and the lime sauce was a great accompaniment for them. The little sausages were also tasty, with the yummy mustard sauce.

For entrees, DH and I ordered the Sirloin Steak. It was very good and cooked just right. DD12 got the Salmon of Knowledge, which was better than the steak and came with mashed potatoes, sautéed mushrooms and onions. Lucky for me, DD did not like the mushrooms and onions, so she gave them to me. They were great with the steak! DS15 ordered the cheeseburger (plain) and fries. It was moist and the meat was seasoned perfectly. The bun really made the burger – it was soft and almost like a croissant.

We were so full, but had to try dessert. They were out of the raspberry dessert, which I really wanted to try, but DS15 and I each ordered the Bailey’s Crème Brulee. It was delicious. It actually looked like a piece of cheesecake, instead of being in a soufflé-type dish. The crust was awesome – sort of like a rich shortbread cookie. DD ordered the apple and strawberry crumble, which was topped with ice cream and raspberry sauce. It was the best dessert we ordered, in my opinion. My DH ordered the Dunbrody Kiss – a chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate dessert. It was rich and DH loved it!

Tomorrow – Mama Melrose and ________? (But our plans may be changed due to Ernesto).

 

[tinkwannabe2]

Thanks for taking the time to share your reviews!

PS - I would have licked the plate at Spoodles!

 

[lexmelinda]

Thanks for the great reviews, Kathy! We will be eating at almost the exact sames places as you (great minds, ya know) and glad to hear what was great and what was not so great. I also have a 12-almost-13 yr old and a 16 yr old but for a little added fun we also have a 6 yr old! Thanks again...............

 

[goofyforlife]

Hey Kathy.....

Note to self if i ever stay at Wilderness Lodge:

DO NOT TAKE THE WOODS VIEW UPGRADE .

Stay dry....

 

[kath1210]

August 30, 2006 – Giordano’s Pizza and Kona Cafe

Well, Ernesto did not pack much of a punch, but it still changed our plans. We had planned to go to MGM today, but the threat of heavy rains and 40-50 MPH winds caused us to cancel our Fantasmic package. We pretty much laid around much of the day, but after reading great reviews about Giordano’s pizza on the “Food Porn” thread, we decided to try it out.

Giordano’s is located off of Route 192, not far from WDW. The place was almost empty when we arrived at about 2 p.m. We ordered both a thin crust pizza with just cheese (DS’s favorite) and a deep dish with ½ sausage, ½ cheese. It took quite a while for the food to come, but when it did, it was very hot and fresh. DS15 and I liked the thin crust best – the cheese was cooked to a brown and crusty consistency. The sauce tasted fresh and homemade. DH and DD12 liked the deep dish best. It was hot, gooey and dripping cheese. It was also sorta nice to get off WDW property for a little while. 

The weather was fairly dry most of the day, but the heavy rains started around 4 p.m. I was glad that I had canceled our 5 p.m. Mama Melrose reservation, and I was pretty sure that Fantasmic would also be canceled. (Although we did see later that the Wishes fireworks went off on schedule in a steady, heavy rain. I was surprised.)

We got a last-minute ADR at Kona Café for 8 p.m. That was very lucky!! I think that this is now one of our favorite WDW restaurants. We even got DS15 to come along, and he was happy when he saw the banana crème brulee offered for dessert.

For appetizers, DH and DD ordered the crab cakes. Unlike the unfortunate crab cake I received at Coral Reef, this one was chunky with crab meat and light on the filling. Delicious! DS ordered the duck potstickers, which were okay, but we’ve had better at Chinese restaurants. I ordered the sticky wings, which were very tasty – a lot like (or maybe exactly like) what you get at Ohana.

We really hit the jackpot on entrees, though! DH and DD ordered the Shrimp and Scallops. It consisted of two giant shrimp and two large scallops, with sticky rice, spicy guava and passion fruit. This was an awesome dish! The flavors blended together wonderfully, and the seafood tasted very firm and fresh. DS ordered the Pan-Asian Pasta with both shrimp and chicken, which was like a wonderful stir-fry with noodles instead of rice. It was a very large portion, and he could not even finish it. There was so much shrimp in it that DH and I were “forced” to help him eat it.  We believe it’s a “sin” to waste good shrimp. I decided to order something a little unusual (for me) and got the Coconut Almond Chicken. This was a *huge* chicken breast coated with coconut and ground almonds (I think) – it made a nice crispy coating and the chicken inside was moist and flavorful. The accompaniment was Asian greens with almonds, strawberries and pineapple – absolutely delicious! We are going to have to go back sometime soon because there are about 3 other entrees we’d love to try!

Dessert was almost as wonderful as the entrees. DS and I got the Caramel-Banana Crème Brulee. It was creamy, with a fresh banana topping. DD and DH each got the kids cone, which was a large waffle cone stuck to the plate with a generous dollop of chocolate. The cone was filled with vanilla and chocolate ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce. The cone was surrounded by cotton candy, sprinkles and M&Ms. What a treat!!

Tomorrow was supposed to be California Grill day, but we forgot to bring the right clothes, so I canceled. I’ll see where we end up! Any suggestions?

 

[deany]

Just curious - when you canceled your FDP at MGM did they charge you for it because it was less than 48 hrs even though the storm was coming?

I have loved reading your reviews. We have an ADR at Konas and I am thinking we should maybe go twice as there are so many dishes there that I would like to try. I would like the shrimp and scallops and the coconut chicken. What to do, what to do....

 

[goofyforlife]

Let's see Kath.... where to eat.....

Well since CG is 2 credits you could always try for cancellation at CRT or split and do a character breakfest and something for dinner like one of the epcot restaurants (The one in mexico perhaps or Alfredos)

or go to SSR and try new TS restaurant (forget name right now)

or try Yachtsman Steakhouse at YC (2 credit)

There's also maybe Citrico's at GF.

 

[kath1210]

Hey Kathy.....

Note to self if i ever stay at Wilderness Lodge:

DO NOT TAKE THE WOODS VIEW UPGRADE .

 

[goofyforlife]

meant to add this yesterday....

 

[kath1210]

meant to add this yesterday....

That's perfect!

 

[kath1210]

Just curious - when you canceled your FDP at MGM did they charge you for it because it was less than 48 hrs even though the storm was coming?

I have loved reading your reviews. We have an ADR at Konas and I am thinking we should maybe go twice as there are so many dishes there that I would like to try. I would like the shrimp and scallops and the coconut chicken. What to do, what to do....

They did not charge a penalty for canceling the FDP, even though the weather never really got too bad. The CM I spoke with said they had suspended all of the penalties due to the forecast.

We are seriously considered trying to get another reservation at Kona to try some of the other dishes. But then, there are a lot of restaurants we have not yet tried, so I think we'll do Cape May Cafe tonight instead.

 

[arizonacolbys]

Great dining reviews!! We're looking forward to trying Spoodles in just a couple weeks - we're happy to keep reading so many great reviews on it lately.

Now, a strange question...did you say you had the option of wheat or whole grain bread at Columbia Harbor House for your ham sandwich?? The last time we ate there (probably 2 years ago now...) the ham sandwich was delicious, but the bread had black olives in it & I wasn't crazy about it. TIA!

 

[ufgator]

Thanks for your reviews.

 

[kath1210]

Great dining reviews!! We're looking forward to trying Spoodles in just a couple weeks - we're happy to keep reading so many great reviews on it lately.

Now, a strange question...did you say you had the option of wheat or whole grain bread at Columbia Harbor House for your ham sandwich?? The last time we ate there (probably 2 years ago now...) the ham sandwich was delicious, but the bread had black olives in it & I wasn't crazy about it. TIA!

I did not get a choice of bread for my sandwich, but it definitely did not have olives in it. I don't like black olives either!

 

[arizonacolbys]

I did not get a choice of bread for my sandwich, but it definitely did not have olives in it. I don't like black olives either!

Thanks Kathy!! That definitely makes me feel better!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Thanks for taking the time to post such great reviews. I am getting so excited The Kona place sounds great we may have to add this one on our November trip.

 

[smartestnumber5]

OP--looks like we were there at almost there at almost the same time (8/24-8/31 for me and gf) and went to many of the same places. We also went to Sunshine Seasons, Tusker House, Spoodles, Whispering Canyon, and Ragland Road. We also made an ADR for Ragland Road a few hours ahead of time when we were too tired to stay in the park for our ADR (though we had a much less pleasant experience). We also wanted to try Kona Cafe and Columbia Harbour House, but didn't get to them this time around.

 

[S.Poppins]

So Columbia House has chocolate cake now. In the past it has always been apple pie. Was it good? Great report - thanks.

 

[kath1210]

So Columbia House has chocolate cake now. In the past it has always been apple pie. Was it good? Great report - thanks.

The chocolate cake was very moist and rich. DD12 and I just had a few bites, but they were yummy! It's called triple chocolate cake b/c it's chocolate cake, fudge frosting and a dollop of chocolate whipped cream on top. Definitely good for chocolate lovers!

 

[kath1210]

August 31, 2006 – Roaring Forks and Cape May Cafe

My DH had to go meet a real estate client today, so that sort of led to the rest of us being lazy and not doing much. It was nice to hang out in the hotel and just enjoy the ambience. We went to the pool, took a nap (well, I did) and played Sudoku in the lobby. We also met up with Gail (aka Pooch on the DISBoards). Her DS and my DS hit it off right away, which was nice. Gail is such a sweet lady and her son was really nice and a cutie, too!

For lunch we decided to try Roaring Forks. Now, I never saw the “old” set-up there, but we thought it was very nice. The lines moved along very quickly (when there was a line). DH got the Ham Sandwich on focaccia bread. It was very yummy, and quite large. With the sandwich, they allowed either a dessert OR a side item on the dining plan, so he got Cheetos. I ordered the Double Cheeseburger platter with carrots instead of fries, but then I got a Mickey Bar for dessert. The “fixins” bar was great! I was able to take the bun off my hamburger and make a sort of cheeseburger salad. The tomatoes were ripe and fresh, the lettuce crispy, and the pickles were just the way I like them – nice and salty. DD12 ordered the Chicken Strips with fries, plus a Butterfinger Brownie. The chicken strips and fries were nice and hot and crispy, and the Butterfinger Brownie was rich and yummy! It was really a good lunch!

For dinner, we decided to try Cape May Café, since we love seafood, especially DH. It was okay, but probably the most disappointing meal of the trip. The shrimp and carved beef were overcooked, the beef tips were too salty, and the food was not very hot or fresh overall. On the positive side, the cornbread and the Mickey Mac N Cheese were yummy, the ribs were tasty and not very fatty at all, and the chicken salad and broccoli slaw were fresh and good. DS15 did not like the pizza, so he ate almost nothing at all. The desserts were quite good. We tried the Oreo bonbons, key lime tarts, the mini cheesecakes, and the cupcakes. The waitress was great, though, and the atmosphere was relaxed, despite the fact that it was a busy buffet.