Taste Bud Tuesday: Captain's Grille Dinner

Taste Bud Tuesday

So most of you have read my recap of the Captains Grille lunch. For my last Princess Half vacation night in Disney Sammy and I decided on the Captain's Grille for dinner. I have been here multiple times both with my family and then just my cousin and I and every meal has been fantastic!

Previously I've ordered their Prix Fix menu: appetizer, entree and dessert, and it was all included in the Disney Dining Plan. Sadly I noticed the menu had changed. The Green Goddess Salad is no longer on the appetizers menu.

With the exception of one or two time I have always gotten the Chef's Pasta Creation. Luckily each time it was gnocchi. TO. DIE. FOR. This time it wasn't gnocchi and I wasn't in the mood for pasta. I've gotten the Pan-seared chicken before but this was a little different from past dinner experiences. I still knew I wanted something light like chicken instead of steak.

A couple of things...I get the whole plate presentation thing. I get portion control..... This to me is a joke. The smallest piece of chicken I have ever paid for on top of the fact I was given three....count them... one, two, three pieces of asparagus. The chicken was very moist and delicious and seasoned well. But really?!

Thank goodness for my dessert savior! I did the s'more tart? I think it was called that. It was incredibly delicious and a very large portion size, too large almost.

Look at how amazing the inside of this is! Mmmm mouth watering!

All in all I love the atmosphere of the Captain's Grille but was severely disappointed as this has been one of my favorite meals on property. I'm not sure if I will be venturing back anytime soon.

Have you eaten dinner before at Captains Grille? 

TasteBud Tuesday: Be Our Guest

Taste Bud Tuesday.

Warning: This will be a longer review than others.

Yes, I have used some of these photos already in my recap of my Princess Half Marathon weekend.

In case you were wondering, you cannot just 'go in and look around' you must have a reservation for dinner in order to make it into the Beast's Castle.

After perusing the menu I was stuck between the Chicken Breast Provencal and the Grilled Strip Steak. I told our waitress my dilemma and without hesitation she recommended the steak. She said the butter was to die for. Truthfully I was in the mood for some pommes frites.

I thought I knew exactly what my dessert choice would be. Obviously The "Grey Stuff" right?

If you'll remember correctly Be Our Guest is also the only location within the Magic Kingdom you can purchase alcohol. Sammy and I passed but I couldn't help but long for Potato Leek Soup. Next time my love, next time.

Our meal came out and I was instantly excited! The pommes frites were delicious and you see that little container with garlic butter in it...yup. I ended up having TWO it was so good. Not only did I dip my perfectly crispy fries in it but I also dipped my steak in it. The veggies were warm but had a snap to them one bitten into. I was already in love with the meal and couldn't wait to cut into the steak....

Well I will say for all the money Disney happens to be bringing in, we could sharpen the steak specific knives a little more. It was hard to cut into the steak immediately but once I secured a delectable piece and bit into it...well let me tell you it melted in my mouth. The steak was cooked perfectly. As I went to search for the next piece I encountered what would ruin the meal.... FAT, GRISSLE, call it what you wish. The steak was laden with it and unfortunately because my steak knife was crap I felt like I had done an upper body work out by the time I got another piece free. I'm not sure if it was just my piece or if it was the cut of steak. I know it's not filet mignon but I was hoping to lick my plate clean. Alas that did not happen. 

After the somewhat dissapointing steak and the overdose on the garlic butter I think it started to come out of my pores. We had the dessert cart brought out. As our waitress walked through the numerous options she mentioned a "special, limited time" Red Velvet Cupcake. In honor of Valentines Day, of course. I felt like I was betraying the "grey stuff" and requested the Red Velvet cupcake.

This is hands down one of the best red velvet cupcakes I have ever had. 

Hi. My name is Meg and I'm a red velvet cupcake snob. It has been 22 days since my last red velvet cupcake....

I'm not even kidding. Everywhere I go if RV is an option, it's a no-brainer. This cupcake did not disappoint. The frosting was a butter cream but without the overpowered taste of sugar (different) and the cake was so moist it felt apart on the fork. It was the perfect color of red and had that hit of chocolate that is required for RV cupcakes. (I wasn't kidding about my addiction.)

The best part of the dinner might have been the opportunity to meet the Beast. 

All in all I would recommend Be Our Guest to everyone if not for the decor and ambiance alone.

Have you eaten here? Would you?

Taste Bud Tuesday - San Angel Inn

Truthfully, this is my favorite restaurant, in my favorite 'attraction', in my favorite park, in my favorite place in the whole world. I really believe I should have been born Mexican. My Babchi is probably rolling in her grave right now that I would rather cook and eat Mexican over Polish food but I can't help it...This place is a MUST on every vacation taken.

The atmosphere is probably one of my favorites, yes it is a little cramped and dark, but you feel like you are in a restaurant in Mexico when here. (Minus the volcano and Mayan temple being real.)

Restaurant Sign

VOLCANO!

Before I go overboard with my obsession of the Jalapeno Margarita and you shake your head saying "No, Meg, no, how could that be good!?" JUST. DO. IT. So far that motto has worked for Nike. They built an empire on it. Now drink this margarita while contemplating your own Mayan empire. The jalapeno and cucumber are muddled in the bottom of the shaker and tequila and lime juice and agave nectar are added. mmm mmm mmm. Talk about heaven. There is no real kick of jalapeno unless you actually bite into the pieces you get in your drink. Oh! But before I forget the salt on the rim, DOES definitely have a spicy punch to it, so stick to the straw if you can't handle heat.

Jalapeno Margarita

I feel like a regular some times when I eat here, I refuse to try anything else. The Pollo a las Rajas is my go to dish. I apologize I do not have a brighter photo here, don't let that deter you! It is juicy chicken on rice with creme fresh and Monterey Jack cheese on top. LORDY LORDY, is it tasty. Portion size is perfect too.

Pollo a las Rajas

Because I usually eat my entire entree including the multiple orders of chips and salsa as well as a couple margaritas, I rarely if ever get dessert here. One of the times I did (DDP) I opted for the chocolate mousse with berries. The texture and flavor are amazing. I would definitely get it again...if I wasn't so stuffed. Every. Time. I. Go.

Chocolate Mousse

Have you eaten here? What is your favorite part? Would you eat here if you haven't?

Taste Bud Tuesday - Le Cellier

Le Cellier happens to be one of my favorite places to eat, not only for the food but the atmosphere and the staff. If you have not been to Le Cellier before there are a couple things you should know. 

1. It is pricey whether you are paying cash or using the DDP (Disney Dining Plan). Out of pocket you might pay $30-$40 for some of the best entree's and it will cost you 2 Table services if you have the DDP.

2. Reservations are hard to come by. Book early and look for outside peak dining times. Eating at 8.30pm isn't unbearable if you are there during the Food and Wine Festival. Look for later times and you'll have a better chance of scoring a reservations.

3. Be prepared to fall in love. You'll get seated in one of the Provinces of Canada and if you are lucky your waiter or waitress will be from that province and tell you interesting facts about their home.

(Restaurant Sign)

Okay! Now to the food!!

Le Cellier has the most delicious bread selection of any of the restaurants on property. Once you are seated you have an assortment of breads brought to your table. Pretzel, multi-grain and plain are your options. (You cannot find a better pretzel roll.) Not to worry those of Irish decent, butter is brought with the bread!

(Bread Selection)

If you are interested in indulging in the best cheddar soup you will ever have in your life, then look no further. This gem is made with delicious cheese, Moosehead beer and bacon. Mmm mmm mmm. I have personally made this soup at home and although it is tasty, it pales in comparison to the actual real deal soup. Those visiting during the Food and Wine Festival do not need a reservation as the Canada Marketplace sells a perfect size sampling of this soup.

Tip: Save some bread for this!

On this past vacation I went on I wanted to not only save my father some money but I wanted to try something new. (Plus I could do without mushrooms on my favorite filet). I ordered the Pepper Crusted Sirloin. It had a bed of Yukon gold potatoes and was topped with Arugula, very delicious alternative to the famous Filet Mignon with Mushroom risotto.

Truthfully my family and I are all so stuffed by the time we are done with dinner that we haven't ordered dessert here in years. If you have room I do remember loving their offerings.

Have you visited Le Cellier? What is your favorite thing to order?

Taste Bud Tuesday - Sanaa

This past Princess Half weekend my parents and I stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge-Jambo House. We decided one of our nights there to walk to Kidani Village and go to Sanaa. It was a first time for all of us to eat there. We decided on sharing an appetizer.

We ordered the Indian Style Bread Service which is a choice of 5 breads and 5 accompaniments and serves two (works for 3 as well). Cost was about $9.99

The best part of this is that you DON'T have to choose the breads, you get all of them: Naan, Garlic Ginger Naan, Spiced Naan, Onion Kulcha and Papadum. All delicious but my favorite was definitely the Spiced Naan. It was warm, had a kick to it and was easy to pull apart.

You also get to choose 5 accompaniments - Red Chile Sambal, Cucumber Raita, Coriander Chutney, Mango Chutney, Coconut Chutney, Garlic Pickle, Spicy Jalapeno-lime pickle, Roasted Red Bell Pepper Hummus, Tamarind Chutney. We chose the red chile sambal, the mango chutney (my favorite), spicy jalapeno lime pickle, coriander chutney and tamarind chutney. While they were all refreshing and very different from anything I had eaten before I would probably eat the mango chutney with the naan bread for the rest of my life if I could. (Descriptions from Allears.net)

I also decided on the Malawi Mango Margarita for my dinner drink, which is a frozen blend of Tequila, Van der Hum Tangerine Liqueur, Mango Puree and freshly squeezed Lime Juice for about $9.75 (Description from Allears.net). It wasn't awful but I remembered why I only get margaritas on the rock after having this one. It was way too thick to drink and gives you a cold headache. Plus although the paper straw you get to drink it with is awesome, it gets damaged with the liquid.

Have you eaten at Sanaa?