The Dirty Dozen – 12 Days of Disney, Drinks & Dining - Updated 2/26

[2xcited2sleep]

Happy Birthday!! Sorry you had to postpone your trip. Jaleo looks and sounds fantastic and is quite the "consolation" prize. I haven't been to the one at Disney yet but it's on my wish list!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

I likely need not say anything else other than when the munchies set in what better place to be then next to a donut shop

LMBO!!!

The sangria was delicious and I instantly regretted not ordering a half a pitcher for myself.

This is the best sangria I have ever had and yes you should have ordered a pitcher!!!!

We also ordered the Endibias con queso de cabra y naranjas which is Endives topped with goat cheese, oranges and almonds.

This is the BEST thing on the menu. Everything we have tried has been excellent but these little beauties take the cake.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN my friend and sister wife.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Looks like you had an amazing birthday even if it wasn’t in Disney. Jaleo looks fantastic as does that birthday cake! Laughed at the idea of you crying because you had to share your birthday. Poor Kari
Hope you manage to make your trip soon and until you do you should just keep celebrating all things Kari and birthday and cake

 

[Wood Nymph]

Happy birthday.
Your blueberry cake looks a lot better than the store bought cake. It was nice that you could celebrate a "twin" birthday with your cousin after missing it for a while.

The food at Jaleo's looks really good. I'm one of the few people in our family that likes beets, and that salad looks delicious.

 

[kittylady1972]

I just read your latest review and had to stop in and say HELLO....I guess we are in the same vicinity! I've been wanting to visit one of the DC area Jaleos myself and take my foodie 21 year old with me but haven't had the time to schedule it. I figured why visit the one in Disney when we have TWO we can visit near us! So your food looks amazing and now I am more determined to try it once my son's work schedule settles down a bit more. I was going to try the one in Crystal City actually figuring it would be an easy Metro ride for us. I have family coming into town from NC possibly in October so maybe we'll do that as a special treat for them because they mentioned wanting to do some of the DC touristy stuff that we also never do even though I've lived here all my life. I'm just not sure the 9 and 7 year olds will be okay with a long dinner.

 

[missjackiemcg]

What a bummer having to postpone your trip, but definitely understandable! I'm glad you were able to still have some birthday fun, including a trip to the Disney store! They announced today that the two left within driving distance from our house will both be closed by 9/15

Happy, happy birthday to you!!

 

[becauseimnew]

Sorry about your Disney trip, but sounds like you had a great birthday!

Happy belated birthday.

 

[suse66]

And before too long we were at Disney Springs for dining reservation #1 of 3,465 - The Boathouse. I should have mentioned in the last post today was Father’s Day and that meant everyone in Central Florida was in Disney Springs. Not exactly what we were hoping for crowds wise given we hadn’t eaten at a restaurant indoors since March 2020 but we were grateful to be on a much needed vacation.

The look on Casey's face was the best ever! Disney Springs does looks crowded though.

Meet the Boathouse Jumbo Crab Cake with coleslaw and chipotle tartar sauce. In case it isn’t evident this was a big ole crab cake and it was pretty darn good if this Chesapeake Bay girl says so herself. It had a bit of filler, but large chunks of crab and really good seasoning. The coleslaw was a bland, but clearly she didn’t order this for the cole slaw.

I ordered the same at our Boathouse meal and was completely underwhelmed. Not up to PEI standards at all.

This was our second trip to the Boathouse and while it is good I do not get the signature status. They were clearly busy this evening so that may have messed with the preparation of our food, but when bread is the best part of the meal probably not a good sign. I certainly won’t be in any hurry to get back here as there are way too many other excellent places in the Springs awaiting my waistline.

Exactly how we felt after our meal there last week. Jack looked at me and said "wasn't this place supposed to be good, Mum?" Like you, I am happy to explore the many other options in DS.

Overall we loved the Swan. Can't beat the location, amenities, and price. If I remember right I think we paid a little over $200 a night plus their resort fee. We’ll definitely be back as The Swan was deluxe resort living at less than moderate prices.

That is a beautiful room!

The sangria was delicious and I instantly regretted not ordering a half a pitcher for myself.

More sangria is always a good idea!

We also ordered the Endibias con queso de cabra y naranjas which is Endives topped with goat cheese, oranges and almonds.

Bill and I need to go to Jaleo on our next trip!

After lunch we walked around our beautiful city for a bit which I've gotta say definitely beats Disney Springs.

I adore DC. We haven't been since 2014 but I would happily go back.

I share a birthday with my cousin whose store bought carrot cake failed in comparison to my lemon and blueberry decadence. Growing up it was like we were twins because we lived just 8 houses apart and had joint birthday parties and dinners. We hadn't had one together in a few years so it was like old times. Except my Dad and Aunt pointed out that unlike old times I didn't cry that I had to share

Sounds like a wonderful celebration. Your cake is spectacular!

 

[kastoney]

What a perfect way to spend your birthday! We have a Morimoto restaurant in Philly that we haven't tried but really should.

We used to have a Morimoto place but it shut down several years ago.

I also saw your picture of you and Casey at the Disney Store and I laughed, as I had said to Gwen yesterday we should just go to the Disney Store to go...

I didn't even know we still had them but as we were sitting at lunch we were trying to think of some more Disney things we could do. We almost drove across town for some Sprinkles Cupcakes but settled for stopping at the mall that was on the way home

Happy Birthday! WOW Jaleo looks wonderfully delicious!
Andi and I have a reservation for the one in DS on our next trip, I am excited to try the potatoes and other goodies!

Thanks Caroline!!!! I so hope you and Andi enjoy Jaleo. We've been eating there for like 20 years and it is consistently good. Plus Jose Andres is one of the most philanthropic humans out there

The cake Jason and Casey made for you looks divine. My two favorite combinations in a dessert, I would be in heaven! Yum!

Mine too!!! I don't have a massive sweet tooth but I love all things lemon and blueberry. All the better if they are combined

I had no idea that Jaleo originated in DC! Definitely worth the day trip to go check it out sometime

Yep, it's been here for at least 20 years I think. We have 3 Jaleo's and several other Jose Andres restaurants. They are all fantastic

Happy Birthday!! Sorry you had to postpone your trip. Jaleo looks and sounds fantastic and is quite the "consolation" prize. I haven't been to the one at Disney yet but it's on my wish list!

Thanks Christine!!! I cannot believe you haven't been to Jaleo. Definitely seems like the kind of place you would really enjoy

This is the best sangria I have ever had and yes you should have ordered a pitcher!!!!

I so regretted not doing it. They even had a half a pitcher special and instead I paid almost the same price for just 2 glasses.

This is the BEST thing on the menu. Everything we have tried has been excellent but these little beauties take the cake.

They were delicious and so refreshing. If I can find some endive gonna see if that chef of mine can whip some of these up

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN my friend and sister wife.

Thanks sista!

Looks like you had an amazing birthday even if it wasn’t in Disney. Jaleo looks fantastic as does that birthday cake! Laughed at the idea of you crying because you had to share your birthday. Poor Kari

Thanks Moira. You'll be shocked to know that I was and still am a massive baby about my birthday. It started at a young age thanks to the aforementioned sharing/crying and has not let us

Hope you manage to make your trip soon and until you do you should just keep celebrating all things Kari and birthday and cake

Fingers cross Florida can get its act in shape in the next few weeks so we can go. Casey will be heartbroken if we miss the boo bash. She's been working on her costume that can only be worn in Disney

 

[kastoney]

Happy birthday.
Your blueberry cake looks a lot better than the store bought cake. It was nice that you could celebrate a "twin" birthday with your cousin after missing it for a while.

Thanks Sue! Not gonna like but my cake was so much better. Think my twin was a wee bit jealous.

The food at Jaleo's looks really good. I'm one of the few people in our family that likes beets, and that salad looks delicious.

I'm right there with ya and the beets. Casey and Jason will eat them, but don't have the love of them that I do. Give me a salad with beets and some goat or blue cheese and I'm a happy, happy girl

I just read your latest review and had to stop in and say HELLO....I guess we are in the same vicinity!

Hello there!!! Where are you at? We're in Fairfax County

've been wanting to visit one of the DC area Jaleos myself and take my foodie 21 year old with me but haven't had the time to schedule it. I figured why visit the one in Disney when we have TWO we can visit near us!

Make that THREE! There is one in Bethesda too but we've only ever been to the DC location. We've been to a few other Jose Andres places too and they are all delicious. If you've got a foodie the mini bar is definitely the crown jewel. Not sure if it opened back up yet but it is a decadent and truly unique experience

I was going to try the one in Crystal City actually figuring it would be an easy Metro ride for us. I have family coming into town from NC possibly in October so maybe we'll do that as a special treat for them because they mentioned wanting to do some of the DC touristy stuff that we also never do even though I've lived here all my life. I'm just not sure the 9 and 7 year olds will be okay with a long dinner.

I've lived here my whole life too and sadly do not do enough of the touristy stuff. But with my daughter getting older we've been pretty good about doing more and more of it.

The DC location is just a few blocks from the mall and Smithsonian so its really easy to get too. And we've never found it to be a long meal. In fact we'll usually order a few plates at a time instead of all at once just to make the meal go slower. So if you wanted to order all at once I think the kiddos could make it. They also have some really cool tables that are built on top of foosball tables that my daughter gets a kick out of.

What a bummer having to postpone your trip, but definitely understandable! I'm glad you were able to still have some birthday fun, including a trip to the Disney store! They announced today that the two left within driving distance from our house will both be closed by 9/15

Thanks Jackie! I had no idea they were closing so many Disney stores. I just had to google it but it looks like the one we went too is staying open. Think its in a rare busy mall these days

Sorry about your Disney trip, but sounds like you had a great birthday!

Happy belated birthday.

Thanks so much!

I ordered the same at our Boathouse meal and was completely underwhelmed. Not up to PEI standards at all.

I thought the crab cake was decent and at least had lump crab meat but not as good as Jason can make. Casey loves crab cakes but there has been a shortage here so the price has been insane. She was just happy to have one. Though we got a couple of pounds of crab meat once we made it to Savannah and Jason made his famous crab cakes that blew Boat House out of the water. I think he'd do your PEI taste buds proud

Bill and I need to go to Jaleo on our next trip!

You so do. I really think you would love it. Definitely our kinda of style of food with lots of small plates and so many delicious things to choose from

I adore DC. We haven't been since 2014 but I would happily go back.

Well you've got a family of tour guides next time you are here ❤

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Thanks Moira. You'll be shocked to know that I was and still am a massive baby about my birthday. It started at a young age thanks to the aforementioned sharing/crying and has not let us

My eldest son was born in my 32nd birthday ( 12 days flippin late I might add) and I love it. Gave me an excuse to have kids type parties all over again with jelly and ice cream and sweeties plus a second more grown up bash too. He turned 18 the day I turned 50 and we all went to london to celebrate. Nicky ( my daughter) and her husband flew in from Copenhagen to surprise us. It really was my best birthday party ever! I totally get not wanting to share as a kid though and I may have once “accidentally “ invited half my class home from school on my birthday to celebrate with me without thinking that my mum might have needed to know that a dozen 9 year old girls were coming for cake lol. Thankfully my mum knew how to stretch a cake made for a family of 5 to feed 20

Fingers cross Florida can get its act in shape in the next few weeks so we can go. Casey will be heartbroken if we miss the boo bash. She's been working on her costume that can only be worn in Disney

Crossing my fingers, toes, eyes and everything else that you get your trip and Casey gets her Boo Bash

Give me a salad with beets and some goat or blue cheese and I'm a happy, happy girl

This is me. Well with goats cheese ( haven’t eaten it with blue). My family look on in amazement as I munch my way happily through this salad as it’s possibly the healthiest thing I eat

 

[kittylady1972]

Hello there!!! Where are you at? We're in Fairfax County

Make that THREE! There is one in Bethesda too but we've only ever been to the DC location. We've been to a few other Jose Andres places too and they are all delicious. If you've got a foodie the mini bar is definitely the crown jewel. Not sure if it opened back up yet but it is a decadent and truly unique experience

I've lived here my whole life too and sadly do not do enough of the touristy stuff. But with my daughter getting older we've been pretty good about doing more and more of it.

The DC location is just a few blocks from the mall and Smithsonian so its really easy to get too. And we've never found it to be a long meal. In fact we'll usually order a few plates at a time instead of all at once just to make the meal go slower. So if you wanted to order all at once I think the kiddos could make it. They also have some really cool tables that are built on top of foosball tables that my daughter gets a kick out of.

I'm actually in Maryland, very close to BWI airport. So DC is just a drive and then a Metro ride away for me...I don't enjoy driving in the city there at ALL so do that very rarely. Good to know about the other restaurants thanks. I know we are likely living near some good ones but I have yet to try any of them really. I do like visiting the National Harbor area though as something else not quite DC to do.

I have a tentative reservation for the DC location next week so we'll see if we can make it happen and if not we'll try again another time. The DC location does sound pretty cool.

 

[AliceNDinah]

Happy Birthday to you! Jaleo looks really good, as does your Birthday cake, num. Thank you for your wonderful reports, you are such a fun writer Can't wait to read more....

 

[ThreeBoyMama]

I seriously want everything you guys had at Jaleo. Looks delicious! And your cake was amazing (sorry twin/cousin with your store bought carrot cake, but Kari kicked your *** this year!). Happy birthday my boozy soul sister

 

[DisGirlAllie]

Happy Sunday Everyone! Hope you'll indulge me with a Disney-ish update.

We were supposed to be in Disney this weekend to celebrate my birthday and attend the boo bash but between covid and ongoing family stuff we postponed until next month. Fingers crossed we can get there but in the meantime we made due with the closest thing DC has to Disney - Jaleo!

For those that haven't been Jaleo is a DC based restaurant that opened an outpost in Disney Spring a few years ago. We haven't been to the Disney Springs one since we've got a few here so I figured what better way to get inject a little Disney into my birthday.​

Happy belated birthday, what a fun way to spend it!!

Fellow DC area-er here; you should also check out Oyamel and China Chilcano. Both are also by Jose Andres and they are equally fantastic!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Just been reading up on Jose Andres. What an utterly fabulous human being! Makes me want to dine in his restaurants all the more.

 

[kastoney]

My eldest son was born in my 32nd birthday ( 12 days flippin late I might add) and I love it. Gave me an excuse to have kids type parties all over again with jelly and ice cream and sweeties plus a second more grown up bash too.

Aw that is so sweet. Anything that gives you an extra party is a good thing in my book. I think I would have loved it if Casey was born on my birthday. As it is we're exactly 6 months apart so we get to celebrate our half birthdays while the other celebrates their actual birthday.

I was actually due on my Mother's birthday which she said she was pretty excited about. But I was late too (though just 9 days) so she was grateful to just get me the heck outta there

! I totally get not wanting to share as a kid though and I may have once “accidentally “ invited half my class home from school on my birthday to celebrate with me without thinking that my mum might have needed to know that a dozen 9 year old girls were coming for cake lol.

I can only fathom what your mother must have thought. Though if she baked anything like Jason the cake for "5" was probably sized for 20 in the first place

Crossing my fingers, toes, eyes and everything else that you get your trip and Casey gets her Boo Bash

Thank you. I'm cautiously optimistic thinking Florida has got to get their act together. But then I think its Florida so we'll see. 3 weeks to go so keep crossin

This is me. Well with goats cheese ( haven’t eaten it with blue). My family look on in amazement as I munch my way happily through this salad as it’s possibly the healthiest thing I eat

You should so try some blue cheese and beets. Goat cheese is probably my preference but nothing like a little funky moldy cheese to set the beets off

I'm actually in Maryland, very close to BWI airport. So DC is just a drive and then a Metro ride away for me.

Awesome! I'm a born and bred Virginia girl so I don't know Maryland well at all but we do like to get up to Baltimore once or twice a year. Casey has a doctor at Johns Hopkins so we usually make a day/night of it when we go

don't enjoy driving in the city there at ALL so do that very rarely.

My hubby is in the same club as you. I know my way around the city fairly well so I don't mind driving, but he is very content to be my navigator and nothing else

I do like visiting the National Harbor area though as something else not quite DC to do.

We like to go over there too though I'm a bit disappointed in their restaurant options. But we especially love it around the holidays.

I have a tentative reservation for the DC location next week so we'll see if we can make it happen and if not we'll try again another time. The DC location does sound pretty cool.

Oh I hope you can make it. If you do Enjoy!!!

Happy Birthday to you! Jaleo looks really good, as does your Birthday cake, num. Thank you for your wonderful reports, you are such a fun writer Can't wait to read more....

Thank you so much! Jaleo is a real gem and we are so lucky that its so close.

I seriously want everything you guys had at Jaleo. Looks delicious! And your cake was amazing (sorry twin/cousin with your store bought carrot cake, but Kari kicked your *** this year!). Happy birthday my boozy soul sister

Thank you boozy sis You would so love Jaleo. All the tapas and drinks definitely right up your alley.

We get to see the family again this weekend so I'll pass along to my cousin that my cake kicked his cakes butt

Happy belated birthday, what a fun way to spend it!!

Thank you!

Fellow DC area-er here; you should also check out Oyamel and China Chilcano. Both are also by Jose Andres and they are equally fantastic!

Hi there!!! We've done China Chilcano before but not Oyamel. I think I may actually like China Chilcano a bit more than Jaleo but only because I love Asian food that much more. We also were lucky enough to do Mini Bar a few years back too and it was an amazing experience.

Just been reading up on Jose Andres. What an utterly fabulous human being! Makes me want to dine in his restaurants all the more.

He truly is. He's had a spirit of philanthropy here for decades but to see what he can do on the world stage is amazing. Jeff Bezos just donated $100 Million dollars to him to further his charity and he is beyond deserving.

 

[MeghanEmily]

So hi I’m Kari. I like pina colada’s, getting caught in the rain, Nomad’s Lounge, and all the Disney drinks.

Hi Kari! I'm Meghan and I'm here to join your TR party! I also like Nomad Lounge. The other stuff I'll take or leave.

These shirts are the BEST.

He’s not into yoga and thankfully has more than half a brain.

hehehe

Casey may come in a kid size package, but her palate is better than most adults.

No kidding! And while still kid-sized, she's somehow growing up at what feels like an accelerated rate!

As far as bars go she's not a huge fan

Entirely fair for a ten year old. May change her tune in another decade or so.

And being her father’s daughter she’s a dole whip fiend.

This is an awesome picture! Casey and Jason and I have this in common.

I was away from work for an even more glorious 18 days. After being essential for most of the pandemic I most definitely needed the break and break we did.

That sounds absolutely wonderful! So very well-deserved.

Then we waited at the airline check in counter for 45 minutes because the person “working” wasn’t authorized to open until “9:08” which is the most oddly specific time ever.

Wait, WHAT?! Whyyyyyy?? That's so strange.

We figured the gig would be up when they announced our plane was going to Orlando but nope just had a layover. And we really thought she’d figure it out when we got on the faux monorail but nope just changing gates. And of course she’d know when we went to pick up our bags (and waited almost an hour by the way b/c frontier airlines SUCKS) but nope just layover procedure.

Oh wow! That's amazing! Casey's a smart cookie. I can't believe you managed to keep the secret as long as you did. She must have been very excited.

Posed for our first official trip photo.

So cute

but the calamari was overcooked and not very crispy. Flacid and rubbery calamari anyone?

Ew. That's disappointing.

The butter sauce on it was legit but the filet was really overcooked (I prefer my beef just barely out of cow).

Nathan would agree with you there. Such a shame it was so overcooked and didn't live up to the hype.

The flavor was good but he said it had clearly sat in the window for a while as the lettuce was wilty and the same temperature as his fries so probably not what they were going for.

Blech.

This was our second trip to the Boathouse and while it is good I do not get the signature status. They were clearly busy this evening so that may have messed with the preparation of our food, but when bread is the best part of the meal probably not a good sign.

That's disappointing! We went for dinner once and our meal was excellent, but we haven't been back since.

Even better than the bed was the shower that put any other hotel I’ve ever stayed at (and my house) to shame. I could (and maybe did) spend hours in here.

Ooh this looks so fancy!

We were supposed to be in Disney this weekend to celebrate my birthday and attend the boo bash but between covid and ongoing family stuff we postponed until next month. Fingers crossed we can get there

Sorry you had to postpone your trip. I hope you get there soon. But I'm glad you had a nice birthday celebration meal!

My favorite dish of the day was the Buñuelos de bacalao which is Fried cod and potato fritters with honey alioli.

I cannot even begin to describe how good these little fried fritters were. On the inside the fish and potato was light and airy and not at all fishy. The outside was the most perfect crunch and then when dipped in the honey aioli. WOW!!! I'm sure that sounds like an odd flavor profile but it was truly delicious.

Um...yum! This sounds awesome! The whole meal looked good!


Looking forward to following along with the rest of your report, if I can manage to stick around on the DIS a little longer this time around...

 

[kastoney]

Hi Kari! I'm Meghan and I'm here to join your TR party! I also like Nomad Lounge. The other stuff I'll take or leave.

Hi Meghan! So nice to meet you. Do you come here often?

These shirts are the BEST.

Aren't they??? I found them on some random website and had to have them!!! We also got Tambu Lounge ones from the same place and I'm obsessed.

No kidding! And while still kid-sized, she's somehow growing up at what feels like an accelerated rate!

Too accelerated!!!! Not only is she 10 and a giant but she acts like a 20 year old. I want my baby back

Oh wow! That's amazing! Casey's a smart cookie. I can't believe you managed to keep the secret as long as you did. She must have been very excited.

She is a smart cookie which is why we can't believe she didn't figure it out. We definitely kept the secret going a little too long, but in the end she was beyond excited

Ooh this looks so fancy!

It was the fanciest of fancy showers. I could spend an entire day in the shower if that was a. socially acceptable or b. I wouldn't turn into a prune. So this one truly hit the vacation spot

Looking forward to following along with the rest of your report, if I can manage to stick around on the DIS a little longer this time around...

I very much look forward to you disappearing for months on end then catching back up in 2025

 

[kastoney]

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