Sleepydog's Dining Reviews w/Pics--FINAL THOUGHTS!

Oh my gosh I am drooling! And not over loml's leg :laughing: we will have to try Bice next time we are over at UO. We stayed at Portofino and really love the Universal dining options outside the parks. Great review and photos!!
Well, it's no secret I do tend to drool over LOML's leg, but that's a whole other thread. :rolleyes1 Thanks for the comments. Sometimes, I'm not real good about remembering to take pics, but Luv usually bails me out. We do highly recommend Bice based on that lone experience.
Wait! There's mice (10 by my count) crawling up her leg!Hereeeeeeeee kitty, kitty.........oops.
You know, I had never counted how many meese--umm, mouses--hmm, mice were crawling up Luv's leg. I got 10, as well. Sneaky little devils. . .thanks for joining!
Bice looks great. I love to see your wine choices.
It was great. As for wine, I began growing into my love of the fermented grape some years ago after being served a superb, small vineyard, Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Until then, all the red wines I'd tasted seemed harsh. This one was luxurious, full of character, dark berry and toasty oak notes abounding. I fell in love with wine that night. For us, it's often an important part of choosing a restaurant or between two entrees when we're waffling. I will say Disney's Signatures--and a few other TS--have good to exceptional wine lists.
 
I have really enjoyed reading your reviews! You are a cute and fun couple with which to tag along on your dining adventures! I appreciate that you mentioned things that have changed, such as the disappearance of that salmon sandwich. Useful info and yet disappointing at the same time - LOL
 
I have really enjoyed reading your reviews! You are a cute and fun couple with which to tag along on your dining adventures! I appreciate that you mentioned things that have changed, such as the disappearance of that salmon sandwich. Useful info and yet disappointing at the same time - LOL
Thanks for joining and reading, and double thanks for the kind words, though I have said a couple of times before, Luv is definitely cute while I'm just ruggedly humorous. I always hope that those who stop by the thread get some value for effort--that's the vanity in me. ;) We only represent our tastes, naturally, but we do hope to have touched on common elements everyone can enjoy. As for the humor and repartee, we do tend be that way in real life. It keeps us young. pirate: P.S. I'm still angry about the missing salmon sandwich. We may yet try what the AP manager told us: call ahead and they could arrange to make it for us.
 


P.S. I'm still angry about the missing salmon sandwich. We may yet try what the AP manager told us: call ahead and they could arrange to make it for us.
I'm hoping that the lump crab cake sandwich that seems to have replaced the salmon bacon sandwich will make a credible replacement when we visit the the resort's Christmas decorations. Thanks again for extolling the wonders.
 
I'm hoping that the lump crab cake sandwich that seems to have replaced the salmon bacon sandwich will make a credible replacement when we visit the the resort's Christmas decorations. Thanks again for extolling the wonders.
If you should taste said sandwich before I am able to return to GP's airy confines, please let us know what you think. I might, might be mollified if it's in the same culinary vicinity as the salmon w/bacon sammie. And. I'm CINC Extoller when the timing is appropriate; I can also dis-extol when I feel the need (yeah, I made it up).

Back to food. Well, first back to the park we hit the day after the 4th. Disney's MGMDHSTOYSTORYSTARWARS Land. It was blazing hot that day, even early in the morning, and our first stops were to two of our most favorite rides: RnR and HM. Can't go wrong with either. Neither was much of a wait, and we also did a bit of shopping, milling about, and despite the heat, enjoying a Starbucks latte. We sat down at a covered table near Brown Derby to get out of the sun while we drank. I then heard ominous music and realized some nasty Empire storm troopers must be approaching. I'd not seen the march before, and I gotta say it was fun to watch. Coming from a marching background and having a kid who's been in band for years, I was impressed at how well-timed and coordinated the show was. In clear defiance of the Emperor's mandate, I was able to sneak this picture of the same event happening an hour or so later. The force was with me, obviously.
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Soon after, we warped out of there with Capt. Picard, Professor Dumbledore, and Gandalf in tow on our light cycles. We landed at Disney Springs and headed over to The Boathouse. It was a light lunch, and we knew from previous experience it would be a fine choice. Unlike our very first trip there, we weren't able to snag the boat that sits in the main dining area. Still, we were close.

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Their beef carpaccio is scrumptious: see-through beef slices with cracked pepper, peppery arugula, piquant capers, shaved bits of heavenly Grana Padano, and a herbaceous olive oil, all served with garlic crisps. I love this appetizer which can serve as a meal for me, especially at lunch. I paired it with a nice bubbly, though just which one I can't remember.
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Meanwhile, my adorable wife had the block o' lettuce, aka The Wedge. Now, we're both suckers for a cold, crisp wedge salad on hot days, and this one fits the bill. The creamy dressing is house made and can be had on the side. As you can see, the bleu cheese is plentiful (though if memory serves me, Luv actually asked for more), and the bacon isn't the cheapo stuff you find at Disney buffets. Nope, it's the King of Bacon, His Royal Highness Applewood. Topped with the sharp bite of the red onion and the juicy bits of rich heirloom tomatoes, it is an excellent version of this salad menu staple. I might have had a bite or two. . .or six.
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The Boathouse isn't on our "must do" list, but it does hold a place on our "don't go without for too long" list. Some criticisms center on the cost, and to be sure, paying $13 for the salad and $18 for the carpaccio isn't considered cheap; however, it is comparable to other semi-upscale restaurants. The value is in the eye of the beholder (be-eater?), so for us, this place suits our needs well.
GRADE: A- Highlights: Location, food, service Lows: Tables a bit too close together
 
Yummy!! You had my favorite dish at The Boathouse. That beef carpaccio is excellent, have to have it every trip.:love:
 


Yummy!! You had my favorite dish at The Boathouse. That beef carpaccio is excellent, have to have it every trip.:love:
Yep, we're definitely a fan, as well. As I mentioned, we don't do Boathouse every trip, but we try to patronize it at least every other time we're at the World. That dish is a perfect middday meal for me, and it's pretty to boot. Pair with a nice bubbly since it works for pretty much any dish. A red is too heavy (save maybe a Pinot Noir) and clashes with the capers, anyway. A full-bodied white messes with the carpaccio's flavor. A sparkling wine, though, works across the flavor spectrum, with a crisp, dry white such as Sauv Blanc coming in a decent second. And why I just opted to go into wine pairings with that meal, I have no clue. It's lunch and I may be feeling the effects of the food on my brain. . .
 
I am curious - did u eat at Wolfgang Puck Cafe or the Dining Room at Wolfgang Puck Cafe (signature)? I have to say - I really enjoyed our dinner in the Dining Room. Their chocolate cake was insanely good and their carrot cake was one of the best in the US.
 
I am curious - did u eat at Wolfgang Puck Cafe or the Dining Room at Wolfgang Puck Cafe (signature)? I have to say - I really enjoyed our dinner in the Dining Room. Their chocolate cake was insanely good and their carrot cake was one of the best in the US.

It was the Dining Room, and fabulous! We were sorry we hadn't tried it sooner and have some trepidation about the make-over since lately the "made-over" restaurants haven't fared well in our opinions.
 
Just getting caught up and following along now! I've been neglecting reading dining reports while trying to keep mine going. I meant to make it to The Boathouse on our recent trip and we only managed to get to DS once the day we were leaving. It's on the list for next time and now I'll have to try the carpaccio.
 
I am curious - did u eat at Wolfgang Puck Cafe or the Dining Room at Wolfgang Puck Cafe (signature)? I have to say - I really enjoyed our dinner in the Dining Room. Their chocolate cake was insanely good and their carrot cake was one of the best in the US.
As my Luv pointed out, I failed to clarify, mostly because I can't keep up with names that then have subsets. Hey, if you're Wolfgang Puck, be Wolfgang Puck. If you're going to be an upscale place, don't call it Wolfgang Puck's Upscale Eatery with a Very Bland, Forgettable Name. For example, take BiCE--at once memorable, direct, and upscale. It's not The Grand Dining Elegance of Ristorante BiCE. But, I digress. ;) And thanks for the question!

Obviously, we didn't try the chocolate cake, but I was tempted. However, as I've gotten younger in reverse, my palate has changed a bit. Chocolate--which I adore--usually seems too heavy-sounding after a meal. In fact, we usually don't even eat dessert. Yet, that meal had been so good, and the strudel sounded lovely, so. . . . . Now, Luv is something of a carrot cake connoisseur herself, so she may be regretting not trying that option. She's not a huge strudel or apple dessert fan, but tried mine and thought it delightful.

It was the Dining Room, and fabulous! We were sorry we hadn't tried it sooner and have some trepidation about the make-over since lately the "made-over" restaurants haven't fared well in our opinions.
Indeed. We were happy to hear the server tell us that they were relocating but a bit skeptical that our newfound gem might not change for the better. We shall see. Our most recent example of new is not better was Paddlefish. We're also a'feared of what might happen to Portobello. It wasn't a must do or anything, but we did have a wonderful meal there a couple of years or so ago.

Just getting caught up and following along now! I've been neglecting reading dining reports while trying to keep mine going. I meant to make it to The Boathouse on our recent trip and we only managed to get to DS once the day we were leaving. It's on the list for next time and now I'll have to try the carpaccio.
I do understand the difficulty in finding time to write, work (and toddlers count double), read, and respond. Glad you could join in and catch up! There's just something inviting about The Boathouse--the decor is fresh, open, and airy. If the weather is nice, sitting outside is a great way to go. And, yes, the carpaccio. It's memory is urging me to try it at home. :drinking1(I couldn't find a cooking smilie, so drinking will just have to do!)
 
It was the Dining Room, and fabulous! We were sorry we hadn't tried it sooner and have some trepidation about the make-over since lately the "made-over" restaurants haven't fared well in our opinions.

Yeah - I'm not so sure about the makeover. Then again, neither WPC or the Dining Room seemed to be all that popular. Like I said, we went to the Dining Room on a whim but really enjoyed it. I had the sashimi platter for dinner and it was delicious. And of course, I am still dreaming of their desserts. Mmmmm....
 
Yep, we're definitely a fan, as well. As I mentioned, we don't do Boathouse every trip, but we try to patronize it at least every other time we're at the World. That dish is a perfect middday meal for me, and it's pretty to boot. Pair with a nice bubbly since it works for pretty much any dish. A red is too heavy (save maybe a Pinot Noir) and clashes with the capers, anyway. A full-bodied white messes with the carpaccio's flavor. A sparkling wine, though, works across the flavor spectrum, with a crisp, dry white such as Sauv Blanc coming in a decent second. And why I just opted to go into wine pairings with that meal, I have no clue. It's lunch and I may be feeling the effects of the food on my brain. . .

I love your wine pairing notes with the carpaccio, spot on, and I agree the bubbly is perfect!
 
Your lunch at the Boathouse looks amazing! I had planned to eat there but I felt I hadn't spent enough time at Epcot during my trip so cancelled it in favour of a morning there. Next time for sure though!
 
Yeah - I'm not so sure about the makeover. Then again, neither WPC or the Dining Room seemed to be all that popular. Like I said, we went to the Dining Room on a whim but really enjoyed it. I had the sashimi platter for dinner and it was delicious. And of course, I am still dreaming of their desserts. Mmmmm....
I'm not sure why WP's Dining Room had been eluding us all these years. I suppose the title sounded stuffy; certainly, it sounded amorphous. For me, it was likely because I didn't realize there was an actual difference between the Cafe and the DR--and I had a rather, umm, fitful experience following a meal some years ago (we've never been able to narrow the culprit between the two places we went that day--yep, the Cafe was one). Hopefully, when it returns, they'll give DR a new name and it will still be an excellent experience.

I love your wine pairing notes with the carpaccio, spot on, and I agree the bubbly is perfect!
Thank you! As Luv would say, bubbly goes with everything. Personally, I draw the line at peanut butter sandwiches, rhubarb pie, and liver. . .then again, I'm not a fan of the latter two. For us, one of the benefits of eating out is the fun of trying various food and wine combos. :thumbsup2

Your lunch at the Boathouse looks amazing! I had planned to eat there but I felt I hadn't spent enough time at Epcot during my trip so cancelled it in favour of a morning there. Next time for sure though!
Don't miss it next time. Like any restaurant, it will have detractors (and some of the criticisms are no doubt valid), but we've found a few winners that will ensure we return in the not too distant future. :boat: (<-- Get it? Boat. . .house pirate:). Okay, that's my creativity for the day. . .move along. . .
 
Okay, for our penultimate meal during our July trip (I don't really know if it's the next to last meal but I do love the word), we went back to our beloved Artist Point. We just can't help it. Granted, we had been there but several weeks before. HOWEVER AND INASMUCH. Anniversary. Ours was it (if Yoda was the narrator). Of course, we had to go back to AP. Further, the manager Gary has been extremely good to us the past few years (quick history for those with short-term memory or who have no clue who we are: we met at WL, got married at WL, and had our wedding reception meal at AP), and there's no place like home. He has always asked us to let him know when we return to AP, and we did this trip, as well.

As usual, we arrived among the first diners since we a) tend to eat early and b) find it easier to secure a window seat. We were promptly escorted to our night's venue:
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The bubbly you see was a complimentary glass we each received. After chatting with our gracious server, we were soon treated with the following amuse bouche. Confession: I can't remember what it was, though I'm wracking my brain to remember. It was good, and this I know because I remember poor dishes.
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Service the entire meal was superb, and having the little touches made our anniversary celebration a wonderful memory (save mine for the amuse bouche). We had our picture taken, but they didn't turn out too well, so you'll get none this time around.

AP is one of the few places where we tend to splurge, as in we both get appetizers, both get an entree, and I usually have a dessert. . . and wine, of course. It's a splurge more in terms of caloric intake than cost. As usual, I had the smoky mushroom bisque--I just can't seem to get away from it. The creaminess, the luxurious mouth feel, that hint of woodsy, hint of smoke finish. And it goes so well with the sourdough bread that comes ahead of the meal. If I'm bluntly honest, I think the bisque is not quite as tasty as the original several years ago when they used portobellos, and the pistou isn't quite as piquant, either. Still, it's a heady appetizer that pairs particularly well with any of their Chardonnays.
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Since I haven't down/up/sideloaded any pictures from Luv, you'll be stuck with just seeing my side of the meal. . .I'm sure she'll chime in at some point. (hint, hint) At any rate, following the heavenly bisque, I opted for the cedar plank salmon with field potatoes and greens, capers, pickled ramps all served with a yogurt sauce to cut the unctuousness of the salmon. The fish was cooked perfectly for me, a med-rare that preserves the richness of the meat. It's not the prettiest of dishes, but it certainly is wonderful.
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Luv isn't much of a dessert fan, and I've learned not to love them so much thanks to her guidance (my waist thanks her, too). However, I did opt for dessert (see below). While awaiting said dessert, our server brought us a simple, yet beautiful candy arrangement--I believe they were a dark chocolate ganache and a raspberry gelee. I gotta say, both were superb, but the gelee was especially delightful. It had the consistency of a lighter, looser gum drop but with the sweet tang of real raspberries. I would have been happy with this as a dessert alone had I known it was coming--it was yet another lovely touch by the chef.
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Pretty, huh?


As my last course, I had chosen the legendary berry cobbler. Much like the bisque, the cobbler isn't quite as good as its predecessor from years ago. . .however, I am pleased to announce that it is better than it was just a couple of years ago when they had changed the recipe to one mostly off spongy cobbler and very little filling. In fact, it's now very close to the cobbler mentioned in hushed tones among those who frequent AP. This version appears to have reduced the cobbler a touch, brought back that nice crunch to the top, and added a few more berries. I bring you the Cobbler with seasonal berries and forest berry ice cream (that sounds made up to me, but it was still delicious with a little tart flair).
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Gorgeous. Yes, those are edible flowers. Yes, I ate them. In fact, I pretty much ate the entire thing, sharing a few bites with LOML. I had switched to doing the house made donuts the last couple of trips, thinking they were the best dessert option on the menu. Well, the cobbler is back and now may be even better than the donuts.


One of the things we enjoy most when dining at AP is to take a walk around the Lodge's grounds after dinner. It's better when dark outside, but given the early nature of our dinner and the fact it was the long daylight days of summer, it was only approaching dusk. Still, we paused a few places to reconnect with our old friend. This particular spot is where we had our ceremony just a few years ago, and my enticing, romantic, sexy, kind, brave, funny, patient, aurora borealis beautiful bride--truly the love of my life--and I said our vows at this very spot.
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And, that's a perfect image to leave you with for now.
 
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Artist Pointe is one of our favorites...we include dinner there every trip! Great reviews!
 
I actually cannot, for the life of me, remember what that amuse was. It was yummy, at least that much I do remember! As for me, normally I get an appetizer that is made with either duck or braised short rib with pappardelle. It is sooooo good, but a heavier dish and for me, can easily be an entree. For whatever reason, this time I was either feeling like I wanted to eat lightly or wanted all seafood. Probably both!

This is a chilled shrimp cocktail with a black garlic aioli and amazing!IMG_4360.jpg

My entree was scallops with broccoli and yummy parmesan crisps.
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I love this picture, although Patrick's grayish hair is so washed out he looks 95! :teeth:
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Some more shots of our home away from home.
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And that brings us to our last documented meal, lunch at Tutto Gusto. It's one of our favorite places to sit and relax, especially if you can get one of the cool loungers with a coffee table off to the right. It's a small area, and you have to either get lucky or get there when they open--we did the latter. I didn't take any pictures but, of course, we had a couple of lovely wines. Here are our selections as best I can remember. . .

Gusto plate - La Campagnolo: EVOO marinated artichokes, tomatoes with basil and EVOO, and marinated olives (not pictured)
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Gusto plate - La Serenissima: Insalata de mare (shrimp, squid, octopus, lemon, EVOO), white asparagus with lemon, EVOO, and Parmesan, and Asiago (served with bread sticks, flat bread, and sausage)
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All of it was delicious and perfect for a light, though filling, lunch. I will say that the white asparagus, while good, was a bigger portion than we needed. We frequently eat asparagus; however, this version being marinated and with a lot of EVOO was heavier than we anticipated. Still, overall, what an excellent way to spend a casual lunch. . .and drink!
GRADE: A- Highs: Ambiance, food, wine Lows: None except the effort to get a couch

Well, that about does it for me on this food review. . .unless Luv chimes in again (highly likely) or if any questions or comments arise. Ciao!
 

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