Well, back from Florida and checking in, at least. We had a lovely time escaping the course and grandchildren (shshsh, pretend I didn't say that out loud!) Had 3 days of beautiful weather before it turned wet and cold, so I was greatful for that.
Chelsea and I kind of ate our way through the vacation - imagine that! We lucked out one night and got seated at the bar at Morimoto's in Disney Springs, had pho and pad thai. And mentally apologized to all of you for not taking pictures before we ate anything, but I would not have know how to post them anyway and they would never have looked as good as Jean's or Blane's, so we sinned against the first commandment of the forums and just dug in and ate. The dishes were good, but frankly I think the pho we had at some little strip mall place in Fresno was better.
We also ate pizza at Wolfgang Pucks, which really bummed me out cause it wasn't cooked. The sauce was barely warm and the dough underneath the sauces was still raw. And personal complaint here, I have this thing about ingredients being distributed somewhat evenly, so it annoys me that the tablespoon of chiffonaded basil is all on one piece of pizza. Chelsea's carmelized onions all landed on one piece of hers as well. Not a successful lunch. When Chelsea mentioned it to the lady, her response is that sometimes that happens first thing in the morning because the ovens aren't warmed up to temp yet. It was noon - and frankly, I could suggest a solution to that problem.
We also had a dinner at Brown Derby - probably the best meal I have ever eaten in a restaurant. I had carpaccio, a filet with truffled mashed potatoes, Chelsea had crab cakes and a halibut/lobster entrée. We share all of it and enjoyed every bite except for the child that kept throwing a screaming hissy fit in the aisle alongside my chair, twice. I will never understand bringing a family to this type of restaurant after a long and fatiguing day and expecting the children to be able to conduct themselves appropriately. I have nothing against families dining there, the children at the next table behaved beautifully, but I think it is too much to expect that for the length of time that the meal required. (I'll get off the soapbox now)
And finally we ate at Emerils in Universal. Had lunch there and ate shrimp and grits and a shrimp po'boy. Both very tasty.
We found surprisingly good food throughout Disney. I realize how difficult it is to prepare for masses and still maintain quality, but the mouse has his act together, we were both pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and the "not the ordinary" burger and fry offerings. We ate really well.
And we walked, and walked. From Monday to Sunday we logged in over 70 miles before her fit bit ran out of the charge. My feet hurt, and I am in pretty good shape, but certainly was not prepared for that!
But aside from spending a great week laughing with Chelsea, it was also a great mental break. I didn't realized until I got back, that I kind of am looking forward to jumping back into the season. I guest a vacation does everyone good.
Chelsea and I kind of ate our way through the vacation - imagine that! We lucked out one night and got seated at the bar at Morimoto's in Disney Springs, had pho and pad thai. And mentally apologized to all of you for not taking pictures before we ate anything, but I would not have know how to post them anyway and they would never have looked as good as Jean's or Blane's, so we sinned against the first commandment of the forums and just dug in and ate. The dishes were good, but frankly I think the pho we had at some little strip mall place in Fresno was better.
We also ate pizza at Wolfgang Pucks, which really bummed me out cause it wasn't cooked. The sauce was barely warm and the dough underneath the sauces was still raw. And personal complaint here, I have this thing about ingredients being distributed somewhat evenly, so it annoys me that the tablespoon of chiffonaded basil is all on one piece of pizza. Chelsea's carmelized onions all landed on one piece of hers as well. Not a successful lunch. When Chelsea mentioned it to the lady, her response is that sometimes that happens first thing in the morning because the ovens aren't warmed up to temp yet. It was noon - and frankly, I could suggest a solution to that problem.
We also had a dinner at Brown Derby - probably the best meal I have ever eaten in a restaurant. I had carpaccio, a filet with truffled mashed potatoes, Chelsea had crab cakes and a halibut/lobster entrée. We share all of it and enjoyed every bite except for the child that kept throwing a screaming hissy fit in the aisle alongside my chair, twice. I will never understand bringing a family to this type of restaurant after a long and fatiguing day and expecting the children to be able to conduct themselves appropriately. I have nothing against families dining there, the children at the next table behaved beautifully, but I think it is too much to expect that for the length of time that the meal required. (I'll get off the soapbox now)
And finally we ate at Emerils in Universal. Had lunch there and ate shrimp and grits and a shrimp po'boy. Both very tasty.
We found surprisingly good food throughout Disney. I realize how difficult it is to prepare for masses and still maintain quality, but the mouse has his act together, we were both pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and the "not the ordinary" burger and fry offerings. We ate really well.
And we walked, and walked. From Monday to Sunday we logged in over 70 miles before her fit bit ran out of the charge. My feet hurt, and I am in pretty good shape, but certainly was not prepared for that!
But aside from spending a great week laughing with Chelsea, it was also a great mental break. I didn't realized until I got back, that I kind of am looking forward to jumping back into the season. I guest a vacation does everyone good.