Eating ALL THE THINGS! 1/9 - 1/17

Got my text back from Sam’s after about 45 minutes. Pretty perfect timing as I had just settled my bill and was nursing my cocktail.

This place was really cool. Although it was a bit much for me. But that’s just me being a curmudgeon. The drink was decent, but the star here is the decor and show.

E39F5916-1138-474C-BD50-C93D73B9CED9.jpeg8C3A8DF8-FE33-4ED9-84AF-8773842C7385.jpeg583F3EE3-9C01-4B24-8E4E-B56A0036F37B.jpeg

I went with the Tahitian Torch - Tito's Handmade Vodka, tropical juices, passion fruit, and fresh lime juice.

B4F7319B-857B-490C-8201-1E920418432A.jpeg
A decent tiki drink.

8AC48587-E9CD-4A2F-B1CF-87883E439FEF.jpeg
 
I was craving a burger all morning. Specifically craving the burger from Steakhouse 71 I saw someone get last night. I was able to grab a last minute lunch reservation so headed back to Contemporary. They didn’t even confirm the reservation when they waved me through, so I could have just walked up to bar. Wonder if it was just random or if they’ve relaxed parking restrictions.

40F9701A-0E68-4F45-8336-F8A228803D07.jpeg

Stack burger - Signature Blend of Beef, Pork Belly, American Cheese, Lemon Aïoli, Red Onion, House-made Pickles, on a Brioche Bun
04986610-D62E-44BB-BC6E-02752BB7F8F3.jpegEF525904-F215-4E49-A49B-11D14CD33FEE.jpeg

This was very good and very filling. Could easily be split in two for a lighter lunch.

I tried to order a beer, but the only thing currently on draft was an IPA, so twist my arm, I’ll have another gimlet.
0DDEB481-D587-4344-9DE8-A396BE49F6C7.jpeg
Just as good as last night.

C5911830-9593-4A9A-BA5C-44BC1E8DE3E1.jpeg

Back to work for the afternoon and then have GoTG ILL and Monsieur Paul reservations for tonight.
 
I love this! I went solo to Disney last year and since it was my first trip in about 20 years I didn't want to tie myself down too much with reservations. On my next trip (hopefully later this year or early 2024, likely solo again) I want to do exactly what you're doing. Enjoy!
 
We've had the Wagyu at Morimoto and absolutely loved it. We also did the regular menu at Takumi-Tei in The Before Times. Everything was amazing, but in particular, we loved whatever the bone marrow appetizer was.

We're doing V&A in a few weeks so, very excited to see what your experience is!
 
That Trader Sam's drink does look good. When it first opened they had a limited menu and refused to make any substitutions and used a lot of orgeat, which I don't care for. Maybe that's relaxed now. I must be a curmudgeon too b/c I didn't love it. It's cute but a lot of the schtick got old for me quickly. By the tenth time they're shouting about shots of rum inside of 30 minutes it's borderline annoying. That gimlet at 71 has shot to the top of my must try list. LOVE that burger and the onion rings but agree that sharing is preferable. Not sure if you're going back to your resort to do your work but if you find any spots you think are good for logging in and getting a few hours of work done on property, please share.
 
I’m solo at Disney for the next eight nights - staying off-site. My initial plan was to not make any reservations. But I failed and somehow this morphed into a foodie extravaganza. I have reservations for Morimoto omakase, Monsieur Paul, Takumi-tei, and Victoria and Alberts. #NoRegrets.

So I thought I’d document the meals here so I can remember them (and maybe other will find it useful too). The only way this will ever happen is if I keep it up to date as I go - so I’ll do my best.
YES! Bless your soul. So excited for this.
 
I got to EPCOT around 5:15 and made my way immediately over to my Guardians of the Galaxy. What a great ride. I was shocked that virtual queue was still open that late with an ~8:30 return time. I didn’t grab one because of my dinner plans - but good to know. Then over to the land pavilion to ride Soarin’ which was posted at 15 minutes but was essentially a walk on. Then wandered around World Showcase until dinner time.

Monsieur Paul was very, very good. A few very slight service missteps, but overall a great experience.

85D54144-2897-4986-B4A4-34436C6BD1BE.jpegA3A76AE8-8F6A-491E-A908-EC26F427A523.jpeg47D1A345-27BE-400D-A900-B7CE6B1B19D9.jpeg

They have a full wine and cocktail list, but I stuck with a wine pairing.

Started with a glass of champagne.
A7C386BB-F689-46A4-A698-174DE432331B.jpeg

And an amuse bouche - gougere, rice ball, and tuna with olive tampenade.
1BB7B697-A816-48C0-9912-14C58D7DFF52.jpeg

Bread and butter
DE63CD85-734E-4B80-B6C9-EB00A372EF5D.jpegA9465733-91B8-4240-B6BC-B032DE4589F2.jpeg

First course - Lobster Salad with Pouilly-Fume
95C530C1-AAC0-4E8A-9A29-3E1FD6CB24AF.jpeg8CDDE4A0-A133-4235-B872-55B6FA92C952.jpeg
 
Fish course with pouilly-fusee and scallops. The scallops were good, but the sweet potato purée might be the best thing I’ve ever eaten.
B967045C-8C98-4AC5-A05E-35BDAE2BF6E2.jpegF6C07BDF-5C3E-4167-85A2-BC2CA94408E8.jpeg

Intermezzo - pear sorbet with pear liqueur.
58A232A4-B0C4-44BE-83BB-BC55C46032A9.jpegA70C8457-1E2C-473A-859C-8BC8E8A677ED.jpeg

Filet and cote du Rhône. Filet was good. Potatoes were excellent. Almost, but not quite, as good as Joel Robuchon’s. Probably more butter than potato.
E31B30F0-AE95-4B85-8552-ACC183867008.jpegB58F5D73-8959-4406-A714-A394A0DD42A5.jpeg258A2081-D4BD-49E3-BBFA-35CDD62644E4.jpeg
 
At this point I visited the restroom and on my way back, my waiter asked if I minded moving to a table at the window so I could see Harmonious. Don’t mind if I do.

Syrah and cheese course. Chèvre at the bottom and then sheep cheese, blue and Camembert with grapes and fig jam.
166E0384-861D-4B6F-A29A-0FB81A63F875.jpeg92FE9FF8-CCC8-4372-B772-810690941B6F.jpeg

Vacherin and “honey wine”. This was fabulous - light and refreshing. The honey wine tastes like port to me, but what do I know.
EA8F50F1-27DA-4164-AC4B-AA283622CCC6.jpeg10BC7F01-157D-4350-B013-704E92A0075B.jpeg

And finally petite fours - financiers, orange chocolate macrons, salted caramel. And Cointreau.
86CADECB-13E8-4D1F-8F84-15EBFBA296EE.jpeg1A28DF79-6E4C-458E-8F4A-20253829E62D.jpeg

This was excellent. A very different meal to Morimotos, but both have their merits. I’d do either again, but if I had to choose one, I’d go back to Morimotos.
F017CC31-E3DB-45FB-940F-6C661D7EB0C3.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Wow!! What a fantastic evening. More butter than potatoes is exactly how I like them. :laughing: And the sweet potato puree may be the best thing you've EVER eaten??? :faint: I need to get a reservation here!!! Love all the empty pavilion photos.
 
As someone who is going to do nine nights solo in a few weeks, and whose goals for this trip are primarily gastronomic, I will follow this thread with great interest.

You've put two things on my radar that I wasn't thinking of at all: omakase at Morimoto and Takumi-tei. I tend to shy away from omakase as there is a lot of sushi I just don't like so I feel like I'm spending a lot of money to eat things I know I am not a fan of, but your review is making me reassess that opinion.
 
As someone who is going to do nine nights solo in a few weeks, and whose goals for this trip are primarily gastronomic, I will follow this thread with great interest.

You've put two things on my radar that I wasn't thinking of at all: omakase at Morimoto and Takumi-tei. I tend to shy away from omakase as there is a lot of sushi I just don't like so I feel like I'm spending a lot of money to eat things I know I am not a fan of, but your review is making me reassess that opinion.
Sorry to hijack, @ElizaDoesDisney . Hope that you do a dining review as well, @justinslot :goodvibes I did Takumi Tei last month and it was exceptional. I do like sushi, so that's a factor, but the overall experience and hospitality were just outstanding.
 
Took a break from work to do lunch at Sana’a. Good life decision. I was lucky enough to get a seat by a window so dined with some animal friends today.

0E9F5C00-9273-44CA-83A1-0EBC7963B6EC.jpeg6819CAAA-ED8F-4268-85E3-A88D3B319379.jpeg

Started with a Mango Margarita - frozen blend of tequila, Van der Ham tangerine liqueur from South Africa, mango puree, and fresh lime juice.
0E1473E1-8096-4268-8783-98E1E7D574C7.jpeg

I wasn’t too hungry so went with two apps. And it was still too much food.

Samosas - Potato and Pea Samosas with Tamarind and Mango Chutney
5F029D27-F8D1-4FC3-B26E-DE63C6C5B302.jpeg

Salad Sampler - From left to right - watermelon and pickled fennel, black eyed peas and chickpeas, golden beet.
C90E957F-B574-4A1D-89D0-6B121A72BA0A.jpeg

This was the star of the meal. Filling but not heavy. Especially welcome after last nights indulgence. Big enough for a lunch on its own and at $10 it’s a Disney steal.

582B4097-436D-4211-82D3-348D0E0FFA05.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Was stacking LL all morning while working. Knocked off around 4 to head to Hollywood Studios. Put myself on the waitlist for Brown Derby Lounge, rode MMRR and got my table about five minutes after I got off the ride. It’s nice when things work out.
1161A416-8E83-4CDB-9E4D-BA9829B33033.jpeg

Florida Collins - Purity Vodka, Simple Syrup, freshly squeezed Lemon and Club Soda
A90E013F-6006-49A0-8DEB-75B1614E196F.jpeg
Nice and refreshing.

COBB Salad - spit-roasted turkey, bacon, egg, tomatoes, blue cheese, avocado, classic dressing
A2BAFB5D-D0F6-4305-880F-B27EA35C21E8.jpeg
Always a hit. Although I miss when the lounge offered a smaller version so I could justify getting a salad and something else.

710AEAEF-F61D-4328-ABB0-171978E3856E.jpeg
 
Last edited:

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!











facebook twitter
Top