AuroraMeansDawn
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2008
Continuing around the World Showcase we split up and I visited Morocco and Dylan got in line in Japan. The crowds were building up so we met back in the seating area for the Katsura Grill. I like this area as it’s tucked behind the temple and is quiet and peaceful. I picked up this beauty and a beverage -
Walnut Honey Baklava $4.00 and Desert Rose: Sparkling Wine topped with Pomegranate Liqueur $8.00
It’s baklava- how can it go wrong? And it’s a big slice too. It was not fresh and still frozen in the middle. It was flaky on the top layer and tough on the bottom under the walnut layer and hard to actually bite into the bottom. We broke a fork trying to divide it to share. I give it a solid D minus.
FYI this is the promo pic Disney put out on the baklava- it doesn’t compare.
K
The Desert Rose cocktail was crisp with a hint of sweetness and very pretty and a tiny flute but for $8 it wasn’t terrible. It hit the spot.
Dylan’s selections began with
Frushi: Fresh Pineapple, Strawberry and Melon rolled with Coconut Rice, sprinkled with Toasted Coconut and Whipped Cream with Raspberry Sauce on the side $5.95
He seemed to like this and adding the whipped cream enhanced the flavors but the rice to fruit ratio makes the starchy rice overpower the fruit so the balance is off and it makes it a bit bland. I turned up my nose and can’t offer an opinion because it had coconut and I think anything with it is like squirting sunscreen in my mouth. It’s a taste and texture thing.
He did like it though. It does look pretty. The pink wrap is probably rice paper and didn’t have a flavor.
Next up was Ginger Beef Yaki Udon: Thin-sliced Beef, Onions and Noodles tossed on the grill with Soy and Ginger $6.50
It was nice tender beef with a lot of onion and a bit of kick from the ginger in the sauce. It wasn’t greasy or oily as some udon noodles can be and the spice balance was pleasant and subtle. Not a bad value either. Not amazing and not bad.
And lastly, as promised, churros!
We had to boogie on around the Showcase as we had to go ride in a boat to see if some sister wanted to Build a Snowman. And we found out Love is an Open Door and it also is a rail side seat at La Cantina de San Angel so we settled in and Jesse had some had some
The Barbacoa is a spicy shredded beef. I thought it was a little too heavy on the sauce and you lose the flavor of the meat with the overpowering bbq flavor. They were ok but I think they are heavy and hard to eat in a street taco style tortilla. Jess disagreed and polished them off. Maybe he was just grateful we allowed him to sit and eat rather than visit booths.
Dylan chose
The fish is mild and flaky and light despite being lightly fried. The slaw topping is light and crunchy and has an acidic tone that gives it a citrusy balance. The rice and beans were just there. They did their job as background players and were given a bite or two but the tacos were the star of the show.
We also grabbed for the table some
These are big and shareable and deliver everything you want from quick service nachos. Liquid good cheese, mildly spicy ground beef, fresh ripe tomatoes, pickled jalapeños with s zesty bite and a squirt of sour cream. We term these as “junk nachos” being from Texas where Tex Mex is a weekly occurrence. It’s not a bad thing. It just a term that sets them aside as having liquid cheese and being piled up with toppings as opposed to individual nachos. It’s the kind we associate with sporting event concessions and junky is a beautiful thing. So were these!
and as promised CHURROS! A perfect sweet treat as we waited for Illuminations. They are small and crisp and the caramelized du leche was a great dipping sauce. I like smaller churros was big ones can get soggy.
It was chilly so we also grabbed coffee. Churros. Coffee. Illuminations. Sitting railside. That is a good good thing!
Oh a side note it’s a good spot to hang out for Illuminations- the view is nice, the bathrooms are close and the people around us were pleasant. I was glad to see Illuminations and even gladder I saw it the first night. I love it - really I do but seeing the Star Wars Spectacular and Happiy Ever After the next two evenings, Illuminations might be reaching a point it needs a facelift. It’s still lovely but the other parks are upping their game.
The churros were yummy and warm and kept us from accidentally experiencing any hunger! All in a a successful trip around the world I think. Thanks for reading along!
Walnut Honey Baklava $4.00 and Desert Rose: Sparkling Wine topped with Pomegranate Liqueur $8.00
It’s baklava- how can it go wrong? And it’s a big slice too. It was not fresh and still frozen in the middle. It was flaky on the top layer and tough on the bottom under the walnut layer and hard to actually bite into the bottom. We broke a fork trying to divide it to share. I give it a solid D minus.
FYI this is the promo pic Disney put out on the baklava- it doesn’t compare.
K
The Desert Rose cocktail was crisp with a hint of sweetness and very pretty and a tiny flute but for $8 it wasn’t terrible. It hit the spot.
Dylan’s selections began with
Frushi: Fresh Pineapple, Strawberry and Melon rolled with Coconut Rice, sprinkled with Toasted Coconut and Whipped Cream with Raspberry Sauce on the side $5.95
He seemed to like this and adding the whipped cream enhanced the flavors but the rice to fruit ratio makes the starchy rice overpower the fruit so the balance is off and it makes it a bit bland. I turned up my nose and can’t offer an opinion because it had coconut and I think anything with it is like squirting sunscreen in my mouth. It’s a taste and texture thing.
He did like it though. It does look pretty. The pink wrap is probably rice paper and didn’t have a flavor.
Next up was Ginger Beef Yaki Udon: Thin-sliced Beef, Onions and Noodles tossed on the grill with Soy and Ginger $6.50
It was nice tender beef with a lot of onion and a bit of kick from the ginger in the sauce. It wasn’t greasy or oily as some udon noodles can be and the spice balance was pleasant and subtle. Not a bad value either. Not amazing and not bad.
And lastly, as promised, churros!
We had to boogie on around the Showcase as we had to go ride in a boat to see if some sister wanted to Build a Snowman. And we found out Love is an Open Door and it also is a rail side seat at La Cantina de San Angel so we settled in and Jesse had some had some
Tacos de Barbacoa - Seasoned Beef, Homemade Corn Tortillas, Mexican Rice, Refried Black Beans, and Red Salsa - $13.25
The Barbacoa is a spicy shredded beef. I thought it was a little too heavy on the sauce and you lose the flavor of the meat with the overpowering bbq flavor. They were ok but I think they are heavy and hard to eat in a street taco style tortilla. Jess disagreed and polished them off. Maybe he was just grateful we allowed him to sit and eat rather than visit booths.
Dylan chose
Tacos de Pescado - Seasoned Fried Fish, Homemade Corn Tortillas, Mexican Rice, Refried Black Beans, Slaw, and Habanero Aïoli - $12.50
The fish is mild and flaky and light despite being lightly fried. The slaw topping is light and crunchy and has an acidic tone that gives it a citrusy balance. The rice and beans were just there. They did their job as background players and were given a bite or two but the tacos were the star of the show.
We also grabbed for the table some
Nachos - Tortilla Chips topped with Ground Beef, Nacho Cheese, Tomatoes, Jalapeños, Beans, and Sour Cream - $11.25
These are big and shareable and deliver everything you want from quick service nachos. Liquid good cheese, mildly spicy ground beef, fresh ripe tomatoes, pickled jalapeños with s zesty bite and a squirt of sour cream. We term these as “junk nachos” being from Texas where Tex Mex is a weekly occurrence. It’s not a bad thing. It just a term that sets them aside as having liquid cheese and being piled up with toppings as opposed to individual nachos. It’s the kind we associate with sporting event concessions and junky is a beautiful thing. So were these!
and as promised CHURROS! A perfect sweet treat as we waited for Illuminations. They are small and crisp and the caramelized du leche was a great dipping sauce. I like smaller churros was big ones can get soggy.
It was chilly so we also grabbed coffee. Churros. Coffee. Illuminations. Sitting railside. That is a good good thing!
Oh a side note it’s a good spot to hang out for Illuminations- the view is nice, the bathrooms are close and the people around us were pleasant. I was glad to see Illuminations and even gladder I saw it the first night. I love it - really I do but seeing the Star Wars Spectacular and Happiy Ever After the next two evenings, Illuminations might be reaching a point it needs a facelift. It’s still lovely but the other parks are upping their game.
The churros were yummy and warm and kept us from accidentally experiencing any hunger! All in a a successful trip around the world I think. Thanks for reading along!
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