Hi guys, I'm back! :( UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, BACKLOT EXPRESS + WPE 11/10

[disney_princess_85]

Lauren: Yasai (vegetable) tempura with vegetarian sushi and steamed rice, $23. Chocolate ginger cake, $5.95.

This dish was on a separate vegetarian menu, which I didn't know Tokyo Dining had. As you can see, it was huge! The sushi was very enjoyable but it was incredibly filling. The tempura was good but not as light and crispy as I'd have liked. I barely touched the rice.

After reading so many conflicting reviews of this dessert, I was a bit nervous! It was actually very, very good. The ginger element is quite subtle and the whole thing is lighter than you'd expect.

Andrew: Ebi (shrimp) tempura with steamed rice, $20.95. Chocolate ginger cake, $5.95.

Having tried shrimp for the first time at Yak & Yeti last year, Andrew is now a bit of a shrimp connoisseur! There was also some vegetable tempura mixed in and he enjoyed it all.

Andrew's thoughts on the dessert are the same as mine: he was pleasantly surprised and had to hold back from eating it all so he didn't feel too full!

Extras: little origami shapes with 'Happy Birthday' and 'Happy Anniversary' on and candles on the desserts.

The little shapes are very cute (I have kept them but I didn't take a pic). It's nice to have such thoughtful mementoes. The servers also came over to the table and sang 'Happy Birthday' to Andrew, which was very nice. We would return here for the service alone, as it was fantastic!

Verdict: 8/10

 

[2Tiggies]

Hi Lauren

Those reviews are great! Loving the pictures too. That veggie dish from Tokyo Dining looks incredible Actually, the dessert doesn't look to bad either.

Did you guys have a double celebration while you were out there? I didn't even know about it. Hope everyone made you feel special!

 

[wideeyes]

The food all looks lovely.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Those reviews are great! Loving the pictures too. That veggie dish from Tokyo Dining looks incredible Actually, the dessert doesn't look to bad either.

Thanks Lee. I agree that it's a very attractive dish! The dessert was lovely.

Did you guys have a double celebration while you were out there? I didn't even know about it. Hope everyone made you feel special!

Yeah, it was Andrew's birthday and our second anniversary. We were treated very well.

The food all looks lovely.

It was!

 

[janiebubble]

oh that tokyo food looks lovely ... am so glad you've said there is a vegetarian menu ... I thought I'd read that somewhere before but had started to think I'd imagined it! My gf is veggie and we avoided Japan as somewhere to eat this year as my research of menus didn't show any veggie options. I know where we're booking to eat this time thanks!

 

[igk]

I'm enjoying reading this thread
That Tokyo Dining lunch looks great - we're going there for dinner this time.
Also having seen the WPE breakfast I think we'll have to head over there too

 

[disney_princess_85]

More pics/reviews coming up later today.

oh that tokyo food looks lovely ... am so glad you've said there is a vegetarian menu ... I thought I'd read that somewhere before but had started to think I'd imagined it! My gf is veggie and we avoided Japan as somewhere to eat this year as my research of menus didn't show any veggie options. I know where we're booking to eat this time thanks!

Yeah, we really enjoyed Tokyo Dining. I'm glad I could help!

I'm enjoying reading this thread
That Tokyo Dining lunch looks great - we're going there for dinner this time.
Also having seen the WPE breakfast I think we'll have to head over there too

Thanks! I thoroughly recommend WPE (for breakfast ) and Tokyo Dining. We're going to try Teppan Edo next time.

 

[disney_princess_85]

I didn't take pics of everything we ate here but hopefully you'll get a general idea of what it's like.

It seems like 75% of DISers hate H&V but Andrew and I really enjoy it. Everything was very fresh and tasty, plus we had an excellent server. It's not gourmet food by any means but it's good for buffet fare. We will definitely be back!

Verdict: 9/10

 

[disney_princess_85]

Lauren: Vegetable flatbread, $7.99. Strawberries and cream, $3.99.

Having had some rubbish CS meals at CSR's Pepper Market last year, I wasn't really expecting much from Artist's Palette. How wrong I was! Everything was made to order, so it tasted really fresh. The toppings were plentiful and it was quite big- two people could probably share one as a snack (I ate half and put the other half away ).

The strawberries were amazing! We ended up getting them quite a few times. They were so firm and juicy- vastly different to our puny versions!

Andrew: Chicken cordon bleu panini with Saratoga chips, $8.99. Strawberries and cream, $3.99.

Andrew really liked this and I have to admit that I was a little jealous! It was generously filled and the flavours were good. I tried the chips and they were fantastic!

Like me, Andrew fell in love with the strawberries.

Verdict: 8.5/10

 

[Tony Toon]

It seems like 75% of DISers hate H&V but Andrew and I really enjoy it. Everything was very fresh and tasty, plus we had an excellent server. It's not gourmet food by any means but it's good for buffet fare. We will definitely be back!

Verdict: 9/10

We re-visited H&V this summer after a beak of several years and had a really lovely meal. As you said, fresh and tasty and a lovely server. It is a buffet but that just happened to be what we fancied at that time. Would go back like a shot.

Mrs TT

 

[2Tiggies]

I agree, those strawberries look scrummy!!

That first picture from H&V looks exactly like the kind of plate I would have dished myself. Someone has good taste

Your pictures came out really nicely. It's also nice with you and Andrew eating quite differently, to see the variety. I am a salad, veg and fruit lover. I am not that great with starches and never order pasta at a restaurant but the picture of your pasta from the Cali Grill has made me think I will give some a go. No ressies for CG, but I will be a bit more adventurous. I don;t think anyone would want to see a dining review from me, which is likely to consist of 20 salads from different places but your review is great. I have been tempted and inspired!

 

[pigby]

I didn't take pics of everything we ate here but hopefully you'll get a general idea of what it's like.

It seems like 75% of DISers hate H&V but Andrew and I really enjoy it. Everything was very fresh and tasty, plus we had an excellent server. It's not gourmet food by any means but it's good for buffet fare. We will definitely be back!

Verdict: 9/10

We were thinking of giving it another try - last time we went was about 10 years ago and at the time we said never again - but a lot of that was down to a very poor server. Did you do the FDP- we have done this 3 times at Mama Melrose and would do the FDP again but will be on DDP and don't want to use 2 TS's each at Hollywood Brown Derby.

 

[dixonsontour]

Thanks for taking the time to post these - all looks good!

SSR counter service looks great.

 

[Disneymad]

Mmmmm food pron Great pictures, I love the Flatbreads from Artist's Palette too and hope to squeeze it in somewhere this trip at least once!

 

[Linda67]

Hi Lauren

Wonderful updates

Your lunch at Tokyo Dining looks wonderful

Thanks for posting the pics

 

[Pinky166]

Mmmmmm yummy food porn! Andrew's panini looks scrummy!

More please.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Our meal got off to a bad start when our server seemed to forget about us and didn't bring our complimentary nachos to the table. As you can see from the pic above, we eventually got them (we had to ask!) and we were also given some guacamole with chips to make up for our wait. Both were very good.

Lauren: Plato Vegetariano: sautéed mixed vegetables served on a bed of flour tortilla and black beans, $18. Moras con Cajeta: white chocolate mousse with mixed seasonal berries and milk caramel, $8.

I was really disappointed when I received my entrée- it just looked so dull and unappetising! Sadly, my first impressions were confirmed: it was really bland and could have done with some sour cream or guacamole to add some interest. I ended up pouring on one of the pots of salsa that came with the nachos. This helped a little but it was a bit of a chore to eat it (and eat it I had to, having just downed a load of shots at Cava del Tequila! ).

I didn't enjoy this at all. The mousse was boring, the caramel sauce was minimal and I'm not a big fan of berries.

Andrew: I can't locate the exact name of the dish but it was some sort of steak with rice and black beans. Flan de Vainilla: vanilla custard in syrup, topped with roasted almonds, $6.50.

Although Andrew's dish was certainly more attractive than mine, it wasn't any better on taste. The meat was chewy and the dish didn't have much flavour overall. Again, very disappointing.

Andrew had this boxed up and didn't end up eating it, so it can't be commented on fairly. I don't think it looks very nice but then again I'm not a fan of set desserts.

This is one of the meals we'd most been looking forward to and we really weren't impressed. Both the service and food were substandard and we will not return for a while. It's a shame because it's such a pretty restaurant and, potentially, it could be great.

Verdict: 5/10

 

[disney_princess_85]

We re-visited H&V this summer after a beak of several years and had a really lovely meal. As you said, fresh and tasty and a lovely server. It is a buffet but that just happened to be what we fancied at that time. Would go back like a shot.

Mrs TT

I've found another fan!

Glad you liked it too.

That first picture from H&V looks exactly like the kind of plate I would have dished myself. Someone has good taste

I love salad and olives etc.

Your pictures came out really nicely. It's also nice with you and Andrew eating quite differently, to see the variety. I am a salad, veg and fruit lover. I am not that great with starches and never order pasta at a restaurant but the picture of your pasta from the Cali Grill has made me think I will give some a go. No ressies for CG, but I will be a bit more adventurous. I don;t think anyone would want to see a dining review from me, which is likely to consist of 20 salads from different places but your review is great. I have been tempted and inspired!

Thanks.

I'm always eating pasta, especially when I eat out. It's usually the only vegetarian option on the menu. Thankfully I love it but it's nice to have something different every now and then. I'm glad you're feeling inspired!

We were thinking of giving it another try - last time we went was about 10 years ago and at the time we said never again - but a lot of that was down to a very poor server. Did you do the FDP- we have done this 3 times at Mama Melrose and would do the FDP again but will be on DDP and don't want to use 2 TS's each at Hollywood Brown Derby.

Yes, we did the Fantasmic! package. I would definitely recommend trying H&V again. It's been a long time since your last visit and hopefully you will get a better server!

Thanks for taking the time to post these - all looks good!

SSR counter service looks great.

No problem.

Yeah, Artist's Palette is great!

Mmmmm food pron Great pictures, I love the Flatbreads from Artist's Palette too and hope to squeeze it in somewhere this trip at least once!

Ooh, you definitely should! Hope you're having a fab time.

Hi Lauren

Wonderful updates

Your lunch at Tokyo Dining looks wonderful

Thanks for posting the pics

Hi Linda, thank you.

Tokyo Dining was very nice.

Mmmmmm yummy food porn! Andrew's panini looks scrummy!

More please.

As much as I enjoyed my flatbread, I secretly wanted the panini! Sometimes being a vegetarian is annoying.

 

[wayneg]

San Angel gets more than its fair share of bad reviews, we put it off last year because of them, this decided to go for it and glad we did, we all enjoyed what we had. Looks like a hit and miss place.

 

[2Tiggies]

San Angel gets more than its fair share of bad reviews, we put it off last year because of them, this decided to go for it and glad we did, we all enjoyed what we had. Looks like a hit and miss place.

I think it also has a lot to do with what you are expecting. I accept that poor service can totally ruin a meal, no matter how good the food is. But I also think people sometimes have an idea of what they expect to be eating and when it is not as they imagined, they get upset. More so for the WS restaurants. You get Mexican food and you get westernised Mexican food. People generally prefer one over the other to the point that if they are served authentic food when they are used to eating Tex Mex, they think there is something wrong with it and vice versa. I could be wrong, but I expect that is often a problem.