RESORTS PT3
Because the best dining to be had isn't at the parks!
California Grill @ Contemporary
We had a 7:25 pm reservation for dinner so we Ubered over and were checked in and seated quickly. We had the most perfect table right by the window. Seeing the castle projections and EWP felt just as special, even without fireworks. We've been to CG half a dozen times now and it never fails to impress. My sister and I started with pinot noir while husband ordered an Orange Blossom pilsner. We considered the menu for a while but none of the entrees were really calling to us so we decide to order a mix of things to all share. Shout out to our server, who was just perfect, for his patience with us doing this. Hi from sister and son!
First came their bread service with olive oil + roasted tomatoes. Delicious as always.
Next was:
A Selection of Farmhouse and Artisanal cheeses - Five Unique Cheeses with Accompaniments. This was far less impressive than last time we enjoyed it. The ever changing selection of accompaniments were sort of half-assed this time, with an odd dessert type bread and another that seemed to be a cranberry or raspberry coulis of sorts. We weren't given much info about them, but the cheeses were excellently sourced as always. The blue selection was a little much for me but the goat cheese with lavender and fennel was *chef's kiss*
After that we shared:
Braised Beef Short Rib Wontons - Doenjang Miso-Cola-Onion Sauce, Crispy Garlic-Chili Oil, Radish, Pickled Lotus Root
Sunburnt Roll - Spicy Jumbo Lump Crab, Charred Verlasso Salmon, Lemon, Jicama, Mango, Zesty Yuzu Sauce
Oh my both of these were just incredible. The wontons are always a must for us. Bursting with so much tender meat, spice, heat, and killer umami everything. They're always even better than I remember and frankly we should have ordered two orders of them.
I have yet to be impressed with sushi at WDW but this roll changed that. The salmon was raw but just kissed with a char. So fresh. I tasted the crab as well but the lemon is what sent it over the edge. Each piece had a tiny wedge of lemon, peel and all, sitting on top and it strangely pulled the whole thing together. Sadly it looks like the sunburnt roll is now off the menu.
By now we were satiated but not exactly full and we were having such a nice time that we wanted to keep hanging out so I ordered another glass of wine and we inquired about an order of the
Mac and cheese. And it was delicious. Like, the best most quality, grown up Mac and cheese. The pasta was tender but firm, the cheese sauce was creamy but complex but also familiar and homey. Perfect indulgent end to our savory courses.
For dessert we were looking for something to please the palate more than anything decadent so we shared the
Mixed-Berry Balsamic Sorbet with Valrhona Manjari Chocolate Soil. The sorbet was sweet and super tart and very refreshing. Perfect ending! Just look how pretty.
For our last meal together at WDW (my sister flew out super early the next day) it couldn't have been better. So sad to see it end. Especially considering the food that awaited us the next night.
Landscape of Flavors @ Art of Animation
The next day we ended our dream stay at CCV and did a quick night at Art of Animation thanks to last minute flight changes by the airline that pushed our flight into the next day. We weren't mad about an extra day at WDW, but TBH we were ready to go home.
Last meal at Disney was the worst of the trip sadly. I'd read that Landscape of Flavors was one of the better food courts so tired and beat from the week, we took the easy way out and mobile ordered here for dinner. So wish we would have done anything else instead but live and learn. Nothing on their menu was really speaking to me so I hedged my bets by ordering three sides instead: Caesar side salad, breadsticks with marinara, and Mac & cheese. I took one look at the Mac and cheese and noped out. I did try one noodle but it was even worse than it looked. No one ate this. The side salad was about 9 leaves of romaine and a bag of dressing: it was pretty pitiful. The breadsticks were the best part even with the cold marinara. Husband ordered the chicken tenders which seemed safe, but he was pretty let down by the poor quality. My son ordered the winner of the night, the Asian Chicken bowl which was pretty decent for food court food. We shared a seasonal gingerbread cake for dessert that was actually great. Dense and moist with loads of gingerbread flavor and a sweet but-not-too-sweet icing. At least that gave us a little food redemption before bedtime and early flight in the AM. But next time we're going on out on top food-wise!
Next up: That's all folks!