Citricos, Dinner, 09-24-08
Our reservation was for 6: 15pm.
We arrived a few minutes early and hardly had a wait at all, jut enough time for the hostess to seat the party that had arrived just before us. If you have never been here, it is in the Grand Floridian, and the waiting area shares with the entrance to Victoria and Alberts.
We were celebrating an anniversary of sorts on this evening and the hostess noticed this, and presented us with a couple nice surprises along the way.
JoJo was not feeling her best and looked very worried about eat this meal, so I offered to share my meal with her and if she decided later that she was hungry, we could get something later at the resort. Just so everyone knows, we received no issues from the restaurant about sharing and they were very accommodating, even bringing our entree out already split on 2 plates.
This is a pic of a menu, and one of our unexpected surprises were menus that said Happy Anniversary, which they allowed Mary to keep one for scrapbooking.
Some pictures of the cooking area and the bar.
JoJo's contribution to the cause of Mickey!
The Bread
We enjoyed this bread very much and finished it off!
Appetizer
We all had the same appetizer, we ordered 2 and DD and I shared.
Sauteed Shrimp - Stracinati Pasta, Lemon, White Wine, Tomatoes, and Feta Cheese $14.00
Yes, I know there is a crab cake on the menu here... I struggled with getting ir or not, but the flavor combination of this dish sounded too good to pass up. I am glad I decided on this, because it was delicious!
This is a picture after we split it up a bit.
Entrees
DW
Braised Veal Shank - With carrot-potato puree, toasted citrus gremolada and roasted veggies. - $46.00
Mary was not sure what she wanted off the menu so I helped by suggesting this, she was very nervous as she had never had veal, or a "shank" before. She was very pleasantly surprised how wonderful this dish satisfied her!!! This was full of flavor and falling off the bone tender!! The veggies and puree were very good as well. This is at the top of my, "order it the next time list".
ME & DD
Bone-In Ribeye - Served with wood roasted spanish onions, Fingerling potatoes, lemon rosemary butter and a veal glace de viande. - $43.00
Again we shared this entree and it came out already split onto 2 plates for us. I was happy that we split, because even the split portions were plenty!! It was very good, the steak was done just as we ordered it "medium", and it was tender.
Desserts
DW & ME
Warm Chocolate Banana Tart - vanilla ice cream and caramelized bananas $8.00
This would be our 2nd surprise of the evening, we ordered this dessert, but it came out all pretty for an anniversary celebration, how very nice. I loved this dessert, very rich and creamy chocolate with a good banana flavor! And then give a big towering decoration made of pure chocolate... "I Love It"! I want some more!!!!!
DD
Tiramisu - with chocolate and vanilla sauces $8.00
JoJo shared this with everyone. It was good, in fact we had the Tiramisu at Tutto Italia, and I liked this one better. I think because this one was a bit more mild in flavor and more creamy.
Beverages
DD Ice Water
DW Coke - $2.29
ME Hot Tea, Press Pot - $5.95
Beverage $ 8.24
Food $ 135.00
Tax $ 9.32
Total $ 152.56
Service
The service here was superb! From the moment we arrived, until the moment we left, the feeling here was that the customer was important, and the image of the service provided by the restaurant was a high priority. Very classy service.
Atmosphere
While I say the service felt classy, I didn't think the restaurant felt very classy. I mean it was very nice, don't get me wrong, but.... the restaurant atmosphere felt the most casual of any of the other signature restaurants that are in the resorts. While you could have a romantic dinner here, it would be my last choice on the signature list for romance. It does however land on the top of the list for signature locations that I would take the family to. When we left the restaurant there was an orchestra/band playing in the balcony of the lobby.
Food
All the food was absolutely delicious. Large portions that are suitable for sharing on several of the selections. Great presentation.
Overall
A very well rounded restaurant. A very nice and memorable experience. I would suggest this location to just about anybody, with a reminder that it is a signature restaurant and it is on the expensive side. This would not be the first place we would choose to return to, but there is definitely nothing that would keep us away.
Great Food, Wonderful Service, Casual but elegant atmosphere.
My 13 year old would get a huge kick out of Prime Time and would enjoy the "misbehaving" but my 9 year old is horrified to have any attention brought to him.
I have eaten alone in the Tune-In Lounge and seated at a table. Depends on my mood. The food used to be a lot better, but I still find it acceptable. I am usually torn between the fried chicken, chicken pot pie or the meatloaf. I have an internal struggle to figure out which comfort food wins.
Good eye you have there... yes they are chips in the glass. I forgot to mention that. You would think that they would get rid of that. I guess the rest of the experience was good enough that it over-shadowed the chipped vase!
