Dining Wars: Drinking's Edge - An August 2018 Dining Report - Updated 2/18: Completed

The scallops look divine, your balcony not so much, yikes! If you sat out there and looked straight ahead was it okay? I hope so!

Casey looks quite pleased with her 1/2 birthday treat, yum!
 
Wow the views from your room with the scaffolding is crazy. When I stayed there it was a little tiny Juliette balcony with a giant hornets nest on the roof, which they never did anything about. I feel like when they built this place they didn't think people would actually want balcony rooms.
It really is a weird set-up. I mean who wouldn't want a balcony? Plus even with the crazy balcony we did get there was a juliette one right above us and we felt like it was basically just on our balcony. Not a fan!

Your food at Flying Fish looked great, although the portion sizes look a little small. I have reservations there for our March trip, but I'm trying to decide if we should keep them or try the new Artist Point character dining instead. Everything you described here though sounds delicious and my parents ate there before the wedding and loved it so I might keep it.
The portions were definitely smaller than I am used to, but it is so good. I'd definitely do it if I were you, though I have zero interest in the character meal so I am not a good judge :P

. I mean do they not know this is dangerous, especially after a few cocktails?
Clearly they did not know who they had given this room too!

Love! I feel like we should all celebrate half brirdays more! And by celebrate I mean an excuse to eat cake!
I'm right there with you. Casey was born at 12:01 am so she missed being born on my half birthday by just a minute. So its very easy to remember when we need to celebrate hers and of course eat cake :-)

And here we go! To my earlier point!
Yup! Clearly they did not know what they were dealing with :-)

Oh why couldn’t you have posted the crab balls before my trip ;)
I take it you made that mortal mistake too? Not good at all.

That balcony is a bit of a fail with the view - it does look quite large though! I see why you like Boardwalk so much better.
It was large, but I didn't mention it was also covered in saw dust and all sorts of random construction debris so poor Beach Club really didn't even stand a chance.

Your meal looks lovely and I almost got that same wine but when my husband said no bottle - I just went with what was listed as the pairing and got wine by the glass.
You should try it sometime. I think this was our 3rd or 4th time having it there and it is always so good.

So, cute! Love the dress.
Thanks!

Oh man. Just keep looking the other way...
If only it was that easy. You really had to turn your head to see the nice view, but we were over the walkway to Epcot so it made for fun people watching.

Thanks goodness that is the split version! I was going to say, 2 scallops for both of you, yikes.
And luckily I was able to con Casey out of 1 of hers!

That wasn't your actual balcony right?
It was just to the left of our balcony in an area between 2 buildings. So not our balcony per se, but it took Jason all of 3 seconds to climb in there.

My balcony! Oh how I miss it. We bonded big time during Sean's and my September '17 trip. Of course I did not have the pleasure of a face full of scaffolding to deal with. What a bummer!

Oh yeah and Flying Fish looked yummy, especially that dessert!
I thought that was where your room was. I was hoping for that room or one near it for the view, but had no idea what I was in store for! You definitely had the better option.
Once again, you got me licking my screen :rotfl2:
I'll be sure to send some screen clearing wipes your way :P

The scallops look divine, your balcony not so much, yikes! If you sat out there and looked straight ahead was it okay? I hope so!

Casey looks quite pleased with her 1/2 birthday treat, yum!
No. This was the straight ahead view. But we did enjoy looking down and people watching.
[GALLERY=]IMG_6119.jpg [/GALLERY]
 
Not only is the food good, but I think this is the most beautiful restaurant in Disney World.
:lovestruc Special place in my heart for Flying Fish's beauty, too. Love it there!

This is a new take on the old school chocolate lava cake with Chocolate-Hazelnut Cake and Warm Ganache. The presentation is impeccable as our server pours the hot ganache on the cake and it folds into itself revealing a mousse like substance inside. And the taste was out of this world. Warm, rich, dense, but lightened by the hazelnut flavor, cookie crumbs and ice cream. It was amazing and we didn't even have to share it with Casey because....
This sounds so good - we will have to get this on our next visit.

Our great waiter was kind enough to bring Casey a "half birthday" ice cream.
I love that she's a whiz at getting "half birthday" treats. Truly iconic :)
 


Hmmm I guess that balcony is marginally better than no balcony....sigh...

The scallops looked good, I'm not usually a fan of scallops but if they are cooked well they can be pretty delish! I thought the pasta with shrimp looked good but more of an appetizer size! Good thing you had that awesome dessert!!
 
I was aware of your beautiful balcony view but seeing it again in all its scaffolding glory.......yeah, no. Count me as one who totally can't believe they put someone in there :sad2:

But at least your dinner was good! FF is one signature we've never been to but if Steve manages to join me for part of our EPIC trip in May we'll be trying it out with @Jenny Sanders and her DH :goodvibes
 
We walked by Flying Fish almost nightly, and I was always curious. Now, I wish I had replaced another "fish" with this.
 


I cannot wait for Jaleo! Casey looks adorable in her holiday dress! Flying Fish is consistently one of my favorites. I agree with you and am in love with the decor but know some miss the old Boardwalk theme. I’m pretty sure I’ve had that cucumber cocktail and if I remember correctly the menu advertised that the cucumbers were grown in The Land pavilion. Flying Fish used to do chef’s counter dinners and I wish desperately they’d bring those back. I actually preferred it to V&A— more casual and fewer courses.
 
Oh and you know I couldn't miss an opportunity to show you my girl from last night.

Adorable, and her dress is perfect ::yes::

After leaving MGM we finally got our room text and went to check out our new digs at the Beach Club. I had always wanted to stay here and was so excited. Until I saw this...

What?? Where's the balcony??

The front desk clerk told me she only had one balcony left which I promptly jumped all over. Jason and Casey met me there and we were met by this beautiful view.

Much better!

And then this one....

And the piece de resistance ....


Needless to say I was shocked to see they would even put someone in this room, but knowing it was the only balcony available we decided to suck it up.

Oh, no! That's awful >:( Did they offer you a discount? Or at least a pin that says "Under Construction?" Because you know that makes it all okay :P

Having a little bit left in us and it literally pouring outside we decided to stay for dessert and chose the Cocoa Breach.

This is a new take on the old school chocolate lava cake with Chocolate-Hazelnut Cake and Warm Ganache. The presentation is impeccable as our server pours the hot ganache on the cake and it folds into itself revealing a mousse like substance inside. And the taste was out of this world. Warm, rich, dense, but lightened by the hazelnut flavor, cookie crumbs and ice cream.

Yum!

Our great waiter was kind enough to bring Casey a "half birthday" ice cream.

Her day was made.

Such a great pic!

I stopped and picked up some wine in the Beach Club Marketplace and we enjoyed a relaxing evening on our "beautiful" balcony.

Tell me you didn't know that was gonna have to happen!

:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:
 
:lovestruc Special place in my heart for Flying Fish's beauty, too. Love it there!
Me too. It was our favorite Disney restaurant for a while. I haven't been as thrilled with the food post renovation, but the decor is a home run.

I love that she's a whiz at getting "half birthday" treats. Truly iconic :)
She's something. A cast member at MGM noticed it too but they just rolled their eyes at her. Thankfully this guy was willing to play along with her fun.

Hmmm I guess that balcony is marginally better than no balcony....sigh...
It was better despite the view as we like to sit outside and talk (and drink) once Casey goes to bed.

The scallops looked good, I'm not usually a fan of scallops but if they are cooked well they can be pretty delish! I thought the pasta with shrimp looked good but more of an appetizer size! Good thing you had that awesome dessert!!
These were perfect so I think you would have loved them. Though I've never met a scallop I didn't like.

I was aware of your beautiful balcony view but seeing it again in all its scaffolding glory.......yeah, no. Count me as one who totally can't believe they put someone in there :sad2:
Isn't it glorious. Don't you wish your Roy Disney suite came with this kind of view :-)

But at least your dinner was good! FF is one signature we've never been to but if Steve manages to join me for part of our EPIC trip in May we'll be trying it out with @Jenny Sanders and her DH :goodvibes
Cough cough - clears throat - you know I hear someone else who may like the restaurant is gonna be there too :P

We walked by Flying Fish almost nightly, and I was always curious. Now, I wish I had replaced another "fish" with this.
You certainly missed out on something good if you are a seafood lover. Though side note they didn't have a lot of cheese options on the menu :P

I cannot wait for Jaleo! Casey looks adorable in her holiday dress! Flying Fish is consistently one of my favorites. I agree with you and am in love with the decor but know some miss the old Boardwalk theme. I’m pretty sure I’ve had that cucumber cocktail and if I remember correctly the menu advertised that the cucumbers were grown in The Land pavilion. Flying Fish used to do chef’s counter dinners and I wish desperately they’d bring those back. I actually preferred it to V&A— more casual and fewer courses.
I don't miss the old theme at all, but I do miss some of the food. It's been great lately but hasn't ever wowed us post renovation. I think you are right on the cucumber drink. i found a gin one that had the land cucumber online in the menu, but not vodka for some reason. Likely just some iterations of the same thing.

I do remember the counter service. Jason and I did it once, back when I was preggo, so it was a while and we truly loved it. That may be why I don't think its quite as good these days :-)

Adorable, and her dress is perfect ::yes::
She says thank you :love:

Oh, no! That's awful :( Did they offer you a discount? Or at least a pin that says "Under Construction?" Because you know that makes it all okay :P
No, we didn't even say anything knowing it was our only option. Though in retrospect maybe I should have so we could get a pin :-)

Such a great pic!
She's quite the photogenic girl!
 
I would have been so pissed with that balcony!!!!! Is it even safe having the scaffold right there???

Your Flying Fish dinner looks amazing!!!!! So nice of your waiter to bring Casey the 1/2 birthday cake...I love how Disney does those kinds of little things!!!
 
Just stumbled across your trip report and am enjoying it immensely! We definitely have the same priorities in mind when at Disney
 
I would have been so pissed with that balcony!!!!! Is it even safe having the scaffold right there???

Your Flying Fish dinner looks amazing!!!!! So nice of your waiter to bring Casey the 1/2 birthday cake...I love how Disney does those kinds of little things!!!
I was definitely not a happy camper, but Jason even more so since he really didn't want to stay there. And no chance the scaffolding - or all the random nails we'd find on our balcony - were safe!

But at least dinner was good to officially welcome in 7 1/2 because as we all know its a critical time in a girls life.

Just stumbled across your trip report and am enjoying it immensely! We definitely have the same priorities in mind when at Disney
If you stumbled here and we have the same Disney priorities, then you have come to the right place :drinking1
 
Episode IX: Catch a Wave and We're Eating in the Middle of the Contemporary

On day five of our trip we decided to take it easy with a pool day, but first things first we needed FOOD!

I’m not a big breakfast eater, but Jason loves it and this was his one chance to get it this trip. Unfortunately though my husband is also the most indecisive person on the planet so after hymning and hawing for what seemed like forever I finally made the decision to go with a personal favorite: The Wave! Being the only adult and decision maker in our household can get quite exhausting :P

We uber’d over to the Contemporary and it wasn’t long before this beauty was in my hand.

I love, love, love (did I say love) what is affectionately known as a Bloody Kari in our household and this one did not disappoint. It was made with St. Augustine Florida Cane Vodka and Bloody Mary mix garnished with Chorizo, Cheddar, and Olives. This Bloody Kari had a salt and old bay rim which pleased this Chesapeake Bay girls crabby heart and the actual drink had a nice blend of heat and acid. It was so good I just had to have two to ensure quality and consistency.

As far as food goes The Wave has a pretty small buffet compared to most places which is a win in my book because I think the smallness lends itself to fresher food.

For my first plate I went with the Floridian eggs benedict and cheddar and bacon grits you see in the foreground and some berries, deviled egg, and smoked salmon in the back.

The benedict and grits are unquestionably my favorite things here. The eggs benedict had a perfectly cooked poached egg that pairs well with the slightly tart key lime hollandaise and the grits are chock full of cheese and bacon and what could be better than that? Unfortunately the deviled egg which had boursin cheese and prosciutto on top was a bit of a fail as the egg had been overcooked. The berries tasted like berries. The salmon tasted like salmon. And the snozzberries taste like snozzberries!

For my second plate I of course went back for more eggs benedict and grits, but added some sweet potato pancakes and biscuits and gravy to the mix for good measure.

The sweet potato pancakes were delicious, especially when paired with the pecan butter. It tasted just like sweet potato pie. And the biscuits and gravy were also good, but the gravy was in definite need of some salt.

For her breakfast Casey went with the very refined grapes, oatmeal with a cranberry compote, mickey waffle, bacon, a deviled egg, and sausage.

She didn’t care for the deviled egg either, but ate everything else right up. Including the syrup that she didn’t put on the waffle but just ate by itself.

#WhenInDisney

Jason went with most of the same things I did, but also got some made to order eggs which come with the buffet (note they will also make you fresh French toast as well). This was a nice addition and he enjoyed it very much.


This was a great breakfast stop at The Wave. I’m not usually much for buffets but the intimacy of the Wave, coupled with outstanding food, makes for a great meal. Plus it was just over $20 for the meal for us adults and I think $14 for Casey which is a great value. With our tables in wonderland card we saved $16 (aka Casey ate for free).

After breakfast Casey wanted to do some shopping (still don’t know where she got those genes from) so we walked around the Contemporary for a while.


Strangely we escaped without her buying the slippers or anything else (she contemplated purchases much more now that she, and not Aunt D, was footing the bill) and eventually uber’d back to the the Scaffolding – I mean Beach - Club and hit the pool.

For 5 minutes.


Yep 5 minutes. So fast I didn't even get a single picture. They shut it down as there was apparently lightening in the area. We waited for about an hour and they still hadn’t opened back up despite us seeing no actual traces of lightening so we decided to head to MK for the afternoon. Side note this became a reoccurring theme for us and the pool. Apparently The Wave was as close to water as we were getting.


Up next… Casey selects a very "quiet" dinner locale
 
And the snozzberries taste like snozzberries!

Love the Willie Wonka reference...

It was so good I just had to have two to ensure quality and consistency.

Well, DUH!!! The one at Brunch at the Top is awesome too, and I will be partaking in May...Care to join me???

Strangely we escaped without her buying the slippers

We actually bought these for Tim a while and back and he wears them ALL the time...
 
Being the only adult and decision maker in our household can get quite exhausting :P

Preaching to the choir on this one!

I love, love, love (did I say love) what is affectionately known as a Bloody Kari in our household and this one did not disappoint. It was made with St. Augustine Florida Cane Vodka and Bloody Mary mix garnished with Chorizo, Cheddar, and Olives. This Bloody Kari had a salt and old bay rim which pleased this Chesapeake Bay girls crabby heart and the actual drink had a nice blend of heat and acid. It was so good I just had to have two to ensure quality and consistency.

Mike will kill me if he finds out we were THIS close to those delicious Bloody's and didn't go here!

And the snozzberries taste like snozzberries!

That's the real name??:confused3

The sweet potato pancakes were delicious, especially when paired with the pecan butter. It tasted just like sweet potato pie.

Yummy!

For her breakfast Casey went with the very refined grapes, oatmeal with a cranberry compote, mickey waffle, bacon, a deviled egg, and sausage.

That's more what my plate would look like :P

eventually uber’d back to the the Scaffolding – I mean Beach - Club and hit the pool.

For 5 minutes.


Yep 5 minutes. So fast I didn't even get a single picture. They shut it down as there was apparently lightening in the area. We waited for about an hour and they still hadn’t opened back up despite us seeing no actual traces of lightening so we decided to head to MK for the afternoon. Side note this became a reoccurring theme for us and the pool. Apparently The Wave was as close to water as we were getting.

What?? Such a shame to be staying somewhere with that beautiful pool and not be able to use it. And to think, you put up with all that scaffolding for it!
 
I love breakfast, but Jason can easily skip it. We went to the Wave, too, but we didn't love it like you. The pancakes were delicious, though.
 
Man, you aren’t having any luck at the Beach Club! It sucks that if lighting is within 10 miles, they close it down but it’s scary stuff here in Florida as I have seen rogue lightning when the storm is far away.

Breakfast looks enjoyable! We never did the buffet there - just normal menu ordering when we had breakfast there before.
 

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