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We went to the fair this afternoon with Grandma and Grandad. Had a good time. Weather was perfect.
Lincoln, Grandma and I had corn dogs. That is my fair requirement... Love a good corn dog. Daddy and Grandad had sausages with onions and peppers.
Lincoln did the big slide and then he and I went on the ferris wheel. Lincoln also fed a bunch of the petting zoo critters and rode an elephant. An odd assortment of fun fair things!
Lincoln was selected as a Student of the Month for September. They only do the awards ceremony every other month, so he didn't get his certificate until today. Being at school is way different than pre-school. At pre-school everyone attends award ceremonies. At school only the kids receiving awards come to the presentation. Lincoln was not happy about that. He wanted to go back to class... I think he felt like he was missing more exciting stuff. Oh well.
After the awards they went on their Field Trip to West Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. Michael has those pictures so I'll have to post them later. Lincoln said he had a great time but his pumpkin that he selected and decorated got "lost". Evidently another teacher picked it up with her class and it hasn't been found yet. I'm hoping it will show up on Monday.
Seared scallop with lentils, pancetta, and spicy tomato creme (Glenn O'Brien, Olivia's, WDW) - we both enjoyed this one, good flavor
Chipotle tamarind laquered wild boar with emerald crystal ruby red corn salad (Larry Walker, Grand Floridian Banquets, WDW) - Michael liked this one, not sure I actually tried it based on Michael's opinion
Desserts were from:
Romanico's Chocolates
Master Chocolatier Julian Rose of Moonstruck Chocolates in Portland, Oregon
Tres Leches Cake (Kristine Farmer, Grand Floridian bakery, WDW)
Praline chocolate cream, dark ganache crunch and orange chocolate mousse with frangelico milk chocolate sauce (Mustapha Khetem, Hollywood Studios bakery, WDW) - this one was really good
There were also a couple of great cheese tables with various nuts and jams/jellies. I have no idea what I had but moat of it was fabulous... Just not a fan of goat cheese.
What did we drink all evening?
Chateau L'Hospitalet Reserve by Gerard Bertrand wines from France
Radeberger Pilsner from Germany
Miller Ranch Sauvignon Blanc and Estate Cabernet Sauvignon both by Silverado Vineyards from Napa, CA
NxNW Riesling by King Estate Winery from Oregon
Cuvee Riche and Rose by Chandon from Napa, CA
Inniskillin Vidal Ice Wine and Cabernet Franc Ice Wine from Canada
Remy Martin XO Excellence and Cointreau Noir from France
Penfolds St Henri Shiraz from Sourh Australia
Martini Sparkling Rose from Italy
Hoegaarden beer from Belgium
Cherry balsamic short ribs with tomato trahana and mizythra cheese (Dee Foundoukis, Kouzzina, WDW) - another one Michael enjoyed more than me I think. I believe texture was again an issue for me (strange, I know).
Smoked Berkshire pork meatloaf sandwich (Todd Winer, The Metropolitan Club, Boston) - the meatloaf and sauce was good, Didn't eat the bread (was already starting to feel full, a lot of very rich food)
Beef tataki nigiri (Yutaka Kude and Nabi Saiti, Teppan Edo, WDW) - I didn't try this one but I think Michael enjoyed it
Seared loin of rabbit with corn succotash (Lee Lucier, Robert Irvine's eat!, Hilton Head) - not my favorite, I'm sure Michael enjoyed it
Pan seared Mote sturgeon with saffron infused cedar creek clam broth (Artur Bukalo, Coral Reef, WDW) - YUCK (Michael wouldn't even let me try it he said it was so bad)
Party for the Senses is a huge cocktail party at EPCOT. There are over 25 dishes and over 60 drinks (wine, beer, liquor, etc.) to sample. All are included in the cost. Also included this year was entertainment by Cirque du Soleil - really cool and absolutely amazing talent.
First pictures include (hopefully they stay in order when posting):
Pork belly Marsala with apple brined pearl onion slaw and prosciutto Parmesan crisp (Josh Noid, Mama Melrose, WDW) - Michael liked this one more than me, I didn't like the texture.
Pan seared jumbo lump crab cake with cucumber and tomato salad and fulton's mustard sauce (Matthew Langdon, Fulton's Crab House, WDW) - this one was excellent but you should know by now if you've been reading along, I love a good crab cake.
Braised pork belly tacos with lunches and lime aioli (Paula Dasilva, 1500 Degrees, Miami) - this one was quite good, the pork was fried and the kimchee was not overly strong.
Pork tamales with sun dried tomato cream (Grady Spears, Grady's Restaurant, Texas) - really good pork in a little bite size cup
Corn encrusted red fish with an almond chive waffle, tomato butter and freeze dried vegetables (Andrew Larkin, Contemporary, WDW) - this one was OK but not spectacular, the freeze dried veggies were fun to eat
We packed up the room and got everything loaded in the truck before heading to Kouzzina for a quick breakfast. Michael had a skillet and I had a basic breakfast plate. Both were really good.
So we headed to Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge over 90 minutes early. It took almost that long to get there. Our morning bus successes obviously jinxed us for the evening. Between a driver that didn't seem to know how to buckle in a wheelchair to the very slow driver change at Pleasure Island (do they change every time because it seems line it to us)... I didn't think we would ever get there.
I forgot to take photos of our appetizers. Michael had wild boar and I had a chicken flat bread. For his entree, Michael had duck and I had a filet. They even let me get it with the Mac and cheese that is no longer on the menu. Awesome! Dessert was a coffee/chocolate mousse for Michael and an Amarula creme brûlée for me. We had some excelled South African red wines as well.
It took over an hour to get back to the hotel again mostly due to the driver change at Pleasure Island. We ended up getting off the bus at the Swan and walking back to the Boardwalk; typically faster than waiting on the bus to stop at Dolphin, Yacht and then Beach Club before getting to the Boardwalk.
We had breakfast at Boma in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. No pictures... It's a really good buffet with both American and African inspired dishes. Side note, we had very good luck with the buses and it did not take us long to get there (bus to Animal Kingdom park and then to the Lodge).
After breakfast we went to EPCOT. Took Michael to see Captain EO. It is an excellent display of 3D/4D (the floor moves, the wind blows, etc.) technologies but the film is really dated and almost childish. It was great to see Michael Jackson in his top singing and dancing form.
We wandered around the world for a few more snacks. I posted those pictures yesterday.
For lunch we went to the Rose and Crown. Started the meal like anyone in a pub should with beer and cider. Appetizer for me was a very nice apple/walnut/cranberry/blue cheese salad and Michael had a scotch egg. Michael had the bangers and mash and I had the fish and chips for our main courses. For dessert, Michael had a whisky creme brûlée and I had a almond tart. For those of you familiar with a batenburg cake... This tart tasted just like it. It was fabulous!
After lunch we went back to the hotel for a swim. The "tropical" weather never really impacted us. It sprinkled a tiny bit while we were in the pool and it rained heavily once or twice whole we were getting ready for dinner but that was all.
Artist Point is one of the excellent restaurants located in my favorite hotel, Wilderness Lodge.
We started the evening with wine and scotch in the Territory lounge and then moved to the restaurant when our table was ready.
Michael started with a "BLT"... Pork belly with heirloom tomatoes, etc. I had yet another very good crab cake (yes, that makes number 3 for the trip). We then moved on to a Prime Angus steaks for both of us. Artist Point and Victoria and Alberts are the only two locations on property that serve this high quality meat. It was tender and tasty... I had mashed potatoes and Michael had the 'regular' sides (fancy potatoes and veggies). We both had excelled wines with the meal although I don't have the names in front of me.
For dessert Michael had an extremely rich chocolate dessert and I had a very light vanilla one. Again, I do t have the names in front of me but if anyone really wants to know I can look them up.
Excellent meal. I love this place.
After dinner we took the boat to Magic Kingdom and walked up and down main Street to do some shopping and look at the Halloween decorations.
Another fabulous meal this afternoon. We had lunch at Via Napoli in Italy. Fried calamari that was lightly battered and very tender. Nice spicy sauce for dipping. We also had fried risotto. Not as good... But OK. We both had pizza... I had a four cheese white pizza and Michael had sausage and prosciutto. Dessert was pistachio gelatto and a fizzy vanilla ice cream soda.
