Two Seniors in Their Fifth Decade at WDW - Wed 2/16

[TomW]

We were up at 7 and out of the room at 0810, walking to the Magic Kingdom. We thought we could get as far as the train station before 0900, but that’s no longer how it’s done. We waited until the opening ceremonies and headed for the foot of the stairs up to the train platform. Mike and Andrea had come in on the other side of the entrance and we said our greetings. We elected to go up and take the train around the park. From there, we walked over to Liberty Square and had a couple of funnel cakes. From there we took in the Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan’s Wild Ride, Small World, Mickey’s Philharmagic, Tomorrow Land Transit. Lunch was at Liberty Tree Tavern. After lunch we hit Pirates of The Caribbean before heading over to the Frontierland train station to take the train back to the Main Street Station and from there back to our respective rooms for a rest. Mike and Andrea got a real good Florida Resident deal at All Star Music.
We met at 1800 outside the Flying Fish on the Boardwalk. After the hostess seated us, Sous Chef Anthony, an old friend, instantly appeared. We introduced him to Mike and Andrea and he started grilling them about allergies, of which Andrea has a few. We started with drinks. Andrea ordered a Pumpkin Spice Martini (8.50) which she enjoyed. Lyd had two glasses of Laurenz Singing Gruner Veltliner, Austria ’08 (11@). Tom had a pair of Maker’s Mark Manhattans (9.25@) and Mike had a Michelob Ultra 16oz (6.50). Tom had an order of the Crispy Sesame and Togarishi-scented Calamari (15). John, the Food and Beverage Director for the Boardwalk Resort stopped by to introduce himself and Keith, The Area Manager and his assistant, Amy, stopped by to see to our needs. With Chef Anthony’s assistance, Andrea selected the Signature “Potato-wrapped Red Snapper” (36). To compensate for her allergies, Anthony made a special sauce for her. Lyd and Tom both selected the Chef Special Thunder Pan-seared Florida Space Coast Golden Tilefish with Florida Rock Shrimp, Sardinian Fregola Pasta Pearls, Roasted Fennel, eggplant (Lyd’s favorite) and West Florida Grape Tomatoes with a Meyer Lemon Drizzle (37). Cast members rolled their eyes when Mike ordered the Char-crusted Certified Black Angus New York Strip steak with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, root vegetables, field beans and tiny onions with a classic sauce Foyot (42). The ordering of a steak at Flying Fish, a seafood spot, is a little unusual, but when he ordered it well done….well! Before dinner appeared, Anthony started us with an amuse bouche of a sort of poached egg custard. [When he reads this, he’ll correct my bad memory of this dish.] Following the excellent dinner, Chris, our server, brought the dessert menus…..and just as quickly withdrew them. It seemed Anthony had other plans. He presented us with a platter consisting of: 1) The Chef’s No Sugar Added Specialty” of Walnut-crusted Orange-scented Cheesecake with kiln-dried black currant, fresh cranberry and apple compote, with Citrus Anglaise and house-made Crème Fraiche [Tom and Mike, diabetics, split that one]; 2) Fall Crop Golden Apple, Pecan and “Blondie” Tart with Toffee Ice Cream, Apple Cider Syrup, and an Apple Tuile; 3) Caramelized Banana Napolean with Phylo, Banana Mousse, Crème Caramel, Exotic Fruit Coulis and Bitter Chocolate; and 4) Florida Tequila-Key Lime “Margarita Pie” of Bruleed Meringue, strawberry and Key Lime Sauces. Had this four-dessert feast been on the bill, it would have been $32.
On a personal note, Chef Anthony confirmed the information I had from my confidential sources; he is leaving Flying Fish. Disney fans need not be concerned. He is going over to the Grand Floridian as a Sous Chef in the 1st floor cafes. His friendly nature and enormous personality will be a welcome addition to the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa at Walt Disney World though a loss to the Flying Fish Café.
Mike and Andrea elected to stroll the Boardwalk, so we said our goodbyes and headed back to BLT. The first bus to make an appearance at the Boardwalk was a bus to Downtown Disney. We took it, but that turned out to be a less than satisfactory choice. We took the “long” drive to Downtown and changed busses, but the bus ride back to the Contemporary was tortuous. I’m used to Disney busses playing Disney music and we enjoy it. Tonight’s bus driver played what I can only call “Clarinet Practice.” It was awful! We arrived at BLT just shy of 2130. The Wishes fireworks were long since completed. We went upstairs and Lyd promptly retired while I worked on journal entries.

[MKJo]

You did well to fit in so many rides at MK that morning

I'd love to try Flying Fish just for the desserts

[wdwgrandma]

Wow, what a marvelous experience!

[AlecK]

Another great report thanks Tom. :) I love FF - we have already booked for our Easter Trip