Don't Stop - Disney part 2 UPATED 5/5 About This Page:

[KMB733]

That's a shame the Photopass guy didn't get the picture of Mark and Dale. That would have been a funny picture.

[debrabrown]

Awww.... Minnie looks sooooo cute!

I just love those darn chipmunks!!

Great positioning of you by the tree so you can see Eeyore.

I love the photopass pics of you guys with the balloons and baby Simba. You look like you really have the hang of the pretend it's in the picture thing!!

[Cam22]

Great AK PhotoPass pics! And the interaction with Chip and Dale looks like so much fun! Stefanie would have been in Chipmunk heaven!

[chezp]

Thursday 24 December – part seven: “I’m getting very hot....”

We walked back to the room and got changed into our swimming gear and then went out into the quiet pool. We timed it just right, as there was only a dad and his two kids in there and they stayed mainly near the steps, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves, which was lovely. It was still nice and warm, although I saw lots of people bundled up in jeans and sweatshirts, as we swam, which was quite entertaining. I don’t know why they found it so cold, as we were finding it lovely and warm.

After a quick swim, we went and sat in the hot tub for a few minutes and then headed back to the room. Once there, the most important thing was to get the washing on, which we did and then we both showered with me also having another Jacuzzi bath. I love this thing, have I told you that yet?!

About 6.00, we headed out and walked over to the BoardWalk, getting lots of photos on the way. It was a really nice evening out, the kind where you can usually walk around in short sleeves. It’s a nice Florida night. Whenever we occasionally get night like those at home in England, that’s what I always call them.



We checked into the Flying Fish Cafe and were asked if we wanted to sit at the chef’s counter and watch them work. As we hadn’t done this before, we agreed and were taken straight in. We were seated in a great position, or so we thought, where we could watch it all happening. Mark was even able to talk to one of the chefs, who told him that he had worked at the Flying Fish Cafe for three years and explained what he was cooking. From what we could see, it seemed to be a very well ordered kitchen with no sign of shouting from anyone.




For appetiser, I went for the herb and fennel pollen-roasted Maine lobster salad, which was a special for tonight and it was divine and the lobster was beautifully cooked.



Mark had the yellowfin tuna tartare and crispy tempura tuna-vegetable sushi roll. I was feeling a bit “sushied” out, so didn’t try any.



We both went for the chef’s thunder for our entrees, as they had a fish one, bird one and meat one. I went for the “surf and surf”, fennel pollen-lemon Myrtle dusted wild striped bass and fricassee of Belize shrimp, cape scallops and blue crab with wilted greens, fennel and winter squash. I could not fault mine at all, except to say that I narrowly missed finishing it off. It was ever so slightly too much for me.



Mark had the bird option, which was tian of truffle honey-glazed Muscovy duck breast with black trumpet mushroom crepe package, young bok choy and roasted heirloom striped Chiogga beets. Mark had the same issue, saying that his was pretty rich, but very nice.



For dessert, I went for the trio of house-made sorbet, but without the green apple, which I’m allergic to and instead going for just the raspberry and coconut ones, which were both lovely. Mark had another signature dish for tonight, the Florida key lime delice fantasie with key lime pineapple sorbet and chocolate accents.



I was desperately in need of the sorbet by this point. We had ordered half a bottle of very nice Riesling, which we quickly put away, then we each decided to get a cocktail, I went for the magical star, which was X-fusion organic mango and passion fruit liquor, Parrot Bay coconut rum, pineapple juice and a souvenir glow cube.

Mark had a caramelised pear martini, with Absolut pear vodka, pear nectar, apple juice and spiced simple syrup served with a cinnamon stick. His description of it? “It was like rocket fuel!” His face every time he sipped a bit was classic, so I had to get a photo of him after one such incident. He was determined to drink it, saying we had paid for it. Of course, I couldn’t try any of it, because of my allergy, so I can’t vouch for how strong it was.



Anyway, I tell you all this because about halfway through the meal, I said to Mark how hot I was. He just pointed at my glasses and said it was down to the cocktail and wine. I told him that I didn’t think so and he did put his hand by my seat and say that it seemed to be a bit hotter than his and would I like to move? I thought I could put up with it, but when I went to the restroom before dessert, I saw how red I was. I almost looked sunburnt, so when I got back to my seat, I told Mark that I would take him up on his offer and swap seats with him. My goodness, suddenly it was so much cooler and nicer. I guess that’s the only problem with sitting so close to where the chefs are cooking.

During the course of the meal, we got talking to a family who were sitting next to us. It turned out that, although they have lived in the States in Albany for the last six years, they were in the UK in Newcastle for many years before that. They were telling us all the things that they missed about the UK, some of which were not what we necessarily expected them to say. They were a really interesting family, especially as their son sounds like he’s a really good tennis player. They were saying that they plan on him going on the pro tour next year and, best of all, because he was born in the UK, he’ll be playing for the UK. We’ll have to watch out for him in future years to come.

Finally, a word about our server Mikhael. Although he had a thick accent, as he came from Argentina, and at times was a little hard to understand, he was lovely and really did look after us. He immediately won brownie points with me when he told me how lovely I looked. Well :thank: you! He really was a character and even posed for a couple of photos for us. He was full of life and energy and helped to make our meal even better.



We came out of there saying that we couldn’t believe what a bad time we had had here the first time we came for a meal back in 2002, considering how excellent our meals here have been since then. This firmly remains one of my favourite signature experiences, after our beloved California Grill, of course.

Flying Fish Cafe:

Appetiser 9½ 9½
Entree 9½ 9½
Dessert 8½ 9
Service 10 10
Atmosphere 9½ 10
Value for money 9½ 9½

Average score: 9.50

Next: we seem to have missed the meet....

[Wendyismyname]

Fantastic update!! I always knew you were one hot chick!! That proved it!

I'm glad you guys tried the FF again!

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you had a great meal at FFC! It looks delish! Great night pictures as well!

[lazanya]

Gret update! Great night time pictures!

[honeybee723]

Love the pictures of the Boardwalk. I've never been in Flying Fish and from the looks of it, it seems like a really nice place. May have to try that place out!

[PrincessSharon]

What a fabulous meal! Sorry it was a bit too hot for you, but at least you figured it out!

[goofysdtr]

One of these days I'm going to have to try the Flying Fish! Thanks for your review.

[islandgirl]

Great meal @ FF!! Also, the pictures are wonderful!!!

[disney_duke]

Whooo! I'm glad it was just the heat from the kitchen. I was afraid you were coming down with a fever! Dinner sounded delish! That's now on our list of new ones to try!

[Cam22]

Wonderful pictures of the Beach Club area at night! Your meal at Flying Fish looks divine! That is so neat to eat near the chef's, but I can imagine that are would be quite toasty!

[sc507]

Sadly, I'll always miss out on this restaurant - I'm allergic to shellfish and don't eat fish, so we stay away from seafood places! Your meals were presented so beautifully though, it made me almost want to try it

[WeRDisneyFanatics]

What a great time at FF! (except for being in the hot seat!)