Monday Blog

Monday we decided that it was Epcot day. We managed to get up early enough to get to France for breakfast. I had chocolate croissant. M had elephant ear. Both were buttery goodness. We walked around the world and went back to the science-y part of epcot. We went on the MOST AMAZING ride. You MUST do it when you go to WDW. MUST. Even if the line is 3 hours long. YOU MUST. It's called Soarin'.....it's a simulated handglide ride over California. You fly over mountains, water, orange groves, and of course, Disneyland. It is a wild ride....you hang suspended over the screen, feel the wind in your face, crazy stuff. DO IT. We had to leave Epcot because we had a VERY important reservation--Victoria & Albert's.

Back to the GF we went. The woman who sat us resembled Cloris Leechman. Her job was to sit people and occasionally walk around the room to make sure ladies weren't cold. If they were, she brought them shawls.

V&A has a prix fixe menu--you pay one price for the whole, set menu. 7 courses. Each course (except the amuse bouche) had 2 choices (or a choice that cost more...an "extra experience"). We decided to go all out and have the wine pairings with each course (thanks M!) Our menus were personalized with our names on them (and a custom menu for M that had no red meat). This was my treat to M for getting her thesis done. I will list the whole menu with a * next to what I had:

Amuse Bouche:
crepe w/salmon, other stuff (it's not listed on the menu)
wine: Heidsieck Monopole "Blue Top" Brut Champagne

2nd
Ohio Tomatoes and Costa Rican Hearts of Palm with Ahi Tuna

*Muscovy Duck with Tuscan Melon, Grains of Paradise and Minus Eight Vinegar
*wine: King Estate Pino Gris, Oregon 2005

Iranian Osetra CAviar with Traditional Garnish ($115.00/.5 oz)

3rd
Quail with Black Mission Fig Jam and Turnip Kraut

*Colorado Lamb with Wild Mushroom Ragout and South AfricanPorcini Mushroom Sauce
*wine: La Baronne Rouge "Montagne d'Alaric, Corbieres 2002 (OMG was this good)

Pan Roasted Foie Gras and Fuji Apple Tart with Mostarda di Cremona

4th
*Tempura Crab Stuffed Squash Blossom with Violette Moustarde
*wine: Chateu Sancerre, Loire, 2004

John Dory "Amandine" with Green and White Asparagus, Beurre Noisette

Seared Wild Turbot with Toasted Capers and Meyer Lemon

5th
*Kurobuta Pork Tenderloin and Belly with Florida Corn and Cipollini Onions
*wine: Perez Cruz Reserva Carmenere, Maipo Valley 2002

Minnesota Elk with Potato Gnocchi and Veal Sweetbreads

Duet of Prime Angus Beef and Short Ribs with Natural Jus

Seared Asutrailian "Kobe" Beef Tenderloin with Florida Shrimp and Artichoke Risotto ($25.00)

6th
Comte Saint Antoine, Fourme D'Ambert and Robiola Bosina (cheese course)
*Rum Raisin Gelato with Micro Garden Mint
*wine: Fairview La Beryl Blanc, South Africa 2004.

7th
Pyramid of TAnzanian Chocolate Mousse (M's choice)
Poached Pear with Cassis Mousse and SPiced Cake
*Hawaiian Kona Chocolate Souffle (with decaf)...so good but I couldn't finish it.
Caramelized Banana Gateau
Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee
Grand Marnier Souffle

Everything was fabulous and the service was really worth the money. At the end of the night they brought M a little cake (orange date nut...it was her celebration dinner), and gave us each a long-stemmed rose.

We both drank a LOT of wine. Too much. Some of us handled it better than others. We took the monorail back to the MK to get our bus to the hotel. Some of us sat on a park bench yelling obsenities about the president as children walked by. I KNOW the children didn't hear anything though. They were all sleepwalking by that time of night. We did manage to make it home, but what a fabulous night.

And to add, I did look pretty cute--black cocktail dress, mickey clips in my hair, smokey eyes, purple shawl (thanks M!)....our V&A experience was definitely the most memorable part of the vacation. SOOOOOO amazingly good and fun.

I would do it again.