The Andy Can't Keep a Secret To Save His Life Memorial Day Disney Trip - Finally UPDATED 6/27 by Melissa and Andy! About This Page:

[ilovedisney247]

Have a good time! I want to hear all about dinner at Richards!

[mestitch]

Originally Posted by ilovedisney247

Have a good time! I want to hear all about dinner at Richards!

I wasn't going to post this here, but Andy's been on me to do it and since you asked
Dinner at Home was the most amazing meal I have ever had. Each course just got better and better (and when it starts off great.... you can only imagine).
They bring out biscuits first... biscuits that just crumble.. with creamy whipped butter and a jam that had spicy pepperjack bits to it. It was awesome!

We started with what Richard has on the menu as "snacks". We shared the deviled eggs topped with duck confit. Wow.....
Then we shared an appetizer of Chicken Fried Sweetbreads served over a sausage gravy topped with some green apple. Wow... now I know what sweetbreads are, but being a Bourdain fanatic I was curious... and I'm glad I tried. It was like eating a cinnamon bun. It just melted in your mouth.. and the sausage gravy was amazing.

For our entrees I had the crispy fried chicken with cauliflower macaroni and cheese served with a honey vinegar sauce that I dipped some chicken bites in. That sauce was verrrry spicy and sweet and good. I think Andy liked my plate better......

He had the Pork "Short Rib" which is actually pork belly (he made this on the show). It was served over collard greens and topped with local peaches. I loved his dish (we shoulda swapped). But don't get me wrong, we loved EVERYTHING!! The entrees are served with family style veggies... sauteed squash, ginger cooked carrots (which were verrry good... I don't even like cooked carrots), collard greens (which Andy said he though were cooked in that honey vinegar sauce I had) and aspargus with sundried tomatoes.

For dessert we shared the Moon Pie Coke Float cause it sounded like a Richard concoction. Everything was homemade. The moonpie was homemade, the ice cream I bet was homemade and the soda had to be b/c it didn't taste at all like coke, it was like the old fashion soda shop deal with syrup. FABULOUS!!!!!

It was seriously the best meal ever. When I watch and read Anthony Bourdain he asks people what their last meal would be... that would be mine. Too bad Atlanta is 4 1/2 hours from here or we'd go atleast once a month. (We'd be broke though....)

Now... on with the TR

[mestitch]

This bit of the TR is sans Andy cause he's busy at work....but he promised to add something when he has time...

After Club Cool we meandered back towards Mexico. We still had about 45 minutes until our ADR but we figured we'd try to check in early just to see. They were completely booked for the night but they took our name and gave us a buzzer. We requested a seat near/by the water and she said it would be a really long wait for that b/c they had 2 groups in front of us that requested that as well. I told her I just didn't want to be in the backity back of the place, that we'd like to be down on the level near the water if possible. So we were told about 30 minutes or so, so I decided it would be genius if we hopped on the Gran Fiesta Tour. There was NOBODY in line and we had 30 minutes. We did wonder if the buzzer would freak out though... we didn't know how far away we could go with it....

So the ride is going along great...and right smack in the middle of it our buzzer goes off Thirty minutes my foot. It had been like 5 I thought it was hilarious that it was buzzing but Andy was totally embarrassed which made me think it was even funnier
He sat on it until the end of the ride, where it went off again

We got off the ride and hot footed it over to the podium. We explained our stupid actions to them. They just laughed so it was all okay We had a nice table down in the part I wanted to be in

We ordered our food. I had the San Angel Margarita and the Nachos appetizer as my meal. I am very picky when it comes to Mexican food but I knew Andy really wanted to eat here and I did too b/c of the ambiance. Andy had the Mole Poblano which he really really liked. My nachos were FABULOUS I must say. And there was a lot of nacho on that plate. I couldn't finish it all. The Margarita San Angel Inn was absolutely fabulous. It was so smooth...no burn at all. Very very tasty

Before our food came out we did the last music reveal, which we already knew I had aced

But for technical reasons I had to still show it
Andy tallied up the score..

And with all the bonus points I ended up with 110 points in Andy math. (Andy must have been taking math lessons from Marky Mark from the UK - remember him from my Dec. TR with T & K??) I say that b/c I'm not really sure of the mathematical reasoning behind his score keeping

But I'll take it
You guys have kind of blown the prize thing up It was really simple and cute First off I got a copy of the Epcot World Showcase Mix on CD to always remember it.
And second, at some point Andy had bought me a pretty pink paper flower from one of the places in Mexico. On our honeymoon he bought me a pretty blue one and I still have it..... so I thought this was really sweet

During dinner we had devised a plan for the rest of the evening. We decided we'd walk around to the UK area to grab a spot for Illuminations. Then after the show we could walk out the back entrance to the Boardwalk and to the ESPN Club to watch the rest of game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

So that's what we did

On the way Andy pointed out those crazy clouds so of course I had to take a picture. We also spotted these duckies following us...

We had a couple give us FPs for MS when we were riding it earlier so we still had those and for some reason Andy thought it'd be hilarious to offer the ducks a FP. (And he was the one who wasn't drinking at dinner

I fussed at him for getting the ducks excited for nothing so I made him pull out the leftover of my lemon poundcake from the airport that morning... it was still in his backpack... and I gave the duckies a bite. I know you are not supposed to feed the ducks but I felt bad that Andy tempted them like that and didn't follow through....

I just gave them a bite apiece and then we got out of there before we ticked anybody off...

On the way to the UK it started to rain again a little bit...


We found a spot down by the water down next to the Rose and Crown (down the steps behind the Fish shop). The benches were all claimed but we decided we'd just stand back there. Well all of a sudden the bottom dropped out of the sky and it poured. It drove off a couple on the bench.... I say you leave...you grieve cause I'm taking your spot. So we had probably the best spot for Illuminations that we've ever had before. It rained for a few more minutes and we huddled under our umbrella. It let up about 15 minutes before the show started.

We took a nice wet, drowned rat self shot..


The lightening continued across the lagoon...

But the rain held off for the rest of the evening. I only took a few pictures...we were too busy enjoying our spot

I thought that shot of the back of the Rose and Crown was cool with the massive laser.

Once Illuminations was over we herded ourself out back and to the ESPN Club. The line to get to eat was freakishly long and we started to panic thinking we had to wait in that line to get in. But they had two separate lines. One for eating and one for the bar. We had to stand around for a few minutes but finally were able to stalk a spot to sit at the bar. We were beside a group of guys that had to be from NJ by their accent. They were HUGE Red Wings fans so they gave us the rundown of what had happened during the first period I swear, being in there was hilarious. We might as well have been at Joe Louis Arena. I would say 90% of the people in there either had on something Red Wings related or were screaming for them. Every few minutes "Let's go Red Wings Let's Go" would break out throughout the bar



It was late... as you can tell by my tired look. But we weren't leaving till the game was over....... And it was great... a great day.. we were at Disney again and our Red Wings won game one
I took a pic on the way out..


After the game we caught a cab back to the All Stars. Some drunk guy tried to cut in front of us (there were a good bit of people waiting for cabs). This taxi van comes up and drunk guy wanted to take it all by himself whereas there were like 6 of us waiting to go the All Star Sports. So we kind of pushed him to the side (we were there first anyway...) and shared a cab with these two guys and one of the guy's son.
When we got to the room Andy got all pissy b/c he had planned to have something delivered and it wasn't there... so he called and had it brought up. But when it came I realized why they hadn't brought it without us here...

It may look like a strange gift....but Andy's starting to take after me with creating a theme. We were staying at the All Star SPORTS and we had to watch the HOCKEY game so he had the bucket of beer, pretzels and mustard delivered I thought it was great

Coming up: The Animal Kingdom minus the animals

[materstater]

Awsome-where did he order the gift--it looks awsome. The whole coaster thing would totally happen to us...hey it makes since to ride it if you have to wait! I remember in 1997 waiting for the garden grill and that was the first place we ever saw those coaster pagers. We thought they were so cool (we are lame!)

[Colexis Mom]

Great update Melissa Glad you were able to be seated so quickly for dinner Love the pics! And what a great spot for IllumiNations! I admire your stamina More please

[joeandjenn]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Love the update!


I'm so hungry, now! Wonder why?


I think I'll be visiting a Mexican restaurant tonight for dinner!!!

[schpug03]

Awesome trip report. Glad you gave San Angel a good review. We've been debating about eating there. I think we'll keep our ADR's now. I love your trip report. What a fun long day!! I think your prize is so sweet. Andy seems very romantic! Can't wait to read more!

[kangelop]

I'm so glad you have posted an update!! Sounds like a great trip. Glad you scored the excellent Illuminations bench seat!!

[Luvsun]

What a very full but fun day you had!
That Andy sure is a sweetie - thinking of sending a gift to the room!
How cute - that Andy has his own math method!
Great update!

[Brit_Invader]

Originally Posted by mestitch

I wasn't going to post this here, but Andy's been on me to do it and since you asked
Dinner at Home was the most amazing meal I have ever had. Each course just got better and better (and when it starts off great.... you can only imagine).
They bring out biscuits first... biscuits that just crumble.. with creamy whipped butter and a jam that had spicy pepperjack bits to it. It was awesome!

We started with what Richard has on the menu as "snacks". We shared the deviled eggs topped with duck confit. Wow.....
Then we shared an appetizer of Chicken Fried Sweetbreads served over a sausage gravy topped with some green apple. Wow... now I know what sweetbreads are, but being a Bourdain fanatic I was curious... and I'm glad I tried. It was like eating a cinnamon bun. It just melted in your mouth.. and the sausage gravy was amazing.

For our entrees I had the crispy fried chicken with cauliflower macaroni and cheese served with a honey vinegar sauce that I dipped some chicken bites in. That sauce was verrrry spicy and sweet and good. I think Andy liked my plate better......

He had the Pork "Short Rib" which is actually pork belly (he made this on the show). It was served over collard greens and topped with local peaches. I loved his dish (we shoulda swapped). But don't get me wrong, we loved EVERYTHING!! The entrees are served with family style veggies... sauteed squash, ginger cooked carrots (which were verrry good... I don't even like cooked carrots), collard greens (which Andy said he though were cooked in that honey vinegar sauce I had) and aspargus with sundried tomatoes.

For dessert we shared the Moon Pie Coke Float cause it sounded like a Richard concoction. Everything was homemade. The moonpie was homemade, the ice cream I bet was homemade and the soda had to be b/c it didn't taste at all like coke, it was like the old fashion soda shop deal with syrup. FABULOUS!!!!!

It was seriously the best meal ever. When I watch and read Anthony Bourdain he asks people what their last meal would be... that would be mine. Too bad Atlanta is 4 1/2 hours from here or we'd go atleast once a month. (We'd be broke though....)

Now... on with the TR

The meal at Home (Richards "place) was MIND BLOWING. I've eaten at many a fine restaurants in my time but this meal was at another level entirely. I'm still thinking about it two days later. I don't know what to say.

[mestitch]

Dude, you were supposed to take time out of your busy day to comment on the Trip... not the meal....... We see where your brain is right now.. (although that meal was one worthy of daydreaming about)..

[Brit_Invader]

Originally Posted by mestitch

Dude, you were supposed to take time out of your busy day to comment on the Trip... not the meal....... We see where your brain is right now.. (although that meal was one worthy of daydreaming about)..

I didn't have to think about the food comment. TRs can be strenuous.

[amandal]

Yippie an update!! So exciting. That meal at Richards sounds absolutely fab!! And you are a Bourdain fanatic too??? I knew there was a reason I liked you Sounds like ya'll had a great day and you got to watch the Hockey game, too!! Keep the updates coming you two, you only have around 45 days til your next one!!!!

[lauren-roxy]

First of all, your meal at home sounds absolutely stupendous!!!!! Great update on your Disney trip!!! What a sweet prize!!!!

[mestitch]

Originally Posted by amandal

And you are a Bourdain fanatic too??? I knew there was a reason I liked you

Oh honey! I heart me some Anthony! I was a good Bourdain stalker a couple years ago He came to the Charlotte Shout Festival and spoke and we got to see him and I waited in line TWICE to meet him and then I kinda followed him and his crew out back and got a big Bourdain hug and kiss on the head

I keep that picture framed on my desk at work and 95% of the people I work with have asked me if that was my dad

That's too funny that you're a fan, too!! We'll definitely have a lot to chat about