Post by Bryant "MegaDisney" McVey on Jun 17, 2014 19:31:20 GMT
Day Three Part Two - Friday July 5, 2002
Starring:
Bryant AKA MegaDisney
Scott AKA ParadisePinocchio
Back to the Magic!
After a long hot day in the sun, we were both beat! We got back to the Hotel around 5:30. We couldn't decide what to do for dinner. I should preface the next part of my report by explaining that Scott and I have very different ideas of what "good" food is. Scott's idea of a good cheeseburger is the meat, cheese and bun. A good cheeseburger to me has avocado, sprouts, it can be made of a GardenBurger or soy meat substitute, the more and varied the toppings the better. Scott is very meat and potatoes; I am very food adventurous and will try anything at least once.
On the advice of Jane and Lori, I had wanted to try Yamabuki. After much discussion Scott agreed to indulge me, a decision I am sure he ended up regretting! We called and made a reservation for dinner, and both of us got showered and changed for dinner.
That's freaky lookin' thats what that is....
Upon arriving at the restaurant, we were seated almost immediately. The decor here is what you would expect a Japanese restaurant to look like, minimalist, clean, very subdued. I have had very little experience with Japanese cuisine, and Scott had absolutely none. The first thing that "shocked" Scott's sensibilities was the lack of silverware. The menu is very large, and I have to admit, even I was a little intimidated. Our server was very helpful, in explaining everything. Scott decided on the only thing on the menu that remotely appealed to him, the Zen Steak. I decided on the Sashimi combination which was a 5 course dinner.
First up was Miso Broth for both of us. This was very flavorful, and Scott even took a few tentative sips! I was impressed! Once he saw the Tofu in the bottom that was the end of the soup for him. I drank it with pleasure. MMMMMMM. Next up was a salad. This was basically iceberg lettuce with a carrot and ginger puree on top. It was a challenge for me to eat it with chop sticks, and Scott hardly touched his. My dinner then went on to the California Rolls (4). They were the most incredible rolls I have ever eaten. They were freshly made, and tasted wonderful. After the sushi, I was given a small selection of Tempura. 2 Tiger shrimp, sweet potato, eggplant, and green bean, Delicious! I especially liked the sweet potato. Scott watched me eat each of the courses with a slightly nauseated look on his face. I continually thanked him for indulging me, and reminded him that friends should occasionally indulge each other! That's what friends are for. Finally the main course. I was surprised that Scott could even stay at the table. My dish was a selection of freshly prepared sashimi (raw cuts of seafood/fish). I received 2 sweet shrimp, tuna, salmon, octopus, yellow fin, and one unidentifiable cut, all masterfully arranged in a bowl. I asked the waitress what the piece I couldn't identify was, but couldn't understand her, and didn't want to be rude by asking her to repeat it 5 times. It was crunchy and didn't have much flavor. Scott got a rather large, what looked like NY strip, which was neatly cut into strips. All of the meal was served up with steamed rice. I thoroughly enjoyed my entire dinner, aside from the fact that Scott had to suffer through. (Sorry Scott, thanks for being so cool!) I would definitely go to Yamabuki again; I will just have to find someone other than Scott to go with! (Are you listening Jane and Lori?)
After dinner we decided to head into Disneyland and see Believe and do a little shopping. On the walk through DtD, Scott decided to come up with new names for Yamabuki. I helped; here are a few of our best:
Yack-a-buki
Yuck-a-pukey
Yack-a-pukey
I really did like the restaurant, but it was fun to "make fun" of it along with Scott.
Downtown Disney -- Uptown Fun!
DtD was a zoo. I was really surprised by the amount of people that this area attracts. They had at least 3 live performances going on as we walked through. A "boy" band crossed with Blast!, a classic violinist, and a tribal drum "corps". This is by far the best of the WDW and DLR, "DtD".
The west coast version has so much more atmosphere, and "magic" than its east coast brother. We also noticed that there were several "zones" where the music changed as you went through. Cool!
We got to Disneyland just in time to see the fireworks beginning. Believe was as perfect as ever!
Breathe... 100..99...98..97...96...
Then we committed what I think is THE cardinal sin of a DL day. We decided to go to NOS to ride the Mansion, POTC, & Indy, just as Fantasmic was letting out. For those of you that were waiting for the part where Mega throws a tantrum, this is it. The crowd was UNBELEIVABLE. I have never been so pushed, stepped on, run over (both by strollers and wheelchairs), and nearly choked to death by second hand smoke. Entirely not the offenders fault (accept for the smoking) the crowd was just, unweilding. If you want to maintain your sanity while on a DLR vacation. I highly suggest that you avoid doing this at all costs.
The payoff was worth it though; we rode all three attractions with no wait, the perfect way to end a day at DLR.
We did a little shopping. I found the "perfect" Disneyland T-Shirt, Scott picked up a few things also.
We decided to call it a night.
We stopped at the Hearthstone Lounge and had a Lemon Drop MMMMMMMM! The only better one I have ever had was one that a bartender named Scott made for me! A quick nightcap at the Lost Bar, and we headed back to the room for some much needed rest!
Coming up: Fantastical Fabulous Fantasmic
Starring:
Bryant AKA MegaDisney
Scott AKA ParadisePinocchio
Back to the Magic!
After a long hot day in the sun, we were both beat! We got back to the Hotel around 5:30. We couldn't decide what to do for dinner. I should preface the next part of my report by explaining that Scott and I have very different ideas of what "good" food is. Scott's idea of a good cheeseburger is the meat, cheese and bun. A good cheeseburger to me has avocado, sprouts, it can be made of a GardenBurger or soy meat substitute, the more and varied the toppings the better. Scott is very meat and potatoes; I am very food adventurous and will try anything at least once.
On the advice of Jane and Lori, I had wanted to try Yamabuki. After much discussion Scott agreed to indulge me, a decision I am sure he ended up regretting! We called and made a reservation for dinner, and both of us got showered and changed for dinner.
That's freaky lookin' thats what that is....
Upon arriving at the restaurant, we were seated almost immediately. The decor here is what you would expect a Japanese restaurant to look like, minimalist, clean, very subdued. I have had very little experience with Japanese cuisine, and Scott had absolutely none. The first thing that "shocked" Scott's sensibilities was the lack of silverware. The menu is very large, and I have to admit, even I was a little intimidated. Our server was very helpful, in explaining everything. Scott decided on the only thing on the menu that remotely appealed to him, the Zen Steak. I decided on the Sashimi combination which was a 5 course dinner.
First up was Miso Broth for both of us. This was very flavorful, and Scott even took a few tentative sips! I was impressed! Once he saw the Tofu in the bottom that was the end of the soup for him. I drank it with pleasure. MMMMMMM. Next up was a salad. This was basically iceberg lettuce with a carrot and ginger puree on top. It was a challenge for me to eat it with chop sticks, and Scott hardly touched his. My dinner then went on to the California Rolls (4). They were the most incredible rolls I have ever eaten. They were freshly made, and tasted wonderful. After the sushi, I was given a small selection of Tempura. 2 Tiger shrimp, sweet potato, eggplant, and green bean, Delicious! I especially liked the sweet potato. Scott watched me eat each of the courses with a slightly nauseated look on his face. I continually thanked him for indulging me, and reminded him that friends should occasionally indulge each other! That's what friends are for. Finally the main course. I was surprised that Scott could even stay at the table. My dish was a selection of freshly prepared sashimi (raw cuts of seafood/fish). I received 2 sweet shrimp, tuna, salmon, octopus, yellow fin, and one unidentifiable cut, all masterfully arranged in a bowl. I asked the waitress what the piece I couldn't identify was, but couldn't understand her, and didn't want to be rude by asking her to repeat it 5 times. It was crunchy and didn't have much flavor. Scott got a rather large, what looked like NY strip, which was neatly cut into strips. All of the meal was served up with steamed rice. I thoroughly enjoyed my entire dinner, aside from the fact that Scott had to suffer through. (Sorry Scott, thanks for being so cool!) I would definitely go to Yamabuki again; I will just have to find someone other than Scott to go with! (Are you listening Jane and Lori?)
After dinner we decided to head into Disneyland and see Believe and do a little shopping. On the walk through DtD, Scott decided to come up with new names for Yamabuki. I helped; here are a few of our best:
Yack-a-buki
Yuck-a-pukey
Yack-a-pukey
I really did like the restaurant, but it was fun to "make fun" of it along with Scott.
Downtown Disney -- Uptown Fun!
DtD was a zoo. I was really surprised by the amount of people that this area attracts. They had at least 3 live performances going on as we walked through. A "boy" band crossed with Blast!, a classic violinist, and a tribal drum "corps". This is by far the best of the WDW and DLR, "DtD".
The west coast version has so much more atmosphere, and "magic" than its east coast brother. We also noticed that there were several "zones" where the music changed as you went through. Cool!
We got to Disneyland just in time to see the fireworks beginning. Believe was as perfect as ever!
Breathe... 100..99...98..97...96...
Then we committed what I think is THE cardinal sin of a DL day. We decided to go to NOS to ride the Mansion, POTC, & Indy, just as Fantasmic was letting out. For those of you that were waiting for the part where Mega throws a tantrum, this is it. The crowd was UNBELEIVABLE. I have never been so pushed, stepped on, run over (both by strollers and wheelchairs), and nearly choked to death by second hand smoke. Entirely not the offenders fault (accept for the smoking) the crowd was just, unweilding. If you want to maintain your sanity while on a DLR vacation. I highly suggest that you avoid doing this at all costs.
The payoff was worth it though; we rode all three attractions with no wait, the perfect way to end a day at DLR.
We did a little shopping. I found the "perfect" Disneyland T-Shirt, Scott picked up a few things also.
We decided to call it a night.
We stopped at the Hearthstone Lounge and had a Lemon Drop MMMMMMMM! The only better one I have ever had was one that a bartender named Scott made for me! A quick nightcap at the Lost Bar, and we headed back to the room for some much needed rest!
Coming up: Fantastical Fabulous Fantasmic
