Panasonic Academic Challenge - 2006

The 19th Panasonic Academic Challenge, Tom's 9th, is at the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World. This annual event is a competition among states and territories of the United States giving us yet another opportunity to enjoy the fine WDW cuisine.

Monday, June 12, 2006

The skies are overcast as tropical storm Alberto moves up the west coast. The teams that were not successful yesterday will now compete for a chance to stay alive and move to the semi-finals. I'm the Coordinating Judge for these two rounds. We finished at 1430, and with a drizzling rain we decided to go to EPCOT.

We took the double monorail over to EPCOT. We didn't take a lot of pictures as dreary weather makes for gray pictures. We went through Spaceship Earth, located inside the EPCOT ball.  The wait for Soarin' was posted as 95 minutes, so we didn't do that! We went to Universe of Energy and enjoyed the ride through the dinosaurs with Ellen DeGeneres and then walked out and did the rides at Mexico and Norway.  We were too late for the 1730 show at the American Adventure so we walked and boated over to Boardwalk to the Flying Fish.
This little bunny was munching on flowers in one of the EPCOT gardens. The painted topiary near China is almost real. These other Panda topiaries are very good. Near Italy is a topiary of the dwarves diamond mine. This Norwegian troll is a friendly guy.
Flying Fish was the setting for our dinner this evening and was one of the best WDW dining experiences we have had in many years.  We elected to sit at the chef's counter and this was as good a move as it has been at the California Grill and Jikos. It is the center of all the action. Menu Cheese Wine Saman was our server this evening and took very good care of us.
Larry, a bartender of 26 years, made excellent Manhattans.  I compared his to those made by Dennis, at the California Grill, and he noted that he and Dennis have been friends for years and started together, parking cars.

Paul, made my halibut. He works furiously at the gas stove, juggling pots, pans and various oils as he works his magic.

Lyd had a Tangueray martini ($8) and I enjoyed a Manhattan ($7.25), both made by Larry.
We each enjoyed the Roasted Mushroom Veloute with lump crab meat and sour cream ($9) and pronounced it better than the portobello mushroom soup at Artist Point
Tom's Choices Lyd's Choices
Crispy Fried Calamari with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce and shredded iceberg lettuce ($13) [This was considerably better than the comparable dish served at Narcoossee's] Florida Rock Shrimp "Buffalo Style" with Blue Cheese Cream and cucumber strips ($15)
Roasted Alaskan Halibut Filet with morel mushrooms, wild asparagus, fork crushed Yukon gold potatoes and white wine butter sauce. ($34) [This was listed as a limited special and was very good] Chardonnay Steamed Mussels fennel, pesto cream sauce, grilled sourdough ($13) [Lyd had these in April and was just as pleased this time as last]

Saman surprised us with a complimentary creme brulee ($0), which cemented our love with Flying Fish

The fireworks and boat parade at 2200 closed the evening