22nd Commissioner's Academic Challenge at Walt Disney World
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Travel Day
We left the house at noon, gassed up the car and went through the car wash (it's nicer driving with a clean car). We stopped at Don Pablo's for lunch as has been our habit when traveling to WDW.
Don Pablo's starts you with chips and salsa, which is quite good. For lunch, we ordered from the lunch menu and got the "Dos Tacos" lunch. That's two crispy beef tacos with refried beans, and Spanish rice. The tacos were good, though both the refried beans and the service earned low marks. I think we'll change our habit.
We arrived at the Contemporary Hotel around 1600 and checked in to room 4648, on the 10th floor overlooking the 7 seas lagoon and the Magic Kingdom. We prefer the Bay Lake side of the tower, but we don't get to choose, this trip.  Following a brief respite to settle in, we went to the 2nd floor to check in for the California Grill.
Although other Disney culinary experts will see this and may be offended, we proclaim, loudly, that the California Grill (CG) is our favorite restaurant at Walt Disney World. Under the direction of Chef de Cuisine Jens Dahlmann, this place offers the best of the best. We've heard the view (15th floor of the Contemporary Hotel) is outstanding, but we request and sit at the sushi counter which views the kitchen, so the view outside is of no consequence.
Our CG friends include Yoshie, Mattie, & Takashi; [none of whom were there] and (Chef de Cuisine) Jens, Ochi (from Hiroshima), and Crystal (from Dallas). (Crystal is going to email me and tell me what I ate!)

Lyd's Choices
We almost always start off with drinks. When Dennis is the bartender, it is a given. Mine is the 1st of two Manhattans ($7@) and Lyd enjoys her Vodka Martini ($7)
With her dinner, Lyd enjoyed a Conundrum, California '04 ($13.75) and, later, a Dutton Goldfield "Dutton Ranch," Russian River Valley '05 ($7).
California Asparagus Soup with Smoked Sea Scallops, and Meyer Lemon Crème Fraîche ($9).
Chilled Maine Lobster with California Blood Orange, Celery Root Salad, and Citrus Vinaigrette ($17)
Veal Tenderloin with fresh Morel Mushrooms, Bouquet of Spring Vegetables, and Potatoes Mousseline. ($36)

Tom's Choices
Sushi. (Crystal has promised to write back and tell me what I ate. Stay Tuned.) ($38)
Rest in Peace, Oh Great Feast!