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Panasonic
Academic Challenge - 2007 |
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Thursday, June 21, 2007 |
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The 20th
Panasonic
Academic Challenge, Tom's 10th, was 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 with Kate and Sal. |
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Lyd and Tom departed
Jacksonville around noon for the drive down to Orlando and the WDW
Contemporary Resort. Lunch was at Sticky Fingers on Baymeadows Road. Tonight's dinner was
at the California Grill, the 1st of 3 visits to that fabulous venue this
trip. |
| Lunch was at
the Sticky Fingers on Baymeadows Rd, in Jacksonville |
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| Tom had the lunch special
of dry ribs, slaw and beans ($7.99) |
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Lyd had a chicken caesar
salad. ($6.99) |
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We drove in and out of tropical rain
squalls, common to a Florida summer. We passed through downtown Orlando
on I-4, never below 50 mph, which is most uncommon and pulled into the
Contemporary driveway at 1530. We moved into room 4607 on the 10th floor
overlooking Bay Lake, our favorite view. |
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The gateway to WDW |
This monorail goes between the
Transportation and Ticket Center and EPCOT |
The gateway to the Magic
Kingdom |
From our room, you can see the
EPCOT ball |
Nicole checked us in. |
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The pool looks like....well,
Mickey! |
The marina and boat docks. |
The old North Garden Wing is
gone with little visible construction... |
...but the buzzards still
oversee the project |
Timm brought our bags to the
room. |
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<<<
The California Grill
>>>
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| The California Grill,
situated on the top on the Contemporary Hotel is, easily,
our favorite eatery at Walt Disney World. Though it features
a fabulous view of the Seven Seas Lagoon, the Polynesian
Resort, Grand Floridian Resort and the Magic Kingdom, our
favored seating spot is the four-seat sushi counter with our
backs to the view. The empress of the sushi counter is
Yoshie Cabral. The Chef de Cuisine is Jens Dahlmann.
This is "home." Dinner was at 1800. Yoshie was at half-staff and really stressed, so I
decided to postpone my sushi order until tomorrow. |
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Menu|
Wine|
Cheese|
Dessert|
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Matt Paisley is an old friend.
With Yoshie short handed, he pitched in at the sushi counter |
Yoshie is the queen bee of
sushi |
Matt and Yoshie |
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| A part of the
CG dining room |
Soft shell
crabs have been fried and are ready for processing.
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Yoshie has
sliced seared tuna. |
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| Carol took care of us
tonight and did a fine job. |
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Tom's Choices |
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Tom started with
Chilled European White Asparagus with Smoked Salmon, Mâche
Lettuce, and Egg Vinaigrette (14) |
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Veal
Tenderloin with fresh Morel Mushrooms, Bouquet of Spring
Vegetables, and Potatoes Mousseline (36) |
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Lyd's Choices |
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Sauteed Hudson
Valley Foie Gras with Apricot Compote, Blackberry Balsamic, and
Micro Greens (16) |
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With her foie gras,
Lyd chose the the Royal Tokaji, Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos ’99
(11) over the Klein Constantia “Vin de
Constance”, South Africa ’99 (18)
With her entree, she selected the Sequoia Grove, Napa
Cabernet Savignon '03 (14.50) over the Lake Sonoma,
Alexander Valley Cabernet Savignon '03 (15.25) to save
money! |
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Oak-fired Filet
of Beef, Crushed Potatoes with Nueske's Bacon, Asparagus, and
Teriyaki Barbecue Sauce. (36) |
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| Honey
Crunch Cake with Chantilly Cream, Oven-roasted Golden
Pineapple, and Crunch Candy Crumble (10) |
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We were both exhausted
and slept through both the fireworks and the boat parade. |
