Panasonic Academic Challenge - 2007

Sunday, June 24, 2007

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.

Tom spent the day in the 1st two rounds of competition as a Reader. Lyd and Kate experienced pedicures at the Grand Floridian Spa.  In the evening, Tom joined the group for dinner at Citricos.
Kate and Sal went to MGM to experience a Star Wars weekend. The saw Chewbacca and R2D2 from a distance but couldn't get close enough for pictures.

CITRICOS
Citricos occupies the 2nd floor of the Grand Floridian Hotel. Second in our ranking only behind the California Grill, Citricos offers a Medditeranean cuisine and is home to many of our culinary friends at WDW.

Beverages | Menu| Dessert

Beverages
Tom had two manhattans (7@) while Lyd, Sal and Kate split a bottle of BR Cohn Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma '04 (49)
Chef Eddie presented us with his marvelous creation of a crab ball as his offering for a starter. It was delicious!

Starters
Tom enjoyed the Salad of Romaine Lettuce with fresh hearts of palm, blue cheese, and late harvest Riesling vinaigrette (8) Kate had the Arancini crispy risotto with Italian Sausage, Quattro Fromaggi, and white truffle aioli. (8) Lyd and Sal split the Mediterranean Tastes with roasted garlic and white bean puree, picholene olive tapenade, buffalo mozzerella and prosciutto di parma served with grilled crostini (10) which Malek split into two servings.
Chef Eddie's pallet cleanser was a few slices of peach and a chunk of honeycomb, all dusted with raspberry powder.

Entrées
Tom chose the Berkshire Pork Two Ways with Creamy Polenta, Zellwood corn, Wilted Red Kale, Corn Crepe and Cilantro-Lime Drizzle (34) At Malek's insistence, Lyd enjoyed the Pan-Roasted Halibut with English Peas, Lemon Risotto, Crispy Westphalian Ham and Thyme Broth (31) Kate and Sal each selected the Citricos Filet Sicilian Oak-Grilled Filet of Beef with Roasted Spanish Onions, Crushed Potatoes with Quattro Formaggi and Veal Glacé (37)

Dessert

Tom and Sal split the Year of a Million Dreams Lemon Cheesecake with fresh Raspberry Sauce (8)

Malek split each dessert into two servings.

Lyd and Kate split the Tiramisu with Chocolate and Vanilla Sauces (8)
Kate and Malek. He has served us before and treats us like old friends and we appreciate him Chef Eddie and Lyd. Eddie spent a lot of time looking after us tonight and his talents are also appreciated.

We also met Carey Lapidus, a Guest Service manager.
After dinner, Kate and Sal enjoyed extended hours at the Magic Kingdom, enjoying the fireworks, Pirates of the Caribbean, Small World, and Mickey's Philharmagic, returning to the room at 0010. I captured the Boat Parade.