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Commissioner's Academic Challenge - 2008 |
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April 10-12, 2008 |
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Saturday, April 5, 2008 |
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The 23rd Commissioner's
Academic Challenge, Tom's 12th, was at the Contemporary Resort at Walt
Disney World. This annual event is a competition among the school
districts of Florida and affords us another opportunity to enjoy the
fine WDW cuisine. To learn more about the tournament, click
here. We
secured the convention room rate and drove down to WDW on Saturday,
April 5, for a few days of frolic before the tournament. |
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Most likely, we'll have lunch at Sticky Finger at Bay Meadows on the way to WDW. Dinner will be at the California Grill. |
| Sticky
Fingers |
| We stopped at
Sticky Fingers, a nice rib joint at Baymeadows and 9A, still in
Jacksonville. Lyd has a Smokehouse Club Salad (7.99) and
a glass of Riesling (6.75). As the designated driver, I
had the dry-rib lunch special (7.99) and un-sweetened tea
(2.09) |
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| When we
turned from I-95 to I-4, the dark skies in the distance gave truth to
the stormy weather reports. We hit heavy rains from Lee Road right into
the park. But we arrived, without any real difficulty about 1630. We're
in room 4607, on the 10th floor, overlooking Bay Lake, out favorite
location |
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But, the
front entrance is always bright, even in the rain |
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Yoku
checked us in. |
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| The stormy
weather was obvious as we headed south-west on I-4. |
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As was the entrance to
the Magic Kingdom parking area. Parking is now $11, but you don't pay
that if your at a hotel. |
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The
replacement for the North Garden Wing is now fully involved. |
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<<<
California Grill
>>> |
Our first and favorite Disney eatery is the California Grill. Yoshie Cabral is the Sushi chef and is an artist.
We have been coming here, with some regularity, for several years. We are
always greeted like family, and always get a great dining experience.
wine list |
menu |
desserts |
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Yoshie had nine orders pending when we sat down.
video |
I had two of Dennis's Manhattans (7.25) and Lyd had a scotch and soda (6.50) |
Before my dinner arrived, I had some bread and infused olive oil. |
Lyd enjoyed Potato and Green Asparagus Soup with jumbo lump crabmeat and lemon crème frâiche(9.00) With this came the first of two glasses of Sequoia Grove Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon '04 (16.25). |
Lyd's main course was Oak-fired Filet of Beef with cheesy Orecchiette Pasta gratin, Sautéed Asparagus, Teriyaki Barbeque Sauce (38) |
Tom's main course was Yoshie's Deluxe Sushi Platter...Maki and Nigiri (24) |
We finished with Valrhone Chocolate Cake and Blood Orange Warm chocolate cake with molten
center, house-made orange ice cream and citrus fruit sauce (10) |
Ryan was our server. |
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| We were in bed by 2200, with the patio door open and to the
accompaniment of the fireworks and the electric boat parade. |
