Panasonic Academic Challenge - 2008

The 21stPanasonic Academic Challenge, Tom's 11th, 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.

Thursday, 2008-06-05

I dropped off Tonic at Atrium on the way to the office. I left the office at 1130 and went to JWJ. They dismissed at 1200, Lyd is finished with teaching,  and we were on the road. We had soup and salad at the Olive Garden ($25.30) at the Avenues Mall and then headed south. After an effortless drive we were in Room 4227, 6th floor, Seven Seas Lagoon side of the hotel.

Central Casting is known as the "Eyesore on I-4" The gateway to WDW The gateway to the Magic Kingdom Tom has two laptops and the concierge machine at his disposal. Sunset over the Magic Kingdom The monorail across the lagoon

We went to the 2nd floor at 1830 and they took us straight to the sushi counter at the California Grill. We were greeted warmly by Gary, from Honolulu, who has served us before. We had a round of drinks, which included the Conundrum reisling that Lyd enjoyed. She ordered soup, lobster salad and beef filet, but before the soup could appear, Jens, produced a corn relish chowder and cup of soup.  Yoshie made a tempura roll for Lyd (not on the bill), but I ate most of it. Lyd’s soup was a large amount and she pronounced herself full, and cancelled the lobster salad.  I had a Snake-in-the-grass roll and Lyd had some of her filet. A couple from Annapolis joined us and they were served, by Jens, the same starter, so Lyd doesn’t think we are imposing any more.

<<< California Grill >>> Menu | Wines | Dessert With soft shell crab in season, I enjoyed a Medusa roll (20). Jens, produced a corn relish chowder and cup of soup. Zellwood corn, locally produced, is in season and sweet! I had a Snake-in-the-grass roll (22) Lyd enjoyed the Zellwood Sweet Corn Bisque with Nueske's Applewood Smoked Bacon Foam (9) Yoshie made a tempura roll for Lyd (not on the bill), but I ate most of it. Lyd had two glasses of the Conundrum, 2006 Riesling (13.75@) And I had two Manhattans (7.25@) Yoshie works on the Medusa Roll and fixes easy-to-use chopsticks for Lyd. Lyd finished with the Oak-fired Filet of Beef with Tillamook Cheddar Grit Cake, Sautéed Asparagus, and Teriyaki Barbeque Sauce (38) Yoshie Cabral, sushi chef, and Jens Dahlmann, chef de cuisine

Dinner was a lovely experience, as it always is at the Californian Grill. Lyd went to bed and I enjoyed the fireworks.