Panasonic Academic Challenge - 2008

The 21st Panasonic 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.

Tuesday, 2008-06-10
Tom read questions in Round 5, the semi-finals, in Room "PQ".
For the finals, he's the announcer and electronic score keeper as he has been for several years.
Magic Kingdom
Following the competition, we decided to check out the revisions to the Haunted Mansion. The thunderstorms were fierce, but we managed not to get too wet.
The Walter E. Disney pulls into the Main Street station.
The express monorail arrives at the MK station.
Citricos
Citricos is on the 2nd floor of the Grand Floridian Hotel and specializes in Mediterranean cuisine. Phillip Ponticelli is the Chef de Cuisine. This is our 7th visit in the last three years.
Menu | Desserts

Jonathan was our server this evening

Lyd opened with a Tanqueray Martini(7.25) and Tom had a Maker's Mark Manhattan(8). With dinner we enjoyed a bottle of Fess Parker Pinot Noir 2006 Santa Barbara County(48).
Phillip presented each of us with a lovely appetizer of a zucchini wafer and a soft farmer's cheese made by Sous Chef Eddie Mendoza
Lyd selected Florida Rock Shrimp with Stracinati pasta, lemon, white wine, tomatoes and feta cheese(12).
Tom selected Salad of Romaine Lettuce with fresh hearts of palm, maytag blue cheese and late harvest Riesling Vinaigrette(8).
We had a meeting of the minds and each chose the Bone-In Rib eye with wood-roasted Spanish onions, fingerling potatoes, lemon rosemary butter and veal glacé(43@)
Lyd finished with Tiramisù chocolate and vanilla sauces(8)
Tom finished with the Lemon Cheesecake with fresh Raspberry sauce(8)
The orchestra in the Grand Floridian lobby was playing "All That Jazz" from Chicago.