On Friday, November 23, 2007, Jim, Sheila, Donna, Michele, Tony, Lane (10), Julia (7), Blake (4) and I ate lunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at Walt Disney World.  We checked in at the podium about 15 minutes early for our 12:20 pm reservation and were seated almost immediately.  I was not allowed to use my ECV at the table, but I was able to ride it to the table and then have Jim take it back out to the restaurant lobby and park it there while we ate.

Our server, Tangel, was absolutely excellent!  Blake, the 4-year-old, wanted the Captain Hook light-up clip which came with the Pirate’s Punch (raspberry lemonade served in a souvenir pirate cup with a glowing Tinker Bell or Captain Hook clip-on light — $6.49), but his parents said he would not like the raspberry lemonade.  He started to fidget until his sister Lane (10) offered to order that so he could have the light (she had ordered it on Wednesday when she chose the Tinker Bell light).  So Blake ended up getting the chocolate milk.  Tangel, however, covered all the bases and gave Lane the souvenir cup with Captain Hook and also brought an additional Captain Hook just for Blake.  He was so excited!

Jim and Tony both ordered the Reuben (corned beef, Swiss cheese, thousand island dressing and sauerkraut on rye bread and served with marinated cucumber salad or homemade chips for $9.99 — Jim had the chips; Tony had the salad).  I had recommended this sandwich based on reviews I had read and they both indicated that the other reviews were right on the money.  Sheila and Donna both had the Orange Glazed Salmon Salad on a bed of mixed greens tossed with smoked applewood bacon and herb vinaigrette ($13.99). They both also gave this dish a hearty two thumbs up!

Michele only ordered the tomato-basil soup ($5.79) knowing that the kids would probably not eat all of their meals.  Julia got the grilled salmon dish off  of the children’s menu ($6.49) , Blake the child’s cheeseburger with steak fries ($6.49) and Lane had the adult version of the cheeseburger and steak fries ($11.99).

Having had a difficult time deciding what to order, Tangel recommended the Grand Sandwich.  I took her recommendation and was very, very glad that I did (open-faced hot turkey, ham, bacon and tomato, with a rich Boursin cheese sauce and fried onion straws - $11.99).  The Boursin cheese sauce was similar to a Blue Cheese sauce and was very YUM, YUM!

Having left no room for dessert, we were ready for our check.  When bringing the damages, Tangel, bless her heart, brought us a tin container filled with 9 huge (about 4″ diameter) sugar and chocolate chip/peanut butter cookies because she said the kids had been so good.  Well, even though Disney adds an 18% gratuity for parties of 8 or more, I felt she deserved much more for her personal attention and rewarded her suitably.

Such a great meal in such a beautiful and elegant setting!  Definitely thumbs up and deserving of many return trips!

Nanci Wright, Trips The Wright Way, LLC