Tag Archives: Kona Island

Beverage Recon: Tambu Lounge PLUS Dining Recon: Kona Island!

Good morning, my friends!  I hope you’re having a great weekend!

When I compiled this post, it felt very appropriate to title the piece “Beverage Recon: Tambu Lounge plus Dining Recon: Kona Island”.  A long title, for sure, but, today, we’re going to see some of the best of both!

Situated on the 2nd Floor of the Great Ceremonial House of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, both of these establishments are huge fan favorites.  Oh, you know they are.

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Show of hands.  How many of you, out there, have enjoyed a Backscratcher at Tambu Lounge?  I thought so!  Do you know the recipe?  No?  OK.  Here it is!

  • 1/2 oz. Meyer’s Original Dark Rum
  • 1/2 oz. Bacardi Superior Rum
  • Passion Fruit Juice
  • Jack Daniel’s
  • Ice

You need to mix the rums in a glass with ice.  You fill most of the rest of the glass with passion fruit juice.  Leave some room at the very top.  Then, top the concoction with some Jack Daniel’s.

I’m not sure where you’ll find the actual backscratcher, but, hey!  The taste will be there!  Right?  Yum!

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Of course, that covered the beverage part of our afternoon … not to mention it provided me with a great backscratcher to take home!  Hmm.  Now, what about lunch?

Most of what you eat at Tambu (at lunchtime, at least), can be secured from the Polynesian’s Quick Service venue – Captain Cook’s.  I’ve published posts about that before – see?  Click the link.

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Photo Oct 16, 1 18 31 PM

Another option is to visit the Kona Island sushi counter.  Oddly, you have to wait for a server to come over from Kona Cafe’ to wait on you, but they do prepare your sushi at the island.

On this afternoon, Mrs. All in WDW and I shared some sashimi and two rolls.  It’s served “take-out style”, but that doesn’t matter.  It’s still delicious!

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Photo Oct 16, 1 35 35 PM

All in all, blending the best from both venues provided us with a great experience.  Tambu’s cocktail was very tasty and refreshing.  Kona’s sushi was outstanding!

If you’re looking to enjoy a fabulous Polynesian afternoon, we’d recommend this recipe of  Tambu plus Kona.  Of course, you have to be a fan of sushi, but, if you are, you can’t go wrong!

Skewered by ‘Ohana!

‘Ohana has done it again!

Five months ago, the Polynesian Resort’s “meat-fest” bested quite a cast of competitors to become the All in WDW Readers’ Favorite Buffet/Family Style Restaurant. Now, in our most controversial poll to date, it has been crowned “champion” one more time – our Favorite Monorail Loop Restaurant.

Is ‘Ohana the best restaurant in Walt Disney World?  I think most of us – the fans that participated in this week’s voting – would agree that …

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Tables on the Loop! – The Finale

One thing I admitted to when we started this “tourney” the day before yesterday is that this poll was a big “basket of fruit” – comparing apples to oranges to Georgia peaches. Or, more specifically, forcing us to choose between character meals, family-style “meat-fests”, and high-price signature restaurants.

However, from the outset, I felt that, from amongst that vast diversity of choices, there were several very strong contenders for the title. Outside of the four finalists, I thought that the fun and frivolity of Whispering Canyon Cafe … or the marquee appeal of Artist Point and Narcoossee’s had a chance.  But, I really thought that the popularity of Disney’s beloved characters would carry Chef Mickey’s into the finale.

For me, Kona Cafe is the shock. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I love their pan-Asian noodles, but I wasn’t expecting such a strong showing. I mean, you can barely find a seat at Chef Mickey’s.  You can walk up to Kona – pretty much any time – and get a table.

Having said that, the other three members of the Final Four come as no surprise. I think we’re all anxious to see California Grill reborn from the ashes, ‘Ohana is an overwhelming fan favorite, and, well, I’m glad to see Victoria & Albert’s make the last round. If it hadn’t, V&A fans far-and-wide might have torn All in WDW down in revolt!  Ha-ha.

This is all for fun, folks.  VOTE!  Which of these four establishments will become our Favorite Monorail Loop Restaurant?

Yes, the All in WDW family devoured this Cali Grill sushi feast!

Yes, the All in WDW family did devour this Cali Grill sushi feast. We can’t wait for the restaurant to re-open!

Tables on the Loop! – Round 2

Holy smokes! It was the “Great Victoria & Albert’s Controversy of 2013” over on Facebook yesterday! That took me a little by surprise.

While those of you who visit us from Reddit and Twitter were peacefully voting away, some of our good friends from within the “Lines (Touring Plans) group” on Facebook expressed astonishment that the Grand Floridian’s (and, dare I say WDW’s) flagship restaurant, Victoria & Albert’s, was struggling to keep up with Kona Cafe’s vote totals.

Like me, if you’ve been to Victoria & Albert’s, I’m sure you can understand their bewilderment.  It is undoubtedly one of (if not) the most-acclaimed dining experience on property.  But, like any other popularity contest, it isn’t always “the best” that wins.  It is the “favorite”.  Let’s face it, not every American Idol winner was that year’s best singer.  They were the most popular.

Having said that, Victoria & Albert’s lives to fight another day … er, another round.  They just barely held off The Wave to follow Kona Cafe into the Elite Eight!  For you Victoria & Albert’s fans out there … vote, vote, vote!  It’s the only way to push WDW’s prized jewel of cuisine into the finale!

Remember, folks, as we move on, the choices don’t get any more pleasant, and, more important, the groupings don’t get any easier to make.  This time, I paired them so that no restaurant competes against the same restaurant they faced in Round 1.  Please don’t “shoot the messenger”!  Ha-ha!

Vote, vote, vote!  It is Round 2!  The Top 2 from each group move forward to the final vote!

V&A