Behind the Scenes at Trader Sam's Grog Grotto, a review. - Other Events

S scottxwl Member Byfield, MA Joined: Feb 18, 2014 Posts: 36	S scottxwl Posted posted on Wed, Sep 21, 2016 12:58 PM I just got back from the Grotto's first day of their first offering to the Food and Wine Fesitval. tldr version: it would have been great if my expectations had been in line with reality. As it was, it was good but I left feeling underwhelmed. I'm a special case. The following experience almost certainly will not apply to you. I signed up for this two days before it went on sale to the general public, when Disney Visa card holders and DVC (or AP?) people could reserve a spot. At the time it was just a name: Behind the Scenes at Trader Sam's Grog Grotto. I signed up for e first day offered, and asked "is there any food at this event? I'm a vegan." They didn't know, but recommended I tell the host or hostess when I arrive. Last week, after abstaining from looking up any information about this event (I like to be surprised,) I had that conversation hanging over my head and decided to see if there was any more information. There was! "Prepare for Zombie encounters of the delicious kind during this idyllic tropical lunch! Escape to a Shangri-La filled with carved totems, shrunken heads, exotic cocktails and food fit for King Kamehameha himself. This entertaining dining event teaches attendees how to mix dark and light spirits into the specialty beverages made famous at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, an iconic Tiki-themed eatery that brings island fantasies to life! Each mouthwatering morsel promises to whisk Guests off to the balmy shores of Bali H’ai, where swaying palms and native cultures sing “come to me, come to me.” Hear all about the restaurant’s mystical history, sample tasty dishes that reflect the kitschy, colorful environment and receive a souvenir mug to commemorate the experience!" Oh, there WILL be food. I called the reservation line again and asked that they indicate that I was a vegan. None of this information was communicated to the venue before I showed up in line. I enthusiastically commend the chefs for rolling with this and providing me with four delicious courses of food, which they had not expected to provide. It is a testament to their skill and their commitment to providing the customer with the best possible experience. They have my thanks and my gratitude. The event was five courses, food paired with a drink: Shrunken Zombie Head with Portuguese sausage corn dog (this was a small Zombie served in one of their rum shot mugs) Passion fruit scallop ceviche with Hawaiian black salt, aioli and tomatillo purée paired with Krakatoa Punch Deconstructed shrimp and guacamole (oak grilled shrimp, avocado fritters and fresh salsa) paired with Kentucky Spiced Cocktail (a new drink) Marinated grilled lamb loin with roasted sweet potato purée and sautéed book chop topped with rum glaze paired with Fog Cutter (not in their cocktail menu) Shrunken head red velvet rum cake paired with HippopotoMai-Tai They explained how to make each drink before serving it. They demonstrated every effect the bar has to offer and went through (I believe) every joke in their repertoire. If you've been there for more than two hours, you've seen and heard it all before. But they delivered it with glee, and it was as infectious as always. There were tons of staff on hand so getting attention and having any question answered was easy The highlights for me were getting a fog cutter served in one of the new Hitchhiking Ghosts mugs. They would not say when they go on sale here. The bottom does say Grog Grotto on it, unlike the West Coast ones which say Enchanted Tiki Bar. So if you are an obsessive collector like me, you'll need one of each. Also, we got recipe cards with the ingredients of all the drinks we were served. One gripe: the Krakatoa Punch's recipe calls for "Sam's Gorilla Grog" and we all know how protective they are of that recipe. And we all walked out with a Zombie mug. (A normal one, nothing unique.) Things that left me wanting more (these are entirely based on my hopes/uninformed expectations:) I would have liked more of a hands on mixology class. I would have liked more "Behind the Scenes." Even if it was "here's the switch we press to make X effect happen," I would have felt like I saw something that most people don't. I applaud the staff for a great job. They were always at my elbow making sure everything was okay, but not obtrusively. They delivered all the scripted lines with joi de vivre. My heartiest thanks to the chefs for rolling wi my unexpected needs. I look forward to my next visit to the Grog Grotto and the joys within.

I just got back from the Grotto's first day of their first offering to the Food and Wine Fesitval. tldr version: it would have been great if my expectations had been in line with reality. As it was, it was good but I left feeling underwhelmed.

I'm a special case. The following experience almost certainly will not apply to you.

I signed up for this two days before it went on sale to the general public, when Disney Visa card holders and DVC (or AP?) people could reserve a spot. At the time it was just a name: Behind the Scenes at Trader Sam's Grog Grotto. I signed up for e first day offered, and asked "is there any food at this event? I'm a vegan." They didn't know, but recommended I tell the host or hostess when I arrive.

Last week, after abstaining from looking up any information about this event (I like to be surprised,) I had that conversation hanging over my head and decided to see if there was any more information. There was!

"Prepare for Zombie encounters of the delicious kind during this idyllic tropical lunch!
Escape to a Shangri-La filled with carved totems, shrunken heads, exotic cocktails and food fit for King Kamehameha himself. This entertaining dining event teaches attendees how to mix dark and light spirits into the specialty beverages made famous at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, an iconic Tiki-themed eatery that brings island fantasies to life!

Each mouthwatering morsel promises to whisk Guests off to the balmy shores of Bali H’ai, where swaying palms and native cultures sing “come to me, come to me.” Hear all about the restaurant’s mystical history, sample tasty dishes that reflect the kitschy, colorful environment and receive a souvenir mug to commemorate the experience!"

Oh, there WILL be food. I called the reservation line again and asked that they indicate that I was a vegan.

None of this information was communicated to the venue before I showed up in line. I enthusiastically commend the chefs for rolling with this and providing me with four delicious courses of food, which they had not expected to provide. It is a testament to their skill and their commitment to providing the customer with the best possible experience. They have my thanks and my gratitude.

The event was five courses, food paired with a drink:

Shrunken Zombie Head with Portuguese sausage corn dog (this was a small Zombie served in one of their rum shot mugs)
Passion fruit scallop ceviche with Hawaiian black salt, aioli and tomatillo purée paired with Krakatoa Punch
Deconstructed shrimp and guacamole (oak grilled shrimp, avocado fritters and fresh salsa) paired with Kentucky Spiced Cocktail (a new drink)
Marinated grilled lamb loin with roasted sweet potato purée and sautéed book chop topped with rum glaze paired with Fog Cutter (not in their cocktail menu)
Shrunken head red velvet rum cake paired with HippopotoMai-Tai

They explained how to make each drink before serving it. They demonstrated every effect the bar has to offer and went through (I believe) every joke in their repertoire. If you've been there for more than two hours, you've seen and heard it all before. But they delivered it with glee, and it was as infectious as always. There were tons of staff on hand so getting attention and having any question answered was easy

The highlights for me were getting a fog cutter served in one of the new Hitchhiking Ghosts mugs. They would not say when they go on sale here. The bottom does say Grog Grotto on it, unlike the West Coast ones which say Enchanted Tiki Bar. So if you are an obsessive collector like me, you'll need one of each. Also, we got recipe cards with the ingredients of all the drinks we were served. One gripe: the Krakatoa Punch's recipe calls for "Sam's Gorilla Grog" and we all know how protective they are of that recipe. And we all walked out with a Zombie mug. (A normal one, nothing unique.)

Things that left me wanting more (these are entirely based on my hopes/uninformed expectations:) I would have liked more of a hands on mixology class. I would have liked more "Behind the Scenes." Even if it was "here's the switch we press to make X effect happen," I would have felt like I saw something that most people don't.

I applaud the staff for a great job. They were always at my elbow making sure everything was okay, but not obtrusively. They delivered all the scripted lines with joi de vivre. My heartiest thanks to the chefs for rolling wi my unexpected needs. I look forward to my next visit to the Grog Grotto and the joys within.

Post #768861 by scottxwl on Wed, Sep 21, 2016 12:58 PM