out and about: grand californian craftsman mai tai addition

Had to hit up one of our favorite spots in all of disney for a a quick lunch during our last visit. And were thrilled to see some new changes amongst our old favorites.

grand mai tai: bacardi 8 yr aged rum, myers’s original dark rum, orange curaçao, orgeat (almond), lime juice
coke

I’m not exactly sure if the mai tai is a completely new menu offering, or just new to me. But I can’t remember seeing it on the menu before… but that is also because I might have been blinded by the watermelon - cucumber collins (so good!).

But this is my kinda mai tai. The traditional kind, before people started adding pineapple to them to make them seem more tropical. Which only really made them more sweet, and not as tasty in my opinion. And that’s not just because of my pineapple allergy. But, facts.

poke bowl: tossed in citrus ponzu with cucumber, edamame, avocado, crab salad, green onions, radicchio, pickled seaweed, furikake and spicy aïoli, choice of sushi grade ahi tuna or salmon and calrose rice or mixed greens

Me and 2 - 3 of the kiddos always get the poke bowl. And always with tuna. Been getting it for.ever. And have seen it through all kinds of iterations.

The crab salad addition has only been in the past few years. I love it. The kids not so much. (Which just means more for me)!

It’s also gone threw various portion sizes, some too big, some way too little. And currently, like baby bear, it’s just right. Not so much that you’ll be too full, and not so little that you leave starving or begging for more.

Which brings me to the fries. The fries are an off menu side; and always a great shareable.

The thing is, the fries used to be amazing. Perfectly crispy on the outside, without being tough, and soft and fluffy on the inside.

Then they went and changed them. And it was not a good look. They were shaped like potato wedges, but completely flat. But not a potato chip. There was some softness to the inside, but more chewy, if you can imagine that. Nobody was a fan.

Welp - I am here to report that they have changed the fries back. Thank you baby jesus. They have returned in all there former glory, and definitely not to be missed. Hallelujah. Praised be.