As has become our fall tradition, we will be staying at Disney's Polynesian Resort in Club Level. We have fallen head over heels with this resort and even when we aren't staying there we find ourselves visiting the Polynesian multiple times each trip. Plus, the Polynesian is very convenient in terms of proximity to the Wedding Pavilion! Yay!
One of the best reasons to visit the Polynesian Resort has to be the Kona Island Sushi Bar!
A few years ago, Disney started testing a "flex" concept. They would find ways to use one space in a variety of ways. The took the Kona Island Coffee Bar, an early morning quick service location located on the 2nd floor of the Great Ceremonial House, and added a sushi counter. The coffee bar operated between 7am and 12pm and then the sushi bar operated from 5pm to 10pm.
The test was a huge success and the Kona Island Sushi Bar has now become a permanent ficture. It is also our traditional arrival day dinner. We enjoy sitting at the slate sushi bar, but there is additional seating located along the windows with lovely views of the gardens below and the monorails zipping by.
I absolutely love the attention to detail! These floral arrangements are real flowers and must be replaced every other day as they always look fresh and perfect. You can see the window seating on the left side of this picture.Now, it wouldn't be a meal at the Kona Island Sushi Bar for my family without requesting the amazingly good Hawaiian bread with Macadamia Nut Butter that is served at the neighboring Kona Cafe.
This bread is outrageously good. It is soft, with the perfect blend of crunchy outside and elasticy soft inside. But the true star is the butter! Sweet cream butter with large chunks of roasted macadamia nuts and I believe a touch of honey for sweetness. We can inhale a loaf in about 5 minutes flat.While you can order any item off the Kona Cafe menu at the Kona Island Sushi Bar, we tend to stick with the main event - SUSHI!
Typically we share 3 or 4 rolls. That night we ordered:
Shrimp Tempura Roll - tender and sweet tempura shrimp, rolled in mame nori with mango and served with a lilikoi sauce (orange & guava I believe). YUM! This is a very sweet and crunchy roll, but the slight hints of citrus keep it from being over-sweet.California Luau Roll - a Hawaiian take on the California Roll, subbing pineapple for the traditional cucumber. The pineapple gives the dish a nice bright tartness while still accomplishing the crunchy texture that cucumber would provide.
We also ordered two of this little beauty:
Volcano Roll - this is Kona Island Sushi Bar's variation on a spicy tuna roll. The roll itself is wonderfully plump thick strips of deep red tuna, with a pickled vegetable combination to add acidity and brightness. It is then topped with a spicy shrimp salad and tempura crunch, spicy mayo and edible flowers. Isn't it stunning? Well, it is just as good as it looks!Last, but certainly not least, dessert. Not just any dessert, but the mother of all desserts!
Ohana's Pineapple Bread Pudding with Banana's Foster Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream!This is heaven on a plate! And as the name states, this dessert technically comes from Ohana, the family-style restaurant at the Polynesian. But *shhhhh* don't tell anyone ;) you can order this blissful bread pudding at Kona Cafe AND at the Kona Island Sushi Bar!
A sinful combination of sweet pineapple bread, crunchy exterior and meltingly soft custard-laced interior, paired with a rum caramel sauce and slivered bananas - this warm bread pudding is contrasted by the cold ice cream. I dare you not to gobble up the entire bowl in seconds.
If you are looking for a refreshing meal (with a decadent ending) in a lush and calming tropical setting then the Kona Island Sushi Bar is for you. It is definitely for us! Just 3 months until we return.
No comments:
Post a Comment