Dapper Day, Part 2: Napa Rose Chef's Counter

While planning our mini-moon at the Grand Californian last year, a friend suggested having a fancy celebratory meal at the Napa Rose, specifically the Chef's Counter. The Chef's Counter consists of three different counters built in to the sides of the kitchen, facing in so that the diners are able to watch the chefs prepare food. Diners have the option of either ordering off of the normal dinner menu, or choosing a 5 course meal that the chef prepares for you after finding out any likes, dislikes, or allergies.

We had the most amazing meal of our lives when we did the Chef's Counter for our mini-moon, and knew that we had to include it in our anniversary trip. Two things to know about eating at the Chef's Counter:

1. It's expensive. Chef's Counter, food only, will run you $100 per person. Add drinks onto that and you're looking at a pretty hefty bill. It is also one of only two restaurants on property (Club 33 being the second) that does not offer an AP discount. That being said, it's worth every penny.
2. You have to make reservations in advance. This may seem obvious, but I'm saying it anyway. There are two seating times: 5:30pm and 8:30pm. Both seat 14 people. You can book up to 90 days in advance, unlike the normal 60 days for other Disneyland Resort restaurants. You book by directly calling the Napa Rose.

Now to the fun part, our meal. When Derek and I arrived to the restaurant, we were seated fairly quickly and just happened to end up in the same seats that we had last time in the middle counter in between the entree and dessert stations (In my opinion the perfect place in the kitchen because you can see everything)! We each ordered a drink: I had the Moscow Mule (delicious!) and Derek had a sidecar. We were incredibly lucky to have the executive chef, Andrew Sutton in the kitchen that night, and we enjoyed chatting with him periodically before  the meal. 

Chef Gloria talked to us about any allergies or dislikes and then the magnificent meal began! I won't try to describe every course since, as they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words", and we took pictures of EVERYTHING.

Derek's first course

My first course- Salmon

Scallop (my favorite Napa Rose treat)

Chefs Andrew and Gloria

Main course- Short Rib

Dessert!

While we got wonderful photos of the food, for the second year in a row we absolutely failed at getting a good picture of us. So here's a medicore one to show off my wonderful vintage dress and matching jacket that my mom and I found at an antique store a few years ago. It was my first time actually getting to wear the jacket!