* Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios -- this hotel is absolutely gorgeous with several small alleyways and piazzas to explore. It features several restaurants on the main piazza with a wine bar that we ate at one evening during sunset, breathtaking.
* Blue Man Group -- this production has very much the same content as their other shows, but a lot of the material has been tightened. It was the first time my parents and brother saw BMG and I always have a lot more fun when I bring new people to see their shows.
* Mythos Restaurant at Islands of Adventure -- I was drawn to a sign that said "Theme Park Insider's Best Theme Park Restaurant 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007" otherwise I would have missed it, but after looking at the menu on Monday my family decided to make reservations and give it a go on Tuesday. The restaurant has different executive chefs seasonally and August through September featured a "Celebration of Mushrooms" which was right up my alley. I had the wild mushroom soup appetizer, filet mignon with wild mushroom mashed potatoes, and "desert shots" of tiramisu and chocolate cake. OUTSTANDING all around.
* The Mummy Ride -- great combination dark ride/ roller coaster well conceived, executed, and (most importantly) lit.
I obviously had a great time at both parks, though Islands of Adventure needs the Harry Potter upgrade, nothing has been added since the park opened back in 1999. I hope they don't touch the Mythos Restaurant as its in the section of the park that will become Potterland since I've only just discovered it. The older park will do well to have its new Simpsons ride as the far end of the park is wanting as well. The other places we ate of note are the Thisty Fish Wine Bar at the Portofino, Margaritaville, and Pat O'Brians, very different from each other but all very enjoyable.
I also saw Jonathan Lester and the Boston Red Sox vs. the Tampa Bay Devil Rays last night and we won by the skin of our teeth but the lead on the Yankees is back up to 6. Tonight we go back and see Dice-K before I head home tomorrow morning.
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