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EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

Best Disney World Restaurants Not on the Disney Dining Plan

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As you know, Kim L. is our behind-the-scenes manager here at the Disney Food Blog, a Disney World Moms Panelist, and a blogger! You’ll begin to see her name more and more in that little author line! Learn more about her on our staff and contributors page! Here, she discusses her top choices for Disney World restaurants not on the Disney Dining Plan!UPDATE 4/2012: The restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin Resort are not yet on the Dining Plan, but the others — T-Rex, Rainforest Cafe, Portobello, Fulton’s, Paradiso 37, Wolfgang Puck Cafe The Dining Room, and House of Blues, should now be on the Dining Plan!

Lots of guests want to know the top restaurants when dining with the Disney Dining Plan, but since those restaurants seem to fill up more and more quickly these days, we’ve also been getting requests for recommendations on restaurants not included in the Dining Plan. Here are my picks for the best table service locations that do not participate in the DDP! 😉

Top 5 Restaurants Not on the Disney Dining Plan, for Adults

Portobello

For guests craving a casual meal with value, Portobello at Downtown Disney dishes out hearty Italian fare. Choose from a value dinner menu, wood-burning oven pizzas, signature sandwiches plus a meatball and beer bar!

AJ recommends the Bucatini!

House of Blues
Got late night munchies at Downtown Disney? House of Blues is open til 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights! The southern-inspired menu includes a large variety of sandwiches and seafood such as Creole Jambalaya. To soothe your soul, look for [Read more…]

Tables in Wonderland: Cairo Dinner Show Secrets Revealed

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There’s always mysteries surrounding Cairo and this Tables in Wonderland dinner show is no exception. However, we have a few more details to disclose regarding this upcoming event.

We now know that guests will be seated in the first 2-3 rows of the theater. During Act 1 of the show, popcorn and a specialty beverage will be served!

As the Director yells “cut!”, you’ll be invited on stage to take part in a dinner feast in the middle of the Cairo Bazaar street scene. During the meal, a DJ and belly dancer will provide entertainment. The feast concludes and the Director is ready to shoot Act II. Guests continue to watch Indiana Jones in the stunt spectacular finale!

click image for larger version

Click here to see the menu and registration details!

2011 Wine and Dine Weekend Events in Disney World

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Register now to participate in the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend events September 30 – October 1, 2011. Runners registered for the half marathon or half marathon relay will be able to eat and sip their way through select areas of the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival at a private party after the race.

The race will begin at the ESPN World of Sports Complex and travel through two Disney parks before heading to Epcot’s finish line. Along the way, you’ll enjoy on-course refreshments and Disney entertainment.

There’s lots of fun events over the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend! Click on the links for all the details on each race and event!

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon
This 13.1 mile race begins at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and winds through Disney parks to finish at Epcot. The Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon is run at night (hopefully it’ll be cooler!), and you’ll encounter plenty of entertainment along the course. Runners get to enjoy the Wine and Dine Half-Marathon Finish Line Party at Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival after the race. See below how your family can join you, too!

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Relay
Not ready to run the whole 13.1 miles on your own? Share it with a friend in the Wine and Dine Half Marathon Relay! Runner 1 will take on the first 4.8 miles and your relay partner will finish the last 8.3 miles. Medals will be rewarded to both runners, and then it’s off to the after-hours party inside Epcot.

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Finish Line Party
Cheer for your favorite runner, then hit the after-party at the finish line! This year’s party will be tougher to get into than last year’s, but tickets will be available. Details here.

Disney Family Fun Run 5K
The Disney Wine and Dine Family Fun Run 5K is for everyone — grownups and kids alike — including children in strollers! Race through Animal Kingdom park and don’t forget to get your photo taken with the characters along the way!

Disney Kids’ Races
Kids 8 and younger flock to these races. There’s even a race for crawlers! After the Disney Disney Wine and Dine Weekend Kids’ Races, kids are awarded medals and can enjoy after-race refreshments. These races are held at the ESPN Wild World of Sports Complex.

Run to Eat!! Are you running this year? Let us know in the comments below!

Dining in Disneyland: Carnation Cafe & And Interview With Chef Oscar

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Dining in Disneyland

columnist Heather Sievers brings us to a classic Main Street USA restaurant today!

Located on Main Street in Disneyland, the Carnation Café is a great little spot for a relaxing lunch. This table service restaurant features outdoor seating and a very simple, yet delicious menu.

Atmosphere…And a Visit With Chef Oscar
The décor of red and white umbrellas that shade the adorable chairs and tables reminds me of an old “soda fountain” type of place.  Casual and cute is how I’d describe it. I’ve dined at Carnation Café on several occasions, coming back again and again for their amazing Loaded Baked Potato Soup.

Today’s meal was to be a quick lunch, so we called Disney Dining ahead of time and made a reservation. This means we were able to bypass the long line, give our name, and have a seat. The perfect way to [Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: Breakfast Goodies!

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Thank you for including your pictures in the Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza! We’re getting hungry, how about you?!

The Disney Food Pics of the Week this week feature breakfast items. Fuel up before starting your Disney Day!

This grilled ham, egg and cheddar sandwich was savored at the Contempo Cafe in the Contemporary Resort.
Photographer: Morgan & Jeff Rooks

Contempo Cafe Grilled Ham, Egg, Cheddar Sandwich

At the Grand Floridian, the morning buffet at 1900 Park Fare includes these yummy selections!
Photographer: Kristen Kirk VanTassle

1900 Park Fare Breakfast

At the Plaza Inn in Disneyland, order this [Read more…]

New Menu Item: Appetizer Trio at Epcot’s Rose & Crown Restaurant

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So, we chatted a few weeks ago about a food trend that seems to be taking Disney World by storm — trios! And we’ve found another new menu trio over at the Rose & Crown Restaurant that we thought was pretty great — almost as good as the English Bulldog!!

While the Yorkshire Dales was definitely on the tip of my tongue to order, that appetizer trio is new on the menu since my last visit, and I couldn’t wait to try it. It included Rose & Crown’s delicious Potato & Leek Soup — a strong contender for my favorite soup on property, scotch eggs, and Beef Pasties. The trio comes “to share,” so there’s two of everything — perfect when you don’t want someone stealing any of your soup!!!

Rose & Crown Appetizer Trio

First, I dug into that delectable soup. That stuff is cream + butter + salt + cream + [Read more…]

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Offers Wine and Dine Half-Marathon Packages

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The beautiful Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek resort invites runners to escape to luxurious accommodations during the 2011 Disney Wine and Dine Marathon and 2012 WDW Marathon weekends.

Many of our team members are runners themselves, and we have created special programs and surprises that simply no other hotel is offering. Our feedback from runners at past Disney races has been phenomenal… and we want to share our resort (and passion for running!) with you, too.

Stay within the Walt Disney World resort and enjoy convenient transportation to the theme parks and Downtown Disney. There’s a pool with a lazy river, pool-side restaurant/bar and classy lounges to help you relax before or after the big race.

Registered participants (yes, proof is required!) will receive:

  • Fitness Welcome Amenity package
  • 20% off any spa treatment at Guerlain® spa
  • Pasta dinner at Harvest Bistro
  • Complimentary transportation to and from race venue
  • Complimentary, direct transportation to theme parks and Downtown Disney® Area

Tranquil pool setting

The Harvest Bistro known for their comfort food will serve a pasta dinner to make sure you get your carbs! No worries about getting to and from the race as the hotel will provide complimentary transportation.

To book your package, race on over here.

DIY Disney: Chocolate Lava Cake from California Grill

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Today, Chef Big Fat Panda’s DIY Disney Recipes column brings us a mouth-watering favorite from the Contemporary Resort’s California Grill. Take it away, Panda!

Ingredients

Hello! Chef BigFatPanda here!

Please forgive me for being away for so long. Life took hold of me and wouldn’t let go. I am sure you’ve been there. I am so delighted to bring you this new installment of decadent Chocolate Pleasure. The following is from Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s California Grill — Chocolate Lava Cake!

Let me share with you that this appears to be an easy straightforward recipe, but it was tougher than it looked. I try to choose recipes that are approachable and not very intimidating. While this is all those things, the effect of the “lava” is something that can [Read more…]

Snack Series: New Carrot Cake Cupcake at Wilderness Lodge

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I was pretty lucky to meet cast member Michael S. last month on my visit to Walt Disney World!

This week, Michael sent along an awesome find — a new carrot cake cupcake at Roaring Fork in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge!

Wilderness Lodge Carrot Cake Cupcake

Looks pretty great to me. Here’s Michael’s review:

The cupcake was absolutely amazing! The frosting was definitely the best part, so sweet and creamy. It reminded me very much of the carrot cake cookie that I often get at the Writer’s Stop at Hollywood Studios, only in cupcake form. I will also add that the carrot cake itself was very moist. Overall the cupcake was [Read more…]

Review: House of Blues Orlando

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Learn About:House of Blues
Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

Update: As we reported earlier, House of Blues in Orlando is now serving the new Crossroads Menu.

At long last, I finally made it over to the West Side of Disney World’s Downtown Disney to have my FIRST EVER meal at House of Blues! I can’t wait to hear your comments about this place!

Atmosphere

The House of Blues is all about atmosphere. Eating there is like being plunged into the middle of a museum. According to the official House of Blues website, here’s the backstory:

The House of Blues grew out of founder Isaac Tigrett’s love for the unique American art form known as the “the Blues,” Weaned on this music during his early childhood in Tennessee, one of Isaac’s goals was to introduce the world to the music of the rural south, including the Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Gospel, Jazz and Roots-abed Rock & Roll.

The Blues is translated throughout the restaurant — inside and out — via fascinating, and sometimes extremely powerful, artwork.

The “grounds” of the restaurant surround a huge porch, and are peppered with found-object sculptures, mosaics, and [Read more…]

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