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Category: Grand Floridian Resort

Guest Review: Gasparilla Grill and Games at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

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Learn About:Gasparilla Island Grill
Grand Floridian
Disney World Restaurants

Editor’s Note: The lobster mac and cheese is no longer offered at Gasparilla Island Grill.

Thanks to Chantel B. for sending along these great photos and mini-reviews from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort’s Gasparilla Grill and Games!

Gasparilla Grill and Games overlooks the marina at Disney’s Grand Floridian. Open 24-hours (!!!), this quick-service restaurant makes a great late night stop when leaving the Magic Kingdom. Dinner items are served until 11:30 p.m., then late night snacks are available overnight.

Dining indoors can be a bit noisy since this space also functions as the arcade. For a view of Cinderella’s Castle (and a quieter atmosphere) in the distance, dine at an outdoor table.

View from Gasparilla Grill

You can check out our full review with more atmosphere pics here! But let’s take a look at Chantel’s reviews of some very popular Gasparilla dishes…

Lobster Macaroni & Cheese

If you’re not staying at the Grand Floridian, this dish is worth a trip to the resort! The Lobster meat was small, not chunked. And the gruyere cheese blend had a nice creamy texture.

Lobster Mac and Cheese

Chicken Sandwich plus Mozzarella & Tomato Salad

Served on a wheat bun, this sandwich had a nice flavor (obviously marinated) and not dry! The salad was [Read more…]

News! Disney Chef Scott Hunnel Named James Beard Award Semi-Finalist; Wolfgang Puck To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

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Each year the James Beard Foundation spotlights the best food and beverage professionals by bestowing the Beard Awards — considered one of the highest culinary honors in North America!

The semifinalists in the 2012 Restaurant and Chef categories have been announced, and we’re thrilled to see two Disney chefs on the list! In addition, several Orlando-area chefs were also named. The finalists will be announced on March 19, 2012, in Las Vegas. And we’ll be cheering on our faves when the winners are announced on May 7th in New York City!

Best Chef – South, Semi-Finalists

Scott Hunnel, Victoria & Albert’s Restaurant

Congratulations to award-winning chef, Scott Hunnel of Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa! Under Hunnel’s innovative leadership, Victoria and Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort has won many prestigious local, national, and international nods.

This exclusive restaurant has also won nine consecutive AAA Five Diamond Awards and twenty consecutive Mobil Travel Guide Four Star Awards.

Chef Scott Hunnel

James and Julie Petrakis, The Ravenous Pig
The Ravenous Pig is located in Winter Park, FL, very close to Orlando and Walt Disney World. Stop in for “an American gastropub experience” — casual dining with [Read more…]

Best Disney Soups

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We threw out an inquiry asking for favorite Disney soups and got back a crockful of great ideas! Soups are satisfying meals and hearty snacks and can really warm you up on a chilly park day. Disney’s been working overtime creating memorable ones!

The Best Disney Soups

Thanks to our DFB readers and Facebook Friends for sharing their soup suggestions via the Disney Food Blog Facebook page!

Gorgonzola Onion Soup with Pear and Bacon Garnish at Grand Floridian Cafe

The hands down favorite soup mentioned was the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup at Epcot’s Le Cellier. Honorable mentions go to the soup selection at Boma and the French Onion Soup at Les Chefs de France.

Let’s take a look at the winners, then drool over the runners-up and a few of my own new favorites!

Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup

Made with Moosehead beer and bacon, the Canadian Cheddar Cheese soup is one of the reasons you should secure a coveted reservation at Le Cellier!

Sooth your soup craving and try the Cheddar Cheese Soup recipe at home.

Cheddar Cheese Soup at Le Cellier Steakhouse

Kathy B. exclaims “It is the BOMB!!!”

Margaret C. even has a cost-saving tip. She suggests [Read more…]

Guest Review: Grand Floridian’s Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Lounge

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We’re welcoming back guest author Melissa Sue as she shares a review of the Grand Floridian’s afternoon tea!

My husband, Rob, and I headed to the Grand Floridian for an afternoon tea experience in December.

Grand Floridian

Atmosphere

After hopping off the monorail we found the waiting area for the Garden View Lounge, which is located on the bottom floor of the Main Building lobby. The waiting area is extremely charming — though too small — and has Beauty and the Beast characters Chip and Mrs. Potts inlaid into the tile floor. How cute!

Mrs. Potts is the perfect Disney touch outside the tea room!

This Chip won’t blow bubbles in your tea!

The check-in podium was easy to locate and well-appointed. Unfortunately, there were only two seats in the waiting area, so we were mostly standing while we waited.

The check-in podium, on the south east side of the Main Building at Grand Floridian.

And, boy, did we wait. I should preface this by saying that the Tea Room was obviously either overbooked or understaffed the day of our tea. Our party of two waited for [Read more…]

Walt Disney World New Year’s Eve Dining and Special Events

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Ringing in New Year 2012 from Walt Disney World? It’s going to be a memorable night! Call 407-WDW-DINE for holiday dining information and reservations! Here are some of your options for dining on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day:

Disney Resorts and Event Spaces

Boardwalk

Atlantic Dance Hall
Dance into the New Year at Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk
8 p.m. to 2 a.m., ages 21 and up.

Video DJ Tony Zapulla will play hits on the main dance floor. Beverages will be for sale from three different bars. There will be limited viewing of Epcot’s fireworks.

$37 (gratuity not included) for access to the main floor of the Dance Hall.
$80 for a VIP ticket that allows guests entrance to a private 2nd floor area with guaranteed seating and access to a private upstairs balcony for “limited” viewing of the fireworks. In addition, you’ll be able to indulge at a Dessert Station and private VIP bar. Cocktail service will also be offered.

Dress Attire: Business Casual or Formal

Parking:
Parking passes for the self parking lot will be given with advance purchases. Parking not guaranteed to be available for same day purchase.
Contemporary Resort
Chef Mickey’s (New Year’s Day brunch)
California Grill will host an evening of elegance!
$550 per person.

View of Castle from our California Grill Table

Entertainment will include casino-style games, live music and Disney characters. Enjooy food stations and beverages while watching [Read more…]

Voting Now Open for 2011 DFB Choice Awards!

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The nominations are in, and now it’s time to vote!

These nominations were pulled directly from the responses received in our Disney Food Blog reader survey last week! Click on the “Click Here to Vote!” text below to cast YOUR votes!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Voting closes December 28th and winners will be announced December 31st!

1. Best Disney World Signature Table Service Restaurant

California Grill
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Jiko — The Cooking Place
Flying Fish Cafe
Citricos
Narcoossee’s
Victoria and Albert’s
Le Cellier Steakhouse (dinner)

2. Best Disney World Non-Signature Table Service Restaurant [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: December 18, 2011

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Try a Red and Green Twist Cone at Storybook Treats in the Magic Kingdom!

The holiday season is in full swing! I hope you’re checking things off of your list and maybe even getting some time for a sip of egg nog! Don’t forget to check out our “Holidays in Disney” page full of great tips, treats, and dining events and options for you if you’re visiting Disneyland or Disney World this holiday season!

We’re just back from Walt Disney World and will be showering you with even more news, updates, and yummy treats over the next few weeks. We’ve even got some fun updates from Disneyland! By the way, while we were in Disney World, we got the chance to celebrate 15 years of great Disney info with AllEars.net, and to have a blast with the WDW Today Podcast at their reunion! Congrats all!

In the meantime, sit back, relax, and get caught up on this week’s Disney food news and a few of the great articles out there about our favorite subject!

A Stocking Full of Disney Food News

  • We encountered so much Disney food news while we were in Disney World that we had to do a whole post about it! Click here for a myriad of Disney food news and updates. Fun stuff!
  • Nominate your favorite Disney restaurants in our 2011 DFB Choice Awards! Once nominations are in, voting begins next week!
  • Highlighting the 2011 Walt Disney World Resort Gingerbread holiday displays, these Disney gingerbread pins are a great souvenir or gift!
  • Storybook Treats in the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland introduced (officially) the Hot Fudge Cookie Sundae! And don’t forget to ask for the holiday swirl soft serve ice cream!
  • We have a few new insights into the “Be Our Guest” Restaurant plans for late 2012. Take a look at the concept art, atmosphere, location, opening time, and more!
  • We have our review of the new Katsura Grill at the Japan pavilion in Disney World’s Epcot!

For more delicious food news, stop by our Disney Food News Pin Board, where Disney Food News is updated on a regular basis!

And don’t forget to follow along on our 2011 Holiday Dining page!

Disney Food Blog Gift Certificates Make Great Gifts For Disney Fans!

Down to the wire and not sure what to get that Disney fan on your list? Our popular Disney Food Blog Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, DFB Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks, and new DFB Dining Adventures e-Books have been very popular, and now there’s a way for you to give them as gifts to your friends, family, boss, dentist, UPS delivery person, mailman, babysitter, dog-walker, or…yourself (you deserve a treat, too)!

Using our new Disney Food Blog e-Book Gift Certificates, you can instantly give all of this great dining info and advice to your favorite Disney fan, and it’s EASY! Get all of the details — and great holiday discounts — at http://dfbguide.com/giftcertificates!

Don’t let your friends and family go to Disney World unprepared. Get a DFB Gift Certificate for your favorite Disney fan today!

On to the Round-Up!

Daveland

shares a Golden Horseshoe cast photo from 1979.

Walt Disney World for Grown-Ups heads to the United Kingdom in Epcot for eats and drinks at Rose & Crown.

WDW Radio takes a look back at the origins of the Sunshine Terrace’s Orange Bird.

Main Street Gazette gives us something delicious to chew on — churros!

DisneyContemporary.com stops by Contemporary Grounds for a cup of java!

DisneyParks Blog showcases a video from the Tangaroa Terrace in Disneyland. Let’s make sweet potato cake!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ClT7bDBs0SQ

2011 Gingerbread Holiday Display Pins

By 2 Comments

New pins were released to commemorate the 2011 Gingerbread Holiday Displays. These pins would make wonderful gifts for the Disney food fan and/or pin trader in your life! Get them at the individual Gingerbead locations in the Deluxe Resorts, or by calling WDW Mail Order (info at the bottom of this post)!

The Beach Club‘s traditional carousel is highlighted on this adorable pin.

Beach Club Pin

Beach Club Resort 2011 Gingerbread Carousel

Stitch has taken over the bakery at the Boardwalk Inn. Stop by to see this gingerbread display and pick up a pin!

Boardwalk Pin

Boardwalk Inn Gingerbread Display 2011

Stitch Took Over the Bakery Display in the Lobby!

At the Grand Floridian, the Gingerbread house beckons guests to [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: December 11, 2011

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Gluhwein in Epcot's Germany

We’re in Walt Disney World this weekend eating lots of good stuff and capturing tons of great photos to share with you as you plan your upcoming Disney trips, including a new caramel apple margarita, an ice cream cookie sandwich filled with pumpkin ice cream, and even a caramel-fudge-cookie sundae that only costs one Disney Dining Plan snack credit!

Speaking of upcoming trips, here’s a bit of Disney food news to keep you in the loop!

Weekly Disney Food News

Want more news? Stop by our Disney Food News Pin Board, where Disney Food News is updated on a regular basis!

And don’t forget to follow along on our 2011 Holiday Dining page!

Disney Food Blog Gift Certificates Make Great Gifts For Disney Fans!

Our popular Disney Food Blog Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, DFB Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks, and new DFB Dining Adventures e-Books have been very popular, and now there’s a way for you to give them as gifts to your friends and family!

Using our new Disney Food Blog e-Book Gift Certificates, you can instantly give all of this great dining info and advice to your favorite Disney fan, and it’s EASY! Get all of the details — and great holiday discounts — at http://dfbguide.com/giftcertificates!

Don’t let your friends and family go to Disney World unprepared. Get a DFB Gift Certificate for your favorite Disney fan today!

On to the Round-Up!

WDW For Grown-Ups

takes a look at Adult-Friendly Character Meals! Great idea!!

WESH.com names Top 5 Holiday Food Picks at Walt Disney World — written by yours truly!

Goofy at Cape May Cafe -- an Adult-Friendly character meal!

Daveland Blog reminisces about a long-lost Disneyland coffee shop.

DisMarks has another great Disney Blog Carnival this week with lots of fun Disney food articles!

Stuff from the Park travels back in time to take a look at a 1970s menu from the American Egg House at Disneyland.

MiceChat.com reviews dining with diabetes aboard the Disney Dream.

BabyCakes NYC Blog shares the news that Downtown Disney’s Babycakes Bakery will now fulfill vegan and gluten-free cake orders for Disney World resort guests!

Main St. Gazette checks out the scene at Epcot’s Sommerfest! Happy Birthday, Ryan!!

Disney Weddings Blog highlights a new trend — mashed potato bars!

New! Epcot World Showcase Drinks and Eats T-Shirts

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Thanks to @Jobber99 (Jon Chua) we have pictures of two new World Showcase shirts being sold in Epcot. Whether you enjoy drinking, eating, or both (like us! ;-D) around the countries of World Showcase in Epcot, these shirts show off the specialties of each nation.

Drinking Around the World

While these shirts tour World Showcase clock-wise, you can start in Canada or the UK with a Guinness at Rose & Crown or a steak at Le Cellier — we won’t tell. 🙂 We’re equal-opportunity World Travelers.

Eating Around the World

Yep, we pretty much [Read more…]

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