Just got word (through hearsay, of course) that Disney World has restricted pickle garnishes as a cost-cutting measure! Intriguing… I wonder how much Disney can save through pickle abolition…
Disney World Online Dining Reservation Info
Disney Online Dining Reservations System
Keith at MouseMisers has posted his experience with the new Disney Dining Reservations system, currently available only to Travel Agents:
Walt Disney World launched the long awaited online reservation system for dining reservations. Originally due in 2008, it was launched late last night, currently for Travel Agents only. No indication was given when the tool will be made available to the general public, but my guess is 2 weeks of testing should do. Currently, only reservations May 26, 2009 and after are available in the system, so the logical launch date would be May 26, 2009. I guess we will have to wait and see.
Read more of his experience–and see screen shots of the system–on his blog.
Cheese Plate Series: Citricos
Citricos Cheese Plate
Ah, another cheese plate post (you can see the first in the series, Narcoossees, here). Let’s stick with the Grand Floridian and head to a restaurant that I truly love and think is one of the best in Walt Disney World.
Citricos has exceptional food and wonderful service. It’s consistent, which we always like. The cheese plate isn’t one of my favorites, unfortunately. There were other appetizers that were just as good, if not better. But the waiter this trip mentioned that they change out their cheese menu often, so perhaps it will improve in the future (this plate is from February 2009).
Cheeses
Lemon Ricotta (Cow’s Milk; upper right hand corner of photo)
Yours truly is NOT a big fan of ricotta, and this was probably my least favorite cheese on the list. I think the lemon taste, along with the texture, was what I least enjoyed. This was the only local cheese on the list and is from central Florida.
Corsu Vecchiu (Sheep’s Milk; lower right-hand corner of photo)
Anything they serve with honey is always going to be my favorite; I’ll just get that out into the open right now. This was the “moderate” cheese on the plate and was undoubtedly our favorite. This is imported from Corsica.
Oregon Blue (Cow’s Milk; lower left-hand corner of photo)
The strongest cheese, as usual, was a blue. From the Rogue Creamery in Oregon, this is an award-winning blue that’s aged for 90 days in Roquefort modeled caves. We enjoyed this–especially with the raisins. It’s one of the weakest blues I’ve had recently.
Citricos Cheeses
“Book Early” Series: California Grill
California Grill Logo
I’m sorry, but it has to be done.
I know it’s redundant, expected, and utterly stereotypical (three things I try to avoid), but I have to give props to the California Grill.
The General Overview (e.g. My Opinion)
I have had good meals there, and I have had not-so-good meals there. There’s been good service and bad service. And the tables that aren’t window tables make the dining experience decidedly “less than.” But, all in all, California Grill–sitting high atop the Contemporary Resort in Disney World–is essentially a great, expensive restaurant with good food worth paying for. And while you might expect the atmosphere to be a
little “nose-in-the-air,” the staff, in my experience, have been knowledgeable, down-to-earth folks who just want you to have a great time and enjoy yourself. For this, I love the California Grill.
Sunset at California Grill
Booking Early and Watching the Fireworks from California Grill
So why do you need to book early? Well, most of the time, you don’t. But I put it in my “book early” series
because one of the much-touted experiences in Disney World is watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks from your table at California Grill. This makes the reservations around the fireworks hour go quickly–you’ll need to book the full 180 days in advance to get a table during the fireworks if you’re headed to Disney World in a busy season, and at least a month ahead to get one during the slower months. That said, fireworks-view
tables aren’t guaranteed–all you can do is request a window table when you check in for your meal.
And if you don’t care whether you’re there for fireworks or not, you should be able to get a table at California Grill realtively easily, as long as you’re willing to eat at unpopular times.
Potato Celery Soup
I will say that I actually don’t enjoy watching the fireworks from California Grill. The vantage point of the restaurant is too far to the right of the castle, giving you a rather skewed view of the show (many of the fireworks are actually set off about a half mile behind the castle–being able to see this distance could essentially ruin the show for some people). Nope–I don’t care about the fireworks; but one of my absolute favorite Disney World experiences is watching the sun set from my table at California Grill. It sets behind the Grand Floridian, and the resulting skyline reflecting off of Seven Seas Lagoon is phenomenal. This I can highly recommend!
Soup Ingredients
Finally–the FOOD!
California Grill food is amazing. Now, I’m not a food critic by any stretch of the imagination; I have a 12-year-old’s palate at best and still LOVE me some chicken fingers and fries. But the fact that California Grill can please the food critics AND me has to be saying something!
On my most recent trip, I fell for the new potato-celery soup. It was so delicious that I asked our server for the recipe and, unable to do so, kindly brought me a list of the ingredients. California Grill’s market inspired menu means that the soup and other highlights change frequently, but I can only hope they’re all as wonderful as this.
Cheese Board
My other favorite (as you know if you’ve been following the food blog) is the cheese plate. California Grill has a lovely one, and every time I’ve tried it (it changes occasionally as well, of course), I’ve been pleased. I’ll do a blog in the near future highlighting the plate here.
My companion and I also tried the famous (it’s been on the menu since California Grill opened in 1995) Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli with sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, shiitake mushrooms and basil. This was superb. Along with the interesting (and surprisingly light) flatbreads, you could easily make a meal out of the appetizers at California Grill.
But why would you want to?!? From there, I indulged again in the always delicious Oak-fired Filet of Beef with cheesy Yukon gold potato mash, sautéed broccolini, and teriyaki barbecue sauce. Yes, it’s 44 bucks. But if a meal is going to be worth 44 bucks, it’s this.
One of the Many Flatbreads Available
Desserts are never the highlight at Disney’s “signature” restaurants (and nothing’s going to come close to ‘Ohana’s bread pudding), but California Grill is quite famous for its butterscotch and banana creme brulee.
Of course, with a theme like California, the Grill is known for its wine list (and extremely knowledgeable accompanying staff). And the restaurant also has a selection of sake to accompany its sushi bar.
Just Go. You’ll Be Glad You Did.
My parents recently asked me to suggest a “signature” restaurant where they could celebrate their anniversary in Disney World, and I immediately settled on California Grill. Although I do enjoy most of the
Filet of Beef and Cheesy Yukon Potatoes
other “high-end” restaurants in Disney World, one of the most celebratory and beautiful–not to mention delicious–in my estimation is easily the California Grill.
Make your reservations up to 90 days out by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Don’t forget that California Grill has a dress code (no ripped jeans, bathing suits, flip flops, etc.), and that the check-in desk is on the 2nd foor of the Contemporary Resort while the restaurant itself is on the 15th.
Mickey Waffles
Mickey Waffle
Every time I visit a Disney message board, the restaurant posts are always filled with questions about Mickey waffles. I thought I’d stick up a picture and give a little info about these yummy little guys.
WHERE CAN I FIND MICKEY WAFFLES?
Disney restaurants have “waffled” through the years, and many have gone back and forth in recent years between serving them and not serving them. For example, Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom served square waffles with Pooh characters on them for a long time, and have now switched to Mickey waffles. Also, Wilderness Lodge’s Whispering Canyon Cafe and private dining served waffles shaped like pinecones for many years, and have in my recent experience served Mickey waffles. I have no idea whether this is because they run out of their original waffles, or if Mickey waffles are in such high demand that all restaurants are beginning to carry them as a staple.
Here’s where you can safely rely on Mickey waffles for breakfast. Please send me an email at [email protected] with your updates!:
- Chef Mickey’s: Contemporary Resort
- Donald’s Safari Breakfast: Tusker House in Animal Kingdom
- ‘Ohana and Captain Cook’s: Polynesian Resort
- Crystal Palace: Magic Kingdom
- Cape May Cafe: Beach Club Resort
- Whispering Canyon Cafe: Wilderness Lodge
- Food Courts: Most food courts at the value and moderate hotels
- 1900 Park Faire: Grand Floridian
MAKING YOUR OWN
Most folks recommend that the “secret ingredient” in Mickey waffles is Carbon’s Golden Malted Flour. Here’s a good recipe to use for Mickey Waffles:
4 eggs, separated
1 cup milk
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
2 cups flour
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla (optional)
Beat egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until light. Add cooled melted butter, milk and vanilla extract. Add flour, baking powder & salt, beat well. Beat egg whites until stiff and gently fold into batter. Bake and serve.
WHERE TO GET A MICKEY MOUSE WAFFLE MAKER
Purchasing your own Mickey Mouse waffle maker is proving to be a bit difficult these days. The maker that produces waffles that most resemble those served at the parks and resorts is uniformly out of stock or not sold anymore online. The next best version was recalled in 2007 for bad wiring causing risk of shock. Of course, you can buy it on ebay if you want to take the risk.
So, my friends, your options for make-at-home mickey waffles are reduced to: the Mickey Then and Now waffle maker and the Disney Mickey and the Gang 5-in-1 Tasty Baker and Waffle Maker.
Cheese Plate Series: Narcoossee’s
Narcoossees Cheese Plate
One thing you will quickly discover is that I LOVE CHEESE PLATES. Cheese plates–especially at Disney World–are truly what I look forward to. Even more than steak and dessert most of the time.
I wanted to do a series on these because they’re beautiful, but also because I think they’re a good opportunity for the restaurants to do a nice little piece of branding. They usually serve cheeses that reflect the ethnicity and geography of their menu, and therefore what they want to be known for.
I’ll start with Narcoossees because it’s one of my favorite restaurants and serves one of the tastiest and most beautiful cheese plates I’ve seen at the World:
Extra Old Black Diamond White Cheddar, Cow’s Milk: This is “the official cheddar of Disney World” as far as I’m concerned, and since tillamook has been so conspicuously lessened on Artist Point‘s menu lately. You get Canadian Black Diamond just about everywhere cheddar is required (Le Cellier and Yachtsman to name two), and I like to believe that’s because Black Diamond is simply the best of the best. Black Diamond on a crisp with honey is absolutely delicious.
California Humbolt Fog, Goat’s Milk: This is a mild and tangy cheese. It’s got a cream cheese-like texture and an edible rind. Most distinctive is the thin layer of ash running through the wheel (don’t worry, you can eat this, too). Narcoossees serves it with dried cranberries, which I greatly enjoyed.
Rogue River Blue Cheese, Cow’s Milk: You see this in one or two other places in the land of Disney cheese plates, and it’s meant to be one of the stronger cheeses served. The wheels are hand-wrapped in grape leaves soaked in Clear Creek’s Pear Brandy, which helps to maintain the cheese’s moist texture. This is a straightforward blue cheese–you’ll have to remind your kids that eating mold is OK sometimes.
Sanaa Restaurant Lunch and Dinner Menus Published!
Sanaa Logo
Read our review of Sanaa Restaurant.
Check out the Sanaa menus (and a review of the menus) at Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide.
Scott is the former food critic for the Orlando Sentine, so you can trust him!
(Learn more about Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas at AKLResort.com)
Getting It Your Way
Disney is on a customization kick. You can get customized t-shirts, customized park tickets, customized dining plans…you can even customize your Mickey Ear Hats now!
So this is why I insist I should be able to customize my meals as well! I’m one of those picky eaters who never orders directly off the menu. I’m always adding here, substituting there…it’s likely very annoying, yet oddly commonplace for the restaurant waitstaff to have to deal with vacationers like me.
The Perfect Sundae
But Disney CMs overall are well-trained to endure crazies like myself, and make me feel entirely comfortable to customize my meals willy-nilly. One of my favorite places to do this is Beaches and Cream, where they’ll gladly create for me my very own dessert creation! This is a ginormous brownie topped with ice cream, hot fudge, and peanut butter. C’mon. You know you want it!
Beaches and Cream Counter
Beaches and Cream is located at Disney’s Beach Club resort, in the Epcot resort area. There are only a few tables in this ice cream parlor (which also serves burgers, hot dogs, and the like), and they don’t take reservations, so arrive during off-hours to cut your wait. Open 11am-11pm.
And don’t forget to order the famous Kitchen Sink, made with every flavor of ice cream, topping, and candy they have in the joint and topped with a whole can of whipped cream!
Kitchen Sink (c Rough Guides)
Butterscotch Sundae
Monorail Crawl
Polynesian Signature Drinks
You’re familiar with the bar crawl and the pub crawl (for our friends across the pond). You may even be familiar with Drinking Around the World at Epcot’s World Showcase. But have you ever done the Monorail Crawl?!?
Disney World’s three monorail resorts–Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and Contemporary–each have great lounges where you can relax, chat with friends, and experience the theme of the individual hotels. It’s a fun way to resort hop, spend a little non-park time, and have a few fun drinks along the way! See you at Tambu Lounge, Mizner’s Lounge, and the Outer Rim Lounge!
So simply start at one of the resort lounges, have a drink, then take the monorail to the next resort lounge and do the same. Continue all the way around the monorail loop!
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