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epcot festival of the arts

Category: Drinking Around the World

Photo Tour and Review: NEW Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge in Disney World!

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Um…this is why I LOVE writing this blog. It’s completely a group effort!

Learn About:Hollywood Brown Derby
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

Yesterday, DFB readers Jacquie Symonds and Alan Cohen sent over some AWESOME pics of the brand NEW (i.e. JUST opened yesterday and they were the second people to eat there!!!!) Hollywood Brown Derby Patio Lounge!

We reported on this fun-ness on Tuesday, and we’re so excited to share an inside look with you today! Huge thanks to Jacquie and Alan!

Atmosphere

The Patio Lounge is on the Brown Derby’s never-usually-used patio (natch) out in front of the restaurant. There’s an entrance next to Starring Rolls Cafe!

Ribbon Cutting!!

Guests will be seated both indoors and outdoors, so it’s still a good option even in the rainy or cold weather. Outdoor seats are under umbrellas and feature iron furniture with padded backrests.

A bar stands ready nearby to crank out all of those specialty drinks!

Patio seating at Brown Derby Lounge

Indoors, you’ll be seated in padded, dark wood chairs along tile flooring.

Inside Patio Seating at Brown Derby Lounge

Remember, no reservations are needed for this new location. If you’re at the Studios in need of some hearty eats, head on over!

Eats

The menu here is full of delicious options created by Hollywood Brown Derby chefs, so you know you’re getting high-end eats and drinks!

The small plates and desserts menu includes yums like duck confit tacos, Prince Edward Island mussels, and strawberry champagne cheesecake… .

Small Plates and Desserts

Jacquie and Alan tried the Sliders — Wagyu Beef with Cognac-Mustard Aioli, Smoked Gouda Cheese, Bacon, and Avocado; and House-made Chorizo with Chipotle Mayo, Manchego Cheese, Pickles, and crispy Onions for $15.00. This looks like a great deal!!

Wagyu Beef with Cognac-Mustard Aioli, Smoked Gouda Cheese, Bacon, and Avocado; and House-made Chorizo with Chipotle Mayo, Manchego Cheese, Pickles, and crispy Onions

Here’s a peek inside, because [Read more…]

News! Hollywood Brown Derby Patio Lounge May Be Opening Soon in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

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We have a fun rumor to share!

Learn About:Hollywood Brown Derby
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

We’ve heard through the grapevine that the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is opening ‘The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge’ soon — possibly even this week!

The new lounge will be located on the existing patio at the Hollywood Brown Derby, but seating will be on a first come, first served basis. No reservations are required!

This sounds a lot like the great additions of Tutto Gusto and Cava del Tequila in Epcot as well as the Lava Lounge in Downtown Disney.

Patio at Brown Derby

A no-reservation option that still offers some great eats and good drinks!? I’m in.

Eats

Speaking of eats, the menu items at the Lounge are coming from the restaurant’s appetizer menu. You’ll be able to choose from Artisinal Cheeses, Brown Derby Sliders, Duck Confit Tacos, Prince Edward Island Mussels, Charcuterie Board for two, and Brown Derby Shrimp Cocktail.

Andouille-Crusted Prawn Over Black Diamond Cheddar Grits, Wilted Greens, and Ancho Oil

While enjoying some great food you’ll also be able to sip on [Read more…]

2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Review: Grand Marnier Tasting — Taste, Shake, and Indulge Like the French

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Today, we are heading back to the France Pavilion for another fun 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival review!

One of the things that I love the most about the festival, year after year, is the inclusion of hot trends. Often, these reach far beyond just food and wine.

In the last few years, mixology has continued to gain popularity as people look to perfect their cocktail-making skills. And we’ve really enjoyed seeing the trend play out at the festival with the introduction of mixology demonstrations and special events.

During my recent visit for opening week at the festival, I had the opportunity to attend the Grand Marnier Tasting. This special event — officially named Taste, Shake, and Indulge Like the French — takes place on Saturdays during the festival, from 2:30-4PM, at Monsieur Paul.

Monsieur Paul Restauarant in Epcot's France Pavilion

Note that many folks have had Disney reservations agents tell them that the tastings are full, or non-existant, when actually there are still seats available. This may be due to guests asking for the Grand Marnier event instead of referring to its actual title — Taste, Shake, and Indulge. Definitely an understandable mishap, but just an FYI.

Atmosphere

Finding Monsieur Paul is a bit tricky. You enter the posh restaurant through this unassuming little door toward the back of the France Pavilion. (If you’d like to see a bit about Monsieur Paul, read my dinner review here.)

Monsieur Paul Entrance

Enter through the small door, and your eye is immediately directed upward via a winding staircase. And that’s good, because that’s where you’re going! (There’s also an elevator if you prefer.)

Monsieur Paul Entrance and Staircase

Once upstairs, you’ll notice a relaxed yet refined vibe that tells you you’re in an upscale restaurant — but your comfort and enjoyment are what is most important.

Monsieur Paul Seating

Banquettes and cushioned chairs are comfortable places to spend the afternoon. Seating is assigned, so you will most likely be making some new friends during the event!

A Very Comfortable Seating Arrangement

Eats

“Eats” is a bit of a misnomer here. We will be eating. But the star of this show is Grand Marnier in all its glory.

When I arrived, I was greeted with a [Read more…]

2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Review: The Chocolate Dinner!

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How many times have you said to yourself, “I wish I could eat CHOCOLATE for dinner!!!!” I know. TONS, right? Well the dream has finally come true! And it happened at the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

This year, a brand new signature dining experience kicked off the festival during opening weekend. The Chocolate Dinner, hosted by Ghirardelli Chocolate, promised to be a sumptuous experience for the discriminating chocolate lover.

The dinner consisted of a reception, followed by six plated courses, presented by the Disney chefs who created them.

Let’s head over to Epcot’s World Showplace Event Pavilion for a look at this decadent event!

Reception

Ever wonder what’s behind those enormous brown doors between the Canada and UK Pavilions within Epcot’s World Showcase? You might, if you’ve never attended an event at the World Showplace Pavilion. But if you look closely at your Epcot map, you’ll see it there.

That was the setting for the evening’s event, and the sign above the beautiful awning announced it in style.

Chocolate Dinner Sign

Pan back a bit, and you can see the main entrance to the building. A reception preceding the plated dinner took place in the World Showplace courtyard, to the left of the main entrance.

World Showplace Entrance to the Chocolate Dinner

As we entered through the massive brown wooden doors, a team of servers greeted us with beverages. Guests could choose from Young’s Double Chocolate Stout, Chocolate Martinis, or Sparkling Wine. The drinks disappeared quickly every time the staff came out with another tray of them!

Young's Double Chocolate Stout

Chocolate Martini

While guests sipped on their cocktails, beer, and wine, teams of cast members passed trays of [Read more…]

DIY Disney Recipe: Elderflower Cocktail

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If you spend any time checking out the menus of Disney restaurants, you’ll notice that St. Germain Liqueur is popping up a lot these days!

And with good reason! St. Germain is a French liqueur that’s made from elderflowers. The delicate, sweet taste is very unique and seems to be taking Disney World by storm.

Elderflower Cocktail with Pansy Garnish at Raglan Road

We’ve recently had Elderflower Cocktails at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival (where it’s made with elderflower syrup) as well as for brunch at Raglan Road.

With flavors that remind me of grapefruit and honey, this liqueur makes for a lovely warm weather cocktail. So for a recent family gathering, we decided to give it a try!

St. Germain Cocktail, Three Ways

We opted for the small, 50 ml bottles of liqueur. Actually, the store was out of the larger bottles, or that’s the way that we would have gone! A little pricey, but sooo worth it.

The bottles [Read more…]

Epcot Food & Wine Festival Food Pictures and Review: 2013 Belgium and Canada Booths

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The 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is still going strong at Walt Disney World! And today, we’re back with another delicious marketplace booth review.

This has been a terrific year at the festival for revisiting favorite dishes from the past while enjoying some really delicious new options. And two booths that demonstrate this beautifully are Belgium and Canada!

Let’s take a closer look at what each offers guests in 2013, and talk a little about our favorite dishes!

Belgium

Belgium celebrates its fourth year as part of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

In the past few years, the savory offering has been mussels prepared in a variety of ways. (I’m still waiting for them to catch the vision of those amazing frites that Belgium is known for!)

Belgium Booth

This year, the booth departs radically from mussels, and instead has decided to offer a full menu of another Belgian staple: Waffles!

2013 Belgium Menu

This probably makes sense, since the sweet waffle that’s been a staple here has always been popular. But it does make things a bit homogenous over here. Regardless, I was excited to try the savory waffle that was added to the lineup.

The Potato and Leek Waffle with Braised Beef was so impressive (primarily because they douse it with melted butter) when we tasted it that we immediately named it one of our Best of the Fest dishes for 2013.

A fresh waffle — crispy on the outside, tender on the inside — is smothered with a thick, rich beef stew. The braised beef features chunks of beef and carrots in a flavorful sauce that soaks right into that tasty waffle. The whole thing was topped with that aforementioned melted butter. Amazing!

Potato and Leek Waffle with Braised Beef

And what better way to top off a meal of waffle than with [Read more…]

6 New Things You’ve Gotta Try in Disney World!

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Editor’s Note: Cheshire cake cups are no longer available.

So we all have our Disney food favorites.

You know them — the ones that would result in tears, anger, and staged protests if they ever disappear from menus. It’s okay. You can admit it.

Because I’d totally be leading the charge if they ever stop serving Dole Whip Floats.

But even with all the amazing favorites that give us warm fuzzies (and, in my case, cause me to go back to Disney parks over and over again), I still love Disney’s mission to surprise and delight guests with new offerings. It seems like every week, there’s something they’re debuting that I go nutso over — and off I go to add it to the next trip’s “must-eat” list.

Today, I’m offering a run down of the latest things that are on the list for my next trip. I’ve tried a few already, and others are completely new to me. And even though I’ll be in the ‘World smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, I’m saving room for these treats!

Gourmet Cake Cups at Magic Kingdom’s Cheshire Cafe

You Guys. I have a new FAVORITE obsession. And this time, it starts with Cake. And ends with Cup. Instead of the other way around.

We brought you the first look at the new Gourmet Cake Cups at Magic Kingdom’s Cheshire Cafe just recently. This spot in Fantasyland, formerly known as Enchanted Grove, has always been cute, but it’s never numbered among our “must-visits.”

But that has changed completely since they introduced these amazing treats.

Cheshire Cake Cup. The Stuff That My Cake Dreams Are Made Of. (Namely, Frosting.)

I mean seriously, you would think they picked up the phone, called me, and said, “AJ, we’re making a new treat, and you’re in charge of R&D.”

The parfaits are a topsy-turvy, whimsical take on a cupcake, turning the über popular treat into what it should be: a vehicle for frosting. I mean really, when was the last time you ate a cupcake and said, “Gee, that was pretty good, but I really could have used more cake.”

Um. Never.

And this cake cup got it RIGHT.

Look at All. Of. This. Frosting!

So it was a given that I made a beeline for [Read more…]

2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Review: Parisian Breakfast at Les Chefs de France

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It’s time to head back to one of my most favorite spots in all of Epcot’s World Showcase — Les Chefs de France!

Learn About:Chefs de France
Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Even though I’m happy to dine at this bistro anytime of the year, today we’re bringing you a review of a brand new special event from the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival — the Parisian Breakfast.

When this new event was announced for this year’s festival, I jumped at the chance to add it to my busy opening weekend schedule! It’s one of the lower-priced special events available, and I’m always looking for a value.

As a special bonus, the event took place before most of World Showcase was fully opened. I always love it when I can have any part of the park (mostly) all to myself. 🙂

Atmosphere

The Parisian atmosphere of Les Chefs shines through at this new breakfast special event.

Seating and Setting the Table

After all, if  you look at the pic below, it even kind of feels like you’re in Paris, eh??

Beautiful Morning Sunlight

I was seated at a table looking out onto the World Showcase promenade. This event (along with most other special events at the festival these days) had assigned seating.

This is relatively new for festival events, so be prepared if you’re hoping to sit with a friend who booked separately from you!

Our Table with a View

Luckily, I got to sit with an awesome group of Disney food fans and we chatted the morning away! It was a great time!

Now, as beautiful as the morning surroundings are, I know you’re anxious to see [Read more…]

Epcot Food & Wine Festival Food Pictures and Review: Hawai’i and Ireland Booths

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We’re back with another fun review from the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

The festival has already been going strong for over a week, and we have lots of favorites to bring you — some returning, and some brand new!

I know you are just as excited to Eat AND Drink Your Way Around the World at the festival’s Marketplace Booths as we are here at Disney Food Blog!

Today, we’re heading to two of my favorite stops on the journey around World Showcase — Hawai’i and Ireland!

Hawai’i

Introduced only a couple of years ago, Hawai’i has quickly become a fan favorite with hearty dishes and fun drinks.

Hawaii Marketplace Booth

Fans of the Hawai’i booth are happy to see that two food favorites have returned in 2013! There are also some great beverage choices here.

Kona Brewing Company beers Big Wave Golden Ale and Pipeline Porter are returning. But last year’s Chardonnay is replaced by a Gewurztraminer in the wine category (YUM!). Cocktail lovers can enjoy a brand new vodka-based option!

2013 Hawaii Marketplace Booth Menu - Click for larger image

I was very excited to sample the Kālua Pork Slider once again! During a recent chat with Epcot chefs, I learned that the pulled pork used in this dish is slow-cooked on the premises. This is the real deal! (If you’d like to make it at home, check out this fun recipe.)

Kālua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise

Although the Tuna Poke with Seaweed Salad and Lotus Root Chips isn’t my personal favorite, lots of guests think this is tops for fresh flavor — and it’s a great representation of an authentically Hawai’ian dish.

Tuna Poke with Seaweed Salad and Lotus Root Chips

An exciting addition to this year’s booth line up is the [Read more…]

Epcot Food & Wine Festival Food Pictures and Review: Scotland and Brazil Booths

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We are coming to you LIVE from the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival this week!

It’s been a whirlwind of fabulous food and we have so much to tell you about! But today, we thought we’d bring you our very first Marketplace Booths of 2013.

Let’s take a closer look at two new booths — one brand new and one returning — Scotland and Brazil.

If you’re looking for your favorite booths, be sure to check out ALL the info and brand new photos on our Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth Pages.

Scotland

Following the success of the popular animated film Brave, it seemed like the right time for Scotland to debut as the Food and Wine Festival’s newest booth option.

Scotland Booth

We’ve been anxiously awaiting final word on what would be served to represent Scotland, and the final menu was met with mixed reviews from readers.

In the end, sponsors of the Scotland booth and Disney chose a menu that would represent some current trends in Scottish cooking and that would appeal to a broad audience.

2013 Scotland Marketplace Booth Menu - Click for larger image

Salmon is always a popular option with festival goers, and the Seared Scottish Salmon with Cauliflower Puree, Watercress and Malt Vinaigrette is proving to be a great addition to this year’s lineup! In fact, it made our Best of the Fest List!

Seared Scottish Salmon with Cauliflower Puree, Watercress and Malt Vinaigrette

Vegetarian Haggis with Neeps and Tatties (Griddled Vegetable Cake with [Read more…]

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