Easier to Get at 180 Days Out?
Don’t forget that you can now book online! Also, you can find maps and menus on the Disney website.
Happy planning!
Starting Oct. 27th: Make Your Disney Dining Reservations 180 Days in Advance
Spotlight: Yachtsman Steakhouse
Yachtsman Steakhouse is one of those Disney Resort restaurants that I didn’t even know was there for several years. Then one day I caught Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel eating steak at some hoity-toity restaurant during the Yacht and Beach Club “Great Hotels” special, and I knew I had to try it!
Restaurant Forum Plaque
I was lucky enough to do so during Disney’s first free dining stint several years ago. It’s now become a standard in our Disney restaurant rotation whenever we need a special treat or celebration.
Located in the Yacht Club Resort, Yachtsman Steakhouse is a high-end dinner spot with a view of Stormalong Bay. Specializing in delicious grain-fed beef steaks, the restaurant has a glass-walled butchering room where guests can actually see their steaks being prepared!
Butchering Room
Led into the restaurant past the open kitchen, guests can catch a glimpse of the dessert offerings before being seated in a dining room furnished in sturdy knotty pine, leather, and brass. If you’re lucky enough to be seated in my favorite section – the semi-circular room with plenty of window tables – be sure to take a glance upward at the simple, elegant chandelier above.
Open Kitchen
Dining Room
The View From Our Favorite Table
Chandelier
As I said, this restaurant is a permanent fixture on our “fancy places” rotation; and I will say that spots only get on that list when we know we can expect excellent service, fabulous food, and a comfortable atmosphere. We’re picky, and this place fits every one of our guidelines.
That said, there are always little changes and updates being made to the menu. Desserts are tweaked, the cheese plate is rotated, and even steak offerings can be different from time to time (we were sorely missing the boneless rib eye), but we always walk out happy. It’s like a miracle.
This evening, we ordered our dinners and were faced with the first change: weird butter. Usually, Yachtsman brings a basket of gorgeous onion and sourdough rolls along with a HUGE pat of butter topped with sea salt. Today, the butter was in a dish with oil and balsamic vinegar. Butter’s my favorite, so I was a bit concerned; but this stuff was amazing. Yes! Please add weird oil and balsamic vinegar to my butter!
Yachtsman Steakhouse Onion Rolls and Roasted Garlic
Sourdough Rolls
Butter with Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, and Salt
We moved on to salad and my cheese plate. The salad was simple and elegant; the cheese plate was delicious as always. I know I owe you guys a cheese plate blog, which I’ll do soon, but for now, here’s the pic and description of the plate.
Cheese Plate
Cheese Plate Descriptions
Caesar Salad
From there, we enjoyed our entrees (…steak) and extra order of fries (what can I say? We were in the mood for fries!). My steak — the Cowboy Steak — was a bone-in rib-eye. I substituted gratin potatoes for the fried onion strips on the menu.
Cowboy Steak and Potato Gratin with White Diamond Cheddar
Yachtsman Filet with Mashed Potatoes
French Fries
At this point, you can imagine we were stuffed, so we skipped dessert. But no worries; I took a shot of the dessert tray for you!
Desserts
Here’re the specs! Enjoy!
Dinner menu here. All other menus (including wine and dessert) can be found here.
Disney Food Post Weekly Round-Up: Part II
Here’s the second in this week’s Round-Up series! Thanks to everyone out there covering such great Disney Food topics!
Main Street Gazette bids farewell to Spoodles: Main Street Gazette designer Eric Hoffman provides a tribute to Spoodles and memories of his family’s most recent meal there.
Scott Joseph discusses Party for the Senses changes and Paradiso 37: Legendary food critic Scott Joseph gives his view on this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival Party for the Senses updates as well as his review of Paradiso 37.
The Orange County Register analyzes Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue menu changes in Disneyland: Scroll down through the article to catch the info about the barbecue. It follows some other interesting info about Disneyland’s recent changes and construction.
SoloFriendly recaps her trip to Tangierine Cafe: SoloFriendly reviews the very popular counter service restaurant in World Showcase’s Morocco pavilion — and explains why the name has that weird spelling!
StitchKingdom shares the new Cap’n Jack’s All-Day Menu: WDW’s Downtown Disney has added Cap’n Jack’s to its list of all-day eateries.
Disney Food Post Weekly Round-Up: Part I
There were so many good food posts this week that we’re splitting the blog into two parts! We’ll cover the first half of the round-up today, and the second tomorrow. Onward!
etckt discusses Dining Options at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: A hearty look at restaurants in the studios, complete with etckt’s remarkable photography.
The Orlando Sentinel notes some suggestions for Cheap Eats in Disney World: Good budgeting and money-saving tips from readers, including my favorite: eat a late breakfast and schedule a late lunch to take advantage of restaurants’ lower prices.
SoloFriendly reviews the WDW Downtown Disney’s Planet Hollywood: SoloFriendly contributes two reviews this weekend (one today, one tomorrow). Here, see inside the giant globe that is Planet Hollywood!
Main Street Gazette posts a new look at Victoria and Albert’s: The Grand Floridian’s (and Disney World’s) flagship restaurant is known for its precision…until today!
Dessert Aux Chefs de France
It’s chocolate profiterole week at the food blog! My French may be abysmal, but we get to make another quick visit today to Epcot’s Les Chefs de France with guest poster and photographer extraordinaire, James Chapman, from DisneyfotoBlog.com. Thanks for sharing, James!
Chefs de France (c)FJFuchs
“Eating a pastry at the Les Chefs de France restaurant in Epcot is an experience and pleasure far beyond simply finishing the dessert at the end of a good meal. The French pâtissier has provided an exceptional dessert menu that offers items ranging from rich chocolate delicacies, to sorbet with elephant ear and fruits, to their signature crème brulée.
Garde Manger Caramelizes Creme Brulee
Both my wife and I enjoy dark chocolate, ice cream, and fruit, so we decided to order and share two different desserts, Profiterolles au Chocolat and Assiette de Sorbets du jour et son palmier. Both were excellent, especially on a warm (hot) summer day in July, and we would highly recommend both desserts with a slight emphasis on the Profiterolles au Chocolat for those who really crave a chocolate treat!
Assiette de Sorbets du jour et son palmier
Profiterolles au Chocolat
The Garde Manger shown in the photo above plated each dessert expertly, and after watching her caramelize the crème brulée, I knew that there would be many visits to Les Chefs de France in our family’s future! Bon appetit!”
Epcot’s Italy Pavilion: Tutto Italia
Pinvestigator Cody, who writes the Global Disney Pinvestigation blog, has graced us again with another round of incredible food photos and a great restaurant review. This time, we get insight into lunch at Tutto Italia, the restaurant that recently replaced Alfredo’s in Epcot’s Italy pavilion. Thanks again, Pinvestigator!
Epcot's Italy Pavilion
Arriving at the quaint little Italian restaurant in the back of the pavilion I was a bit nervous…for many reasons. One: I am very picky about my Italian food, because I’m not a HUGE fan of tomatoes. (I was worried, along with my mother, that there were going to be giant chunks of tomatoes in the sauce.) And two: I’ve heard mixed reviews in general of the Italy pavilion food, about both the previous and this restaurant. But I was pleasantly surprised.
We were right on time, arriving at Tutto Italia at 3:10 with a 3:15 ADR. We checked in and sat down right away. The waiting room was not full, but the seating area (dining area) was! Lunch was ending at 3:30, and dinner beginning 4:00.
Tutto Italia Dining Room
After being seated, we had to wait a bit for our waiter. While we were waiting, the host brought us a basket of bread and a plate of oil, which he poured for us right there. There were two types of white bread, several HARD breadsticks, and a curved, cracker-like bread. We enjoyed them all.
Bread and Oil
The oil was very spicy! It looked normal, so I drenched my bread in it and took a huge bite. (This was BEFORE our waiter came and took our drink order!) The oil was fine at first, then hit the back of my throat with the spiciness. It was OK, just surprising.
Tutto Italia Bread-Making Room
The waiter came to take our orders, and within about 15 minutes our food arrived. I got the Lasagna al Forno, which had meat ragu, bechamel, and parmesan. It was delicious…and BIG — about 5in by 5in square in the dish. And although I was skeptical about the sauce (as I mentioned before) the tomatoes were small, and I could hardly taste or feel them. The dish was SOOOO cheesy and surprisingly really good.
Tutto Italia Lasagne
My dad had a Bucatini Gratinati dish with Italian prosciutto, peas, and parmesan cheese. He really will eat anything, but he really liked it.
Bucatini Gratinati
But the real deal breaker on whether we would ever come back is my mother. She just got Spaghetti with Veal Meatballs and Pomodoro Sauce. It came in a BIG dish with about six, one-inch round meatballs. She liked it, and felt the same about the sauce as I did. So overall, the meal was good.
Spaghetti with Veal Meatballs
As I sat in the restaurant during lunch, I saw MANY different desserts pass by. I got the Profiteroles, which were puff pastry with vanilla gelato and hot chocolate syrup. It arrived quickly with two CMs; one gave me the dish, then the other poured the GRAVY BOAT full of chocolate syrup on the three profiteroles.
Profiteroles with Hot Chocolate Sauce
While I’m not a very adventurous eater, I definitely would go back…but Tutto Italia is NO Le Cellier!
Rating: 4 of 5
Accepts Tables in Wonderland Dining Discount Card?: yes
Food: 4 of 5
Thanks, Cody! Click here to see our review of Carnivale at Tutto Italia!
Disney Food Post Weekly Round-Up: July 26
There has been SO much Disney food news this week! Free Dining Offer extensions, 2009 Epcot Food and Wine Festival details announced, and an opening date for Cat Cora’s new Kouzzina restaurant (book your ADRs now), among other items! You can always catch up by visiting our Disney Food News section (you can get there by clicking on the little newspaper icon in the right sidebar).
In the meantime, there have also been some great Disney food posts on the web! Here we gooo!
SoloFriendly reviews Downtown Disney’s Wolfgang Puck Cafe: Another balanced review from SoloFriendly about her recent WDW trip. Great detail…and a scrumptious photo of some cobbler a la mode!
The OC Weekly highlights Disneyland’s Club 33: Few of us know the real deal on this membership-only club in Disneyland; this blog takes a look at the length of the waiting list and the cost to be a member…if that’s even an option anymore!
TheDisneyChick shares the recipe and photos of her foray into making Boma’s Melktart: Anyone who’s tasted this yummy dessert at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Boma restaurant knows that it’s yummy and likely none-too-easy to make! TheDisneyChick is always kind enough to provide photos of the process for anyone brave enough to tackle the recipe. (And, yes, it’s technically from July 15th, but it’s awesome, so it’s here.)
The TouringPlans.com Blog reviews Epcot’s Biergarten: Kristen shares insights into the decor, food options, and entertainment at Epcot’s Germany Pavilion table-service restaurant — and a photo of her companion’s liter of beer! (FYI. That’s a lotta beer.)
MissKim highlights here some Disneyland dining reviews from her recent family vacation: This is part three of her reviews section, so be sure to scroll back through the posts to catch parts one and two!
ScottJosephOrlando is polling for the best pizza in Orlando!: Okay, not really “Disney,” but for any of us who have tried to find a good slice in the World, you KNOW we need this information! Head on over and check the stats!
Have a great week all! I hope to see you over on our DisneyFoodBlog Facebook Page!
2009 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Details
Details are trickling out about the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival!
To book any and all activities and events, reservations open on August 11 at 7:00AM. Call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Theme park admission is usually required, along with a reservation and extra payment for the event.
Check out the Disney Food and Wine Festival Page for info and more updates.
Culinary Adventures — Signature Dining Experiences
Celebrity chefs pair up with Walt Disney World restaurant big cheeses to develop a 5-course meal. Schedule and celebrity chefs include:
10/1 6:30 p.m. Jiko–The Cooking Place — Suvir Saran
10/1 7:00 p.m. Portobello Italian Trattoria — Tony Mantuano
10/13 6:15 p.m. Ragland Road — Kevin Dundon
10/15 5:30 p.m. Flying Fish Café — Tim Keating
10/16 6:30 p.m. bluezoo — Todd English
10/22 6:30 p.m. The Wave — Frank Brough
10/25 6:30 p.m. Victoria & Albert’s — Scott Hunnel
10/29 6:30 p.m. California Grill — Brian Piasecki
10/30 6:30 p.m. Wonders Retreat — Jean Claude Boisset vs. Jean Charles Boisset Wines
11/5 6:30 p.m. Cítricos — Phillip Ponticelli
Price: $100.00-$375.00 per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is not required.
Food and Wine Pairing Meals
An old favorite returns.
Saturdays, 2:30–4:00 p.m. — Tutto Italia Ristorante
Mondays, 3:30–5:00 p.m. — Tokyo Dining
Tuesdays, 3:30–5:00 p.m. — Restaurant Marrakesh
Price: $55.00 per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.
Mexico Tequila Tastings
A NEW addition!
La Cava del Tequila, Mexico Pavilion
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 p.m.
Price: $35.00 per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.
Dine with an Imagineer Review
Disney's Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant
Brad at StitchKingdom.com recently did a fantastic review of the Dine With a Disney Imagineer experience, and I hope you’ll click on that link and read all about it.
Personally, I’ve never had the chance to take part in this cool opportunity, and I’m so glad to be able to share the details with you through the insightful description (and food photos!!) on StitchKingdom.
From the Disney Website:
Dine with an Imagineer at Walt Disney World Resort offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to enjoy engaging conversation with a Disney Imagineer as you savor a delectable lunch at the chic Bamboo Room of the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park.
Up to 8 Guests join in stimulating discussion with one of the incredibly creative artists who bring the magic of Disney to Walt Disney World Resort attractions and entertainment. Feast on a 4-course meal and receive a souvenir plate designed exclusively for this experience that can be personalized by the Imagineer!
Price: $60.99 Guest 10 and older; $34.99 Guest 3 to 9; (6.5% tax and 18% gratuity will automatically be added to the check)
Call (407) 939-5665 to book.
Photo Credit: CP via flickr
Disney Food Post Weekly Round-Up: July 19
So MANY fantastic food posts this week…you’re in for a treat! Here we goooooooo!
Deb Koma at All Ears interviews Marianne Hunnel, manager of culinary programs for the 2009 Food and Wine Festival: Hopefully I’m hiding my jealousy…is it working? 😉 Read this if you’re planning on heading down to the festival in Sept/Oct/Nov! There’s also a prelim lineup of events so you can get an idea of how you’re going to have to work your current dining plans around the Food and Wine collection of seminars and events.
Disney Geek Dad discusses his Top Seven Favorite Snacks at Disney World: A great list, including some you wouldn’t find on typical lists — anyone up for some Figaro Fries?
Main Street Gazette highlights A Recipe from Epcot’s France Pavilion: But they didn’t find it in any restaurant… . A heartwarming and interesting post; just what you’d expect from this fantastic website.
SoloFriendly visits Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney Hollywood Studios: Continuing the string of great Disney food reviews by SoloFriendly; you won’t be disappointed this week either.
Kati’s Kupcakes shares photos of her Alice in Wonderland Cupcakes: An adorable group of cupcakes, including the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and, of course, the Queen of Hearts. You can see more of Kati’s Kupcakes on her website.
DVCbyResale highlights the Boardwalk’s Flying Fish Cafe in this week’s “Main Course” segment: Some delicious food photos from a restaurant that’s often overlooked.
All Ears makes the list twice with this review of the Kidani Village Poolside Dining service: One of the first of its kind on Disney property, I hope it continues! I love the idea of room service by the pool…
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