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EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

Category: News

Update! Spice Road Table Opening Soon In Epcot’s Morocco Pavilion!

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Waaaaay back in 2012, DFB broke the exclusive news story that a new restaurant would be opening in Epcot’s Morocco pavilion!

As we confirmed in April, Spice Road Table is opening soon! This restaurant joins Tangierine Café (Moroccan sandwiches and specialty pastries) and Restaurant Marrakesh (savory dishes, Moroccan music, and belly dancers). The restaurants all showcase Morocco’s authentic charm.

Mediterranean outdoor cafes served as inspiration for the restaurant’s themeing. Spice Road Table’s exterior is whitewashed with icy blue accents reminiscent of the famous “Blue City” of Chefchaouen in the North African country’s Rif Mountains. Look for an outdoor terrace seating 120 guests and room for 60 indoors with incredible views of the World Showcase lagoon. I can’t wait to see IllumiNations from here! Inside, guests will find cozy booths, Moroccan light fixtures, intricate tiles, tapestries, and art. Some features will represent Morocco’s indigenous Berber tribes.

Along the front of the building, a Moroccan “souk” will offer wares from colorful marketplaces. Before your meal, get a henna tattoo from an artist specializing in temporary body art. There will be traditional and modern designs to choose from!

Spice Road Table

Menu highlights include [Read more…]

Review: Carioca’s on the Disney Magic Cruise Ship

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Today we’re visiting the newest Disney dining establishment on the high seas… Carioca’s!

Atmosphere

The Disney Magic is Disney Cruise Line’s original ship. After fifteen years of sailing, she recently underwent her first lengthy renovation (referred to as a “re-Imagineering” by Disney Cruise Lines 🙂 ). Several of the dining and adult lounge areas were refreshed and enhanced, while others received a complete redesign.

With the ship’s launch in 1998 came the introduction of Disney’s unique approach to dinner seating known as Rotational Dining. Instead of gathering in one large dining room every night, guests aboard Disney Cruise ships are assigned to a rotation among three different dining rooms. Their table servers rotate with them, getting to know their likes and dislikes (as well as any special dietary needs), allowing for a more seamless dining experience.

Welcome to Carioca's

With the Magic’s recent post-renovation relaunch, what was formerly Parrot Cay in the dining rotation has become Carioca’s!

Atmosphere

Carioca’s is inspired by and named after Donald Duck’s pal, the one and only José Carioca

! You may know José from two Disney films from the early 1940s: Saludos Amigos and The Three Cabelleros.

Mural

Even if you aren’t familiar with these films, you may have enjoyed sailing and singing along with José, Donald, and their third amigo, Panchito, on the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion!

Gran Fiesta Tour

“Where one, two, and three goes, [Read more…]

Five Legged Goat Krispy Treat (!!!) and other Festive Snacks make Holiday Debut at the Contemporary!

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This must be Contemporary Resort week at DFB, ’cause we’re back at the chic-meets-retro hotel again today! The holiday season is upon us at Walt Disney World! And, as you may know from an earlier post, one of the ways the season makes its presence known throughout Disney World is through some amazing gingerbread creations!

Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Tree

At Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the fabulous smell of spiced gingerbread wafts from this 17-foot tall, 6-foot wide Gingerbread Tree.

Gingerbread Tree Ingredient List

The good news is that you can enjoy more than just the fragrance… the Contemporary Resort’s gingerbread display offers plenty of festive snacks available for purchase as well.

Snacks available for purchase

Holiday Treats at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

It seems to me these treats change at least a bit every year, and part of the fun is seeing what’s new. This year’s selection didn’t disappoint!

Let’s start with the most fun (and unique) addition to the line-up. This year’s assortment of snacks includes a Five Legged Goat Krispy Treat!

Five Legged Goat Krispy Treat

Perhaps you are unfamiliar with our five-legged friend… if so, don’t worry. You haven’t spent your life missing out on a yuletide tale of yore featuring a five legged goat ;). No, this fellow is [Read more…]

Holiday News! Tables in Wonderland Offers Complimentary Valet Parking at Downtown Disney

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For the holiday season, Tables in Wonderland — Disney World’s popular dining discount program — is offering members complimentary valet parking at Downtown Disney!

Tables in Wonderland, Walt Disney World’s fee-based dining discount program offered to Florida residents, Annual Passholders, and Disney Vacation Club members, is a great way to save money if you are a frequent diner at Walt Disney World.

And now through January 1, 2014, Tables in Wonderland Members can valet park (one vehicle per membership card) at Downtown Disney for FREE when dining at a participating restaurant.

This is AWESOME — and you know it is if  you’ve ever tried to park at Downtown Disney during the SUPA busy holiday season shopping rush.

Valet parking is available daily from 4PM – 2AM. Black-out dates apply. See tablesinwonderland.com for all program policies.

Holiday Valet Parking Available at Downtown Disney West Side

As you near Downtown Disney West Side, valet parking can be found via Entrance 4. After your meal, visit the valet stand. You’ll need to present [Read more…]

News! Chef Kevin Dundon from Downtown Disney’s Raglan Road Stars In New Cooking Show

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Raglan Road fans will want to tune in to the new PBS Cooking Show, Modern Irish Food, starring Celebrity Chef Kevin Dundon!

Learn About:Raglan Road Irish Pub
Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

Yup! This Disney Chef has his own TV show! Awesome! Who says Disney World is just burgers and ice cream?

In case you haven’t been there, dining at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant in Downtown Disney Orlando is a consistently yummo experience. On the menu — contemporary Irish dishes such as Dalkey Duo Sausages, Bangers and Booz with Guinness Stew and Mashed potatoes, and Keen Eye for Shepherd’s Pie! Plus the best soups in the whole wide world.

AND — Kevin Dundon was my very first interview waaaaay back when I started DFB in 2009. He was so kind and generous with his time; a true blue kind of guy. So let’s support his superstardom and tune in!

Raglan Road in Downtown Disney

Kevin Dundon’s Modern Irish Food Show will air in Central Florida and on PBS stations across the United States. It’s been picked up by Create TV (part of the PBS family) for February 2014. Episodes will air at 2PM Saturdays on WUCF-TV in Central Florida through December 21, 2013.

With award-winning chef Kevin Dundon at the helm, this new television series will focus on Irish cuisine made with local herbs and veggies. Just like at Raglan Road, Dundon gives viewers a modern look at traditional Irish dishes.

Based on his new cookbook, Kevin Dundon’s Modern Irish Food, the series will culminate with a “Christmas Made Easy” segment.

The show was filmed at Dundon’s four-star Dunbrody Country House Hotel & Restaurant, Cookery School and Spa, in Ireland. Check your local listings as episodes began airing October 26 in the Orlando area.

Kevin Dundon

Upcoming episodes include:

Nov. 16 – Fish, Hunt and Harvest: Kevin prepares smoked mackerel with a black currant Jus. Also: Skeaghanore duck breast with black cherries, pickled wild mushrooms, sautéed garlic potatoes and to finish, a spiced apple with Killowen yogurt.

Nov. 23 – Birds, Bass and Berries: Kevin creates a woodpigeon salad; whole roasted sea bass in a sea salt crust; crushed baby potatoes; and a sea vegetable salad. Finally, a fresh and tasty elderflower and gooseberry layered “fool” dessert.

Nov. 30 – Comfort Foods: Kevin presents [Read more…]

2013 Holiday Gingerbread Houses and Pins at Walt Disney World Resorts

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Once again, visions of gingerbread houses will become reality at select Walt Disney World resort hotels!

The holiday season is underway as Mickey and his elves (and some talented chefs!) get busy filling the resorts and parks with seasonal decor, merchandise, and treats. Plan to stop by the resorts to see the displays, purchase a pin, and/or meet one of the fabulous chefs!

Life-size!

To commemorate the inspiring gingerbread houses, NEW limited edition pins will be released. Starting November 14, 2013, gingerbread house pins will go on sale at the Contemporary, Beach Club, and Grand Floridian resorts. Disney’s BoardWalk pin will debut on November 29th.

Grand Floridian Gingerbread House

So which came first? The gingerbread or the pin? Well, Jeanne Lewis (Disney pins merchandiser) explained how the Disney pastry chefs studied the pins in order to select characters to incorporate into their designs!

2013 Disney World Gingerbread Houses and Pins!

The Grand Floridian’s pin celebrates the 15th anniversary of their unique gingerbread house. Meet executive chef Erich Herbitschek on November 16 from 1-2PM near the Grand Floridian gingerbread house.

Grand Floridian 2013 Gingerbread House Pin

And how cool is it that the Contemporary’s pin showcases the five-legged goat from Disney Legend Mary Blair’s mural. Five-legged goat,  you ask?! You’ll want to look for it on your next visit to the Grand Canyon Concourse at this Disney resort! On November 15, meet pastry chef Jeff Barnes at Disney’s Contemporary Resort from 5-7 PM.

Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Tree

Contemporary and Beach Club 2013 Gingerbread House Pins

Stop by the Beach Club on November 18 to meet pastry chef Deran Lanpher from 1-2:30PM and to see the creative gingerbread displays.

Beach Club Carousel from Above

Disney’s BoardWalk is unveiling a new [Read more…]

News! Sleepy Hollow’s Presidential Sweet in Disney’s Magic Kingdom

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Headed to the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World?

Learn About:Sleepy Hollow
Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

You’ll always want to add a stop at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments in Liberty Square to your snack itinerary! This hidden gem seems small and simple, but in fact, you’ll find some seriously unique eats here that you can’t find anywhere else in the “World!”

We love the waffle sandwiches, funnel cakes, soup, ice cream sandwiches, and more; but now you’ve got another treat to sample!

DFB friend Daniel Wanderman was wandering (I couldn’t help it!!!) around the Magic Kingdom and spotted this…

Presidential Sweet at Sleepy Hollow

Similar to the Liberty Swirl Slush, the new Presidential Sweet is made by swirling together raspberry and strawberry slushes (usually these are fanta slushes) and adding a topping of soft serve ice cream!

A toast to freedom

Fans of The American Dream at [Read more…]

News! and Review: Downtown Disney’s Superstar Catering Food Truck

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Downtown Disney (the shopping, entertainment, and restaurant district) at Walt Disney World recently welcomed the Superstar Catering Food Truck to the lineup of eateries!

And so it begins… the first official food truck has arrived in Downtown Disney!

Atmosphere

If you’ve been keeping an eye on Disney Food Blog, then you’re aware that new food trucks have been preparing to park themselves near Cirque de Soleil and House of Blues in Downtown Disney’s West Side.

Cirque de Soleil and House of Blues

To be precise, four new themed food trucks will be joining the lineup: Enchanted Fare Food Truck (featuring treats from Disney Parks around the globe), The World Showcase of Flavors Food Truck (bringing a few Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival favorites to guests all year-round), Namaste Café Food Truck (Sanaa fans, start your engines!), and Superstar Catering Food Truck… which has made it’s starring debut!

See info and menus from the food trucks here!

Superstar Catering Food Truck

Time to line-up at Superstar Catering

Superstar Catering brings a touch of Hollywood Studios to Downtown Disney. It’s easy to recognize how the sleek-yet-playful decorative elements and colors of the truck echo those of the park. Specifically, it brings to mind images of the retro-styling of 50’s Prime Time Café.

Favorite of the Stars

A Star Studded Menu

Tables were set up for the debut! We’re not sure if these were there for the Festival of the Masters event, or if these will be there full time… .

Tables

And Disney cast members are raring to go on the inside!

Superstar Catering Window

Eats

Superstar Catering boasts a “Star-Studded Menu!”

Food Truck Menu

Guests have their choice of three dishes: Turkey Sausage and Golden Raisin Meatballs (served on soft polenta), the Lamb Meatball Flatbread Sandwich, or the Spinach and Beef Meatball Sandwich. For children, there’s also a Kid’s Meatball Slider.

Superstar Catering Menu

I went with the [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: 2013 Disneyland Candy Cane Dates!!

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It’s about that time of the year! The Christmas decor is being put up around the resort and seasonal treats are starting to surface! Are you craving Hand Made Candy Canes from the Disneyland Resort yet?  Yes? Good! ‘Cause we’ve got the dates!

Not sure what we’re talking about? Check out this post that showcases our first candy cane adventure.

Hand Made Candy Canes from The Candy Palace

Just like last year, Candy Cane making will be alternating between Candy Palace on Main Street USA in Disneyland and Trolley Treats over on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure.

HOW IT WORKS

Technically you are not supposed to line up before park opening, but guess what people do? When I went for the first time, I was lucky and got there just 30 minutes before park opening. But I talked to someone who was there by 4:00am, which to me is nuts. So basically, it’s your call. Last year, the crush wasn’t quite so bad, but you never know what’s going to happen this year.

Wristbands may be picked up at park opening.

I HAVE NOT confirmed this info, but this is how it went down last year:
There will be 40 wristbands per batch and three batches per day.  This means that 120 wristbands will be given out at park opening.

The earlier you are there, the earlier your batch. I HAVE CONFIRMED that [Read more…]

News! Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Merchandise

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One of my BEST experiences at Disney — hands-down — was participating in the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend with my friend Todd P. a couple of years ago!

Wine and Disne Half Marathon Apparel

I bought a shirt to commemorate my accomplishment, and I still wear it all the time! 😀

Well, the half returns again this year — The Walt Disney World Resort will host this event November 8-9, 2013, as part of the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. And those running in the race can get their own swag to celebrate…

Disney World Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend Merch

Whether you’re shopping for apparel, pins, home goods, or other souvenirs, many of the items will feature artwork designed by Paolo Gutierrez, a Disney Design Group artist. Paolo explains “…I purposely designed the logo to resemble a bottle label.”

I LOVE this “I Did It” T-shirt with a stylized course map! Make sure everyone knows what a big deal you are!!

Wine & Dine Half Marathon Course Shirt

Participants can choose from T-shirts, long-sleeved apparel, and a navy colored polo shirt. There will also be an assortment of women’s shirts, including a [Read more…]

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