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Chef Emeril Lagasse Showcases Orlando Restaurants in “Emeril’s Florida”

Fun news for food TV lovers — celebrity chef, Emeril Lagasse, has kicked off his brand new show, “Emeril’s Florida,” with a focus on Orlando restaurants.

Featured in the show are the Ravenous Pig (one of my favorites!), ICEBAR Orlando, Emeril’s Orlando, Vines Grille & Wine Bar, and the pastry chef from Rosen Shingle Creek. The show premier aired Sunday, January 6, at 10:30am.

Emeril Lagasse

Emeril’s Florida is brought to viewers via the partnership of Visit Orlando, VISIT FLORIDA, and Chef Emeril Lagasse. Focusing on wonderful Florida destinations and unique dining opportunities, the show airs on the [Read more…]

Review: Boardwalk Bakery Temporary Location

By Erin 10 Comments

As we reported earlier this month, the popular Boardwalk Bakery is now closed for a winter refurbishment. You can see more details about the bakery refurbishment here!

While work is going on inside the shop through Friday, April 26th, a temporary tent has been erected on the Boardwalk to serve the some of the quick service needs in the area.

Boardwalk Bakery with the entrance behind a work wall.

Temporary quick service food stand on the Boardwalk.

These temporary site is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

It is serving some, but not all, of the Boardwalk favorites. Notably missing are many of the cake and pastry items.

Breakfast offerings.

Everything at the temporary location is “Grab and Go.” And there’s a refrigerator case offering drinks, fruit, salads, and other grab and go items.

Temporary refrigerator case.

There are some cookies and prewrapped baked items, but not the [Read more…]

News! Le Cellier Lunch Menu Changes

By AJ 37 Comments

With Le Cellier Steakhouse now a TWO table-service credit restaurant for both lunch and dinner on the Disney Dining Plan, the restaurant has changed over to an all-day menu (effective January 16, 2013).

Learn About:Le Cellier Steakhouse

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Located in Epcot’s Canada, this signature restaurant’s all-day menu means that guests looking for a burger will no longer find one here. (Total bummer, as it was one of our favorites.) But the lobster mac ‘n cheese will now be available for lunch and dinner.

For starters, Le Cellier’s chopped lobster salad or bowl of the cult favorite Cheddar Cheese Soup are excellent choices. Don’t forget about the poutine fries, too (Hubba Hubba)!

Plus, the seasonal salad now being offered is greens with duck prosciutto, blue cheese, fig-almond cake and a soft-boiled egg.

Poutine Fries...two orders...don't judge

Entrees are still plentiful, and steak-focused. Canadian-raised beef choices include a grilled bone-in ribeye, New York Strip, and the famous (and awesome) Filet Mignon.

That Filet Mignon is a fan favorite with its white truffle-butter sauce and wild mushroom risotto.

Mushroom Filet Mignon with White Truffle Butter Sauce and Micro Chevril

Vegetarians will continue to enjoy seasonal offerings, including a winter squash ravioli with sage brown butter. And the menu includes year-round sustainable seafood by Chef Al Youngman.

For dessert, the Maple Creme Brulee and Trio of Chocolate are [Read more…]

How MyMagic+ Will Affect Disney Dining

By AJ 67 Comments

Planning your Disney World vacation is about to change—big time. While making your Advance Dining Reservations 180 days in advance will still be important, MyMagic+ is going to make it easier to pre-plan your trip and maybe even save your Disney dollars at the same time!

We’ve outlined the basics of the new Walt Disney World Resort technology below, followed by a healthy dose of Disney dining tips for making the most of the new system — including how it will change your Disney Dining planning, and how you might save money using MyMagic+!!

MyMagic+: The Basics

This past week, MyMagic+ — a new, tech-savvy planning process for your Disney vacation — officially rolled out across the Walt Disney World resort. Relying on RFID technology, this will create a “more immersive, more seamless and more personal experience” for guests, according to Disney Parks Blog.

A major piece of the MyMagic+ puzzle is the new My Disney Experience website and mobile app, which help guests plan their trip. The interactive tools allow guests to log in to book advanced dining reservations and ride times for popular attractions as well as parade and fireworks viewing locations with FastPass+. They’ll also make it easy to change those plans on the fly from any smartphone or Guest Relations kiosk.

All of that MyMagic+ data—including ride and meals times—will be encoded onto the new must-have Disney accessory: the MagicBand. These high-tech bracelets will replace the Key to the World card, becoming a room key, theme park ticket, PhotoPass card, FastPass and charge account in one.

MyMagic+ MagicBand in action

Right now, guests saying at WDW resort hotels, Annual Passholders, and those who purchase PhotoPass will automatically receive a complimentary standard MagicBand. Upgraded wristbands, decorated with characters, will also be available for an additional fee.

Guests who stay off property will receive an RFID-enabled card, which will act as a park ticket, charge account and FastPass+ ticket, but they will have to purchase a MagicBand separately.

Don’t Forget Your MagicBand!

The new technologies will likely have a significant impact on your dining strategy, so we’ve put together a quick primer on how to make the most of MyMagic+:

Pay and Go

The most immediate and obvious impact of the MagicBand will be the ability to pay for snacks and quick service meals with the flick of a wrist.

Literally tap the RFID bracelet (or card for non-resort guests) against the sensor at the register to settle the bill on purchases of $50 or less quickly and efficiently. No more digging around for the Key to the World!

Schedule Your WHOLE Day

With the current system, FastPass dictates your return window based on how many FastPasses have already been distributed. On some days, it’s possible to arrive at Soarin’ at 9:30 a.m. only to be locked into a 6:35-7:35 p.m. return time. That presents a problem for those [Read more…]

Review: Epcot’s Les Halles Bakery

By Erin 59 Comments

As recently reported, the new Les Halles Bakery is open for business in Epcot’s France pavilion. Les Halles replaces the previous France quick service location, Boulangerie Patisserie.

Les Halles in the back of the France pavilion, next to the old bakery location

Note that the Bakery opens at 9am — two hours earlier than most other counter-service locations in World Showcase! This will definitely be your place for breakfast if you’re entering Epcot through the International Gateway!

Atmosphere

While I was a fan of the food at Boulangerie Patisserie, I found the narrow service area and lack of seating to be a challenge, particularly when I was traveling with children in a stroller.

The large service area and ample indoor and outdoor seating at Les Halles solves these problems and improves upon the French cafe concept with more, and better, food options.

Wide service lanes!

Eats

While you don’t order these until the end, the first menu you’ll see when you walk into the restaurant lists your beverage options.

If you’re using the Disney Dining Plan, all but one of the nonalcoholic drinks is available for a Disney Dining Plan snack credit. It’s nice to see the continuing trend of $4.00-5.00 items available as snacks.

Because you’re in France, of course there are wine and beer options available. I purchased the the Kronenbourg 1664, which was a great accompaniment to my meal; but you should know that all alcohol is poured into plastic cups as it is served to you. No glass is allowed out into the park.

(Editor’s Note: Word is, according to the cast members, they do serve alcohol when they open at 9am. Not sure how long that will continue, but it’s one way to get a [Read more…]

Review: Tomorrowland Terrace Breakfast

By AJ 16 Comments

Those headed into Main Street USA for the next few months will be greeted with the shuttered and shut down Main Street Bakery…

Shuttered Main Street Bakery

But never fear if breakfast is what’s on your mind.

As we reported a few days ago, Tomorrowland Terrace will be serving breakfast eats while Main Street Bakery is undergoing refurbishment and Starbucks-ifying over the next few months!

Entrance

And the fearless Erin Foster, our Disney Food for Families Columnist and Disney Dining guru here at DFB, took some time after running the half-marathon last weekend (GO ERIN!!) to check out the goods!

You can see the full Tomorrowland Terrace Breakfast Menu here!

Beignets

We were excited to see one of Disney’s guest favorite snacks pop up at this temporary breakfast spot.

You can see that these beignets are fashioned after those made at Port Orleans French Quarter resort. They’re made fresh, so you may need to wait a few minutes for them after you order.

These aren’t quite as light and fluffy as the POFQ version, but they’re a good effort. The serving came with five pieces — two more than you get at POFQ — so they’re easy to share. Also, they’re messy, so be aware — but the powdered sugar is great.

Tomorrowland Terrace Beignets

Mini Waffles with Fruit Topping

We were wondering if these would be Mickey waffles, but they’re more similar to the Belgium Booth waffles from the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

These were good, and are a very reasonable portion size for a normal human being. Syrup is available, but you have to ask at the counter — it’s not at the condiment station. I can see that being a drag if lines were long.

As for the topping, the blueberries are fresh; but the strawberries seem slightly “compotey.”

Mini Waffles with Fruit Topping

Oatmeal

This is a decent-sized portion of oatmeal, and comes with [Read more…]

Tables in Wonderland January Event: The Wave Discovery Dinner

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

Tables in Wonderland

has announced a January Discovery Dinner at The Wave…of American Flavor at the Contemporary Resort for January.

Tables in Wonderland Dinner - click image for larger version

The Wave Discovery Dinner

Here are a few details for ya…

Location: The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Date: Thursday January 17, 2013 6:30pm Reception; 7pm Dinner
Cost: $110 per person, including tax and gratuity
Dress Code: Casual Evening Attire

During this event, local farmer from Cahaba Clubs Herbal Outpost in Odessa, Florida will be represented. In 2000, Marvin Wilhite began growing hydroponic micro-greens, micro-herbs, micro-vegetables, and more. Cahaba products are used by chefs for garnish and also to add unique flavors to signature dishes.

In addition, former cast member Chris Doncsecz and wine Scaole Fine Wines representative will be in attendance.

News! Tomorrowland Terrace Breakfast Menu in Magic Kingdom (Now Serving Beignets?!)

By AJ 16 Comments

Now that the Main Street Bakery is closed for renovation and Starbucks-ifying, guests have to go elsewhere for their breakfast pastries!

This past weekend, our colleague (and Goofy Challenge Medalist!!!) Andy Jackson from Eating (and Drinking) around the World sent over a few pics from the Magic Kingdom of the newest breakfast game in town: The Tomorrowland Terrace!

Usually open sporadically, Tomorrowland Terrace has had various menu changes throughout the past couple of years. But it rarely (if ever) offers breakfast.

Now, while the offerings aren’t as extensive as what you could have found at the Bakery had it been open, I’m pretty intrigued by a couple of the choices…

Tomorrowland Terrace Breakfast Offerings

Tomorrowland Terrace Breakfast Offerings -- Beignets!

Beignets?!? Wha?! I wonder if they’re more like the Port Orleans French Quarter Beignets, or more like the Disneyland Mickey Beignets! Anyone out there try them yet?

Port Orleans French Quarter Beignets

And it’s good to see that the Main Street Bakery ham and cheese croissant is still available… [Read more…]

FIRST LOOK! Les Halles Bakery Menu and Photo Tour in Epcot’s France, Walt Disney World

By AJ 54 Comments

Update:

The official bakery name is Boulangerie Patisserie les Halles. It will open at 9am ahead of World Showcase’s official 11am opening time.

Waaaaaay back at the beginning of 2012, we reported that Epcot’s France Pavilion would be getting an overhaul food-wise! And now it’s all becoming reality! Les Halles Bakery has officially opened!!

Les Halles Bakery Opens in Disney World

In addition to the opening on Monsieur Paul Restaurant in December, we can now celebrate the opening of Les Halles Boulangerie!! And we’ve got some incredible photos for you of the new Bakery, as well as the Disney Les Halles Menu! HUGE thanks go out to Michael Burk (@michaellburk) , once again, for sending over these great pics!

Les Halles Ordering Area and Queue -- click for larger image

The new bakery is HUGE compared to the old one, which will soon become Glacier Ice Cream Parlor. Once you enter, you’ll quickly see a long ordering queue line area, digital menus, and lots of yummo pastries waiting for you to choose them!

Les Halles Ordering Queue

The Les Halles menu includes an expanded selection, including pastries, soups, sandwiches (both hot and cold), salads, and more.

The Pumpkin Soup and Lobster Bisque are definitely on my list to try!

Les Halles Menu -- Soups, Sandwiches, Salads, and Specialties

Um…I’ll take one of everything on this pastries/desserts menu, please… [Read more…]

News! January Wine Dinner at BoardWalk Inn’s Flying Fish Cafe

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

The Flying Fish Café at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Resort has announced the first dinner for the 2013 Winery Series!

Learn About:Flying Fish

Boardwalk Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Be sure to block off Wednesday, January 30th, 2013, on your calendar for this fun and high end meal!

Kicking off the 2013 Season with Style and Elegance

Featuring the Exciting Wines of Grgich Hills Estate – Napa, California.

With Special Guest, Violet Grgich – Co-proprietor, Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Violet’s passion for wine began at an early age, as she grew up accompanying her father in the vineyards and cellar.

Grgich Hills Estate

She spent her summers at the winery, doing everything from bottling line work to laboratory analysis and working in the tasting room.

Violet Grgich

After attending the University of California, Davis, Violet returned home to Grgich Hills. She’s now responsible for daily management of the winery, as well as sales and marketing. She says that she has the ideal job: “I believe that wine is part of a healthy, happy and long life. Wine brings people together and makes them happy, which makes my job extraordinarily fulfilling.”

Wines to be paired with Chef Tim Keating’s California-inspired Menu

Grgich Hills Fume Blanc 2009
Grgich Hills Chardonnay 2009
Grgich Hills Zinfandel 2008
Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Grgich Hills Violetta 2008

A menu from a seasonally-influenced market will be offered at the 6:15pm dinner. A reception [Read more…]

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Chef Emeril Lagasse Showcases Orlando Restaurants in “Emeril’s Florida”

Review: Boardwalk Bakery Temporary Location

News! Le Cellier Lunch Menu Changes