food IS a theme park
Disneyland’s Big Thunder Ranch BBQ has always been one of my favorites. When I heard that it would be closing for good on January 11th, 2016, (in order to make room for Star Wars Land) I knew that I needed to plan a few visits.
Big Thunder Ranch BBQ
If you can’t make it to the limited-run character meal that is Minnie’s Holiday Dine coming to Hollywood & Vine Restaurant starting in just a few weeks, fret not…
Because our favorite gal Minnie Mouse will be hosting dinner parties ALL YEAR LONG! That’s right… Minnie’s Seasonal Dine will be offered throughout the year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: the text below has been updated, as Disney has since released the various seasons and themes that will be celebrated at Minnie’s Seasonal Dine.]
So, what happens after the holiday season? Well, that depends on the time of year… from spring to summer to Halloween and more, Minnie and some of her best Disney pals will be celebrating events and seasons throughout the year. Each season will offer changes in decor, music, menu items, “interactive musical moments,” and new costumes, adding to the festive fun!
First up? A celebration of the movies and all the glitz and glitter of Hollywood will take place from January 4th through March 20th! And it looks like Minnie is already adding to her considerable wardrobe for the next occasion…
©Disney
Currently, interested guests are able to book through March 20, 2016 only. Minnie’s Seasonal Dine will change throughout the year as follows: [Read more…]
“Welcome to the mystery, romance, and adventure of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. Here on the shores of paradise, our seafaring friend established this happy hideaway for all to enjoy!”
#OnTheList: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
Aside from proudly boasting his offer of TWO of his heads for one of yours, everyone’s favorite Head Salesman from the beloved Jungle Cruise attraction — Trader Sam — has one more bragging right to add to his list: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is #OnTheList this week! [Read more…]
We’re spending a leisurely afternoon at the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
While we love taking a turn around World Showcase to try all the great eats, it’s always fun to take in a few of the Festival’s Special Events each year as well. And you can always count on a terrific experience when you book events in Epcot’s France Pavilion.
Join us today as we head up the spiral staircase for a special Parisian Afternoon at Monsieur Paul.
is a hidden gem in Epcot’s France Pavilion. Nope — I’m not speaking figuratively. I mean, it’s actually hidden. To find it, head back through France as though you’re going to visit Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie. It’s a little easier to find than it used to be, though, thanks to the awning that bears the restaurant’s name.
Monsieur Paul Entrance
You’ll find the check-in desk right inside the door. For Festival Special Events, the host or hostess will ask for your name, and then cross it off the printed list. At this time, you’ll head up the Art Nouveau staircase… [Read more…]
Mom’s Favorite Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Cake from 50’s Prime Time Cafe is a decadent new menu dessert. Today, we have a mini-review from guest author Sandy DiCicco.
50’s Prime Time Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a mid-century themed restaurant taken right out of your favorite TV shows from the era! Take it away, Sandy!
I usually get Dad’s Brownie Sundae, but after a recommendation from our waitress (she said the brownie sundae changed and it wasn’t as good as it used to be) that I should try the cake.
And boy am I glad that I did!
Chocolate cake and thick layers of peanut butter ganache/fudge make up the dessert. It was absolutely huge… this was a dinner plate!
I regrettably could not finish it all, but I’ll be dreaming about it for a long time!
Mom’s Favorite! Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
Well, it’s official! The rumor that Chef Art Smith is opening a restaurant is Disney Springs has been confirmed at last!
Earlier this summer, Chef Art Smith (BBQ Pitmaster Judge, author of Art Smith’s Healthy Comfort and other cookbooks, founder of Art and Soul in Washington, D.C. and Table Fifty-Two in Chicago, and former Chef to Oprah Winfrey), posted a message on his Facebook page stating that Chef Art’s Florida Fish Camp would be coming to Disney Springs. However, that post was quickly deleted, and we’ve been wondering about possibilities for his upcoming venture ever since.
Chef Art Smith
The originally proposed name of the restaurant has changed and the spot will now be called Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine.
The name is inspired by the fact that Chef Smith is a Floridian, raised in Jasper, Florida (his family still lives and runs their farm there). Not only that, but the Chef — a former student of Florida State University — even completed a Culinary Internship with the Walt Disney World College Program!
We’re taking in lunch at Raglan Road Irish Pub in Disney Springs!
If you’ve visited Disney Springs recently, you know that the area once known as Pleasure Island is practically unrecognizable from what it was two years ago. Construction walls abound, and new restaurants and shops seem to be opening every day.
The good news is that those walls seem to be decreasing every time I visit. And so on a recent research visit, I headed over to Raglan Road to take a peek at some new cocktails and have a bite to eat!
As I’ve said, if you haven’t visited for a while, all the work at Disney Springs is going to shock you. While Raglan Road used to stand front and center, easily viewable from the parking lots, now it’s a bit of a walk to get here from the nearest parking building.
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant Without the Construction Walls
You should budget at least 10 minutes or so if you’re coming from the parking garage. [Read more…]
Welcome to Morimoto Asia — the latest addition to the Disney Springs dining scene!
With dining locations in Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago (among others), Morimoto Asia is not the first restaurant venture headed by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. However, it is Chef Morimoto’s first “pan-Asian” restaurant, featuring flavors from across the continent with a focus on Thailand, Korea, Japan, and China.
This new Disney Springs location was created in partnership with the Pantina Restaurant Group (you may know this name from the group’s association with Disney World restaurants such as Via Napoli, Tutto Italia and Tutto Gusto, and a few Disneyland restaurants including Catal Restaurant and Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria).
Morimoto Asia opened its doors just last week on September 30th for dinner (lunch and the anticipated weekend brunch will not be offered for a few weeks yet — the starting date is yet to be announced), and you may have had a chance to check out our First Look from opening night. (EDITOR’S NOTE: Since the writing of this post, it has been announced that lunch at Morimoto Asia will debut on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at 11:00 am.)
Today we’re back for a full review.
Morimoto Asia
So, settle in! Because there’s LOTS to see… [Read more…]
Welcome to the brand new Morimoto Asia Restaurant in The Landing of what is at long last OFFICIALLY Disney Springs!
We’ll be back with a full review on Monday, but today we’re here for a First Look. In some respects, our meal at Morimoto Asia itself was a bit of a First Look, because while dinner seatings are up and running each night beginning at 5:00PM, the restaurant will not be serving lunch or its planned weekend brunch for a few weeks yet (the starting date for these dining opportunities is yet to be announced).
Once it is fully open, operating hours will be 11:00 am to 2:00 am, bringing extended hours — custom-made for a more vibrant nightlife — to Disney World’s ever-transforming and newly renamed dining and entertainment district.
But that’s all logistics… we know you’re itching to take a peek inside Iron Chef Morimoto’s first Pan-Asian restaurant, just like we were!
Morimoto Asia
So let’s do exactly that… [Read more…]
A new dining opportunity is coming to Narcoossee’s, one of the signature restaurants at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.
A hallmark of Narcoossee’s is the wonderful views it offers of Seven Seas Lagoon, which makes it known as an especially terrific option if you book your Advance Dining Reservation for dinner in coordination with a showtime of Wishes — the Magic Kingdom Fireworks spectacular.
Later this fall, Narcoossee’s will be making the most of its unique setting in the daytime with the new Waterfront Brunch, which will be offered on Sunday mornings beginning November 22, 2015 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
The meal will begin with a specialty beverage of either champagne, a Mimosa, or a signature Bloody Mary, while a smoothie option will be available for guests under 21.
Next, a shared basket of pastries will include house-made chocolate and traditional croissants alongside muffins, Danish pastries, and pecan sticky buns, all served with Vermont cultured butter and seasonal jam.
©Disney
Guests will then choose from an appetizer selection including Onion Soup Gratinee, Shrimp and Grits, Seafood Charcuterie, an Artisanal Cheese Selection or a Romaine Salad. Entree choices will include Lobster Eggs Benedict, Brioche French Toast, Chicken and Waffles, Freshly Caught Seasonal Fish, and Steak and Eggs (among others). Brunch will end with a dessert trio. [Read more…]
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