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Photos and Review Part 1: The NEW Spice Road Table in Walt Disney World’s Epcot!

Hooray! We’re finally celebrating our first taste of Spice Road Table!

We’ve been eating our little hearts out at Epcot’s newest tapas restaurant and we can’t wait to tell you all about it!

Our review will be broken into a few parts, since there’s SO much to share!

Spice Road Table will be soft opening on Saturday for the public (a grand opening has not yet been scheduled), and we want to hear what you think! The tapas-only restaurant features small plates (which means you can order a LOT!) as well as specialty drinks, a full bar, wines, beers, and more.

There’s even some chef-crafted ice cream (we got to try all five flavors!!) — scroll down to see our review and some fun pics!

But first, let’s take a look around…

Spice Road Table View from the water

Here you’ll see pictures of the new Juice Bar, the outdoor seating at the restaurant, and even the indoor decor! It’s gorgeous!! We can’t wait for you to check it out!

Atmosphere

Spice Road Table, Epcot’s newest restaurant taking up residence on the shores of World Showcase Lagoon in the Morocco Pavilion, will surely be a destination for many Disney food lovers like me!

The space combines 60 indoor seats and 120 outdoor seats, so guests will be comfortable no matter the weather. Now, let’s take a peek INSIDE the restaurant!

Spice Road Table Indoor Seating

As you can see, the space inside is small, but well appointed. There is a view of the water from every single table through the giant wall of windows looking onto World Showcase Lagoon.

Yep — this will absolutely be a hot ticket for the fireworks!

Spice Road Table Decor Indoors

Decor elements include bright colors, plenty of Moroccan additions, and some truly gorgeous lamps and lanterns.

Spice Road Table Indoor Lanterns

But, of course, the main draw is the view!! I’m looking forward to sitting at this table soon!

Spice Road Table Indoor View

The atmosphere was meant to [Read more…]

News and Photos! Spice Road Table Soft Opens in Epcot on Saturday!

By AJ 21 Comments

We’re so excited to share the awesome news that Spice Road Table, Morocco’s newest eatery, is scheduled to open to the public for a soft opening on Saturday! Woo-hoo!

The New Sign for Spice Road Table!

Disney Food Blog exclusively broke the official news that Morocco was introducing a new small plates restaurant way back in 2012!

We’ve watched the progress with eager eyes and can’t wait to try out the new spot, which we KNOW will be a great location for catching the IllumiNations fireworks!

Spice Road Table from across the Lagoon

Here’s a little photo tour of the new location, straight from Epcot today! You can see that construction walls are still up, so Disney’s going to be burning the midnight oil for the next two days getting this spot up and running… .

Spice Road Table Entrance

Here’s a super fun addition: the Juice Bar!! We’re so excited to be able to sidle up for some chef-created ice cream!! The rest of the menu is [Read more…]

Great Places to Celebrate your runDisney Race!

By Wendy 15 Comments

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is upon us

! And it got us thinking… where would we most like to relax and celebrate after a runDisney race in Disney World? There are lots of things to consider when planning your post-race celebration. So, lace up, friends, and read on!

Chef Mickey’s

Located in the heart of the Contemporary Resort, Chef Mickey’s fun-filled buffet is also character meal featuring the Fab Five… which, of course, includes the Big Cheese himself, Mickey Mouse!

Chef Mickey’s

Pros:
• A great buffet with an abundance of choices to fill most any post-race craving;

• If your race happens during Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in January, this is the place where you can get your picture taken with a character that likely matches the one on your medal! (Minnie for 10K finishers, Donald for Half Marathon finishers, Mickey for full Marathon finishers, and Goofy for those just goofy enough to run both the half and the full!)

Chef Mickey

Cons:
• There will be a fair bit of standing (for character pics) and walking (to and from the buffet)… something to keep in mind for tired legs;

• Chef Mickey’s is not open for lunch (when most runners will finish the full marathon), so you’ll need to wait for dinner or next morning’s breakfast to celebrate.

OTHER CHARACTER MEALS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION:
• Epcot’s Akershus in the Norway Pavilion: We’re thinking of all of you Princesses running the February races with [Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: Soup!

By Brooke 10 Comments

It’s freezing…well, just about everywhere. AND, it’s National Soup Month! So I thought it was time to add some brand new bowls of comfort to our Disney Food Pics of the Week Series.

It’s always so fun to flip through the fantastic photos that our members post on the Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza, our Flickr group. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, head over there! It’s great for a virtual trip to Disney, or even some fun inspiration for planning your next trip — or your next meal!

Cheddar Cheese Soup from Le Cellier

Ah, we couldn’t kick off a soup post without sharing a photo of one of your favorites and mine — Cheddar Cheese Soup from Le Cellier! It’s such a luxury to have a whole bowl of it! But it’s also nice to get a taste at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival each Fall. Only ten months to go! Woo!!

Photographer: Nancy RK

Cheddar Cheese Soup at Le Cellier

French Onion Soup from Les Chefs de France

There is nothing better than [Read more…]

Recipe: Creamy Lobster Soup from Disney World

By Brooke 5 Comments

It’s chilly, well, just about everywhere today! So it seems like the perfect time to share the recipe for an amazing soup!

How about a rich, creamy soup featuring the luxury of lobster? Yeah? Well, you have just enough time to run out to the store and pick up the ingredients! 😉

A bowl of Creamy Lobster Soup

Today, we’re featuring Creamy Lobster Soup from Epcot’s Coral Reef Restaurant. And the beauty of making it yourself — you can add more lobster, or even crab and shrimp if you’d like!

This one’s a little complicated, but nothing you can’t handle on a wintry Saturday!

CREAMY LOBSTER SOUP, Disney World’s Coral Reef Restaurant

Ingredients: [Read more…]

Guest Review: Lunch at Tutto Italia Ristorante in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion

By Kim LaPaglia 20 Comments

Welcome back Guest Author Katie Roth with a review from Tutto Italia Ristorante in Epcot!

Learn About:Tutto Italia Ristorante

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

My husband absolutely loves lasagna, so I knew we had to try Tutto Italia. I wasn’t convinced that it would be better than Mama Melrose’s or Via Napoli, but I was willing to give it a shot. On this particular day, we were dining at lunchtime.

Atmosphere

The décor was very fancy; dark woods everywhere, crystal chandeliers, ornate carpets, and colorful murals lining the walls. This atmosphere seemed too fancy for tank tops, shorts, and sweats.

Inside Tutto Italia!

Dining Room.

Our seating area wasn’t in the main dining room, but a smaller room that connected to the outdoor dining area.

View of Outdoor Patio.

Once we were seated, a waiter came to take our drink orders. What was very offsetting about this was the fact that he would not acknowledge my presence no matter what I did. I had to practically yell as he walking away that I wanted a Coke. Working in a male-dominated industry and going through this every day while getting my undergrad degree, I was used to it; however, I do not think behavior such as this is appropriate AT ALL in a public service driven industry. I think steam was coming out of my ears. (I’m off of my soapbox now.)

Finally, our primary waitress came to our table and took our order. She was very helpful and guided us through the menu while making suggestions to me, the non-lasagna-enthusiast. She was very nice.

Before our entrees arrived, we were treated to a [Read more…]

Top 5 Must-Try NEW Restaurants in Walt Disney World for 2014

By AJ 7 Comments

Happy New Year

to all of our wonderful Disney Food Blog Readers out there!

Whether you’re busy getting started with those resolutions, or recuperating from the big party last night, we thought we’d take a few minutes and discuss some fun new options that you’ve just gotta try in 2014!

True, there wasn’t nearly as much expansion in Disney Parks in 2013. It’s hard to measure up to New Fantasyland and Cars Land, after all! But there are still some fun new spots to check out.

So if you haven’t had the pleasure, allow me to introduce our picks for the Top 5 Must-Try New Walt Disney World Dining Spots for 2014!

L’Artisan des Glaces

Who knew that you could make Ice Cream even better? We were a little sad to hear that one of our favorite destinations for ice cream, Fountain View Cafe (hand made ice cream sandwiches!!!) would be converting to a Starbucks. But our blues faded away the very first time we stepped foot into L’Artisan des Glaces.

L’Artisan des Glaces Moved into the Former Boulangerie Patisserie Space

The tiny sorbet and ice cream parlour has tons of Old World charm — quite a feat since it opened, brand-new, in 2013! Occupying the space that was previously home to Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot’s France Pavilion, the shop gave us lots of reasons to venture off the beaten path in search of a refreshing treat. (Bakery fans, not to worry. The très popular bakery and pastry shop was rechristened Les Halles, and expanded to the back of the France Pavilion.)

Inside L’Artisan des Glaces

On any given day, the scoop shop plays host to 16 varying flavors of ice cream and sorbet, made from scratch right here in the France Pavilion.

A scoop of the good stuff

And the flavors aren’t your garden variety vanilla. They’re European-inspired flavors, with exotic names like Caramel Fleur de Sel, Coco-White Chocolate, and Profiterole. Okay and yes — there’s Vanilla, too. 🙂 They’re all made in house (I’ve actually seen the ice cream machines in the back!!), and the flavors absolutely pop.

L’Artisan des Glaces Ice Creams and Sorbets in Epcot’s France

But that’s only part of the story. Because if you’re looking for something a little more interesting than just another scoop of ice cream (really, really incredible ice cream, mind you), then L’Artisan des Glaces is for you. They’re pushing the envelope with not one but THREE fun ice cream snacks that ensure I pop into the shop nearly every trip.

In the category of frosty drink treats with a grown-up twist, we have this gorgeous [Read more…]

My Holiday Dining Dilemma

By Erin 52 Comments

Erin Foster is the Disney Food for Families columnist and a behind-the-scenes guru here at Disney Food Blog! Check out more of her posts here.

I’ve had the good fortune to spend several major holidays at Walt Disney World with my family. Last week, as I made reservations to spend the winter holidays at the parks again this year, I was reminded of a situation we encountered on Thanksgiving Day 2008.

My three pre-teen daughters, my husband Jeff, and I are dining at the California Grill. They’ve got a special menu of turkey and all the trimmings, hubby and I ordered a nice bottle of wine, and we’ve timed it so that Wishes is starting just as we’re ready for dessert. It’s pretty much a perfect celebratory situation.

California Grill is a perfect holiday destination

We’re enjoying each other’s company and the dining room is filled with other families as pleased as we are. A few tables away from us, is a woman dining alone, seated by the window overlooking the Magic Kingdom. She’s well-dressed, maybe late-30s or early 40s. She’s not reading a book or playing iPhone Scrabble (like I often do when I’m eating alone at a table service restaurant). She’s simply eating her turkey at a moderate pace, enjoying the view of the castle, and chatting pleasantly with the waiter when he comes to refill her water or offer more bread.

On absolutely any other day, I wouldn’t have given this woman a second thought. I’ve been that woman myself many times. I frequently travel to Walt Disney World on my own and often enjoy the peace of a solo meal at a fine restaurant.

The Sunset at California Grill is a great backdrop for a solo dining experience

If I had seen her a few days earlier, I would have assumed she was a business woman at a convention, or a food blogger, or just someone who likes to travel alone. Again, all perfectly normal situations. If I had seen her a few days earlier, I would have [Read more…]

The Year in Review: Top 10 Disney Food News Items of 2013!

By AJ 7 Comments

If you’re a Disney Food Fan, then 2013 has been an exciting year!

We’ve had lots of change, new announcements, and brand new experiences.

So today, we thought we’d take a look back at this year, and review the Top 10 Disney Food News Items of 2013!

From new coffee to new restaurants, new technology to new ice cream, we have a ton to cover!

Let’s get started!

1. COFFEE!

When Starbucks and Disney announced in 2012 that the coffee giant would be coming to Disney Parks, the news was huge! And when the first Walt Disney World locations began opening in 2013, the story once again topped the list of Disney food headlines.

Starbucks at Main Street Bakery is Right in the Middle of the Magic

The first location to open was Main Street Bakery on Magic Kingdom’s Main Street USA. While some loyal fans of the historic spot decried the chain store intrusion, many coffee lovers were thrilled that they could now enjoy their favorite brew in the shadow of Cinderella’s Castle.

And with the Main Street cinnamon rolls available at Gaston’s Tavern (at least they claim they’re the same…you can see our cinnamon roll throw down here!), well — at least not all of our favorite goodies are lost.

A Busy Morning at Main Street Bakery

The reopening of Fountain View Cafe in Epcot as the second WDW Starbucks location seemed to ruffle fewer feathers, since the themeing for the futuristic ice cream parlor wasn’t as beloved as Main Street Bakery. Still, patrons were irked with the lack of seating, even if the many, many bays for ordering mean that your java arrives fresh and fast.

Have Your Starbucks in Epcot with a View of Spaceship Earth

But Starbucks wasn’t the only coffee news we debated in 2013. Disney also announced that Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company, headquartered in Tampa, would become the official specialty coffee provider for Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Vacation Club resorts.

Joffrey’s is Named the Official Coffee Brand of Disney Parks

We’ve been enjoying Joffrey’s products for ages at the kiosks throughout the parks, so this was welcome news to many. So far, we are hearing that you seem pleased with the switch from Nescafe to Joffrey’s.

2. RESTAURANT FASTPASS TESTING — AND MORE TECH UPDATES!

Waaaaayyyyy back in January of this year, we first wrote about how we thought My Magic+ would affect Disney Dining.

And before the year was out, we had the opportunity to see just how some of the new technology would work.

One of the most intriguing uses of MyMagic+ technology was the Touch to Pay System. We had an opportunity to put our Magic Bands to work with the new system, and Erin, our Disney Food For Families columnist, documented the process so our readers could be in the know!

Erin Paying with Her Magic Band at Artist Point!

And while we love the Magic Band concept, even cooler is all the Disney food bling that you can get to individualize your bracelet! I’m a sucker for the cupcake!

Magic Band Food Bling

Another rumor that came to fruition was that [Read more…]

Review: Peacock Alley at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando

By AJ 2 Comments

OK, I totally have ANOTHER awesome waffle sandwich to share with you today!!

And you can find it in an unlikely location…the Waldorf Astoria Orlando Resort. Nestled in Bonnet Creek, within the main gates of Walt Disney World, it’s a great mix of convenience and refinement. Plus, there are some seriously killer views of Disney’s theme parks from its balconies.

Today, we’re grabbing a casual lunch at the resort’s main lounge — Peacock Alley.

Peacock Alley Menu Cover

This spot’s namesake is the fashionable Peacock Alley of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City (the original was given the name due to the colorful peacock feathers the ladies wore in their hats); but while it’s elegant, you can definitely choose this location for a relaxed and casual lunch.

Atmosphere

Everything about Peacock Alley makes me want to take a deep breath, sink into a comfortable chair, and relax. The cool colors and motif of peacock feathers surrounds you throughout (even on the carpet!).

View of Peacock Alley

The view is of the Waldorf’s pool area and golf course. And you may even catch a glimpse of Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Seating

There is a luxuriously appointed bar on one wall, and there’s even a peacock etched in the mirror.

Peacock Alley Bar

Check out this awesome [Read more…]

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STAY CONNECTED

Photos and Review Part 1: The NEW Spice Road Table in Walt Disney World’s Epcot!

Atmosphere

News and Photos! Spice Road Table Soft Opens in Epcot on Saturday!

Great Places to Celebrate your runDisney Race!

Chef Mickey’s

Disney Food Pics of the Week: Soup!

Cheddar Cheese Soup from Le Cellier

French Onion Soup from Les Chefs de France

Recipe: Creamy Lobster Soup from Disney World

Guest Review: Lunch at Tutto Italia Ristorante in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion

Atmosphere

Top 5 Must-Try NEW Restaurants in Walt Disney World for 2014

L’Artisan des Glaces

My Holiday Dining Dilemma

The Year in Review: Top 10 Disney Food News Items of 2013!

1. COFFEE!

2. RESTAURANT FASTPASS TESTING — AND MORE TECH UPDATES!

Review: Peacock Alley at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Atmosphere

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER EBOOKS

POLICIES & CREDITS

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Category: Table-Service

Atmosphere

Chef Mickey’s

Cheddar Cheese Soup from Le Cellier

French Onion Soup from Les Chefs de France

Atmosphere

L’Artisan des Glaces

1. COFFEE!

2. RESTAURANT FASTPASS TESTING — AND MORE TECH UPDATES!

Atmosphere

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER EBOOKS

POLICIES & CREDITS