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EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

Category: Table-Service

2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Review: Parisian Breakfast at Les Chefs de France

By 37 Comments

It’s time to head back to one of my most favorite spots in all of Epcot’s World Showcase — Les Chefs de France!

Learn About:Chefs de France
Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Even though I’m happy to dine at this bistro anytime of the year, today we’re bringing you a review of a brand new special event from the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival — the Parisian Breakfast.

When this new event was announced for this year’s festival, I jumped at the chance to add it to my busy opening weekend schedule! It’s one of the lower-priced special events available, and I’m always looking for a value.

As a special bonus, the event took place before most of World Showcase was fully opened. I always love it when I can have any part of the park (mostly) all to myself. 🙂

Atmosphere

The Parisian atmosphere of Les Chefs shines through at this new breakfast special event.

Seating and Setting the Table

After all, if  you look at the pic below, it even kind of feels like you’re in Paris, eh??

Beautiful Morning Sunlight

I was seated at a table looking out onto the World Showcase promenade. This event (along with most other special events at the festival these days) had assigned seating.

This is relatively new for festival events, so be prepared if you’re hoping to sit with a friend who booked separately from you!

Our Table with a View

Luckily, I got to sit with an awesome group of Disney food fans and we chatted the morning away! It was a great time!

Now, as beautiful as the morning surroundings are, I know you’re anxious to see [Read more…]

Guest Review: Citricos at Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort

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The Grand Floridian Resort is home to several fine dining experiences. Today, guest author Rebecca Dolan reviews the resort’s Citricos restaurant.

Learn About:Citricos
Grand Floridian
Disney World Restaurants

I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on Citricos all these years.

My family and I tend to shy away from Disney’s fine dining experiences. Truth be told, we’re often just too tired (read: lazy) to put on “real” clothes after a day at the parks. But, this meal is even worth putting on your nice khakis for.

Atmosphere

Citricos is set on the second floor of Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort at the back of the main building, where it shares a check-in foyer with Victoria & Albert’s.

A set of iron gates is an artistic touch to delineate the waiting area from the bar and dining room.

The gates to Citricos

Fun gate detail

Past them is the first dining area and bar. This is bordered by large windows overlooking the rest of the hotel and the Seven Seas Lagoon to the right, with a large wine room, bar, and display kitchen to the left. A bit further back is a glass-and-wood enclosed “chef’s domain” — a private dining rom.

The bar

Front part of the dining room, with tons of natural light

Entrance to the glass-enclosed private dining room

The rear part of the dining room is perhaps what Citricos is known for architecturally. The round room is enclosed by what are essentially floor-to-ceiling windows, offering an amazing view of the property, the lagoon, and even part of the Magic Kingdom.

Round dining room, again with no shortage of a view

Looking out over the Grand Floridian

Though it’s a bit obstructed, you can even catch a glimpse of the [Read more…]

Disney Recipe: Cottage Pie from Epcot’s Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room

By 22 Comments

OK, I have a really funny story about Rose & Crown’s Cottage Pie.

Learn About:Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room
Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

When I was tiny and my parents took us to Disney World, we ate “in England” (I know it’s the UK, but back then we just called it England) at Epcot’s Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room. My big brother ordered the Cottage Pie and fell in love with it! My dad got the recipe and made the dish at home.

Well, my palate had not yet expanded to include Cottage Pie, and I refused to eat it! (Can you imagine?!) I was sent to bed without dinner, and apparently I learned my lesson! 😉

Luckily, my taste buds have matured…and I’m excited to share the recipe for this dish with you today! Like everything else on the menu, the Cottage Pie has an authentic flavor that reminds me of home cooked food of the British Isles.

Cottage Pie at Rose and Crown

But if you can’t make it across the pond, [Read more…]

News! Disney World To Add Cancellation Policy and Fee to All Table-Service Restaurant Reservations

By 124 Comments

Welp, the days of skipping your Disney dining reservations when you’re stuck in line for Soarin’ may be over!

Remember when Disney started requiring a credit card guarantee — and subsequently charged for no-shows — on signature and character meals back in 2011? We’re hearing that starting on October 31, 2013, that policy will apply to all Disney World table-service reservations.

What are the details of the cancellation policy?

If guests fail to cancel their reservations within one day of the reservation time and then don’t show up at the restaurant, they’ll be charged $10 per person on the credit card used to hold the reservation.

For dinner shows and some character meals, guests will continue to be required to pre-pay for the meal and will forfeit the entire cost should they not cancel within the required window and fail to show up for the event.

Guests planning to visit Cinderella's Royal Table could lose their entire payment should they fail to cancel

What does “within one day” mean?

Well, this is usually defined as a 24-hour window, but many guests have had luck with cancelling by 11:59pm the night before the reservation.

How do I cancel a reservation when I’m in Disney World?

Disney’s tried to make it easy to cancel reservations. You can use the [Read more…]

News! Disneyland Dining Reservations Available Online Starting October 3rd

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Disneyland Resort has announced that dining reservations will be available online starting October 3, 2013!

This new option will make booking meals more efficient at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure park, Downtown Disney District, and Disneyland Resort hotel restaurants. (YAY!!!)

Disneyland Dining Reservation System

Once the online booking option is live, the [email protected] email reservation service will end, however those reservations may also be made at 714-781-DINE.

Looking for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Pirates League, and Studio Disney 365 reservations? You’ll still need to call 714-781-STYLE.

Credit Card Guarantee

Beginning October 3, guests who make new dining reservation OR modify existing dining reservations will be required [Read more…]

New! The Grey Stuff Cupcake and Other Menu Updates at Disney World’s Be Our Guest Restaurant

By 43 Comments

Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland in Walt Disney World is home to the uber-popular Be Our Guest Restaurant, and we’ve got some awesome menu updates for you today!

Be Our Guest Restaurant!

The Master’s Cupcake — A.K.A. The “Grey Stuff” Cupcake!

Beauty and the Beast fans will recall that Lumiere encourages Belle to “try the grey stuff, it’s delicious, don’t believe me?, ask the dishes!”

Since the restaurant opened, guests have been able to try “the grey stuff” as a special celebration dessert.

The Grey Stuff

But now they’ve created an entire cupcake celebrating this sweet surprise! Check it out!! [Read more…]

Review: Lunch at Kona Cafe in Disney’s Polynesian Resort

By 11 Comments

Most of us know that Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Resort is one of the best-kept dining secrets in all of Walt Disney World.

Learn About:Kona Cafe
Polynesian Resort
Disney World Restaurants

But these days, it’s becoming less a secret, and more of an established must-eat! If your list of advance dining reservations doesn’t include at least one meal here, then you’re sorta missing out.

By a long stretch, breakfast is the hottest meal ticket at Kona Cafe (Tonga Toast!!), followed by a loyal fan base at dinner time.

What about lunch, though? Well, I’m so glad you asked…

Atmosphere

I’ve said it before, and to date, nothing has changed: the atmosphere at Kona Cafe is boring. This is one spot at Disney World that you aren’t frequenting for the epic design choices.

Kona Cafe Sign

The vibe is “modernized hotel lobby kind of Hawaiian chic.” And by “modernized,” I do mean last decade. That’s not to say that it’s unpleasant. You just (probably) won’t be squealing with delight as you take in every element.

Dining Area

Seating is functional and comfortable. I prefer these round tables to the other options however, since I feel a little less constricted here.

Seating

There are some interesting decor elements we should point out, though, especially if you look up or down. To begin, you have the seriously awesome natural light that comes from the skylights above. This is a great touch, since there are few combinations more wonderful to dine in than natural light and air conditioning.

These frosted glass “leaves” break up the monotony of the ceiling nicely and also soften the light a bit.

Lighting and Ceiling Decor

The fans here are one of the elements that brings “Polynesia” to this restaurant, and they keep the air circulating to make for a more comfortable space. Patterns on the amber light shades are reminiscent of Polynesian art as well.

Ceiling and Lighting

Carpeting includes vibrant colors that remind you of a tropical setting. Be sure to look closely at those flowers — you just might discover a little surprise!

Be Sure to Pay Attention -- A Hidden Mickey in the Carpet

If you’re looking for a [Read more…]

NEWS! Downtown Disney Foodtopia Coming This October!

By 9 Comments

Welp, Downtown Disney Orlando has added another awesome food-focused piece of news to the Food Trucks and Disney Springs Restaurants!

Throughout October, eight Downtown Disney restaurants will feature 3-course dinners at bargain prices at the NEW Downtown Disney Foodtopia event!

Menus

Three full courses and a non-alcoholic beverage are included! Let’s take a look at some of the menus…

Paradiso 37: Choose from blackened mahi sliders, a hearty beef burrito, or chicken enchiladas paired with a starter and dessert.

Paradiso 37 Chocolate Stack Dessert

Planet Hollywood: Entree options are Celebrity BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger, lasagna, or Southwest Salad.

Wolfgang Puck Café: Start with garlic and white bean hummus, a Caesar salad, or butternut squash soup. Entrees include pesto chicken, crispy pork loin, or spaghetti Bolognese. Desserts are key lime pie, carrot cake, or a brownie sundae. See our Wolfgang Puck Cafe dinner review here!

Carrot Cake at Wolfgang Puck!

Splitsville: Choose from eight appetizers and 10 entrées, with a brownie and ice cream for dessert.

Splitsville -- Outside View

Fulton’s Crab House: Shrimp cocktail, steamed clams and mussels, or jumbo lump crab cake to start; a whole Rhode Island lobster, cioppino, or filet mignon for an entrée, and a Tollhouse Cookie sundae, key lime pie, or root beer float for dessert.

Details

Dates and Times:

October 1 – 31; 5:30-7:30PM

Cost:
Prices do not include tax and gratuity.
$30: Bongos Cuban Café, House of Blues, Paradiso 37, Planet Hollywood, Portobello, Splitsville Luxury Lanes, and [Read more…]

Guest Review: Epcot’s Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room

By 28 Comments

Today we are welcoming guest author Rebecca Dolan with a dining review of the Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room. Read on…

Learn About:Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room
Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

When it comes to Epcot’s Rose & Crown, the mantra should be “come for the fireworks, stay for the food.” Sure the menu of British comfort classics has always been on point, but the real draw here has to be the restaurant’s back patio, which offers one of the best fireworks views on the shores of the World Showcase Lagoon.

This combination of no-frills British food and fireworks made Rose & Crown both one of my mother’s favorite Disney spots, and the bane of the Epcot trips of my youth. (Ugh, do we have to watch the fireworks again? I want to eat in Morocco!) But, Rose & Crown and I have come a long way over the past years. And, I now fully support adding it to a Disney dining itinerary.

Atmosphere

The first thing you’ll probably notice about Rose & Crown is that it isn’t built in just one architectural style. Instead, the building is a mash-up of three different, popular pub styles.

The building’s three sides at Rose and Crown.

The main entrance leads into a full-service pub where you can belly up to the bar for traditional beers, ciders, and scotches from the UK. A handful of tables provide a much-needed respite from the afternoon sun.

Stopping in for an evening pint.

Outside the pub entrance, to the left, is the check in booth for the dining room. Seating is either on the outdoor patio overlooking the lagoon, or inside the main dining room. Try your best to score an outdoor table if you can (back patio is better than side patio) for the fireworks view.

This will likely prove to be a difficult endeavor, however. After close to three decades of dining here, this trip was the first time our family was actually seated outside.

Get a load of that view!

Now, don’t let that get you discouraged! Even if you can’t get the coveted front row seats, those eating inside are allowed [Read more…]

Guest Review: Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

By 26 Comments

Guest author Paul Kuconis returns with a review of Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort in Walt Disney World. Take it away, Paul!

Learn About:Yachtsman Steakhouse
Disney World Restaurants

For years, friends of mine (also Disney Freaks) told me to go to Yachtsman Steakhouse; and for years I never went. No particular reason.

Finally I did and this is now my second visit in three months. Why did I wait so long?!

Atmosphere

A hidden gem!

Up four steps to an inviting entrance of hardwood and glass and we are in!

Yachtsman Steakhouse Signage

Entrance.

Once inside we are greeted with the Aging Room. Our server told us the meat is dry aged 6-7 days. This is well short of the normal 15-28 days, but the results are still awesome!

First View of the Aging Room

Aging tenderizes and intensifies the flavor and draws out some of the moisture.

Beef Aging

While waiting for our table we looked at today’s cuts. Yum! Can’t wait!

Today’s Cuts

We asked if Thomas was working – he was, and we were seated in his section, at the same table as our previous visit. Clearly my daughter has already gotten down to business!

Our Table By The Window

Our table was in the middle of a huge bay window with a nice view of the pool area and across the way to the ESPN Club.

The View Outside

The view of the restaurant’s interior from our table was equally impressive; very open with the glass and hardwood theme carried throughout.

Notice the portholes (the yacht theme) and the bay windows above, mirroring the bay window we sat near.

Into The Restaurant From Our Table

The chandelier and ceiling structure (along with what I would call a ‘widow’s walk’ skylight) is immense and breathtaking and fits the size of the room. The attention to detail is unbelievable!

Chandelier

After catching up with Thomas we got down to business!

Eats

First stop [Read more…]

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