Table-Service | the disney food blog

Valentine’s Day Menu: La Luce by Donna Scala at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort

One of our favorite Italian eateries in Walt Disney World, La Luce by Donna Scala, has thrown its hat into the Valentine’s Day ring with a special menu!

Seating at La Luce

The restaurant, located within the maingate of Disney World at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, offers fresh and imaginative takes on Italian cuisine. You can read my review of a wonderful dinner here!

If you’re in town and don’t want to battle Disney crowds for Valentine’s Day, take advantage of this incredible menu. They’ll actually be serving the special menu February 14, 15, and 16.

La Luce Offers a Special Menu for Valentine's Weekend

My suggestion? [Read more…]

News! Menu Changes at ‘Ohana in Disney’s Polynesian Resort

By Kim LaPaglia 46 Comments

Editor’s Note: In addition to the peanut dipping sauce, sweet and sour sauce is now being offered again. Thanks to Disney Mom Leslie for this update!Thanks to Disney Mom’s Panelist and DFB Friend Leslie Krzan for reporting on menu changes at ‘Ohana in Disney’s Polynesian Resort.

Learn About:‘Ohana

Polynesian Resort
Disney World Restaurants

We’ve got some interesting news about a few menu updates at guest favorite restaurant, ‘Ohana.

According to a server, changes were made to the menu here about a month ago with the posted menu outside of the restaurant still showing the old menu items. Let’s take a look at what’s been updated with this menu-go-round.

‘Ohana Salad Dressing Update

The fan-favorite honey lime dressing has been a stand-out at ‘Ohana as well as a much requested recipe, however it did not make the latest menu cut. Here’s Leslie’s take:

The new salad features a passion fruit vinaigrette with chunks of passion fruit and mandarin oranges. I don’t eat salad, but my husband said the salad was just OK. He really liked the old honey lime dressing. In fact, he usually eats the whole bowl of salad himself, but left about half of it this time.

New Salad at 'Ohana

DFB reader Anne T. also wrote to let us know about the change. She feels similarly about the new dressing: “The new dressing is still good, but not as good as the honey lime,” she says.

‘Ohana Stir-Fried Veggie Update

The vegetable dish has changed as well with this recent menu update. Here’s what Leslie discovered: [Read more…]

Tips from the DFB Guide: Dining with Picky Eaters in Disney World

By AJ 20 Comments

Got a picky eater in Disney World?

Worried about finding food that your young (or young-at-heart!) “selective” eaters will enjoy during your Walt Disney World vacation? You’re not alone!

Lots of families have at least one picky eater in their midst, and we’ve collected tons of tips during our Disney dining experiences.

Our readers note fussy eaters as a top concern, so The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2013 e-Book includes a lengthy section on how to plan your Disney dining when your trip includes less-adventurous eaters.

We’ve got plenty of tried and true advice in the DFB Guide on satisfying choosy diners without making the rest of the family sacrifice interesting eats. Pick up your copy here for an extra $4 off using code 2013 for a limited time!

Grown-up picky eater? Order an adult portion of a kids menu item!

You’ll find valuable information that will allow your family to enjoy a variety of restaurants! Here are just a few of our many suggestions!

Buffet restaurants offer plenty of choice for picky and adventurous eaters alike! Try Boma and Tusker House for a true variety.

3 Top Tips for Dining with Picky Eaters in Disney World

Your picky eater dilemma can range from a kid insistent on only chicken nuggets for meals to an adult with a non-adventurous palate. Let’s look at three tips that can help your family!

Take Advantage of Appetizers or A La Carte Menus. Often a restaurant will have an appetizer that is familiar to a picky eater — salads, soups, and flatbreads (pretty ubiquitous at Disney World) work well for adults with simple palates. If there’s an appetizer that looks…well…appetizing, ask for a meal-sized portion. Is your toddler only eating mashed potatoes this week? As long as you see the item on a dish some where on the menu, you can order it as a side or meal.

Just Ask! Don’t be shy. Ask your server if the chef can whip up a grilled cheese if that’s your kiddo’s favorite, or an adult portion of chicken nuggets from the kids’ menu if Uncle Bob would prefer it. Your server and the chef have heard much more difficult requests than yours, and their goal is to make your family happy — so speak up.

Even Mac and Cheese can be fancy -- and many restaurants will make it for you!

Simplify Your Selections and make Substitutions. It’s okay to ask for a plain burger instead of the dressed up bacon cheeseburger. And you won’t be the first guest to ask for a grilled chicken breast with no special sauce, or a sandwich without the veggies. I do it all the time!

We have plenty more great ideas and experience-based information on dining with picky eaters and adventurous eaters, as well as kids, big groups, and more — and it’s ALL sandwiched in our 400+-page DFB Guide!

Now’s the time to order The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2013 for help with all of your Disney Dining needs. We’ve dined with picky eaters and can tell you what to expect!

Our up-to-date dining tips will help your family enjoy a stress-free vacation! Click here to get your copy of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2013 E-book — and use code 2013 for an extra $4 discount for a [Read more…]

News and Review: Introducing ‘Host the Roast’ at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant (Plus New Desserts!)

By Brooke 9 Comments

We recently gave you all the details about Raglan Road’s brand new Rollicking Raglan Sunday Brunch.

Learn About:Raglan Road Irish Pub

Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

And today, we’re back with more great news from our favorite Irish pub in Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney!

Raglan Road debuted their awesome new “Host the Roast!” feast on February 3rd, and it’s available every Sunday going forward.

Created to honor the custom of Sunday Irish lunch, “Host the Roast!” is a full traditional meal, centered around premium signature roasts. And this is an option that’s priced for groups of six, which means this should definitely be on your list for your next family reunion in Disney World. (Note that if you’re not interested in Hosting the Roast while you’re there, you can always stop into Raglan Road on Sunday to enjoy the Sunday Brunch!)

Master Chef Kevin Dundon

Are you intrigued? I was! Guests can choose from several roasts, but you need to book at least 48 hours in advance!:

The Roast Rib of Beef, Yorkshire pudding, horseradish cream and rosemary jus, Balsamic glazed carrots, Green beans, roasties and pomme au gratin plus family style dessert. $55 per person

Beef Rib Roast -- Up Close

The Roast Pork loin, pork crackling, cider port jus, apple sauce & apple chutney, Balsamic glazed carrots, Green beans, roasties and pomme au gratin plus family style dessert. $47 per person

The Roast Leg of New Zealand Lamb, stuffed with sage & onion, mint sauce and red wine jus, Balsamic glazed carrots, Green beans, roasties and pomme au gratin plus family style dessert. $45 per person

The Roast lemon thyme Chicken, Bread sauce, red wine jus and a family style Chicken & Wild Mushroom Pie with Balsamic glazed carrots, Green beans, roasties and pomme au gratin plus family style dessert. $35 per person

All roasts include a family-style dessert! Choices are:
Gran Marnier Fruit & Custard Trifle or Baked Strawberry & Apple Crumble (gluten free option available)

But enough talking — time to see some pics!

How to “Host The Roast!”

So here’s how it all works: you book your “roast” with Raglan Road (at least 48 hours in advance), then show up at the correct time on Sunday afternoon. And the fun begins!

The roast is carved table-side (very fun), so the carving cart is wheeled out to the head of your table.

Carving Cart

Next, servers bring out an enormous cart laden with the roast and all the trimmings. At our gathering, we were fortunate to have two different roasts: the Beef Standing Rib Roast and the Bone-In Pork Roast.

Each roast is accompanied by many of the same items, but there are a few differences in side dishes and sauces (see the menu listing above for details). Horseradish Cream and Rosemary Jus perfectly accented the beef roast and its side dishes.

Beef Standing Rib Roast Host the Roast Platter

The Pork Roast comes with a [Read more…]

Limited Time Magic Dinners at Disney World and Disneyland Just in Time for Valentine’s Day!

By AJ 1 Comment

Love is in the air — especially at Disney!

As 2013 continues to be the year for Limited Time Magic Events, Disney is hosting True Love Week at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland complete with specialty menus at several restaurants!

It's Romance Time at Disney!

Walt Disney World

As a Limited Time Magic addition during February 11-17, romantic dinners for two will be offered with prix fixe menus at select restaurants.

Specially-created menus at Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort make an ideal setting for a romantic evening.

Book online at disneyworld.com/dining, or call (407) WDW-DINE.

The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney's Hollywood Studios is the Perfect Setting for Your Romantic Dinner

Disneyland

Also during February 11-17, choose romantic dinners with prix fixe menus at the following restaurants: Blue Bayou and Café Orleans in Disneyland, Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California [Read more…]

Tip from the DFB Guide: Three Great Ways to Save on Food at Disney World

By Kim LaPaglia 38 Comments

Let’s face it — rising food costs are negatively impacting our budgets — and that’s especially true at Walt Disney World!

With years of Disney dining experiences between our “ears” ;-), we’ve learned some cost-saving measures that can truly help. And since we’re all about sharing (unless we’ve got our hands on our favorite school bread), we want to let you in on great ways to save on food during your next Disney vacation.

In our The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2013 e-Book, we have a whole chapter about budgeting and saving at Disney World. Pick up your copy here for an extra $4 off using code 2013 for a limited time!

The legwork’s already done! Reading our comprehensive DFB Guide will help you find great membership savings, coupons, and more ideas to help you save as much as you can on your trip.

3 Great Ways to Save on Dining at Disney World

Here are just a few of the great ways to save on food when visiting Walt Disney World that we included in the DFB Guide to help you stretch your vacation dollars.

1. Eat breakfast as your biggest meal.
Before heading to your first attraction, feast on a hearty breakfast. Breakfast can not only be exceptionally filling (and can be healthier than lunch or dinner), it’s the least expensive time of day to dine in Disney World! So fill up on breakfast and have a few snacks instead of big lunches and dinners as you go through the day.

Even character meals are less pricey at breakfast!

Eating a big breakfast will fill you up -- and cost less than dining big later in the day!

2. Ask about an “entree-only” price at counter service locations.
Counter Service menus usually include side items, and the prices reflect those extras. Don’t really feel like fries with your cheeseburger? Ask a Cast Member if there’s an entree-only price. You may be able to knock off the extra cost (and calories!) of those fries when you order an entree with no sides!

Go ahead and ask to hold the fries!

3. Dine off-site or at non-Disney owned locations.
It’s no secret that once you enter those purple gates of Walt Disney World that food costs soar. Dining at an off-site location will offer the greatest savings in your dining budget — even if you add the cost of taxi to get there.

Or you can seek out restaurants that are not owned by Disney but still conveniently located on Disney property. While not always a guaranteed slam dunk of savings, these can occasionally offer cheaper options. One great choice is Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney!

What Other Ways Can We Save?

These budget-busting tips are in addition to dozens of other money-saving strategies we list in The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2013 — like where to get free samples, how to quench your thirst for less, foods you can bring with you, where to get discounts and coupons, when to visit for the best savings, [Read more…]

Review: Yak and Yeti at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

By AJ 25 Comments

Luckily, I recently got to attend a business meeting at Yak and Yeti in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Learn About:Yak and Yeti Restaurant

Animal Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

I haven’t been there in a while, but I’m pleased to report that this location is still offering great eats for those who want a bit more than pizza and chicken nuggets for their theme park dining.

You’ll find this spot in the park’s “Asia” area, near Kali River Rapids. The decor and backstory are a blast, and it’s well worth wandering around the restaurant a bit to take in all of the imagineering detail after your meal.

Atmosphere

The desire to stand and stare, taking in every detail, begins before you ever enter the Yak and Yeti. The striking purple building beckons you to come in and discover more.

Yak and Yeti Outside

Once inside, you start to peel back the layers of the restaurant’s backstory. In a nutshell, a wealthy merchant from Anandapur, Arjun, has fallen on hard times. As a result, he’s turned his regal home into a fine hotel and restaurant. You are his honored guests!

The Story behind the Yak and Yeti

Throughout Arjun’s extensive [Read more…]

Guest Review: Territory Lounge at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort

By AJ 5 Comments

Welcome guest author Paul Kuconis with at a look at the Territory Lounge at the Wilderness Lodge. You know we love “Lounge Food!”

For some time now I have read reviews on the various (and awesome) culinary offerings in and around Walt Disney World. I finally decided to present my thoughts on a great appetizer at Territory Lounge. I hope you all enjoy my ‘review’.

Territory Lounge Overhead Sign Post

Atmosphere

We are frequent travelers to Walt Disney World and stay only at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. On our first evening we always visit the resort’s bar area — the Territory Lounge.

The Lounge is very much in keeping with the theme set by the Wilderness Lodge. Wilderness Lodge, to us, is a laid back setting/venue, complete with (predominantly) Aaron Copland music playing in the lobby. Even with Whispering Canyon in the lobby I still consider it calming and relaxing! This is carried through to Territory Lounge.

Territory Lounge Sign

The Lounge is not as large as most Disney venues, which adds to its coziness and ambiance. The interior is dark with western theme prints hanging on the walls. And the decor includes a lot of wood, just like the hotel lobby.

Territory Lounge Bar Shot

Although not shown here, there are 2 televisions; both usually set to sports stations. The times we have been there it has not been super busy (unless of course it is raining out and the Trout Pass Pool Bar is not a dry option!). In some cases folks are having a [Read more…]

Splitsville in Downtown Disney Now Takes Tables in Wonderland Discount

By AJ Leave a Comment

Great news, sports fans! Splitsville, the brand new luxury bowling spot in Downtown Disney, Orlando, has announced that they’ll be taking the Tables in Wonderland discount card going forward!

For those who aren’t sure what Tables in Wonderland is, it’s a Disney World Dining discount card that can be purchased by Florida residents, Disney Vacation Club Members, and Annual/Seasonal Passholders of Walt Disney World.

The card offers a 20% discount on food and beverages (including alcohol) at most Disney World table-service restaurants, and even some counter-service locations (like food courts at resorts that don’t have a table-service location).

Check out Tables in Wonderland pricing, details, restaurants on the list, and more here!

Just of few of the eats at Splitsville

We’re excited that Splitsville is joining the list of restaurants where we’ll be able to get a discount when we’re in Disney World. My first visit to Splitsville was awesome, and I can’t [Read more…]

News! First Look at the New California Grill Menu at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

By Brooke 20 Comments

We previously brought you the news that California Grill, one of Disney World’s most popular dining spots, will be closing for a major renovation on February 1.

The signature restaurant, located high atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort, will be closed until late summer. In the meantime, Chef Brian Piasecki is already busily creating a new menu that blends classic dishes with fresh updates. Thanks to Disney Parks Blog, we’re getting a few first looks at a few of the creations. First up: sushi!

Although Yoshie Cabral, the restaurant’s beloved sushi chef, is retiring, sushi will continue to play a big role on the menu.

New Sushi Creations

Some of the new items aren’t fish at all, but take their inspiration from traditional Japanese dishes, like Japanese-style Bone Marrow with Crunchy Panko and Sweet Onion Jam and Beef Tartare. I can’t wait to try these!

Traditionalists will also find Sea Urchin Nigiri with Mamanori (soybean paper), Salmon Roe and freshly grated Wasabi Root.

More New Sushi Options

Meat lovers will find plenty to tempt their palates, too. The 24-hour Braised Beef Short Rib with Truffle Whipped Potatoes, Vol-au-Vent (puff pastry) with Roasted Vegetables and Natural [Read more…]

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Valentine’s Day Menu: La Luce by Donna Scala at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort