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Guest Review: Tutto Gusto in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion

Let’s raise a glass to Lisa Davis for this fabulous review of Tutto Gusto’s wines, cheeses, and more! Tutto Gusto is a new wine bar serving small plates and meals in Epcot’s Italy pavilion.Tutto Gusto

Wine Cellar in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion is the second venue of its kind in Epcot. Having experienced the joys of drinking and dining in Mexico’s La Cava del Tequila, my husband and I anxiously awaited the opening of Tutto Gusto.

We were finally able to visit in early June, one month after it officially opened.

Tutto Gusto Entrance

Tutto Gusto is much larger than La Cava del Tequila, but still retains a small/intimate atmosphere. The decor and lighting help to make you feel as if you just walked into the wine tasting room of a winery in Italy. (Editor’s Note: See a photo tour of Tutto Gusto here!)

You can sit at a table in the main area by the food case and wine display, or in a more intimate setting by the fireplace. There are several table sizes to accommodate different sized groups.

Fireplace Room at Gusto

Gusto Seating

On our visit, we were able to walk right in and be seated, which was a pleasant surprise considering the wait times we typically have at La Cava del Tequila. There were two greeters at the entry — whom we initially walked right by on our way in — to provide us seating options.

Since it was just the two of us, we chose a loveseat by the fireplace. On a side note, we believe we came at a great time, having arrived at 7 p.m. on a Friday, just after a severe late-afternoon thunderstorm that cleared the park.

The fireplace area is separated from the [Read more…]

Disney World Cheese Plate Gallery

By AJ 31 Comments

FINALLY!!

After several years…and lots of cheese…we’ve finally put together a list of many of the cheese plates found in Walt Disney World restaurants!

Cheese from Tutto Gusto in Epcot's Italy

For those who have never had a cheese plate in a Disney World restaurant, here’s a little Disney cheese plate primer:

Cheese plates are often offered as both an appetizer and a dessert
They usually provide small samples of three, four, or five cheeses
Cheese plates are served with accompaniments like dried fruits, nuts, compotes, honey, and small pieces of toast or crackers
The samples are usually arranged from mild to strong, with a veined blue cheese almost always at the end of the line

You’ll find goat milk, cow milk, and sheep milk cheeses with varied aging processes and preparations. If you’re dining in a themed restaurant, the cheeses may be themed as well (e.g. Cheeses from California).

I can highly recommend pairing just about anything with honey or dried raisins on the vine. 😉 In fact, I usually ask my server to bring an extra side of honeycomb since I nearly always run out.

Another tip: always ask for more little toasts. Even if you’re NOT sharing with a dining partner, you’ll still run out.

We’ve had many requests for this type of post — there are a lot of cheese lovers out there — so I hope this is helpful. Note that plates change often, so you may find different cheeses and accompaniments on your visit. Please share your reviews and experiences in the comments section below!

Epcot

Les Chefs de FrancePlateau de fromages de France

My very favorite cheese plate in all of Disney World is found here, at Chefs de France. The creamy, delicious cheeses in large portions could probably be a meal in themselves!

Imported cheese board $14.50. Available at lunch and dinner.

Cheese Plate

Le Cellier
Assortment of Artisanal Cheese
accompanied with Chef’s Selection of Dried Fruits and Preserves $14.00. See our review!

Cheese Plate

Boulangerie Patisserie
Cheese Plate
Get a similar plate to the one in Chefs de France over here at the [Read more…]

Disney World Free Dining Package for Fall 2012

By AJ 73 Comments

Editor’s Note: The Free Dining promotion has been extended until December 20, 2012. Source: MouseSavers

Disney World’s Free Dining Promotion is back for Fall 2012! The promotion is available for the following dates and is currently for Disney Visa Cardholders ONLY. The package is expected to be available to the general public on Thursday, July 12th.

Disney World Free Dining Fall 2012 Dates

Book the free dining package if checking in on the following dates. Guests must book by September 29, 2012, and availability is limited. Book by calling 407-W-Disney.

9/30/12–10/4/12
10/19/12–11/1/12
11/9/12–11/15/12
11/23/12–11/29/12
12/10/12–12/13/12

A 3-night minimum stay is required (14 nights is the maximum stay). A minimum 2-day park ticket must be purchased for each guest in the room, and a $200 deposit must be [Read more…]

Review: ESPN Club in Walt Disney World

By AJ 18 Comments

Editor’s Note: As of May 2013, hot dogs are no longer being offered and the nachos are served with BBQ Pork.

Learn About:ESPN Club

Boardwalk Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

It’s been TOO LONG since I’ve done an ESPN Club review for ya, so we finally headed over there on a recent visit. It wasn’t from lack of trying, mind you — I actually like this restaurant a lot and we enjoy going there. But other restaurants kept getting in the way. 😉

But now it’s time for this paradise of bar food to get its day in the spotlight…here we go!

Atmosphere

Your first impression of ESPN Club will be that you’ve died and gone to Sports Bar Heaven. Seriously, as you will see, no detail is left untouched. This is a world created for the die hard sports fan. From the menu to the television placement (more to come!) you need never miss a second of the game while you’re here.

ESPN Club (with a line to get in on Game Day!)

But never fear, even though the feel is straight-up sports bar, it’s very kid-friendly, with the standard Disney kids’ menu offered. And with an arcade off to the side, chances are you’ll wave goodbye to the kids and not see them again until dessert anyway!

As you walk in, you can choose from seating in the bar area to the right or the dining room to the left. The bar area has ample TVs situated all around the room — even at your table.

Bar

And what goes better with the game than beer? Here are a few of the draft selections, including the very popular local Orange Blossom Pilsner.

Beer on Draft

Although we were there on a quiet weekday, make no mistake: this place gets packed fast when there’s a big game on. And while it’s a fantastic venue to catch the play-offs or a World Cup match, be prepared to [Read more…]

New Be Our Guest Restaurant Pictures from Disney World

By AJ 13 Comments

UPDATE: Read about the Opening Date for Be Our Guest Restaurant and Reservations Info!

Thanks to the Disney Parks Blog, we have a few new images of the gorgeous Be Our Guest Restaurant in Walt Disney World.

From the mysterious cracked door arch into the Beast’s Ballroom…

A Doorway into the Beast's Ballroom

…to these gorgeous entryway mosaics, we know the restaurant will hold many more incredible decor elements for guests to enjoy as soon as it opens!

Slated to open in time for the 2012 Holiday Season, the Be Our Guest Restaurant menu will offer french-inspired eats at a [Read more…]

News! Temporary Closure in 2013 for Disney World’s California Grill

By Kim LaPaglia 13 Comments

Learn About:California Grill

Disney World Restaurants

Chef Brian Piasecki reveals a few details of the upcoming renovation of the popular California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World!

This high-end restaurant offers exquisite cuisine and top-notch fireworks viewing, but we’ll have to find another signature spot to dine for the first half of 2013! According to the DisneyParks Blog, we finally have a solid date for the restaurant’s closure that we reported earlier this year.

California Grill will close in early 2013, and re-open in the late summer. Save us a spot at this window table! 😉

Great view from California Grill

Menu and Other Updates

While the menu will undergo some tweaking, a fresh, seasonal menu with top-of-the-line sushi will continue to be the main focus of the kitchen.

The continued use of creative flavors and techniques will allow chefs to [Read more…]

Review: Big River Grille and Brewing Works at the Boardwalk Inn Resort

By AJ 23 Comments

Learn About:Big River Grille and Brewing Works

Boardwalk Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Today, it’s high time that we share with you our thoughts about the one and only working microbrewery at Walt Disney World, Big River Grille & Brewing Works!

Located at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort, the American pub-style restaurant features a primo location to see and be seen right on the Boardwalk. But, I’ll be right up front with you and tell you now that this has NOT been my favorite place to eat at Disney in the past.

However, we came to it with an open mind hoping to find some improvements on our last visit. We were rewarded with a much, much better experience than in times past! What did they do right on this visit? Read on…

Atmosphere

The entrance to the restaurant on the Boardwalk, beneath an awning bearing the restaurant’s name.

Big River Grille & Brewing Works

Once inside, you’ll notice that there are three distinct seating areas within the restaurant: the bar area to the right; the seating area to the left, a rather nondescript space; and a patio area offering great views of the Boardwalk, the lake, and the Yacht and Beach Club on the other side of water. (You may even see the tops of Illuminations fireworks from here.)

There are a few good reasons to head over to Big River Grille:
1.) It’s normally pretty easy to get into, so if you’re hungry and don’t have an advance dining reservation, or you’re at Epcot or Hollywood Studios and would like to skip out on the park crazy for a while, this can be a good place to come for a bite and a sip.

2.) As I mentioned above, it’s the only working microbrewery at Disney, and the beers are quite popular! (More on the beer a little later.) It’s also pretty cool to look around the interior and see just where your brew is being produced.

Brew Kettle, Big River Grille

3.) Finally, while I don’t love the [Read more…]

News! Downtown Disney Anaheim Celebrates Avocado Week

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

The second annual California Avocado Week is being held July 1-7 at Downtown Disney Anaheim at the Disneyland Resort. Guests can take part in cooking demos, munch on featured menu selections, and more!

Throughout the week, Downtown Disney restaurants will feature special California avocado menu items, and Sephora will offer refreshing avocado facials. Celebrate the Avocado season in Disneyland!

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney

Main Stage Schedule

4 p.m.: Cooking demonstrations will feature dishes made with California avocados

by a chef from one of the premiere restaurants at Downtown Disney. Seating on a first-come, first-served basis will be available for 100 guests and each seated guest will have the chance to taste the menu item. Unlimited standing room will be available as well.

6 p.m.: A Guacamole contest will feature three participants (selected by the California Avocado Commission) with the challenge to make guacamole out of ingredients provided. The winning dish will be awarded a $100 gift card to a participating restaurant in Anaheim’s Downtown Disney District.

Nightly until 10 p.m.: DJ Wendy will entertain.

Food Demo Calendar

Sunday, July 1

Chef Meyer, House of Blues, California Avocado and Blue Cheese Crusted Rib Eye

Monday, July 2
Chef Thomas Keaveny, ESPN Zone, Mini California Avocado Shrimp [Read more…]

News! Tables in Wonderland Food and Wine Festival Sneak Preview Event

By Kim LaPaglia 5 Comments

Tables in Wonderland has announced a “Taste Your Way Around the World” Sneak Preview of the 2012 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival!

As we count down the days to the Festival, which begins September 28, the Sneak Preview is the place to sample new dishes and learn more about the upcoming events!

Location: Odyssey Pavilion at Epcot®

Date: Saturday July 28, 2012 6:30pm – 9:00pm

Price: $110.00 per person, plus tax. Gratuity is included.

This exclusive event allows guests to sample the food and learn about the new things in store for this year’s Festival! Get the scoop on the new Epcot Food and Wine Festival marketplaces as well as new special events.

The event is limited to 150 Guests, and is exclusive to Tables in Wonderland members. Park admission not required.

Food and Wine Sneak Preview - click image for larger version

For reservations:

Visit www.disneyurl.com/SneakPreview for self-booking and instant confirmation.
Note this is a new booking process. The website will go live and begin taking reservations on Monday July 2, 2012, at 10:00am.

When you go to the website please have the following information ready: [Read more…]

Guest Review: Kona Cafe Dinner at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

By Kim LaPaglia 38 Comments

Learn About:Kona Cafe

Polynesian Resort
Disney World Restaurants

Guest author Aaron Crum returns with a review of the Kona Cafe. Let’s join him now for dinner where he shares some great eats and exciting news (Congrats!!) at this Polynesian Resort restaurant in Walt Disney World. Pass the bread, please! 😉

For those of us who frequent Walt’s playground, we know that there are endless possibilities when it comes to dining. Each trip usually requires a new adventure or a new experience.

However, every now and then, you find a “diamond in the rough” (yes, Aladdin pun intended). With that being said, I find myself booking at least one meal every trip at Kona Café. This well-kept secret inside Disney’s Polynesian resort is, in my opinion, one of your “Disney Must-Do’s” (you know, that little park infomercial that is on a constant loop in your hotel room?).

Atmosphere

Kona Café is on the second floor of the lobby in Disney’s Polynesian resort. And upon entering, you find yourself quickly transported to a tropical oasis. The foliage from the lobby is ever-present and really leads you to believe you are no longer in central Florida.

There is hardly a “waiting area” specifically designed for Kona; rather, it shares a waiting space with ’Ohana. While Kona often gets busy, you can sometimes dine there without the expense of an advance dining reservation. In fact, we were there celebrating a special occasion (I will elaborate!) and we were told by the manager that they keep several time slots open in order to accommodate walk-in guests.

Seating Area

Eats

Let’s get to the good stuff, the FOOD!

First to the table is a loaf of bread, accompanied by a side of macadamia nut butter. The bread was [Read more…]

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Guest Review: Tutto Gusto in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion