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EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

Category: Table-Service

Review: Tony’s Town Square

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Today, we’re revisiting a Magic Kingdom institution, Tony’s Town Square for lunch!

In the past, Tony’s Town Square hasn’t wowed me. Decent food and a great view of the Magic Kingdom Town Square (and any parades going on out there!), but nothing to really pull me back to that spot. Read on to see if anything has changed…

Atmosphere

The first thing that we noticed as we arrived for our Advanced Dining Reservation is that Tony’s has a brand new sign out front, depicting the jolly restaurateur himself! I knew this would be there after the recent renovations, but I really liked it!

Tony\’s Sign

Tony\’s Entrance

One of the biggest draws of this Magic Kingdom hotspot continues to be the patio seating area. Tony’s is one of the few table service restaurants that offers an outdoor dining experience; and even on super hot Florida days, this is a great place to chill and enjoy a bite to eat!

Tony\’s Patio

Tony’s has received a brand new neighbor since our last visit — Mickey Mouse and Friends moved into the newly-renovated Town Square Theater / Exposition Hall — and so a few [Read more…]

Aulani Food News: Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival, and Kids Eat Free!

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The second annual Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival is a four-day event scheduled for September 6th – 9th, 2012. And the grand finale signature event, “Cuisines of the Stars” A Magical Journey of Food & Culture,” will be held from 6-9pm at Ko Olina Resort, featuring Aulani, on the last evening.

Participants at the many events can look forward to the expertise of 50 international master chefs, as well as renowned wine and spirit makers. Ethnic foods and beverages from around the world will be highlighted.

AmaAma View

Chef Andrew Sutton (Napa Rose, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel) and Chef Patrick Callarec (Disney’s Aulani Resort) join the [Read more…]

Carthay Circle Restaurant Update: Food Pictures and Reservations Available

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The Carthay Circle Restaurant will be opening in Disney California Adventure on June 15th, 2012, and you can now make reservations!

And, remember — guests dining at Carthay Circle Restaurant are eligible for complimentary, center-stage viewing for “World of Color.” See details at the end of the post!

Carthay

The story of the restaurant is set in 1937, on the evening “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” premiered at Carthay Circle Theater! The menu will reflect this time period — with a modern twist, of course! You can see some gorgeous photos of the outside of the restaurant here.

Developed by Executive Chef Andrew Sutton from Napa Rose, and executed by Chef de Cuisine Gloria Tae — also from Napa Rose — the menu will reflect seasonal flavors and Southern California cuisine.

Carthay Circle Seating

Carthay Circle Lounge

What I love is that there will be, essentially, two public dining options at Carthay Circle: a Carthay Circle Lounge downstairs, serving quick meals, shared plates, wine, craft beer, or handcrafted seltzer sodas with muddled fruit; and the larger restaurant upstairs, which will be taking reservations.

This way, if you just need a bite to eat but would like to relax in a more upscale environment (or if junior has finally decided to nap and you need to be somewhere somewhat quiet and air conditioned for a while), you can simply walk into the Carthay Circle Lounge for tapas and a great drink.

The Lounge menu is divided into Bites, Rolls, Snacks, Small Plates, and Finger Desserts, served in a place to “relax, share and have fun,” Chef Sutton says. Tastes range from hot shrimp with a chilled spicy tomato shooter to duck confit sliders with apricot conserve, watercress, crisp onions, and Taleggio cheese.

Lobster Pad Thai Imperial Roll

If you’d like a longer, larger meal, plan on heading upstairs to the Restaurant!

Halibut Ceviche with Green Tomatillo Salsa and Plaintain Chips

Carthay Circle Restaurant

And you can take a peek at the decor of the restaurant here. It’s upscale, yet still comfortable.

But guests will definitely be made to feel special: “Upon arrival, guests are greeted downstairs and escorted up the graceful staircase or by elevator to the restaurant,” says Joy Cushing, restaurant manager. Wow; sounds very [Read more…]

Dinner and a Show: La Nouba and House of Blues Team Up for Savings

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On Tuesday through Saturday evenings, La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil and House of Blues are offering a dinner and show package! This opportunity gives a 25% savings on Category 2 seats for the 6:00pm performance. Dinner and one of the best shows I’ve ever seen for under $100? I’m game!

Cirque du Soleil La Nouba

Plus, you’ll enjoy a meal at House of Blues of an Appetizer, Entrée, Non-Alcoholic or Non-Specialty Drink, and a Dessert. Check out info on the Crossroads menu that debuted at House of Blues in December 2011 and see the Crossroads at House of Blues Dinner Menu here.

House of Blues Rack of Ribs

Booking Dates:
May 7, 2012 – June 30, 2012
Valid for 6:00 pm Shows Tues-Sat: June 1 – 30, 2012

Guests can book Dinner and a Show by calling [Read more…]

Guest Review: Lunch at Epcot’s San Angel Inn

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Learn About:San Angel Inn Restaurante
Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Welcome back guest author Catie Hiltz with a review of lunch at the San Angel Inn inside Epcot’s Mexico pavilion.

While in Disney World over Spring Break, my husband, parents and I dined at San Angel Inn, the restaurant inside the Mexico Pavilion pyramid at Epcot’s World Showcase.

I have always walked by the restaurant wistfully, thinking “I wish I could eat there;” and this time, I actually got the chance to do just that!

San Angel Inn is housed here, in Mexico!

Atmosphere

We arrived at 1:20 pm for our 1:30 pm Advance Dining Reservation. We weren’t seated until 1:40 pm, which gave us time to roam around the pavilion and take in our surroundings!

San Angel Inn Dining Room

And we had a chance to check out [Read more…]

First Look! Carthay Circle Restaurant and 1901 Lounge in Disney California Adventure

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Join us with a peek into the new restaurants – Carthay Circle Restaurant and 1901 Lounge – on Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure. Slated to open June 15, these venues will offer some very unique dining experiences!

Carthay Circle Restaurant

This restaurant transports guests to the opening night of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” and celebrates Walt Disney’s achievement through a beautiful post-premiere setting inside the Carthay Circle Theatre. Note that all Disney California Adventure guests are welcome to make dining reservations here starting June 15th.

Inside Carthay Circle

We know the menu here will be California-inspired, upscale dining (think “Hollywood Brown Derby” in Disney World for atmosphere and dress code).

Carthay Circle Seating

And Chef Andrew Sutton from Napa Rose Restaurant is overseeing the menu development here, so you know it will [Read more…]

What’s Your Favorite Disney Pie?

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Nobody ever talks enough about pie, right? Raise your hand if you’re with me. So recently, we asked for your favorite pies at Disney World and Disneyland, and we received some awesome recommendations!

DFB readers and Facebook Friends shared their suggestions for this yummy dessert via the Disney Food Blog Facebook page. Now let’s get into those pies!

Yummo Pecan Pie at Boatwright's in Disney World -- review coming soon!

The kinds of pie with the greatest shout-outs from our facebook fans were Key Lime, Mango, and Blueberry. Let’s grab a slice…

Key Lime Pie

Our readers suggest stopping by Sunshine Seasons or Olivia’s Cafe at the Old Key West resort for their Key Lime desserts.

At Olivia’s, the Key Lime Tart is very popular due to the thick graham cracker crust (that goes all the way up the sides of the dessert!), sweet and tart key lime filling, and a sweet and light meringue topping. Facebook fan Crystal N. highly recommends this tart (and so do I!!!)!

Key Lime Tart

Key Lime Tart on the Inside

Allan T., Chris D., and Susan H. are among our readers praising the Key Lime Pie at [Read more…]

Recipe: Loaded Baked Potato Soup from Disneyland

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You know how much we love Disney Soups around here! And for a decadent comfort food, Chef Oscar’s Loaded Baked Potato Soup is a must when visiting Disneyland!

When between visits to Disneyland, this recipe will help curb the cravings! Let us know if you give it a try.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

LOADED BAKED POTATO SOUP, Disneyland’s Carnation Cafe
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:
1 pound bacon, roughly chopped
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 large carrot, peeled and [Read more…]

Review: Le Cellier Steakhouse Signature Dinner

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Learn About:Le Cellier Steakhouse
Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Time to revisit a fan and Disney Food Blog Favorite: Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot’s Canada Pavilion!

Signature Dinner, One Year Later

You’ll remember that we visited Le Cellier last March for dinner, just after Le Cellier dinner became a signature meal on the Disney Dining Plan (meaning it now will cost you two table service credits to dine there, rather than one).

At that time, we were focused on whether the menu could really deliver an experience that was significantly different than it had been before, and whether dinner would be worth the much higher prices than you’ll find at lunch. We walked away somewhat let down by the meal — especially disappointing was the ribeye with maple butter, a flavor combo that just seemed all wrong — but we were confident that they would pull it together. We also wondered right along with you if lunch would also become a signature meal, and if dinner would continue to be a signature meal.

Fast forward a year from that first signature dinner! It’s time to see what, if any, evolution has taken place!

Atmosphere

In the year since we last visited, only two real changes have taken place in the dining room during the Signature dinner meal. Remember those snazzy little maple leaf napkin rings that I told you about last year? Those are gone from the tables, as are the table votive candles and their pretty little holders.

If I had to guess why, I would figure that they were so cute, they proved to be irresistible to snag as a souvenir. 😉 But that same upscale, wine cellar feeling with arches, candlelight sconces, deep reds, and dark woods throughout still signal that you are someplace lovely, cozy, and probably surrounded by snow.

Dining Room

As you can see, the lack of table candles and napkin rings makes dinner pretty indistinguishable from the lunch setting.

Seating

Seating

Eats

After we were seated, our server, Gabby, greeted us cheerfully. She was wonderful from the get go! We learned that she was on her second Le Cellier tour with the International Program, and she proved to be helpful and knowledgeable as we made our choices. Of course, we started with a few drinks.

Beer Menu - click image for larger version

First up: the [Read more…]

News! Disney Restaurants Closing For Renovations in 2012 and 2013

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Update: Hoop-Dee-Doo will now remain open in Fall 2012.Update: Bistro de Paris will remain closed through early December. New name for Bistro de Paris will be “Monsieur Paul” — a fitting tribute to Chef Paul Bocuse!

There have been a lot of updates about restaurant closures lately, and I wanted to share the latest information we have so that it’s easier to make (or cancel or change ;-D) your Advance Dining Reservations.

Bistro de Paris

In today’s news, the Signature restaurant Bistro de Paris in Epcot’s France pavilion will be closed for renovations starting July 1, 2012, and lasting until the end of October.

Bistro Dining Room

According to emails being sent out to guests, Advance Dining Reservations are being moved to Chefs de France.

This closing is possibly due to the Epcot France bakery expansion about which we’ve previously reported. The French bakery, Boulangerie Patisserie, is slated for many changes, including an updated menu, expanded kitchen, and more.

Cape May Cafe

Cape May Cafe

in Disney’s Beach Club Resort will be closed from [Read more…]

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