food IS a theme park
We always love a trip to Disneyland’s Hungry Bear Restaurant!
Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country
This place has some great food, but we really love them for their desserts!
Who can forget that super cute Lemon Bumblebee Cupcake (make it at home with this handy recipe), or the individual Blueberry Pies? [Read more…]
There are two things that are high on the list of things we LOVE here at the DFB.
One: Jiko — The Cooking Place in Animal Kingdom Lodge. And two: MAC AND CHEESE!!
Once upon a time, these two things together made for a magical combination, as Jiko’s flavorful, rich, 4-cheese Mac and Cheese used to be served with the Oak-grilled Filet Mignon. However, times change. And for some time now, the signature Filet has instead been served with a rotating side, changing every couple of months or so (which is the reason I always recommended working the system a bit and ordering the Kids’ Macaroni and Cheese to go alongside your dish). For instance, the Filet is currently served with Pumpkin Pap “Isidudu,” Grilled Delta Asparagus, and South African Red Wine Sauce.
Until tomorrow. Because — and we are SO PUMPED to tell you this — starting tomorrow (April 7th), the Filet Mignon will once again be served with the Mac and Cheese! With a twist, that is…
Oak Grilled Filet with Mac and Cheese
The Mac and Cheese will be made with the same four cheese sauce, but will also feature many of the ingredients that can be incorporated into a Bobotie (just click here to read a bit more about this dish as it’s served at Boma, also located in Animal Kingdom Lodge). [Read more…]
We’re stopping by one of my favorite spots in Walt Disney World — Le Cellier Steakhouse — to see what’s new in The Great White North!
Well, technically, this isn’t North, it’s South. And we’re not in Canada. But we are in the Canada Pavilion in Epcot. Owing to the architecture and gardens here, this is one of the prettiest spots along World Showcase Promenade.
Who doesn’t love journeying back through the pavilion and getting splashed by waterfalls as you walk? You haven’t done it? I highly recommend it. And go see O, Canada! while you’re at it! Martin Short is the best. 😀 (Speaking of, when we were in Vancouver for our Alaska cruise last year I couldn’t help but notice that Martin Short is the voice of, like, every single cartoon in Canada.)
But while I love exploring the whole area to see what’s new, it’s Le Cellier Steakhouse, the pavilion’s signature dining table service restaurant, that keeps me coming back trip after trip. Le Cellier is a favorite of mine because it features one of my favorite meals in all of Walt Disney World — the Le Cellier Filet.
But you know my philosophy: just because something has always been great doesn’t mean it continues to be. We always like to check back in with places — even our favorites — to make sure we can still continue to recommend them. And so, in the name of research, here I am at Le Cellier once again. And this time there was a new favorite… .
Meander back along the beautiful gardens, following the signs, and you’ll come to the entrance of Le Cellier Steakhouse. Tucked into the bottom of the chateau that’s the hallmark of the Canada Pavilion, you get a sense that the spot is aptly named.
Le Cellier Steakhouse Entrance
It always throws me a little, this imagining that I’m in Canada when Florida is so very hot most of the time. Still, as soon as you walk through the doors, the Disney magic kicks in, and you start to feel as though you have indeed traveled north. Stone walls and flooring, along with heavy wood accents, immediately evoke a feeling of…cool. [Read more…]
The dining landscape in Disney Springs continues to evolve, and we’re preparing to welcome another new restaurant to the scene as The Polite Pig opens in the Town Center this coming Monday, April 10th!
The Polite Pig
James and Julie Petrakis are a husband and wife team who own The Ravenous Pig, Cask & Larder and Swine & Sons in Winter Park, FL. [Read more…]
Today, we’re heading into Disney’s Animal Kingdom to do what we always do…
A little exploring, accompanied by a little snacking!
And once again, we’re going vegetarian, because that’s a particularly easy thing to do when it comes to snacking at Animal Kingdom. We’ve already learned, in fact , that the focus on providing above par vegetarian options will continue in Animal Kingdom’s upcoming land, Pandora — The World of AVATAR, thanks to a look at the full menu for Satu’li Canteen (the land’s primary dining establishment).
But today we’re winding down a well-traveled path heading from the Africa section of Animal Kingdom into Asia, with a visit to Mr. Kamal’s, which remains one of our favorite kiosks in the park.
Mr. Kamal’s Kiosk
Mr. Kamal’s kiosk has proven itself time and time again as a great (and convenient) spot to grab something quick, portable, and vegetarian. The current menu features Hummus served with mini pitas and veggies, Samosa, and falafel, to give you an idea of what to expect. [Read more…]
Hello! The subject of today’s DFB Video is one of my most favorite things to come out of Walt Disney World in recent history — the Chuck Wagon Fresh Fixin’s Food Truck at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground.
The Chuck Wagon!
I seriously cannot get enough of this thing. I mean, the food is pretty great. We really enjoyed the interesting array of sandwiches here. Um, Tillamook Pork Belly Cheeseburger? YASSSS.
But the truck itself is styled after a camper, circa-1970s. And it’s AWESOME.
During my recent visit to Disneyland, I decided it was time to check in once more with one of my favorite counter service spots, Pacific Wharf Cafe in Disney California Adventure.
The restaurant is located on Pacific Wharf (natch), and features a San Francisco signature item — Boudin Bakery’s famous Sourdough Bread — made in the bakery next door!
Pacific Wharf Cafe
I really love the food here, and I’m especially partial to their hearty Soups served in Boudin Sourdough Bread Bowls.
On this visit, I figured it was time to introduce you to a few new flavors, though. So come with us as we explore some of Pacific Wharf’s other must-have menu items!
If you’ve spent any time on Cannery Row in Monterey, then Pacific Wharf Cafe will look familiar to you in terms of style. The restaurant is actually owned and operated by San Fran’s Boudin Bakery, a landmark of the city, dating back to 1849.
If you’d like to know more about the bread making process or the history of Boudin Bakery, be sure to take The Bakery Tour, which you’ll find just next door. (Yep — that bread baking smell isn’t piped in! They really really really bake fresh bread for the parks here every day!!! SO GOOD!)
Wall Decor
Inside, the counter service stop is fairly straightforward in design. Warm wood paneling covers the walls, and exposed duct work echoes the industrial feel of the space. [Read more…]
Rapunzel, Ariel, Flynn Rider, and Prince Eric
would like to wish you the “Best! Day! EVER!!!”
They’re all part of a new character breakfast at Trattoria al Forno, located on Disney World’s Boardwalk!
Guests can now start the day with favorite Disney couples such as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from Tangled, and Ariel and Price Eric from The Little Mermaid, because the brand new Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast has officially made its debut at Trattoria al Forno (which continues to serve classic Italian fare featuring regional specialties for dinner).
So grab your autograph books — and be sure to have your camera ready! — because some very special friends are waiting to meet you…
Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast
… at the Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast! [Read more…]
Happy April! We hope you’re having a wonderful and relaxing spring weekend. Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and check out the latest in Disney food news!
Captain’s Pineapple Drink at Art of Animation Resort
The 2017 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival with its Outdoor Kitchens is in full bloom and we have all the menus and food photos for you!
A couple of weeks ago we had a chance to check out the 2017 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival and we have the full booth menus and all the food photos.
Don’t forget, the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival starts in August this year!
And if that’s not enough food news, we also have news on the updated menus for the 2017 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic!
We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in…
Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including menu updates, restaurant closures, special events, and more! We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go.
Have you subscribed to the DFB YouTube Channel? We’ve got great content going up twice a week showcasing our adventures in Disney World and Disneyland! Check it out below — and subscribe here!
This week we launched the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2017 Second Edition! To celebrate this milestone — the first time we’ve shared a second edition — and to say thank you to all of our loyal DFB readers – you can order the Second Edition for 20% OFF your purchase with code SAVE2017!
I recently returned from Disneyland, where Dining in Disneyland expert Heather Sievers and I had the pleasure of being speakers at the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival! And we had so much fun sharing our tips on Secret Menu Items in Disneyland that we had to share all about it in our latest DFB Video!
Secret Disneyland Menu Item: Macaroni and Cheese in a Sourdough Bread Bowl!
We love allllll Disney food, obvi. But there’s something really awesome about those secret menu items that you’ve gotta know about to get.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
