Review: Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl at Min and Bill's Dockside Diner

Review: Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl at Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner

Fun news today from Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner!

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

You know how Columbia Harbour House used to have Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl? And you know how they don’t anymore and many, many, many of us still lament this on a regular basis?

Well, during a recent trip through the odyssey that is a Star Wars Weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, one of our staffers spied a new menu at Min and Bills Dockside Diner that just might interest you…Clam Chowder Served in a BREAD BOWL.

Shazam.

Min and Bills Menu — Click to Enlarge

Bread bowls have been sorely missed in Disney World, although they remain a staple at several Disneyland spots, like Pacific Wharf Cafe and Royal Street Veranda.

So, it took us about 5 seconds to realize that we needed to get this and share it with you right now! And so…here it is.

It’s not a huge bread bowl, and it’s not Boudin Bakery (AFAIK); but it is hearty and the bread is clearly an artisan-type, fresh-baked boule that’s more interesting than your run-of-the-mill loaf. Pieces of onion make the boule visually interesting and infuse the bread with some complex flavor. Pretty, huh?

Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl is Back in WDW!

Under the little bread lid, you’ll find the boule hollowed out enough for about a cup of soup.

Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl — Under the Lid

When I removed the lid, I was happy to see the fresh Bacon and Chive garnish, which gave the soup additional color, texture, and flavor. I personally think Clam Chowder benefits hugely from [Read more…]

Review: Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

By AJ 28 Comments

We are back for another visit to Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Tree Tavern — and this time, it’s for dinner.

Learn About:Liberty Tree Tavern

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

What’s the difference between lunch and dinner? Well, it’s major, actually. Lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern is an a la carte offering — you order what you want off the menu. I’ll often go for their Angus Chuck Cheeseburger. And the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake is one of the best desserts on property. (Here’s the recipe.)

But dinner is a completely different deal — and still quite good. You’re treated to a family style feast consisting of roasted meats and all the trimmings.

I haven’t covered dinner at LTT here on the blog for a long time…for two reasons: 1.) It’s always the same. The food rarely changes, and everyone gets the same thing, so our previous reviews are still totally valid when it comes to the food. 2.) For some reason, every time I’ve been there for dinner in the past year, something has happened to keep me from getting the photos I need to blog the post. Either a member of my party gets sick or one of the kids has a meltdown…or we’re with a huge group and the food is decimated before I can take a picture.

So, I made it a focus on my last trip to get over there and make it happen! Here we go!

Atmosphere

Liberty Tree Tavern is a Magic Kingdom icon. It’s been there since the Park opened, and there are many Disney fans who count a meal here among their earliest Disney memories. It’s located on Liberty Square, near the Hall of Presidents and other exhibits celebrating Colonial American History.

Liberty Tree Tavern Entrance

Liberty Tree Tavern offers seating in six different rooms, each themed to a notable historical figure. They include Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Paul Jones, Paul Revere, Betsy Ross, and George Washington. You can see a more in-depth atmosphere review here.

A door in the John Paul Jones Room

Model Ship and John Paul Jones Portrait

If your kiddos are studying American history, it’s fun to take a look around each of the rooms to see some of the more well-known stories come to life. Ben Franklin’s kite and George Washington’s wooden teeth appear in their respective rooms.

Kite in Ben Franklin Room

And if there are any invasions or revolutions that require your help, you’re all set. Grab your cloak and three corner hat, and you’re off!

Coats and Hat Hanging at the Ready

Seating throughout the vast network of rooms is made up of booths and tables. Primarily you’ll find ladder back chairs that are fairly comfortable surrounding rectangular and round tables.

Seating

If you prefer some natural light, be sure to request a seat in one of the outer facing dining rooms. But don’t plan on parade- or people-watching. The glass is bubbled and wavy, so you’ll just see blobs of color.

Seating and View

Eats

As I mentioned before, if you dine at Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner, you’ll be partaking in a prix fixe, family style meal. That means that each person in your party will pay a set price — one price for adults, and a lower price for children. (Children under 3 are free.)

Your meal includes everything listed below, including a standard beverage and dessert. The format is all-you-care-to-enjoy, so there’s no reason to ever leave a Liberty Tree Tavern dinner table hungry.

Liberty Tree Tavern Menu — Click to Enlarge

We began with a [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: June 14, 2015

By Brooke Leave a Comment

It’s not often that food news from one single park completely dominates the landscape. But that’s exactly what we’ve witnessed this week with Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and it looks like it will continue into this upcoming week!

New Pasta Dishes Arrive at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

We’ve been there to cover it all, but there’s been plenty happening on other fronts as well.

Let’s take a look at all the Disney Food News from this week!

Disney Food News

We share our review of the Blue Milk Milkshake at 50s Prime Time Cafe. And we find out that it may stick around (through the magic of rebranding!) as Star Wars Weekends give way to Frozen Fever at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Zuri’s Sweets Shop is set to open next week in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and we have a sneak peek at the new Harambe Market shop.
More details emerge about The Edison, a new restaurant opening in Disney Springs in 2016, and Vivoli Gelateria is now open for business in Disney Springs.
The Tree of Life Cupcake debuts at Kusafiri Bakery.
We bring you news and reviews of a brand new menu (including two new pasta dishes) at the Beastly Kiosk in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
We have more news for you from the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, as we share the menu for the Tequila Pairing Lunches, that will take place in the Mexico Pavilion.

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.

DFB Reader Finds

If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or about Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!

Today, we’re featuring fun finds from Hawaii — with a Disney twist!

Reader Wendy shared this photo and review of the Lilikoi Cheesecake at Ulu Cafe in Disney’s Aulani Resort via the DFB Mailbag. She says, “The sweet, creamy mango cheesecake and the tangy lilikoi (passion fruit) glaze blended well together! This dessert far surpasses all other ‘premade desserts in a cup’!”

Lilikoi Cheesecake from Ulu Cafe in Disney’s Aulani Resort

Kanani Ashley shared this great pic of a Self Serve Dole Whip Station in a brand new drugstore that just opened in Hawaii! AAAAAH!!! Who wants one of these at home??

Spotted: Self Serve Dole Whip Machine!

Do you have a favorite Disney Food find? Share your photos with us!

Deal of the Week: 2015-2016 Disney World Vacation Must-Have E-Book Sale!

Getting ready to head out for that much-anticipated Walt Disney World Trip? Woohoo!! That’s the best feeling ever, isn’t it?

But, whether you like to be spontaneous or plan every detail, planning ahead is the key to less stress when it comes to Walt Disney World. And planning is even more important when it comes to dining.

If you really want to dine in the hottest restaurants, you pretty much have to plan ahead. Be spontaneous, of course. But get a couple Advance Dining Reservations in place.

But which ones?

That’s where Disney Food Blog comes in, because we are all about the planning!!

You already enjoy our reviews, news, and tips daily on our Blog. But did you know — that’s JUST the tip of the iceberg. Because we have lots more to share with you in our complete line of DFB Guides.

If you’re ready for a fun, easy way to personalize eating and drinking your way through Disney, then check out the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 e-Book.
Fully updated for your 2015-2016 adventures, the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 e-Book is an instantly downloadable PDF guide, featuring over 490 full-color pages of photographs, information, and advice about our favorite subject — Eating Your Way Through Disney! So you save time and money as you enjoy planning one of the most important parts of your trip. 😉

And to thank all of you for your support of DFB, we are offering extra savings on our most popular DFB Guide right now. Just enter promo code 2015 at checkout and you’ll save $4 off of our cover price of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 e-Book!

But if you’d like to enjoy even more detail, check out another great offer.

DFB Everything Bundle SALE!

If you’d like even more great information, pictures, and tips, then the DFB Everything Bundle is the right fit for you.

And to get you ready for that next big trip, we are offering the DFB Everything Bundle for $15 off the already low price! It’s like getting an entire book for free. Just enter promo code Everything15 at checkout to take advantage of this offer.

The Everything Bundle includes, well, Everything! When you purchase this special bundle of DFB Guides, you’ll get it all: [Read more…]

Review: Blue Milk Milkshake at 50s Prime Time Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By AJ 5 Comments

It’s time to head back to 50s Prime Time Cafe for a little Star Wars goodness.

Learn About:50’s Prime Time Cafe

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

This restaurant, located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is a great example of Disney imagineering. The 1950s retro vibe is enhanced with authentic furniture, wallpaper, and knick knacks — and the staff play right along…so be sure to eat all your veggies, or run the risk of having them fork-fed to you.

Don’t forget to ask for a TV table on your visit to 50s Prime Time Cafe! And keep your elbows off the table…

But 50s Prime Time also features some classic…and not-so-classic…Milkshakes. The Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake is a must-try.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake

You’ll find standard chocolate and vanilla as well, and the Prime Time will usually dream up a few specialty, seasonal milkshakes for the menu. The Red Velvet Cake Milkshake, with chunks of cream cheese frosting, was pretty fantastic.

But if you’re heading to the Studios for the last of the Star Wars Weekends today or tomorrow, it’s your last chance to try one of my favorite seasonal options — the [Read more…]

News! Zuri’s Sweets Shop Opens in Animal Kingdom’s Harambe Market on June 17th

By Wendy 9 Comments

Welp, it’s been all Animal Kingdom all the time around here, so why not share one more little bit of news!

Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life

Remember a couple weeks ago when we visited the all-new Harambe Market in Animal Kingdom’s Africa for the first time?

Harambe Market

Harambe Market entrance

There was a sign peeking just over some construction walls across the way, painted with the name “Zuri’s Sweets.” At least, that’s as much as we could read from behind the walls at the time ;).

Zuri’s Sweets Shop sign

We’ve now learned that the official name for this new stop is Zuri’s Sweets Shop, and it will be opening its doors as the newest addition to Harambe Market on June 17th!

It seems that Zuri’s Sweets will offer plenty of familiar Disney confections… but with an Animal Kingdom twist…

©Disney

Altogether we can expect about 80 items including specialty candy apples and popcorn, many of which will be unique to Zuri’s Sweets Shop. Disney shared that the African Spice Popcorn will be flavored with a “hint of cardamom.”

©Disney

Keep an eye out for some of your favorite Lion King characters to appear on some of the package decorations. And note the paw-shape of the Simba lollipop! I don’t think I’ve ever seen an apple-flavored one before.

©Disney

The packaging, though, will vary throughout the [Read more…]

Review: Two NEW Baked Pasta Dishes at Animal Kingdom’s Beastly Kiosk

By AJ 11 Comments

Well, we knew things would be changing at Animal Kingdom in short order, but I don’t know if we quite expected this…

Learn About:Eight Spoon Cafe

Animal Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

As the park revs up for the much-anticipated (and delayed) reopening of Flame Tree Barbecue in early July, the kiosks that have been serving as temporary locations for Flame Tree items are starting to change again, too.

That includes Beastly Kiosk, which you’ll find in Discovery Island just outside of the entrance to Asia. [Editor’s note: Since the posting of this article, the Beastly Kiosk has been renamed, and is now Eight Spoon Cafe.] This small snack stand has been serving up three Flame Tree entrees, which was a definite departure from its typical menu of Mickey and Jalapeño Cheese-stuffed Pretzels (along with the occasional appearance of Corn Dogs on peak crowd days).

Well, the pretzels have indeed returned (woot!), along with two brand new items. Beastly Kiosk is now serving Baked Pasta Marinara with Mozzarella and — wait for it — BAKED LOBSTER MAC AND CHEESE!

Beastly Kiosk

What?!??!

New Beastly Kiosk menu

Why delay? Let’s dive right into that Lobster Mac, shall we?

Lobster Macaroni and Cheese

Let’s talk portion first: if you’ve visited any booths at Epcot during the Food and Wine Festival or Flower and Garden Festival, you’ll be familiar with this size dish. They’re definitely on the smaller size and not full-sized entrees, which is why you’ll see them listed as a snack credit (!!!!!!!! LOBSTER MAC IS A SNACK CREDIT!!!!!!!) on the Disney Dining Plan. If you’re not familiar with the size, hopefully that picture of my fork near the dish will give you some perspective.

With a dish this rich, the

[Read more…]

Disney Springs News! Details About The Edison and the Opening of Vivoli Gelateria

By AJ 8 Comments

More and more information continues to “spring” forth (hee hee!) regarding the future dining venues for Disney Springs.

However, “dining” might be too limited a word for it, when you consider the newly-released details specifically regarding The Edison.

Concept Art for The Edison at Disney Springs ©Disney

While this “Industrial Gothic” style restaurant and bar isn’t slated to open until 2016, it seems entertainment will play a HUGE role alongside the American food and craft cocktails. Early informational releases informed us the venue would feature cabaret and live music. But a fuller picture is emerging as we are now learning that contortionists, palm readers, and DJs are all anticipated be part of the scene.

According to Disney, the theme of the upcoming Disney Springs location will revolve around an electric company in the 1920s and will reflect the original Los Angeles location’s dedication “to a resurgence of old-world style, sophistication and romance.”

Additionally, underneath The Edison’s 35-foot ceilings the restaurant will be divided into themed areas such as “The Tesla Lounge,” “The Patent Office,” and “The Radio Room.” (Does that final name make anyone else harken back to the Radio Broadcast hosted in the Library of the Adventurer’s Club?) The divisions follow in line with the building footprint of The Edison’s Los Angeles location.

Layout of the original The Edison location in LA. Copyright The Edison

The Edison will operate under [Read more…]

New! Tree of Life Cupcake at Animal Kingdom’s Kusafiri Bakery

By Wendy 12 Comments

Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery

is a simple , unassuming window-only bakery in Animal Kingdom’s Africa that boasts a LOT of cupcake goodness.

Learn About:Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery

Animal Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

So, do you remember a few months ago, when we talked about some cupcake shake-ups at Kusafiri? To refresh your memory, a new (at that time) cupcake had joined the line-up: the Lion Cub Cupcake, featuring none other than Simba himself with a mane made of frosting.

At the same time, though, we found out that two other stars in the Disney cupcake realm had received a bit of a makeover, which left us slightly underwhelmed (the Zebra Cupcake and the White Chocolate Elephant Cupcake).

Well, there have been some more changes in Kusafiri’s cupcake world! First and foremost, with many thanks to DFB reader Cate C., we have a picture of the new Tree of Life Cupcake available now! Looks like this one’s for the chocolate lovers out there 🙂 .

Tree of Life Cupcake

Cate shared that while this one was good, she preferred the passion fruit Simba cupcake overall. (Here’s our shot of that cutie, as a reminder 🙂 ).

Lion Cub cupcake

But wait — there’s more news to share… take a look at [Read more…]

2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival News: Menu for Mexico Tequila Tasting Lunch

By AJ 11 Comments

We have some exciting news today for you about the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! We’ve confirmed that Tequila Pairing Lunches in the Mexico Pavilion are back as part of the Special Events line up!

I had the chance to attend the luncheon a while back. It was a great way to spend the afternoon — sampling tequila, and learning how this versatile spirit can pair beautifully with different menu items.

In anticipation of this year’s lineup, our friends from the Mexico Pavilion recently held a tasting to determine just what would make the menu cut.

We’re excited to share some menu descriptions straight from La Cava del Tequila! Let’s take a closer look.

Menu Planned for the Tequila Pairing Lunch at the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

When I attended the Tequila Pairing Lunch, we enjoyed four courses, paired with three different tequilas as well as Agovera Liqueur. (This event is not for the faint of heart. 🙂 )

Display Table at Entry of Luncheon

As of the writing of this post, the lunch will include four courses paired with tequilas. But please keep in mind, the dishes are subject to change! Anything is possible between now and Festival Go-Time on September 25!

Your journey through the world of tequila will start with a Flautas de Carnitas — a mini crispy Flauta filled with Pork Carnitas and accompanied by Avocado, Cream, Queso Foam, Roasted Serrano Pepper, and Tomato.

Flautas de Carnitas

The next course, Sopa de Chile Poblano y Calabaza, will be prepared with Roasted Poblano Pepper, Zucchini, Cilantro, Queso Fresco, and Guajillo Pepper Oil.

The Main Entrée will be a combination of Mar y Tierra— Pan-Seared Snapper and Sirloin — served with a creamy [Read more…]

Review: Disneyland’s Bengal Barbecue

By AJ 12 Comments

Did you know that Bengal Barbecue (Disneyland skewer spot extraordinaire) just turned 25 years old?

Bengal Barbecue sign

So, what better way to celebrate than a stop for some — okay, make that ALL — the skewers on the menu (and maaaaaybe a few other treats to boot)! That’s exactly what I did on my recent trip to Disneyland.

Say hello to the big ol’ scary Tiger, because we’re FINALLY heading back to Bengal Barbecue! (I missed you!)