2014 Food and Wine Festival Booth Preview: Hops & Barley and Ireland Marketplaces

This week, all! The 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival kicks off THIS WEEK!

It seems like we’ve been counting down, bringing you previews, and talking about it forever, so it will be so fun to hit the ground and begin trying all of the new dishes and returning favorites!

And this year, the festival has been extended to a record 53 days. That’s more than seven weeks to experience this great event.

We love showing you what you can expect from the Marketplace Booths that surround World Showcase. (For all of the Marketplace Booth Menus, be sure to visit our Main Booth Page.)

Today, let’s take a closer look at a couple favorites…

Hops & Barley Marketplace Booth

Originally introduced in 2005, the Hops & Barley Booth serves as the upscale taste of American food for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. You’ll find the extra large kiosk situated in the courtyard of the America Pavilion.

Hops & Barley Booth

While the marketplace began as a celebration of New England food and Samuel Adams beer, they’ve widened the scope a bit with food and beverages from all across the country.

And, as the name implies, there are a few different beers to sample here. But while the booth has been all about Sam Adams beer in the past, now you can sample other craft brews as well as wine.

2014 Hop & Barley Marketplace Booth Menu

Artisan Cheese Plate featuring Cabot Cloth Wrapped Cheddar, Purple Haze Chèvre Goat Cheese and Cave Man Blue Cheese
Baked Lobster Alfredo
Florida Grass Fed Beef Slider with Pimento Cheese
Fresh Baked Carrot Cake with Craisins® and Cream Cheese Icing
Samuel Adams® Octoberfest
New Belgium Brewing Company Snapshot
Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat®
Leinenkugel’s Seasonal Shandy
La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Cambria Estate Winery
Beer flight (featuring 4 4-ounce servings): Samuel Adams Octoberfest, New Belgium Snapshot, Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat and Leinenkugel’s Seasonal Shandy

While the Cheese Booth will be on hiatus in 2014, we’re happy to see one of its offerings pop up here at Hops & Barley — the Artisan Cheese Plate!

Trio of Artisan Cheeses

The trio includes some familiar faces from cheese plates around Walt Disney World, including Purple Haze Chèvre Goat Cheese and Cave Man Blue Cheese.

Purple Haze Chèvre Goat Cheese

Caveman Blue Cheese

Also migrating from another marketplace is the Florida Grass Fed Beef Slider. The burger was previously featured at the Florida Local Booth. But for 2014, Florida Local has morphed into Farm Fresh.

The Mini Burger gets new life with a fun new topping — Pimento Cheese! Creamy and spicy, this is a great addition to the lineup here!

Florida Grass Fed Beef Slider with Pimento Cheese

We’ve looked forward to Lobster dishes at Hops & Barley in the past. This year, we’re happy to say that it returns once more! Find it in the [Read more…]

Review: Dinner at The Turf Club Bar and Grill at Saratoga Springs Resort

By Wendy 19 Comments

We’re off to the races!

Learn About:Turf Club Bar and Grill

Disney World Restaurants

And by “races,” I mean sitting and enjoying dinner ;). Today we’re heading to The Turf Club Bar and Grill at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. The theme of this Disney Vacation Club resort reflects upstate New York and celebrates its history of horse racing.

Naturally, this theme extends to its solo Table Service Restaurant – The Turf Club (a common name for dining establishments offering great club views of the races at many horse racing destinations across the country).

Oh, and if you’re curious about where you can find THIS chocolate dessert at Disney World, you’ll want to stay tuned!

Sign leading you to the Turf Club

Heading towards the Turf Club Bar and Grill

And so with that, I say… “Riders up!” Let’s dig in!

Atmosphere

Upon arriving for our Advance Dining Reservation at 5:00 pm (the earliest seating at this dinner-only spot), I noticed that just behind the check-in stand was a beautiful wooden piece resembling an old-fashioned horse stable.

“Horse stable”

Okay, that’s not entirely true… I didn’t pick up on the fact that it was supposed to be a stable until exiting the restaurant, which is why this picture was taken from the back :). Once I realized it, I thought it was pretty clever. All that to say… themeing here is quite subtle. Dark woods and deep greens are predominant, and the overall effect is appealing.

Indoor Seating at the Turf Club

Of course, you will find a few nods to the equestrian theme throughout the restaurant.

Framed horse racing gear

Carpet decoration

Covered, outdoor seating is available, offering views of the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.

Outdoor seating

And our host checked with us if we would like to be seated outdoors, but since they day was still very warm, we chose indoor seating.

Indoor Seating

Table for two

Overall, think less whimsical, and more [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: September 14, 2014

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

Are you ready for all of the appetizing eats and sips featured at this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Yes! The Festival gets underway this week with a September 19th debut.

Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Purée at the Patagonia Booth

And we’ll be devouring ALL of the menu items as so that we can keep our readers updated with new reviews. Stay tuned this week for photos, reviews, and updated pricing on all of the Festival menus!

Plus, click below for all the details on this week’s Disney Food News!

Disney Food News

We highlighted the NEW dishes at the 2014 Disney World Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
Allergy-friendly menus are currently being tested at select Disney World restaurants.
Try a great new Fall treat — the pumpkin spice macaron ice cream sandwich — at L’Artisan des Glaces in Epcot’s France!
Two new dessert bars have made their way to the pastry case at Landscape of Flavors at Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort: Seven Layer Bars and Toffee Shortbread!
Check out the new, seasonal Pumpkin Spice ice cream and ice cream sandwiches at Epcot’s France!
The pumpkin muffin is back at Disneyland’s Jolly Holiday this year!

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 restaurant closures, and more!

DFB Reader Finds

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

We’re featuring delicious entrees from Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in California! Here’s the Red Oak-Smoked Honey-Whiskey Barbecue Tri-Tip with mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies was shared by Facebook friend, Terry. Try it at Ariel’s Grotto.

BBQ Tri-Tip

We were also sent this pic of a Thai Lettuce Wrap on the menu at the Cove Bar — sent in by Facebook friend Joanne.

Thai Lettuce Wrap

What’s your Favorite Find? Send it in!

The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book

Pick up your copy of the DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival e-Book!

The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book features all the info you need to know before you attend the Food and Wine Festival this year, from what’s NEW this year to touring strategies — and a new section with top tips on how to use MyMagic+ at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

As always, we’ve made this guide instantly downloadable for your convenience, and easily installed on your mobile devices. It’s a PDF guide with over 220 pages of detailed information about the Festival as well as photographs and customized bonus items to help you get the best experience possible. On a budget? Find out how to make those dollars (or Disney Dining Plan snack credits) stretch all around World Showcase. And we have a fully updated FAQ section that answers questions you didn’t even know you had!

Bonus Items

The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival includes customized bonus items that go above and beyond any other Food & Wine Festival coverage currently available. These include:

A full, daily schedule of events for every day of the festival
A printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist that you can use to plan, and easily bring with you to the festival
Themed World Showcase booth crawls (there’s even one for the kids!)
Food and Wine Festival customized Touring Strategies for One Day visits, Budget-Conscious visits, visits with kids, and more
A chapter dedicated to all [Read more…]

First Look! Pumpkin Spice Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich Debuts in Epcot’s France

By AJ 20 Comments

Great news for those of us eagerly awaiting the pumpkin-y, spicy Fall treats at Disney World! This year, we’ll have a brand new snack to sample in Epcot’s France pavilion: the Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream Sandwich at L’Artisan des Glaces!

l’Artisan des Glaces Pumpkin Spice Macaron Sandwich

This seasonal treat joins other must-try snacks at the little ice cream and sorbet shop in Epcot’s France pavilion at Walt Disney World, like the chocolate macaron ice cream sandwich, the ice cream martini, and the warm on the outside / cold on the inside pressed brioche ice cream sandwich.

Pumpkin Spice Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich

The chefs at the pavilion have been [Read more…]

Guest Review: The Steakhouse in the Disney Village at Disneyland Paris

By Kim LaPaglia 8 Comments

Join me in welcoming guest author Lottie Linter with a review of The Steakhouse in the Disney Village at Disneyland Paris!

Unlike Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney, the Disney Village at Disneyland Paris is where you’ll find most of the table service options at the resort. This is because the parks in Paris close very early (around 6 or 7PM) out of peak season, and not everybody wants to sit down to eat at 5:30PM, especially in Europe! We prefer to eat later, so we booked a table at The Steakhouse for 8PM on a Monday evening.

Atmosphere

From the outside, the restaurant looks a little non-descript, and with the enticing Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Café, and Annette’s Diner drawing in people nearby, it’s easy to overlook this place if you only walk through the main thoroughfare of the village. In fact having visited Disneyland Paris seven times previously, I didn’t even notice this restaurant until I was a Cast Member there a few years ago!

The entrance takes up just a small strip of the Disney Village facades, but once you are inside and down a short corridor lined with dark wooden paneling and a wine fridge, the restaurant opens out into an absolutely huge warehouse complete with a large conservatory area.

Exterior of The Steakhouse

The entrance corridor, taken from the bar

After checking in, you can wait at the old-fashioned bar and have a pre-dinner drink, but as we were visiting out of season the restaurant wasn’t full and we were shown straight to our table.

The spacious bar area

The dining room is very impressive, and is themed around the Chicago meat markets during the prohibition era. There are black and white photographs all over the walls of who I can only assume were supposed to be wealthy meat-traders, or market owners – it’s not immediately clear, but I do think they add something quirky to the décor.

Some of the black and white pictures on the walls

One of the big walls is vintage-style painted brickwork, but it has been made to look like they pulled down the plaster from a more modern steak restaurant to discover the old meat warehouse underneath. The conservatory area has black and white tiled floors and looks towards Lake Disney, McDonald’s, and the building that houses the Rainforest Café.

The huge exposed wall along one side of the restaurant

This slightly raised part of the restaurant with booths only opens at busier times

The conservatory area

We were pleased to be seated in the main warehouse area, and although our particular two-top was quite close to the one next to us, in general the rest of the tables seemed to be quite nicely spaced.

At busier times they also have live jazz playing in this restaurant, which I imagine would really take the atmosphere up a notch, but tonight we just had the sounds of the hustle and bustle in the dining room. If there was any music, we couldn’t hear it!

Cool light fixtures in the main dining room

Eats

In France, they tend to eat from prix-fixe menus

– these are often made up of a select number of options from the à la carte menu but priced at a discount. The Steakhouse is no different, and offered up [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: The Pumpkin Muffin is Back!

By Heather 12 Comments

This Friday marks the official start of Halloween Time at The Disneyland Resort. I was so excited when I saw this guy on Main Street, USA!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Anyhow, as I strolled along, I decided to pop into the Jolly Holiday Bakery.

Jolly Holiday Bakery & Cafe

I recently tried several of the new items there and didn’t really expect to find anything in addition to them. But guess what — the Pumpkin Muffin is back early! Even though I was on my way to a big lunch, I had to try one.

Pumpkin Muffins in the Bakery Case

The muffins are enormous. And for [Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: Some Favorite Fried Appetizers

By AJ 4 Comments

It’s time for Disney Food Pics of the Week!

We’re all trying to eat better for us these days, right? But still, every once in a while, it’s fun to indulge a little! Today, we’re taking a look at some of the great photos that you’ve shared with us on Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza, our Flickr page, as we highlight some of our Favorite Fried Appetizers!

Pommes Frites at Cafe Orleans

Photographer: Daniel Staten

One of my top spots to eat in all of Disneyland is Cafe Orleans! And when I’m there, I can’t resist having all of my favorites — their Monte Cristo Sandwich, Mickey-Shaped Beignets — and of course, Pommes Frites with Remoulade for dipping! They’re outta this world!! (Kudos to Daniel for getting two sauces; good choice!)

Pommes Frites from Disneyland’s Cafe Orleans

Fritto Misto at Via Napoli

Photographer: Tana Murphy

Whenever we are in the mood for pizza at Disney, it’s time to head to Via Napoli in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion. But they also have some amazing appetizers as well. Their Fritto Misto Platter is an assortment of Fried Cheese, Arancini, Veggies, and Calamari and is served with Pomodoro Piccante Sauce. I LOVE this platter.

Fritto Misto at Epcot’s Via Napoli

Wok Fried Green Beans at Yak and Yeti Restaurant

Photographer: Roger Weeks

Looking for something just a touch [Read more…]

2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival: NEW Menu Item Spotlight

By AJ 12 Comments

The 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is RIGHT around the corner! With the countdown at just about a week now, we know that you’re just as excited as we are.

Today we wanted to spotlight the NEW items that are coming to the menus at the World Showcase Marketplace booths this year. And with more than 30 new dishes and sips to sample this year, there’s plenty to experience!

We have a TON of stuff to cover, so to keep it all straight we’re gonna go alphabetically! Ready? Here we go! (And don’t forget, you can check out ALL of the menus from the World Showcase Booths — and many food photos — at our World Showcase Booth Page.)

Africa Marketplace

We had the chance to try a sample of the brand new South African Bobotie with Turkey and Mushrooms from the Africa Marketplace and loved it! The egg dish packed a spicy punch when we tried it at a preview.

South Africa Bobotie with Turkey and Mushrooms

Lovers of South African wines will also appreciate the addition of the Fairview Pinotage to the menu.

America Adventure Coffee Cart

If you love the flavors of Fall, get ready to try the Apple Maple Spice Latte at the America Adventure Coffee Cart in the America Pavilion. It’s available hot or cold!

Joffrey's kiosk to the left of American Adventure

Stop by the America Adventure Coffee Cart for an Apple Maple Spice Latte

Australia Marketplace

Always a fan favorite, the Australia Booth will feature a new lineup of beverages this year, including Cooper’s Brewery Original Pale Ale, Chateau Tanuda Grand Barossa Dry Riesling, St. Kilda Chardonnay, and Nine Stones Shiraz. The menu looks to complement classic Food and Wine Festival dishes like the Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Garlic Shrimp with Roasted Tomatoes, Lemon Myrtle and Rapini.

Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies -- Australia Booth

New Beverage Selections Complement Classic Dishes, Like Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies

Belgium Marketplace

At the Belgium Marketplace, we’re seeing another hot trend — hard cider. We think that the Stella Artois Cidre will be a big hit with festival goers who are looking for a refreshing alternative to beer.

Stella Artois Cidre

Block & Hans Kiosk

The Block & Hans Kiosk features a regular assortment of craft beer, but for the festival, they’ll add wines to the mix as well. Enjoy a bevy of American wines, which will include all of the following!

Robert Mondavi, Fume Blanc
The Great American Wine Company, Chardonnay
The Great American Wine Company, Red Blend
Robert Mondavi, Cabernet Sauvignon
Domaine Chandon Brut Sparkling Blanc de Noir
Still River Winery Apple Ice Wine

Chandon Blanc de Noir at Block & Hans

Great American Wine Company by Rosenblum — Chardonnay — at Block & Hans

Brazil Marketplace

While Brazil brings back a favorite menu item from 2013, the Pork Belly, there are several new items to savor as well.

Moqueca de Pescado: Regal Springs Premium Tilapia with Coconut Lime Sauce and Steamed Rice

Moqueca de pescado: Regal Springs Premium Tilapia with Coconut Lime Sauce and Steamed Rice
Pao de Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread
Cocada: Brazilian Coconut Candy
Tannat Reserve

We enjoyed the [Read more…]

News! Allergy-friendly Menus Currently in Testing at Select Disney World Restaurants

By AJ 16 Comments

Disney World continually seeks ways to help guests with food allergies feel more at ease during their travels. If you or any member of your traveling group has a food allergy, you may be interested to hear about a current test underway at a few dining locations in Disney World.

For a limited time, select Disney World restaurants are offering menus specifically geared towards those with food allergies to allow ease of ordering directly from the menus. Test locations at the resorts include World Premiere Food Court at All Star Movies Resort, Flying Fish Café at Disney’s BoardWalk, and Kona Café and Captain Cook’s at the Polynesian Village Resort.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Hollywood Brown Derby, Sci-Fi Dine-in Restaurant, and ABC Commissary are taking part in the test.

ABC Commissary

In these beginning phases, ABC Commissary’s menu [Read more…]

DFB Reader Questions Answered: Best Restaurants to Celebrate a Grown-Up Birthday at Walt Disney World

By AJ 18 Comments

Today, we’re pulling another great question out the Disney Food Blog mailbag. You guys ask some great ones, and lots of times, we’ll get several emails and inquiries about the same subject.

Spontaneous Birthday Treat at Citricos

Today, we’re going to delve into the wonderful world of birthday celebrations for grown-ups!

Celebrating Grown Up Birthdays in Walt Disney World

Our DFB reader asks:

We will be vacationing at WDW in May. My 25-year old son will have a birthday while we are there. We would like to have a special meal to celebrate, something fun but also really good!

I love this question! Disney brands itself a great place for all kinds of celebrations. And when it comes to birthdays, why should kiddos have all the fun?

When planning a special meal to celebrate a birthday at Walt Disney World, the most basic advice is probably a great starting point: what does the birthday boy or girl enjoy?

Birthday Dessert

Does he like fine dining, or would he prefer a great night out at a sports bar? Does she like a quiet, elegant setting, or a spot with intricate themeing? Or are they a kid at heart who can Celebrate Mickey with the best of them?

Fantastic ideas abound for fun birthday celebrations at Disney World, but let’s go with my three favorite ideas. At the very least, it might lead to some good brainstorming when it comes time to plan your own special dinner party!

Signature Dining

For the Disney fan who enjoys a fine dining experience, there would be no other place to celebrate a birthday than where these two things meet — Disney’s signature dining restaurants.

If you’re looking for the pinnacle of fine dining, consider booking a table at Victoria and Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Victoria and Albert’s Main Dining Room

The ultimate in Disney fine dining, this relaxed, refined restaurant has won countless awards for its upscale take on modern American fare and its stellar wine menu. To make it an even more special experience, book the Chef’s Table!

Another great option is California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The restaurant sits atop the hotel, and boasts panoramic views. It’s a great spot for viewing Wishes, Magic Kingdom’s fireworks spectacular!

Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli is as Good as Ever

Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli at California Grill

Food here is always fresh and inventive, celebrating the farm to table movement and the Asian fusion style that placed California on the culinary map.

For something a little off the beaten path but no less delicious, check out Jiko at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

In a relaxing atmosphere that mimics the [Read more…]

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