National Noodle Month Special: Mushroom Ravioli Appetizer!

I had a great meal at Portobello Trattoria in Disney World’s Downtown Disney yesterday, and heard about a yummy new app that will be available for the “next seven days” in celebration of national noodle month: Mushroom Ravioli in a Parmesan Cream Sauce.

I even snagged a dish to try so that I could review it for the blog! (I promise I don’t usually order three appetizers — just an FYI for when you see the review of this lunch in a few weeks!)

Portobello

The fresh ravioli will be an appetizer portion (which was four large raviolis), and is stuffed with chunks of Portobello, Cremini, and Shiitake mushrooms. The whole thing is covered in an uber-rich, thick Parmesan cream sauce and topped with fried mushrooms!

Mushroom Appetizer

The ravioli tastes fresh and light, and the chunks of mushroom are [Read more…]

2012 Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Registration Now Open!

By AJ 3 Comments

Registration is now open for the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon! runDisney invites you to a nighttime race that takes place during the 2012 Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Date: November 9-10, 2012 — note that the date has been moved from the standard first weekend in October this year!

I had an AWESOME time running the half-marathon relay last year with my friend Todd Perlmutter, and I’m hoping to be able to swing an extra Disney trip this year to run again!

Get ready to run under the stars as you race through Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. Along the way, find motivation from on-course entertainment as you set your sights on the finish line. It’s not over once your sporting that finisher medal! Celebrate your achievement at the after-hours race party at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Specially priced hotel rooms are also available for Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon participants! Stay at [Read more…]

Review: D23’s “Off the Map” Event with Dinner at Club 33

By Heather 34 Comments

When I heard about D23’s Off the Map event, I made sure to be home when tickets went on sale. A visit to the Disneyland Dream Suite, touring Walt’s Apartment, a ride on the Lilly Belle, and a super surprise dinner at one of the resort’s most unique restaurants (hmmmm, wonder where that could be)? Sign. Me. Up.

I sat down at my computer at about 9:50am, tickets would be available starting at 10:00am. I literally sat and refreshed for 10 minutes straight. Yes, I’m that nerdy. It paid off, because at exactly 10:01 (according to my computer’s clock) I had two tickets in my shopping cart and was checking out, credit card in hand. By the time I finished checking out, the event had sold out. I was surprised that they went so fast, but I then realized that it must be a very small and obviously sought after event.

NOTE: This review is long and has lots of pictures of awesome things. There’s a whole meal and a snack in the write-up (of course, this is the Disney Food Blog), but we couldn’t help including pics of the rest of the tour as well! I hope you enjoy!

Checking In

We checked in at 9:00am on a Tuesday morning and were put into groups. We soon met with our uber fabulous D23 guide, Jeffrey (you may know him as the Disney Geek)!

Guess Who???

This is where we learned that there were only 72 tickets sold for the event and that it sold out in 30 seconds. Wow, so lucky to have scored two! The crowd was very mixed, the age range spanned from teen to senior and some people traveled from across the country to be here. We had 11 people in our group; most were southern California Disneyland locals, others were from Las Vegas, and there was one all the way from Georgia (Hi Andy!).

Off the Map Check In

Our group was scheduled to go to Walt’s Apartment at 10:30, so we had a bit of time to kill. Disneyland had just opened at 10:00, so it was fun to watch the park “wake up” as the horse drawn carriages emerged, characters came running from backstage, and the Disneyland Band marched right in front of us. We met our apartment tour guide outside of the Disneyland Fire Department promptly at 10:30.

Disneyland Fire Department

Touring Walt’s Apartment in Disneyland

After given some history of Walt’s Apartment, we walked backstage and headed up the stairs (holding the handrail like we were asked) and entered the Victorian style apartment. Immediately I noticed the musty smell and got goosebumps knowing that I was in a room that Walt Disney spent many a night in, entertaining friends, playing with his grandchildren, and looking out the window [Read more…]

“Sweet Dreams”: The Scratch & Sniff Nightshirt

By Heather 14 Comments

Walking through the merchandise section of Pooh Corner in Disneyland, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by a giant t-shirt with a scratch & sniff sticker on it. When I noticed it was a “sleepy” Eeyore with a cup of hot chocolate, I immediately assumed that the “sniff” would be chocolate — because who wants to smell Eeyore all night long?

Scratch & Sniff Eeyore Night Shirt

Seriously? A scratch and sniff t-shirt?

Of course I immediately scratched and sniffed. And yes, into my nose went a hint of chocolate. The special ink used to print this shirt is infused with a chocolate scent; when you scratch it, it smells stronger. The areas that were the most potent were the cocoa jar and Eeyore’s mug. How do I know? because I tested out the [Read more…]

Risotto Around the World

By AJ 17 Comments

Ah…time to talk about one of my very favorite side dishes EVER!!! Risotto is often overlooked, but the creamy savory goodness that is risotto could easily take center stage in a dish (and does in some of these highlighted below)! Disney chefs have mastered the art of making this slow-cooked yumminess — rice patiently mixed with flavorful broth — and whether it’s mixed with meat, fish, or vegetables, risotto doubles as as a sophisticated recipe and mouth-watering, comfort food.

I was looking through our Disney Food Blog Flickr group and saw so many gorgeous photos of risotto that I simply had to do a post about this dark horse side dish. (Of course, I’ve added a few of my own photos as well…;-D.)

Let’s take a tour around the world…

Butternut Squash Risotto from Artist Point

This butternut squash risotto topped with pork belly is easily in my “top 5” risottos in Disney World. Offered at Artist Point in the Wilderness Lodge, the hint of sweet from the squash and tartness courtesy of the cranberry drizzle create amazing (and memorable!) flavors. Sigh. I miss it.

butternut squash risotto

Dungeness Crab Risotto with Blood Orange Sauce and Pea Shoots; from Artist Point

This ample portion of risotto is mixed handsomely with crab creating a decadent appetizer. (Looks amazing!!!) Dishes at Artist Point tend to change seasonally, yet Dungeness crab seems to be used in many dishes — like these crab cakes we highlighted earlier this week!
(Photographer: Roger Weeks)

Dungeness Crab Risotto

Mushroom “Risotto” (in reality this is white corn, but I love that they made a “risotto” out of it), served along side Seared Bison with, Turnips, Chestnuts, and Pinot Noir Juniper Emulsion; from California Grill

This striking presentation from the California Grill has a slight [Read more…]

St. Patrick’s Day at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Disneyland Resort

By Kim LaPaglia 2 Comments

Celebrate St. Patrick’s day at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District!

Start out by toasting your friends with Green Beer at this fun New Orleans-themed restaurant! You can get your tinted beer for $6.00/Small and $8.00 for a Large. And if you’re not seeing leprechauns yet, green Jello shots will be offered all day. 😉

Say cheers with green beer!

Executive Chef Darrin’s Corn beef and cabbage will be a menu highlight. Follow it up with an Irish coffee, and don’t forget to indulge in Ralph Brennan’s famous beignets!

Share the luck of the Irish (Creole style) with Kenny Sara and the Sounds of New Orleans performing 7:00 – 11:00pm in the Flambeaux Room.

In a hurry to get back to the Magic of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure? Visit Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Express downstairs for Corn Beef and Cabbage Slaw Po’boys!

Will you spend St. Patrick’s Day at a Disney destination? Let us know your party plans!

Disney Food for Families: Tips for Disney Dining with Young Children

By Erin 15 Comments

In my mind, a vacation isn’t a vacation if you’re doing the same old chores you do at home, but at a different locale. I spend enough time packing lunches and cooking dinners all year long; I want a break from this when travel. That means I want to eat in restaurants when I’m on the road.

Tigger Meets a New Friend at Crystal Palace

This mindset was one of the factors that made Walt Disney World such a wonderful destination for my family when my daughters were small. There are dozens upon dozens of restaurants to choose from and they’re ALL kid friendly (with the one tiny exception of Victoria & Albert’s).

When I figured out that I could have gourmet food and wine while my toddlers were gleefully welcomed with high chairs, plain pasta, and coloring pages, I was hooked.

But while there are abundant dining options at Disney World, there are some types venues that work slightly better than others for families with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. There are also some tips and tricks that can make dining with small fries even happier in this happiest of places.

Preparation Is Everything

Before you arrive at Walt Disney World, there are several steps you can take to make your on-site dining run more smoothly: [Read more…]

New Merch: Iconic Disney Food T-Shirts

By Kim LaPaglia 17 Comments

Disney has been focusing a lot of merchandise around iconic food lately, and we’ve been highlighting some great examples (WDW suitcase, Disneyland suitcase, cupcake clothes for kids, Mickey waffle pajama pants).

Here’s a round-up of the recent shirts that have come out! Go ahead and wear your Disney food!

Turkey Leg

A popular snack (or meal!), the turkey leg is a vacation splurge! Thanks to Eric Chu for spotting this awesome new t-shirt in Disneyland recently!

Turkey Leg shirt

Of course, there’s always the old favorite as well! Get your own calorie-free turkey leg shirt!

Turkey Leg Shirt

Churro

Disney Design Group collaborated with shirt designer Richard Terpstra, to create some awesome shirts featuring favorite Disney theme park snacks (Churros are a great on-the-go snack while touring a Disney park)! Thanks to Melissa Sue Sorrells Galley who spotted this one at [Read more…]

Review: Artist Point in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

By AJ 21 Comments

Editor’s Note: The Buffalo strip is now a three meat combo of buffalo steak, venison loin, and wild game sausage.

Learn About:Artist Point

Disney World Restaurants

There are some signature dining restaurants in Disney World that really don’t get mentioned very much, and are held in the shadow of greats like California Grill and Victoria & Albert’s.

Artist Point in the Wilderness Lodge is one of these, but it’s actually the perfect spot if you’re looking for a quiet, out-of-the-way restaurant where you can enjoy some truly innovative eats.

Over the past several years I’ve dined at Artist Point four times and while my first visit was a rocky start, the subsequent three visits have been delightful. I’d love to hear YOUR comments about Artist Point!

Atmosphere

Artist Point, because of it’s location in the Wilderness Lodge, is themed to the American Northwest. You can expect Craftsman furniture, a slightly art deco feel, and sturdy, simple decor.

Entry

Entryway

Restaurant dining room

The artwork is the true draw in the main dining room at Artist Point (natch). The walls sport gorgeous murals by celebrated artist Thomas Moran, who is noted for his “larger-than-life interpretations of the West during the late 1800’s.”

Smaller paintings were inspired by Albert Bierstadt works. Bierstadt sketched landscapes of the [Read more…]

Waldorf Orlando’s Bull & Bear Offers Wine Dinner for Race Fans

By Kim LaPaglia 5 Comments

A unique dinner and wine pairing has been announced by the Waldorf Astoria Orlando’s Bull & Bear restaurant. Join Adobe Road Winery tomorrow, March 12, 2012, at 6:30 pm for a meal you’ll never forget! (See below for the full menu!)

The Bull & Bear restaurant was named Best Fine Dining by Orlando Home & Leisure, and you know that we can’t stop talking about it!

The dinner tomorrow will feature Kevin Buckler of Adobe Road Winery, and TRG team owner. Dine with this Le Mans and Daytona winning race car driver and chat with Kevin about his fascinating race stories. Ask him about the challenges of owning a professional sports car team and an award-winning boutique winery at [Read more…]

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National Noodle Month Special: Mushroom Ravioli Appetizer!

2012 Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Registration Now Open!