Review: Coral Reef Restaurant

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

At long last, Coral Reef is finally getting its due on the Disney Food Blog! The last time I visited this restaurant was when I was much, much younger, so I knew it was time to give it a try again. It’s been through a lot of changes, but, from what I can tell, the basics are still the same…

Atmosphere

Coral Reef is one of only a couple of table-service restaurants located in Epcot’s Future World. You’ll find it hidden in the Seas With Nemo and Friends (The Living Seas for those who used to visit in the 80s), tucked back in the right-hand corner. You really need to want to find it; you won’t just stumble over this restaurant by mistake! But after all these years, the sign is still very similar to what it was way back when, so those who have a tinge of Epcot nostalgia like me will be very pleased…

Upon entering the restaurant (using the seahorse door handle of course), you’ll find that the place is themed — as it should be — but in a very stylized manner. Walls and flooring are undulating as if you’re under water. Light fixtures resemble coral and shells. Glass fish sculptures sit inside lit alcoves behind the [Read more…]

2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival to Include Cranberry Bogs and Cranberry Recipe Contest

By AJ 7 Comments

According to a press release from Ocean Spray back in October, the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival will include a real live cranberry bog (where? no idea — World Showcase Lagoon?)! And the Fifth Annual Ocean Spray Cranberry recipe contest will also be a part of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival this year. (Of course, this is all subject to change… .)

Cranberry Bog

This is all due to the recent relationship built between Craisins brand dried cranberries and the Walt Disney Company. See a quote from the press release below:

As a part of Ocean Spray’s ongoing commitment to educate consumers about the taste, health and heritage of the cranberry, the company will build cranberry bog displays during…the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival in fall 2011. Third-, fourth- and fifth-generation cranberry growers will travel with [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: June 12, 2011

By AJ 1 Comment

Jiko Tasting Wines

Hi everyone! As summer vacations start revving up, we’re looking forward to sharing lots of news with you in the coming weeks as the dates for the Disney Food Blog’s WDW Foodie Fest and The 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival grow nearer.

Summer travelers, don’t forget to keep hydrated while touring the parks and seek out air-conditioning dining locations for rest breaks, snacks and meals!

Latest Disney Food News

Restaurant.com offers gift certificates for several Disney World restaurants (mostly at the Swan and Dolphin Resorts), and they’re having an 80% off sale through June 13th. That means you can get a $25 gift certificate for just $2! Use code DEAL at the check out.
News from the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! The new Epcot Food and Wine Festival kiosks this year include Hawaii, the Caribbean Islands, and Scandinavia! We have more news about the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival here!
Check out a review of the new Jiko Wine Tasting experience. Cheers!

New Disney Food Blog Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Review

Thanks to Jenn at Chip and Co for reviewing the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book!

There are tips for saving money, where to find last minute reservations, and how to celebrate special occasions. In other words, this book has everything and even helps the most experienced Walt Disney World traveler figure out how to plan a trip around meals, or at least enjoy their eating experience while at the parks!

You can read her full review here.

Get your copy of the book here!

Now, On to the Round-Up!

A Wedding Cake Blog

inspires our inner princesses with a Cinderella engagement cake — Kardashian style.

Eating (and Drinking) Around WDW is anticipating the 2011 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic! Check out what he’s signed up for here.

Main Street Gazette takes us to dinner at Tutto Italia.

DAPS Magic celebrated his birthday in Disneyland with a fantastic Muppets cake!

Everything Walt Disney World explains how to work those snack credits on the Disney Dining Plan!

Fruitnet reports that Chiquita Brands International has signed an exclusive deal with the Walt Disney Co. to bring their products into the parks, resorts, and cruise line.

Review: Cabanas on the Disney Dream Cruise Ship

By AJ 20 Comments

On the Disney Dream Cruise Ship, Disney Cruise Line’s newest vessel, Cabanas is the breezy buffet that’s accessible to guests all day long. Stop here for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack no matter what schedule you’re on!

Atmosphere

Guests enter the restaurant through a striped canvas bedecked foyer — just like you’re entering your very own cabana!

Entrance

You might even see a few of your favorite friends from Finding Nemo here! Check out these gorgeous mosaic tile murals that decorate the space. And watch out for these guys…

Mine! Mine!

Cabanas availability offers a great opportunity for dining (especially if you happen to miss your set dinner time or would like an early breakfast), and offers some [Read more…]

Snack Series: German Chocolate Caramel

By AJ 5 Comments

We’re headed back to Epcot’s Karamell-Küche this afternoon for another bite of yummy, chocolate-y caramel goodness. This time, I find it imperative that I introduce you to the German Chocolate Caramel.

Karamell-Küche German Chocolate Caramel

This awesome snack consists of chewy Werther’s caramel infused with toasted coconut and covered in [Read more…]

Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares

By AJ 17 Comments

Guest author Carrie Hayward returns to tempt us with chocolate, peanut butter and marshmallow! Carrie writes about private events in Disney parks on her blog, http://disneytravelbabble.com, and is the author of PassPorter’s Disney Weddings & Honeymoons. Thanks, Carrie!

One of my all-time favorite Disney desserts is not available on any restaurant menu or at any snack location. I discovered Chocolate Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares on a special-event menu when we were planning our wedding at Epcot a few years ago. Although they were once offered for private events at both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, they’ve since disappeared from the menus.

Now the only way to get Chocolate Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares at Disney is to plan an event and put in a special request for them. Even then, the quality seems to vary—the last time I had them, they were much better at Hollywood Studios than at Epcot.

Elusive Chocolate Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares in the wild

So, after scouring the Internet for similar recipes and devouring way too many test batches, I think I’ve finally perfected a method for making Chocolate Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares at home.

Ingredients
1 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
24 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate
10.5-ounce bag mini marshmallows
12-ounce bag peanut butter chips

Ingredients

Combine butter, peanut butter and chocolate in a double boiler (or, if [Read more…]

Reader Question: Planning a Special Vegetarian Meal at Disney World’s ‘Ohana

By Kim LaPaglia 8 Comments

We recently had a question submitted by a reader regarding the vegetarian meal at ‘Ohana. Now that Chef TJ has taken his culinary skills to the Grand Floridian, our reader, who is celebrating her birthday at ‘Ohana, wondered if Chef TJ’s famed vegetarian meal (six courses!) was still being offered.

Tempura Asparagus at 'Ohana

I’m not sure what the current meal is for vegetarians at ‘Ohana since Chef TJ left, so here’s what I suggest — contact the Disney Special Diets folks (email [email protected] or call 407-WDW-DINE or 407-824-5967) and ask them what number to call if you have a special diet, have booked a particularly special meal, and would like to speak with a particular restaurant.

Once you get a direct number for ‘Ohana, ask if you can set up a time to speak by phone directly with the Chef at ‘Ohana, explaining that you booked a birthday meal there based on the rave reviews, but you understand there’s a new Chef there and you’d like to discuss options with him ahead of time since this is a special meal for you. Share the same info with him and see if you can work together to create a multi-course birthday dinner menu.

Be persistent about wanting to talk with the chef. You might run into [Read more…]

Review: Disneyland Hotel’s Steakhouse 55

By AJ 24 Comments

I’m so excited to finally be writing this review. This is one of my very favorite restaurants in Disneyland (are you surprised that I love a steakhouse?), and in terms of history and excellent food, it’s a must-do.

Atmosphere

Located in the Disneyland Hotel, Steakhouse 55 has been around for eons, though not always under its current moniker. Until about five years ago, the place was known as Granville’s, named for the wife of Disneyland Hotel creator Jack Wrather — who himself is a very complicated and interesting part of Disneyland history. And history has always been made here.

Photo of Walt

The Steakhouse 55 Lounge and Restaurant feel like they’re from another era — classic Hollywood glamour can be felt throughout the place. Big names and big deals could — and still can — be found here from time to time.

Lounge

Steakhouse 55 Dining Room

Blown-up black-and-white photos on the walls depict VIPs from classic film days, and you can’t help but [Read more…]

2011 Disney World Free Dining Package in September

By AJ 11 Comments

For a limited time, get a free dining plan when you purchase the new 5-night/6-day Memories Vacation Package, including room, theme park tickets and a 20-page Disney’s PhotoPass® Photo Book (required purchase)!

As usual, value resort bookings get the quick-service Disney dining plan; all other resort bookings get the standard Disney dining plan.

This offer is for arrivals most nights at select Disney Resorts between August 28 and September 24, 2011.

Book this through August 27, 2011. Ask for booking code QUH for Value Resorts and N23 for Moderate, Deluxe, and Villa Resorts.

Click here for more details!

Snack Series: Tomato Basil Soup at Pinocchio Village Haus

By AJ 13 Comments

Learn About:Pinocchio Village Haus

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

I’m a soup-lover from way back, and one of my favorites has always been tomato basil. So when I was on a recent research trip at the Magic Kingdom, I was very excited to find tomato basil soup listed on the menu at Pinocchio Village Haus!

Soup is a great snack — cheap, filling, and usually carrying fewer calories and fat than other snacks at the Kingdom.

But, at the time, I thought to myself — how good could it be? I’ve had exceptional tomato basil soup, but I’ve also had plenty of versions that don’t come close to making the cut.

Pinocchio Village Haus menu

Without too many expectations, I found a seat upstairs at the Village Haus and dug in — and it was amazing! I’m not kidding you. I don’t recommend something to you if I don’t love it, and I’m telling you this soup is gorgeous. Savory, buttery, creamy, and very flavorful. Usually when I’m researching, my companions and I split it and I only take a few bites, but I’m pretty sure I commandeered this cup of soup and just about ate the whole thing!

Tomato Basil Soup at Pinocchio Village Haus

So, just a quick post to let you know, if you like soup as much [Read more…]

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