Snack Series: New Carrot Cake Cupcake at Wilderness Lodge

I was pretty lucky to meet cast member Michael S. last month on my visit to Walt Disney World!

This week, Michael sent along an awesome find — a new carrot cake cupcake at Roaring Fork in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge!

Wilderness Lodge Carrot Cake Cupcake

Looks pretty great to me. Here’s Michael’s review:

The cupcake was absolutely amazing! The frosting was definitely the best part, so sweet and creamy. It reminded me very much of the carrot cake cookie that I often get at the Writer’s Stop at Hollywood Studios, only in cupcake form. I will also add that the carrot cake itself was very moist. Overall the cupcake was [Read more…]

Review: House of Blues Orlando

By AJ 17 Comments

Learn About:House of Blues

Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

Update: As we reported earlier, House of Blues in Orlando is now serving the new Crossroads Menu.

At long last, I finally made it over to the West Side of Disney World’s Downtown Disney to have my FIRST EVER meal at House of Blues! I can’t wait to hear your comments about this place!

Atmosphere

The House of Blues is all about atmosphere. Eating there is like being plunged into the middle of a museum. According to the official House of Blues website, here’s the backstory:

The House of Blues grew out of founder Isaac Tigrett’s love for the unique American art form known as the “the Blues,” Weaned on this music during his early childhood in Tennessee, one of Isaac’s goals was to introduce the world to the music of the rural south, including the Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Gospel, Jazz and Roots-abed Rock & Roll.

The Blues is translated throughout the restaurant — inside and out — via fascinating, and sometimes extremely powerful, artwork.

The “grounds” of the restaurant surround a huge porch, and are peppered with found-object sculptures, mosaics, and [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: April 17, 2011

By AJ Leave a Comment

Peanut Butter Cupcake

Welcome to the DFB Round-Up! An exciting announcement about the WDW Foodie Fest is coming up this week, but first, let’s talk food news…:

Latest Disney Food News

Mark your calendars for the 2011 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic
Two new cupcakes make their debuts at Boardwalk Bakery in Disney World
Jiko announces wine tastings and wine dinners
Tables in Wonderland April 2011 Events were announced

And I’ve got some more awesome reviews of our e-Book, The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining to share with you! Check them out below.

Recent Reviews of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining

Zannaland

is impressed with the information and photos in the book. Check out her review here.

SamLand’s Disney Adventures exclaims “Even veterans will get a lot out of this. This book will save you money.” Read his review here.

SoloFriendly likes the information on solo dining at WDW and says “the book is jam-packed with useful information for Disney World newbies as well as experienced visitors”! Check out her review here. Thanks for the fantastic reviews!

Now, On to the Round-Up!

Parkeology

reminisces about decoding El Pirata Y El Parico as a child.

Walt Disney World for Grown-Ups shares some details about the “Be Our Guest” restaurant that will open with the new Fantasyland expansion.

Imaginerding mentions reading our DFB guidebook while traveling to WDW.

Stuff from the Park transports readers back to the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant in Disneyland’s Fantasyland.

Main Street Gazette reviews La Cantina de San Angel.

Disney Parks Blog explains rotational dining aboard the Disney Dream and shares some favorite menu items. (By the way — check out our ongoing reviews and recipes from the Disney Dream here!

Guest Review: Quick Bites at Friar’s Nook and Pinocchio Village Haus

By AJ 19 Comments

The amazing Sarah Holodick is back with more mouth-watering food reviews!! Sarah stopped by the Friar’s Nook and Pinocchio’s Village Haus on a recent trip to the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. Stay tuned next week for another review from Sarah of a spot not too far from these two… . Take it away, Sarah!Friar’s Nook: Freshly Made Potato Chips

When I heard about Friar’s Nook serving freshly made potato chips, I knew I had to give them a try. I was very happy to find out that they are available with toppings as well. There are two varieties available: chili and cheese; or cheese, bacon, and ranch. They had me at bacon, so here are the chips in all their cheesy, bacony, ranchy glory!

Chips with toppings

These chips were delicious! The potatoes are cut a bit on the thick side and fried to crunchy, golden brown perfection. They are lightly salted then smothered with plastic cheese, tasty ranch, and crispy bacon.

Needless to say these chips didn’t last very long! They were a perfect snack — non-greasy, and surprisingly light. I think it will be difficult to take a trip to the Magic Kingdom without placing an order for these!

Editor’s Note: Some say these are the replacement for Figaro Fries…yay or nay?

The Pinocchio Village Haus: Mediterranean Salad
After seeing Bill Iadonisi’s review last month here on DFB, I couldn’t stop thinking about that Mediterranean Salad. I was in Magic Kingdom and wanted a quick, light lunch, so I headed over to the Haus to [Read more…]

2011 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic

By AJ 1 Comment

Purchase Room and Ticket Packages plus seminars and event tickets at: http://www.swandolphinfoodandwineclassic.com/

Foodie fans of Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival will find more culinary delights at the Second Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic!

When:
Mark your calendar for October 7-8, 2011.

This year’s beverage seminars include Riesling Rendezvous, Beer, Please!, Spanish Wines, Modern Mixology and Beer, Wine Blending, All Things Sake and Base to Bubbles. Offered each day from 4:30-5:30 p.m. These classes will be taught by certified experts in hour-long sessions.

Award-winning restaurants from the Swan and Dolphin resorts will host tasting stations on the [Read more…]

Guest Review: Kona Cafe Breakfast

By AJ 23 Comments

Learn About:Kona Cafe

Polynesian Resort
Disney World Restaurants

Aloha! Let’s travel with Bill Iadonisi to the South Seas at Disney’s Polynesian Resort where we start our day in the Kona Cafe. Take it away, Bill!

As many times a month as we dine here at Walt Disney World, we are still astounded by the culinary choices offered. Where else can you sample the cuisines of eleven different countries, chow down on home country barbecue at a hoe-down show, savor the finest steaks and chops, or just sit down at a counter-service restaurant and enjoy simple fare? Nowhere but at the World!

And all diets and concerns are covered. Allergies, vegan, or just plain picky eaters can have their way at any of the eateries here. But few restaurants can cover the three dining fronts, i.e.… Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, with aplomb as well as the Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. The restaurant has much going for it… convenient location, wonderful atmosphere, fine food and good value for your money. So today’s review is on the breakfast front!

Welcome to the Kona

Podium

Atmosphere
I have found that even if the fare is just “OK,” service and atmosphere can still save the meal. In fact even the best food just doesn’t cut it in a noisy, crowded dining room, especially if the décor is bland or just too loud.

But the Kona shines in this department. Located on the Mezzanine level of the [Read more…]

Snack Series: Flavored Popcorn

By Kim LaPaglia 11 Comments

It’s delicious! Popping up all over Walt Disney World and Disneyland, this popular snack item also makes a great take-home souvenir. The Confetti version is naturally and artificially flavored. Sold for $3.95 and only 100 calories per serving, grab a bag of popcorn to munch during a Main Street parade!

Confetti!

Check the ingredients!

They’re sold in 8 oz. bags in various flavors. How about some Cinnamon Toast? While the calories and price are bumped up, they still make a [Read more…]

Why Disney World Needs An Automat

By AJ 41 Comments

Automats are 1. Fun, 2. Out-of-the-Ordinary, and 3. Nostalgic. Wouldn’t that fit right into what you’d expect in Disney World? But let’s begin at the beginning…

What’s an Automat?
What’s an automat, you ask? Nope — it’s not a laundromat. It’s a construct of the first half of the 20th century — a restaurant + vending machine combination. Automats offered individual servings of freshly made food that were placed behind little windows. If you wanted one of the items, you dropped your nickels in the slot, opened the little window, and took out the plate. The ultimate in “fast food” before fast food joints existed!

Automat Photo (c) National Geographic

Automats were prevalent and prominent in New York City and Philadelphia — primarily run by Horn and Hardart; they popped up in [Read more…]

News: Wine Tastings and Wine Dinners at Jiko

By Kim LaPaglia 10 Comments

South African Wine at Jiko

Where do you go to enjoy one of the finest South African wine collections on the North American continent? Jiko-The Cooking Place at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in Walt Disney World! Sommeliers at Jiko have great reason to boast about their vintages!

Thankfully, they enjoy sharing their knowledge (and wine!) with guests.

Jiko Wine Tastings
On Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., stop by Jiko to sample three South African wines paired with cheese and fruit.
The cost is $25 plus tax and gratuity and you should make a reservation by calling 407-938-7149.

Jiko Wine Dinners
Looking for South African wines paired with incredible cuisines? There are six dinners planned where guests will savor their meals while the winemakers and chef are on hand to describe each course!

May 4 – Post House Winery with Nick Geber. The Post House farm is part of a popular winery in South Africa’s Stellenbosch region.

June 8 – This meal features winemaker Alex Dale, founder of [Read more…]

Review: Epcot’s Bistro de Paris

By AJ 21 Comments

Learn About:Bistro de Paris

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

One of Disney World’s “signature” restaurants, Bistro de Paris is a truly elegant getaway from stereotypical theme park dining.

The restaurant is the concept of French chefs Roger Verge, Paul Bocuse, and the late Gaston Lenotre; these three also created concepts for — and originally ran — Chefs de France downstairs from the Bistro and the Boulangerie Patisserie next door. Today, Chef Bocuse’s son keeps an eye on the proceedings here.

Bistro is expensive and high-end, and service is usually excellent. I’ve heard raves about this restaurant, but I’ve also heard that it can be disappointing. My review lands somewhere in the middle.