Carnevale di Venezia at Tutto Italia

We recently had the chance to visit Tutto Italia during its Carnevale celebration!

Tutto Italia

Click for Larger Image: Carnevale Menu and Info at Tutto Italia

This celebration in Epcot’s Italy pavilion took place from February 8th through February 16th, and featured a special menu (click on the image above) and the wearing of masks by the cast members in the restaurant.

History of the REAL Carnevale di Venezia
The famous Carnevale di Venezia happens every year in Venice, Italy, during the weeks just before lent. Mask-wearing at social events during Carnevale was first recorded in the 11th century, and soon became a customary way for noblemen and dignitaries to conduct “business” — including gambling — incognito.

The tradition has had a rocky history, being regulated and also banned several times as Venice fell in and out of the hands of many different governors. Today, the celebration is more of a tourist event than anything else, but the art of mask-making is still alive. Just head into Epcot’s Italy to see a mask artist — and his many stunning creations — from time to time.

Atmosphere
Tutto Italia, which recently took over for Alfredo’s Ristorante (of New York City Alfredo’s fame), is a cloth-napkins kind of place. With crystal chandeliers and rich murals of the Italian countryside covering the walls, the restaurant — and its pricing — are a bit [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: February 21, 2010

By AJ 3 Comments

Eat here

It’s been a busy week, everyone! Just in case you missed them, here are a couple of headlines from the Disney Food Blog in the past few days: highlights from the Dinner:Impossible visit to Walt Disney World last week, and the options for foodies at the upcoming Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.

Also, check out Touring Plans for an analysis I did on whether Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ restaurants are a good value.

Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide reports that the preliminary list for the James Beard Award in the Best Chef Category includes Victoria and Albert’s Chef Scott Hunnel.

Orlando United shares some photos of WDW’s Crystal Palace with the refurb walls down.

DLRP Today reports that Disneyland Resort Paris’ Pizza Planet will become a Buzz Lightyear Buffet.

The Disney Chick takes you through the creation of one of my favorite Disney World desserts, Liberty Tree Tavern’s Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake.

DisneyShawn gives a peek into the imagineering of Mrs. Potts’ Cupboard and the Friar’s Nook in WDW’s Magic Kingdom.

Disney Parks Blog shares a dessert recipe from the Saratoga Springs’ Turf Club Restaurant.

AllEarsNet has a gorgeous photo-blog from Nine Dragons Restaurant in Epcot’s China.

Main Street Gazette writes about the Yakitori House in Epcot’s Japan.

DisUnplugged brings us to the Troubadour Tavern in Disneyland.

The Daily Disney from Orlando Sentinel shares a Coconut Curried Chicken Stew recipe from Boma at WDW’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Have a great week!

A Peek in the Kitchen: Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse

By AJ 5 Comments

Every once in a while I like to point out some food-related areas of the parks and resorts, like when we looked into Mickey’s and Minnie’s kitchens!

Today, I thought it’d be fun to check in on the Robinsons…as in Swiss Family…and see the kitchen they created with their bare hands after the shipwreck.

Kitchen Description

You can see said volcanic rock stove right here!

Kitchen and Stove

I love the sink made out of a giant shell with the bamboo spigot. Wouldn’t mind having that in my place…

Swiss Family Robinson Kitchen Sink

And here’s the table all set for a meal. They’re definitely getting their five daily servings of fruits and veggies!

Swiss Family Robinson Kitchen Table

See you tomorrow with the Disney Food Post Round-up!

Epcot’s Yorkshire County Fish Shop

By AJ 30 Comments

Yorkshire County Fish Shop

The Yorkshire County Fish Shop in Epcot’s UK pavilion is a quaint, corner counter-service eatery with a gorgeous view from the outdoor tables. Located next to the Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room, this Chip Shop in the World Showcase offers a quick and hearty meal you can grab on the go, or snack on while waiting for Illuminations.

Fish and Chips

My husband visited the Yorkshire County Fish Shop on his own last week and gave the following review:
“The fish and chips in Epcot were a pleasant surprise. World Showcase counter service has been known to fall short of the country being represented, and while I’m sure the Brits in the crowd might disagree with me, I found I was given a reasonable facsimile of ‘real, British’ Fish and Chips.

The fish didn’t have a terribly strong taste, but I honestly prefer it that way. I like to taste my vinegar, or ketchup (yes I use ketchup on my fish) as much as I like the taste of the fish. I thought the batter was quite tasty.

The chips were ‘authentic.’ They’re just right for absorbing vinegar, although once again I tend to mix it up and use ketchup on some. To be fair, I’d use HP sauce if they gave me the chance, but I figured I was lucky they even had vinegar.” (Psst — He also told me he liked that they served it in newsprint.)

Don’t forget to head over to the kiosk outside of the Pub to grab a nice Yard of Ale to accompany your meal!

Fish Shop Menu

Have you had the fish and chips at the UK pavilion? Do they remind you of your days across the pond, or do they fall flat on your “British-y” scale?

Gluten Free and Sugar Free Cookies at Disney World

By AJ 5 Comments

Just wanted to quickly share this great news. Minnie’s Bake Shop, a new line of baked goods being sold at Disney parks stores, is now selling family-size packages of Gluten Free and Sugar Free cookies.

Minnie's Bake Shop Gluten Free and Sugar Free Cookies

This is in addition to some freshly-baked gluten free and sugar free items I found for sale at several bakeries (including the Marketplace in Disney’s Beach Club Resort) throughout the Disney World parks.

Disney parks have long been ahead of the curve in anticipating guests’ needs, and ensuring a wealth of gluten-free and sugar-free options is just the beginning.

Stay tuned for an upcoming Disney Food Blog post all about dining gluten-free in Disney World, but in the meantime, check out these great resources. If you have a special diet and are planning a trip to Disney World, contact [email protected], or 407-824-5967, to have a Disney specialist plan delicious menus for you based on your needs and preferences.

Foodie Fun at Disney World’s Flower and Garden Festival

By AJ 1 Comment

F&Glogo

The official Epcot Flower and Garden Festival guide just came out describing all the adventures and attractions you can experience this year at Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival! There are a few highlights for us foodies, too! All of the events listed below are free with Epcot admission, except for the Garden Town Breakfast.

The Festival runs this year from March 3rd through May 16th, 2010, and includes some great opportunities for Disney fans, even if you don’t exactly have a green thumb.

F&Gapple Garden Town Breakfast
10:30 am – 12:30 pm, March 21, April 18 & May 16
Enjoy a welcome breakfast prepared by our chefs that will include a special selection of fresh ingredients from our own Land Pavilion while having the opportunity to learn some garden and culinary techniques from [Read more…]

Guest Review: Cinderella’s Royal Table

By AJ 52 Comments

Thanks to Chip and Co. for this guest review of Cindy’s! As it turned out, his family didn’t love the place; but there are some great insights here as a result. Thanks again, Chip!
Cinderella's Royal Table

On paper, this sounded like a great idea. I mean who wouldn’t want to have dinner inside the castle at Walt Disney World?

“Let’s have dinner in Cinderella’s Castle.”
“That sounds great. It will be so magical!”
“It will cost us 2 dining credits each.”
“Well I am sure it will be really good, then.”

I can still hear the conversation with my wife ringing in my head. [Read more…]

“You Won’t Believe This!” Snack — Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake

By AJ 40 Comments

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake Disney

Woo! We’re back with another “You Won’t Believe This!” snack from Starring Rolls Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Of course you remember the Butterfinger Cupcake, which had more frosting than most birthday cakes. Well this Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake rivals, and might even top [Read more…]

Dinner:Impossible Meal at Walt Disney World!

By AJ 41 Comments

Dinner:Impossible Production Sign

After walking out of the Disney “Give A Day, Get A Disney Day” announcement event on Thursday, I saw none other than Chef Robert Irvine running through World Showcase with a team of volunteers behind him! I quickly realized that he was taping Dinner:Impossible! for the Food Network…and that I was going to be attending that dinner!

Scroll to the bottom of the page to read more about the “Give A Day” program and how you can be a part of it; in the meantime, let’s get on to the food…

Chef Irvine Plots With His Volunteers

Dinner Prep
Chef Irvine and his volunteers were preceded around the the World Showcase by an advance team who were tasked with finding the next individual the Chef would be speaking with, and setting up the shot. For instance, in Epcot’s Germany pavilion, the advance team set up a shot where Chef Irvine learned from Snow White what one of his main ingredients would be!

From there, the Chef and his volunteers took off running again — after all, he only had a few hours to cook dinner for hundreds.

Dinner:Impossible Advance Team

Chef Irvine and Team Run to the Next Shot

For the hours of cooking Chef Irvine and his trusted sous chefs were about to endure, Disney had set up a show kitchen in front of World Showcase. Guests to the Epcot theme park were welcomed to watch as the show taping started heating up! I hung around for a good chunk of the day, snapping photos and trying to figure out what my meal was going to include. All I could figure out was that we were going to be eating a lot of apples…

One interesting thing I noticed is that the proceedings in the kitchen were pretty quiet. Lots of chopping, and seasoning, and sauteing in a giant wok being heated over a…garbage can, but no yelling. No angry Chef Irvine shouting in frustration that there are only 3 dishes done with only 20 minutes left. Maybe there was another kitchen somewhere where those things were happening. It’s not a Dinner:Impossible! show without them! My fingers are crossed that somebody got angry somewhere, or it might not be worth watching. 😉

Dinner Impossible Waiver

Chef Irvine Instructs a Sous Chef in the Show Kitchen

The Dinner
After much running around by Chef Irvine and his sous chefs, it was finally time for those at the event to start digging in! Now, here’s the saddest part of my story — I’m pretty sure I didn’t get to eat Chef Irvine’s cooking. Word is that his handiwork was served only to the Give a Day Get a Day volunteers, who’d won trips to Disney World to celebrate their donations.

Alas, I’m still going to tell you all about the dinner WE, as members of the media, were served, because it was still delicious — thanks, Disney!

The event was held outside — on the bridge between the Fountain of Nations in Future World and the World Showcase Lagoon, and there were several stations set up where guests could collect appetizer-sized portions of the dishes.

Servers were also circulating with many of the dishes — primarily desserts — in case you couldn’t break away from a conversation to get over to the main serving areas. There were quite a few tables set up within the event space, along with cocktail tables bearing [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: February 14, 2010

By AJ 2 Comments

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wow! What a week! Two days at Disney World can be exhausting! Here are a few links to some news and info reports from the World this week:

Cinderella and princesses now attending dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table
The foodie side of the Mega-Canned-Food-Sculpture in Walt Disney World this week

Stay tuned for more stories this week from my trip to Disney World! Now, on to the round-up!

Disney Geek reports that corn dogs are on the menu at Disneyland’s Stage Door Cafe while the Corn Dog Castle is closed for refurb through 2011.

@Marcomboy, via twitter, shared some Valentine’s Day Desserts at Disneyland’s Storytellers Cafe. In the photo: Red Velvet Mini cupcake, Snickers cheesecake, and flourless chocolate cake. Also available are a heart-shaped chocolate raspberry tart and a heart shaped strawberry mousse.

Disney Family.com has some great Alice in Wonderland ideas! Check out these edible teacups, this smiling Cheshire Cat cupcake, and this cool make-it-yourself Alice cupcake topper!

The Red Carpet takes us along with her as she dines at Disneyland’s Club 33!

Main Street Gazette shares a memory of an extinct restaurant, the Polynesian’s Papeete Bay Verandah, along with one of its lost recipes: Chicken Toa Nue.

DisneyShawn shows us the detail of Pinocchio’s Village Haus.

A World View shares a review of Cat Cora’s Kouzzina.

Disney Parks Blog shares their top WDW Romantic Restaurants. (You can also check out the DisneyFoodBlog top three romantic restaurants in Disney World, based on our reader survey!)

Chip and Co shows us how to do a DIY breakfast from the Kona Cafe!

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