A Collection of Awesome Stuff

Two of my favorite people sent me some very cool things recently, and I wanted to share them with you on this “freeform Saturday” post.

First of all, a beautiful food pic from James Chapman. This is Le Cellier‘s sausage and corn polenta appetizer, which is out of this world delicious. It’s just too pretty not to give it the spotlight. Thanks for Mickey-fying the plates, James — how did you know that Le Cellier’s butter balls are my favorite part of the meal?

Le Cellier Sausage and Corn Polenta Appetizer

And secondly, I wanted to share with you some “random observations” from Jeff Kocan‘s recent trip. They’re too witty not to print as-is:

Just random observations that I meant to bring up: [Read more…]

A Trio of “Traditional Desserts”

By AJ 8 Comments

One of my never-ending quests as a food blogger is to make sure everyone saves room for dessert! So, to forward that goal, I’d like to tempt you with three World Showcase desserts that are often considered to be, in a way, “food ambassadors” from their respective countries.

When you’re dining at Chefs de France, the Rose and Crown Restaurant, or Marrakesh, these are some of the desserts that are on the menu to represent their national cuisine:

Chefs de France: Creme Brulee
Creme brulee is a dessert made of a baked and cooled vanilla custard topped with sugar, which is rapidly melted (usually with a blow torch or broiler) to form a caramel-y, candied top crust. One of the most fantastic things about eating creme brulee is that first “crack” of the sugar crust crunching when you dive in with your spoon! The earliest known reference to Creme Brulee — which means “burnt cream” — is in a 17th century French cookbook.

The Chefs de France Creme Brulee is BIG and beautiful! It’s authentic, and it’s served without the flavor-y flair (pistachio, maple, milk chocolate, etc…) you’ll in creme brulee versions at other Disney restaurants. This is simple, straightforward, rich, and — honestly — luxurious.

Chefs de France Creme Brulee

Rose and Crown Restaurant: Sticky Toffee Pudding
Compared to creme brulee, Sticky Toffee Pudding is a relatively new dessert in the culinary world! Said to have been developed in 1907 and refined by a Lake District pub owner in the 1960’s, Sticky Toffee Pudding is a warm sponge cake, often flavored with dates, covered with…well…a sticky, toffee-flavored sauce! Many restaurants serve sticky toffee pudding with ice cream or a [Read more…]

2010 Wine and Dine Half Marathon Details Announced

By AJ 15 Comments

Finally — here’s the info we’ve all been waiting for regarding this BRAND NEW Disney endurance event!! The Wine and Dine Half Marathon is replacing the Race for the Taste 10K race, offering everyone — including foodies — the chance to run a half marathon at night through Disney parks and property! Cool!

The best part is, if you’re like me and can’t quite do a half marathon, you can split it up into a relay with a partner! (And if you want an even shorter race, here’s a great one: The Mickey Halloween Family Fun Run 5K!)

Here’s the deets from Disney:

DISNEY WINE & DINE HALF MARATHON
Saturday, October 2, 2010
10:00 p.m.

Start: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Finish: Epcot® World Showcase
The Inaugural Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon will be run on a brand new half marathon course at the Walt Disney World Resort, and it will be run at night! Where else can you [Read more…]

Mickey’s Halloween Family Fun Run 5K Details Announced

By AJ Leave a Comment

Another awesome new Disney endurance event has been announced! The Halloween Family Fun Run 5K is a brand new event that the whole family can experience together! It even includes admission to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! You’ll also have the option to purchase a commemorative pin or commemorative Mickey Ears… This race will accompany the inaugural Wine and Dine Half Marathon to complete the Fall race weekend!

Here’s the deets from Disney:

MICKEY’S HALLOWEEN FAMILY FUN RUN 5K
Saturday, October 2, 2010
7:00 a.m.

Start: Happy Parking Lot at Magic Kingdom® Park
Finish: West Beach outside of Magic Kingdom® Park

This 5K will take you on a one-of-a-kind Halloween themed course through the Magic Kingdom® Park. Adults, teens and tweens can be immersed in the fantasy of [Read more…]

Duck Three Ways

By AJ 13 Comments

Disney’s Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant currently has a dish on the menu called Duck Two Ways:

Duck Two Ways
House Cured Pastrami with a Vanilla-White Balsamic Melon Pear Salad, and Braised Leg
with a Ginger Carrot Puree, and Natural Reduction 28.00

But I thought we could do them one better. Here’s the DisneyFoodBlog’s Duck THREE Ways:

Chef Donald

[Read more…]

Special Report: S’PIN Cocktail for ESPN The Weekend

By AJ 8 Comments

Fellow blogger and friend Amanda Tinney, who writes Disney Every Day, came across this “extra” bar set up outside Hollywood Brown Derby during ESPN The Weekend — complete with a brand new adult bevvie created for the event — and caught it on film! Thanks, Amanda! ESPN The Weekend Sign

When you’re in the Walt Disney World theme parks as much as I am, you tend to notice when even the slightest thing is out of place. I recently attended “ESPN The Weekend” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and while making my way from the American Idol Experience towards The Animation Courtyard, I noticed something peculiar. A bar…outside of the Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant, right on the walkway. As I moved closer, I noticed beer, along with assorted bottles of liquor….Wowza! This bar was no joke! And it was definitely [Read more…]

Carl the Croc-Wrestling Bartender and the Magical Pint of Guinness

By AJ 39 Comments

If you’re lucky, you’ve found yourself once or twice squeezed into the fun little Rose and Crown pub in Epcot’s UK pavilion. If you’re really lucky, you’ve found yourself there with wonderful friends and a nourishing pint of Guinness. And if you’re REALLY, really lucky, you’ve found yourself a guest of Carl the Bartender — the most dynamic entertainer this side of the pond!

So, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, let’s talk about Carl the bartender and his famous balancing pint of Guinness.

Rose and Crown Carl the Bartender

I wandered into the pub one day, snapping pics as I’m wont to do in Disney World dining establishments, and Carl, who was filling a pint glass with Guinness for a guest, struck up a conversation. I quickly noticed his handiwork on the head of the pint (a lovely and ever-so-appropriate shamrock) and asked the guest if I could take a photo of his beer. He obliged, and I soon found out that Carl happens to be well known for his “Glass-Balanced-On-A-Dime” trick, which of course I needed to see!

Shamrock Design on Top of Guinness

First, Carl did his impressive trick of balancing an empty glass on a dime…

One glass...

…then he decided to top himself by balancing two glasses on [Read more…]

“You Won’t Believe This!” Snack: Marble Cupcake

By AJ 29 Comments

Marble Cupcake from Starring Rolls

You’ve seen the Butterfinger Cupcake and the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake, and the third in our “You Won’t Believe This!” Snack Series is the [Read more…]

Liberty Tree Tavern: Design, Decor, and Delicious Dishes

By AJ 53 Comments

It’s no secret. I love Liberty Tree Tavern. It has one of my favorite burgers, one of my favorite appetizers, and one of my favorite desserts in all of Disney World. The food is great, the service is excellent, and the atmosphere of the restaurant is delightful.

Liberty Tree Tavern

But there is a design aspect of the restaurant that is extremely compelling and that many visitors miss: each room is decorated to honor someone who was instrumental in the creation of The United States of America! The next time you head to Liberty Tree Tavern, ask your “town crier” about the particular room in which you’re being seated. Is it the one dedicated to Betsy Ross, George & Martha Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Paul Jones, or Paul Revere?

Benjamin Franklin Room

Atmosphere
Liberty Tree Tavern is located in Liberty Square in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The building is white and columned on the outside, but full of rich Revolutionary decor on the inside. Once you’ve left your name with the front podium, you’ll wait in a huge, two-story lobby full of spindly seating, a massive cooking fireplace focal point, spice racks, and kitchen tools. Don’t forget to take a look at [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: March 14th, 2010

By AJ 6 Comments

Epcot Morocco Baklava

I’m trying out something new this week, guys. Every once in a while, I’m going to use a relevant pic other than my standard “Eat Here” photo into the Weekly Round-Up. Hopefully this’ll be fun. 🙂 Now, on to the round-up!

To start out, here’s some cool NEWS!!: Have you heard about Chef Cat Cora’s book-signing and cooking demo in Orlando next weekend? Check out the specs here!

Touring Plans has a guest blog by yours truly all about the Monorail Crawl — a fun way to experience the lounges at the Monorail Resorts.

StudiosCentral analyzes prices at Disney’s Hollywood Studios restaurants to determine whether or not the restaurants are a good value cost-wise.

DisneyGeek shares his incredible pics, including several food photos, from Disneyland’s D23 Anniversary Event! Keep scrolling through after the linked page to see more.

The Plain Chicken has developed her very own recipe for the Butterfinger Cupcake from Disney’s Hollywood Studios Starring Rolls Cafe. We’re thrilled that she first heard about the delicious confection right here on our blog!

Imaginerding takes a look at Minnie Mouse’s bookshelves — with a special look at her cookbooks!

Babes in Disneyland has a pic of some Cheshire Cat-tail Candy in Disneyland! I totally missed this post last week, but I’m hoping they’re still there!

EverythingWDW does a Q&A about the newest Disney World dining plan — the Quick Service Dining Plan.

Tasty Chomps is tempting me with photos of the baklava…and other good stuff…from Tangierine Cafe in Epcot’s Morocco.

Watch Me Eat visits Epcot’s Club Cool.

The Disney Parks Blog shares the news that Disney World chefs were in the White House this week cooking for the Greek Prime Minister!

Deb Wills from AllEarsNet tweeted the following pic of Flame Tree Barbecue’s new queue line.

Chip and Co shares a review of breakfast at Epcot’s Akershus Restaurant. This one’s especially good for those of you who have little princesses.

Disney Every Day visits the Main Street Bakery for breakfast. Yum-o cinnamon rolls!

DisUnplugged‘s Culinary Quest family compares and contrasts Disneyland Resort’s Rancho del Zocalo and Cocina Cucamonga. I love the venn diagram at the end!

In The Daily Disney from the Orlando Sentinel, food writer Heather McPherson highlights the recipe for the oh-so-tempting Chocolate Crusted Key-Lime Pie from the Grand Floridian Cafe. If anyone wants to make this and send it to me, feel free.

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