food IS a theme park
“There you see her, sitting there across the way. She don’t got a lot to say, but there’s something about her…”
Little Mermaid Cupcake
That’s right — we’re talking about the new Little Mermaid CUPCAKE at Disney World!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is 30 years old today
, and to celebrate, Disney’s pulling out all the specialty treat stops! And The Sorcerer’s Hat 30th Anniversary Treat is selling out fast!
Sorcerer’s Hat 30th Anniversary Treat
In fact, cast members we spoke to said they might have more around dinner time today (5/1/19) at ABC Commissary, but they couldn’t promise it! (Though perhaps there’s still some hope that they’ll be available at the Fantasmic! snack carts for when the show rolls around tonight. Fingers crossed!) [Read more…]
These days, if there’s a Nighttime Spectacular at a Disney World park, there’s bound to be a Dessert Party to go with it! These extra-ticket events have become a popular splurge option for guests who want some sweets to go along with the fabulous nighttime shows (not to mention the ease of reserving a prime viewing spot without waiting an hour before the fireworks begin).
Recently I reviewed the Happily Ever After Dessert Party at Magic Kingdom; but the Frozen Ever After Dessert Party kicked off in Epcot in July, so I wanted to get in on that action to relax and unwind after my VERY full day covering the Best of the Fest at the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival.
Frozen Ever After Dessert Party
‘Cuz that’s how I roll. Check it out with me!
You may recall that for the past few years, guests could reserve the Sparkling IllumiNations Dessert Party, which also featured a dessert buffet and a reserved area for IllumiNations viewing.
But in July, Epcot replaced the Sparkling Party with the current Frozen theme. Now, look: we know some of you are completely Frozen-ed out. We hear you. But your kid may not be just yet. And this new party includes one neat perk. It still features plenty of desserts, and it still offers a great view of the show. But now, an after-hours ride on Frozen Ever After is included once the smoke clears from IllumiNations! [Read more…]
Friends, it might be summer in the rest of the country, but at Walt Disney World, Autumn is ON! And while some might say it’s too early for Halloween and Pumpkin-Spiced-EVERYTHING, I am not that person. So you KNOW that while I am happily in Disney World to cover the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, I also HAD to grab my ticket for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!
It’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!
Every year, Mickey welcomes his pals to this special extra-ticket event at the Magic Kingdom. This year, the party is taking place on select nights from August 25 through November 1. And you’re going to want to read on to find out where you can scare up goodies like THIS…
Stretching Room Chocolate and Peanut Butter Tart
… plus TONS of other treats! And not just of the candy-in-my-trick-or-treat-bag variety, although there’s plenty of that, too! [Read more…]
It’s an exciting time, as we count down the days until the 2015 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival gets underway!
Of course, around here, we’re most interested in the Outdoor Kitchens! We’re so excited to see the return of these kiosks stationed around World Showcase.
2015 will mark the third consecutive year that guests of the Festival can enjoy sips and tapas-sized dishes, themed to celebrate the bounty of the garden.
And while we’re still awaiting the full menus, we do have some news regarding some of the new dishes that will debut at this year’s festival.
First off, let’s discuss which Outdoor Kitchens you can expect to see this year. While we haven’t heard word which Kitchen from 2014 won’t return, we know that Botanas Botánico will debut. Check out this post about Botanas Botánico to learn more about its menu.
Fleur de Lys in the France Pavilion Returns
That means we anticipate at least one 2014 Kitchen will be absent, as we expect there to be 11 kitchens.
So far, we know the following will return:
Does that mean that the Buttercup Cottage in the UK Pavilion gets the axe this year? We super hope not — the Biscuit with Smoked Salmon Tartare and the Lemon Scones were to die for last year!!
As far as dishes go, there are certainly some exciting things that we can’t wait to try. We hear that fan favorites, like Frushi, will return.
Frushi (Fresh Strawberries, Pineapple and Cantaloupe Rolled with Coconut Rice, atop a Raspberry Sauce Sprinkled with Toasted Coconut and Whipped Cream)
Chefs will also take advantage of the Florida strawberry season once more by offering Beijing Candied Strawberries.
Beijing-Style Candied Strawberries Return to the Lotus House
But we also have a few details on brand new menu items. Look for the [Read more…]
We’re featuring one of our favorite Disneyland snacks today. But we aren’t just gonna tell you about how awesome it is; we’re giving you the recipe, too!
If you haven’t had the pleasure of dining at Disneyland’s Hungry Bear Restaurant, I suggest you remedy that the very next time you can!
Hungry Bear Restaurant
And once you finish up a hearty lunch or dinner at this rustic spot with a view, be sure to save room for dessert.
We love their individual pies…
Trixie’s Pie
But we can never pass up their Lemon Bumblebee Cupcake!
Lemon Bumblebee Cupcake from the Hungry Bear Restaurant
Cupcakes aren’t nearly as much a thing in Disneyland as they are in WDW (where we’ve devoted entire crawls to them!), but this one is exceptional!
Lemon Bumblebee Cupcake — Cross Section
So we were pretty excited to find this recipe — what’s not to love when there’s lemon curd involved?!? The perfect treat for the first weekend of 2015, no?
, Disneyland
Makes 16 Lemon Bumblebee Cupcakes (plus 8 extra plain cupcakes)
Today, we’re getting a hearty start to our day with breakfast at Captain’s Grille!
I’ve long considered Captain’s Grille to be a hidden gem at Walt Disney World. Located at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, this place isn’t much to look at (pretty boring, in fact), but they really do have some great food and there always seems to be a table available.
I love heading here for a quiet, delicious lunch, or for a full breakfast spread. Similar to The Wave…of American Flavors at the Contemporary, at breakfast you can choose from the buffet or order from the a la carte menu.
The decor of Captain’s Grille is consistent with the rest of the Yacht Club Resort. You won’t find anything outlandish in this corner of Disney, just lots of blond wood and boaty details — stripes, stars, compass-type stuff, anchors…you know the deal.
Captain’s Grille Seating
The space is open with lots of light from overhead chandeliers and recessed light above as well as windows onto the lobby and grounds. The whole effect gives the room an airy feel. Seating is comprised of large padded chairs and booths. It’s fairly typical to find a sparsely populated dining room, so I’ve always considered the space to be roomy and comfortable.
The Main Seating Area
In the main seating area around the ceiling you’ll spy these porthole-type windows, which give you the feeling that you’re enjoying your meal below deck.
Porthole Window Detail
Shadow boxes feature interesting items, like this grouping of vintage keys.
Decor
While there aren’t tons of decorative details here, what you will find is pretty interesting. The three-dimensional sailing scenes are some of my favorite touches, and are a whimsical way to bring the theme into focus.
A Ship Sailing the Ocean Blue
Ocean Scenes
Now that we’ve had a look around, let’s explore the breakfast options.
Starting your day off with a [Read more…]
We’re off to the races!
And by “races,” I mean sitting and enjoying dinner ;). Today we’re heading to The Turf Club Bar and Grill at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. The theme of this Disney Vacation Club resort reflects upstate New York and celebrates its history of horse racing.
Naturally, this theme extends to its solo Table Service Restaurant – The Turf Club (a common name for dining establishments offering great club views of the races at many horse racing destinations across the country).
Oh, and if you’re curious about where you can find THIS chocolate dessert at Disney World, you’ll want to stay tuned!
Sign leading you to the Turf Club
Heading towards the Turf Club Bar and Grill
And so with that, I say… “Riders up!” Let’s dig in!
Upon arriving for our Advance Dining Reservation at 5:00 pm (the earliest seating at this dinner-only spot), I noticed that just behind the check-in stand was a beautiful wooden piece resembling an old-fashioned horse stable.
“Horse stable”
Okay, that’s not entirely true… I didn’t pick up on the fact that it was supposed to be a stable until exiting the restaurant, which is why this picture was taken from the back :). Once I realized it, I thought it was pretty clever. All that to say… themeing here is quite subtle. Dark woods and deep greens are predominant, and the overall effect is appealing.
Indoor Seating at the Turf Club
Of course, you will find a few nods to the equestrian theme throughout the restaurant.
Framed horse racing gear
Carpet decoration
Covered, outdoor seating is available, offering views of the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.
Outdoor seating
Outdoor seating
And our host checked with us if we would like to be seated outdoors, but since they day was still very warm, we chose indoor seating.
Indoor Seating
Table for two
Overall, think less whimsical, and more [Read more…]
In the mood for comfort food with a twist? Then we have just the lunch review for you today — Raglan Road at Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney!
Even though there’s no live entertainment during the day, stopping by the Irish pub for a bite of lunch is a great idea if you really want to take in the beautiful decor and have a truly relaxing meal.
If you’d like to see more about our most recent visit, read on.
When we say that Raglan Road is an Irish pub, we mean it. Like, parts-of-it-were-brought-from-Ireland authentic. There’s more than just fancy Disney Imagineering going on here.
Raglan Road — Outside
Once you enter through the front doors, the hostess podium is forward and to your left. Head out the left-hand door just before it, and you’ll be seated on the outdoor patio, which boasts its own bar and often, its own entertainment.
Entrance Foyer
To your right is a charming gift shop that stocks a host of Raglan Road-themed products. You’ll also find goods from Ireland, all manner of merch bearing the logo of Guinness beer. There’s beautiful jewelry, pantry items, cookbooks, and more. It’s a wonderful spot to browse.
Gift Shop
The Master Chef here at Raglan is Kevin Dundon, and you’ll find his cookbooks — including the brand new one — at the gift shop. On my last visit, Chef Dundon was in town and came out to chat with my family! So fun! What an honor. 🙂
Kevin Dundon’s in the House!
Bar seating in this pub is extensive. With two bars, your chances of finding an empty seat are decent at night (and great during the day). And the bar is fully part of the pub — there’s no separate bar area — so you can enjoy the entertainment from tables or bars, whichever you prefer.
The bars themselves are 130 years old, and were brought to the US from Ireland!
One of the Two Bars
Other materials were either salvaged in Ireland, or were crafted there. The sense of antiquity is enhanced by plenty of rich, dark wood and brass trim.
Bar Number Two
And this is a pub! So you can expect a wide range of beer, whiskey, and other spirits available for your enjoyment. Lots of the beer options are available on tap, but selections change up regularly, so be sure to ask about the current options.
Draught Beers
The dancing podium stands in the center of the circular dining space, and solo dances by different members of the Irish step dancing troupe are performed here to live music. You can also catch dance performances on the stage in front of the fireplace, which has been enlarged since I took this photo.
Leaded glass above lets in plenty of light, and tints it in rosy, cool colors during the day.
Dancing Podium and Live Music Stage at Raglan Road
The cupola soars, letting in even more light. The high ceilings, bare wood, and tile floors also ensure that [Read more…]
We recently gave you all the details about Raglan Road’s brand new Rollicking Raglan Sunday Brunch.
And today, we’re back with more great news from our favorite Irish pub in Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney!
Raglan Road debuted their awesome new “Host the Roast!” feast on February 3rd, and it’s available every Sunday going forward.
Created to honor the custom of Sunday Irish lunch, “Host the Roast!” is a full traditional meal, centered around premium signature roasts. And this is an option that’s priced for groups of six, which means this should definitely be on your list for your next family reunion in Disney World. (Note that if you’re not interested in Hosting the Roast while you’re there, you can always stop into Raglan Road on Sunday to enjoy the Sunday Brunch!)
Master Chef Kevin Dundon
Are you intrigued? I was! Guests can choose from several roasts, but you need to book at least 48 hours in advance!:
The Roast Rib of Beef, Yorkshire pudding, horseradish cream and rosemary jus, Balsamic glazed carrots, Green beans, roasties and pomme au gratin plus family style dessert. $55 per person
Beef Rib Roast -- Up Close
The Roast Pork loin, pork crackling, cider port jus, apple sauce & apple chutney, Balsamic glazed carrots, Green beans, roasties and pomme au gratin plus family style dessert. $47 per person
The Roast Leg of New Zealand Lamb, stuffed with sage & onion, mint sauce and red wine jus, Balsamic glazed carrots, Green beans, roasties and pomme au gratin plus family style dessert. $45 per person
The Roast lemon thyme Chicken, Bread sauce, red wine jus and a family style Chicken & Wild Mushroom Pie with Balsamic glazed carrots, Green beans, roasties and pomme au gratin plus family style dessert. $35 per person
All roasts include a family-style dessert! Choices are:
Gran Marnier Fruit & Custard Trifle or Baked Strawberry & Apple Crumble (gluten free option available)
But enough talking — time to see some pics!
So here’s how it all works: you book your “roast” with Raglan Road (at least 48 hours in advance), then show up at the correct time on Sunday afternoon. And the fun begins!
The roast is carved table-side (very fun), so the carving cart is wheeled out to the head of your table.
Carving Cart
Next, servers bring out an enormous cart laden with the roast and all the trimmings. At our gathering, we were fortunate to have two different roasts: the Beef Standing Rib Roast and the Bone-In Pork Roast.
Each roast is accompanied by many of the same items, but there are a few differences in side dishes and sauces (see the menu listing above for details). Horseradish Cream and Rosemary Jus perfectly accented the beef roast and its side dishes.
Beef Standing Rib Roast Host the Roast Platter
The Pork Roast comes with a [Read more…]
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