Liberty Inn

Review: Maryland Crab Cakes and Old Bay Fries Liberty Inn, Epcot

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

… there have been some recent additions to the menu at everyone’s favorite Publick Dining Room: Liberty Inn, found in Epcot’s American Adventure Pavilion!

Learn About:Liberty Inn

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

It’s time to strap on your tri-corner hat and buckled shoes (‘cuz I know you’ve got those handy!) and get ready to travel back to colonial times to check out some of the contemporary fare at this Counter Service option.

True, it’s primarily known as a place to grab a quick burger and fries or a hot dog. So it wouldn’t surprise me if you’re tempted to ask, “Why stop at Liberty Inn when there are so many unique options all around World Showcase?” Well, as mentioned, they’re changing things up a bit, and I must say I’m somewhat intrigued with the direction things are going…

Liberty Inn sign

Entrance to the Liberty Inn

Come on in!

Atmosphere

Even if you’ve never stepped into Liberty Inn (and it’s somewhat easy to miss, blending into the back of the Pavilion), you likely won’t be surprised to know that the atmosphere reflects the colonial era, since that’s the general feel of the rest of the Pavilion. The place where this themeing is most evident is the collection of the thirteen original colony flags lining the brick wall.

Wall of Flags

Add a few touches such as candle “lanterns,” and you’re all set for time travel.

Wall lanterns

With ample natural light streaming in from the huge windows, white trim, and high ceilings, the indoor seating area always reminds me a little bit of [Read more…]

Walt Disney World Steak Gallery

By AJ 25 Comments

It’s time for another fun addition to our Disney Food Galleries!

We just love to share photos of all of our favorite foods — and collect them into galleries for easy viewing! Whether your craving is for popcorn, ice cream, or a cupcake, there’s a gallery for you!

And today, we’re introducing a brand new gallery for all of you red meat lovers out there! Yep, we’ve gathered a whole buncha steaks from around Disney World to help you make your choices on your next visit.

Remember, some of these may drop off menus from time to time or have side dishes or preparation changed, but hopefully this will give you a good overview of what’s available! Here we go!

Yachtsman Steakhouse

at Disney’s Yacht Club is one of my top picks when it comes to steak at Walt Disney World. After all, they decorate with meat — the first thing you pass en route to your seat is the Steak Trimming Room!

Chefs here pride themselves not only on the very best cuts of meat, but appetizers, side dishes, and desserts inspired by market fresh ingredients. Yachtsman combines the very best of seasonal flavors with the traditional steak experience.

My absolute favorite pick at Yachtsman is the 16-ounce Boneless Ribeye. It is always a melt-in-your-mouth choice.

Ribeye with Herb Fries at Yachtsman Steakhouse

But we are also big fans of the 12-ounce Prime New York Strip Steak, served here with a rich potato gratin stack.

12-ounce Prime New York Strip Steak

Shula’s

at Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin is the kind of place that you think of when you envision an upscale steakhouse. As your eyes adjust to the dim lighting and you check out the menu — printed on a football! — you’ll settle into the refined elegance of your surroundings.

When I have the chance to dine here, I almost always go for my favorite, the 22-ounce Cowboy Ribeye (are you sensing a theme?). The Bone-in Steak has been excellent on every visit. The flavor is unbelievable!

22-ounce Cowboy Ribeye

Looking for a lighter approach to soothe your carnivore cravings? We’ve also enjoyed the Steak Mary Anne. Delicate by steakhouse standards, the 5-ounce medallions are served with a simple demi glace in this case. It’s the perfect plate for the guest who prefers all the flavor of prime, aged beef in a smaller serving.

Steak Mary Anne

Flying Fish

If you’re a landlubber like me, then finding a great steak at a restaurant known for fabulous seafood is a dream come true. But it’s not impossible if you’re dining at Flying Fish Cafe.

When I visit, I always order the Char-Crusted Black Angus New York Strip. The creamy Sauce Foyot is such a great accent — and they’re never chintzy with it!

Char-Crusted Black Angus New York Strip

Can’t decide between surf and turf? You don’t have to! Try the two house specialities side by side with the Entree Duo, which features the Char-Crusted Angus New York Strip Steak and the restaurant’s most famous fish dish, the Potato-wrapped Red Snapper.

Entree Duo of Red Snapper and Strip Steak

Jiko

offers some of the most interesting food at Walt Disney World.

And while I enjoy the fusion of African, Indian, and Meditteranean flavors when it comes to appetizers and desserts, I rarely deviate from my favorite entree: the Oak-Grilled Filet.

Oak-Grilled Filet with Mac and Cheese

And even when their delicious Mac and Cheese isn’t featured as the dish’s side, you can usually score it as a special request (and I totally recommend that you do). 🙂

In the mood for steak with no Advance Dining Reservation? Then head to Epcot’s Liberty Inn. Their New York Strip Steak, served with Red Wine Butter, Roasted Potatoes, and Steamed Broccoli, is surprisingly good.

New York Strip Steak Meal

Sci-Fi Dine-In Restaurant

Even though most of my favorite steaks at Disney World are featured at signature restaurants, that doesn’t mean you can’t find a good option at moderately priced restaurants, too, like Sci-Fi Dine-In.

Recently, I was pleasantly surprised by [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: March 24, 2013

By AJ Leave a Comment

Whew, what a week!!

Market House on Main Street in Disneyland will Serve Starbucks Products in 2013

More details surfaced about the Market House Starbucks overhaul in Disneyland! We now know that Market House on Main Street USA will be closing next month. BUT…the awesome 1890’s phone and party line conversation will remain.

I love that piece of Imagineering and am SO glad it will be preserved in the new Starbucks location!

But there’s more news to share…

Disney Food News

Let’s review the food news from Disney this past week!

Don’t forget that all sale items at DisneyStore.com are further discounted this weekend! Details here!
We’re keeping tabs on the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival and the Eat to the Beat Concerts! Find out details here!
There’s a new South African Quinoa Salad at Animal Kingdom’s Tamu Tamu Refreshments.
Join us at the Disney Food Blog VIP Illuminations Dessert Party on April 8th!
Check out the new Peach Cobbler at Epcot’s Liberty Inn.
The Fantasmic Picnic Package is back for a limited time in March and April!
As we reported earlier, Starbucks will be added to the Market House in Disneyland. The Market House will close in April and re-open in the fall, expanding into the Disneyana area (which will be moved) and keeping some familiar decor!
Are you headed to the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival this year? Be sure to check out our FULL REVIEW of the brand new Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Food and Beverage Marketplaces! See pictures of every single food item and plan ahead!

We’ve got additional food news, including restaurant closures, New Beverage Seminars on the Disney Fantasy, Wolfgang Puck Cafe Menu Update, Easter Dinner at Fulton’s Crab House, and LOTS more, on our Disney Food News Pin Board! Head over and check it out!

DFB Reader Finds

If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!

Today, we bring two totally rad photos that Reader Susan P. sent to us via email!

What happens when ‘Ohana runs out of pineapples? You’ll MAY have the option of enjoying a Lapu Lapu in a cantaloupe!

Lapu Lapu in a Cantaloupe!

On the same trip, Susan also ordered a custom cake…that was AWESOME! “I ordered for my sister to surprise her with a cruise on DCL. I had it delivered to Le Cellier from Yacht and Beach Club Bakery. It was amazing!”

Be sure to check out our Disney World Cake Gallery for more ideas, and read up on our Disney Cake FAQ page how you can order your own!

Disney Fantasy Cake!

Headed to Disney World in 2013?

Don’t forget to pick up your copy of our critically acclaimed DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2013 e-Book!

This must-have guide has over 400 pages of experience-based advice and information as well as hundreds of full-color photos. It’s perfect for long-time Disney World fans AND those headed to the parks for the first time this year!

Don’t get stranded without a plan. Pick up your copy for $4 off using code 2013 TODAY! With a 30-day money-back guarantee, you’ve got nothing to lose. 🙂

Bundle for SAVINGS!

Want even more savings? Bundle three of our time-tested guides into one purchase to get even more great Disney Dining information and photos. With our popular DFB Guide + Snacks Bundle, you’ll get our DFB Guide 2013 Edition along with our DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks AND our DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks for a significant discount!

“Let the Memories Begin!”

On to the Round-Up!

Mickey Fix

knows has the 411 on where to find bacon…

Cake Wrecks highlights hilarious cakes gone wrong. Check out the really bad Mickey creation, which I thought was Simba! 😉

Daveland has some awesome pics of Dapper Days at Club 33 in Disneyland.

Main St. Gazette reviews the Guava Twist at Art of Animation Resort!

Passport to Dreams Old & New has a pic of Aunt Polly’s on WDW’s Tom Sawyer Island when it was actually serving!

Sugar Sweet Cakes and Treats shares an awesome Mad Hatter Cake Tutorial — good for an adult or a kid party depending on how you decorate!

All Ears shares eats enjoyed during the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend.

Campaign Asia highlights Hong Kong Disneyland’s Monster Style Cookie Making Class.

Have a great week!! Be sure to find us on Pinterest and Facebook for awesome pics and more! And don’t forget to join the Disney Food Blog Newsletter for the latest deals and info!

NEW! Peach Cobbler at Epcot’s Liberty Inn

By AJ 7 Comments

There is so much going on with in Epcot right now with incredible food! With the Flower and Garden Festival off to a strong start (don’t forget to read our full review of all of the food here!), I think it’s going to be a great Spring at Disney World!

Learn About:Liberty Inn

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

And now we get to tell you about a brand new dessert offering at Liberty Inn in the America Pavilion — Peach Cobbler! But this isn’t just a random new dessert. This cobbler has a story.

It’s a recipe inspired by Mrs. Fisher’s Cookbook, the first African-American Cookbook, published in 1881. The book is part of the Kinsey Collection, an exhibit celebrating African-American art and history, which recently opened in the America Pavilion in World Showcase.

Sign for Peach Cobbler at the Ordering Area

Love the idea and want to see more recipes? You can actually pick up a copy of the book yourself! But now, onto the Cobbler!

Peach Cobbler

The cobbler is baked into the standard Disney counter service disposable black bowl. A word about cobblers: the term encompasses lots of different styles. Some prefer a crumb topping, while others favor a biscuit. Still others make cobblers that resemble pies with pastry shells top and bottom.

While the book speaks to a pie-like creation, this cobbler falls firmly into the crumble category.

Peach Cobbler

Close up, you can see the crumb topping of butter, flour, sugar, oatmeal, and spices, that bakes together to form a [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 20, 2013

By AJ Leave a Comment

How’s your 2013 going?

Beignets Now in the Magic Kingdom at Tomorrowland Terrace!!

Mine’s going great — there’s so much happening food-wise at Disney parks and resorts right now, and so much coming down the pike!!

We’ve got a TON of great news for you on the round-up today, including a review of the brand new Les Halles Bakery in Epcot’s France, the dates for the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, a peek at the Tomorrowland Terrace’s new breakfast menu, the new all-day menu at Le Cellier, and more!

To quote Peter Pan, “Here we gooooooo!!”

Disney Dining News

Catch up on food news from Disney…

The dates for the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival have been announced!
Tomorrowland Terrace is now serving breakfast while the Main Street Bakery is renovating to a Starbucks venue.
Check out the eats at Epcot’s new Boulangerie Patisserie les Halles Bakery!
Find out how the new technology, MyMagic+, will affect your Disney Dining!
Check out the new Le Cellier all-day menu for lunch and dinner. This change coincides with lunch and dinner now costing Disney Dining Plan guests two table-service credits per meal!
With the Boardwalk Bakery closed for refurbishment, a temporary tent serving quick-service eats has been set up on the Boardwalk.
Check out this fun review of the Limited Time Magic Golden Horseshoe Revue show in Disneyland!
Take a look at Chef Emeril Lagasse’s new Cooking Channel show, Emeril’s Florida, to see great Florida dining destinations starting in Orlando!
Have you tried the new Liberty Inn steak dinner and s’mores brownie in Epcot?
Tables in Wonderland has announced a January Discovery Wine Dinner at the Wave!

We’ve got additional food news, including Citricos Italian Wine Dinner at the Grand Floridian, restaurant closures, Martha’s Vineyard Menu at Yacht and Beach Club Resort, Habit Heroes re-opens in Epcot, Spirit of Aloha closing for brief renovation, and LOTS more, on our Disney Food News Pin Board! Head over and check it out!

Reader Finds

If you find a fun new food — or other awesomeness — in or from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!

Sara McCaslin tweeted one of our favorite Disney indulgences – cheese plates! This one is from the Flying Fish Cafe.

Flying Fish Cheese Plate

And via email, we received this message from Susan Tribelli: “I have to say my husband, who is a culinary school graduate, thought the Grand Floridian cafe had gone downhill, but we got the fish, which I thought was super good.”

Red Grouper at Grand Floridian Cafe

DFB Podcast Episode 12

For our podcast listeners (and those of you who aren’t listeners, yet, but are about to become listeners!!), we have the 12th episode of the DFB Podcast ready for downloading!

In this episode we cover the latest Disney Food News and have a discussion about dinner shows in Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

We also answer a couple of listener questions, and reveal the answer to (and winner of!) our Episode 11 trivia question.

And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS or on iTunes! (We love your comments, reviews, and feedback!

Take a listen from the DFB Podcast Episode 12!

On to the Round-Up!

WDW for Grown-Ups

shares four delicious breakfast options at Walt Disney World.

Cake Wrecks features adorable cakes including Wall-E and Piglet. Sweet!

Studios Central looks into the origin of Toluca Legs Turkey Co. at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney Hipsters laments about the lack of good vegetarian eats at the Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom.

Yesterland returns to Disneyland’s Blue Ribbon Bakery!

Eating (and Drinking) Around the World re-visits favorite Disney dining adventures from 2012.

DisneyParks announces a Robert Olszewski Product Release & Signing for the Plaza Restaurant/Plaza Ice Cream Parlor sculpture. Wow!

Review: New Steak Dinner (and more!) at Liberty Inn in Epcot

By AJ 14 Comments

Liberty Inn

has been an afterthought due to uninspired food for quite some time; but when I started hearing some buzz about a new steak dinner, I knew I needed to get over there ASAP…

Learn About:Liberty Inn

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

This counter service restaurant, located in the American Pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase, has always been a reliable stop for “typical” American fare, like hamburgers and french fries.

And because of its large size, it’s a good place to find a spot to eat should you find yourself in Epcot without an Advanced Dining Reservation.

Sign

Let’s go check out the latest!!