pasta | the disney food blog

The Story of Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port in Disneyland

For those who are new to Disney parks, everything here has a backstory. Rides, shows, and, yes, even restaurants!

Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port

Recently, one of my good friends, Eric Chu, shared the backstory of Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port with us.

For those who haven’t been there, this counter-service restaurant is located in Tomorrowland at the Disneyland resort. Basically, you climb off of Space Mountain and there you are!

But do you know WHY there’s a pizza joint in the middle of the Milky Way? Let’s find out!

The History Behind Redd Rocket’s Pizza Port in Disneyland

“The only real problem with long-term space travel is that you can’t get a decent pizza.” — Dr. Tyrone Mantanio, INSA Sector 5

A-GREED! Can you imagine traveling through space without the ability to order pizza?! I know, right? ;-D And according to the always-creative Disney imagineers, solving the problem of finding must-have food in the cosmos became a goal for scientists!

Pepperoni Pizza Slice

Redd Rockett to the rescue! He set up a [Read more…]

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Recipe: Mac n’ Cheese Bundles from Chef Carla Hall

By AJ Leave a Comment

The Epcot Food and Wine Festival has come to close, but there was one recipe that I simply couldn’t get out of my head!

DFB reporter James Armstrong had the opportunity to attend a special event — Sweet Sundays with Chef Carla Hall…

Carla Hall Demonstrating Mac n' Cheese Bundles

…and she made THESE! Mac n’ Cheese Bundles!

Mac and Cheese Bundles

I’ve been dreaming of the dish ever since I read about it! And just in case you have been as well, here’s the recipe!

Mac n’ Cheese Bundles

Serves 4

Ingredients: [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: October 6, 2013

By AJ 2 Comments

Are you ready for an awesome new treat??

Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich!

Check out the fantastic new Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich at Epcot’s L’Artisan des Glaces in France!

And while you’re in Epcot, don’t forget to enjoy all of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival offerings! We just had a whirlwind trip, and we’ll continue to bring you festival coverage throughout the event!

There’s also some important news that I don’t want you to miss. Be sure to check out the NEW cancellation policy coming to ALL Walt Disney World table service restaurants.

Let’s check out the rest of the news…

Disney Food News

Read on!

Disney World will institute a new cancellation policy for all table-service restaurants in October 2013.
NEW Pressed Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich at Epcot’s France pavilion!
Counter Service pasta options at the Walt Disney World Resort!
Private Dining and Room Service menus have changed at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels!
The second Disneyland Starbucks is now open at Market House! Stay tuned for a review soon!

Of course, there’s more! Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including a New Dining Room on the Disney Magic, and more.

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!

We’ve got some fun sweets this week!

Reader Morgan sent this message: “Who wants a cinnamon roll from Gaston’s? YOU DO NOW! Buahahaha!”

Cinnamon Roll at Gaston's Tavern

Here’s another sweet [Read more…]

Review: Disney World Resort Quick Service Pasta Options

By AJ 13 Comments

Thanks to DFB Author Wendy for a look at some great counter-service carb-loading options for your runDisney races this year!

Are YOU running the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler (or any of the other runDisney races this year)? If so, you might be interested in participating in a good old-fashioned carbo-load before your race!

Even if you’re not tackling those ten on October 5th… odds are good you’ll be putting in plenty of miles at the Parks at some point, no matter what.

It’s time to fuel up, people ;)!

Spaghetti time!

For those running one or more of the east coast races this season, there are plenty of places all over Disney World property where you can take part in the time-honored runners tradition of a pasta “carbo-load.”

Today we’re going to focus on some of your pasta options in the resort Quick Service restaurants.

Counter Service Pasta Options at Walt Disney World Resorts

Let’s start with this terrific trend: Create-Your-Own-Pasta stations are cropping up in a few of your favorite Quick Service restaurants!

Create Your Own Pasta

Art of Animation’s Landscape of Flavors already has a reputation for innovative and delicious dining, and you can read a full review of the Create-Your-Own-Pasta experience here.

Add-ins for Create Your Own Pasta at Landscape of Flavors

Spaghetti Carbonara with Broccoli

The Riverside Mill at Port Orleans Riverside also offers this fun option!

Riverside Mill

Create Your Own Pasta Options at Riverside Mill

Unique to the Grand Floridian’s recently refreshed Gasparilla Island Grill is a [Read more…]

Review: Chef Mickey’s Dinner at Disney World’s Contemporary Resort

By AJ 34 Comments

It has been too long since I’ve taken a trip to Chef Mickey’s in Disney World’s Contemporary Resort!

Learn About:Chef Mickey’s

Disney World Restaurants

We’ve shared with you our review of their breakfast buffet. But today, we’re heading there to see what’s new for dinner!

When many people think about a “Disney character dining experience”, they immediately think of Chef Mickey’s. This one has it all — the Fab Five, a sprawling buffet of family-friendly foods, regular raucous celebrations, and monorails whizzing by.

But in the past, the food has had a reputation for being a little lackluster. Time to see how things are looking these days… . We have a lot to cover, so let’s get started!

Atmosphere

One of the coolest things about Chef Mickey’s is its location. You’ll find this well-known character meal at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Chef Mickey's Sign

This place is a stone’s throw from the Magic Kingdom in Disney World, which makes it a great place to stop and eat before heading into the park, or after a long day of rides and attractions.

Once you enter the hotel’s main floor lobby, take the elevator to the fourth floor. Chef Mickey’s is located on the south end of the concourse, right below where the Disney World monorail enters the building. (You can also arrive at the Contemporary via said monorail, of course — in which case you’d take an escalator down to the 4th floor).

The Grand Canyon Concourse at the Contemporary

Head to the central desk to let the hostess know that your party has arrived. You can’t miss it — Mickey is smiling down with his fork and spoon, ready to greet you!

Central Desk Check-In

If your table isn’t quite ready, you can wait until your party is paged in this comfortable seating area. This spot features a view of Bay Lake and the resort’s pool patio — and offers plenty of room for running off excess energy.

Waiting Area

Before you’re seated, your party will [Read more…]

Review: Create Your Own Pasta at Art of Animation’s Landscape of Flavors

By AJ 9 Comments

My recent visit to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort left me with tons to tell you about! The Landscape of Flavors food court has seriously taken over as one of my favorite Disney counter service spots.

Erin told you about the Create-Your-Own-Pasta station here when the resort first opened, but I could not wait to try it for myself!

Create Your Own Pasta Menu Board -- Click to Enlarge

There are dozens of combinations available here! Seriously, tons of pastas, veggies, sauces, meats, and mix-ins to choose from. Even though this list is subject to change, here are just a few of the options you might have on your visit…

Pasta customization options.

But if you’re feeling like leaving the creativity to the professionals, no worries. You won’t go wrong by choosing from one of the Chef’s Suggestions.

Chef Suggestions, In Case You Need Some Ideas!

But don’t forget to take a gander at the customization options just in case something catches your eye!

Add-Ins for Create-Your-Own-Pasta

What’s great about the create-your-own pasta station — and most of the other stations at Landscape of Flavors — is the “freshness” of it all. No frozen spinach here. Butters, sauces, and vegetables are all fresh, and [Read more…]

Guest Review: New Earl of Sandwich Macaroni and Cheese!

By AJ 9 Comments

Welcome DFB guest author Jenna G. as she tells us all about the brand new Winter Special at Earl of Sandwich in Disney World’s Downtown Disney — Mac and Cheese!

Learn About:Earl of Sandwich

Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

For those of us braving the wintry weather in most of the country, there are some new cozy comfort foods at Earl of Sandwich that may make us all feel better!

Check out these Earl of Sandwich Winter Time Specials, available for a limited time only.

We tried the macaroni and cheese, which was medium in size and was a sharable snack between two.

Winter Time Specials -- Get 'Em While You Can!

As a connoisseur of great Walt Disney World macaroni and cheese (my favorite being the Truffle Mac & Cheese from Yachtsman Steakhouse) I will say that this wasn’t the best mac ‘n’ cheese. But I can easily see it being a favorite with children.

Macaroni and Cheese

For the price of $3.99, it provides great value and [Read more…]

Review: Rainforest Cafe a la Disney

By AJ 23 Comments

Learn About:Rainforest Cafe

Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

Welp, I finally got a chance to have another meal at Rainforest Cafe!

These restaurants often get a bad rap food-wise. While this is a really fun place to shop and explore, a lot of people wonder how good the food can actually be in such a themed restaurant. (Disney meals are precious and expensive things, and I hate to waste even one!)

But I hadn’t been to an RC for a while, and it was time to head back into the jungle! Come with me and find out how it was…

Atmosphere

This is a review of the Rainforest Cafe located in Downtown Disney District at Disneyland. However, the Disney Rainforest locations (one in Disneyland, two in Disney World) are actually quite similar.

The menus themselves — and many of the decor elements — are the same, so keep that in mind if you are only planning to visit one of the two Disney World locations.

Outside Sign - Close Up

One main difference: each location has a slightly different exterior. This Disneyland eatery has a sort of temple-in-the-jungle feeling to it.

Rainforest Cafe - Outside

As you walk in, you find yourself in a very large gift shop with all manner of [Read more…]

First Look! Epcot’s Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar to Open in Early May

By AJ 24 Comments

Tutto Gusto, a new wine bar

that will be adjacent to Tutto Italia Ristorante, is set to open in early May as part of the restaurant’s recent refurbishment.

Learn About:Tutto Italia Ristorante

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

We can’t wait to add this location to our Drinking Around the World itinerary!

Nestled next to Tutto Italia Ristorante in Epcot’s Italy pavilion, Tutto Gusto will feature a cozy 96-seat space located in the former lobby space and extending toward Via Napoli.

Atmosphere

The new wine bar will take over Tutto Italia’s former lobby space. Stone walls and floors, vaulted ceilings, and a fireplace will create the atmosphere of an Italian wine cellar.

The soon-to-be-hot-spot will be open to patrons from 11:30AM to 9PM to enjoy over 200 Italian wines and what sounds like an amazing selection of small plates and appetizers.

Gusto Wine Cellar

Eats

According to the DisneyParks Blog, this venue will be part of the Disney Dining Plan. We’re not sure yet if it will be considered a one-credit or two-credit location, but either way, this will make Italy the only pavilion with [Read more…]

Raglan Road News! St. Patrick’s Day, Gluten Free Food, and More…

By AJ 5 Comments

Learn About:Raglan Road Irish Pub

Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

Downtown Disney’s Raglan Road has announced Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day events. There also new gluten-free items on the menu and a fun, professional photo opportunity!

Gluten Free Eats

Raglan Road has added gluten-free dishes to their menu including Scallops, Fish & Chips, and Calamari & Pasta. To create a light and crisp batter that is also delicious, the culinary team devised a gluten fee batter mix made with Champagne and garbanzo flour!

Gluten Free Fish and Chips

Raglan Road invites all guests with a special diet to talk to a server about menu items that are available for modification to meet various nutritional needs.

Valentine’s Day

Head over to Raglan Road’s Facebook page (I’m a fan!!) and become a fan to be entered to win a [Read more…]

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The Story of Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port in Disneyland

The History Behind Redd Rocket’s Pizza Port in Disneyland