food IS a theme park
March was a BIG month of news for Disney World and lots of news can sometimes make for surprises!
Walt Disney World
From dining changes to health measure updates and more, let’s take a look at the four most unexpected things that happened in Disney World in March!
🌟 NEW. NEW. NEW. 🌟 If you haven’t been to Disney World in the last few months (even the last few weeks!), there are a lot of NEW things for you to check out. We’ve seen new merchandise, new snacks, work on new attractions, and more all happening throughout the parks. And now a truly iconic spot in the parks has some new things too!
Hollywood Studios
There are some Disney World restaurants that many people consider to be classics or must-dos on their trips. ‘Ohana, Le Cellier, and even Via Napoli are some of the ones you may have on your own list. Another spot that often falls into that category is The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! This restaurant serves up some famous items like their Cobb Salad and grapefruit cake. Maybe you’ve been here before and are thinking “I’ve already seen what this spot has to offer.” If that’s the case…you’d be WRONG. NEW eats have hit the menu at this spot and they’re some you won’t want to miss!
Happy Sunday, everyone! We’ve got some awesome news for you this week about the menu we’ll see when Boathouse opens at Disney Springs in Disney World in the very near future. Rumors place the soft opening for walk-ups only starting April 13, and Cast Member previews are already taking place.
Check out the Amphicar Tours you might get to take on your next visit!
Amphicar Tours at The Boathouse
Until then, let’s take a look at all the news we reported on this week. For more details on the above news and more, just click on the links below!
Check out every tidbit of 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 menu updates, restaurant closures, special events, and more!
We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go.
If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or about Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!
Today, we’re featuring entrees from some of Disney’s most beloved Signature spots! Jace Heiden shared with us “The beautiful bison striploin with a side of the heavenly tomato risotto from the famous filet at California Grill! [It’s the] Best of both worlds.” I agree!!
Bison Striploin with a Side of Tomato Risotto at California Grill
Kelly Patton and family had a chance to dine in Le Cellier Steakhouse, and they loved everything about the experience — especially the Kurobuta Pork!
Kurobuta Pork at Le Cellier Steakhouse
Do you have a favorite Disney Food find? Share your photos with us!
Magic Kingdom Snacks are some of our favorite treats in all the World! And in fact, many of them can just about amount to a meal. And those are just a couple of the reasons we are so excited to announce that the 2015-16 Edition of The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book is now available!
To celebrate the 2015-16 launch of this important book, we have a great discount for you! Our readers can get the new guide for $3 off the purchase price for a limited time — just use code MK15 at the check-out!
It’s time to snag your copy! Here are the details.
The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book
is one of the many fun and informative Disney Dining e-Books offered by Disney Food Blog!
Now we’ve updated our best-selling DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book for 2015-16 with even more great information, photos, and…yep!…snacks (about 30 more than the 2014 edition)!
This guide is guaranteed to help you find the best snacks and treats (even mini-meals!) for your family while visiting the Magic Kingdom — or we’ll refund the purchase price. We all know that treats at Magic Kingdom are just as nostalgic as our first flight on Dumbo!
The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book includes: [Read more…]
The California Grill in Disney’s Contemporary Resort has re-opened with a new menu and revitalized decor. This week, guest author Paul Kuconis returns with a review from this Walt Disney World restaurant.
My daughter and I last ate at California Grill in May 2012, seated in the Wine Room overlooking Wilderness Lodge and Epcot in the distance. The meal, as usual (and expected) was superb! Soon after this the restaurant was closed for a remodel. And the wait began.
When I found out (in early September, I believe) that California Grill was accepting Advance Dining Reservations I thought I would give it a shot for our October visit. I was able to grab the date and time I wanted. AWESOME!!
So off we head on the boat from Wilderness Lodge to the Contemporary.
From the Boat Dock
You can’t beat this view of the Contemporary right around dusk! Red sky at night, Sailor’s delight. We are in for a nice day tomorrow.
The reception desk is now on the right of the elevator banks, moved from the left.
Reception Signage
Right off the elevator — the first new element I saw was the immense wine cooler.
The Wine Cooler
As we waited for our table we took in the sights.
A Nice Spot to Watch the Fireworks
The results of the remodel look fantastic and the contemporary theme was carried throughout. The bar has a nice clean look to it with illuminated shelving and neatly arranged bottles.
The Bar
The open concept seating remained, providing good views out all the windows.
The Dining Area
Even the light fixtures carry the ‘contemporary theme’, right down to different colored globes!
Contemporary-Themed Light Fixtures
It was nice to see that the open kitchen concept was maintained through the remodel. I enjoy watching the chefs prepare the offerings. And it is done with Military precision. No ‘Hells’ Kitchen’ theatrics here!
Open Kitchen
You can’t beat white tablecloths and sharp, branded linen napkins. Classy!
A nicely set table
OK, enough of the Atmosphere. We came to eat!
Now the fun begins. The menu logo mirrors the signage we saw at the reception desk.
The Menu
My daughter and I selected a bottle of Landmark Vineyards Overlook Chardonnay. The vineyard is located in Kenwood in the heart of Sonoma (along with Napa and Mendocino) in the North Coast wine region of California. Also in keeping with the California theme.
Chardonnay Choices
We made a nice choice. We noticed aromas of dried pit fruits, melon, honey, and tarragon. It was very fruity, with a nice finishing warmth and lingering spiciness.
The Wine
A Nice Pour
Luckily we got rolls and butter and that gave me something to eat while I perused the menu.
Rolls and Butter
As usual with Disney, they are not just ‘rolls and butter’. We had a choice of sourdough rolls (my favorite and a staple of San Francisco) and focaccia. The butter was topped with sea salt and a lavender blossom. Visually, perfect! This is important as we ‘see’ the food before we eat it.
The crunchiness of the salt worked well with the butter and spread that on the sourdough roll — it doesn’t get any better. At least until the appetizer arrives!
Appetizer and entrée selections proved to be very difficult. To me, that is the sign of a well thought out menu. So many choices, so little time!
I like to try items I have never had and the [Read more…]
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