food IS a theme park
January has been full of a LOT of changes at Disney World.
Upper Level Patio Atmosphere at STK Orlando
Disney announced a ton of changes coming to its parks, park hopping returned, and a new donut shop opened up! We also saw a TON of menu updates throughout the month, so let’s get to them!
Happy New Year, DFB Friends! We’ve been ringing in the New Year and getting ready for the EPCOT Festival of the Arts!
Everglazed Donuts and Cold Brew
But we’ve also been busy covering the opening of a brand new donut shop (OH, YEAH!) while tracking some menu updates at a few locations. So let’s get to the menu updates we have from this past week!
Walt Disney World’s EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is gearing up to reopen next week on July 15th.
Italy Pavilion in Epcot
EPCOT’s Italy Pavilion will reopen along with the rest of the World Showcase. While most pavilions are opening, not all restaurants and food kiosks will be available to guests. We’ve just confirmed two more Italian dining experiences to add to our list of available restaurants at EPCOT. Plus, the hours that all three Italian restaurants will be open for guests! [Read more…]
Disney World can sure be pricey, but that doesn’t mean you have to shell out all of your hard-earned cash to have a blast!
Grand Floridian Entrance
Are you looking to save money on dining next time you go to Disney World? Or do you need some creative, DIY hacks to recreate some special events that would otherwise end up costing your family hundreds of dollars?
We have a few tips today on how you can still enjoy the “finer things in life” while on vacation at the Most Magical Place on Earth!
Happy weekend! We’ve been hard at work in the parks scoping out all the latest news for you! First, a few things to remember…
The 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival kicks off August 29 and we’re covering it all! Did you see the menus that are out now? See every single Food and Wine Festival MENU and some FOOD PHOTOS as well — here!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is now OPEN in Disneyland and will officially open August 29 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!Check out all our Disneyland Galaxy’s Edge coverage to start planning for Disney World (the two lands are virtually identical)! And we’ve now been inside Disney World’s Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge — we’ve got a few of our initial reviews for you below!
Green and Blue Milk Coolers
We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in…
Hey Guys! We promised you more Must Eat Epcot and today we’re back for a second round in our latest DFB Video!
Gelato Perfection! The Coppa Delizia in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion
The awesome thing about Epcot food is that you have plenty of classics, but there are also new things joining the scene every day. In recent years, additions like Tutto Gusto have kept World Showcase fresh. And I can’t pass up the Caramel Apple Cookie at Karamell-Küche. EVER.
Can’t wait to see more? Then click on our latest DFB Video to see what else you CAN’T MISS in Epcot!
And if you never want to miss your Disney Food Fix, then hit the big Subscribe Button below! That way, you won’t miss a minute of the fun!
Whew! Are you ready to eat your way through Epcot? Leave a comment and tell us YOUR favorites!
We are big fans of Epcot around here, just like you are. It may not be the original Disney World Park, but it holds a charm that few other spots in the Disney universe can. After all, walking around there feels like you’ve stepped into the dreams of Walt Disney himself. It didn’t start life as the Experimental Prototype City Of Tomorrow for nothing!
Epcot!!!
The park has evolved a bit through the years, but we’re still enchanted by its dual personalities: Future World, celebrating technology and the promise of what’s to come; and World Showcase, which encourages visitors to embrace cultures from around the globe in order to learn from them. [Read more…]
It’s time once again to look in on one of my favorite “hidden” spots in Epcot — Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar!
Tutto Gusto, located on the left as you travel through the Italy Pavilion toward Via Napoli at the back, hasn’t been open for very long. But in the short span of three years, Tutto Gusto has become a part of the fabric of World Showcase.
With its commitment to offering small plates that feature authentic Italian cuisine, Tutto Gusto has continued to be a DFB favorite. But you know me — I’m never content to continue recommending a spot unless I know for sure that it still deserves to be recommended!
So, in the name of research, a friend and I headed there to grab a light dinner during a recent visit to Walt Disney World. We tried some new things and revisited some favorites. Let’s check it out.
Although the sign for Tutto Gusto is perched high and prominent, it’s still sort of easy to miss it if you aren’t looking for it. You may mistake it for another entrance to neighboring Tutto Italia, if you notice it at all.
Tutto Italia and Gusto Wine Cellar
The entrance sits back a little, but Cast Members are usually flanking the door, and you’ll also notice the menus posted outside. Pay attention and you’ll find it.
Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar
Walk in and (after your eyes adjust to the darkened area) you’ll notice that the bar is front and center, serving as the small venue’s main feature.
Gusto Bar
Wine is king here, but you’ll also find an increasingly interesting array of Italian craft beers. Tutto Gusto also offers a full liquor bar. Check out the Italian-inspired cocktail menu, or order your favorite. Whatever you’re looking for, they can make it.
Gusto Bar
Because this is a wine bar, however, much of the real estate is given over to vino. Amuse yourself as you wait by checking out the ever-changing variety of Italian wines that are available by the glass or bottle.
Wine Fridge
Wine Fridge
But Tutto Gusto has more to offer than just beverages. From the get go, I prized this spot for their amazing array of small plates. There’s a display of some of the offerings to whet your appetite.
Antipasti Showcase at Tutto Gusto
As is usually the case when you’re dining anywhere in the Disney universe, be sure to look up! The details of a spot usually include some really cool lighting, and Gusto is no exception.
Wine Bottle Lighting
You will find that Tutto Gusto can reach capacity rather easily — hence those Cast Members stationed at the doors. There isn’t a ton of seating here, but what you do find is rustic, cozy, and fairly comfortable. It is a little “close”, however, so if you prize privacy or personal space, you may want to look at the couch options.
Gusto Table
Speaking of…you’ll find more comfy seating flanking the fireplace, another nice focal point in the small space.
Gusto Fireplace Area
Tables and stools here are low and well padded. It’s a great place to relax and catch up with friends, or to just take a breather from the bright sunshine.
Fireplace Area Seating at Tutto Gusto
And it truly is a beautiful location. Personally, I think they hit the themeing out of the park. Don’t you love the brick ceiling?
Tutto Gusto Seating
Having shown you around, I’m ready to get down to the serious business of [Read more…]
We’re taking a quick trip around all four Disney World Parks and then making stops at several Resorts, where a lot of food news seems to be taking place as of late!
But we’re starting our “World”-wide tour at Downtown Disney, and taking a peek at how things are shaping up as the transition towards “Disney Springs” continues on. And we may even take a sneak peek at something coming to our friends in Disneyland on the west coast.
Disney Springs mural
So, are you ready to see What’s New? Good! Because in the words of Peter Pan, “Here we GOOOOOOO…”
Okay, so we’ve mentioned it a couple of times recently, but that’s because we’re happy that BabyCakes has a new home in Downtown Disney! Located at The Landing of what will be Disney Springs, Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC has been up and running since 1 pm on Sunday, February 22nd.
Erin McKenna’s Bakery storefront
Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC
Erin McKenna
Samoa Donut
Featuring gluten-free and vegan baked goods, this is great news for guests on some dietary restrictions. Read our opening day review here!
Speaking of baked goods, Flour and Sugar is a little kiosk that can be found on the newly opened Marketplace Causeway. It sells pre-packaged cookies inspired by various cities in the Sunshine State.
Flour and Sugar
We tried the Siesta Key Key Lime S’more, and we’ll have a review here for you soon!
Key Lime S’more
All in all, things really seem to be picking up speed in Downtown Disney with the Causeway completed, allowing an easy stroll from spots around T-Rex to the Rainforest Cafe side at the Marketplace.
The Marketplace Causeway
Light post on The Marketplace Causeway
Disney Springs sign
We’ll be sure to take a little tour along the path when we’re back with our Flour and Sugar review! The next thing we have our eyes on? Look for [Read more…]
Welcome to Epcot, After Hours! The Epcot After Hours Wind Down event kicked off on Thursday, April 17, at 9:20 pm (immediately following “IllumiNations”).
Illuminations Torch
This 21-and-over event features small plates and drinks at the guest’s choice of four restaurants on select evenings: Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room, Spice Road Table, Tutto Gusto, and La Cava del Tequila.
When we announced this event a couple of weeks ago, we got a LOT of diverse points of view in the comments from our readers. Many were concerned that the price for the event ($35) was too high. Others were excited for the opportunity to stay in Epcot after hours, enjoying one of their favorite — often crowded — hot spots!
I attended the Wind Down at La Cava del Tequila in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion. Let’s see how it went!
Mexico Pavilion After Hours
I’ll start with a rundown of my food and beverage experience specific to La Cava, and then we’ll talk about the event itself — what’s good and what could use some improvement. There’s a lot to share, so let’s dive in.
La Cava del Tequila
A group of about 10-12 guests gathered for the evening. Walking into an adults-only situation was a refreshing experience — granted, that’s something you typically have at La Cava, but there was a bit of a different feel.
Some of that had to do with the settings in front of us: a tequila flight, a small vodka shot (to “open” our senses, as we learned later), and a Mezcal tequila shot, along with a small bottle of water.
Tequila Flight
The lights were up a bit, too, for what we were about to experience. With the covers over our glasses, we all knew to wait to begin (which gave us a nice opportunity to meet the folks around us).
Covered Glass of Tequila Blanco
We soon found out that we were going to experience something truly unique: a tequila tasting led by Hilda Castillo. This is similar to what was done during the first Food and Wine Festival tequila tasting events, for those of you who have been.
Hilda combines knowledge, passion, and fun to help you feel comfortable and appreciate more of what you’re tasting.
Hilda, Tequila Ambassador
The walls of La Cava are a classroom of sorts, and Hilda showed us how the wall mural displays the tequila process.
La Cava Wall Mural
La Cava Wall Mural
La Cava Wall Mural
With her guidance, we experienced the characteristics of each tequila through color, aroma, and taste: an incredibly strong (I mean, WOW!) Blanco (White tequila), a Reposado (Rested tequila), and an Anejo (Aged tequila).
Because I am no Hilda (though I would like to be when I grow up!), I’ll offer these descriptions below that were provided at our settings.
Tequila Blanco description
Tequila Reposado description
Tequila Anejo description
With every visit to La Cava, I feel a little more comfortable with the world of tequila, because someone is always willing to share their knowledge with you. But I am [Read more…]
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