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EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

Review: Kimonos at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort

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Sometimes the best things happen at the last minute.

I’d never been to Kimonos over in the Swan and Dolphin Resort, and a friend invited me to join a group for dinner at the last minute this week. Luckily, I was able to swing by and I’m so glad I did!

Atmosphere
I’d been hearing for years how great Kimonos was — “they have the best sushi in Walt Disney World!” was the standard review — and I was really looking forward to trying it.

Kimonos Seating Area and Bar

The atmosphere of the place is excellent. A long, narrow room bordered on both sides with windows features a full bar at the back, a sushi station to the left, and a karaoke stage to the right as you walk into the restaurant.

Sushi Counter

Oranges, yellow, and black are the dominant colors in the clean, contemporary Japanese decor, but pops of color and texture come from [Read more…]

Candy-Land! Which New Disney Candy Box Is Your Favorite?

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We reported the news that Disney has created a new line of candy that we think you’ll love! With your favorite sweet/tart and chocolatey flavors combined with fun packaging, the “Disney Parks Authentic Original candies” are über rad.

Boxes are selling for $3.95 each and feature on the side what the actual candy looks like. Which flavors have you tried?

Candy Boxes

There’s chocolate for tiara-wearing guests too! Try the More for Princess candy hearts or Who Needs Prince Charming When You Have Chocolate Milk Chocolate Crispy Clusters.

More for Princess candy hearts

Who Needs Prince Charming When You Have Chocolate Milk Chocolate Crispy Clusters

Chocolate lovers will delight in the I’m not bad I’m Just Drawn to Chocolate Dark Chocolate Mint Candy, I’m a Chocolatear Milk Chocolate Raisins, Please Stand Clear of My Chocolate chocolate peanut candies, Mood Chocolate Milk Chocolate Candies and [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: The Hungry Bear Re-Opens with a New Menu

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Dining in Disneyland columnist Heather Sievers shares her review of the brand new Hungry Bear Restaurant menu today!!

After weeks of renovations, the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Disneyland’s Critter Country has reopened with a brand new menu.  We had seen the tarps and boards up for some time; we even took a sail on the Columbia to see if we could get a sneak peek at what was going on behind the scenes.  No such luck.  So, when the restaurant opened back up this past week, we headed over for an early dinner to check it out.  Hungry?  Why yes, we are!

Eager Beaver Welcoming You to The Hungry Bear

Location and Atmosphere
Let me start by telling you that Hungry Bear is in the way way way back of Disneyland.  I mean, we’re talking outskirts.  If you’re looking for a semi-quick way to get there, hop on the train and get off at the New Orleans Station, head left, pass the Haunted Mansion & Splash Mountain, follow the curve around to the left and you will find the Hungry Bear just before the Winnie the Pooh ride on your right side.

When we first walked up to the restaurant, we were a little nervous.  There were ZERO people in line, which isn’t really a great sign for a restaurant.  Especially for a Saturday evening during Spring Break.  I’m going to assume this was because people really didn’t know it was open.  There are still lots of walls up around the area due to the Splash Mountain refurbishments in progress.  So at the moment, Critter Country doesn’t look too inviting.  Though, as soon as [Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: Adult Thirst-Quenchers

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Thanks to all who have contributed their photos to the Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza! Keep on sending ’em! The Disney Food Pics of the Week feature adult beverages! Slàinte!

This margarita flight is served at La Cava del Tequila in Epcot’s Mexico pavilion! Salud!
Photographer: shnewell

Margarita Flight

The Lapu Lapu is served in a pineapple at the Tambu Lounge at [Read more…]

Review: New Breakfast Buffet at The Wave in Disney’s Contemporary Resort

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We’ve been reporting the news, and now I get to share the pics with you! The Wave…of American Flavors in Disney World’s Contemporary Resort has a brand new meal — a breakfast buffet! They’ve been testing it since December, and according to one of the managers I had a chance to speak with, it looks like it’s going to stay. I’m glad to hear it; the buffet is delicious.

Atmosphere and Background
As we know, The Wave focuses on a sustainable menu full of local products. In fact, The Wave was just approved to change their menu every few months — they’re one of the only non-signature restaurants able to do this — so that they can offer an even wider variety of seasonal, local ingredients. I’m looking forward to the updates!

Contemporary Resort's The Wave Restaurant

Contemporary Resort's The Wave Restaurant

Regarding atmosphere, you can see a lot of great photos of the restaurant in our review of dinner at The Wave here. But here’s a quick pic from this week that shows that the [Read more…]

Getting the Best Seat in the House: A Tip From the DFB Guide

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We continue to celebrate the launch of our 2013 Edition of the The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book with one of my favorite restaurant tips from the DFB Guide!

Fireworks from Bistro de Paris Window

There are lots of unique reasons to dine in certain Disney World restaurants, and one of the most interesting is the view you’ll have from your table.

At many Disney World restaurants, you’ll have the chance to glimpse fireworks shows, parades, animals, and more, but only if you ask for the right tables!

For example, at Epcot’s Bistro de Paris you’ll have a wonderful view of the Epcot fireworks, but to get it you’ll have to score a window-side table. The key? Make sure your reservation is for about an hour before the fireworks begin, and be sure to request a fireworks-view table — a seat in the middle of the row of tables next to the window — when you check in for your reservation!

While nothing is ever guaranteed, if you let the host know you’re willing to wait a bit longer for a great table, chances are good you’ll have a wonderful dining experience with a fantastic view of the show!

Want to know more about which seats to request in which restaurants?

Find this and detailed recommendations for seating requests at many other Disney World restaurants in The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2013! Get $4 off today with code 2013!

What are your favorite table requests? Let us know in the comments below!

Disneyland Resort Restaurants and Chefs Win Awards

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Traveling to Disneyland soon? You’ll want to add these resort restaurants to your dining list! We give a foodie shout-out to the winners of the Southern California Restaurant Writers awards!!

With a 36 year history, the Southern California Restaurant Writers, Inc. selects winners from south Santa Barbara to the border of Mexico. With such a large region, it’s a testament to the food quality at Disneyland that so many awards were presented to Disneyland restaurants at the annual banquet Sunday night.

Join me in congratulating Executive Pastry Chef Jean-Marc Viallet named the Pastry Chef of the Year! For the last ten years, Viallet has been dreaming up creative pastries for Disneyland guests.

Jean-Marc Viallet, Executive Pastry Chef, Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Resort received top honors in five categories! The Golden Bacchus is presented to restaurants with an extensive wine collection. The Golden Sceptre is considered the “top restaurant” award.

Special Award Category

* Pastry Chef of the Year: Jean-Marc Viallet, executive pastry chef, Disneyland Resort

Golden Bacchus Wine Award

* Napa Rose (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel)
* Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel)

Golden Sceptre (Five Star)

* Napa Rose (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel)
* Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel)

Gold (Four Star)

* Ariel’s Grotto (Paradise Pier, Disney’s California Adventure park)
* Blue Bayou (New Orleans Square, Disneyland park)

Sterling (Three Star)

* Goofy’s Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel)
* Storyteller’s Cafe (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa)

Source: Disney Parks Blog
Chef Photo copyright Disney

Disney Food for Families: An Ode to the Sand Bucket

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Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster discusses a great bonus you can find with some kids’ meals on Walt Disney World property!

It’s long been said that Disney is in the details. One of my favorite Disney details is the container for children’s meals at some of the counter service restaurants at Walt Disney World. What is this magical container? The sand bucket!

Buckets ready to be called into action

There are restaurants located near the pools or sandy areas at Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, the Yacht & Beach Clubs, and the Caribbean Beach Resort that serve their kids’ meals either in, or with, a new, [Read more…]

24-Hour Dining Option at WDW: A Tip From the DFB Guide

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Disney Food Blog’s own The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2013 e-Book — offers great insight into dining at WDW! Today, I’d like to share one of my favorite late night dining tips from the DFB Guide!

If you find yourself in WDW needing to refuel late at night (this happens a lot with late flights!), there are actually a few locations around WDW that are open late, or even 24 hours!

For example, the Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is open all day and all night! It’s also a convenient stop on your way out of the Magic Kingdom. Take the resort monorail or a boat launch to the Grand Floridian before heading back to your parked car at the Transportation and Ticket Center.

Late night options include a 16″ pizza, which you can customize with toppings! Or choose from individual flatbread pizzas and sandwiches. Dine in or take your food outdoors to a table overlooking the marina (and Cinderella Castle).

Want to know more about late-night and 24 hour dining in Walt Disney World?

Find it all here in the The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2013! Don’t forget to use code 2013 at check-out to get $4 off the price TODAY!

Where do you curb your late night hunger? Let us know in the comments below!

Review: Sake Bar in Epcot’s Japan

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For all of you drinking-around-the-World fans, it’s time to dive into Sake! If you haven’t had the chance to sample it, Sake is a Japanese alcohol made from rice. Like wine and beer, it has multiple varieties, flavors, and “faces,” and exploring it can be a full-time job! For those who want a full history of Sake, the Wikipedia version is a good one.

Today, I had the chance to spend an hour or so with friends Sarah and Matt (many of you know Sarah Holodick from her many guest articles on this blog) at the Sake bar in the very back of the Mitsukoshi Department Store in Epcot’s Japan pavilion.

Mitsukoshi Department Store

I’ve never seen this little tasting area very full, and today — during Spring Break — the line was long for the cash register, but the Sake bar itself was still quite barren. I chalk that up to not enough advertising, because spending time sampling at this little location is a great way to relax and refresh during a long day at Epcot.

The menu offers 10 different sake varieties to choose from, all of which are sold by the [Read more…]

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