food IS a theme park
You know we love our cupcakes here at DFB. But when we want a sweet treat, we often find ourselves at Sprinkles. Sprinkles is, like, cupcake heaven. And with amazing options like Cupcake Sundaes and Frosting Shots, the hits keep comin’.
Plus that ice cream sandwich with the cap’n crunch ice cream? Just yes.
Sprinkles Case
In the exciting/frustrating world of Disney World ADRs (Advance Dining Reservations), some restaurants just seem to be tougher to get into than others. And the Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of those more difficult tickets.
So in 2013, the Disney gods (or Imagineers or restaurant planning mavens) smiled and — poof!– the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge was born.
Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge Bar
And it was good. Right from the start, the Lounge became one of our favorite places to drop in unannounced. We could get all the glittery Hollywood-ness of the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant without an ADR! [Read more…]
Well…you COULD just put green food coloring in a beer today… .
Or you could make THIS!!!!!!!!!!! The Triple Yeti Blast at Disney’s Animal Kingdom from Upcountry Beverages in Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
Triple Yeti Blast from Upcountry Beverages at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Is it St. Patrick’s-Day-y at all. No. Does it matter? Not at all!
Create three different margarita flavors — Mango, Lime, and Strawberry — and layer them into a tall glass for a beautiful, refreshing treat with a terrific WOW factor!
Note that this recipe requires two different fruit purees. You may be able to find these in a liquor store, but if not, you can always just blend or mash up fresh fruit! 
Upcountry Beverages, Disney World’s Animal Kingdom
Ingredients: [Read more…]
I’ve got a little secret, and it’s something you probably know if you’ve been reading the Disney Food Blog for a while. I have some serious favorites among Disney restaurants.
But when it comes time to discuss great dining spots at Epcot, the competition suddenly grows fierce. Still, relative newcomer Via Napoli has won out as tops on my list since it opened a few years ago.
There are lots of reasons for that. The restaurant boasts the best pizza in all of Walt Disney World in my opinion — it comes closest to ideal than anything I’ve tasted since I moved from NYC a few years back. (Sigh. I still miss a Lombardi’s slice now and then.)
Via Napoli Window
And truth be told, we visit Via Napoli pretty much every time I set foot within those Big Purple Gates. But we are creatures of habit, so I try not to report TOO much on dishes that you’ve seen before. Recently though, we visited and ordered some new things! So it’s high time to share with you the story of our latest visit.
Via Napoli is a study in contrasts. From the outside, the restaurant, which anchors the back of the Italy Pavilion, is stately and grand, with an imposing, almost temple-like facade.
Via Napoli — Outside
But inside, the space is one part grandiose, and one part whimsy, with just a sliver of chic thrown in for good measure. The feel here is that someone with a wonderfully modern aesthetic decided to open a restaurant in an ancient building. They kept the best of the old, and overlaid a feeling of modern and new.
Huge, floor-to-ceiling arched windows separate the waiting area from the dining room, and you begin to catch a glimpse of the action from here. Look up in the foyer to see this gorgeous, colorful chandelier that puts me a little in mind of Mardi Gras.
Entryway Chandelier
The main dining room is one huge, cavernous space (and LOUD!!!), but it’s broken up a bit by the ceiling of all things! Seriously — look up. There is a soaring atrium in the center, allowing for plenty of natural light. But you also have vaults supported by columns, which rescue the space from feeling like one large warehouse-type room.
Dining Room with Vaulted Ceilings and Arches
The actual walls of the restaurant are covered in frescoes that have been chipped at to convey a sense of age. The blue and green backgrounds of the paintings contrast nicely with warm colors on the floor and ceiling.
Seating is mixed, featuring both banquettes and chairs.
Via Napoli Seating and Frescoes
Hand-Painted Floor Tiles Contrast Warm and Cool Colors
While the building appears to be ancient, wall art also conveys a look at the past — the more recent past, though. You’ll find lots of interesting Italian travel posters throughout the restaurant.
Ah…Napoli
Once you’re in the main dining room, you’ll spy [Read more…]
There is so much to love about the parks of Walt Disney World.
What’s the Best Disney World Park for Dining?
The rides and attractions. The sense of history — both in the parks and in the memories that we’ve all made in them. The incredible themeing that greets you at every turn.
But of course, what do we love the most? The FOOD!
I’m serious about eating when I’m in Disney parks. And I know you are, too! But which Disney World park is the best when it comes time for eating?
This is a question I get asked a LOT; and it’s always tough to make a choice. Sure — Epcot has the largest number of fantastic restaurants, but there are some snacks that can’t be beat in Magic Kingdom; and the other parks offer some not-to-be-missed items, too.
There are some seriously awesome, edible reasons to visit each park — and I’m going to share some of my favorites with you today!
Get ready, because I want to hear your point of view, too! What’s your favorite Walt Disney World Park for Dining… and why?
Eating your way through Magic Kingdom seems to me to be one part fantasy food, and one part pure nostalgia. It would be hard to imagine not carving out a few days on my menu for some of my favorite stops here!
Nutella and Fruit Waffle Sandwich at Sleep Hollow
For brunch or lunch, I can never pass up the chance to have a Waffle Sandwich at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments. Choose from Nutella (!!!) and Fruit or Spicy Chicken.
Seriously delicious — and enormous. I like to get two and split them among friends for a little variety.
Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich
We can’t go very far in this conversation though without discussing [Read more…]
Don’t forget to swing by Epcot this week to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the Mexico pavilion. Special menu items will be offered throughout the pavilion’s restaurants from May 5-11, 2013!
Epcot's Mexico Pavilion
Menu items offered for Cinco de Mayo at La Hacienda de San Angel and San Angel Inn are noted below.
Appetizers
Cream of Chile Poblano — Chile Poblano, cilantro, onion, garlic, and Mexican cream. Garnished with tortilla strips, poblano peppers, and cream.
Chalupas de Chicharron — Corn dough topped with roasted chipotle sauce, shredded chicken, pork rind in green tomatillo sauce, fresh cheese, sour cream, and avocado.
San Angel Inn Dining Room
Entrees
Chile en Nogada — Egg battered stuffed poblano pepper with pork, almonds, raisins, apple, pineapple, cinnamon, roasted tomato, and garlic. Topped with a walnut cream sauce.
Enchiladas de Mole Poblano — Corn tortillas filled with marinated chicken. Topped with Mole Poblano sauce, sesame seeds, and Mexican cream.
Pollo Rostizado en Salsa de Mercado — Slow roasted French-chicken breast. Topped with a roasted green tomato, pine nuts, garlic, onion, and saffron sauce.
Carved Wood Tables at Hacienda de San Angel
Dessert
Camotes en Leche Condensada — Sweet potato dessert topped condensed milk. Garnished with almond brittle.
Drinks
Horchata Margarita — Horchata, a traditional Mexican beverage, is water infused with ground up rice and flavored with lime, cinnamon, and sugar. Try this unique Horchata Margarita and let us know what you think!
Stop by La Cava del Tequila [Read more…]
Yay! We’re headed back to Epcot for another great World Showcase booth review at the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! Our stops today include guest favorites Italy and New Zealand.
If you’re looking for your other favorite booths, be sure to check out ALL the info and brand new photos on our Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth Pages.
Click on any booth or country name, to see detailed information, menus, and prices, and you’ll also see our all-new photos from each booth!
Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival Italy Booth has been a mainstay of the Food and Wine Festival since the very beginning, way back in 1996.
Italy Marketplace Booth
This year, we said goodbye to a few dishes, but enthusiastically welcomed some awesome additions to the menu!
2012 Italy Marketplace Booth Menu -- Click to Enlarge
New to the Italy Booth this year is the Salsiccia e “Papacelli” Napoletani — a sweet sausage with peppers, served with ciabatta bread.
I really enjoyed this miniature take on an Italian classic, sweet sausage and peppers. And I love that there’s a new sausage kid on the block to join Germany’s Bratwurst and Canada’s Chicken Chipotle Sausage!
Salsiccia e “Papacelli” Napoletani (Sweet Sausage, Red Pepper, Ciabatta Bread)
A fan favorite — the Ravioli di Formaggio all-Emiliana — returns, and is just as delicious as ever! The large cheese ravioli is smothered in a meaty, creamy, tomato-laced sauce, and is then topped with [Read more…]
It’s menu-changing season at Walt Disney World!
New Menu Items at Animal Kingdom
This week we got the chance to highlight a few updates in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where they’ve unveiled new menu items at three counter-service restaurants! (More of this menu change mumbo jumbo coming up tomorrow, by the way…)
Let us know what you think about the new options!
Catch up on your Disney Food reading!
Kouzzina by Cat Cora has added two more events to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival signature dining schedule.
Chef Cat Cora and the Kouzzina chefs will host additional dinners on October 2 and October 4 at 8pm. The cost is $170/person. The first signature dinner at Kouzzina will be held on September 27 at 8pm for $160. Note that Chef Cat Cora will only be in attendance at the October dinners.
Spots are extremely limited, and will go fast. Call 407-WDW-DINE to book.
We’ve got more food news (including restaurant closure updates, new dining locations at Aulani, a food truck at ESPN Wide World of Sports, a PCH Grill Passholder Preview in Disneyland, special offer at La Hacienda and San Angel Inn, and LOTS more) on our Disney Food News Pin Board!
Thanks to Disney by Mark for a great review of our DFB Mini-Guide to the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
Pick up your copy of the DFB Mini-Guide to the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival today, and get planning. Don’t forget our great DFB Deals of the Week on this Guide!
Here’s some great advice from the Disney by Mark review:
Last year was my first at the festival and I found myself overwhelmed with choices and decisions to make. There was so much I wanted to do but I only had a limited time at Epcot…and Epcot is BIG. I found that in just one reading this guide has helped me plan my entire visit so I don’t collapse from exhaustion!
See? No exhaustion! 
Read the full review here! And, check out another great review at Jackie’s Magical Moments this week!
Now it’s your turn! Download your copy of the DFB Mini-Guide to the 2012 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book here! Get $3 off with our Deal of the Week!
DisZine highlights the Great Irish Hooley event at Raglan Road in Downtown Disney this weekend.
Cookie Madness enjoys a treat from Epcot’s Biergarten – Bavarian Cheesecake.
Walt Disney World for Grown Ups hides out with a snack at the Writer’s Stop in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
A Wedding Cake Blog shares an adorable Minnie Mouse cake!
Mouse on the Mind dines at the California Grill overlooking the Magic Kingdom!
Main Street Gazette reviews the changes taking place with the restaurants in Epcot’s France pavilion.
AllEars takes a close-up look at the Pinocchio Village Haus.
DisneyParks looks back at the opening of Hollywood Scoops in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Nestled within the incredible Epcot Food and Wine Festival season is another highly anticipated food and wine extravaganza — the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic!
This two-day event gives you the option to enjoy the all-you-care-to-eat Causeway (review coming soon!), where you can stroll and taste samples from all of your favorite Swan and Dolphin restaurants (and meet some celebrity chefs, too). In addition, seminars are held each day covering a wide range of adult beverages. Interested? DFB has special rate codes for you for this year’s Classic! Check out the details at the end of this post!
Last year, I chose to attend the Modern Mixology Seminar and wanted to share the experience with you today!
This event was led by Lindsay Skillman, mixologist extraordinaire and the General Manager of Cabana Bar and Beach Club at the Swan and Dolphin Resort. (FYI — Lindsay will also be leading several mixology seminars at the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, so be sure to sign up if you can!)
The pamphlet for the seminar gives you a peak into the mad science that we were about to undertake…
Seminar Pamphlet -- click image for larger version
Seminar Pamphlet -- click image for larger version
We began the experience [Read more…]
So, if you’ve been to a Disney theme park or restaurant for a lunch or dinner meal, chances are you’ve seen a glowing drink or two. Or maybe you’ve even partaken in one yourself?
Glow Drink at Sci-Fi Dine-In Restaurant
For those of you who perhaps haven’t had a glowing ice cube experience yet, here’s a little background. For several years now, Disney has used evolving versions of these re-usable glow cubes — plastic, ice-cube-shaped drink decorations — to jazz up many of their feature cocktails.
The glow cubes in Disney restaurants can be set at different colors using a button on the bottom (you used to have to whack them on the table to get them to turn on and off, but now it’s all a bit more civilized), and there are even settings where they cycle through different colors automatically.
The most famous might be the Blue Glow-tini, which even highlights the cube as part of its name. This sought-after concoction can be found at locations all over Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Mixed with Citrus Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Blue Curacao, Pineapple Juice, and occasionally some Sweet and Sour, this fun drink can knock your socks off.
Disney's Blue Glow-Tini
So, mostly since we’ve never done it before, I thought it would be fun to do a little round-up of some of my other favorite glow-drinks that Disney features on their menus. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it IS a list of [Read more…]
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