food IS a theme park
Sometimes, you just gotta get your quick fix of some good Mexican food!
Paradise Garden Grill
And, in Disney California Adventure, you don’t have to wait very long for this new menu item thanks to Disneyland’s Mobile Order!
Disneyland
makes us “un poco loco!”
Plaza de la Familia ©Disney
We’re super excited that one of our favorite celebrations — Plaza de la Familia is returning to Disney California Adventure!! After how popular the Coco-inspired fiesta was back in 2017, it’s no surprise that it’s returning, singing “Recuérdame” for all to hear.
Did someone say Taco Tuesday?!
Tortilla Jo’s Taqueria
We LOVE Mexican food (like a lot)!! And, Tortilla Jo’s in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District is actually one of the BEST places to snack on some chips and salsa. Now, grabbing a few late night tacos just got even better with the restaurant’s latest deal.
The place to go for food that reflects the many cooking traditions of Mexico is Frontera Cocina, a table service restaurant located in Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs. And the mantra of the restaurant’s owner and leader, Chef Rick Bayless, is all about seasonality and respect for Mexican ingredients, methods, and food culture.
Frontera Cocina
That’s why you’ll find that the menu at Frontera Cocina changes with some regularity, reflecting both the season and the vibrancy of Mexican food. Chef Bayless is world-renowned for his cooking, which he has shared on his show, Mexico: One Plate at a Time and Top Chef Masters. And if you’ve had the pleasure of hearing him talk about cuisine on these programs or podcasts over the years, you already know how much he cares about his craft. [Read more…]
Zocalo Park in Disneyland’s Frontierland has honored Dia de Los Muertos for some time now, featuring specialty displays and even snacks in honor of the annual Mexican celebration.
Dia de los Muertos Krispy Rice Treats
But things have gotten a lot bigger and better. Because this year’s Disneyland celebration extends to Disney California Adventure! Running now through November 2nd, the all-new Plaza de la Familia seasonal celebration offers live music and entertainment, interactive activities, and special decorations to enjoy. [Read more…]
With a full week plus a weekend, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, going on right now at Walt Disney World!
Welcome to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
Today, I’m back to tell you about one of the Food and Wine Festival Special Events I had the opportunity to attend recently.
While I love spending time strolling the Promenade around World Showcase and taking in all of the fantastic food and drink, there’s so much more to the Festival than the International Marketplace Booths.
Each year, I also enjoy attending a sampling of the Low Cost Demonstrations and Seminars as well as Festival Special Events. And one of the biggest highlights is enjoying time with chefs whom we’ve admired in an up close and personal way!
Recently, I was given the opportunity to attend Food For Thought, a Festival Special Event that’s new for 2014. Replacing the Kitchen Memories series from past years, Food For Thought events allow guests to hear the story of a favorite chef before he or she walks the audience through a demonstration of dishes.
Food For Though at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival
I was so excited when I learned that one of my favorites, Chef Rick Bayless, would be rejoining the Festival line up after an absence of several years! Bayless is the Chef and Owner of Frontera Grill and Topolobampo in Chicago, in addition to a collection of quick casual dining spots.
In addition, he’s about to begin the tenth season of his critically acclaimed PBS cooking show Mexico — One Plate at a Time. You can also find his line of Frontera Food Products throughout the country.
My Place Setting
Join me as we listen into his conversation with Disney’s Pam Smith, and watch as he puts his apron on and provides us with a dose of kitchen wisdom via authentic Mexican flavors.
My husband and I have followed the career of Rick Bayless for a while. We were first inspired to explore authentic Mexican cuisine by cooking our way through his books. Having the opportunity to hear more about his journey in such an intimate setting was a great way to spend the morning.
Food For Thought with Chef Rick Bayless and Disney’s Pam Smith
If you’ve watched his PBS series Mexico — One Plate at a Time, then you know that Chef Rick excels at telling a good story and conveying the excitement of an experience. That combination, along with his wry sense of humor, made for an interesting chat session. Having grown up working in his family’s restaurant, his passion for Mexican cuisine was born out of his study of and love for that country’s rich culture.
Chatting with Chef Rick Bayless
Soon, however, it was time to turn our attention to the food! At that point, Chef Rick and Pam made their way to the exhibition kitchen for a demonstration of the food and drink we’d be sampling.
While a big draw of Food for Thought is getting to hear the backstory of a culinary notable, the event also makes for a delicious morning, as the featured chef shares a few of his recipes.
Menu
It’s always fun to see what the suggested pairings are for courses during an event. Typically, guests enjoy a few different wines with tasting portions of dishes, but on this occasion, we had the chance to enjoy a beer pairing instead. A glass of Negra Modelo stood at each place setting.
Negra Modelo Beer
Normally, servings are tasting portions, but we enjoyed a full glass of beer as we’d be pairing it with each of the three courses. In addition, we learned how we might use the beer to create a delicious Fall-themed [Read more…]
AAAARRRRRR
ye ready to grab some food with yer fellow Pirates at Tortuga Tavern?!
If you AAAARRRRRR, you should know that Tortuga Tavern falls under the “open seasonally” category of Quick Service restaurants, so you’ll only catch it during the busiest times of year such as the holidays, spring break, and peak weeks in the summer.
With summer upon us, and especially busy weeks such as the 4th of July holiday week soon approaching, you may have more of a chance to catch it open in the coming months. We thought we’d take a look now in case you should find it open during your vacation, so you can decide if this is a place your inner Pirate needs to visit.
Tortuga Tavern Sign
Tortuga Tavern
Please join us for some Grub and Grog in this ever-elusive spot…
Grub & Grog here!
… if ye be brave enough to enter under the Jolly Roger, that is!
Jolly Roger Flags
Tortuga Tavern sits directly across from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction in Adventureland. The thing about the Tavern is that, since it is only open occasionally, there isn’t much in the way of detailing.
Juuuuuust kidding. Thar’ be plenty of treasure here, mateys! (Okay, I’m almost out of Pirate-speak, I promise… almost. 😉 )
Proprietor, A. Smith, welcomes you to this Pirate hangout!
A. Smith, Proprietor
And he offers plenty of fine dinnerware for the crew.
Platters and bottles
Mugs for Grog
Though Blackbeard makes his presence known above the Toppings Bar…
Blackbeard guarding the Toppings Bar Treasure
… Captain Jack Sparrow’s “Black Pearl” has the largest Crew in the Roster, even over Blackbeard’s “Queen Anne’s Revenge.”
Window looking towards the courtyard
Closeup of Crew Rosters
Although, Captain Jack’s Roster also includes [Read more…]
Today, we are heading into the pyramid once again for dinner at one of Epcot’s most atmospheric restaurants — San Angel Inn Restaurante.
We have had a myriad of experiences here, ranging from very, very bad to excellent. In the past, San Angel Inn has suffered from a Disney restaurant’s biggest drawback — inconsistency.
We haven’t visited the original Mexico table service restaurant since the pavilion’s latest spot, La Hacienda de San Angel, opened on the waterfront. But we continue to love to drop by La Cava del Tequila and Cantina de San Angel, Mexico’s counter service option, so we thought it was time to give San Angel Inn a try once more.
Besides, they had undergone some changes since our last meal, and we wanted to see them for ourselves.
Walking through Epcot anytime of the day is a treat, but it’s especially beautiful at night. And that’s when we decided to visit Mexico for dinner one evening on a recent trip.
You’ll find San Angel Inn by heading into the Aztec Temple, which serves as the centerpiece for Mexico.
Aztec Pyramid in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion
And inside the pyramid, it’s always nighttime. As you make your way toward the back of the building, you come into an open courtyard setting, which feels like the town square of a quaint Mexican Village. In the distance, you’ll spot another Aztec Temple that looks very like the one you just entered. Beyond that, there’s also an active volcano. It’s really quite pretty, and sets the mood for the entire area, which also houses shopping, as well as La Cava del Tequila and the Three Caballeros Attraction.
In fact, boats of riders make their way along the quiet river below the restaurant — very similar to Blue Bayou in Disneyland.
View of the Aztec Pyramid Inside
Among the other village building facades that border the square is the entrance to San Angel Inn, through this archway.
San Angel Restaurant Entrance
Step through the archway, and the floorplan for the restaurant opens up before you. It’s actually a fairly small space. But tables are placed very close together. This was a new detail of the recent renovation and restaurant updates, and I’ve gotta say — it’s not my favorite aspect of dining here. I’m uncomfortable in a restaurant whenever I feel like I can reach out and touch the person at the table next to me.
Seating Area and Restaurant Scenery
This table for two, near the rail that overlooks the Three Caballeros attraction, does offer a bit more intimacy. We always recommend requesting a waterside table here!
Aztec Pyramid, Volcano, and Intimate Seating
The layout of the restaurant is quite nice. The floor is actually comprised of varying levels, which lend some interest to the space. I took this photo near the railing, looking back up into the courtyard.
Lower Patio Seating Area
Although tables are uncomfortably close together, they are [Read more…]
Ahoy me hearties! Let’s welcome back Julie B. with a review of Tortuga Tavern in the Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland. Isn’t it fun when you find this place open?! And we love that Julie found the place empty. Wow.
If you’re like me, you can never get enough pirates! You love the ride, the movies, and the hilarious, charming Jack Sparrow (pardon me… Captain Jack Sparrow). But you may not know you can eat like a pirate too!
Tortuga Tavern Sign
Enter Tortuga Tavern! Formerly known as El Pirata Y El Perico, the restaurant was refurbished and updated a while back.
The menu is basically the same, but the restaurant was renamed to match the island of Tortuga known from the Pirates series.
Tortuga Tavern
Tortuga Tavern Code of Conduct
Tortuga Tavern is a calmer retreat from the busy Pirates plaza. With outdoor and covered seating, you can get a little reprieve from the Florida heat.
It also offers a mild Caribbean theme mixed in with a pirate tavern.
Pirate Theme
Courtyard at Tortuga Tavern
Tortuga Tavern Outdoor Seating
The tables are all spread out and the [Read more…]
I know you’ve seen people walking around Disney parks with giant turkey legs. BUT, did you know that at every stand that sells turkey legs in Disneyland also sells chimichangas?
Disneyland Chimichanga
Yep, crispy fried burritos filled with beef and beans. I myself had not eaten one until recently. Mainly because they look pretty disgusting.
However, I am almost embarrassed to say that they are sinfully delicious. Served up warm, the outer “shell” is crisp while the center is soft and flavorful. In the mixture, the beans and beef are almost blended together as one, which sounds crazy, but it’s true. You can see in the photo above it’s hard to distinguish…
Whole Chimichanga
The filling is not too spicy; in fact most stands offer [Read more…]
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