food IS a theme park
If you’ve been hoping for a reason to spend a little more time at Disney’s beautiful Beach Club Resort, you just may have one now! Martha’s Vineyard Lounge is hosting wine pairings on a few select dates.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Martha’s Vineyard Sign
Upcoming dates are [Read more…]
Aaaahhh
, La Cava del Tequila… what’s a trip around World Showcase without walking inside your doors?
Well, we’re back, and we’re here to celebrate a very special birthday…La Cava del Tequila just turned five years old! For a place that’s still relatively new (in Disney World terms, anyway), it sure has earned its place on the absolute MUST list ever since opening its doors in August 2009.
We’re celebrating this special occasion with a few of my favorite things (cue the song!) and branching out with a few sips I’d never tried before.
As the saying goes, it may be “5 o’clock somewhere,” but we’re just happy when it’s 12 o’clock at La Cava del Tequila!
La Cava del Tequila Sign
“We Open at Noon”
Is it noon yet 😉 ? Then let’s step in!
Small and cozy (and often crowded due to its well-deserved reputation), there’s still plenty for the eye to take in. Obviously, the tequila gets the spotlight – both figuratively and literally!
La Cava Tequilas
When you first walk in, [Read more…]
Well, when we visited the newly refurbished Captain Cook’s at the Polynesian Village Resort, we said we’d be back soon… and here we are, because the brand new Pineapple Lanai is now open!
Pineapple Lanai sign
So, why is Pineapple Lanai so important? It’s the new home to Dole Whip at the Polynesian! (For anyone unfamiliar with this beloved treat, check out a little Dole Whip info here. Then be sure to schedule some of your own personal snacking research on this pineapple soft serve — you’ll be glad you did!)
Pineapple and Vanilla Swirl Dole Whip in Tiki Bowl
We’d love to take you on a quick tour of this new space.
You’ll find Pineapple Lanai on [Read more…]
Okay, coffee lovers… what we’ve suspected for a while now has officially been confirmed by Disney: Starbucks is coming to Hollywood Studios in February 2015!
Starbucks logo
But there are a few additional details along with the announcement: we’ve also got a name! The Trolley Car Café will have a “classic trolley car station” theme.
While Disney has only officially confirmed the location as being “along Hollywood Boulevard,” all signs point to the L.A. Prop Cinema Storage merchandise location, which closed for refurbishment a few months ago, and remains surrounded by refurbishment walls.
L.A. Cinema Prop Storage under refurbishment
The location will carry [Read more…]
One of the quintessential Disneyland must-eats are the beignets! You can find ’em at a couple of locations around the Happiest Place on Earth, and there is definitely a difference of opinion on which version is best.
We’re going to take a look at the options, and we want YOU to tell us your favorite!
in Disneyland Park is probably my all-time favorite spot to enjoy Beignets. And there are lots of reasons for that.
Inside, you’re surrounded by rich colors, beautiful stained glass, and Disney history — the spot houses an espresso machine that was a favorite of Walt Disney himself! And the outside patio offers great people watching and a good vantage point to enjoy beautiful New Orleans Square.
Outdoor Patio at Cafe Orleans
But great location is just the tip of the iceberg. Because the real reason that these are some of the best Beignets ever? They’re Mickey-shaped!
Mickey Beignets with a View!
And, luckily, they come with Dipping Sauces! Because just about every food should be dipped, I think.
Here there’s not one, but two — Vanilla Creme Anglaise and Raspberry Coulis. My favorite is the raspberry — combined with the beignets, it’s like eating a jelly donut!
Mickey Beignets with Sauces
A look at the inside shows you just how remarkably light and airy the Beignets are.
Cafe Orleans Mickey Beignets — Cross Section
If you happen to visit Disneyland during the Fall or Winter holidays, you just might stumble upon some seasonal Beignet flavors as well. The [Read more…]
You’ve just arrived at Walt Disney World, and it’s late, and you’re starving. Or you’ve finished at the Park for the day, it’s late, and you’re starving. Or you’ve wrapped up a fun time at Fantasia Golf and — well, you get the gist.
Where do you go in Walt Disney World when you’re starving and want to score a late night bite?
Well, there are lots of places, actually! But today, I thought we’d take a closer look at three of our favorites featured in the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book!
While there are several spots at Disney Springs where you can enjoy a late night bite to eat, Raglan Road is one of our favorites.
The menu features a mix of comforting, traditional Irish pub food with some fusion flavors, like curry. We have lots of favorites here, but one of the best dishes on the menu is the Fish and Chips! And no worries if you follow a gluten-free approach to eating — their Gluten-Free Fish and Chips are just as fantastic as the traditional version (some even like them better).
Fish and Chips at Raglan Road
But the menu is only half the draw here. You’ll also find live music and traditional Irish dancing nightly.
Although it can be tough to get a walk-up table during the earlier evening hours, it’s a little easier to grab a spot later at night. The full menu is available until 11PM; order from the bar menu from 11PM until “late”.
Regardless of the hour, night or day, you can find something to eat at Gasparilla Island Grill.
Located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, it’s a monorail stop away from both Magic Kingdom and the Ticket and Transportation Center. You’ll find a menu packed with thin crust pizza in various sizes and with your choice of toppings. The menu here also includes some yummy desserts like Coconut Pot de Creme!
Coconut Pot de Creme
Enjoy the full dinner menu until [Read more…]
We are back with another look at some of the Marketplace Booths that will be featured at the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
Today, we are visiting two more of our favorite spots — one Old World, and one New!
Both the Belgium Booth and the Brazil Booth epitomize one of this year’s biggest themes. We can’t wait to Taste Our Way Around the World with lots of returning favorites, and some new flavors as well.
Let’s take a look at what these two Marketplaces will be offering guests in 2014, starting September 19th.
The Belgium Marketplace Booth offers Food and Wine Festival guests the best of both worlds. We love the interesting food options here. But it’s also a primo stop on your Brews Around the World Tour as well!
Belgium Marketplace Booth
The Belgium Booth first debuted at the festival in 2010, and has become a mainstay since then. After all, who can resist indulging in a sweet or savory Belgian Waffle?
There are many returning favorites here this year, but we’re happy to say that we see some fun additions as well.
The Potato and Leek Waffle was one of our Best of the Fest Favorites in 2013, so I’m thrilled that it’s returning! This year, the flavors are amped up a bit as the Beef topping the savory waffle is braised in Beer!
Potato and Leek Waffle with Braised Beef
After such a hearty dish, we definitely recommend that you give one of the dessert waffles a try. You can’t go wrong with Belgian Waffle topped with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream.
Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream
But if you’d rather have a fruit topping, no worries. Try the Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream instead.
Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream
If you prefer a dessert that you can drink, you’ll be happy to know that the [Read more…]
UPDATE: According to WDW cast members, these cones were removed from the menu at Hollywood Studios. In the meantime, get your bread cones year-round — including the Mac and Cheese Bread Cone — at Disney California Adventure’s Cozy Cone Motel in Disneyland!
Macaroni and Cheese Bread Cone
Have you ever found yourself in this scenario: sitting in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater, waiting for Fantasmic! – the nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — to begin?
Amphitheater seating waiting for Fantasmic!
If you are planning to see Fantasmic! (the official show title has an exclamation point in the name, which moving forward I’ll omit for your ease of reading :), you should know that it’s best to arrive well before show time, especially if you are attending the first show of the evening.
So, what should you do in the meantime? Aside form join in The Wave, of course… which you can — and should — do.
Here comes The Wave!!
But when you’re not Wave-ing, you might as well eat! Fortunately, there are oodles of opportunities around the amphitheater to do just that.
Prior to moving directly into the amphitheater, there are a couple of stands serving up snacks such as Mickey ice cream bars, roasted nuts, frozen lemonade cups, churros, Mickey pretzels, and the like.
Snack kiosks outside of amphitheater
Cast Members also wander the outside and inside of the amphitheater right up until show time, carrying items like popcorn and cotton candy, which somehow adds to the festive vibe.
Popcorn
Cotton Candy
Once you head into the amphitheater, there are two large concession stands in the back, both by the name of Hollywood Hills Amphitheater Refreshment. They have the [Read more…]
One of our favorite spots in all of Disneyland is Jolly Holiday Bakery. We never get tired of looking through their pastry cases for something new to delight us!
And right now, they’re stepping up their game with some new, limited-time offerings.
Jolly Holiday obviously has a Mary Poppins theme, and this adorable Spoonful of Sugar offers a lot of flavor AND visual interest in one bite!
The treat includes pâte à choux, chocolate caramel ganache, sprinkles, chocolate pastry cream, dark chocolate, white chocolate, a tiny penguin made from sugar, and marshmallows! Whew! That’s a LOT of detail!
Spoonful of Sugar
If you love the looks of this little guy, you better get to Disneyland quick — he’s only available August 22-31!
But there are several other pastries and desserts making a limited time appearance at Jolly Holiday Bakery. Look for these to stick around into September.
Get a load of this gorgeous Red Velvet Whoopie Pie!
Red Velvet Whoopie Pie
Recently, our Dining in Disneyland columnist Heather Sievers showed us some of the other delicious new treats that are available now through September at Jolly Holiday. We fell in love with the Mickey-Shaped French Macarons.
The Passionfruit Macaron is sweet with more sweet, but we love the sparkly embellishment on top.
Passionfruit French Macaroon
We much preferred the [Read more…]
Happy NATIONAL MOJITO DAY, EVERYONE!! OK, I’ll be honest. We’d PLANNED to share this post with you on the ACTUAL National Mojito Day, but a big news item came up and we had to bump it. So this is our STAND-IN National Mojito Day. I hope that works for you. 😀
Still, crazy how time flies, isn’t it? I remember last Mojito Day like it was yesterday! It feels like I was just putting up my Mojito Tree, baking mojito cookies and singing all my favorite mojito carols…
Oh, wait, was that just me?
Anyway, on this day as we gather with family and friends to celebrate Mojitos all around the world ;), we thought we’d show you a mojito in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion that has more than a bit of a twist… the Pomegranate Lime Frozen Mojito found at La Cantina de San Angel.
La Cantina Sign
La Cantina Drink Menu
The drink serving is huge – it fills every inch of the glass and beyond, as you can see. (At $11.50, I should hope so.) As a bonus, it’s also looks terrific!
Frozen Pomegranate Lime Mojito
A traditional Mojito is a mix of fresh mint, lime, club soda, sugar, and white rum on the rocks. The Pomegranate Lime Frozen Mojito has… well, it’s got lime 🙂 . And pomegranate!
Tequila – as opposed to rum – is the featured liquor here, and I can’t say I picked up one hint of mint. What I did pick up on was a refreshing blast of cold, fruity sweetness nicely balanced by the tart lime.
Pomegranate Lime Frozen Mojito
For all my joking about Mojito Day traditions, I’m actually not a huge mojito fan myself, so this version is far more up my alley.
You know what goes well with a tart-and-sweet beverage like this? Something
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