food IS a theme park
Are you looking for a fun way to spoil your mom a bit while in Disney World for Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day Cupcake
Well, fortunately for you, there is a whole list of ways you can do exactly that! And one of them is with the Mother’s Day Hydrangea Cupcake at the BoardWalk Bakery!
The 2018 Gingerbread Display in Disney World’s BoardWalk Inn is up and ready for the viewing pleasure of guest’s stopping by this Epcot area Resort!
2018 BoardWalk Gingerbread Display
The BoardWalk pastry chefs are once again taking us to a miniature edible version of the Showplace of the Shore with popular stops along the BoardWalk. This is a returning theme from last year when it made its debut; however, the setup has changed and SO MANY more fun details have been added this year! [Read more…]
Walt Disney World
has something for everyone — from rides and attractions to resorts and dining. Today we’re visiting a sports fan’s go-to table service spot in Disney World: ESPN Club!
ESPN Club is an active, energetic restaurant located at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and Villas. And as you might expect, it’s not only sports-themed from the walls to the menu, it’s also a fantastic place to watch the big game.
And since the World Cup is still lighting up screens around the globe, it’s important to know that there are TVs EVERYWHERE. Even in the bathrooms. Yup, you don’t have to miss a second of the game. (Priorities.)
The food, which might very well be secondary for a lot of diners, is OK. It’s no Flying Fish or Abracadabar — both located just a stone’s throw away. But you’re not really at ESPN Club for the eats; you’re there for the game! And the good news is: the food will fuel you long after the final whistle blows!
ESPN Club
The name of the game at ESPN Club is televised sports. And so the atmosphere really revolves around large screens sharing the latest must-watch games and events.
Heading to Disney’s BoardWalk for a stroll or some shopping? If you need a bite to tide you over until that next Advance Dining Reservation, you’re in luck!
We can always recommend the Boardwalk Bakery for quick eats, but on this recent trip I decided to find out what the Boardwalk To-Go kiosk had to offer!
BoardWalk To Go Kiosk
This place has been on my radar for a loooooong time, because they keep tempting me with new specials listed on vibrantly colored boards hanging out front (Fried Ravioli! Chicken Wings! Corn Nugget Fritters!)! That said, I’d never actually eaten here since I’m always on my way to or from another meal (and usually I’m LATE for said meal!).
But on this recent trip, I promised myself I’d check out the goods here. And I should probably just go ahead and throw it out there: this stuff ain’t healthy. The menu is definitely “basket” and “fried” driven, so while it’s easy to grab-and-go, it’s probably not an everyday choice if you want to maintain the energy you’ll need to run around the parks!
Menu - Click to Enlarge
Sides and Drinks Menu -- Click to Enlarge
Chicken Wings and Hamburger Menu Detail -- Click to Enlarge
Basically, the process is as such: pick out what you want, order, wait a few minutes while they fry it, eat. You’ll find nearby seating at table and chair groupings, as well as nearby benches; but there’s no completely sheltered or indoor seating available at To Go. PLUS, the ducks are serious about stalking you, so [Read more…]
I’ve been writing this blog for a loooooong time (since early 2009, to be exact), and you know we make it our focus to visit and review any and all Disney restaurants on an updated schedule.
Well, it had been a while since we had been to Kouzzina for dinner (for breakfast, this is one of my favorite spots!); so on a recent visit to Walt Disney World, we took ourselves over for a lazy stroll on the Boardwalk to have dinner at this rustic, Greek-style family restaurant.
Kouzzina is the first signature restaurant developed by Iron Chef Cat Cora. We visited for dinner when the restaurant first opened, back in Fall of 2009 (you can read that review here). There has been a mini-renovation in the dining room and lobby since we last visited, and there are a few new menu items as well.
And even though Kouzzina is branded with Cat Cora, you can still catch little Disney touches like this hidden Mickey we saw in the lobby. See if you can spy it the next time you visit!
Entryway Decor - Hidden Mickey
The first thing you notice when you enter the restaurant post-renovation is that the lobby is now actually less “waiting area” and more “gift shop,” with Kouzzina and Cat Cora’s wares throughout.
Entryway Sales - Cat Cora's Cookbooks
You’ll find cookbooks for sale here, as well as the types of olive oils and spreads you’ll find [Read more…]
Now that you’ve booked your 2012 Disney World vacation, it’s time to make your Advance Dining Reservations. Which restaurants are credit-worthy?
The vacation package add-on called the Disney Dining Plan is a meal plan with a set price in exchange for a certain number of credits. Many table-service meals in Disney World cost one credit, but are you getting the best value?
Stick to the one-credit restaurants, order the most expensive meal on the menu, and maximize your savings! Let’s get to my top picks for best value at “one table-service credit” Walt Disney World restaurants. I think some of them will surprise you!
When we looked at values, our main criteria was price. These restaurants offer a great bang for your buck when paying with the Disney Dining Plan.
We also looked at enjoyment level and food quality, but these criteria were secondary and tertiary to cost. Note that these aren’t necessarily our favorite restaurants, but they are good values for one Disney Dining Plan credit.
Tucked into the Italian pavilion at Epcot, Tutto Italia Ristorante boasts regional cuisines from Italy in an Old World setting. Table service is attentive, although the fine-dining atmosphere can lead to longer waits.
This restaurant serves up a Roasted Rack and Leg of Lamb ($34) as an entree. End your meal with Copetta Sotto Boscue, a dessert specialty comprised of berries, zabaglione cream, gelato, and chocolate sauce, which has an out-of-pocket price of $14. When both of these items are ordered, Tutto Italia becomes quite possibly your best one-credit table-service value in Walt Disney World.
There’s also a Veal Roast which would run you $31 out-of-pocket but… perfectly worth one dining credit!
Veal
Tutto Italia is closed for refurbishment until [Read more…]
Halloween Sugar Cookies at Disney Parks
It’s time to celebrate! Halloween goodies are out in the parks, AND we’ve been celebrating my birthday all weekend with a great Disney Food Blog e-Book sale! More on that later, but first… the news!
We’re celebrating my birthday with a sale! Today’s the last day to get a discount on any or all of our DFB e-Books using code: BIRTHDAY at the check-out!
$4 off our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining,
$2 off our DFB Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks, and
$2 off our DFB Mini-Guide to the 2011 Epcot Food & Wine Festival!
Or purchase all three e-Books for just $33.85 (regularly $41.85) using code BIRTHDAY!
We hope you love the e-Books as much as we do (but if you don’t, there’s always a 30 day, money-back guarantee!)
Main Street Gazette
quenches our thirst with a Coca-Cola “Always Coca-Cola!” (You sang it, too, didn’t you?)!
Walt Disney World for Grown-Ups stops by the Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney. Yum!
Disney Tour Reviews gives a shout-out to The Disney Food Blog and highlights posts based on food tours. Thanks Lindsay!!
Eating (and Drinking) around the World wishes La Cava del Tequila a happy birthday! It makes so much sense that La Cava and I have birthdays so close together, doesn’t it?
Makin’ Memories looks closely at the “artifacts” left behind by the Dino Institute’s grad students at Animal Kingdom’s Restaurantosaurus.
Jackie’s Magical Moments reviews the DFB Mini-Guide to the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival this week! Thanks, Jackie!
Disney by Mark gives us a tour of the Makahiki and Oleho restaurants just hours before serving their first meals! Check Mark’s Blog for more Aulani coverage, and stay tuned this week for a full review of ‘Ama ‘Ama by Mark!
The Flying Fish Cafe at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort will be hosting Wine Dinners during the 2011 Epcot Food & Wine Festival.
Five delicious dinners are slated, in addition to the Signature Dinner scheduled for November 3rd (which we’ve heard is sold out, but we hope it’s not)!
Add a Flying Fish Wine Dinner to your Festival touring plans for a truly memorable occasion. We absolutely adore Flying Fish Cafe, and I hope you will, too!
Flying Fish Chef's Counter
Guest reviewer Bill Iadonisi is back with another great Disney World restaurant review! This time, Bill takes us to an actual working brewery on Disney property — Big River Grille and Brewing Works. Take it away, Bill!
Let’s move forward with a review of the Big River Grille & Brewing Works at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort before getting back to the counter-service restaurants in my next post. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is one of my favorites, because it reminds me of summers spent on the boardwalks of New Jersey, Atlantic City or Seaside Heights.
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is a wonderful re-creation of a Boardwalk town with restaurants and snack shops lining the boardwalk. On Disney’s Boardwalk, you will find the Big River Grille & Brewing Works, the only working Micro-brewery pub on property. Owned by CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries, Inc., the restaurant is located between Jellyrolls and Thimbles & Threads, a short walk from the resort’s lobby.
Big River Grille & Brewing Works
Upon entering the Grille, your first impression is that of a standard bar/lounge setup a la [Read more…]
Gingerbread is elevated to an art form in Disney World during the holiday season — literally. While tasty treats do exist for purchase in Disney World bakeries…
…the real draw is to the incredible displays throughout the theme parks and deluxe resorts! I’m excited to share with you this holiday season the amazing edible holiday artwork that has been built in the parks and resorts by many talented Disney Chefs and Cast Members. You saw a little peek of this last week in our showcase of the Grand Floridian Gingerbread House!
Today, let’s take a look at three of Disney World’s deluxe resorts — Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and Disney’s Boardwalk Resort.
Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort created an incredible gingerbread holiday tree last year, inspired by [Read more…]
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