food IS a theme park
Even though it’s Christmastime in Disneyland, we haven’t exactly hit Thanksgiving just yet!
Christmas in Disneyland
While there’s a bunch of themed Christmas treats around the park, you can Fall into a celebration of the good food and cool weather of BOTH holidays with the new holiday menu items in the park!
Ready for an emotional roller coaster? Because we have some good news and some bad news regarding Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe and Dining Room.
I always think it’s best to get the bad news out of the way first, don’t you? So, here goes…
The bad news is that Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe will be closing up shop on August 1st.
And now, for the good news! Wolfgang Puck is not leaving Disney Springs entirely! In case you missed the news, he’ll be opening a brand new, modern restaurant in the Town Center of Disney Springs. Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill will open in 2018, and it will still feature some of the world famous chef’s most popular dishes. PLUS, the West Side location will be revamped into Jaleo, a Spanish tapas-style restaurant by Celebrity Chef Jose Andres, which will open in 2018. So two restaurants for the price of one!
So even after that announcement, I kept my recent Advance Dining Reservation at the Grand Cafe, since there will still be plenty more where this came from. AND I wanted to point out which items I most hope to see on the menu at the new digs!
First, though, let’s check out the old haunt before saying good-bye to the West Side space.
Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe and The Dining Room are in the same general building, but there’s a cafe and a sushi bar downstairs, and a formal dining room upstairs. Plus, we can’t forget the Counter Service option with The Wolfgang Puck Express. (And don’t you worry, Express fans… the Marketplace Express location isn’t going anywhere!)
The decor is… umm, how do I say this?
Wolfgang Puck Cafe Seating
TOTALLY SAVED BY THE BELL. I thought it the first time I walked in so many years ago, and it hasn’t changed an ounce. But, hey, it’s consistent — from colorful light fixtures to Formica tabletops. [Read more…]
Today, DFB welcomes guest author Jennifer Storelli with a table-service restaurant review from Walt’s in Disneyland Paris.
As an experienced Walt Disney World Resort fan but first-timer at Disneyland Paris, I had a difficult time selecting a table-service restaurant for dinner. The options ranged from character buffets, to a Wild West dinner show, to movie-themed restaurants, to upscale steakhouses, and more. Fortunately for me, I had until my arrival at my resort to make a decision, because I was not willing to pay for an international call to Disneyland Paris dining to make a reservation.
Disneyland Paris
As my husband and I enjoyed the sites of Paris and made our way to the more familiar setting of Disneyland Paris, we decided we wanted an upscale venue to celebrate our last night of vacation and a taste of American food. Plus, when we read reviews that said Walt’s is an open-to-the-public version of the coveted Club 33 in Disneyland, we were sold.
You’re in for a treat today, as we visit one of my most favorite Disney World restaurants —
Sanaa.
Sanaa is truly a hidden Disney treasure, and while I hope you all have the opportunity to enjoy it, honestly, I hope the word never totally gets out!
I know that may sound selfish, but Sanaa is a favorite of mine for many, many reasons. In addition to a number of truly exquisite meals in the past, I also appreciate the quiet atmosphere. And it’s never been difficult to get an Advance Dining Reservation here — even at the last minute.
There had been some changes in the menu since I visited last, so I was anxious to book dinner at Sanaa on a recent trip to see if it’s still just as wonderful as it’s always been.
Sanaa is a hidden gem in part because it’s actually somewhat hidden. To get to Sanaa, you’ll need to head to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Once there, look for signs pointing you toward Kidani Village, the Disney Vacation Club portion of the resort.
Outside of Sanaa
As with all of the other restaurants at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Sanaa has been thoughtfully named. The word “sanaa” is Swahili for “art”. Step up to the restaurant’s entrance, and you start to see why. Hand woven trays decorate the area behind the podium and beautiful beads line the counter.
Sanaa check-in
Be on the lookout for this guy though. (We’re talking about the Hidden Mickey…not the bird. 🙂 ) You’ll catch a an artistically rendered glimpse or two of him throughout the area.
Hidden Mickey at Sanaa’s Entrance
One of my favorite touches are the African Proverbs that you’ll find on walls throughout Kidani Village. Think about it for a while!
African Proverb and Beads
While you wait for your table — and the wait isn’t likely to be long — you’ll get your first glimpse of Sunset Savanna. Keep your eyes peeled. The area is home to dozens of birds and animals, including gazelles, zebras, cranes, ostriches, and more. And right outside THESE windows, you my get to see a tortoise or two.
Windows in Sanaa’s Waiting Area
En route to your table, you’ll pass the Lounge. This is one of my favorite spots to relax and unwind.
Bar Area
Because it’s opened continuously from 11:30 to midnight, it’s a good option if you’re looking for a meal at one of those in-between times, or you just want to meet friends for a quiet night cap.
Bar Seating
This is a detail that I love about Animal Kingdom Lodge (and most spots in Disney, actually) — no space is left untouched. Check out the rich detail on the ceiling in the bar area, which provides a subtle sense of definition…
Ceiling Detail in the Bar
…And this is what I mean. Once you enter the main restaurant, you leave the “building” of the entrance, and you’re under the canopy of a sprawling acacia tree.
Atmosphere
It blends beautifully with the wide-arched picture windows, and melds the interior with the exterior.
Request a window-side table, and you’ll enjoy great views of the savanna as you dine.
Window Seating
Chances are pretty good that you’ll even see a few of these guys.
And it’s a good time to note — the ever-changing parade of wildlife outside the windows is a great diversion for little people in your group! There are few better ways to distract a toddler than by pointing out real life zebras!
Sanaa’s View
Seating is broken up into small alcoves, and tables and chairs are fashioned with the same artisan detail as other surroundings. The mismatched chairs give the space an eclectic feel.
Seating and Atmosphere
Padded booths also offer a cozy option, if you prefer extra comfort to views.
Seating and Rich Ceiling and Lighting Detail
Another Mickey and Round Booth Seating
And remember when I said to keep an eye out for Mickey sightings? 🙂
Hidden Mickey on a Table
Because the restaurant is decorated to resemble an East African spice market, you’ll find some interesting elements. I always stop to take in this [Read more…]
Join us in welcoming Claire Gregory as a DFB guest reviewer. She brings us to the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World.Let’s do lunch…
This signature restaurant celebrates the golden age of Hollywood. And since it’s inside a theme park, there’s no need to dress up!
Main Dining Room
Here are some pictures from my recent lunch at Hollywood Brown Derby.
First up: Butternut Squash Soup. Very nice!
Butternut Squash Soup
Then three words that make me smile — Venison Osso Bucco — and it was good as it sounds or even better.
Venison Osso Bucco
Followed by pick your own dessert.
Dessert Menu
You can pick whatever you want you, so my three choices were: [Read more…]
Time for a visit to a great little table service stop in the heart of all the magic — Tony’s Town Square in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!
This spot has it all — Disney history, beautiful themeing, and if you play your cards right, some of the best views in the entire resort!
But while I love the restaurant itself, the food hasn’t always been the main draw in the past.
We’re checking in today for lunch to see what’s new, and if my love affair with that the patio seating remains firmly intact!
Tony’s is located right on the Town Square (natch) of Magic Kingdom — as soon as you pass below the train station and enter Main Street USA. You can’t miss it.
Tony's Sign
Pass by the Town Square Theater where you can meet Mickey, and you’re there!
Tony's Entrance
Inside, you’ll check in at the hostess stand and await your table. While a walk up spot isn’t unheard of, it’s best to make an advance dining reservation here — especially if you’d like to take advantage of Tony’s biggest draw. We’ll get to that in a few minutes.
Tony's Check-In
The waiting area was given a bit of a refresh last year, when the Town Square Theater opened as the new spot for Mickey’s meet-and-greet.
The space retains its turn-of-the-century charm, but the finishes are newer. You’ll also get your first dose of the restaurant’s star characters and theme! The animated classic Lady and the Tramp plays continually on the flat screen television.
Tony's Waiting Area
Once your table is ready, you’ll be shown to one of three main seating areas. The restaurant is [Read more…]
is absolutely a “go-to” spot for me at Walt Disney World. It’s a great place to get away from it all and just take a breather in the middle of one of my favorite Disney resorts.
Located at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Jambo House, The Mara counter-service restaurant offers exotic eats inspired by the diverse flavors of the African continent, while also providing more traditional American fare for the less adventurous eaters in your crew.
And don’t even get me started on all of the special Disney food cult favorites that we’ll make a trip here just to snag!
But I just realized that for all of my visits to Mara, I didn’t actually have my own review of the spot up on the blog! Time to remedy that right away.
Located on the ground floor, The Mara is just a stone’s throw away from Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Uzima Springs Pool. It’s accessible through an outside entrance near the doors to Jambo House’s other restaurants, Boma and Jiko.
Outside Menu and Information Stand
The Mara is named for the Masai Mara National Reserve in North Tanzania, a game conservation area established in 1948.
The reserve serves as home to dozens of native animals and over 470 species of birds, making it an excellent place to observe the big game with which Africa is associated.
The Mara Story
The indoor seating area takes its themeing from the wetlands and grasslands of the Reserve, with colorful murals painted on the back walls, and a canopy of trees overhead. With the predominant background color of blue, the setting is soothing with plenty of natural light flooding in, which gives you the impression of a cool space.
Indoor Seating
There is also ample outdoor seating at tables that are shaded by umbrellas and plenty of foliage and trees.
Outdoor Seating
On your way over to the ordering area, you’ll find last minute pool gear and an assortment of bagged candy available for purchase. This is a great option near the pool since the gift shop, Zawadi Marketplace, is relatively far away if you forget your pool noodle or need some extra sunscreen!
Gifts and Gear
On the day we visited, we found the restaurant to be fairly uncrowded and quiet as we headed to the food area to make our selections. This is often the case with the Mara for me, but perhaps I’m just visiting during “off-hours.”
You’ll find The Mara open from 7 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. daily, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Mara Menu and Info -- Click to Enlarge
The menu features many [Read more…]
Today, we travel up the elegant stairway to the pinnacle of fine dining at Walt Disney World, Victoria & Albert’s at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
Join me for an unparalleled experience as I take you behind the opulence to the excitement and camaraderie of the Chef’s Table! And let me tell you… it’s AWESOME!!
Victoria and Albert’s is the crown jewel in Disney’s culinary offerings. And while it is certainly expensive (that might be an understatement), I aim to show you that for the true food lover, the Chef’s Table experience is worth every penny.
By the way, if you read through this review and decide the Chef’s Table is not for you, you can also dine in the Dining Room to the more intimate Queen Victoria Room.
Victoria and Albert's Plate
Reservations for Victoria and Albert’s go quickly. It is recommended that you book as close to 180 days out as possible. As for cost, the menu is prix fixe, meaning that you pay a set price for the meal. Expect your meal to begin at $135 per person for the Dining Room, with an additional charge of $65 for wine pairings. That price includes six courses. Queen Victoria’s Room and the Chef’s Table menus may include up to thirteen courses, and prices start at $210/person for dinner and $105 for wine pairings. Keep in mind that these prices do not reflect tax or gratuity, so be prepared.
While Queen Victoria’s Room offers the height of elegant dining, the Chef’s Table provides interested guests full access to the restaurant’s culinary team in a meal that is as much performance as it is sustenance.
Once you check in for your reservation at the Chef’s Table, you are escorted through the well appointed (and very quiet!) main dining room. You’ll notice low light, beautiful fresh flowers, and the strains of harp music. The whole effect is quite romantic and very formal. There is a strict dress code here, and men must wear jackets.
Victoria and Albert's Main Dining Room
The Dining Room consists of a mere fourteen tables, beautifully set with spotless crystal and china. Very chi chi.
Victoria and Albert's Seating
We followed the debonaire Maître d’hôtel, Israel Perez, through this space and into the brightly lit kitchen. At that time, we were informed that Chef de Cuisine Scott Hunnel would not be joining us because of a conflicting event. In his place, Sous Chef Aimée Rivera would guide us through our meal.
Maître d'hôtel Israel Perez and Chef Rivera
Both Mr. Perez and Chef Rivera were phenomenal, and it’s clear that their passion and driving force is the comfort and enjoyment of their guests. Chef Rivera invited us to interact at will with the kitchen staff, and suggested that we voice any and all questions that we might have (Mua ha ha ha!!! She didn’t know just how annoying I can be!).
An interesting fact: once you are seated, you can’t [Read more…]
Wolfgang Puck is the epitome of “celebrity chef.” Having successfully taken LA and several other USA cities by storm, he’s created a global empire (and worldwide name recognition) the likes of which have yet to be attained by any other chef that I know of.
Puck’s empire exists in Disney World’s Downtown Disney in the form of two counter-service restaurants, both named Wolfgang Puck Express; and two table-service restaurants — Wolfgang Puck Cafe and Dining Room.
On our visit, we headed to Wolfgang Puck Cafe — the less upscale and more boisterous of the two table-service restaurants — found in Downtown Disney’s West End.
Upon entering, you’ll know exactly what you’re in for. On any given evening, this restaurant is bustling. During busy dinner hours, it’s loud (due to the echoing-ly high ceilings and tile decor), colorful, and energetic.
Sushi Bar
The bright colors and geometric shapes of the decor here will remind 80’s kids of [Read more…]
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