food IS a theme park
We’ve been carefully watching all of the construction progress going on at the France pavilion in the new area that will house Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and France’s new crêpe restaurant.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Area in the France Pavilion
Recently, construction walls near this spot came down and today we finally got to walk into the space and we got a FIRST LOOK from the ground of the new crêpe restaurant!
Between La Chefs de France and Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie, we already LOVE eating at EPCOT’s France Pavilion!
Chefs de France Entrance
And we’ve been following the construction in the France Pavilion VERY closely, especially looking for news about La Crêperie de Paris, the new table and quick service crepe restaurant coming to EPCOT!
If you’re looking to make the most of your Disney Dining Plan snack credits, it can hard to figure out which treats are snack credit eligible before you actually get to Disney World!
Magic Kingdom
But lucky for you, you’ve got US! You see, we’re at the Disney parks every day, so we can point you in the right direction towards really making those snack credits COUNT and NOT wasting your money$$$$$$!
We are stopping into Amorette’s Patisserie today to see what’s new!
The high-end pastry shop has showcased classy pastries from the beginning. Combining classic flavors with new and creating some of the most beautiful sugary confections we’ve ever seen, Amorette’s has been an interesting addition to Disney Springs.
Why “interesting?” Well, the DFB team is split on whether or not we love this place. Some of us think it’s great; others aren’t impressed. While the eats are extraordinarily beautiful, I, personally, am not necessarily sure that they’re worth the extraordinarily high price tag.
But on a recent visit we simply had to try out the brand new — and gorgeous — Mickey mousse, introduced in honor of Mickey Mouse’s birthday, and the holiday Snowball.
When Mickey Mouse celebrated his most recent birthday, some pretty awesome treats debuted in Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
But this Petit Mickey Domed Cake at Amorette’s was a showstopper. Originally the cake was reported to feature Chocolate Chiffon Cake, Milk Chocolate Mousse, and Orange Blossom Pâte de Fruit.
Mini Mickey Dome Cake ©Disney
I was a bit afraid that the sweet little treat would disappear soon, since it was a special offering for Mickey’s special day. But the cast members told us that the cake is here to stay!
Pretty stinking excited about this. When we started to see signs that there would be brand new food kiosks coming to Disney Springs in the near future, we were all in! And now we have MENUS!
AristoCrepes “Coming Soon”
Today, we’re getting lots more details about the soon-to-open AristoCrepes, B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co., and the spot we just told you about this week — The Daily Poutine! Both The Daily Poutine and B.B. Wolfe’s will be opening on May 15, along with many other venues at Disney Springs. Expect to see Aristocrepes ready for business one week later on May 22.
Here are some of the menu details that we have so far! [Read more…]
The long-awaited moment has arrived…
So, in the (slightly paraphrased) words of Lumiere, “Now, we invite you to relax, let us pull up a chair, as Be Our Guest Restaurant proudly presents… your Breakfast!”
Since the day Be Our Guest Restaurant opened as part of New Fantasyland in November of 2012, it seems to have only picked up steam. To say that its initial offerings of a Table Service Dinner and Counter Service Lunch have been successful would be an enormous understatement. The popularity and demand for meals at Be Our Guest have led to a third offering for the day, which is the new meal and experience that we’re here to review now: Breakfast at Be Our Guest Restaurant!
UPDATE: Please note that as of June 2015, the original test phase of breakfast at Be Our Guest Restaurant has been extended and Advance Dining Reservations are available for breakfast through October 3, 2015.
Be Our Guest sign
Before we step inside, though, it’s worth exploring the outside grounds a bit, since that’s where you check in for your Advance Dining Reservation. But mostly, it’s just a neat hour to be in New Fantasyland and experience some of the quiet among the earliest breakfast arrivals.
Quiet New Fantasyland
With the Daylight Savings Time change being so recent, the sun had not been out long before my friends and I arrived for check in, so the natural light in the area was especially beautiful.
Beast’s Castle
Gargoyles in the morning
But it’s also the indoor themeing of this restaurant that makes it so special, so let’s step once more into the Beast’s Castle…
Entrance to Be Our Guest
We’ve taken one or two (or three) tours around Be Our Guest Restaurant before, but it’s undeniable that the exceptional theming has been the top draw for guests hoping to dine here. And since, as with lunch, you get to choose where you sit for breakfast, you’ll want to give each of the three rooms consideration before your visit.
I don’t know which of the rooms has been most in demand since Be Our Guest opened. I’m guessing that it might be the Ballroom, since it so perfectly captures the scene where Belle and Beast dance together in the film, and is complete with elegant seating, stunning chandeliers, and falling snow.
The Ballroom
Dancing Snow Outside of Be Our Guest Ballroom
Ballroom Tables
Chandelier
Many guests, though, are eager to dine in the West Wing: the place Belle was forbidden to go due to the presence of the Enchanted Rose.
The West Wing
Enchanted Rose
Aside from the magically falling rose petals, amazing special effects in this room include the sound of periodic thunderstorms, simultaneously revealing glimpses of the Beast in the portrait of the prince.
Portrait of the Prince
A Glimpse of the Beast
While the third room, the Rose Gallery, isn’t open for dinner, it IS open for both breakfast lunch. The highlight is the [Read more…]
Bonjour, Mes Amis!
We are heading to the City of Lights today for a luncheon at one of Epcot’s most iconic eateries, Les Chefs de France!
The bistro, located in the France Pavilion, has been a fixture of World Showcase since Epcot’s earliest days. It’s served thousands of meals to Epcot guests, and you’ll still find its tables full if you visit today.
Les Chefs de France has had the happy distinction for me of providing consistently decent food and friendly service — something that can’t always be said about Disney restaurants. Since I’ve had some truly fine meals here, I was ready to head back for lunch with AJ’s Mom and Dad (whom many of you know!).
The food has been good to great during every visit that I’ve made in recent years to Les Chefs de France — but that’s only part of the story. Because I would be in love with this restaurant based upon looks alone.
Menu and Place Setting
That’s because I personally think that Les Chefs de France represents some excellent restaurant themeing. If it weren’t for the kid in Mickey ears at the next table, it’s very possible that you’d forget you’re actually in Florida.
We visited during the day, but I just couldn’t help but show you this gorgeous view of Les Chefs de France at night.
Front of Les Chefs de France at Night -- My Favorite View!
It reminds me so much of my first trip to Paris that I wanted to share it with you.
And that’s the beauty of this restaurant. If you’ve had the pleasure of a trip to Paris, you will probably have eaten in (or at least seen) a spot that looks Just. Like. This.
Inside Les Chefs de France
Photos of the original “Les Chefs de France” team — Paul Bocuse, Gaston Lenotre, and Roger Vergé — line the walls. These days, Chef Bocuse’s son, Jerome Bocuse, runs the France Pavilion restaurant empire. (Check out the photo of Chef Bocuse on opening day in front of Les Chefs de France that hangs upstairs in Monsieur Paul. You can see it in our review here.)
Decor Featuring Photos of the Founding Chefs
The color palette in Les Chefs de France tends toward [Read more…]
Bonjour, Mes Amis! We’ve got a new review of Chefs de France in Epcot’s France Pavilion coming up for you soon; and to whet your appetite we’re taking a look at some of our favorite finds in the pavilion through the lenses of our savvy readers who post on our Flickr page, the Disney Food Photo Extravaganza!
Can you walk through Epcot’s France Pavilion without sampling one (or both!) of those delicious grown up slushes? We can’t either! Is your favorite the Grand Marnier Orange, captured below by DFB reader Mandy Jansen? Or do you prefer the Grey Goose Lemon variety? Both are winners in my book!
Photographer: Mandy Jansen
Grand Marnier Slush
I absolutely love a good profiterole, don’t you? And this picture perfectly captures this rich, wonderful dessert that’s served at Les Chefs de France. Vive la France — and that chocolate sauce! Yum!
Photographer: Jenelope 1st
Profiteroles from Les Chefs de France
When you’re strolling the streets of Paris, you simply must stop at one of the city’s many stands and get yourself a fresh, made-to-order crepe. Fortunately, Disney has their very own crepe stand, serving up [Read more…]
We recently shared some of our favorite Disney food kiosks, and this was definitely one of the contenders! There is so much culinary awesomeness these days in Epcot’s France Pavilion.
There are, of course, the table service restaurants — the bistro-esque Chefs de France and the more upscale Monsieur Paul. And no trip through this part of World Showcase is complete without at least one stop by Les Halles, the new boulangerie patisserie in the back of the pavilion.
And now that the long-awaited L’Artisan des Glaces is open in the former bakery space, the offerings are pretty robust. You can find something for every meal of the day here!
But, if you can believe it, there are even more fun food finds awaiting you along the main thoroughfare within the dark green kiosks of France.
Here, you can get grown up slushies, Champagne, and one of my favorite French street foods, Crêpes!
The très thin, tender, pancake-like creations are available here in some traditional flavors. But there are also some fun and super indulgent twists, like crêpes and ice cream.
That’s the treat we were after today…
The Creperie -- Crepe Stand in Epcot's France Pavilion
If you need a beverage, you’ll also find some espresso drinks here as well as, well, beer. Because everyone knows what a perfect pairing crêpes and beer are. 🙂
Menu -- Click to Enlarge
One of the best part of this little kiosk is that you get a show while you wait! Inside the stand, you can see the crêpe griddle, where the thin batter is ladled and worked to form the basis for your treat. A container of Strawberry Preserves stands at the ready for saucing.
Crêpe Griddle with Batter and Strawberry Preserves
A while back, we made a stop here and just happened to capture the complete crêpe-making process from start to finish.
With very little arranging, I ended up with this cute crêpe flip book of photos! Behold, the making of both [Read more…]
As always, we want to make sure all of us are getting the best value with our Disney Dining Plan snack credits!
For those who are unfamiliar with the Disney Dining Plan, it’s a way for guests to pre-pay for their dining when visiting Disney World. “Snack credits” are used by guest to purchase items like popcorn, candy, ice cream, and other low-cost treats.
I’ll list my top six choices, then you tell me your experiences. Let’s work together on finding the best snack credit deals!
Note that snack credits are usually accepted for items that are a single serving, and cost $4.50 or less (though some cost as much as $4.99 out of pocket).
A Disney Food Blog staff and reader favorite — bakeries! Not only can you use your snack credit for some incredible treats, but you can also get a pastry for your morning meal. Hey, it’s vacation!
Don’t forget to check out our Disney World Bakery Throw Down to see some of the very best spots to spend those credits.
Disney World Cinnamon Roll at Main Street Bakery
Consider some of these options at bakeries around Disney World: cinnamon rolls, butterfinger cupcakes, caramel cupcakes, white chocolate elephant cupcake, crepes, school bread…and so much more!
These are all great deals for one single snack credit.
Recently, I’ve been overwhelmed with what kinds of sundaes you can get for a snack credit in Disney World! Easily costing $4.50 or more out of pocket, these sundaes are awesome deals!
Stop by Storybook Treats in the Magic Kingdom to snag a Cookie Fudge Sundae that you can easily split between two! Other options at Storybook Treats include a Brownie Sundae and a yummy Strawberry Shortcake Sundae!
Hot Fudge and Caramel Cookie Sundae at Storybook Treats
Another ice creamy treat that’s not-to-be-missed is the homemade ice cream cookie sandwich. You can get these at all four parks, and while the snack credit payment option [Read more…]
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