We are always down for a trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Not only do you get spectacular views of the savanna, but it is also home to some of our favorite restaurants!Â
food IS a theme park
We are always down for a trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Not only do you get spectacular views of the savanna, but it is also home to some of our favorite restaurants!Â
Welcome to Sanaa Lounge, a cozy spot just inside the entrance to the Table Service restaurant Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village!
You might have seen Sanaa Lounge before, either on your way into Sanaa or on one of our reviews — like this one of Jiko’s Bain’s Barrel-Aged African Whiskey! But we’re going in to do a full review of JUST the Lounge and see what eats and drinks we can find there! Let’s get going!
By AJ 20 Comments
There are some fantastic new things to enjoy around Walt Disney World — and especially at Animal Kingdom. But that doesn’t mean we’re going to forget our favorites! So today, we’re heading back to Tusker House.
The buffet restaurant has been around for quite some time now, but I’ve continued to think of it as a hidden gem. Not only does it offer a character dining experience — and now, you can dine with your Disney friends for breakfast, lunch, and dinner — but the menu is also more interesting than most that you’ll find in Disney buffets.
The last time I visited, it was to enjoy that sort of between-breakfast-and-lunch period. (It’s not technically called brunch, but that’s sorta kinda what it is.) This time, we’re taking in an evening meal to see if everything is still as awesome as it always has been.
You’ll find Tusker House in the village of Harambe. Just head back like you’re going to Kililmanjaro Safaris, and you’ll see it on your left.
The themeing here is superb, as it is with every other part of Animal Kingdom. The restaurant itself is fashioned as the Safari Orientation Centre, with rooms tumbling into one another. [Read more…]
By AJ 19 Comments
I’m so excited that the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for August 31-November 13, when we celebrate 75 incredible days of food, wine, and more!
The festival begins earlier than ever before this year, so we’re busy preparing and planning to make the most of our time there. And I suggest you do the same!
While taking in Low Cost Seminars and Demonstrations or splurging on a Special Event or two is super fun, my favorite festival pastime is still strolling along the World Showcase Promenade and taking in both new and familiar eats and drinks at the festival Marketplace Booths.
While we await news of just exactly what that means, and to see what if any new booths are announced, today we’re sharing the five booths you absolutely cannot miss at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival this year!
There’s always something fun and new to look forward to each year. And this year will be no exception. Disney promises 35 booths to celebrate 35 years of Epcot awesomeness. So far, we’re getting a look at two newly returning booths that promise to offer some delicious and exotic fare.
, last seen on the World Showcase Promenade in 2010, returns to the festival this year. Since Spain has a rich culture of beautifully prepared regional foods, we look forward to seeing this menu!
So far, we’ve confirmed a new Spain menu item, Charcuterie in a Cone. What a cool way to have your snack and stroll with it too. 😀 I’m pretty sure this plus a glass of Spanish wine will be very nice on a festival evening.
In addition, there’s a very real chance that we’ll see variations on dishes that have been featured here before. Look for possibilities such as Seared Albacore Tuna with Romesco Sauce, Snapper Escabeche, Spanish Almond Cake, or Crema Catalana, along with some interesting Spanish wines and beer.
If you’re headed to Disneyland, grab one of the new treats now available at Jolly Holiday Bakery. Love the Raspberry Rose Mickey Macaron!
Fans of Sanaa’s Bread Service at the Animal Kingdom Lodge should check out the Namaste Cafe Food Truck in Downtown Disney Orlando. Yum!
Click below for all the details on this week’s Disney Food News!
Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including restaurant closures, Kona Island Sushi/Coffee Bar Closure at the Polynesian Resort, Limited Edition Sketch for Disneyland Annual Passholders, and more!
If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!
We’re always amazed by the creations that our readers send in. Let’s take a look at two fabulous homemade cakes. First up, fantastic treats from Facebook Friend Lori. She shared: “Here’s the dessert table from my daughters 2nd birthday party this weekend. It was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme, and I made everything. The whole cake is edible. I made the Mickey rice crispy treats using homemade marshmallow, homemade cake pops from the cake crumbs after carving the cake, and egg free mickey cupcakes for a little boy with egg allergies!”
And here is a Wall-E Masterpiece from Facebook Friend Shonnel. Wow!
Thanks for sharing your birthday celebrations!
Last week, we announced the grand launch of the DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival e-Book! With over 220 pages and multiple bonus items, it’s pretty substantial!
As we continue our celebration, we have a discount option for DFB readers. You can get the new mini-guide for $3 off the regular price for a limited time — just use code MENUS at the check-out!
The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book
features all the info you need to know before you attend the Food and Wine Festival this year, from what’s NEW this year to touring strategies — and a new section with top tips on how to use MyMagic+ at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
And with the Epcot Food & Wine festival rapidly approaching, the time is now! Booking for festival events opened July 31st, and our exclusive daily schedule of events is the most efficient way to plan your festival strategy. (Did you purchase a pre-order of the DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival and not receive your book? Let us know at [email protected]!)
With a detailed schedule of seminars and events for every single day of the festival, it’s a quick, easy way to decide what activities and events you want to book! Don’t waste time flipping between web pages, PDFs, and websites — just find the date you need and we’ve got it all right there in front of you. Just like that!
As always, we’ve made this guide instantly downloadable for your convenience, and easily installed on your mobile devices. It’s a PDF guide with [Read more…]
By Wendy 8 Comments
When the Namaste Café Food Truck made its debut in Downtown Disney’s West Side last November, we happily sampled the Butter Chicken (BUTTER CHICKEN!!!!!!!!!!), a favorite dish of ours from Sanaa.
The dishes at Namaste Café were chosen to reflect some of the best cuisine to be found in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge, and I remember thinking, “Cool… now, if only we could get a little of Sanaa’s fabulous bread service, we’d be set.”
But I didn’t really think it would happen. I just didn’t think the setting was conducive to it.
Well, apparently I was wrong, because IT HAS ARRIVED… kind of! Introducing, the Namaste Café Samosas and Naan Dipping Safari!!
Now, we’re talkin’!!!
Before we “dip in,” I should let you know where I found Namaste Café, because the Food Trucks are still moving all around Downtown Disney as they await their ultimate destination in the upcoming Food Truck Park. On this most recent visit, I found it right outside of the World of Disney Store in the Marketplace.
A few [Read more…]
By AJ 24 Comments
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is my favorite park in Disney World when I’m in it. The theming is incredible. I could wander around just looking at things there for days! But the other thing that keeps me coming back to Animal Kingdom again are some seriously awesome restaurants. This place has it all!
Let’s take a look at some of our favorites — and what sets them each apart from the crowd.
If you haven’t booked a meal at Tusker House, then you’re missing out.
This sprawling restaurant sits on the main thoroughfare in Harambe Village within the Africa section of the park. And with some of the best immersive theming anywhere at Disney World, it’s hard to take in all of the intricate details and Imagineering here with just one meal.
But it’s not just the surroundings that are interesting. Tusker House has some incredible food as well. Inspired by the flavors of Africa, you’re in for a treat whether you’re dining for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
We especially love the Spit-Roasted Meats. And taking advantage of the all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet may save you on other meals during the day.
Oh, and did we mention that one of your fellow Tusker House visitors is MICKEY MOUSE?!?
That’s right! Tusker House offers Character Dining to Animal Kingdom guests, and Mickey and friends (Donald Duck among them) are dressed to go on a Kilimanjaro Safari with you!
Just before the bridge into Pandora — The World of AVATAR, there is an oasis by the name of Nomad Lounge.
Love of travel is the theme for this beautiful bar, inspired by the adventures of the Disney Imagineers who designed the park itself.
Indoor and outdoor seating are both plentiful and beautiful.
While the small bites menu doesn’t blow us away, the drinks — both cocktails and mocktails — are creative, unique, and refreshing, and unlike offerings you’ll find elsewhere in Disney World.
We love the Hightower Rocks — a watermelon twist on your typical margarita!
Make sure your inner traveler plans a visit to Nomad Lounge!
Looking for something exotic with an Asian twist? Then check out Yak and Yeti Restaurant. You can’t miss the big purple building in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom!
Themed as a grand home that’s been converted to a hotel, guests to the town of Anandapur are guaranteed to find
By AJ 22 Comments
We were excited to tell you about the brand new Gardens kiosk at Disney’s Animal Kingdom last week, which caters to guests with allergies and special dietary concerns. The new information station debuted over the weekend — and today, we have photos for you!
But in addition to the Gardens, guests who prefer a vegetarian menu will find some great new vegetarian options in the park, too. We’ve reviewed two new options today for you!
The Gardens kiosk opened for business on Sunday, and it looks like a real winner. It’s another great step in Disney’s commitment to being a great destination for guests special dietary needs or restrictions.
The hub, located centrally on Discovery Island near Flame Tree Barbecue and the entrance to It’s Tough to Be a Bug, serves to educate guests about the top eight food allergens.
Cast members are available to advise guests with food allergies on the best places within Animal Kingdom to eat.
But it’s more than just a great place for advice. Guests can stop by the handy booth for [Read more…]