Tag Archives: Dining

Feb 23 2017

New Restaurants To Try At Walt Disney World In 2017

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If you’re a “foodie” heading to Walt Disney World this year, you have plenty to get excited about. With several new restaurants at the resort, there is something that everyone is sure to enjoy. Here’s everything you need to know about the newest dining options courtesy of Disney:

From a stellar line-up of celebrity chefs at Disney Springs to trend-setting creations from Disney’s new global test kitchen, the Walt Disney World culinary team exceeds expectations of food-savvy guests. Here’s the buzz for 2017:

Disney Springs Celebrity Eats, Fast Bites

D- Luxe Burger 1The biggest news was the proliferation of new places to eat at Disney Springs, from grab-and-go food trucks and kiosks to restaurants by award-winning chefs. Fast- casual spots included Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza and D-Luxe Burger. Three James Beard Foundation winners joined the line-up: Chef Art Smith a Homecomin’—Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine; Chef Rick Bayless at Frontera Cocina, and Masaharu Morimoto at Morimoto Asia. Superstar steakhouse STK also opened an outpost at Disney Springs.

Now open is Planet Hollywood Observatory, a re-imagined restaurant with the new Stargazers Lounge that lets guest relax under the stars with live entertainment. Recently reopened is Paddlefish, formerly Fulton’s Crab House, featuring contemporary, seafood-centric cuisine, craft cocktails and an all-new interior. Later in 2017, look for Bar George wine bar, the Polite Pig with craft brews, and more.

Next Generation of Sweets

Ganachery 1The Ganachery at Disney Springs showcases the beauty of chocolate, with Disney’s proprietary recipe for the custom-made ganache, a luxurious mixture of melted chocolate and cream. Amorette’s Patisserie features classic and contemporary pastries by the Disney chefs, with custom cakes that are works of art. And Sprinkles serves up handcrafted cupcakes, slow churned ice cream and homemade cookies. (Their innovative Cupcake ATM satisfies sweet-toothed epicureans 24/7.)

In the Disney Resorts

Disney’s famed monorail is your connection in a movable feast called Highway in the Sky Dine-Around. The new experience gives guests priority boarding on the monorail for a distinctly Disney dining experience with stops for cocktails, appetizers, dinner and dessert. From a welcome cocktail at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, guests call at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (apps), Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (entree) and back to the Contemporary for dessert, cordials and coffee. Offered Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

CA Grill Brunch 3For those who brunch: For those who like a leisurely Sunday morning, Disney offers two brunches. The Brunch at the Top at California Grill atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort features both a buffet (with an extraordinary Bloody Mary bar) and table service, plus a remarkable view from the 15th floor. Narcoossee’s Waterfront Brunch at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a three-course delight with Mimosas, Champagne or Bloody Marys. For reservations, call 407-WDW-DINE.

New lounge for small bites, original cocktails: At Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is a favorite of Disney fans, with more than 1,200 pieces of memorabilia. Hand-crafted cocktails and small plates are a hit with guests.

Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort reopened in September 2016 with a whole new look and new menu. Sustainable fish is the star of the menu, and a new high-tech wine system allows more special wines by the ounce.

New in the theme parks

Tiffins 9Global cuisine at two new restaurants: At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tiffins features cuisine from places that inspired the creation of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Open for both lunch and dinner, Tiffins has waterfront views and is situated at the entrance to Pandora: The World of AVATAR, opening in 2017. (“Tiffin” is an Indian English word for a midday meal or a type of container used to carry food while traveling). Adjacent to Tiffins, Nomad Lounge features hand-crafted cocktails with African, Asian and South American flavors; beers, and sustainable wines from those regions, plus specialty non-alcoholic beverages and small bites.

The Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen in the Magic Kingdom is the first restaurant inspired by a classic attraction. Just steps from the legendary Jungle Cruise attraction in Adventureland, the 222-seat restaurant features bold, flavorful tastes of Asia, South America and Africa for lunch and dinner.

Great Food Among the Flowers and More of The Best Food Fest

EEpcot Flower & Garden Festivalpcot is becoming a park of festivals, including the debut in 2017 of the new Epcot International Festival of the Arts (weekends through February 20); the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 1-May 29, and the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival that kicks off August 31 and runs through November 13. All three festivals showcase culinary tastes in kiosks around World Showcase Promenade, along with special events.

What Disney does best: Allergy-friendly menus are found in more than 120 quick-service and table-service locations at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, along with more ways to make the special-diet-request process easier. Guests are still able to consult directly with a restaurant chef or special diets trained cast member. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is the recipient of a FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) Award for dedication to providing a safe and enjoyable dining experience for vacationing families and Disney chefs have been recognized for their commitment to food allergy awareness, education and management.

Where it all starts: Ever wonder how a new dish makes it on the menu? Or how a cocktail comes to life? The Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Flavor Lab brings the chefs, front-of-house managers, sommeliers, mixologists and more together in a state-of-the-art research and development facility. The new 7,000-square foot Flavor Lab serves as a hub of new product, packaging and equipment innovation for food and beverage programs across Walt Disney Parks and Resorts around the globe. While not open to the public, Disney guests will be the ultimate benefactor of all the testing, measuring and collaborations that will happen in the expansive new space.

Best of the Best: Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa took home the AAA Five Diamond award for the 16th consecutive year in 2016. It also was voted the No. 2 restaurant in the United States in TripAdvisor’s 2016 Travelers’ Choice awards. The restaurant wows guests every night of the year with three dining experiences: the dining room, the elegant Queen Victoria’s Room and the Chef’s Table in the Kitchen.

Reservations are accepted at most Walt Disney World table-service restaurants, signature restaurants, character dining locations and dinner shows, and may be made up to 180 days prior to arrival by making them on the My Disney Experience app, DisneyWorld.com/dine or by calling 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Which restaurant are you most looking forward to trying?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Feb 10 2017

Paddlefish Now Open In Disney Springs

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Calling all seafood lovers! The long awaited transformation is complete and now the former iconic restaurant, Fulton’s Crab House, has reopened as Paddlefish at Disney Springs. Here’s everything you need to know:

Levy Restaurants is excited to announce the grand opening of Paddlefish, its newest dining experience at Disney Springs. The seafood-centric restaurant, formerly known as Fulton’s Crab House, has undergone an extensive, multimillion-dollar transformation which involved a full renovation with a brand new design (interior and exterior) that has transformed the vessel into a modern yacht experience.

paddlefish-9The aesthetic of Paddlefish was inspired by a modern, seafaring yacht with its clean lines, crisp designs, refined woods and a sophisticated color palette of blues and grays. Purposeful elements are showcased in the dining areas such as booths that are put into spaces with great views and a bar that overlooks the paddlewheel. Unique design features include opening up all of the windows for an open-air feel and bar areas decorated with brass accents that resemble fish gills.

“We’re excited to embark upon Paddlefish’s next voyage, and can’t wait for guests to share this new experience with us,” said Andy Lansing, President and CEO of Levy Restaurants. “As Disney Springs evolves and grows, we’re looking forward to sharing this newly reimagined restaurant with both vacationers and Florida locals.”

Paddlefish’s menu showcases fresh seafood including Maine lobster, King and Snow crabs and a selection of fresh fish including sea bass, catfish and salmon. Fan favorites and classic dishes from Fulton’s Crab House, such as Lobster Corn Dogs and Crab Legs, are still offered on the menu alongside new, contemporary options such as Lobster Risotto and Jambalaya. The menu also features interactive dining experiences including tableside services like Lobster Guacamole and Branzino for Two carved right at your table.

“It’s been incredible to have this opportunity to not only completely redevelop the menu, but also the kitchen design to accommodate it,” said Executive Chef Mark Boor. “I’ve put my heart and soul into creating a well-balanced menu that will have something that appeals to every palate and I’m excited to finally welcome guests onboard and see that hard work and vision come to life.”

Paddlefish also showcases unique beverage offerings. The cocktail menu was inspired by classic, turn-of-the-century American cocktails and gives them a unique, modern spin with fresh ingredients and spirits that are house made by small craft artisan distillers. “We’ve really dug deep into finding some truly rare and amazing wines and spirits along with our favorite, familiar classics,” said General Manager, Jimmy Kraus. “Our goal was to have cocktails that feel timeless, unique and balanced.”

Paddlefish is open for lunch and dinner in addition to offering a Sunday brunch. Guests have the opportunity to enjoy three unique dining room experiences on the ship, which can seat a total 760 guests. Guests can enjoy their meal in the main dining room, in the “Boil Room” where guests can create their own seafood boils or on the rooftop deck where guests can sip on shared punch bowls and snack on shared plates while soaking in the sun and views of Lake Buena Vista and Disney Springs. Paddlefish also offers versatile private dining rooms and event spaces to accommodate celebrations or meetings from 20 to 1,000 guests.  

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you excited to try the newly reimagined Paddlefish?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Jan 31 2017

Vivoli il Gelato Celebrates National Hot Chocolate Day In Disney Springs

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Happy National Hot Chocolate Day!

January 31 is National Hot Chocolate Day and Vivoli il Gelato is grabbing the steaming cup with both hands and giving a complimentary hot chocolate to guests with any in-store purchase (limit of one per person).  At Vivoli il Gelato, guests can enjoy the authentic taste of Florence with original gelato recipes dating back to the 1930’s. Overseen by third-generation gelato maker, Silvana Vivoli, this team of expert gelato-makers create Italian masterpieces with fresh ingredients just like they did at her grandfather, Raffaello’s, shop in Italy. Indulge in a variety of unique flavors of signature gelato, milkshakes, affogato, sorbet and more, all within the newly reimagined Disney Springs.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you visited Vivoli il Gelato yet?
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Dec 21 2016

Sneak Peek At Epcot International Festival of Arts 2017 Culinary Treats

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If you’re heading to Walt Disney World this winter, you’re one of the lucky travelers that will have the opportunity to experience a fantastic new event debuting soon – the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. This one-of-a-kind celebration of the arts will combine performing, visual, and culinary arts from around the world. Held Fridays through Mondays January 13 through February 20, 2017, each weekend will feature unique artwork and performances.

And of course, any great festival wouldn’t be complete without some tasty treats! No worries, there will be Food Studios scattered throughout World Showcase featuring culinary treats that are works of art in their own right. Disney Chefs will be on hand at many of the Studios plating these masterpieces for guests to watch the magic come to life.

Here’s a sneak peek of some of the culinary creations being offered!

The festival is included with Epcot admission, but be sure to bring your appetite and money to try some of these delicious delights!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will you be attending the Epcot International Festival Of The Arts?
What are you most excited about? Please leave a comment!

Dec 14 2016

PizzeRizzo In Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Hey pizza lovers and Muppets fans alike, listen up, do I have some good news for you! PizzeRizzo, operated by your favorite Muppets rat and mine, Rizzo, is now open in Disney’s Hollywood Studios just in time for the busy holiday season. Here’s everything you need to know courtesy of Disney:

There’s a new neighborhood pizza joint at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, PizzeRizzo, run by and themed after the lovable Rizzo the Rat from the Muppets.

Located in the Muppets Courtyard area of the park, PizzeRizzo is a quick service dining restaurant with a classic, family pizzeria ambiance. Inside the two story eatery guests will find decor inspired by Rizzo, as well as his extended family and friends who have visited PizzeRizzo over the years. On the second floor, also known as Rizzo’s Deluxe Supreme Banquet Hall, the theme is a lively wedding reception complete with a disco ball and a fun party playlist.

Entrees are served with a side Caesar salad, and include personal-sized pizza pies, or a meatball sub. There’s also an antipasto salad option, as well as specialty drink options that include a non-alcoholic Peach Bellini and wildberry-basil lemonade limoncello, in addition to beer and wine for adults.

For dessert, guests can indulge in traditional Italian sweets such as cannoli and tiramisu.

Some Disney Dining Plans are accepted at PizzeRizzo. Entrees start at about $10, kids meals at about $6, and desserts at about $5. For the complete menu, please click here.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you dined at PizzeRizzo in Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!