Disney Dining

Four Seasons Orlando Elevates Pool-Side Dining at PB&G

31 July 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

On our recent sneak peek at the dining options at the Four Seasons Orlando, one of my favorite spots was PB&G, which stands for Pool Bar & Grill. Normally, I think of a pool-side restaurant as a sort of last resort for dining, but this is definitely not the case at the Four Seasons. Much like everything else at a Four Seasons resort, this is done right – you will not find an overcooked burger and fries here, this is fine dining with a southern smokehouse twist.

We sampled the Rotisserie Chicken, served on potato salad with dill, Beef brisket with sauerkraut coleslaw on rye , and Oysters “roc”a fella with spinach puree, smoked aioli, bacon breadcrumbs, as well as the deviled eggs with caviar. These are all things I would probably never have ordered on my own, but I always like to try things when offered like this so I can share them with you (like the seared tuna at Ravello!) and I was surprised at how much I loved everything.

The rotisserie chicken was fork tender and really easy to eat and the potato salad was a great texture and flavor, and wins points for the brown bag presentation. So adorable. The beef brisket was a little more challenging to eat, but no less delicious and a great combo of flavors. The oyster was fried (I probably would not have been daring enough to eat it raw) and tasted great. Coming from New England, I’m used to fried oysters and clams and this reminded me of that, but with a very light, unique breading. The deviled eggs were also fun, and the caviar on top was a great way to make a traditional bbq item more elevated. Families will be happy to know they have great kids options as well, from chicken fingers to bbq, served in a fun kids meal box with activity menu.

PB&G also has a full bar with beers on tap and a signature Absolut Thyme – iced tea with Absolut Peach and a sprig of fresh thyme. Refreshing for a hot Florida summer day, but also dangerously delicious! All seating in PB&G overlooks the lake adjacent to the adult Oasis pool and the family water park area. The hours are from 11am – 6pm presently, as the pool lighting as not been installed as of yet. Reservations are recommended here as well, as I’m sure it will be a very popular choice among guests. If I were staying at the Four Seasons, this would be a must-do for dining.

See more PB&G photos in this gallery (click to enlarge to slideshow):

Downtown Disney Marketplace Starbucks Opens-West Side to Follow

19 May 2014 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Today marked one of the first completed changes to the Downtown Disney Marketplace area, soon to be renamed Disney Springs, with this area being called The Landing. The Starbucks kiosk nested between the doors outside of World of Disney opened for business today. Cherry Tree Lane and Centerpiece are set to open inside the Marketplace Co-Op shops on June 6 and the more grand, flagship Starbucks store will open on the West Side on May 30.

Below are some photos of the newest Starbucks location on property. Unlike the Starbucks within the theme parks, this is a completely independent location and does not feature Disney decorated cups or any Disney bakery items. No annual pass or cast discounts available on drinks, but cast members are supposed to be able to get merchandise discounts. Stars may be earned using your registered Starbucks cards as well as redeemed, which is nice since the parks locations are unable to redeem rewards. Prices seem to be a bit steep compared to non-tourist location local Starbucks, but I guess that’s to be expected. Personally, I’m excited to have another “local” Starbucks to choose from, even if parking for this one may be a bit dicey for a while! (Click to enlarge photos – slideshow best viewed on a desktop)

The opening crew of baristas, ready to craft your beverage!

I’m sensing a lot of these shots will be appearing on Instagram soon!

The West Side Starbucks location will be a flagship design, similar to the one recently opened in the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort. That location is gorgeous, so I’m even more excited to see ours open on May 30. The West Side Starbucks will feature 150 seats, which includes indoor and outdoor seating, It will be open from 9am to midnight, which is also a Godsend when you need a coffee late at night – that’s not just me, right?! This location will feature the regular Starbucks menu items both food and beverages, as well as the second and third Clover machines in the area (a Winter Park location has one). The Clover machine coffee will feature a separate register and ordering area.

Currently, 40 Starbucks locations within the US are serving alcohol, and while the West Side store will not open with this option, they are going to begin testing this service in Orlando. If they do start serving beer and wine here, it will be after 4pm.

Downtown Disney West Side Starbucks — West Side Starbucks construction

What do you think? I’m always excited for a new Starbucks, but the West Side location makes me very happy. Part of the fun of Starbucks is being able to relax and enjoy your drink, usually with a view, and maybe even get some work done too. I look forward to having a mobile office location there soon.

Rock Your Disney Side Heroes and Villains 24 Hour Party Details

16 May 2014 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

For the third year in a row, Disney Parks in the US are doing a 24-hour Disney day. Starting with Leap Day back in 2012, we all enjoyed “One More Disney Day” followed in 2013 by the Monstrous Summer Memorial Day 24 Hour Party. This year, we will all Rock Your Disney Side with the Heroes and Villains 24 Hour Party. Guests are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Disney hero or villain and enjoy 24 continuous hours in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom or the Disneyland Resort parks. The party will feature lots of Hero and Villain photo ops, entertainment and specialty food items as the parks stay open from 6am May 23 – 6am May24. Here’s a rundown of what to see, where to eat and what to do at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom:

Let’s start with the food! There are quite a few must-try options available only for the event, hopefully there are no cupcake overdoses! (All food photos ©Disney)

Rock Your Disney Side Cupcake – at the Main Street Confectionery, Big Top Souvenirs, or Prairie Outpost & Supply
Maleficent Cupcake, Frozen-themed Cupcake, & Olaf Carrot Cupcake – at the Main Street Bakery

Princess-themed Cupcakes – will be found at Gaston’s Tavern
Poisoned Apple Waffle Sundae – Sleepy Hollow

Poisoned Apple Shortcake Sundae – Storybook Treats

Olaf Sipper Cup with Specialty Beverage – found at Friar’s Nook and The Lunching Pad
Heroes and Villains-themed Cotton Candy – various locations at Outdoor Food carts

Mickey’s Kitchen Sink Sundae – at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (but I believe this is available normally now)

If 6am is too early to Rock Your Sweet Tooth, many dining locations will be offering a breakfast option on the morning of the 23rd or 24th depending on location. One of my favorite moments of last year’s event was having beignets at 5am in front of Cinderella Castle. Hoping for something to top that this year! For organization purposes, I put together a handy dandy table of what’s available:

Location Name:	Friday 5/23	Saturday 5/24	Hot Breakfast Served:
Main Street Bakery	yes	yes	breakfast sandwiches
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor	no	yes
Casey’s Corner	yes	yes	breakfast sandwich
Auntie Gravity’s	yes	no
The Lunching Pad	yes	yes	breakfast hot dog
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe	no	yes	breakfast sandwich
Cheshire Cafe	yes	no
Storybook Treats	no	yes
Friar’s Nook	no	yes
Pinocchio Village Haus	no	yes	breakfast flatbread pizza
Gaston’s Tavern	yes	yes
Liberty Square Market	yes	no
Sleepy Hollow	yes	yes	breakfast waffle sandwich
Columbia Harbor House	yes	yes	French toast sticks & bacon
Westward Ho	yes	yes
Pecos Bill’s	no	yes	breakfast sandwich
Sunshine Tree Terrace	yes	no
Aloha Isle	no	yes

As more information becomes available on other dining locations or times, I’ll of course update this post.

Entertainment options will offer a little something for everyone to enjoy:

Special Character Greetings will take place both Friday and Saturday – Disney heroes and villains will be making appearances around the park, check the Times Guide for more information.
Special Photo Opportunities both Friday and Saturday will be held at the Rose Garden and Rocket Tower Plaza.
Disney’s Up All Night Dance Party and Frontierland Dance Party will rock the night away starting at 2am and ending at 5:15am in Frontierland and 5:45am by Cinderella Castle.
Incredibles Super Movie Night will take place after the #IncrediblesSuperDanceParty! and show a screening of The Incredibles from 11pm – 5am.
It’s Good to Be Bad Villainous Celebration is a special night time parade with Disney villains taking place before the Main Street Electrical Parade at 10:45pm on Friday and 12:45am Saturday, along the usual parade route.
Kiss Goodnight – to culminate the 24 hour party, this farewell will happen at 5:50am Saturday morning at the Town Square Train Station.

Merchandise – in addition to all the food items above, a special Rock Your Disney Heroes and Villains Glow in the Dark T-Shirt and other Rock Your Disney Side items will be available at the Emporium.

Transportation to the parks from Disney resorts will begin 45 minutes prior to park opening and the monorail will end operations between the TTC and Epcot at 11pm.

Will you be rocking your Disney Side for 24 full hours? I know many think we must be crazy to stay in a park for that long, but the reason I love it is because it is the perfect way to experience the park as I want to; enjoying the scenery, landscaping and gardens, the quiet little nooks where you can just people watch and relax. I’d be happy not going on a single attraction, although I must admit, riding the Peoplemover in the wee hours of the morning is a must do. Hopefully we can get some rides in on the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train too if there are soft openings happening. The fact that Starbucks is there now is perfect too. If you do go, take some time to enjoy the aspects of the park that you would never normally see – sunrise over the Castle is a must. What are you most looking forward to experiencing? Let me know in the comments below!

Amazing Disney Bento Boxes – Art You Can Eat!

18 April 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

OMGiri Disney Bento — Orange Bird Bento!!

I certainly don’t have to tell any of you that the internet is an amazing place. Sometimes you stumble across something that just makes you happy and amazed and inspired all at once. Recently, someone added me on Instagram and their little avatar stood out to me so I clicked on their profile. Adorableness ensued and I knew I had to share their creations with you!

OMGiri (a play on onigiri or Japanese rice balls) aka Mike has made some edible works of art that some may say look TOO good to eat. I have always been fascinated by this art, but my creative ways do not extend to food art, so I just watched in wonder as I saw bento box art gain popularity over the years. Seeing this combination of Disney characters and bento boxes, seemed like the perfect mix.

Mike was kind enough to share photos of his work here today, and also the interesting story of how he got started making Disney character bento boxes and some background on the art itself. I thought it was best to let Mike speak in his own words:

My interest in food art in general took root after a trip to Tokyo Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland. I was amazed by the adorable and creative food both resorts served. It was springtime and Tokyo Disney had sandwiches shaped like Donald Duck’s feet, melon buns shaped like Mike Wazowski, and sweet mochi chicks in Mickey egg cups. At Hong Kong Disneyland we ate at the Crystal Lotus, which is home to the most amazing character-shaped dining experience. They offer dim sum shaped like characters, including the Three Little Pigs, Chicken Little, Duffy the Bear, and the Little Green Men from Toy Story.

While in Japan I bought a couple bento boxes to motivate me to take my lunch to work. I had a bad habit of eating out of the vending machine, or worse, skipping lunch all together. A while later, I found a bento instruction book at a Japanese book store which contained a Stitch bento. I ended up buying the book and decided to try making a bento.

The first bento I ever tried to make was a Oswald. It was fun to make the bento, but what really got me hooked was how fun it was to have the character bento for lunch. In the beginning I just made whatever came to mind. I’d make all sorts of characters. I’d share them around our offices and on Facebook. Eventually I found other bento makers, or as I call them “bento boxers”, on Instagram and really started becoming part of a community. Over time my interest in Disney took over and now I find myself doing all Disney characters. The character bentos are also referred to as kyaraben or charaben. Funny, but I have made only one item out of the bento instruction book so far. And it wasn’t even the Stitch bento!

While in Japan we also became obsessed with onigiri. Onigiri are normally triangle or round “rice ball” filled with fish or pickled ginger. They sell them in convenience stores like they sell sandwiches in the US. We ended up eating onigiri almost everyday for a quick snack on the go. The characters in my bentos are onigiri. They are balled up rice with a filling. I’ve changed it up a bit, avoiding raw fish. Instead I fill them with cooked tuna or salmon mixed with a little mayo and spice. My favorite filling is a crab and cream cheese. I also use leftovers for filling. Left over curries make perfect filling!>What I found was that I really needed a creative outlet in my life. I work in an IT office, which just wasn’t fulfilling my creative side. Bentos are giving me a chance to activate my creative side before I go into the office each morning. Plus, it helps with my insatiable need for Disney in my life!

I am horrible at planning, so most of my bentos start with me looking up a picture of the character online. I normally start from a photo or two of the character. Then I just sort of play around. Some bento boxers sketch out their bentos ahead, but I truly just make it up as I go along.

As far as ideas, I like to work around themes. In the past I’ve done tied theme weeks to upcoming holidays, new movie releases, Star Wars May the 4th celebrations, and Disney events. Sometimes the idea comes from a post I saw the previous day. I also am really inspired by Disney artists like Jerrod Maruyama. I’ve made quite a few bentos based on his cute take on Disney characters. I love finding older Disney characters and forgotten friends, like Humphrey the Bear. I’m also lucky that Disney now includes Marvel and Star Wars, which opens up so many more characters for me to do. I’ve been a little neglectful of Pixar, but I hope to remedy that this summer. Lately, I started a series based on the Walt Disney Studios Animated release catalog I’ve dubbed “Movie Monday“. A friend and I have started watching all the films in the order of their original release. I will be doing a bento for each film. I also take requests. It a lot of fun to have someone request a character.

My favorites to make are always the characters with a lot of expression. I enjoy making fun facial expressions, like Olaf grabbing at his tiny carrot nose or the serious, disgruntled Maximus. The expressions tend to be extremely challenging, but when it works out they are the most interesting to look at. Villains are also a joy to do, because they have such interesting designs. And of course, any of the ones that are just super cute I love to do. If I had to pick my favorites to make, I loved creating Humphrey the Bear, DisNerd Minnie, Jafar, and the AquaDuck Donald the most.

I really enjoyed reading Mike’s story – and it’s even better to know that he’s making these all for his own lunch, that’s pretty amazing. I wonder if Mike would make a Figment bento box for me? {oops, looks like he’s already made Figment…well maybe he can add a Zanna toon to the mix hahaha 😉 } I love the detail, and the fact that he reaches beyond the most well-known characters to feature Panchito, Orange Bird, and even Humprey the Bear (my favorites along with AquaDuck Donald too!)

Here are some of his masterpieces – Click to enlarge – all photos ©OMGiri, used with permission:

You can find more of these wonderful edible creations at OMGiri’s Instagram and Facebook page. Stop by and let him know Zannaland sent you!

Think you’ll try your hand at these for your lunch?

Disney’s Golden Oak Summerhouse Tour: Markham’s Restaurant

30 January 2014 by Suzannah Otis 8 Comments

Each time I’ve driven past the entrance signs for Golden Oak, Disney’s multi-million dollar residential home community, I’ve thought “I wish I could just drive around in there…”. Well that desire came true last weekend as a good friend invited us to experience lunch at the resident-exclusive restaurant at the clubhouse. I was quite impressed with the grounds and attention to detail, and the food was some of the best on property. I was given the green light to share some of the photos from our personal tour here with you. After reviewing my photos, I decided to separate this into a four-part series, giving each section of our tour proper attention. Let’s start with the good stuff – the food!

Summerhouse is the resident-only clubhouse located in the center of Golden Oak’s property. Inside is a resident reception area, where residents can get assistance with everything Walt Disney World Resort related, as well as generic concierge-type services for the rest of the Orlando area. Also inside are an entertainment/recreation room, a fitness center with locker rooms, a meeting room, and Tyler’s Lounge, attached to Markham’s restaurant. It is a lovely place to walk around and enjoy, with well-purposed outdoor areas as well.

The Tuscan feel of the Summerhouse lends itself to a luxurious setting without being too conservative. This extends to the dining options as well. I did not feel out of place at all, as a day visitor and not a multi-million dollar resident. As we heard that day, the restaurant has the ability to become a white linen fine dining establishment; creating the ultimate in elegant private dining in the blink of an eye if requested. Staffed by hand-selected Walt Disney World cast members, who have earned their ears at places like Victoria and Alberts, and have completed a separate interview process to be placed at Summerhouse. There is no question that residents will be receiving the best attention possible.

As far as the food itself, Markham’s chefs create things like aged sausages and charcuterie on-site, with the benefit of an herb garden right outside the kitchen. It is one of only 3 restaurants on Disney property designated as Signature Plus (Victoria and Alberts and California Grill being the other two); an internal designation which allows the chefs and leaders more creativity with ordering, creating menus and hosting events, less hindered by operating partners involvement.

Summerhouse herb garden — Summerhouse herb and vegetable garden with lemon trees

I am no food critic, but I do appreciate culinary adventures, and Markham’s does not disappoint. Each dish seems to be carefully hand crafted and created to expose the ultimate in flavor combinations. It was very difficult to choose just one thing to try as it all sounded unique and enticing. In addition to the dishes, they also make their own lemonades and lemonade/tea drinks as well as sodas. Again, it was hard to choose just one thing to try.

If you’re wondering about the names chosen for the Summerhouse lounge and restaurant, as with other areas of Golden Oak, they derive from Disney heritage. Toby Tyler was the 1960 Disney movie about a 12 year old who ran away to join the circus, while Marty Markham was the city kid from the Disney TV serial which ran for one season in 1956 on the Mickey Mouse Club: “The Adventures of Spin and Marty.” You can find more nods to Disney past in the street and neighborhood names, which we will explore in the next post in this series.

Tyler’s Lounge features some artwork celebrating Tokyo’s Hotel MiraCosta as well as some concept art for Epcot’s Italy pavilion in World Showcase. The bar offers pretty much any potent potable you could desire and is staffed by bartenders whose knowledge extends far beyond the “standard drink menu” at any other Disney lounge.

Markham’s is a rustic yet light environment, with reclaimed brick and thick wooden beams throughout. Leather banquettes complement contemporary chairs and decor, mixing old world and modern style. Large windows let the natural light in, keeping it airy and not a bit stuffy, while offering views of the grounds. There are a few nods to Walt Disney within the dining area, but nothing over the top. If you were a resident, and wanted to enjoy each meal here, you could do so comfortably and without pomp. But if you wanted to plan a private event for family or friends and use the dining room, you could do that without hesitation or disappointment. I felt quite at home, and as I write this, I’m missing the lunch I enjoyed that day and wishing for more!

Enjoy the gallery below of Tyler’s Lounge, Markham’s restaurant, and our food choices that day:

[RFG_gallery id=’2′]Stay tuned as I’ll be sharing more from our Golden Oak visit, including a tour inside the rest of the Summerhouse and the unique Triple R meeting room, bursting with treasured Disney artwork.

Top 5 Must-do’s at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

21 October 2013 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is one of my favorites each year, an annual tradition to kick off the Halloween season. I’ve written about the event each year that Zannaland.com has been around, and enjoying all the party has to offer never gets old. In fact, it only gets harder to fit it all in. If you have a family with varying age ranges, it may be a “divide and conquer” night to make sure everyone sees and does all they want to do. Because of that, I thought I’d write up a Top 5 this year, of my personal favorites.

1. Get there early. While the ticket for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (or MNSSHP for short) starts at 7pm, you can actually enter the park as early as 4pm, to get the most out of your night. The trick-or-treating and official events don’t begin till 7, but you can grab a bite and get on rides beforehand.

2. Get your Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom card. If you are a sorcerer and enjoy the game, there is a special card just for the event. You can pick it up at the Main Street Fire Station or the Liberty Square sorcerer’s desk. You must have both your wristband for the event AND your event ticket to get the card, so make sure your whole party is together for this. There is a limited amount for each party, so this should be first on your list!

3. Trick-or-Treat. This is what most people are here for. They dress up, yes, they see the parades and fireworks, ride on attractions with almost no wait, but this is FREE CANDY! And with over 40 different kinds this year, you are sure to get your fill. You can find all the treat locations on your MNSSHP map, or by looking for the giant light up treat location signs. Don’t forget the Treat Trails over by Splash Mountain’s queue and the walkway between Storybook Circus and Tomorrowland for the most treats per square inch. My favorite is always the Werther’s Caramel Apple candies over at Pinocchio’s Village Haus!

4. Try the event-specific treats too. This year, the food and beverage team really went out of their way to create some delicious treats for MNSSHP. Caramel Apple Slush, Candy Corn ice cream, Pumpkin Waffle Sundae and MORE! These new Halloween treats are so yummy, I wrote a whole post on them. But after trying the Candy Corn ice cream and the Pumpkin Waffle Sundae (which I’ve heard is now available full time at Sleepy Hollow Treats) I was in love. I shared both of these with my family at midnight sitting on the new castle wall area. Perfect ending to a perfect Halloween party.

5. Watch Mickey’s Boo-to-You Parade and HalloWishes Fireworks Spectacular! The Boo-to-You parade is many people’s favorite parade at Walt Disney World, and I am no exception. It is hard to top the dramatic entrance by the Headless Horseman as he trots down the parade route while Flight of the Valkyries plays around you. The floats are top notch and the Haunted Mansion ballroom dancers and Gravediggers with their sparks are always a crowd favorite. There are two parades each party night, and the second always has less guests. And don’t forget HalloWishes! This is one of the most exciting fireworks displays of the season, with 360-degree perimeter fireworks around the park and your favorite villains and villainous songs.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party runs on select nights in September through November 1st. A few nights are already sold out, so check with DisneyWorld.com to purchase your tickets in advance. Some nights are available at a discounted rate of $62 per adult.

Disclaimer: I was provided with complimentary tickets for MNSSHP for my family and me, but my opinions are my own.

NEW Ghoulish Delights at Be Our Guest Restaurant and Magic Kingdom for Halloween

10 September 2013 by Suzannah Otis 5 Comments

An instagram friend (@wibblywaffle-Rueben Gutierrez), who just happens to be a pastry cook at Be Our Guest restaurant, shared a photo this afternoon that I thought was good enough to get a whole post devoted to it. The enchanted chefs at Be Our Guest have come up with some sweet spells for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – a “Poisoned Apple Cupcake” and a “Blood Orange Cream Puff” and they sound delicious!

The Poisoned Apple Cupcake is yellow cake with green apple mousse filling, topped with buttercream, apple pie filling, crispy pearls and a chocolate witches hat. Spooky!

The Cream Puff is chocolate with blood orange mousse, which sounds right up my alley. We’ll have a photo of that up soon! Guests visiting the Magic Kingdom for the Halloween Party should note that Be Our Guest restaurant IS open, so check for walk-in availability just in case. According to our chef above, they are not seating past 7:45 but would love to show off their new offerings!

In addition to these special event-only desserts for their dinner service, Be Our Guest is adding a new dessert to the regular menu…The Grey Stuff! A brand new lunch-only cupcake form of the Grey Stuff is available starting today. The cupcake is the same chocolate cupcake offered in the Triple Chocolate Cupcake, with Grey Stuff filling, Grey Stuff on top and silver crispy pearls.

A different dinner form of the dessert is also available now, which uses Grey Stuff on the tarts the restaurant previously made. Thanks to @wibblywaffle for the photo below:

Be Our Guest Grey Stuff cupcake – photo by Reuben Gutierrez

Are you heading to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? These new desserts have me excited to dine at Be Our Guest again during one of the party nights.

There are also some other Halloween treats available around the Magic Kingdom during the parties – thanks to DisneyLifestylers.com for the use of the photos below:

Pumpkin ice cream waffle sundae at Sleepy Hollow. Photo ©DisneyLifestylers.com

Candy Corn soft serve ice cream at Storybook Treats. Photo ©DisneyLifestylers.com

Hatbox Ghost Mickey popcorn bucket. Photo ©DisneyLifestylers.com

Disney’s California Grill Re-opens With a Delicious Flair

8 September 2013 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

A flair of Mary Blair that is. Cheap rhyme aside, I was so pleasantly surprised by the newly re-imagined California Grill, which pays tribute to the art and artistry of Disney Legend Mary Blair, famous for the Grand Canyon Concourse mosaics found within Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The color scheme on the upholstery, carpets, art and more all honor the original colors found when the Contemporary first opened. It is a wonderful mix of mid-century modern aesthetics, with sleek state-of-the art accompaniments found throughout the restaurant.

The now floor-to-ceiling windows offer even more incredible views than before, streaming in light from all around. On the night we arrived, a thunderstorm had just ended, providing an incredible rainbow right over the resort. When we got upstairs, we could see not only the gorgeous sunset but also the storm in the distance; an unrivaled panorama of Walt Disney World Resort scenery.

Mixed in with the regular tables and booths are now long tables which seat 10 over on one side of the restaurant. There is also seating at the bar, where a special sushi menu is offered for guests seated at that location. The private rooms are also still available as well and offer even more tributes to Mary Blair with reproductions of her artwork. I just can’t express enough how wonderful it is to see Mary Blair and her work in such a special location.

New color schemes at California Grill are a tribute to the original Contemporary Resort

The food we sampled was incredible, from the Pacific halibut with parsnip silk, roasted heirloom beets, arugula, macadamia vinaigrette and beet syrup, to updates of longtime favorites, such as Pork Two Ways, now grilled tenderloin and lacquered pork belly with goat cheese polenta and mushrooms – my favorite! The oak-fired filet of beef is served with heirloom tomato risotto, marinated baby vine tomatoes and basil was just perfect. Sonoma goat cheese ravioli returns in a tomato fennel broth with crispy shiitake mushrooms.

And don’t forget the sushi! The Grill’s popular sushi menu expands with a 12-course omakase menu that includes a tasting of the restaurant’s freshest ingredients (not just fish and seafood). Omakase means “to entrust,” and there’s no menu. “You just let the chef prepare fresh sushi dishes for you, perfect for sushi fans who want to try new tastes,” says Executive Chef Brian Piasecki. The menu might include ama ebi (sweet shrimp) tempura, lobster sashimi, crunchy Japanese bone marrow with sesame beef tartare and red onion marmalade, and spicy-crusted oysters.

I cannot wait to get back and try full-size portions of some of these, at which time I’ll offer a full review of my experience. The mix of side items and the presentation really live up to California Grill’s existing reputation – and surpass it. This will now be a must-visit for a special occasion dining experience, date night, or just a wonderful gourmet meal. While I love trying new things, I’m not a food reviewer, and certainly didn’t have the old California Grill menu memorized, so for a ‘first-timer’ so to speak, I was really satisfied and impressed with what I tried. Hopefully based on the photos below and descriptions of ingredients above, you can decide if the California Grill will work for you and your guests. Dessert descriptions are listed in the gallery below.

The wall of wine immediately catches your eye when you step off the elevator; 1600 bottles on display, with 250 wines on the list, 80 by the glass. There also are 10 varieties of sake, eight kinds of craft beers and ciders, and signature cocktails created just for California Grill, such as the sake martini, which I sampled and really enjoyed. I am not usually a fan of sake on its own, but this was a light, sweet, tropical drink and a great way to enjoy sake.

For more scenes from the new California Grill, see the gallery below, and click to enlarge any photos:

California Grill desserts — A sampling of the desserts – clockwise from top left, the lemon meringe, which was like a cheesecake consistency with a nice shortbread crust and hardened meringue topper, the strawberry basil sundae is part of the trio pictured below, then the chocolate pudding cake described a few photos down, the banana fritters with house-made marshmallow and caramel. This was really unique, like fried banana bread, dense and moist with a nice caramel complement, and the caramel corn pot is also part of the trio in the next photo.

Sunday Sampler — California Grill Sundae Sampler: caramel corn, Coca-Cola float, and strawberry and basil.(Jimmy DeFlippo, photographer)

Wishes from California Grill — Wishes from the California Grill viewing platform

The refurbished California Grill has instantly become my favorite new spot in all of Walt Disney World. Perfect views and ambiance, wonderful Mary Blair touches for Disney fans to appreciate, and wonderful food to complement the entire experience. Truly a jewel in the Walt Disney World crown. I hope to get back sooner than later! Speaking of, reservations are now available (if you can find any) to book at 407-WDW-DINE, online or using the My Disney Experience app.

What do you think of the new look?

Disclaimer: I was invited to preview the new California Grill and its food at a press event. I was not asked or required to post in any way and my opinions above are my own. It’s just THAT good!

Photo Tour of “L’Artisan Des Glaces” Ice Cream Shop in Epcot’s France

29 May 2013 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

The newest snack spot in Epcot’s World Showcase opened today over in the France pavilion. The much anticipated L’Artisan des Glaces ice cream and sorbet shop is now open and serving up 16 flavors of fun – ooh là là!

In the completely refurbished former patisserie area of France, L’Artisan des Glaces is set within a rustic, stone cottage building with turret (as before), but is open and airy inside, giving the feel of a country dairy shop. In fact, there are dairy touches throughout: milk bottles, milk canisters, even a milk bottle chandelier! The set up is different than before, with two registers allowing you to pay first, then choose a cup or a cone and pick your flavor. You then move down the line to pick up your order.

The 16 flavors available at L’Artisan des Glaces are: Vanilla, Chocolate, Mint Chocolate, Pistachio, Hazelnut, Profiterole, Caramel fleur de sel (salted caramel), Cherry, Coco-White Chocolate, Coffee, and 6 sorbet flavors: Strawberry, Mango, Melon, Lemon, Pomegranate, and Mixed Berries. These flavors are made in-house and may change periodically – I’m hoping for fun seasonal options.

Unique to L’Artisan des Glaces is the adult-only sundae with liquor – 2 scoops of ice cream or sorbet served in a martini glass with a shot of Grand Marnier, Epic brand Whipped Cream Vodka, or Clement Rhum from Martinique for $11.50. One scoop of plain ice cream or sorbet is $3.99 while two scoops are $6.10 and are served in a waffle cone or a cup.

Here is a gallery of the new establishment, sure to be the popular place to be this summer and from now on! What flavor are you going to get first? I’m intrigued by the Profiterole, Hazelnut and Coco-White Chocolate! The sorbets will be so refreshing in the heat as well. Click to enlarge the photos and view as a slideshow:

Huge thanks to Scott Otis for providing the photos and info in this post.

Photos: “Disney Springs” to Revitalize Downtown Disney Area

14 March 2013 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

As an early visitor to Walt Disney World, back in 1983, one of my very favorite parts of our vacation was the Lake Buena Vista Village Marketplace area, or “The Village” as my family called it. Our first visits to WDW included stays at the Lake Buena Vista Vacation Villas, part of a set of villas where Saratoga Springs now resides. Your stay at one of the villas (larger town-home style rooms with bedrooms, a living area and kitchen) included a golf cart, and we would ride over to the Village every day, either for breakfast at the Empress Lilly, dinner at Heidelberg’s Deli, or for stocking up on snacks at the Gourmet Pantry. It was such a truly relaxed, unique area; it became forever engrained in my memories as “Walt Disney World.”

Over time, changes took place at the Village Marketplace, and Downtown Disney, Pleasure Island, and West Side were born. More and more visitors came to Walt Disney World and Disney answered with more shopping and dining experiences. But something was lost along the way: that relaxing, Florida feeling that made such an impression on me as a child. So when I heard the latest announcement regarding Disney Springs, I was thrilled that perhaps this would again be a place for beautiful sites and memories to be born. Hearing the description with emphasis on meandering springs, open-air promenades and waterfront charm gives me hope for this new area to capture the right balance of shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Here is the official announcement from Disney this morning:

Disney Springs will feature an eclectic and contemporary mix from Disney and other noteworthy brands. From boutique shops to unique flagship anchor stores, guests will be able to explore a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment experiences and discover options unlike any other currently available in Central Florida.

Disney Unveils Vision for Disney Springs — Along with an eclectic and contemporary mix from Disney and other noteworthy brands, Disney Springs (as shown in this conceptual rendering) will feature a new gateway with a signature water tower and grand entry.

“Disney Springs will be a timeless, vibrant place where Walt Disney World guests and local residents can relax, shop, dine and be entertained in an imaginative setting where they’ll instantly feel at home,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Featuring distinctive brands, world-class restaurants and unforgettable entertainment, Disney Springs will be brought to life with the same focus on storytelling and attention to detail that goes into our theme parks, resorts and cruise ships, resulting in a welcoming space that only Disney could create.”

Disney Springs will double the number of shops, restaurants and other venues for guests to explore, resulting in more than 150 establishments. In addition, Staggs noted, Central Florida stands to benefit from the expansion with more jobs, tax revenues and business opportunities.

Disney Unveils Vision for Disney Springs – Marketplace — As part of Disney Springs, the family-friendly Marketplace (as shown in this conceptual rendering) will continue to delight guests of all ages and include new experiences, such as an over-the-water pedestrian causeway.

Drawing inspiration from Florida’s waterfront towns and natural beauty, Disney Springs will include four outdoor neighborhoods interconnected by a flowing spring and vibrant lakefront. In addition to a new gateway with a signature water tower and grand entry, the destination will feature:

The Town Center, which offers a sophisticated mix of shopping and dining along with a promenade where guests can relax, refresh and reconnect.

Disney Unveils Vision for Disney Springs – Town Center and The — With a flowing spring as a centerpiece, Disney Springs will feature four outdoor neighborhoods including the two shown in an artist’s conceptual rendering. The Town Center (lower portion of the image) will offer one-of-a-kind shopping and dining experiences along a promenade while The Landing (upper portion of the image) will include inspired dining and beautiful waterfront views.

A colorful and thriving commercial district called The Landing with inspired dining and beautiful waterfront views.

Disney Unveils Vision for Disney Springs – West Side — Inviting and infused with character, Disney Springs will feature four outdoor neighborhoods including The Landing (as shown in this conceptual rendering) which offers inspired dining, retail and beautiful waterfront views.

The family-friendly Marketplace that will continue to delight guests of all ages by combining new experiences, such as an over-the-water pedestrian causeway, along with classic Disney favorites, including an expanded World of Disney store.
A West Side that provides an exuberant atmosphere with lively entertainment, along with a series of new elevated spaces that provide both shade and an overlook to the activity below.

Collectively, these efforts will not only have an impact within Walt Disney World, but will also have an economic ripple effect on Central Florida. The project will create an estimated 1,200 construction jobs and nearly 4,000 operational roles.

Disney will share more details on specific experiences coming to Disney Springs in the future. Construction is slated to begin next month with new areas opening in phases. Disney Springs is expected to be complete in 2016.

What do you think of this announcement? Are you excited for Disney Springs? Disney has not officially announced the restaurants or shops which will sign on for Disney Springs, but one of the many rumors is Trader Sams, the tiki bar made so popular at the Disneyland Hotel. I’m very excited for the possibilities!