Disney Dining

A Vegetarian And a Tween Visit Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival

3 November 2012 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

Epcot exit sign — Wise and delicious advice from an Epcot sign

That may sound like the opening to a strange Disney joke, but really, it’s just how a recent visit to Epcot’s 17th annual International Food & Wine Festival went. There are a couple of weeks left in Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival which has been running since September 28 and continues through November 12, 2012.

This year has been chock full of delicious international cuisine as usual, and some new tastes this year too, including the first all-vegan booth, Terra. I recently had a chance to explore some options as a new vegetarian and was surprised at what I could still enjoy.

At Terra, I tried all of the options and found the Trick’n Chick’n Curry with Basmati Rice and Chili Colorado with House-Made Chips and Cashew Cheese to be delicious options, even for my meat-eating friends. I will fully admit to “meatless meat” getting a bad reputation, but the Trick’n Chick’n is so close to the real thing, it made me pause and wonder, “what IS this made from?” It’s that good. The sauce was spicy (which I love) and delicious. The chili is made with “beef-less beef tips” and you really are hard pressed to tell the difference. Great new additions this year.

Colorado Vegan Chili — Chili Colorado with Cashew ‘Cheese’

Some of my other favorites were found at the Greece booth, one of my standbys. I have always loved Spanakopita and this year was no different. I also enjoyed the Greek Salad with Pita Bread, always yummy. New this season was the Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey. Sounds like an odd combo, but it worked together wonderfully and was a great snack item. I also discovered in Poland a delicious mushroom and cheese on toast dish called Zapiekanki-Toasted Mushroom, Caramelized Onion and Cheese Bread with House Made Ketchup. It was really too much for one person, definitely big enough to share.

Griddled Greek Cheese with Honey and Pistachios

Mushroom Cheese Toast — Zapiekanki-Toasted Mushroom, Caramelized Onion and Cheese Bread with House Made Ketchup

Speaking of sharing, my daughter ordered the Ravioli di Formaggio All’emiliana (Baked Cheese Ravioli, Creamy Beef Bolognese, Parmesan, Mozzarella) in Italy and it was a huge portion. Great value and she loved it. Her other favorites were the California Roll in Japan and the Milk Chocolate Créme Brûlée in France, yearly must-haves for her. This year, she tried the Bailey’s Chocolate Lava Cake from Ireland too. That’s perhaps the best part of the Food & Wine Festival, the fun international meal you can make out of stopping for tastes here and there, around the World Showcase promenade.

Sophia displaying the California Roll from Japan

Bailey's Lava Cake — Bailey’s Lava Cake from Ireland

In the past, I have been hesitant to bring my kids to an evening at Food & Wine, because it has become a “drinking around the world” event for many people, to the point of excess. However, I recently went, on a Friday night, with 10 Girl Scouts, and we all had a wonderful time. We were insulated in our own little group and were able to avoid any unpleasantry that can arise when large groups of folks are combined with large amounts of alcohol. That’s not to say those groups aren’t there, but you can choose to ignore them and still have a wonderful time.

I haven’t even touched on the wonderful seminars, classes and sessions that take place each year at the Festival. Be sure to check out the Festival Center next to Mission Space and Ellen’s Energy Adventure for more information, and fun Festival merchandise too. The merchandise was especially top-notch this year. Also new this year is the Chase Lounge, inside the Festival Center, where Disney Chase Visa cardholders can relax and have a refreshment in between their Epcot adventures. Right before the Chase Lounge is the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience, where you can try drinking chocolate, a chocoholic’s dream! You can find out SO much more about the Food & Wine Festival seminars, menus and basically everything you need to know at the Disney Food Blog’s Food & Wine pages too.

Photo Tour of the Epcot’s All-New Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in Italy

1 May 2012 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

Construction is finally complete and today saw the grand opening of Tutto Gusto (gusto means flavor or taste in Italian) wine cellar in Epcot’s Italy pavilion at the World Showcase. The new building blends right in to the existing Tutto Italia restaurant while making a nice segue to Via Napoli’s more rustic stable-like structure.

While the Italy pavilion is now dominated by dining options, the new additions of Via Napoli almost two years ago and now Tutto Gusto really make a nice “village” feel to the area. With the exception of the smoking area that seems to have cropped up around the fountain, Italy now is a place I’d love to just sit and take in the lovely architecture and atmosphere.

Tutto Gusto will be a great option for those looking for a quick bite or dessert or a glass or two from the over 200 wines offered in their collection. The menu offers small plates such as cured meats, cheeses, panini, and pasta as well as desserts. We’ll be back soon to do a full review, but for now, I thought I’d leave you with some photos to whet your appetite, including the menu. Divertiti!

Click to enlarge all photos in the gallery below:

Beautiful mosaic tile work inside Tutto Italia.

Will you add Tutto Gusto to your World Showcase tour?

Floridian Ingredients Meet Country Italian Creations at Downtown Disney’s Portobello

26 January 2012 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

With so many amazing dining options at Walt Disney World, and for most visitors, a limited amount of days to enjoy them, it can be difficult to experience them all. I will admit that even as a local, it’s easy to pass by some restaurants and just go with what you’re used to. Our family dinner at Portobello last weekend is proof that it’s important to branch out – you may get pleasantly surprised by the delicious creations that lay in wait.

It was a bit chilly the night we arrived for our 6:30 reservation, and the first thing my family remarked on were the cool outdoor heaters the restaurant had, like little obelisks of fire inviting you into the atmosphere. The stone front conjures a feel of a cozy country cottage, and as you step inside the smell of the wood-fired pizza ovens make for an instant welcome. Some of you may have heard of Portobello’s meatball bar, featuring its famous meatball sliders. I actually enjoyed those on my last visit there, over a year ago, so as a result, I wanted to be sure to try some of the other options Portobello’s menu had to offer.

Our wonderful server, Matt, explained some of the appetizer options and we decided to branch out from our usual family favorite, Calamari. We ordered the Portobello Mushroom, the Sambuca Shrimp and kept the kids happy with the fried Calamari. The Portobello Mushroom was perfection on a plate. Sliced portobello mushrooms on a bed of polenta (a favorite of mine) with Gorgonzola cheese on top and a rosemary demi-glaze that was, as Matt said, worthy of dipping your bread in and cleaning the plate. It was delicious.

The Sambuca shrimp was a very unique dish, given a little drama when it’s flambéed table-side. The Sambuca gives the shrimp a sweet flavor and even my adventurous 11 year-old daughter tried one and loved it.

The Calamari was also excellent and not to be discounted just because it’s standard Italian appetizer fare. It’s so easy to overcook these, making them greasy or rubbery, but Portobello’s were neither – they were crisp and light.

On to the entrees, my daughter and I both had the Gnocchi with pork ragu, which was large enough to feed the whole table. The gnocchi were wonderful and I’d never had a pork ragu before, but it was hearty and delicious. Portobello really knows how to do their sauces. We both had lots of leftovers!

Gnocci with Pork Ragu — Gnocchi with Pork Ragu

My husband ordered the Black Linguini with Florida Rock Shrimp, served with asparagus, tomatoes and garlic. The black linguini is made that color from squid ink, something we had tried at home and my husband knew he loved. It’s kind of crazy to see black pasta on your plate, but there really isn’t a noticeable taste difference from regular pastas. He loved his dish and said it was prepared wonderfully.

My son, the picky eater, ordered the Flat Iron Steak and loved it. It was sliced and cooked just the way he likes it. I tried it and the seasonings were just right. He also surprised me and ordered roasted potatoes instead of fries. I guess his 13 year-old palate is changing!

Our littlest guy was not left out as their kids menu really has something for everyone. I thought our 3 year-old would order pasta but he’s been on a hot dog kick lately. He was perfectly contented with his meal, plus the table top is covered with paper, which kept ALL of us entertained in between enjoying the food.

We were all completely stuffed from all the amazing chef creations, but felt, in the interest of the review, it was our duty to order dessert. You know, for the readers. 😉 Matt did a great job of explaining all the desserts available and my husband went with the Panna Cotta, I chose the Espresso Cake (no surprise for those that know my love of coffee), and the kids all tried a different flavor of Gelato.

Phillip, the wonderful assistant general manager that chatted with us throughout dinner came over to see how we were and was shocked we didn’t order the Biramisu for dessert. We told him we were tempted but were won over by our choices. He said we had to try it and brought over two orders mid-way through our dessert. He explained how instead of espresso, they used Orlando Brewing’s Organic Porter. If you hadn’t told us there was beer in it, we’d never know. It was extremely sweet and smooth, a wonderful take on this classic dessert. Definitely a must-try when you go.

Biramisu with Orlando Brewing Organic Porter

The Espresso Cake was wonderful as well, almost a combination of coffee-flavored cheesecake mixed with a cookie dough consistency, with chocolate chips. Sinfully good. My husband’s Panna Cotta was without a doubt, my favorite (and his too). Similar to flan in texture but with no eggy taste, this was light and creamy and just melted in your mouth. It is topped with a local Winter Park honey sauce with strawberries on the side and I just can’t say enough about it. It was the perfect amount of sweet without feeling too heavy. In my opinion, another must-try.

Panna Cotta with Winter Park Orange Blossom Honey

I was really surprised that Portobello incorporates so many local Floridian ingredients and still turns them into classic Italian dishes we all know and love. The same Winter Park orange blossom honey used in the Panna Cotta is also put into their lemonade, which was incredibly delicious. My daughter loved it. I would’ve ordered it too if I hadn’t loved my Cafe Shakerato (iced coffee with a hint of vanilla that instantly endeared me to Portobello – they speak my language!). It is a unique way to make Portobello stand out from other Italian options and expand our palates as well. In two words – it works.

All in all, the meal was all hits with no misses. The staff is knowledgeable and personable, making you feel like family and the chefs bring out the entrees, reminding you that this is in fact, home to culinary prowess. As I was tweeting parts of our dinner the other night, I received many replies from people that hadn’t given Portobello a try – to them I say definitely add this to your list. And locals, it makes a great date night spot too, with beautiful views! I think perhaps the best recommendation comes from my son – his 13th birthday is on Monday and when asked where he wants to have his birthday dinner this weekend, without hesitation he said, “well after Sunday, Portobello!”. Done.

Great thanks to Levy Restaurants, who provided us with our complimentary dinners for this review. This compensation did not in any way influence my review and the fact that we’re heading back there this weekend should be proof of that. In addition to Portobello, Levy Restaurants also runs Fulton’s Crab House and Wolfgang Puck’s Grand Cafe, two other great options at Downtown Disney. Also huge thanks to our server, Matt and the assistant General Manager Phillip, who gave us a tour of Fulton’s after dinner which provided us with both some amazing views of Downtown Disney, and memories to last a lifetime. You can check out more photos from our dinner at my facebook page: facebook.com/zannaland.

family at Fulton's — Our family photo atop Fulton's Crab House

Prefer Dessert Over Disney’s Turkey Legs? No Problem!

27 November 2011 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw these in the Main Street Confectionery today and just had to share them here: Turkey Leg-shaped Rice Crispie Treats! I have never had the real turkey legs that are so popular at all the Disney Parks…and have no plans to try them any time soon…but these turkey legs, I can do!

Turkey leg rice crispie treats — Now that's a turkey leg I can support!

Here are some more seasonal delicacies!

Christmas treats at Disney — More Christmas treats at the Main Street Confectionery

What’s your favorite seasonal treat at a Disney Park?

Guest Post: Redeeming Epcot’s Coral Reef Restaurant

21 June 2011 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

Today’s post comes to you from David Landon, owner/author of Future Probe and EPCOT-aficionado. Please enjoy his take on how Coral Reef has changed over the years.

When The Living Seas opened in 1986, 8-year-old me was fascinated by it. I especially wanted to eat at the Coral Reef Restaurant, since it combined two of my favorite things-seafood and expansive undersea vistas. Unfortunately, my mom’s dislike for seafood meant that a meal at the Coral Reef was out of the question during my childhood visits to Walt Disney World. On my first trip to EPCOT as an adult, though, the Coral Reef was at the top of my dining to-do list. Until I saw the menu.

To judge from their menus, many of Disney’s table-service restaurants, especially in EPCOT, are designed to cater to Sophisticated Adults, people who actually enjoy golf and willingly wear a blazer even when they’re not going to a wedding or a funeral. I am not one of these people. I’m a meat-and-potatoes guy. When I see a menu item like “Compote of whipped Spaetzle in a Mascarpone reduction”, it doesn’t assure me that I’ve picked a great restaurant, it makes me wonder if the waiter mistakenly gave me a menu written in Klingon.

I was further discouraged from eating at the Coral Reef by the negative reviews it received. Words like “disappointment”, “mediocre” and “overpriced” kept popping up (although complaining about things being overpriced at Disney World is a little silly. It’s like going to a Michael Bay movie and complaining about the explosions) After repeating some of those comments on my blog, I decided that I really ought to eat there at least once, if only to confirm that the place was as bad as I thought it was. So, on the eve of a weekend trip in August 2010, I took the plunge (ha ha!) and made a reservation.

Although the reviews I’d read said that the service at the Coral Reef was indifferent at best, all the Cast Members my wife and I encountered there were fantastic. I had already reviewed the menu online and knew exactly what I would order, but my wife needed more time. Our server checked back with us at regular intervals, kindly answered all my wife’s questions, and never made us feel rushed.

We were pleasantly surprised to be seated at a table right next to the aquarium. Just inches away, on the other side of the glass, a large sea turtle was resting on the bottom of the tank. He stayed there throughout our meal, occasionally swimming up to the surface for a lungful of air. Best of all, the old Living Seas area music was playing over the restaurant’s PA system! Unfortunately, the noisy conversation from the restaurants other patrons worked against the quiet peacefulness that the aquarium, the restaurant’s subdued lighting, and the area music were trying to create, but it’s not like Disney can put a Cone of Silence over every table. (Bonus points if you know what a Cone of Silence is!)

Another complaint I’d heard about the Coral Reef is that the portions are too small. I’d have to disagree with that; I found them to be quite sufficient. I didn’t have any food left over (except for the watercress, which I chose not to eat because, as you may have noted earlier, I am not a Sophisticated Adult) but I wasn’t hungry after I finished eating, either. My wife’s Caesar Salad came not with just cut-up pieces of chicken, but an entire chicken breast. We both enjoyed our entrees very much. My steak was grilled to perfection, and the potatoes were very tasty as well. My wife enjoyed her salad very much, and she absolutely loved the Chocolate Wave she ordered for dessert. She said it was even better than Le Cellier’s Chocolate-on-Chocolate Whiskey cake. High praise, indeed!

My only criticism of the Coral Reef is the limited menu options. You’d think a seafood restaurant inside EPCOT’s Seas pavilion would offer a wide selection of seafood, but sadly that’s not the case. Still, I definitely recommend the place. It’s the best table service restaurant in Future World. The food is just as good as Le Cellier’s, but the Coral Reef is easier to get into and has the superior atmosphere.

So, don’t believe the reviews. Whatever problems the Coral Reef had since they were written have been corrected. The food is great, the atmosphere is perfect, the service is excellent, and best of all you don’t have to be a Sophisticated Adult to enjoy it.

BIO: David Landon is the author of the EPCOT-centric blog futureprobe, which Internet surfers often stumble upon by mistake. He is also the co-host of the Circlevision Radio podcast, which launches in Summer 2011.He can often be found on Twitter under the handle @futureprobe1982, making what he thinks are witty remarks. He lives in North Central Florida with his wife and an extremely excitable Chihuahua.

The Only Walt Disney World Dining Guide You’ll Ever Need!

12 April 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Faithful readers of ZannaLand will of course know of my love for AJ Wolfe and her Disney Food Blog. Her site is simply the place for up to date, in-depth information on Disney dining reviews, menus, news, photos and more. She has built up a loyal following, with good reason. The Disney Food Blog is committed to bringing Disney dining details to your screen and making sure they are the most accurate you can find. AJ has now combined her years of writing and researching into an easy to download 265-page e-book FULL of dining plans and reviews: The Disney Food Blog Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! The photos accompanying the pages will leave your mouth watering!

As AJ notes in the preface, “There’s no guidebook I’ve found that covers Disney World dining the way I’d like it to be covered. This e-Book has twice as much dining information and advice than any official Disney dining guidebook on the market. And, due to its digital format, it’s completely portable in the parks.” Since it downloads in a .pdf file, you can pop the book open on your smart phone, iPad or laptop and double check information on the go. That way you can also click directly on links or phone numbers and not have to write down a thing. Brilliant!

What’s included? Well, it would be impossible to list it all there is so much, but here’s a sample:

A 5-Step Guide to Stress-Free Dining to help you easily plan your Disney dining in one sitting. There is a section on budgeting, with average costs for counter and table service dining as well as beverages (alcoholic and non-) to help you prepare for costs, or consider the Disney Dining Plan.

A Dining With Kids section, which offers restaurant choices and unique menu suggestions for kids, so no one gets bored with chicken nuggets! Need to know which characters are in each character dining location? She’s got you covered. Tips for avoiding meltdowns? Yep! And if you’d like a kid-free night out, the guide shares what to expect at the Kids Clubs too.

Dining reviews, which are perfect when you have indecisive family members!! If that’s not enough, there are also sections on special celebrations, a comprehensive list of all lounges and bars, even sample dining itineraries. It really lives up to its promise to offer “steps for a stress-free, personalized plan!” And if by chance you are unhappy, there is a money-back guarantee!

Not convinced? Check out some of the amazing reviews by top Disney authors and see some sample pages here. If you’re a Disney veteran and wonder what this guide could offer you, AJ reminds us, “Even if you’ve been to Walt Disney World hundreds of times, the Imagineers, chefs, and cast members will always keep surprising you. You deserve to know what incredible dining opportunities and experiences are available to you, and new ones are being added all the time!”

If you’re ready for all the info now, you can purchase The Disney Food Blog Guide to Walt Disney World Dining by clicking here. The price is $18.95, which includes four downloads, that’s a great deal!

*Disclosure: I was given a complimentary copy of The Disney Food Blog Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, which did not influence my review one bit, it’s just that wonderful! In addition, the links contained in this review are affiliate links which means if you purchase the e-book after using these links, I will get a small commission. Win-win! 😉

Changes to Via Napoli Dessert Menu

4 January 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

Via Napoli almost instantly won my heart as my new favorite place to dine at Epcot. I’m not even a huge pizza fan, but I just loved everything about this place, from the atmosphere and cast members to of course, the food (much more than just pizza). I covered opening day at Via Napoli as well as another trip with my husband. When out of state friends came to visit Walt Disney World, we naturally met up at Via Napoli for dinner. I recommended my favorite dessert to my friend that night and he loved it. So imagine my sadness when I dined there today with my mom and children (who still had never been) and the dessert menu was missing two items!

The Gelato Frizzante (my favorite!) and the Copa Di Brutti Ma Buoni (Good but Ugly Sundae) were completely removed from the list. I fell in love with the Gelato Frizzante when we had little samples of it opening day and ordered it again at each visit. My husband tried and loved the Copa di Brutti ma Buoni on his first visit and also enjoyed it. I asked our server what happened but she just said they were taken off the menu. Could we really be the only people that liked them? Perhaps they were too labor intensive to make? In any case, it makes me sad, but since I was usually too full from the meal to have needed dessert, I guess it’s probably a good thing in my case. I always overdid with the Gelato Frizzante! Here are some pictures of the new dessert menu – no items have been added, simply the two removed items: (click to enlarge the photos)

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Turf Club 3 Blogger Dining Review!

24 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

Back in October, there was a perfect storm of Disney fans, bloggers and social media mavens swooping in to the place Where Dreams Come True, our beloved Walt Disney World. This little rendez-vous among the many came to be known as Epic October. There was a Walt Disney World Moms Panel Reunion, meet-ups, live podcasts, the first annual Disney Food Blog Foodie Fest and – when all was said and done and the proverbial dust had settled, three blogging friends sat down to enjoy a leisurely lunch at an off-the-beaten path spot where none of them had ever dined – The Turf Club at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. These three bloggers were myself, AJ Wolfe from The Disney Food Blog and Amanda Tinney from Disney Every Day. We decided in-between the great conversation and reconnecting, that we would each take one course and write it up on our respective blogs – a trifecta of reviews if you will. I have the honor of reviewing the main course entrees, so here we go!

As a little preface, I think we all agreed that the Turf Club is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the Parks. We had a lovely table outside on the covered veranda area, overlooking the Sassagoula River. In addition, because it is out of the way – a little hard to get to if you aren’t a Saratoga Springs guest (but not impossible) – and it isn’t shall we say known for its fare, the seclusion is paired with absence of crowds. The result is a quiet, serene, relaxing meal, which is hard to accomplish in most resort dining locations. So for this reason alone, I would definitely head back with my husband to enjoy a quiet meal if we were unable to secure a reservation at a favorite spot.

Turf Club Patio — View from our Turf Club table

Now on to the entrees!

Get TANGLED With a Rapunzel Pasta Trick for Your Little Princess!

5 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 5 Comments

I was flipping through the November issue of Parents magazine, and this little article in the “Time for Fun | Play With Your Food” section caught my eye! I Thought I’d share it for all those with little ones who are as excited as we grown-ups about Disney’s upcoming animated feature Tangled! I’m sure even the little prince’s out there would love this fun twist on pasta.

Here’s what Parents magazine says to do:

“Boil a handful of angel-hair (capellini) pasta plus a few green bow ties (farfalle), and toss in butter or olive oil. Place angel hair on a plate as shown, and decorate with a bow tie. “

I’m going to try this out with my princess and two princes, I hope you will too!

Don’t forget Disney’s Tangled opens in theatres on November 24 – when Rapunzel will let her hair down with her best friend Pascal the chameleon, Flynn Rider and Max the horse!

Downtown Disney Restaurants Pollo Campero and Fresh A-Peel Construction Photos

25 October 2010 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

Over the weekend we met up with friends who have just relocated to central Florida and walked around Downtown Disney. I hadn’t seen the construction progress on Pollo Campero – the new Latin chicken restaurant opening soon – since McDonald’s closed down, so I thought I’d share what looks like a really cool design. Love the colors and the stonework!

EDIT: Thanks to Keith from MouseMisers for clearing up the “Fresh A-Peel” signs that I thought were part of Pollo Campero. We now know that Fresh A-Peel is a new fresh concept named (featuring fresh salads, sandwiches, fruits and healthy snacks) plus vegetarian, gluten-free, sugar-free, low-sodium or organic offerings.