food IS a theme park
We’ve tried lots of Valentine’s Day treats this year!
Princess Tiana in Magic Kingdom
But after tasking cookies, cupcakes, and cakes, you may be in the mood to do some baking yourself! And in that case, we have a princess-inspired recipe for you to try just in time for Valentine’s Day.
We don’t know about you, but we’ve really been enjoying the holidays at Disney Springs!
Disney Springs
We popped into Disney Springs recently to see the latest food and merchandise, so here are all the updates!
Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival
kicks off on August 31 with an epic and record-breaking number of food booths — 35 — representing cuisines and lifestyles from around the globe.
And as part of the Festival’s on-going commitment to providing awesome eats for guests of all kinds, many of the booths are featuring Gluten Free options! We expect to see lots of signage indicating the GF dishes. And of course cast members can also answer your food allergy questions.
We’re stopping by one of my favorite spots in Walt Disney World — Le Cellier Steakhouse — to see what’s new in The Great White North!
Well, technically, this isn’t North, it’s South. And we’re not in Canada. But we are in the Canada Pavilion in Epcot. Owing to the architecture and gardens here, this is one of the prettiest spots along World Showcase Promenade.
Who doesn’t love journeying back through the pavilion and getting splashed by waterfalls as you walk? You haven’t done it? I highly recommend it. And go see O, Canada! while you’re at it! Martin Short is the best. 😀 (Speaking of, when we were in Vancouver for our Alaska cruise last year I couldn’t help but notice that Martin Short is the voice of, like, every single cartoon in Canada.)
But while I love exploring the whole area to see what’s new, it’s Le Cellier Steakhouse, the pavilion’s signature dining table service restaurant, that keeps me coming back trip after trip. Le Cellier is a favorite of mine because it features one of my favorite meals in all of Walt Disney World — the Le Cellier Filet.
But you know my philosophy: just because something has always been great doesn’t mean it continues to be. We always like to check back in with places — even our favorites — to make sure we can still continue to recommend them. And so, in the name of research, here I am at Le Cellier once again. And this time there was a new favorite… .
Meander back along the beautiful gardens, following the signs, and you’ll come to the entrance of Le Cellier Steakhouse. Tucked into the bottom of the chateau that’s the hallmark of the Canada Pavilion, you get a sense that the spot is aptly named.
Le Cellier Steakhouse Entrance
It always throws me a little, this imagining that I’m in Canada when Florida is so very hot most of the time. Still, as soon as you walk through the doors, the Disney magic kicks in, and you start to feel as though you have indeed traveled north. Stone walls and flooring, along with heavy wood accents, immediately evoke a feeling of…cool. [Read more…]
Today, we have a real treat for you!
Monsieur Paul Restauarant in Epcot's France Pavilion
We are heading through the unassuming door and up the fabled staircase above Epcot’s Les Chefs de France to savor a meal at the newly revamped Monsieur Paul Restaurant!
Located in the France Pavilion within Epcot, Monsieur Paul was formerly Bistro de Paris. When the signature restaurant underwent refurbishment last year, it received a new name, honoring the life and legacy of legendary chef and owner Paul Bocuse.
But what else had changed? We were curious as well. And so, armed with a camera, my notebook, and an appetite, I recently made my way through the double doors to bring the story to you.
This is going to be a long one (over 50 photos!!), so settle in for a culinary journey!
As you poke around the France Pavilion and see glasses of wine and glaces for sale, you’ll encounter this sign letting you know of your (less obvious) dining options.
External Sign Showing France Pavilion Restaurants
And it’s a good thing! Because unless you know it’s there, it would be pretty easy to pass right by the entrance for Monsieur Paul, which is actually tucked back into the pavilion, wrapped behind the more prominent Les Chefs de France.
Monsieur Paul Menu Plaque
With its crisp awning cover and double doors, it blends in as just another part of the authentic themeing in the pavilion — which nearly convinces you that you’re in Paris.
Monsieur Paul -- Outside
Just like high-end restaurants that are hidden to all but those who have been let in on the secret, you won’t see any flashy signs hanging over the door. Instead, you’ll simply catch a glimpse (if you’re really looking for it) of [Read more…]
I’m a Disney dork and a die-hard New Yorker. I go dizzy happy when these worlds collide and I get to experience Mickey magic here in the Big Apple.
So it will come as no surprise that my heart skipped a beat when I heard that the ultra chic Manhattan department store Barneys New York would be featuring Disney characters and merchandise in its holiday 2012 promotions, called Disney Electric Holiday.
Barneys is located on Madison Avenue at 61st Street, in the heart of the City’s poshest shopping district. I’m handy with a credit card and thrilled to paw the racks at Sak’s Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and even tony Henri Bendel, searching for marked down Tori Burch flip flops and DKNY sweaters.
But I must confess that I’ve always been intimidated by Barney’s stock of exclusively over-the-top luxury brands sold at over-the-top luxury prices. To illustrate the vibe: A few years ago, two extremely generous and fashion savvy friends took me for a birthday celebration lunch to Fred’s, the in-house cafe at Barney’s. (No, there is no Flintstone’s connection.) Seated at the table next to us was [Read more…]
It’s almost Epcot Food and Wine Festival time (the best time of the year!). So far, we know the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth Menus, and we even know the special events that will be offered at the festival. As we lead up to the big opening day, I’ll be posting reviews and recipes from the main event. Today, we have an incredibly indulgent recipe for you…
2011 Canada Booth
You know that I am a huge fan of Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot’s Canada pavilion. And when I go there, I often order the Mushroom Filet Mignon!
This fantastic filet — one of my favorites in Disney restaurants — is topped with a white truffle butter sauce that’s pretty freakin’ awesome. I love it so much that I recently discovered that I can order extra when I’m at the restaurant (and I do)!
Mushroom Filet Mignon with White Truffle Butter Sauce and Micro Chervil
This dish is scheduled to be featured in the Canadian Booth at the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, so I wanted to share a recipe for the sauce so you can make it at home!
If you’ve been dying to try it yourself but don’t have a trip planned, then this is [Read more…]
For the run of Lady and the Tramp up at El Capitain Theatre in Hollywood, Disney’s Soda Fountain and Studio Store is offering another featured sundae! This time, it’s the L’amore e un Spaghetti Sundae — an adorable sundae designed to look like it came straight out of Tony’s Italian Restaurant from the movie.
L'amore e un Spaghetti Sundae Description
Strawberry & vanilla ice cream are swirled with strawberry & chocolate sauces, then topped with two “meatless” balls (aka chocolate truffles) accompanied by a serving of “spaghetti” icing. Isn’t it [Read more…]
Sweet! Let’s welcome MealTrip as he shares a review of this year’s 3D Disney’s Dessert Discovery, one of several special events held at this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival. This year, the event introduced a new upgrade called Sweet Seats. Take it away!
The 3D Disney’s Dessert Discovery event is a ticketed dessert extravaganza held in the World ShowPlace in Epcot, and capped off with specialty viewing of the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth fireworks show. Cost of this event is $55 per person.
Chocolate Art at the Disney Dessert Discovery
As the Discovery enters it’s sophomore year, we welcome the introduction of “Sweet Seats.” This additional upgrade ($25 extra) elevates your party from the mass of sweet-seeking attendees waiting patiently behind the closed doors of the World ShowPlace Pavilion and places you squarely into a private reserved table with your name on it (literally), a full 15 minutes before the official start of the event.
Sweet Seats Signage
If you don’t mind waiting in a tight huddle with a few hundred soon-to-be acquaintances, the Sweet Seats upgrade really is just an option, and not needed to fully enjoy this abundant dessert extravaganza.
The 3DDD event by itself is one of the most economical ways to get inside the World ShowPlace Pavilion, and if you have never been inside for a Party for the Senses (review coming soon!) or other private event, it’s a very unique space worth experiencing at least once.
Outside World Showplace
The check-in queue for the event begins on the World Showcase Lagoon side of the main walkway, just past Off Kilter’s stage in Epcot’s Canada. If you have purchased the Sweet Seats upgrade, your check-in is [Read more…]
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