food IS a theme park
What do you need after taking a speedy spin on everyone’s favorite design-your-own-vehicle attraction, Test Track? A snack, y’all! (FYI: Most questions can be answered with “a snack.”) And we’re thrilled to tell you that the Test Track-adjacent Taste Track beverage and snack kiosk is open — again — for business!
Taste Track Kiosk
Let’s be real: the temperatures in central Florida can be downright stultifying. But thankfully, Disney has provided many, many, many options for ice cold refreshment. And if you’re in the World Showcase at Epcot, tons of these awesome options are just a short walk away.
One of our favorites is located in the Japan Pavilion. Die-hards know it well — it’s Kaki Gori, and it’s a winner! Kabuki Cafe itself is super cool, featuring architectural details in keeping with its pavilion. You’ll find clay tile shingles on the roof, and paper lanterns hanging from the eaves.
Japan’s Kaki Gori Stand
Time to go back in time and dine with the Founding Fathers… . Or, at the very least, settle for the next best thing: dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern in Walt Disney World.
Liberty Tree Tavern has long held a special place in my heart — and in many of yours as well, I know. If you’re one of many longtime Tavern devotees, you already know that for years this Magic Kingdom Table Service has offered an a la carte menu for Lunch, while dinner has featured an All-You-Care-to-Enjoy meal served family style.
Both of those things are still true. But some notable changes to both the lunch and dinner menus took place just a couple months ago. For instance, Lunch still offers a la carte options (with some returning favorites among them), but you can also order the All-You-Care-to-Enjoy Bill of Fare, if you wish.
And the changes to Dinner? Well, there was only one. But it was a pretty darn big one, and I had to experience it for myself.
Liberty Tree Tavern Sign
So please join me, my fellow citizens… .
All eyes are on Animal Kingdom with the opening of Pandora — World of AVATAR!
And of course, we’ve been busy trying as many new dishes and snacks as possible at Satu’li Canteen and Pongu Pongu.
But what about the rest of the park? Have we forgotten about all the yum that resides in Africa’s Harambe, Discovery Island, Dinoland, U.S.A. (hey, don’t knock it — it’s home to Restaurantosaurus and the new Smokey Bones Bourbon and Bacon Shake), and Asia’s Anandapur?
Heck, no! In fact, we just found some new desserts at Yak and Yeti Local Food Cafes that are crazy!!
Yak and Yeti Local Food Cafes is the counter service little sister to the Yak and Yeti table service restaurant in Animal Kingdom’s Anandapur. You might see it listed as Yak and Yeti Counter Service sometimes (which may be a little clearer, if not quite so thematic).
Lines at Local Food Cafes
Most recently, we’ve checked out the Kobe Beef Burger and the Kobe Beef Hotdog, plus you can snag a generous portion of Chicken Fried Rice in a fun take-out container for a snack credit. And the Honey Chicken continues to have a dedicated fan base.
Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe Menu
Basically, if you like simple Asian fusion food, you’ll find something here.
But on our most recent visit, we went for something a little sweeter. We spotted two new dessert offerings on the menu (replacing the previous Pineapple Coconut Cake and Triple Chocolate Mousse), so we ordered one of each. Introducing the Mini Chocolate Silk Cake and the Mini Mango Pie.
Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe Desserts
First up was the Mini Chocolate Silk Cake, which, truth be told, was more like a pie than a cake. But you can’t really go wrong with silky chocolate mousse and chocolate chips.
Mini Chocolate Silk Cake
And while this is served up in a small bowl, there are some big and delicious flavors here. In particular, we were massive fans of that crust! It’s basically crushed cookie crumb crust, but it’s divine — and there’s tons of it!
Mini Chocolate Silk Cake
Not only is the crust pressed thickly all around the bowl, it’s on the bottom too, providing lots of texture and flavor to accompany the soft chocolate mousse. We also like the inclusion of chocolate chips, since they provided a slightly chewier texture. Overall, this is a solid choice for a chocolate fan or a picky-ish eater.
Mini Chocolate Silk Cake
But if you want to win the dessert day — and you do — go with the Mini Mango Pie. This one lands in a category for only the most stupidly good desserts. Because it’s really stupid good. And the star — like the Mini Chocolate Silk Cake — is the crust!
Mini Mango Pie
That thick graham cracker crust could not be better. It’s got just the right amount of saltiness from the butter that’s holding the crumbs together and sweetness from the incorporated sugar. It’s just dynamite! Crust heaven!
Mini Mango Pie
And there’s so much of it! And we’re so happy there’s so much of it!
But of course, pie is not made of crust alone (although we’d eat that… just sayin’). And here the sweet/tart mango filling is light and tropical — perfect for a hot Animal Kingdom day.
Mini Mango Pie
It’s the consistency of mousse without being too airy, which is a wonderful contrast to the crust. And it just tasted amazing. Wonderfully mango-licious.
(Those who have had the awesome mango pie in the restaurant at Yak & Yeti know it’s good. But THIS. IS. BETTER.)
Mini Mango Pie
At $4.99 or a Disney Dining Plan snack credit, we say… gogetthisnowandbuyoneforustooplease. And in case you were wondering, the Mini Chocolate Silk Cake and the Mini Mango Pie have replaced the Pineapple Coconut Cake and the Triple Chocolate Mousse cake that used to be here, and we say: good riddance! You were fine, but we’ve moved on to better desserts.
What is your dessert fave at Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!
sure is putting the emphasis on seasons these days.
We took major notice two years ago when the Warm Peanut Butter Brownie came straight from nowhere to completely wow us. In the time it took us to fall smack dab in love, we also found out it was a “seasonal” item, which may or may not be there on the next visit.
Of course, we’ve seen plenty of seasonally rotating options in the practically famous Sunshine Seasons bakery case. Now, here’s why you need to keep an eye out: some seasonal items are labeled as such. Take, for instance, the Warm Apple Crisp, which was simply labeled “Seasonal Dessert” in the case. Others, though, just seem to appear with the change of… well, the seasons!
And the Lemon Berry Mousse Cake, which we’re sharing with you today, heralds the fruity flavors of spring and summer in a somewhat unexpected fashion.
Even tucked in among longtime crowd favorites like the Carrot Cake Cupcake, Key Lime Tart, and the Mickey Whoopie Pie, the Lemon Berry Mousse Cake still manages to stand out thanks to its unique appearance comprised of deep purple mousse and yellow cake with a whipped cream garnish.
Sunshine Seasons Lemon Berry Mousse
Sold. Because how could we not at least try a layer cake that looks as unique as this? [Read more…]
Now that summer has officially (or unofficially?) begun, we all have one thing on our minds.
Grillin’!
And one of the most essential fresh-from-the-grill dishes is a juicy BURGER. Slap a piece of cheese on it and you’re there.
But what happens when one of our favorite Disney Springs counter service spots creates their own take on a meaty burger? Well, that’s when a little something called Cheeseburger Poutine is born at The Daily Poutine!
You already know poutine A) if you’re lucky enough to be Canadian or B) because we can’t stop talking about it 🙂 . Large cut French fries, squeaky cheese curds, and brown gravy. That’s the purist’s version, and it’s a thing of beauty.
The Daily Poutine in Disney Springs
But plenty of jazzed up versions show up around Disney World in spots like Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot’s Canada Pavilion, and — ever since around this time last year — The Daily Poutine in Disney Springs. And now — for the time being, at least — you can add Cheeseburger Poutine to the list, joining Italian, French, and Latin Poutine (and, of course, the Classic).
has been churning out ooey, gooey caramel treats in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion since it opened nearly SEVEN years ago.
(I started this blog just over 8 years ago, by the way. Time sure flies when you’re eating your way around Walt Disney World!)
Anyway, it’s all in the name: it’s the Caramel Kitchen, brought to us by Werther’s Caramel. It’s for those of us — and there are those of us 😉 — who adore all things caramel maaaaybe even a bit more than the other candy darling: CHOCOLATE.
Now, that’s not to say that Karamell-Küche doesn’t have a few things in that golden bakery case for chocoholics. Not at all. You’ll find chocolate poured over a Caramel Apple, covering a caramel square, or topping Mickey’s ears on a Krispie Treat.
And now there’s one more that the chocolate lovers — and caramel lovers, of course! — can add to the list to try.
It’s the new Chocolate Caramel Swirl.
Karamell Kuche Chocolate Caramel Swirl
Everything you need to know is found in the first glance: it’s a thick cut swirl of chocolate and caramel, finished with chocolate sprinkles surrounding the outer layer. Well, there is one more thing you’d probably like to know: the Chocolate Caramel Swirl comes in at $4.49 or a Disney Dining Plan snack credit. [Read more…]
You know we love our cupcakes here at DFB. But when we want a sweet treat, we often find ourselves at Sprinkles. Sprinkles is, like, cupcake heaven. And with amazing options like Cupcake Sundaes and Frosting Shots, the hits keep comin’.
Plus that ice cream sandwich with the cap’n crunch ice cream? Just yes.
Sprinkles Case
Y’all already know about the new grown-up drinks being served up in Pandora at the Pongu Pongu lounge, but that’s not the only place you can get something new and boozy in the Animal Kingdom! Nosiree!
If you happen to find yourself on the other side of the park in the land of cartoonish dinosaurs, stroll up to the window of Trilo-Bites and take a gander at their (changing-with-some-frequency) little menu.
Trilo-Bites Exterior
It’s almost time for the official grand opening of Pandora: the World of Avatar, but several DFB team members were able to secure an Annual Passholder Preview so that we could give you all the scoop on the foods and drinks you’ll find in Walt Disney World’s newest land.
We’ve covered the Build-Your-Own-Bowl options at Satu’li Canteen and sucked down more than a few boba balls and some green beer at Pongu Pongu.
So today, we’re trying three Pandoran prepackaged snacks, which you can find in various locations in Pandora. And these are totally thematic, people!
First up is the Teylu Gummi Candy. As the story goes, teylu are similar to shrimp and serve as a main source of protein for the Na’vi people. We can’t say the same for the gummies (no protein here!), but they definitely look the part!
Teylu Gummi Candy
They’re skewered on a stick, just as the Na’vi might skewer their teylu to cook over a fire. Great detail, right? Flavors here are, thankfully, not shrimp, but instead: Dragon Fruit, Lemon, and Fruit Punch.
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