We’re enjoying the new Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie and Monsieur Paul, the re-imagined upstairs restaurant at the France Pavilion at Epcot. But there’s more: look for the new L’Artisan des Glaces, Artisan Ice Cream & Sorbet to open by mid-June in the pavilion’s former bakery space.

This delightful little shop will offer 16 different flavors – 10 ice creams and six sorbets are on the menu (still a work in progress). “Everything will be made in-house with the simplest, fresh ingredients – milk, sugar, cream, eggs and fruit,” says general manager Eric Weistroffer.

The frozen treats will be available by the scoop in cups or cones – and for grown-ups, there’s the option of adding liqueurs, says Weistroffer.

Meanwhile, you don’t have to journey to Disneyland Resort to try one of the super-popular, savory cones from Cozy Cone Motel in Disney California Adventure park at Cars Land. They’re now on the menu at Marketplace Snacks in front of Team Mickey at Downtown Disney Marketplace at Walt Disney World Resort. Take your pick of the meaty Chili Cone Queso topped with shredded cheese and crispy corn chips (our favorite), or the hearty meatball cone. Both are served in a thick bread “cone” suitable for strolling while you enjoy.

Tagged: Dining, Epcot, WDW

Filed: Disney Dining, Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

It’s the one day of the year mom really shouldn’t have to cook. So, whisk her away like a Disney princess to one of these spots for a Mother’s Day meal to remember.

The big event on May 12 is “Join Cinderella and Her Princess Friends for Disney’s Royal Buffet for Mother’s Day.” It’s an all-you-care-to-eat feast from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom, with visits by Cinderella and live musical entertainment.

The menu is over the top, starting with a glass of bubbly and expansive buffet: salads, artisan cheese, seafood, fish and meats. And, of course, divine desserts for mom including housemade pies. Little ones get their own buffet with salads, fresh fruit, chicken, pizza, mac ‘n’ cheese and “kid-approved desserts.”

Cost is $71.99 (not including tax and gratuity); $20.99 for ages 3 to 9. Premium Annual Passholders get a 15-percent discount, and all other annual passports get a 10-percent discount. Four hours of parking is free (then it’s $6 an hour).

In Disneyland park, three restaurants are creating special mom’s day meals. Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square is offering prosciutto-wrapped halibut with forbidden rice and a corn chowder ($39.00). Carnation Café has honey-mustard, lemon-roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and glazed baby carrots for $16.99, and Plaza Inn is serving fruit-glazed salmon with mango-kiwi relish, rice pilaf and baby carrots for $16.99

Over at Storytellers Café at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the brunch buffet has extra goodies for Mother’s Day, from seasonal berries and made-to-order omelets to beef au jus, brioche French toast and roasted salmon. Cost is $31.99.

For reservations, call 714-781-DINE.

Tagged: Dining, Disneyland Hotels, DL, DLR

Filed: Disney Dining, Disneyland Resort, Hotels & Resorts

After a family trip to Ireland, we jumped at the chance to re-live the experience over a shared meal at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant at Downtown Disney – and not just any “order-off-the-menu” experience, but a traditional Sunday roast, much like families enjoy so much on the Emerald Isle.

With a minimum of six guests, Raglan Road’s “Host the Roast” is one of a kind in Central Florida – there are plenty of Sunday brunches and buffets, but Raglan’s is the only one that lets your host do the honors and carve tender prime rib, roast pork, roast chicken or roast leg of lamb (OK, you can just relax and let the chef do it).

My husband played along and put on the toque and apron to carve the perfectly roasted rib of beef served with Yorkshire pudding, horseradish cream and rosemary jus that we chose for our Sunday lunch. The food flows to the table – generous cast-iron bowls of balsamic-glazed carrots, tiny potatoes roasted super-crisp in duck fat, crunchy green beans, gooey potatoes au gratin with an extra bit of Dubliner cheese. If a side runs out, the server quickly replenishes. No one goes hungry.

Best of all, the champion Irish dancers and Creel, the house band imported from Ireland, bring a real joy to the place, a happy combo of tradition and flair. It’s hard to imagine such skilled, synchronized movement, especially while you’re sitting still, enjoying crispy potatoes and thick cuts of meat. Beautiful costumes and engaging Irish tunes are like a fancy bow around the family gathering.

We could have chosen the roast pork loin with cider port jus, applesauce and apple chutney (with an added side of decadent pork cracklins’). Or the roast leg of lamb stuffed with sage and onion, served with mint sauce and red wine jus. Or roast lemon thyme chicken with chicken and wild mushroom pie.

But that prime rib was just right – and the traditional Irish Sunday lunch favorite. And we finished with a generous Gran Marnier fruit and custard trifle (a strawberry and apple crumble is the other option, offered gluten free if desired). But the whipped cream and cool fruit seemed like the perfect ending – and segue to an afternoon nap!

Cost is $55 per person for roast rib of beef, $47 per person for roast pork loin, $45 per person for lamb and $35 for chicken. An 18 percent gratuity will be added.

To reserve a table for your family and friends, call 407-938-0300 at least 24 hours in advance. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

Tagged: Dining, Downtown Disney, WDW

Filed: Disney Dining, Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World Resort

With nine PBS cooking and lifestyle TV series and 12 seasons in syndication, Chef George Hirsch has fans around the world. Now you can see him in person at this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, where he’ll share grilling tips in the courtyard at American Adventure in World Showcase.

He launched his television career with the phrase, “If I can do it, you can do it!” and Chef George’s enthusiasm is contagious. His grilling tips are super easy to follow, like this short video on how to grill a perfect steak.

See Chef George’s Grill Live! complimentary demo at 1:15, 2:45 and 4:15 p.m. on April 26, 27 and 28, then again (same times) on the festival’s closing weekend on May 17, 18 and 19.

Tagged: Epcot, International Flower and Garden Festival, Video, WDW

Filed: Epcot, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

If you are looking to venture to a celebrated local restaurant, Zagat, the quintessential dining guide, this week released their list of “America’s Most Iconic Restaurants.” These restaurants “embody the essence of their city,” writes Zagat.

Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is on that exclusive list. (The only other Florida restaurant on the list is Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami.)

“Zagat is one of the most respected food guides in the world, and it’s an honor and a privilege to be included,” says Chef Scott Hunnel, who heads a team of culinary pros in the Victoria & Albert’s kitchen.

From Zagat: Victoria & Albert’s is a “once-in-a-lifetime experience”; this Grand Floridian “celebration destination” earns “superlatives all around,” from chef Scott Hunnel’s “exquisite,” “beautifully presented” New American prix fixes to “impeccable” service – and an “über-romantic, high-end” setting where “elegance rules” (jackets are required for men); you may “need to hock one of your kids” to pay, but those “trying to impress” say there’s “no finer place.”

The Walt Disney World Resort restaurant also had the highest Zagat scores of any of the 15 notables – 29 for food; 28 for décor; 29 for service (out of a perfect 30). The scores are arrived at after thousands of people share their opinions through Zagat surveys. Zagat uses the results to create trusted rating and reviews (check it out at zagat.com).

Congrats to Chef Scott Hunnel, Manager and Sommelier Israel Perez and the entire team at Victoria & Albert’s! If you want to make a reservation at this very special restaurant, call 407-939-3862.

Tagged: Dining, WDW

Filed: Disney Dining, Hotels & Resorts, Walt Disney World Resort

Spring is here and it’s warming up a bit, so we’re on the lookout for the most refreshing Disneyland Resort libations (that don’t involve alcohol). After we got a taste of the creative PB&J soda at Carnation Cafe, we figured that sips have moved far beyond plain sodas.

A stroll through Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park left us nearly floating in delicious drinks. And we admit we have a penchant for drinks that involve ice cream and a straw.

Here are our Top 10 favorites. Do you have one to add to the list?

1. PB&J Soda, Carnation Cafe, Disneyland park – A tall, fizzy concoction that looks like a grape soda but has a delicious backbeat of peanut butter. We didn’t think we’d like it, but one sip and we wanted more. And more.




2. Boysen Apple Freeze, Fantasy Faire, Disneyland park – The newest treat, and we said “Boysen apple,” not “poison apple,” Snow White! Icy and apple-juice sweet with a hint of wild berry and passion fruit foam topping.




3. Dole Whip Float, Tiki Juice Bar, Disneyland park – The classic; it’s a must-have every time we visit. If we’re super thirsty, we start with a tall glass of straight pineapple juice so we can savor the float.
4. Root Beer Float, Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, Disneyland park – When it’s parade time, you’ll find us curbside with this treat. And trust us, you won’t find root beer just anywhere.
5. Caramel Macchiato, Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, Disneyland park – When we need a picker-upper, this sweet jolt of caffeine does the trick.




6. Rose Petal Soda, Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge, Disney California Adventure park – Completely different, this artisan drink features locally sourced, purified sparkling water flavored with delicate rose essence and garnished with an edible, sugar-glazed organic rose petal. Very chi-chi for sipping.




7. Ramone’s Pear of Dice Soda, Cozy Cone Motel, Disney California Adventure park – Start with Sprite, add a hint of desert pear and Mojito gourmet flavor, lots of ice and stir. Like biting into a juicy pear.
8. Mango Madness, Schmoozies, Disney California Adventure park – This is a meal in a cup: mangoes, peaches, bananas and low-fat yogurt blended with orange, pineapple, guava and passion fruit juices. Sweet and satisfying.




9. Quake Shake, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, Disney California Adventure park – Throw caution (and calories) to the wind when you order this; it’s worth every sip! Our preferred version of this shake involves one full chocolate bar blended with peanut butter and vanilla ice cream. There are six different versions to choose from if peanut butter isn’t your choice!
10. Twisted Cheshire Concoctions, Mad T Party, Disney California Adventure park – There are lots of drink choices at the party, but our preference is the Hatter’s Mandarin Fury, a frozen slurry flavored with mandarin oranges. Sip slowly or it’s brain freeze!

Tagged: DCA, Dining, DL, DLR

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disney Dining, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

Look for a new waterfront eatery by the end of this year at the Morocco Pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot. Spice Road Table will feature various small plates and refreshments inspired by the cuisine of the Mediterranean. With seating both indoors and out, it’s a welcome addition to the line-up along World Showcase Lagoon.

Stay tuned for other “enhancements” to the pavilion and more news on Spice Road Table as menus are finalized.

Tagged: Dining, Epcot, WDW

Filed: Disney Dining, Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort