All five senses are engaged at this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, especially “taste,” at a dozen new Garden Marketplaces around World Showcase Lagoon. The flavors of springtime abound, especially at the Florida Fresh Marketplace, where guests can enjoy a classic strawberry shortcake – fluffy angel food cake, Florida berries macerated in sugar, freshly whipped cream and a flourish of fresh mint.

We had Chef Jens Dahlmann show us how he creates this colorful dessert. You can sample his version, as well as a variety of other sweet and savory dishes featuring local fruits and veggies, through May 19 at Epcot.

 
Read on for more updates from the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival:

• Spring is on Display at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
• HGTV’s Chris Lambton Goes ‘Yard’ – Family-Style – at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
• Believe in the Magic of Oz … See it in Bloom at Epcot

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

Filed: Disney Dining, Epcot, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

“But, where can I find vegetarian?” We’re often asked this question, and following a recent visit to the Disneyland Resort, the answer is a resounding, “Everywhere!”

And we don’t mean just table-service restaurants, or fruit and nuts from the street carts. Frankly, we even consider pasta a bit of a creativity cop-out unless it’s really delicious.

So, here, in no particular order, are some of the best-tasting vegetarian dishes we discovered at the Disneyland Resort:

• If you choose to have eggs with your breakfast, we think the kitchen at Ariel’s Grotto in Disney California Adventure park does an admirable job with the tofu scramble, with sautéed seasonal veggies giving the protein a kick (and we added a vegetarian sausage pattie on the side). For a Tex-Mex start to the day, it’s the huevos rancheros at Carnation Café at Disneyland park, a filling meal with corn tortillas, poached eggs, Jack cheese and fire-roasted salsa topped with avocado-black bean pico de gallo. Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa goes lighter with a fluffy California omelet with diced plum tomatoes, fresh basil and baby spinach.

• Little bites: two of our favorites were the chile lime corn at Edelweiss Snacks in Disneyland park, a fresh ear of corn tossed in lime juice, chili powder, cayenne and cumin; and the Portobello Philly dog at Award Wieners at Disney California Adventure park with grilled portobellos and onion and bell peppers sautéed in hefeweizen beer and topped with pepper jack cheese.

• A meal in a bowl: the veggie-tater bake at Flo’s V-8 Cafe at Disney California Adventure park is a hearty mix that includes delish soy crumbles and melted cheese on top for a dish that tastes decadent but is full of good stuff. And it’s hard to resist the corn chowder at the French Market Restaurant in Disneyland park, served in a freshly baked sourdough boule.
• South of the border faves: Rancho del Zocalo in Disneyland park has plenty of choices – soft tacos, burritos and enchiladas that all can be made meat-free. But the generous Caesar salad is our favorite, topped with roasted pepitas and cotija cheese. Sticking with Mexican, we like the chilaquiles at Plaza Inn, with kicky enchilada sauce and Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses. At Disney California Adventure park, we favor the substantial veggie burrito at Cocina Cucamonga.

• Meat-free sandwiches: The fried green tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear Restaurant in Disneyland park has plenty of fans who recommend it – what’s not to love, with hot fried green tomatoes, Havarti cheese, remoulade and a side of jicama-mango slaw? We didn’t miss the ham in the Three-Cheese Monte Cristo at Café Orleans in Disneyland park, with Swiss, mozzarella and double-crème Brie standing in. And over at Disney California Adventure park, the roasted veggie panini at Wine Country Trattoria was a winner – a filling stack of zucchini, eggplant, red peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes and a lemon-goat cheese spread on a multigrain panini.

• Honorable mention: We did find a couple of pastas worthy of inclusion – the spinach and ricotta agnolotti at Ariel’s Grotto, with mushroom broth and topped with sautéed spinach, asparagus, onions and sun-dried tomatoes. And whatever pasta is on the menu at Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge at Disney California Adventure park or Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – it changes often, but you can’t go wrong.

Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish at Disneyland Resort?

Tagged: Dining, DLR

Filed: Disney Dining, Disneyland Resort

What do Disneyland Resort chefs like to eat? Forget fancy; sometimes a perfectly built sandwich does the trick. The chefs have shared a few of their favorites from the Disneyland Resort:

Chef Scott Mancino from the kitchen at New Orleans Square votes for the fried green tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear Restaurant in Disneyland park, with a thick slice of cornmeal-crusted fried green tomato with fresh heirloom tomatoes and Havarti cheese topped with mango-jicama slaw and a drizzle of remoulade on a multigrain roll.

“This vegetarian option gives you a crush from the fried tomatoes, the creaminess of the cheese, and a fresh citrus blast from the slaw,” says Chef Scott.

“I’m crazy for the carnitas burger at White Water Snacks,” says Chef Chris Faulkner from Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, where the quick-service restaurant is a favorite hidden gem. The sandwich starts with a toasted wheat bun, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, a flame-broiled Angus burger and melted jack cheese. “Then it’s topped with juicy pork carnitas – and if that wasn’t enough, we finish it with house-made guacamole,” says Chef Chris. “This burger rocks.”

A Disney California Adventure park, Chef Jeremiah Balogh craves the turkey reuben at Fiddle, Fifer & Practical Café, a warm stack of turkey (roasted right there), Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and tangy dressing grilled on rye served with a dill pickle on the side.

“It reminds me of sharing time with my grandparents,” says Chef Jeremiah. “They would take us to the deli for lunch when I was a kid, and I love watching the guests enjoy this version of a reuben made with lean turkey — it’s a knockout.”

Chef Christine Weissmann, executive chef for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, goes for the grilled albacore tuna on ciabatta at Storytellers Café.

“I love the distinctive flavors,” says Chef Christine. Ciabatta bread is the wrapper, with zesty lemon-caper mayo, fresh arugula, tomato, caramelized onions and pickled ginger topping the rare tuna.

Chef Jason Martin, chef de cuisine at Main Street Restaurants, orders the French Dip at the Lounge at Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel – a toasted French roll piled high with thinly sliced roast beef, caramelized onions, Gruyere cheese, spicy mustard and horseradish cream.

“I love the contrast between the spicy mustard and the sweet onion,” says Chef Jason.

What’s your favorite sandwich at the Disneyland Resort?

Tagged: Dining, DL, DLR

Filed: Disney Dining, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

It’s official: March 21 is National French Bread Day, a perfect excuse for us to head to Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie at the France Pavilion at Epcot.

We’ll start with the iconic baguette, baked fresh daily – it’s fun to watch bakers at work in the onstage kitchen. The long, thin loaves have that perfect, golden crust that cracks when you tear off a bite, with a soft, chewy inside. Because baguettes are just wheat flour, water, yeast and salt and take more than 48 hours to make from start to finish, they’re baked fresh every single day, all day long. You can also find that fresh baked bread at the adjacent Chefs de France and Monsieur Paul.

Of course, the French are famous for their sweets too, so after a baguette you might want to sip an espresso or a glass of bubbly and enjoy a divine éclair, tarte or Duo au chocolat. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, check out these delicious photos by Disney photographer Matt Stroshane.

If you’re an early riser, the bakery opens at 9 a.m., ahead of the regular World Showcase opening, and it’s delightful to head there and sit in relative quietness to savor a continental start to the day.

Everything on the menu under $5 counts as a snack on the Disney Dining Plan , and you also can create a quick-service lunch on the Disney Dining Plan with one savory item, one sweet and a soft drink.

Bon appetit!

Tagged: Dining, Epcot, Photography, WDW

Filed: Disney Dining, Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

Bonjour! I am Salah Chetbi, the newest Disney Parks Blog author for Disney Cruise Line. A native of Chambery, France, I began my career in the cruise industry as a wine steward and helped launch several ships, including the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder serving as chef sommelier. For the past several years I have overseen Disney Cruise Line’s wine and beverage program along with the adult-only Palo and Remy restaurants.

You may recognize me from videos in other Disney Cruise Line posts, including when I showed you how to make the “Colette” Champagne cocktail served at Remy.

Today I have two more drink recipes for you, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. These special Irish cocktails will be served on all Disney Cruise Line ships this weekend, so if you’re not able to sail with us, try these drinks at home to add something new to this year’s celebration. Á votre santé!

Celtic Twilight
1 ½ oz. Jameson Irish whiskey
¾ oz. Pernod anise
1 oz. Noilly Prat vermouth
Dash of Angostura bitters

Pour over ice, stir well and garnish with a lime wheel.

Royal Velvet
6 oz. Guinness beer
6 oz. sparkling wine

Pour Guinness and top with sparkling wine.

Tagged: DCL, Dining, Recipe

Filed: Disney Cruise Line, Disney Dining

Leave it to the creative pastry chefs at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to come up with adorable, delicious confections for the holidays.

March 8 – March 17: Check out the clever St. Patrick’s Day chocolate cupcake, iced with green-tinted peppermint buttercream and topped with a white chocolate hat (also St. Paddy’s green). Mickey ears are the perfect finish, two round Vanilla wafers dipped in dark chocolate.

March 18 – March 31: Almost too pretty to eat (but not quite) is the pineapple-coconut cupcake for Easter, yellow cake with white buttercream, coconut shavings and colorful confetti, with a pair of adorable, white chocolate bunny ears and pink polka-dot bowtie perched on top.

The holiday cupcakes are $4.99 at ABC Commissary, Pizza Planet, Backlot Express, Studio Catering Co., Starring Rolls, Rosie’s and Fairfax Fare. They are a “snack” on the Disney Dining Plan.

Tagged: DHS, Dining, WDW

Filed: Disney Dining, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort

The popular Taste of Hollywood to Go returns for just 10 days during busy spring break time – making it super-easy to have a quick, delicious meal and reserve seats for Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

From March 24-April 4, there are five boxed meals: hot fried chicken with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, sweet corn and carrots and warm apple crisp; a veggie sandwich with avocado, orange and tomato salad, tabbouleh and chocolate cake; California and tuna sushi roll with avocado, orange and tomato salad, ginger-marinated tomatoes and cucumbers and a spicy pecan chocolate cluster; shrimp salad with avocado, orange and tomato salad, ginger-marinated tomatoes and cucumbers and mandarin orange cheesecake; and cold-cut roast beef with creamy horseradish, potato salad, grilled asparagus and chocolate cake.

Kids get a turkey and American cheese wrap with apples and carrots with Ranch dip, strawberry yogurt and a seven-layer cookie bar; or strawberry yogurt, apple wedges, carrot sticks, Goldfish crackers, and a organic apple and cinnamon oatmeal bar.

You can choose which Fantasmic! show you want to attend based on availability, with the number of seats based on the number of meals purchased.

Pick up your “picnic” at Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Call 407-WDW-DINE to make reservations up to 24 hours prior. Meals are $15.99, $5.49 ages 9 and under, and include a 20-ounce soft drink or water. A credit card is required with complete payment upon arrival (24-hour cancellation policy). If you don’t have a reservation, you can check the day you are in the park for availability.

Each meal is one quick-service entitlement on the Disney Dining Plan.

Tagged: DHS, Dining, Gallery, WDW

Filed: Disney Dining, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort