Disney’s Wilderness Lodge takes guests on a journey to the beautiful Pacific Northwest, with design inspired by turn-of-the-century National Park lodges. And Artist Point carries that theme into the dining room with dramatic murals, timbered columns and pretty views of Bay Lake and Silver Creek Falls.
So, of course, the cuisine helps tell the story, and Chef Michael Gonsalves, new at the helm in the Artist Point kitchen, is having fun with a menu that is focused on the America’s Pacific Northwest. “We are looking to convey the wonders of nature through food,” says Chef Michael.
Regional dishes such as Dungeness crab cakes, steamed mussels, Cedar plank salmon and wild-caught prawns and halibut are on the menu, but Chef Michael is having fun with new tastes, too. A dashi-braised short rib starter is served with kombu turnip pickles, daikon and wild greens. Charred field asparagus with Berkshire prosciutto, mustard vinaigrette, and foraged greens also graces the menu. And he showcases produce from the “Land” at Epcot as well with offerings such as the “Land” Greens Salad featuring Masumoto Peaches, and Seed Granola.
Favorites such as the smokey portobello bisque with crispy shiitakes stays on the menu, as well as the buffalo strip steak from North Fork Canada. For summer, Chef Michael is adding a new cheese and house-made charcuterie boards.
“We’ll be offering Pacific Northwest cheeses with house-made seed lavosh and crostini,” says Chef Michael. “And the house-made charcuterie will be ‘nose-to-tail,’ using the whole hog.” The restaurant’s beef, bison, halibut and salmon all are sourced from the Pacific Northwest too.
Most popular dish? The Cedar plank salmon, says Chef Michael, with his new rendition with local potatoes, baby fennel, Florida citrus and ver jus.
Every dish on the menu gets a wine pairing from sommelier Alvin Burrill, with each selection from Washington or Oregon. But Alvin also might recommend a Pacific Northwest ale if you ask, like the handcrafted Rogue Ales made in partnership with Voodoo Donuts (strange but true).
Looking ahead, Chef Michael says they are working on a terrace dining experience with a communal chef’s table – stay tuned for details!
Comments
Jody, you’re in for a treat. All of the parks will be decorated for the holidays and the Wilderness Lodge in particular is stunning. You’ll be doing yourself a favor if you allow some time to relax in a rocking chair in front of the grand hearth and marvel at the gigantic Christmas tree in the main atrium.
We will be visiting over Christmas from Port Angeles, WA. Looking forward to trying the new menu items and enjoying a little bit of home while on vacation. This will be our first stay at Wilderness Lodge and first time over the holidays. We hope it will truly be magical! Thanks for keeping us updated on what’s going on. We have been counting down for a year and a half!!!
James’ wife here –
@Richard #7
Try Trails End at Fort Wilderness
Excellent food and incredible prices!
So…do they have VooDoo donuts on the menu now? That would be more than fantastic!
guess there’s no chance of getting a good hunk of meatloaf or lasagna here, not for your average american 🙁
The new manager, Gary, was part of the superstar team at California Grill. We have high expectations that he is restoring the magic to this restaurant that had lost some of its luster.
Will there still be scallops on the menu? The scallop dish I had the last time I was there was one of my top three meals at WDW.
Looking forward to eating here for the first time next month. Do you know if the complete menu will be changed? Also, any additions or removal of items on the children’s menu? Thanks!!
Love this restaurant… Any plans to introduce new desserts? I always find the menu so exciting and never see a dessert that jumps out at me!
James’ wife here – This menu sounds amazing and impressive, everything I just love to dine on! We have only eaten at Whispering Pines at the Wilderness Lodge. I think our next vacation at WDW, we will have to make a dining reservation at Artist Point! Thank-you for providing us with all this information, there is so much to do at WDW and many places to dine and I wish we just lived closer so we could go more often!
Did I say I am hungry now? 🙂
<3WDW!
I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington for 30+ years and now live with my wife and kids here locally in the Orlando area. Artist Point is one of our favorite restaurants and we’re looking forward to trying the new menu and chef. It’s always had such great food and atmosphere and it’s a little taste of home for us. The new menu items look and sound great!
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