Home from WDW :(

Well, I'm home from another fantastic trip to Walt Disney World!

The weather was amazing (sunny and in the high 90s every day), the resort was beautiful (Wilderness Lodge), and the food was oh so delicious!

I can't wait to relive my vacation through my posts here. More coming soon, I promise!

Chocolate Lover's Waffles from Roaring Fork

Bon Appetite! Dinner at Les Chefs de France

Where in WDW am I?...review to follow...

Time for a carrot cake cookie!

Where in WDW am I?

Where in WDW am I?

Time to go Soarin!

Standby currently 40 mins.
Fastpass 12:30 to 1:30.

Where in WDW am I?

Lunch at ESPN Club on the Boardwalk!

Where in the world am I?

Dinner at Via Napoli!

Photo upload issues

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to let you know that I have been having some photo upload issues. I hope to have some new reviews up tomorrow. Thanks for reading!

Where in WDW am I?

Where in WDW am I?

Breakfast of Champions: Popcorn and Water!

Quick Picture: Wilderness Lodge Snacks

Carrot Cake Cupcake and Magic Cookie Bar from Roaring Forks at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Crazy Day...Happy to be back at WDW

Hi everyone!

Well, it has been an extremely long day (I have been up and going for 18 hours lol) but this crazy day brought me back to my favorite place in the world, Walt Disney World!

In a slight change of plans, and as a result of a bit of drama, we ended up at Wilderness Lodge instead of Coronado Springs. We love Wilderness Lodge and are thrilled to stay here once again.

I'll do full reviews tomorrow, but for tonight, shutterfly won't co-operate in uploading my photos :(

We had dinner at Kona Island Sushi Bar and it was fantastic as always!

Up tomorrow: Lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern and Dinner at La Hacienda de San Angel!

Three...Two...One...Walt Disney World Cravings Countdown!

Wow! That weekend flew by in a flash. In less than 12 hours, I will be on my way to Florida!

As you may or may not recall, I don't often post to my blog on weekends, so as a result, today you get three days of the Walt Disney World Cravings Countdown for the price of one!

On my last trip, in October 2010, we tried La Hacienda de San Angel for the first time. I was hesitant as I had always heard mediocre reviews of San Angel Inn and I knew this restaurant was operated by the same company. Well, we were very pleasantly surprised, La Hacienda turned out to be one of our favorite meals of the trip. The stand out item was....

Day 3 - Tacos de Camarones (Fried shrimp, chipotle-lime aioli, cabbage, lime and salsa verde, all served over flour tortillas) from La Hacienda de San Angel at the Mexican Pavilion, Epcot

First, I love the presentation! The dish is colourful and bright and simply looks delicious. The plate consists of 4 tacos, each filled with two or three tender fried shrimp, and topped with crunchy slivers of red cabbage. The whole plate is the drizzled in chipotle-lime aioli and salsa verde. My favorite topping however, were the spiced limes! The blend of acid, and the smokey spice blend really heightened the entire dish.

I can't wait to have these again!

Jiko is one of my favorite Disney restaurants. I love everything about it - the atmosphere and the exotic flavours paired with familiar ingredients keep me coming back time and again.

Something I have often noted about Disney's Signature Restaurants is that their appetizer/first course items are far more adventurous and interesting than the entrees. So when my server recommended the following item I was happy to try something new...

Day 2 - Crispy Beef "Bobotie" Rolls with Cucumber Raita, Green Mango Atjar, and Honey-roasted Groundnuts from Jiko - The Cooking Place at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
These are an african take on springrolls, crispy rolls filled with a spicy beef mixture and paired with cooling raita, sweet mango atjar and crunchy groundnuts. These are difficult to describe but I'll sum them up with WOW. They are absolutely not to be missed.

Last in my Walt Disney World Cravings Countdown, but certainly not least, brings us to my favorite Walt Disney World restaurant - Les Chefs de France.

My parents and I have easily dined here over 100 times. We end up at Les Chefs de France at least 2 or 3 times per trip. This is for many reasons, the foremost being that we have soft spots for French food and for Paris. Considering this is the closest that we can get to Paris in North America, we make sure to take advantage of it!

While I love many items on the menu, the one that I simply cannot live without is the...

Day 1 - Profiteroles au Chocolat - Puff choux with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce from Les Chefs de France at the French Pavilion, Epcot

I'm sure you are thinking "Um...Cream Puffs? So what?"

You don't know what you are missing. These are choux puffs, crusty on the outside, airy and custard-like in the inside. They are filled with vanilla bean ice cream and topped with a sinfully rich chocolate sauce. The combination of crunchy, chewy, cold, warm and chocolatey is out of this world.

I highly recommend them. I know I will have them at least once in the next 9 days.

So that, my friends, is the end of the Walt Disney World Cravings Countdown. Tomorrow the main feature will begin!

Coming Attractions: Cracker Barrel (I know...not "Disney" but totally worth mentioning) and Kona Island Sushi.

As always, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the upcoming reviews!

Walt Disney World Cravings Countdown: Days 4 AND 5

Unfortunately, there was a tiny blip with Blogger and my Day 5 post was lost :(

So today, you get two for the price of one! This installment of the Walt Disney World Cravings Countdown will cover Days 4 AND 5!

This week has been unbelievably stressful. Just when I thought I had all my projects at work headed towards completion before I leave for vacation...WHAP...I get hit with a truckload of drama! Thankfully, I was able to resolve everything yesterday and the solution to the drama resulted in a few deadline extensions which in turn, took a lot of stress away! No pre-vacation deadlines...Yay!

However, my Day 4 and 5 selections are very reflective of my stressed out week. You see whenever I am stressed the first thing I reach for is sweets. Yesterday, in the midst of all the insanity I was dealing with, this thought flickered through my mind:

"Oh god, I would absolutely kill for a Dole Whip!"

Day 5: Dole Whip Pineapple Soft Serve from Captain Cook's at Disney's Polynesian Resort OR Aloha Isle at The Magic Kingdom

What is a Dole Whip you ask? I feel so sorry for you if you have never experienced one. A Dole Whip is pineapple soft serve ice cream. It is fruity, cold, creamy and slightly tart. It is also perfectly refreshing after a stressful day. Well, actually I have never been stressed at Walt Disney World...so I can only assume that it would be perfectly refreshing after a stressful day!

There are several variations of the Dole Whip. My favorite, the pineapple soft serve, pictured above. There is also vanilla (which honestly is just soft serve) and twist, which blends vanilla and pineapple together, think pineapple creamsicle...Yum! At the Aloha Isle location you can have vanilla, pineapple or twist soft serve made into a float with pineapple juice, also known as the Dole Whip Float.

Next up on our cravings countdown is, in my opinion, the most amazing and most popular dessert at Walt Disney World.

Day 4: Pineapple Bread Pudding with Bananas Foster Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream from 'Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Resort

That's right, two Polynesian treats in one post! This is the mother of all desserts.

'Ohana is a family style restaurant and items on the menu include pineapple coconut bread, salad with honey lime dressing, honey coriander sticky wings, pork pot stickers, stir-fried vegetables, lo mein noodles with pineapple and peanut sauce and a variety of meats such as chicken, beef, shrimp and pork grilled over a massive wood-burning fire pit.

But the finale of your meal is the sinfully delicious Pineapple Bread Pudding with Bananas Foster Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream. The bread pudding is the perfect balance of crispy exterior, meltingly soft custardy interior, not overly sweet or savory. The sauce is a rum caramel with slivers of banana and the ice cream compliments both elements. When you put it all together it tastes tropical, creamy, crunchy, fruity and downright fabulous.

So the next time you are at Walt Disney World, try out these tasty treats! I promise you won't be disappointed.

Walt Disney World Cravings Countdown: Day 6

Mmmmm...Barbeque....Oh, sorry! I was lost in thought there for a minute.

Only 6 days left until my next Walt Disney World vacation and today my craving is something smokey, spicy and downright delicious!

Continuing the Walt Disney World Cravings Countdown I give you:

Day 6: St. Louis Ribs from Flame Tree Barbeque at Disney's Animal Kingdom

We stumbled upon Flame Tree Barbeque during our first visit to Animal Kingdom. It was about 11:30am and we were hot, tired and hungry. As we wandered towards the Discovery Island section of the park we were stopped dead in our tracks by the intoxicating aroma of barbeque!

We happily ordered some finger-lickin-good ribs and turned the corner to find a place to sit. This is when we were blown away. The seating area at this simple counter service restaurant is massive! It stretches down to the water and it includes adorable covered spaces (which become less adorable when you realize they are all themed to predator & prey pairings such as Owls & Rabbits, Ant-eaters and Ants etc...! Check it out next time!). The music is very exotic and gives the entire area a foreign feeling.

The combination of shade, atmosphere and fantastic food bring us back here every trip. I have never ordered anything but the St. Louis Ribs. Now, I realize that these don't hold a candle to "real" barbeque. But, since I have never been blessed with trying the real deal, these are fantastic to me. And when you consider that they are coming from a Theme Park fast food location, they become all the more impressive.

The rub is complex, not too spicy or sweet, and there is just enough. The meat does NOT fall off the bone, but has a beautifully tender consistency. My understanding is the ribs where the bones just slide straight out are actually overcooked! But the absolute best part is the sauce.....oh the sauce...I want to smother every morsel of those ribs in this sauce. I found a recipe online and have tried numerous times to replicate it with varying degrees of success, but I just can't quite get it perfect. It is tomato and molasses based, thinner than a bottled variety of sauce so it coats the meat without overpowering the flavor of the rub.

Excuse me...I'm practically drooling now! Thankfully, I will indulge in these tasty ribs in just over a week's time. Yum...can't wait!

Walt Disney World Cravings Countdown: Day 7

One week from now, at this time, our flight will have just landed in Florida!

I am continuing my Walt Disney World Cravings Countdown with another family tradition. Over the years our "arrival night dinner" has ranged from Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Chefs de France and even...McDonald's *shudder* (only for very late night arrivals!).

But a few years ago, our arrival dinner location changed. We were staying at the Polynesian and had planned on dining at Kona Cafe. Much to our surprise, we discovered that the Kona Island Coffee Bar was running a trial as the Kona Island Sushi Bar in the evenings!

We decided to forgo Kona Cafe and give the new sushi bar a try. Oh my goodness! We are so glad we did. We have made the Kona Island Sushi Bar our first night dinner for our past 6 trips to Walt Disney World.

I love the atmosphere of the Polynesian lobby. The smell, the sound of the waterfall, the Hawaiian music and looking through the windows to see the monorail zip by. This makes the sushi bar a serious happy place for me.

There is seating for approximately 20 people located along the windows and in front of the sushi bar itself. The menu is somewhat limited, maybe 7 or 8 rolls and a Chef's Special platter. However, you are free to order any items off of the Kona Cafe menu as well.

Now, on to the good stuff!

Day 7 - Volcano Roll from Kona Island Sushi Bar at Disney's Polynesian Resort
Doesn't it look lovely?? I think this is one of the prettiest sushi rolls I have ever seen. The contrasts in colour, height, composition all make me want to reach through my computer screen and eat every single bite. Sadly, I cannot do that :(

However, I will be having this little beauty for dinner exactly 1 week from tonight.

The Volcano Roll is the Kona Island Sushi Bar's answer to a spicy tuna roll. But it is so much better than that. The roll itself is traditional, with nori on the outside. It is filled with delicate slivers of tuna and a pickled vegetable mixture that includes carrots, Japanese radish and chives. Scattered around the plate you will find a creamy, spicy shrimp salad, a spicy mayo, tempura crunch bits and edible flower petals.

Oh how I wish I could have this for lunch today. Ah well, soon enough!

Walt Disney World Cravings Countdown!

Good morning everyone!

I know that I am in a Disney mood when I say "Good morning" and then proceed to hear the entire Magic Kingdom Welcome Show in my head (Good morning...Good morning....).

Well, I am officially doing the single digit dance! Only 8 days to go until I am back "home" at Walt Disney World.

I typically do some form of count down when I get this close to a vacation, and with the revamp of my blog I thought what better than a Cravings Countdown!

Each day from now until my departure, I will post an item that I am craving on my upcoming Walt Disney World Vacation.

Day 8 - The Pilgrim's Feast at Liberty Tree Tavern in The Magic Kingdom

This has become a first day tradition for my family. Liberty Tree Tavern is such an inviting atmosphere after an action-packed morning at The Magic Kingdom. To step in to the cool air conditioning and the warm wood and streams of sunlight from the slightly flawed replica windows, caps off my typical Magic Kingdom experience.

I am a very picky person when it comes to Turkey, and this lunch is second only to my Mom's thanksgiving dinner at home. The turkey is moist, so moist that I asked our server how they manage it. He explained that the turkey breasts are actually steamed, and the locks the juices in. The mashed potatoes are that perfect combination of fluffy and creamy and the green beans are always crisp and garlicy. But the winning item on the plate, for me, is the cornbread dressing. You see, in Ontario, cornbread isn't really popular. This always saddens me because I adore cornbread! So to find dressing that is so wonderfully sweet, salty, and savory all at once is heaven to me!

What are your Walt Disney World cravings? Let me know in the comments below.

The Best Thing I Ever Ate...at Walt Disney World: Sushi

These posts are inspired by one of my favorite Food Network shows, The Best Thing I Ever Ate. Each time I watch the show I inevitably end up asking myself (and anyone who might be watching with me)..."So, what is the best thing you've ever eaten?"

Among my friends and family, the answers are often items we have eaten on vacation, and even more often, items we've had at Walt Disney World! So without much further ado...

Welcome to Episode 1 of The Best Thing I Ever Ate...at Walt Disney World: SUSHI

I selected sushi as the first episode because my parents and I have a weekly conversation that goes something like this...

Dad: So, what are we having for dinner tonight?

Mom: I don't know, do you want to get something in?

Meg: I know what I want...but I can't have it...

Mom and Dad: Why?

Meg: Because it is located in Florida...

*Collective sigh*

All: Disney sushi....

Ok, so maybe the conversation isn't quite that corny, but you get the idea. I know that sushi purists around the world are likely aghast at the fact that we could love "Disney" sushi, but that just means they haven't tried Disney sushi.

Without question, any and all sushi that we have consumed at Walt Disney World is magnitudes better than the sushi we have at home. That isn't to say our local sushi restaurants are bad, just average.

Now, we eat a lot of sushi on our trips to Walt Disney World. Typically we have 2-3 meals dedicated to sushi alone. But there is one restaurant that serves up the freshest, tastiest, most interesting sushi we have ever eaten.

*Drum roll*

California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort!

We first tried the California Grill in August 2007. We loved it so much that we dined there three times in that trip alone. Ever since, California Grill has been our one MUST DO restaurant on every Walt Disney World vacation.

For those of you that don't know, the California Grill has a world-renowned sushi chef by the name of Yoshi. Yoshi is one of the few classically trained female sushi chefs in the world. She has been creating her complex and flavorful works of art for 15 years.

Now, I am going to cheat just a little bit on this episode. I am going to show you several of Yoshi's sushi rolls because it is absolutely impossible to select just one as "the best."


This picture was taken in August 2007, and it started our love affair with Yoshi's sushi. This was a custom platter and cost over $100, but it was worth every penny. The items on the platter range from creative maki rolls, fresh and simple nigiri as well as a trio of Ahi tuna preparations.

Now, on to individual rolls and why they are so delicious...


The Spicy Kazan Roll. This is described as "Crab, Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Tuna and Fireball Sauce." It sounds deceptively simple doesn't it? In reality it is a blend of textures: delicate flaky crab, tender shrimp and buttery tuna combined with creamy, spicy fireball sauce that is laced with the sweetest bay scallops you have ever eaten. Then, it is topped with crisp tempura crunch, tart and juicy mango, and salty threads of nori. Even the little cucumber salad serves a purpose. The cucumbers are pickled ever so slightly in mirin and other special ingredients. They cleanse your palette of the spice and leave you wanting more and more of this sushi roll.


Lastly, the Shrimp Tempura Roll. You know what the menu describes this as? Nothing. Why? Because it isn't on the menu (Shh...don't tell anyone!). Our first server at the California Grill asked if we had ever tried a "dynamite roll" at a traditional sushi restaurant. Indeed we had and they are quite good. Traditionally, dynamite rolls are tempura shrimp rolled with avocado, cucumber, mayo and tobiko. It is really just a variation on a California Roll.

He smirked and told us that he would bring Yoshi's answer to the dynamite roll.

Dear God. This. Is. The. Best. Sushi. Ever.

First impressions: Nori, the seaweed wrapper used in most sushi is noticeably absent. Instead, a soy paper is used, often called "white nori" despite the fact that it has no seaweed in it. The shrimp are tempura fried and instantly wrapped with slivers of watermelon and mango. The crisp cool watermelon and the juicy tart mango are wonderful pairing with shrimp. Using soy sauce on this delicate, sweet and fruity roll would be a crime. Therefore, Yoshi provides a sauce - Orange Ginger. It is a similar consistency to duck sauce, but its flavors are light and citrus-y, with a hint of subtle warmth from the ginger. Even the salad pairing, seaweed with this plate, is intentional. After all that sweetness, the briney and almost peppery taste of the salad serves as a great contrast.

It is important to note that Yoshi's sushi offerings change frequentlly. She likes to use the most seasonal ingredients and keep a good variety of options on the menu. The Spicy Kazan was added in 2009 I believe, but the Shrimp Tempura Roll has been "off menu" and available since 2007.

So there you have it. My favorite sushi in the world and easily the best sushi I have ever eaten.

What is your favorite sushi at Walt Disney World? Sound off in the comments below!

A New Year...and a New Blog Mantra!

Hello!

Firstly, to everyone that is following my blog, I would like to thank you for your continued support and apologize for my lengthy absence. 2011 did not start off the way I had planned, but I am a firm believer in the saying "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!"

So, this post is the beginning of the *new and improved* Disney Foodie Blog!

Starting this week, I will be posting weekly segments of "The Best Thing I Ever Ate...at Walt Disney World" (inspired by the show of Food Network). Look for the first segment tomorrow night!

In addition to live updates and reviews during my trips to Walt Disney World, I will be writing several "Guides to Dining at Walt Disney World" starting with the Signature Restaurants. These will be *FREE* available in PDF format so you can print them and take them with you on your trips! Expect the "Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World: Signature Restaurants" to be available in August 2011. If anyone has any requests or suggestions for upcoming guides, email me at thedisneyfoodie@gmail.com.

To start, I have exciting news! My family and I are traveling to Walt Disney World in 12 days! We will be there from May 17th - 25th. If you use twitter and are interested in seeing live updates from the parks, I have added my twitter feed (@thedisneyfoodie) so you can follow me.

During our May trip we will be dining at:

• Kona Island Sushi Bar
• Liberty Tree Tavern
• La Hacienda de San Angel
• La Cava del Tequila
• Kringla Bakeri og Cafe
• Karamel Kuche
• Flame Tree Barbeque
• Via Napoli
• Raglan Road
• Les Chefs de France
• California Grill
• Wolfgang Puck Express
• ESPN Club
• Columbia Harbour House
  
• Jiko
• and more!

So, follow along and count down the days with me...Walt Disney World here I come!