Sunday, November 13, 2011

So Much to Eat, So Little Time!

So much to eat so little time!!

Having recently returned for WDW and with another trip very near on the horizon Disney food and drink is very present in my mind!

There is sooooo much to choice from the basic hot dog at Casey’s Corner to the sublime dishes of Victoria and Albert’s.

On our recent trip I was lucky enough to experience both of those things, and a lot in between!

It’s so hard to choose where to eat. There seems to be an infinite number of things to eat and dining experiences to have. With 180 days, or so, likely between when you make the reservations and when you actually dine on the meal there is a lot of room to second, or third, guess your choices!

I’ve eaten a lot of meals at Disney World. Some good, in fact some of the best meals I’ve ever eaten where at Disney World, some not so good, a few of the worst meals where eaten at Disney World as well!

Let’s focus, for now, on the positive!

I’m no foody, far from it. But I know what I like and I know what my family likes. So, I’ll share with you my favorite WDW meals!

My favorite meal at Disney World, and of my life, is the Chef’s Table at Victoria and Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

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From Cold “Smoked” Niman Ranch Lamb with Fuji Apple and Curry Dressing paired with Grans-Fassian Piespoorter Kabinett Riesling 2007 (one of the best glasses of wine I’ve ever had) to Veal Sweetbreads and Shank with Chanterelle Mushroom Ragout, this meal was not only a meal but a true culinary experience! It was so far beyond any meal I’ve ever eaten it’s almost indescribable! I ate things that night I would have never put in my mouth before. The service was impecciable. It was, at least to me, well worth the over $400 it cost. I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for an amazing experience of the very best food, wine and service anywhere in the world and is willing to pay the price for it!

Narcoossee’s, also at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa,

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is another one of my favorite meals at Disney World. My husband and I dined at Narcoosee’s a few years ago on a trip we took for our 10th anniversary. We both love seafood, especially lobster. But, lobster is readily available where we live and in most cases it’s fresh from waters just miles from our front door. It can be pretty hard to live up to the standards we hold most seafood to. But, Narcoossee’s not only lived up to that standard, it surpassed it. Their Steamed Lobster, straight out of a steam cabinet, was melt in your mouth delicious. There was not rubbery texture that comes from over cooking. It was perfect and one of those meals I dream about experiencing again!

As for character meals, 2 stick out in my mind. Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Donald’s Breakfast at Tusker House in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Chef Mickey’s is something that ever Disney World visitor should experience. It’s cute, it’s fun, it’s family friendly, if your 3 year old has had a long day at the parks and is tired and cranky. If you have had a long day at the parks dealing with your 3 year old you will not be the only one! This is a buffet meal with a lot to choose from and pretty much something for everyone! Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald will all visit you at your table!

Donald’s Breakfast at Tusker House is a fabulous breakfast experience. The variety of food served in the huge buffet is amazing, from eggs and bacon to frittatas, quiches and porridge, you can’t beat it! The character interaction, with Donald, outside for pictures before the meal, Daisy, Goofy, Mickey and Minnie is amazing! It is a great way to start any day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

As for more basic, not fine dining or character meals, there is a lot to choice from!! 50’s Prime Time Café in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a yummy choice. From meatloaf to fried chicken the entrées are good and great portions. I also hear rave reviews over and over again about their milkshakes, although I haven’t had one yet! Just remember to be on your best behavior! You may find yourself without dessert because you didn’t finish your dinner or singing I’m a Little Teapot as punishment for putting your elbows on the table!

Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Resort offers amazing breakfast, lunch and dinner menus! Who can resist at least trying their famous Tonga Toast?!

Tonga-Toast

Not to mention an amazing pressed pot of Kona Coffee!!! That will certainly help get you through a Disney day ;) Downtown Disney offers a wide array of table service meals that will suit just about any appetite! This only scratches the surface, I could go on but let’s talk about counter service for a few minutes!

Talk about only scratching the surface! We could talk about this for hours! Each park offers numerous counter service meals that range from chicken nuggets and hot dogs to eggs rolls and famous Disney Turkey Legs! It's hard to even begin to talk about all the counter service options!

So what’s your favorite Disney counter service?