food IS a theme park
Recently, we let you know that Cove Bar’s beloved Mickey’s Fun Wheel cocktail is now available at Alfresco Tasting Terrace (FYI — Neverland Tea and Black Pearl are available now, too!) — and now we’re helping ourselves to some tasty little appetizers at this relaxing and beautiful lounge in Disney California Adventure Park.
Lovely Signage at Alfresco Tasting Terrace
There’s a lot to explore — and a lot to love — at Animal Kingdom.
First, of course, is an entire new land, Pandora, and its new quick service restaurant Satu’li Canteen. And there’s Pongu Pongu, where you can snag fun and colorful drinks to sip on while you wait seventeen hours to ride Flight of Passage.
But before Pandora welcomed the masses to a whole new world this past May, the new kids on the block were Tiffins, the park’s first Signature Restaurant known for its creative dishes and incredible theming, and its next door neighbor, Nomad Lounge.
Nomad Lounge quickly became a guest — and DFB! — favorite, from our very first visit due to the peaceful, travel-inspired atmosphere and creative drinks. But Nomad Lounge also serves up small bites alongside beverages like the Leaping Lizard and Hightower Rocks. And the food offerings simply didn’t wow us the way the beverages did in the early days.
But when we heard of a recent addition to the menu — namely, House-Smoked Kobe-Style Brisket Poutine — we knew without a doubt that it was time to grab another bite at Nomad Lounge!
Nomad Lounge is as much a destination for exploration as it is a destination for refreshments. For starters, the decor is designed to evoke stories of travel and includes fantastic banners that celebrate journeys taken by the WDW Animal Kingdom Imagineers themselves.
Travel Banners
Once you look down, you’ll discover some suuuuuper comfy seating located both inside and outside the lounge. [Read more…]
“Welcome Travelers, to the Nomad Lounge, a place to share stories about travel and adventure.”
These are the words that welcome you to the Nomad Lounge in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. But even before reading that sentence, you can already tell you’ve entered into a place celebrating the “concept of being transformed by adventure.”
So pack your own sense of adventure as we do some exploring of this brand new space that just joined the scene on May 27th — the very same day that the park itself stayed open well into the night for the first time! Of course, it’s not the only new offering in the park that has found the need to expand food options as well as entertainment in light of the new all-day schedule.
But I do think you’re about to see why it’s become an immediate favorite to many guests already. Step in with me, fellow travelers…
Nomad Lounge is housed in the same structure as Tiffins — Animal Kingdom’s first Signature Restaurant.
Nomad Lounge
It’s located in Discovery Island (just head around the corner from Pizzafari to find the building). [Read more…]
Wine lovers have something new to try at Disneyland Resort!
Wine Country Trattoria at Disney California Adventure in Disneyland
We’ve long enjoyed the Alfresco Tasting Terrace at Disney California Adventure for a place to enjoy small plates and California wines. You’ll find the secluded spot on the second floor of the Park’s Wine Country Trattoria.
Alfresco Tasting Terrace Seating
But now, we have even more reason to visit, as the rustic venue has introduced a revamped menu to complement their brand new line up of wines.
A Selection of Options from the Disney Family of Wines
Alfresco has introduced the “Disney Family of Wines”, a collection of California wines all bearing some connection with the Disney brand. While some of the wines are featured at other Disney restaurants, Alfresco is the only spot where you can sample selections from all eight of the wineries featured in the collection. They include: [Read more…]
Just a couple of days ago, we brought you a first look at the brandest, newest restaurant in Disney World!
Today, we finally get to sample even more of the menu from Epcot’s brand new eatery, Spice Road Table!
Located right on the water in the Morocco Pavilion within World Showcase, Epcot’s newest restaurant offers small plates and an interesting wine list featuring bottles from throughout the Mediterranean region.
Last week, we gave you a sneak peek at the inside of the Spice Road Table, as well as the new shops and Juice Bar! In addition, we had the opportunity to taste several of the desserts that are featured here, and we’re loving everything we’ve sampled so far!
Menu Cover
Today, we’re going more in depth and giving you a look at several menu items that we enjoyed throughout the weekend, as DFB staff have been busy sampling many of the goods and snapping pics of everything!
Spice Road Table — Outside View
From the atmosphere to the food, you’ll be well prepared when the time comes for your first visit to this new exotic hot spot!
Spice Road Table Samplers
Spice Road Table is currently in its soft opening stage. In Disney Speak, that means that it’s generally open for business, but could close without warning as they [Read more…]
Today, I’m continuing my tour of Disney World’s bars and lounges with a trip to Mizner’s Lounge. Tucked into one end of the second floor at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Mizner’s takes full advantage of views to the outside as well as the atrium.
Mizner's Sign
And if you’ve ever been in the Grand’s lobby in the evening and heard some bouncy jazz, this is where it was coming from!
I’m always interested in finding out what these spots serve. You can usually find some really interesting dishes in Disney’s resort lounges that reflect the theming of the hotel. Let’s check it out.
If I were to describe the vibe of Mizner’s decor in one word, it would be relaxed elegance. Here’s a pre-reno pic!
Mizner's Lounge During the Day
Theming here is understated, but the setting is comfortable. During the day, tons of natural light floods the room, giving it an airy feel.
Mizner's Bar
Potted palms and ornate carpets hint at the Victorian theme. Rather than [Read more…]
I have got some gorgeous pics to share with you today (if I do say so myself)! Let’s head over to the beautiful new Waldorf Astoria Orlando resort (home of the Bull and Bear Steakhouse and my close encounter with very hot hot sauce, which I still have to tell you about!) smack dab in the middle of Walt Disney World property… Today, we’re not having steak. Nope — instead, we’re having small plates. LOTS of small plates! And dessert! Four of ’em! If you ask me, this is one of the best ways to eat: many different kinds of food all at once. 😉
Oscar's and Peacock Alley Menus
When we were at the Waldorf, our friends treated us to a selection from the menus of two dining locations: Oscar’s and Peacock Alley (you can see details and menus here). Oscar’s serves breakfast and lunch on the ground floor of the Waldorf (right by the pool if you’re interested in al fresco dining), and Peacock Alley is a beautiful lounge just off the lobby. (Trivia: the original Peacock Alley in New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel was named such for the [Read more…]
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