Tag: Table-Service

Review and Food Photos: Breakfast at Whispering Canyon Cafe in Disney World’s Wilderness Lodge

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 1, 2020

Whispering Canyon Cafe is a casual table service restaurant located just off the lobby at Walt Disney World’s Wilderness Lodge, and it’s known for its antics that are decidedly not whispering. But you might recall that a couple of years ago the Canyon reportedly grew quieter — check out the changes here!

Whispering Canyon Cafe

I revisited after the changes were made and found the restaurant’s energy to be a shadow of its former self (click here to find out why!) But since then, Whispering Canyon Cafe introduced new skillets, so we’re back again!

Atmosphere

A fixture of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Whispering Canyon Cafe is a massive restaurant known for the antics of the servers who are your fellow pioneers.

Whispering Canyon Cafe

And as mentioned before, the antics have been toned down a bit in order to keep the rowdiness from spilling out into the lobby of the hotel, but the servers are definitely still a bit irreverent! Think about the servers at 50’s Prime Time Cafe, if you’ve been.

Wilderness Lodge Holiday Decor

Despite the toned-down antics, this restaurant definitely still has a personality all its own. And you’re still likely to end up with a super-large drink or a dozen bottles of ketchup if your server senses you’re in need of a little something extra!

Whispering Canyon Cafe

Eats

I’m here for breakfast to see how the most important meal of the day stacks up!

Breakfast Menu at Whispering Canyon Cafe

Breakfast at Whispering Canyon Cafe offers a variety of eats to please just about everyone in your group, from carnivores to vegetarians. Cocktails and specialty beverages are identified at the top of the menu for those on Disney Dining Plan who receive a complimentary drink (and those not on the plan who’d still like to imbibe!).

Breakfast Menu at Whispering Canyon Cafe

Meat-lovers are up first with one of the restaurant’s All-You-Care-to-Enjoy Signature Skillets: The Carnivore. This skillet includes House-Smoked Ham, Oak-Smoked Beef Brisket, Hickory-Smoked Bacon, Pork Sausage Links, Scrambled Eggs, and House-Made Buttermilk-Cheddar Biscuits with Sausage Gravy.

With the exception of the biscuit, this is a decent option for those following a keto diet. And everything is pretty good. If you like to start your day heavy on the protein, this is a good choice!

The Carnivore All-You-Care-to-Enjoy Skillet

There are two Benedicts on the menu, including the Traditional Eggs Benedict which consists of two Poached Eggs atop a House-Made Buttermilk-Cheddar Biscuit with House-Smoked Ham, Hollandaise Sauce, and a side of Country Potatoes. This is fine, if uninspired.

Traditional Eggs Benedict

The Vegetable Eggs Benedict is a good option, too. It consists of two Poached Eggs atop a House-Made Buttermilk Cheddar Biscuit with Tomato, Smashed Avocado, Cilantro-Lime Hollandaise Sauce, and a side of Fresh Fruit.

The flavors are good here, with the fresh avocado and the Cilantro-Lime Hollandaise offer a bit of a welcome twist. The side of fruit…is mostly melon, so be forewarned. You might want to swap out for the potatoes!

Vegetable Eggs Benedict

Traditional breakfast items include pancakes — called Flapjacks on the menu! These come with Bourbon-Maple Syrup (ask for straight maple if you prefer) and a choice of Hickory-Smoked Bacon, Pork Sausage Link, or Fruit. These were fine but definitely a bit pricy for what you get at $14.

Flapjacks

The Belgian Waffle comes with Fresh Berries and a side of bacon or sausage. No Mickey-shaped waffle for the grown-ups; but if you’re really craving a Mickey waffle for breakfast, you’ll find some on the kids’ menu! (Remember when they had those cute pinecone-shaped waffles way back in the day? Memories!)

We found the Belgian waffle to be nice and crisp, and it was a solid option for breakfast.

Belgian Waffle

The Bircher Muesli (Swiss Oatmeal) comes with Fresh Fruit, and Yogurt. This is a great choice for those looking to fill up without getting weighed down.

Steel-Cut Oatmeal

And the antics? They were so/so again. We received the extra-large soda after finishing a normal-size drink quickly, and there were ketchup deliveries, too.

Giant Soda!

We still feel like the carefree fun of the old days is subdued somewhat, but if you haven’t been to Whispering Canyon Cafe, you’ll likely still get a kick out of its current level of irreverence!

Note that the kids’ hobby horse races DO still happen.

Nosh or Not?

Whispering Canyon Cafe may be right for you if:

You’re looking for an option that will really fill you up — the all you can eat skillets can help you out there!
You want to experience the restaurant’s notoriously fun antics.
High protein meals are your jam — again The Carnivore Skillet will do the trick!
You want to take a break from the Magic Kingdom for a meal without traveling too far away. Wilderness Lodge is only a quick boat (or bus) ride away!

You may want to skip Whispering Canyon Cafe if:

A loud, rowdy dining atmosphere is not your thing.
You’re looking for super unique or inventive menu items.
It’s date night or another special occasion — the antics are fun, but they don’t make for the most romantic experience!

Overall

The meal and experience were fine overall — not the best meal we’ve had on property, but still filling with some tasty menu items! The skillets are a great option if you’re looking to really fill up, but in general, the food feels pretty standard rather than memorable. We’ve also had some issues with service at WCC recently. It seems like the restaurant is chronically understaffed, and so that can mean very long waits if you need anything extra at your table.

We used to be much larger proponents of this restaurant, but having been several times at the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020, things have definitely been slipping. With so-so food, meh-to-bad service, and the restaurant just not really hitting the mark atmosphere-wise any longer…it’s probably not a must-do unless you’re staying at Wilderness Lodge.

Check out these NEW menu items that recently made their way to Whispering Canyon Cafe!

Have you had breakfast at Whispering Canyon Cafe? Let us know what you thought in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney resorts, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, Wilderness Lodge, belgian-style waffle, disney healthy, disney keto, disney oatmeal, disney resort, disney vegetarian, Disney World, disney world resort, disney’s wilderness lodge, Eggs Benedict, flapjack, keto, muesli, steel cut oatmeal, table service vegetarian, vegetarian eggs benedict, Whispering Canyon Cafe

Disney Guides Disney Parks Other

Disney World Has a “Season” You Didn’t Know About! Here’s What It Is and How To Plan For It!

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 1, 2020

While most of us are just regular people who like to enjoy a nice time at Disney World to relax and unwind, there is another group of super-human athletes that come to Disney to COMPETE!

It’s Mickey!

We’re talking about football players and cheer squads (along with their entourages!) which can sometimes flood Disney World Resort with THOUSANDS of peppy peeps!

If you’re not a cheerleader or proud cheer parent, you probably don’t have a clue when these major sporting events are held, or how they could impact your trip to Disney World! That’s why we want to give you a quick rundown on when these cheerleading championships typically take place — and what you can expect if your vacation dates coincide with Disney World’s Football and Cheer Season!

December

Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships

While several cheer competitions are held from January to May at Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, one of the biggest youth sporting events actually takes place in December.

Pop Warner Merch

Last year, Pop Warner ran from December 7 to December 14 and brought athletes from over 64 national football teams and 400 cheer squads to Orlando to compete. Trust us when we say things can get a little hectic if Pop Warner catches you off guard! Disney even makes a special line of Pop Warner merch for the participants!

Learn more about the impact Pop Warner can have on your vacation plans here!

April – May

Numerous Cheer Championships

The next batch of major cheer tourneys crops up in springtime with the USASF Cheerleading Worlds happening in late April as well as the International Cheerleading Union World Championships (ICU).

Minnie Stops By to Lead a Cheer

The Summit, which is the last All-Star competition of the season, normally takes place in early May along with the D2 Summit typically held right after. All of these championships bring in lots of kids and spectators, so let’s explore how this might affect your vacation as a non-participant!

Check out what else could possibly come to Wide World of Sports this year!

Crowd Levels at the Disney World Theme Parks During Cheer Events

At the Beginning of the Competition

So, there’s good news and bad news. Here’s the good news first: these highly-trained athletes are here mainly for one thing and one thing only — to compete. Everything else (even Mickey Mouse!) is pretty much secondary.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Many cheer coaches won’t even allow their teams to visit the theme parks until AFTER they’re eliminated from the competition, so you might not really experience anything out of the ordinary until the first few days are over.

Check out our tips for avoiding crowds at Disney World here!

Towards the Middle and the End of the Competition

Once teams start dropping out, THEN you’ll start to see kids showing up at the parks. And once these championships are over, many teams make a point of staying an extra day or two to blow off a little of that competitive steam. Cheerleaders tend to travel in packs, so you’ll probably see some large groups of ’em (look for the BIG cheer hairbows!), but all in all, we’ve never found crowds to be THAT bad.

Magic Kingdom Sign

As long as you’ve got your FastPasses booked well in advance, you should be fine with normal to slightly above normal crowd levels (and noise levels) for a few days of your trip.

Check out some of the BIGGEST time-wasters at Disney World (and tips for how to avoid them) here!

Possible Closures

And for the Worlds Competition (the one in April), Disney’s Hollywood Studios typically holds a private after-hours party for cheer squads, meaning regular park guests will get the boot a few hours early. This is usually posted in advance on the displayed park hours, so you can plan around it — but be sure to be looking for it!

All in all, you really shouldn’t feel too much of a crunch at the parks. Now Disney World’s hotels, on the other hand, are a different story altogether.

Disney World Resorts During Cheer Events

Disney World resorts are where things start to get a little more noticeable.

All-Star Sports

Since each cheer squad is comprised of several members who often need to stay at the same hotel so they can practice, you might find yourself in the middle of an impromptu pep rally if you’re not careful!

Disney World’s Value Resorts

Cheerleaders will often stay on property at Disney World with Value Resorts being a popular option. Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, (not surprisingly) Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, and Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort tend to book up with these groups during the competitive season.

This Makes a Great Cheer Practice Spot, so Be Ready!

These groups can be found practicing on the hotel grounds at times, so if you find yourself at one of these hotels, be prepared for a little (okay, a lot) of extra energy and noise at the resort! Also, during those first few days of competition, the practices can be EARLY. So…we guess you won’t be missing Rope Drop after all?

See how some of these resorts celebrate Disney World’s Cheer Season here!

Disney World’s Moderate Resorts

While Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a moderate resort, it’s conveniently located near ESPN Wide World of Sports and many convention-goers choose it for its extra amenities.

Gran Destino Tower

If you’re staying at any of these resorts we’ve just mentioned, you’re more likely to see groups of pre-teens and teens stunting or training in common areas. They usually aren’t too rowdy, but you could hear cheering or music, which depending on your level of tolerance, might encourage you to stay elsewhere.

Learn more about Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort here!

Disney Springs During Cheer Events

You might find Disney Springs to be a little more bustling during the cheer comps, especially in the evening when the groups are looking to enjoy some retail therapy and do some carbo-loading for the big day ahead. Shops might be a bit busier while restaurants tend to book up more quickly.

Kate Spade X Minnie Mouse Collection

If you’d rather not deal with the extra crowds, do Disney Springs earlier in the day while the kids are still competing.

Click here to check out ALL of the Disney Springs restaurants!

Transportation During Cheer Events

Many of the cheerleaders use Disney World’s ground transportation. This means you might experience some delays on your end due to the increased demand for buses.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

You might also end up on a bus filled with cheerleaders or have to wait for another bus since an entire cheer squad just filled up a bus that’s heading to or from the parks.

Incredibles Bus

Check out these ten simple tips that will make your Disney World vacation WAY easier!

Either way, we think it’s still pretty manageable to go to Disney World during Cheer Season as long as you manage your expectations and know what you’re getting into. We’ve been at Disney World many times during cheer competitions and have worked around the crowds with relative ease.

Magic Kingdom

There might be some craziness, crowds, or extra noisiness at times, but for many of these youngsters, competing in a national championship at Disney World signifies a major athletic achievement in their young lives.

To learn more about some of the transportation options Disney World has to offer, click here!

In the end, we ALL have something we hope to gain from going to Disney World, whether it’s a shiny cheer trophy or just a Mickey Pretzel! Thankfully neither are mutually-exclusive and we can all make some special Disney World memories that will last a lifetime whether we’re in it to win it or just have a relaxing vacation!

Have you ever visited Disney World during Cheer Season? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: All-Star Resorts, Animal Kingdom, Art of Animation, Coronado Springs Resort, Disney Springs, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Pop Century Resort, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, aoviding crowds, April, buses, championships, cheer season, cheerleaders, cheerleading, competitions, competitive season, crowd levels, d2 summit, december, Disney World, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, International Cheerleading Union World Championships, large gatherings, large groups, major sporting events, May, pop warner, popular resorts with cheerleaders, private parties, resorts, the summit, tournaments, transportation, USASF Cheerleading Worlds

Disney News Disney Parks Other

Paddlefish in Disney Springs Has Officially Reopened!

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date May 31, 2020

While we’ve been checking out several of the reopened restaurants in Disney Springs, we couldn’t wait to just keep swimming over to Paddlefish!

Paddlefish

Although we’ve told you the restaurant was planning to reopen alongside Terralina Crafted Italian, we’ve got some great news for all you seafood lovers out there!

Paddlefish has officially reopened to guests in Disney Springs! While there is currently a limited menu, the dining room is open and rooftop seating is available in the evening.

Paddlefish

Paddlefish is following health and safety precautions like distancing dining parties, requiring employees to wear masks, and providing mask bags for customers while they dine.

Crab Cake BLT

We will be giving your our full review of the reopened restaurant soon! In the meantime — if you’re in Disney Springs — you can stop by and check Paddlefish out for yourself or check out one of our previous reviews! (It’s the big boat! You can’t miss it! ;D)

Read our full review of Terralina Crafted Italian’s reopening!

What is your favorite thing to eat at Paddlefish? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney parks, Disney Springs, Featured, Snacks, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, Disney, disney dining, disney news, disney restaurants, disney springs, disney springs reopening, Disney World, Paddlefish, paddlefish reopening, seafood

Tags disney, disney dining, Disney News, disney parks, disney restaurants, Disney Springs, disney springs reopening, Disney World, Featured, Paddlefish, paddlefish reopening, seafood, Snacks, Table-Service, Walt Disney World

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What’s New in Disney Springs: a NEW Caramel Sundae, Neon Merch Galore, and Refillable Popcorn Buckets!

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date May 30, 2020

Welcome back, friends! We’re here with another What’s New in Disney Springs!

Disney Springs

And, we’ve got plenty of merchandise, food, entertainment, and construction updates to share with you, so let’s dive right on in!

Disney Springs Food Updates

We’re starting this What’s New off with plenty of EATS!

B.B. Wolf’s

If you want a quick meal before heading around to explore Disney Springs, B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. has opened back up to cook up some sausage again!

BB Wolf’s

Did somebody say Maple Bacon Chocolate-Chip Cookie Dough??

Popcorn Refills

If you’ve been craving Disney popcorn like we have (all that buttery goodness should never be taken for granted), you’ll be ecstatic to know that Disney Springs is refilling popcorn buckets and selling new ones!

Refillable Popcorn Bucket

You can even bring your own popcorn bucket from home to get it refilled for $2! The Cast Members were careful, barely touching the bucket and wiping down the handle before passing it back.

Refilled Bucket

We are craving three refills of Disney popcorn now!!

Learn more about the refillable popcorn buckets in Disney Springs here!

Frontera Cocina

Since Frontera Cocina opened with all that great Mexican food, we’ve been daydreaming about their margaritas! And, the restaurant put a sign out front to let guests know they can sit down inside and also order to-go from their express window.

Frontera Cocina Sign

Don’t you worry, we took out time to sip a marg and see what the restaurant was like after reopening!

Check out our review of Frontera Cocina’s flautas and margs here!

Outdoor Pop-Up Bars

Although we love popping by The Basket to get a Frozcato, now you can stop by one of the outdoor bar carts around Disney Springs!

Disney Springs Pop-Up Bar Cart

They’re currently being operated by the Cast Members from Dockside Margaritas and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar (so they obviously know their drinks!!).

Paradiso 37

It’s time for EVEN MORE Mexican food, you guys! Paradiso 37 has reopened to guests (and we’re ready for some afternoon cocktails)!

Paradiso 37

If you’re in the area, you can pop over to get Happy Hour all day long with $5 beers and margaritas!

Lime Margarita

Right now, Paradiso 37 is only offering Red or White Sangria, as well as a Lime Margarita on the rocks!

Learn more about Paradiso 37’s AWESOME Happy Hour here!

Sprinkles Cupcakes

Sprinkles Cupcakes is back open in Disney Springs, folks! Although you have to order ahead of time to get pre-set boxes, you can still use the Cupcake ATM around the corner if you have a spontaneous cupcake craving.

Sprinkles

We decided to snack on a Sprinkles Cupcake (yes, that’s the name!) with all those crunchy sprinkles and that sweet, sweet icing that we love!

Sprinkles! Cupcake

Sprinkles is also offering June specialty boxes with Peach Pie and Red Velvet in one box or Peach Pie and Neapolitan in the other.

Sprinkles

The outdoor seating section is closed right now, so you’ll either have to eat your treat on the go or sit down somewhere else.

Check out our cupcake “transaction” and review from Sprinkles!

Ghirardelli

Best. Day. Ever. The Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop has also reopened in Disney Springs! While you can’t visit the retail side of the store for a complimentary chocolate square right now, the ice cream shop is open for business!

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop

The indoor seating is closed at the moment. So, when you place your order, you’ll tell a Cast Member what you’d like and then wait outside for it to be brought out to you. Your tray will also come with silverware and napkins!

Indoor Seating Closed

We were the MOST excited to see a brand new menu item that had our name all over it! The Gold Rush Caramel Sundae had that incredible balance of salty and sweet, along with new white chocolate caramel squares on top.

The NEW Gold Rush Caramel Sundae

We’re still drooling thinking about it.

Read our full review of the new Gold Rush Caramel Sundae at Ghirardelli’s here!

Paddlefish

Paddlefish is back open with all the seafood you want to eat! The restaurant has a condensed all-day menu at the moment with to-go drinks available at the bar.

Paddlefish

And, if you stick around at night, you can eat on the rooftop bar in the evening!

New England Clam Chowder Soup

There is a paper menu and a QR menu to view, and Paddlefish will provide you with a bag for your mask before you dine.

Crab Cake BLT

While we were there, we tried the Beef Skewers, New England Clam Chowder, and the Crab Cake BLT (and we’ve got our full review coming soon!).

Learn more about the Florida resident discount at Paddlefish!

Terralina Crafted Italian

Craving some pasta?? (We are.) Terralina Crafted Italian has reopened with that bomb Italian food! Right now, the restaurant also has a condensed menu and there is no bread service as a precaution.

Terralina Crafted Italian

There are QR and paper menus and guests are given bags for their masks. You can get to-go drinks from the indoor and outdoor bars too (yaaas!).

Paper Menu

When we visited, we tried the Limoncello Mojito…

Limoncello Mojito

…Burrata (which was AWESOME)…

Burrata

…Rigatoni Calabrese…

Rigatoni Calabrese

…and Chocolate Paradiso Cake!

Paradise Cake

Spoiler alert: this cake was heavenly.

Check out our full review of our experience at Terralina Crafted Italian!

Disney Springs Merchandise Updates

Let’s go on a shopping spree, friends! And, there’s no better place to start than in World of Disney!

World of Disney

We’ve seen fluctuated amounts of people at the World of Disney, but it was pretty empty again when we visited! We had a MAJOR throwback when we saw the Pleasure Island Hat when we were visiting (anybody else still miss the OG Disney Springs spot??)…

Pleasure Island Hat

…and fell in love with the Disney Princess Loungefly Backpack all over again, which has been on shopDisney before but not in stores!

Disney Princess Loungefly Backpack

We also spotted more kids’ items from the newest Neon Line at the World of Disney too! Your kiddo can look as stylish as ever wearing the Hot Pink Minnie Tank…

Kids’ Neon Tank Top

…and the Mickey Balloon Tank Top for $24.99 each!

Kids’ Neon Tank Top

We’re totally “living that Disney life” here at DFB. How about you??

Kids’ Neon Tank Top

They can also cool off in the summer sun wearing the Hot Pink Tie-Up Tee…

Kids’ Neon Tie-Up Tee

…Yellow Mesh Shorts…

Kids’ Neon MeshShorts

…and Neon Biker Shorts for $24.99 each too.

Kids’ Neon Biker Shorts

Summer clothes AND Disney?? Sounds like a pretty sweet combo.

Take a look at EVERYTHING else new in the World of Disney here!

The Spice and Tea Exchange

The Spice and Tea Exchange is open again (and smells AH-MAZING) in Disney Springs!

The Spice & Tea Exchange

You can check out all the spice grinders to use in your kitchen…

Grinders

…the Float Teas that you can use with loose-leaf tea…

Float Teas

…and you can even grab your own custom blends of teas, spices, and more while you’re there!

Custom Blends

Don’t say we didn’t warn you — there are a LOT of choices.

Take a look at everything you can find in the Spice and Tea Exchange here!

Lego Store

Since the Lego Store reopened, there have been some BIG changes to the way you would regularly visit!

The only entrance to the LEGO Store

Right now, the interactive touch screens, build-your-own parts for mini figurines, and interactive bins are all unavailable. Plus, you are asked to stay behind the taped off areas when you’re looking around.

Taped off floor markings in the LEGO Store

If you want to check out a lego set, a Cast Member will help you.

See all the changes in the Lego Store here!

Kate Spade

Although Kate Spade is open right now, the store isn’t letting anyone inside! You can still place phone order and receive curbside pick-up.

Kate Spade

You can also window-shop and call the store if you see something you like!

Vera Bradley

Stores around Disney Springs have started to sell their own face masks to guests!

Vera Bradley Face Masks

Although Vera Bradley has previously had a few designs to choose from, there was only one in stock while we were there since they’re selling out quickly.

Read all about Vera Bradley’s face masks here!

Sephora

Sephora has opened back up to guests, but things are little bit different! At this time, there are no samples, trying on products, or beauty and skin services.

Sephora

You can return products after purchasing them, and you can also score a free tote with a $75 purchase!

Sephora

We noticed that Cast Members wore buttons with their faces on them (which were ADORABLE) so you know what they look like without a mask on.

Sephora

A Cast Member also told us that the store plans to sell their own face masks soon too (we only hope there are some colors that make our eyes pop!).

Check out Sephora’s SUPER crowded reopening in Disney Springs here!

Fuel Rod

If you’re in Disney Springs and you want to exchange your Fuel Rod, the experience is now contactless. Note that you will have to call the number listed on the machines so a Fuel Rod can be remotely dispatched to you.

Disney Springs Construction Update

We were happy to see that the new Shine Bar at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ is in full swing to bring us a new place to kick back, sip on some cocktails, and maybe eat some Hummingbird Cake (fingers crossed).

Shine Bar

The construction sign gave us a little sneak peek of what’s to come!

Learn more about the new Shine Bar coming soon here!

Disney Springs Entertainment Update

The Stormtroopers were ordering around Rebel SCUM again (and empathizing with First Order supporters, of course).

Stormtroopers

We’ve also spotted them in a newer spot closer the the AMC Theater!

Check out the First Order invasion that happened in Disney Springs recently!

Well, that’s all for this What’s New in Disney Springs! We’re going to keep doing our part eating the latest food options, checking out stores as they reopen, and keeping you posted every step of the way!

Find out everything you need to know about Disney World’s reopening here!

What are you looking forward to seeing the most in Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, disney dining tips, Disney Entertainment, disney merchandise, Disney News, disney parks, Disney Springs, Featured, Snacks, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, BB Wolf’s, Disney, disney construction, disney dining, Disney merch, Disney merchandise, disney news, disney restaurants, disney springs, disney springs reopening, Disney World, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, Kate Spade, outdoor pop up bars, Paddlefish, Paradiso 37, Popcorn Buckets, popcorn refills, sephora, Shine Bar, spice and tea exchange, sprinkles, stormtroopers, Terralina Crafted Italian, the lego store, Vera Bradley, World of Disney

Disney Food Disney Parks Other

Review: Chocolate Paradise and Some Pasta Too! We’re in Disney Springs at the Reopened Terralina Crafted Italian!

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date May 30, 2020

Disney Springs has been reopening its restaurants for guests to get their eatin’ and drinkin’ on while they’re visiting!

Terralina Crafted Italian

Although we’ve been taking you with us to try some great food (Buri Bop is the BOMB), we’re back for a little slice of Italy at Terralina Crafted Italian! Terralina Crafted Italian is owned by James Beard Award Winning Chef, Tony Mantuano, and themed after his love of Lake Como, Italy.

Checking In

Before you enter the restaurant, there are social distancing markers on the ground to wait behind…

Terralina Crafted Italian

…and a few on the inside to remind guests to keep 6 feet apart from one another.

Distancing Sticker

The hostess is inside currently, so guests can either check-in for their reservation or wait for a table on stand-by.

Hostess

While you’re waiting, Terralina has hand sanitizer placed around the restaurant for guests and Cast Members to use.

Waiting Area

You can also pop over to the indoor bar…

Indoor Bar

…or outdoor bar for a drink, since they are both open for drinks to-go! You don’t have to tell us twice!

Outdoor Bar

Note, the seating at both bars is done by the hostess, so if you’d like to sit — just ask!

Drink

We decided to start off with the Limoncello Mojito, which happened to be one of Terralina’s most popular drinks! The cocktail was mixed up with imported Arvero Limoncello, simple syrup, and muddled mint.

Limoncello Mojito

While the flavors might have been simple, the Limoncello Mojito was super light and fresh!

Limoncello Mojito

It reminded us of a minty lemonade, which would be VERY refreshing as a poolside cocktail in the Florida heat.

Eats

And, now, on to the eats! Terralina was not doing bread service during our visit due to an abundance of caution, but we still got our fix with an appetizer.

We started our meal off with the Burrata, which came with prosciutto, arugula, lemon, and crostini. Normally, the Burrata is made with in-house pickled beets instead of prosciutto. However, Terralina tends to make them in bulk, so the beets aren’t a possibility at this time with the limited amount of guests. Instead, they’ve decided to mix things up by using an ingredient they have readily available in their kitchen (we’re not complaining!!).

Burrata

The cracked pepper over the prosciutto added a lovely hint of spice paired with the lemon zest on the burrata. The arugula had a light lemon vinaigrette so we got a lovely citrus flavor to pair with all the savory eats.

We made our own mini DIY sandwich with the crostini, which was WAY better than the sad turkey sandwiches we’ve had over the past several weeks at home… .

Cheese and Meat! Oh My!

This was a really delicious and fresh way to kick off our meal! It was a large serving as well, which would make it a great shareable, or even a lovely lunch or dinner for one.

We thought that nothing could beat that appetizer, but the Rigatoni Calabrese was waiting to make us fall in love with pasta all over again. The dish was mixed with house-made pork sausage, tomato, olive, mushroom, and escarole.

Rigatoni Calabrese

Although we’d normally go for a creamier pasta or something with truffles (who doesn’t love truffles with Italian food??), we were surprised at how much we liked the Rigatoni Calabrese! The flavors blended well together and the bitter escarole balanced the olive oil and butter.

Rigatoni Calabrese

The pork was actually ground instead of sausage links, which made for easier chewing with the pasta. The flavors of the meat really stood out in the dish, which we LOVED.

Although we couldn’t taste the olives too much, we thought that adding extra cheese made the Rigatoni Calabrese even better. Our server even told us that they have one person whose whole job at a point is to make all the little cheese cups (obviously cheese is just that important).

You Can’t Go Wrong with Some Parmesan!

Our server also let us know this is a Chef Tony Mantuano specialty, and has been a staple on the menu since Terralina’s first ideation, Portobello Yacht Club, opened 35 years ago. When in Italy, eat like the Italians!

We aren’t ones to say no to dessert, and we certainly couldn’t pass up the Chocolate Paradiso Cake! The chocolate layer cake was topped with chocolate ganache and toffee crunch (so it was the perfect combination of rich, sweet, and salty!).

Paradise Cake

Although the cake was previously called Chocolate Paradise (back when Terralina was “Portobello“) we were VERY happy to get another round during our visit.

Paradise Cake

Read our original review of the Chocolate Paradise here!

In addition to a tasty meal, the service was one of the best we’ve had in Disney Springs (so give your Cast Members some well-needed love)! At checkout, our server let us know about a special deal for Florida Residents — 20% off food and alcoholic beverages! Good food at a lower price? Yes, please!

Nosh or Not

Consider dining at Terralina if:

You’re looking for a relaxing, laid-back atmosphere for a sit-down meal.
You love Italian food and have a hankering for pasta or wood-fired pizza.
You’re a local who wants to take advantage of their current discount!

Skip Terralina if:

You don’t have time for a sit-down meal, and want something on-the-go.
Italian food isn’t your favorite, or you’d like to try something a bit more adventurous.

Overall, we really enjoyed our visit to Terralina Crafted Italian. The flavors were fresh, the cocktail was refreshing, the service was excellent, and we’re still dreaming about that cake. With so many delicious places to eat at Disney Springs, it was nice to re-visit Terralina, and we look forward to our next visit!

Check out all the details on Disney World’s canceled dining reservations here!

Have you been to Terralina Crafted Italian? What’s your favorite thing to eat? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney dining tips, Disney News, disney parks, Disney Springs, Featured, Snacks, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, alcoholic beverages, Burrata, chocolate paradise, chocolate paradiso, Disney, disney dining, disney drinks, disney food, disney news, disney restaurant, disney snacks, disney springs, disney springs reopening, Disney World, Italian food, limoncello mojito, rigatoni calabrese, Terralina Crafted Italian