The Mouse feeds people well. Too well, most times.
Husband and I are just back from a week long trip to Disney with friends of ours. We had a blast! Great friends, great weather, great entertainment, and great food.
Disney food is some of the best we’ve ever eaten, and after two trips this past year, we’ve been lucky enough to sample a lot of it.
At Hollywood Studios, we made reservations at our favourite Disney restaurant, The Hollywood Brown Derby. As usual, it was amazing. We enjoyed an andouille-crusted prawn over cheddar grits and prosciutto cake with parmesan petals and an olive salad to start, followed by filet mignon with a red wine reduction over garlic mashed potatoes and duck two ways served over an herbed polenta cake. For dessert, we each tried the chocolate three ways. Oh my goodness it was delicious.
The next morning we breakfasted at Kona, which was new to us. People brag online about the food at Kona, we had to see what this was all about. Kona is famous for their tonga toast – a huge piece of sourdough bread filled with bananas, then fried and crusted in cinnamon sugar. I had to try it, but I was nervous. I’m one of those people who orders one thing, then wants whatever her husband ordered when his arrives. I’m happy to say though, that I wasn’t disappointed. I ordered a side of strawberry sauce and macadamia nut butter to go with my tonga toast. It. Was. Phenomenal. When I cut into this, I heard the crunch of the cinnamon sugar coating, and I didn’t look back. (The picture doesn’t do this justice, believe me.)
Husband ordered The Somoan – poached eggs with Hollandaise served over smoked pulled pork hash.
Both breakfasts were two of the best we’ve ever eaten. We will definitely be heading back to Kona on our next trip. Even if for no other reason than the pressed Kona coffee.
Another of our meal highlights comes from Le Cellier, in the Canadian pavillion in Epcot. Let me just say that we Canadians really know how to do things right.
We were accidentally seated in the New Brunswick section, and served by a great gal named Danika – a BC native. She was so friendly, and very happy to serve some fellow Canadians.
The starters were the cheddar cheese soup, a charcuterie platter, and a non-traditional poutine (aged white cheddar and a beef stock and red wine reduction instead of the traditional curds and gravy). Everything was amazing. The poutine, although non-traditional, left us looking for a way to make it at home.
Our main was a lovely AAA steak over mushroom risotto and a bearnaise sauce. No words.
Dessert. Maple creme brulee, and a cheese course.
Another great meal that deserves mention was the character brunch we attended at 1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian resort to celebrate my beautiful friend Sara’s birthday. What a great time. The Mad Hatter was there, along with Mary Poppins. We had so many laughs, and more great food. All served on Mickey plates.
Strawberry soup and a Mickey waffle? Yes, please.
What an amazing time!
Other honourable mentions:
Our breakfast at Boma, in the Animal Kingdom Lodge – this is one of our favourite breakfasts at Disney. Boma’s breakfast is a buffet of African-inspired fare, including corned beef, bobotie, African fool, and banana bread pudding.
The dole whip! This one is an orange-pineapple mix, and it melted VERY quickly. I guess soft serve does that in 37C heat.
The Liberty Tree’s pot roast and ooey gooey toffee cake:
At Via Napoli in Epcot’s Italy pavillion we enjoyed calamari, arancini and fried veg to start, candele pasta and pizza, then the best tiramisu I’ve ever eaten (alongside my Aunt Mav’s that is, Mav’s tiramisu is THE best):
And finally, two delicious surprises we found at The Animal Kingdom – the seared tuna appetizer with asian slaw at Yak & Yeti, and a lovely chocolate coconut cupcake (I got to use a snack credit for this!!!).
Disney food is ridiculously good. The next time you visit, be sure to take advantage of the flavours Disney has to offer. I can’t wait to do it all again!
