Beaches & Cream Soda Shop Dinner Review
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, has been a long-time favorite of ours for delicious special dietary needs ice cream sundaes and its retro charm. Recently, Brandon and I stopped by Beaches & Cream to check out the updated menu and restaurant since it's refurbishment and expansion in late 2019.
*This gluten free dining experience took place in February 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as a review of fish/shellfish free, peanut free, cabbage free, hazelnut free, and chicken & turkey free options.
Dinner at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, has been a long-time favorite of ours for delicious special dietary needs ice cream sundaes and its retro charm. Recently, Brandon and I stopped by Beaches & Cream to check out the updated menu and restaurant since it's refurbishment and expansion in late 2019.
Atmopshere
One of the things that I love the most about Beaches & Cream has always been its small size and retro nostalgia. If you have never been, the previous version of this restaurant before the refurbishment was very small and always very crowded because of its size. I also loved its slightly 90s look and feel for a 1950s inspired diner.
Somehow in our visit to this restaurant, we failed to take many photos. That's because we were actually recording a lot of video for a vlog that we put together (you can find the full video at the end of this review or on our YouTube channel).
Beaches & Cream - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
I can't believe we missed all the photos, because there's a lot of great features for the new restaurant. I especially liked the light fixtures and some of the artwork on the walls. Of course, if you want to see more of the restaurant interior, check out our YouTube vlog.
Overall, I think we both agreed that while the expansion and refurbishment were nice (and needed given how popular the restaurant is), the end result was sort of mixed. We liked the art and light fixtures, but we found the restaurant to be a lot more generic feeling.
And, as an added layer, it is now extremely loud in the restaurant. Somehow during the refurbishment, the acoustics got a bit wonky. So, do be prepared for a rather noisy dining experience.
The Food
In addition to checking out the refurbishment, we also wanted to check out the updated menu. While there were still a lot of dishes that have been on the menu for a long time, there were some new options like tater tots that we were dying to check out.
Like most Disney owned restaurants, Beaches & Cream Soda Shop does carry an allergy-friendly lunch & dinner menu. You can also speak directly with a manager at this restaurant too. I highly recommend speaking with a manager because many of the options, including the tater tots, weren't listed on the allergy-friendly menu but could be easily modified or accommodated for.
On this visit, we talked to manager Neicy, who was awesome. She explained that both the tater tots and French fries are made in a dedicated fryer. Even better? Now that the restaurant has expanded, the kitchen space can accommodate for dedicated fryers in the restaurant. In the past, if you wanted allergy-friendly fries, you would have to wait a bit while they got fries from Hurricane Hanna's Grill (the Beach Club's pool restaurant). So, this was a big improvement!
Beaches & Cream / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Brandon and I simply could not resist tater tots. We ended up with a version of the Cheese and Bacon Tots, featuring cheese sauce, bacon, red onion, and green onion (we omitted the ranch dressing that normally comes with this dish).
This dish was made safe for gluten/wheat, fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, and chicken & turkey allergies. It does contain dairy, but you can order some dairy free versions of the tater tots (including a plant-based chili version with non-dairy cheese).
We were both really impressed with the tater tots. Of course, both of us absolutely love tots in general and the addition of cheese, bacon, and onion was just perfect. We both agreed after devouring our bowl of tots that we'd 100% come back to Beaches & Cream for these loaded tots and ice cream sundaes just about any day. They were really good!
Beaches & Cream / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For my entree, I ordered the Salmon Sandwich with Bacon Aïoli, Bibb Lettuce, and Tomato on a Bloomfield Farms Allergy-Friendly Bun and a side of plain tater tots (in place of regular French fries). This dish was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Shellfish Allergies.
Overall, I will say the sandwich was good but not great. The bacon aioli was somewhat lacking in flavor, and I would have loved to have seen some other addition to the sandwich like bacon. The salmon itself was actually fairly flavorful and cooked well. And, of course, the tots were outstanding! I would order this again, but I'd be more likely to try another option next time.
As an aside, I'm glad that more Disney locations are using the Bloomfield Farms gluten free and allergy-friendly bun. I really like this a lot, and it might be the best gluten free bun that they're using on property right now.
Beaches & Cream / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Brandon ordered an Angus Beef Burger with Cheddar, Lettuce, and Tomato on a Freshly Baked Bun. His dish was safe for fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, and chicken & turkey allergies. But, you can also order a version of this that is also gluten free, dairy free, and soy free too.
Brandon's burger came with fries from a dedicated fryer, as well. And, like me, he also said his burger was good, but nothing special. I think we both agreed that the main entrees are just OK at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. But, it's the appetizers and desserts that really shine.
Beaches & Cream / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
When visiting Beaches & Cream, you have to get ice cream sundaes. It's a must! I ordered a gluten free and dairy free sundae that featured Tofutti non-dairy chocolate & vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and marshmallow sauce. I do usually get the No Way Jose Sundae modified to be dairy free, but with Brandon's new peanut allergy, I try to avoid peanut if at all possible.
I have to say that I was very impressed with this sundae. The portion was huge, and they were very generous with the toppings. Plus, the combination of chocolate & vanilla non-dairy cream, chocolate sauce, and marshmallow sauce was just plain delicious. This will definitely be my new go-to sundae at Beaches & Cream. So good!
Beaches & Cream / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Brandon also got an ice cream sundae, but he opted for regular dairy ice cream. He got a sundae with mint chocolate chip and vanilla ice cream flavors topped with chocolate syrup and whipped cream. Like me, he agreed that his sundae was outstanding and one to get again.
If you want to see more of the restaurant's interior or see our initial reactions to our dishes, check out our vlog on YouTube.
Overall
While we weren't necessarily wowed by our entrees, we were very impressed with our tater tots and ice cream sundaes. With a refreshed look and larger space, we both appreciated Disney's efforts to keep the Beaches & Cream nostalgia alive. It still has a lot of charm to it too. There are a few drawbacks with the new space, like the noise level, but we'll definitely be going back to Beaches & Cream Soda Shop for those amazing tater tots and ice cream sundaes!
Have you been to Beaches & Cream Soda Shop? What did you order when you dined there?
Cape May Cafe Dinner Review
Cape May Cafe, located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, is a table service restaurant that's a seafood lover's delight. Serving up a variety of seafood options in an all-you-care-to-enjoy setting, you won't have to worry about leaving Cape May Cafe hungry. Recently, I had dinner at Cape May Cafe with my good friend Ron while he was in Orlando visiting. Having dinner here has become a tradition whenever he visits, so it was great to enjoy a meal and good company. I also realized that I haven't eaten at Cape May Cafe for two years and was super excited to eat crab legs to my heart's content.
*This gluten free dining experience took place in June 2019. It includes information about dairy free options.
Dinner at Cape May Cafe
Cape May Cafe, located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, is a table service restaurant that's a seafood lover's delight. Serving up a variety of seafood options in an all-you-care-to-enjoy setting, you won't have to worry about leaving Cape May Cafe hungry. Recently, I had dinner at Cape May Cafe with my good friend Ron while he was in Orlando visiting. Having dinner here has become a tradition whenever he visits, so it was great to enjoy a meal and good company. I also realized that I haven't eaten at Cape May Cafe for two years and was super excited to eat crab legs to my heart's content.
Atmosphere
When it comes to theming, Cape May Cafe is inspired by the New England seaside. I will admit that I think the interior has become a little dated -- it's definitely got a 1990s color scheme going on. But, there's something charming about the retro seaside vibe combined with restaurant nostalgia that I truly love.
Cape May Cafe Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
There's not a lot to look at -- because let's face it, when you're at Cape May Cafe, it's all about the seafood feast. But, you'll find a few charming interior designs to appreciate.
Cape May Cafe - Hidden Mickey / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
I spied this adorable hidden Mickey as we entered the restaurant too!
Cape May Cafe - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
As you can see from this photo, the 1990s pastels abound. I think the restaurant could use a bit of a refurbishment, but it could be worse in terms of dated theming (I'm looking at you, Electric Umbrella!).
Cape May Cafe - Buffet / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
The centerpiece of the restaurant is the large buffet. It has an impressive amount of options for guests who enjoy seafood, or who aren't allergic to fish and shellfish like Brandon.
The Food
When you arrive at Cape May Cafe, you'll be given an allergen guide, which walks you through the buffet options and lets you know if a dish is safe for your special dietary need. I always recommend that you use this guide as a starting point and speak to a chef directly about options.
On this visit, we asked to speak with a chef who both walked us through the buffet line and also offered to bring us items directly from the kitchen. On this visit, I chose to get most of my items directly from the buffet, as they do a pretty good job of separating the gluten-filled items.
For those who are looking for Chef T.J. -- who recently transferred to Cape May Cafe from Trail's End -- as of this post, our server said that his schedule hadn't been settled on yet. So, we did not get an epic Chef T.J. meal on this visit. Just an excuse to go back, right?!
Cape May Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
First up, I got a plate "appetizers." This included my favorite marinated olives and peel and eat shrimp with cocktail sauce. Both of these along with the Jonah crab claws on the plate were gluten free and dairy free. These are all delicious and a great way to start your meal. I also may or may not have eaten my weight in peel and eat shrimp on this visit too. They're so good!
I was super sad to learn that my favorite citrus salad from Cape May is no longer being served. In its place is a cherry chocolate salad. It sounded pretty odd to me (who puts chocolate in a salad?!). But, I was willing to try it. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised, and the chocolate brittle in the salad was my favorite part. I can't say it's number one on my list of things to get at Cape May Cafe. But, it wasn't bad by any means. For those who are dairy free, this dish contains dairy with the chocolate. The cheese on my plate also contained dairy.
Cape May Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Next, it was onto the main course -- crab legs. The steamed crab legs, clams, and mussels are all gluten free and dairy free. Do, keep an eye out on the mussels though, if you're not able to have dairy because one version on the buffet had dairy and one did not.
I also enjoyed the seasonal fish, which was a baked salmon that was also gluten free and dairy free. This was really nice and was a good balance with all of the shellfish.
Another tops for me was the paella, which is gluten free but does contain dairy (in the form of butter). I had seconds of this, and I loved the spicy chorizo in the paella even more than the seafood in it.
Cape May Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
As you can see, I had pretty hearty portions of seafood and sides. I have to admit that I went up for seconds, but boy did both Ron and I leave this restaurant stuffed.
Cape May Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For dessert, the chef pointed out several gluten free items on the dessert buffet. I really liked that they were mostly in individual containers. This helped a lot with potential cross-contamination. We actually grabbed desserts at the beginning of the meal to avoid any issues, since the desserts were virtually untouched at that point.
The chef also noted that he had other items in the back too. On previous visits to Cape May Cafe, they have served a variety of Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC items for guests with special dietary needs. I didn't ask on this visit, but I'm guessing they probably still have these on hand.
Both Ron and I were so full at this point, that we really just picked at the desserts. Both of us agreed that none of them were very good. The flan was odd tasting. The lemon curd was really sour, and the flourless Mickey chocolate cakes were essentially frosting. So, that being said, I would ask for whatever other special dietary needs options they had from the kitchen next time I visit. Still, I rarely get much for dessert at Cape May Cafe, so it wasn't too much of a loss.
Overall
Cape May Cafe never disappoints if you're a seafood lover. With a variety of options in a buffet setting, you really can't go wrong with whatever you choose. I always end up full and satisfied from the options -- with plenty to choose from as a special dietary needs guest. It's definitely a great option if you love seafood and continues to be a must-do for me.
Have you been to Cape May Cafe? Which do you prefer? Breakfast or Dinner?
Beaches and Cream Dinner Review
*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options.
Dinner at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
Beaches and Cream Soda Shop, located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, is a charming table service restaurant that serves up classic soda shop fare like burgers, fries, and ice cream sundaes. Both Brandon and I love the sundaes at Beaches and Cream. Recently, we took Brandon's parents there for dinner and ice cream sundaes and to celebrate Brandon's mom's birthday.
Atmosphere
One of the things we love most about Beaches and Cream is the 1950s soda shop theme. It's kitschy and retro in such a delightful way.
Beaches & Cream - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
The only big downside we have found to Beaches and Cream is the size. It's a very tiny restaurant, so wait times to be seated can be pretty intense. On this particular visit, we waited 30 minutes past our time. And, I swear we only got seated because we asked about it several times.
Beaches & Cream Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
As you can see from the photo, the restaurant is very popular. Do make sure to make ADRs for Beaches and Cream if you're interested in dining there or be prepared for either a long wait or to go to the to-go counter.
Beaches & Cream - Jukebox / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
There are so many fun details in Beaches and Cream. I love the retro jukebox and bright colorful decor.
The Food
Beaches and Cream does have an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. But, I do highly recommend speaking to a manager or coordinator about options. That's because I have found that Beaches and Cream can accommodate with a lot of additional options or easy modifications if you ask.
On this visit, we started off with an odd interaction with our server. He asked about my special dietary need, and I noted that I had celiac disease. He asked me if I was OK with cross-contamination. Um, no. With that question, I immediately asked to speak with a manager and was brought a server who is noted as the coordinator. Because of the small space in Beaches and Cream, typically a cast member designated to assist with special dietary needs will work with you instead of a chef. Overall, I've not had any issues with this in the past. But, this visit would prove to be a challenge overall.
I asked the coordinator if I could get the gluten free reuben (which I ordered on our last visit) with fries. I was told this would not be an issue. Everyone else placed their order. Then our server came back and asked if he could bring everyone else's food out since mine was not ready. And, then I waited. And waited. And waited. A full 30 minutes later my food arrived, only after I asked our server and manager about my food.
Beaches & Cream - Gluten Free Reuben Sandwich / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
As you can see by this photo, everyone in our party had already finished their main meal by the time mine arrived. My gluten free Reuben sandwich was soggy and cold as were my French Fries. The fries come from a dedicated fryer at Hurricane Hannas -- the restaurant at the pool area of the Beach Club. While I loved this sandwich on our last visit, this time it was pretty mediocre at best.
When my food arrived, I asked if I ordered my dessert then if it would take this long as everyone else was going to order sundaes. I was advised that it wouldn't. But, I still ordered it anyway. The coordinator told me that the sandwich took so long because that's how special diets orders work there. I did note that we have eaten there multiple times and never had this issue. However, it seemed like no one working that day was very concerned about the length of the wait or the quality of the meal.
Beaches & Cream - Gluten Free & Dairy Free No Way Jose Sundae / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Funnily enough, my gluten free and dairy free version of the No Way Jose Sundae arrived before everyone else's did and while I was only halfway through eating my sandwich. So, sadly, timing was a major issue at Beaches and Cream that day. My sundae, which contained chocolate and vanilla Tofutti, Hershey's Chocolate Sauce, and peanut butter sauce was delicious as always. But, the overall experience at the restaurant was just pretty disappointing. In fact, we all agreed that next time we would just order ice cream and that was it.
Overall
I have had pretty good experiences at Beaches and Cream over the years, but this one was not good. So much so that I did contact Disney Guest Services about it. My main meal was not great -- mostly due to the temperature and condition of the food when it arrived. My sundae was outstanding. But, it's also pretty hard to mess a sundae up. I would recommend being prepared for waits when you dine at Beaches and Cream if you order food besides the sundae. This is definitely a restaurant that we would skip for a while based on the service and food quality.
Have you been to Beaches and Cream Soda Shop? What was your dining experience there?
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Beach Club
*This dining experience took place in July 2017.
Dinner at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, is a small tucked away table service restaurant that serves ice cream, floats, milkshakes, and burgers in an old fashioned soda shop atmosphere. It has long been one of my favorite places to grab a non-dairy and gluten free ice cream sundae. Recently, we decided to stop in for dinner on a whim when a reservation opened up. Brandon had never been before, and I was craving one of Beaches & Cream's famous No Way Jose sundaes.
Atmosphere
One of the things that I love about Beaches & Cream is the theme. It's truly a hidden gem on Disney property with unique theming and great food. The restaurant is set to look like an old fashioned soda shop near the beach.
The restaurant is bright and colorful, and I love all of the unique decorations and touches inside. You'll feel like you stepped back in time the moment you walk in.
Seating in the restaurant is very limited. It's a small space, with only 3 booths, about 6 tables, and a counter. So, reservations are definitely recommended if you decide to visit. You can try walk-up, but the wait can be really long at peak times.
I've done walk-ups before and just sat at the counter, which is a really fun and unique experience. It's perfect if you're just ordering ice cream.
And, ice cream really is the most popular dish served at Beaches & Cream. The decorations and theming reflect that too.
The Food
But, my favorite part of Beaches & Cream is the food...well, the ice cream to be exact. Of course, you can order meals here too. They serve burgers, sandwiches, and just about anything you'd expect at your local soda shop. I usually just come here for ice cream, but on this visit, we ordered dinner too.
Beaches & Cream does have an Allergy-Friendly Lunch & Dinner Menu that you can use to order. I personally like to ask for both a regular menu and allergy-friendly menu so that I can compare the two. The allergy-friendly menus are not perfect and often will not include items that are easily modified to fit your special dietary need. So, it's worth asking a chef or manager about options.Beaches & Cream always is a bit odd to me when it comes to handling special diets. I think it's because the restaurant is small and functions a bit like a cross between a table service and quick service location. Typically a manager or lead cast member will speak to you about options. I've had a few experiences were servers tried to navigate my requests, but I would recommend asking to specifically speak with a manager.There's good reason for this. I've had some hit or miss experiences here, and my friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures actually had a scary experience here in 2016 when the server tried to make her sundae from the contaminated ice cream in the front of the restaurant. Always trust your gut and speak up if you're concerned about safety.The cast member who assisted me was really good on this visit. She talked through options with me and let me know that I could order other sandwiches gluten free off the menu. I also asked about fries and was told I could get baked French fries but that they might take a bit longer to make.
I decided to get the Turkey Club Sandwich with Lettuce, Tomato, Bacon, and Mayonnaise on Toasted Gluten Free Bread with Baked French Fries. The sandwich was made in the back of the restaurant using Udi's Gluten Free bread. This was made both gluten free and dairy free.Overall, I really liked the sandwich. It really wasn't anything special. But, the taste was good, and it was a hearty portion. The baked French fries were also very good. They were thick cut steak fries, which is a nice change of pace from the thinner fries most Disney restaurants serve. Brandon even tried some of the baked fries when I was done eating, and he said he thought they were just as good as the regular fried ones.
For dessert, I had to order my favorite non-dairy ice cream sundae -- the No Way Jose Sundae. This can be made both gluten free and dairy free by using non-dairy ice cream. Beaches & Cream currently offers the following brands on non-dairy / vegan ice cream:
- Tofutti - available in chocolate and vanilla flavors
- Rice Dream - available in vanilla flavor
- So Delicious - available in coconut flavor
The regular dairy filled No Way Jose Sundae comes with both chocolate and vanilla ice cream, so I always get the chocolate and vanilla Tofutti.It's also served with a peanut butter sauce and chocolate syrup (not fudge) for those who are dairy free. If you can have dairy, you will also get whipped cream too.
As you can see, the sundae is huge! The one I got was also filled with peanut butter sauce and chocolate syrup. If you love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, this sundae is a hands down must order.I always end up just getting this sundae because the a la carte sundae options actually end up costing more than the pre-priced sundae. At $9.50 this is pricey, but oh so worth it!If you want to recreate this at home, check out my recreation on my YouTube channel. It's super easy and so delicious!
Overall
While I think the food is good, Beaches and Cream Soda Shop really shines when it comes to desserts. Both Brandon and I enjoyed our meals, but we raved about the sundaes. And, we both said we'd go back again -- just for dessert. Of course, either way, Beaches and Cream offers a really unique dining experience at Disney with some of the best gluten free and dairy free ice cream options around.Have you been to Beaches and Cream Soda Shop? What's your favorite thing to order there?
Cape May Cafe -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Beach Club
*This dining experience took place in December 2016.
Cape May Cafe, located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, is a table service seafood buffet that has been a long-time favorite in my family. As a special diets diner, navigating a buffet can seem pretty scary, but thankfully, Cape May Cafe is not only very gluten free (and even dairy free) friendly naturally, but the chefs there will prepare you food from the kitchen upon request to avoid cross-contamination.Cape May serves both breakfast and dinner, but for me, the dinner is the best of the two -- if you're a seafood lover. Breakfast is also a character meal, while dinner is not.Before this month, it had been a few years since I'd had dinner at Cape May Cafe. A few weeks ago, I had dinner there with my friend Ron, and we had such an amazing meal. So, I didn't argue when my family decided they want to go there too for our early Christmas celebration meal.
On my previous visit, I got the Cape May Salad, prepared in the kitchen for me, and on this visit, I knew I wanted it again. The flavors are so good, and I adore the citrus dressing and candied walnuts in it.
I also got a repeat of the peel and eat shrimp and cocktail sauce, along with their olive medley which was extra garlicky and delicious on this visit. I noticed that the salads on the salad bar (potato salad, antipasto salad, etc.) had changed from the previous week when we went. The ones on this visit were much more gluten free and dairy free friendly.On the previous visit, I avoided dairy completely but since I've been reintroducing it a bit, I opted to try the paella this time, which contains a bit of butter. Hands down, it was one of the best things I ate that night. The seafood in it was fresh and the flavors were incredible.The salmon was lackluster and dry, so I'd probably skip it next time.
Of course, you can't go wrong with the steamed crab legs (no need to add drawn butter to these -- they are super sweet on their own), steamed clams, and steamed potatoes. I also tried the carved beef again, which was good, though a bit overdone. To be fair, I asked for a more well-done piece, so next time I might see if I could have one more on the medium side.
The thing I was looking most forward were the steamed mussels with garlic and chorizo. Ron and I were both blown away by these on our visit, and I couldn't wait to get them again. Sadly, when the chef made them they were overcooked and the flavors weren't that balanced. I missed that big punch of garlic and flavor that we got on the last visit. They were still good, but not as incredible as the first time we went.
For dessert, the chef noted there were two gluten free desserts on the buffet -- Flan and chocolate mousse cups. They both contain dairy.I did try the chocolate mousse cups, and they were super delicious. I also liked the raspberry sauce on top of them.
The chef also brought me two Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC brownie cupcakes and Enjoy Life Foods Snickerdoodle cookies. These are a nice option if you're looking for more special diets options beyond gluten.Overall, I really enjoyed my meal at Cape May Cafe. I still think the buffet is outstanding for options and flavors, and it continues to be a huge favorite in my family.Have you been to Cape May Cafe? What did you think of the buffet options?
Cape May Cafe -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Beach Club
*This dining experience took place in December 2016.
Cape May Cafe, a table service buffet at Disney's Beach Club Resort, is a favorite dinner spot for my family. With a seafood theme, I've always found Cape May Cafe to have so many great gluten free and dairy free options. Plus, I can pretty much always eat my weight in shrimp and crab legs on any given occasion.I haven't been to Cape May Cafe for dinner in almost two years, which seems a bit crazy given how much I enjoy it. Thankfully, I had a chance to dine here recently with my friend Ron, who was visiting from out of town. The two of us are soul foodies, and we always enjoy eating some of the same types of food.On this visit, we were greeted by the chef who took us around the buffet. Buffets can be a tricky business with special dietary needs, so never hesitate to ask a chef if you can have food prepared for you from the back in the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination.Much of Cape May is naturally gluten free (and a lot of it's naturally dairy free too), and they do a good job at separating gluten-filled foods from gluten free ones, so I often find that at Cape May, I eat half off the buffet and half from freshly prepared items in the kitchen. Trust your judgement and comfort level when you dine.
There are so many great gluten free and dairy free items. Peel and eat shrimp and cocktail sauce are big winners, along with marinated olives. I also enjoyed steamed crab legs (who needs butter?!), red potatoes, corn, clams, and ribs. The ribs were actually really tender, and I enjoyed them a lot. The crab legs are best eaten piping hot, so don't let them sit too long!
The chef prepared several dishes for us in the kitchen. This included a side of Cape May Salad, which has candied walnuts, dried cranberries, and an orange vinaigrette. It's so good! Ours was made minus the blue cheese which normally comes with it.We also had some plain salmon, as the salmon on the buffet contained dairy. It was good, but nothing amazing.
The absolute hands down star of our meal were the mussels with garlic, tomatoes, and chorizo. Wow. The amount of flavor in these was outstanding. The mussles themselves were perfectly cooked and the broth was rich, garlicky, and flavorful. We had a huge bowl made by the chef, and we had plenty to share. My only complaint was that the chorizo was a bit tough...but that didn't stop me from eating it!Overall, we left Cape May Cafe both very full and satisfied. I forgot how much I enjoy this restaurant and the simplicity of fresh seafood. Such a great solid meal and one I will definitely keep going back to. If you're interested in their character breakfast buffet, check out my review from my last visit this year.Have you been to Cape May Cafe? What did you think of the special dietary needs options there?
Afternoon Tea -- Crescent Solarium -- Table Service -- Beach Club
Solarium Beach Club Resort
Crescent Solarium
*This dining experience took place in February 2016. This is a gluten free only review.When it comes to unique dining experiences at Disney World, one of the highlights is afternoon tea. Having been offered at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for many years, the afternoon tea has been a tradition among many Disney guests. Back in February, Disney announced that another resort location would also offer afternoon tea on select dates throughout the year.Disney's Beach Club Resort is home to the Solarium, a small area that has been used as a spot to rest and recharge. But, in the announcement, we learned that the Solarium would be the location for another afternoon tea spot. Well, once I heard about this, you know I just had to make a reservation to check it out!The afternoon tea for the Crescent Solarium is currently offered on the following dates in 2016:
February 11-14
February 18-21
March 24-29
May 5-8
June 16-19
September 1-5
Server Crescent Solarium
Cheese & Fruit Plate Crescent Solarium
Sandwich Course Crescent Solarium
Gluten Free Scones at Crescent Solarium
Gluten Free Profiteroles at Crescent Solarium
I chose February 21st, and invited my family along for the experience. I noted my special dietary needs on the reservation, and I also planned on checking with a chef upon arrival.Once we checked in, we were seated in a very open and bright room. I loved the relaxing vibe and the beach decor. Everyone in my group agreed that it seemed more low-key and relaxing than the afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian.I have to do a major shoutout to our server Tyrone! He was amazing. So personable and just a shining example of an amazing Disney cast member. If you go to the Crescent Solarium, definitely request to be in Tryone's section!Shortly after being seated, I was greeted by the chef to discuss options. Because I have been re-introducing a bit of dairy into my diet on occasion, I asked the chef what options were available. They can easily accommodate both gluten free & dairy free, though I found the options for just gluten free to be a bit better. If you're gluten free & dairy free, you will likely get a lot of Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC items.I chose to get the following tea service with special dietary needs modifications:Sea Side Park Tea: First course featuring a selection of Artisan cheeses and seasonal accompaniments, second course petit sandwiches and canapés on house-made breads, third course scones served with clotted cream, lemon curd and seasonal jam, finale of house-made pastries and tea cookies. Accompanied by your choice of loose-leaf tea.Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWFor the cheese and fruit course, the chef and I spoke at length about options, and she said she could give me an entire cheese course that was served with goat cheese. Because I do well with goat and sheep milk cheese, I opted for this.I thought the cheese course was great, especially with the fresh fruit, honey, and other accompaniments. I liked that I was also served toasted Udi's Gluten Free Bread with it.The sandwich course was another nice treat. The salmon salad does contain heavy cream but can be made without it. My favorites were the curry chicken salad and the crab salad with Old Bay Seasoning in it. I found all of the sandwiches to be light and fresh and not overly heavy. These were also served on Udi's Gluten Free bread.When the chef told me that the scone course included gluten free scones, I was intrigued. They were made with Cup4Cup flour blend (which contains dairy), and were lemon blueberry and cranberry orange flavored.Limiting dairy, I didn't eat too much of these but what bites I did were amazing. I was really impressed by the flavors and texture. You'd swear with Cup4Cup that the baked goods are gluten-filled!I would love to see them experiment with the Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour Blend and maybe try a dairy free version too.The last course included gluten free profiteroles filled with a raspberry filling, also made with Cup4Cup. I thought these tasted just OK. They weren't my preference, and if I were to go again, I would just ask for something from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC or fresh fruit.Overall, I found the afternoon tea at the Crescent Solarium to be really charming, relaxing, and delicious. Though I opted for gluten free only items on this trip, after speaking with the chef, I know that getting dairy free options would also be really easy. The Beach Club always has a nice variety of Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC products on hand too, so that's a nice substitution in a pinch.I would highly recommend the afternoon tea at the Crescent Solarium if you're looking for something special to do while on your next visit to Disney.Have you been to the Crescent Solarium afternoon tea? What would you most like to try if you went there?
Beaches & Cream -- Dessert -- Table Service -- Beach Club
*This dining experience took place in October 2015.
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop reminds me a classic 50's soda shop, complete with burgers, fries, fun atmosphere, and, of course, sundaes! This table service location is bright and cheerful and so much fun. Just wait until you see a group of guests order what's known as theKitchen Sink. It's pretty impressive.Located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, you'll find Beaches & Cream Soda Shop tucked away by the resort's pool area. It does now take reservations, which I highly recommend. The restaurant is pretty small, and if you have your heart set on a sundae or a meal, you'll want to get your spot! They do also have a to-go counter (which gets pretty busy) for those on the go!One of my favorite sundaes at Beaches & Cream is the No Way Jose Sundae (which you can read more about in my previous blog posts). Topped with chocolate syrup and a rich peanut butter sauce, there's no way you're saying "no way" to the No Way Jose!
On this visit, I knew I still wanted the No Way Jose Sundae, and the manager came out to go over the options with me. Beaches & Cream is one of the few table service locations in which only a manager comes to talk to you, not a chef. But don't worry, they are great at handling orders safely.For the No Way Jose, I received both vanilla and chocolate Tofutti (they also carry Rice Dream vanilla non-dairy ice cream), Hershey's chocolate syrup, peanut butter sauce, and a cherry on top. Beaches & Cream does have other various safe toppings for you to order depending on what sundae you get.Though I'm often tempted to try other sundaes (like a banana split), I can't help but order the No Way Jose. It's rich and decadent, and just the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter. It's also a huge portion, so be prepared to be very full when you're done!Though I didn't get lunch, you can find lunch and dinner options at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. Check out the menus page for more information about their lunch and dinner options.You can also read reviews from Alexis at Gluten Free in Orlando on her blog about Beaches & Cream Soda Shop.Overall, Beaches & Cream continues to be a must stop for me when it comes to non-dairy ice cream sundaes. The gluten free and dairy free version of the No Way Jose sundae continues to be a favorite of mine and something I'll be getting this summer as the Florida weather continues to warm up!Have you been to Beaches & Cream Soda Shop? What did you get when you visited?
Cape May Cafe -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Beach Club
*This dining experience took place in February 2016.Cape May Cafe, located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, offers both breakfast and dinner buffets. I've been a long time fan of their dinner buffet which features crab legs and a variety of other seafood options but have never dined for breakfast. The breakfast is a character meal featuring Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy.Recently, I had breakfast at Cape May Cafe with Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando. You can read her review of our breakfast on Gluten Free in Orlando.
One of the things I love about Cape May Cafe is the theme of the restaurant. The restaurant is set to resemble a New England-style beach, and the characters that you meet at breakfast even have the most adorable sea-side attire.Once seated, we were greeted by Chef Mace, who offered to make us food from the kitchen, instead of taking us through the buffet. Normally, I like to go through the buffet and then pick and choose what I'd like to have prepared from the back, but on this visit both Alexis and I were OK with Chef Mace bringing us a variety of dishes.
First up were allergy friendly Mickey waffles. Cape May served us ones made from Bob's Red Mill mix, which I prefer. They were really well cooked and were piping hot when Chef Mace brought them out to us. I had plain maple syrup with mine, though I admit, I would love to have a more gluten free & dairy free friendly choice of toppings. The regular buffet served up chocolate chips, whipped cream, and even a bananas foster sauce.
For more savory options, Chef Mace brought me a veggie omelet made with goat cheese. I've learned that I have no problems tolerating goat and sheep milk cheeses, so I was pretty stoked for goat cheese in my omelet.The omelet was delicious and the goat cheese was quite mild with no overly strong flavor. Chef Mace suggested an omelet for me, as all of the frittatas contain cream.In addition, he also brought out a variety of breakfast meats. I discovered later that they also had ham (my favorite breakfast meat) but my plate only contained sausage and bacon. It also had some of the best breakfast potatoes.
I liked the breakfast potatoes so much that I asked for seconds, with a bit of bacon. Chef Mace also brought Alexis and I donuts from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC to enjoy. One was a cinnamon sugar donut and the other was glazed with chocolate (which I preferred). They also carried Udi's Gluten Free products, as well, but we chose not to get any of those.After our meal, we did go through the buffet just to see some of the option, and we both regretted not going up, as we were brought a fairly limited selection. There were tons of salads, fresh fruit, and sides (like grilled asparagus - my favorite!) that we would have liked to have tried.
Of course, Cape May Cafe is a character meal, and while I'm not a huge fan of character dining experiences, I did get a few pictures with the characters. Check out me & Minnie. Isn't her sea-side outfit adorable?!Overall, I really enjoyed Cape May Cafe for breakfast. As character meals go, I thought the character interaction was quite good, and the price was on the "lower" end of character dining at $29.99. I would definitely go back for breakfast again, as I enjoyed all the food and the variety they had. Next time though, I will definitely go through the buffet, as normal and then request specific items from the back, as there were some unique dishes that I wish I had tried.Have you been to Cape May Cafe? What did you think of the character dining?
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop -- Snack -- Table Service -- Beach Club
*This dining experience took place in March 2015. Located in Disney's Beach Club Resort is Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. This ice cream parlor reminds me of those classic 1950s ice cream and soda shops -- complete with hamburgers & fries, milkshakes and amazing sundaes (and let's not forget the infamous Kitchen Sink - a gigantic serving for four of literally every sundae item the restaurant has). It's been a while since I've dined at Beaches & Cream, in fact my last review here on the blog was from 2011. That was when I discovered the awesomeness that is the Beaches & Cream peanut butter sauce! 
Beaches & Cream has two options for ice cream goers. The first is the traditional table service where you can order ice cream treats and a savory items like burgers and fries. The second is a quick service counter style, located directly next to the table service seating area and accessible by a separate door. This place is pretty darn busy, and it used to be that you could only get walk-ups to dine here. That's right, no ADRs! Luckily, that has now changed and you can make reservations to enjoy a visit here. 
On this particular occasion, we actually did not have a reservation but stopped by to see if we could get a walk-in. Luckily, we were able to get counter seating which was terrific. Before we were even seated, I notified the hostess of my special dietary needs, and she marked our ticket with "allergy." Once seated, the manager came out to discuss options for me. Since I love the peanut butter sauce, I asked if I could have a modified version of the No Way Jose ice cream sundae. She said not a problem, and offered me a choice of Tofutti (which they have in chocolate and vanilla) and Rice Dream (in vanilla only). The No Way Jose typically comes with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, so I opted for the Tofutti. When you order special diets sundaes or food at Beaches and Cream, they will prepare it entirely in the back to avoid cross contamination. Watching the servers make sundaes at the counter, I can definitely attest to the high level of cross contamination that posed there. 
After a fairly minimal wait, I was brought out a huge sundae. I was not prepared for the size of this thing! Tons of non-dairy ice cream smothered with peanut butter sauce, chocolate syrup and chocolate chips was the way to go. I'm fairly certain I didn't speak for a good 15 minutes while I ate this sundae. If you like peanut butter and chocolate this is the combo to get.*Note: A blog reader mentioned that they were told the chocolate chips were not safe to consume for dairy free special diets; however, I was told by the manager that the chocolate chips only contained soy (likely soy lecithin). I didn't feel sick afterwards, so I'm hopeful that these are indeed a safe option! The manager did not include the peanut butter morsels on my sundae, which did contain dairy (same with the whipped cream).Overall, I had a great sundae at Beaches and Cream. It's a great go-to sundae stop, and they do have a large variety of options for toppings. I'm looking forward to going back again in the summertime when I need a sweet (and cool) treat!Have you been to Beaches and Cream? What did you order when you dined there?
Cape May Cafe -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Beach Club
*This dining experience took place in August 2014.
When it comes to a seafood buffet, Cape May Cafe located at Disney's Beach Club Resort has some of the best and most gluten free (and dairy free) friendly options around. it's a veritable feast of crab legs, clams, mussels, and more. It's also a family favorite, and we go every year in July/August to celebrate my stepdad's birthday. Amazingly, I hadn't been since the previous year's birthday celebration, so it was great to go back for a visit. We always try to get a Cape May Cafe ADR for 5 p.m., right when the restaurant opens. Cape May is very popular so it can often get very busy, very quickly here. I also personally prefer dining there earlier, so I can feel less stressed about cross-contamination while enjoying the buffet (and not getting every item from the back - though I do still get quite a few from the kitchen). On this particular visit, we noticed that Cape May now has little menus available at the check-in station. 
Our family always sits at the benches near the restaurant while we wait. We love watching the restaurant set-up and getting excited for the meal! 
Typically, we get seated near the front of the restaurant, but this time we were in the back. This was fine, though I have to say, our family much prefers the booths to tables because the tables were really closely placed together, making it difficult to get in and out.Upon being seated, I was greeted by the chef. He then took me around to the buffet to go over the options. The menu seems to be relatively the same as it was last year. Though, I have to admit, I certainly do miss the braised cabbage and bacon they used to have the menu...too bad this can't make a comeback! My game plan at Cape May Cafe was to have the chef bring me some items from the back while I loaded up on items in the front. I may look a bit like a food hoarder when I dine here. I think I had 4 plates at my seat after all was said and done. I just feel better getting all my food at once, but that's a personal preference and buffet strategy. 
First up were the peel and eat shrimp with cocktail sauce and marinated olives. These are some of my favorites. I will say the peel and eat shrimp weren't as good as I remember them being but the olives were outstanding! 
One of my hands down favorite things at Cape May Cafe is the Cape May Salad. Made with cranberries, candied walnuts, and a citrus vinaigrette, it's so delicious. The regular version of the salad comes with blue cheese, so if you ask the chef, they will make you your own version. I highly recommend this too! I have to say, this version was probably the most overdressed version I've ever had, which was disappointing. But still, very good.I also asked for hummus from the back, and the chef brought GNI rolls to accompany the hummus. I preferred the Kalamata olive hummus over the roasted red pepper hummus, as I think the version from Sanaa is much better. As you know, I'm a condiment queen, and I do enjoy a good dip! 
The star of Cape May Cafe is the seafood, and the crab legs and steamed clams are always high on my list. Both were good, though the clams were a little overcooked. Still, that won't stop me from eating a good hearty plate filled with them. 
I also got a plate that included BBQ ribs (pork), steamed potatoes, paella, green beans, and roasted chicken. The paella was my hands down favorite. It wasn't particularly authentic but it tasted really great. The seafood was also cooked well, which made it even better. The ribs were also another hit for me -- not overly sauced but seasoned well. I always love their roast chicken legs found on the kids buffet. Super flavorful and moist. 
The chef also brought me a piece of salmon from the kitchen along with some sautéed broccoli rabe. The salmon was fabulously seasoned and well cooked. This was the surprise favorite for me after the paella. Sadly, the broccoli rabe was completely overcooked and the garlic and shallots served with it were burnt. This was the only thing I thought was really disappointing at the meal. 
Amazingly, I somehow made room for dessert after all that food, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that Cape May Cafe was still serving Babycakes NYC products. After the storefront for Babycakes closed last year, many restaurants stopped carrying their desserts, so I wasn't sure what would be available to me. But now, I'm happy to report that both the donuts and the mini brownie cupcakes are available. For a full location of Babycakes NYC spots, check out reference sheet for it. Overall, I really enjoyed my meal at Cape May Cafe. Some of the dishes weren't as great as they have been in the past, but in general the food remains consistent and delicious. It's still a family tradition and favorite that fits in perfectly with the summertime! I'd give this visit a 7 out of 10. Have you dined at Cape May Cafe? What is your favorite meal: breakfast or dinner?
Cape May Cafe -- Table Service -- Dinner -- Beach Club
*This dining experience took place in July 2013.
 |
| Cape May Buffet stations getting set up before opening |
You'll feel like you're at a real New England clam bake when you dine at Cape May Cafe. From the steamed clams, mussels, and crab legs to the steamed red potatoes and the fresh corn on the cob, you'll be treated to some delicious seafood fare. Cape May has remained of my staple favorite buffets for their variety and their plentiful gluten free & dairy free buffet options.The last time I dined at Cape May Cafe was well over a year ago. That visit proved to be disappointing compared to all of my other experiences there. The seafood was overcooked and the options weren't as exciting. Our family decided to give it a try, since it had been so long since most of us had dined there. My brother had been in recent months and had said that the quality was still very good.
 |
| Seating area |
It's funny because we almost always get the same booth whenever we come to Cape May! And this time, we got the same booth. I think they should put our family's name on it! It is conveniently located to the buffet and means we don't have to go far to get our crab leg fix on!
 |
| The feasting begins as guests head to the buffet stations |
Chef Allison assisted me on this trip, and she has helped me in the past. She's friendly and helpful and seems to be pretty knowledgeable about special diets. One thing I will say is that she wasn't very forthcoming about foods that I could have from the back. I knew the drill, but if I hadn't asked she might not have offered me rolls or made a salad in the back for me. The nice thing about this buffet is that there are plenty of gluten free & dairy free options--many of them conveniently located next to each other which always makes me feel more confident in cross contamination standards. I personally like to visit a buffet right at opening b/c I can get all my plates quickly and try to avoid that as much as possible and also arrange for the chefs to make me items in the back. Cape May though has so many options that I feel slightly less worried about getting sick.Probably the area that has the most potential for cross contamination is the salad area. They have a huge cheese board now (just stay away dairy free diners!) which is on a corner. They now have kalamata olive and roasted red pepper hummus (my weakness), and it's next to some baked or fried lavash. I grabbed that immediately when no one had looked like they'd gotten any which was good. I would have asked for it from the back otherwise b/c later I saw people slathering the hummus directly on their bread (ay yi!!). Some of the salads have dairy in them. They have balsamic glazed asparagus which is not dairy free b/c evidently the glaze had dairy in it. Bummer because I'm a huge asparagus fan. The peel and eat shrimp are safe, as is the seafood salad, and cocktail sauce. Neither of the salads are safe as is, but I always ask for the Cape May House salad to be prepared in the back. It's made with candied walnuts, cranberries, and an orange citrus vinaigrette and it's amazing! One of my favorites on property. Usually the soups aren't safe but they had a sausage kale soup that was made gluten & dairy free. Happy day!As far as the other buffet components go, stick to the far left side (you can get crab legs on both sides of the buffet) b/c almost everything is GF/DF all the way down the row. Crab legs, clams, mussels (in a sambuca sauce), steamed red potatoes, baked beans, on the cob, and chicken cacciatore were all safe. On the other side of the buffet, stick with the clams, crab legs, and vegetable medley. Pretty much everything else is a no-go (they put dairy in their paella). On the kids buffet, you can score some roasted chicken drumsticks. The carved beef is also safe. My strategy for buffet dining is to get all of my plates at once, which looks a little crazy but makes me feel more confident throughout the meal. Let's just say, I had a LOT of plates!
 |
| Cape May House Salad |
Chef Allison brought out my salad and some GNI rolls. The salad was amazing as usual. Love the walnuts, love the cranberries, love the vinaigrette! The GNI rolls were really really tough (like overheated tough). But, I added tons of hummus to them and they tasted just fine.
 |
| GNI brand rolls |
Up next was the soup. It was really good. Very flavorful and perfectly seasoned. I love kale so I enjoyed all the greens in this. The diced potatoes were also nicely cooked. The chorizo was a little too spicy for me to eat but the flavor it added to the broth was just perfect.
 |
| Sausage and Kale soup |
Then it was onto the appetizer plate. I grabbed tons of peel and eat shrimp (my favorite) and some seafood salad. The peel and eat shrimp are now being prepared differently than they used to be. They now cook them in some type of seasoned water (taste slightly resembled old bay but very mild). They were excellent. I may or may not have gone back for seconds on these... :) The seafood salad was a huge winner. I loved the big pieces of crab, bay scallops, and shrimp. This also had some type of citrus marinade to it. Another one I may have gone back for seconds on! The other big win was the olive medley. Omigosh, these were amazing. I love olives and these were marinated perfectly. They kind of kicked the ones from Tangierine Cafe's butt!
 |
| From left to right: Peel and Eat Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce, Seafood Salad, Marinated Olives, Kalamata Olive & Roasted Red Pepper Hummus |
Then it was onto the crab and clams. Steamed to perfect and both quite delicious. Clarified butter for this is soooo overrated! You don't need the dairy!
 |
| Steamed deliciousness! |
Up next, I went for the other buffet items
 |
| From left to right: Baked Beans, Steamed Red Potatoes, Roasted Chicken Drumstick, and Vegetable Medley |
As you can imagine, I was getting pretty full by this time. But, I soldiered through! The food is so good, I couldn't pass it up. The baked beans I liked a lot. They could have been cooked a little longer but otherwise sweet and tasty (note these are not vegetarian friendly beans as they contain some type of pork). The red potatoes here are so good. Steamed to perfect and extra salty. The chicken drumstick was surprisingly flavorful. The vegetables? I'll be honest, they were a bit of disappointment. Very bland. I'd skip that the next time.
 |
| Remains of the day...Let's just say we ate a lot of crab and mussels! |
By the time dessert rolled around, I was pretty sure I needed to be rolled out of the restaurant. I ate a shameless amount of food. But, it was all so good. Chef Allison had told me that they carried Babycakes desserts here, and that was music to my ears!! I knew they had their mini cupcakes in the quick service location at Beach Club but not at Cape May! She brought out a big platter of four mini cupcakes and two chocolate chip cookies. This was a welcome treat compared to the OMG It's Gluten & Dairy Free Cookie they usually serve (and that I don't really like). I ended up taking the cupcakes home because I couldn't even eat them I was so full. Of course, I managed to get the cookies in my tummy (yes, there's always room for a little dessert).
 |
| Mini cupcakes and cookies from Babycakes |
As far as other allergies or special diets go, I'm not sure this would be a really great option for guests who are vegetarian or vegan but maybe they can prepare some dishes I'm not aware of. Also, if you have a fish or shellfish allergy, I would just avoid this restaurant. There seems to be a high risk of cross contamination from the buffet, so I'd either have them prepare all your items separately or just look for another restaurant.Overall, I found this be vastly improved for over a year ago. There are some new menu changes that are OK and some old ones that I miss (oh the sauteed cabbage and bacon), but in general I found the menu to be really good.I'd give this a solid 8 out of 10 for this visit, and I hope to visit again much sooner than one year later!
Cape May Cafe -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Beach Club
*New menu changes at Cape May Cafe have taken place recently (since I was there in February).
 |
| New shrimp salad (was ok), some sadly overcooked clams, and roasted yukon golds (yum) |
As many of you know, I love Cape May Cafe. I love that there are a lot of options for me here. The one problem I've always had is cross contamination at buffets, but the chefs here are always willing to make me something in the back (including very tasty and usually very large portions of fish).My brother came to visit, and he wanted to check out Cape May for the crab legs (they are delicious!). When we arrived, I could tell there were some changes on the buffet. Some of the changes are ok, but most I was a little bummed about.First up, no more peel and eat shrimp. WHAT!? I love peel and eat shrimp, so I was pretty bummed about this one. They had a tropical shrimp salad/ceviche type dish in its place. It was ok. A little heavy on the peppers imo. Next up, no spicy cabbage....WHAT!? One of my favorite dishes--spicy cabbage with bacon. What could be better? But, alas...the cabbage is gone. On to the baked chicken (had some sort of spice rub on it)....gone too...SAY WHAT?! Three of my favorite things--gone. They didn't really have any chicken substitute that I remember, except for the plain drumsticks on the children's buffet side. Yep, I was pretty bummed. They also changed out the potatoes from baby reds to baby yukon golds. Those were good still. I love yukon golds, so this change wasn't so bad. They've changed their mussel sides and now they have a beef stew (which my mom said was ok, but not great). The stew was supposed to be safe, but I don't eat beef, so I didn't try it.
 |
| Udi's Gluten Free/Dairy Free Rolls with Earth Balance Vegan Margarine |
I will say, that overall, it was still a good dinner, but I found the changes to be disappointing. The chef did make me some fish from the back--it was salmon. The last several times I've gone, I've had sea bass, which I found better than the salmon. The one good change was the addition of the udi's rolls with Earth Balance vegan margarine. This was great. It was disappointing for those who can't have these rolls as there is no substitute, but I was glad to have them.
 |
| Pan Sauteed Salmon--Pretty Good--And a Large Portion to Boot! |
Dessert was still the OMG...I can't believe it's gluten and dairy free cookie (btw, chefs need to heat these up--they are so much better that way--they're pretty hard to eat when they are rock hard) with rice dream. Nothing specactular.
 |
| Dessert--GF/DF Cookie (needed to be reheated) and Rice Dream with Fruit |
Overall, I'm demoting Cape May down to a 6 for now. The clams were seriously overcooked (in multiple batches too) and the changes for me, weren't that great. I still like this place a lot, but I think we'll wait for a while before we go again. For now, it's probably off my regular circuit of restaurants. Bummer!
Beaches and Cream -- Table Service -- Beach Club
Ah, Beaches and Cream...I've been wanting to take a trip down nostalgia and head to this restaurant for a long time. I love that it doesn't take reservations and that it's tucked away at the Beach Club. It gives you that great sense of Disney history and tradition. However, I've been wary of eating there, thinking perhaps I wouldn't have many options. But, this burger joint proved me wrong! I hadn't seen so many "ice cream" options for gluten free/dairy free. I actually had choices!It was a dream come true and a visit that inspired me to visit again and again! A new must-do!To begin with, the decor at Beaches and Cream is fantastic! It's very small and takes no ADRs. My mom and I waited about 20 minutes to get a table. Most people come for the ice cream, but I encourage you to try the food. It's no frills good basic burgers and fries. It's just plain yummy. Upon being seated, we were greeted by Dolores our waitress. She quickly got the chef for me, who gave me several food options. First off, they could do burgers and chicken sandwiches with gluten free buns. I could also get fruit or fries. The fries they had to get from Hurricane Hannah's next door, as they do not have a dedicated fryer. This required a potential wait, and I was ok with that. I chose the chicken sandwich without the bun, as I am perfectly happy without the GF bun. (they aren't my favorite, and i'm used to bunless sandwiches)
What came out was quite tasty. My chicken was marinated in something that tasted like it had cumin and chili powder in it. My mom also had it (with the bun) and she said it was really good. I wanted a burger, but at the time my Crohn's was slightly flaring, and I knew the extra fat from the burger wouldn't be so good on my tummy. But, next time...i'm getting a burger! They looked and smelled awesome!!!For dessert, I was given the option of rice dream and tofutti, I believe. I got the vanilla tofutti with chocolate syrup and....peanut butter sauce!!!! This was the best part of the meal. I had been dying for something besides just boring chocolate. I had tons of options. I could have gotten the following toppings: Chocolate syrup (not fudge sauce), peanut butter sauce, sprinkles, marshmallows, strawberry topping, pineapple topping, and maraschino cherries. Essentially, I could have gotten a modified banana split, had I so desired to. There might have been a few other toppings, but I can't remember them off the top of my head.
When I got my sundae, I was beyond overjoyed. It was peanut butter sauce awesomness. I love peanut butter and rarely eat it, but this sauce was amazing!!! Between the chocolate syrup and this, it was the perfect combo. And you better believe, I scarfed it down!Overall, I can't say enough good things about Beaches and Cream. Sure the food itself isn't anything spectacular, but the ambiance and non-dairy ice cream offerings make it a must-do. Great fun and antics (watching people attempt to eat the kitchen sink is hilarious!) and good service for a fast-paced bustling 50's style diner!9 out of 10 for good service, food, and offerings. If you get the chance, definitely check it out! People with or without allergies will love it.
Cape May Cafe -- Dinner -- Beach Club -- Table Service
Last trip, I had a really great time eating at Cape May Cafe for dinner. I happen to love seafood and this buffet does not disappoint for seafood lovers. On top of that, it's very gluten free/dairy free friendly. I was amazed by all of the choices that I had, except for the dessert option, which was a pretty poor attempt at a dessert--they literally threw a french meadow brownie in its plastic packaging in the microwave. Not so impressive. However, deciding to eat here on this trip, I had no expectations that I would get much more, so I really wanted to eat here for the main options.Upon arrival, the chef came out to greet me, and he was very friendly. This time, however, he did not take me around the buffet, so it was a good thing I was very familiar with it already. He discussed the safety of all of the salads and sauces. I mentioned that the chef the last time said that the tartar sauce was not safe, and I asked if she thought the eggs were dairy and therefore not safe. He also had to check on the safety of the pork loin marinade, so he came back and let me know that the tartar sauce and pork were safe. But let's face it, I was there for the seafood! I love the mussels, clams, and crab legs. Everything tastes so fresh. First course was all the mentioned steamed seafoods. YUM!
I ate so many crab legs on this trip...
More of my buffet choices...
Ice cream sandwich before assembled!As per usual, this was a great buffet choice for me. Very good food. But, I will say to always make sure you double check here, as the chefs haven't been as proactive about telling me information as other restaurants. Still a solid 7 out of 10 for this restaurant. A definite do again.
Cape May Cafe -- Beach Club -- Table Service
Sweet, delicious crabby legs!
The pork on this was excellent, as was the chicken, and the cabbage was amazing!
I ate entirely too many peel and eat shrimp--and the cocktail sauce is safe (but not the tartar sauce evidently).
Forget a bigger boat! Kids, we're gonna need a bigger bucket!
My very messy brownie--you can see the package is covered in chocolate from being nuked.