4/29/21 4/29/21

Be Our Guest Restaurant Dinner Review

Be Our Guest Restaurant, located at the Magic Kingdom, is a table service dining location in Fantasyland that is inspired by Beauty & the Beast, as you dine in the Beast's castle. Brandon and I have been here for lunch together and really enjoyed it. I have dined there for dinner but it's been years. So, we finally decided to give the restaurant a try for dinner with a late night seating to try out their updated fixed price meal offerings.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in March 2021. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant about a week before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a later evening seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closed at 8 p.m. when we dined there). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We were able to easily check in using the mobile app, though we have found checking in using the app to be very hit or miss.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk Resort, Contemporary Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Old Key West Resort, Polynesian, Riviera Resort, and Wilderness Lodge Resort along with all of the theme parks. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

Be Our Guest Restaurant is inspired by Beauty and the Beast and like Cinderella's Royal Table is located inside a castle. The restaurant features three unique dining rooms that will make you feel like you're transported into the animated film.

Be Our Guest Restaurant / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We dined later in the evening, so it was fairly dark outside the restaurant when we arrived. But, as you'll see from the photos, they include colorful lighting at night for a totally different look and feel depending on what time of day you eat at Be Our Guest.

I especially love the grand entrance, which features busts and stained glass features. It's all really elegant and beautifully designed.

Do take a bit of time to look at the stained glass throughout the restaurant's entrance and front interior. You'll see moments from the story of Beauty and the Beast in these intricate designs.

Be Our Guest Restaurant - West Wing / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Once inside the restaurant, you'll be seated in one of three rooms: The Grand Ballroom, The West Wing, and the Castle Gallery (which I've also seen referred to as the Rose Gallery too). We were seated in the West Wing -- which is the Beast's study -- and is dimly lit and features elements from the film.

The West Wing includes the iconic rose slowly losing its petals. Be sure to check it out no matter what area you're seated in the restaurant.

Brandon lightened up a photo of the West Wing so you could see a bit more of what it looks like. Here's a bit of the seating area and some of that unique decor.

For comparison, you can see a photo that is a bit more dark that also highlights what the Grand Ballroom looks like. As you can see, the lighting is very different between the two rooms and really distinguishes the different themes in each of the spaces.

Be Our Guest Restaurant - Ballroom / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The Grand Ballroom is probably the most impressive of the three rooms with ornate chandeliers, pillars, and even a unique fresco in the ceiling. I especially love the floor to ceiling windows in the back of the ballroom that features a snowy landscape that actually "snows" while you dine there.

The biggest downside from our viewpoint of the Grand Ballroom was that it was extremely loud and very busy. If you prefer a quieter meal, you might request dining in the West Wing or Castle Gallery. But, you really can't beat the atmosphere in the main ballroom dining area.

The Food

Like most Disney owned restaurants, Be Our Guest Restaurant does have an allergy-friendly menu -- which during our visit was found on the mobile app. You can, of course, always speak to a chef when you dine at at the restaurant too to discuss different options, modifications, and any questions that you might have.

On our visit, we utilized the mobile app for the allergy-friendly menu and discussed options with our server who talked to the chef on our behalf. Of course, if you feel more comfortable speaking directly to a chef, be sure to let your server know too. We saw chefs come out several times during our visit to speak with other guests.

For the first time ever in the Magic Kingdom, Brandon and I got alcoholic beverages during our meal. Be Our Guest Restaurant is one of the few places in the park that does carry wine and beer. We enjoyed two different wines including a sparkling wine (Charles de Fère Cuvée Jean Louis Blanc de Blancs Brut).

We also ordered one of the private label wines made for the restaurant -- the Enchanted Rose. Both of the wines we had were good, and we really liked the Rose. If you're a wine drinker, you can get better options at other restaurants on Disney property, but these were not bad either. We'd definitely get both of them again.

For my bread service, I was served the gluten free, dairy free & allergy-friendly Bloomfield Farms brand rolls. These were served with regular butter, but if you're dairy free, you can get non-dairy vegan buttery spread or extra virgin olive oil for your bread service too. While these weren't heated as well as other locations, I really love these rolls and enjoy them for any bread service. If you can have dairy, the whipped butter with a French sea salt served at Be Our Guest is really excellent. Somehow we didn't get a photo of Brandon's bread, but he was served regular gluten-filled bread which he said was good but made even better with the butter. Both Brandon and I said the butter really made the bread service.

During our visit to Be Our Guest Restaurant, the meal was a fixed price -- meaning you were served an appetizer, entree, and dessert of your choice. For my appetizer, I ordered the Mixed Field Greens which was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Soy Allergies. We were also told this was vegan too.

While, the salad itself was super fresh and light, I wouldn't say it was the highlight of the meal. It was a fairly plain salad -- so if you're looking for something a bit more decadent, this dish is probably not what you want to order. However, if you're dairy free or vegan, this might be the best option that's safe for your special dietary need. I would personally like to see maybe a different salad option that is safe for those special dietary needs but maybe has a bit more of a wow factor to it. On the upside, it was a very nice size portion!

For Brandon's appetizer, he got the French Onion Soup one we were able to confirm that it did not contain chicken or turkey broth in it. Our server did tell us that the current version contains beef stock, so if you're vegan or vegetarian, it looks like the French Onion Soup is no longer a safe option as it was in the past. In addition to covering Brandon's allergies, this dish can also be made gluten free. It is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. It is also chicken & turkey and cabbage free (Brandon's other allergies).

If you know any of our reviews or seen any of our YouTube videos, you know that Brandon absolutely loves soup. He especially loves French Onion Soup, so this was a double-win for him. He absolutely loved it and said he wish he could have ordered a second bowl of it -- it was that good. If it is safe for your special dietary needs, and you like soup, this is a strong appetizer contender at Be Our Guest Restaurant.

For my entree, I ordered the Herb Salted Pork Tenderloin with Crispy Pork Belly, Seasonal Vegetables-Two Ways, Pork Jus, and Candied Pecan. This dish was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Soy Allergies. I did not ask if it could be made dairy free, but if you're interested in the dish, I have a feeling they could make some easy modifications by removing some of the purees on the dish.

Overall, I really liked the dish. The pork, both the tenderloin and pork belly, were well-cooked and flavorful. I liked the root vegetables and the sauce on the dish. I think my only slight complaint were the pickled beets on the plate. I'm not a huge beet fan to begin with, and I found the pickling on the beets to be very strong in flavor compared to the rest of the dish. Had the beets been removed, I think the dish would have been much stronger and more balanced. That being said, I would still probably order this again, though I might opt for a different entree on our next visit.

For Brandon's entree, he ordered the Grilled Center Cut Filet Mignon with Robuchon Yukon Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, and Cipollini Marmalade with a Red Wine Glaze. This dish was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. It was also made safe for chicken & turkey and cabbage allergies.

Like me, Brandon was pleasantly surprised with his entree. He really liked the filet and how well it was seasoned. As a mashed potato connoisseur, he said the version he had in this entree were OK but not amazing. I think both of us were impressed at the presentation and quality of the food -- with a few elements in each of our dish that were just slightly off or just OK. That being said, we both agreed the entrees were surprisingly good based and exceeded our expectations.

For dessert, neither of us expected that we would be given more than some allergy-friendly cookies. So, you can imagine how surprised we were when we were each served a dessert trio. For the gluten free option (contains dairy), I was served a lemon raspberry macaron, white chocolate "Chip" cup with a gluten free version of the Grey Stuff, and dark chocolate truffle filled with Grand Marnier.

I was impressed that there were some options for gluten free guests. I'd like to see what the dairy free options are next visit, especially as I do try to limit my dairy. But, I'm glad I got to try the gluten free options and that they were all served in small portions. The lemon raspberry macaron was extremely sweet, but I liked the sharpness of the lemon flavor combined with the raspberry jam cream. This would a skip for me next time, as it was just too sweet for me. The grey stuff was a real treat, as I wasn't sure they could make a GF option. In this case, they just omit the Oreo cookies that are normally mixed in with the vanilla mousse. I loved the presentation and thought it was such a fun treat. That being said, it was a really bland dessert. I think kids would love this no matter what, but to me, the flavors weren't anything too exciting. And finally, my favorite of the dessert trio was the dark chocolate truffle. It was rich, decadent, and super flavorful. I liked the citrus punch from the Grand Marnier too. I'm pretty sure I would have been happy with three of these truffles version the trio sampler instead!

For Brandon's dessert trio, he was served slightly different options. Like me, he was able to get the Grey Stuff but his came with Oreoe cookies in it and had the decorative chocolate pearls that were omitted from my dish. He was also served two truffles that did not contain any nuts. Brandon also agreed that his truffles were the winner on the dessert trio and that the Grey Stuff was just OK. Still, both of us were just thrilled that we were served something besides sorbet or allergy-friendly pre-packaged cookies.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VatCi0axcBs[/embedyt]

If you want to get more information about our visit to Be Our Guest Restaurant, we did film our visit for our YouTube channel.

Overall

We were both really pleasantly surprised by our meal at Be Our Guest Restaurant. We both had more options for all components of our meal than we expected. And, based on my previous dinner experiences, the food was definitely a step up in quality, presentation, and flavor. At the price point, we would probably not go back for a while so that we can try other restaurants, but if you're looking for a special experience in the Magic Kingdom or have kiddos, this might be a great table service option for you. It was fun to dine in the castle and see the Beast -- all while enjoying a tasty and safe meal.

Have you been to Be Our Guest Restaurant? What was your experience dining there with special dietary needs?

4/23/21 4/23/21

Whispering Canyon Cafe Lunch Review

Whispering Canyon Cafe, located at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort, offers guests a rootin' tootin' good time with shenanigans aplenty and barbecue/homestyle inspired food. While both Brandon and I have enjoyed the food at Whispering Canyon Cafe, we admittedly have not always enjoyed the shenanigans. On our last visit together back in 2017, we did not have a great experience. So, it's taken us a while to finally go back to Whispering Canyon Cafe for a meal. Spoiler alert, this dining experience definitely redeemed the restaurant for us, and we are looking forward to going back again.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in February 2021. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Lunch at Whispering Canyon Cafe

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a late afternoon seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closed for lunch at 2 p.m.). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We were also able to successfully check in to the restaurant using the mobile app with no issues (it has been hit or miss in our experience).

Atmosphere

Whispering Canyon Cafe is located in the main lobby area of the Wilderness Lodge Resort. You can't miss the giant sign and during the normal times a lot of noise! It's a very lively restaurant with a lot of atmosphere, that's for sure.

Whispering Canyon Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant itself has a lot of great decor. There's a lot of wooden beams and Western decor. It includes bright, rich colors, in the carpet, paintings, and chairs.

Whispering Canyon Cafe - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As you can see by this photo, there's ample seating -- a lot of which can accommodate big parties (and the restaurant is very popular with large groups). You can also see that it includes social distancing markers on tables currently.

In addition the main part of the dining room, there are a few corners and nooks for smaller tables, and we have often been seated there. Of course, the Western theme is still ever present in every part of the restaurant.

We especially like the side nooks with colorful booths for a bit of a quieter, more relaxed dining experience. Of course, if you like to be in the middle of it all, the main part of the dining room is for you!

The Food

Like most Disney owned restaurants, Whispering Canyon Cafe does have an allergy-friendly menu. You can, of course, always speak to a chef when you dine at the restaurant to discuss different options, modifications, and any questions that you might have. On this visit, we ordered primarily using the allergy-friendly menu and coordinated options with our server Lee.

We always recommend using your own judgement and comfort level about navigating the allergy-friendly menus and speaking with a chef. We do typically recommend speaking with a chef if you feel comfortable doing so, especially if you have questions or want to discuss additional options not listed as safe for you on the allergy-friendly menu (or if you have multiple dietary needs).

For my lunch entree, I decided to get the popular all-you-care-to-enjoy skillet. This came with: Maple-Chipotle Barbecued Slow-smoked Pork Ribs, Barbecued Pulled Pork, Citrus Herb Chicken, Mashed Yukon Potatoes, Buttered Corn, Charred Carrots, Roasted Peppers, and Sautéed Green Beans. It was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. You can make this dairy free by swapping out the mashed potatoes for roasted potatoes and getting vegetables without butter. The great thing about these skillets is that there is a lot of flexibility to customize depending on your special dietary need (they even have a plant-based option too!).

This was an absolutely delicious skillet. The chicken was very flavorful and not overly dry. The ribs were tasty. The pulled pork was definitely outstanding too. And, the veggies were all fantastic. Let's just say I totally devoured this entree happily and was very pleased with the quality of the food and flavors. I would order this again with no question -- though I'd really like to get dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe and try the other skillet options that are available during the dinner time.

Brandon and I were also served an allergy-friendly bread service. It's not marked on the menu, but be sure to ask your server! This cornbread is gluten free, egg free, fish/shellfish free, dairy free, peanut/tree nut free, and vegan. I believe it may be soy free too but didn't check on this visit. This has been served at Whispering Canyon Cafe for years, and it's always a winner. Made with Namaste Vanilla Cake Mix (believe it or not!), the cornbread is a bit more on the sweet side. But, it's a great option. If you're dairy free or vegan, be sure to ask for vegan buttery spread which is available upon request too.

While I always love this and did on this visit, it wasn't Brandon's favorite. So, your mileage may vary depending on your food preferences and the kinds of bread you like. But, it's great that restaurant offers this to guests and worth a try if it's safe for your special dietary need.

For Brandon's entree, he opted to get the Bison Burger on a House-made Bun, Chipotle Aioli, Candied Hickory-smoked Bacon, White Cheddar, and French Fries. This dish was made safe for Brandon's allergies: fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken & turkey, and cabbage.

The Bison Burger at Geyser Point -- also at Wilderness Lodge Resort -- is a favorite of Brandon's, so he was interested in comparing these two burger options. Overall, he really loved it and said that he would get this again. He enjoyed the candied bacon on the burger and even said the chipotle aioli was pretty good. It's nice to know that there are a couple of different bison burger options at the Wilderness Lodge that he really enjoys. Like me, he said he would definitely order this again.

And, of course, because Brandon can't help himself, he ordered a second side of French fries -- made in a dedicated fryer. These fries are also gluten free and dairy free too.

For dessert, we ended up splitting the Whispering Canyon Pioneer Chocolate Cake. This dish is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. Both Brandon and I loved the rich flavors of the this dessert. It was so good. I believe the restaurant is also using Namaste mixes for this cake too. If you love chocolate, this is hands down a winner!

If you want to get more information about our visit to Whispering Canyon Cafe, we did film our visit for our YouTube channel.

Overall

While our experience a few years ago at Whispering Canyon Cafe deterred us from dining at the restaurant for a long time, we're both so glad that we finally gave it another try. We were both impressed by the quality and flavors of the food that we ate. And, we appreciated the accommodation to special dietary needs and our server keeping the shenanigans to a minimum. We both felt the experience warranted going back again sometime soon because we liked it that much. We are looking forward to dining at dinner and maybe even breakfast!

Have you been to Whispering Canyon Cafe? What was your experience when you dined there?

4/23/21 4/23/21

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Dinner Review

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar, located in Disney Springs, is a Disney owned and operated bar & lounge that serves small bites and shareable plates -- all in an Indiana Jones themed bar. It's one of our favorite spots in Disney Springs. In the past, we've often dined there before or after a movie at the AMC Dine-In Theater nearby. We especially like going there during the holidays, since the last few years they've offered festive holiday decorations along with holiday drinks and food. On this visit, we stopped by in the late afternoon to opening to check out the holiday inspired fun.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in November 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Jock Linsey's Hangar Bar

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

The Hangar Bar does not take dining reservations and seating is on a first come, first served basis. The restaurant itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. We were asked to wait outside before our table was ready to ensure social distancing. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. If you prefer outdoor dining, the bar/lounge features ample outside seating so that you can enjoy without having to dine indoors. If you do dine indoors, there are several doorways that are open to the outside seating, so there is a good amount of airflow there too.

Atmosphere

The bar/lounge itself has a super fun Indiana Jones theme to it -- with 1940s aviation, as it's dedicated to a very minor character in Raider's of the Lost Ark, Jock Lindsey.

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

During the holiday season, this theming is taken one step further with fun vintage/retro decorations, including nods to travel and aviation. If you love holiday decorations, you won't find any shortage of them while the Holiday Hangar Bar is operating!

As you can see, there's a lot to look at and explore. You'll find the traditional decor still in place at the Hangar Bar and a ton of additional holiday decorations on top of all of that!

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar - Holiday Decorations / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Garland abounds throughout the bar/lounge in just about every color! And, there's tons of holiday and aviation themed ornaments.

You'll also find quite a few both cute and slightly creepy elfs all around the bar/lounge. This little elf was watching us dine while we ate in the diving bell booth found inside the restaurant.

We may have take a ton of photos at the bar/lounge but that's because we absolutely love the holiday decorations here. As you can see it truly is festive and well decorated to help get you in the holiday spirit. We especially love that they play retro holiday music too.

The Food

Though Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar is owned and operated by Disney, it does not currently offer an allergy-friendly menu. But, not to worry. You can speak directly to a chef about options, including modifications and customizations, which we did on this visit. The chef was very helpful at answering our questions and making recommendations for food items safe for our special dietary needs. We do recommend talking to a chef at any Disney owned restaurant, especially if you have questions or concerns -- even if the restaurant offers an allergy-friendly menu.

Up first, we had to try the holiday inspired drinks at the Hangar Bar. Brandon ordered the Mistletoe Mule, which is essentially a Moscow Mule (which includes vodka and ginger beer) with cranberry. He liked it so much that he ordered a second one!

Based on the recommendation from our server, I ordered Jock's Holiday Nog (which contains dairy) that was made with Tito's Vodka (which is gluten free). While I wouldn't get this on every visit, it was perfect for the holiday season and a nice version of nog that wasn't overly creamy and dairy filled. It was one of the best nogs that I've ever tried, so I would highly recommend.

For an appetizer, we had to order one of our favorite appetizers at the Hangar Bar -- Doctor Astorga's Queso Dip, A Skillet of Melted Soft Cheeses topped with fresh Pico de Gallo and Cilantro served with Corn Tortilla Chips. This dish is gluten free (contains dairy), fish/shellfish free, peanut/tree nut free, chicken & turkey free, and cabbage free. The chips are made in a dedicated fryer too.

If you like chips and dip, this is a great option. Both Brandon and I love the nacho cheese style dip, and this dish has become a must order for us on just about every visit we make to the Hangar Bar. It was just as good as ever and super filling. It's a great shareable dish!

For my entree, I ordered the Taco al Pastor with Citrus-Chipotle Pork Belly, Pineapple Pico de Gallo, Red Cabbage, and Grilled Corn Tortilla. The tacos are gluten free, and though I forgot to ask on this visit, I believe they are also dairy free too. I was super impressed by these tacos. The flavors were outstanding, and I loved the combination of salty, sweet (from the pineapple salsa), and savory. These were an absolute winner with a great portion size. I would definitely order these again.

Brandon ordered one of the seasonal options -- The Venison Sliders. These were made safe for Brandon's allergies: fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken & turkey, and cabbage. These were a winner in Brandon's book. He loved the flavors including the cranberry chutney on the dish. Like me, he said he'd order these again on any future visits during the holiday season.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Tiffins, we did film our visit for our YouTube channel.

Overall

We both always really enjoy dining at Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar. The theme is fun and the food is always excellent. Add to it the holiday seasonal options, and you have an excellent dining spot in Disney Springs during the holiday season. We can't wait to go back again when the holiday theme is back and enjoy all the small plates and drinks offered there for guests with special dietary needs.

Have you been to Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar? What did you think of the special diets options available during your visit?

3/18/21 3/18/21

Kona Cafe Lunch Review

Kona Cafe, located at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, is one of our favorite resort table service restaurants on Disney property for delicious special diets meals and affordable prices. Normally, we dine at Kona Cafe for dinner or breakfast, but on this visit, we decided to grab an early first seating lunch. We were excited to dine at Kona as it had been quite a few months since our last meal there.

Lunch at Kona Cafe

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a first lunch seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant opens for lunch at 11:30 a.m. but does serve breakfast earlier in the day). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We were able to use the online check-in when we arrived with no issues.

The restaurant itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. We also noticed on this visit that there was some overflow seating for Kona Cafe on the walkways outside of the restaurant since the monorail is not currently operating.

Atmosphere

We've reviewed Kona Cafe many, many times. So, we won't go into a lot of the theme in this review. You can find some of our other reviews with more photos and information on the blog.

Kona Cafe - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Generally, the restaurant is a contemporary take on modern Polynesian decor. But, the restaurant has not been updated in many years. So, you may find that the decor has a bit of a 1990s feel to it. There's lots of bright colors and patterns featured on the carpet, upholstery, and decorations at Kona Cafe.

The restaurant is also "open" in that it's a lobby restaurant that fully opens to the 2nd floor walkways. Depending on where you're seating, you might get a lot of people watching in.

Kona Cafe - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

When we dined at the restaurant, the breakfast and lunch hours were just switching over. So, that meant it was very quiet. If you are looking to avoid large crowds or prefer quieter times, we highly recommend an earlier or later lunch which seem to be the best when dining indoors with less people right now during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photos also gives you a good idea of what the interior of the restaurant looks like along with the general theme and atmosphere that you'll experience when dining at Kona Cafe.

Kona Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant does include social distancing measures throughout. And, we found that dining at 11:30 a.m. helped make the restaurant feel even quieter and more socially distanced due to the low number of diners.

The Food

Like most Disney owned restaurants, Kona Cafe does have an allergy-friendly menu. You can, of course, always speak to a chef when you dine at Kona Cafe too to discuss different options, modifications, and any questions that you might have.

Because we have dined so much at Kona Cafe, we don't always speak directly with a chef. But, because our server noted our multiple special dietary needs, she recommended that we bring a chef out to discuss the options. It was actually a great thing to do, as I was able to make a special request for a to-go order, which I'll talk about later in this post.

Up first were allergy-friendly rolls. These are gluten free, dairy free & free of the top 8 common allergens and vegan. The current brand used was Bloomfield Farms, which I really love. They were very well heated and tasted great, as always. I also got some Smart Balance vegan buttery spread on the side. The restaurant does usually offer Earth Balance, but due to supply issues they only had Smart Balance (both of which are gluten free, dairy free & vegan) at this time. It's always a good idea to ask a chef when dining at a restaurant what dairy free & vegan options are available.

For my entree, I decided to get the Kona Chicken Stir-Fry which came with Rice Noodles, Napa Cabbage, Carrots, and GF Teriyaki Sauce. This dish is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies.

I had this dish on a previous visit and really enjoyed it. The last visit, I found the dish to be a bit heavy on the GF teriyaki sauce, which I enjoy but thought was just a bit too much. This time, the noodles had the perfect amount of GF teriyaki sauce. The chicken was really well cooked and the vegetables were flavorful and tasty. If you enjoy noodles and stir-fry, this is a great option for gluten free and dairy free guests.

Brandon absolutely loves Kona Cafe's Pork Belly Noodle Bowl, and you would be hard-pressed to see him ordering anything else from Kona Cafe for his entree. This dish is marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. It was also made safe for chicken & turkey and cabbage allergies by swapping out the bone froth for a vegetarian Jasmine broth and omitting bok choy and other types of cabbage from the vegetable medley in the noodle bowl.

Brandon absolutely loves all the flavors of this dish and always raves about it. If you enjoy noodle bowls and pork belly, this is a great dish for you.

On this visit, we had briefly mentioned that it was my birthday the day before. Unexpectedly, the chef brought out a lovely platter of special diets treats for us to enjoy for dessert. This included Enjoy Life Cookies Snickerdoodles & Chocolate Chip Cookies, fresh fruit, coconut macaroons, and a gluten free, dairy free & vegan tapioca pudding. Everything was gluten free on the plate and all but the coconut macaroons and chocolate decorations were dairy free. If you're a dessert fan, I do highly recommend the tapioca pudding. There's lots of bright citrus flavors in it, and I absolutely love the creaminess of it. We enjoyed it all, and it was such a thoughtful treat from the chef.

The special request that I mentioned earlier was a to-go order. Because were dining just after the breakfast and lunch switchover at Kona Cafe, I asked the chef if it was possible to order a to-go order of breakfast food -- specifically the gluten free macadamia nut pancakes. The chef checked in the kitchen to see if that was possible and was able to make this dish to-go. If you are dining at Kona Cafe for breakfast, the GF version of the macadamia nut pancakes are not listed on the allergy-friendly menu, but you can order them upon request. I had these the next morning, and they reheated really well! It was a nice treat and good to know that you can sometimes get take-out during that switchover period if you ask.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Kona Cafe, we did film our visit for our YouTube channel.

Overall

We always really enjoy our meals at Kona Cafe. And this visit did not disappoint. We absolutely loved the entrees that we ordered, which were repeat dishes for both of us. And, we also really loved the surprise dessert platter. All of the food we had was great! Our experience with the chef and low crowds was also outstanding. We so appreciate that the chef could accommodate a breakfast to-go order too. While it may be a bit before we're back at Kona Cafe again, we always enjoy it and can't wait to have another great meal there.

Have you been to Kona Cafe? What was your experience with the special diets options there?

3/17/21 3/17/21

Rainforest Cafe Dinner Review

Rainforest Cafe is a table service restaurant owned by Landry's that has two locations on Disney property -- one at Disney Springs and one at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Recently, we decided to get dinner at the Animal Kingdom location, because we are Landry's Select Club members had I had a $25 birthday reward to use for our meal that would expire at the end of the month. We have dined at Rainforest Cafe on several occasions, and while it's not our favorite of the Landry's restaurants on Disney property, we always enjoy our meals there.

Dinner at Rainforest Cafe

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a reservation for the final seating of the evening, which we decided to book. If you're a Landry's Select Club member, you can also show up to the restaurant without a reservation and simply show your card for priority seating. This has served us really well in the past, and we've found that we typically experience a little to no wait for a table. The MDE app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. There was no online check-in though, so be sure to stop by the podium to speak with a cast member when you arrive.

The restaurant itself had mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and all servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields.

Atmosphere

Rainforest Cafe is a chain restaurant that has been around since the 1990s. It has a decidedly jungle look and feel with animal animatronics and various "shows" that take place about every 20 minutes. I personally find the restaurant to feel a bit dated but nostalgic. There are still several Rainforest Cafe locations in the U.S. (a lot can be found in malls). And, we have been told that this specific restaurant at Disney is the largest of all the locations. It's definitely a large restaurant!

Rainforest Cafe - Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Somehow we managed to not get very many photos during our visit. If you're curious about the seating or more about the interior, check out our previous blog posts where we included more photos of the restaurant.

Rainforest Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

It's a very boisterous and noisy restaurant with a lot to look at. It can be a little bit of overstimulation on all the aesthetics, so be prepared! The tropical storms that take every 20 minutes or so are also quite loud and feature flashing lights and lightning and rain sounds. It's a lot to take in! Kiddos seemed especially excited by all the restaurant happenings. So, if you have kiddos this could be a perfect family restaurant for you.

The Food

Because Rainforest Cafe is not owned and operated by Disney, they do not have an allergy-friendly menu. But, a manager or chef will speak to you about special dietary needs options. We have found it to be hit or miss whether a manager or chef comes to the table. And, on this visit, we spoke with a manager who also radioed a chef as we discussed options.

For my entree, I decided to order the Aloha Salmon and Shrimp. This came with Hawaiian-glazed Salmon and Shrimp, Fresh Vegetables, and Japanese Rice. The manager noted that this dish was gluten free as is with no modifications and confirmed with a chef via radio that the sauce was gluten free. It's always good to double-check, especially if you have questions or concerns about the status of an ingredient. I always double-check sauces, especially, because they can be an overlooked source of gluten. If you are dairy free, I was advised that there is dairy in the sauce itself and that it cannot be modified. So, you'll want to either ask for this dish plain with no sauce or explore other options on the menu.

Overall, I really liked this dish. Both the salmon and shrimp were cooked well and the Hawaiian-glaze was really nice. It was both sweet and spicy and quite tasty. The vegetables were standard and nothing too special, as was the rice. But, everything really came together and made this a solid dish. I would definitely order it again.

For Brandon's entree, he ordered the Primal Steak which includes NY Strip and mashed potatoes. It also comes with seasonal vegetables, but Brandon requested a double-portion of mashed potatoes instead. This dish was made safe for Brandon's allergies which include: fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey. I have also been told this is gluten free in previous visits, but you'll want to double-check that if you're interested in this dish as a GF guest.

Like me, Brandon said his dish was quite solid and very tasty. He really enjoyed the grill flavor of the steak, and he especially liked the mashed potatoes. If you're a steak fan, this could be a great entree to enjoy when you dine at Rainforest Cafe. Brandon has ordered this dish on several occasions, and it's definitely a repeat entree for him.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Rainforest Cafe at Disney's Animal Kingdom, we did film our visit for our YouTube channel.

Overall

We both enjoyed our entrees at Rainforest Cafe. While the restaurant doesn't offer a ton of variety for guests with special dietary needs, we both appreciate that the restaurant does work to accommodate and provide safe and tasty dishes. If you're interested in a lively, family friendly restaurant, this could be a great option for you. Or, if you're a Landry's Select Club member, it's a great go-to especially if you don't have a reservation and want a walk-up at a table service restaurant while at the Animal Kingdom. We usually dine at Rainforest Cafe once or twice a year, and we're glad we had a safe and delicious meal on this visit.

Have you been to Rainforest Cafe? What was your experience there with special dietary needs?

3/16/21 3/16/21

Grand Floridian Cafe Brunch Review

Grand Floridian Cafe, located at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, is a table service restaurant that offers, breakfast, lunch, and dinner options to guests. It's been several years since Brandon and I ate at Grand Floridian Cafe. We recently decided to make a last minute late lunch because the restaurant offers breakfast food (aka brunch) until nearly 2 p.m. daily. I had a total breakfast food craving and the brunch offerings gave us a chance to get breakfast or lunch depending on what we were interested in.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in March 2021. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Brunch at Grand Floridian Cafe

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a late afternoon seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closed for lunch at 2 p.m.). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We were able to use online check-in during our visit, which worked great.

The restaurant itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. We were actually asked to wait outside versus inside before our table was ready to ensure social distancing. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. The restaurant also currently offers some temporary outdoor dining, if you prefer to eat only outdoors at this time. We actually had a choice of seat location when we did online check-in that included no preference, booth, window, or outdoors. This may change overtime, so be sure to speak with a cast member directly if you have specific preferences.

Atmosphere

The Grand Floridian Cafe offers a bit of Victorian charm in a more relaxed and casual setting. It is located on the main floor of the resort and has beautiful views of the resort's lawn area.

Grand Floridian Cafe - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As you can see, the restaurant has lots of windows which offer pleasant views.

Grand Floridian Cafe - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant's interior itself is surprisingly bigger than one would expect. I always forget that it's fairly long and sprawling. We were seated at a table near one of the windows in a dining room area that is fairly quiet. There are a lot of different seating styles too from booths, to large tables for big parties, to smaller tables near the windows. And, of course, the Victorian decor is ever present on the wallpaper, in the carpet, and curtains. You almost expect the turn-of-the-century John from the Carousel of Progress to be dining in the restaurant too!

The Food

Like most Disney owned restaurants, the Grand Floridian Cafe does have an allergy-friendly menu. On this visit, we were not given a paper menu but were directed to the mobile app where the allergy-friendly menu was listed.

In addition to the allergy-friendly menu, you can always speak to a chef directly for additional questions you might have about options or special diets safety. On this visit, we chose to order directly from the allergy-friendly menu as we were ordering pretty standard breakfast fare.

Grand Floridian Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my breakfast entree, I chose the Eggs Benedict which was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. This dish does contain dairy and cannot be modified, so if you're dairy free, you'll want to consider other breakfast dishes.

Overall, I liked the Eggs Benedict but didn't love it. The dish had indicated that it came with a gluten free English muffin. But, the restaurant seemed to have some supply issues, so mine came served on gluten free bread. While the flavors were all just OK, I was glad that this is an option for gluten free guests. Of course, I may just be spoiled by the excellent GF Eggs Benedict served on the Disney Cruise Line ships which I get every cruise.

The side dish of a tomato salad was quite nice and refreshing. The red onion was a bit sharp and spicy and mixed well with the sweet tomatoes and peppery arugula. I believe they also use this mix on the Avocado Toast which would be pretty amazing in my opinion. Generally, I would order this entree again, but I would probably order something different on our next visit.

Brandon ordered the classic Steak & Eggs. This dish was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. They were also made safe for chicken & turkey and cabbage allergies too. But, it's important to note that the dairy free options on the allergy-friendly menu are regular breakfast potatoes, not the cheesy potatoes shown in this photo. Brandon was able to get those potatoes instead since they were safe for his special dietary needs.

Like me, Brandon liked his entree but didn't love it. He said the steak was cooked well and that the eggs were tasty. His favorite part of the entree by far were the cheesy potatoes. If you can have these, they are highly recommended by Brandon!

Because I hadn't had pancakes in a while, Brandon and I decided to split the allergy-friendly pancakes. These were marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. They can also be made vegan by omitting the bacon or sausage side dish.

Both Brandon and I really loved the pancakes. And, it was the favorite part of our meal (besides the cheesy potatoes, which Brandon also raved about). The restaurant is currently using Bloomfield Farms gluten free & allergy-friendly pancakes and waffle mix. I've had this at Topolino's Terrace, and I really like the mix a lot. This is a definite must-order again dish! I am hoping that next time we go that they'll have more of their standard pancake & waffle toppings that they usually have but were not available on this visit due to supply issues.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Tiffins, we did film our visit for our YouTube channel.

Overall

We both enjoyed our meal at the Grand Floridian Cafe. Our only negative from the visit is that the service was incredibly slow despite having very few guests dining at the time that we visited. However, we both generally enjoyed our meal and had a few food highlights that we loved -- the allergy-friendly pancakes for both of us and the cheesy potatoes for Brandon. While we probably won't be back for a while, we both like that this restaurant serves breakfast food until 2 p.m. everyday which is great if you're craving breakfast but don't want to visit during the earlier parts of the day.

Have you been to the Grand Floridian Cafe for brunch? What did you think of the special diets offerings?

3/14/21 3/14/21

50's Prime Time Cafe Dinner Review

50's Prime Time Cafe, located in Disney's Hollywood Studios, is a table service restaurant that offers up some nostalgia, a bit of hijinks, and classic American comfort food. 50's Prime Time used to be a restaurant that I would go to often, mainly because of their amazing gluten free and dairy free fried chicken. But, it fell off my radar for quite a few years after a few less than stellar experiences there. So, when a reservation popped up, Brandon and I decided to give it a try -- especially since Brandon had never dined there before. We made a reservation for mid/late afternoon around the last "lunch time" seating and before the dinner seating started & spent the afternoon time enjoying the park.

Dinner at 50's Prime Time Cafe

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a late afternoon seating, which we decided to book. The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. When we arrived at the restaurant, were able to do online check-in and also spoke with a manager, as well.

The restaurant itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. We were actually asked to wait outside versus inside before our table was ready to ensure social distancing. In fact, they were not really letting anyone stay inside the lobby area of 50's Prime Time Cafe -- and Tune-In Lounge was closed. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk Resort, Contemporary Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Old Key West Resort, Polynesian, and Riviera Resort along with all of the theme parks. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

50's Prime Time Cafe's theming is all about retro kitsch. You'll not only feel like you stepped back in time, but you'll also be transported to a home of the 1950s.

50's Prime Time Cafe Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

From the moment you walk into the restaurant, the 1950s vibe begins.

50's Prime Time Cafe - Lobby / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You'll find the main waiting area to feel like a living room or den, complete with a retro TV showing clips of television shows from the 1950s. You'll find lots of kitschy decor.

50's Prime Time Cafe - Tune In Lounge / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Though not open when we dined at 50's Prime Time Cafe, the lobby area includes a bar called the "Tune-In Lounge." It's usually very popular. And, you can order virtually anything from the regular 50's Prime Time menu and grab a drink too.

50's Prime Time Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Once in the main dining area, you're fully transported to a 1950s home and dining room. Seating varies, but can include a retro TV at your table, cozy booths, and lots of kitschy decor. We were seated at a large table that include a bookcase and a TV, so we could be fully entertained while our "cousins" helped prepare our meal.

As an aside, in addition to the retro vibe, the restaurant also has a very well-known schtick. Since you're dining in a home of the 1950s, you'll encounter servers, known as cousins, who really get into the 1950s vibe. Be sure to keep you elbows off the table and eat all your vegetables. You've been warned!

Brandon and I don't tend to be big fans of shenanigans. But, we found that on this visit, our server was very low-key and got into the fun without making the shenanigans overwhelming. Of course, if you love these kind of antics, be sure to banter back and forth with your server!

The Food

Like most Disney owned restaurants, 50's Prime Time Cafe does offer an allergy-friendly menu. You can, of course, always speak to a chef when you dine at the restaurant to discuss different options, modifications, and any other questions you might have. On this visit, we not only stopped by the restaurant early (more on that in a minute), but we also consulted with the allergy-friendly menu and spoke to a chef.

Because of our special dietary needs and a my interest in the gluten free & dairy free fried chicken, we stopped by the restaurant a few hours before our reservation. This is the best tip I have for ordering gluten free fried chicken from 50s Prime Time Cafe.

The gluten free fried chicken is not listed on the allergy-friendly menu and is only available by request either by emailing Disney's Special Dietary Needs Department ahead of time or by stopping by the restaurant before your meal. You could try to ask for it when you dine at the restaurant, but we have always been told that it takes 45 minutes to prepare so advance notice is recommended. I simply spoke to a cast member in advance who took our reservation information, my request, and noted that it would be given to the chef. When we spoke to the chef during our reservation, he said they were already preparing it, which was great!

We also spoke to the chef about Brandon's special dietary needs to ensure that he could eat the pot roast (because sometimes they include gravy that includes chicken stock/broth in it, which he is allergic to) and also to see if he could order some allergy-friendly French Fries. The chef was very accommodating and helpful in navigating the options. When in doubt, it's always good to talk to a chef!

Brandon and I decided to split an appetizer before our entrees arrived. I was super curious about Cousin Amy's Iceberg Lettuce Wedge with Dairy Free & Vegan Ranch Dressing, Rice Paper Bacon, Chives, Cherry Tomatoes, and Sliced Red Onions. This was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. I'm not sure why the allergy-friendly menu did not list egg as a safe option, because both the chef and our server noted this was a vegan/plant-based appetizer. So, you'll want to double-check that if you have any concerns.

Omigosh did this surprise us. Both Brandon and I absolutely loved the dairy free & vegan ranch dressing. It was very flavorful and was a great alternative to dairy-filled ranch. We both liked the rice paper bacon, though neither of us felt it tasted that much like bacon. Still, it provided some great crunch and texture to the dish. Overall, we both really enjoyed this and actually said next time we'd order two salads versus splitting one because it was that good. This will be an appetizer we order again for sure.

As you can see from this photo, I was pretty impressed when my massive plate of gluten free & dairy free fried chicken arrived!

Aunt Liz's Golden Fried Chicken (made gluten free and dairy free) came with corn and roasted potatoes. If you can have dairy, you can also swap out the roasted potatoes for mashed potatoes if you prefer those instead. The chicken itself is gluten free and dairy free, and the entree (minus the GF fried chicken) on the allergy-friendly menu is also marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies.

If you like fried chicken & you're interested in this, it's definitely worth the effort of stopping by the restaurant a few hours in advance to request it. While I think I do prefer the gluten free and dairy free fried chicken from Skipper Canteen just a bit more, this is just a great classic comfort food dish. Plus, it's not something that you can get safely out often, so it's a definite winner. Everything was really tasty, and it was a solid meal.

For Brandon's entree, he ordered the Pot Roast which came with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and garnished with Carrots and Celery. The gravy that normally comes with the pot roast contains chicken broth/stock, so the chef brought Brandon some beef jus for the dish, in case he was interested in it. This dish was marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. And, it was also safe for chicken & turkey and cabbage allergies, as well.

Brandon was definitely very impressed by this dish. He wasn't expecting to like the food all that much at 50's Prime Time Cafe but came out of the meal wanting to go back and get that pot roast again.

Because Brandon loves potatoes, he also asked to get a side of French Fries. The chef noted that these came from a dedicated fryer that did not contain any chicken, turkey, or meat products. So, if you're gluten free, dairy free, and vegan, this will be another option you could get at 50's Prime Time, since the fryer was just for French Fries.

For dessert, both Brandon and I each ordered the Chef's Special Chocolate Brownie which we each ordered a la mode. I got non-dairy ice cream (Tofutti) and Brandon got regular dairy-filled ice cream. Both of our brownies were the same though and were marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. The brownie is also vegan too.

50's Prime Time Cafe has been making a house-made brownie for years and years with Namaste mix. And, I was so glad to see that they were still making this. Both Brandon and I really liked the brownie and the ice cream options we had. Our only complaint was that we should have asked for chocolate syrup. That would have made the brownie sundae complete! It's definitely a great for dessert, especially if you're looking for an allergy-friendly option that covers a lot of the top 8 common allergens.

If you want to get more information about our visit to 50's Prime Time Cafe, we did film our visit for our YouTube channel.

Have you been to 50's Prime Time Cafe? What was your experience dining there?

1/29/21 1/29/21

Tiffins Dinner Review

Tiffins, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom, is a signature dining location that serves international cuisine inspired by the explorations and adventures of Disney Imagineers. Opening in 2016, both Brandon and I have been wanting to eat at this restaurant for a long time now. We finally decided to make a reservation and enjoy an early evening dinner there before the park closed at 5 p.m.

Dinner at Tiffins

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a late afternoon seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closed at 5 p.m.). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. The last few months, we have had some pretty big challenges using the app to check-in, but we easily checked in with a cast member at Tiffins.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk Resort, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Old Key West Resort, Polynesian, and Riviera Resort along with all of the theme parks. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

Tiffins is inspired by the globetrotting experiences of Disney Imagineers and animal experts who helped build and shape the Animal Kingdom theme park.

Tiffins - Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant is named after Tiffins which are little tiered lunch containers are used in many different countries, and most notably, India.

Tiffins / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

In fact, when you first enter the restaurant, you'll see several different kinds of beautifully decorated Tiffins on display.

Tiffins - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The exterior of the restaurant features some wood carvings and is very welcoming. It's almost as if you're entering a lodge.

Tiffins - Interior Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Inside the restaurant's lobby area features a beautiful wood carved map of the world. It really lets you know that you're about to enjoy a global journey through design and food!

Tiffins - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

There are several unique dining rooms in the restaurant. Each honors the spirit and design of Africa, Asia, and animals from around the world. We were in a room inspired by Africa, and as you can see there were some pretty amazing design elements and pieces of art all around the interior.

I especially loved the tiles and decorative woodwork that you could see as the basis for buildings, sidewalks, and furniture. Though not in our photos, there was also a small baobob tree on the wall that was actually used by Imagineers when designing the park.

Here is a view of one of the other dining rooms -- more inspired by Asia. While there are some similar design elements, I love how unique each dining area is. There was a lot to look at and the restaurant's aesthetics definitely made it feel like even more of a special dining experience.

The Food

Like most Disney owned restaurants, Tiffins does have an allergy-friendly menu. You can, of course, always speak to a chef when you dine at Tiffins too to discuss different options, modifications, and any questions that you might have.

On our visit, we not only looked at the allergy-friendly menu, but we also talked directly to a chef. The chef came to the table to discuss options and was very helpful and going through the ingredients on sauces and concerns regarding shared fryers and cross-contamination for products. We were both really impressed at how detailed the chef was when assisting us with our questions.

Both our server and the chef recommended the Tiffins Signature Bread Service. While the dish is normally only marked safe for Peanut/Tree Nut and Shellfish Allergies, the chef walked us through all the components and made versions safe for us.

For me, I was served a plate of papadums, which are crispy flatbreads made of chickpea flour. These are fried in a dedicated gluten free fryer and are also dairy free. But, they are fried in a shared fryer with fish, so they were not a safe option for Brandon. If you're vegan or vegetarian, you'll want to consider if you are OK with a shared fryer or talk to a chef about other options.

Both Brandon and I were able to eat the trio of dips served with the bread service. During our visit this included: Red Pepper Hummus, Spicy Coriander Yogurt, and Ginger-Pear Chutney. All of the dips were gluten free, fish/shellfish free, chicken & turkey free, cabbage free, and peanut/tree nut free. Both the hummus and ginger-pear chutney were also dairy free and vegan. The yogurt, of course, contained dairy.

We absolutely loved all of the dips. The red pepper hummus was flavorful and nice -- though a pretty standard hummus. The ginger-pear chutney was super flavorful with some nice ginger flavor and very inspired by the flavors of fall. The coriander yogurt was also good but quite spicy. If you're not a spicy foods fan, you might want to proceed with caution when eating the yogurt! Both of us thought our favorite of the three was the ginger-pear chutney.

Tiffins - Breads in Photo are NOT Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW — Tiffins - Breads in Photo are **NOT** Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

While I couldn't eat them, Brandon was given two of the other breads normally served with the bread service. This included a naan bread and a molasses pomegranate bread.

Brandon said the naan bread was nice and reminded him a lot of the naan from Sanaa. But, he was wowed by the molasses pomegranate bread and ate every last bite of it. It looked and smelled delicious, so if you can have gluten, this bread is sure to impress.

Having not been to Tiffins before, we couldn't resist some of the drinks there. Brandon opted for the Tempting Tigress, which includes a homemade tamarind syrup. This drink is also available at the Nomad Lounge too. Brandon absolutely loved this drink and said he would 100% order it again.

I decided to get a wine on this visit, particularly because Tiffins has a large collection of South African wines. I went with a South African Cabernet Sauvignon called "Tokara." The flavors were absolutely outstanding, and I would definitely get this wine again. It also paired beautifully with my entree.

Both Brandon and I ordered almost identical meals. At the recommendation of the chef and our sever, I ordered the Tamarind Braised Short Rib with Parsnip-Potato Puree, Cauliflower, Cipollini Onion, and Medjool Date Vinaigrette. This was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies.

This was one of the best meals that I have had at Disney in a long time. The short rib itself was super tender, rich, and flavorful. The sauce served with it was incredible, and there was just so much flavor in every bite. The milder parsnip-potato puree and vegetables all paired really well with the rich meat. I can't recommend this enough. It was so good. Although I want to go back and try other dishes at Tiffins, it would be hard to resist this dish on future visits!

Brandon got essentially the same dish, except his was served with grilled beef tenderloin instead. His dish was also safe for fish/shellfish, chicken & turkey, peanut/tree nut, and cabbage. Sauces are often challenging for Brandon, because they tend to contain chicken broth or stock. So, he was very excited to hear that the sauce served with this dish was veal stock based and that he could have it.

Like me, Brandon absolutely loved the flavors of this dish and everything about it. I think his only complaint was that he wished there were a bit more of the parsnip-potato puree. Other than that, it was a huge hit. And, Brandon said he would be interested in trying the short rib next time too after seeing what mine looked like.

After seeing the dessert menu and some interesting items on it, we couldn't resist getting dessert. I opted for the gluten free, dairy free & vegan dessert -- Passion Fruit Tapioca Creme with Chocolate Crumble, Citrus Fruits, and Coconut Creme. This dish was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut Allergies.

This dish was not at all what I expected. But, it was really tasty. The tapioca was unlike any other tapioca pudding I've had. It was almost like boba balls in more of a jam than anything. The dessert was very citrusy, which I liked, and the coconut creme on top was outstanding. Overall, after such a rich meal it was nice to have something a bit lighter to round out the evening. I think I might want to try another type of dessert on our next visit, but I would recommend this dessert and would order it again.

Brandon ordered the South American Chocolate Ganache with Caramelized Banana, and Cocoa Nib Tuile. This dish was marked safe for Fish/Shellfish and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. It can also be modified to be gluten free by omitting the cake elements.

Brandon said this was extremely rich and fudgy. In fact, he could barely cut the dessert with a spoon and a knife when he was trying to eat it. So, if you like rich, dense, chocolate, you will probably enjoy this dish a lot. I don't think Brandon loved it, but he didn't hate it either. It was a very dark chocolate, which is not his favorite, so if you like dark chocolate this might be a great option for you.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Tiffins, we did film our visit for our YouTube channel.

Overall

We were both beyond impressed with both the food and the theme of Tiffins. The food options were interesting, unique, and really high-quality. We also really appreciated how attentive the chef and our server were to our special dietary needs and worked to ensure we had a safe and delicious meal. The restaurant itself is also beautifully designed and elegant -- making it a wonderful signature restaurant to enjoy a relaxed meal or special occasion at. We both recommend it highly and are looking forward to going back to eat at Tiffins again.

Have you been to Tiffins? What was your experience dining there?

1/26/21 1/26/21

Narcoossee's Dinner Review

Narcoossee's, located at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, is a signature dining location that I hadn't been to since 2011 after a lackluster meal experience with my mom. Brandon had never been to Narcoossee's, so when the restaurant re-opened in 2020 after the Parks & Resorts had closed due to COVID-19, we decided to make a reservation for dinner to try it out.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Narcoossee's

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was an early evening seating. We have found that eating around restaurant opening tends to be fairly quiet, which is great if you prefer to dine with less people right now. The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. In this instance, we did not use the online restaurant check-in (which has become hit or miss for actually working) and opted to check-in with a cast member instead.

The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. In addition, there were many portable hand sanitizer stations for guests to use. We also saw cast members regularly cleaning surfaces and restrooms throughout our visit.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk Resort, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Old Key West Resort, Polynesian, and Riviera Resort. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

Narcoossee's is located in a separate building from the Grand Floridian Resort, near the boat docks and set on the Seven Seas Lagoon. It offers great views of the Magic Kingdom and the resort area. The restaurant decor and food is inspired by coastal areas around the globe. So, you'll see these touches throughout the restaurant.

Narcoossee's - Open Kitchen / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

When you enter the restaurant, you'll see a brightly colored open kitchen (on this visit, the kitchen area was surrounded by protective shields).

Narcoossee's - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Since it has been a decade since I'd dined at Narcoossee's, I was curious to see how the decor had changed over the years. To my surprise, the restaurant's decor hadn't changed one bit. They were even using the same blue tablecloths and blue & white seat cushions.

Narcoossee's - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Although the restaurant is supposed to have a bright, airy, coastal feel to it, both Brandon and I remarked at how dated it felt. Everything just seemed a bit old, faded, and generally not very contemporary. Of course, there's always a certain charm to restaurant that stays the same over the years, and some restaurants really hold up well over time. But, Narcoossee's feels like it could really use a good makeover compared to other signature restaurant's like California Grill or Topolino's Terrace.

Narcoossee's / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Our favorite part of Narcoossee's theme had to be the beautiful views. If you like waterfront dining, Narcooossee's offers terrific scenery. Although they are not really doing fireworks displays right now, during normal times, Narcoossee's would be a great spot to watch the fireworks in the evening.

The Food

Like most restaurants at Disney World, Narcoossee's does offer an allergy-friendly menu. You can always speak directly to a chef about options, modifications, and customizations too, especially if you have questions or multiple special dietary needs.

Because the restaurant is a lot of simple steak and seafood, we both felt comfortable ordering directly from the allergy-friendly menu. But we always encourage guests to speak to a chef if there are any questions or clarifications needed and we do this often ourselves.

Narcooseee's / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Prior to our meal we did order drinks. Brandon had a classic gin & tonic. And, I ordered the Skywalker Vineyards Rose. If you're not familiar with Skywalker Vineyards, it's the winery owned by George Lucas. I had tried several of the Skywalker Vineyards wines on previous visits occasions, but this was my first time trying the Rose. I would definitely recommend it as the flavors were great, and it wasn't super sweet or dry. A perfect wine for a hot Florida day.

Narcoosee's - GF Bread Service — Narcoosee's / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I was surprised when I was brought gluten free and allergy-friendly rolls, as I expected to be served the Bloomfield Farms brand, which most locations are using now. But, I was served the GNI / Deanna's Gluten Free brand rolls that Disney used to use more regularly. Both roll brands are gluten free, dairy free and allergy-friendly.

The first roll I had was moderately well heated and quite tasty. It gave me a lot of nostalgia for when Disney was using this brand more regularly. But, the second roll I had was literally as hard as a rock and inedible. Comparing them to the Bloomfield Farms rolls, I have to say I think I now prefer Bloomfield Farms due to the size, texture, and taste. They also seem a lot less likely to be improperly heated, which is important for gluten free bread!

Narcoosee's Bread in Photo is NOT Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon was served the regular bread service -- a sourdough style bread. Brandon said it was just OK and not anything special. One of his biggest complaints with most bread services do not heat the bread making the bread not as tasty in his opinion. He tried both the gluten free and regular bread on this visit and said he actually preferred the gluten free bread overall.

As an aside, do note that while the regular bread is nut free, they do note that it's made in a facility with nuts. So, you'll need to use your judgement and comfort level when choosing to consume this bread or not. Thankfully, if you are not comfortable with this, you can enjoy the allergy-friendly bread which is nut free.

Brandon can't resist a cheese plate. So, we decided to split the Artisanal Cheese Plate, which was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. It was also made safe for Brandon's other allergies: Chicken & Turkey and Cabbage. This dish, of course, does contain dairy. If you're lactose intolerant and can tolerate goat or sheep milk cheeses, the restaurant did include some of these cheeses on the plate, so those could be an option for you.

Overall, Brandon and I liked the cheese plate but didn't love it. We both said it was fairly small for the price and the smallest cheese plate we've had in a long time. All of the cheeses were tasty, but I think we both agreed that we'd love to see more interesting and unique cheeses featured on such a pricey cheese plate rather than cheeses we can easily get at our local grocery store. Still if you're into cheese plates, you could do far worse in terms of quality, so I'd still recommend it.

Narcooseee's Bread in Photo is NOT Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon was served some regular bread on the side to go with the cheese plate, as well. He liked these a bit better than the sourdough but wasn't wowed by either.

Narcoosee's / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entree, I decided to order the classic Surf & Turf which included Filet Mignon with Butter-Poached Cold Water Lobster Tail, Yukon Gold Mash, Roasted Carrots, and Cippolini Onions. This dish was marked safe for For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. It can be made dairy free with some adjustments and accompaniment swaps, so it's always worth exploring if you're interested.

When ordering Surf & Turf, it seems like this would be a slam dunk for an excellent meal. However, it was a bit inconsistent to me. The first few bites of steak were good, but I actually found fat on my filet (which you shouldn't have). That made it a bit less pleasant to eat. The mashed potatoes were good and the carrots were also pretty tasty. The lobster was probably the best part of the dish and was super buttery, sweet, and not overcooked.

When comparing this dish to the filet at Topolino's Terrace, it's a pretty stark difference between quality, flavors, and overall presentation. Topolino's Terrace's quality is so much higher that this meal felt like a pretty big let-down in comparison.

Brandon ordered a very similar dish, minus the seafood since he is allergic. He got the Grass Fed Filet Mignon with Yukon Gold Mash, Roasted Carrots, Cippolini Onions, and Red Wine-Oxtail Reduction. This was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. It was also made safe for chicken & turkey and cabbage allergies.

Brandon's filet had no issues of fat like mine did. He agreed that the dish was good but couldn't compare to the filet at Topolino's Terrace or even some other locations at Disney World. Both of us felt like the food, plating, actually matched the decor of the restaurant and overall just felt a bit dated.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Narcoossee's, we did film our visit and shared it on our YouTube channel.

Overall

We're both glad that we visited Narcoossee's to give it a try. Having not dined there in a decade, I was surprised to see how little the food and decor had changed. While our meal was not bad by any means, we both thought the food was just OK and pretty overpriced for the quality when comparing it to other signature restaurants. We'd both love to see a refurbishment of this restaurant -- both for the decor and the food. There's so many possibilities for Narcoossee's, especially with such a great location, that it's a shame to see it rest a bit on its laurels and not compete with some of the other outstanding signature restaurants on property. For now, it's not a location we'd visit again anytime soon.

Have you been to Narcoossee's? What was your experience dining there?

1/18/21 1/18/21

The Wave Dinner Review

The Wave, located at Disney's Contemporary Resort, has long been one of our top favorite resort table service restaurants. We always enjoy the atmosphere and the delicious food. Brandon and I often call this a hidden gem, because it's not a table service restaurant that guests immediately think of when considering resort dining. But, we can't recommend it enough as a great option, including for those with special dietary needs. Back in October, we had a chance to enjoy dinner at The Wave, which is our favorite meal service at the restaurant.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at The Wave

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a late evening seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closed at 9 p.m.). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We tried to use online restaurant check-in when we arrived at The Wave, but it wasn't working on our visit. Cast members at The Wave were able to check us in though with no worries.

The Contemporary Resort itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. In addition, there were many portable hand sanitizer stations for guests to use. We also saw cast members regularly cleaning surfaces and restrooms throughout our visit.

The Contemporary Resort is definitely a bit busier than it was when we went in July 2020. However, it's still much quieter than normal. We have found that if you're less comfortable with busier restaurants that you dine at the earliest dining, as we have found opening dining to be the least crowded. On this visit, we ate during the last seating, and it was a little busier in the beginning than we would have liked, but it cleared out fairly quickly as our meal progressed.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk Resort, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Old Key West Resort, Polynesian, and Riviera Resort. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

The Wave is themed after waves of the ocean. And, you'll see that theme throughout the restaurant, from the moment you step into the entrance.

The Wave - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because I have written a lot of reviews about this restaurant with details about the theming, in this review, I'll highlight some new pictures. If you're interested in more information about theming, check out some of the older reviews.

The Wave - Waiting Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I absolutely love the waiting/seating area. There's a really great set of paintings here that are both contemporary but also have a bit of Mary Blair style in them.

The Wave - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

And, of course, no visit to The Wave is complete without taking photos of some of the decor, like the wave inspired lighting.

The Wave - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As you can see, by the time we left the restaurant, the seating areas were fairly quiet. You can also see the social distance markers to separate some of the tables too.

The Food

Like most restaurants at Disney World, The Wave does offer an allergy-friendly menu. You can also always speak to a chef when you dine at The Wave, which we highly recommend -- especially if you have multiple special dietary needs or have questions about the menu, including customizing dishes and making modifications. On this visit, we did not speak to a chef, but we have on many occasions there. The chefs there are very good and always very willing to offer accommodations.

The Wave / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

After ordering, our server brought us each bread service. I was given the gluten free, dairy free & allergy-friendly Bloomfield Farms rolls and some butter with pink salt. If you are dairy free, be sure to ask for Earth Balance vegan buttery spread, which the restaurant offers.

I have to admit, I've grown to really love the Bloomfield Farms brand rolls. When heated properly they are really tasty, and they feel like a very hearty bread option too.

The Wave - Bread in Photo is NOT Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW — The Wave - Bread in Photo is **NOT** Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon was given the regular bread service, which looked a bit like brioche. This is a nut free option, though we were advised that it was possibly made in the same facility as peanuts, so if you have a peanut or tree nut allergy that is always good to know. Brandon is OK with items produced in the same area, as long as he isn't given peanuts or hazelnut, but you'll always want to trust your own comfort level for allergies. Brandon has also eaten the Bloomfield Farms rolls quite a bit too and is also a fan now. Overall, Brandon was not a particularly big fan of this bread service, especially as the bread was not warm.

It's hard for us to go to the Wave now and not order the Bacon & Eggs appetizer, which comes with cheddar grits, poached egg, and maple glazed pork belly. This dish is gluten free, fish/shellfish free, peanut/tree nut free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free. It does contain dairy.

If you can have dairy and are gluten free, this is an absolute must order. Brandon and I typically split this appetizer and just love the combination of sweet and salty flavors along with the rich textures. It feels decadent and is a great way to start your meal at The Wave.

For my entree, I decided to get the Pork Tenderloin with Smoked Cheddar Grits, Coffee-Barbecue Sauce, Roasted Broccolini, and Chermoula. This dish is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. It does contain dairy, but if you talk to a chef, they should be able to make some modifications (like swapping the grits for another side).

I always love the seasonal pork tenderloin dishes at The Wave. They always switch things up seasonally, and this version was a real winner. The pork was perfectly cooked and super flavorful. The sauces, especially the chermoula were absolutely delicious and really added a lot of depth to the dish. And, of course, you can't go wrong with more cheesy grits. I loved everything about this dish and would highly recommend it if you enjoy pork tenderloin.

The Wave - Steak & Potatoes — The Wave / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For Brandon's entree, he chose Grilled Beef Tenderloin. It normally comes with au gratin potatoes and seasonal vegetables, but Brandon asked for mashed potatoes instead. This dish was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Peanut/Tree Nut, Shellfish, and Soy Allergies. It is also chicken & turkey free and cabbage free.

Because Brandon is not a big sauce person, he opted to get the peppadew vinaigrette on the side. He didn't love it at first, but the sauce definitely grew on him. It's always a good idea to get a sauce on the side if you're not sure you'll be a fan. Overall, this dish is always a winner and one of Brandon's go-to's at The Wave.

If you want to get more information about our visit to The Wave, we did film our visit for our YouTube channel.

Overall

The Wave continues to be one of our all-time favorite reasonably priced and delicious table service restaurants at the resorts. We always have a great meal, and the chefs are always really wonderful there. We also love that the restaurant's menu does change a bit seasonally, which makes it a great place to dine and get a bit of variety in your meal options.

Have you been to The Wave? What was your experience when you dined there?

1/18/21 1/18/21

Topolino's Terrace Character Breakfast Review

Topolino's Terrace, located at Disney's Riviera Resort, has quickly risen to be one of our top restaurants at Walt Disney World. With outstanding food, beautiful atmosphere and theming, and excellent special dietary needs accommodations, there's a lot to love about Topolino's Terrace. We first dined at the restaurant in August 2020, and after such a great meal we knew that we had to dine here for their character breakfast. During a mini-staycation at Disney's Polynesian Resort, we decided to enjoy a last minute brunch at Topolino's Terrace when we saw a late morning reservation open up.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Breakfast at Topolino's Terrace

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a late breakfast seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closes for breakfast at 11:15 a.m. currently). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We also utilized online restaurant check-in when we arrived at Topolino's Terrace. Online check-in includes using your My Disney Experience app to check-in yourself. It’s super easy, and I hope Disney keeps this going forward too.

Disney's Riviera Resort itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. In addition, there were many portable hand sanitizer stations for guests to use. We also saw cast members regularly cleaning surfaces and restrooms throughout our visit.

In terms of the crowds, we found that the resort itself was moderately busy compared to our visit the month before. The restaurant was also a bit busier in the waiting area, as the character meal is quite popular. However, there were very few tables with diners at them by the time we ended our meal, and we both felt the social distancing was excellent in the restaurant.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk Resort, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Old Key West Resort, Polynesian, and Riviera Resort. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

Topolino's Terrace is inspired by the French and Italian Rivieras. Beautifully decorated, bright, and refined, both Brandon and I fell in love with the decor of this restaurant the first time we dined there. Located on the top floor of the resort, the restaurant has outstanding views of the Walt Disney World Resort, and it has a lovely outside observation deck that's perfect for fireworks displays too.

Topolino's Terrace - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

In the evening time, it has a slightly different feel as the lights dim and the Florida sunsets brighten the dining room. In the daytime, the restaurant is bright and chipper -- perfect for a character breakfast.

The restaurant includes standard seating and spacious booths. During our character meal, we were seated in one of these booths, and we absolutely loved the seating and social distancing it provided.

Topolino's Terrace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Speaking of social distancing, at the time we dined there, Topolino's Terrace was offering a character meal experienced that was slightly modified due to COVID-19. This meant that characters did not come to your table to take photos or sign autographs. But, that didn't mean the interactions weren't just as good.

In fact, as an adult couple, both Brandon and I actually preferred the social distancing experience because we could still interact with the characters but could still enjoy our meal during the experience. Topolino's Terrace also offers an adorable show/presentation throughout your meal and that was really fun for all ages too.

The characters at the time of this review included Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck. Each one of the characters is dressed in outfits related to an artist outlet, such as poetry, painting, and dance. Currently, you can only see the characters in these outfits at Topolino's Terrace.

Our favorite by far had to be Donald Duck. Daisy Duck was a close second, as both the ducks were super sassy and personable. If you want to see more of the show, character interaction, and restaurant interior, be sure to check out our YouTube vlog for videos from the visit.

The Food

Like most restaurants at Disney World, Topolino's Terrace does offer an allergy-friendly menu. We also spoke directly to a chef to ask questions, including ordering dishes that could be modified to be gluten free -- but weren't listed on the allergy-friendly menu. We always recommend speaking directly to a chef for this reason.

One word about coffee if you need a bit of caffeine to start your breakfast. If you're gluten free or dairy free, most of the specialty beverages won't be an option here, as we were told they use a shared coffee maker and cannot guarantee allergy safety or cross-contamination. They do offer dairy free milk options, but I was told that plain coffee was my best choice for a safe option. Brandon was able to get a mocha on our visit, but I stuck to iced tea rather than order a plain coffee.

After speaking with a chef, Brandon and I were brought a basket of breakfast pastries to share. This visit we were served Udi's Gluten Free brand muffins, including a double-chocolate chip and blueberry muffin. We were also served Kinnikinnik brand allergy-friendly donuts with a vanilla glaze on them.

We get the donuts a lot on the Disney Cruise and are big fans of them, so those were a definite hit. The muffins we could take or leave as they're just OK in our opinion. As an aside, guests are often served butter and spreads, including a hazelnut spread. Because Brandon is allergic to hazelnut, we were not served any side accompaniments.

Topolino's Terrace - Gluten Free Crustless Quiche — Topolino's Terrace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entree, I had heard from Paleo Disney that you could order the Quiche Gruyère gluten free upon request. When I spoke to the chef, he said that it was an option but that it would take a bit of extra time to prepare. The gluten free version of the quiche is crustless, so it is more like a frittata, and it does contain dairy.

I have to say that this was definitely worth the wait. The frittata included a house-made pancetta and gruyere cheese and was really flavorful. The textures were also great. The roasted potatoes were outstanding, and my surprise favorite side was the salad. Light and refreshing, it went perfectly with the rich flavors of the GF quiche. I would absolutely request this dish again, and it might be one of the best breakfast entrees I've ever had at Disney World.

At Topolino's Terrace, you typically order one single entree. However, I did ask if I could pay an upcharge to try the large allergy-friendly Mickey Waffle. On this visit, the chef said it was no problem to order it as a second dish and that there would be no extra charge, but your mileage may vary when you visit.

The allergy-friendly Mickey waffle at Topolino's Terrace is unique in that it's a large waffle versus the smaller individual waffles you get throughout Walt Disney World. The only other location I've ever seen a large allergy-friendly waffle at was at Disneyland at Steakhouse 55.

This version came with Roasted Apple, Chantilly, and Orange-Maple Syrup. It can be made dairy free by omitting the Chantilly whipped cream. I was absolutely blown away by this waffle. The accompaniments were really flavorful and added a lot of flavor. I especially loved the orange-maple syrup. The roasted apples were a nice touch too. The waffle itself was really good -- a little dry -- but the flavors were great (and the accompaniments helped with the dryness).

When I asked about the mix, I was told that Topolino's Terrace is currently using Bloomfield Farms gluten free pancake and waffle mix. One of my biggest tips is to ask before you order about allergy-friendly waffle mixes as some on property are better than others. Overall, I would not hesitate to order this again because the flavors were all excellent.

Brandon opted for the classic Two Eggs-Any Style served with roasted potatoes and bacon. This was safe for peanut/tree nut, fish/shellfish, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies. It can also be made gluten free and dairy free too. While nothing special, Brandon said the entree was great. He really liked the potatoes and bacon and said he'd definitely get this again.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Topolino's Terrace for their character breakfast, we did film our visit for our YouTube channel.

Overall

Topolino's Terrace offers wonderful meal options for dinner and breakfast. If a character breakfast experience is something that you're interested in, we can't recommend Topolino's Terrace enough. We found the character experience to be great, the food and special dietary needs accommodations outstanding, and the theming to be excellent. We especially loved the unique characters and the upscale breakfast offerings. It was a great experience, and we're looking forward to going back to the restaurant for another fun character breakfast again soon!

Have you been to Topolino's Terrace for their character breakfast? What was your experience dining there?

11/27/20 11/27/20

Trattoria al Forno Dinner Review

Trattoria al Forno, located at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, reopened in July 2020 after the Disney Parks & Resorts closed temporarily. We had a chance to stop by the restaurant for a late evening dinner in September. This was the first time Brandon had eaten at the restaurant and the first time I had been there in several years, so we were looking forward to trying out the food and seeing how the restaurant was for social distancing.

Dinner at Trattoria al Forno

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a late evening seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closed at 10 p.m.). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We also utilized online restaurant check-in when we arrived at Trattoria al Forno. Online check-in includes using your My Disney Experience app to check-in yourself. It’s super easy, and I hope Disney keeps this going forward too.

The Boardwalk Resort itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. In addition, there were many portable hand sanitizer stations for guests to use. We also saw cast members regularly cleaning surfaces and restrooms throughout our visit.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort, Old Key West Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, and Riviera Resort. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

Trattoria al Forno is inspired by the different regions of Italy. The restaurant building itself has changed a lot over the years -- as it used to Spoodles, Kouzzina (a former favorite of mine), and now Trattoria al Forno. The actual restaurant itself has been retrofitted over the years. And, it currently reflects the modern Italian theme.

Trattoria al Forno - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You'll find bright pops of color, including lots of reds and greens, alongside dark wooden beams, tables, and seating.

Trattoria al Forno - Lobby / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

When you walk into the restaurant's lobby area, you'll be greeted by cozy chairs, family photos, and a walled up fireplace.

Trattoria al Forno - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You'll find the same theming and decor inside the restaurant's seating area. The kitchen is also open to guests, so you can see food being prepared on stage while you enjoy your meal.

One thing that we noticed on this visit (and that we showed and discussed in our YouTube review) is that social distancing seating seemed a bit problematic at the restaurant -- at least from our perspective. If you have seating preferences, be sure to let a host/hostess know so that you can ensure you are comfortable during your meal.

The Food

Like most restaurants at Disney World, Trattoria al Forno does offer an allergy-friendly menu. You can also, at any time, speak directly with a chef (which we recommend) if you have questions or wish to discuss options or modifications for your special dietary needs.

Trattoria al Forno / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, we did not speak directly to a chef, but our server helped ensure that we had safe options and spoke to the chef, as well as ensured all of our special dietary needs were on our orders. We ordered more or less directly from the allergy-friendly menu.

Each meal includes a complimentary bread service. I was served Bloomfield Farms rolls, which are gluten free and dairy free. This dish also came with a gluten free and dairy free olive tapenade with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The tapenade had a great sweet and salty punch to it and was an excellent accompaniment to the bread.

Brandon was served the regular bread and had his own dish of olive tapenade.

Initially, Brandon and I had inquired about ordering the charcuterie plate, but our server spoke with the chef who said that it had too many ingredients that contained both gluten and nuts that he would not recommend it for us to eat.

However, we were pleasantly surprised when our server brought out a giant plate of prosciutto and house-made mozzarella cheese with herbs and balsamic vinegar for us to split. It was extremely kind of them to modify an appetizer for us so that we could enjoy it safely. This was made safe for gluten/wheat, fish/shellfish, peanuts/tree nuts, chicken/turkey, and cabbage.

To avoid any concerns of cross-contamination since Brandon had already eaten some gluten-filled bread, we split this appetizer up onto separate plates.

Both of us were extremely impressed with the quality of the meat and cheese in this appetizer. The prosciutto was extremely good, and we both loved the mozzarella with the accompaniments on top of it. Of course, if you're dairy free, this would not be a good option, but if you are gluten free and can have dairy, both Brandon and I highly recommend it.

Trattoria al Forno - GF Salad — Trattoria al Forno / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I debated for a bit over what to get for my entree. Ultimately, I decided to order two appetizers because my friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures always raves about the gluten free calamari, and I definitely wanted to try it.

I opted to get order Insalata di Stagione, a seasonal salad that is made with house-made ricotta and vinaigrette. It was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Soy Allergies.

I have to admit that when presented to me, it was not at all what I had expected the salad to be. The salad included a grilled head of romaine, a side of additional greens, and quite a few deconstructed elements. The flavors were nice, and I really loved the pecan crumble that came with the salad, but it's probably not a dish I'd order again.

Trattoria al Forno - Gluten Free Calamari — Trattoria al Forno / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my second appetizer, of course, it had to be the Calamari Fritti with Crispy Pepperoncini, Balsamic Agrodolce, and Meyer Lemon Aioli. This dish was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies.

Overall, I really liked this dish but didn't love it. I found all of the sauces and the fried pepperoncini to be excellent, but the calamari itself was almost a bit soggy. It wasn't terrible by any means, but it would have been nice for the calamari to be a bit crispier. I would try this again just to see if my dish was just a fluke, as others have raved about it so much.

As an aside, if you dine at Trattoria al Forno, they use gluten free breading for all of the fried items at the restaurant. This means that items like chicken parmesan are actually gluten free with a side of GF pasta. I will definitely have to try some other breaded and fried dishes the next we go to Trattoria al Forno.

Trattoria al Forno - Steak — Trattoria al Forno / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For Brandon's entree, he ordered the Oak-Grilled Strip Steak with Fire-roasted Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetable, and Roasted Pepper Sauce. This was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies and was also made safe for Brandon's chicken & turkey and cabbage allergies.

Overall, Brandon said he really liked this entree. The serving was very sizeable, so this is a good option if you're a steak lover and are really hungry! Brandon also got the roasted red pepper sauce on the side, and while he's not a big sauce person, he actually loved this sauce. That's a great pro tip for dining. If you're not sure if you'll like a sauce, order it on the side! Brandon said that he'd definitely order this steak again.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Trattoria al Forno, we did film our visit and shared it on our YouTube channel. There we talk a bit more about social distancing and general safety related to COVID-19.

Overall

Our restaurant experience at Trattoria al Forno was a bit mixed. We both loved the bread service, appetizers, and Brandon really enjoyed his entree. I liked mine but would definitely get something different the next time we dine there. We also felt the social distancing seating wasn't something we felt as comfortable with during our visit, so we might wait to dine at Trattoria al Forno for a while. The resort area is quite busy, so the restaurant was one of the busiest we've dined at since Disney re-opened. While our experience was a bit mixed, we look forward to trying out the restaurant again in the future.

Have you been to Trattoria al Forno? What was your experience when you dined there?

11/7/20 11/7/20

Le Cellier Dinner Review

Le Cellier, located in the Canada Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase, is a signature table service restaurant that both Brandon and I haven't been to in years. We both have really enjoyed our meal experiences at Le Cellier over the years, but we haven't been in so long due to the hefty price of this steakhouse's meals. In September, during our mini-staycation at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, we decided to finally make a visit back to Le Cellier for a late afternoon/early evening dinner.

Dinner at Le Cellier

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant several weeks before we dined there using the My Disney Experience app. The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We also utilized online restaurant check-in when we arrived at Le Cellier. Online check-in includes using your My Disney Experience app to check-in yourself. It’s super easy, and I hope Disney keeps this going forward too.

All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. Throughout Epcot, we did see many cast members cleaning, and there were many opportunities to sanitize, including hand washing stations and hand sanitizer stations throughout the park.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to Epcot and Animal Kingdom theme parks along with several of the Disney Resorts, including the Contemporary Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Old Key West Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, and Riviera Resort. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

One of the things that we love most about Le Cellier is the cozy atmosphere. It's meant to resemble a wine cellar in a Canadian chateau. You'll notice that the moment you walk-up to the restaurant, where you'll see the entrance nestled below a sprawling chateau.

Le Cellier - Exterior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Even more impressive before you even walk into the restaurant is the area's recreation of Boutchart Gardens, located in British Colombia. The exterior really helps transport you to Canada.

As you enter the restaurant, the feelings of a wine cellar are ever present -- with beautiful wine bottles displayed, rich dark woods, and the subtly dimmed lighting. Everything about the theming really works.

Le Cellier - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Once seated, you'll notice some of the more elegant and elaborate features of the restaurant -- the beautiful woodwork. The colors of the wood are rich and dark, helping reinforce that cozy vibe. And, I absolutely love the beautiful metalwork edged above the wood the highlights cities and areas within Canada. In fact, if you look closely, you'll see that each section of the restaurant is broken up by Canadian provinces.

On our visit, we were seated in Ontario. I was so excited to see a tribute to Prince Edward Island, because one of my favorite book series from childhood was Anne of Green Gables.

It really is worth the time to take a look at the impressive handiwork throughout the restaurant. It's one of the things that makes Le Cellier's theme even better.

The Food

Like most restaurants at Disney World, Le Cellier does offer an allergy-friendly menu. But, I highly recommend speaking directly to a chef when you dine at Le Cellier. Chef Tony, who works here, is fantastic at accommodating and making amazing dishes that are safe for a variety of special dietary needs, if you ask!

Le Cellier / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, we spoke with Chef Tony, and he was able to make quite a few things for us that were either slightly modified or aren't listed on the menu -- like gluten free & vegetarian (and easily made dairy free and vegan) poutine!

Le Cellier - Montreal 75 Drink — Le Cellier / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Before we started our meal, Brandon and I did order drinks. I wanted to highlight the drink that I got -- the Montreal 75. Spirits can be tricky when you're gluten free. And while most medical research indicates that spirits distilled with gluten-containing grains are considered safe (unless they've had added flavors that have gluten added to them after distillation), they can still be an issue for many who have celiac disease.

I wanted to highlight my drink because it contains Dillon's Small Batch Gin produced in the Niagara Region in Canada and is made entirely from Niagara grapes and is not made with any gluten-containing grains. So, if you're a fan of gin drinks and are gluten free, this is a great option. Plus, the gin is really tasty and has a unique flavor that's really refreshing for a slightly different take on gin. I recommend this gin and the drink I had at Le Cellier -- which is essentially a twist on a French 75 -- highly.

Le Cellier - Whiskey Drink — Le Cellier / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon, ever the whiskey fan, got a whiskey drink and really enjoyed it too.

For our bread service, Chef Tony brought out Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread and extra virgin olive oil for me. It's always nice to know that you can get a dairy free or vegan butter option in most Disney-owned restaurants.

The Earth Balance worked perfectly with the Bloomfield Farms Gluten Free & Dairy Free Rolls I was given. Even better? Chef Tony brought me a container of maple sugar to add to my Earth Balance for a sweet and salty twist to bread service.

I have to admit, this might be one of the best bread service options I've had in a while. I absolutely loved the subtle, sweet flavors in the maple sugar on the warm gluten free & dairy free rolls. Definitely be sure to ask about the maple sugar when you dine at Le Cellier!

Le Cellier - Bread in this photo is NOT gluten free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW — Le Cellier - Bread in this photo is **NOT** gluten free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon was able to get the regular gluten-filled bread service. If you're nut free, of course, always speak with a chef to determine cross-contamination risks and your comfort level for consuming breads.

The bread service included a multi-grain roll, sourdough roll, and pretzel rolls. Of all three breads, Brandon said the pretzel bread was by far his favorite.

When we arrived at Le Cellier, I had a feeling that poutine was going to be off the table for me and Brandon -- primarily due to all of our special dietary needs. Imagine our surprise when Chef Tony said that we could get a poutine that was not only gluten free, but chicken & turkey free for Brandon's allergies. Though not listed on the menu, you can request a vegetarian (and easily made vegan and dairy free by swapping out the cheese for a DF option) poutine.

The version we received was made with a gluten free and vegetarian/vegan/dairy free gravy. While our version had a small amount of regular dairy-filled cheese on it, you can order it dairy free and vegan. The restaurant is currently using Violife gluten free, dairy free, nut free, and vegan cheese for those DF/vegan guests.

Goodness gracious was this poutine amazing. We were both expecting it to be tasty, but we were entirely unprepared at how good it would be. The gluten free, dairy free & vegan gravy was rich and had a depth of flavor that really surprised me. It had an almost meaty taste to it, and I think even the biggest of meat eaters would enjoy this.

Both Brandon and I devoured this dish quickly, and we both said we'd love to come back to Le Cellier for drinks and orders of poutine. It's just that good. If you're debating on an appetizer at Le Cellier, just order this poutine. You won't regret it!

Le Cellier - NY Strip — Le Cellier / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For our main entrees, I ordered a modified version of the USDA Prime New York Strip Steak. I was able to swap out the potatoes it normally comes with for the mushroom risotto usually served with the filet mignon. This entire dish was easily made gluten free & dairy free by swapping out the side dish.

The mushroom risotto usually contains cheese and butter, but those are added as finishing touches to the dish. So, you can easily get it gluten free & dairy free by omitting the cheese and butter. Easy peasy!

Overall, I can't say enough good things about the dish. The steak was cooked perfectly and was really well-seasoned. The chimichurri that comes with the steak was absolutely delicious. I also really enjoyed the mushroom risotto, which was super rich and creamy -- even without the dairy. This was definitely a solid dish that I would highly recommend to anyone who is gluten free & dairy free.

As a bonus, Chef Tony brought out a side dish of Brussels Sprouts, as he said I had to try them. And, like the poutine, I was absolutely blown away by this dish.

The Brussels Sprouts are gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and top 8 allergy-friendly. Made with maple syrup and a lot of roasting, the Brussels Sprouts were sweet, salty, and just perfection. I would 100% get these again. In fact, I'm not sure I could go to Le Cellier and NOT get them. They were that good.

Le Cellier - Filet — Le Cellier / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For Brandon's entree, he opted for the Filet Mignon. Like me, his dish was slightly modified. Instead of the risotto, he was able to get mashed potatoes with this dish. His dish was safe for his allergies: fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, chicken/turkey, and cabbage. It is also gluten free too.

Brandon also said his filet was perfectly cooked and that the mashed potatoes were excellent.

Le Cellier - Regular Mac & Cheese — Le Cellier / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Of course, Brandon loves gluten-filled macaroni & cheese, and he just couldn't pass up ordering a side of the version from Le Cellier. It contained 5 different types of cheeses, and Brandon raved at how good it was. You know it's high praise when Brandon says it's a must order after a few bites -- which he said with this version from Le Cellier!

If you want to get more information about our visit to Le Cellier, we did film our visit and included it in our Mini-Staycation video day on our YouTube channel.

Overall

While it's been many years since we've been to Le Cellier, Brandon and I were beyond impressed by our most recent visit. Not only was the atmosphere just as cozy and inviting as we remembered, but the food there was absolutely delicious. If you're a steak lover, you'll really enjoy the well-cooked, high-quality steaks at Le Cellier. If you're vegetarian, vegan, or not a steak fan, you'll find plenty of options and the ability to get customized dishes too. And, don't forget to order poutine on your visit. There are several other options, beyond the version we tried, and we can't recommend the poutine enough! Overall, we had a great time and really appreciated how accommodating the restaurant was for all of our special dietary needs. We'll definitely be back again sooner, rather than later.

Have you been to Le Cellier? What was your experience dining there?

9/7/20 9/7/20

Sanaa Dinner Review

Sanaa, located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village, reopened in July 2020 after the Disney Parks & Resorts closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's hands down one of my favorite restaurants at Disney World. In fact, just before the parks & resorts closed temporarily, we had enjoyed a great meal there for my birthday. In August 2020, we took a mini one day staycation at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. So, dinner at Sanaa was a must on that visit.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Sanaa

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a late evening seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closed at 9 p.m.). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We also utilized online restaurant check-in when we arrived at Sanaa. Online check-in includes using your My Disney Experience app to check-in yourself. It’s super easy, and I hope Disney keeps this going forward too.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. In addition, there were many portable hand sanitizer stations for guests to use. We also saw cast members regularly cleaning surfaces and restrooms throughout our visit.

While Jambo House was very quiet during our mini staycation, we found that Kidani Village -- where Sanaa is located -- was a bit busier. There was a bit of crowding in the lobby area of Sanaa. We think this may have been due to guests waiting for to-go/takeaway orders along with other guests waiting to be seated. We were able to social distance as best we could, but we found the lobby to be a little more crowded than we would have liked. Currently, Sanaa is the only restaurant open between both sides of the resort. So, it's not a surprise that the restaurant was busy. Once we were seated, we felt much more comfortable with the social distancing spacing in place versus the lobby.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Contemporary Resort, Old Key West Resort, and Riviera Resort. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

Sanaa means "work of art" in Swahili. And, the restaurant itself truly is a work of art.

Sanaa - Check-In Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Even when you arrive at the check-in counter, you'll be treated to beautiful African and Indian inspired decor.

Sanaa - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Inside the restaurant, you'll find uniquely designed chairs, bright colors, and beautiful decorations. I absolutely love the unique designs in the restaurant -- making it feel truly special.

My favorite part of the restaurant is actually above you when you dine. If you look, the main interior of the restaurant resembles a tree, its branches, and leaves. All of the light fixtures in the restaurant are especially beautiful.

As you can see from this photo, the seating area was well set-up for social distancing. In fact, so far, it might be the best social distanced seating we've experienced at Disney World. Brandon and I had a great seat right by the window where we could enjoy a view of the giraffes, zebras (including the new baby zebra), and other animals on the Savannah. But, even if you don't get a window seat, there is plenty of amazing theming to take in while you dine at Sanaa.

The Food

Like most restaurants at Disney World, Sanaa does offer an allergy-friendly menu. We also spoke directly to a chef, as well, to discuss options. Chef Kimi was excellent at helping us navigate the menu to ensure that we had the most up-to-date information about options and customizations for our special dietary needs.

Sanaa / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

My biggest recommendation with allergy-friendly menus is to always look at the regular menu too. Sanaa is extremely gluten free and dairy free friendly. And, many dishes that are naturally gluten free may not be listed on the allergy-friendly menu as an option. I always ask and double-check because there are so many great dishes on the menu to enjoy.

Up first, we had to start with the Allergy-Friendly Bread Service. It's a must order anytime we dine at Sanaa. And, neither of us could ever visit the restaurant without ordering it. The Allergy-Friendly Bread Service can be customized for a variety of special dietary needs.

The allergy-friendly naan bread (which is made in-house, so use your own judgement and comfort level regarding cross-contamination) uses the Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour Blend and is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut, and Soy Allergies on the menu. To my knowledge, there are no actual tree nuts in the bread. But, they use coconut milk which is classified by the FDA as a tree nut (even though it's a fruit). Be sure to speak directly to a chef about this or any other special diets concerns that you have to ensure you feel safe consuming any item.

The dips/sauces included in the allergy-friendly bread service are all amazing. The regular line-up of dips are all gluten free & dairy free EXCEPT the cucumber raita which contains dairy. You can easily swap out a sauce and double-up on your favorite depending on your special dietary need.

We were both so thrilled that the allergy-friendly bread service was on the temporary allergy-friendly menu, as it's truly one of our favorite parts of any Sanaa meal. It didn't disappoint on this visit either!

For my entree, after a lot of debating on what to order (because everything is amazing at Sanaa), I decided to get the Sustainable Fish prepared with Geelrys Rice, Sukama Wiki, and Citrus Butter. It is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Peanut/Tree Nut, Shellfish, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. I believe it can be made dairy free. But, you'll want to speak with a chef about that option.

Overall, this was an outstanding dish. The fish was beautifully cooked and well-seasoned. And, the rice offered a sweet and sour twist that paired really well with the fish. It's a dish I've ordered many times. And, I would definitely get it again.

I do also love the curries at the restaurant too. So, be sure to check out some of the other options, like the Cilantro-Coconut Vegetables, which is so flavorful and delicious (and naturally gluten free & dairy free).

Sanaa - The Mac & Cheese in this Photo is NOT Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW — Sanaa - The Mac & Cheese in this Photo is **NOT** Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For Brandon's entree, he ordered the Grilled New York Strip with Roasted Potatoes Vinaigrette, Harvest Vegetables, and Bain’s Butter. This dish is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. He also ordered a side dish of the kid's Macaroni & Cheese, which was made safe for Brandon's fish/shellfish, peanut, cabbage, hazelnut, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Usually the Sanaa menu has mashed potatoes listed as a side dish option, which Brandon usually gets in place of the roasted potatoes -- which he is not a fan of. But, Sanaa is not currently offering mashed potatoes during this time. So, he thought he'd give them another try. Like previous visits, he was not a fan of the seasoning and vinegar on the potatoes. He did, however, absolutely love everything else including the steak and mac & cheese.

During our visit, Sanaa was offering to-go/takeaway orders for their full menu. So, even though we dined in the restaurant, I asked if I could get a dessert to go. I debated back and forth between the Kheer (which is dairy free and plant-based and can be made gluten free) and the Triple Chocolate Mousse (which is gluten free as is but contains dairy).

Ultimately, I decided to get the gluten free Triple Chocolate Mousse and enjoy it in our room later in the evening. If you're gluten free, this is a fantastic dessert that isn't overly heavy but has great flavor. Thought not listed on the allergy-friendly menu, the restaurant almost always has seasonal Kulfi (ice cream) and tapioca pudding that are both usually gluten free (and the tapioca pudding is both gluten free & dairy free). So do be sure to ask a chef about options!

If you want to get more information about our visit to Sanaa, we did film our visit and included it in our Mini-Staycation video day 1 on our YouTube channel.

Overall

Sanaa has always been and continues to be one of my most favorite restaurants at Walt Disney World. With a menu that is extremely special diets friendly and delicious food, there's truly something for everyone on the Sanaa menu. It's definitely a restaurant that we recommend to anyone visiting Disney World for something unique and delicious.

Have you been to Sanaa? What was your experience dining there?

9/6/20 9/6/20

Topolino's Terrace Dinner Review

Topolino's Terrace, located at Disney's Riviera Resort, reopened in July 2020 after the Disney Parks & Resorts closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the parks & resorts closing, we hadn't had a chance to have dinner or breakfast yet at Topolino's Terrace since the resort itself has only been open since December 2019. So, when we were able to find a reservation for the restaurant recently, we decided it might be a good time to finally dine there.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Topolino's Terrace

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made our reservation a few days before we dined at Topolino's Terrace. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a 5:05 p.m. seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant opens at 5 p.m. nightly). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We also utilized online restaurant check-in when we arrived at Topolino's Terrace. Online check-in includes using your My Disney Experience app to check-in yourself. It’s super easy, and I hope Disney keeps this going forward too.

The Riviera Resort itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. In addition, there were many portable hand sanitizer stations for guests to use. We also saw cast members regularly cleaning surfaces and restrooms throughout our visit. The resort itself was moderately busy but social distancing was fairly easy in most places (except the lobby, which is a bit on the smaller side). The restaurant was extremely quiet during our visit and the social distancing for diners made it feel even less crowded, which was great.

Atmosphere

The Riviera Resort and Topolino's Terrace are inspired by the European Riviera. The restaurant is specifically inspired by both the French and Italian Riviera. The most notable aspect of this inspiration is the different food options.

Topolino's Terrace - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant is located on the 10th floor of the Riviera Resort. Upon exiting the elevator, you'll find yourself in front of the restaurant's entrance. This is currently where cast members will take your temperature prior to you dining in the restaurant. There were also several hand sanitizing stations, as well (and the restrooms are nearby too).

Topolino's Terrace - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Both Brandon and I were absolutely wowed by the decor in Topolino's Terrace. We both loved how modern, clean, and bright the restaurant was. Both of us loved the color palette of the chairs, carpet, and lighting.

In addition to plentiful traditional table seating, there were also several cozy booths and ample bar/lounge seating.

We both felt the restaurant was elegant and chic. And, we both felt the ambiance reminded us of the Disney Cruise Line with the music and decor. In short, we both really loved the restaurant's decor.

Topolino's Terrace also has a moderately sized terrace with outstanding views of Walt Disney World. This would be the perfect location to watch fireworks when they are restarted again, while enjoying a delicious cocktail.

The Food

Like most Disney owned restaurants, Topolino's Terrace currently offers an allergy-friendly dinner menu. We were also told by our server, Christopher, that we could speak with a chef at any time. As far as protocols and offerings, we found the restaurant to be just as accommodating as they are during normal times.

The menu itself is a bit limited right now. So, it's a good idea to look at both the allergy-friendly menu and the regular menu too. There are often dishes not listed on the allergy-friendly menu that can be adjusted to fit a special dietary need, if you ask.

As someone who is an unsweetened iced tea fan, I have to do a quick shout-out to Topolino's Terrace for serving decent iced tea -- which is sometimes hard to find on Disney property. If they had used iced tea ice cubes like they do on the Disney Cruise Line at Palo and Remy, that would have made this iced tea perfect!

Their cocktail menu is also not to be missed if you enjoy a cocktail with your meal. Brandon loved the Riviera Resort branded ice cube in his drink, the Modern Fashioned -- a take on an Old Fashioned.

For those with special dietary needs, there are a variety of cocktails that can work with your specific needs -- whether you're gluten free, vegan, or have food allergies. We both especially loved that the cocktails available at Topolino's Terrace were a bit more unique than we've seen at some other Disney restaurants that serve standard cocktails.

Prior to our meal, we were served an Amuse Bouche that was safe for both of us to eat. I described it as a fancy loaded baked potato -- which is exactly what it looked like. The amuse bouche included a tiny new potato, pickled red onions, cheese, parsley, and creme fraiche. It was made safe for gluten/wheat, fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

We both really loved this little tasting that was brought to our table. And, it definitely got us both really excited for the rest of the meal that we were about to enjoy.

Next up was the complimentary bread service. Because of our special dietary needs, we were each brought our own bread service and bowls of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. For my bread service, I was given Bloomfield Farms Allergy-Friendly Bread which is free of the top 8 common allergens (including gluten and dairy).

While the bread itself was good, it was the extra virgin olive oil that really blew me away. The quality and taste of the olive oil was outstanding. I was so impressed by the flavors. In fact when our server Christopher told us that the Reserve Jean Reno olive oil that they use is also available for purchase for $35 a bottle (you can also get an additional 10% off if you're an Annual Passholder), I decided to actually buy it. It's not something that I would normally do, but I was so excited to have this olive oil at home -- as it's perfect for homemade gluten free bread service!

Topolino's Terrace - Bread in Photo is NOT Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW — Topolino's Terrace - Bread in Photo is **NOT** Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon was served the French Style bread called Epi as his bread service. He was told this was a safe option for his nut allergies. Brandon really enjoyed this bread and said it was an excellent bread option.

As a starter, Brandon and I decided to share the House-Made Ricotta served with Tomato, Aged Balsamic, Cracked Pepper, and Basil. It is marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu and can be made gluten free by swapping out the bread accompaniment for a GF alternative (in this case, the Bloomfield Farms bread that I had).

Both of us had minimal expectations for this appetizer, and we were blown really blown away by the flavors. The house-made ricotta itself was super mild in flavor but rich and creamy. The tomato jam, balsamic, and olive oil really brought added depth to the dish and shouldn't be skipped over.

Both of us said we wouldn't hesitate to get this again -- although I am looking forward to trying some of their other appetizers as their menu re-expands after reopening.

For our entrees, both Brandon and I ordered the exact same dish -- the Filet Mignon with Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Charred Torpedo Onion, Forest Mushroom Puree, and Vinaigrette. This dish is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut, and Soy Allergies. It was also made safe for cabbage, hazelnut, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Both Brandon and I were blown away by this entree. And, without exaggeration, both of us said this might be one of the best steaks that we've ever had on Disney property. The steak is grilled on an oak fire, and you can definitely taste this flavor throughout the steak. Cooked perfectly and seasoned perfectly -- it was exactly the kind of steak you want and expect from a signature dining experience.

The accompaniments -- especially the truffle mashed potatoes -- were all fantastic too. Both of us agreed that it would be hard not to get this every time we have dinner at Topolino's Terrace. It was that good.

While we don't normally get desserts at restaurants, we both couldn't resist the ones served at Topolino's Terrace. I had heard such great things about the Gluten Free Pistachio Mousse from my friend Alexis at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures, that I had to try it. If you're gluten free & dairy free, the Fruits of the Forest dessert modified is an option too (and it's one that I want to try the next time we visit).

I was particularly wowed by this gluten free dessert. The presentation and flavors were just outstanding. The mousse itself was light and creamy with a pleasant taste of pistachio (which I love). I also loved the Morello Cherries on the side which added a bit of sweet & sour punch to the dish. If you're gluten free, this is a fantastic dessert option.

Topolino's Terrace - Dessert in this Photo is NOT Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW — Topolino's Terrace - Dessert in this Photo is **NOT** Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For Brandon's dessert, he opted for the Warm Valrhona Chocolate Cake which was recommended by our server Christopher. It was made safe for Brandon's nut allergies. As far as flourless chocolate cakes go, Brandon said this was an excellent one. If you are a chocolate fan and can eat gluten, this is going to be a great option for dessert.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Topolino's Terrace and the Riviera Resort, check out our vlog that we recorded on our YouTube channel.

Overall

We were absolutely blown away by our experience at Topolino's Terrace at Disney's Riviera Resort. Both Brandon and I agreed that the restaurant might just be our favorite signature restaurant on Disney property right now. From the incredible theming to the outstanding food (and variety of special diets options) -- everything about Topolino's Terrace was excellent. We also would be remiss if we didn't mention our server Christopher, who was one of the best servers that we've ever had at Disney World. He made our meal a really wonderful experience. Both of us can't wait to go back to Topolino's Terrace for dinner again -- and the character breakfast too!

Have you been to Topolino's Terrace? What was your experience dining there?

9/6/20 9/6/20

Olivia's Cafe Dinner Review

Olivia's Cafe, located at Disney's Old Key West Resort, reopened in July 2020 after the Disney Parks & Resorts closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's been several years since we've dined at Olivia's. So, we were looking forward to dining there after a several year gap. On this visit, we opted for a late dinner, as we had found the later seatings to be a bit quieter. It also gave us some extra time before our meal to explore the resort too.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Olivia's Cafe

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made a last minute reservation on the same day that we dined. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a 8:30 p.m. seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closed at 9 p.m.). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We also utilized online restaurant check-in when we arrived at Olivia's Cafe. Online check-in includes using your My Disney Experience app to check-in yourself. It’s super easy, and I hope Disney keeps this going forward too.

Old Key West Resort itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. In addition, there were many portable hand sanitizer stations for guests to use throughout the resort. We also saw cast members regularly cleaning surfaces and restrooms throughout our visit. The resort itself was a bit busier than we expected, but we had no issues being able to socially distance. The restaurant wasn't that busy but did include several large parties of guests. But, overall, the restaurant did an excellent job at spacing out tables and seating for social distancing.

Atmosphere

Olivia's Cafe is located near the main lobby and the gift shop of Old Key West. The restaurant and the resort all have a tropical Florida Key West vibe. I love the bright and chipper colors and general decor.

Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Olivia's is the only table service at the resort and is a very popular location to dine. We have always loved the homey atmosphere, as everything feels very inviting and laid-back.

The interior of the restaurant almost feels like a small restaurant that you might find in Key West. There are two rooms and patio dining, as well. We were seating in one of the comfortable booths which was tucked in a back corner of the restaurant.

I do always recommend taking a look at the decor -- there's lots of fun photos and nods to Key West.

Here is a photo of the main room. The decor may not be the most spectacular as far as Disney restaurant theming goes. But, I always find dining at Olivia's to be comfortable, relaxing, and nostalgic -- as it's been a restaurant that my family and I have been dining at for a very long time.

Olivia's Cafe - Photos / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of my favorite features at Olivia's Cafe is being able to look at the walls of photographs of families who are DVC members and call Old Key West their home resort. It's pretty neat to see all of the Disney history and a tradition that took place back when Old Key West was the only DVC resort.

The Food

Like most restaurants at Disney World, Olivia's Cafe does offer an allergy-friendly menu. We were also told by our server that we could speak with a chef at any time. As far as protocols and offerings, we found the restaurant to be just as accommodating as they are during normal times.

Olivia's Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I always recommend looking at both the allergy-friendly menu and the regular menu of any Disney restaurant that you dine. That's because there are often dishes that may be able to be easily modified to fit your special dietary need -- if you ask. On this visit, both Brandon and I ordered directly from the allergy-friendly menu.

To start our meal, our server brought us bread service. Depending on the restaurant that we dine, sometimes we share the allergy-friendly bread service. And, other times, Brandon is given his own bread.

On this visit, I was brought a separate basket of Bloomfield Farms Allergy-Friendly Rolls, which are free of the top 8 common allergens (including gluten/wheat and dairy). I was served butter on this visit, but the restaurant also carries Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread.

Hands down, Olivia's Cafe heated these rolls up by far the best of any restaurant that we've dined at recently. They were super well heated and tasted great. As Brandon and I always say, heating gluten free rolls well can be the key to them tasting really good or being awful. In fact, Brandon ended up preferring the allergy-friendly rolls over the gluten-filled rolls that he received.

Olivia's Cafe - Rolls in this Photo are NOT Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW — Olivia's Cafe - Rolls in this Photo are **NOT** Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon's bread service included a Pineapple-Coconut Bread. If you have a nut allergy, be aware that this bread is made in a facility that may include peanuts. Use your own judgement and comfort level on any item made in a shared facility.

Overall, Brandon said the rolls were fine but not amazing. And, as I mentioned, he ended up eating the allergy-friendly rolls instead as he preferred them.

For my entree, I debated on several dishes including the Fish of the Day which was gluten free and dairy free. However, I opted to get the Seven Mile Sea Scallops which was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies.

Overall, I really enjoyed this dish. It wasn't the best scallop dish I've ever had, but it was still really tasty. The scallops were cooked really well, and I loved the succotash in the dish. The polenta was the weakest part of the dish, as it needed a bit more seasoning. But, overall, all of the flavors went really well together, and I could see myself ordering it again.

For Brandon's entree, he ordered the Grilled New York Strip. It is normally served with Parmesan-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, and Herb Chimichurri. But, Brandon asked if he could get mashed potatoes instead. This dish was marked safe on the allergy-friendly menu for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Shellfish Allergies.

Overall, Brandon said this was a solid dish. Like me, we both thought everything was very tasty and a nice solid meal option. He also really liked how the steak was cooked and seasoned. I have to admit, the chimichurri on the steak looked really great!

Olivia's / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Normally, we don't get desserts at restaurants. But, I was so curious about the Tropical Chocolate Tart made with Avocado-Chocolate Ganache and topped with a Mango-Lime Sorbet. This dessert was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Milk Allergies (and it was also vegan). Whenever there's a gluten free & dairy free dessert that is more than sorbet, I have to try it!

Overall, I really enjoyed the dessert. I could definitely detect a bit of avocado flavor -- so be aware that it could have a slight avocado taste (especially if you're not a fan of avocado). But, if you ate the cake, sorbet, and mango sauce all at once, you really couldn't tell there was avocado in the cake. The sorbet was by far my favorite part of the dish -- as I love sorbet that is a bit different. While it wasn't my favorite dessert, I would definitely get this again and would recommend it to gluten free & dairy free guests.

For Brandon's dessert, he got the Ice Cream Sundae which was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. Neither Brandon or I expected the sundae to be deconstructed. But, Brandon had fun adding in the chocolate sauce and cute Mickey sprinkles to his ice cream.

Like me, Brandon enjoyed his dessert and would get it again -- especially as he's a fan of ice cream sundaes.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Olivia's Cafe and Old Key West Resort, check out our vlog that we recorded on our YouTube channel.

Overall

We were both pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed our meal at Olivia's Cafe. Both of us agreed that the meal and overall experience wasn't anything special. But, it was super relaxed and a really pleasant meal. I'd love to go back to Olivia's for breakfast sometime -- as that is always my family's favorite meal at the restaurant (and it's been years since I've been). Overall, we're both really glad we went to Olivia's and hope that we don't go as long as we did this last time in between visits.

Have you been to Olivia's Cafe at Disney's Old Key West Resort? What was your experience dining there?

9/5/20 9/5/20

Yak & Yeti Lunch Review

Yak & Yeti Restaurant, located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, reopened in July 2020 after the Disney Parks & Resorts closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Brandon and I consider Yak & Yeti to be our favorite table service in the Animal Kingdom theme park for affordable meal options that work well for our special dietary needs. We hadn't been to both the theme park or Yak & Yeti since February 2020, so we were both really looking forward to this visit to the restaurant on our recent mini-staycation at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Lunch at Yak & Yeti

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we did not make a dining reservation for Yak & Yeti, as we were unable to find any reservation openings. The restaurant is owned and operated by Landry's, and on this visit, we utilized our Landry's Select Club membership ($25 one time purchase) that offers priority seating for guests. We've found this membership really worth it for us as locals, particularly when dining at Yak & Yeti and the other Landry's restaurants on Disney property (Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex Cafe). With this in mind, we inquired at the restaurant about wait times and priority seating and were pleasantly surprised to be able to get a walk-up priority seating with a very short wait.

Yak & Yeti itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. Seating was modified to offer social distancing, and we noticed hand sanitizer available for use in the lobby of the restaurant. Unlike the Disney owned restaurants that we've experienced in the resorts, we were not required to have temperature checks. However, we both assumed this was because we had to have temperature checks to enter the theme park itself. Since this is currently (at the time of writing this review) the only theme park restaurant we've been to, we're not sure if this is standard across the parks and restaurants.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several Disney Resorts, including the Contemporary Resort, Old Key West Resort, and Riviera Resort. We have also only been to Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

We've written a lot about the theme of Yak & Yeti Restaurant. Located in the fictional area known as Anandapur, which is inspired by Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Nepal, and Thailand. You can see a lot of this inspiration in the Yak & Yeti Restaurant itself.

Yak & Yeti - Restaurant Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Perhaps our biggest recommendation for those guests dining at Yak & Yeti is to look around at all of the decor. We have been told that much of the decor is authentic or is a reproduction of authentic artifacts.

Yak & Yeti - Restaurant Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We especially love sitting on the second floor where you can get incredible views of the Asia section of the Animal Kingdom (if you're lucky enough to sit by the windows) and get a chance to see a lot of the beautiful decor.

The second floor, in particular, always feels very well decorated with a lot of unique and interesting artifacts. I also love how the seating includes mismatched chairs and beautiful wooden designs.

As you can see by the photo on this visit, social distancing seating was in place at Yak & Yeti -- with signs on tables currently unavailable for use.

The Food

Because Yak & Yeti Restaurant is not owned and operated by the Disney Company, the do not offer the standard allergy-friendly menu that you see at many Disney owned restaurants. They do offer a gluten-sensitive and allergy-friendly menu that guests can review along with the ability to speak directly with a chef -- which I highly recommend.

Yak & Yeti / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We have learned throughout our visits that the gluten-sensitive menu is a great starting point but does list options that are not safe for those with celiac disease (such as French Fries that are made in a shared fryer).

If you have celiac disease or food allergies, it is always advised to speak directly to a chef. We have found that the chefs there take special dietary needs very seriously and have always gone above and beyond to accommodate us so that we can enjoy a safe meal. I also recommend looking at the regular Yak & Yeti menu, as many dishes may be able to be easily modified for special dietary needs.

On this visit, I chose to order the Grilled Salmon brushed with Garlic Ginger Butter served with Jasmine Rice and Stir-Fry Seasonal Vegetables and a side of gluten free soy sauce (tamari) which is gluten free but does contain dairy. If you are dairy free, the only modification in this dish is to omit the garlic ginger butter on the salmon -- otherwise, the vegetables, rice, and GF soy sauce are all great GFDF options.

This is one of my go-to dishes at Yak & Yeti for something that is filling, tasty, but not overly heavy. I always love the flavors of the grilled fish and the stiry-fry veggies are always so delicious too. This is definitely a dish that I will continue to get again and again.

Brandon ordered the Lo Mein, which normally comes with chicken or shrimp. Because Brandon has both a fish/shellfish allergies and a rare allergy to chicken & turkey -- he was able to get beef in his Lo Mein instead.

Brandon is also allergic to cabbage, so the chef ensured that they did not include Bok Choy in his dish. In addition, if you have a fish/shellfish allergy, do speak with a chef, as they usually have to adjust the sauce normally used in the Lo Mein. Usually, they make Brandon's noodles with gluten free soy sauce to ensure there are no issues with his allergies. All in all this dish is made to be safe for fish/shellfish, peanuts, cabbage, hazelnut, and chicken & turkey allergies.

This is Brandon's must order anytime that we go to Yak & Yeti. He has tried other dishes, like steak, at the restaurant. But, overall, he the noodles are by far his favorite dish. If you like noodles, this is a great option.

As an aside, I have also ordered the Lo Mein here before. The noodles are rice-based, and like Brandon's version, they will use GF soy sauce in place of their standard Lo Mein sauce. So, if you're gluten free and dairy free -- this is another good option to choose too.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Yak & Yeti, we did film our visit and included it in our Mini-Staycation video day 1 on our YouTube channel.

Overall

Yak & Yeti Restaurant continues to be our top table service restaurant in Disney's Animal Kingdom. We absolutely love the decor, the special dietary needs options, and the chefs who have always gone above and beyond to help us enjoy safe meals. We were so glad to dine there after so many months of not being able to and look forward to whenever we get to go back to the restaurant again.

Have you been to Yak & Yeti Restaurant? What was your experience dining there?

9/4/20 9/4/20

Kona Cafe Dinner Review

Kona Cafe, located at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, reopened in July 2020 after the Disney Parks & Resorts closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kona Cafe is one our favorite resort table service restaurants for a reasonably priced and delicious special dietary needs safe meal. So, Brandon and I were thrilled to be able to finally get back to the restaurant for a meal when we went in August 2020.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Kona Cafe

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made a last minute reservation on the same day that we dined. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a 8:30 p.m. seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closed at 9 p.m.). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We also utilized online restaurant check-in when we arrived at Kona Cafe. Online check-in includes using your My Disney Experience app to check-in yourself. It's super easy, and I hope Disney keeps this going forward too.

The Polynesian Village Resort itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. In addition, there were many portable hand sanitizer stations for guests to use. We also saw cast members regularly cleaning surfaces and restrooms throughout our visit. The resort itself was fairly quiet — making social distancing very easy. The restaurant was a little busier than expected (it is currently the only table service restaurant open in the resort), but the tables were well spaced out to provide social distancing.

Atmosphere

Kona Cafe has Polynesian inspired decor. The restaurant decor hasn't been updated in many years, so the restaurant theme does feel a bit on the dated side. Still, there's a lot of charm and nostalgia for me in this restaurant.

Kona Cafe - Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Kona is located on the second floor of the main building at the Polynesian Village Resort and is open to the second floor lobby area. It's a good spot to watch other guests walk by as they head onto the monorail and other Disney destinations.

Kona Cafe - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant is definitely very bright and cheerful. There's a lot of seating options including standard tables and booths with plush seats.

During our visit, we both agreed that we felt in terms of the seating that the front area of the restaurant, with the booths and plusher seating, seemed to be more of a challenge for social distancing. We were seated in the far back of the restaurant and felt the spacing there was definitely more comfortable for our personal preference.

We did also dine at one of the last seatings of the evening, so your mileage may vary on seating and capacity depending on the time that you visit.

The Food

Like most restaurants at Disney World, Kona Cafe does offer an allergy-friendly menu. We were also told by our server that we could speak with a chef at any time. As far as protocols and offerings, we found the restaurant to be just as accommodating as they are during normal times.

The only interesting part about our visit was that the allergy-friendly menu that we were sent by a reader from the week before was different than the one that we received on our visit. So, on whatever visit you have to a Disney restaurant, be aware that the menus can change depending on supplies and availability. For the most part, the biggest changes we have seen in the past few months is that restaurants are slowly adding more dishes back to their menus, which is great news.

To start our meal, Brandon and I were served the Bloomfield Farms brand Allergy-Friendly dinner rolls. These are gluten free, dairy free, egg free, nut free, and vegan. We were also served regular butter, but the restaurant does offer Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread, as well.

We have had these rolls at pretty much every Disney restaurant that we've dined at this summer. So far, Kona Cafe was the restaurant that did the worst on heating these rolls up well, but overall, we enjoy the flavors of these rolls and love having them as an allergy-friendly option whenever we dine out at Disney.

Brandon wasn't initially a fan of these rolls, but he has come to enjoy them a lot -- especially if they are well-heated.

For my entree, I asked if I was able to get the Gluten Free and Dairy Free Chicken Teriyaki Stir-Fry that had been on the allergy-friendly menu the previous week (but wasn't on the menu when we visited). I was glad to hear that this was not an issue and easy to accommodate.

The dish included rice noodles, grilled chicken, lots of veggies, and gluten free teriyaki sauce. Overall, I really enjoyed this dish, especially because they used the GF teriyaki sauce that is normally served at 'Ohana. So, I totally had 'Ohana vibes at our meal.

My only slight criticism was that the stir-fry was heavily sauced. I probably would have cut the sauce in half as it was a little too much sauce for my taste (and I am a huge fan of sauces!). I would definitely get this again if it's still on the menu the next time we visit.

Kona Cafe - Pork Belly Noodle Bowl — Kona Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For Brandon's entree, he ordered his favorite dish at Kona Cafe -- the Pork Belly Noodle Bowl. It is marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. They also swapped the broth out and used vegetable broth instead to make this dish chicken & turkey free. And, they also made sure to not include bok choy, as Brandon is also allergic to cabbage.

If you have read any of our other reviews of Kona Cafe, you know just how much Brandon loves this noodle bowl. It's a must on any visit to Kona for him.

The other dish that Brandon always orders at Kona Cafe is the Mashed Potatoes. Normally, you can order a large side of these. But, on this visit, Brandon was served a small bowl -- as the potatoes aren't currently on the menu (but were available that night the the short ribs entree).

Creamy, rich, and super tasty -- the mashed potatoes at Kona Cafe are a great gluten free, fish/shellfish free, and peanut free side dish.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Kona Cafe and the Polynesian Village Resort, check out our vlog that we recorded on our YouTube channel.

Overall

Kona Cafe is always a must-visit restaurant for us at the Disney Resorts. It's a restaurant that we visit again and again for solid special dietary needs food options, delicious meals, and reasonable prices. We are hoping that it remains open to guests during the upcoming refurbishment of the resort too, because would hate to miss out on this great restaurant for a year.

Have you been to Kona Cafe? What did you enjoy when you dined there?

8/3/20 8/3/20

California Grill Dinner Review

California Grill, located at Disney's Contemporary Resort, recently reopened in July 2020 after the Disney Parks & Resorts closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's a restaurant that is typically one we only go to for special occasions or with friends and family who are visiting Disney World.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in July 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at California Grill

Our experience visiting the Disney Parks & Resorts this summer has been limited, with only one visit to Disney Springs at dinner at The BOATHOUSE in June. After some discussion about risk management and seeing what other bloggers and vloggers were posting, we decided to try a late night dinner at California Grill and a visit to the Contemporary Resort in early July. In this review, I'll highlight not only our meal experience but also how the restaurant handled safety protocols during our visit.

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made a last minute reservation on the same day that we dined. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a 9:50 p.m. seating, which we decided to book. The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We also utilized online restaurant check-in when we arrived at California Grill, which I'll talk about a bit in our review.

The Contemporary Resort itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. In addition, there were many portable hand sanitizer stations for guests to use. We also saw cast members regularly cleaning surfaces and restrooms throughout our visit. The resort itself was fairly quiet -- making social distancing very easy. The restaurant was a little busier than expected (it turns out it was opening night, but we didn't realize that until after we made our reservation), but the tables were well spaced out to provide social distancing.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have not been back to the Contemporary Resort or other Disney Resorts, so be sure to check with the restaurant and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

California Grill has a modern, yet classic theme to it. In some ways, it feels very contemporary but also mid-century modern -- all combined in one theme. Both Brandon and I agree that we love the decor in the restaurant (the acoustics, on the other hand, are quite loud -- even when the restaurant isn't that busy).

California Grill - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As you can see by this photo, you arrive on third (I think it's the third!) floor of the Contemporary Resort. There you will fine a subtle but easy to find check-in counter. From there, you will take an elevator up to the top floor of the resort. Though it doesn't show in this photo very well, there's actually plexiglass at the check-in area.

California Grill - Mobile Check-In / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

When we arrived, the cast member at check-in recommended that we utilize the mobile check-in. It was super easy and can be done all through your My Disney Experience app. Our special dietary needs notes popped right up, and check-in was fast and efficient. We did have to wait quite a while to be seated, and this was primarily due to the socially distanced table spacing and opening night adjustments.

California Grill - Bar Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We were seated in the bar/lounge area, which we both weren't all that thrilled about initially. However, we absolutely loved the seating and actually found the lounge area to be even more socially distanced than the main dining area. It also gave us a great view of the bar area, which is bright and colorful. I so want the barstools featured there!

California Grill - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Here is a photo of the main dining area during our meal. It was busier than we expected initially, but Disney did a good job of spacing out tables. You can also get a good look at the modern, clean decor of the restaurant.

We found that the restaurant really cleared out about 15-20 minutes into our meal, and by the end of the meal we were the only guests in the restaurant. It was a very unique experience seeing it so empty!

No matter where you are in the restaurant, you get amazing views of Disney World. We especially loved seeing the Magic Kingdom in all its glory that evening. At the time of this review, Disney is not currently offering fireworks, but you can see great views of them if you dine at California Grill when they are offered. I also highly recommend going out on the deck, where you can view them too (side note: they had social distance markers outside on the deck for those who chose to go outside for the view and photos).

Here's a view of some of the great art and decor in California Grill minus guests!

California Grill / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As you can see, our visit by the end of the evening was quite empty. It was a great time for a few photos of the experience.

A very popular restaurant, you can see just from these photos why so many enjoy California Grill. It certainly is modern yet gives me retro vibes too.

The Food

Like most restaurants at Disney World, California Grill does offer an allergy-friendly menu. We were also told by our server that we could speak with a chef at any time. As far as protocols and offerings, we found the restaurant to be just as accommodating as they are during normal times.

Some of the menus are available online, while we were given a physical allergy-friendly menu. This was disposable, so we actually got to keep these too!

Because it had been so long since we'd eaten at a Disney restaurant, we celebrated with a few drinks. I miss the old Contemporary Resort branded swizzle sticks, and this is the first time I've ever visited where they didn't have them. Still, our drinks were great and a nice way to start the meal.

For bread service, I was served Bloomfield Farms allergy-friendly rolls along with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, tomato, and basil. The bread service was both gluten free and dairy free.

This was the first time that I had tried the Bloomfield Farms rolls. I've had the buns many times at locations like Three Bridges Bar & Grill and really love them. The rolls were great. They were well-heated, which always makes a big difference. I think I might prefer the Deanna's Gluten Free brand rolls (also served at Disney) over these, but I think I need to try them a few more times before I can fully decide which I prefer.

The extra virgin olive oil was a nice option -- though I will say that I enjoyed it much more than Brandon did (we received separate dishes to avoid cross-contamination). All in all, it was a nice way to start our meal.

California Grill - Bread in this photo is NOT gluten free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW — California Grill - Bread in this photo is **NOT** gluten free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon was served the regular bread, which is was a sourdough loaf. He really enjoyed this and said it was a great bread starter.

/ Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For an appetizer, we decided to split the cheese plate. They modified this to be not only gluten free but also nut free for Brandon by serving the nut related accompaniments on the side, which I was told were safe for me and the gluten-filled crackers on the side which were safe for Brandon.

I will say that I skipped the nut accompaniments, as they had a white substance on them -- which I guessed was cornstarch but didn't ask. We had so many dishes to try that skipping them was fine with me that night. But, I always recommend asking questions and speaking to a chef if you're concerned about a dish or ingredient and special dietary needs.

While I liked the cheese plate, Brandon loved it. We were served, I believe 3 different goat cheeses. If you're lactose intolerant or can tolerate goat's milk, this might be a good option. I really enjoyed the fresh peaches, honeycomb, and peach puree that came with the cheese plate too. While it wasn't my personal favorite cheese plate, it was still quite good, and I appreciated that the restaurant deconstructed the cheese plate so that we both could enjoy safely.

For my entree, I ordered the Black Grouper with Herb Basmati Rice, Cashew Chutney, Bok Choy, Baby Shiitake, and Kaffir Lime-Coconut Nage. This was marked safe for Egg, Milk, Peanut, and Shellfish Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. It was modified to be gluten free (I believe the adjustment was gluten free soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce).

Can I just say wow? This was an absolutely stunning entree and one of the best fish dishes that I've had out in a restaurant in a very long time. The grouper itself was perfectly cooked, and the accompaniments were just so flavorful and fantastic. I'm a huge fan of Asian inspired dishes, and this was just outstanding. The flavors were so well-balanced too. I would absolutely get this dish again without hesitation. I think it may be the best entree that I've ever had at California Grill.

Brandon decided to get the Oak-Fired Filet of Beef with Aged Gouda Macaroni and Cheese and Roasted Potatoes. Normally, this dish comes with Brussels Sprouts, but because Brandon is allergic to vegetables in the cabbage family, we were able to swap them out for potatoes. This dish is marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. It was also made safe for cabbage and chicken & turkey allergies.

Our last visit to California Grill included great theming and company, but both of agreed the food wasn't as spectacular as we were hoping. This visit, Brandon said his steak was outstanding, so we both got really great dishes. He said it was cooked perfectly and very flavorful.

California Grill - Mac & Cheese in photo is NOT gluten free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW — California Grill - Mac & Cheese in photo is **NOT** gluten free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

He was also a big fan of the mac & cheese, and I think this might have been his favorite part of his entree. As you can see, it was very cheesy but also had a nice bread crumb topping too.

He also had roasted potatoes, which he agreed might not have been the best potatoes in the world, but they were very good. This was great to see he could easily swap out sides for his entree so that he could safely enjoy.

Brandon decided to skip dessert, but I was tempted by California Grill's cashew cheesecake. As an aside, I asked if I could get it to-go so that we weren't keeping the cast members there all night, as we were the last guests in the restaurant. However, our server while she was happy to oblige, she insisted that I eat it there and enjoy. I happily devoured this dessert while Brandon took some photos so that we could leave after I finished my dessert.

The Cashew Cheesecake includes Coffee-Cashew Cheesecake coated in Chocolate Glaze. It is not only gluten free, but it's also dairy free and vegan too. I have had this before, and it's a really lovely rich dessert. It's a great way to experience cheesecake in a totally different way. It's one I definitely recommend guests to try if they want something rich and decadent to end their meal that's gluten free and dairy free.

If you want to see more about our experience and our visit to Disney's Contemporary Resort, check out our vlog on our YouTube channel.

Overall

While California Grill has never been our top signature restaurant on property, we were blown away by the quality of the food and level of service on our recent visit after the restaurant reopened. Both Brandon and I thought our meal was the best we've ever had at California Grill. We also really appreciated the restaurant's commitment to provide a safe and pleasant dining experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we probably won't be back for a while, we had a lovely meal and experience at California Grill.

Have you been to California Grill? What was your experience at this signature dining location?

8/3/20 8/3/20

The BOATHOUSE Dinner Review

The BOATHOUSE is one of our go-to table service restaurant locations whenever we want to dine in Disney Springs. We have always enjoyed their special dietary needs accommodations and terrific meals. On this occasion, we had an impromptu dinner at The BOATHOUSE during a visit to Disney Springs in early June after it had reopened after it closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, we'll not only share our meal experience, we'll also explore how the restaurant handled social distancing and other safety measures during our visit.

*This post contains a dining review that took place in June 2020 after Disney Springs reopened after the closure related to COVID-19. It includes information about gluten free options, in addition to dairy free, fish/shellfish free, cabbage free, peanut free, hazelnut free, and chicken & turkey free options.

Dinner at The BOATHOUSE

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we did not make a dining reservation at The BOATHOUSE, but were able to get a walk-up seating due to low-crowds and attendance when we went to Disney Springs. You can still make dining reservations via the My Disney Experience, DisneyWorld.com, and Open Table. We have heard that Disney Springs is a bit busier now, so reservations are recommended.

In terms of safety protocols, the restaurant not only had social distancing markers outside the restaurant, but inside the restaurant, tables were greatly reduced with different color table cloths on some tables to indicate more than 6 feet apart (and which were not used to seat guests). All cast members wore masks.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have not been back to Disney Springs, so be sure to check with the restaurant and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

We love the theme of The BOATHOUSE. It's decidedly nautical, and we love everything about it.

The BOATHOUSE - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our visit, you can see that while this restaurant did still have guests, it wasn't too busy. This photos gives you a good idea of the restaurant's theme too with the neat amphicars that you can ride in along with a giant boat above the restaurant's entrance.

The BOATHOUSE - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

While we had one table with people near us (the table is shown above) for about the first 5-10 minutes of our meal, we did not have any other guests nearby for most of our dining experience. It was not only very reassuring from a safety perspective, but it made for some great photos, as well.

We were seated in the dining room at the very far end of the restaurant. Brandon loves this room, as he says it reminds him of many restaurants from the 1980s and 1990s, with dark wood features and unique light fixtures.

Here's a more expansive shot of the dining room. And, as you can see, there was literally no one in there by the time we were done with our meal.

There are a lot of other wonderful dining areas in The BOATHOUSE. We both love how each dining room is different in theme and decor. Here's a photo from another dining room. You can see the giant nautical artwork along with lighter colored chairs too.

The Food

Though The BOATHOUSE is not owned and operated by the Disney Company and does not carry an allergy-friendly menu, we have always been impressed by how well they can accommodate guests with special dietary needs. Because we were visiting just a few weeks after Disney Springs had reopened, we weren't sure how plentiful the food options would be or if any protocols had changed.

We were both pleasantly surprised to see the same protocols in place and offerings too. The menu was slightly reduced, but both Brandon and I noted that it was still fairly large. We had the option to speak with a manager or a chef, which was great.

The BOATHOUSE - Gluten Free Dinner Roll — The BOATHOUSE / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of the biggest concerns that I have heard from other Disney guests about the reopening has been whether or not Disney and non-Disney owned restaurants would still still have special dietary needs products. I am happy to report that at The BOATHOUSE, we were still able to get their allergy-friendly rolls with no issues.

This roll is essentially their gluten free & dairy free bun (I believe Udi's brand), so it's nothing fancy. But, I was so glad to be offered this both as a starter and if I wanted a sandwich. The only slight negative on this visit is that it wasn't heated very well.

The BOATHOUSE / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon and I decided that since this was our first dining experience in a restaurant in nearly 3 months that we would get whatever we wanted for our meal. We decided that we wanted an appetizer, and we ordered the Wedge Salad to split. This dish was made to be safe for gluten/wheat, fish/shellfish, peanut, cabbage, hazelnut, and chicken & turkey allergies. If you have other needs, like dairy free, there are some other great salad options that can be made dairy free too.

We both absolutely loved this salad. And, can you believe that the photo above is only half a portion of it?! The manager offered to split the salad for us, and we were both shocked when it arrived as the salads were huge. I will give credit where credit is due. The BOATHOUSE does not skimp on portions! Both of us agreed that we'd definitely split this salad again for its fresh flavor.

This is a terrible photo of the fish tacos that I ordered, as I somehow managed to forgot to take a photo at the restaurant (and had to screenshot the image from our YouTube video). The dish can be made gluten free by omitting the side of tortilla chips (because they are made in a shared fryer). If you're dairy free, ask them to omit the crema.

While the fish in the tacos was outstanding, the overall tacos were just OK. I absolutely loved the old version of these fish tacos, which I ordered regularly. This version was good but couldn't compare to the amazingness of the original fish tacos. It definitely felt like the tacos were missing something. Next visit, I would order something else.

The BOATHOUSE - Steak & Potatoes — The BOATHOUSE / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon went with a classic steak, which came with steamed baby red potatoes that were tossed in a parsley butter and Old Bay seasoning. Brandon said that both the steak and the potatoes were outstanding, and he was very pleased with his meal choice. This dish was made safe for fish/shellfish, peanut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies. This should also be gluten free or easily made GF too.

If you're a steak fan, The BOATHOUSE has excellent options, so we always recommend them if you're not a fan of seafood or have seafood allergies.

The BOATHOUSE - Mac & Cheese is NOT gluten free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW — The BOATHOUSE - Mac & Cheese is **NOT** gluten free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

A must have on any visit for Brandon is the gluten-filled macaroni & cheese. The portion is beyond huge, and Brandon loves how cheesy this mac & cheese is. It's definitely a sharing dish, so keep that in mind! We actually took leftovers home of this because he couldn't finish it.

As a side note, I've heard several reports of gluten free guests being able to get gluten free mac & cheese at The BOATHOUSE. I might have to ask about this whenever we visit next to learn more!

If you're curious about our visit to The BOATHOUSE and Disney Springs and want to see more, check out our vlog from this visit. We shared highlights from Disney Springs along with our meal experience too.

Overall

The BOATHOUSE continues to be a great option if you're visiting Disney Springs. On this visit, we both enjoyed our meals and were pleasantly surprised by how well the restaurant handled safety protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Add in excellent special diets accommodations, and it's definitely a location we'll continue to visit for a great and safe meal.

Have you been to The BOATHOUSE? What did you enjoy when you dined there?