5/30/17 5/30/17

Everything Pop -- Breakfast -- Quick Service -- Pop Century

*This dining experience took place in May 2017.

Breakfast at Everything Pop

I recently met up with Travel Planner Mary Morales for breakfast at Everything Pop food court at Disney's Pop Century Resort. The last time I visited was last year for breakfast, and I was looking forward to trying out some of the other breakfast options. I don't often get to this resort, so it's always nice to get a chance to try something a little out of my ordinary Disney restaurant routine -- especially for breakfast.

Atmosphere

When you enter Disney's Pop Century Resort, you'll notice the retro theme, which I love. I adore the 50s, 60s, and 70s vibes to the whole place. It's super charming and kitschy. And, a lot of the food options reflect some of the retro vibe.I love the signs and theming throughout the food court. Given that it's a large food court, they actually do a pretty nice job of making it feel inviting and fun.When we visited, the Everything Pop food court was jammed.Pro Tip: 9:30 a.m. in the morning on just about any day is completely nuts here. I am a big fan of getting to Disney food courts earlier in the day to avoid all the rush of people. As you can see from the photo, it really was pretty busy.

The Food

When we arrived at the food court, I found a cast member near the kitchen area (to the far left side of the food court) and asked if I could speak with a chef or manager. You can, of course, just get in a line for any of the food stations and ask to speak with a chef when you arrive at the food ordering counter. But, I usually try to find a chef earlier rather than later, since I know I'll have to wait a bit. This system works pretty well, but you can always do what you feel most comfortable with.Everything Pop used to have an allergy-friendly breakfast menu. But, I had heard reports from readers that they were no longer carrying one. When the chef greeted me, I did ask about it. But, I wasn't given a clear answer. He just kept saying, "You tell me what you want." So, I'm inclined to believe they don't typically give out the allergy-friendly menus anymore.Based on the old allergy-friendly breakfast menu, I asked if they could do French Toast gluten free and dairy free. On my last visit, I had gluten free (not dairy free) chocolate chip pancakes, and they were really good. But, I wanted to try out something different and something that was both gluten free and dairy free, since I limit the amount of dairy I consume still.I ended up with a modified version of the Bounty Platter. This included scrambled eggs, plain breakfast potatoes, sausage, bacon, and French Toast in place of the biscuit. Everything in my plate was gluten free and dairy free. The French Toast was made using Udi's Gluten Free bread, egg, and rice milk. I did have to ask for 100% pure maple syrup, as the kind out near the drink stations are made with corn syrup.Overall, I enjoyed my breakfast. It was super hearty, and the French Toast was very filling. I didn't find it to be the best gluten free and dairy free French Toast I've ever had, but it was good. I'll be honest, I'd rather just make homemade Tonga Toast from Kona Cafe with Bread SRSLY gluten free and dairy free sourdough which is amazing. But, if you're visiting Disney and need a French Toast fix, this is a good option.The eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon, and sausage were all good -- nothing special, but satisfying.Mary has fish and shellfish allergies. And even though there's no fish and shellfish on the breakfast menu, the chef offered to make her food too. She ordered the Western Omelet with toast. She also ended up getting gluten free and dairy free toast with her meal, and her omelet was gluten free (not dairy free).The omelet looked really good -- filled with ham, green peppers, onions, and tons of cheese. In fact, it might have been one of the cheesiest omelets I've ever seen! The omelet is a really good option if you want something filling and protein-based.

Overall

Everything Pop always serves a solid and consistent special diets breakfast. There's plenty of options, and the chefs are always willing to customize and make things specified to your dietary needs. There is sometimes a bit of a wait. But, you get a pager from the chef, which means you can pay, get drinks, and relax while your food is being prepared. All of that makes Everything Pop a great option for those staying at this resort or staying nearby who want a solid meal with lots of options.Have you been to Everything Pop? What did you think of their breakfast options?

5/17/17 5/17/17

Satu'li Canteen -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Pandora: World of Avatar -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in May 2017.

Dinner at Satu'li Canteen

We recently had the chance to go to a Disney Annual Passholder preview of Pandora: The World of Avatar -- a new land located in Disney's Animal Kingdom. We were so excited to check out all the attractions, the new places to explore, and of course, the food! I'd been hearing great things about the quick service restaurant, Satu'li Canteen, located in Pandora and couldn't wait to check it out. Here's a recap of our visit. Since this was our first visit, this is a bit of a lengthy post with lots of photos of the atmosphere and the food!Be prepared to be hungry!

Atmosphere

The entire land of Pandora is beautifully themed. As you enter the Valley of Mo'ara where the land is located, you'll notice floating mountains, lush plants and flowers, vibrant colors, and lots of cool sounds. It's pretty impressive. Tucked in a corner of the land is Satu'li Canteen, a fast-casual quick service restaurant.When you enter, you notice that the Satu'li Canteen is a re-purposed mess hall, formerly used by the RDA, a group that previously (as we learned in the movie) tried to strip Pandora of its rich resources. No longer in use now that RDA is gone, ACE (Alpha Centauri Expeditions) has re-claimed the space for a new dining experience for visitors to Pandora. They serve food that highlights the natural abundance of Pandora.So, it's gotta be good, right?! But, first, let's explore the theming of the restaurant. The first thing that you notice is this combined use of a former mess hall and a new cafeteria. There's a bit of an industrial feel to it, but it's been transformed with local cultural decorations.There's both indoor and outdoor seating for guests. We chose to sit in a large booth inside, since we dined here about an hour before they closed for the evening.There's a lot of really detailed touches throughout the seating area, and I wish we would have spent more time here looking around. But, we had so much to get in on such a short amount of time!Here are a few more photos from the dining area, including the outdoor seating.Once we moved past the seating area, we went to order food. The ordering area looks pretty industrial and generic. It oddly reminded me of Cosmic Ray's, probably because the ordering area looked very similar.There's a bit of a lengthy queue area, which is helpful when it gets crowded.Overall, we thought the interior of the restaurant was very well done. We loved the story-line and thought the general theming really fit well with the movie and vibe they were setting up in Pandora.Of course, there was so much in the park that I want to share with you all that's not food related! If you want to see a bit of Pandora, check out Brandon's video walkthrough, including a short video clip of Satu'li Canteen and our meal there!

The Food

But, of course, we all want to know about the food options! With a new restaurant, it's always exciting to see how special diets friendly it will be. And, I'm pleased to report that I found Satu'li Canteen to be very special diets friendly. Plus, the food was just delicious.When we first arrived, we were handed a regular menu for the restaurant.I asked a cast member for the allergy friendly lunch and dinner menu, which I was given when we entered the ordering area.If you compare both menus, you'll find that the gluten free and dairy free options are pretty extensive. And, pretty much everything is naturally gluten free and dairy free on the bowl section of the menu. How cool is that?! Literally, the only thing I couldn't get in a bowl was the fish and the black bean vinaigrette.It also seems very vegetarian and vegan friendly too -- though the only vegan sauce would be the charred onion chimichurri.Of course, I do recommend that you speak with a cast member about any questions you might have with the menu. I spoke with a manager, and she brought out an iPad, instead of an ingredients binder, to go over with me. I was most curious about the creamy herb dressing which said it was dairy free. It does contain egg (it's mayonnaise based), but I was happy to see a creamy sauce as an option.Satu'li Canteen also serves breakfast, and I was able to see the allergy friendly breakfast menu too. I really want to go back for the Pork Hash, which sounds delicious. The breakfast menu seems like I might need to ask a lot more questions, but it's nice to see so many gluten free options.Both Brandon and I decided to get bowls for our meals. The bowls are completely customized. This means you choose your protein, your base, and your sauce. So, there's lots of combination opportunities, depending on your dietary need. With so much being gluten free and dairy free, I was psyched for the choices.I decided to order the Chopped Wood-Grill Chicken Bowl with Mixed Whole Grain and Rice and Charred Onion Chimichurri and Creamy Herb Dressing on the side. Each of these components were gluten free and dairy free.All I have to say is wow.It was that good. I was so impressed with the flavors and the quality of the food -- especially for a quick service. I also loved that we got real plates, silverware, and trays. It was all beautifully presented.I chose the chicken because I'd been hearing great things about the flavor, and it did not disappoint. There was a ton of grill flavor, and the chicken wasn't dry at all. I opted for rice because I really hadn't seen many reviews with rice included. Plus, I love rice so much. I found the rice to be well seasoned and the perfect base for my chicken -- though I will definitely have to try the red and sweet potato hash too.On top of my dish was a vegetable slaw that was light and refreshing. Both Brandon and I both enjoyed it a lot. I did not receive any Boba Balls on my tray. I'm not sure if there is gluten in it (I think there must be if it was omitted), but I know that it does contain yogurt, so it's not dairy free. Brandon tried them on his bowl and did not enjoy them at all.Because I love a good condiment, I had to try both of the gluten free and dairy free sauce options. The Charred Onion Chimichurri is on the right of this picture and was outstanding. I can't say it was something super unique or special, but I love the bright herby flavors of a good chimichurri. This would go really well with the steak.The Creamy Herb Dressing was good, but I have to say that I didn't love it. I'd get it again for sure, but I'd choose the Chimichurri over the Creamy Herb Dressing. Still, I'm happy anytime something that is on the creamy-side is dairy free.Overall, I can't say enough good things about my bowl and the combination that I chose. Of course, now it just makes me want to go back to order different variations!Brandon got the Slow-Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef with Red and Sweet Potato Hash and the Charred Onion Chimichurri on the side. This dish is also gluten free and dairy free. Unfortunately, we mistakenly forgot to order his as an allergy too, so that I could try it. I didn't want to take a chance since it wasn't prepared as an allergy, even though the dish is naturally gluten free and dairy free.Overall, he really enjoyed this. If you like a rarer steak, I think you would enjoy the texture of the beef. If you like more well done beef, this might not be for you. I have to say that his portion of potatoes were huge. So, if you want the best bang for you buck on a filling meal, the potatoes are the way to go.Here's a close-up of Brandon's steak bowl. You can see the Boba Balls on his slaw, which weren't on mine. If you have any texture preferences or don't like yogurt, I'd recommend just picking them off or requesting the meal without them. We actually saw a button the cashier screen to remove them from a dish.As you can see by the trays, our meals were beautifully presented and looked great. The real trays (they weren't plastic) were fantastic, and I really hope they don't change these down the road.On a quick note, I did try the Banshee Chardonnay, a wine made elusively for Pandora. (Brandon got the Mo'ara High Country Ale, which is most definitely NOT gluten free). I have to say at $9.00 the portion was small, and the wine wasn't very good. It's not something I'd order again. We were also surprised that there was not one gluten free dessert option, so we skipped dessert here.

Overall

I can't say enough good things about Satu'li Canteen at Pandora. It's a welcome addition to the theme park, and a real step up for quick service food. The food quality was exceptional, the special diets options were good, and the atmosphere was great. We plan on going back again for breakfast and for lunch or dinner too. I'm dying to try out some of the other bowl combinations when I visit!What do you think about the offerings at Satu'li Canteen? What would you order?

4/29/17 4/29/17

Skipper Canteen -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Magic Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in April 2017.

Dinner at the Skipper Canteen

The Skipper Canteen, located in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom is a table service restaurant themed after the Jungle Cruise attraction. If you're a fan of the Jungle Cruise, chances are you're going to love the Skipper Canteen. On a recent visit to the Magic Kingdom, I met my mom and stepdad for lunch here. It's always fun to visit the Skipper Canteen, because the theme and cast members here are terrific.

Atmosphere

The Skipper Canteen has a terrific backstory that ties into the Jungle Cruise attraction. The theme and backstory make for the perfect backdrop for a restaurant. To learn a bit more about the theme of the restaurant and its backstory, check out my review of our first visit for dinner at the Skipper Canteen. One of my favorite things about the restaurant are the uniquely themed dining rooms. There are three of them: the S.E.A. Room, the Falls Family Parlour, and the crew's mess hall.We were seated in the Crew's Mess Hall. It's the largest dining room in the restaurant and also the first room that you'll see when you enter the Skipper Canteen. Though I like the theming, I do find it to be the most generic room of the three compared to the impressive Falls Family Parlour and S.E.A. Room -- but there's still a ton of detail in the room.Dining in the mess hall gives you a lot of backstory about the history of the restaurant, and there's tons of details everywhere you look. Don't forget to look up too -- there's tons of hidden and not-so hidden details on the second floor of the mess hall too.

The Food

One of the reasons I keep going back to the Skipper Canteen is the food. Sure, the theming is great, but what I really love is that the restaurant has an extensive allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu with a ton of gluten free and even dairy free options. I really appreciate that the restaurant thought of special diets when they created the menu and made sure to use gluten free tamari and even made some dishes gluten free so that there was no modifications needed for gluten free diners.After ordering our meal on this visit, I was brought Ener-G rolls along with Fenugreek-infused Honey. I also asked for some Earth Balance too. I have to admit that of all the things I've been served at the Skipper Canteen, I'm the most let down by these rolls. They don't seem to be able to heat them properly, so they turn hard almost instantly. It's a shame because I like the honey and having a unique bread service option. I've heard that some people have gotten Deanna's Gluten Free Rolls here (formerly GNI brand), but I forgot to ask about them on this visit.My mom ordered the Orinogo Ida’s Cachapas. This dish replaces the arepas that were formerly on the menu. I really liked the arepas, so I was surprised to see them gone. But, the cachapas are basically the same type of dish, just changed up a bit. The cachapas are gluten free on the menu (but do contain dairy). They include mojo-braised pork, black bean salad, and avocado cream. My mom said they were really delicious, and they looked delicious too! If you're gluten free, it sounds like these are worth ordering as an appetizer or even your main meal.For my entree, I ordered the Tastes Like Chicken” Because It Is! dish which includes Crispy Fried Chicken, Citrus and Ginger-scented Rice, Chili Glaze, and Seasonal Vegetables. I ordered this on my last visit and was blown away at how good it was. Believe it or not, it's made naturally gluten free for every single diner in the restaurant. The chicken is coated in cornstarch which is gluten free! How cool is that?!This dish is gluten free and dairy free and just outstanding. The chicken is super crunchy and delicious. I always ask for the chili glaze, which has gluten free tamari in it, to be served on the side. That way I can dip my chicken in it along with my seasonal vegetables and gets lots of extra sauce. Everything in this dish is excellent and really makes a complete meal. While, I contemplated ordering something else, this dish is just too good to pass up.

Overall

When it comes to a lot of gluten free and dairy free options with an pan-Asian flare, you can't go wrong with the Skipper Canteen. Some of the dishes on the menu may be a bit exotic, but there's a bit of something for everyone. Plus, there are very few places where you can get actual gluten free fried chicken, so it's a must-do for me. Add in a great theme and cast member interactions, and you've got a great meal in the Magic Kingdom.Have you been to the Skipper Canteen? What did you think of the special diets options?

4/24/17 4/24/17

Polite Pig -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in April 2017.

Dinner at the Polite Pig

When it comes to good BBQ, I can't say there are a ton of options at the Disney Parks & Resorts. So, I was excited when I heard about the opening of the Polite Pig, a quick service BBQ restaurant located at Disney Springs. The Polite Pig is the sister restaurant to the Ravenous Pig, a very well-known restaurant in Winter Park, FL. The Polite Pig isn't owned and operated by the Disney Company, but does have serious culinary street cred associated with it. The owners are James Beard Award nominees (a pretty big deal in the culinary world), so I had some high hopes for the restaurant. Recently, we stopped by for dinner before going to a movie at the AMC Disney Springs and checked out some of the dinner offerings.

Atmosphere

The restaurant itself is actually bigger than I thought on the inside and seats around 200 guests. When you enter the restaurant, you'll order your meal quick service style (like you do at other similar restaurants like D-Luxe Burger), and your food is brought to your table. There's seating both in the main dining area and in the bar area, as well as outdoor seating too. I liked the mix of high top tables, counter seats, and regular tables and booths.We chose a regular table in the main dining area. This gave us the perfect chance to check out everything in the restaurant with a great view and lots of space to spread out and eat too.Brandon and I both agreed that the decor in the restaurant was charming, if just a bit sparse. There were areas where we thought more decor was needed, and it almost seemed like it wasn't quite finished. The industrial theme was great, and I liked a lot of the attention to detail. Plus, the logo and use of pigs throughout the restaurant was quite cute, though it may not appeal to everyone.There was tons of faux exposed brick and other details that made the restaurant look like it had been around for a long time or was a bit of a hole in the wall restaurant. Having been to some great BBQ cities and states, I've seen lots of restaurants like this, and I appreciated that they tried to model the look after some of these restaurants.

The Food

Of course, we were both looking forward mostly to the food. I'll admit, I'd read quite a few hit or miss reviews of the Polite Pig before we dined there. Some people have really loved it and others have felt like it didn't live up to the hype. I love BBQ and have had some really amazing versions, so I was trying to keep my expectations low going in. Plus, I didn't know if there'd be many gluten free options to try.When I got to the restaurant, I asked the cast members about gluten free options. I was given a menu with items noted on it that were gluten free. Unfortunately, some that were listed as "safe" included gluten-filled items like breadcrumbs in the dishes. When I pointed this out to the cast member, she gave me another marked up menu that she said was "more complete." Because this restaurant isn't owned by Disney, no manager or chef came out to talk to me, but I was told that they would mark the order as an allergy and the kitchen would change gloves, etc. to prepare my meal.I've also heard conflicting info about the gluten free options. Some people have reported being served the Brussels sprouts, which I was told were not safe but really wanted to try. So definitely speak with a cast member and ask to see ingredients if you're feeling uncomfortable or have more questions. I'd love to see a better gluten free and allergy friendly menu listed.One word about dairy free, vegetarian, and vegan. If you're dairy free or vegan, you may have a hard time at the Polite Pig. A lot of the sides contain dairy. I decided to try them on our visit, as I've been re-introducing a bit of dairy back into my diet. But, if you're vegan or have a dairy allergy, this may not be the best choice for you at Disney Springs.The Polite Pig is definitely known for its beverage menu. They have tons of drinks, including a Bourbon Bar. We opted for a gin and tonic that came pre-mixed from the tap. I've never seen a gin and tonic like this before, so it was interesting to try. For $10, we were hoping it wasn't too watered down. Both Brandon and I were pleasantly surprised that it was fairly strong and tasted quite good. I wouldn't say it was worth $10 by any means, but I'm glad we tried it at least once.In addition to ordering drinks at the regular quick service line, you can also order drinks at the indoor and outdoor bar. We both thought coming here for a drink might be the way to go on our next visit. I was told you can also order food along with drinks from the bar area too.For my meal, I decided to get the pulled pork. It comes served with coleslaw and your choice of one side. For an upcharge, you can add a premium side to replace the coleslaw for a total of two sides. I decided to skip the coleslaw and go for grilled corn on the cob and the potato salad with kale. Brandon got two gluten-filled dishes, including the mac & cheese and the sweet potato tots (which are sadly not gluten free).The pulled pork was good. But, I wouldn't say it was amazing. There was a bit too much fat on the pork for my taste, and the spice rub on the pork seemed a bit unbalanced and heavy-handed. Brandon tried it and really like it, while I thought it was just OK. I think it would have been better on a sandwich.The grilled corn with lime butter was my favorite of the three items I tried. I can't say there was much lime butter flavor to the corn, but I really loved the flavor from the corn being charred and grilled. It look like the butter on the corn was more like clarified butter, as it virtually had no taste to it. I'm not sure if you can order the corn plain with no butter or not, as I did not ask on this visit.The potato salad with kale was entirely too dairy filled for my taste. I like potato salad that's mayonnaise based, but I really dislike versions with sour cream. And, this one seemed to be sour cream based. I tried some and really enjoyed the bacon pieces and kale in the salad, but otherwise, I thought it was bland and just OK.I do wish the restaurant had gluten free buns, because the sandwiches seemed like the most flavorful and interesting items on the menu.I did ask if the BBQ sauces at the Polite Pig were gluten free, and I was told they all are. You can get them at self-service stations in the restaurant, or you can ask a cast member for some from the kitchen. I tried 3 of the BBQ sauces and thought the Layla's Sweet Sauce was the best of the bunch.

Overall

In general, we thought the Polite Pig was good, but not amazing -- at least for our first visit. I liked everything I ordered, but I wasn't wowed by anything either. Still, it's a solid quick service option with some gluten free options. The prices were a bit steep and reminded me a bit of D-Luxe Burger, but I was glad to see they were honoring discounts for both Annual Passholders and DVC members. 10% is 10% when you're paying nearly $20 for quick service BBQ.I'd like to go back to the Polite Pig again sometime to check out some different menu options. Plus, as a new restaurant, I think they'll be working to adjust and refine their menu in the coming months too.Have you been to the Polite Pig? What are you looking forward to trying there?

4/21/17 4/21/17

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Magic Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in March 2017.

Dinner at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe

When it comes to quick service options at the Magic Kingdom, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe and Columbia Harbour House have long been my two favorite spots. Pecos Bill's has always offered burgers and the famous fixins' bar, but over the past year or so, they restaurant has changed its offerings from burgers and fries to more Tex-Mex inspired options. On a recent visit, we checked them out for dinner. I've become a fan of their rice bowls, so it was nice to grab a solid meal in between riding attractions.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere at Pecos Bill's is bustling. It seems like it's always busy in here, which sort of goes well with the Frontierland theme of a nearby saloon or watering hole. The seating in here is ample, but usually pretty full. I do love that the interior of the building looks like you're outside. There's lots to look at when you explore the restaurant, and my favorite room has to be the one to your immediate left when you enter the seating area (pictured below). If you go further into the restaurant, you'll actually wind up in the seating area for Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland, since they are technically right beside each other.

The Food

When it come to Pecos Bill's, it's all about the rice bowls. Pecos Bill's does have an allergy-friendly menu, and you can also speak to a manager about special diets options. In fact, when I ordered, I asked to speak to a manager so that I could make sure I got fixins' from the fixins' bar from the back of the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination. The manager I spoke with was happy to oblige, and I was able to pick and choose the fixins' I preferred. The process to get my meal took about 10 minutes or so, which wasn't too bad.I ordered the Chicken Rice Bowl. Because I'm reintroducing dairy back into my diet, I did not ask for white rice, which is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. The regular seasoned rice contains dairy (cheese) in it. If you have an allergy or want to avoid dairy, do make sure to ask for white rice when you order your rice bowl.My rice bowl came with seasoned rice, black beans, and chicken. On the side, I received several very generous portions of fixins'. I got guacamole, cheese (which I use sparingly), regular salsa, and corn salsa. You can also get other toppings like jalapenos, salsa verde, and sour cream -- depending on your special dietary need. My favorite topping has to be the corn salsa. It's ridiculously good.Overall, the rice bowl was good. It's not the best I've ever had, but compared to some of the other quick service options in the Magic Kingdom, it's a pretty good option. Plus, it's super filling. If you add enough toppings, you can easily split them with your family.On a site note, someone asked me about the Secret Nachos Rio Grande Challenge at Pecos Bill's and if you could get it gluten free. At first the manager told me yes. Then she said no. She mentioned the chips were safe. Then said they weren't. And, she also noted that the ground beef would need to be swapped. With this in mind, I'd say proceed with caution if you're interested in the nachos. Of course, I wasn't getting them so I didn't ask to see the ingredients list which would have helped a lot. For me, I'm sticking to the rice bowls for now!

Overall

Pecos Bill's always hits the spot when I visit there. If you are looking for a solid quick service meal that's filling, Pecos Bill's is definitely a place to go to. Plus, those fixins' from the back make a perfect addition to the rice bowl.Have you been to Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe? What did you think of the rice bowls and other options there?

4/20/17 4/20/17

Yak & Yeti Restaurant -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in March 2017.

Dinner at the Yak & Yeti Restaurant

The Yak & Yeti is a table service restaurant located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park. Owned & operated by Landry's (who also owns the Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex Cafe), the Yak & Yeti is a restaurant that I haven't dined at in a long time. In fact, I realized that I hadn't dined there since October 2010, so it's been a long time. On this particular occasion, we decided to stop by the Yak & Yeti Restaurant for dinner, while touring the Animal Kingdom Park on a hot day. We all needed to get inside air conditioning, hydrate, and of course, eat!

Atmosphere

I'm always so impressed when I dine at the Yak & Yeti. Even though it's not owned and operated by the Disney Company, it seems like the Yak & Yeti follows Disney's attention to detail and style when it comes to the restaurant theming.In fact, as we learned from our hostess, all of the artifacts on display in the Yak & Yeti are authentic to their native regions. How cool is that? Both Brandon and I want to go back, not just for the food but to look around and check out all the detail. The restaurant is beautifully themed and decorated.We were seated on the 2nd floor of the restaurant with a fantastic view of park. It was also much quieter up there too. So, if you're looking for a quieter spot, do ask if you can be seated upstairs.

The Food

I was really looking forward to trying my meal at the Yak & Yeti. After reading other more recent reviews, like this one from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures, I knew that the Yak & Yeti had expanded their gluten free (and dairy free options) to include things like lettuce cups. I wasn't feeling that great on our visit (way too much sun for me), so I opted to get just an entree instead of an appetizer too.Because the restaurant isn't owned by Disney, they don't necessarily have to follow Disney's standards for special diets accommodations. This means you won't find an allergy-friendly menu here. But, thankfully, the chef came out to walk me through the options which was great. Dairy free is super easy with most Asian / Pan-Asian food. And, Yak & Yeti has gluten free soy sauce on hand to make dishes with, which is great. So, there were a lot more choices, than I expected.One of my favorite things is rice. And, since I wasn't feeling great, I decided to get a version of the noodle bowl but with rice. The dish had both chicken and shrimp in it along with several vegetables including carrots, green onion, and cabbage. With a nice gluten-free soy sauce added, it was the perfect dish for my dinner. Plus, the portion was HUGE! I ended up taking half of it home, it was that large. I would definitely get this dish again, though I'm also wanting to try some of the other dishes there too. I've got to get those gluten free and dairy free lettuce cups sometime!

Overall

I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised with my meal at the Yak & Yeti. The food was delicious, the portions large, and the chef accommodating. Even the non-special diets diners with me all enjoyed their meal. Brandon got the gluteny version of the dish I got and said it was fantastic too. I definitely want to make sure I get back to the Yak & Yeti again soon and maybe even check out the quick service options they serve outside too.Have you been to the Yak & Yeti? What did you enjoy when you dined there?

4/12/17 4/12/17

Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village

*This dining experience took place in March 2017.

Dinner at Sanaa

When it comes to favorite restaurants at Disney, I gotta admit, I keep going back to Sanaa. This table service restaurant, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is a not-so-hidden gem these days. It seems the word on how amazing Sanaa is has gotten out, and it's become pretty popular. With African and Indian inspired food that might not seem so approachable for a lot of guests, it's a pretty big testament to how great the food is! On this particular occasion, we had dinner at Sanaa with friends who were visiting from out-of-town. I knew they'd enjoy the food and the amazing atmosphere.

Atmosphere

Sanaa is a gorgeous restaurant with a beautiful theme. Sanaa means work of Art in Swahili, and you can see lots of art and artifacts throughout the restaurant.The restaurant is set to look a bit like you're in the African woods. It's pretty amazing. Plus, even more amazing is the view. If you're ever wanted to dine with giraffes, zebras, spring bok, and other African animals, Sanaa is the place to do it. Sanaa overlooks the savanna at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the views really are amazing.

The Food

In addition to an amazing theme and view, the food at Sanaa is delicious. Even though the food may seem a bit exotic, you'll find that Disney uses these flavors in approachable ways, so you won't end up with super spicy or totally unappealing dishes. If you're not sure what might be safe for your special dietary need, do check out the allergy friendly dinner menu for Sanaa. And, if you see something on the menu that isn't listed, ask to speak with a chef. They can often make easy modifications to dishes (you'll see that first-hand with my meal on this visit too).The first thing I ordered on this visit was the African Starr Mint Mojito. It's my hands down favorite drink at Sanaa. It's made with rum (typically gluten free), fresh mint, and simple syrup. So tasty and a refreshing alcoholic drink on a hot day.Up next, our group ordered the Sanaa Bread Service, which is a must do. All of the dips are currently gluten free, and only one dip contains dairy. How awesome is that? Plus, they make gluten free & vegan naan. So, I'm basically in heaven when I get bread service...because...gluten free carbs and dips! The gluten free & vegan naan is made with Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour Blend, which is gluten free and dairy free. If you're craving it at home, you can even make yourself with this recipe for the gluten free and vegan naan.The chef served my bread on a separate plate, and before everyone else dug into the dips, I made sure to scoop what I wanted onto a safe clean plate for myself. You can always ask for separate containers of dip too (though this may include an upcharge, depending on how many dips your group orders). My favorite dips still include the roasted red bell pepper hummus, tomato date chutney, coriander chutney, and mango chutney. They are so good (and all are gluten free and dairy free).For my entree, I asked about the Sustainable Fish. I thought it would be similar to the old version of their sustainable fish dish, which included a light curry broth and vegetables. I was told that they could make it gluten free with a few modifications (I did not ask for it to be dairy free, as I have been reintroducing a bit of dairy back into my diet). So, you can imagine my surprise when the tile fish I ordered arrived.I gotta admit, it looked nothing like what I imagined. The little peppers included were actually quite sweet and not spicy at all. They added a bit of punch and flavor to the fish and pap (aka grits) which were both a bit bland. The sauce tasted like coconut milk, but since the dish wasn't listed as dairy free, I'm guessing there was either butter, cream, or milk in the sauce and/or the pap. Everything was tasty, but it definitely wasn't the best thing I've ever ordered at Sanaa. Next time, I'd skip this and go back to some of my favorites like the Durban Shrimp, Goan Seafood Curry, and Grilled New York Strip.

Overall

I can't say enough good things about Sanaa. The restaurant theme is amazing. The view is incredible. And the food is outstanding. There are a ton of gluten free and dairy free options on the menu, and the chefs there are amazing at customizing and modifying dishes. Plus, they have one of the best bread service options for guests with special dietary needs, which is a rarity!Have you been to Sanaa? What do you enjoy about dining there?

4/10/17 4/10/17

Cookes of Dublin -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in March 2017.

Dinner at Cookes of Dublin

Recently, we stopped by Cookes of Dublin for a quick dinner before we caught a movie at the AMC Disney Springs. I'm such a huge fan of Cookes of Dublin and their huge variety of gluten free and dairy free fried foods. Cookes is a non-Disney owned quick service restaurant but does an amazing job with special diets. It's owned by Irish celebrity Chef Kevin Dundon, who is extremely dedicated to making gluten free and special diets options for guests. So, when you go to Cookes of Dublin or Raglan Road Irish Pub next door, you're going to have a great meal. On this occasion, I had been hoping to get the entree Hog in a Box, with roasted ham and potatoes that can be made gluten free. Sadly, it was sold out that night, as it's extremely popular! But, no worries. I can always get a good meal at Cookes of Dublin.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere in Cookes of Dublin is exactly what you'd expect from a hole in the wall pub or fish and chips shop. It's nothing fancy, but it's clean and bright and the perfect spot for a nice meal or drink.

The Food

What you really go to Cookes of Dublin for is the food. I'm a huge fan of their gluten free and dairy free fried fish and chips. I've also recently fallen in love with their battered burger, which sounds a bit crazy but is so delicious! On this particular visit, I was looking for something different. So, I decided to get the herb chicken sandwich. It's fairly simple -- grilled chicken, mixed greens, tomato chutney, and an herb aioli (aka mayo). If you want the dish to be dairy free, just ask for the herb aioli to be removed, as it contains a bit of dairy to it. Served on a gluten free bun, it's a nice option that's not greasy and is so flavorful.Of course, I had to get something fried at Cookes of Dublin...because gluten free and dairy free fried foods!! I decided to swap out the fries that come with the chicken sandwich for onion rings. The great thing is on this visit, I didn't get charged extra for the swap either. I'm not sure if that's normal, but it was nice to see no upcharge. The onion rings were perfect. Super crispy, not greasy, and just delicious. I always ask for some cocktail sauce and tartar sauce (both are gluten free and dairy free) to dip my onion rings in too. So good!

Overall

Cookes of Dublin continues to be one of my favorite quick service spots at Disney Springs. It may not be the newest restaurant at Disney Springs anymore, but it's such a delicious and solid choice. If you're on a special diet and craving gluten free and dairy free fried foods, this is the place to go for a fast quick service meal. It always satisfies my fried food cravings, and I really appreciate how safe they are with preparing my food in dedicated fryers.Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What's your favorite thing to order?

3/27/17 3/27/17

Geyser Point Bar and Grill -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Wilderness Lodge

*This dining experience took place in March 2017.

Lunch at Geyser Point Bar and Grill

Geyser Point Bar and Grill is Disney's newest restaurant to open. Located in the new Disney Vacation Club Boulder Ridge Villas area of Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Geyser Point Bar and Grill offers quick service food in an open-air bar setting. It's a unique concept that includes a quick service counter to order breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with a seated lounge area that includes the quick service menu along with a special bar menu that offers additional food options. I've been hearing a lot about the new restaurant, so we finally had a chance to check it out. I dined with a large group, including some friends who were visiting from out-of-state, so we got a chance to see a lot of the menu.

Atmosphere

I have to say that the restaurant / lounge seating area is very nice. It's all open-air which means, you'll be technically eating al fresca (aka outside) with a covered roof. At this time of year, the temperature was perfect with a nice breeze and a bit of warmth, but I can see that it could get a bit uncomfortable in very hot or cold temperatures. They do have fans and heaters so it will be interesting to see how it is at less than ideal temps.We had a big table near the edge of the restaurant with a great view of the water. I really loved the big comfy chairs, though I'll admit they presented a bit of a challenge trying to eat later on. But, if you're there just getting appetizers in drinks, you'll be so comfortable that you may not want to leave. We sure didn't!The seating area does include a large bar. I really liked that they had the cocktail menu on a screen along with Disney park information too.The best part about this restaurant is the view. The outdoor dining on a nice breezy and warm day was just perfection. The views of the water were so nice and just made for a really relaxing and low-key meal.Unfortunately, I didn't get as many photos as I would have liked to. For more photos of the interior of the restaurant area, definitely check out Disney Food Blog's review for tons more photos!

The Food

I've been dying to check out the food options here. I've always had great luck at the Wilderness Lodge restaurants, so I was figuring I would have the same great options at Geyser Point Bar and Grill. Currently, they do not have an allergy-friendly menu, but I was able to speak with a chef. They must be really popular with special diets now, as I was asked to come up with several options prior to ordering as the chefs were busy and may not be able to speak with me that long.I had been eyeing the salmon BLT, bison burger, and crab cakes on the regular menu. I didn't ask about the lounge menu, but I really want to next time because it looked like there were some nice options. When the chef came out, he said that the crab cakes were not gluten free (they contain panko) and that the cheeseburger, bison burger, and Salmon BLT could all be made gluten free. The waffle fries are also gluten free and made in a dedicated fryer. Well, you know what I had to order...waffle fries! I asked the chef his recommendation, and he said the Salmon BLT, which is what I ordered. He noted that the Bison Burger was a bit gamey, and it's not something everyone likes. Brandon and his friend ordered the Bison Burger did mention that it was a bit gamey, so if you're not a fan of game meat, you may want to get a regular burger instead.The Salmon BLT was served on Udi's Gluten Free bread with arugula and a Lemon Caper Mayonnaise. I found the sandwich to be good, but not amazing. I actually thought the Salmon was not the best quality. It definitely wasn't as amazing as the Salmon BLT I got at the Boathouse. The mayonnaise on it was good but definitely nothing too special.The best part of my meal were the waffles fries. Holy cow they were good. Everyone at the table raved about them. They had a slight seasoning to them and were extremely well fried. I seriously could have eaten a plate of them. On the side, I actually tried the Marionberry Barbecue Sauce that comes with the Bison Burger, and it was good. It's more like jam and sweet, so if you're not up for sweet barbecue sauce, you may want to avoid it. I seriously just wanted to take it home and put it on gluten free toast in the morning.On a side note, I did not ask about dairy free at this meal. Because I've been reintroducing dairy back into my diet a bit, I did just ask about gluten. I would suspect that the only potential dairy in this dish was in the mayonnaise. Otherwise, none of the other components would have had dairy. That being said, there are definitely dairy free options here if you ask.

Overall

We all thought that Geyser Point Bar and Grill had solid lunch options. The portions were large and the food quality was definitely a step up from most quick service options. I would definitely like to go back again and try some other dishes, especially from the lounge menu. Brandon and I loved the view here and can see just coming back for a drink and relaxing. Plus, it looks like it'd be a killer place to have brunch!What do you think of the newly opened Geyser Point Bar and Grill? What would you like to order on the menu.

3/15/17 3/15/17

D-Luxe Burger -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in March 2017.

Dinner at D-Luxe Burger

When it comes to getting a good burger on Disney property, D-Luxe Burger, located at Disney Springs is a good place to get your burger fix. A quick service restaurant owned & operated by Disney, D-Luxe Burger is a solid quick service option, with simple, yet delicious options for guests who are gluten free and dairy free. They also carry a veggie burger (though I'm told it's not vegan or gluten free), for those looking for vegetarian options. Recently, we stopped by for dinner before going to see a movie at the AMC Theatre at Disney Springs.

Atmosphere

D-Luxe Burger has a charming back-story. You can read all about it on my post from my first visit. I do love the rustic theme. There's tons of exposed brick and cool light fixtures. My only complaint is that the restaurant is oddly set up. There are only two cash registers, which causes frequent bottle-necking and huge lines out the door. There's also a bit of seating in the front, and I always sort of feel bad for those folks sitting there, as they are right in the middle of the action, as the crowds pour in. The restaurant could have done with removing some of the seating up-front and adding in more cash registers.My favorite section of the restaurant is in the far back. It includes some cozy benches and ample seating. Plus, it just feels a little less removed from all the hubbub up front.On this visit, we ended up sitting outside in the covered seating area. Unfortunately, there just weren't good seating options inside. Thankfully, it wasn't too hot out, so we could enjoy eating outside without too much humidity and heat. But, in the summer, outside seating can be brutal -- even with fans and shade.

The Food

But, I don't go to D-Luxe Burger for the atmosphere. To me, it's all about those burgers and fries. And, oh yes, they are worth a trip. On this visit, I decided to keep it simple with a cheeseburger and fries. Because I've been re-introducing dairy back into my diet a bit, I opted for the cheeseburger, but you can easily get a burger without cheese. I also got a side order of fries, which are made in a dedicated fryer, along with my favorite dipping sauces.If you can have dairy, get the chipotle mayo. You will not regret it! I also love the 3 mustard and honey (which is gluten free and dairy free) and chipotle mayo (also gluten free and dairy free). One word about the sauces. Do check with the chef when you order. I've been told by some readers that the 3 mustard and honey dip contains dairy, but I've been told by the chefs it doesn't. So, definitely check the ingredients before you consume.Overall, I really enjoy the burgers here. They are a major step up from the typical frozen burger patties you find on Disney property. Plus, the toppings are top notch. I got my cheeseburger with a Local Oven gluten free bun. You can also get your burger in a lettuce wrap. I know that Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures prefers the lettuce wrap. You can read about her experience on her blog.I have to admit, that my favorite part of the meal might be the fries. They are just insanely good. Fresh and handcut, they remind me of the type of fries from a fair or even at a restaurant like 5 Guys. The best part is that they are completely gluten free and dairy free and fried in a dedicated fryer.

Overall

D-Luxe Burger continues to be a solid choice for me whenever I got to Disney. The burgers are great and the fries are equally delicious. My only complaint would be the prices. It's expensive. For $10-$15, you are only getting a burger and need to pay another $5 for fries. If you're an annual passholder, there is currently a 20% discount which helps a lot. I know my burger and fries on this visit were around $12.75 with the discount for both, making it much more affordable. But, I've also paid around $25 at full price for a specialty burger and fries. Yikes. Still, if you're craving a good burger, D-Luxe is a good option with solid choices. If you're looking for less pricey options, you may be better off going to a table service restaurant for around the same price, or maybe a bit cheaper. But, if you're at Disney Springs, it's definitely a good go-to.Have you been to D-Luxe Burger? What did you think of the options?

3/8/17 3/8/17

Liberty Tree Tavern -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Magic Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in March 2017.

Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern

Hear ye! Hear ye! Liberty Tree Tavern, located in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom is a table service restaurant that offers a la carte offerings and a family-style all-you-care-to-eat dinner. I've always enjoyed my meals at Liberty Tree Tavern because it's like getting Thanksgiving style food any time of the year. Plus, where else can you get gluten free and dairy free stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy?! The last time I visited was at lunch-time, where you can get a version of their dinner Pilgrim's Feast. I haven't been to dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern in at least a good year & 1/2, so I was excited to go when my family made reservations to dine there.

Atmosphere

Liberty Tree Tavern's theme reflects the colonial times in America. It's rustic and homey. Just like you'd expect from an inn if you stopped by for a meal after a long day's journey. The outside has nice benches where you can sit and relax while you wait to be seated. It's generally very relaxing there!Once inside, you'll find the rustic theme keeps going. You'll find a fireplace in the main lobby and every inch of Liberty Tree Tavern is decorated in a colonial fashion. You just about expect George Washington to join you for dinner.Even more lucky, you can dine in the cozy rooms, including the George & Martha Washington room, where we ate. The room is filled with paintings and knickknacks and is quite charming.And pro tip. It's the only room in the restaurant with a hidden Mickey. It's in this picture, though it might be hard to find unless you are there in person.Overall, you'll find the theming of Liberty Tree Tavern to be perfectly matched with the comforting food.

The Food

I love Liberty Tree Tavern for its simple and delicious food. I admit, I miss the days when they served carved ham instead of roasted pork and offered two seasonal vegetables instead of one. But, you really still can't go wrong with a meal from Liberty Tree Tavern.To start your bill of fare, you'll be served the Declaration Salad which is pretty simple but comes tossed in a strawberry vinaigrette. It's really light and super yummy. Our entire group, gluten and gluten free eaters shared the same salad bowl, but you can ask for a separate one too, if you are concerned about cross-contamination if you're family is enjoying rolls with their meal.On this visit, I was served Ener-G brand allergy friendly rolls (they are also vegan) along with Earth Balance vegan buttery spread. I'm not sure what the chef did to these rolls, but they were actually well-heated and tasted quite good. Usually, I find the Ener-G rolls to be poorly heated and a bit like styrofoam, so this was a welcome change.But, the real star of the meal is the Pilgrim's Feast. Served family style it includes roasted pork, roast beef, roast turkey breast, seasonal vegetables, mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing. On some visits, I've had this served communally where everyone can eat the vegetables and meats, while I've been given separate platters for gluten free and dairy free stuffing and mashed potatoes. But, on this visit, I got my own platter.For my preferences, the roast turkey is the best meat offered. I found the beef to be too rare and very fatty. We actually asked to get some more well-cooked beef at the table, and we received a plate of microwaved beef. It both looked gross and tasted terrible too. The roasted pork was good, but I don't think it fits well with the meal theme. The pork actually had cumin in it, which was good, but it really did not go in any way with a "Thanksgiving" type dinner. I know that they share a kitchen with the Skipper Canteen, so I half wondered if the pork is there so it can be used for both restaurants. Either way, it just wasn't my favorite.The stars of my meal were the gluten free and dairy free stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy. I loved them all. Getting gluten free and dairy free stuffing anywhere besides home is such a rarity. So, it's nice to see Liberty Tree Tavern add this to their menu. The same goes for dairy free mashed potatoes too. These were quite good.And even better?I got a whole gravy bowl of gluten free and dairy free gravy to enjoy. It's so good that my family actually prefers it over Liberty Tree's regular gluten-filled version. So, we usually get gluten free gravy for the whole table.For dessert options that are gluten free and dairy free, your only options are fruit and sorbet (or both). I do wish they had some better dessert options like they used to have. A few years ago, Chef Alfonso created a gluten free & dairy free waffle with non-dairy ice cream and cranberry compote. It was SO good, and I wish they still had this for special diets guests.Of course, I was really full after my meal, so sorbet wasn't a bad option when you're stuffed to the brim with gluten free & dairy free stuffing!

Overall

Liberty Tree Tavern is a great place to have dinner. It's comfort food and holiday food, perfect for just about any day of the year. Plus, the fact that they offer gluten free and dairy free stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy is a huge bonus. It's a restaurant that has solid options and will satisfy your holiday meal cravings for sure.Have you been to Liberty Tree Tavern? What did you like when you dined there?

3/4/17 3/4/17

Maple Popcorn -- Snacks -- Quick Service -- Magic Kingdom

*This post contains ingredient information from March 3, 2017. Always double-check with a cast member to ensure that an item is safe for your special dietary need before consuming. I admit it. I'm a popcorn addict. I love just about any kind of popcorn, as long as it's gluten free, dairy free and fresh. So, you can imagine how excited I got when I read on the DisneyFoodBlog that there was a new fresh popcorn option in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom -- Maple Popcorn. I love fresh kettle corn, so knowing that the maple popcorn was similar, I knew I had to at least go to the stand to see if the ingredients would be safe for me to eat.I stopped by the Frontierland Popcorn Cart recently, and asked the friendly cast member there if I could look at the ingredients binder. The ingredients binder will let you know all of the ingredients in a particular snack item at a kiosk and notes allergens. I was super excited to see that the Maple Popcorn ingredients didn't indicate any gluten or dairy in it -- making it gluten free and dairy free. It's also free of many other allergens too, but does contain soy, tree nut (coconut), and corn. It also appears to be vegan, which is great!But, let's get to the popcorn! We decided to get a regular popcorn container of the Maple Popcorn. At $5.25, it is definitely pricey and more expensive than the regular freshly popped popcorn (which is also gluten free, dairy free, and vegan). But, I'm told that if you buy a regular popcorn bucket in the park, you could easily get the $1.50 refill with Maple Popcorn, which would be a great deal.Of course, if you ask me, the $5.25 was totally worth every penny. Plus, if you're on the Disney Dining Plan, it is a snack credit too.We were lucky enough to get freshly popped Maple Popcorn. It was slightly sticky and warm, and a cross between kettle corn and caramel corn. The popcorn itself was sweet, but not overly sweet and a little salty. And, yes, if you like kettle corn, you're gonna love maple popcorn. I wouldn't say the maple flavor was very strong, but it definitely had a slight hint of maple.To put it simply. It was SO good!I can't tell you how excited I was to see that this popcorn was gluten free and dairy free and that it lived up to my expectations. I can't wait to go back to the Magic Kingdom again, just so I can get this!What do you think of the Maple Popcorn offered at Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom? Is it on your must try list?

2/21/17 2/21/17

Planet Hollywood Observatory -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Lunch at Planet Hollywood Observatory

Planet Hollywood Observatory, is a newly refurbished version of Planet Hollywood, located at Disney Springs. I have to admit that I've never dined at the original Planet Hollywood at Disney (though I have when there were locations in other cities years ago). With the recent re-opening and new theme, we decided to check it out. I had also heard from some blog readers that they had been recently gluten free and had been served some decent options.

Atmosphere

Since I've never been to Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs before, I can't compare the looks from the old and new version. But, I will say that Brandon had been and said it was a huge upgrade (and that the older version was very dated inside). I have, of course, have seen the outside for years and do appreciate how they've retro-fitted the building to reflect the new theme of Disney Springs. It's not perfect, but it looks a lot better.Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWInside the restaurant are several levels where you can dine and explore memorabilia. When you enter, you'll go up a flight of stars, where you'll check in for your reservations. There seem to be cast members at every level, asking whether or not you have reservations and directing you to check-in, which is helpful.Because the restaurant is multiple floors/levels, they have multiple bars set-up. The second floor seems to have the largest bar area.The inside of the restaurant has a star gazing theme. The carpet and even the decorations all reflect that observatory theme. When you arrive on the second floor, you'll see a giant telescope and also a huge screen covering one wall. Larger tables on the second floor even have big screen TVs in them, so you can watch music videos played on the larger screen on your table too. It's a little odd, but we got used to it by the end of the meal.Tables on some of the higher levels included memorabilia. I loved the Indiana Jones. Just as long as it's not Temple of Doom inspired and they serve me some of the stuff from that movie...Of course, I wouldn't mind an Ecto Cooler (if you're a child of the 80s, you'll remember this Hi-C drink) inspired by the Ghostbusters movie. These two tables were definitely my favorite.The restaurant itself has a ton of movie and TV memorabilia. Of course, the geek in me had to find the Star Wars and Star Trek stuff. Just remember, when it comes to eating at Planet Hollywood with a wookie, let the wookie win!In addition to indoor seating, the restaurant also has ample outdoor seating with really nice views. It's also much quieter outside, so it's worth requesting if you're not a big fan of loud bustling restaurants (which Planet Hollywood Observatory definitely is).

The Food

I've been hearing mixed reviews on the food at Planet Hollywood Observatory. Even the Disney Food Blog had a mixed review on the options. So, with this in mind, I'll admit I didn't have that high of expectations. In fact, I think our whole group was a little worried how the food would be after reading some reviews.Food Network chef Guy Fieri helped create the burger and sandwich menu for Planet Hollywood Observatory. So, you know I had to get one...for research, of course!The rest of the group ordered a variety of options from appetizers to full entrees, so I think it's fair to say we covered the menu options. Of the dishes ordered that might have been gluten free (but that I didn't confirm) were the kale salad and steak entree (which Brandon got and said was surprisingly solid).The restaurant doesn't carry a gluten free menu or mark items gluten free on their regular menu (but they do mark vegetarian items). With this in mind, our server got a chef to speak with me. I have to admit, the chef was nice, but I'm not sure he knew the options that well. He told me I could have every burger gluten free, but then retracted a lot of that when I asked about specific burgers. He did tell me that they don't have a dedicated fryer and that I couldn't have the Triple Fries normally served with burgers. I ended up with pan fried potato wedges instead.I decided on the Prime Time American Kobe Burger, which is an American version of Kobe style Japanese beef (known for its high quality and fat content). It was served on what I believe was an Udi's Gluten Free bun and topped with smoked gouda, cheddar, and lettuce, onion, tomato, and pickle on the side. The burger was served minus the caramelized onion jam and crispy onion straws.Oddly, the Donkey Sauce (mayonnaise, roasted garlic, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce) was gluten free but not put on my burger, but on the side. I actually didn't mind that because it meant I could dip my potato wedges in it. And you all know I love a good dipping sauce!I will say that the burger was solid. It tasted great and was well-cooked. The portion size was also really good (the burger itself was actually really big). I liked the combination of cheeses (since I've been reintroducing dairy back into my diet), and the potato wedges were such a nice change of pace from French fries. I'd say the burger was a solid choice and one I'd get again.I did ask about dessert options and was told that there is a gluten free brownie (not sure if it's dairy free or not) and regular ice cream. Given that the restaurant has such interesting milkshakes and dessert options, it's a shame they didn't have much in the way of gluten free options.

Overall

While, my meal at Planet Hollywood Observatory was fairly solid, I'm not sure it has enough of a draw to make me go back again anytime soon. There are so many amazing restaurants at Disney Springs with fantastic food and attention to special dietary needs that I'm not sure Planet Hollywood Observatory can really compete. The food was good, the atmosphere was something different, and while I enjoyed the memorabilia, it's just simply not the best restaurant at Disney Springs. Still, I do appreciate that they are there offering simple options for guests visiting the park. And, if you're craving food similar to restaurants like Applebee's or TGI Fridays, then Planet Hollywood Observatory is a place you'll like. For me, I'm sticking with my gluten free and dairy free battered burger at Cookes of Dublin or my local Red Robin for a great burger at half the price.Have you been to the newly opened Planet Hollywood Observatory? What do you think of the options?

2/20/17 2/20/17

Nomad Lounge -- Snacks -- Bar/Lounge -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Appetizers and Drinks at the Nomad Lounge

The Nomad Lounge, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, offers appetizers, small plates, and drinks. The Nomad Lounge opened in 2016, and is located next to Tiffins, the new signature dining location in the park. I've been dying to go to the Nomad Lounge for a while now, especially after reading Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures review of the lounge. Brandon and I decided to stop in to check out the offerings before we caught a showing of the Rivers of Light.

Atmosphere

I have to say that the Nomad Lounge is one of the most relaxing and calm lounges I've ever been to at Disney. It's beautiful interior reflects the world travels of Disney Imagineers, and I love that. Plus, there are some really cool signs and quotes decorating the entire lounge from Disney guests who love to travel the world too. The color scheme is bright but subtle, and you truly feel calm the moment you enter the lounge.The bar area is the most elaborate with travel flags from Disney guests.I love that they thought of the theming right down to the menu and drink guide. It looks like an old travel journal and notebook. And you'll see from the inside notes from the Imagineers.Thought I didn't get a photo of the outside, the Nomad Lounge does have a charming outdoor seating area, overlooking a small bit of water. It's perfect for a Florida winter day or a cooler evening in the park.

The Food

But let's get to the food and drink. The important stuff, right?!Up first, our server Spencer got us some water. Interestingly enough, you can get still or sparkling water here, and the sparkling water is free of charge. That's pretty rare for most restaurants, so I asked for a sparkling water with some lime in it (my favorite!). It's so refreshing.Brandon and I each got one of the specialty drinks. I ordered the Spice Trader Classic with gin, vermouth, lemon juice, strawberries, and soda water. I loved that this drink was not overly sweet. A huge gin fan, I always look for unique gin options. This one was perfect, and I will definitely be ordering it again.As a side note, if you aren't sure if you can have or can tolerate a certain alcohol, do check ahead or on your phone when you are there. Disney does not typically offer information about gluten free options for alcohol.Brandon got the Tempting Tigress. I stay away from whiskey, bourbon, and other similar alcohol because I don't tolerate them very well. Brandon said this one was phenomenal though and even our server said this is one of us his favorites.Because I've been reintroducing dairy back into my diet, we also opted to get the Cheese Plate. At $14, it was a wee bit pricey, but the quality of the cheese was very good. It included an aged gouda, a feta cheese, Purple Haze goat cheese with fennel and lavender, and a strong blue cheese -- served with cardamon smoked marcona almonds and house-made raisins. The dish also had 2 small berry gelees that were to be eaten after you finished your cheese. They tasted like concentrated fruit snacks.The cheese plate is completely gluten free, according to the chef. In fact, almost all of the dishes on the small plates menu at the Nomad Lounge are gluten free, which is huge. Even the dishes that contain gluten like the sliders, just need a slight modification (like a gluten free bun). How cool is that?The cheese plate was perfect for us. I am a sucker for aged cheese, so I loved the gouda. But, I also really enjoyed the blue cheese and the goat cheese. The feta was good, but really bland and nothing special compared to the other cheeses. The almonds and raisins were nice compliments to the cheese too.

Overall

I have to say, I'm a Nomad Lounge convert now. It's a bit pricey, but the atmosphere and quality of food and drinks really do make it stand out from some of the other typical Disney bars and lounges. I adore that they have such unique drink options too. Plus, it's just a quiet, calm, and relaxing place to chill after a hot day in the Animal Kingdom. I'm a little worried it may become really busy once Pandora: The World of Avatar opens because it is located at its entrance, but hopefully, it will remain a quiet gem in a busy park.Have you been to the Nomad Lounge? What did you think of the food and drink there?

2/14/17 2/14/17

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Hollywood Studios

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Dinner at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, located at Disney's Hollywood Studios, is a table service restaurant that offers burgers, sandwiches, and milkshakes in a classic drive-in setting. One of the biggest selling points of Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant is the quirky atmosphere. But, it hasn't always been known for the food. Thankfully, that has changed some over the years, and I'd been hearing really great things from others who had dined at Sci-Fi recently.I haven't been to Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant for lunch or dinner since 2013, so it's been a really long time. I've been since then for the now gone Star Wars Galactic Breakfast during Star Wars Weekends, which I miss a lot. But, of course, it's not the same as lunch or dinner.Brandon and I were recently in Hollywood Studios, and while passing Sci-Fi, we decided we were interested in having dinner here. Typically, it's really hard to get a walk-up for just about any Disney table service restaurant, but we took our chances and asked. Luckily for us, we were told that we could get in with a minimal wait, but that we might have to be seated in the non-car seats (shown below). We were OK with this, though we were lucky as we ended up in a car after all.

Atmosphere

Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant is one of the best themed restaurants on Disney property. There's some really fun about dining in a classic drive-in, complete with movie clips showing on the big screen and car hops. The theming starts from the moment you walk up to the restaurant with the giant 1950s inspired signs and retro feel.On a random side not, while we waited for our seats, we were able to get not only complimentary water (which comes in handy on a hot day), but also some free samples of Disney popcorn. Now that's what I call true drive-in style food!Once our car was ready, we entered the theater. I can't tell you how much I adore the theming of this place. I love that you get to sit in vintage cars as tables and that it looks like you are outside on a starry night. They even decorate the kitchen area to look like an old snack bar at a drive-in.One of Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant's claims to fame is that they show clips of old classic space and horror movies. From cartoons like Tom & Jerry to films like Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, there's some thing really fun and nostalgic about it all.I do also love that you can watch retro advertisements and movie theater clips for snack breaks. So much fun!

The Food

Because Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant has a 1950's drive-in vibe, you can guess that the food is pretty much the same. Burgers, sandwiches, and milkshakes are staples here. But, you can also get some full meals like pork ribs and steak. Sci-Fi also has an allergy-friendly menu to help make things a bit easier for special diets guests. Of course, if you have questions or your special dietary needs aren't covered by the many, you can always speak with a chef too. On this visit, I ordered straight from the allergy-friendly menu.Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWFirst up, we did decide to order drinks. You can get full bar items and other specialty cocktails too. I opted for a gin and tonic, which is my cocktail of choice. Do note that if you're not sure about what alcohol is gluten free or not, you'll want to look it up online before you enjoy. Disney does not typically offer any assistance with special dietary needs and alcoholic beverages.For my entree, I ordered the Sci-Fi Angus Burger Topped with Pulled Pork, Sriracha Barbecue Sauce, Swiss, and Pickled Apple Slaw on an Allergy Friendly Bun.Can I just say, this was huge! This was a very substantial burger, with a very generous portion of pulled pork on top of the burger. There was also tons of flavor with the Sriracha Barbecue Sauce and Pickled Apple Slaw.Plus, the French fries served with it were outstanding. They are not your normal Disney French fry. These are classic steak fries, which means they are a bit thicker in cut. They were well-cooked and salted well too. And fresh! They were so good that I had Brandon try them too, and he also said they were really good.What can I say? We love good fries!Though I wasn't planning on dessert, I did end up getting a gluten free and dairy free milkshake. The chocolate milkshake was made with Tofutti chocolate non-dairy ice cream and soy milk. Though I've been reintroducing a bit of dairy back into my diet and even had cheese on my burger, I still can't tolerate a lot of dairy like milk or ice cream. The non-dairy one was just perfect with my meal and extra chocolatey too.A word about cross-contamination though. I did not check on this visit, but in the past, I have been told that the vegan / non-dairy milkshakes are made on the same equipment as regular ice cream. If you have a dairy allergy, you will want to speak with a chef about this option.Brandon also got the regular ice cream sundae, which is gluten free and really enjoyed it too. You can, of course, get a regular milkshake gluten free too.

Overall

I have to say we were pleasantly surprised by Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. Not only was the theming amazing, but the food was shockingly good. For the price too, it wasn't a bad value. We also received 10% off our bill as annual passholders too. For us, it was something different, with reasonably priced food that was a step up from quick service. It's definitely some place we'll go again in Hollywood Studios, and I'm glad we gave it a visit -- even after all these years. Of course, I'd love to see something like the Star Wars Galactic Breakfast again, but I'm to add Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant into our regular Hollywood Studios meal rotation again.Have you been to Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater? What did you enjoy when you dined there?

2/14/17 2/14/17

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Hollywood Studios

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Dinner at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

2/8/17 2/8/17

Boma -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Breakfast at Boma: Flavors of Africa

Boma, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, is a buffet restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. I'm a huge fan of their breakfast options. So, when I thought about where to go at Disney for my recent birthday meal, I decided brunch at Boma was just the ticket. Boma's breakfast is African inspired but has a lot of classic American breakfast options too. This means that even though it might seem like it has some exotic dishes, there are plenty of breakfast staples you'll recognize and enjoy.

Atmosphere

Boma's interior is simple but artfully designed. The buffet area has a charming thatched roof and some nice African touches. The main dining area has beautiful mix and match wooden tables and chairs, which I love. It's a buffet, so it's meant to hold a large number of guests, so some of the seating areas can be a little too close for comfort in my opinion. The best seating is near the windows, where you can find larger tables and cozy corners. Of course, the best part about Boma is the smells from the amazing open fires and the aroma of delicious food cooking.

The Food

I had recently been to Boma in December with my family during the holidays, so I was pretty sure not much on the menu offerings had changed. Because Boma is a buffet style restaurant, there is no allergy friendly menu. But, don't be too discouraged. When you arrive, you'll meet with a Disney chef who will take you through the buffet options, noting items that are safe for your special dietary need. If you are concerned about cross-contamination, the chefs will prepare you safe items from the back.On this visit, the chef took me through the buffet line, and I opted to get many items from the kitchen and a small select amount of items from the buffet, including the carving station.Up first, I made sure to get a bowl of the hot quinoa with apples and raisins. I had this on my last visit, and with a bit of brown sugar, it makes for the perfect hot cereal. They do offer oatmeal, but it is not certified gluten free. So, if you have celiac disease, you'll want to avoid that one. I have been told in the past that they carry Bob's Red Mill certified gluten free oats that they can make for you, but you'll want to check with a chef to confirm that they have them on hand. You'll also want to watch out for the bowl of fried quinoa next to the hot quinoa. I was told that it was fried in a shared fryer.After enjoying some hot quinoa, I made sure to get some grilled asparagus, along with some breakfast meats including the carved ham, bacon, and sausage. The asparagus was unbelievably good on this visit, and it continues to be a major favorite of mine. The ham is another favorite, and I can't not get it from the carving station on every visit.I was disappointed on this visit to hear that they didn't have turkey on the carving station, which they usually do. The chef said they are rotating it with other meats, and on the day I visited it was corned beef, which was not gluten free.Bummer.Still, there were a ton of breakfast meat options to choose from.Though not photographed, I did also have a bowl of pap, which is a fancy word for grits. It's really hit or miss whether the ones on the buffet contain dairy, and on this visit they did. The chef brought me some from the back. They went perfectly with my custom omelet that contained ham and onion along with baked breakfast potatoes.The regular breakfast potatoes are gluten free, but are fried in a shared fryer, which means cross-contamination might occur. Because of this, the chef made me some baked ones. Sadly, she didn't really season them at all, so they were really boring and bland. I managed to salvage them by adding some salt and pepper, but still. They could have used some of Boma's signature Afritude seasoning that they use, which is gluten free and dairy free.The chef also baked me some plantains. They had the same issue as the potatoes with a shared fryer. Again, this was another underwhelming option. They didn't have any flavoring at all, making them just really bland. My stepdad ate a ton of them, but they weren't high on my must eat list that morning.The best part of the meal had to be my allergy friendly Mickey waffles. I was able to add a few fun toppings for something different. I got toasted coconut, walnuts, and banana chips. Note that these were all served on the side and separately, as the allergy Mickey waffles are prepared in dedicated waffle makers.The allergy friendly Mickey waffles were served plain and with 100% pure maple syrup, along with my toppings on the side. The waffles at Boma are currently made with a combination of Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix and Namaste Pancake & Waffle Mix.They were absolutely perfect with the added toppings to them. The waffles themselves were crispy but not overly chewy. Thankfully, they were really well cooked, and I could dig into them happily. If you're just gluten free, you can get a bananas foster sauce there too, which is a nice option. But, I've really become partial to adding mix and match toppings to the waffles.I forgot to take a photo, but the chef also brought out an Udi's Gluten Free Muffin, Kinnikinnick donut, and some mini brownie cupcakes from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC, the gluten free and allergy friendly bakery at Disney Springs. This was a nice little touch. But, it was also a ton of food. Thankfully, they gave me a small to-go box for my baked goods to take with me. Though this isn't usually allowed at buffets, I have found that if you have a special diet, they will let you take extra food home with you, which is so nice.

Overall

Boma continues to be one of my favorite brunch spots at Disney. This visit wasn't the best in terms of food quality, with some underseasoned and bland dishes, but overall, I always find the breakfast there to be delicious and filling. Plus, the amazing allergy friendly Mickey waffles there and carving station make it a must do for me.Have you been to Boma? What is your favorite meal there?

2/8/17 2/8/17

Cookes of Dublin -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Dinner at Cookes of Dublin

I recently had dinner at Cookes of Dublin, a quick service restaurant located at Disney Springs. Cookes of Dublin is not owned and operated by Disney, but is managed by Irish celebrity Chef Kevin Dundon. I'm a huge fan of both his table service restaurant, Raglan Road, next door and this quick service restaurant. Chef Kevin Dundon does a lot to make sure that there are gluten free, dairy free, and allergy friendly offerings for guests dining at either of these restaurants. Plus, where else can you proper gluten free and dairy free fried fish and chips at Disney?! Brandon and I stopped by here for a quick dinner before seeing a movie at the AMC Disney Springs.

Atmosphere

Cookes of Dublin is what you would expect from a quick service fish and chips shop. It's not particularly large, but does have some indoor seating and outdoor seating, along with a small outdoor bar. There's lots of touches to the "founders" of Cookes of Dublin throughout the restaurant. Overall, the design is pretty plain, but that's OK with me because really it's all about their amazing food.

The Food

Cookes of Dublin has recently changed its menu. Normally, menu changes are that drastic but this one has been rather big. They have removed a lot of the menu items including my favorite shrimp and chips along with the delicious garlic Parmesan skinny chips. Thankfully, you can still get several of the gluten free and dairy free fried options, including the onion rings, fish and chips, chicken tenders and chips, and the battered burger.On this visit, I decided to go for the Battered Burger. I recently discovered it, and boy, am I glad I did. The sandwich itself is huge -- served on a gluten free and dairy free bun and fresh French fries (aka chips).You would probably expect this burger to be super greasy. It is a deep fried battered burger after all. But, I was surprised that it wasn't really at all. Cookes of Dublin definitely has frying down to an art, and this is the perfect example. What I really love about the battered burger is the extra crunch from the batter along with the tender burger inside. Add in their garlic mayo, and you've got a real winner.When you go to Cookes of Dublin, make sure to let them know you'd like the gluten free and dairy free version. You'll be able to tell the gluten free version from the gluten-filled version fairly easily, but do check with the team to ensure you've got the right one.A note about fish and shellfish allergies. If you are allergic to either of these, you will want to check with the restaurant about options and potential cross-contamination due to shared fryers.

Overall

Cookes of Dublin continues to be a great go-to spot for a quick and delicious gluten free and dairy free meal whenever I visit Disney Springs. The food is delicious, and it always satisfies my gluten free fried food cravings.Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What do you like to order when you go there?

2/8/17 2/8/17

The Wave -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Contemporary

*This dining experience took place in January 2017.

Breakfast at the Wave

I recently stopped by the Wave, a table service restaurant located at Disney's Contemporary Resort. I've had sort of hit and miss experiences with the Wave in the past. But, my last visit was amazing, so I decided to grab brunch there again because I was craving their gluten free and dairy free sweet potato pancakes, which I've had on previous visits.The Wave does have an allergy-friendly menu and after being seated I took a look of it, but was also a bit tempted by the breakfast buffet that is also offered. You can order a la carte for breakfast or dine off the buffet, which is around $25 per person. Luckily, with any buffet on Disney property, you can ask a chef at any time for food to be brought directly from the kitchen, instead of off the buffet line to avoid cross-contamination.Chef Laura came out, who helped me on my last visit, and I was so glad to see her! She is beyond fantastic and made me a great breakfast. We talked through some options, and she also confirmed that they can still make the sweet potato pancakes gluten free and dairy free again.Hurrah! After some debate, Chef Laura sold me on the buffet, as she said she'd make me most of my dishes, plus a good portion of the buffet had gluten free options. So while she was making my custom omelet, potatoes, and pancakes, I decided to get some items from the buffet.

Atmosphere

A quick note about the atmosphere. I like the Wave's interior. It's very modern and clean (fitting for the Contemporary Resort). I also love the entrance which always feels like you're going into an airport tunnel. There's a quaint bar area which I love and the main dining area while clean and bright is nice but I wouldn't say anything too remarkable.Let's face it. It's all about the food!

The Food

There was so much, that it's hard to know where to start. First off, I grabbed a sampling of some of the fruit options, some breakfast meats, and some Tillamook Cheddar Grits (since I'm re-introducing some dairy back into my diet).I really loved the fruit options they had. The first serving I had was Tropical Fruit Cocktail with Coconut Syrup. I absolutely adore tropical fruit and coconut, so this was right up my alley. It was filled with pineapple which is one of my most favorite fruits. This is definitely something I need to recreate at home! They also had grapes and strawberries and Melon Fruit Cocktail -- all of which were pre-portioned in their own containers, which helps reduce cross-contamination too.I also got the Apple and Honey Spiced Hot Quinoa which was near the hot oatmeal (not certified gluten free). You could ask for this from the back, but since neither of them looked like anyone had scooped any recently, I decided to get the quinoa. It was good, but a little too "spicey" for me. I thought the cinnamon was just a little overpowering.The breakfast meats were nothing special. I did enjoy both the bacon and pork sausage, but the bacon was the same old stringy Disney bacon. Nothing special there.The star of the buffet was the Tillamook Cheddar Grits.Good time of day these were good.I didn't eat much of them because they were clearly loaded with dairy. A few bites though...heaven. They were some of the creamiest dreamiest grits I've ever had. I may have actual dreams about these. So good.If you can have dairy, do yourself a favor and get these.Chef Laura also made me an omelet with ham, cheddar cheese, and onions. It was super delicious and SUPER cheesy! I'm pretty sure I could eat that Tillamook Cheddar for days. The roasted red potatoes I had were quite good too. The hashbrowns off the buffet were gluten free but also loaded with dairy, and well, if you're limiting your dairy best to go with the cheddar grits? Amiright?!While I was waiting for my pancakes, I went back to the buffet and tried the Deviled Eggs along with a serving of Strawberries & Grapes. The eggs were good but nothing special. The smoked salmon on the buffet was also gluten free too, but I skipped that on this visit.The gluten free and dairy free Sweet Potato Pancakes are always well worth any wait. They are so delicious. They taste like fall on a plate, and I love that. Oddly, mine didn't come with toasted pecans, just the plain maple syrup on this visit, but I was so full at that point, I didn't mind.One word about getting gluten free and dairy free sweet potato pancakes. A lot of people ask if you can just get them even though they aren't listed on the allergy friendly menu. The short answer? Usually. On my last several visits, they've been able to make them with no advance notice. But, I've also been told that if you really have your heart set on them that you should contact the restaurants at least 2 weeks in advance to let them know. You can do this by emailing Disney's Special Diets Department at special.diets@disneyworld.com.Want to recreate these at home? I love that I can easily make these at home using Namaste Pancake & Waffle Mix (which is what they use in the restaurant). You can check out my YouTube cooking series for the recipe!

Overall

I really have enjoyed my most recent visits at the Wave. The food has been outstanding and Chef Laura is a gem. She's definitely quickly become one of my favorite new chefs at Disney. Plus, my server Steven was amazing. We chatted Star Wars all while enjoying a delicious breakfast. Talk about the perfect brunch!I will definitely be going back again soon, and I just may get the buffet again. I do prefer ordering a la carte, but this visit reminded me that the buffet there has some fantastic options.Have you been to the Wave? What did you think of the breakfast offerings there?

1/17/17 1/17/17

Sanaa -- Dinner Review -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village

*This dining experience took place in January 2017.Sanaa, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, is one of my favorite table service restaurants on Disney property. Serving up African and Indian inspired food, the offerings here are not only delicious but very special diets friendly. Not only do they carry an allergy-friendly menu, but they also have some really great dishes, like the gluten free, dairy free, and vegan naan bread (more on that in a minute!).Sanaa has recently updated its menu and after a not-so-great experience this summer, I had been wanting to check out the menu changes for a while now. Thankfully, I had a good excuse to visit when Travel Planner Mary Morales invited me to dinner.On a side note, if you are interested in booking a vacation, I can highly recommend Mary. Her services are free (score!) and she takes care of all the planning and work for you (double score!). You can find out more info about Mary on her Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MaryMoralesTravelPlanner/ First things first, we decided to get the Sanaa bread service, which is always a winner. We decided to split it, so I was able to get 2 pieces of the gluten free and vegan naan bread and Mary could get the regular naan. Then, I made sure to scoop up some of the dips on my side plate so we could both enjoy without worry of cross-contamination.I was a little surprised to see the new Sanaa bread service platters, and I can't say I'm that impressed. I actually miss the rustic boards they used to use with the sauces surrounding the bread. Plus, the ramekins just seem smaller to me. That being said, I know change can be a good thing...just as long as they don't remove my gluten free and vegan bread option!Of the dips, all of them are gluten free and dairy free, except the cucumber raita, which is just gluten free. I'm a huge huge fan of the roasted red bell pepper hummus, mango chutney, coriander chutney, and tomato date chutney. The others are good, but these four are my jam! I highly recommend combining the mango chutney and coriander chutney together. They make for a delicious chutney on chutney combo!The naan itself is made from Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour blend and is gluten free and vegan. The restaurant gave me the recipe, and I've since re-created it on my cooking video series, "My Gluten Free Disney Kitchen," for you to check out! It's fairly easy to make and is sooooo delicious!Brandon and I had been at the Epcot Festival of the Arts that weekend to check out the new gluten free options and to enjoy the festival. So, to say I was a bit over-indulgent is an understatement. I was craving something simple, so I asked Chef Fallon if she could re-create the tandoor chicken dish that used to be on the menu. Ultimately, she ended up just making me some rice, grilled chicken with tandoor seasoning and seasonal vegetables.It was exactly what I wanted for my meal -- something simple and easy. I could eat rice for days, and I loved the combo of the flavorful chicken and mild bland rice and sauteed veggies. It wasn't anything special but definitely was perfect for the evening.Mary got the Potjie-inspired dishes which has definitely changed some since my last visit. Instead of getting your choice of 2 meat or vegetarian dishes, you are given one meat and one vegetarian dish along with rice. For a $10 upcharge, you can get a second meat item, but you will keep the vegetarian dish, for a total of 3 dishes. Chef Fallon noted that they are doing this to give guests more composed dishes, but I'll be honest, it feels like it's an excuse to be a bit cheaper on the entree since typically vegetarian dishes are cheaper to prepare. I like having variety, but I know that a lot of folks are disappointed by this change.That being said, Mary really enjoyed the Chickpea Wat (which is gluten free and vegan) with her meal. She also got two gluten free options -- the Butter Chicken and Braised Beef (which is also dairy free). The dishes are also served with yogurt but it can easily be left off the plate, as it's served in its own dish.I will say the portions did seem bigger, so that's at least an upside to the changes.For dessert, I decided to get the Chai Spiced Tapioca Pudding with fresh berries. The restaurant always has a gluten free and vegan version on hand made with coconut milk, and it's delicious. It's very comforting to the stomach too if you've overindulged or have a tummy ache. It was another simple and tasty dish and rounded out my meal nicely.Overall, you can't go wrong with Sanaa. I love the flavors and options for all courses the meal here. Plus, their ability to customize and cater to special dietary needs is pretty outstanding. Big shoutout to Chef Fallon who always does a really amazing job there too!Have you been to Sanaa? What do you love to order there?