12/31/19 12/31/19

Teppan Edo Dinner Review

Teppan Edo, located in the Japan Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase, is a Teppan-yaki-style restaurant that offers a fun and unique Japanese dining experience for guests. Brandon and I had dinner with blog reader Sarah C. and her family at Teppan Edo this past summer for the first time ever and really loved the experience. Recently, we went back with Brandon's family for a fun and delicious meal.

*This dining review took place in November 2019. It includes information about gluten free, dairy free, fish/shellfish free, cabbage free, peanut free, hazelnut free, and chicken & turkey free options.

Dinner at Teppan Edo

Atmosphere

Teppan Edo is located in the Japan Pavilion in the World Showcase on the second floor above the Mitsukoshi shopping area. It shares space with Tokyo Dining, as well. So, when you enter the restaurant area, you actually walk through the Tokyo Dining area before heading into Teppan Edo.

Teppan Edo Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Unlike Tokyo Dining, when you enjoy a meal at Teppan Edo, you'll be seated at a table with 8 other guests. This means it's communal style dining, similar to Biergarten in the Germany Pavilion. This is a great restaurant to go to if you have a large party, because you can virtually have an entire table/grill station to yourself. On this visit, there were four of us, so we were half of the table we were seated at.

Teppan Edo - Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

During the meal, you choose what protein you want, and your meal is prepared in front of you by one of the very talented chefs. If you have a special dietary need, your food will typically be prepared in the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination, especially if you have celiac disease or other allergies.

Teppan Edo - Menu & Napkin / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As we began our meal, we were all given hand wipes and menus to choose our proteins from. Before the chef came out, the manager did meet with Brandon and I to discuss options with us. Though we got to watch the cooking, which is really the biggest reason to dine at Teppan Edo, all of our meals were prepared directly in the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination. I inadvertently glutened myself on our last visit, so on this visit, we made sure everything was as safe as it could be.

Teppan Edo - Cooking / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As I said, the real atmosphere here is the cooking. And, Chef Rumi did not disappoint. She was so fun and really did a great job not only cooking for everyone but also at getting us involved in the cooking fun.

From volcano onions to Chef Rumi singing Disney songs, the entire meal was fun from start to finish.

Everyone in our party had a great time, and Brandon's family was super impressed by the experience.

In addition the photos here, you can watch the video that Brandon took of our dining experience and see for yourself how much fun Chef Rumi and our dining experience was.

The Food

Teppan Edo, is not actually owned and operated by Disney, so the restaurant does not carry an allergy-friendly menu. But, as I mentioned earlier, at Teppan Edo, a manager will come speak to you about special dietary needs options.

Both Brandon and I have been impressed by how seriously the restaurant takes special dietary needs. They went over all of the options and made sure that our chef, the servers, and everyone in between were aware of our order to ensure our safety. Because of all of our special dietary needs, the manager made sure all of our food was prepared in the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination on the grill.

Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Up first, the entire table was brought Garden Salads to start. Brandon was served a garden salad with the traditional dressing that included soy sauce in it. I was served a similar salad, and the only difference was that I was served a gluten free yuzu dressing. It was very citrusy and had quite a vinegar punch to it, but I really enjoyed it. Brandon has said that the salad at Teppan Edo is one of his very favorites. He loves vinaigrette and light, bright flavors.

Brandon's salad was dairy free, fish/shellfish free, cabbage free, peanut free, hazelnut free, and chicken & turkey free. My salad was gluten free and dairy free (and likely free of many other allergens too).

For those who are gluten free, you'll be served Kikkoman gluten free soy sauce upon request. I really enjoyed having this for my rice and vegetables.

For my entree, the kitchen prepared Scottish Salmon which was served with spicy yuzu, Yum Yum sauce, stir-fried vegetables, and steamed white rice. My meal was entirely gluten free and dairy free. I ordered this on our previous visit, and while I was tempted to try something new, I just loved the salmon so much that I had to order it again. From the rice, to the vegetables, the salmon, and the sauces, I absolutely loved everything about this meal. Honestly, it's something I could eat every single day and not bored! It was so flavorful, delicious, and filling.

Teppan Edo - Steak — Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon opted for the NY Cut Steak, which came with a Soy-Ginger Sauce, Yum Yum sauce, udon noodles with stir-fried vegetables, and steamed white rice. His meal was dairy free, fish/shellfish free, peanut free, hazelnut free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free. Like my meal, his was also prepared in the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination. He also loved his meal, and he especially loves the steak and udon noodles. Both of us agreed that this is one of our favorite kinds of meals.

Overall

Both Brandon and I have quickly become huge fans of Teppan Edo. I always avoided the restaurant fearing that I wouldn't have a lot of options or that it would be a challenge to eat there safely. But, we have been been very impressed by the level of attention the restaurant takes to ensure that we have a safe meal. While we don't necessarily get to eat the food that's prepared at the table, we still both love watching the show and participating in the fun. Overall, it continues to be a new favorite and a restaurant we'll definitely be back to again soon.

Have you been to Teppan Edo? What was your experience dining there?

12/31/19 12/31/19

Whispering Canyon Cafe Dinner Review

Whispering Canyon Cafe, located in Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort is a table service restaurant that offers hearty Western-style fare in a unique setting that includes colorful cast members who treat you to good food and hilarious shenanigans throughout your meal. Recently, I had appetizers and dessert there with my friends Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures and Christy from Pack Your Pixie Dust.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in November 2019. It includes information about dairy free options too.

Dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe

Atmosphere

I absolutely love Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort, especially during the holiday season. Both Whispering Canyon Cafe and the lodge have a fantastic design and rustic feel to them.

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

I really loved seeing all the seasonal decor throughout the restaurant and the resort.

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

I somehow didn't manage to get many photos that night though, so if you're interested in seeing more about the restaurant, I recommend checking out my previous lunch review that I wrote. I included a lot more photos and discuss the theme in more detail.

The Food

On this visit, none of us wanted anything too heavy, so we opted for appetizers and dessert instead of a full meal. One of these days, I do want to go back for their dinner skillets, especially since they've added some new options.

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

Like most Disney-owned restaurants, Whispering Canyon Cafe does have an allergy-friendly dinner menu. You can also always speak to a chef or manager at any time to discuss options. On this visit, we ordered directly from the allergy-friendly menu because we ordered just a few simple dishes.

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

For a while now, I've been wanting to try out the "Burnt Ends" Nachos which are marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. Christy and I decided to split these because we both really enjoy nachos.

Overall, we both really enjoyed these, though I think the weakest part of the nachos was the cheese sauce. I'm always super excited to see a nacho cheese stye sauce, but this one was pretty bland. And, I think we all agreed that the brisket, pulled pork, pico de gallo, and tortilla chips were all really good, despite the so-so cheese sauce. I would still get these again and split them as a starter -- though I wouldn't want to order them for a full meal.

For dessert, Christy and I attempted to split the Whispering Canyon Pioneer Chocolate Cake, which is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. But, when it came to the table, we noticed it looked pretty burnt. In fact, we tried to eat it and neither one of us could get it out of the dish. We each took a bite and decided that the cake was indeed completely burnt and inedible. This was a real shame because I'd had it on previous visits and thought it was delicious. Because it was late, and we'd eaten a lot of nachos, we opted to send the cake back and not get a replacement. It was definitely a bit of a bummer to see the cake so poorly prepared.

Overall

While I do generally enjoy the food at Whispering Canyon Cafe, this visit had hit or miss dishes. The nachos were definitely a dish I'd order again. And, while I've had delicious versions of the Pioneer Chocolate Cake before, this time the dessert was completely inedible. I might try to get it again, but it will be a long time before I do so. I think the restaurant shines with its Western fare, so I would recommend Whispering Canyon Cafe for breakfast or dinner if you like BBQ style or Western inspired meals.

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

12/31/19 12/31/19

Kona Cafe Breakfast Review

Kona Cafe, located in Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, is a table service restaurant that serves classic American fare with a Polynesian twist. Brandon and I both really enjoy Kona Cafe for breakfast and dinner. Recently, I stopped by the restaurant to try out the new gluten free and dairy free Tonga Toast sliders, which I had heard about as a new offering from my friend Alexis at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures.

*This gluten free dining review took place in December 2019. It includes information about dairy free options too.

Breakfast at Kona Cafe

Atmosphere

Kona Cafe is located on the second floor of the Polynesian Village Resort lobby area. With an open concept, it is essentially a lobby restaurant in the truest sense.

Polynesian Village Resort Decor / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I do love taking a look at the lobby's decor when we dine at Kona Cafe. The refurb they did a few years ago to the resort incorporated some phenomenal new touches. I especially love the decorative lights in the main lobby area.

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

As you can see, the restaurant is fairly open. And, you'll have good views of the monorail and other lobby area activity. I wouldn't say the decor is very fancy, but it does have a subdued Polynesian twist. I personally think the restaurant could use a refurb itself, as some of the decor is pretty dated and looks like the restaurant hasn't been updated since the late 1990s. Despite the dated decor, the restaurant is charming overall.

The Food

Of course, the real reason I visit Kona Cafe is the food. On this occasion, I stopped by myself on a weekend to see if the restaurant could accommodate the Tonga Toast sliders. In addition to speaking with a chef (which I always highly recommend), the restaurant does carry an allergy-friendly breakfast menu.

The allergy-friendly menu is a bit more limited than the actual offerings available. In speaking with a chef, I have been able to get the macadamia nut pancakes gluten free and the Polynesian Egg Platter gluten free and dairy free served with an Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC donut too. On this occasion though, I had my heart set on gluten free Tonga Toast Sliders. I was very excited to learn that yes, this is currently an option at the restaurant.

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

To go with my Tonga Toast sliders, the server brought me both 100% pure maple syrup and house-made Strawberry Compote. The compote has always been gluten free, but they now have made it dairy free and vegan too.

Our friends at Vegan Disney World reported on this a while back, and it was great to check it out in person. I have heard (though I didn't confirm with the chef on this visit) that the compote now has coconut milk in it. If you're interested in this compote, I would recommend double-checking with a chef. I will say that I personally found the strawberry compote very sweet, so a little bit goes a long way in my opinion!

When the gluten free and dairy free Tonga Toast Sliders arrived at my table, I will admit that I wasn't that impressed by the look of them. They looked a little "burnt," and I was worried that they wouldn't be that tasty. But, once I took a bit, I was hooked. The sliders are made using Deanna's Gluten Free (and dairy free) rolls and are stuffed with banana, deep fried in a dedicated fryer, and smothered in cinnamon-sugar. Wow!

I have never had the original Tonga Toast, but I was pretty impressed by this dish. It wasn't very pretty looking, but the taste was great. I preferred my sliders topped with maple syrup, but I know the strawberry compote is the classic way to enjoy this Kona Cafe favorite. I would most definitely get this dish again, and I really hope they keep it on the menu. Interestingly enough, there's seems to be some inconsistency with how it's made. While I got the sliders, I've actually seen several photos of a stacked version made with gluten free bread slices instead of the rolls. So, your mileage may vary on which version you get.

Overall

Kona Cafe is always a fantastic place to get breakfast or dinner. And, with the addition of the gluten free and dairy free Tonga Toast sliders, there's even more of a reason to get there during breakfast hours. Whether it's this new breakfast treat, the GF macadamia nut pancakes, egg platter or one of their other special diets options, you'll be pleased with whatever breakfast option you get at Kona Cafe. I can't wait to go back again soon to try the Tonga Toast sliders again soon!

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

12/30/19 12/30/19

The Mara Lunch Review

The Mara, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, is a quick service restaurant that serves classic fast food fare with an African twist. It's long been one of my favorite resort quick service restaurants on Disney property. Recently, I had lunch at The Mara while my family was staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge on vacation.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in December 2019 and includes information about dairy free options too.

Lunch at The Mara

Atmosphere

The Mara is named for a river flowing through Kenya and Tanzania. And, you'll see decor in the restaurant that follows this theme. In fact, as you enter the restaurant, you'll see touches of an African reserve, which leads you to the resort's pool area.

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

I do love how charming the restaurant's interior is with wooden beams and light fixtures resembling trees.

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

On this visit, I did not spend a lot of time in the restaurant because I took my lunch to-go back to my family's DVC villa. As you can see from the photo, the restaurant has a lot of theming, even in the ordering area.

The Mara - To Go Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because it was December, there were quite a few holiday decorations up too. I love this holiday wreath near the to-go station.

The Food

Like many Disney owned restaurants, The Mara does have an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. You can also speak directly to a manager or chef trained to accommodate special dietary needs orders. I always recommend this if you have additional questions, multiple dietary needs, or want to see if items can be easily customized. On this visit, I spoke with one of the managers and also looked at the allergy-friendly menu.

The Mara - Allergy Ticket / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, I didn't want anything too heavy, because my family was heading to the Magic Kingdom after lunch. With this in mind, I ordered the Mara Salad which is marked gluten free on the allergy-friendly menu. Once I ordered this with the manager, she gave me a pager and an allergy order form to take with me to the cash register.

Because I have been able to reintroduce dairy back into my diet, you'll notice I only had gluten listed. But, if you have multiple dietary needs, they will each be marked on the order form.

The Mara - Gluten Free Salad — The Mara / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, I opted for the Mara Salad which is marked gluten free on the allergy-friendly menu. I believe it could easily be made dairy free by omitting the feta cheese and possibly adjusting the dressing.

The Mara Salad was really excellent. It came with House-grilled Chicken Breast sliced over a bed of Mixed Greens with Red Onions, Lentils, Chickpeas, Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Feta served with Chili-Cilantro Vinaigrette Dressing on the side. I found the salad extremely hearty and very flavorful, and I would definitely get it again.

If you're dairy free, I recommend talking to a chef about options at The Mara. The restaurant does carry allergy-friendly chicken tenders which are both gluten free and dairy free, as well as sandwiches that can be easily made gluten free and dairy free too. On my most recent previous visit, I ordered the turkey and avocado club sandwich which was made gluten free and dairy free by swapping out the bun.

Overall

While it wasn't anything fancy, I really enjoyed the Mara Salad at The Mara. It was much heartier than I expected and a great lunch or light dinner option. The dressing was extremely flavorful, and I really loved all of the components together. I would definitely get this and many of the other unique quick service options at The Mara. It's a great go-to restaurant, especially if you're staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

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

11/3/19 11/3/19

Three Bridges Bar & Grill Dinner Review

Three Bridges Bar & Grill located at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is one of the newest restaurants to open at Disney World in 2019. Like Geyser Point Bar & Grill at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Nomad Lounge in the Animal Kingdom, it serves a variety of small plates and entrees at affordable prices in a lounge style setting. Brandon and I had been wanting to go to Three Bridges ever since it opened. But, neither of us wanted to brave the summer heat. So, we finally stopped by when the temperature and humidity were a bit more manageable this early fall.

*This post includes includes 2 dining reviews that took place in September. It includes information about gluten free, dairy free, fish/shellfish free, cabbage free, peanut free, hazelnut free, and chicken & turkey free options.

Dinner at Three Bridges Bar & Grill

Atmosphere

Three Bridges Bar & Grill is located in the middle of Lago Dorado - the large lake at Coronado Springs Resort. It's a bit confusing, but it's actually inside a building called Villa del Lago.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

It's a pleasant walk from the lobby or the newly opened Gran Destino Tower at the resort. We especially enjoyed the light walk across the bridges to Three Bridges Bar & Grill in the evening around sunset.

As you can see, the views are quite beautiful at the restaurant during sunset. Of course, the views are great during the day too, but we really like dining there in the evening time.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill - Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Once you arrive at Villa Del Lago, you'll notice menus and a bar/lounge area. This is the entrance to Three Bridges Bar & Grill, though I'm not sure you actually see that name or signage anywhere -- adding to the confusion.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill - View / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

From the restaurant area, you can see where the bridges intersect, giving Three Bridges Bar & Grill it's name.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

During the day and evening, the restaurant has great lighting and views of the lake.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

While they do have lots of comfy chairs and seating, I think I prefer the regular tables when we're ordering more than just drinks. The comfy seating areas are definitely better for ordering a few small items to share and drinks.

Do be sure to ask for a seat by the edges of the restaurant if you want those unobstructed views. We found some of the interior seating to be a little crowded & close together and much preferred the tables on the sides of the restaurant.

In the evening-time, they also have a fire pit lit too. Though you can't see it well in this photo, it is super charming and gives the restaurant a cozy vibe when it's darker out.

The Food

Like most Disney owned restaurants, Three Bridges Bar & Grill does offer an allergy-friendly menu. I admit that I was a bit surprised to see one, as some of the lounge locations like Geyser Point Bar & Grill do not have allergy menus. Of course, you can also always speak with a chef whenever you dine at a Disney owned location to discuss additional options and modifications.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because the allergy-friendly menu didn't have a lot marked gluten free and because we wanted to discuss options for Brandon's special dietary needs, we did ask to speak with a chef. We were both glad to see Chef Paul at Three Bridges Bar & Grill. If you've followed my reviews over the years, you'll recognize Chef Paul from Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarter and most recently at the Hangar Bar in Disney Springs. It was great to see a chef who always goes above and beyond for guests with special dietary needs, and we both knew we'd be well-taken care of during our meal.

Chef Paul did note that many of the dishes are gluten free or can be easily made gluten free. The french fries are made in a dedicated allergy-fryer, and the tortilla chips can be too. You can also get gluten free buns for the sandwiches. I definitely recommend talking to a chef when you go to Three Bridges Bar & Grill because there were definitely more options than I expected both for gluten free and gluten free & dairy free options.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our first visit, both of us had been eyeing the Three Bridges Signature Burger which comes with Crispy Potato, Manchego Cheese, Roasted Garlic-Lemon Aioli, Arugula, and Tomato. Chef Paul made me a gluten free and dairy free version by omitting the cheese and swapping out the bun for a gluten free one.

The burger was absolutely fantastic and probably one of the best burgers I've had at Disney in a while. The burger was super flavorful and well-cooked. I really loved the addition of the crispy potato on the burger which added some nice texture and crunch. And, of course, ever the condiment queen, the roasted garlic lemon aioli was outstanding. The smoked paprika fries served on the side were really tasty (and great with the smoky tomato mayonnaise that came on the side).

I did ask Chef Paul about the gluten free and dairy free bun because I knew it wasn't Local Oven or Udi's brands. I found out that property-wide, they are slowly adding in Bloomfield Farms gluten free buns. He said that D-Luxe Burger was the first location that offered them and that other locations are slowly getting them. That makes a lot of since because I had this bun back in early summer at D-Luxe and couldn't quite figure out what brand they were using. Overall, I really enjoyed this new bun, so it's definitely a great addition to the GF bun options.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill - Cheeseburger — Three Bridges Bar & Grill / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon also got the Three Bridges Signature Burger with Crispy Potato, Manchego Cheese, Roasted Garlic-Lemon Aioli, and Arugla (he opted for no tomato). It was served on the regular gluten-filled bun and was safe for fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies. The only major differences to his burger from mine was the different bun and addition of cheese.

Like me, Brandon really loved this burger (so much so that we came back a week later to eat there!). He wasn't as big of a fan of the smoky tomato mayonnaise but otherwise both of us agreed everything about our burgers was fantastic.

Pro tip: If you like the allergy-friendly fries, you can also order a side of them. Brandon did this on all our visit because he liked them so much.

On our second visit, Chef Paul was not at Three Bridges Bar & Grill, but the chef on duty did make sure to make us safe burgers. We both got the same thing the second time because we really did enjoy the burgers that much. This is a photo of the gluten free version I was served.

Unfortunately, as sometimes happens, Brandon was served a gluten free bun. While he didn't hate it, he would prefer a gluten-filled one when he can have them safely.

We both also noticed the fries seemed a bit different on our second visit. We were not sure if they just ran out of the other fries or if something had changed, but they were definitely slightly different. They reminded us of the ones you can get at D-Luxe Burger too. Both of us preferred the first batch we had and will ask on our next visit about the differences.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill - GF Vegan Chocolate Avocado Pudding — Three Bridges Bar & Grill / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I also asked about the dessert options on our second visit. Chef Paul had mentioned the chocolate avocado mousse on the kids' menu was gluten free, dairy free, and vegan. So, you know I had to try it!

I have to say that I wasn't overly impressed by this. I knew it would not be super sweet or chocolatey because of the avocado but I found the flavors to be a little too earthy for my taste. It wasn't bad, but it's not something I'd order again. But, if you are gluten free, dairy free, or vegan, you might want to give it a try. One word of caution, it's a very tiny portion for $3.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill - Iced Tea — Three Bridges Bar & Grill / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Side note, if you are an iced tea drinker like I am, I have to give Three Bridges Bar & Grill a shout-out for serving actual tea. So many locations serve Gold Peak Tea which is not particularly the tastiest. This tasted like proper brewed iced tea, and I'm definitely a fan.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill - Coffee / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our second visit, Brandon also got the Cortado (espresso with steamed milk) as an after-dinner coffee drink. He was a pretty big fan of this and said he'd definitely get it again.

Overall

We were super impressed by the quality of the food and options at Three Bridges Bar & Grill. While it's not a huge menu, we were glad to see that the chefs at this restaurant really went above and beyond to help ensure we had options and dishes we'd enjoy. We both are looking forward to going back again soon to try other dishes besides the excellent burgers served here.

Have you been to Three Bridges Bar & Grill? What did you enjoy when you dined there?

11/2/19 11/2/19

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo (Disney World) Lunch Review

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo is a quick service restaurant located in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disney's Hollywood Studios. During the first few days of the land opening, we had both breakfast and lunch at the restaurant to check out all of the options available to us as guests with special dietary needs.

*This dining experience took place in August 2019. It includes information about dairy free options and fish/shellfish, peanut, and chicken & turkey free options.

Lunch at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo

Atmosphere

Docking Bay 7 is themed after a working hangar bay. There is actually a bit of a storyline that goes with the restaurant's theme -- though I admit, I would not have known about it if it hadn't been listed on Disney World's official page about Docking Bay 7.

The story is that Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs runs the joint and prepares dishes with ingredients all across the galaxy. So, many of the dishes you find at Docking Bay 7 are said to be inspired by all of Chef Cookie's adventures.

Docking Bay 7 - Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The building for Docking Bay 7 does look a bit nondescript. But, you'll find a sign that helps guide you to the restaurant.

Docking Bay 7 - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The inside is much more interesting, with lots of seating options set to resemble cargo and engine parts that you'd expect to see in a working hangar bay. I really loved the booth areas that were a bit more tucked away from the busy restaurant crowds. These cargo container seats are really clever!

Docking Bay 7 - Decor / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You'll also see some nods to the restaurant's theme and back-story with various open cargo boxes that include different "food" items. Here we found some fish and other food containers.

Docking Bay 7 Dining Room / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Although I expect the crowds have thinned out a bit at Docking Bay 7 since opening weekend, do take note that it can feel very crowded very quickly in this restaurant. The layout is a little funny, and it definitely doesn't feel spacious. As you can see from this photo, early lunchtime was definitely fairly busy when we went.

The Food

Like most Disney owned and operated restaurants, Docking Bay 7 does carry an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. Do be sure to always double-check this menu and speak with a chef if you have any questions about options or have special dietary needs not covered by this menu. Because of our special dietary needs, we made sure to talk to a chef directly about options.

Docking Bay 7 / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Chef Quan helped us on both of our visits. While I opted to order a gluten free dish from the menu, we did need to find out if there was anything that Brandon could eat at the restaurant. He is allergic to fish, shellfish, peanuts, hazelnuts, cabbage, and chicken & turkey. Because most of the options either contained shellfish or chicken, we weren't sure there'd much he could choose from.

Chef Quan was very helpful, though he did mention that there's limited options at the restaurant because they wanted food that could be easily and quickly prepared for guests -- anticipating that the restaurant would be really busy. With this in mind, he said options and customization would be a bit of a challenge. But, he really worked hard to ensure Brandon could eat something at Docking Bay 7.

For my entree, I decided to try one of the three gluten free options on the menu -- the Roasted Endorian Chicken Salad (formerly labeled the Roasted Endorian Tip-Yip Salad). This was marked safe for gluten/wheat, fish/shellfish, and peanut allergies. It does contain dairy and cannot be modified. The salad comes with Marinated Chicken, Mixed Greens, Roasted Vegetables, Quinoa, Pumpkin Seeds, and Green Curry Ranch.

Overall, if you can have dairy, this is an excellent gluten free option. I was really impressed by the hearty portion (there was a ton of chicken in the dish) and the flavors were surprisingly good. I had heard hit or miss reviews from Disneyland about this dish -- especially because some of the ingredients in the salad were warm while others were cold. While I definitely noticed the temperature differences, I still thought the salad was pretty good. I also didn't think the ranch or curry flavors were too prominent -- though if you don't like either of those, you might want to skip this one.

I would definitely get this dish again -- though I really want to try the shrimp and noodle salad options after reading Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures' review in her most recent trip to Disneyland. The shrimp and noodle dish on the adult and children's menus are both gluten free and dairy free.

After talking to Chef Quan, it looked like the only safe option that would work for Brandon's special dietary needs was the Smoked Kaadu Pork Ribs with a slight modification. Chef Quan actually made a fresh batch of potatoes for Brandon to substitute for the cabbage slaw (which he is allergic to). This was really nice of the chef to do so that Brandon could also try the food at Docking Bay 7.

The Smoked Kaadu Pork Ribs typically comes with Sticky Pork Ribs, Blueberry Corn Muffin, and Cabbage Slaw. In this case, Brandon had potatoes instead of the slaw. With this modification the dish was safe for fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Docking Bay 7 - Kaadu Ribs & Muffin — Docking Bay 7 / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Generally, Brandon said the ribs were good. Neither one of us are fans of ribs and eating meat off the bone, and Brandon said this was not exactly the easiest thing to eat. The muffin was nothing to write home about. And, he said the best part of the entree were the potatoes. Because it was just so-so, Brandon said he'd probably prefer to get food elsewhere next time we visit Hollywood Studios.

Overall

While we were both glad to be able to eat something at Docking Bay 7 for lunch, neither one of us were all that impressed with the food. I liked mine a bit more than Brandon did, but knowing that he really could only get one dish doesn't make either of us want to prioritize eating there in the future. I do want to get back to try the shrimp and noodle dishes, but I'm not sure I'll do that anytime soon. Still, I'm always super glad there are special dietary needs options at any Disney restaurant. This one is just not our personal favorite for options and variety. Even though it's not our first choice, I'm still glad we went. And, huge thanks again to Chef Quan for helping ensure we had safe options there!

Have you been to Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo in Disney World? What did you think of the special dietary needs options?

10/26/19 10/26/19

Coral Reef Dinner Review

Coral Reef, located in The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion in Epcot, is a table service restaurant that serves seafood and steak options for guests with views of a living coral reef. Brandon, his mom, and I recently had dinner at Coral Reef one evening while we were picking up our annual passholder coasters and magnets during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2019. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Coral Reef

Atmosphere

Coral Reef is inspired by the living seas and features views of the coral reef located in the pavilion.

Coral Reef Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

When you arrive at the restaurant, you'll notice lots of bright vibrant colors to set the stage as you begin your journey "under water" into the restaurant.

Coral Reef Lobby / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Once you enter the restaurant's lobby, you can see that it resembles the ocean floor. I have to admit that the restaurant's interior does feel a bit dated -- though the lobby portion is less so than the actual interior.

Coral Reef Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

While we all agreed that you can get nice views of the coral reef & aquariums from anywhere in the restaurant, since this was Brandon's mom's first visit to the restaurant, we requested a table near the front.

You can request this when you check-in to the restaurant -- though there may be a bit of a wait. We were also told by the cast member during check-in that they would try their best to honor this request, but that's it's not always a guarantee. Thankfully, the restaurant was a bit slow when we dined there, and we had no issues getting a table near The Seas marine life.

Coral Reef Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our previous visit, we sat at a table near The Seas and found the chairs to be really uncomfortable. This time we were seated in a much more comfortable booth. We all agreed this was far more comfortable and relaxed way to experience the restaurant and would actually request a booth straight away the next time we go.

Coral Reef - Table / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As you can see, the interior of the restaurant features lots of blues, purples, and other sea-inspired colors. I do hope that someday they refresh the restaurant's decor because it really is a bit outdated.

The Food

Of course, the main reason we came to Coral Reef was dinner! Because it is owned and operated by the Disney Company, Coral Reef does have an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. You can also always ask to speak with a chef directly whenever you dine there.

Coral Reef - Allergy-Friendly Rolls — Coral Reef / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Before our meal, we were brought out bread service. I was served Ener-Ggluten free and allergy-friendly rolls, which are also dairy free, vegan, and free of the top common allergens. These were well-heated on this visit -- making them a nice way to start the meal. If you're just gluten free, you'll be served butter with the rolls. If you're dairy free, be sure to ask for some Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread.

Brandon was also served the house rolls, which looked like pull-apart Parker House style rolls. Both Brandon and his mom didn't think they were very good and said they were pretty bland.

Coral Reef - GF Shrimp & Grits — Coral Reef / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On my previous visit, I ordered the Mahi-Mahi which is a gluten free and dairy free dish. But, on this visit, I was leaning towards trying the Shrimp & Grits because I'd heard such great things about it from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures.

The Shrimp & Grits includes Sauteed Shrimp, Cheddar Cheese Grits, Local Corn Succotash, Andouille Sausage, Creole Spice Emulsion and is marked safe for gluten/wheat, fish, peanut/tree nut, and soy allergies. This does contain dairy and cannot be modified.

Overall, I was really impressed by the shrimp & grits entree. It wasn't my favorite version of the dish, but it was really good. Everything was really flavorful, and I was shocked at how big the dish was. The amount of shrimp in it was excellent. If you like seafood and enjoy a bit of spice, this might be a good dish for you. I would definitely order the shrimp and grits from Coral Reef again.

Coral Reef / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because the menu is heavy on the seafood and Brandon is allergic to both fish & shellfish, his options were pretty limited. Thankfully, he's a big steak fan, so he ordered the Grilled 10-oz Top Sirloin Steak. On the allergy menu, it comes with Olive Oil-Mashed Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables and is marked safe for gluten/wheat, egg, fish/shellfish, milk, peanut/tree nut, and soy allergies.

But, Brandon did ask if he could order swap the olive oil-mashed potatoes for the loaded mashed potatoes on the regular Coral Reef menu. He was able to do this with no issues for his special dietary needs. Overall, he said the dish was really good -- and like my shrimp & grits, he had a huge portion of steak.

Brandon's mom also ordered the Caesar Salad for her starter, which included Romaine Lettuce, Parmesan Cheese, and Caesar Dressing. It was marked safe for gluten/wheat, peanut/tree nut, and shellfish allergies. Although I didn't try it, Brandon's mom did say it was a really good version of Caesar Salad. So, if you're a fan of this type of salad it might be worth ordering.

For dessert, Brandon couldn't pass up the chance to get a chocolately dessert. He's not a big dessert fan, but he loves chocolate flourless style cakes. And, the Chocolate Wave dessert at Coral Reef is one he really enjoys. This includes chocolate curls and raspberry cream and is marked safe for gluten/wheat, fish/shellfish, and peanut/tree nut allergies. If you love chocolate cake, this is definitely one to try. It's very rich and a perfect way to end a meal.

Overall

While we wouldn't say the food is anything fancy, we have been pleasantly surprised by the food at Coral Reef. On both of our recent visits, we have found delicious and tasty options that cover our special dietary needs and leave us satisfied. Even better? We really enjoy the atmosphere and spending a leisurely dinner watching the marine life at The Seas. If you seafood that isn't super pricey, this may be a good option to dine at when you're in Epcot.

Have you been to Coral Reef? What did you enjoy when you dined there?

10/26/19 10/26/19

Restaurant Marrakesh Dinner Review

Restaurant Marrakesh, located in the Morocco Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase, is a table service restaurant that serves Moroccan cuisine. Recently, Brandon, his mom, and I had a spur of the moment dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh. Brandon had never been, and I hadn't been in years, so this was a great chance to see what special diets options were available to us both.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2019. It includes information about dairy free options and information about fish/shellfish, peanut, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh

Atmosphere

If dining at a restaurant with lots of unique theming is something you're interested in, you can't get better than dining at Restaurant Marrakesh. The restaurant's beautiful exterior and interior make it a great place to enjoy a meal.

Restaurant Marraskesh Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant is situated pretty far back in the pavilion, making it a beautifully hidden spot in the park.

Restaurant Marrakesh Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

From the moment you walk up to the restaurant, you'll find yourself transported to a Moroccan oasis.

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

As beautiful as the exterior is, the interior is even more beautiful. I love all of the intricate details, and especially all of the detailed tile work throughout the restaurant.

From floor to ceiling, you can see beautiful patterns and designs that reflect Moroccan style.

Restaurant Marrakesh - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I also love the brightly colored walls and carpet that surround each table. Everything is beautifully and artfully presented.

Restaurant Marrakesh - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Though we had seats at a standard table, I loved the tables with benches built in. The bright fabric and design looked very inviting and cozy.

Restaurant Marrakesh - Musician / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Of course, one of my favorite parts about Restaurant Marrakesh is the live entertainment. It's changed over the years (and has sometimes included a full band). On this visit, there was one musician along with a belly dancer who came out once during our meal.

Brandon took a video of the belly dancer and live music for those who might be interested in seeing the entertainment highlights from our visit to Restaurant Marrakesh.

The Food

Restaurant Marrakesh is not owned and operated by the Disney Company, which means they don't currently offer an allergy-friendly menu. But, they will have a chef come and talk to you about special dietary needs options. Our server also seemed pretty aware of gluten free options that might be available too.

Restaurant Marrakesh - Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Both Brandon and I took a look at the menu and had some questions for the chef which we discussed when he came to the table. I have had hit or miss experiences with chefs at the Morocco pavilion in the past -- both at Restaurant Marrakesh and Tangierine Cafe. But, on this visit the chef was very helpful and accommodating.

Restaurant Marrakesh / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Both Brandon and I were served a bread service before our meal. I was served Ener-G gluten free and allergy-friendly rolls, which are also dairy free, vegan, and free of the top common allergens. This particular brand of roll really needs to be heated well to be tasty. And, thankfully, on this visit, they were extremely well-heated and very tasty. The only thing I was missing was hummus. On our next visit, I will definitely be asking for a side of hummus with the bread service!

Restaurant Marrakesh - Bread — Restaurant Marrakesh / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon was served the regular bread service and was told that this was peanut free. He said it was quite good. And, both Brandon and his mom seemed to enjoy it.

On this particular visit, I had my eye on the Chicken Kabobs which came with grilled chicken breast, olive salad, and yellow rice (instead of the couscous that normally comes with the dish). This is both gluten free and dairy free.

I very much enjoyed this dish. While the chicken was a little on the dry side, the flavor was excellent. I also loved the marinated olives and the yellow rice served with it. This is definitely a dish I would order again. If you're curious about other dishes, I have also had the Lemon Chicken Tagine on previous visits and also enjoyed it too.

Both Brandon and I were a little concerned about options for his special dietary needs at Restaurant Marrakesh. But, we were able to find an option that worked well for him. Brandon is allergic to fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey. The proteins were the biggest concern with cross-contamination. And, luckily, the dish he was interested in was a safe option.

Brandon ordered the Grilled Beef Tenderloin Shish Kebab. This is normally served with mixed vegetables and yellow rice. But, Brandon asked if he could substitute the rice for roasted garlic mashed potatoes instead -- which the chef said he was happy to do. Brandon said this was an excellent dish, and he was still raving about it days later too!

In addition to being safe for Brandon's special dietary needs, this was also gluten free too. The potatoes contained dairy, but you could easily order it the traditional way with rice and vegetables for a dairy free option.

Overall

We were both pleasantly surprised by how accommodating Restaurant Marrakesh was on our visit. And, even better, the food was quite good too. I wouldn't say it's our favorite place in the World Showcase, but it's a solid option that we both said we'd like to go back to again soon. As an added bonus, there is often a lot of availability at this restaurant for walk-up dining if you don't have a reservation too. We were both glad we got to go on this visit and get to check out the current options for guests with special dietary needs.

Have you been to Restaurant Marrakesh? What did you think of the options there?

9/29/19 9/29/19

The BOATHOUSE Lunch Review

The BOATHOUSE, located in Disney Springs, is a table service restaurant that offers guests a taste of fresh seafood and signature steaks. Although it's not owned and operated by the Disney Company, this is one of our favorite restaurants in Disney Springs for their excellent food and special dietary needs accommodations. Recently, I stopped by for lunch with Brandon's mom on a shopping day in Disney Springs.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2019. It includes information about dairy free modifications.

Lunch at The BOATHOUSE

Atmosphere

The BOATHOUSE is one of those restaurants that I initially didn't think I would like in terms of atmosphere. But, after our first meal there, I fell in love with the nautical theme, and especially all of the different themed dining rooms.

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

One of the things I love about the decor is that there is something for every preference and taste. Whether it's dining at the colorful bar area or enjoying a meal in a brightly lit room or even dining in a boat, the theming options in The BOATHOUSE are pretty fantastic.

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

We often dine either outside or in one of the dining rooms with lots of dark wood (and that reminds me of old school decor from the Red Lobster restaurant chain from the 1980s and 1990s). On this visit, we were seated in a brightly lit dining room with lots of nautical touches.

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

Both Brandon's mom and I really liked this room and especially how bright and cheery it was for lunch time.

The Boathouse - View / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

It also offered a nice view of the boat launch area and outdoor seating. I do recommend outdoor seating at The BOATHOUSE when the weather is nicer, but when it's summertime, we prefer to eat indoors.

The Food

Because The BOATHOUSE is not owned and operated by the Disney Company, they do not offer an allergy-friendly menu. But, you can always ask to speak with a chef when you dine there. I highly recommend this because they can discuss a variety of options with you and are very knowledgeable.

The Boathouse - Beverages — The Boathouse / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The BOATHOUSE also offers a variety of drinks from terrific non-alcoholic beverages like iced tea (which is some of the best on Disney property) to various alcoholic offerings. On this visit, I had a Bellini, which is peach puree with sparkling wine. It was really good and perfect for lunch time.

The restaurant also serves gluten free and buns as "rolls" if you are interested in a bread service option. They have been using what I believe are the commercial versions of Udi's Gluten Free rolls for a while. The restaurant does not have a non-dairy vegan buttery spread on hand, so be sure to ask for extra virgin olive oil if you cannot have dairy. For me, I can sort of take or leave the bread option. But, it's always nice to have, especially if you're feeling a little hungry.

On this visit, I decided to order the Grilled Fresh Fish Tacos with Grilled Swordfish, Green Papaya-Jicama Slaw, Guajillo Sauce, and Spicy Avocado Salsa Verde. I was told that this is naturally gluten free and does not require any modifications -- though would, of course, take proper precautions to prepare my meal safely. The sauce does contain dairy but can be easily omitted. You can read about the gluten free and dairy free version from our friend Celiac and the Beast.

This was a really tasty entree, and I had been wanting to order these tacos for a while. I'm definitely glad I did because the flavor was fantastic and the fish was super fresh tasting. Each component was great. And, I appreciate that the The BOATHOUSE prides itself on making all of their own sauces in-house. You can definitely tell a difference. I would absolutely order these again.

I realized as I was writing this review that I forgot to write up a review from our visit there this summer with Brandon's parents for Father's Day. On that visit, I ordered the "Yacht Club" Club Sandwich on a gluten free bun. This included Roasted Turkey Breast, Cucumber, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado, Chipotle-Honey Mayo, and Swiss Cheese. Normally it comes with French Fries, but since The BOATHOUSE does not have a dedicated allergy-friendly fryer, I opted for a Caesar Salad without croutons.

While I did like this sandwich a lot and found it to be a nice light option, I'm not sure I'd get it again. There's a lot better options in the restaurant for gluten free guests that are tastier are a bit better value in terms of the cost. If you're gluten free and dairy free, this may also be a good option. You could order minus the cheese and substitute the mayo if this version contains dairy.

The Caesar Salad on the other hand was excellent. You can tell they make the salad dressing in house too and the traditional way -- with anchovies. I would definitely get this again. On a side note, always ask the chef to prepare this directly and in a clean bowl. I had a friend order this at The BOATHOUSE once who was glutened with leftover crouton crumbs in her salad. I discussed this at length with the chef at The BOATHOUSE, and he assured me that he would make sure that I did not get croutons in any way in the salad. Thankfully, mine was correct. But, my friend's experience was a good reminder to always discuss concerns with a chef.

Overall

The BOATHOUSE always continues to be a great option for a good gluten free and special diets meal in Disney Springs. I really appreciate that there are chefs on hand to discuss options and that there are a variety of entrees with different price points -- making it affordable to eat a lunch or dinner here. It's a restaurant we continue to go to with family and friends for special occasions or just on a simple shopping trip in Disney Springs.

Have you been to The BOATHOUSE? What do you think of the special dietary needs options there?

9/29/19 9/29/19

Kona Cafe Breakfast Review

Kona Cafe, located in Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, used to be one of my family's favorite table service restaurants for breakfast on Disney property. Sadly, the last few years have seen quite a bit of change to the breakfast menu at Kona Cafe. And, so my family slowly stopped going there regularly due to the declining quality of the food, service, and overall options. Recently, my family came into town and wanted to go out to breakfast at Disney. After a two-year gap in eating there for breakfast and hearing how much Brandon and I have been enjoying the new dinner options, we decided to give it a try after a long break.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2019. It includes information about dairy free modifications.

Breakfast at Kona Cafe

Atmosphere

The Polynesian Village Resort is one of my family's all-time favorite resorts on property. We all love the mid-century modern construction and decor. Plus, who doesn't want to feel like they're in Hawaii?!

Polynesian Village Resort Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I always love just hanging out in the resort lobby. The second floor, where Kona Cafe and Ohana are located can be a bit crowded, but if you're there when it's quiet, the cozy chairs on the second floor are a great spot to rest and relax.

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

Kona Cafe is a bit of a lobby-style restaurant, in that it's directly located in the second floor lobby area. Unlike Ohana, where you can walk into a more secluded restaurant area, Kona Cafe is open to the lobby with guests walking by to the shops or the monorail entrance.

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

There is plenty of spacious seating, and if you like a more quiet meal, I always recommend asking for a seat in the back of the restaurant.

As you can see from this photo, the restaurant's decor includes bright mid-century modern colors. Although I do enjoy the charm of this restaurant, the decor does feel a bit dated in Kona Cafe. I swear it hasn't changed since the 1990s, and it could use a bit of a refresh one of these days. But, it's always nice and relaxing to eat at this restaurant -- even if the interior feels a bit dated.

The Food

Like most Disney-owned restaurants, Kona Cafe does carry an allergy-friendly breakfast menu. While it does include a lot of options, I always recommend speaking directly to a chef, especially if you're interested in something not marked safe for your special dietary need on the allergy-friendly menu. As you'll see from this review, I ordered two dishes not marked on the menu but that the chef was able to easily accommodate and modify.

On this visit, my mom and I were talking before we got to the restaurant, and she asked if we could split an order of allergy-friendly Mickey waffles. My mom does not have any special dietary needs, but she actually prefers the allergy options over the regular ones. Neither one of us loves super sweet options at breakfast. So, we decided we would split two entrees to get a little bit of sweet and savory breakfast options.

When the chef came out, I did ask what allergy-friendly Mickey waffle mix they were using. I had heard from my friend Alexis at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures that the restaurant was using Carbon's Golden Malted Gluten Free Waffle & Pancake Mix. I'm not at all a fan of the flavor of that mix or the texture. And, quite frankly, the waffles made with this mix are just plain gross. On top of that the mix does contain soy. And while it's certified gluten free, the company does not disclose that the mix is made on shared equipment with wheat and several other top eight allergens. I would much rather eat the mixes from Bob's Red Mill or Namaste, which are infinitely tastier and that have much better transparency with their food production and allergy-friendly safety.

That being said, the chef did tell me that they still have Namaste Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix that can be used for pancakes. This was great news because I was very interested in the gluten free macadamia nut pancakes.

We decided to order the Polynesian Egg Platter which came with Two Eggs-Any Style with Fresh Fruit Poke, an Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC Donut, and Home-fried Potatoes with Bacon. This dish is not on the allergy-friendly menu. But, the chef said he could easily accommodate this. The only real swap was the regular muffin that comes with it for a gluten free, dairy free, and vegan donut from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC. The entire dish was gluten free and dairy free.

Both my mom and I agreed that we would 100% get this breakfast entree again. The savory components with the eggs, bacon, and potatoes were all excellent. And, it was nice to get a healthy side of fruit along with the breakfast pastry. I was also pleasantly surprised at the taste of the Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC donut. I have found that sometimes they taste a little stale when they're served at a restaurant. But, this one was fresh and very tasty.

Of course, the best part of our breakfast were the Macadamia Nut Pancakes. This includes the pancakes made with Namaste Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix and served with with Macadamia Nut Butter, Pineapple Sauce, and a side of Ham. This dish is gluten free but does contain dairy. You may be able to get a version of these gluten free and dairy free, and I would recommend talking to a chef directly if you're interested in that option.

Both my mom and I were wowed by these pancakes. The flavor was incredible. And the texture was fantastic. The pancakes do contain macadamia nuts in the pancake batter and in the butter served with it. The pineapple sauce was super delicious and added a nice bit of sweetness. Topped with 100% pure maple syrup, this was hands down one of the best sweet breakfast entrees I've had in a very long time at Disney World.

The overall portion was huge too. My mom and I split both entrees, and we both couldn't finish the pancakes because the portion was so big. But, we both agreed that splitting these two entrees was a great way to sample all the different dishes Kona Cafe has to offer. Though, I have to admit, I might lean towards ordering the pancakes over the Polynesian Egg Platter next time I go!

Overall

Kona Cafe has definitely redeemed itself from our previous lackluster experiences a few years ago. While I still miss the old days of Kona Cafe with their famous Big Kahuna Entree, I'm glad to see that the restaurant has added some options that offer some sweet and salty options in one dish. And, I absolutely love the gluten free Macadamia Nut Pancakes. These will be high on my must-order list for breakfast at Kona next time I visit.

Have you been to Kona Cafe for breakfast? What did you think of their options?

*This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase products using these links, I will receive a small commission, which helps support my blog. It does not change the price you pay for the products.

9/11/19 9/11/19

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Dinner Review

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, located in Disney's Hollywood Studios, is a table service restaurant that's our go-to spot to dine in DHS. Recently, we had two unplanned dinners at Sci-Fi Dine-In due to challenges with quick service restaurants in the parks either not being open or being unable to accommodate some of our special dietary needs. Of course, both Brandon and I really enjoy Sci-Fi Dine-In, so we're always up for a meal there.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2019 and includes information about gluten free and dairy free options, as well as options for fish/shellfish, peanut, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

Atmosphere

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater is set to resemble a 1950s drive-in. Because Hollywood Studios used to have more of the TV and film set theme, Sci-Fi Dine-In acts as a restaurant / working set. I always enjoy looking around at the "behind the scenes" props as you walk to the main restaurant area.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Exterior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Even the exterior of Sci-Fi Dine-In has a fun and retro vibe. It's especially fun at night, when the restaurant signs are lit up like a old drive-in signs.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Inside the main dining room, the fun continues. That's because you're actually seated tables that look like vintage cars. Your server is your "car hop," throughout your meal too.

While you're dining, you'll enjoy some nostalgic and charming videos that include retro drive-in theater ads and 1950s Sci-Fi film clips. It's always a highlight of our meal experience at Sci-Fi Dine-In.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Flying Saucer Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

In addition to the drive-in car tables, you will also find several "flying saucer" tables in the back of the restaurant. These are often reserved for walk-ups (i.e. guests without dining reservations). Because we did not have reservations on our last two visits, we were seated in the flying saucers.

And, believe it or not, we actually prefer these tables. That's because they are more brightly lit, and they're a bit more removed from the main dining area. We really enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere in the flying saucer seating area.

The Food

Like most Disney-owned restaurants, Sci-Fi Dine-In does offer guests with special dietary needs an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. You can also speak directly with a chef about options, as well. If you have special dietary needs not covered by the allergy-friendly menus, we always recommend speaking directly with a chef too.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Allergy-Friendly Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our last two visits, we spoke with Chef JR, who was really great at talking through the various options. Because of Brandon's chicken & turkey allergies, we always double-check on allergy-friendly fryers. Locations like Backlot Express, for example, have a dedicated allergy-friendly fryer but fries allergy-friendly chicken tenders in them -- making them not safe for Brandon. Sci-Fi Dine-In has not only an allergy-friendly fryer, but they also have a vegan fryer too. This means that Brandon can get safe fries whenever we dine there.

Sci-Fi Dine-In / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I've had quite a few blog readers ask about the paper straws that Disney is now using in their restaurants as there has been some discussion about gluten in paper straws. Disney's official website has noted that any Disney-owned locations, like Sci-Fi Dine-In, currently use the Aardvark brand paper straws and that they are 100% paper.

That being said, from a personal perspective, I'm not a huge fan of the paper straws because they tend to disintegrate pretty quickly. There are lots of options though for reusable straws for purchase too online, if you're not a fan of these type of straws.

On our first visit, I ordered the Oven-roasted Turkey Wrap. It is marked safe for gluten/wheat, fish/shellfish, milk, and peanut/tree nut allergies on the allergy-friendly menu.

The turkey wrap comes with Oven-roasted Turkey, Crispy Bacon, Lettuce, and Vine-ripened Tomato with Cilantro-Avocado Aioli on an Allergy-Friendly Wrap and French Fries. This has become a big favorite of mine whenever we dine at Sci-Fi Dine-In. Not only is it fairly reasonably priced, but it's very filling too. And, of course, it's also very tasty. I do really love the cilantro-avocado aioli that comes in the sandwich. So good! If you like turkey sandwiches, this is one I can highly recommend.

On our second visit, I decided I needed to try something new. I've had quite a few burgers at the restaurant, so I thought I'd check out the Buffalo Chicken Salad -- minus the Buffalo Sauce. This is marked safe for gluten/wheat, fish/shellfish, and peanut/tree nut allergies.

This salad typically comes with Allergy-Friendly Chicken Tenders tossed in a Spicy Buffalo Sauce with Mixed Greens, Bacon, Tomato, Red Onion, Cucumber, Shredded Cheddar, and Fried Tortilla Strips with Cilantro-Ranch Dressing. Now, I love a good condiment, but for some reason buffalo sauce is one of the few sauces I'm not a fan of. So, I asked Chef JR to omit the buffalo sauce from this salad.

Overall, I really liked the salad. It wasn't anything fancy. And, I would have liked to have seen a variety of mixed greens instead of just iceberg lettuce. My only other major complaint was that it came with 3 allergy-friendly chicken tenders, which seemed a little on the small side. But, overall, the salad was really tasty.

The salad came pre-dressed in the Cilantro-Ranch Dressing, but Chef JR added another cup of dressing on the side. I used a bit more of it, because the dressing was really good. But, the salad was fairly well-dressed overall. I'd definitely get this again if I wasn't super hungry or just wanted a simple salad.

Sci-Fi Dine-In - Vegan Cookie Milkshake — Sci-Fi Dine-In / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our second visit, I also asked Chef JR about the Vegan Cookie Milkshake. It's not listed on the allergy-friendly menu. But, blog reader Sarah C. had raved about it when we saw her family at the restaurant a few weeks ago. Chef JR confirmed that the milkshake was also gluten free, dairy free, and vegan and was made with Enjoy Life Foods Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookies. The shake is also made currently with non-dairy milk (I believe either soy or rice) and a house-made coconut milk whipped cream.

This was such a good milkshake, and I was so glad that I ordered it! The house-made coconut milk whipped cream was really yummy. But, the best part was the shake itself. Not only did it have crumbled cookies and a whole cookie on top, but it also had cookies blended in the milkshake itself. This is definitely going to be a must-order for me the next time we have dinner at Sci-Fi Dine-In again. It was that good!

Sci-Fi Dine-In - Steak — Sci-Fi Dine-In / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our first visit, Brandon ordered the Flame-broiled New York Strip Steak with Roasted Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables that included Asparagus and Blistered Tomatoes. This is marked safe for gluten/wheat, egg, fish/shellfish, milk, and peanut/tree nut allergies.

Brandon absolutely loves this steak and the roasted potatoes that come with it. He's not a big fan of vegetables like asparagus. So, next time, he said he's just ask for a double-serving of potatoes instead. But, overall, this is a winner if you're a steak lover.

On our second visit, Brandon ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger. This also included grilled onions too. He was also able to get French Fries from the vegan fryer. This entree is safe for fish/shellfish, peanut, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Brandon and I both enjoy the burgers at Sci-Fi Dine-In, and he said this one was excellent. He also loves the steak fries that the restaurant serves. And, we both agree that they do a really good job frying the steak fries at Sci-Fi Dine-In. We've had that at some other Disney restaurants and been less than impressed with the cook on the fries.

Brandon also ordered a Hot Fudge Sundae on both visits. We both agree that it's hard not to order milkshakes or dessert when we eat at Sci-Fi Dine-In! The sundae is marked safe for gluten/wheat, egg, fish/shellfish, and peanut/tree nut allergies.

This is definitely a good go-to dessert if you want something that is simple, yet delicious. Brandon did want to get the brownie sundae on our most recent visit, but Chef JR noted that the brownie has a cross-contamination risk with peanuts. So, we didn't want to risk it. That being said, Brandon said the sundae was just as good as the one he had on the previous visit.

Overall

We both can't say enough good things about Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater in Disney's Hollywood Studios. Not only have we found a lot of options that we really enjoy, but the chefs at the restaurant have been super accommodating and helpful. We also really appreciate that this table service is relatively affordable compared to some of the other TS locations in the parks and resorts. Add in a great restaurant theme, and you have an terrific option for a delicious, safe, and fun meal in Hollywood Studios.

Have you been to Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater? What do you think of the special diets options there?

9/10/19 9/10/19

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo (Disney World) Breakfast Review

Docking Bay 7 is a quick service restaurant located in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and (at the time of this post) is one of the park’s newest dining options. We were lucky enough (or crazy enough!) to attend the opening of Galaxy’s Edge on August 29, 2019. During our visit on opening day, we knew we wanted to get at least one meal at Docking Bay 7. Because we arrived in the new land at 4:45 a.m., breakfast was our meal of choice for the day.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2019. It includes information about fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free options, along with dairy free modifications.

Breakfast at Docking Bay 7

Atmosphere

The restaurant is housed in a working hangar bay. And, as the story goes, Chef Strono "Cookie" Tuggs runs the joint and prepares dishes with ingredients all across the galaxy.

The restaurant's exterior does look quite a bit like a hangar bay. And, you'll see lots of mechanical touches outside and inside. On opening day, the restaurant's sign was having a bit of a malfunction, so I had to chuckle at the half lit digital sign.

Docking Bay 7 Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Inside, you'll find a variety of spots to enjoy your meal -- including freighter crates, benches, and tables. There is some really clever seating to make you feel like you really are in a working hangar.

Docking Bay 7 Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You'll also hear some general ambient noise that sounds like ship's being worked on while you dine there. As you can see from the photo, seating was a bit hard to come by on opening day. The restaurant actually has less seating than I anticipated, so do be sure be on the lookout for different seating options. There is outdoor seating in a small alcove too, but in August in Florida that wasn't too appealing -- even at 8 a.m.

The Food

The food at Docking Bay 7 is supposed to be inspired by Chef Strono "Cookie" Tuggs' planet-hopping travels and features exotic flavors. While this may be true at lunch and dinner, breakfast is a bit more standard.

For guests with special dietary needs, Docking Bay 7 does currently have an allergy-friendly breakfast menu. I will be honest that this is probably one of the most limited quick service breakfast menus I've ever seen for certain special dietary needs. If you're dairy free, I would just skip this restaurant altogether for breakfast. The only real options for dairy free guests are plain potatoes and fruit. If you're gluten free, it's pretty limited too.

If you do have a special dietary need, they will bring a chef out to assist you with any questions that you might have. On our visit, I wanted to see if the sausage served at breakfast was also a gluten free option since it was not listed on the allergy-friendly menu.

Unfortunately, as I learned from Chef Quan, the sausage has a cross-contamination issue, as it is grilled on the same surface as the gluten-filled pita bread. The Bright Suns Youngling Breakfast does not contain sausage. So, that explained why the adult version of the breakfast platter was not a gluten free option but that the Youngling version was.

On another aside, if you have celiac disease, I would not order the Rising Moons Overnight Oats which is listed as gluten free on the allergy-friendly menu. The restaurant does not currently use certified gluten free oats or purity protocol oats (the safest oats for anyone with celiac disease). And, there is a high risk of cross-contamination due to the processing of the oats. This was definitely a bummer to see it listed as a safe option because traditional oats are not considered safe for anyone with celiac disease or a wheat allergy.

Because my only real option was the Bright Suns Youngling Breakfast, that's what I ordered. This came with a Three-Cheese Egg Bite, Purple Potatoes, and Fresh Fruit. I am not a big fan of melon, so I asked if I could get extra potatoes instead, which Chef Quan was happy to do.

If you can have dairy, this is a nice little breakfast -- though I'd probably just get breakfast elsewhere with more options instead. The egg bite was sous vide and was really tasty. The purple potatoes were also well-seasoned. All in all, not bad. But, not amazing.

With Brandon's allergies, the chef also recommended that he order the Bright Suns Youngling Breakfast. This makes the Youngling Breakfast option gluten free, fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. Unfortunately, there is a cross-contamination issue for guests with nut allergies with the Mustafarian Lava Roll.

Brandon did get fruit with his entree, and he said overall the entree was very good. I think we both generally liked it but neither one of us were wowed.

Overall

When it comes to getting a quick service breakfast at Disney World, Docking Bay 7 would not be at the top of my list. I would eat the Bright Suns Youngling Breakfast entree again, but only if we were strapped for time or I really needed something to eat. There are a lot better quick service options at the Disney World resorts that can accommodate and gives guests a larger variety of dishes to choose from. While we were really appreciative that the chef took the time to talk to us and tried to accommodate as best he could, the limited menu options make it a location we'll skip for breakfast on most occasions.

Have you been to Docking Bay 7? What did you think of the breakfast options?

9/4/19 9/4/19

Yak & Yeti Dinner Review

Yak & Yeti, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, is a table service restaurant owned and operated by the Landry's that serves pan-Asian inspired cuisine. Recently, we stopped by Yak & Yeti for an impromptu dinner at a long day at Galaxy's Edge in Hollywood Studios.

*This post contains a gluten free and dairy free dinner review. It also includes information about fish/shellfish free, peanut free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free options.

Dinner at Yak & Yeti

We were staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for a staycation and the Animal Kingdom park was a short bus ride away for us -- making it an easy option for us for dinner. We're also Landry's Select Club members. So, while we didn't make reservations in advance, we were seated within 5 minutes of walking into the restaurant. We definitely appreciate this perk of being club members!

Atmosphere

The theme of Yak & Yeti is one of my favorite things about the restaurant. Located in the Asia section of the Animal Kingdom, it's perfectly themed to its location.

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

The restaurant is supposed to resemble a village home in Anandapur -- the fictional kingdom located there -- that has been converted into a restaurant. From the moment you walk towards the restaurant, you'll be treated to an exceptionally well-themed restaurant.

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

We have been told on several occasions by cast members at Yak & Yeti that the restaurant contains authentic (along with prop) artifacts from Asia. You'll see lots of really neat items throughout this eclectic eatery.

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

On our last several visits, we have been seated on the first floor near a variety of Bollywood style posters. I really love this area and all of the detailed touches.

Another feature that I love about Yak & Yeti is that you'll find mix matched tables and chairs. It really lends to a unique and quaint vibe.

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

Even the tables are beautifully constructed and reflect the mix and match style.

I do always recommend looking up, down, and all-around when you're at Yak & Yeti because there are artifacts and decor in every inch of the restaurant. I also recommend taking a bit of time to look around on both the first and second floors of the restaurant too as the themes and artifacts change throughout.

The Food

Because Yak & Yeti is not owned and operated by the Disney Company, they do not have the standard allergy-friendly menu. At the time of this review, they have a gluten sensitive menu. This menu is a great starting point if you're gluten free. But, if you have celiac disease and/or cross-contamination is a concern, do be sure to speak to a chef directly. Some items on the gluten sensitive menu (like French fries) are not celiac safe.

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

No matter your special dietary need, I always recommend you speak with a chef directly. They can customize dishes and talk through additional options not listed on the gluten sensitive menu.

Both Brandon and I spoke to the chef about options, and the chef was great at accommodating. Because we've been several times, we both had a good idea of some potential options, which helped.

My favorite dish at Yak & Yeti used to be the Malaysian Seafood Curry dish, which was both gluten free and dairy free. Unfortunately, it's no longer on the menu. So, I asked the chef if it was possible to make the Teriyaki Beef and Shrimp Stir-Fry on their seasonal menu gluten free. Essentially, the chef said she just needed to remove the teriyaki sauce and make a stir-fry with GF tamari instead.

The GF Teriyaki Beef and Shrimp Stir-Fry included flank steak, shrimp, stir-fried vegetables, and pineapple tossed in gluten free soy sauce and coconut-ginger rice. This dish was both gluten free and dairy free.

The flavors in this dish were fantastic. The beef was really tender. And the shrimp was perfectly cooked. The GF soy sauce along with the stir-fried vegetables and pineapple made for a great sauce. It wasn't too sweet, and it wasn't overly salty either. Add in some rice, and you have one excellent dish. I would 100% get this again. In fact, I think I was still raving about how good it was a few days later. After eating this dish, I've already decided we might need to make another visit again soon!

This was the first time we'd eaten at Yak & Yeti since Brandon's peanut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergy diagnoses. So, he was a little nervous about options. Thankfully, the Lo Mein he usually gets was easy to modify. Essentially, he got Beef Lo Mein minus the cabbage. The Lo Mein normally comes with chicken, shrimp, or tofu. But, the chef said it was no problem to substitute beef. She simply omitted cabbage from the dish and added in extra carrots. With these modifications, the dish was fish/shellfish free, peanut free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free.

Brandon was really pleased with his entree. He said it was just as good as ever. And, he really enjoyed the beef in place of chicken. Like me, he was also raving about how good it was, and we both agreed we'd like to go back soon!

Overall

Both Brandon and I have had really excellent experiences at Yak & Yeti. Of the Landry's restaurants on Disney property, it's by far our favorite. It's also the one where we both feel like we have a lot more options. The chefs at Yak & Yeti do a great job of accommodating. And, the food has been excellent, and plentiful, too. This continues to be our go-to table service restaurant in the Animal Kingdom and whenever we're both craving Asian food (which is hard for both of us to get).

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

9/4/19 9/4/19

The Mara Dinner Review

The Mara, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, is the resort's quick service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Recently, we had dinner there with friends the night before Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios as we had a mini staycation booked there for the weekend.

*This post contains a gluten free and dairy free dinner review. It also includes information about fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free options too.

Dinner at The Mara

Atmosphere

Because we were with friends, neither one of us did a very good job of getting photos. You can see more photos of the restaurant's interior and ingredients for the gluten free Zebra Domes in the last review we did of dinner at The Mara.

One of the things that I do love about the themes at the Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants is that they reflect where they are located in the resort. The Mara, for instance, is located near the pool and several water features. The restaurant is named for a river flowing through Kenya and Tanzania -- so being located near the water is definitely fitting.

The Food

Because we were getting up extremely early for the opening of Galaxy's Edge, we all wanted something fairly filling but nothing fancy. The Mara has a variety of options and offers an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu.

Guests with special dietary needs can also speak to a chef or a manager about additional options too. On this visit, we did speak to a manager about modifying a dish to be gluten free and about the allergy-friendly fryers for Brandon's chicken & turkey allergy.

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

While there are quite a few gluten free options on the allergy-friendly menu, I had my eye on the Hand-carved Turkey and Avocado Club Sandwich. The manager told me the only modification needed was to swap the bread.

The sandwich was served on a Local Oven bun and came with Hand-carved Slow-roasted Turkey Breast, Berbere-spiced Bacon, Pickled Red Onions, Arugula and a Chunky Avocado-Mayo Spread and French Fries. This was made gluten free and dairy free and the allergy-friendly menu also indicated that it was fish/shellfish free and peanut/tree nut free. The fries were also made in the dedicated allergy-friendly fryer.

The sandwich itself was really good. The only exception to this was the gluten free and dairy free bun, which was very poorly heated. Parts of it were rock hard and other parts fell completely apart. I have found that the Local Oven buns don't hold up the best, but this was entirely an issue of poor heating on this occasion. Still, all of the components of the sandwich were outstanding, and I loved the chunky avocado-mayo spread. I would definitely get this again, despite the poorly heated bun.

Brandon ordered the Black Angus Cheeseburger which included a Grilled 1/3 lb Black Angus Burger topped with Sharp Cheddar on a Brioche Bun served with French Fries. The burger was safe for fish/shellfish, peanut, and chicken & turkey allergies.

The only challenge was the cooking of the French Fries. Unfortunately, the allergy-friendly fryer is used for cooking allergy-friendly chicken tenders. The manager on hand said that they did not have a vegan fryer on hand at the time. With this in mind, she ended up baking Brandon French Fries so that he could have them as a safe option. The chicken & turkey allergies can be a challenge with the allergy-friendly fryers, we have found. So, we always double-check with a chef or manager to ensure he has safe options.

Brandon said the cheeseburger was pretty good. And, he was really impressed with how good the baked French Fries were. He said he'd definitely eat them again and wasn't at all disappointed that the couldn't get them fried.

Overall

While nothing fancy, we both agreed that the special dietary needs options at The Mara are not only pretty plentiful, but that they're very tasty too. We both appreciate that the managers and chefs at the Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants go above and beyond to accommodate as much as they can for guests with special dietary needs. This meal was a great example of that. We both agreed we'd order the dishes we got again too!

Have you been to The Mara? What did you order when you dined there?

9/4/19 9/4/19

Teppan Edo Dinner Review

Teppan Edo, located in Japan in Epcot's World Showcase, is one of two table service restaurants in the pavilion. I honestly have avoided the Japan pavilion restaurants for a long time, due to some very bad experiences over the years. However, after after a much better experience at Katsura Grill for dinner in 2016 and reviews from friends and family, we've been wanting to give the table service restaurants a try. Recently, we were invited to join blog reader Sarah C. and her family for a meal at Teppan Edo. Both Brandon and I were excited to catch up with Sarah and her family and get to dine at Teppan Edo for the first time. So, it was a win-win all around!

*This gluten free and dairy free dining experience took place in August 2019. It also includes information about fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free options too.

Dinner at Teppan Edo

Atmosphere

Neither Brandon nor I have ever eaten at the table service restaurants in the Japan pavilion. So, this was our first time checking out the atmosphere here. Both restaurants are located in the same space on the second floor of the pavilion, just above the Mitsukoshi shopping area.

We got some great shots of the empty stairs going up to the restaurant entrance. One word of warning, these stairs are surprisingly steep and aren't quite the standard stair size.

View from Teppan Edo Terrace / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I can highly recommend the area just beyond the restaurants that offers a fantastic view of the World Showcase Lagoon. This was the perfect spot for watching IllumiNations.

As you can see, Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining are both in the same space -- Teppan Edo to the left and Tokyo Dining to the right.

Teppan Edo Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As we entered, we were both a bit surprised by how loud the Tokyo Dining area was. We both agreed that we'd like to dine there, but that we'd probably dine during lunch time when the restaurant is a bit quieter.

Teppan Edo Hallway / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Teppan Edo features Teppan-yaki-style cooking, which means you'll be seated at tables of 8 and will watch a chef cook your meal. This plays out slightly differently depending on special dietary needs (which I'll cover in the food section of this review). With that in mind, you walk down a long hallway to rooms with 4 sets of tables that seat 8. Overall, this made for a much quieter dining experience than what we observed as we walked through the Tokyo Dining area.

Teppan Edo Chef / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The decor in Teppan Edo is fairly sparse. That's because the real action is at your table watching the chefs cook and prepare your meal -- all with Disney flare.

The Food

Because Teppan Edo is not owned and operated by the Disney Company, the restaurant does not carry an allergy-friendly menu. But, the manager and the chef at your table will take great care to ensure you have a safe and delicious meal. In fact, we were all impressed by how well they handled a multitude of dietary needs that included, gluten free, dairy free, peanut free, fish/shellfish free, chicken & turkey free, vegan, and vegetarian guests.

Teppan Edo Menus / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Essentially, you'll choose a main dish, such as beef, chicken, salmon, or tofu, and the meals are prepared in front of you on a grill and served to each guest. Some portions of the meal, like the udon noodles and vegetables are prepared together and then served in individual portions to your table. But, of course, if you have special dietary needs this may be work a bit differently.

In the case of our table, we spoke with the manager and chef to ensure the grill was completely dairy free, as they do typically use butter on the grill -- in addition to oil. Two of us in the group were gluten free, and the manager prepared our dishes in the kitchen instead of on the grill. So, while we got to watch all of the hibachi cooking fun -- we were not served food from the grill (although we had a slight hiccup in this, in which I mildly glutened myself -- more on that later in the review).

The grill was also made fish/shellfish free for Brandon -- so anyone in the group who ordered seafood also had their protein cooked in the kitchen. The facility is peanut free, so that made avoiding nuts easy and knocked one allergen off our list.

We had two full tables of 8 guests each, and our table was composed of the meat eaters while a separate table included the vegetarians and vegans. If you're curious about vegan options at the restaurant, I recommend reading Vegan Disney World's review of Teppan Edo.

Teppan Edo Drinks — Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Teppan Edo serves some really lovely alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Their unsweetened iced tea was great (one of my fave drinks). And, the iced blood orange drink I ordered with sparkling water, blood orange, and gin was really refreshing. Sarah C. got the blackberry mojito (also shown here), which looked really good too.

Although I didn't get a photo of it, some of the folks in our party ordered the Pina Colada, which was completely dairy free and vegan (and made with coconut milk). So, definitely chat with a chef about options if you have specific special dietary needs.

Before our main courses, everyone was served a salad. For those of us who were gluten free, we were served salad with a gluten free soy sauce vinaigrette. It tasted like it had rice wine vinegar in it, along with the GF soy sauce and was very light and refreshing. Sometimes a simple salad is all you need -- and this one was a great way to start the meal.

Brandon's salad was also vinaigrette based, but it had sesame oil in it too. He raved about the salad and said it was one of the best salads he's had in a long time.

Teppan Edo - Gluten Free Soy Sauce — Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For the two of us who were GF, we were brought a bottle of Kikkoman gluten free soy sauce. This was great to have on hand for the rest of our meal.

Teppan Edo - Cooking — Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

After our salads, the fun really began. Our chef, Masayo, started cooking vegetables that would be the base of the Udon noodle stir-fry for the table. Chopping, dicing, and creating fun shapes like an onion volcano are all part of the cooking experience.

Each step along the way, she talked to us about the cooking, and what fun things she was creating. The vegetables even turned into Mickey Mouse for a few minutes while they cooked!

Teppan Edo - Onion Volcano — Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

And, of course, here is the onion volcano erupting!

The Udon noodles and vegetables also turned into the Tree of Life from the Animal Kingdom as they cooked along too. As you can see, the presentation was excellent. The whole experience is really interactive and fun.

During the meal, the group asked if we could have some plain vegetables cooked on the side with some gluten free soy sauce since the two of us who were GF didn't get any of the asparagus, red peppers, and mushrooms prepared on the grill. The chef was happy to accommodate -- only we all forgot to ask about using separate cooking utensils.

Essentially, I ended up eating a few bites of the vegetables before I realized the cross-contamination mix-up. This was entirely my fault for not being cautious -- and a testament to even the most experienced of GF and celiac diners sometimes making a mistake and not being vigilant. If you have a special dietary need, I would recommend only eating items from directly from the kitchen (if it needs to be prepared that way) to avoid any mishaps. While I didn't get horribly sick -- thank goodness -- I did give myself a bit of a stomach ache later that night. Again, this was entirely my mistake for not asking. And, next time, I will stick only with items from the kitchen.

For those who could enjoy food prepared on the grill, they were served a medley of vegetables and Udon noodles. Brandon raved about this and was a huge fan of the flavor combination. It included zucchini, spinach, carrot, and onion. Brandon happens to be allergic to cabbage, and we were told at the time of this review that they are not using cabbage in the stir-fry.

These noodles were prepared dairy free, peanut free, fish/shellfish free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free.

For Brandon's main protein, he chose the filet mignon. This was also cooked on the grill and grilled to the guests temperature preference (in Brandon's case, medium). It also included soy sauce on it. If you're gluten free, you can get gluten free soy sauce for your steak too. Brandon said the filet was excellent and that he'd definitely get it again. This filet was prepared dairy free, peanut free, fish/shellfish free, cabbage free, and chicken & turkey free.

Teppan Edo - Salmon — Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entree, I chose the salmon. It was prepared in the back kitchen and was served with stir-fry veggies that included zucchini, carrot, onion, and spinach. I also had steamed white rice too. This was made gluten free and dairy free.

Overall, this was a fantastic entree, and I would definitely get it again. The salmon was really well-cooked with a nice crisp exterior. The stir-fry veggies were so delicious, and I probably could have eaten another serving of them. And, the white rice was a nice carb compliment to the dish. All in all, I was really pleased with how tasty everything was, and I might actually have a hard time not ordering this again -- it was that good.

Teppan Edo - Chocolate Cake — Teppan Edo / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For dessert, the restaurant does carry fresh fruit. I skipped dessert. But, Brandon ordered the Ginger Mousse Cake, which included layered sponge cake with ginger mousse and a ribbon of rich chocolate icing to top it off. While Brandon liked this, he said he probably wouldn't order it again -- mostly because it wasn't particularly memorable. That being said, if you like light and simple (and not overly sweet) flavors, I think you might enjoy the simplicity of the desserts at Teppan Edo.

Overall

Both Brandon and I were blown away at how delicious and fun the entire experience at Teppan Edo was. The manager and chef were both very accommodating and minus my own personal mistake on not being vigilant it was a really wonderful experience. (Side note, the manager did come talk to me after the error too, so she was aware of the situation). We can't thank Sarah C. and her family enough for inviting us to join them for dinner. We enjoyed not only the food and atmosphere but really loved getting to spend time with their whole family for food and fun! It was a great experience, and we're looking forward to going back to Teppan Edo again.

Have you been to Teppan Edo? What was your experience with their special dietary needs options?

9/2/19 9/2/19

Maya Grill Dinner Review

Maya Grill is a table service restaurant located in Disney's Coronado Springs Resort that serves classic flavors of Mexico. Maya Grill is not owned & operated by the Disney Company. But, I've heard great things about it from friends who have enjoyed dinner there. I recently got a chance to check it out first-hand when I had dinner with Lori from Paleo Disney while she was at Walt Disney World visiting for the passholder preview of Galaxy's Edge.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2019. It includes information about dairy free, paleo, and keto options as well.

Dinner at Maya Grill

Atmosphere

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort has a Southwestern vibe to it. Although the new Gran Destino Tower is more Spanish-inspired, you'll find that the main Coronado Springs feelings have a more Mexican and Southwest flare to the atmosphere and decor.

Coronado Springs Resort Fountain / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I absolutely love the lobby and entrance area of the resort. The fountain as you walk in has always one of my favorites details at Coronado Springs.

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

Maya Grill is located near a variety of dining establishments including Cafe Rix and El Mercado del Coronado. Maya Grill is a little hidden, but the somewhat removed location gives it a much more relaxed vibe when you dine there.

Maya Grill Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

About 5 years ago, I went to Cozumel, Mexico with one of my good friends for a week-long vacation. During our vacation, we stayed at an all-inclusive resort. Walking into this restaurant, I was transported to my time in Mexico. That's because the decor in Maya Grill was exactly like one of the restaurants we dined at a lot during our stay in Cozumel.

If you go around opening time, you'll have plenty of natural light coming into the restaurant.

Maya Grill Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We had a lovely seat near the windows and got to enjoy the atmosphere and a relaxed dining experience.

The Food

Of course, we both were excited to try out the food options at Maya Grill. Because it's not owned and operated by the Disney Company, the restaurant does not currently offer an allergy-friendly menu. But, that being said, the chef spent a lot of time talking to us and providing us with safe options.

Maya Grill Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The great news for guests who are gluten free or food allergies, there are a lot of options to choose from too. Most of the menu is very gluten free friendly and is either naturally gluten free or can be easily modified too. The restaurant also offers guests with special dietary needs fried food options made in a dedicated allergy-friendly fryer too. So, if you're craving tortilla chips, you're in luck!

Guests who are gluten free and dairy free will find loads of options, especially because both are not heavily featured in the menu or can be easily removed from a dish.

If you're paleo or following a keto diet, you'll be able to substitute options (such as fresh veggies instead of tortilla chips). They restaurant can also use different types of oil, such as extra virgin olive oil (when requested), instead of the canola or vegetable-based oils that are normally used in some instances. For dishes that do not contain refined sugar, guests can enjoy the salsa (which contains no added sugar) and even the house-made sorbet which is made using monk fruit.

I was really impressed at how much the culinary team could accommodate and adjust for guests with a variety of special dietary needs, so be sure to ask to speak to a chef when you dine there!

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

Lori and I split several entrees along with an appetizer too. First up was tortilla chips (made in the dedicated allergy-friendly fryer), salsa, guacamole topped with grilled pineapple, bacon, and served with chicharrones (also made in the dedicated allergy-fryer) on the side. In addition to the tortilla chips, we also got a platter of fresh vegetables for dipping too. Everything was gluten free and dairy free. The salsa, guacamole, and vegetables were also paleo and keto friendly. The chicharrones may also be depending on the oil used, as well.

Maya Grill Chips & Salsa — Maya Grill / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The salsa was extremely fresh and really tasty. And, the fresh tortilla chips were quite good. They weren't as tasty as the ones from Frontera Cocina. But, I never turn down a tortilla chip that's safe for me to eat! The guacamole was a bit of a disappointment. But, like the tortilla chips, it's hard to top the guacamole at Frontera Cocina in Disney Springs. Still, I really enjoyed the toppings on the guacamole for a different twist.

The one thing I will say about Maya Grill is that the portions are huge. Lori and I split two entrees along with the appetizers. And, wow. Was it a lot of food! Here's a photo of just a portion of what we had at our table. It's colorful AND plentiful!

Maya Grill - Rice & Beans — Maya Grill / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Rice and beans do come as a side with many of the entrees at Maya Grill. We were able to get these as a side with the Alambre de Res entree, which Lori ordered. The rice and beans were served gluten free and dairy free. I liked both of them, and they reminded me quite a bit of the versions at La Hacienda de San Angel in Epcot. That's no surprise because the same restaurant group owns and operates both restaurants!

The first of the dishes we split was the Alambre de Res. This included Seared Flank Steak, Bacon, Poblano Peppers, Monterey Jack Cheese, Fresh Avocado with Flour Tortilla and Salsa Verde. It is a gluten free dish and can be made dairy free by omitting the cheese. It was also paleo and keto friendly minus the corn tortillas and sautéed in extra virgin olive oil.

We both really enjoyed this dish a lot. I think I preferred the carnitas overall. But, this is a great option if you like steak fajitas. The bacon in the dish was a nice twist too.

For our second entree, we split the Carnitas de Puerco. These were Slow-cooked Pork Shoulder, Sea Salt, Lime Juice, Cotija Cheese, Pickled Onions with Yucca Fries and Salsa Verde. This dish is gluten free and can be easily made dairy free by omitting the Cotija cheese, which we were served on the side. The sauce on the Yucca fries was mayonnaise based and did not contain dairy.

This is also a fairly paleo and keto friendly option too -- though you'll want to double-check all of the ingredients in the yucca fries and sauce. The fries themselves were fried in the dedicated allergy-friendly fryer but may be able to be fried with extra virgin olive oil.

Can I just say wow to this dish?! The pork was super tender and flavorful. The chef told us that the pork is sous vide (i.e. cooked in a water bath), then fried. The pork combined with picked onion, salsa verde, and guacamole made for the tastiest tacos.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the yucca fries, which were super crispy and tasty. I liked the Mezcal Aioli on the fries but didn't love it. My only real complain with the aoili was the super strong tequila flavor from the Mezcal tequila. I would have like a better balance of flavors instead of just tasting tequila in this sauce. But, that aside, I would not hesitate to order this entree again. It was really tasty minus a few nit-picky flavor issues.

Overall

I was pleasantly surprised by the options at Maya Grill. Not only were the gluten free, dairy free, and special dietary needs option plentiful, but the chefs at this table service restaurant were very willing to go above and beyond to accommodate special dietary needs guests. Even better? The food was really delicious too! Although I would probably opt to dine at Frontera Cocina over Maya Grill, I will definitely be going back there again for dinner. The food was great, and I really enjoyed the low-key and relaxed atmosphere too. If you're staying at Coronado Springs Resort, this is a great dinner option for resort guests too!

Have you been to Maya Grill? What did you think of the special dietary needs options?

8/26/19 8/26/19

Cove Cafe on the Disney Dream

When we're cruising the Disney Cruise Line, one of our favorite places to relax and chill is Cove Cafe. This adults-only coffee shop is the best spot for a good cup of coffee or a specialty coffee drink. You can also get snacks throughout the day and cocktails in the evening too. On our most recent 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream, our stateroom was just one deck below Cove Cafe. So, we spent a lot of time in this relaxing coffee shop.

*These gluten free dining experiences took place in May 2019. It also include notes about dairy free modifications and shares information about the fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free options available through this coffee shop too.

Cove Cafe on the Disney Dream

Atmosphere

Both Brandon and I really love the low-key and relaxed atmosphere of Cove Cafe. There's plenty of cushy seating throughout the cafe. Whether you're grabbing a quick caffeine boost on-the-go, or want an after-dinner cocktail, you'll find all types of options for seating to accommodate.

Cove Cafe on the Disney Dream / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We especially enjoyed the seats near the front of the cafe that are have large windows and are brightly lit during the day. This was a particularly favorite spot for us during the afternoon. We got a chance to chat with our favorite barista Agung from Indonesia while we were seated there too.

In the evenings, we both prefer the back of Cove Cafe, which is a bit more chill and quiet. Of course, no matter what preference you have for seating, you'll find lots of great options in the cafe.

Food & Drink at Cove Cafe

Unlike most locations on the Disney Cruise Line, the beverages served at Cove Cafe are NOT included in your cruise fare. This includes all of the coffee and tea drinks, as well as any other beverages (including water and alcohol). The food options, such as pastries and antipasti offered at Cove Cafe ARE included in your cruise fare and will not cost extra. If you're unsure about pricing, one of the friendly baristas at Cove Cafe can help go over the options.

If you are a coffee drinker, do make sure to pick up one of the Cove Cafe Coffee Club cards! We made sure to get one on our cruise, and we were able to get a free specialty coffee drink by the end of our cruise. It's definitely well worth picking up. And, it does not expire. So, you can use it on multiple cruises. In fact, we have one at home just waiting for our next cruise!

I wouldn't consider myself a big coffee drinker anymore. I gave up coffee for many years after my Crohn's disease diagnosis. But, I've been able to reintroduce it a bit here and there. So, I am always happy to find other options besides coffee at a coffee shop.

Cove Cafe does carry Republic of Tea hot and iced tea. For those who are gluten free, you'll appreciate that The Republic of Tea is the first and only tea brand in the United States to obtain certification by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO).

On one of our visits, I did get the iced Darjeeling tea. It was good and a lot larger than I expected. Given that most of the iced tea served on the Disney Cruise Line is Gold Peak Tea, this was a huge step-up for an iced tea lover. I may have to try some of the other teas the next time we're on a Disney Cruise!

I did try coffee on a few other occasions on our cruise. The first time I got a latte with almond milk. One of the great things about the ship is that they do also offer non-dairy milk options too. I believe they also carried soy milk in addition to almond milk on the Disney Dream.

If you are concerned about cross-contamination, you can always ask your barista to use a clean frother for your non-dairy milk.

On another occasion, I ordered an iced latte with almond milk. Because we were cruising during the warmer months in the Bahamas, I definitely preferred the iced latte format.

For those who might be interested in coffee syrup flavors, always double-check the ingredients in the syrups. I believe Cove Cafe was using the DaVinci brand of coffee syrups at the time of our sailing.

Because of being gluten free, I tend to stick to simple coffee drinks. But, Brandon ordered quite a few more elaborate coffee drinks during our visits to Cove Cafe. First up was the Mocha Latte. As you can see, he ordered his drink with regular milk which was much more frothy and than the drinks I ordered with almond milk.

Brandon said the mocha latte was really excellent and would get it again. As you can see from the photo here, our barista Agung was awesome at making sure that both Brandon and I got delicious drinks and that they were beautifully presented!

But, by far, Brandon's favorite coffee drink was the Moka Experience offered by Cove Cafe. At $12, it's a little pricey, but it was well worth it for what you get.

This dish included chocolate truffles, espresso, chocolate syrup, RumChata, and whipped cream -- among other things. He said it was rich and decadent and by far the best coffee drink he ordered.

No matter what type of drink you order, don't forget to pair it with a snack or two. I can't have any of the breakfast pastries, but I'm always a big fan of the antipasti options during the evening time at Cove Cafe. Brandon and I tend to get a little snack at Cove Cafe a few hours before dinner, especially if we have late dining.

The antipasti options included Parmesan cheese, prosciutto, and marinated olives. We both skipped the olives and opted for just Parmesan and prosciutto on our visits.

If you're gluten free or have other special dietary needs, don't hesitate to ask the baristas to bring you fresh items from the back area of the coffee shop too. They are always willing to accommodate too! Generally, I find the evening snacks to be much safe and limited in gluten because they are typically antipasti platter items.

As you can see, we got antipasti options on several different trips. If you're a fan, it's definitely worth a visit.

Overall

Cove Cafe is one of our favorite go-to spots for coffee and tea drinks. With options for gluten free, dairy free, and vegan guests -- including non-dairy milk -- there's something for everyone at Cove Cafe. If you're a fan of snacks, you can often find evening time snacks that are gluten free there too. If you have allergies like fish/shellfish and peanut, you'll be in fairly good shape there too. If you have other nut allergies, do make sure you check ingredients, especially in flavored syrups!

No matter what your special dietary needs are, you're sure to enjoy Cove Cafe as much as we do too!

Have you been to Cove Cafe on any of the Disney Cruise Line ships? What was your experience with this coffee shop?

8/22/19 8/22/19

Room Service on the Disney Dream

The Disney Cruise Line does an excellent job at accommodating guests with special dietary needs in their various restaurants. But, I'm always pleasantly surprised by how well they can also accommodate with their room service options. On our recent cruise on the Disney Dream in May 2019, we took advantage of room service a few times on our 3-day cruise.

Room Service on the Disney Dream

Though we're usually just too stuffed to order a lot of food from room service, on this cruise we did order a few things. The first was an allergy-friendly cake. I had always been curious about the allergy-friendly cakes on the Disney Cruise Line -- especially after reading about the gluten free Mickey Mouse cake that Alexis' Gluten Free Adventures ordered on one of her Disney Cruises.

Ordering cakes from Disney Cruise Line at the time of our cruise required us to order a cake using an online PDF form that we had to fax to Disney Cruise Line at least 7 days before our cruise. You can see this form and the variety of special dietary needs friendly cake options on their website.

But, if you're planning on ordering a cake on an upcoming Disney Cruise, you'll now be able to order a special dietary needs cake online through their new Onboard Gifts portal. I did recently look up the options for our cruise to Alaska next year, and it looks like they have reduced the allergy-friendly cake offerings (or our cruise is limited on options). Here's a screenshot of the options available for our cruise in the Onboard Gifts portal.

Disney Cruise Line Allergy-Friendly Cake Options / Photo Copyright Disney Cruise Line

We really enjoyed our cake a lot, so we may have to order the Mickey Mouse allergy-friendly cake for our next cruise too. I'll also be curious to see if their options expand or if these are the only options they'll be providing to cruise guests now and in the future.

Disney Dream / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I would say that Brandon and I both aren't super sweets people. We both like dessert, but it's not always our favorite part of a meal. That being said, we are both suckers for good chocolate cake. I decided to pre-order the Chocolate Cake with Dark Chocolate Mousse Filling and Chocolate Glaze.

This cake was ordered to be gluten free, peanut free, and hazelnut free. The cake and frosting were also dairy free, but some of the decorations on (like the chocolate tuiles) contained dairy. The cake was priced at $21 and said it contained 4-6 servings.

The cake was set to deliver to our stateroom on embarkation day at 5 p.m. Since Brandon and I both really enjoy sitting on our verandah and sailing away from port on embarkation day, we thought this might be a nice way to celebrate sailing away. Our cake arrived about 5:15 p.m., so fairly on time for our preferred delivery time.

Disney Dream Room Service / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As you can see, the cake was beautifully decorated and presented. We were both really impressed by the overall appearance and how nice it looked. I admit, I think we both expected a rather plain cake to arrive. So, seeing all the decorations and fresh fruit was pretty exciting.

We each tried a small serving of the cake as we sailed away from Port Canaveral. I think both of us thought it would taste OK, but we were both really pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Brandon said it was the best chocolate cake he's had in a long time -- gluten free or not. We both agreed that we would definitely order this again.

Because the cake was quite large for two people, we actually ate the cake throughout our cruise. We had to do some shifting to keep it in the refrigerator. But, it was totally worth the effort. The cake held up very well over the course of our 3-day cruise.

As an aside, the cake is very rich. So, I'm glad it took us the entire length of our 3-day cruise to eat this cake because it was a lot!

Because our cruise was fairly short, we didn't order too much more room service. We do always order room service in the afternoon on our Castaway Cay day after we've returned from the ship and before the ship departs from the island.

Brandon always order the Mac & Cheese -- which contains gluten but is fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free. He has said it's not the best mac & cheese in the world, but it's still pretty good.

Disney Dream - Room Service Cheese Plate / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We also usually order the gluten free cheese plate. Depending on your cruise, you may or may not be served gluten free crackers (like we have been on our previous cruises). On this cruise, we were served the cheese plate minus the crackers because they did not have any in stock. Either way, we always enjoy the cheese plate which is gluten free, fish/shellfish free, peanut free, and chicken & turkey free.

If you're interested in other special dietary needs options, I recommend speaking with room service about the options available on your cruise. I have heard from other guests that you can also order special diets cookies (usually boxes of Enjoy Life Foods cookies) and even allergy-friendly chicken tenders too.

Overall

While room service isn't always at the top of our list on our shorter Disney Cruises, I'm so glad they have options for guests with special dietary needs. Both Brandon and I love the cheese plate. And, we were especially impressed with the allergy-friendly cake that we ordered on this cruise too. We'll definitely be ordering another allergy-friendly cake on an upcoming cruise now!

Have you been on a Disney Cruise? What's your experience with special dietary needs options through room service?

7/29/19 7/29/19

D-Luxe Burger Lunch Review

D-Luxe Burger is my go-to quick service restaurant whenever I'm in Disney Springs. Unlike most restaurants in Disney Springs, D-Luxe Burger is owned & operated by the Disney Company, which means they follow Disney's strict food allergy protocols for guests with special dietary needs. Even better, you also get to a talk to a Disney Chef too. On my most recent visit, I met up with my friend Ron who was in town visiting Disney World for a quick lunch.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in June 2019. It includes notes about dairy free modifications.

Lunch at D-Luxe Burger

Atmosphere

I managed to forget to take photos on this visit. But, I've written quite a few reviews about D-Luxe Burger.

D-Luxe Burger Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

To learn more about its theme and extensive back-story, check out the review I wrote when the restaurant first opened in May 2016.

The Food

Unlike most Disney owned restaurants, D-Luxe Burger does not currently offer an allergy-friendly menu. But, guests with special dietary needs will get to speak with a Disney chef about options. I always appreciate this and that the chefs here take great care to answer questions and prepare your food safely.

D-Luxe Burger - Gluten Free Burger — D-Luxe Burger / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because we were having dinner at 'Ohana that night, we decided to split a D-Luxe Cheeseburger served on a gluten free bun with a side of French fries made in a dedicated fryer. We also ordered three dipping sauces -- the curry ketchup, chipotle mayo, and three honey mustard. These are all gluten free, but the chipotle mayo does currently contain dairy.

When it comes to burgers, you really can't go wrong with a burger from D-Luxe. And, we both agreed that the cheeseburger was outstanding. One big change that threw us both was the gluten free bun. In the past, D-Luxe Burger has used the Local Oven brand gluten free and dairy free bun. On this visit, it was a totally different (and much improved) bun. At first, we were both concerned we got a gluten-filled bun. But, we realized it was just a different brand. Although I haven't gotten 100% confirmation, I have heard from other readers that the buns are now Deanna's Gluten Free brand. Both of us agreed that the buns were a big improvement over the previous brand.

I think the one slight disappointment at D-Luxe Burger are the fries. They used to be really amazing. But, lately, we've noticed a big decline in the taste and texture of the fries. More often than not, they just taste a little stale. I'm sure they are fresh, but the overall texture and taste isn't as good as it used to be.

In fact, we noticed a big difference in the fries we got at Hangar Bar recently. The chef there told us they are the exact same fries as D-Luxe Burger. But, we all agreed, they were way better at the Hangar Bar. While it's not a reason to avoid D-Luxe Burger, it is something to think about when you order the fries there. Of course, I smother them in enough sauces that it helps too!

Overall

The burgers at D-Luxe Burger always impress. The flavors are outstanding, and there's always a good amount of options for guests with special dietary needs. While we usually stick to the basic cheeseburger, we've also had other specialty burgers on the menu with great success. If you're looking for a quick service restaurant in Disney Springs, this is definitely a great option for a low-key and filling meal.

Have you been to D-Luxe Burger? What did you think of their options?

7/27/19 7/27/19

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory Lunch Review

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory, located at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, is a quick service restaurant that serves up New Orleans inspired meals. It's also the spot where you can get allergy-friendly beignets at Disney World -- making it the perfect place for a meal or a snack. Recently, I had lunch at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory with my good friend Ron who was visiting the Disney Parks & Resorts.

*This gluten free & dairy free dining experience took place in June 2019.

Lunch at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory

Atmosphere

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory is inspired by the classic New Orleans celebration of Mardi Gras. In fact, if you look around, you'll notice that the restaurant looks like a warehouse for Mardi Gras floats.

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

If you look at the drink station in the middle of the quick service dining area, you'll notice that it actually resembles a float.

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You'll also find lots of Mardi Gras float touches throughout the restaurant.

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Even the light fixtures look like Mardi Gras beads! It's pretty neat to see all of the fun touches throughout the restaurant.

The Food

Of course, the real reason we come to Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory is the food! While I have gotten different lunch and dinner options on previous visits, on this visits both Ron and I really just wanted allergy-friendly chicken tenders and French fries along with the allergy-friendly beignets. Yep, it was all about the gluten free & dairy free fried foods on this visit!

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory - Allergy-Friendly Chicken Tenders — Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory currently serves the Ian's brand allergy-friendly chicken tenders along with steak fries. These are both gluten free and dairy free.

Made in a dedicated fryer, these were well-fried and really delicious. I'm not usually a big steak fry fan. But, these were also well-fried too. The chef was generous with the portion too, so we were glad that we decided to split an order since we had dinner reservations at Cape May Cafe that night.

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Of course, we couldn't leave the restaurant without ordering their allergy-friendly beignets. That is always the real reason to come to Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory! These are both gluten free & dairy free and oh so delicious. The beignets are currently made with Bob's Red Mill Pizza Crust mix, which is fairly allergy-friendly but does have a potential cross-contamination with nuts -- so do make sure you check with a chef depending on your special dietary need.

While the photo isn't very pretty, the beignets were outstanding on this visit. They were piping hot, smothered in powdered sugar, and surprisingly light for a gluten free dough. I know that some guests have mentioned that they find the dough quite dense. But, the chefs seemed to have adjusted the recipe lately. And, I have found them to be much lighter on recent visits.

Overall

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory never disappoints -- especially when it comes to serving one of the most unique and delicious sweet treats. The chefs there are always very accommodating, and they do a great job at providing safe meals that will make say "Let the good times roll" whenever you dine there. It's always a great go-to for me, and I always recommend it, especially for the allergy-friendly beignets!

Have you been to Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory? What did you think of the special diets options there?

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