Boma -- Table Service -- Breakfast -- AKL
I hadn't been to Boma since the new special diets changes had been made, and I was curious, especially since they carry a lot of the Kinnikick products there. And I lovveeeee their chocolate chip muffins (it's a bit of an obsession). They also usually have the donuts on hand, which is very nice.
**This dining experience took place in April 2012.
Olivia's -- Table Service -- Lunch -- Old Key West
*Sorry, I was so hungry that I forgot to take pictures!I like eating at places off the beaten path, but have never wanted to venture to Olivia's simply because I thought it would be too remote. During my sister's recent visit, she requested Olivia's because the menu sounded good and also because her daughter's name is Olivia (and she would get a kick out of it). So, off to Old Key West we went. We decided on lunch because it seemed reasonably priced and had fairly good menu options.Unfortunately, I've been having gallbladder problems (yep, it's going to have to come out), so I need to eat not only gluten free/dairy free, but also low-fat. So, I've been more conscious when eating at WDW in the past month or so.Upon arrival, the chef greeted us and asked what I would like. I think I could have had a lot of the menu options (modified, of course), but worrying about the fat content, I asked for something custom. I really wanted something light (i.e. not a heavy burger). I was interested in something seafood (which can have a higher fat content). We agreed on a seafood salad sandwich with the mayonnaise on the side and a fruit salad instead of fries.What I received was quite good--crab salad with old bay in it (or some similar type of seasoning) and mayo on the side. I also had fresh fruit--strawberries and blueberries. The crab salad was on a udi's bun (which I now love!); I ate it open face sandwich style--meaning I only ate 1 part of the bun.The others eating with me liked their sandwiches; my mom got the Cuban sandwich (which she said was very good) and my sister had the shrimp po'boy (which she loved). Overall, I didn't find the food to be amazing, but it was solid.I would give this a 7 out of 10 for options, service, and general ambiance. I hope I get a chance to go back there sometime with less dietary restrictions (related to the gallbladder), and so I can post some pictures!
Nine Dragons -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Epcot
**Sorry, another post with no pictures--which reminds me...I need to get new batteries for my camera, as I have a couple of new restaurants to go to soon.So, I've always been on the fence about going to Nine Dragons. I was always afraid it wouldn't be anything special, or would be something similar to food I could get outside of WDW. We decided to test it out one day for lunch. On the one end, I was glad I had something to eat; on the other hand, I was shocked and surprised that they didn't include gluten free soy sauce!? It's very strange to me that both the China and Japan pavilion can't provide as good of options as other restaurants on property (geez, even Yak & Yeti had GF soy sauce!). I realize that they are non-WDW owned restaurants (at least I don't believe China is), but neither is Yak & Yeti and they provide it. But I digress...The other thing that was different is that they did not have the chef come out. The server told me that I essentially had options of chicken and broccoli with a clear sauce and several other clear sauce combinations and Kung Pao chicken. None of the soup was safe. So, I ended up with chicken and broccoli with a clear sauce and white rice. I will say, for a lunch portion it was just right (but I hope they are more generous at dinner). The dish itself was good. Nothing spectacular, but good. I just wished I had brought some to-go packs of GF tamari--truth be told, it needed GF soy sauce. The other diners accompanying me did not have allergies, but they enjoyed what they got--although my mom said she thought the hot and sour soup had too much vinegar in it.Overall, I probably wouldn't do this too often--maybe if I couldn't think of anywhere else to go or couldn't get an ADR. The food wasn't overly different and/or impressive, but ok. I just wish they would get on board with a variety of options. I think I'll stick with going to PF Chang's instead (and my family agreed with this opinion).I'd give it a 6 out of 9 for solid food but real lack of variety, chef interaction, and catering to food allergies.
Kona Cafe -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Polynesian
**No pictures for this review, as my camera batteries died on this day trip.It's been a while since my updates...sorry everyone! Work and relocation have made my year so busy. I'm hoping in the new year, things will get slower so that I can add more reviews!I just got a chance to try out the new Udi's goods. Ok, I'm sold on the buns!! I'm still confused why Chefs are so upset over the changes -- Udi's does seem to cover a lot of food allergies. The desserts are definitely not an improvement--sorry the "OMG It's gluten free!" stuff isn't that great (although ask them to warm them up for you--much better)But on to Kona...As many of you know, this is one of my most favorite breakfast restaurants on property...tasty food and affordable! Best Mickey waffles ever! Dinner has always been rather blah to me, so I decided to try it for lunch after seeing the menu.I was pleasantly surprised. I ordered the Island Chicken sandwich, minus the bacon and swiss cheese. It came with sweet potato fries, but I asked for regular fries instead. I also got the curry mango mayonnaise on the side. The sandwich was very good. I looooved the curry mango mayonnaise. Wow! So tasty, I used it for the sandwich and dippping of the fries. The chicken was nicely grilled and the bun (Udi's) was the best GF bun I've ever had (my mom even said it tasted like regular bread). Next time I'll add the bacon! The chef also let me test taste the slaw made with bacon -- very good and subtle bacon flavor (it was tossed w/bacon grease).Overall, I would recommend this restuarant. The server we had was great -- she was very diligent about my allergies and she and the chef were on top of things when the cooks accidently put my chicken on regular bread (we had a little bit of a wait b/c of this).I'd give this a 9 out of 10. I'd like to try some other lunch options next time! Breakfast and Lunch are outstanding here!
Kouzzina by Cat Cora -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Boardwalk
*Note: This review includes a gluten/dairy free review and a gluten/dairy/soy free review.**This dining experience took place in summer 2011. I've been interested in Kouzzina for a long time. I am a big Food Network fan, so I was intrigued by Cat Cora's (Iron Chef) restaurant. I've always been on the fence about the menu. I wasn't sure if it would be easily catered to food allergies and honestly, it hasn't appealed to me that much, food wise. However, my friend who is gluten/dairy/soy free said they did a great job for dinner there and that it was very good. So, we decided to check it out for breakfast. Boy, am I glad we did! This is a new favorite for breakfast! My whole family (allergies and otherwise) loved it! Surprising flavor combinations and tasty food. Plus, it was very calm, quiet atmosphere, which was nice.We were greeted by Chef Brad (who I swear I've had at another restaurant), who was just great. He was really very helpful. We did another customizable menu. I ordered scrambled eggs (which are all cooked in Greek extra virgin olive oil already, a plus!), roasted potatoes, bacon, and a side of Mickey Waffles, with pecans and honey. Boy, was this to die for. I literally scarfed it all down, and I usually don't eat my whole meal. The eggs were the best I've had on property. I loved the flavor of the evoo, and you could tell it was a very high quality evoo. The roasted potatoes were cooked with rosemary and sea salt...they were addicting!!! My mom and step-dad both snuck some of these from my plate (without contaminating it, of course). The bacon was nothing special, but good. Now onto the waffles! Gotta love Mickey Waffles. However, the addition of the pecans and honey were awesome. The pecans are a new must. I would actually probably just do the pecans and get regular maple syrup, but it was a nice twist. I ate everything except for a few potatoes and half a mickey waffle (and Chef Brad gave us four each!!!). Wow, stuffed and very happy! Oh and did I mention they had Earth Balance here! Soooo happy! (note it was not the soy free Earth Balance)
Mickey waffles with pecans (before the earth balance butter and honey added)Now my friend ordered something similar. He got a customized meal. Eggs over easy, sweet potato hash, and bacon. The chicken sausage has soy in it, so he was not able to get this. He also go the mickey waffles, with pecans, but no honey. He had sugar free maple syrup. He like everything except the hash (which looked different from my step-dad's sweet potato hash) and had a combination of potatoes and a lot of red peppers. He really loved his meal. Another clean plate!!
On a side note, my folks really enjoyed their meals--the Stacked Kouzzina breakfast (they loved the kalamata olive bread) and the waffle w/pecans, honey, and marscapone cheese.A definite 9 out of 10! Awesome place--we'll be here again! Highly recommended.
Sci-Fi Dine In -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Hollywood Studios
*Note: This review includes a gluten/dairy free review and a gluten/dairy/soy free review.
There's nothing like taking a nostalgic trip back in time...I love the retro themes at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Second only to 50's Prime Time Cafe is Sci-Fi Dine In. It's a little hidden restaurant nestled near Star Tours at WDW. I've only been once, back in 2004 and prior to food allergies. We loved the theming, but I've been reluctant to go back since allergies, not sure how good it would be. I wish I had more pictures to share of the inside--it looks like a 50's Drive In theatre complete with cars turned into tables. It's really dark in there though! Pictures are hard to take. However, I was able to get some food shots in, so enjoy!We were greeted by Chef Richard, who quite honestly, seemed a wee bit cranky that day. He was very helpful for me with the gluten/dairy allergies, but not quite as helpful for my friend who is gluten/dairy/soy free. Basically, if you have a soy allergy, this may not be the best restaurant for you. I was able to get most offerings, or modified offerings, but my friend was told that if he had a problem with Soy Lecithin, which he does, that he could not have anything grilled, due to the soy spray they use on the grill. They also use a soy based oil for the fryers, so even though they have a dedicated fryer, he couldn't have the french fries. My friend said in the past he was able to have both the grilled items and fries, so maybe this has changed. In addition, he didn't really have a lot of options for shakes for him. He ended up "gambling" (perhaps I would not have done and the chef told him he probably shouldn't do) with the grill and ordered a burger (which looked pretty good) and got a salad with olive oil instead of the fries. His burger looked good, nice and juicy. I don't recall if he got the mushrooms and sauteed onions with this. I know he did have the tapioca roll and bacon on it. He said it was really good. Not sure on the sick part, but at the time he seemed OK. The salad was nothing special. It was shredded lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes.
For my options, I could order a lot of things. I got a chocolate "milkshake" which was Tofutti (I believe from the taste) and probably soy milk or rice milk. It was a bit soupy, rather than a thick milkshake, but it was good. Nothing special, but good. Heck, it was a milkshake, so I was happy. It's nice to have something nostalgic like this. I wish they weren't so stingy on the portions of the milkshake (what happened to the spare tin with extra shake?!), especially for $4.99 at the current price.
I got a custom order for my lunch. I got a grilled chicken sandwich, with no bun, lettuce, tomato, and bacon. I also got the avocado mayonnaise that accompanies the turkey sandwich on the menu. The chef said it had egg in it--another one of those, eggs are not dairy conversations...I am always amazed by this. He gave me a large portion on the side! Good thing, I could dip fries in it..yummy! The sandwich was good. Nothing special, but good. I liked being able to mix and match from the menu. The burger was out, since I really rarely (as in once a year have a burger) eat beef. I didn't want deli turkey and the chicken dish came w/bruscetta toppings and it did not sound good to me. So, this was a great option.
Overall, this is a basic burger and fries kinda joint. It's the ambiance that really brings you there. Food was OK, chef was a bit cranky, but overall a fun experience. Expect a wait for this place--it's almost always packed. I'd give this a 7 out of 10.
Whispering Canyon Cafe -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Wilderness Lodge
HOOOOWDY! When you head to Whispering Canyon Cafe, you're in for a rootin' tootin' good time! We like this place a lot for the antics. It's a very fun restaurant...and if you've never been...well, just ask for ketchup! You should get some INTERESTING responses :)For this trip, we met up w/my friend who's gluten/dairy/soy free too. Here's what we got:We decided to share the breakfast skillet--minus the biscuits and gravy, etc. We got scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, breakfast potatoes. Unfortunately for my friend, he could not partake in the waffles, as they only have Van's frozen waffles there, and they have soy in them. I was able to get them, as they are safe for gluten and dairy allergies.
Overall, we enjoyed the food. Nothing fancy, but good old home cooked food. I do wish they'd get Mickey waffles here, but otherwise a solid meal.A 8 out of 10 for consistency and fun atmosphere!**This dining experience took place in summer 2011.
Sanaa -- Table Service -- AKL Kidani Village
*Note: This review includes a gluten/dairy free review and a gluten/dairy/soy free review as I traveled with a friend who also has food allergies.Ahhh Sanaa. One of my new favorite restaurants at WDW. It's a great hidden gem, and the food is so amazing here. I love the quietness of the restaurant and the ambiance.This trip, we were greeted by our chef (whose name alludes me) and he told both me and my friend that he could easily make most of the dishes safe. The last trip I had the sustainable fish, and this time I wanted to try one of the curries. I got the Durban chicken and Green Curry Shrimp (the regular curry chicken had dairy in it). I got Basmati rice as an accompaniment. For dessert, I got the raspberry mint sorbet.First up, the Durban chicken and Green Curry Shrimp. Wow! This was amazing. I really liked the green curry shrimp. It was mild and very flavorful. It was made w/coconut milk. My favorite though was the Durban chicken. OMG it was great. It was spicy, so if you don't like spice, steer clear of this one. The flavor though was so rich and tasty. I would definitely get these two dishes again.
I didn't take a picture of the dessert, but you can see it in a previous review of this restaurant. I really loved the freshness of the mint in this sorbet. It's just sooo good. Unfortunately, the chef was very skimpy w/the portions and we got three small scoops, as opposed to the last time when I got loads of it! Too bad, maybe next time I'll ask for the combination mango and raspberry sorbet so I get a larger portion!My friend got the African spiced chicken, with turnips and berries. I don't believe they had to do any modifications to his entree. He really enjoyed it. I tried a bit of it, and I found it a bit sweet for my tastes, but found it flavorful.
Overall, another must-do spot to eat! In fact, my friend liked it so much he went back the next day! :) I'd give this a 9 out of 10 for great food and service (a 9 b/c I didn't get enough sorbet!!).
Boma -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge
Ahhh, Boma. You've all read my previous reviews, so there won't be a ton to touch on here, but I do adore this place. Their breakfasts are always amazing. The food is fantastic and plentiful! I love the variety and African inspired food. The fruit is always fresh! And they are GREAT for food allergies! This trip did NOT disappoint. First off, if you get to meet Chef Jenny, you are in for a real treat! She is amazing. She was so friendly, helpful, and just great in general. She would have made me a ton of food had I let her, and if my stomach hadn't been so messed up, I sure would have.To begin with, she let me know what items were safe on the buffet, which of knew more or less. The meats are all safe (sauces not so much) and the fruit, potatoes. Eggs needed to be made in the back, and I was offered donuts, muffins, etc. Chef Jenny made me scrambled eggs in the back (Had I felt better it would have been an omelet) and Mickey waffles. She really wanted to make me more food, but I just didn't feel well. She also got me the Kinnickick donuts, which I love.
Ham, turkey, potatoes, and pineapple!
Garden Grill -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Epcot
Well, as you saw my previous review of the Garden Grill, I really enjoyed this place. The food was fabulous, the ambiance was unparallelled! Great character interaction and an overall calm and dare I say relaxing character meal! I was very much looking forward to this meal there. However, it was a bit disappointing, unfortunately. I think perhaps it may be due to the seasonality of the menu and the chef's prerogative on meal offerings.We were great by Chef Aeran, who quite honestly, seemed less than thrilled to be assisting me. I told her the last time I went there that they had made me safe potatoes--she told me this was absolutely untrue and that they gave me incorrect food (um, well I didn't get sick or have a reaction, so I'd say the crushed potatoes in olive oil were fine lol). Oh well. The last time I also got an AMAZING blend of veggies--this time I was told I could only get plain broccoli (the veggie offering this time was swiss chard, which was very prevalent in the Living with the Land ride at the time). I can't imagine why she couldn't make sauteed swiss chard for me, but alas it was not going to happen. She said the fish dish was perfectly fine as was the salsa on top of it. I was brought turkey with gravy, smashed plain potatoes (not very flavorful), plain broccoli, seasoned rice and fish. I was able to eat the salad with oil and vinegar and the ener-g rolls. Dessert was a french meadow brownie.The salad, as usual, was excellent and very fresh. It didn't have the bacon bits in it, which was a missing piece to it, to be honest! anything is better with bacon!!!
Ener-G rolls and um, the corn I didn't eat out of the salad (Crohn's folks don't usually digest these well, so I don't eat corn!)
Chef Mickey's -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Contemporary
Wave your napkins in the air, it's Chef Mickey's!!
Ah Chef Mickey's...one of my long time favs, but I actually haven't been since going gluten and dairy free. I was looking forward to the breakfast and seeing what they had to offer. Since my tummy was still bugging me from the Crohn's, I figured I still needed to take it easy. But even stomach issues wouldn't stop me from those Mickey Waffles :)We were greeted by Chef Les, who was very nice. He was very helpful and friendly. He said that they don't use dairy on the eggs at the buffet, so I was able to eat those. I could also have fruit, breakfast potatoes, and the various breakfast meats. Since I wasn't feeling too well, I just asked for some Mickey waffles, which Chef Les was happy to make. They weren't bad, but I have to say, Kona Cafe has the market on the BEST gluten free/dairy free Mickey waffles on property (imo), so these were OK, but a bit chewy. Still, he made sure I had a plentiful amount and nicely decorated plate too!
Ah, Mickey waffles...my favorite!!
Narcoossee's -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Grand Floridian
Gorgeous views from Narcoossee's!
I was greeted by Chef Noah who was very nice. He asked what I was interested in and when I said that I wanted lobster, he said he could make something lobster based for an appetizer, and asked if I liked Asian inspired food (which I do!). For my entree, I chose a fish and lobster entree with a tomato saffron broth. We subbed out the pasta for rice, and the dish didn't need any other modifications. For dessert, he confirmed that they had a dessert plate for me. He also said he'd bring me some tapioca rolls.My appetizer arrived, and I have to say I was blown away. It was beyond amazing! It was a great Asian inspired salad with lobster, sesame oil and greens. It was divine. I scarfed it down! After this course, I was soooo excited for my entree.
Overall, I had really high hopes for this restaurant. It was ok. Hit or miss in my opinion. I'm not sure I'd do this again, as there are 2 TS credit restaurants that I find much better on property. Maybe in the future if the menu changes. Overall, a 6 out of 10 for the food, terrible service (I won't even get into the horrible server we had--she kind of killed the night by her attitude) and inconsistencies.
Grand Floridian Cafe -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Grand Floridian
The Grand Floridian Cafe is nestled in the back of the Grand Floridian's main building. We thought it might be a nice calm breakfast as an alternative from the busy character meals, like 1900 Park Fare. It proved to be a lovely breakfast, with a very calm vibe. It was a nice leisurely meal.Upon arrival, we were greeted by the chef, who essentially asked me what I wanted. That day my Crohn's was flaring quite badly, so I wanted something very calm and mild. No bacon or sausage for me, even if I wanted them! I loved the idea of eggs Benedict, but obviously having hollaindaise sauce is out of the question. But I ended up deciding to get scrambled eggs, steamed asparagus, and potatoes. The chef told me they would have to make the potatoes from scratch b/c the regular breakfast potatoes were not safe, so it was going to take a while, which was fine. While waiting, we enjoyed a Tropical Splash juice, which was extremely good. Loved the strawberry on the side!
Beaches and Cream -- Table Service -- Beach Club
Ah, Beaches and Cream...I've been wanting to take a trip down nostalgia and head to this restaurant for a long time. I love that it doesn't take reservations and that it's tucked away at the Beach Club. It gives you that great sense of Disney history and tradition. However, I've been wary of eating there, thinking perhaps I wouldn't have many options. But, this burger joint proved me wrong! I hadn't seen so many "ice cream" options for gluten free/dairy free. I actually had choices!It was a dream come true and a visit that inspired me to visit again and again! A new must-do!To begin with, the decor at Beaches and Cream is fantastic! It's very small and takes no ADRs. My mom and I waited about 20 minutes to get a table. Most people come for the ice cream, but I encourage you to try the food. It's no frills good basic burgers and fries. It's just plain yummy. Upon being seated, we were greeted by Dolores our waitress. She quickly got the chef for me, who gave me several food options. First off, they could do burgers and chicken sandwiches with gluten free buns. I could also get fruit or fries. The fries they had to get from Hurricane Hannah's next door, as they do not have a dedicated fryer. This required a potential wait, and I was ok with that. I chose the chicken sandwich without the bun, as I am perfectly happy without the GF bun. (they aren't my favorite, and i'm used to bunless sandwiches)
What came out was quite tasty. My chicken was marinated in something that tasted like it had cumin and chili powder in it. My mom also had it (with the bun) and she said it was really good. I wanted a burger, but at the time my Crohn's was slightly flaring, and I knew the extra fat from the burger wouldn't be so good on my tummy. But, next time...i'm getting a burger! They looked and smelled awesome!!!For dessert, I was given the option of rice dream and tofutti, I believe. I got the vanilla tofutti with chocolate syrup and....peanut butter sauce!!!! This was the best part of the meal. I had been dying for something besides just boring chocolate. I had tons of options. I could have gotten the following toppings: Chocolate syrup (not fudge sauce), peanut butter sauce, sprinkles, marshmallows, strawberry topping, pineapple topping, and maraschino cherries. Essentially, I could have gotten a modified banana split, had I so desired to. There might have been a few other toppings, but I can't remember them off the top of my head.
When I got my sundae, I was beyond overjoyed. It was peanut butter sauce awesomness. I love peanut butter and rarely eat it, but this sauce was amazing!!! Between the chocolate syrup and this, it was the perfect combo. And you better believe, I scarfed it down!Overall, I can't say enough good things about Beaches and Cream. Sure the food itself isn't anything spectacular, but the ambiance and non-dairy ice cream offerings make it a must-do. Great fun and antics (watching people attempt to eat the kitchen sink is hilarious!) and good service for a fast-paced bustling 50's style diner!9 out of 10 for good service, food, and offerings. If you get the chance, definitely check it out! People with or without allergies will love it.
Sanaa -- Table Service -- AKL Kidani Village
Welcome to Sanaa!
We were greeted by our server Brenda, who was just fabulous. We had an amazing view of the Savannah, and the restaurant itself is just gorgeous. It feels serene here, and very quite. Brenda took our drink orders and then mentioned to us that Dennis Rodman happened to be in the bar (which is connected to the restaurant) that night and was causing quite a stir, so to not be surprised by it all. Sure enough, he was causing a bit of a commotion, playing bongos and greeting guests. Very funny. Luckily, we were quite a distance away and were able to still enjoy a nice, peaceful dinner.The chef arrived at our table and told me I had a lot of great options, that didn't need modifying. That I like! For an appetizer I chose the Mustard Seed Crusted Scallops with a coconut cream sauce. The only modification they needed to make for this was removing the addition of butter to finish the sauce (the sauce was just coconut milk). When they arrived, I was very pleasantly surprised. The scallops were so flavorful and huge! The sauce was a welcome addition, and really complimented the scallops. Overall, I would not hesitate to get this appetizer again. It was delicious!
Mango sorbet, Raspberry Mint sorbet and berries. In the background is Rooibos tea.
Fresh Mediterranean Cafe -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Dolphin
Entrance to Fresh...
Another empty restaurant!This was our last morning on this short trip, because we stayed at the Boardwalk, we decided to go to Fresh over at the Dolphin. I'd heard good things about it, and wanted to check it out. Prior to my trip, as usual, I filled out my allergy form with the ADR for this place.Upon arrival, the waitress went to get the chef, before the chef came over, she mentioned that they had my form about being allergic to pork. Um, huh?! Then the chef came over and he was confused. I said I was gluten and dairy free and he said "what about the pork?" I was like, um, I eat pork. I'm not allergic to it. He and I were both very confused. He kept saying that my form said pork allergy and that he had made chicken sausage for me. I kept reiterating that no I was gluten and dairy. He said they could make me a gluten free dairy free waffle and also I could get an omelet and everything but the pork was safe...um, dude, I'm NOT allergic to pork. This was just getting weird. (they had asked my name in the beginning and he said it matched my name). Well, as I was getting my omelet (they used a clean pan and oil), he came out and showed me an allergy form for a Sarah...but no me. Evidently, he couldn't find my form and he saw Sarah and a reservation for the same time and assumed it was me. I suppose I could reason with that, but then he still brought me out the chicken sausage, to which I responded, "Are you going to have some for this other person when they show up?" He said yes, but to please eat it. So, I did. It was really good. Some kind of chicken and apple sausage.
Chicken sausage and omelet. All very good.The waffle he brought out was good (not as good as the Mickey waffles, but I'm biased!) and had lovely fresh fruit on it.
It was no Mickey waffle, but still good. Tasted like buckwheat.I also sampled the fresh juices they had--mixes of strawberry, orange, banana, ginger, etc. I believe it was their antioxidant blend. It was yummy! And they were making them to order, so it really was fresh. My omelet was fantastic...lots of great yummy ingredients--spinach, chicken, onions, bacon, ham, etc.Overall, despite the confusion, I really enjoyed this meal and wouldn't hesitate to go here again. 8 out of 10.
Cape May Cafe -- Dinner -- Beach Club -- Table Service
Last trip, I had a really great time eating at Cape May Cafe for dinner. I happen to love seafood and this buffet does not disappoint for seafood lovers. On top of that, it's very gluten free/dairy free friendly. I was amazed by all of the choices that I had, except for the dessert option, which was a pretty poor attempt at a dessert--they literally threw a french meadow brownie in its plastic packaging in the microwave. Not so impressive. However, deciding to eat here on this trip, I had no expectations that I would get much more, so I really wanted to eat here for the main options.Upon arrival, the chef came out to greet me, and he was very friendly. This time, however, he did not take me around the buffet, so it was a good thing I was very familiar with it already. He discussed the safety of all of the salads and sauces. I mentioned that the chef the last time said that the tartar sauce was not safe, and I asked if she thought the eggs were dairy and therefore not safe. He also had to check on the safety of the pork loin marinade, so he came back and let me know that the tartar sauce and pork were safe. But let's face it, I was there for the seafood! I love the mussels, clams, and crab legs. Everything tastes so fresh. First course was all the mentioned steamed seafoods. YUM!
I ate so many crab legs on this trip...
More of my buffet choices...
Ice cream sandwich before assembled!As per usual, this was a great buffet choice for me. Very good food. But, I will say to always make sure you double check here, as the chefs haven't been as proactive about telling me information as other restaurants. Still a solid 7 out of 10 for this restaurant. A definite do again.
50's Prime Time Cafe -- Hollywood Studios -- Table Service
Oh boy, do I love 50's Prime Time. I adore the gluten free/dairy free fried chicken and the greens. It's soooo tasty. I've been in contact with Chef Williere on the last trip and this one as well. I had arranged to have the chicken ready and they wanted to know if I wanted a special dessert (um, brownie sundae from the last time was A-OK by me). Chef Williere was also on duty, so he said he would try to catch up w/me. When we got there, I was greeted by Chef Albert, who looked at me like I was crazy and he had no idea about me arranging this ahead of time. (It takes a while to make the chicken, so if you get a hold of them ahead of time, you can have it ready pretty close to when you would get regular entrees). However, when I mentioned Chef Williere, he went to get him. Chef Williere apologized that they basically forgot it. But that he would take care of making sure Chef Albert got it done for us (we were not on his side of the restaurant). He also said he had sorbet for me for dessert (I really wanted chocolate, but it ended up being ok, b/c we had so much food). He asked if we were going to order appetizers and we said no. He said that the chicken would be a wait, so he said he would bring us appetizers on the house. This was so nice of him. He gave my mom and stepdad onion rings and crab cakes and the seafood salad for me. The seafood salad had a citrus vinagrette and it was fabulous. Very fresh tasting and lots of seafood. One of my favorite things on the trip.
Very delicious seafood salad appetizer.
Again, Chef Williere couldn't have been nicer about things. After eating my appetizer I ran to the restroom and when I came back, the waitstaff had brought out fried chicken, but it did NOT look like what I got the previous time and had gravy all over it. Ummmm, I don't think that is mine! I asked the waitress about it, and sure enough they brought me a regular dinner. Chef Albert came out with mine not too long after. Good thing, I checked!! Holy cow! That would have been bad for everyone! My entree was the fried chicken, dairy free mashed potatoes, and greens. Unfortunately, he didn't give me gravy this time, which was a bummer. The greens were also not cooked very well. But the potatoes and chicken were excellent, so it worked out ok. I was very full after that meal and the appetizer. I unfortunately forgot to take a picture of the entree, but if you check out my other blog post about 50's PT, you will see a tempting picture!
For dessert, they brought me out the strawberry sorbet, and that was pretty good. Next time, I will go for a sundae though!
A refreshing dessert after piggin out on fried chicken!
Overall, despite a few hiccups, it was still a great meal, and I wouldn't hesitate to go there again. Perhaps next time, I'll check in a few days before the meal to make sure they have the chicken order on hand b/c I could definitely tell a big difference from that. Overall a 8 out of 10 on this trip, but a 9 out of 10 in general for being a great allergy friendly place!
Jiko -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge
This used to be one of my favorite restaurants for allergies. My mom really wanted to go here for her birthday dinner, so I was more than happy to venture out to the AKL. Unfortunately, a series of unfortunate events began to occur through this meal, and I was very very sick by the end. Not good. To begin with our waiter was very argumentative. He did NOT want to get the chef. He wanted to tell me what I could and could not eat. *sighs* After insisting on talking to the chef, he huffed off and got him. Chef Josh was one of the youngest chefs I've encountered. He was friendly enough, but not as knowledgeable as he could have been. I asked about the dip sampler, which he said he would check all of the sauces for me (last time I had a marsala sauce that was not safe...we'll replay this in a minute) and bring pompadams. This was fine. As far as the entree, I really wanted the curry shrimp, which I had the last time and was good. However, he kept saying that coconut milk was dairy, which it's not. I was getting seriously confused. He offered me a vegetarian option and a fish option as well. I decided on the shrimp. The waiter came back and was very rude, he asked, "so do you feel better now?" which is a perfectly fine statement, but the tone was soooo rude. Then he brought out the dip sampler and gave me my own dips and my mom and stepdad theirs.
Dip sampler and pompadams...the one on the far left is the masala, which I gave to my mom. The far right is the one that made me sick and was horribly spicy.
However, I had the exact same dips as them. I asked what they were and the one was the masala dip (same as the time before) and I explained to the waiter that this one was NOT dairy free on the last trip, and was he sure this was right. He snapped at me and said that the chef checked and that it was fine. I took a couple of bites of it and ended up giving it to my mom b/c I was pretty sure there was dairy in it by the taste and my reaction to it. I ate a hummus and spinach one which seemed very good. Then I tried another one which was spicy and sweet. It did NOT go down well. I stopped eating it b/c I felt bad after I consumed it. Not good. I don't think it was necessarily allergic reaction but perhaps crohn's related. In any event, they bring out our entrees and my shrimp dish looks very concentrated--the sauce is very dark and no coconut milk is in it (how many times did I have to say coconut milk is not milk).
This entree looks pretty, but the taste was so concentrated and strong, that I couldn't eat it.
I took 3 bites and nearly got sick. It was the same sauce that made me sick previously...and worse, it had reduced b/c of how they simmered it. It was awful. Even my family said it tasted terrible. Now, I will say that I have never ever in my life sent something back. Never. Even if I didn't like it I would eat it. This was so bad and I felt so sick that I had to send it back. The waiter was really mad at me. I felt terrible too and apologized over and over. I really hated doing that. The chef then came out and he said he wasn't sure how it was going to taste b/c he omitted the coconut milk and that he thought it would be really intense. Um, ya think?! I decided to go w/the tilefish b/c it was supposed to be mild. It was. It was just a nice maize crusted fish with a light broth and plantains. A much better choice of entree.
Tilefish...much more mild, and tasted very good.
The chef was at least nice enough about it, but the waiter got madder and madder at us as the night progressed. He seemed irritated that we didn't order alcohol or any desserts, etc. The worst waiter I've had on Disney property ever. It was a bummer too b/c the meal could have been so nice, but the waiter brought everything down. I ate my fish, but I was really sick by the end of the meal. I felt terrible all around. Overall, it was a pretty unfortunate meal. I know that they have a new head chef there and that the menu has changed quite a bit, so I think it will be a long while before we head over there again. Overall a 4 out of 10 for bad service, lack of allergy knowledge and lackluster food.
Tusker House -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom
Jambo from the Tusker House!
My stepdad really loves Donald Duck--he's his favorite character! So, we decided to do breakfast at Tusker House. I've had lunch there GF/CF and had a good experience there, so I knew breakfast would be great. After taking our picture with Donald we headed in for food! We were greeted by Chef Chris who was simply fantastic. We first talked about my allergies and then what options he would make in the back for me. He made me scrambled eggs b/c the ones on the buffet have dairy in them. He also asked if I wanted mickey waffles...um, did someone say mickey waffles?! Bring 'em on!! He also said he'd look in the back to see what GF pastries he had and if they were dairy free (he ended up not having anything, which was fine, I pigged out anyway!). Then he took me around the buffet to point out safe and not safe items. Fruit of course was safe, and I grabbed a lot of pineapple. Also, most of the meats were ok (bacon, sausage, ham, etc.) The yukon gold roasted potatoes were safe as well (and they were awesome). I also grabbed some rice.
Goodies from the buffet line...
Fruit!
Then Chef Chris came out with more food. Holy moley!!! He must have made 6 eggs. It was a huge plate.
That's a lot of scambled eggs!
Then the Mickey Waffles were crazy. Four big waffles with syrup and Earth Balance butter!! hurrah!!!
Mickey waffles galore!
Boy, did I go crazy on the waffles. I scarfed them down and ate about 1/2 of the eggs and then went back up to the buffet for more ham and potatoes. Add Jungle Juice on top of it, and I was one stuff girl. It was all so good though, I couldn't help but eat a lot! Chef Chris even gave me cookies for the road (Enjoy Life brand). Talk about great service!
Cookies for the road!
This was another restaurant were the chefs just went above and beyond. Another 9 out of 10, for simply great service and food. And yes, I will definitely be back!