Beaches & Cream -- Dessert -- Table Service -- Beach Club

*This dining experience took place in October 2015.Beaches & Cream Soda Shop reminds me a classic 50's soda shop, complete with burgers, fries, fun atmosphere, and, of course, sundaes! This table service location is bright and cheerful and so much fun. Just wait until you see a group of guests order what's known as theKitchen Sink. It's pretty impressive.Located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, you'll find Beaches & Cream Soda Shop tucked away by the resort's pool area. It does now take reservations, which I highly recommend. The restaurant is pretty small, and if you have your heart set on a sundae or a meal, you'll want to get your spot! They do also have a to-go counter (which gets pretty busy) for those on the go!One of my favorite sundaes at Beaches & Cream is the No Way Jose Sundae (which you can read more about in my previous blog posts). Topped with chocolate syrup and a rich peanut butter sauce, there's no way you're saying "no way" to the No Way Jose!On this visit, I knew I still wanted the No Way Jose Sundae, and the manager came out to go over the options with me. Beaches & Cream is one of the few table service locations in which only a manager comes to talk to you, not a chef. But don't worry, they are great at handling orders safely.For the No Way Jose, I received both vanilla and chocolate Tofutti (they also carry Rice Dream vanilla non-dairy ice cream), Hershey's chocolate syrup, peanut butter sauce, and a cherry on top. Beaches & Cream does have other various safe toppings for you to order depending on what sundae you get.Though I'm often tempted to try other sundaes (like a banana split), I can't help but order the No Way Jose. It's rich and decadent, and just the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter. It's also a huge portion, so be prepared to be very full when you're done!Though I didn't get lunch, you can find lunch and dinner options at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. Check out the menus page for more information about their lunch and dinner options.You can also read reviews from Alexis at Gluten Free in Orlando on her blog about Beaches & Cream Soda Shop.Overall, Beaches & Cream continues to be a must stop for me when it comes to non-dairy ice cream sundaes. The gluten free and dairy free version of the No Way Jose sundae continues to be a favorite of mine and something I'll be getting this summer as the Florida weather continues to warm up!Have you been to Beaches & Cream Soda Shop? What did you get when you visited?

Splitsville -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in February 2016.Splitsville, located in Disney Springs, is a fun place to spend an afternoon bowling. But what if you want to get something to eat? Thankfully, Splitsville offers many gluten free and special dietary needs options.On this visit, we stopped by Splitsville after a movie at the AMC Disney Springs location, which is located directly next door to Splitsville. I hadn't had time to eat dinner and was starving!Splitsville does mark their gluten free dishes on the menu with GF symbols. However, if you have any questions or have additional dietary needs, I recommend talking to your server. If they don't know, they will check with the kitchen to ensure safety and options.I usually go for sushi or a rice bowl at Splitsville, and that's exactly what I ordered on this visit. I love the Fantasy Roll that Splitsville serves; it's probably my favorite gluten free and dairy free item on their menu. But, I ended up getting the shrimp rice bowl instead because I wanted something hearty. I had been hoping to get the Ahi Tuna rice bowl on the menu, but sadly, it's been removed.Overall, I really enjoyed the shrimp rice bowl. I love that they use gluten free soy sauce and that the dish is made naturally gluten free on the menu. It is a bit of a spicy dish, so if you're looking to avoid spice, you may want to avoid it or ask for them to use less sauce. Still, it's a really great option and totally not something you'd expect from a bowling alley!Check out Gluten Free in Orlando's reviews of Splistville for more gluten free options, including entrees and desserts.Have you been to Splitsville? What do you like to order when you dine there?

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

*This dining experience took place in March 2016.It's been a long time since I've dined at the Wave (almost 3 years!), a table service restaurant at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Not having had the greatest of experiences at the Wave, I often go to other restaurants nearby like Kona Cafe.After reading Gluten Free in Orlando's review this past year and talking to Leah from Our Florida Project on my podcast, I decided to give the Wave another chance.The Wave is known for their local and sustainable menu, and the current allergy friendly menu that I got definitely reflected a bit of that. There didn't seem to be a lot of gluten free & dairy free choices, so I asked to speak to a chef to discuss options. And boy, am I glad I did.While waiting for the chef, I enjoyed the theming and decor of the Wave. It's a pretty restaurant, though nothing too fancy. I do like the modern lighting and the "wave" represented in the ceiling & light fixtures.After a short wait, Chef Laura came out to chat with me, and she couldn't have been nicer. I told her I wasn't up for the buffet that morning (The Wave offers a breakfast buffet and a la carte menu), and she asked what I was interested in. I mentioned the sweet potato pancakes, and was so excited when Chef Laura said they could make them gluten free & dairy free!I ended up ordering the America Breakfast Entree, with hashbrowns instead of the roasted potatoes (which contains peppers, something I wasn't keen on eating that morning), and Chef Laura suggested I sub out pancakes for toast.Done and done.As you can see, I ended up with a ton of food!The American Breakfast entree itself was really nothing special. I ordered scrambled eggs, which were plain and basic. The bacon, thankfully, is Nueske's bacon, which is my favorite Disney served brand. I hate stringy Disney bacon, which is often found at quick service locations, so I'm always happy when I get good bacon. That being said, the bacon was overcooked for my taste.The hashbrowns were my least favorite thing I ate, as they were a bit bland and seriously underseasoned. I added some salt and pepper to jazz them up.The sweet potato pancakes normally come with pecan butter, but Chef Laura instead gave me Smart Balance vegan margarine (I personally prefer Earth Balance but am at least glad they had one vegan margarine option) and toasted pecans on the side with pure maple syrup.As you can see, it was a huge portion!These were some of the best pancakes I've ever had at Disney.Wow. I loved the sweet potato flavor with a hint of cinnamon and other fall spices. Using gluten free pancake mixes (in this case, Bob's Red Mill) can often result in a dry pancake, but these weren't dry at all thanks to the sweet potato puree.The restaurant actually roasts their own sweet potatoes in house for the puree, which is a nice touch.Though I had a ton of food, I literally demolished these pancakes. They were not too sweet and just the right amount of balance of spice. These were a big win for me.Overall, I really loved the pancakes at the Wave and thought Chef Laura was really attentive and willing to talk through options with me. Though I wasn't in love with my American Breakfast entree, it wasn't bad by any means, just nothing special either.With that in mind, I wouldn't hesitate to go back for those pancakes and maybe try something else on my next visit!Have you been to the Wave for breakfast? What did you order?

Cape May Cafe -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Beach Club

*This dining experience took place in February 2016.Cape May Cafe, located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, offers both breakfast and dinner buffets. I've been a long time fan of their dinner buffet which features crab legs and a variety of other seafood options but have never dined for breakfast. The breakfast is a character meal featuring Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy.Recently, I had breakfast at Cape May Cafe with Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando. You can read her review of our breakfast on Gluten Free in Orlando.One of the things I love about Cape May Cafe is the theme of the restaurant. The restaurant is set to resemble a New England-style beach, and the characters that you meet at breakfast even have the most adorable sea-side attire.Once seated, we were greeted by Chef Mace, who offered to make us food from the kitchen, instead of taking us through the buffet. Normally, I like to go through the buffet and then pick and choose what I'd like to have prepared from the back, but on this visit both Alexis and I were OK with Chef Mace bringing us a variety of dishes.First up were allergy friendly Mickey waffles. Cape May served us ones made from Bob's Red Mill mix, which I prefer. They were really well cooked and were piping hot when Chef Mace brought them out to us. I had plain maple syrup with mine, though I admit, I would love to have a more gluten free & dairy free friendly choice of toppings. The regular buffet served up chocolate chips, whipped cream, and even a bananas foster sauce.For more savory options, Chef Mace brought me a veggie omelet made with goat cheese. I've learned that I have no problems tolerating goat and sheep milk cheeses, so I was pretty stoked for goat cheese in my omelet.The omelet was delicious and the goat cheese was quite mild with no overly strong flavor. Chef Mace suggested an omelet for me, as all of the frittatas contain cream.In addition, he also brought out a variety of breakfast meats. I discovered later that they also had ham (my favorite breakfast meat) but my plate only contained sausage and bacon. It also had some of the best breakfast potatoes.I liked the breakfast potatoes so much that I asked for seconds, with a bit of bacon. Chef Mace also brought Alexis and I donuts from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC to enjoy. One was a cinnamon sugar donut and the other was glazed with chocolate (which I preferred). They also carried Udi's Gluten Free products, as well, but we chose not to get any of those.After our meal, we did go through the buffet just to see some of the option, and we both regretted not going up, as we were brought a fairly limited selection. There were tons of salads, fresh fruit, and sides (like grilled asparagus - my favorite!) that we would have liked to have tried.Of course, Cape May Cafe is a character meal, and while I'm not a huge fan of character dining experiences, I did get a few pictures with the characters. Check out me & Minnie. Isn't her sea-side outfit adorable?!Overall, I really enjoyed Cape May Cafe for breakfast. As character meals go, I thought the character interaction was quite good, and the price was on the "lower" end of character dining at $29.99. I would definitely go back for breakfast again, as I enjoyed all the food and the variety they had. Next time though, I will definitely go through the buffet, as normal and then request specific items from the back, as there were some unique dishes that I wish I had tried.Have you been to Cape May Cafe? What did you think of the character dining?

Trail's End -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Ft. Wilderness

*This dining experience took place in February 2016.Trail's End, located at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, offers frontier fixin's at a bargain price. I've long wanted to try Trail's End's breakfast buffet, especially after dining there for lunch and enjoying the offerings they had during lunchtime.Navigating Ft. Wilderness can be a little tricky, depending on how you travel to get there. You can easily to Ft. Wilderness by bus or by boat. If you drive, which I did on this occasion, you will park in the main parking which is quite a distance from Trail's End.You can choose to take a nice stroll (I'd say about 3/4 to 1 mile in distance) or take the resort's internal bus system. With so much ground to cover, you can see why so many who stay at Ft. Wilderness rent or bring golf carts with them!I was joined by my brother on this visit, and we chose to take a leisurely stroll to breakfast. You know, gotta burn off those Mickey waffle calories! One of the things I love most about Ft. Wilderness and Trail's End is that it reminds me of summer camp. It's rustic and charming and everything you'd expect from a resort named Ft. Wilderness.The interior of Trail's End is rustic and is very reminiscent of the dining halls I experienced when I was a camp counselor back in college. I love all the fun touches. Check out all the Davy Crockett stuff on this wall!After being seated, our server brought over drinks.I absolutely love that they serve all their beverages in Mason jars.How cute are they?!Once we got our drinks, the chef took me around the buffet and showed me what was safe. Due to the crowds, I didn't feel comfortable getting my food from the buffet, and the chef said he would bring me whatever I wanted from the back.My plates included a variety of options, including the house-made hash, which was really good, and breakfast meats. Sadly, they didn't have anything of that decadent candied bacon they had when I visited for lunch back in 2013.I also got a custom omelet which was chock full of veggies including spinach, onions, zucchini, and squash. It was really good but maybe just a tad underseasoned (easily remedied at my table with salt and pepper).I liked the hashbrowns, but didn't find them to be anything particularly special.The allergy Mickey waffles were made from Namaste mix. The flavor was good but I found them to be a bit undercooked. The chef did tell me they could also make me allergy Mickey waffles using Bob's Red Mill (which I prefer) but that he didn't have the batter mixed at the time.In addition to all the other fixin's, the chef also brought me out several kinds of breakfast pastries including Udi's Gluten Free muffins, Kinnikinnick donuts, and an Udi's Gluten Free bagel. He also brought me Smart Balance which is both gluten free and vegan.As you can tell, I had plenty of food to eat throughout this meal. With a price of $17.99, this was a total bargain buffet for Disney -- and definitely a solid breakfast choice. I wouldn't say it was my favorite place to have breakfast, but I was pleased with what I ordered and left very full. Good thing we had a bit of a walk on the way back to the car to burn off some of the buffet fuel!To read a gluten free only review, you can check out the options that Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando got when she visited.Have you been to Trail's End for breakfast? What did you think of the options and value for this breakfast buffet?

Fulton's Crab House -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in February 2016.Fulton’s Crab House, located at Disney Springs, has been a restaurant I’ve been wanting to dine at for many years. With an extensive seafood menu and set on a replica of the riverboat that Walt Disney purchased for his wife Lillian, Fulton’s is the place to dine if you're looking for delicious food and a great view of Disney Springs.Having never dined at Fulton's Crab House before, I wasn't sure what kind of offerings would be available to guests with special dietary needs, or how the restaurant addressed food allergies and cross-contamination. However, any concerns I had were quickly alleviated thanks to talking to Executive Chef of Levy Restaurants, Steven Richard.The Levy Restaurants at Disney Springs include Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Portobello, and Fulton's Crab House -- and all take special dietary needs very seriously. Chef Steven advised me that when dining at a Levy Restaurant chefs come out to the table to speak to guests, just like they do at Disney owned & operated restaurants. With this in mind, I was very much looking forward to dining at Fulton's Crab House and seeing what options were available as a gluten free and dairy free diner.Fulton's Crab House serves both lunch and dinner (and most recently added brunch), but we ended up choosing to dine in the evening for dinner.As we walked over the gangplank and entered the restaurant, Brandon and I knew we were in for a treat.The restaurant itself is expansive, with multiple decks, bars, and outdoor eating areas. Throughout Fulton’s, you’ll notice a decidedly (and appropriate) nautical theme, including lots of sea-faring history. Ever the history buffs, we could have easily wandered the restaurant areas for hours exploring, which we did a bit after our dinner.After being seated in the Constellation Room, our server Dani asked us if we had any special dietary needs. She let us know that Executive Chef Mark Boor would come out to discuss food options with us, which was great. It was so nice to know that Fulton's Crab House takes special dietary needs very seriously and has a lot of protocols in place when handling food allergy meals.While waiting for Chef Mark, we ordered drinks – gin and tonics, which fit well for the classic theming of the restaurant.When Chef Mark arrived, he went over the various options that would be available both gluten and dairy free. Thankfully, there were plenty of options for me – from seafood to steak, and even gluten free pasta.Because Fulton’s Crab House is known for their seafood, I had to order some of their seafood dishes. Chef Mark recommended I order the crab ceviche for my appetizer, and what a great recommendation this was. Of course, I couldn’t go to Fulton’s Crab House without ordering crab!Made with blue crab, avocado, peppers, sweet onion, lime, and topped on a salsa verde, this was a perfect light, yet flavorful appetizer. The sweet blue crab paired really well with the accompaniments, and I really enjoyed the salsa verde on the bottom of the ceviche. It brought a nice twist to ceviche.Brandon is sadly allergic to fish and shellfish, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t have dishes to enjoy while at Fulton’s. For his appetizer, he ordered the beef tenderloin skewers – made from filet mignon (how can you go wrong with that?) and a romesco sauce. The Romesco sauce is not gluten free (as it contains bread), but the beef skewers be ordered gluten free and dairy free without the sauce.Brandon said this was a delicious appetizer option, and he really enjoyed the pickled onions on top of the skewers.I was unable to have bread as a starter, but Chef Mark offered to bring me a house salad. Made with mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, hearts of palm, and sherry vinaigrette, this was the perfect light starter course.For my entree, Chef Mark recommended that I try the Florida Grouper with house made guacamole, artichoke, spinach, and cherry tomato sautee.Unfortunately, the grouper was not up to Chef Mark's standards and was replaced by a red fish (which was quite delicious), and I appreciated that the restaurant chose to replace any sub-par seafood with a more quality product. That's a huge testament to a good seafood restaurant.I enjoyed this dish a lot; the seasonings (just simple salt and pepper) were just right, and the fish was cooked perfectly. Even better, they made sure to prepare my fish in a saute pan to avoid any potential cross contamination on the grill.Brandon ordered the filet mignon, which also came with mashed potatoes. This dish was gluten free and was also fish and shellfish free. If you do have a fish and/or shellfish allergy, the restaurant will also prepare your food in a saute pan and not on the grill to avoid cross contamination issues, as they do prepare some seafood on the grill.Brandon said this was hands down the best steak he's hand on Disney property. That's a pretty big statement from someone who's enjoyed great steaks at Le Cellier, Jiko, and Artist Point.For dessert, Chef Mark had a few options for gluten free diners. The first was a mango sorbet, which was also dairy free. The second was a flourless chocolate cake topped with mascarpone cheese.The sorbet was very tasty and a great palate cleanser after a big heavy meal.The flourless chocolate cake on the other hand was a decadent and rich end to what we both considered an already excellent meal. Because I've been introducing a bit of dairy into my diet, I did try a few bites of the cake.Wow. If you like chocolate, this is a dessert for you.The cake itself was beyond rich and the raspberry coulis that accompanied it was equally delicious. This may well be the best flourless chocolate cake I've had in years and was the perfect ending to this meal.Overall, we were both blown away by the food and service at Fulton's Crab House. The level of care in which the restaurant took to ensure safe and delicious food for both of us was also pretty amazing. Both Brandon & I wouldn't hesitate to go back again, and we thank the Fulton's Crab House team for taking such great care of us during our dinner.Fulton's Crab House is slated for a lengthy refurbishment starting in April 2015, so if you're hoping to visit the restaurant, I would recommend dining there before they close temporarily.I was hosted at this dinner as a guest of Fulton's Crab House. I was not required to write this post and all opinions are my own.

Skipper Canteen -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Magic Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in January 2016.Disney's newest restaurant, the Skipper Canteen, recently opened in December 2015 in Adventureland. Themed after the world famous Jungle Cruise, the restaurant is somewhat of an extension to the Jungle Cruise attraction. That means lots of witty (or not so witty, depending on your sense of humor) banter and hijinks. The decor and food are all reminiscent of the attraction, and it's fair to say, you'll feel like you stepped in the 1930s when you dine here.Currently, the Skipper Canteen is only taking walk up reservations. This means that you cannot book online or via the My Disney Experience App to make ADRs. However, that being said, so far the restaurant seems to have fairly reasonable wait times if you're interested in dining there.On this particular occasion, my boyfriend, Brandon, and I decided on a whim to dine here. We walked up around 8:30 p.m. and were told there would be up to a 30 minute wait (though the wait time was actually about 15 minutes). The restaurant currently closes fairly early at 9:30 p.m. and wasn't too busy when we go there.There are three dining areas in the Skipper Canteen. The main area is themed like a Mess Hall. You can imagine the Jungle Cruise skippers dining here in between their 2 week journeys into the Jungle.The second area is the Falls Family Parlour and is where the Falls Family would often have meals and relax. You'll recognize the name of the Falls Family because of the famous African explorer Dr. Albert Falls from the Jungle Cruise.The decor in this room was amazing, with so many details. The chandeliers were made up of stained glass parrots. How cool is that?!We dined in the third area which was known as the S.E.A. Room. As we learned from Skipper Bri (who assisted us with our meal, and was amazing -- more on her later!), Dr. Falls was a member of the Society of Adventurers and Explorers, and this is is the secret room in which he host fellow members. If you were a fan of the Adventurer's Club, this will all feel very familiar to you.To find out more about the rooms, decor, and theming, check out the Disney Food Blog's first look at the Skipper Canteen for more photos and detailed review.Like most restaurants at Disney now, the Skipper Canteen carries an allergy friendly menu. And, it's huge! You can see a side-by-side photo of me with both the regular and allergy friendly menus. Talk about lots of choices!The food here is inspired by the jungles of the world. You'll notice a wide variety of flavors that include Middle Eastern, Asian, and South American.The restaurant offers complimentary bread service, and Skipper Bri let me know that the restaurant did carry Ener-G brand rolls with the Skipper Canteen's signature fenugreek-infused honey. I was bummed they didn't have the GNI Brand rolls, as the honey was delicious.Even Skipper Bri knew the rolls weren't amazing..."They aren't Udi's, that's for sure." You got that right, Skipper Bri!Ginger’s “Croc” of Hot-and-Sour Soup is both gluten free and dairy free. If you like hot and sour soup, this is a great option for an appetizer. Though, be warned, it's a bit spicy. Yes, watch out because Ginger's "croc" of soup does snap!Brandon ordered this and was not a fan.I've been reintroducing a bit of dairy (in the form of cheese) into my diet this past year, and I decided to try the arepas. They are an amazing gluten free appetizer (it does contain dairy with the cheese), and is a big enough portion that it could serve well as a small entree. The shredded beef was well seasoned, as were the beans. The arepas had a nice flavor, as did the tostones - though the plantains were a bit soggy.Arepas are normally prepared with the toppings on them; however, this was a deconstructed version. I suppose, if anything, it gives you the flexibility to customize your dish.Hands down, this was the favorite dish of the night. For another review of the arepas and the Skipper Canteen, check out Gluten Free in Orlando's review.While waiting for our entrees, we did take a bit to look at the S.E.A. Room theming. The Skipper Canteen is impressively themed, and you could literally be here for hours exploring all the little details.From photos to hidden compartments, you are sure to find something new every time you visit.Don't forget to ask your Skipper about any questions you have.Skipper Bri gave us loads of information about the history of the Skipper Canteen and the Falls Family.For our entrees, we both ordered items that were marked gluten free and dairy free. I opted for the Trader Sam's Head On Shrimp, which came with white rice, seasoned Chinese broccoli and four very large shrimp.The shrimp were very good, well cooked and seasoned. I liked the sweet chili sauce that accompanied them. The white rice was nothing special, but I loved the Chinese broccoli. With a nice soy sauce glaze, the broccoli was easily something I could eat a ton of. I also absolutely love that the Skipper Canteen uses gluten free soy sauce for all dishes. That means there are so many choices normally not available.Of course, ever the bargain hunter, Trader Sam tried to make us a deal for those four head on shrimp. Oh that Trader Sam, always trying to get a "head" of the trading market!Brandon ordered the grilled lamp chops seasoned with a North African berber spice blend served with green lentil stew. He thought the lamb was well cooked and flavorful but wasn't too keen on the lentil stew.After seeing the table next to us order Skip's Mac & Cheese, Brandon decided it was a must order on his next visit (sadly, not gluten free!).After our meal, Skipper Bri gave us a bit of a tour throughout the S.E.A. Room. One amazing touch were the bookshelves that you walked through to get into the S.E.A. Room itself. As a librarian by day, this made me super excited. Skipper Bri even pointed out her favorite book.If this feature wasn't amazing enough, we learned after listening to WDW Radio's Skipper Canteen Live Review that there's a hidden compartment in the bookshelves. And now, we need to make a field trip back to the Skipper Canteen to find it...and for the food, of course, too!Skipper Bri even took a selfie with us. Though since she's from the 1930s, she wasn't quite sure what a selfie was.The Skipper Canteen has so many amazing hidden (and not so hidden) touches, with unique food offerings -- making it a welcome addition to the Magic Kingdom. We very much enjoyed our meal here, and I'd like to try some of the other many options available.And, of course, we can't wait to go back just for the atmosphere and theming.If you dine at Skipper Canteen, do ask for Skipper Bri. She was a real hoot and made our meal extra magical!Would you like to go to the Skipper Canteen? What dishes are you interested in trying there? Let us know in the comments section below!

Ravello -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Four Seasons Orlando

*This dining experience took place in October 2015. This was a special private dining event coordinated through the Food Allergy & Celiac Convention Dessert Party Weekend, which I co-hosted. Private dining space at Ravello at the Four Seasons Orlando can be booked through the Meeting Space & Events page on their website.

The Event

With the 2015 Food Allergy & Celiac Convention Dessert Party Weekend taking place during Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival, we knew that we wanted to host a private dining experience, similar to the chef table experiences held at Disney-owned restaurants that are held as a part of Food & Wine Festival. We wanted something refined, upscale, and, of course...delicious.There was no better option than Ravello, located at the Four Seasons Orlando.Having dined here during their preview dinner prior to officially opening and since, I knew our guests would really love Ravello. The food is impeccable, and they do an amazing job assisting special dietary needs guests. They also have a gorgeous small private dining space that we were able to book for a small group of 14.Little did we and the guests know how amazing the meal was going to be thanks to the dedication of the food and beverage team at Ravello.

The Food

Chefs Cristian and Marco worked with my co-host, Laurie, and I during the pre-planning of this meal to create a custom menu for our group, highlighting some of the restaurant's best dishes, along with some dishes created especially for our event that were both gluten free and vegan.We were completely wowed by the level of inventiveness and the detail they took to ensure we really had an exceptional experience. We also had a lot of food allergies to work with, and having given them everyone's special dietary needs ahead of time, they were fully prepared to create one epic (and safe!) meal.To start off our meal, the chefs brought out a menagerie of various gluten free breads, some of which were vegan and others that included egg. They also brought out extra virgin olive oil with fresh herbs for the bread.During the meal, I sat next to Erica from Celiac and the Beast and both of us immediately were trying to figure out the brand of gluten free bread. Of course, now, I can't find the name of the brand but suffice it to say, it was really good. It wasn't a brand that anyone at the table knew, but we all found it to be delicious. Now, if only Disney could start serving some better bread options like this...For my starter, I ordered the arugula and grilled plum salad. This was absolutely outstanding. I adore stone fruit, so having a dish highlighting them made me really happy. And grilled to boot! The moscato vinaigrette on this was the perfect accompaniment to the salad, and it's one I would hands down order again if it is highlighted on the regular menu.Many of the other guests at this private dining experience ordered the portobello mushroom fries and raved about them. I also heard really good things about the beet carpaccio, a playful twist on beef carpaccio.For my entree, I ordered the vegan lasagna made with zucchini strips. I love zuchinni and thought this was a very fresh dish. The restaurant used Daiya cheese in place of dairy cheese, and the guests who ordered it really enjoyed it.I would have loved to have seen a nut milk ricotta made for this dish, as it would have really elevated the flavors. Check out the version they made for one of our guests and fellow blogger (and friend) Kathleen from Soul Food. Her roasted red pepper sauce looked so good!The piece de resistance was certainly our dessert course. The coconut custard and banana "cream" pie were insanely good. The pastry chef really went above and beyond with these dishes (both gluten free and vegan).The coconut custard reminded me a bit of panna cotta and had a nice texture. I loved the toasted coconut and fresh fruit that topped it.The extra bonus on our plates were Whoopie Pies from the Piping Gourmets that the team picked up at Whole Foods. This was a nice touch and very sweet of them to include.The absolute hands down favorite dessert of everyone was the Banana "Cream" Pie. Wow. Just wow. The caramelized bananas and non-dairy whipped cream tasted like the real thing and the dessert was purely decadent. I, and I'm sure other guests, could have easily eaten several more dishes of the banana cream pie.Overall, I can't say enough great things about this dining experience. Robbie, the Private Dining Coordinator, Michael, General Manager of Ravello, and the entire culinary team went above and beyond to create a really amazing meal experience. I know that I speak for all of the guests at that dinner when I say that we had such a wonderful time and a delicious meal.I am looking forward to dining at Ravello again, along with the other restaurants at the Four Seasons Orlando, and hopefully, hosting another private dining event in the future.

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This meal experience was a part of a private dining event hosted as a part of the Food Allergy & Celiac Convention Dessert Party Weekend. All guests (including the hosts) paid for their food and beverage experiences. I was not required to write this post and all opinions are my own. 

Artist Point -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Wilderness Lodge

*This dining experience took place in December 2015.Artist Point at Disney's Wilderness Lodge is an intimate signature dining location that often gets overlooked by Disney guests. Serving Pacific Northwest inspired fare in a rustic setting, Artist Point truly reflects the theming of the Wilderness Lodge Resort and then some.Dining here in the past, I've had hit or miss experiences. On my last visit back in April 2015, I dined with Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando after they had recently launched the allergy friendly menus at Disney restaurants. Both Alexis and I enjoyed the meal overall (you can read her full review on her blog), though I didn't have a huge desire to go back anytime soon. However, that changed when I heard they had a new chef at the helm of the restaurant.On this particular occasion, we dined at Artist Point in celebration of my boyfriend's birthday. Brandon is originally from the Pacific Northwest, and so, we thought this was the perfect location to celebrate his birthday dinner.After being seated, I was presented with the updated allergy friendly dinner menu at Artist Point. The menu lists a good amount of options on it, but I did ask to speak with a chef, as there were some menu items that sounded enticing that I was hoping would be easily gluten free and dairy free. I was in luck, as I was able to order the Pacific Seafood Cioppino which sounded delicious.While waiting for our drinks, our server brought out Deanna's Gluten Free Rolls (formerly known as GNI Brand Rolls). I was pleasantly surprised to find them well heated. Oddly, Artist Point in visits past have not heated these rolls well.If you are a gluten free diner, you can indeed order the cheese plate gluten free. They will remove and/or place the gluten-filled accompaniments on the side to avoid cross contamination, which is a nice touch. If you're able to tolerate goat or sheep milk cheeses, Artist Point offers several on their cheese board, which makes for a great non-cow's milk option.The Pacific Seafood Cioppino was a perfect entree for Artist Point. The black cod, which was the highlight of this dish, was cooked perfectly, as was all of the other seafood that accompanied it. The Carolina gold rice was delicious, and the pigeon peas were a unique addition to this version of cioppino. It was hands down one of the best entrees I've ever had at Artist Point, and I wouldn't hesitate to order again!Brandon's entree was the Grilled Filet Mignon which came with crushed new potatoes, charred local eggplant, green onions, and herb vinaigrette. Listed as gluten free on the allergy friendly menu (not dairy free), he said the filet was excellent, as were the crushed potatoes. He wasn't keen on the eggplant, as the texture wasn't very appealing (and it tasted rather bland).After our very filling meal, neither one of us really wanted dessert. I could have ordered the no sugar added berry cobbler as an option, though having had it in the past, I hadn't been very impressed with it. Brandon opted for an espresso and was treated to a birthday macaron. And, our server also brought out two flutes of champagne to help celebrate the occasion, which was a wonderful Disney magic moment.Overall, we both really enjoyed the meal at Artist Point, as well as our service. The restaurant's atmosphere made our meal quiet and cozy, which was the perfect way to celebrate Brandon's birthday. We both agreed that with the new menu we'd definitely be up for going back again for dinner.Have you been to Artist Point since their new chef arrived? What did you think of the menu offerings?

Raglan Road Irish Pub -- Brunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in December 2015.'Tis the luck of the Irish when you dine at Raglan Road Irish Pub, located at Disney Springs. Raglan Road is well known among the gluten free dining community as THE spot at Disney for proper gluten free fish and chips, onion rings, and more. Though not owned and operated by Disney, they consistently provide some of the best gluten free accommodation around and have even been voted the best gluten free restaurant in Orlando.Raglan Road is the restaurant of Irish celebrity chef Kevin Dundon, whose simple and fresh recipes make the food at Raglan Road so good. I've had the chance to meet him several times, including sharing the stage once with him at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.Ireland actually has a fairly high rate of celiac disease, so a lot of the food prepared at Raglan Road is naturally gluten free or can be easily made gluten free. Chef Kevin even works with the Coeliac Society of Ireland. So, when you dine at Raglan Road, you can be sure they do take gluten free safety pretty seriously!On this occasion, we had seats at the bar, where you can still order off the full brunch, lunch, and dinner menus. For brunch, we were coming in a bit late (around 1 pm). We started off with a Magners Hard Cider because it's a Raglan Road tradition whenever we go to the bar. We also were very hungry and quickly ordered some gluten free and dairy free onion rings along with a side of sweet chili jam and lime mayonnaise.Sometimes the fried foods at Raglan Road can seem under-salted. I recommend adding more salt yourself or by utilizing the various condiments available. I can't recommend the sweet chili jam and onion ring combo enough!In addition to our onion rings, we noticed that there was a new pork belly hash listed. I asked if this was gluten free and dairy free, and to my surprise, it was. You can order it as a full entree with eggs or as a side. Not wanting all breakfast food, I ordered it as a side just to try.Filled with crispy pork belly, potatoes, and green onions, this was absolutely delicious. It was perfectly seasoned and so tasty. In fact, it was probably the dish that got eaten the fastest during our meal. I would definitely order again, and maybe even ask if I could swap out in place of fries (with sandwiches and such). The breakfast entree with this is bound to be amazing too.Of course, Raglan Road is known for their gluten free fish and chips. Crispy and flaky, they are a must order. Make sure to enjoy the house-made tartar sauce, as it's hands down my favorite tartar sauce in a restaurant. It's the perfect accompaniment to the fish and chips.The pancetta and chicken sandwich can be ordered gluten free with a gluten free bun (as pictured above) or minus the cheese and herb aoili, as it was when I ordered it for brunch last January. I will say that if you can't have dairy, this might be a dish to skip, unless you like condiments, as ordering it plain made it quite dry. On my previous visit, I doctored it up substantially with various condiments.Overall, Raglan Road continues to be my go-to table service location at Disney Springs. I do enjoy Splitsville on occasion for their sushi and rice bowls but for amazing food with lots of variety and consistent special dietary needs accommodations, my bet is always on Raglan Road.Have you been to Raglan Road? What do you enjoy ordering there?

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Disney Springs

*These dining experiences took place in October and November 2015. Get ready to go on an adventure fit for Indiana Jones on this epic journey into Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, located at Disney Springs. Opening in the fall of 2015, Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar is the newly opened bar, aptly named and themed after the frequently trusted pilot for Indiana Jones. With a fantastic back story (check out the Disney Food Blog for more details), the Hangar, as it's often referred to, has quickly become a very popular hangout spot at Disney Springs.It's pretty surprising that I haven't blogged about it yet, as it's quickly become a favorite among my family and friends. I've been countless times and am still wowed by the level of detail throughout the lounge.When it first opened, I was pretty dubious about any dining options, especially after reading Gluten Free in Orlando's opening review which indicated a lack of gluten free options. Still, I knew it would be a great place to meet friend and enjoy a drink or two.On our first visit, I ordered the Hovito Mojito because I'm a huge mojito fan. Unfortunately, this version couldn't live up to others I've had on Disney property, especially my favorite - the African Starr Mint Mojito, found at Sanaa.Lately, I've been enjoying the gin and tonics served there. I love the glasses these are served in. They are actually slightly tilted (even before you've had any alcohol!).On one of my visits, a group of us had a variety of drinks that included the Scottish Professor, the Safari Sangria and a Gin and Tonic. Overall, everyone loves the drinks there - even if they still don't have the cute souvenir glasses available. One day, I'm getting an Indy inspired drink in a monkey head...There are several gluten free options, and the menu has changed since last I ordered food here, so keep in mind that there may be others as well (including the new shrimp flatbread). The Snacks of Ra, made of African salads and dips, can be served with Udi's Gluten Free pizza crust. This was very nice, especially considering all the dips are naturally gluten free and dairy free.The favorite salads and dips have to be the curry chicken and the bean and pea hummus. They were all very tasty and unique, and I would definitely order this again.Brody's Brats is another gluten free and dairy free dish without modifications. I thought the brats were nicely spiced (very mild and not overly spicy), with the cornichons and mustard being great additions. I wasn't too jazzed about the pickled slaw but would have loved to have seen less brats and a bread component added. No one in our group was a big fan of this.The Good Dates are also gluten free but not dairy free. They do contain goat cheese.When you visit the Hangar, check out all the details. There's even a newspaper framed with an entire back-story for the lounge. As a librarian, I loved seeing old card catalogs being repurposed. And, if you're an Indiana Jones fan, you'll love all the hidden nods to the films; we've noticed things like the voodoo dolls from the Temple of Doom to prop replicas and more. We've spent hours in here and are still finding new things.On our very first visit, we joked that the bar seemed so authentic to the Indiana Jones films that we half expected Indy himself to pop in for a nightcap. Little did we know that Indy really would make an appearance that first night.Nearing closing, Indy strolled in, saddled up to the bar with his trademark fedora hat and trusty whip at his side to order a drink. We initially thought it was a part of the lounge experience, but the look on the bartender's face told otherwise! Turns out, a guest who had been to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party popped in post-party for a drink. Well played, faux Indy, well played!Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar is definitely a great place to visit. We often pop in for a quick drink while heading to a movie at the AMC Disney Springs. It's the perfect spot with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and great theming. It's also owned and operated by Disney, so you'll actually get to speak to a chef if you have special dietary needs, which is another nice bonus.I'm looking forward to seeing the offerings here evolve and, of course, enjoying a cold beverage with Dr. Jones.Have you been to Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar? What did you think of it?

Scat Cat's Cafe -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Port Orleans French Quarter

*This dining experience took place in December 2015.Port Orleans French Quarter is home to many things - gluten free and dairy free beignets and the ever popular Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory - but has not had a proper table service dining location after the closing of Bonfamille's Cafe well over a decade ago (read a history of the resort over at PortOrleans.org).During the 2015 holiday season for about a week, Scat Cat's Cafe, a pop-up restaurant located in the space formerly known as Bonfamille's Cafe, served up guests classic N'Awlins flavors with a family style all-you-care-to-eat dinner.Because I love the Port Orleans restaurants so much, I knew I had to go. And, of course, my friends Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando and Amanda from Eating Out Without, also wanted to dine here too (you can read their reviews of our dinner on their blogs).When we arrived, we were greeted by Chef Tony and Chef Paul who I often see at the resort at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory or Boatwright's, one of my favorite restaurants on Disney property. Both chefs gave us a run-down of the menu. It was awesome to hear that the majority of the menu was naturally gluten free and mostly dairy free. The only dairy filled items included the mashed potatoes and mac & cheese (a gluten free mac & cheese substitute was offered for Alexis). Hearing this reminded me that we were in for a treat at this dinner.While Chef Tony went over the menu with us, Chef Paul came out with GNI brand rolls and some extra virgin olive oil with herbs in it. These were very well heated and the olive oil was a great accompaniment to the rolls. Of course, knowing the dinner was all-you-care-to-eat, I made sure not to indulge in to many of these!The house salad made served included a delicious roasted garlic vinaigrette and was easily one of my new favorite salad dressings. The sweet and garlicky taste of this dressing was a nice variation of so many of the vinaigrette made on Disney property.Up next were the maque choux (made with corn, peppers, and onions) and collard greens. Both were naturally gluten free and dairy free and delicious. I think I might have been the only diner at my table to really dig into both of these, and I certainly ate my fair share. Having family with Southern roots, I absolutely adore collards, and I found these to be a delicious version.Since we couldn't have mashed potatoes, Chef Paul also brought out seasoned asparagus. Asparagus is on my high list of favorite vegetables, and this version was outstanding. Both Amanda and I quickly made our way through this dish. Hands down one of my favorite things from the meal.The main course included roasted chicken, which had been brined and seasoned well. The brining made the chicken extra moist and super flavorful. Everyone at the table loved this, and we quickly asked for seconds on the chicken.I also really enjoyed the sausage that accompanied the main platter, though I only ate one piece of this. The jambalaya was equally good, but I could have gone for the dirty rice that is served at Boatwright's. That dirty rice is bananas good!The pot roast with carrots was very flavorful, and I added a bit of the juice on the bottom of the bowl to the meat, since our version didn't have gravy. I'm not a huge beef eater, but I did enjoy the portion of it that I ate.As you can see from my plate, I certainly did not go hungry at this meal. Highlights of the main meal were definitely the salad, roasted asparagus, collard greens, and roasted chicken. If you like classic Cajun and Creole cuisine, this meal would have been right up your alley.The restaurant was serving a bread pudding for dessert, which was unfortunately not gluten free or dairy free. Thankfully, Chef Paul brought out some beignets for Amanda and me (Alexis got a bananas foster ice cream sundae), and this was the perfect ending to our meal.I absolutely adore the beignets served at Port Orleans French Quarter, and I seriously couldn't have imagined another dessert with my meal. Smothered in powdered sugar and deep fried, these beignets continue to be one of my favorite unique sweets at Disney World. Whether they are dessert or a decadent breakfast option, they are always worth the trip!Our dinner at Scat Cat's Cafe was terrific, and I can't thank Chef Tony and Chef Paul enough for continually taking care of special diets diners with delicious and decadent food. So much of their menu was already safe for us to eat, and that made having a "normal" dining experience even more possible. It's definitely a testament to why I am such a huge fan of the Port Orleans restaurants and culinary team. They are so committed to making great food for everyone, dietary restrictions or otherwise!I would love to see Scat Cat's Cafe or some other type of table service come back to Port Orleans French Quarter. The restaurant space was terrific, and the family style meal was both tasty and a very affordable dining option ($25.99 per adult). Fingers crossed that they may explore that option at POFQ in the future.Many of the items served at Scat Cat's Cafe can be found over at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory, so if you're craving this roasted chicken or the Jambalaya, you can still get your fix there or at Boatwright's at Port Orleans Riverside.Would you like to see a table service dining location at Port Orleans French Quarter? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section! 

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

*This dining experience took place in December 2015.Sanaa, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village, has long been one of my favorite restaurants on Disney property. I've often referred to it as a hidden gem of a restaurant, and in many ways, it still is. However, the word has definitely gotten out about this African and Indian inspired restaurant, which proves that good food and great atmosphere will bring guests to even the more remote locations on Disney property. It's that good!On this particular occasion, I had lunch with my friend Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando. You can read her full review of our dining experience at Sanaa on her blog.Like most Disney restaurants, Sanaa now carries an allergy friendly menu for both lunch and dinner. Both Alexis & I looked over the options, as there were some new dishes added. Because many of the sandwiches were not listed, I asked if I could speak with a chef to discuss potential gluten free and dairy free sandwich options.Chef Marilyn came out to greet us, and she answered any questions that we had about the menu. She did let me know that I could get either a Local Oven bun or the house-made gluten free and vegan naan as a wrapper for my sandwich. Of course, after hearing about the naan recipe update, I couldn't pass up getting a naanwich!First up, was the Indian style bread service. This is a must at Sanaa and even more so now that they have a newly modified gluten free and vegan naan. Using Cup4Cup's dairy free Wholesome Flour Blend, the naan was a huge improvement on this visit from the previous version made with Bob's Red Mill. Though I liked the BRM version (it was more like a cracker/flatbread), this one with Cup4Cup was actual pliable! It's the little things in life that make me excited and naan that actually bends is one of those things!This version was delicious and paired really well with the accompaniments. My favorite dips include the mango chutney, coriander chutney, red bell pepper hummus, and tomato-date chutney. Ever the condiment queen though, I adore pretty much all of the dips they have at Sanaa.My sandwich took a bit of extra time to make, so while we were waiting, Chef Marilyn sent out a Sanaa salad sampler. The salads included: Watermelon and Fennel, Chickpea and Cucumber, and fresh fruit. The chickpea, cucumber, and tomato salad is one of my favorites, and I could eat it all day. It's very light and refreshing.I also ate the fruit, though I prefer the pineapple, grapes, and apples over the melon included in this dish.And, the watermelon, cucumber, and fennel salad went to Alexis and her daughters. Oddly, I really dislike watermelon, so I happily gave it to them. They all enjoyed it, though no one was a big fan of the fennel, as it often has a sharp licorice taste.For my entree, Chef Marilyn suggested the Peri Peri Chicken Sandwich. Served on the gluten free and vegan naan with pickled red onion, rocket (a bitter lettuce), tomato, and a side of sambal mayonnaise, this sandwich was outstanding. The chicken had been marinated and grilled and was cooked perfectly. No dry chicken here. With the warm naan and the sambal mayonnaise, this sandwich might be my new favorite lunch item at Sanaa. The naan versus a gluten free bun is absolutely the way to go too!For my entree side, I was given roasted regular and sweet potatoes. These are a wee bit bland but topped with sambal mayonnaise were quite tasty.As always, Sanaa hit this lunch out of the park. I'm so impressed by the latest version of the gluten free and vegan naan. To have a truly pliable and tasty bread made my dining experience here even more magical. And, the fact that you can get the naan as a sandwich bun substitute is pretty magical too. Naanwich for the win!I can't wait to go back soon for lunch or dinner. I literally could eat at Sanaa once a week and be a very happy Disney camper.Have you been to Sanaa? What was your favorite dish here?

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

*This dining experience took place in January 2016. Hear ye, hear ye! Liberty Tree Tavern, located in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom, finally re-opened a few months ago after a lengthy refurbishment to accommodate for the newly opened (and shared kitchen space for) Skipper Canteen in Adventureland. Having missed out on Liberty Tree Tavern during the holiday season (a family tradition), I finally got a chance to get in my Disney turkey dinner cravings.Liberty Tree Tavern offers an a la carte lunch and family style all-you-care-to-eat dinner. Typically, my family dines here during dinner, which offers a full Pilgrim's Feast with all the trimmings; however, on this occasion, we chose to grab lunch. Though no allergy friendly menu is given for dinner, guests will receive an allergy friendly menu when they dine a la carte for lunch. In looking at the menu, I was glad to see some options, including the New England Pot Roast with mashed potatoes which can be served gluten and dairy free.Our server did ask several times if I preferred to speak to a chef or order directly from the allergy friendly menu. Having dined at Liberty Tree Tavern numerous times and ordering the Pilgrim's Feast, I felt comfortable ordering without speaking with a chef.Typically, I do still speak to a chef but since the dishes were completely gluten free and dairy free without modifications (and the server wrote my order on the yellow food allergy notification pad), I felt OK ordering straight from the menu. Of course, if you ever dine at a Disney location and don't feel comfortable with the options or allergy friendly menu, you can always talk to a Disney chef. Just ask your server!First on my order was the traditional house salad served with a strawberry vinaigrette. It's a classic Liberty Tree Tavern dish, and a must order for me. I did ask for an extra side of vinaigrette as in previous years (and on this visit), the salad was woefully under-dressed.I also inquired about gluten free and dairy free rolls and Earth Balance Vegan Margarine. Unfortunately, I was given Ener-G rolls, which I don't really enjoy. Last year when I dined here, I was given GNI brand rolls which I love, but Ener-G gets very dry and has a Styrofoam texture that is very unappealing. Though I appreciated the offering, I didn't eat much of them. Sadly, not even dipping it in their gluten free and dairy free gravy could save these rolls.For my entree, I chose the Pilgrim's Feast which is a lighter version of the dinner offering. It only comes with turkey instead of three meats, but this was fine with me. Accompanying the turkey were dairy free mashed potatoes, green beans, and gluten free and dairy free stuffing and gravy.The turkey was super moist and delicious and the mashed potatoes were outstanding. Is it wrong that I get that excited over a dairy free mashed potato? It's a rarity in restaurants, but seriously so easy to make. To add to this is Liberty Tree's gluten free gravy, which I adore. My whole family also prefers it to the regular gluten-filled version of gravy that is served in the restaurant. It's probably because we grew up eating holiday gravy based in cornstarch instead of flour, and this version tastes very similar to what we have always served at home.The green beans were nothing spectacular. Just a plain steamed veg.The gluten free and dairy free stuffing was just OK on this visit. The taste was great but the texture was off. I'm not sure if they are using a different type of bread or if they just added too much liquid to the mixture. The texture was very mushy and almost a bit gritty. When I went last November, I had this and absolutely loved it. It was the perfect texture and taste. This time, it just wasn't as good as it was the year before. That being said, I'd definitely give it a try again.Overall, Liberty Tree Tavern consistently serves up holiday inspired fare, making it the perfect holiday season restaurant. It's not one I'd dine at all the time, but during Thanksgiving and Christmas it's an absolute must-do for me. There's really no other restaurant around that can serve up gluten free and dairy free stuffing, gravy, and mashed potatoes!Have you been to Liberty Tree Tavern? What did you think of their allergy friendly offerings?

Ohana -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Polynesian Village

*This dining experience took place in November 2015. Ohana means family, and this restaurant, located at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort is a favorite among my family and friends. It's one we repeatedly go to for special occasions and big get-togethers or when my friends come into town for a visit. There's just something about the family style meal and tropical atmosphere that makes Ohana fun for everyone.On this particular occasion, I had dinner with my friend who was in for a visit to Disney World. Both he and I love Ohana and having dined at Boma on a previous visit, knew we wanted another all-you-care-to-eat meal (yep, we're totally foodies for life!). Both of us dined gluten free and dairy free, so our food was easily shared among us -- something that rarely happens when I dine out, so it was nice to have a "normal" meal experience.Ohana does not have an allergy friendly menu currently, but the chef will still come out and speak with you. The chef let us know that he would bring us safe rice, chicken wings, sauteed vegetables, and sauces, and that the grilled meats and salad were all safe for us to eat as is.First up, he brought out GNI brand rolls for us with Earth Balance vegan margarine. The rolls weren't as well heated as they could be and were a bit crumbly, so neither of us really ate much of the rolls. And let's face it; we were there for the grilled meats that Ohana is famous for!The Lilikoi Salad has been at Ohana for a bit now. It replaced my beloved house salad with honey lime dressing (oh, how I miss it!). I will say that I do like this salad a lot. It's got a bit of a sweet and sour taste and the addition of the edamame, red onions, and shredded vegetables is nice. It's not my favorite part of any meal at Ohana, but I do often go back for seconds on it, which is saying something for a family style salad.After our salad, the chef brought out a plate filled with heaping amounts of white rice, sauteed vegetables, and chicken wings. We were also given gluten free sweet and sour sauce and teriyaki sauce. The teriyaki is definitely my favorite of the two, but both are really good and great for adding to your rice and veggies.The piece de resistance of Ohana are the grilled meats prepared over an oak wood open flame found directly in the center of the restaurant. In years past, only some of the meats were safe but now, the shrimp, beef, and chicken are all gluten free and dairy free. Of the three, my hands down favorite is the shrimp. Grilled to perfection and smothered in a sweet and slightly spicy chili sauce, these peel and eat shrimp are worth every bit of effort you have to give in peeling them. Don't worry, you'll be given a warm washcloth to help with any messiness from the shrimp.The steak and chicken were both also delicious. The chicken probably being my second favorite meat. I love the marinade on the beef but find that the beef can be either perfect for my tastes or too underdone. It's hit or miss for me when I dine there. But the flavor is great on the steak for those who are steak lovers.By the time dessert came, my friend and I had already indulged in several rounds of meat skewers and oh too many chicken wings to count. Suffice it to say, we were stuffed. The chef did bring out some Rice Dream, fresh fruit, Enjoy Life cookies and Hershey's chocolate syrup as a dessert option, but both of us had a hard time eating it. We were just too full! This is one of those restaurants where I really don't feel badly skipping dessert.Overall, we really enjoyed our meal at Ohana. We both left completely stuffed, which is exactly what I expect every time I dine there. It continues to be a favorite.Have you been to Ohana? What did you think of your meal experience there?

Morimoto Asia -- Lunch/Dinner -- Table Service -- Disney Springs

*This is a series of dining experiences that took place in October and November 2015.Morimoto Asia, located in Disney Springs, is Disney's latest collaboration with a celebrity chef -- this time, Chef Morimoto of Iron Chef fame. While I wasn't super excited about the opening of this new location (certainly not like I am for Chef Rick Bayless' restaurant to open in Disney Springs), I was very hopeful we'd have a new option for gluten free options while at Disney Springs.This review combines multiple experiences showing the evolution of the restaurant's handling of gluten free diners, from the opening where they seemed to be much more flexible to my last visit in mid-November where I got very sick and had very few options on their new gluten free menu to choose from (and no ability to have any other dishes off those menus modified). You can also read Gluten Free in Orlando's reviews on Morimoto Asia, as she has been several times, as well.To begin with, I will say that the restaurant decor is gorgeous. When I entered the restaurant the first time, I felt like I was dining in a location more suited to a large city like New York or Los Angeles. It's clean and modern decor is lovely, and they even have some very subtle Disney references (like hidden Mickey's) too. The large chandelier is impressive; the entire restaurant looks remarkable at night. Very beautiful.I like the tables and table-ware -- all of which reflect the clean, modern Japanese theme.On my first visit, Morimoto Asia did not have a gluten free dinner menu and a manager came over to discuss the options with me and my friend (who was gluten free and vegan). While waiting, I ordered a drink from the bar. It's been a while, but I believe I ordered the Lemongrass Mojito or at least a version of this, as it was during the restaurant's first few weeks of opening. The drink itself was a bit sweet for my taste but something different to try. I liked the fresh sugar cane and kafir lime leaves.After speaking with the manager at length, I was told that I could have the spicy tuna without the spicy mayo or the California roll -- both of which could only be served on brown rice due to gluten in the white rice (as an aside, I get deeply disappointed when any restaurant says their sushi rice might contain gluten, as traditional sushi rice is both not remotely glutenous and also very easy to make). Since then, I've been able to get white rice (which was changed to be gluten free). Note that currently, the California roll is no longer listed as gluten free on their gluten free menus. (I'm told they've had some distributor changes in products and product preparation).Morimoto Asia does carry gluten free soy sauce, and it is made available to guests upon request. This was great for the sushi, though I will say it couldn't really save these rolls from being anything more than just pedestrian versions of California Roll. I found them to be fairly average, and to be honest, I would order sushi at Splitsville, Kona Cafe Sushi Bar, or California Grill over Morimoto Asia. The California Luau Roll at Kona Cafe is bananas good.Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWDuring my first visit, we also ordered the sesame balls, which are a bit savory and, at the time, could be ordered as a starter or for dessert. If you are a mochi person, this is a winner. Sadly, these are no longer gluten free due to a distributor change, as of December 2015 (see Gluten Free in Orlando's review for more info).On my first visit, the manager recommended the Singapore Laksa Noodles, as this was both gluten free and dairy free without the soy marinated egg. This was a delicious, warm, and filling entree. I liked that the meatballs didn't contain filler or were too heavy. The coconut milk broth was spicy but flavorful. It was a dish I would definitely order again. Unfortunately, after that first visit, I was told this was no longer a modifiable option.On my second visit, I dined during lunch and tried the chicken pad thai which also contained tofu. Pad that is a dish that I love but often find that it's a bit too sweet for my tastes, if made to be more appealing to the Western palate. Sadly, this was very sweet. The tamarind sauce was unique and added some depth to the dish, but in my opinion the dish was woefully over-sauced and sweetened. The crispy tofu was a nice addition, but overall, I wasn't that keen on my pad thai and would not order it again.On my third and final visit, I dined for dinner and ordered the wok fry shrimp, which sounded good. It did not come with rice, and though I requested it and asked for it several times, I was never brought any. During this meal, I had both the California Roll gluten free and this dish and became very sick afterwards. I am still not sure if I was glutened or if my stomach with Crohn's had a hard time with all of the vegetables. Either way, this experience, along with the restaurant's inability to modify dishes in any way shape or form now (a statement that they were very adamant in reiterating to me) pretty much solidified that I won't be dining here for a long time.It's unfortunate, as I believe the restaurant has a lot of potential to be a great restaurant for gluten free and special diets diners. Restaurants like the newly opened Skipper Canteen (which is owned and operated by Disney and therefore does adhere to very strict special dietary standards and accommodations), have a plethora of gluten free options with Asian flavors. Because of this, I will be sticking to those locations over Morimoto Asia. And, of course, there are always amazing locations at Disney Springs, like Raglan Road Irish Pub that are fantastic with gluten free options.Have you been to Morimoto Asia? How was your dining experience there?

Hollywood Brown Derby -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Hollywood Studios

*This dining experience took place in November 2015.The Hollywood Brown Derby, located at Disney's Hollywood Studios, recalls the glamour and glitz of old Hollywood. Set to resemble the original Hollywood Brown Derby, you'd swear that Humphrey Bogart or Judy Garland might stroll into the restaurant at any moment. With swanky decor, this signature dining location is the perfect spot for dinner or a late lunch in Hollywood Studios.On this particular occasion, I had dinner with a friend who was on vacation at Disney World. We both enjoy the Brown Derby, but it had been a very long time since I'd eaten at there. I was looking forward to getting their famous cobb salad (which is easily made gluten free and dairy free without the cheese) and to see what other options were available.Upon arrival, I was given an allergy friendly menu to look over and was told I could speak with a chef if I had any additional questions. Immediately, I noticed that the cobb salad wasn't listed as a gluten free or dairy free option. I did, however, notice they had crab cakes listed as both gluten and dairy free on the menu. After speaking with the server, I was told that they can make the salad safe, which made me very happy. So, we ended up ordering both the crab cakes and the salad as appetizers.The crab cakes were quite delicious, and I was thrilled to see these as an option on the menu. Though pricey, I was glad I got to try them - though I probably wouldn't order again due to the price. The sweet chili sauce on the plate were a perfect accompaniment to the crab cakes. So good!Of course, the classic cobb salad is always outstanding here. It's hands down my favorite dish at the Brown Derby. You can order an appetizer size or the full entree size which is a nice option. I often get the cobb salad and some GNI rolls for a more affordable meal at the Brown Derby. This may very well be my most favorite salad on Disney property!For my entree, I ordered the Pan-seared Pork Tenderloin stuffed with Apricots, Baby Spinach, Chanterelles, Yukon Gold and Purple Potato Hash and served Cranberry Gastrique. This is marked gluten free on the menu but can be made dairy free, as well. I really enjoyed this dish, though I thought the pork was a bit too undercooked for my liking. If you do not like any pink in your pork, order it well done and not medium. The hash was probably my favorite part of this dish, along with the tangy cranberry gastrique. I'm not sure I'd order it again but was glad I tried it.For dessert, I was given raspberry sorbet. I have to admit, the presentation of this was not very nice, given how nicely plated the rest of the meal was. It felt like a bit of an afterthought. It wasn't anything special, just plain 'ole sorbet.Overall, I really enjoyed the meal at the Hollywood Brown Derby. The crab cakes and cobb salad were the highlights of the meal, and I would gladly order both of them again. You can read Gluten Free in Orlando's review of the Brown Derby on her blog too for a gluten free only review.Have you been to the Hollywood Brown Derby? What did you order there?

Whispering Canyon Cafe -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Wilderness Lodge

*This dining experience took place in August 2015. Whispering Canyon Cafe, located at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, is one of those fun-filled dining experiences at Disney World. The cast members really get into character, and hijinks most definitely ensue. Don't believe me? Just ask for ketchup one time dining here, and you'll see what I mean.On this particular occasion, I dined with two blogger friends of mine, Amanda from Eating Out Without and Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando. Both are huge foodies like me, so it's great to enjoy a meal with fellow special dietary needs foodies.Remember those hijinks I mentioned? If you're not into all the fun, you can always observe from a distance by flipping a card at your table that states you prefer to watch. My family loves all of that, so this was a rare occasion where I didn't participate.Though the restaurant does have an allergy friendly menu, we did have some questions for the chef, including seeing if the dinner skillet could be make both gluten and dairy free, for the chef. I was excited to see that I could still get the skillet, and I couldn't wait to dig in.Up first was a house salad made with an apple vinaigrette. This was light and fresh and a nice beginning to our meal.The next course was the allergy friendly cornbread, which is a not to be missed side for dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe. Made with Namaste vanilla cake mix, it has a sweet taste to it, and is a lovely dense, cake-like, cornbread. It's a hands down favorite with some Earth Balance vegan margarine.For my skillet, I received corn on the cob, green beans, roasted potatoes (instead of mashed potatoes), baked beans, roasted chicken, brisket, ribs, and pulled pork. I have to say the pork and chicken were probably my favorites of the meal. The brisket being my least favorite. I liked the sides well enough, though I wasn't a big fan of the beans. Overall, it's a huge portion, and I was completely stuffed from this meal.I don't normally get dessert, but I absolutely had to try the new campfire style chocolate cake. I topped mine with Rice Dream non-dairy ice cream and with the heated chocolate cake, it was the perfect topping. Overall, this was a delicious way to end the meal. It was nice to have something a bit different, and I loved the ooey gooeyness of the cake. I wouldn't hesitate to order this one again.This meal was definitely a good one. Though I didn't love everything in my skillet, I enjoyed the overall meal experience and offerings. The skillet is a great value and will fill you up easily.Have you been to Whispering Canyon Cafe? What did you order when you dined there?

Antojitos -- Dinner -- Table Service -- City Walk -- Universal Studios

*This dining experience took place in September 2015.Antojitos, located at Universal Studios Orlando City Walk, offers authentic Mexican food and great atmosphere. I first tried Antojitos in August and absolutely loved it and their gluten free offerings.On this particular visit, I dined with my brother, and we wanted to get something quick before going to see a movie at the AMC located at City Walk. We both had been eyeing the fajitas on the menu, and since neither of us were very hungry, decided to split an entree of fajitas and dig into the complimentary chips and salsa.Our server seemed fairly knowledgeable about the gluten free cross contamination needs and assured me that the chips were safe. I'd had them on a previous visit and am always glad when restaurants have dedicated chip fryers. Both my brother and I enjoyed the salsa, which contained green olives in it, for a different twist.When the fajitas were brought out, my brother and I were both a bit surprised that they were not accompanied by any rice or beans like many of the entrees at Anjtojitos are. We were only brought tortillas and fajita toppings (like lettuce and guacamole). Another server brought our food, and while I had asked for corn tortillas, were brought flour and corn with the corn right on top of the flour tortillas. Our server quickly came out and made sure to bring me a fresh and non-contaminated batch of corn tortillas.Because my family is used to sharing food with me, my brother and I quickly and safely divided up the food so that he could eat his fajitas with flour tortillas without worrying about glutening me.Overall, we liked the fajitas but thought the portion, even for one person, to be rather on the small side. For the price, we didn't think it was a good value, since you got no other accompaniments. We both agreed that in the future, we'd stick to other options when we dined here. That being said, we both loved Antojitos food and wouldn't hesitate to go back.Have you been to Antojitos? What did you think of their gluten free offerings?

Kona Cafe -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Polynesian Village

*This dining experience took place in September 2015.Kona Cafe, located at Disney Polynesian Village Resort, is one of my regular restaurant visits for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast offers my favorite modified Big Kahuna and lunch is almost always the Kona Island Chicken Sandwich with sweet potato fries and curry mango mayonnaise. It's a hands down must for me.On this particular occasion, I got a chance to check out the new allergy friendly menu. While I was tempted to order something different, I couldn't help but order that Island Chicken sandwich. The sweet potato fries and curry mango mayonnaise pull me in every time! The sandwich was served on a GNI brand bun, which, unfortunately, fell apart pretty easily. The chicken was grilled perfectly, and I absolutely love the bacon they use at Kona (not that awful stringy Disney bacon). The curry mango mayonnaise is divine, and I always ask for a side of it to dip my sweet potato fries in.Overall, I really enjoyed this entree, as always, though maybe next time I'll try something different. For other options at Kona Cafe, check out Gluten Free in Orlando's lunch reviews from September, as well.Have you been to Kona Cafe? What did you order when you dined there?