#Disney Dining

Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood

Published on January 8, 2020 in Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

During the holidays I had the opportunity to experience the newest dining experience on property – Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood at Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood opened July 2019 and has been a hit from opening day! The new Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is quite amazing, feeling more like a Deluxe Disney property than a Moderate resort.

This unique rooftop dining experience is just one of three new options at Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort offering both food and beverage, with Toledo and Dahlia Lounge offering spectacular views as well!

The menu choices are inspired by the flavors of Spain and include tapas, steaks and seafood created in the on-stage tapas kitchen.

The atmosphere and experience was amazing and the service top notch! The food presentation was impeccable and everything was prepared to perfection!

We started our meal with an order of Tronchón Cheese Gratinado from the Cazuelas (Spanish for cooking pot) menu. This was essentially a cheese bread with tupelo honey and lavender, it was very flavorful and you could smell and taste the lavender.

Our entrées included Scallops (fava hummus, olives, harissa vinaigrette, roasted carrots, yogurt powder), Manhattan Filet (olive oil-potato purée, grilled onions, dates, sherry vinaigrette) and the Red Wine-braised Chicken (grapes, sherry vinegar, roasted tomato ‘bomba’ rice). In addition, we ordered the Roasted Cauliflower and Olive Oil-Potato Purée as sides to share.
My only critique was regarding the descriptions and recommendations from our server – – – my husband and I ended up switching plates once our food arrived because our server was not accurate with his information.

I would definitely recommend the Manhattan Filet (which is what I ended up eating) and feel that the Red Wine-braised Chicken is a heavier meal (which my husband ended up eating). And, definitely order the Roasted Cauliflower side dish – I am not a fan of cauliflower but this dish was amazing!

If you aren’t looking for a table service dining experience, but have the time, I highly recommend simply going to this new resort on property to check it out – the new lobby, Barcelona Lounge, Dahlia Lounge and Three Bridges Bar & Grill all offer amazing experiences and the feel of a Deluxe resort. And, yes, I have experienced and enjoyed it all!!

**I am in LOVE with the lobby area – the lighted panels randomly change colors and the tables all have charging ports!**

Barcelona Lounge

Three Bridges Bar & Grill

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Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

Published on January 16, 2019 in Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

I recently experienced the new Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, which opened December 16, 2018.

If you have eaten at Artist Point previously, you will notice a few changes… First, the check-in host is now located at the bottom of the ramp before you get to Territory Lounge.

And, while the layout of the restaurant has not changed much, there are new “rustic” features, inspired by the Disney film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, creating an Enchanted Forest.

**If you have dined at Artist Point in the past, the menu cover will be familiar but the menu selections and experience have changed**.

This is now a prix fixe dinner and Snow White, along with Dopey and Grumpy and the Wicked Queen, make appearances for meet & greets as well as song and dance performances.

For this prix fixe dining experience, you will have shared appetizers for the table. However, they bring enough for each Guest to have their own “small plate”. My favorite was the Wicked Shrimp Cocktail (center photo).

For your entrée, you will choose individually from the menu selections. With our group of 6 we ordered Magic Mirror Slow-braised Veal Shank, Royal Prime Rib Roast and Brother’s Grimm Roasted Chicken. Of these, I had the veal, which was DELICIOUS – I requested the Roasted Brussels Sprouts instead of the Wilted Winter Greens and they went very well with my veal and Celery Root Mashed – a great side to steak or chicken, tastier than mashed potatoes with half the carbs – it tasted a lot like mashed cauliflower and was delicious and light, perfect with my veal. As with all Disney dining experiences, there are also children’s selections on the menu.

And, for dessert, you have a shared experience again with plenty for everyone at the table. I love dessert but the “Poison” Apple was my favorite – I might have eaten two!

At the end of your meal your server will deliver a very special treat…
The Hunter’s Gift to the Queen – Crackled Maple Popcorn with Ganache Hearts – presented with white gloves in a royal treasure chest!

Even the adult beverages are themed! Our group enjoyed the Enchanted Apple (vodka martini) and Evil to the Core (berry margarita).

And, there is a PhotoPass Photographer on hand at the end of your meal to capture you with the Wicked Queen so be sure to purchase Memory Maker with your resort package! It’s a fun but challenging Photo opp – you want to smile for a photo but you also want to follow character with the Queen…

This is a fun character dining experience. If you are a Snow White or Wicked Queen fan, or you just love those cute Dwarfs, be sure to make a reservation for your next Disney vacation! Advance reservations are a must (they were turning Guests away when we checked in for our reservation) and are currently available via your My Disney Experience account and some Dining Plans are accepted.

Please note: Disney Characters join guests for dinner only. Character appearances are subject to change. Menu items are subject to change.

Shared Photo and Video Credit with William Coleman

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A trip to Tiffins Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom*

Published on March 8, 2017 in Walt Disney World by Doug Wilcoxon

Tiffins Coaster. For clarity we shall call this the “front of the coaster”.

Why the asterisk? The post title needs additional detail, but I didn’t want it to be too long and off putting in the header. The full title is “A trip to Tiffin’s Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which sits right at the entrance of the soon to be opening Pandora – The World of AVATAR… and we wished to visit before the crush of humanity makes it impossible to leisurely stroll directly to the restaurant entrance”. That being said, if you want to visit this restaurant (which I recommend), then you had better take advantage of the My Disney Experience app, or online reservations, or by phone (the old fashion way) and make your reservations early.

From the start, as we entered the restaurant I was drawn to the decor and overall general laid back atmosphere. This restaurant trip could be referred to as a “cold call” since no prior research of the restaurant was done by myself, and it is a pleasant surprise to be pleasantly surprised. I’m not saying that no planning was done, since the hardest working travel planner in the travel planning business, Crystal, booked our reservation for the monthly Disney Dining Excursion.

It’s hard to say what put me at ease as we entered the restaurant, but the look and warm glow of wood finishes is something that has always been a favorite of mine… then again it could have been the easily accessible restrooms just to the right of the hostess stand. Everybody has their thing. As we enter through the double doors of square glass panes and wood carvings the hostess station is directly in front. I advise any guest to make good use of their wait time, turn around and take a look at the carvings as you enter the building (after you check in of course). The wood carvings throughout are something to admire. The colors glowed of warm gold, browns and copper.

We dined in Tiffin’s Grand Gallery and of all the Walt Disney World restaurants we have enjoyed since starting the monthly Disney Dining Experience, this is my favorite room. Why?… two reasons. 1. The room decor is a pleasure to view throughout the meal. Each wall is unique. 2. The Grand Gallery is smaller and has a more laid back pace. The hustle and bustle you may experience at some of the large open dining rooms doesn’t seem to be prevalent at the Tiffin’s.

We had 3:15pm dining reservations and the obviously the crowd was thinning a bit, but we did wait at least 20 minutes beyond our confirmed dining reservation time. An interesting point brought up by this tripadvisor review concerns the dining package for reserved seating at Rivers of Light. This review contradicts my laid back statement… so you may wish to consider your dining times when making your reservation.

Being a bit surprised at the size of the dining area (not that I’m complaining), we questioned our server and he enlightened us to the layout of the restaurant. There are three dining rooms. The Grand Gallery, Safari Gallery, and the Nomad Lounge. Table seating in the Bar at Nomad Lounge does require a reservation except at the bar. See paragraph one, last sentence. There isn’t a feeling that you are being turned quickly and the pace of the wait staff is relaxed. The setting is conducive to easy conversation with your fellow diners.

Unless of course you don’t want conversation with your fellow diners then I would recommend Chef Mickeys. We love that place, there is a lot of activity at all times; a monorail overhead; special visits from the Mouse himself and guests; and you can leave the table at any time to get some food. For example, your table mate starts to speak, and you say “Excuse me I need to go get another plate of Filet of Beef and some dessert.” If that is said to you don’t take it personally now that you know the secret.

View of the totems from our table. Totems, must not have been happy with me as they were putting out fuzzy vibes towards my picture.

Why are we here? That is a deep question and my answer has always been… we are here to eat. Someone has to do it and it might as well be me. Unfortunately it isn’t an appetizer sort of day for us and we proceed directly to the Main Courses. The meal consists of a two Berkshire Pork Tenderloins ($39), Pan-seared Duck Breast ($39) and Grilled Swordfish ($42).