*This dining experience took place in March 2014.

Ahoy matey’s! The nautical theme of Captain’s Grille may make you want to say “Shiver me timbers” but you won’t feel “out to sea” with the atmosphere and food offerings of this table service. Sure, I can’t help myself with the sea-inspired references but really this is a nice option for guests looking for breakfast near the Epcot resort area.

On this particular occasion, we stopped by for an early breakfast as we were headed to Epcot for the Flower & Garden Festival that day. We wanted to get a good meal in us before we spent the day touring. It’s been a while since we’ve been to Captain’s Grille, and I will say that it’s not usually my first choice for a breakfast option. However, it sure fits the bill nicely when we go. I really love the quiet atmosphere here. It’s always so calm and relaxing. One of my favorite things about it really.

The restaurant has a breakfast buffet and also an a la carte option. I had the breakfast buffet back in January 2013 but this time I decided to just get something off the menu. The chef here was really eager and nice. He gave me some suggestions, and I decided to go for a custom omelet with ham, onions, and asparagus (one of my favorite veggies) along with some Udi’s toast and Earth Balance. Nothing too crazy but filling and tasty.

My toast was great as always. I gotta admit, I really love Udi’s white sandwich bread. It’s just homey and nostalgic for me. I also like the texture a lot – just reminds me of glutenous filled bread. The Earth Balance vegan margarine is my go-to. I use it at home and in all of my cooking & baking when it calls for butter. This stuff is amazing, and I’m always glad when a Disney restaurant carries it. Never underestimate the power of butter flavor!

I have to say, I love it when I get breakfast potatoes that are just a bit different, and these definitely were. They included shredded potatoes, sweet potatoes (my favorite) and onions with salt and pepper. My only complaint was that the onions were a little raw but otherwise, these were really good. You can’t screw up a breakfast potato that much in my opinion. The omelet would have been great except for two things: 1) It was overcooked and 2) they only gave me the ends of the asparagus.

Overcooked eggs are a personal pet peeve and the omelet was too badly overcooked but enough that I could tell. The thing that was really disappointing was the asparagus. Who gives you asparagus with only the ends?! The tips are the best part! It’s really a good thing I like asparagus because I could still eat my omelet missing tips or not. Note to self…ask about that next time.

Overall, despite the weirdness with asparagus, I really enjoyed the breakfast. The combination of all of my breakfast options made it a really tasty meal. My family, who don’t have special diets, really enjoyed both the buffet and the a la carte options. We all said we’d go back again as an alternative breakfast place. 

I’d give this a solid 7 out of 10 for good service, great atmosphere and decent offerings. I’d bump it up to an 8 if they gave me asparagus tips!! I also want to pop by here sometime for dinner, especially after hearing about their gluten free angel food cake!

Have you dined at Captain’s Grille? What did you think of this restaurant? 

*This dining experience took place in March 2014. It includes my gluten free & dairy free review and a gluten free & yellow food coloring review.

‘Tis the luck of the Irish that I had a chance to visit Raglan Road Irish Pub during the Mighty Festival celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Downtown Disney. Not only were the festivities really fun but it gave me an opportunity to enjoy one of my favorite restaurants at Disney.

Raglan Road Irish Pub is known for their pub fare and especially for their gluten free offerings. In fact, they have continuously been voted one of the best places in Orlando for gluten free offerings. Their fish & chips are probably their most well-known gluten free dish, but they can easily make most of their fried options gluten free!

On this particular occasion, I joined my friends for a meal to celebrate their birthdays. Having dietary needs as well, it worked out that they chose Raglan Road for the celebration. One thing we didn’t realize though was that it was Mighty Festival in Downtown Disney and so that meant it was very busy. Add that together with the fact that Downtown Disney is under massive construction AND it was a Saturday. Well, it was nearly impossible to park here. Note to self. Do not drive to Downtown Disney any time soon.

Once we got to Raglan Road though, we were able to quickly get in, despite the crowds. Of course, after all that parking and crowd navigating, a cold pint of Magners sounded perfect. I grabbed a pint of Magners Pear Cider which was newly added to the tap at Raglan Road. I’m a huge fan of the pear cider, so I was so glad to see it added. It’s a little more mild and tart than the traditional hard cider and it’s a nice variation. I would definitely recommend it. Ask your server for a small sample if you aren’t sure you’ll like it!

After ordering drinks, we moved to appetizers and we split the gluten free onion rings. Super yummy as always. And even better if you ask for a side of the sweet chili jam. You know me and my dipping sauces! I gotta have them! My friends all really liked that pairing and said the onion rings definitely needed a sauce to go with them.

I have to say that our server was probably the least on top of things Raglan Road server we’ve ever had. I’m not sure if it was just too busy or if he didn’t feel comfortable with the menu but he didn’t seem to be as adept at the gluten free offerings as most servers are there. My friend kept asking him questions and he really didn’t seem to know (thankfully, I’ve dine there enough that I could sort of help navigate through the options). 

One thing the server did mention which I want to check the next time I go is that the calamari is the only gluten free fried dish that is not dairy free because they soak the calamari in buttermilk. He also said that the sausages can be made gluten free (no one’s ever offered this so I’d like to check it out). If they are, I know what I’ll be trying next time! Our friends got the regular version at the table and they all raved about them.

For my main dish, I got the fish and chips. You know I can’t resist them. Really no complaints here. They were just as good as they always are. And that tartar sauce. Oh that tartar sauce. I wish I could bottle it and take it home with me. It’s so good.

My friend go the Shepherd’s Pie (which is not dairy free). And I have to say, I was surprised by the presentation. I expected something more homier looking. This was a bit “fancier” in terms of the presentation. Taste-wise two people at the table got the dish and both said it was just OK. Both agreed that the dish needed more sauce. So, it seems like this dish might just be mediocre. It’s a shame because I’ve had some pretty stellar dishes (not just fried ones) here.

While we waited for our entrees, we also took the chance to watch some of the Irish dancing. Wowie, those dancers are fast! It’s really impressive to see these dancers on stage. I have several videos here that I took that night.
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Overall, we had a good meal and a great time at Raglan Road. They sure know how to celebrate for St. Paddy’s Day! A rollicking good time was had by all topped off by great fish and chips and a Magners Irish Cider.

I give this visit a 7 out of 10, mostly for the lack of knowledge by the server.

*This dining experience took place in February 2014.

When it comes to breakfast options at Disney World, Kouzzina has to be one of my favorites. Inspired by Mediterranean flavors, this restaurant (owned by celebrity chef Cat Cora) has bright and bold flavors and dishes that are totally different from many dishes you’ll find on Disney property for breakfast (or dinner too, for that matter). As a gluten free & dairy free diner, the amount of options I have to choose from are pretty amazing….and delicious too.

On this particular occasion, my family stopped by after the Royal Family 5K runDisney race held at Epcot. We were all wearing our race shirts and medals afterwards, so it was fun to go celebrate at one of our favorite breakfast spots. That being said, this restaurant is usually slow to moderately busy for breakfast and this morning it was slammed. And I mean slammed. I guess every runDisney racer decided to head here! It does actually have some great fuel options for runners (turkey sweet potato hash anyone?)

Chef Sergio, who I haven’t seen in forever, was working the breakfast shift. And the poor guy was running around like mad. I guess everyone in the restaurant had a special diet that day! I saw several different Disney friends (who also have dietary needs), so I knew it would be more of a leisurely meal. And it was. It took quite a long time for Chef Sergio to come over but when he did, he was very apologetic. I felt bad for the guy. It was a zoo in there.

Thankfully, I’ve been there so many times that I knew exactly what I wanted: The American breakfast option with eggs over-easy, sweet potato hash (my weakness), bacon, Udi’s gluten free/dairy free toast and a side of allergy Mickey waffles with real maple syrup. Oh yeah, I was about to get my carbs on!

One thing I love about Kouzzina are the eggs are always cooked in high quality extra virgin olive oil…and so good. They also carry Nueske’s bacon here which is not that stringy bacon you get at Disney. I mean it’s bacon and all, but it’s nothing like the thick cut Nueske’s. The sweet potato hash was excellent. Perfectly cooked (the last time I got it it was crunchy so I’m glad that didn’t happen again), and so good after a race. The Udi’s toast dunked in the egg yolks (sorry for those who think that’s gross) is one of my favorite things. So good.

And of course, those allergy Mickey waffles. I just adore these at Kouzzina. Perfectly crunchy and delicious. The best! And you better believe I scarfed every bit of them down. Sorry Mickey!

Overall, despite the long wait times here, this continues to be one of my favorite breakfast spots. It’s just that good.

I’d give this experience a solid 8 out of 10.

Have you been to Kouzzina? What’s your favorite breakfast option on the menu?

*Please note that this top ten list restaurant offerings were accurate at the time they were written. Disney menus may change without notice and restaurants may be under refurbishment during your vacation. The recommendations in this top 10 list are my own opinion.

Dining at Disney World with a special diet is sure to be a treat for kiddos with special dietary needs. With so many options, there is something for all tastes and even the pickiest of eaters. In a post on Facebook, you, the readers, gave me your favorite table service locations at Disney World for kids. From character meals to lively entertainment, you chose some of the most fun restaurants on property. Big and little kids are sure to be pleased by each of these choices!

10. Raglan Road Irish Pub (Downtown Disney): Did someone say gluten free & dairy free (and free of many other allergens) fish and chips? GF/DF onion rings? The located carries dedicated fryers for all sorts of fried food options. Kiddos will find all sorts of delicious treats at this restaurant, located in Downtown Disney. Even though it is a pub, there’s a lot to offer guests, even children. Lunch time is a little more quiet, but the evening time offers live entertainment with terrific Irish dancers. It’s a fun atmosphere that will appeal to all ages. Kids not a fan of fish? The burgers here are pretty fantastic too!

9. Tusker House (Animal Kingdom): What can be more fun than a safari breakfast with Donald and friends? Your kids will be delighted by this character meal that offers something a little on the wild side. While there are African inspired food options, there’s also a lot of traditional offerings for kids to indulge in. Breakfast includes allergy friendly Mickey waffles and special diets pastries (can you say cinnamon sugar donuts?!) while lunch and dinner include allergy chicken tenders. The chefs here are particularly attentive, and they will make sure that buffet items come from the back and are freshly prepared.

8. Kona Cafe (Polynesian): This may be one of my favorite places for breakfast on property because they have some pretty amazing allergy friendly Mickey waffles. And kiddos will think so too! The food here is simple and approachable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sandwiches and Polynesian inspired fare will tempt their taste buds, and they’ll want to visit again and again! Check out the sweet potato fries. They are made in a dedicated fryer and even the finickiest child will enjoy these sweet yet savory treats.

7. Coral Reef (Epcot – Future World): When it comes to atmosphere, Coral Reef, located in Epcot’s The Seas with Nemo & Friends, really can’t be beat. Watching sharks, turtles, fish, and rays in the aquariums is really cool, and your kids will think so too! The food is a little more upscale, but the kids menu offers totally approachable dishes for those who like fish and those who think “fish are friends, not food.” There are lots of special diets offerings here!

6. Ohana (Polynesian): Ohana means family and your family will absolutely love this restaurant. Children will have a blast at breakfast with the Lilo & Stitch character meal which is served family style at your table. Children with a special diet will get their very own platters (how cool is that?) complete with allergy friendly Mickey waffles and more. Stopping for dinner? Kids will be equally excited for the family style meal that includes custom dishes for their special dietary needs. My favorite? The chicken wings and meal platters that include rice, grilled meats, and veggies. They even have gluten free & dairy free sweet & sour and teriyaki sauce for those kiddos that like dipping sauces. Kids are encouraged to participate in the live entertainment!

5. Sci-Fi Dine In (Hollywood Studios): How cool is it to eat a drive-in theater? Pretty cool! And it’s sure to be a hit with your kids too. Sci-Fi Dine In, located in Hollywood Studios, offers really approachable and kid friendly fare that includes burgers, fries, and allergy chicken tenders. They also have non-dairy milkshakes (*Note: there is potential for cross contamination because of the machines they use). Everyone in your family will get a kick out of watching old sci-fi movies while enjoying your dinner in your very own drive-in car. There’s no doubt kids think this restaurant is “Out of this world!”

4. 50’s Prime Time Cafe (Hollywood Studios): What can be better than a meal cooked in mom’s kitchen? 50’s Prime Time serves up homestyle meals that will please even the pickiest of palates. And kids with special diets will be super pleased with allergy friendly fried chicken. Yep, real fried chicken (*Note: Advance Notice through Disney’s Special Diets Department is strongly recommended, due to long prep time). Dairy free mashed potatoes are a winner here as is the gluten free & dairy free meatloaf. Plus, kids will love the antics of the “cousins” who make sure you clean your plates or no dessert!

3. Whispering Canyon Cafe (Wilderness Lodge): I have one phrase that kids will love to use at this restaurant. “Do you have any ketchup?” (just try this next time…trust me!) Whispering Canyon Cafe, located in the Wilderness Lodge, offers up a rootin’ tootin’ good time. The server hijinks will crack your kiddos up, and there’s even fun activities for them to participate in. Plus the food here is pretty awesome for special diets. The fare is BBQ themed and so many of the items are safe for special diets diners. They even have an amazing allergy friendly cornbread here!

2. Boma: Flavors of Africa (Animal Kingdom Lodge): Despite the fact that this restaurant serves food that is African inspired, you shared that this is one of your top places to take kids with special diets. Breakfast is my absolute favorite, and so many of you agree. Kids will enjoy the jungle juice, custom eggs, and allergy friendly Mickey waffles. Dinner is a little more African-inspired but they’ll quickly gobble up all that this place has to offer. Chefs make this meal an extra magical experience. If you get there around opening, you might get selected to be the “family of the day.”

1. 1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian): Heads and tails above any other restaurant, readers said this was the hands down best place to take children with a special diet. Set in the Grand Floridian, this character meal gives kids a chance to meet tons of characters. At the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast meet Mary Poppins, Alice, the Mad Hatter Tigger, and even Winnie-the-Pooh! Dinner turns into a royal affair with Cinderella. Her stepsisters are a hoot! Another buffet, chefs will easily make your little one safe food from the back with tons of great flavor! Talk about a magical meal!

What are you favorite table service locations to take kids?

Stay tuned for the top 10 quick service restaurants for kids with a special diet!

*This dining experience took place in February 2014.

Sanaa means work of art, and there’s no shortage of art in this restaurant — from the decor to the food. I still consider this restaurant a hidden gem on Disney property. Guests who might be apprehensive about the Indian & African inspired fare need not be worried. Sanaa has some of the most delicious and approachable fare that even the most skeptical of diners will love (and I hear regularly from guests who consider this a new favorite restaurant).

On this particular occasion, I stopped by during my pre-runDisney race day festivities. I popped in for a carb filled lunch after coming back from the expo to pick up my race bib. As always, Sanaa did not disappoint both in options and in price.

I was greeted by Chef David, who has assisted me before. Prior to chatting with Chef David, I received two special diets menus from the cast member who seated us. The menus have slightly changed (but not much) and mostly in the area of pricing. Yikes! I long for the days when many of these dishes were under $20! You can find the updated menus on the menu page.

I actually decided to order something not listed on the special diets menus. I ordered the Roasted Turkey Sandwich – served on ciabatta with avocado, smoked bacon, pickled red onion, lemon mayonnaise and choice of chickpea salad or fruit ($13.99). It can easily be modified by using a gluten free/dairy free bread (in this case Udi’s Gluten Free). I also really like the chickpea salad which is fresh and filling (and great for a pre-race meal).

As always, this is a great sandwich. It’s one of my favorites and really quite affordable as far as Disney table service lunches go. The turkey is roasted in house using some African spices and is very mild and tender. The avocado goes perfectly with the turkey and bacon. My favorite parts of this sandwich are the lemon mayonnaise (so fresh) and the pickled onions. The pickled onions totally make this dish. And the chickpea salad is a winner hands down. Even my mom who isn’t a huge fan of cucumbers and other veggies that are in this dish really likes it.

Overall, I’m always pleased after eating at Sanaa. The food can’t be beat, as far as quality, and who can dislike dining at a restaurant overlooking the Savanna with all of the amazing animals. It’s a hands down favorite and a must-do for Disney special diets diners. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, this is definitely a place to go!

I give this a solid 9 out of 10 for great meal and service, especially for special dietary accommodations.

Have you been to Sanaa? What are your favorite dishes here?

*This dining experience took place in February 2014.

Spice Road Table, located in Epcot’s Morocco Pavilion in the World Showcase, is the newest restaurant to open at Disney World. Set to reflect a Tapas style restaurant, it features small plates in appetizer sized portions. The food is inspired by Spain and the Mediterranean and is a bit different from the fare you’ll get at Restaurant Marrakesh or Tangierine Cafe in the same pavilion. This location has been open for about a month now, and I had been wanting to stop by sometime and check out the food.

Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando was at Spice Road Table on opening day, and since I read her review, I’ve been really hoping to check it out because so many options seemed to be gluten free. The menu itself for a Tapas restaurant is pretty limited (I’ve been to Tapas restaurants where they have 50+ menu items) with only 10 items. I’ll be curious to see if they add more items later!

After we were seated (note they aren’t taking reservations at this time, only walk-ups), I told the server that I had a special diet and he said he would get the chef. The person who came out seemed a wee bit more like a line cook than a chef. (*Note: This is a non-Disney owned restaurant, so they may or may not adhere to the same Disney standards for special diets accommodations). He was perfectly lovely but he really didn’t seem to know the menu, though I’ll cut him some slack since he said that he’d just returned from vacation and they had changed the menu up some.

Of the options that were gluten free & dairy free he said I could have the following:

• Fresh Mussels Tagine (without the butter)
• Spicy Garlic Shrimp (without the crouton/bread)
• Mediterranean Omelet
• Moroccan Lamb Sausage
• Hummus and Imported Olives (with GF/DF bread)
• Lamb Slider (without the bun)
• Rice Stuffed Grape Leaves – this was a maybe because he said they changed the recipe and didn’t want to say for sure it was safe. Alexis had it and they told her it was GF, so I’m fairly sure it was OK, but you’d want to check when you order.

So, there were some decent options. I don’t eat lamb, so both of those were out. I was debating between the shrimp and the hummus and olives. I ended up going with the hummus and olives figuring the bread along with the dish would be filling.

Before our food came out though, I did order a drink. I went with something not on the menu – a mojito. It’s one of my favorite refreshing drinks, and I figured that they would have fresh mint on hand (given they had mint tea). The server wasn’t sure at first if they could make it, but they happily obliged at the bar. It is a full bar, so sky’s the limit with drinks — well within reason, I suppose. As far as mojitos, it was OK. It wasn’t my favorite which is the African Starr Mint Mojito at Sanaa, but still pretty good. It also was very weak for a $10 drink.

When my hummus and olives arrived, I was surprised they gave me one piece of bread. I was also surprised by the texture of the bread. It sure didn’t look like Ener-G to me. I asked the server if he could check with the “chef” to see if this was gluten & dairy free. He said he was told it was. I really didn’t feel comfortable, so I did ask if they could send someone from the kitchen out to confirm. When the “chef” came out, he said it was a new product from Ener-G and that they had changed the rolls. I explained to him that I would be very sick if I consumed a regular roll, and he swore up and down that it was safe. Maybe I am just paranoid, but I really wanted to make sure.

As far as the hummus goes, I liked them both, but they weren’t anything of note. The regular hummus had a ton of tahini in it, which I love. The other has a nice tomato salad on top (though it was not properly salted). The winner on the plate were the olives and cornichons. So yummy! Much better than any of the other olives you get in the Morocco pavilion.

My overall impressions of Spice Road Table are this – it’s a gorgeous restaurant with amazing views of the World Showcase Lagoon. The decor is really lovely. The food…just so-so. I also think the price is really expensive for the portions. They wouldn’t even bring me extra bread. I would have had to pay $2.99 for another piece. Egads! For that, I’ll head back to Sanaa for the amazing bread service for $10 with tons of sauces and free-flowing pappadums!

It’s a great place for appetizers and drinks, especially before IllumiNations, but for a full meal? Not so much. We ended up going to Sommerfest later to get a snack because we were still hungry!

I’d give this visit a 6.5 out of 10 for lackluster food but gorgeous atmosphere.