Steakhouse 55 -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Disneyland Hotel
*This gluten free dining experience took place in October 2017.
Breakfast at Steakhouse 55
Steakhouse 55 is a signature dining location at the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland in California. Having recently made a brief trip to Disneyland, we knew that we wanted to get some resort dining in on our trip. We were staying at the Disneyland Hotel, so Steakhouse 55 was high on our list. This restaurant serves both breakfast and dinner, both of which we go to enjoy. On our last day at Disneyland, I stopped by Steakhouse 55 for breakfast after Brandon left for the airport for home and I headed to a work conference in Anaheim. After eating here, I so wish we would have enjoyed another breakfast there during our trip.
Atmosphere
Steakhouse 55 has a classic steakhouse feel to it. Everything about it reminds me of a 1950s or 1960s steakhouse, complete with a cozy lounge outside of the main restaurant and vintage themed decor inside.
The restaurant is filled with dark wood, high-backed booths, and cozy chairs.
There are also plenty of vintage photos of classic Hollywood actors. The theming is so good, you'd swear Walt Disney himself might pop in for a dinner or breakfast while you're there.
During breakfast, I had a cozy corner table, and I pretty much had the restaurant to myself, as there were only 2 other tables with guests at them. It was earlier in the morning (around 8 a.m.), but I'm guessing this is a restaurant that isn't typically super busy at breakfast.
The Food
During dinner service at Steakhouse 55, guests with special dietary needs are given an allergy-friendly dinner menu. At breakfast, though, they do not have one on hand. So, this means you'll speak with a chef before you order. I personally always prefer this method because it gives me a chance to ask questions and sometimes get dishes that I wouldn't have thought about ordering. On this visit, I had my heart set on the Pork Belly Chilaquiles -- a traditional Mexican dish that's a bit like nachos. The chef told me that it was gluten free, which was great news. So, I definitely had to order it. But, there were plenty of other gluten free (and even gluten free and dairy free) options on the menu.
The Pork Belly Chilaquiles included Two Eggs, Corn Tortilla Chips, Salsa Roja, Charred Avocado Crema. This dish is gluten free, but you could modify it to be dairy free by omitting the cheese and avocado crema.All I can say is WOW!This dish was so flavorful and delicious, that I'm kind of kicking myself that we didn't dine here more than once. The pork belly was insanely rich, tender, and delicious. And, there were huge chunks all throughout the dish. The salsa roja was packed with flavor that was perfectly balanced by the queso fresco cheese and avocado crema. Be warned though, this dish was spicy. It wasn't unbearably spicy, but it was spicier than I expected. So, if you aren't a fan of spicy food, you may want to skip this dish.Seriously, this might have been one of the best things I ate while were at Disneyland. So, I can't say enough good things about it. I would definitely have a hard time not ordering this if it were still on the menu whenever I go back to Disneyland again.
I also really wanted the allergy-friendly Mickey waffles after reading Alexis's Gluten Free Adventure's review of them. The ones offered at Steakhouse 55 are large single waffles and not the ones we're used to at Disney. But, I couldn't resist the chilaquiles. I asked the chef if it was possible to have smaller ones made. And, he offered to get me allergy-friendly Mickey waffles from Goofy's Kitchen, a buffet located next door, which were smaller.I was so happy to get these with my meal. They were the perfect sweet treat to cap off my meal. These were really well cooked and super crispy. Though, I have to admit, I want to try the large allergy-friendly Mickey waffle someday. The photos from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures looks amazing. You can read her full review and see photos on her blog.
Overall
Steakhouse 55 is a must-do breakfast spot the next time that we visit Disneyland. I was so impressed by the quality of the food and the offerings here. The service here was also really wonderful too. I'm still dreaming of the chilaquiles from Steakhouse 55. And this will be a restaurant we make breakfast reservations for at least one breakfast on our next visit.Have you been to Steakhouse 55 for breakfast? What did you order when you dined there?
Carnation Cafe -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Disneyland
*This dining experience took place in October 2017 at the Disneyland Parks & Resort in California.
Breakfast at Carnation Cafe
There's nothing more magical than dining on Main Street U.S.A. Carnation Cafe, a table service restaurant in Disneyland, is hands down one of the best places to enjoy a meal on Main Street with a ton of charm and great food. We recently went to Disneyland for a very quick 3 day trip. And, one of our must-do's was to have breakfast at Carnation Cafe. I hadn't been to Disneyland since 2006 (my only previous visit) and Brandon hadn't been since he was a kid, so we were both looking forward to classic Disneyland charm. And, we definitely weren't disappointed when we had breakfast at Carnation Cafe.
Atmosphere
We were lucky enough to be at Disneyland during the Halloween/Fall season, so everything, including Carnation Cafe were decorated for with fall decor. It made it even more memorable, and we loved all the theming.
I had previously had breakfast a few times on my trip back in 2006 with my mom. We fell in love with Carnation Cafe, and I'm so glad we got to go back on this trip. From the classic Main Street U.S.A. signs to the restaurant theme, it was a cozy and perfect spot for a breakfast before exploring the park.
The Carnation Cafe theme is spread throughout the restaurant, from the wallpaper, to the actual carnations at every single table. We both loved the dark wood interior that really reminded us of the classic Victorian era.
In addition to the indoor seating, guests can also enjoy a meal outside too. If you really love people watching, this is the location for you. We liked that we were inside, but close to the outdoor seating, for some added ambiance.
Each and every detail in the restaurant was a nod to carnations. Even the menus had carnations on them.
The Food
Of course, one of our favorite things about Carnation Cafe was the food. Carnation Cafe currently is not offering an allergy-friendly breakfast menu, so I don't have an update to the older one, but the chef came and spoke with me, which was great. The chef was super accommodating, and it felt like I was at Disney...just on the other coast. We opted to each get Oscar's Choice, named after Carnation Cafe's famous Chef Oscar (who recently retired) and as added bonus, we ordered a kid's portion of allergy-Mickey waffles.
For the Oscar's Choice, this can be made both gluten free and dairy free. I got mine with eggs over-easy, breakfast potatoes, bacon, an allergy-roll, and fresh fruit. The roll was easy to recognize as the Deanna's Gluten Free rolls. It was decently heated and worked well with breakfast. The only bummer was that they do not carry a dairy free butter alternative, so no Earth Balance for me.I did love the crispy bacon (no stringy bacon here) and the fresh fruit. All of this made for a nice touch and a wonderfully hearty breakfast. Both of us really enjoyed this entree, and I wouldn't hesitate to get it again at breakfast. It's a classic, but sometimes a classic is just what you need!
I had initially asked if we could order allergy Mickey waffles as a side instead of getting the allergy roll. The chef said they don't do that there, but that the kids portion of the waffles would be a good option. He said that the recipe they use at Carnation Cafe is doctored up a bit, so it's Bob's Red Mill gluten free pancake & waffle mix along with some secret ingredients that he wouldn't share with me. I'm sure it's pixie dust because these tasted incredible!Hands down, these were legit some of the best allergy Mickey waffles I've ever had. They were warm, crispy, and perfectly cooked. I'm not sure what was in them, but they were amazing. Brandon and I each ate one of the waffles, and we both enjoyed them a lot. I gotta admit, I sort of regret not ordering a big plate of them or getting a chance to go back. I know when Alexis from Alexis' Gluten Free Adventures went, she didn't have quite the same experience I did, but I'm hoping this is a trend that these waffles continue to be outstanding because they were amazing when we visited.The kids portion was also pretty decently sized as you can see from the photo. In addition to the two waffles, it came with fresh fruit and a side of breakfast meat. We got sausage on that round, and while it was good, we both preferred the bacon.
Overall
I can't say enough good things about Carnation Cafe. We both agreed that the food, atmosphere, and fact that we got to eat on Main Street U.S.A. made Carnation Cafe one of the best breakfast spots we've been to at any Disney park, even at home in Orlando. I have to admit that I'm just a little jealous that the West Coast has this amazing table service location. We only got to dine there for breakfast, but we both said on our next trip, we have to eat there for another meal too. Until then, I'm going to keep dreaming of my Oscar's Choice breakfast and those amazing allergy Mickey waffles!Have you been to Carnation Cafe at Disneyland? What did you think of the offerings there?
Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge
*This dining experience took place in August 2016.
Sanaa, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village, has long been one of my favorite restaurants at Disney. I love the Indian and African inspired dishes, the amount of gluten free and dairy free offerings, and of course, the amazing views.On this particular occasion, I visited with my mom and stepdad who were in town briefly, having just arrived back from a trip to Europe. Their tradition every time they come back from vacation is to dine at Sanaa. And who am I to argue with their tradition?!I looked over the Sanaa allergy friendly menu but asked to speak to a chef, as I had a few questions about some of the new regular menu dishes that are not listed on the allergy friendly menu. As I learned from a recent visit to Sanaa, many of the dishes on the regular menu are gluten free and dairy free but oddly not listed on the allergy friendly menu.Chef Fallon who assisted me and my friends back in April is a rockstar and helped me out on this visit. She deserves some huge kudos.
For an appetizer, we had to get the Sanaa bread service. It's a must. I love that I can get gluten free and allergy friendly (and vegan!) naan bread. Because we were splitting it, I ordered two pieces of the special diets naan while my mom and stepdad got regular naan.
Before anyone else dug in, I immediately scooped up some dipping sauces for myself. I'm a huge fan of the Coriander Chutney, Mango Chutney (which I recently made on My Gluten Free Disney Kitchen!), and the Roasted Red Bell pepper Hummus. I also really enjoy the Tomato Date Chutney.The gluten free and allergy friendly naan was good, but probably the least well cooked compared to other visits where it has been divine. It wasn't bad, but it seemed a bit dry. Thankfully, I had lots of dipping sauces to help with that.The gluten free, allergy friendly, and vegan naan bread is made with Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour blend and is listed as gluten/wheat, egg, fish/shellfish, milk, peanut/tree nut, and soy allergy friendly. 
This is a photo of the traditional bread service. This naan is egg, fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, and soy allergy friendly.
For my entree, I ordered the African-inspired Biryani which was listed as Fragrant Rice with Seasonal Vegetables influenced from the Cape of Good Hope. This is a vegetarian dish (I believe it was also vegan).Chef Fallon noted that many people ask for protein in the dish and that she could do so for me. I told her to surprise me for whatever was easiest for her, as I'm not fussy and like most proteins. This would later come back to be an issue with the check, but more on that later.The Biryani was served with crispy fried onion straws on top. Because I was unsure about the safety when it arrived (I've had the wrong thing given to me before at Sanaa), I asked server Jonathan to ask Chef Fallon and confirm its safety. I learned it was made with a gluten free flour, so that was great.Unfortunately, I had to wait a good 10 minutes before I could even talk to a server about this (Jonathan was not our server was a total rockstar; sadly, our server Eddie virtually ignored us throughout our meal and sent over other servers to assist us, while waiting on tables located directly next to us.). It did take another 5 minutes or so before I got confirmation, so I waited at about 15 minutes before I could eat my meal.Overall, once I finally got to eat it, I really enjoyed this dish. I loved the protein addition (Chef Fallon noted they will be updating the menu soon, and the protein add option will be listed), and I thought the rice was well cooked. The crispy fried onions were amazing!My only slight negative was the vegetables in the Biryani. I'm all about a nice vegetable melange but Brussels Sprouts, Green Beans, Carrots and some other root veggies seemed an odd combo to me. I love all of those, but they seemed a bit out of place with my dish.
My mom got the Butter Chicken and Braised Beef with Basmati Rice, all of which is gluten free. The Butter Chicken contains dairy, but the Braised Beef is dairy free. I've had the Braised Beef on a previous visit and thought it was just OK.
My stepdad had the Braii Lamb with Apricots, Squash, Bacon, Cashews, and Goat Cheese. It looked amazing. It wasn't listed as gluten free, but I am thinking it might have been easily gluten free, if not naturally gluten free, as all of the lamb dishes at Sanaa have been gluten free in the past.The Braii Lamb, I've had before was gluten free on the Braaivleis - South African Braai Sample Plate. Next time, I will ask because it looked incredible and was a great value compared to the other dishes at $22.Everyone enjoyed our meal, but I was a bit shocked when I got my bill and noticed a $15 upcharge for the protein I got. I definitely don't mind upcharges and am used to them at restaurants (thought to be honest, it's not all that rare at Disney), but I was shocked that it was so much and not communicated to me prior.I did speak to the manager Zach who basically said the restaurant charged that much because they needed to recoup their cost. He also noted that the new menu will be coming out and that this price was reflective of new price increases at Sanaa. I did explain to him that had I known there was an upcharge that high, I would have ordered my standard faves. I also let him know that I at no point specifically requested those proteins (he indicated the seafood made it a higher price, which I do understand, of course) and that the chef came up with those.He did reduce the price down to $26 total, which was the same price as the current pricing for the curries on the menu. Still, I was a bit stunned at the experience, and it's definitely not something I've experienced at Disney before without telling me prior to ordering.Overall, we enjoyed the food and atmosphere, but the experience with service was a bit lacking on this visit. I'm sad to hear that a new menu coming out will now price the curries from $26 to $34 and include 3 choices. My guess is the portion size will be lowered for each of the sauces, but that remains to be seen. Of course, menus and prices are always subject to change, so I will let you know if this new proposed change takes place.I love Sanaa, but I think I may skip it for dinner for a while and maybe only go at lunch where the prices are a bit more reasonable. It's a shame because it's my favorite restaurant, but this particular visit makes me want to take a bit of a Sanaa break for a while.As an update, I did speak with Disney's Guest Services, and they were also surprised by the upcharge I received and assured me that this is not a new common practice at Sanaa or other locations. Hopefully, others will not experience the same issue I did on this visit to Sanaa. This was a rare occurrence, and I'm glad it's not the norm.Have you been to Sanaa? What is your favorite dish there?
Frontera Cocina -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in July 2016.
Frontera Cocina, located at Disney Springs, has quickly become one of my new favorite table locations. With authentic Mexican food, this restaurant is the brain child of celebrity chef Rick Bayless, who is well-known for creating classic Mexican cuisine.With a menu that's almost entirely gluten free naturally, it's not hard to see why I love Frontera Cocina so much.
On this particular visit, I stopped by with my mom for a quick lunch. Frontera Cocina opens at 11 a.m., and on this visit, we were actually the first guests in the restaurant. Yes, rope dropping Mexican food; that's how we roll in my family!
On my last visit, I got the bacon guacamole and loved it, but I've been dying to try the Sikil Pak -- a classic Yucatan dish made with pumpkin seeds. It's actually something I learned to make when I visited Mexico for my birthday in 2015, so I was excited to try Frontera Cocina's version.Served with tortilla chips (which are made in a dedicated fryer), cucumber, and jicama, this was a nice refreshing appetizer. The pumpkin seed dip does have a bit of a bite, as it contains habanero, but it's not overly spicy. I preferred the dip with the fresh cucumber with the tortilla chips coming in as a close second. My mom loved the jicama.My only complaint about this dish was that our tortilla chips seemed a bit stale. They weren't warm and freshly fried, which was a bit of a bummer.
For my entree, I decided to order the zucchini and roasted poblano pepper tostadas topped with black beans, goat cheese, and a bit of frisee. I do really well with non-cow's milk cheese, so I was looking forward to trying this goat cheese based dish.Overall, I really enjoyed these -- though after seeing my mom's chicken tostadas, I sort of wish I had ordered those minus the crema and queso fresco. The zucchini and poblanos were really well cooked, and I liked the combination of the beans and tang from the goat cheese. I wasn't a fan of the frisee, but it was easily removed.I didn't ask, but I actually don't think this is a vegetarian dish, because the menu indicates that the black beans contain pork (probably pork fat). Next time I visit, I will try to ask about vegetarian dishes.
My mom ordered the chicken tostadas, and she raved about them. They looked really delicious and flavorful. Topped with black beans, chicken, avocado, crema, queso fresco and cilantro - these are gluten free and can easily be made dairy free by removing the crema and queso fresco.Overall, we really enjoyed our lunch at Frontera Cocina. I hope to go back for dinner to try out some of the other gluten free options. I'm dying to get the shrimp mojo de ajo that my friend Ron ordered. You can see some of the other gluten free dishes over on Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures.What are you most looking forward to trying at Frontera Cocina?
Emeril's -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Universal Orlando
*This dining experience took place in June 2016.
Emeril's Orlando located at City Walk at Universal Orlando is a table service location that offers a taste of celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse's take on classic New Orleans dishes. I recently had the opportunity to dine at Emeril's Orlando during a work conference.None of my friends had dined here gluten free, but Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures as been to Emeril's Tchoup Chop at the Loew's Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando with mixed experiences. So, when I visited Emeril's Orlando, I figured I would have some options but that it wouldn't be as amazing as it is at Disney World.
After arriving, I did enjoy both a glass of red wine and a cocktail. I absolutely loved the New G&T which is a take on classic gin and tonics, one of my favorite drinks. Emeril's Orlando uses a small batch gin and tonic water along with black currant and lime. It was so refreshing and a popular drink at our table, as nearly half of the table ended up ordering these.
Emeril's Orlando does not have a gluten free menu, and I was walked through some options with our server, as a chef does not come out to the table. Sadly, many of the starters were not options for gluten free (let alone dairy free), and I opted to get a classic Caesar salad, since I've been reintroducing a bit of dairy back into my diet.I wasn't very impressed by this salad. It was rather plain and certainly nothing special.
For my entree, I asked if the BBQ Salmon was safe for me, and I was told they could make it gluten free by removing the crispy onions. I later learned that they also removed the BBQ sauce. Talk about a bummer.The salmon itself was very spicy (as it had blackening seasoning on it). There wasn't a lot of texture in the dish, as the andouille sausage and potatoes underneath were pretty mushy. If I had known I wouldn't get the BBQ sauce, I probably would have ordered something else.Sadly, most of the entrees contained a lot of sauces that contained gluten, so I was steered away from most dishes.
For dessert, there are two gluten free options - the Flourless chocolate cake and a fruit plate with sorbet (which is also dairy free). I ended up taking a bite of the flourless chocolate cake, which was very rich and decadent. It's also very dairy heavy.If I were going to order a flourless chocolate cake, I would get one from another restaurant rather than the version here, which seemed pretty basic in every way. It couldn't compare to the amazing version I had at Fulton's Crab House (soon to be reopened as the Paddlefish).Overall, I wasn't wowed by Emeril's Orlando. It was just OK and definitely not something I'd paid out of my own pocket (I was hosted by a vendor at work). The prices didn't justify the quality of food served.As a celiac and gluten free diner, I'm surprised and disappointed that Emeril's Orlando doesn't have a gluten free menu given that two of Emeril's daughters are gluten free (including one celiac) and huge GF advocates.I don't think I'll be making a visit to Emeril's Orlando or Tchoup Chop anytime soon again. I'm glad I got to try it, but it's definitely not worth a repeat visit for me. I'd rather go to Antojito's next door at Universal Orlando City Walk for some amazing Mexican food.Have you been to Emeril's Orlando? What did you think of the options?
Boma -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House
*This dining experience took place in June 2016.
Boma: Flavors of Africa is a table service restaurant located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House Resort that offers breakfast and dinner options -- all buffet style.Despite the fact that it's a buffet (which are always cross contamination nightmares for those of us with many special dietary needs), Boma is the perfect spot for a wonderful meal, because the chefs there are so amazing and providing safe options and even bringing you food from the back of the kitchen to ensure safety.
Boma continues to my favorite brunch spot on Disney property because the food is amazing with lots of gluten free and dairy free options and even has some unique dishes to round out the meal. I enjoy dinner at Boma, but if I had to pick breakfast or dinner at Boma, I'd pick breakfast every time.On this particular occasion, I went to brunch with Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures. We both love Boma, so it was a great choice. You can read her full review on her blog.
After arriving and being seated, our server brought us Jungle Juice, which is a combination of passion fruit, guava, and orange juices and is really delicious. It's a lot of sugar, so I usually only drink one glass of this.Once we got our drinks, the chef came out to go through the buffet with us. We asked if she could bring most of our food from the kitchen, with the only exceptions being the fresh fruit and the carving station meats.
Every time I go to Boma, I have to get the fresh pineapple. I don't know what it is, but Boma always has the freshest best tasting pineapple. This visit was no exception!
I did also go to the carving station which has smoked ham and smoked turkey on it. The chef carves it fresh for you at the carving station, and it's always amazing. Check with a chef about any of the accompaniments at the carving station. Typically, the only sauce that is gluten free and dairy free is the sambal. Sadly, the Boma mustard contains gluten.
The chef brought out several items for me, including grilled asparagus (a Boma favorite), bacon, breakfast potatoes, and allergy friendly Mickey waffles. The Mickey waffles were made from Namaste mix, and I topped them with banana chips and warm pure maple syrup. They were extra crispy, which was great.
I also ordered a ham, onion, and goat cheese omelet. Though they do have an omelet station, I asked if the chef could make this in the kitchen. Usually I really love the omelets at Boma, but I found that the amount of goat cheese in this dish made the flavors too overpowering. It was OK, but next time I would order without it.I also ordered a side of pap, which is basically grits.You can also request a variety of breakfast pastries, but since I was going to a work conference that day, I opted to skip them. Typically, Boma has Udi's Gluten Free pastries (like muffins and bagels) and Kinnikinnick donuts.
Once Alexis and I stuffed ourselves silly with delicious breakfast offerings, we decided to take a stroll through the Jambo House grounds. I love that you can see the Savannah and check out all the amazing animals at the lodge, while you are there!Overall, I can't recommend Boma enough. It's been a consistently great option for brunch and always has amazing options that are safe and delicious. I can't wait to go back and brunch here again soon.Have you been to Boma? What do you love about this table service restaurant?
Frontera Cocina -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in June 2016.Frontera Cocina is the newest restaurant to open in Disney Springs. A table service location from renowned chef Rick Bayless, Frontera Cocina offers guests at Disney Springs a taste of Mexico with authentic gourmet dishes.As a former Midwesterner, I grew up about 2 hours from Rick Bayless's restaurants (including Xoco, Frontera Grill, and Toplobampo) in Chicago and have enjoyed them in the past, so I was very excited about this restaurant opening. Although I love some of the Mexican restaurants in Epcot, like La Hacienda de San Angel and San Angel Inn, I love how authentic all of Rick Bayless's restaurants are for Mexican food, so I knew we'd be in for a real treat.
I was lucky enough to go to Frontera Cocina on the second day of their opening with Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures (you can read her full review of Frontera Cocina on her blog) and our friend Ron. We were all really excited about the options and couldn't wait to check it out.
I knew that Frontera Cocina would be pretty gluten free friendly, but I was surprised to see that almost the entire menu was gluten free and most of it could be easily made dairy free too. Even better, the entire menu notes allergens next to each dish, which was really helpful.
The restaurant itself is really clean and modern. We loved the vibrant colors and cheery atmosphere.
While deciding what to order, Ron and I got drinks. We couldn't pass up the cucumber gin & tonics which sounded delicious and refreshing. And, suffice it to say, they didn't disappoint. This was an amazingly refreshing drink for the summertime and one I'd definitely get again. Of course, I may have to try a margarita or two on my next visit. We grabbed margaritas from the Frontera Cocina To-Go counter the day before, and they were fantastic.
For an appetizer, Ron and I split the bacon guacamole. We had tried the regular guacamole the day before but knew bacon was definitely the one to try next. Because everything is better with bacon. Our server said it was a bit spicy, but no one at the table thought it was spicy at all.The bacon flavor in this guacamole was mild but delicious. The pumpkin seeds (aka pepitas) added a nice crunch. The quality of this guacamole was outstanding and so fresh, with big chunks of avocado throughout. To add to this, the chips were thick, crispy, and delicious. We were all very excited that the chips were gluten free and celiac safe.
Along with the guacamole, our server brought two kinds of salsa to our table. I wasn't a big fan of the chipotle salsa, which was a bit spicier and smoky, but really loved the salsa verde which the perfect combo of sweet and spicy for me.
Alexis and her daughters ordered the queso fundido which was served with fresh soft corn tortillas. It looked amazing and completely decadent. Though I've been reintroducing a bit of dairy back into my diet, this seemed like way too much dairy for me, so I didn't try this. Alexis and her daughters absolutely loved it though, making it a great gluten free choice.
For my entree, I ordered the pork carnitas served with refried beans, guacamole, salsa verde, pickled onions, and fresh soft corn tortillas. I really enjoyed this dish a lot. The pork was super crispy and tender. There was very little fat to this dish, unlike the version of carnitas I got at La Hacienda de San Angel.The refried beans were delicious, though those who are vegetarian or vegan should note that the beans do contain pork in them. My dish was marked as containing dairy, but was easily made dairy free by removing the cheese.
Ron ordered plantains and shared them with our table. These were gluten free and made dairy free by removing the cheese and sauces. We all loved them, and Alexis even enjoyed them as an accompaniment to her steak tacos. These were delicious, and I would order as a side without any hesitation.
Ron ordered the Shrimp Mojo de Ajo, and after our table each took bites of this, we agreed it was the hands down best dish at the table. Though it had a creamy texture, this dish was made gluten free and dairy free upon request. The plantain rice was outstanding, but the shrimp and the sauce made this an incredible dish. I think this may be the dish I order on my next visit!
Alexis ordered the carne asada steak tacos. These looked good and would make for a great lunch, though I think with all of the other amazing options on the menu, I would choose other options first. Alexis and her daughters seemed to enjoy both the chicken and steak tacos, both of which were gluten free and easily made dairy free by removing the cheese.Overall, I really enjoyed my first visit to Frontera Cocina. The amount of gluten free and easily made dairy free items on the menu give me tons of options on any visit that I make. On top of the fact that I adore good Mexican food, this will easily be my new go-to spot at Disney Springs. Even better, I can get my on the go Mexican fix by visiting their To-Go counter which also has gluten free options.I'm looking forward to visiting again and trying other dishes on the menu.What dishes do you want to try at Frontera Cocina?
Rose & Crown Dining Room -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Epcot
*This dining experience took place in June 2016.
Rose & Crown Dining Room, a table service restaurant at Epcot's UK Pavilion in the World Showcase, offers a taste of classic British pub fare, including fish and chips, bangers and mash, and more.It's been 3 years since I've dined here, and after reading a recent dining review from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures, I was looking forward to checking out the options. Rose & Crown Dining Room is a Disney owned restaurant (not many in the World Showcase are, as they are operated by outside companies), and because of this, they do have an allergy friendly menu.
While going through the menu, I opted to get a Strongbow hard cider. It's naturally gluten free and delicious. We were also seated outside, so it made for a refreshing drink on a hot summer day.Our server, Joe, was amazing and one of the best servers we've ever had at Disney World. On top of being an amazing server in general, he also happens to be gluten free too and was able to talk about his favorite dishes and easy modifications.Sadly, a lot of the dishes I was interested in were not easily modified but Joe did mention that those who are gluten free only can get a Shepherd's Pie made gluten free, though it does take about 20 minutes to prepare. Joe said his favorite dish was the baked gluten free fish & chips, so I decided to order that. I had been going back and forth between this and the curry, but since I didn't enjoy the version of the curry I had back in 2013, I decided to skip it.
I really enjoyed the baked fish and chips from Rose & Crown. I wouldn't say it was anything special but that it was all cooked well. The baked cod was delicious and well-seasoned. The steak fries (aka chips) were crispy and delicious. I made sure to sprinkle fresh lemon juice over both the fish and chips to add some extra flavor.My dish was served with a side of ketchup, though I would have loved to have had some safe cocktail sauce or tartar sauce like that prepared at Raglan Road Irish Pub.If I'm craving proper fried fish & chips, I will definitely head to Raglan Road or Cookes of Dublin, but it's nice to have a safe (although baked) option in Epcot.Overall, I really enjoyed my meal at Rose & Crown. It was simple but delicious and a nice solid meal option in the World Showcase.Have you been to Rose & Crown? What did you order when you dined there?
Trattoria al Forno -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Boardwalk
*This dining experience took place in November 2015.
Trattoria al Forno, located at Disney's Boardwalk Resort, is definitely a great breakfast spot on Disney property. With classic Italian inspired dishes, even their breakfast options have an Italian flare.On this particular occasion, I dined with friends who were visiting from out-of-town and who were looking forward to trying Trattoria al Forno. When we arrived, we were given the allergy friendly breakfast menu.I opted to get the Two Eggs entree, which was formerly called the "American." I also asked for fennel sausage (which I love) and a side of allergy friendly Mickey waffles.
The allergy friendly Mickey waffles here are always well cooked. Typically made using Bob's Red Mill pancake & waffle mix, they were extra crispy and piping hot. I enjoyed these with pure maple syrup.
Though the eggs are usually the least exciting part of my meal, they are always well prepared at Trattoria al Forno, but the real stars for me are the breakfast potatoes and the fennel sausage. The fennel sausage is really delicious, and one I just have to get when I'm this restaurant. I love Trattoria al Forno's bacon too, but this sausage is just amazing.I also adore the seasoned breakfast potatoes here which are flavorful and different than the plain breakfast potatoes you find at so many locations on property.Overall, I really enjoy Trattoria al Forno and need to make a visit again soon!You can read about more gluten free options at Trattoria al Forno at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures.Have you been to Trattoria al Forno for breakfast? What did you order when you dined there?
LakeHouse -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Hyatt Grand Cypress Resort
*This dining experience took place in February 2016.
Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWThe LakeHouse at the Hyatt Grand Cypress opened in February 2016 and offers healthy, locally-sourced, farm-to-table meals. Located near Disney Springs, it's a quiet and welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of the Disney Parks.During their opening, I had the chance to check out the LakeHouse as an invited guest of Disneyways.com's. Prior to our arrival, the restaurant was alerted to my special dietary needs and noted that they would have the culinary team on hand to assist with any questions and to provide safe options on the visit.
When visiting the LakeHouse, I was impressed by the clean and modern decor. The restaurant area was previously housed by another restaurant, and the Hyatt Grand Cypress did a $2.8 million refurbishment re-opening the restaurant with a new name and culinary concept. The refurbishment was really well done if my visit to the LakeHouse is any indication.
After our arrival, we were given menus to look over and were told that Chef Max would be coming out to discuss options with our group.When Chef Max arrived, he noted that they would like to do a tasting of options and made sure to include as many gluten free (and some dairy free) dishes that they could. When I inquired about the sushi, I was told that the restaurant can make their sushi gluten free and even had gluten free soy sauce.
The sushi may have been my favorite part of the meal at the LakeHouse. First, it was gorgeously presented with generous portions and high quality ingredients.
We were served the Caterpillar Roll and Rainbow Roll both of which were gluten free, though the Caterpillar Roll did contain dairy, in the form of cream cheese. If you can't have dairy, there were definitely many different gluten free and dairy free rolls to try!I was wowed by the Rainbow Roll and could have easily eaten it all myself at the meal.
While enjoying our sushi, I also got a blood orange mojito, which was quite delicious. I love a good mojito, and this was a nice twist on a classic one.
Up next, Chef Max brought out the grilled shrimp cocktail with shaved horseradish and Bloody Mary cocktail sauce. This was another favorite for me. I loved the grilled shrimp, and the cocktail sauce was delicious. Even better was the addition of the shaved horseradish which added a unique twist.In looking at the restaurant's menu, as of June 2016, it looks as if this is no longer listed. I do hope they bring it back though because it's a great appetizer option!
We also tried out two salads on the menu - both of which were gluten free (both contained cheese but could easily be served without it). The Warm Spinach Salad was nice and earthy, with a bit of sweetness added in with apples. If you like beets, this is definitely a salad for you. This looks like a salad that is no longer on the menu either.
The salad bowl was my favorite of the salad options. I loved the crunchy pecans, sharpness of the pecorino romano and even bitter greens. It all came together beautifully with texture and taste.It looks like the salad bowl is still an option at the LakeHouse but may have some different seasonal additions to it.
The Manhattan Clam Chowder was a huge surprise for me, as I didn't expect to like it. I'm not a huge red sauce based soup fan, but I was blown away by this Manhattan Clam Chowder. It had tons of fresh seafood in it, and I swear seafood in every bite. Definitely a surprise winner of the meal.
For the entrees, most of the dishes did contain gluten, but two were offered to me, including a gluten free & vegan dish, which does is not listed on the current LakeHouse menu and the Cowboy Rib Eye Steak served with steak fries and house salad.From the meal, these were my two least favorite dishes.The vegan grilled veggies was a bit boring. I love grilled veggies, but they were sadly undercooked and underseasoned. The red pepper sauce that came with it was not particularly good and had a strong vinegar taste to it. I would have loved to have seen a gluten free and vegan stirfry or some type of more composed dish. This was literally just grilled veggies.
The rib eye steak was well-cooked and tasted OK, though I found the house salad and steak fries to be really bland.For dessert, I was given an Amy's Gluten Free brownie, which was not very good. I took two bites and passed on it.Overall, I really enjoyed the majority of the dishes we tried at the LakeHouse. I thought the starters and sushi were standouts and definitely could have made an entire meal of them.Because the restaurant focuses on local and seasonal items, the menu does change quite a bit. I'm glad to see that as of June 2016, they are marking gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan items on the menu, which is nice. They also have gluten free breakfast options too.I was invited to dine at the LakeHouse as a guest by Disneyways.com & the Hyatt Grand Cypress. I was not required to write this post and all opinions are my own.
Boatwright's Dining Hall -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Port Orleans Riverside
*This dining experience took place in February 2016.
Boatwright's, a table service restaurant at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort, has long been a favorite restaurant of mine -- one that I definitely think is a bit of a hidden gem. With great comfort food with a Southern and Cajun twist, like chicken and waffles, and terrific special diets accommodations, I've enjoyed getting lots of great eats at Boatwright's.On this particular occasion, I dined at Boatwright's for my birthday and was looking forward to a great meal. Boatwright's does currently have an allergy-friendly dinner menu, and while there weren't a ton of gluten free and dairy free items listed, I was confident that after speaking with a chef I'd be able to get some of my favorites like Crawfish Bites.
Before my meal, I was given Deanna's Gluten Free rolls (formerly GNI Brand), with some Smart Balance buttery spread, which is vegan and gluten free. The rolls were heated well, though I do wish the restaurant carried Earth Balance, as I prefer that over Smart Balance.
For an entree, I ordered Colonel Peace's Pieces, which is a combination of crawfish bites, okra, and oysters. The restaurant currently uses corn flour as it's batter base for all orders, so this dish is naturally gluten free, which is very nice! My version did need to be modified to be dairy free.The remoulade sauce is so good, and one I can't pass up when I'm at Boatwright's. It is both gluten free & dairy free naturally, though initially, I was told it was no longer dairy free. After confirming with the chef, it is still dairy free, as the remoulade is mayo based, I was able to enjoy it safely.Overall, I did enjoy the appetizer, though I have to say I personally miss the crawfish bites. This version was good, and while I liked the okra, the oysters were not my favorite (that's a personal preference). I also found the dish to be very underseasoned. Of course, nothing a bunch of remoulade wouldn't fix!
I had my heart set on the chicken and waffles, which I have really enjoyed at Boatwright's. Unfortunately, the chef was unable to accommodate my request, as they currently use Cup4Cup mix for their waffles which does contain dairy.I ended up ordering the classic jambalaya, though found my dish to be a bit lacking. For some reason it did not contain sausage or shrimp, as it normally does. The flavors were good, but I would have liked to have had the other proteins in addition to the chicken.You can read more about Boatwright's from Alexis at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures, including her review of the gluten free chicken and waffles.Overall, I still really love Boatwright's, though my experience wasn't as amazing as it has been in the past. It's truly a nice hidden gem with interesting and unique offerings all set in a lovely atmosphere.Have you been to Boatwright's? What did you order when you dined here?
Garden View Tea Lounge -- Afternoon Tea -- Table Service -- Grand Floridian
*This dining experience took place in February 2016. This is a gluten free only review but notes information about dairy free and vegan options. 
The Garden View Lounge, located at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, offers guests a chance to enjoy a proper English tea-time complete with tea, sandwiches, and pastries. I had only ever been to the Garden View Lounge for tea on my 30th birthday, and I didn't have a particularly good experience.However, it has been several years, and I thought spending my birthday here again might be another nice way to check it out. I was joined by my mom, who also came with me the last time, and we were both cautiously optimistic about the tea.
One thing I will say about the ambiance is that it can seem a bit stuffy in the Garden View Tea Lounge, but overall, I do find the theme charming, and I love the china that they use for the tea cups and serving ware.
They do tend to squeeze tables in rather close to each other, but thankfully, on this visit, the tea room wasn't too crowded.The Garden View Tea Lounge offers several fixed price options for tea, and I opted to get the Derbyshire Tea which came with several courses, along with tea and a glass of champagne. It was my birthday, after all, so I thought champagne was in order!
You do get a choice of tea, and like my previous visit, I chose the Princess Breakfast Tea, which is made exclusively for the Grand Floridian. It combines one of my favorite teas - South African Rooibos - with one of my favorite fruits...Strawberry. I need to see if I can buy this tea and bring it home because this was a true highlight of the afternoon tea service. My mom also ordered it and enjoyed it too.
For my first course, I received several sandwiches, fresh fruit, and several wedges of cheese. Because I've been reintroducing a bit of dairy back into my diet, I opted to indulge in some cheese and a few other dairy filled treats on my visit.The cheeses were both really great, and I have to say that I loved the sage cheese, which I thought added a unique taste and wasn't overpowering. The cheddar that was also on the plate was very mild, and I think I might have preferred a sharper cheese in contrast to the sage cheese which was also quite mild.The sandwiches were all served on Udi's Gluten Free bread. One included golden beets, which was nice and light and earthy tasting. The egg salad was nothing special, and actually a bit dry. The ham sandwich was plain and also nothing special. I can't recall the 4th sandwich I had, but it must not have been very memorable. I know I did not get curry chicken salad, as it was not considered safe.One important thing to note about the sandwiches is that unless requested not to, they will butter the sandwiches on the inside. This is a very common practice in the UK and adds some authenticity to the tea experience, but may not be your "cup of tea" as a preference or something to know about if you are dairy free, have a milk allergy, or are vegan. It's easy to not add though, so definitely let the chef know when you speak to them about this.
For the scone course, sadly, they do not offer a gluten free scone. However, they had two different kinds of gluten free and vegan tea cakes from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC. One was a lemon tea cake, and the other one was banana. Accompanying that was Earth Balance vegan buttery spread, clotted cream (which I did not eat), lemon curd, and apricot jam.I was also given fresh fruit, a coconut macaroon with strawberry sauce, and chocolate mousse cups. The chocolate mousse contained dairy (and wasn't very good in my opinion) and the coconut macaroon was both gluten free and dairy free, but was very dry and not very tasty. I was pretty disappointed with these as dessert options.
The apricot jam was dairy free, and all three accompaniments were gluten free. Sadly, there's a bit of butter in the lemon curd, and the clotted cream is all dairy. I did try the lemon curd with the lemon tea cake and was wowed by it. Super fresh and tons of lemon flavor. If you can have dairy, it's a real winner. I also adored the apricot jam too.
Overall, I found this experience at the Garden View Tea Lounge to be nice but not as amazing as I would have hoped. They definitely have special diets options and can work with you, but I felt like the presentation and options compared to a non-special diets diner were a bit lacking.And the price of the tea is steep. Mine was around $45 with the champagne. It's definitely a special occasion only experience and one I'd probably not do again for several years. One nice touch that I will mention is that they gave me a rose for my birthday, which was very sweet.Having gone to the Crescent Solarium Afternoon Tea at the Beach Club a few weeks later, I think I preferred that both in price, special diets accommodations and selection, and atmosphere.You can also read about other experiences at the Garden View Tea Lounge by checking out Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures and Dairy Free Gina's posts.Have you been to the Garden View Tea Lounge? What did you think of the special diets offerings?
Ohana -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Polynesian Village Resort
*This dining experience took place in May 2016.You can also hear me talk about Ohana in depth (including covering the character breakfast options) on Episode 37 of the podcast. You can also check out the YouTube video of the Electrical Water Pageant that I took while at the Polynesian Resort after dinner at Ohana. 
Aloha cousins! Ohana, located at Disney's Polynesian Resort, is a popular table service restaurant that offers up family style meals with Polynesian and Asian-inspired flavors. It's definitely a family favorite in my family. I just love all the gluten free and dairy free offerings here and always end up stuffing myself silly with all the delicious food.On this particular occasion, I dined at Ohana with a friend (who is also gluten free and dairy free) who is in Orlando visiting. In fact, the last time I dined here was with my friend when he visited back in November, so it's definitely a tradition to go here for dinner. We also went to Kona Cafe the week before, so we were making our rounds with the Polynesian Village restaurants.When we arrived at Ohana, we were greeted by the chef who went over the options with us. Thankfully, much hasn't changed since last fall, so both my friend and I knew the drill on options.
First up, we enjoyed the Lilikoi salad. It comes with a fruit based vinaigrette and has fresh red peppers, chopped red onions, mushrooms, and edamame (aka soybeans) tossed in with it. While, I like this salad well enough, both my friend and I thought it was pretty underwhelming and not very well seasoned or dressed. I've had better versions of this salad, and I do miss the honey lime vinaigrette that Ohana used to serve years ago.
We were also given Deanna's Gluten Free rolls (aka GNI brand rolls) with some Earth Balance vegan buttery spread. Sadly, these rolls were so poorly heated that they were a dry styrofoam mess. Not even the Earth Balance could save them.Both my friend and I agree that for some reason Ohana just can't seem to heat these rolls well. It's strange because they were heated well next door at Kona, so you'd think they would have no problems. Next time I go, I'll probably skip the bread.
Because we were both gluten free and dairy free, we were served a large platter of steamed white rice, sauteed veggies, and chicken wings -- all safe for both of us to eat.I also asked for a side of the gluten free and dairy free sweet and sour sauce and teriyaki sauce, which make for great dipping sauces.The chicken wings were some of the best I've had at Ohana. They are the same recipe but for some reason they just tasted really good this particular visit. They had lots of meat on them and were nice and tender.The sauteed veggies were a disappointment to me because they were basically raw veggies. They were barely sauteed and so raw that they weren't really very palate pleasing. Next time, I will ask that they cook the veggies a bit more, as I like that medley just not the way in which they were cooked.And the white rice is always a solid starch for me. I don't know why but I could literally eat white rice all day every day.
My favorite part of any Ohana meal is the meat course. Ohana grills three different kinds of meats currently on an open oak fire (which means the restaurant smells amazing). This includes beef, chicken, and shrimp. All three meats are currently gluten free and dairy free, which is kind of amazing.The beef marinade almost has a peanut sauce type marinade on it. We both liked the beef but found that if you're not careful, you'll end up with rare meat. This always seems to be the problem with the beef here, it's either undercooked or overcooked for my taste. We got some very rare beef early on and asked our server if we could get some that were more well done, and she was happy to oblige.The chicken is a real palate pleaser for everyone. Simple and delicious, this is one I always get seconds on.But the real favorite for me is the sweet and spicy shrimp. These are peel and eat, so prepare to be a bit messy (it's totally worth it!). In fact, I may have eaten my weight in shrimp on this visit. They were so good!In fact, I was so full I didn't even get dessert. Neither of us did. You can get dessert options that include non-dairy ice cream, cookies, and brownies (depending on your special dietary need).
If you time your dinner right, you may be at Ohana during Wishes. They do have great views of the Magic Kingdom, and they will dim the restaurant lights and pipe in the music. On top of that, there is great entertainment throughout the evening with live music and fun activities for the kiddos (can you say coconut races?!).Overall, Ohana remains a favorite of mine for great solid gluten free and dairy free options. It's tasty; the food is plentiful; the ambiance great; the entertainment fun!Have you been to Ohana? What did you enjoy while visiting there?
Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
*This dining experience took place in May 2016.
Sanaa continues to be one of my most favorite restaurants at Disney with warm decor, outstanding food, and one amazing view of the Savannah. They also have some of the consistently best (and tastiest!) special dietary needs options on Disney property. You can check out their full allergy friendly dinner menu here on the blog.
On this particular occasion, I met up with Travel Planner Mary Morales for dinner. I don't know about you but I can't think of a better place to have a business meeting, can you?
After being seated and taking in the sites, we were greeted by Chef Joe, who is a Disney rockstar chef in my books (his photo above proves his rockstar status!). He was great at discussing options, especially, as I noticed that the regular menu had some options listed that used to be on the allergy friendly menu but weren't listed there anymore.Chef Joe also seemed surprised as the Goan Seafood Curry, which I'm a big fan of, was not listed but is indeed both gluten free and dairy free. Additionally, there were a ton of what I figured were vegan items that included: Cilantro-Coconut Milk Seasonal Vegetables and Roasted Okra-Cashew-Tomato Stew that were not on the allergy friendly menu.Chef Joe assured me that these were all options for me gluten free and dairy free. I was having a hard time deciding but ultimately, based on his recommendation, went with the Roasted Okra-Cashew-Tomato Stew. It sounded unlike anything I'd had there before, and Chef Joe really sold me on this one.
First up though was the bread service. You really can't go to Sanaa and not get it. Mary and I split this, and I was able to get two pieces of gluten free & vegan naan. This bread was the best version of it I have ever had, and I'm loving that they use Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour in it. This bread is actually pliable, and it really is the stuff dreams are made of.Because we shared the bread service, Mary kindly let me scoop up all the dipping sauces I wanted onto a separate plate before digging in. Then, I could enjoy safely to my heart's content.
On my last visit, I tried the braised beef for the first time, along with a standard favorite, the Durban shrimp. This time, I was so excited to get the Goan Seafood Curry again and so curious about the Roasted Okra-Cashew-Tomato Stew.I have to say, Chef Joe was right. The Roasted Okra-Cashew-Tomato Stew was unbelievably good. Okra can be one of those "love it" or "hate it" kind of veggies, and cooked poorly it becomes a gummy nasty mess. This version was slow roasted and just delicious. With the tomatoes it had a slightly sweet taste to the dish, and the crunch of the cashews on top really pulled it all together. I would definitely get this again.And, of course, the Goan Seafood Curry was just as delicious as always. Although despite the name, I don't think the Goan Seafood Curry is very spicy, so don't let the name fool you.
Mary is allergic to fish and shellfish and was very interested in the Durban dish but without shrimp. Chef Joe was able to make that with chicken instead (which is one of the ways you used to be able to get it in the restaurant), so it's nice to know that's an option.Both of her dishes were gluten free, but the Butter Chicken, is not dairy free. Mary raved about these dishes, especially the Butter Chicken.
We definitely enjoyed a tasty meal and enjoyed the view. One of the resident birds at the Animal Kingdom Lodge joined us by the window. Truth be told, I think he was just jealous of my Roasted Okra-Cashew-Tomato Stew and gluten free and vegan naan!Overall, I can never say enough good things about Sanaa. It's always a favorite of mine, and I can literally go there and get something different every time. Except that gluten free and vegan bread service. It's a MUST every time I go!Have you been to Sanaa? What do you love at this table service restaurant?
Afternoon Tea -- Crescent Solarium -- Table Service -- Beach Club
Solarium Beach Club Resort
Crescent Solarium
*This dining experience took place in February 2016. This is a gluten free only review.When it comes to unique dining experiences at Disney World, one of the highlights is afternoon tea. Having been offered at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for many years, the afternoon tea has been a tradition among many Disney guests. Back in February, Disney announced that another resort location would also offer afternoon tea on select dates throughout the year.Disney's Beach Club Resort is home to the Solarium, a small area that has been used as a spot to rest and recharge. But, in the announcement, we learned that the Solarium would be the location for another afternoon tea spot. Well, once I heard about this, you know I just had to make a reservation to check it out!The afternoon tea for the Crescent Solarium is currently offered on the following dates in 2016:
February 11-14
February 18-21
March 24-29
May 5-8
June 16-19
September 1-5
Server Crescent Solarium
Cheese & Fruit Plate Crescent Solarium
Sandwich Course Crescent Solarium
Gluten Free Scones at Crescent Solarium
Gluten Free Profiteroles at Crescent Solarium
I chose February 21st, and invited my family along for the experience. I noted my special dietary needs on the reservation, and I also planned on checking with a chef upon arrival.Once we checked in, we were seated in a very open and bright room. I loved the relaxing vibe and the beach decor. Everyone in my group agreed that it seemed more low-key and relaxing than the afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian.I have to do a major shoutout to our server Tyrone! He was amazing. So personable and just a shining example of an amazing Disney cast member. If you go to the Crescent Solarium, definitely request to be in Tryone's section!Shortly after being seated, I was greeted by the chef to discuss options. Because I have been re-introducing a bit of dairy into my diet on occasion, I asked the chef what options were available. They can easily accommodate both gluten free & dairy free, though I found the options for just gluten free to be a bit better. If you're gluten free & dairy free, you will likely get a lot of Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC items.I chose to get the following tea service with special dietary needs modifications:Sea Side Park Tea: First course featuring a selection of Artisan cheeses and seasonal accompaniments, second course petit sandwiches and canapés on house-made breads, third course scones served with clotted cream, lemon curd and seasonal jam, finale of house-made pastries and tea cookies. Accompanied by your choice of loose-leaf tea.Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWFor the cheese and fruit course, the chef and I spoke at length about options, and she said she could give me an entire cheese course that was served with goat cheese. Because I do well with goat and sheep milk cheese, I opted for this.I thought the cheese course was great, especially with the fresh fruit, honey, and other accompaniments. I liked that I was also served toasted Udi's Gluten Free Bread with it.The sandwich course was another nice treat. The salmon salad does contain heavy cream but can be made without it. My favorites were the curry chicken salad and the crab salad with Old Bay Seasoning in it. I found all of the sandwiches to be light and fresh and not overly heavy. These were also served on Udi's Gluten Free bread.When the chef told me that the scone course included gluten free scones, I was intrigued. They were made with Cup4Cup flour blend (which contains dairy), and were lemon blueberry and cranberry orange flavored.Limiting dairy, I didn't eat too much of these but what bites I did were amazing. I was really impressed by the flavors and texture. You'd swear with Cup4Cup that the baked goods are gluten-filled!I would love to see them experiment with the Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour Blend and maybe try a dairy free version too.The last course included gluten free profiteroles filled with a raspberry filling, also made with Cup4Cup. I thought these tasted just OK. They weren't my preference, and if I were to go again, I would just ask for something from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC or fresh fruit.Overall, I found the afternoon tea at the Crescent Solarium to be really charming, relaxing, and delicious. Though I opted for gluten free only items on this trip, after speaking with the chef, I know that getting dairy free options would also be really easy. The Beach Club always has a nice variety of Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC products on hand too, so that's a nice substitution in a pinch.I would highly recommend the afternoon tea at the Crescent Solarium if you're looking for something special to do while on your next visit to Disney.Have you been to the Crescent Solarium afternoon tea? What would you most like to try if you went there?
Kona Cafe -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Polynesian Village Resort
Polynesian Resort
Kona Cafe
GNI Brand Rolls at Kona Cafe
Volcano Roll Sushi at Kona Cafe
Rice Bowl Kona Cafe
*This dining experience took place in May 2016.It's been ages since I've been to Kona Cafe for dinner, and when I looked back here on the blog, I realized it's been 3 years to the month! I always assumed it hadn't been that long because I eat at Kona a fair amount for both lunch and breakfast. It's a good thing then that I had the chance to have dinner here recently with a friend.Kona Cafe is a table service restaurant located at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. The food and atmosphere are island inspired. My friend and I both enjoy that kind of cuisine (having stuffed ourselves silly at Ohana on his previous visit), and neither had been to Kona in quite some time, so it seemed like a nice spot to grab a meal.Kona Cafe does carry an allergy friendly dinner menu, which is helpful, as a starting point when deciding what to order. Neither my friend or I were really feeling some of the side dishes for the entrees and had some questions so we asked to speak with a Disney chef.While waiting for the chef, our server did bring us some Deanna's Gluten Free rolls (formerly known as GNI brand), but did not bring us any extra virgin olive oil or Earth Balance vegan margarine. We asked if we could get some when the chef came out, but it took a really long time to get the Earth Balance, and the rolls got really cold before we could enjoy.Something we did enjoy; however, was the sushi. My friend and I opted to split the Volcano Roll which was served without tempura crunch, and oddly, the accompaniments on the side. Weird. I've never seen a Volcano Roll deconstructed this like but still, we found it to be really tasty.The side of seasoned shrimp was delicious, as was the side of spicy mayo. The fish was super fresh, and the rolls were perfectly put together. The restaurant also carries San-J Gluten Free Tamari too, which made our sushi experience even better.This is definitely one I'd get again.For our entrees, we both chose the Pan-Asian noodles but asked if we could get rice instead of rice noodles. Neither one of us are huge fans of noodles, and I can eat rice for days. I have no clue why, but I just love rice.We both got chicken and shrimp as protein in our rice bowls, which were served with sauteed veggies and a garlic-ginger-soy sauce.Overall, I found the dish to be really good. I wouldn't say anything super special or exciting but delicious, hearty, and filling. It's one i'd definitely get again.Kona Cafe does have some really nice special dietary needs options, and my friend and I both enjoyed what we ordered there. There were a few hiccups here and there with service but overall, the meal was enjoyable. I think I still prefer the lunch options over dinner, but would diner here for dinner again if I had the chance.Have you been to Kona Cafe? What's your favorite meal to dine there?
Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
*This dining experience took place in April 2016.
Sanaa, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Disney World. It used to be a hidden gem but word has gotten out about this Indian and African inspired restaurant, and it's become very popular among Disney foodies.I never turn down an invite to Sanaa, and I had the chance to dine with friends visiting from out-of-town recently. They also have special dietary needs, and while I didn't get photos, they did get some great special diets options that I'll post about!
Sanaa, like most Disney restaurants, does have an allergy friendly menu. But, I always recommend getting a regular menu in addition to the allergy friendly menu when you dine here, as often dishes that may be safe for you aren't listed on the allergy friendly menu. This happens a lot with gluten free only items, so it never hurts to double-check and consult with a chef.On this visit, my friends had multiple dietary needs that included: gluten, dairy, soy, corn, MSG, and Xanthum Gum free. Chef Fallon took care of us, and she did an amazing job making sure everyone had something safe and delicious.
When Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando and I dined here for lunch back in December 2015, we discovered a new version of the gluten free & vegan naan bread made with Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour Blend. We were both wowed by the pliable texture and taste.On this visit, I mentioned this to my friends, and we were able to get a customized version of the bread service. My friend who is gluten, dairy, soy, and corn free did eat the naan (xanthum gum is not an issue for him) but his mom who is gluten free, MSG, and xanthum gum free was served pappadums and lentil chips as an alternative. Chef Fallon also made my friend safe versions of the red pepper hummus, coriander chutney, and mango chutney so that he could enjoy them.Overall, the bread service was a home-run and everyone was happy with their options. My only slight complaint would be that the bread itself seemed a bit less pliable than my previous visit.
For my entree, I chose the braised beef and Durban shrimp with Basmati Rice. I'm super sad that the goan seafood curry is gone now, as I really enjoyed it. The Durban shrimp is always good, though quite spicy. The braised beef was just OK. Some portions of the beef were very fatty and tasted like it hadn't been braised long enough. I'm not sure I'd get the beef again because of that.My friend's mom had the Tandoor Chicken which needed no modifications for additional dietary restrictions beyond gluten.My friend got a version of the Durban shrimp and the appetizer Boerewor and Slaphakskeentjies (Traditional South African Sausage and Cape Malay Onion Salad) as a main dish with Basmati rice. Chef Fallon made all of his dishes from scratch due ingredients like soy and corn being present. My friend raved about his meal, and it looked delicious too!
After our meal, the group was stuffed, and no one could manage dessert, though, I mentioned to Chef Fallon that I loved the chai spiced tapioca pudding (which they make gluten free and dairy free by adding coconut milk). It was a lovely surprise as we were leaving that she brought a to-go container of the tapioca pudding for me to enjoy at home, which I did the next morning for breakfast!Huge shoutout to Chef Fallon who did an amazing job at handling so many dietary restrictions and for making tasty and delicious options for everyone. It was a great meal and yet another reason why I love Sanaa so much!Want to learn more about Sanaa? Check out Podcast Episode 27 where we talk all about the restaurant!Have you been to Sanaa? What's your favorite dish there?
Raglan Road Irish Pub -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in April 2016.
When it comes to table service locations at Disney Springs, Raglan Road Irish Pub has long been one of my favorites and one of the most consistently good options for special diets diners. Plus, where else can you find proper fish & chips that are also gluten free & dairy free?!On this particular occasion, Brandon and I visited before the inaugural Star Wars Dark Side 5K race after we'd gone to packet pickup and before our very early bedtime. We knew we needed to carbload up, and I couldn't think of a better option than Raglan Road.I love all of their options, and I've been really happy that my gluten free choices have opened up even more now that they have gluten free and dairy free buns available.
Having had gluten free & dairy free chicken tenders & chips the night before at Cookes of Dublin, I decided to go for a sandwich. It was a toss up between the burger or the chicken sanger sandwich, and our server Cameron suggested I go for the chicken.I've had this sandwich before both dairy free and with the addition of the cheese. On this visit, I did opt for the Dubliner cheddar, as I have been re-introducing a bit of dairy into my diet on occasion and did well with the cheese options at Raglan Road on previous visits.I also opted to get the garlic Parmesan & truffle oil skinny chips based on Gluten Free in Orlando's recommendation.I loved both the chicken sandwich which was topped with an herb mayonnaise, pancetta, lettuce, and tomato along with the Dubliner cheddar. The sandwich was super flavorful and not too overpowering, and the chicken was perfectly cooked.I adored the garlic Parmesan & truffle oil skinny chips and would definitely get them again. I've luckily had great success with very aged cheeses and this one was another successful experience. Plus, these chips just tasted amazing!
I can't help but love Raglan Road Irish Pub. The atmosphere and decor are amazing (go for dinner when you can see the live Irish step dancing or Irish bands!) and the food is outstanding. It's always consistently good, and I love their dedication to making safe gluten free and special dietary needs options.Have you been to Raglan Road? What's your favorite meal of choice there?
The BOATHOUSE -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs
*This dining experience took place in April 2016.
The BOATHOUSE is one of the newest restaurants at Disney Springs. It's already had quite a bit of buzz since it opened last year and has proved to be hugely popular. With lots of seafood and steak options, it's a great spot for a nice meal in a relaxing atmosphere. Given how popular it's been, it's no wonder I haven't been yet!After reading Gluten Free in Orlando's review, I was hoping to stop by and check out the options. At the time of her review, the restaurant only offered Ener-G rolls as gluten free bread options, so I wasn't sure if I'd get any option for a sandwich when I dined there (mostly because I'm not a fan of Ener-G rolls, which turn into styrofoam-like nearly immediately). However, I was pleasantly surprised both at the level of special dietary needs accommodation and that they recently got new gluten free buns!
When we first arrived, were were seated and our server Kameron immediately asked if anyone in the group had special dietary needs. The BOATHOUSE isn't owned & operated by Disney, so they do not carry the allergy friendly menus. But, our server said he would get a chef who would be able to assist me with options. Server Kameron did say that almost the entire menu can be made gluten free, which is great.After just a short wait, Chef Joe came out to speak with me. He let me know that they did have new gluten free buns, as well as the Ener-G rolls/buns that they carried previously. With that in mind, I ordered an easy gluten free and dairy free option - the Salmon BLT, which was a special for the day (and not listed on the regular menu).
I was shocked at how huge the portions were for my sandwich and side. The bun that the sandwich was served on tasted exactly like the ones served at Raglan Road and was quite delicious.The salmon was perfectly cooked and seasoned with Blackening Seasoning and garnished with avocado (my favorite!), bacon (a close second favorite!), tomato, arugula, and a remoulade sauce (another big favorite!). All of the components were delicious and made for an amazing sandwich.My side was steamed potatoes with a house-made remoulade (the same as the sandwich), which contained Old Bay Seasoning. The portion of these steamed potatoes were huge, and I loved the remoulade. You know me, I've never met a condiment I didn't like!
After lunch, we walked around to check out the gift shop and decor. We absolutely loved the nautical theme both in the shop and the restaurant itself.
Overall, everyone loved dining at The BOATHOUSE. We thought the food was fantastic and the decor charming. We were surprised at how affordable the sandwiches were (the steaks and seafood are quite pricey) and would definitely get lunch here again. Everyone was also wowed by my gluten free and dairy free meal option, and Brandon even declared this to be the "best looking" meal of all of the ones ordered! It was definitely one I'd get again.Have you been to The BOATHOUSE yet? What did you order when you dined there?
La Hacienda de San Angel -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Mexico -- World Showcase
*This dining experience took place in April 2016.
It's been a long time since I've been to La Hacienda de San Angel, located at the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot. It's a World Showcase restaurant that I've really enjoyed, and I was excited to dine here recently with friends for dinner.La Hacienda de San Angel is a table service location, and one that is not owned and operated by Disney, which means they don't have an allergy friendly menu. However, they have long been very good with gluten free and special diets diners and even note gluten free (and dairy free) options on their menu.
On every visit I've had at La Hacienda de San Angel, I've spoken to a chef, which is great. Many of the dishes can be easily modified to be gluten free or dairy free. Often, it's as simple as removing cheese, which is great.I often get the parrillada entree, which serves 2 people. To say it's a lot of food is an understatement. On this particular visit, I chose to order the pork carnitas, as they were marked gluten free and dairy free on the menu.
Unfortunately, the chef informed us that the tortilla chips served as an appetizer are no longer gluten free as they are fried in the same fryer as items containing gluten. I was prepared for this, as Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando had posted about this last year. While this was a bummer, as I love tortilla chips, our group was offered warm soft corn tortillas and a side of guacamole as an alternative.This was a great starter, and I loved the added crunch of pumpkin seeds (which is a very traditional Mexican accompaniment) to the guacamole. That being said, our whole group thought the guacamole was a wee bit too spicy. We went through a lot of water & soft drinks before our entrees came!
All three of us dining were gluten free. My friend and I both ordered the carnitas, and her daughter ordered the Costillas en salsa de Chile (Braised short ribs topped with Chimichurri served with potato puree and chile de arbol sauce). The potatoes did contain dairy, but they can modify to make dairy free, if requested.Both my friend and her daughter said this dish was extremely flavorful and the beef was fall apart tender. It looked amazing and delicious!
The pork carnitas turned out to be a HUGE portion and a great choice. I love pork and carnitas are always something I enjoy. The version served here came with warm corn tortillas, avocado salsa, chicharrón (aka pork rinds), and sides of rice and beans.The pork rinds were a nice touch and especially yummy. The pork was served in a cool cast iron skillet and on a banana leaf, which made for great presentation. The pork itself was also very tender and slightly sweet with flavors of citrus.
The avocado salsa added a great fresh touch to the dish and was the perfect salsa.
The refried beans here are so good. If you're in a hurry in the World Showcase or want a quick service meal, you can get these beans and the rice served with chicken or beef tacos at La Cantina de San Angel next door!
I really like La Hacienda de San Angel's take on Mexican rice, as I prefer it to not be heavily salsa based. This version is nice and light and was a great accompaniment.
During dinner, we got a chance to watch IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Though the restaurant is all indoors and has no outside seating, it was still a great view. The restaurant does dim the lights and pipe in the music from IllumiNations, which is really cool!
Overall, we really enjoyed La Hacienda de San Angel. Everyone thought the food was great, and the portions were huge. I ended up taking half of mine home and had it for lunch the next day, which I rarely do when I dine at Disney -- even as a local. That's how big the portions are!On top of the great food, we loved the atmosphere and getting to watch IllumiNations from the restaurant. It's a great option if you're looking for a nice view for the fireworks. We also ended up getting a great view for the Star Wars fireworks at Hollywood Studios too! If you're interested in a view, do ask a cast member if you can be seated with a World Showcase view. You might have a wait but it's definitely well worth it!Have you been to La Hacienda de San Angel? What did you order when you dined there?