Cape May Cafe -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Beach Club
*New menu changes at Cape May Cafe have taken place recently (since I was there in February).
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| New shrimp salad (was ok), some sadly overcooked clams, and roasted yukon golds (yum) |
As many of you know, I love Cape May Cafe. I love that there are a lot of options for me here. The one problem I've always had is cross contamination at buffets, but the chefs here are always willing to make me something in the back (including very tasty and usually very large portions of fish).My brother came to visit, and he wanted to check out Cape May for the crab legs (they are delicious!). When we arrived, I could tell there were some changes on the buffet. Some of the changes are ok, but most I was a little bummed about.First up, no more peel and eat shrimp. WHAT!? I love peel and eat shrimp, so I was pretty bummed about this one. They had a tropical shrimp salad/ceviche type dish in its place. It was ok. A little heavy on the peppers imo. Next up, no spicy cabbage....WHAT!? One of my favorite dishes--spicy cabbage with bacon. What could be better? But, alas...the cabbage is gone. On to the baked chicken (had some sort of spice rub on it)....gone too...SAY WHAT?! Three of my favorite things--gone. They didn't really have any chicken substitute that I remember, except for the plain drumsticks on the children's buffet side. Yep, I was pretty bummed. They also changed out the potatoes from baby reds to baby yukon golds. Those were good still. I love yukon golds, so this change wasn't so bad. They've changed their mussel sides and now they have a beef stew (which my mom said was ok, but not great). The stew was supposed to be safe, but I don't eat beef, so I didn't try it.
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| Udi's Gluten Free/Dairy Free Rolls with Earth Balance Vegan Margarine |
I will say, that overall, it was still a good dinner, but I found the changes to be disappointing. The chef did make me some fish from the back--it was salmon. The last several times I've gone, I've had sea bass, which I found better than the salmon. The one good change was the addition of the udi's rolls with Earth Balance vegan margarine. This was great. It was disappointing for those who can't have these rolls as there is no substitute, but I was glad to have them.
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| Pan Sauteed Salmon--Pretty Good--And a Large Portion to Boot! |
Dessert was still the OMG...I can't believe it's gluten and dairy free cookie (btw, chefs need to heat these up--they are so much better that way--they're pretty hard to eat when they are rock hard) with rice dream. Nothing specactular.
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| Dessert--GF/DF Cookie (needed to be reheated) and Rice Dream with Fruit |
Overall, I'm demoting Cape May down to a 6 for now. The clams were seriously overcooked (in multiple batches too) and the changes for me, weren't that great. I still like this place a lot, but I think we'll wait for a while before we go again. For now, it's probably off my regular circuit of restaurants. Bummer!
Boma -- Table Service -- Breakfast -- AKL
I hadn't been to Boma since the new special diets changes had been made, and I was curious, especially since they carry a lot of the Kinnikick products there. And I lovveeeee their chocolate chip muffins (it's a bit of an obsession). They also usually have the donuts on hand, which is very nice.
**This dining experience took place in April 2012.
Olivia's -- Table Service -- Lunch -- Old Key West
*Sorry, I was so hungry that I forgot to take pictures!I like eating at places off the beaten path, but have never wanted to venture to Olivia's simply because I thought it would be too remote. During my sister's recent visit, she requested Olivia's because the menu sounded good and also because her daughter's name is Olivia (and she would get a kick out of it). So, off to Old Key West we went. We decided on lunch because it seemed reasonably priced and had fairly good menu options.Unfortunately, I've been having gallbladder problems (yep, it's going to have to come out), so I need to eat not only gluten free/dairy free, but also low-fat. So, I've been more conscious when eating at WDW in the past month or so.Upon arrival, the chef greeted us and asked what I would like. I think I could have had a lot of the menu options (modified, of course), but worrying about the fat content, I asked for something custom. I really wanted something light (i.e. not a heavy burger). I was interested in something seafood (which can have a higher fat content). We agreed on a seafood salad sandwich with the mayonnaise on the side and a fruit salad instead of fries.What I received was quite good--crab salad with old bay in it (or some similar type of seasoning) and mayo on the side. I also had fresh fruit--strawberries and blueberries. The crab salad was on a udi's bun (which I now love!); I ate it open face sandwich style--meaning I only ate 1 part of the bun.The others eating with me liked their sandwiches; my mom got the Cuban sandwich (which she said was very good) and my sister had the shrimp po'boy (which she loved). Overall, I didn't find the food to be amazing, but it was solid.I would give this a 7 out of 10 for options, service, and general ambiance. I hope I get a chance to go back there sometime with less dietary restrictions (related to the gallbladder), and so I can post some pictures!
Cosmic Rays -- Counter Service -- Magic Kingdom
Nine Dragons -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Epcot
**Sorry, another post with no pictures--which reminds me...I need to get new batteries for my camera, as I have a couple of new restaurants to go to soon.So, I've always been on the fence about going to Nine Dragons. I was always afraid it wouldn't be anything special, or would be something similar to food I could get outside of WDW. We decided to test it out one day for lunch. On the one end, I was glad I had something to eat; on the other hand, I was shocked and surprised that they didn't include gluten free soy sauce!? It's very strange to me that both the China and Japan pavilion can't provide as good of options as other restaurants on property (geez, even Yak & Yeti had GF soy sauce!). I realize that they are non-WDW owned restaurants (at least I don't believe China is), but neither is Yak & Yeti and they provide it. But I digress...The other thing that was different is that they did not have the chef come out. The server told me that I essentially had options of chicken and broccoli with a clear sauce and several other clear sauce combinations and Kung Pao chicken. None of the soup was safe. So, I ended up with chicken and broccoli with a clear sauce and white rice. I will say, for a lunch portion it was just right (but I hope they are more generous at dinner). The dish itself was good. Nothing spectacular, but good. I just wished I had brought some to-go packs of GF tamari--truth be told, it needed GF soy sauce. The other diners accompanying me did not have allergies, but they enjoyed what they got--although my mom said she thought the hot and sour soup had too much vinegar in it.Overall, I probably wouldn't do this too often--maybe if I couldn't think of anywhere else to go or couldn't get an ADR. The food wasn't overly different and/or impressive, but ok. I just wish they would get on board with a variety of options. I think I'll stick with going to PF Chang's instead (and my family agreed with this opinion).I'd give it a 6 out of 9 for solid food but real lack of variety, chef interaction, and catering to food allergies.
Kona Cafe -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Polynesian
**No pictures for this review, as my camera batteries died on this day trip.It's been a while since my updates...sorry everyone! Work and relocation have made my year so busy. I'm hoping in the new year, things will get slower so that I can add more reviews!I just got a chance to try out the new Udi's goods. Ok, I'm sold on the buns!! I'm still confused why Chefs are so upset over the changes -- Udi's does seem to cover a lot of food allergies. The desserts are definitely not an improvement--sorry the "OMG It's gluten free!" stuff isn't that great (although ask them to warm them up for you--much better)But on to Kona...As many of you know, this is one of my most favorite breakfast restaurants on property...tasty food and affordable! Best Mickey waffles ever! Dinner has always been rather blah to me, so I decided to try it for lunch after seeing the menu.I was pleasantly surprised. I ordered the Island Chicken sandwich, minus the bacon and swiss cheese. It came with sweet potato fries, but I asked for regular fries instead. I also got the curry mango mayonnaise on the side. The sandwich was very good. I looooved the curry mango mayonnaise. Wow! So tasty, I used it for the sandwich and dippping of the fries. The chicken was nicely grilled and the bun (Udi's) was the best GF bun I've ever had (my mom even said it tasted like regular bread). Next time I'll add the bacon! The chef also let me test taste the slaw made with bacon -- very good and subtle bacon flavor (it was tossed w/bacon grease).Overall, I would recommend this restuarant. The server we had was great -- she was very diligent about my allergies and she and the chef were on top of things when the cooks accidently put my chicken on regular bread (we had a little bit of a wait b/c of this).I'd give this a 9 out of 10. I'd like to try some other lunch options next time! Breakfast and Lunch are outstanding here!
Babycakes NYC -- Downtown Disney
Just a quick photo and review from Babycakes. They have some new items that I really like. The first is there "Wonder buns" aka cinnamon buns. They are yummy! I love the cinnamon and sugar combo...they make a great afternoon snack with tea or a sugary breakfast.Also check out the "mounds" that they make--copycats of the "Mounds" bars. Fantastic!I also just had the pumpkin cupcake. It wasn't my most favorite cupcake, but I really like the cinnamon frosting. That was fantastic! I think my biggest gripe with the cupcake was the flour mix. They use Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Flour and it has a really nutty chickpea flavor, which I'm personally not a huge fan of. It was still good, but I make my own pumpkin muffins that I personally think are better But that's just me.Overall, loving some of the new treats--can't wait to see what they have for the holidays!
Cooke's of Dublin -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Downtown Disney
Fish and chips...the real deal!Oh my...there are some things in life that cannot be duplicated...the taste of fish and chips is one I have longed missed since going gluten free/dairy free. I've had some good copy-cats, but the traditional fish and chips (well minus the malt vinegar, which I miss) has long eluded me. Until I heard a rumor on one of the boards that mentioned that they had true fish and chips gluten free/dairy free from Cooke's of Dublin. I almost yelped for joy; I was so excited. I've been long wanting to check it out, but haven't had the chance. Until now....and it was amazing!I have to say, Cooke's of Dublin is very popular. I was there around 1:30 p.m. and there was a huge line out the door. And no seating. Yikes! I was staying at one of the DVC villas for a night for the Halloween party, so I thought I could take it to go (which I did). When I made it to the cash register, I was told that yes they did have the gluten free fish and chips (and that the fries/chips are always gf). Hurrah! I placed my order then for the fish and chips and waited. Luckily for me, the wait wasn't too long--and actually quicker than some of the other folks in line!Now for the tasting...I actually ended up just sitting down at Downtown Disney at ate there. I just couldn't wait! I have to say, the fish and chips were worth it. Yum! The fish was mild and flaky. Sure the fish was deep fried and slightly greasy, but that is what you expect from fish and chips. The chips were actually really really good. They tasted more like hand cut (thick) homemade fries. delicious!I would not hesitate to eat at Cooke's of Dublin again, if I have a fish and chips urge. In fact, I would be curious what other options they might have. Next time I'll have to ask!Now, if only the UK pavilion could get a GF version; I'd be happy!
Kouzzina by Cat Cora -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Boardwalk
*Note: This review includes a gluten/dairy free review and a gluten/dairy/soy free review.**This dining experience took place in summer 2011. I've been interested in Kouzzina for a long time. I am a big Food Network fan, so I was intrigued by Cat Cora's (Iron Chef) restaurant. I've always been on the fence about the menu. I wasn't sure if it would be easily catered to food allergies and honestly, it hasn't appealed to me that much, food wise. However, my friend who is gluten/dairy/soy free said they did a great job for dinner there and that it was very good. So, we decided to check it out for breakfast. Boy, am I glad we did! This is a new favorite for breakfast! My whole family (allergies and otherwise) loved it! Surprising flavor combinations and tasty food. Plus, it was very calm, quiet atmosphere, which was nice.We were greeted by Chef Brad (who I swear I've had at another restaurant), who was just great. He was really very helpful. We did another customizable menu. I ordered scrambled eggs (which are all cooked in Greek extra virgin olive oil already, a plus!), roasted potatoes, bacon, and a side of Mickey Waffles, with pecans and honey. Boy, was this to die for. I literally scarfed it all down, and I usually don't eat my whole meal. The eggs were the best I've had on property. I loved the flavor of the evoo, and you could tell it was a very high quality evoo. The roasted potatoes were cooked with rosemary and sea salt...they were addicting!!! My mom and step-dad both snuck some of these from my plate (without contaminating it, of course). The bacon was nothing special, but good. Now onto the waffles! Gotta love Mickey Waffles. However, the addition of the pecans and honey were awesome. The pecans are a new must. I would actually probably just do the pecans and get regular maple syrup, but it was a nice twist. I ate everything except for a few potatoes and half a mickey waffle (and Chef Brad gave us four each!!!). Wow, stuffed and very happy! Oh and did I mention they had Earth Balance here! Soooo happy! (note it was not the soy free Earth Balance)
Mickey waffles with pecans (before the earth balance butter and honey added)Now my friend ordered something similar. He got a customized meal. Eggs over easy, sweet potato hash, and bacon. The chicken sausage has soy in it, so he was not able to get this. He also go the mickey waffles, with pecans, but no honey. He had sugar free maple syrup. He like everything except the hash (which looked different from my step-dad's sweet potato hash) and had a combination of potatoes and a lot of red peppers. He really loved his meal. Another clean plate!!
On a side note, my folks really enjoyed their meals--the Stacked Kouzzina breakfast (they loved the kalamata olive bread) and the waffle w/pecans, honey, and marscapone cheese.A definite 9 out of 10! Awesome place--we'll be here again! Highly recommended.
Sci-Fi Dine In -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Hollywood Studios
*Note: This review includes a gluten/dairy free review and a gluten/dairy/soy free review.
There's nothing like taking a nostalgic trip back in time...I love the retro themes at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Second only to 50's Prime Time Cafe is Sci-Fi Dine In. It's a little hidden restaurant nestled near Star Tours at WDW. I've only been once, back in 2004 and prior to food allergies. We loved the theming, but I've been reluctant to go back since allergies, not sure how good it would be. I wish I had more pictures to share of the inside--it looks like a 50's Drive In theatre complete with cars turned into tables. It's really dark in there though! Pictures are hard to take. However, I was able to get some food shots in, so enjoy!We were greeted by Chef Richard, who quite honestly, seemed a wee bit cranky that day. He was very helpful for me with the gluten/dairy allergies, but not quite as helpful for my friend who is gluten/dairy/soy free. Basically, if you have a soy allergy, this may not be the best restaurant for you. I was able to get most offerings, or modified offerings, but my friend was told that if he had a problem with Soy Lecithin, which he does, that he could not have anything grilled, due to the soy spray they use on the grill. They also use a soy based oil for the fryers, so even though they have a dedicated fryer, he couldn't have the french fries. My friend said in the past he was able to have both the grilled items and fries, so maybe this has changed. In addition, he didn't really have a lot of options for shakes for him. He ended up "gambling" (perhaps I would not have done and the chef told him he probably shouldn't do) with the grill and ordered a burger (which looked pretty good) and got a salad with olive oil instead of the fries. His burger looked good, nice and juicy. I don't recall if he got the mushrooms and sauteed onions with this. I know he did have the tapioca roll and bacon on it. He said it was really good. Not sure on the sick part, but at the time he seemed OK. The salad was nothing special. It was shredded lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes.
For my options, I could order a lot of things. I got a chocolate "milkshake" which was Tofutti (I believe from the taste) and probably soy milk or rice milk. It was a bit soupy, rather than a thick milkshake, but it was good. Nothing special, but good. Heck, it was a milkshake, so I was happy. It's nice to have something nostalgic like this. I wish they weren't so stingy on the portions of the milkshake (what happened to the spare tin with extra shake?!), especially for $4.99 at the current price.
I got a custom order for my lunch. I got a grilled chicken sandwich, with no bun, lettuce, tomato, and bacon. I also got the avocado mayonnaise that accompanies the turkey sandwich on the menu. The chef said it had egg in it--another one of those, eggs are not dairy conversations...I am always amazed by this. He gave me a large portion on the side! Good thing, I could dip fries in it..yummy! The sandwich was good. Nothing special, but good. I liked being able to mix and match from the menu. The burger was out, since I really rarely (as in once a year have a burger) eat beef. I didn't want deli turkey and the chicken dish came w/bruscetta toppings and it did not sound good to me. So, this was a great option.
Overall, this is a basic burger and fries kinda joint. It's the ambiance that really brings you there. Food was OK, chef was a bit cranky, but overall a fun experience. Expect a wait for this place--it's almost always packed. I'd give this a 7 out of 10.
Liberty Inn -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Epcot
I've always heard that the Liberty Inn is really great with allergies. It looks like standard American fare--hamburgers and hot dogs, etc. So, one rainy day, we hit up Liberty Inn for a quick snack. I went with my friend who gluten/dairy/soy allergies.We were both hungry for chicken tenders--and if you have read my blog, you know I'm pretty obsessed with those things! :)Upon arrival, we were greeted by a manager who brought out a book for us with all the ingredients. As we told him, we wanted chicken tenders...no need to go over options lol. He told us he could also do fries baked in the oven. The chicken tenders are also baked there.It did take about 15 minutes from start to finish, but the manager was very courteous and helpful. He brought the food out to our table, so we didn't have to wait up at the counter for so long. This was very nice.The chicken tenders were awesome as usual. The fries are better, well fried...but baked is OK too.
Chicken tenders and fries...both baked..Overall, I probably ought to have paid attention to the other options, but it's a good reason to go back and see how their burgers and chicken sandwiches are.A solid 8 out of 10!
Whispering Canyon Cafe -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Wilderness Lodge
HOOOOWDY! When you head to Whispering Canyon Cafe, you're in for a rootin' tootin' good time! We like this place a lot for the antics. It's a very fun restaurant...and if you've never been...well, just ask for ketchup! You should get some INTERESTING responses :)For this trip, we met up w/my friend who's gluten/dairy/soy free too. Here's what we got:We decided to share the breakfast skillet--minus the biscuits and gravy, etc. We got scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, breakfast potatoes. Unfortunately for my friend, he could not partake in the waffles, as they only have Van's frozen waffles there, and they have soy in them. I was able to get them, as they are safe for gluten and dairy allergies.
Overall, we enjoyed the food. Nothing fancy, but good old home cooked food. I do wish they'd get Mickey waffles here, but otherwise a solid meal.A 8 out of 10 for consistency and fun atmosphere!**This dining experience took place in summer 2011.
La Cantina de San Angel -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Mexico -- Epcot
*This dining experience took place in August 2011.I really love tacos. It's actually a bit shameful how much I love tacos. I could probably eat tex-mex all the time. Fortunately for me, it's very easily made gluten and dairy free.As usual, we hit La Cantina de San Angel because they are very tasty and do not require any modifications (I love this!). I split the tacos de pollo (chicken tacos) with my mom and stepdad and we also got the guacamole with chips too. The flavor in their chicken tacos is outrageous. I love the lime on the side to put on the tacos. Yum, yum, yum. I'm getting hungry just thinking about them! The guacamole isn't anything special, but it's good.
My friend who is gluten/dairy/soy free got the nachos, minus the cheese and sour cream. Now, I do not think he asked for a manager on this one, so don't quote me that it's perfectly safe on the soy side of things. I know that gluten and dairy wise it was fine. He didn't seem to get sick, so I am guessing it was OK. Note, you should always check w/a manager--otherwise eat at your own risk!!! He said the nachos were awesome. I might try them sometime--even though I rarely eat beef, this would be a nice treat.
Overall another great meal. 9 out of 10!
Sanaa -- Table Service -- AKL Kidani Village
*Note: This review includes a gluten/dairy free review and a gluten/dairy/soy free review as I traveled with a friend who also has food allergies.Ahhh Sanaa. One of my new favorite restaurants at WDW. It's a great hidden gem, and the food is so amazing here. I love the quietness of the restaurant and the ambiance.This trip, we were greeted by our chef (whose name alludes me) and he told both me and my friend that he could easily make most of the dishes safe. The last trip I had the sustainable fish, and this time I wanted to try one of the curries. I got the Durban chicken and Green Curry Shrimp (the regular curry chicken had dairy in it). I got Basmati rice as an accompaniment. For dessert, I got the raspberry mint sorbet.First up, the Durban chicken and Green Curry Shrimp. Wow! This was amazing. I really liked the green curry shrimp. It was mild and very flavorful. It was made w/coconut milk. My favorite though was the Durban chicken. OMG it was great. It was spicy, so if you don't like spice, steer clear of this one. The flavor though was so rich and tasty. I would definitely get these two dishes again.
I didn't take a picture of the dessert, but you can see it in a previous review of this restaurant. I really loved the freshness of the mint in this sorbet. It's just sooo good. Unfortunately, the chef was very skimpy w/the portions and we got three small scoops, as opposed to the last time when I got loads of it! Too bad, maybe next time I'll ask for the combination mango and raspberry sorbet so I get a larger portion!My friend got the African spiced chicken, with turnips and berries. I don't believe they had to do any modifications to his entree. He really enjoyed it. I tried a bit of it, and I found it a bit sweet for my tastes, but found it flavorful.
Overall, another must-do spot to eat! In fact, my friend liked it so much he went back the next day! :) I'd give this a 9 out of 10 for great food and service (a 9 b/c I didn't get enough sorbet!!).
Boma -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge
Ahhh, Boma. You've all read my previous reviews, so there won't be a ton to touch on here, but I do adore this place. Their breakfasts are always amazing. The food is fantastic and plentiful! I love the variety and African inspired food. The fruit is always fresh! And they are GREAT for food allergies! This trip did NOT disappoint. First off, if you get to meet Chef Jenny, you are in for a real treat! She is amazing. She was so friendly, helpful, and just great in general. She would have made me a ton of food had I let her, and if my stomach hadn't been so messed up, I sure would have.To begin with, she let me know what items were safe on the buffet, which of knew more or less. The meats are all safe (sauces not so much) and the fruit, potatoes. Eggs needed to be made in the back, and I was offered donuts, muffins, etc. Chef Jenny made me scrambled eggs in the back (Had I felt better it would have been an omelet) and Mickey waffles. She really wanted to make me more food, but I just didn't feel well. She also got me the Kinnickick donuts, which I love.
Ham, turkey, potatoes, and pineapple!
Garden Grill -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Epcot
Well, as you saw my previous review of the Garden Grill, I really enjoyed this place. The food was fabulous, the ambiance was unparallelled! Great character interaction and an overall calm and dare I say relaxing character meal! I was very much looking forward to this meal there. However, it was a bit disappointing, unfortunately. I think perhaps it may be due to the seasonality of the menu and the chef's prerogative on meal offerings.We were great by Chef Aeran, who quite honestly, seemed less than thrilled to be assisting me. I told her the last time I went there that they had made me safe potatoes--she told me this was absolutely untrue and that they gave me incorrect food (um, well I didn't get sick or have a reaction, so I'd say the crushed potatoes in olive oil were fine lol). Oh well. The last time I also got an AMAZING blend of veggies--this time I was told I could only get plain broccoli (the veggie offering this time was swiss chard, which was very prevalent in the Living with the Land ride at the time). I can't imagine why she couldn't make sauteed swiss chard for me, but alas it was not going to happen. She said the fish dish was perfectly fine as was the salsa on top of it. I was brought turkey with gravy, smashed plain potatoes (not very flavorful), plain broccoli, seasoned rice and fish. I was able to eat the salad with oil and vinegar and the ener-g rolls. Dessert was a french meadow brownie.The salad, as usual, was excellent and very fresh. It didn't have the bacon bits in it, which was a missing piece to it, to be honest! anything is better with bacon!!!
Ener-G rolls and um, the corn I didn't eat out of the salad (Crohn's folks don't usually digest these well, so I don't eat corn!)
Chef Mickey's -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Contemporary
Wave your napkins in the air, it's Chef Mickey's!!
Ah Chef Mickey's...one of my long time favs, but I actually haven't been since going gluten and dairy free. I was looking forward to the breakfast and seeing what they had to offer. Since my tummy was still bugging me from the Crohn's, I figured I still needed to take it easy. But even stomach issues wouldn't stop me from those Mickey Waffles :)We were greeted by Chef Les, who was very nice. He was very helpful and friendly. He said that they don't use dairy on the eggs at the buffet, so I was able to eat those. I could also have fruit, breakfast potatoes, and the various breakfast meats. Since I wasn't feeling too well, I just asked for some Mickey waffles, which Chef Les was happy to make. They weren't bad, but I have to say, Kona Cafe has the market on the BEST gluten free/dairy free Mickey waffles on property (imo), so these were OK, but a bit chewy. Still, he made sure I had a plentiful amount and nicely decorated plate too!
Ah, Mickey waffles...my favorite!!
Narcoossee's -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Grand Floridian
Gorgeous views from Narcoossee's!
I was greeted by Chef Noah who was very nice. He asked what I was interested in and when I said that I wanted lobster, he said he could make something lobster based for an appetizer, and asked if I liked Asian inspired food (which I do!). For my entree, I chose a fish and lobster entree with a tomato saffron broth. We subbed out the pasta for rice, and the dish didn't need any other modifications. For dessert, he confirmed that they had a dessert plate for me. He also said he'd bring me some tapioca rolls.My appetizer arrived, and I have to say I was blown away. It was beyond amazing! It was a great Asian inspired salad with lobster, sesame oil and greens. It was divine. I scarfed it down! After this course, I was soooo excited for my entree.
Overall, I had really high hopes for this restaurant. It was ok. Hit or miss in my opinion. I'm not sure I'd do this again, as there are 2 TS credit restaurants that I find much better on property. Maybe in the future if the menu changes. Overall, a 6 out of 10 for the food, terrible service (I won't even get into the horrible server we had--she kind of killed the night by her attitude) and inconsistencies.
Grand Floridian Cafe -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Grand Floridian
The Grand Floridian Cafe is nestled in the back of the Grand Floridian's main building. We thought it might be a nice calm breakfast as an alternative from the busy character meals, like 1900 Park Fare. It proved to be a lovely breakfast, with a very calm vibe. It was a nice leisurely meal.Upon arrival, we were greeted by the chef, who essentially asked me what I wanted. That day my Crohn's was flaring quite badly, so I wanted something very calm and mild. No bacon or sausage for me, even if I wanted them! I loved the idea of eggs Benedict, but obviously having hollaindaise sauce is out of the question. But I ended up deciding to get scrambled eggs, steamed asparagus, and potatoes. The chef told me they would have to make the potatoes from scratch b/c the regular breakfast potatoes were not safe, so it was going to take a while, which was fine. While waiting, we enjoyed a Tropical Splash juice, which was extremely good. Loved the strawberry on the side!
Beaches and Cream -- Table Service -- Beach Club
Ah, Beaches and Cream...I've been wanting to take a trip down nostalgia and head to this restaurant for a long time. I love that it doesn't take reservations and that it's tucked away at the Beach Club. It gives you that great sense of Disney history and tradition. However, I've been wary of eating there, thinking perhaps I wouldn't have many options. But, this burger joint proved me wrong! I hadn't seen so many "ice cream" options for gluten free/dairy free. I actually had choices!It was a dream come true and a visit that inspired me to visit again and again! A new must-do!To begin with, the decor at Beaches and Cream is fantastic! It's very small and takes no ADRs. My mom and I waited about 20 minutes to get a table. Most people come for the ice cream, but I encourage you to try the food. It's no frills good basic burgers and fries. It's just plain yummy. Upon being seated, we were greeted by Dolores our waitress. She quickly got the chef for me, who gave me several food options. First off, they could do burgers and chicken sandwiches with gluten free buns. I could also get fruit or fries. The fries they had to get from Hurricane Hannah's next door, as they do not have a dedicated fryer. This required a potential wait, and I was ok with that. I chose the chicken sandwich without the bun, as I am perfectly happy without the GF bun. (they aren't my favorite, and i'm used to bunless sandwiches)
What came out was quite tasty. My chicken was marinated in something that tasted like it had cumin and chili powder in it. My mom also had it (with the bun) and she said it was really good. I wanted a burger, but at the time my Crohn's was slightly flaring, and I knew the extra fat from the burger wouldn't be so good on my tummy. But, next time...i'm getting a burger! They looked and smelled awesome!!!For dessert, I was given the option of rice dream and tofutti, I believe. I got the vanilla tofutti with chocolate syrup and....peanut butter sauce!!!! This was the best part of the meal. I had been dying for something besides just boring chocolate. I had tons of options. I could have gotten the following toppings: Chocolate syrup (not fudge sauce), peanut butter sauce, sprinkles, marshmallows, strawberry topping, pineapple topping, and maraschino cherries. Essentially, I could have gotten a modified banana split, had I so desired to. There might have been a few other toppings, but I can't remember them off the top of my head.
When I got my sundae, I was beyond overjoyed. It was peanut butter sauce awesomness. I love peanut butter and rarely eat it, but this sauce was amazing!!! Between the chocolate syrup and this, it was the perfect combo. And you better believe, I scarfed it down!Overall, I can't say enough good things about Beaches and Cream. Sure the food itself isn't anything spectacular, but the ambiance and non-dairy ice cream offerings make it a must-do. Great fun and antics (watching people attempt to eat the kitchen sink is hilarious!) and good service for a fast-paced bustling 50's style diner!9 out of 10 for good service, food, and offerings. If you get the chance, definitely check it out! People with or without allergies will love it.