Blog Posts Tagged Restaurant

Dining at The Kitchen: Universal Orlando’s Hard Rock Hotel

11/9/2021 • Reviews, Universal Studios • For the common Disney fan, Universal Orlando may not appear to have as many great table service options as Walt Disney World, however, I was pleasantly surprised on my recent visit.  The Kitchen at Universal’s Hard Rock resort was fantastic!  With cool theming, great food, reasonable prices, and a convenient location, The Kitchen is a fabulous option for Universal Orlando-guests. First of all, when you walk into the restaurant, you are greeted with cool, laid-back, rock star décor.  Since we had an early lunch reservation, we were just arriving as the restaurant was opening so being able to see the restaurant without anyone it in, makes you really take in the ambience.  One of the most unique decorations there are the personalized chef jackets of all of the musician guest chefs who come in to cook in The Kitchen.  That’s right! Famous musicians randomly come and cook at the restaurant in the open area […]

Restaurant Spotlight: The Cowfish

11/6/2021 • Reviews, Universal Studios • So this blog almost didn’t happen…twice. “Why?” you may ask… because the food is so good I destroyed it before I got pictures. True story. If you’ve read my blogs before, you know I like food, and burgers are my thing, so when we discovered Cowfish in Universal’s Citywalk, a mere 90 minutes away from us, I was elated because we literally travel across the country for food. Cowfish is the perfect nightcap after a long day running around Universal’s theme parks and is conveniently located a short walk from each park on your way out of the Citywalk complex. It’s a three-story restaurant with some cool views if you are seated on the patio or third-story deck. It boasts some underwater theming and even a trio of interactive screens on the way in to occupy your time while you wait. Because it’s so popular, there is almost always a […]

Dining at Universal CityWalk Orlando: NBC Sports Grill and Brew

11/2/2021 • Reviews, Universal Studios • One of the most popular questions I am asked is “Where is the best place to eat at Universal?”  Unlike Disney, Universal’s in-park dining selections are fairly limited and if you are in the mood for something a little better than burgers, chicken fingers and fries, it is really convenient to leave the park and head to CityWalk.  With so many selections for table service restaurants with prices comparable to in-park counter service restaurants, I highly recommend a table service meal at CityWalk as a much-needed break from the parks.  On my last trip, I visited NBC Sports Grill and Brew and it was my absolute favorite meal. For a bar and grill, this restaurant had a huge variety of pastas, burgers, steaks and comfort food selections.  My table enjoyed the Chicken Mac and Cheese, Chicken Pot Pie and the Smokehouse Stack Burger.  As much as we each enjoyed our […]

Surf’s Up! Breakfast with Mickey and Friends Review

10/4/2021 • Disneyland, Reviews • Located on the first floor of Disney’s Paradise Pier at Disneyland in California is a hidden gem of a dining experience. The only place on the property where you can meet Mickey Mouse while you eat, the Surf’s Up! Breakfast with Mickey and Friends at the PCH Grill, is a treat for young and old. The stars of the show are the characters themselves. Ready for a day at the beach, the characters have stopped by for breakfast before grabbing their surfboards and heading off for a day of fun. While they are there, the characters will stop by your table for pictures, autographs, and the occasional dance party. While Mickey is the official host, some of the characters that might visit your table include Minnie Mouse, Stitch, and Daisy. Pictures with Mickey’s official photographer occur near the entry under the PCH Surf Shack sign. If you wish to have […]

World of Color Dining Package: Carthay Circle – A California Adventure Dining Experience Review

9/16/2021 • Disneyland, Reviews • Journeying to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, for the first time as a family was an exciting experience. Such an experience required a proper celebration of food…and Carthay Circle fit that bill! Carthay Circle, located in California Adventure’s Buena Vista Street at the Disneyland Resort, boasts a grand marquee reminiscent of a movie theater of bygone eras. Inside, you’ll find this is exactly the aesthetic they planned for. Modeled after the Carthay Theater in Los Angeles where Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs first premiered, you’ll find beautiful décor, intricate woodwork, and ambient lighting – you’ll feel like you should be wearing your best red-carpet attire! The lobby houses tables and chairs while you wait. There is also a lobby sushi bar, which I am told, has some of the BEST sushi in Anaheim!  The second floor (accessible by a grand staircase or fancy elevator), is the ‘theater’ floor. […]

Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats – on the Disney Dream!

8/6/2021 • Cruises, Reviews • For fans of Disney’s Wreck it Ralph, or anyone with an imagination and a sweet-tooth...you’ll want to explore Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats aboard the Disney Dream! You’ll find this confectionary inside the Cabana’s, with limited hours. Vanellope’s has a wide array of candies, ice creams, gelatos, and confections, that you’re sure to find something for everyone in your family to enjoy*.  It’s whimsically decorated to resemble “Sugar Rush”, Vanellope’s video game in Wreck it Ralph...complete with Sour Bill, King Candy, and Vanellope herself! While I could gush about the insane amount of goodies I drooled over this summer while on board the Disney Dream, I want to talk about Vanellope’s specialty items! The menu for Artisan Sundaes is jam-packed full of movie-referenced concoctions for you and your family to enjoy. The BEST part??!!  You can special order ANY of these sundaes AND they will hand-deliver for your dessert any night […]

Rotational Dining Aboard Disney Cruise Lines

4/20/2021 • Cruises • Rotational dining is a unique dining experience on Disney Cruise Lines, which allows all guests the opportunity to enjoy dinner in each of the restaurants onboard. Guests receive their specific rotation when they check-in at the port. Each evening, all guests will rotate to an assigned restaurant along with their wait-staff and tablemates to a new restaurant. Depending on the length of the cruise, some/all restaurants will be experienced at least once on each cruise. However, if a guest is scheduled for more than one night in the same restaurant, the menu will change, so every night truly is a unique experience. The restaurants onboard each ship: Disney Wish · Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure · 1923 · Worlds of Marvel Disney Magic Animator’s Palate Lumiere’s Carioca’s Disney Wonder Animator’s Palate Triton’s Tiana’s Place Disney Dream Animator’s Palate Royal Palace Enchanted Garden Disney Fantasy Animator’s Palate Royal Court Enchanted Garden […]

Signature Celebration Package at Cinderella’s Royal Table

6/2/2020 • Walt Disney World • One of the most magical experiences when visiting Walt Disney World is dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table inside Cinderella’s castle. This is a highly sought-after reservation that we often book for our clients and ourselves. Did you know there is a package you can add to make it even more magical? The Signature Celebration Package is a perfect way to celebrate birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, or just a fun splurge. This package begins with dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table with some truly royal characters. You will be treated to a specialty beverage or sparkling wine if you are 21 and up, an appetizer, an entrée of your choice, and a box of treats to take with you. We love starting with the charcuterie platter and having the filet and shrimp for our entrée. There are plenty of kid-friendly choices as well, including my kid’s favorite mac and cheese.  You will also […]

Fantasmic Dinner Package at Disneyland’s River Belle Terrace

5/8/2020 • Disneyland, Reviews • If you’ve been to Walt Disney World, chances are you have seen Sorcerer Mickey battle evil in this live show.  On my recent trip to Disneyland, I got to see the West Coast version of Fantasmic up close and personal and it did not disappoint.  Knowing that viewing areas are hard to come by in Disneyland, I opted to try one of the dining packages at River Belle Terrace. River Belle Terrace is located in Disneyland park in New Orleans Square next to Pirates of the Caribbean and right in front of Rivers of America.  This is an outdoor café and makes for a truly beautiful experience to sit out in the California sun and have a nice meal.  The menu for the Fantasmic Package is a Prix Fix Menu which includes a non-alcoholic beverage, an appetizer, which was a choice between a salad or corn chowder, main dish, which […]