Editor's Report - Mar 31, 2003

Editor's Report
Page 2 of 3

Food!
Did I say the hotels are my favorite part of Disney? What was I thinking?!?

  • Storyteller's Cafe: Rebekah and I have to have a "home" restaurant. It was originally Strombolli's at the Disneyland Hotel (still my favorite). When that closed it moved to the PCH Grill at the Paradise Pier Hotel. With Resort expansion, the PCH Grill chef and much of the staff moved to Storytellers - and so did we. Great food. Incredible location (Grand Californian Hotel). Wonderful people working there.
  • Olivia's: Located at Old Key West - a home-away-from-home Resort at Walt Disney World, this restaurant has the feel of a "home" restaurant. If we lived in Florida, I'm sure it would be. The food is great and the service and atmosphere are very comfortable.
  • The Napa Rose: Our other favorite at the Grand Californian. This is not only the finest restaurant at the Disneyland Resort, it's one of the finest in Orange County. You can go for a long, leisurely meal in the dining room or have a less formal meal in the lounge (the full menu is usually available as long as the dining room isn't packed). We usually do the lounge. Order an appetizer or a salad, watch the wine, and you can have an incredible meal at a not-too-scary price. Every meal of ours starts with grape leaves stuffed with goat cheese and a roasted garlic bulb. Mmmmm....
  • Alfredo's: Located in Italy at Epcot, this place has the perfect Fetuccini Alfredo. Don't believe me? We once sat next to a guy from Italy in there who told us so. So there! It's a typical Epcot restaurant in just about every respect - a compliment as far as I'm concerned - a and I love Italian food so I never miss visiting here while on vacation.
  • Brown Derby: We used to love going here and listening to the piano player, Jeff. Unfortunately, Jeff is gone (and so is the piano), but we still have an affinity for the place and make a stop every trip.
  • Whitewater Snacks: The Grand Californian trifecta! This quick service restaurant has really, really good food at great prices plus air conditioning and a view of the park. Truely a hidden gem.
  • Pizzafari: Seems no matter what time we get to Animal Kingdom or how we make our way around the park, we always end up eating here. What stands out in my mind is the fun mix of Disney songs played in an appropriate style.
  • Corn Dog Castle: Say what you will about DCA, but this vegetarian can now get a cheese dog in the Resort. That alone is worth $1.4 billion.
  • Kona Cafe: Often when we travel to Walt Disney World we take the red eye. Arriving bright and early we can't even check into our hotel room yet. But we can go to the Poly and the Kona Cafe where I can try to get through a Tonga Toast. Our favorite breakfast location ... except for ...
  • Boma: At Animal Kingdom. Big buffet with lots of interesting foods and a great juice whose name escapes me right now. And a good excuse to visit the beautiful Animal Kingdom Lodge and see some animals.
  • Honorable Mention: No other category gets honorable mentions but this one. Yeah - definitely food: Jiko (Animal Kingdom Lodge), The Grand Floridian Cafe, ESPN Zone (Disneyland Resort), Goofy's Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel), Spoodles for breakfast (Boardwalk), California Grill (Contemporary) ... I really should stop!
  • Underrated: The Vineyard Room: It might be hard to believe, but this restaurant (formerly run by Mondavi, now by Disney) inside DCA is on par with the Napa Rose. It can get cold sitting outside, but it does offer a great view of the Electrical Parade. And the food - honestly some of the best you've ever had!