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Friday

Foodie Friday: Trattoria al Forno Brings the Italian Countryside to Disney’s BoardWalk

Inspired by farms in the Italian countryside, Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort features an open kitchen and family-friendly dining rooms. The restaurant highlights authentic flavors of Italy’s diverse regions including wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas, hand-crafted mozzarella, imported charcuterie (prepared meat products, such as bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, ballotines, pâtés, and confit) and cheese and a 100 percent Italian wine list.

Epcot's Yorkshire County Fish Shop Review

Our Foodie Favorite this week finds us at a charming Quick-Service restaurant in Epcot's World Showcase UK Pavilion, Yorkshire County Fish Shop.

This is a must do for my family. We look forward to stopping here for a quick bite even though the menu (see below) is limited to Fish and Chips. The portions are hearty and filling even for the big eaters in my family.
Prepared on the spot the deep fried fish is always hot and has just the right batter, crispy on the outside and soft inside with flaky white fish. Each order consists of two fillets and a large serving of chips lightly seasoned and served on a faux London Times waxed paper. Don't forget to grab a packet of malt vinegar at the condiment stand located to the left of the queue. A little goes a long way and it really adds an authentic taste to the meal. Dessert is a package of English Shortbread Cookies (love these) and drinks are a variety of soft drinks, Bass Ale and Harp Larger. They also offer a souvenir stein which is fun and makes the meal even more memorable.

Seating is limited and lines can be long. We usually send a scout to find a table in the patio area overlooking the lagoon or a bench in the garden behind Twinings Tea Shop or in front of the gazebo where the British Revolution play. The best locations are along the wall in the patio area for Illuminations or the bench in front of the band to rock out to classic British tunes while you dine.
Wherever you go the ducks will follow.

What a Disney life they have!

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Food/Dining Type:	Quick Service, Counter, Quick & Casual
Meals:	American, British Cuisine - Lunch, Dinner,
Location:	Epcot® World Showcase / UK, United Kingdom
Reservations:	Not Accepted
Hours:	Serving from 11:30am
Disney Dining Plan:	YES (Quick Service/Snack Credit)

Menu items and prices are subject to change without notice:

Fish and Chips - Two Strips of Fish served with Chips $8.99

English Bay Sugar Cookie Package $2.19

Beverages

Assorted Fountain Beverages $2.69 - Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Orange Fanta, Light Pomegranate Lemonade, Iced Tea

Dasani® Bottled Water $2.50

Coffee Regular or Decaf $2.29

Hot Tea $2.29

Bass Ale Draft $8.00

Bass Ale Draft - Souvenir Stein $11.75

Harp Lager Draft $8.00

Harp Lager Draft - Souvenir Stein $11.75

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What's your favorite Quick Service Restaurant in the Epcot?

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Bon Appetit!

Tuesday

The Disney Letter "Q" ~ Quick Service Restaurants

Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop Focused on the Magic

Greetings! Thanks for stopping by The Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop here at Focused on the Magic.com where each week we gather with other Disney Bloggers to link up and share our Wordless Wednesday Disney related travel picture posts.

Our theme this week is, The Disney Letter "Q". The first thing that came to mind was all the wonderful Quick Service Restaurants we enjoy in Walt Disney World. The 6 listed here are favorites for a variety of reasons. There are sentimental favorites, delicious dessert favorites, fabulous food favorites and atmosphere favorites.
Can you guess which is which?

Walt Disney World Quick Service Restaurants

L-R

Be Our Guest Restaurant - Magic Kingdom

Columbia House - Magic Kingdom
Les Halles Bakery - Epcot

The Pinocchio Village Haus - Magic Kingdom
Tangierine Cafe - Epcot
Yorkshire County Fish Shop - Epcot
Columbia House - Magic Kingdom

We've shown you our Disney "Q" now it's your turn to show us yours...

Foodie Friday: Sunshine Seasons

Oak-grilled Fish with Seasonal Vegetables $11.79

Sunshine Seasons is a quick service, casual dining experience located on the second floor of the Land Pavilion in Epcot's Future World. It is a must do for lunch or dinner for everyone in our family. Even the pickiest of our eaters finds many dishes to choose from. The grilled salmon with fresh vegetables is his favorite go-to dinner and mine too.

Feast on the bounty of The Land pavilion’s greenhouses at its food court. Choose from stations featuring Asian fare, gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads, and wood-fired entrées. Try the ginger Mongolian beef or the grilled salmon.

Sunshine Seasons, Epcot Feast on the bounty of The Land pavilion’s greenhouses at its food court. Choose from stations featuring Asian fare, gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads, and wood-fired entrées. Try the ginger Mongolian beef or the grilled salmon.

Peter plotting our next course of action, Filling salmon dinners, danish to save, fruit tart to savor.

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Sunshine Seasons is the place we go to if it's crowded in the park. There is a combination of booth seats ( my choice) around a table or tables and chairs. The best part is that there is plenty of seating and the tables turn over is quick.

Cast members are always on hand to clear the tables for the next guest. It is one of the cleanest quick serve restaurants on property. Check out the Sunshine Seasons Menu.

What's your favorite Quick Serve Restaurant? What was your favorite dish?

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This post is linked up to the Favorite Food Friday Blog Hop hosted by my Disney Foodie Friend Sean at Disney Day By Day. If you didn't get here from there, hop on over and find out about more fabulous Disney foods!

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Walt Disney's Own Chili Recipe

Walt’s own recipe for this fabulous family favorite! Perfect one dish meal for a get-together or Disney movie night.

Our family enjoys this recipe with a few modifications. I skip the extra pepper zing in the zest. That's our family, yours may enjoy it with all the zestiness.

Ingredients:
• 2 lbs. coarse ground beef

• 2 onions, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 tsp. chili powder (depending on taste)
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. dry mustard
• 1 large can solid pack tomatoes
• 2 lbs. dry pink beans

• salt

For a little extra zest:

Add a pinch of the following spices:
• 1 little yellow Mexican chili pepper
• Coriander seeds
• Turmeric
• Chili seeds
• Cumin seeds
• Fennel seeds
• Cloves
• Cinnamon
• Dry ginger

Method for Preparation:

Soak beans overnight in cold water.
Drain, add water to cover (2 inches over beans), and simmer with onions until tender (about 4 hours).
Meanwhile, prepare sauce by browning meat and minced garlic in oil.
Add remaining ingredients, and simmer for 1 hour.
When beans are tender, add sauce to beans and simmer for 1/2 hour.

Serves 6 to 8.

This recipe has been provided by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club

Even more Recipes and Foodie Favorites

Have you ever tried Walt's Favorite Chili Recipe?

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Tuesday

Our Favorite Restaurants Outside the Parks

Garden Grove 

When it comes to dining outside of our usual Walt Disney World favorite locations my first choice is The Garden Grove Restaurant located in the Swan & Dolphin Resort Hotel.

I've dined at the Garden Grove quite a few times with my husband and two sons, with just one son and as a large multi-generational family group. 

I have never had a problem getting a last minute Advanced Dining Reservation ( ADR), even during the busiest of times, they have always found openings for us. It is my "go to" dining spot when the parks are crowded for festivals or holidays or when I haven't an ADR in my plan at all. It's so difficult to plan where we are going to have dinner months in advance. I like knowing I can go here at almost the last minute and have a wonderful dining experience.

The decor is reminiscent of a tranquil Central Park with a paper lantern decorated 25 foot oak tree as the focal point of the large circular dining room surrounded by tremendous windows. At night the lights in the tree twinkle creating a lovely atmosphere. It is casual table service dining experience. The food is great and the servers are always very attentive and friendly.

The Garden Grove manages to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters in our family with nightly themed all-you-can-eat dinner buffets.

Friday night the theme is called "Seafood Sensation" with seafood offerings from lobster to shrimp. There is even beef on the menu which is a welcome sight for my husband who doesn't care for seafood. The Garden Grove prides itself in being gluten free too but you will have to mention any other dietary restrictions to your server. They are very accomodating. I find there is always some great choices for my lactose free son.

Sunday, Monday and Wednesday the theme is "Southern Barbeque". Examples of dinner offerings are Smoked Beef Brisket to North Carolina Pulled Pork. I'm not a big barbeque person and even I enjoy those nights.

Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday is "Mediterranean Night" and my favorite menu with Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken, Beef Bourguignon and Mrs Cibs Meatballs to name a few.

Must Do's at Epcot's Food & Wine Festival

It's almost time! The ever popular Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Walt Disney World is about to start. I've planned my itinerary, packed my bags and we are ready to go. We'll be there for the first-week tasting our way around the World Showcase. I can't wait to share our experiences here and on Facebook. So, what am I looking forward to? Here are a few of things on my must do list...

Chocolate “Lava” Cake~California Grill, Disney’s Contemporary Resort Recipe

One of my favorite desserts is the Chocolate “Lava” Cake found at California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
If you enjoy this dessert, here is your chance to bring Disney dining into your home! Our Community Manager, Marissa at Disney Parks InsidEARS was lucky enough to get her hands on the recipe for us, you can also find it in the Delicious Disney cookbook available for purchase here.

Recipe from the California Grill, Disney's Contemporary Resort

What's New for the 17th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

©Disney

Excitement is building for the Epcot's 17th Annual Food & Wine Festival and all the new taste treats that will be introduced. My friends at Disney Park InsidEARS shared some great news.

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival was named by the Travel Channel as one of the country’s top food and wine festivals.
Chefs are cooking up fantastic new experiences for this year’s fest, which open September 28 and runs for a record 46 days through November 12.

There’s no better setting for noshing, sipping and wandering than Epcot’s World Showcase, with a one-of-a-kind backdrop of architectural icons from around the globe.

The Best Hamburgers in The Parks!

Our family has enjoyed some fabulous burgers in the Disney Parks. The burgers I prepare at home are a far cry from a good Park burger, but I try and I'm always learning.

I learned a few new hamburger factoids from our Disney Parks InsidEARS Community Managers, Marissa and Kelly.

Let's see what they are up to and get the latest scoop in their own words.

At Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort there are many different ways to show your burger appreciation, from the classic cheeseburger to the decadent lobster-topped Grand Floridian Burger. As your Disney Parks InsidEARS Community Managers, we’ve done our research (and plenty of taste-testing) and narrowed down some of our favorite burger picks from both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

Disneyland Resort

Hungry Bear Restaurant, Critter Country, Disneyland park: Pioneer Chili Cheeseburger – Angus 1/3 lb. chuck burger with home-style chili, cheese and a hand-battered onion ring. Served with sweet potato fries or zesty slaw.  Veggie burger available upon request

Crossroads at House of Blues, Downtown Disney District: Juicy Lucy – Certified Angus beef and applewood bacon patty stuffed with cheese, topped with crispy pickled jalapenos and chipotle mayo on a potato bun. Served with fries and a trio of dipping sauces.

Taste Pilot’s Grill, Condor Flats, Disney California Adventure park: Wild Bleu Yonder Burger – This burger is basted with tangy steak sauce and topped with bleu cheese crumbles. Served with a tangy vegetable salad or Flyby Fries . (Veggie burger available upon request.)

Uva Bar and Café, Downtown Disney District: Lamb burger – A twist on the traditional hamburger, this lamb burger is topped with piquillo peppers, spicy feta, arugula, lemon dill aioli, pickled red onion, all on a brioche bun. Served with Uva Fries.

Tangaroa Terrace, Disneyland Hotel: Angus ⅓-lb. Hawaiian Cheeseburger – Ground Angus burger with Teriyaki Sauce, fresh grilled pineapple, havarti cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomato on a multigrain bun with choice of Sweet Potato Fries or Green Papaya Slaw.

Walt Disney World Resort

Grand Floridian Cafe, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: Grand Floridian Burger – Angus chuck burger, butter-poached Lobster with red onion marmalade, crispy prosciutto and arugula on a brioche bun with chips.

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom: This quick service location is perfect for the burger-on-the-go. And with a stocked toppings bar, each trip you can create your own signature burger. Toppings include: lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, relish, green peppers, mushrooms, grilled onions, BBQ sauce, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, and cheese sauce
Burgers are also served with apple slices or french fries.

Sci-Fi Dine In, Disney’s Hollywood Studios: The All American Picnic Burger – Flame broiled Angus burger patty topped with grilled hot dog, sauerkraut, and sauteed onions, drizzled with ketchup, mustard and crowned with a pickle spear. Served with a choice of cucumber salad or french fries.

Sci-Fi Dine In, Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Vegetable Burger – A perfect non-meat option, this vegetable patty is topped with cucumber planks, vine-ripened tomatoes, grilled red onions, peppery arugula, and pickle spear drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Served with a choice of cucumber salad or sweet potato fries

ABC Commissary, Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Surf ‘n Turf Burger – The Cheddar cheeseburger is topped with fried shrimp, a sweet onion ring, tomato, pickle, lettuce and their own special sauce.

Now, I'm hungry for a hamburger! So what's your favorite burger in The Parks? I like it simple. My favorite is the Angus Beef Burger at the Grand Floridian Cafe with a tomato slice and lettuce. Oh and maybe a pickle:)

Have a Magical Day!

Thursday

A World of Disney Dining: Food Fun Facts from Walt Disney World Resort

Over at The Disney InsidEARS we were discussing our favorite foods and the diverse and delicious options for Disney Dining in Disney World. Along with learning about some new "must try" treats that sound absolutely delicious, I learned some new fun foodie facts I'd like to share with you today.
From small snacks to luxurious, sit-down meals, there is something for everyone.
Here are some fun Disney World food facts from InsidEARS Community Manager Marissa:

DIVERSE DISNEY DINING: There are more than 475 unique places to dine across Walt Disney World Resort, including full-service and quick-service restaurants and portable food carts. In all, more than 6,000 different food items are available.

YOU SAY TOMATO, I SAY ‘YUM’: California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort serves about 70 pounds of vine-ripened tomatoes each night during “tomato season” (July through November).

A TASTE OF HOLLYWOOD: Approximately 63,000 Cobb salads are served every year at The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The original recipe for the dressing, created in 1926, still tops the salads. “The Cobb” was invented at the original Hollywood Brown Derby by restaurateur Bob Cobb.

A LOT TO GOBBLE!: More than 1.2 million pounds of Turkey Legs are consumed every year in the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.

MICKEY LIKES TO SAY ‘CHEESE’:

More than 89 varieties of cheese are used by Disney theme park and resort chefs at Walt Disney World Resort.

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What's your favorite treat in Walt Disney World?

Come back on Friday. That's when I'll be sharing our favorite treats!

Have a magical day!

Photos & Source: Disney Parks InsidEARS News

Saturday

Winter Holiday Dining Hours at Walt Disney World Resort

Are you an avid Disney trip planner? Are you planning your dining reservations at Walt Disney World for the holidays already?

I think you'll find it helpful in getting your most sought after ADRs lined up on your spreadsheet. We know you have one;)

Of course, the ADR reservation window hasn't opened up yet for November so this is just for your pre-plan stage. I call it my dream phase of planning...

Is there a location you can’t wait to try on the list?

Boma