Archive for the ‘Table for One’ Category

Walt Disney World has added another symphony of tastes to its repertoire of unique fine-dining experiences with the Chef’s Tasting Wine Dinner at the Flying Fish Café.

Many “Chef’s Table” events typically take reservations for a certain number of diners who are treated as a group to some special one-on-one time with the Chef in a private room or secluded area of the restaurant.  Others, such as the Chef’s Table at Victoria and Albert at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, accept one reservation for a single party on a given night.  The Chef’s Tasting Wine Dinner combines both approaches – the meal can be reserved at various times for individual parties of up to six guests and takes place at the counter of Disney’s wonderful Flying Fish Café.  Think of it as a “menu with benefits.”

It’s an indulgent and delicious meal of five courses, offering lots of opportunity to chat with chefs and sommeliers during the meal.  Each course and the accompanying wine are presented with an in-depth discussion of ingredients and preparation and diners can request changes to the prix-fixe menu to accommodate preferences and special dietary requirements.

Review: Not understanding that this was not a “group” event, I was a bit dismayed to be kept waiting for nearly a half-hour after my arrival at the Flying Fish Café.  I began to wonder if I was the only one who had made a reservation and thinking that perhaps it would be cancelled.  In fact, I WAS the only one, but it quickly became apparent that this is the format for the Dinner.  I was seated next to a couple of other guests who had enjoyed an earlier reservation time for the Chef’s Tasting and who ended up remaining throughout my meal, as well, sharing their Disney dining experiences and making my evening that much more special.

Diners have the opportunity for a photograph with the Chef before sitting down at the long bar which faces the open kitchen of this restaurant.  The sumptuous meal featured a variety of beautifully prepared and presented dishes paired with well-chosen wines.  When the sommelier learned that I preferred red wine, he immediately substituted reds for some of the white wines on the menu.  The menus are custom-printed and very much of-the-moment; mine actually varied slightly from the one enjoyed earlier that same evening by the guests sitting next to me.

While I enjoyed everything, the most memorable component of the meal was actually the smallest.  I was treated to my first taste of the little fruit known as finger lime.  When squeezed, the pulp pops out in the shape of tiny balls that look very much like caviar; hence its nickname, the caviar of citrus.  It added unmistakable zest to the first course of miso-cured yellowfin tuna and Jonah crab roulade, and an example of the cut fruit was brought to the table so we could learn more about it.  It’s one of the special pleasures of this type of dining – the opportunity to try something completely new!

The constant visits from chef and sommelier make participants feel quite special.  Towards the end of my meal, a server came over to share a story with me.  The party she had been serving in another part of the room spent their entire evening speculating about the stream of visitors joining me from the kitchen, finally deciding I must be a food critic.  They were surprised to learn that they could enjoy the same attention by reserving the Chef’s Tasting Wine Dinner.

The best part of all?  In keeping with the Café’s focus on seasonal specialties, the menu is constantly changing, allowing guests to experience this wonderful food adventure again and again!  I admit it; I’m hooked!

Chef’s Wine Tasting Dinner at the Flying Fish Café

Disney’s Boardwalk

Sunday through Thursday

5:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

Reservations must be made at least one day in advance; 48-hour cancellation policy

While many guests focus on restaurants in the parks, a number of the best dining venues, including all but one of the Signature Restaurants, are actually located in the resort hotels.  Along with the wonderful Kona Café in Disney’s Polynesian Resort, the Grand Floridian Café offers quality that’s several notches above that of most other “one-table-service-point” venues.

A wall of Palladian windows floods the room with light during the day with views of the gardens and pool.  In keeping with the Victorian theme, there are the requisite florals and intricate woodwork that are found throughout the resort.

Overlooked by most visitors, it’s not unusual to be seated as a walk-in. Its close proximity to the Magic Kingdom makes it a great choice for those who are unable to obtain a reservation in the park or prefer a more serene and relaxed dining experience.

Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Grand Floridian Café features dishes that range from traditional favorites to more contemporary creations, presented with an upscale flair.

The atmosphere is inviting, with pleasant, knowledgeable service and consistently excellent food.  It’s not fine dining, but it’s some of the best moderately-priced table-service fare to be found at Walt Disney World.

Review: The wonderful thing about Walt Disney World is that there is, indeed, something for everyone.   From chicken nuggets to fois gras, vegan to kosher; the dining staff makes every effort to cater to food allergies, religious and cultural requirements, and the preferences of all age groups.

Since up-to-date knowledge about all facets of Disney vacations is a requirement of my job (yes, yes, it’s challenging but it must be done!), I try to squeeze as many dining experiences as possible into each visit.  Some I enjoy more than others.

During a recent one-night stay before a cruise on Disney Wonder, I decided to get breakfast since I knew I would have a long day ahead.  Normally a tea-and-toast type, I opted to run over to the Wave at Disney’s Contemporary Resort since it was the closest to Disney’s Bay Lake Tower where I was staying.  While I’ve had other meals here, this was the first (and last) time for breakfast.

No, this is not a review of the Wave – be patient; I’m making a point here!  The Wave’s menu, which promises “American Flavors,”  leans toward food with a light touch; even the heartier proteins are typically paired with more health-conscious substitutes for the traditional side dishes.  The breakfast offerings are heavy on whole grains and egg whites.

I would have been thrilled with a good Mickey waffle, but they were not to be had. Not wanting eggs, muesli, or multigrain pancakes, I decided on the Continental Breakfast which included juice, tea, and “assorted pastries.”  The “pastries” turned out to be a dish of granola with yogurt, some tasteless fruit, and a frightening multigrain muffin of indeterminate origin.  One look was enough – I paid the server and left – total dining time including seating and the wait for service, 7 minutes.  Might be your American Flavor; definitely not mine.

Unwilling to give up on breakfast, I made my way to the Grand Floridian Café.  No reservation?  No problem!  Sunshine, fresh flowers, and a real breakfast menu.  Dismayed by my earlier attempt, I decided to go with what I know and splurged on pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream.  A brief wait and the server returned with heaven on a plate.  Perfectly-cooked pancakes; light, fluffy, with strawberries tucked inside like a gift rather than tossed on top; a dusting of cinnamon-sugar and a big bowl of whipped cream. They were the best pancakes I have ever had. If there is truly something for everyone, then this is the something for me.

Menus

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Dessert

Grand Floridian Café

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Breakfast 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Lunch 11:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Dinner 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Christmas night and my friends are unable to meet me as planned for our annual holiday dinner.  It’s a festive day, and I’m festively dressed, so I’m going anyway!  Our reservation is for Bistro de Paris, the small and elegant restaurant located in France at Epcot’s World Showcase. 

 

This venue is on the second floor above Chefs de France; a bit of an effort to find the entrance which is somewhat hidden away at the back.  The young woman at the podium had a somewhat reserved manner and I did begin to have concerns that the service might not be as pleasant as I was hoping for.  As most of you who have dined alone know, if anyone is going to be kicked to the curb during a busy night at a restaurant, it’s bound to be the single diner!  My worries proved to be unfounded; I have seldom encountered more polished and attentive service.  

The dining room is quite attractive with muted colors and lots of woodwork and starched white tablecloths.  The photo shows the lovely French doors with their view of the water and often, Illuminations. While I’ve heard complaints of noisy children and guests in t-shirts, perhaps because it was a holiday the atmosphere this night was quiet and relaxed; everyone was dressed appropriately and on their best behavior.

 

Bistro de Paris offers a prix-fixe menu degustation featuring several choices for each course, and available with or without wine pairings.  Although there is a good deal of seasonal variation, you can expect some interesting appetizers, both a fish and a meat course, and assorted desserts.  My escargots, scallops, filet, and cake were all outstanding.  It was a wonderful evening, made even more enjoyable by the charming family seated next to me.  The youngest child, in particular, made a special effort to include me in their conversation throughout our meals.  My server was a delight as well, making me feel comfortable and welcome.  He was quick to engage in conversation and offered lots of thoughtful menu suggestions.  

 

This is one of the few restaurants at Walt Disney World that only accepts reservations up to thirty days in advance, so you’ll need to plan accordingly.  Expect to spend more than $100 per person, significantly more if you choose the wine pairings with the degustation menu. Great food, great service, friendly, helpful staff – a perfect choice for a more upscale meal whether you’re dining alone or with a crowd.  In the words of Lumiere:

           

          After all, Miss, this is France

          And a dinner here is never second best

 

          Be our guest

          Oui, our guest

          Be our guest!!