Apple blossom from Riverside Mill located in the Port Orleans...

Apple blossom from Riverside Mill located in the Port Orleans Riverside resort.

A Look at Gaston's Tavern

By: Nick, co-author of the Disney Musings Blog

Let me set the scene.
It's just about exactly one year ago.

I'm in Epcot with my wife.
I overhear someone say that the new Little Mermaid ride is open in the Magic Kingdom.
I say to my wife, "We're going to the Magic Kingdom. RIGHT NOW!".
On our way to the monorail, I get a call from a friend who asks where I am. I tell him I'm heading to the Magic Kingdom, to which he replies, "Oh, I heard the New Fantasyland was open today."
The monorail never moved more slowly. I was literally jumping up and down with excitement. Could it be true?
Upon entering the Magic Kingdom, I walked, not ran, as that's a no-no, but I walked very quickly, stopping every now and again to see how far back I'd left my wife. Finally, we got to Fantasyland where I was greeted by this sign...

  

...and a friendly Cast Member waving people in asking if we'd like to see the New Fantasyland. Would I?! I was like a kid in a candy store!

We'd had the great fortune to see "Enchanted Tales with Belle" earlier in the week, so went by that reluctantly, and made our way up the lane.

The Be Our Guest Restaurant unopened at that time, but I stopped briefly to snap some pictures.

 

 

We walked on into a little town, a quite village...

 

... which today was not so quiet!

Gaston's statue. A tribute to Gaston. From Gaston.

This in front of his tavern. Gaston's Tavern, of course.

 

Let's go inside.
The menus.

 A LeFou's Brew,  which is "no-sugar added frozen apple juice with a hint of toasted marshmallow, topped with all-natural passion fruit-mango foam". It wasn't bad, a bit too sweet for my wife.

There are 2 dining areas, one to the left...

...and a larger, more elaborate one to the right, which features the fireplace, and antler chandelier. Gaston uses antlers in all of his decorating.

There was no seating available inside, so I headed outside, to enjoy my pork shank.
It is as big as, and much better tasting than a turkey leg, and a couple dollars cheaper to boot!

This shank is huge, more like half a pig, because that's how Gaston rolls!

Portions of this article were originally posted on the Tips From the Disney Diva Blog, where Nick is a contributing writer and on the Disney Musings Blog, which he co-writes with his wife Barbie and friend Gaylin.

Walt Disney's World's Rapid Fill Mugs

The Rapid Fill Mugs at the Walt Disney World Resorts

By: Nick, co-writer of the Disney Musings Blog
Back in the day, you would buy a refillable mug at a Disney resort, and then bring it each trip. Then they changed the policy, and you were expected to buy one each trip. Of course you COULD always just bring the mug from a previous trip and refill those for free, but like religion and politics, I don't discuss this subject in polite conversation.

Now, with the new Rapid Fill Mugs you really don't have a choice but to pay for beverages each trip.
You purchase your mug at your resort's quick service restaurant, and it is programmed according to your stay, or any number of days you would like to program it for.

The prices below are valid as of 9/28/13.

They can be refilled, as far as I could tell, as often as you'd like during your stay at the soda stations found throughout the resort, or any other resort you visit. They are not good at the Theme Parks, though I actually have been told that people have refilled them at the parks, and nobody objected. The little screens tell you how many days you have left to refill your mug. If you try to use a regular cup at these machines, they simply won't work!

There are no such restrictions on the coffee and tea machines, so I suppose you COULD bring in an older mug and refill those as often as you'd like, though the Cast Members would more than likely spot that you are using an older, non Rapid Fill branded mug.

Because these are RFID chips, the "Rapid Fill" mugs should be reprogrammable, but according to a Cast Member I spoke to, they currently are NOT, so you will receive a new mug on future visits.

 

This article was originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog

disneyfoodislove: Fresh watermelon juice from the Terra Booth...

disneyfoodislove:

Fresh watermelon juice from the Terra Booth available during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Fresh watermelon juice from the Terra Booth available during the...

Fresh watermelon juice from the Terra Booth available during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Be Our Guest Restaurant Menu

Be Our Guest Restaurant Lunch Menu

Lunch Menu

Soups
French Onion Soup
Potato Leek Soup

Entrées
Tuna Niçoise Salad
Warm Seared Tuna Steak with chilled Green Beans, Potatoes, Olives, Roasted Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, and Hard Boiled Eggs

Carved Turkey Sandwich
served warm on a Baguette with Dijon Mayonnaise and Pommes Frites

Croque Monsieur
Grilled Sandwich of Carved Ham, Gruyere Cheese, and Béchamel with Pommes Frites

Grilled Steak Sandwich
with Garlic Butter Spread and Pommes Frites Quinoa, Shallot, and Chive Salad with Green Beans, Potatoes, Olives, Roasted Bell Peppers, and, Tomatoes

Quinoa,Shallot, and Chive Salad
with Green Beans, Potatoes, olives, Roasted Bell Peppers, and Tomatoes

Vegetable Quiche
Mushroom, Zucchini, Bell Pepper, Onion, and Chive Quiche served with Baby Lettuce coated with Champagne Vinaigrette

Braised Pork (Coq Au Vin Style)
Eight Hour Slow-cooked Pork with Mushrooms, Onions, Carrots, and Bacon served with Mashed Potatoes
and Green Beans Jardinière

Desserts
Strawberry Cream Cheese Cupcake
Vanilla Sponge Cake, Strawberry Mousse Filling, and Cream Cheese Icing

Triple Chocolate Cupcake
Chocolate Sponge Cake, Chocolate Mousse Filling, and Chocolate Ganache

Lemon Meringue Cupcake
Vanilla Sponge Cake, Lemon Custard Filling, Flamed Meringue Icing, and Crunch

Chocolate Cream Puff
filled with Chocolate Mousse topped with Whipped Cream

Passion Fruit Cream Puff
filled with Passion Fruit Mousse topped with Whipped Cream

Lemon – Raspberry Cream Puff*
filled with Lemon Custard

Dinner Menu

Signature Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Served in a Light Up Castle-themed Souvenir Goblet 18.99
Beverage only 4.19

All-Natural Fruit Punch
sweetened with Organic Cane Juice and Wildberry Extract topped with
Lemon-Lime Foam
-OR-
All-Natural Lemonade
sweetened with Organic Cane Juice and topped with a Wildberry Foam

Beverages
Fountain Beverages 2.99
Coca-Cola®, Diet Coke®, CokeZero®, Barq’s® Root Beer, Fanta® Orange, Sprite®, Minute Maid® Lemonade

Fresh-brewed Coffee (regular or decaf) 2.59
Fresh-brewed Iced Tea 2.99
Hot Tea 2.59
Hot Cocoa 2.59

Milk or Chocolate Milk 3.09

Orange Juice, Apple Juice, or Cranberry Juice 3.19

Evian 750 mL or Perrier 750 mL 6.75

Appetizers
Assorted Cured Meats and Sausages
served with Cornichons, Pickled Onions, and Toasted Baguette 14.99

French Onion Soup
topped with Crouton and Gruyere Cheese 6.99

Mussels Provencal
with White Wine, Tomato, Garlic, Onion, Basil, and Butter 10.99

Potato Leek Soup 5.99

Garden Salad
with Champagne Vinaigrette 4.99

Seasonal Salad Trio 6.99
Three individual bowls of:
Roasted Beet, Gold Raisin, and Orange Salad
Green Bean, Tomato, and Roasted Shallot Salad
Watermelon, Radish, and Mint Salad

Entrées

Thyme-scented Pork Rack Chop
with Au Gratin Pasta, Seasonal Vegetables, and Red Wine Au Jus 21.99
(Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages, Burgundy)

Rotisserie Rock Hen
with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables 15.99
(Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuissé, Burgundy)

Pan-seared Salmon on Leek Fondue
served with Creamy Saffron-crushed Potatoes 20.99
(Joseph Drouhin Laforet Pinot Noir, Burgundy)

Grilled Strip Steak
with Garlic Butter Spread and Pommes Frites 29.99
(Louis Jadot Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy)

Sautéed Shrimp and Scallops
with Seasonal Vegetables served with Puff Pastry with a Creamy Lobster Sauce 22.99
(Michel Redde Sancerre, Loire Valley)

Layered Ratatouille
Oven-baked Zucchini, Eggplant, Mushrooms, and Caramelized Onions sliced and layered on Quinoa served with Bell Pepper Sauce 15.99
(Château d’Aqueria Tavel Rosé, France)

Desserts
Presented and served tableside! 3.99

Strawberry Cream Cheese Cupcake
Vanilla Sponge Cake, Strawberry Mousse Filling, and Cream Cheese Icing

Triple Chocolate Cupcake
Chocolate Sponge Cake, Chocolate Mousse Filling, and Chocolate Ganache

Lemon Meringue Cupcake
Vanilla Sponge Cake, Lemon Custard Filling, Flamed Meringue Icing, and Crunch

Chocolate Cream Puff
filled with Chocolate Mousse topped with Whipped Cream

Passion Fruit Cream Puff
filled with Passion Fruit Mousse topped with Whipped Cream

Lemon – Raspberry Cream Puff
filled with Lemon Custard

Spanakopita from the Greece booth

Spanakopita from the Greece booth available during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Taste of Greece

Taste of Greece: grilled and marinated calamari, htipiti, eggplant dip, olives and pita bread from the Greece booth available during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Potato and leek waffle with braised beef

Potato and leek waffle with braised beef from the Belgium Booth available during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Tiramisu from the Boardwalk Bakery located on Disney’s...

Tiramisu from the Boardwalk Bakery located on Disney’s Boardwalk.

Kefta pocket from the Morocco Booth available during the Epcot...

Kefta pocket from the Morocco Booth available during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Baklava from the Morocco Booth available during the Epcot Food...

Baklava from the Morocco Booth available during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Florida grass fed beef slider with monterey jack and sweet &...

Florida grass fed beef slider with monterey jack and sweet & hot pickles from the Florida Local Booth available during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Dessert trio - Chocolate orange cupcake, hazelnut chocolate...

Dessert trio - Chocolate orange cupcake, hazelnut chocolate cheesecake, and morello cherry pistachio mousse from the Desserts & Champagne booth available during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Classic Banana Split at Beaches and Cream

Banana Split at Beaches and Cream

By: Barbie, co-writer of the Disney Musings Blog

I've never been one to like bananas. Ever since I was little. Every one around me loved them and I just never understood the attraction. Then Nick asked me to share a banana split at Beaches and Cream at the Yacht and Beach Club Resort in Walt Disney World.

Against my better judgement, I said "yes."

So I dug in!

And I kept at it too! And all of a sudden I was appreciating the banana split and wanting more! Now I'm sitting here craving one, but I still don't want a bare banana. It must be the ice cream and all the awesome toppings that make a banana edible!

 

This was originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog, which Barbie co-writes with her husband Nick. Please LIKE Disney Musings on Facebook.

Cannoli from the Boardwalk bakery

Cannoli from the Boardwalk bakery located in Disney’s Boardwalk Inn.

Belgian waffle with warm chocolate ganache and whipped cream...

Belgian waffle with warm chocolate ganache and whipped cream from the Belgium Booth available during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Shakin’ jamaican coffee (kāhlua, vanilla and caramel) from...

Shakin’ jamaican coffee (kāhlua, vanilla and caramel) from the American Adventure Coffee Kiosk available during the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

Frozen s’mores from the Desserts and Champagne booth

Frozen s’mores from the Desserts and Champagne booth available during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Schinken nudel (pasta gratin with ham & cheese) , germ.

Schinken nudel (pasta gratin with ham & cheese) from the Germany booth available during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Napa Rose at the Disneyland Resort

Napa Rose at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel

By: Nick Maglio, co-writer of the Disney Musings Blog

Last Friday I shared an excellent dining experience at the Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure. Today I'd like to share what was arguably an even better meal at Napa Rose at the Disney's Grand Californian Hotel at the Disneyland Resort.

I say arguably because our dining party, consisting of Barbie, her cousin Jill, Jill's husband Zach and me, literally couldn't agree on which meal was superior.

Let's look at this lovely establishment located at the equally beautiful Disney Grand Californian Hotel. As you enter, there is a lounge to the right.

 The dining room is warm and inviting, featuring an open kitchen.

 

 Barbie

There is a great wine selection, and Jill and Zach picked an excellent bottle for the table, Foxen Pinot Noir 2010.

For an appetizer, I had the Crepe Filled with Duck Confit and Swiss Chard, Carrot Puree and Pinot Noir Essence, $17.

Barbie had the Bellwether Farms Ricotta "Malfatti" Dumplings, Black Trumpet Mushrooms, Tuscan Kale and Blood Orange Vinaigrette, $17.

Zach had the Slowly Braised Kobe Beef Cheeks, with Parsnip Ravioli and Cabernet Broth, $20.

All of us loved our appetizers. As I was in a ducky mood, I continued with that theme with my even more wonderful entree, the Cedar Roasted Maple Leaf Duck Breast, Truffle Pumpkin Puree, Tree Mushrooms and Brown Butter Vinaigrette, $40.

Barbie and Zach had the  Sauteed Sustainable Fish of the Day - Roasted Golden Cauliflower Couscous and Cranberry-Walnut Pesto, $39, the fish that evening was Swordfish. This was Barbie's favorite dish of the entire trip, and that is saying something!

Zach also ordered the Truffled "Mac & Cheese" Orecchiette Pasta, with Parmigiano-Reggiano, $12 which was delicious, which he was kind enough to share, and it was delicious.

Jill had the Herb Roasted Colorado Rack of Lamb, Jalapeno Cheddar Pop-over, Roasted Root Vegetables and Sangiovese Jus, $44.

This was all outstanding. And I thought, "How could it get better?" Then, came the desserts!

Our Signature "Best Ever Hot Chocolate", Rich Scharffen Berger and Valrhona Manjari Chocolates with Fresh Doughnuts. $15 They even wrote Happy Anniversary on it, as Barbie and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary early. 3 months early, but still, celebrating none the less!

And yes, this may have been the best hot chocolate ever!

Warm Butterscotch Bread Pudding, Caramel Praline Ice Cream, Butterscotch Creme Anglaise. $12

They also brought this dessert out for our anniversary, a lovely surprise.

And speaking of lovely surprises, Jill and Zach surprised us by picking up the tab! Thank you again Jill and Zach!

Barbie, me, Jill, and Zach

Okay, I think looking back, and recalling the absolutely wonderful experience this was, I am going to give this the edge over Carthay Circle as best meal of the trip. 

This was originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog, which Nick co-writes with his wife Barbie. 

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