There are now two new episodes of “The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora” on Disney.com. The latest episodes released include “World’s Biggest Sandwich” and “Breakfast Isn’t Just for Breakfast Anymore.” I have to say that Cora’s acting leaves a bit to be desired (she sometimes… Read More »New Muppets Kitchen Videos with Cat Cora
Completing the vision of the park’s designers, a new dining location has opened on the EPCOT lagoon that offers great food and a terrific view of the nightly water show – Illuminations. The Mexico pavilion is now host to La Hacienda de San Angel and… Read More »La Hacienda de San Angel opens at EPCOT
We saw the teaser trailer for Cat Cora and the Muppets new web series last week. Turns out it wasn’t for The Disney Channel, but rather for Disney Online and DisneyFamily.com. “Muppets Kitchen” and “Hasty Tasty” both aim to help families rediscover together time through cooking.
Disney Online, part of the Disney Interactive Media Group, launched two new original video series today featuring The Muppets and celebrity chef Cat Cora. “The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora” on Disney.com (www.Disney.com/MuppetsKitchen) inspires and entertains families through cooking and classic Muppet comedy, while “Hasty Tasty Cooking Tips with Cat Cora and the Muppets” on Disney Family.com (www.Family.com/HastyTasty) was created specifically for moms, offering recipes, step-by-step cooking tips and fun family-time ideas. “Muppets Kitchen” and “Hasty Tasty” are exclusively sponsored by the all-new Honda Odyssey and the National Milk Mustache “got milk?”® Campaign.
Read More »Disney Online Debuts Two Cat Cora and Muppet Web Series
Charlie Restivo, Executive Chef and Head Pizzaiolo, Via Napoli (Photo by Preston C. Mack ) Although one is tempted to say Disney’s theme park restaurants exist separately from the rest of the world, they can live and die on the quality of the Chef and… Read More »EPCOT welcomes Chef Charlie Restivo at Via Napoli
Touring Downtown Disney can be a hit or miss experience for food lovers. Some locations offer the same tired food options you can get anywhere, some have that chain experience, while others attempt to break free from the mold and offer something unique and new. Portobello falls into that last category.
Situated right on the water by the big sternwheeler restaurant you’ll find a world class eatery specializing in locally sourced offerings, Italian flavors, and friendly service. As of this week you can add Organic Beer and trendy bar food to that list.
The Meatball Bar, conceptualized by Portobello’s Executive Chef Steven Richard and Portobello’s Consulting Chef, (and recent Top Chef Master’s contestant), Tony Mantuano, pays homage to the classic Italian dish, offering four varieties of meatball. The menu showcases Beef & Veal with Parsley ($1.95), Spicy Pork ($1.95), Chicken with Sage ($1.95) and Salmon with Tarragon ($2.95). Each slider is served on a soft mini bread roll, topped with tomato basil sauce and freshly grated Parmigianino cheese.
The new Meatball Sliders Bar provides another option for those who are looking for something fun and flavorful. You can choose from four different types of meatballs and three different organic beers. The beer comes from Orlando Brewery a USDA certified organic brewery. A pint is just $5.95, which means for $11 you can enjoy a high quality light dinner or lunch. One of the best values on property if you ask me.
Also new is a new dessert option they’re calling ‘Beeramisu’. They’ve mixed in some of the Orlando Brewery Blackwater Dry Porter, which has wonderful chocolate overtones, to the marscapone cheese of their Tiramisu dessert. I loved the beer taste, which wasn’t overwhelming, but added to the flavors and without distracting from the texture. Everyone at my table asked for seconds.
Portobello’s Executive Chef Tony Mantuano, whom fans of Top Chef Masters will recognize, says they worked hard to make this an alternative to the ‘Same’. They definitely succeeded.
Join me below the cut for my tasting notes:
Read More »New Option for Foodies in Downtown Disney – Meatball Bar at Portobello
Filling a void of mid-range priced eateries, the Patina Restaurant Group will open a new casual pizzeria August 5th, called Via Napoli, adjacent to Tutto Italia Ristorante, its restaurant in the Italy pavilion in Epcot® World Showcase at Walt Disney World® Resort. This will be the first authentic Italian pizzeria to ever open in the park.
Restaurateur and longtime Patina Restaurant Group CEO Nick Valenti created the Via Napoli concept, based upon his travels in Southern Italy and his time developing and overseeing the successful Naples 45 Ristorante e Pizzeria in New York which was awarded the coveted certification of “La Vera Pizza Napoletana.” While in Naples, Valenti spent time studying the art of dough, crust, sauce and oven temperatures at the famous pizzerias Da Michele and Trianon. At Da Ettore, he discovered the art of pagnotiello, a folded round of pizza dough filled with mozzarella, ham and mushrooms.
“I have always loved the beauty of a simple Neapolitan pizza,” Valenti says. “It’s a perfect food, something beloved by both Italians and Americans. At Via Napoli we will make pizza the traditional Neapolitan way: with a textured, soft and charred crust. I look forward to bringing it to Walt Disney World, where it should be a welcome addition to guests visiting Epcot.”
For reservations at Via Napoli, please call (407) WDW-DINE / (407) 939-3463
Please note, between August 2 and September 9, 2010, guests will be accommodated on a walk-in basis only. Beginning August 6, 2010, reservations will be accepted for dates September 10th and later.
Read More »New Pizzeria ‘Via Napoli’ will open soon at EPCOT
Muppet Studios has released a new short film featuring the Swedish Chef making Popcorn Shrimp. Don’t worry it’s closed captioned. Unfortunately it has embedding disabled which will prevent it from truly going viral. That’s a shame because of all the recent viral videos this one… Read More »Swedish Chef makes Popcorn Shrimp in new Muppet Video
Haven’t seen these delicious looking candied apples before, but here they are in the candy store at the Magic Kingdom. The Mickey Mouse ears and shorts are great, but I think you get a little extra with the candy bow on the Minnie Mouse version.… Read More »Mickey Mouse Candied Apples – Yum