6/15/16 6/15/16

Beignets -- Snacks -- Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory -- Port Orleans French Quarter

*This dining experience took place in May 2016.Note: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory will be undergoing a refurbishment and will be closed beginning July 11, 2016 and re-open at a to be determined date in Fall 2016. At this time, a temporary location will be set-up in the lobby. Some options, like the beignet sundae bowl may be limited and/or unavailable. The gluten free & allergy friendly beignets will still be available for purchase.One of my favorite snacks are the gluten free and allergy friendly beignets served at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort. Perfectly deep fried and smothered in powdered sugar, these classic New Orleans treats make the perfect snack, breakfast, or dessert any time you visit Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory.And you'll want to even more now with the addition of the gluten free and allergy friendly beignet bowl sundae. That's right. As if these beignets couldn't get any better, Chef Tony and the culinary team at Port Orleans French Quarter created this amazing gluten free and allergy friendly dessert that you're going to want to try.Made with several pressed beignets, the fried beignets turn into a sundae base. Topped with your choice of ice cream (in my case, I got So Delicious Coconut Milk ice cream) and sauces (I went with Hershey's Chocolate Syrup and Raspberry Sauce on one visit and just Raspberry Sauce on my second visit), it's a delicious treat.Typically, the gluten free only version of this sundae comes with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, raspberry sauce, a chocolate chicory sauce. You can see a photo and review of it on Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures's site.Of course, I love a classic fried beignet. If you're looking for something to add to your beignet, try one of the three new dipping sauces. All three are gluten free and the raspberry sauce is both gluten free and dairy free (and probably vegan too). I love the raspberry sauce because combined with the beignet it reminds me of jelly donuts!If you're interested in recreating beignets at home, check out the recipe from Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter.Have you tried the gluten free and allergy friendly beignets?

6/14/16 6/14/16

Pizza Planet -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Hollywood Studios

*This dining experience took place in November 2015.Note: This restaurant is currently under refurbishment as of June 2016 and set to be rethemed when it re-opens in November 2016.Pizza Planet is a quick service restaurant in Disney's Hollywood Studios themed after the Pizza Planet restaurant in Toy Story. Offering up pizza and salads, Pizza Planet doesn't have a huge variety when it comes to options. They do have an allergy friendly menu, but it is very limited. Thankfully, if you're dairy free, they do have a soy cheese option that you can choose for your pizza.On this particular occasion, I decided to check out the pizza at Pizza Planet, since I had never been. I ended up getting a pepperoni pizza with regular cheese, as I have been re-introducing a bit of dairy back into my diet, and a Caesar side salad.I have to say that I wouldn't get this one again. Though I liked the Udi's Pizza Crust that was the base, I thought the sauce and toppings were not very good. I liked the Caesar salad but that was about it. Even my brother who got a regular gluten-filled pizza said his wasn't very good either. I'd much rather get allergy chicken tenders from ABC Commissary or a table service restaurant like Mama Melrose than order this again.I'll be curious to see how and if the restaurant changes menu options when it re-opens. The current rumor mill is suggesting it might become a Muppet themed quick service pizza restaurant. If so, I think the theming will be interesting, but I'm sure hoping they update the food options.Have you been to Pizza Planet? What did you order when you dined there?

6/6/16 6/6/16

Liberty Inn -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Epcot

*This dining experience took place in October 2015.Liberty Inn at the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot offers a variety of special diets options. On this particular visit, I stopped by for a quick bite for dinner. Having been to Liberty Inn many times before and checking out their allergy friendly lunch and dinner menu, I knew I wanted to order allergy friendly chicken tenders.In the past, Liberty Inn used to bake allergy friendly chicken tenders and fries, but now they have dedicated special diets fryers, which is great. It usually takes around 10 minutes for allergy friendly chicken tenders and fries, but Liberty Inn will often give you a pager so that you can go grab a seat and come back when your food is ready.For me, allergy chicken tenders are a solid and delicious choice when visiting the locations that carry them. Liberty Inn does a great job frying these, and I really enjoyed stopping here for dinner. Many of the World Showcase restaurants aren't actually owned & operated by Disney, but Liberty Inn is, making it the perfect spot for a safe bite to eat.Liberty Inn continues to be one of my go-to spots in Epcot, especially if I'm craving allergy friendly chicken tenders.Have you been to Liberty Inn? What did you order when you dined there?

6/6/16 6/6/16

LakeHouse -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Hyatt Grand Cypress Resort

*This dining experience took place in February 2016.Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWThe LakeHouse at the Hyatt Grand Cypress opened in February 2016 and offers healthy, locally-sourced, farm-to-table meals. Located near Disney Springs, it's a quiet and welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of the Disney Parks.During their opening, I had the chance to check out the LakeHouse as an invited guest of Disneyways.com's. Prior to our arrival, the restaurant was alerted to my special dietary needs and noted that they would have the culinary team on hand to assist with any questions and to provide safe options on the visit.When visiting the LakeHouse, I was impressed by the clean and modern decor. The restaurant area was previously housed by another restaurant, and the Hyatt Grand Cypress did a $2.8 million refurbishment re-opening the restaurant with a new name and culinary concept. The refurbishment was really well done if my visit to the LakeHouse is any indication.After our arrival, we were given menus to look over and were told that Chef Max would be coming out to discuss options with our group.When Chef Max arrived, he noted that they would like to do a tasting of options and made sure to include as many gluten free (and some dairy free) dishes that they could. When I inquired about the sushi, I was told that the restaurant can make their sushi gluten free and even had gluten free soy sauce.The sushi may have been my favorite part of the meal at the LakeHouse. First, it was gorgeously presented with generous portions and high quality ingredients.We were served the Caterpillar Roll and Rainbow Roll both of which were gluten free, though the Caterpillar Roll did contain dairy, in the form of cream cheese. If you can't have dairy, there were definitely many different gluten free and dairy free rolls to try!I was wowed by the Rainbow Roll and could have easily eaten it all myself at the meal.While enjoying our sushi, I also got a blood orange mojito, which was quite delicious. I love a good mojito, and this was a nice twist on a classic one.Up next, Chef Max brought out the grilled shrimp cocktail with shaved horseradish and Bloody Mary cocktail sauce. This was another favorite for me. I loved the grilled shrimp, and the cocktail sauce was delicious. Even better was the addition of the shaved horseradish which added a unique twist.In looking at the restaurant's menu, as of June 2016, it looks as if this is no longer listed. I do hope they bring it back though because it's a great appetizer option!We also tried out two salads on the menu - both of which were gluten free (both contained cheese but could easily be served without it). The Warm Spinach Salad was nice and earthy, with a bit of sweetness added in with apples. If you like beets, this is definitely a salad for you. This looks like a salad that is no longer on the menu either.The salad bowl was my favorite of the salad options. I loved the crunchy pecans, sharpness of the pecorino romano and even bitter greens. It all came together beautifully with texture and taste.It looks like the salad bowl is still an option at the LakeHouse but may have some different seasonal additions to it.The Manhattan Clam Chowder was a huge surprise for me, as I didn't expect to like it. I'm not a huge red sauce based soup fan, but I was blown away by this Manhattan Clam Chowder. It had tons of fresh seafood in it, and I swear seafood in every bite. Definitely a surprise winner of the meal.For the entrees, most of the dishes did contain gluten, but two were offered to me, including a gluten free & vegan dish, which does is not listed on the current LakeHouse menu and the Cowboy Rib Eye Steak served with steak fries and house salad.From the meal, these were my two least favorite dishes.The vegan grilled veggies was a bit boring. I love grilled veggies, but they were sadly undercooked and underseasoned. The red pepper sauce that came with it was not particularly good and had a strong vinegar taste to it. I would have loved to have seen a gluten free and vegan stirfry or some type of more composed dish. This was literally just grilled veggies.The rib eye steak was well-cooked and tasted OK, though I found the house salad and steak fries to be really bland.For dessert, I was given an Amy's Gluten Free brownie, which was not very good. I took two bites and passed on it.Overall, I really enjoyed the majority of the dishes we tried at the LakeHouse. I thought the starters and sushi were standouts and definitely could have made an entire meal of them.Because the restaurant focuses on local and seasonal items, the menu does change quite a bit. I'm glad to see that as of June 2016, they are marking gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan items on the menu, which is nice. They also have gluten free breakfast options too.I was invited to dine at the LakeHouse as a guest by Disneyways.com & the Hyatt Grand Cypress. I was not required to write this post and all opinions are my own.

6/6/16 6/6/16

Mel's Drive-In -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Universal Studios Orlando

*This dining experience took place in October 2015.Mel's Drive-In is a quick service restaurant located at Universal Studios Orlando and offers burgers and fries. Themed after the original Mel's Drive-In in the movie American Graffiti, Mel's is completely 50s themed, with juke-box tunes to keep you going.On this particular visit, I stopped by during the 2015 Universal Halloween Horror Nights. Brandon and I had Frequent Fear passes for the entire Halloween Horror Nights season and had dinner in the park several times. I had great luck with the Leaky Cauldron at Diagon Alley and not so great luck at Louie's Italian Restaurant, so we were hoping that Mel's Drive-In would at least have a safe burger option.When I arrived, a Team Member told me that I could get a burger on a gluten free bun and French fries. At most Universal locations the French fries are not safe (as they are not fried in a dedicated fryer), and I was told that the ones served at Mel's Drive-In are considered safe.Because I've been re-introducing a bit of dairy in my diet, I did get cheese on my burger. The cheeseburger itself was not very good. And the bun was absolutely dry and crumbly. Universal Studios uses Udi's Gluten Free buns, so I was surprised at how dry it was.The French fries were just OK but really nothing special.Unfortunately, I did end up getting sick from Mel's Drive-In. I'm still not sure what made me sick, though I do suspect that it was the French fries. I'm guessing they don't have a dedicated fryer, despite the assurance that they were safe.Because there are some other great options in the park, I will definitely skip Mel's Drive-In in the future and head to the Leaky Cauldron or other locations with safer options.Have you been to Mel's Drive-In at Universal Studios Orlando?

6/2/16 6/2/16

Food Quest -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Quest

*This dining experience took place in February 2016.Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWFood Quest, a quick service restaurant at Disney Quest located at Disney Springs, offers basic sandwiches, pizza, and chicken tenders. Housed inside Disney Quest, it has limited options with a very small and basic kitchen.Generally, when I'm at Disney Springs, I'd much rather eat at Raglan Road, Cookes of Dublin, or D-Luxe Burger, but on this particular occasion we were spending the evening at Disney Quest and chose to get a bite to eat in between our gaming.Food Quest does have an allergy friendly lunch and dinner menu, though it is pretty limited. When I went, I was given the menu and a manager came out to speak with me. I inquired about the allergy chicken tenders which were listed as gluten free only, and when I asked if they were dairy free, I was told yes but that they couldn't guarantee safety because the kitchen was so small. I thought that was a weird statement given that they did have dairy free options on the menu.Still, because they are the same allergy chicken tenders served throughout Disney Parks & Resorts, I opted to get the chicken tenders.While waiting, I was given a Food Quest pager, and I also ordered an Angry Orchard hard cider. This is a great gluten free alcoholic beverage, and I was glad to see that Food Quest carried it.Once my chicken tenders arrived, I dug in. They were definitely the same standard allergy chicken tenders at Disney, though both the fries and the tenders were baked not fried. I was not advised of this when we got there, but I assume it is because they did not have a dedicated fryer.Overall, I prefer my allergy chicken tenders fried and not baked but found these still to be a good solid choice. I would definitely get them again, so I probably wouldn't eat at Food Quest again unless I really needed food. There's much better options throughout Disney Springs that have more variety and that seemed like safer choices.Have you been to Food Quest? What did you think of their special dietary needs options?

5/31/16 5/31/16

Boatwright's Dining Hall -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Port Orleans Riverside

*This dining experience took place in February 2016.Boatwright's, a table service restaurant at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort, has long been a favorite restaurant of mine -- one that I definitely think is a bit of a hidden gem. With great comfort food with a Southern and Cajun twist, like chicken and waffles, and terrific special diets accommodations, I've enjoyed getting lots of great eats at Boatwright's.On this particular occasion, I dined at Boatwright's for my birthday and was looking forward to a great meal. Boatwright's does currently have an allergy-friendly dinner menu, and while there weren't a ton of gluten free and dairy free items listed, I was confident that after speaking with a chef I'd be able to get some of my favorites like Crawfish Bites.Before my meal, I was given Deanna's Gluten Free rolls (formerly GNI Brand), with some Smart Balance buttery spread, which is vegan and gluten free. The rolls were heated well, though I do wish the restaurant carried Earth Balance, as I prefer that over Smart Balance.For an entree, I ordered Colonel Peace's Pieces, which is a combination of crawfish bites, okra, and oysters. The restaurant currently uses corn flour as it's batter base for all orders, so this dish is naturally gluten free, which is very nice! My version did need to be modified to be dairy free.The remoulade sauce is so good, and one I can't pass up when I'm at Boatwright's. It is both gluten free & dairy free naturally, though initially, I was told it was no longer dairy free. After confirming with the chef, it is still dairy free, as the remoulade is mayo based, I was able to enjoy it safely.Overall, I did enjoy the appetizer, though I have to say I personally miss the crawfish bites. This version was good, and while I liked the okra, the oysters were not my favorite (that's a personal preference). I also found the dish to be very underseasoned. Of course, nothing a bunch of remoulade wouldn't fix!I had my heart set on the chicken and waffles, which I have really enjoyed at Boatwright's. Unfortunately, the chef was unable to accommodate my request, as they currently use Cup4Cup mix for their waffles which does contain dairy.I ended up ordering the classic jambalaya, though found my dish to be a bit lacking. For some reason it did not contain sausage or shrimp, as it normally does. The flavors were good, but I would have liked to have had the other proteins in addition to the chicken.You can read more about Boatwright's from Alexis at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures, including her review of the gluten free chicken and waffles.Overall, I still really love Boatwright's, though my experience wasn't as amazing as it has been in the past. It's truly a nice hidden gem with interesting and unique offerings all set in a lovely atmosphere.Have you been to Boatwright's? What did you order when you dined here?

5/23/16 5/23/16

Garden View Tea Lounge -- Afternoon Tea -- Table Service -- Grand Floridian

*This dining experience took place in February 2016. This is a gluten free only review but notes information about dairy free and vegan options. The Garden View Lounge, located at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, offers guests a chance to enjoy a proper English tea-time complete with tea, sandwiches, and pastries. I had only ever been to the Garden View Lounge for tea on my 30th birthday, and I didn't have a particularly good experience.However, it has been several years, and I thought spending my birthday here again might be another nice way to check it out. I was joined by my mom, who also came with me the last time, and we were both cautiously optimistic about the tea.One thing I will say about the ambiance is that it can seem a bit stuffy in the Garden View Tea Lounge, but overall, I do find the theme charming, and I love the china that they use for the tea cups and serving ware.They do tend to squeeze tables in rather close to each other, but thankfully, on this visit, the tea room wasn't too crowded.The Garden View Tea Lounge offers several fixed price options for tea, and I opted to get the Derbyshire Tea which came with several courses, along with tea and a glass of champagne. It was my birthday, after all, so I thought champagne was in order!You do get a choice of tea, and like my previous visit, I chose the Princess Breakfast Tea, which is made exclusively for the Grand Floridian. It combines one of my favorite teas - South African Rooibos - with one of my favorite fruits...Strawberry. I need to see if I can buy this tea and bring it home because this was a true highlight of the afternoon tea service. My mom also ordered it and enjoyed it too.For my first course, I received several sandwiches, fresh fruit, and several wedges of cheese. Because I've been reintroducing a bit of dairy back into my diet, I opted to indulge in some cheese and a few other dairy filled treats on my visit.The cheeses were both really great, and I have to say that I loved the sage cheese, which I thought added a unique taste and wasn't overpowering. The cheddar that was also on the plate was very mild, and I think I might have preferred a sharper cheese in contrast to the sage cheese which was also quite mild.The sandwiches were all served on Udi's Gluten Free bread. One included golden beets, which was nice and light and earthy tasting. The egg salad was nothing special, and actually a bit dry. The ham sandwich was plain and also nothing special. I can't recall the 4th sandwich I had, but it must not have been very memorable. I know I did not get curry chicken salad, as it was not considered safe.One important thing to note about the sandwiches is that unless requested not to, they will butter the sandwiches on the inside. This is a very common practice in the UK and adds some authenticity to the tea experience, but may not be your "cup of tea" as a preference or something to know about if you are dairy free, have a milk allergy, or are vegan. It's easy to not add though, so definitely let the chef know when you speak to them about this.For the scone course, sadly, they do not offer a gluten free scone. However, they had two different kinds of gluten free and vegan tea cakes from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC. One was a lemon tea cake, and the other one was banana. Accompanying that was Earth Balance vegan buttery spread, clotted cream (which I did not eat), lemon curd, and apricot jam.I was also given fresh fruit, a coconut macaroon with strawberry sauce, and chocolate mousse cups. The chocolate mousse contained dairy (and wasn't very good in my opinion) and the coconut macaroon was both gluten free and dairy free, but was very dry and not very tasty. I was pretty disappointed with these as dessert options.The apricot jam was dairy free, and all three accompaniments were gluten free. Sadly, there's a bit of butter in the lemon curd, and the clotted cream is all dairy. I did try the lemon curd with the lemon tea cake and was wowed by it. Super fresh and tons of lemon flavor. If you can have dairy, it's a real winner. I also adored the apricot jam too.Overall, I found this experience at the Garden View Tea Lounge to be nice but not as amazing as I would have hoped. They definitely have special diets options and can work with you, but I felt like the presentation and options compared to a non-special diets diner were a bit lacking.And the price of the tea is steep. Mine was around $45 with the champagne. It's definitely a special occasion only experience and one I'd probably not do again for several years. One nice touch that I will mention is that they gave me a rose for my birthday, which was very sweet.Having gone to the Crescent Solarium Afternoon Tea at the Beach Club a few weeks later, I think I preferred that both in price, special diets accommodations and selection, and atmosphere.You can also read about other experiences at the Garden View Tea Lounge by checking out Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures and Dairy Free Gina's posts.Have you been to the Garden View Tea Lounge? What did you think of the special diets offerings?

5/23/16 5/23/16

Ohana -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Polynesian Village Resort

*This dining experience took place in May 2016.You can also hear me talk about Ohana in depth (including covering the character breakfast options) on Episode 37 of the podcast. You can also check out the YouTube video of the Electrical Water Pageant that I took while at the Polynesian Resort after dinner at Ohana. Aloha cousins! Ohana, located at Disney's Polynesian Resort, is a popular table service restaurant that offers up family style meals with Polynesian and Asian-inspired flavors. It's definitely a family favorite in my family. I just love all the gluten free and dairy free offerings here and always end up stuffing myself silly with all the delicious food.On this particular occasion, I dined at Ohana with a friend (who is also gluten free and dairy free) who is in Orlando visiting. In fact, the last time I dined here was with my friend when he visited back in November, so it's definitely a tradition to go here for dinner. We also went to Kona Cafe the week before, so we were making our rounds with the Polynesian Village restaurants.When we arrived at Ohana, we were greeted by the chef who went over the options with us. Thankfully, much hasn't changed since last fall, so both my friend and I knew the drill on options.First up, we enjoyed the Lilikoi salad. It comes with a fruit based vinaigrette and has fresh red peppers, chopped red onions, mushrooms, and edamame (aka soybeans) tossed in with it. While, I like this salad well enough, both my friend and I thought it was pretty underwhelming and not very well seasoned or dressed. I've had better versions of this salad, and I do miss the honey lime vinaigrette that Ohana used to serve years ago.We were also given Deanna's Gluten Free rolls (aka GNI brand rolls) with some Earth Balance vegan buttery spread. Sadly, these rolls were so poorly heated that they were a dry styrofoam mess. Not even the Earth Balance could save them.Both my friend and I agree that for some reason Ohana just can't seem to heat these rolls well. It's strange because they were heated well next door at Kona, so you'd think they would have no problems. Next time I go, I'll probably skip the bread.Because we were both gluten free and dairy free, we were served a large platter of steamed white rice, sauteed veggies, and chicken wings -- all safe for both of us to eat.I also asked for a side of the gluten free and dairy free sweet and sour sauce and teriyaki sauce, which make for great dipping sauces.The chicken wings were some of the best I've had at Ohana. They are the same recipe but for some reason they just tasted really good this particular visit. They had lots of meat on them and were nice and tender.The sauteed veggies were a disappointment to me because they were basically raw veggies. They were barely sauteed and so raw that they weren't really very palate pleasing. Next time, I will ask that they cook the veggies a bit more, as I like that medley just not the way in which they were cooked.And the white rice is always a solid starch for me. I don't know why but I could literally eat white rice all day every day.My favorite part of any Ohana meal is the meat course. Ohana grills three different kinds of meats currently on an open oak fire (which means the restaurant smells amazing). This includes beef, chicken, and shrimp. All three meats are currently gluten free and dairy free, which is kind of amazing.The beef marinade almost has a peanut sauce type marinade on it. We both liked the beef but found that if you're not careful, you'll end up with rare meat. This always seems to be the problem with the beef here, it's either undercooked or overcooked for my taste. We got some very rare beef early on and asked our server if we could get some that were more well done, and she was happy to oblige.The chicken is a real palate pleaser for everyone. Simple and delicious, this is one I always get seconds on.But the real favorite for me is the sweet and spicy shrimp. These are peel and eat, so prepare to be a bit messy (it's totally worth it!). In fact, I may have eaten my weight in shrimp on this visit. They were so good!In fact, I was so full I didn't even get dessert. Neither of us did. You can get dessert options that include non-dairy ice cream, cookies, and brownies (depending on your special dietary need).If you time your dinner right, you may be at Ohana during Wishes. They do have great views of the Magic Kingdom, and they will dim the restaurant lights and pipe in the music. On top of that, there is great entertainment throughout the evening with live music and fun activities for the kiddos (can you say coconut races?!).Overall, Ohana remains a favorite of mine for great solid gluten free and dairy free options. It's tasty; the food is plentiful; the ambiance great; the entertainment fun!Have you been to Ohana? What did you enjoy while visiting there?

5/23/16 5/23/16

Restaurantosaurus -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in May 2016.Check out my YouTube video walkthrough of the Animal Kingdom Park, including this visit to Restaurantosaurus. Restaurantosaurus is a quick service dining location at Dinoland USA in Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. It's a good go-to spot for me when it comes to a solid quick service and also one that actually has air conditioning and is enclosed at the Animal Kingdom park. It always seems like the Animal Kingdom is super warm, so there's something to be said about a cool spot to grab a bite to eat.I haven't been to Restaurantosaurus in a while, but it's the spot in the Animal Kingdom where I always get allergy friendly chicken tenders. The chicken tenders on Disney property are so good, and though there was a supplier issue for a while, they seem to be back throughout Disney property which is great.Restaurantosaurus does not have an allergy friendly menu for some reason, but I was able to talk to a manager about options. Allergy chicken tenders usually take about 10 minutes or so to prepare, so there was a bit of a wait. The manager will bring out the tray and all special diets orders come out on a green tray.The allergy chicken tenders I ordered were delicious as usual. Crispy and flavorful, they really are some of the best gluten free and dairy free chicken tenders I've ever had. The chicken tenders are the same at all locations that carry them throughout Disney property, which is nice!The chicken tenders and fries are made in a dedicated fryer.My only complaint for my meal was that I had a small portion of fries (literally half of what I normally get), which I thought was odd until I realized that my brother's chili cheese fries were also on a green tray.We then realized based on the portion (and that the manager had noted the chili was gluten free) that they had made my brother's fries gluten free in a dedicated fryer and likely was the other half of the portion I typically get when I order allergy chicken tenders and fries.While we didn't order it that way, it was good to know that the chili cheese fries can be made gluten free (not dairy free). Note that in the photo below there are additional toppings added to the fries. These came from the toppings bar and should be avoided if you are concerned with cross contamination or have a severe allergy to any of those items. If you wanted toppings, you could always ask a manager for toppings from the kitchen, which is what I have done in the past at different locations.Overall, Restaurantosaurus continues to be a solid choice. The options may not be really unique or different, but it's a solid choice and a great spot to cool off and enjoy a quick service meal. Plus, they have allergy friendly chicken tenders which is reason enough to go for me!Have you been to Restaurantosaurus? What did you order there when you went?

5/20/16 5/20/16

Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village

*This dining experience took place in May 2016.Sanaa continues to be one of my most favorite restaurants at Disney with warm decor, outstanding food, and one amazing view of the Savannah. They also have some of the consistently best (and tastiest!) special dietary needs options on Disney property. You can check out their full allergy friendly dinner menu here on the blog.On this particular occasion, I met up with Travel Planner Mary Morales for dinner. I don't know about you but I can't think of a better place to have a business meeting, can you?After being seated and taking in the sites, we were greeted by Chef Joe, who is a Disney rockstar chef in my books (his photo above proves his rockstar status!). He was great at discussing options, especially, as I noticed that the regular menu had some options listed that used to be on the allergy friendly menu but weren't listed there anymore.Chef Joe also seemed surprised as the Goan Seafood Curry, which I'm a big fan of, was not listed but is indeed both gluten free and dairy free. Additionally, there were a ton of what I figured were vegan items that included: Cilantro-Coconut Milk Seasonal Vegetables and Roasted Okra-Cashew-Tomato Stew that were not on the allergy friendly menu.Chef Joe assured me that these were all options for me gluten free and dairy free. I was having a hard time deciding but ultimately, based on his recommendation, went with the Roasted Okra-Cashew-Tomato Stew. It sounded unlike anything I'd had there before, and Chef Joe really sold me on this one.First up though was the bread service. You really can't go to Sanaa and not get it. Mary and I split this, and I was able to get two pieces of gluten free & vegan naan. This bread was the best version of it I have ever had, and I'm loving that they use Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour in it. This bread is actually pliable, and it really is the stuff dreams are made of.Because we shared the bread service, Mary kindly let me scoop up all the dipping sauces I wanted onto a separate plate before digging in. Then, I could enjoy safely to my heart's content.On my last visit, I tried the braised beef for the first time, along with a standard favorite, the Durban shrimp. This time, I was so excited to get the Goan Seafood Curry again and so curious about the Roasted Okra-Cashew-Tomato Stew.I have to say, Chef Joe was right. The Roasted Okra-Cashew-Tomato Stew was unbelievably good. Okra can be one of those "love it" or "hate it" kind of veggies, and cooked poorly it becomes a gummy nasty mess. This version was slow roasted and just delicious. With the tomatoes it had a slightly sweet taste to the dish, and the crunch of the cashews on top really pulled it all together. I would definitely get this again.And, of course, the Goan Seafood Curry was just as delicious as always. Although despite the name, I don't think the Goan Seafood Curry is very spicy, so don't let the name fool you.Mary is allergic to fish and shellfish and was very interested in the Durban dish but without shrimp. Chef Joe was able to make that with chicken instead (which is one of the ways you used to be able to get it in the restaurant), so it's nice to know that's an option.Both of her dishes were gluten free, but the Butter Chicken, is not dairy free. Mary raved about these dishes, especially the Butter Chicken.We definitely enjoyed a tasty meal and enjoyed the view. One of the resident birds at the Animal Kingdom Lodge joined us by the window. Truth be told, I think he was just jealous of my Roasted Okra-Cashew-Tomato Stew and gluten free and vegan naan!Overall, I can never say enough good things about Sanaa. It's always a favorite of mine, and I can literally go there and get something different every time. Except that gluten free and vegan bread service. It's a MUST every time I go!Have you been to Sanaa? What do you love at this table service restaurant?

5/18/16 5/18/16

Amorette's Patisserie -- Snacks -- Disney Springs

*This visit took place in May 2016.Check out my full Disney Springs Town Center walkthrough & dining review video on YouTube for some video walkthrough of Amorette's Patisserie. Amorette's Patisserie is another new business at the recently opened Disney Springs Town Center. As a French bakery, they offer all sorts of decadent and beautifully crafted desserts with an elegant theme.The bakery also has a delightful backstory, which you can find out more about on the Disney Food Blog.I decided to stop by Amorette's Patisserie to see what gluten free options they might have, as a post on the Disney Parks Blog indicated that they would have "gluten friendly" options.When I arrived at the bakery, it was very crowded, as I stopped by on opening day. It wasn't as crowded as Sprinkles Cupcakes which had nearly hour long lines, but still, it was very busy.The bakery consists of a seating area, several displays with grab and go baked goods, a display kitchen (where you can watch gorgeous pastries being decorated), and a full bakery counter with insanely gorgeous desserts.While there, I took a chance to look at some of the displays set up with grab and go items.Amorette's Patisserie does at least have two "gluten friendly" grab and go items -- one of which is the Macaron.Made with almonds, this is naturally gluten free, but definitely contains a whole lot of dairy. The box of Macarons appeared to be a variety of flavors.The second grab and go baked good was a Mickey Macaron Financier. It was adorable, and they do say everything is better Mickey shaped!The back of the box ingredients noted that it was made with Bob's Red Mill all purpose flour, as well as almonds. It also has dairy in it, as well.While I was there, I was able to speak with Chef Noah, who was on hand to answer any questions. I was particularly interested in the baking process, flours used, and cross-contamination issues.Chef Noah was very nice and let me know that they use Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Flour and as he stated, "one to one flour," which I think meant the Bob's 1 to 1 flour. I tried to clarify, but he didn't seem to understand what I meant by that.He noted that they do use clean pans and bowls when making the gluten friendly items but that they are not dedicated equipment, but rather power washed by their dishwasher between uses between gluten free and gluten filled baked goods. When I noted that using dedicated equipment might be a good idea in the future, he also agreed and said he would look into that idea.He also stated that he would recommend guests with Celiac Disease proceed with caution, as they cannot guarantee cross-contamination and that the bakery is not taking extra precautions with regards to that.I was also told that the top level of the building is where their bakery is located and is also the same space in which D-Luxe Burger also bakes their house-made buns (the gluten free ones come pre-packaged from Local Oven, so no worries about cross-contamination there!)Chef Noah did point out two gluten friendly desserts in the baked goods counter - the Avant-Garde and the Pavlova. I was told, you could ask for fresh versions of these from the back too, if you wanted to avoid any counter cross-contamination.The Avant-Garde is a gluten friendly chocolate chiffon cake with chocolate crumble and has beautiful decorations, including edible gold leafing.The Pavlova is meringue topped with edible decorations and filled with a fruit filling. It appeared to have a yellow sponge cake (that I was told was gluten free) on the bottom of the Pavlova.Overall, I cannot recommend Amorette's Patisserie as a truly safe or reliable gluten free option for those visiting Disney Springs, as the location does not have a lot of safety precautions in place, with regards to cross-contamination. If you visit, definitely speak with a chef and use your judgement on whether this might work for you or not.Thankfully, you can always visit Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC for a 100% gluten free & vegan bakery experience; or, if you are gluten free, check out Sprinkles Cupcakes (which has much better cross-contamination procedures in place).What do you think of Amorette's Patisserie?

5/17/16 5/17/16

The Daily Poutine -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in May 2016.Update: Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures was advised not to eat here if you have celiac disease due to risk of cross contamination. I was not advised of this when I dined but would recommend proceeding with caution if you choose to dine here. The Daily Poutine is one Disney Springs newest food offerings and is a gourmet French fry stand that doubles as a snack or meal option when you're visiting the area. Poutine is a classic Canadian dish of fries served with gravy and cheese curds.As a former Midwesterner with Canada only a few hours away from my home town, I'd had poutine many times growing up, especially on trips to places like Quebec. Poutine is so popular in Canada that you can even get it there at McDonald's.Poutine has gained popularity on Disney property at Le Cellier, where they even have a gluten free version listed on the allergy friendly menu. So, when I heard about the newly opened The Daily Poutine stand, I wanted to check it out to see what options were available.The Daily Poutine carries 4 different versions of fries with some type of sauce. They have a variety of flavor profiles and are totally different, giving you a chance to try all sorts of options.When Brandon and I arrived, we checked with a cast member and another cast member came up immediately, who was also gluten free. She gave me an allergy friendly menu and said that 2 of the 4 poutine options are gluten free. She recommended the Latin Poutine and noted that I could get it without the cheese and lime sour cream.At the time I am writing this post, there were no vegan options and no dairy free cheese alternatives.I decided to get the Latin poutine based on the cast member's recommendation and the fact that I could get it dairy free. I was also curious how it would taste because the base was not French fries but was instead Yucca fries.As far as flavors go, I really enjoyed this. The menu calls the black beans a sauce but really, it's just refried black beans. The roasted pork in a mojo sauce was flavorful and delicious. And I absolutely loved the Yucca fries which were salty and a little sweet and surprisingly crispy. Even Brandon enjoyed the Yucca fries and was surprised at how tasty they were. In fact, he said he might have to get the Latin poutine on our next visit.I was bummed to see that the gravy based poutines could not be made gluten free, but sadly the gravies are flour based. Still, it's nice that there were two options to try if you're gluten free.I would definitely get the Latin poutine again, as I think it made for a hearty dish. But, The Daily Poutine isn't a cheap option (the poutine was around $10), and I might opt for D-Luxe Burger over The Daily Poutine if I had the choice. Still, it was nice to see a kiosk have some gluten free options and even a small allergy friendly menu!For more details and general info about The Daily Poutine, check out the Disney Food Blog's review.What do you think of The Daily Poutine? What would you order if you dined there?

5/16/16 5/16/16

Sprinkles Cupcakes -- Snacks -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in May 2016.Check out my brief building walkthrough of Sprinkles on YouTube.Sprinkles Cupcakes is a newly opened bakery at Disney Springs Town Center. A well-known cupcake chain, the grand opening of the bakery on May 15, 2016 proved to be hugely popular, as I found out in person that morning. Never underestimate the power of cupcakes.Located in the new Town Center and near the bridge that connects it to Raglan Road Irish Pub and Morimoto Asia, Sprinkles is not hard to miss in Disney Springs. Just follow the trail of guests searching for cupcakes and the smells of sugar!Sprinkles Cupcakes has a gluten free cupcake, a gluten free chocolate chip cookie, a vegan cupcake, and a sugar free cupcake, so I knew I wanted to check it out. Little did I realize that everyone else in Orlando did too.On opening day, I was joined by Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures and her family, so thankfully, I had some company while I wanted in line. You can also read her full review (including the cupcake ATM) on her blog.While waiting in line, we also got a chance to speak with a cast member there who answered our questions about the gluten free items, including their cross contamination procedures.All gluten free baked goods are prepared in a separate area of the kitchen with dedicated pans and utensils. Employees also change their gloves for all special diets orders, and even better they keep all gluten free items safely stored in the back away from all gluten filled baked goods.We were also told that if you are using the cupcake ATM, all gluten free items inside have been boxed with clean gloves and dedicated utensils.As far as other special dietary needs, unfortunately, the gluten free cupcake is only gluten free and does contain dairy. Additionally, the vegan cupcake is only vegan and not gluten free. There is also a sugar free cupcake, as well.If you are concerned with nut allergies, Sprinkles is probably not the best option for you, as the bakery does carry and serve items with peanuts and tree nuts in them.While waiting in line, which extended over the bridge (as shown in the picture above), I got a chance to check out some of the outdoor seating, which is bright and plentiful.Once inside the bakery, you can enjoy the bright and chipper decor. And check out all the cupcakes. They had really gorgeous displays. But, oh how I wished they would have been gluten free and dairy free.The bakery also carries cookies, ice cream, and other treats too. So, you can definitely get a sugar fix on if you can have gluten. I did not check if any of the ice cream is gluten free or if the sorbet options were gluten free or dairy free.I love the Disney touches in this bakery too. Check out the adorable Mickey ears near the Sprinkles logo.Because I've been re-introducing a bit of dairy into my diet, I did decide to try both the gluten free red velvet cupcake and the chocolate chip cookie. I had all intentions of trying them while at Disney Springs but ended up taking them home because I was too full from my lunch at D-Luxe Burger.The actual cake for the red velvet cupcake was quite delicious. It was very moist and not dry at all. The cocoa flavor was rich, and I didn't find it to be overly sweet either.The frosting was way too much for me, both in taste and in quantity. If you like cream cheese frosting, you will like this. But, overall, I thought they overfrosted the cupcake quite a bit.All gluten free cupcakes have a candy G on them to note gluten free. But, it was hard and gross. If you eat a gluten free cupcake from Sprinkles, throw it out. Yuck.Because I can never turn down a cookie, I did also purchase a gluten free chocolate chip cookie, which also contains dairy.This was a really good and huge chocolate chip cookie. Lots of chocolate flavor and very rich. If you can have dairy, this was a real winner and a nice alternative option from the cupcake.If you're gluten free and dairy free or have other special dietary needs, you may be better off going to Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC, as it is a 100% dedicated gluten free facility and all items are dairy free and vegan.If you do head to Sprinkles, don't forget to register on their site for their rewards program. You'll score a free cupcake (which includes the gluten free red velvet cupcake) on your first visit!Are you looking forward to Sprinkles Cupcakes?

5/16/16 5/16/16

D-Luxe Burger -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in May 2016.Check out my YouTube walkthrough & dining review of D-Luxe Burger too. D-Luxe Burger is Disney Springs newest quick service restaurant, opening on May 15, 2016. Ever since learning about this restaurant, I've been waiting patiently (or maybe not so patiently!) for its grand opening. So needless to say, on grand opening day, I was there to saddle up and grab some burgers and fries.If you're wondering where D-Luxe Burger is, it's easy to find in Disney Springs. It's just across the new Town Center bridge, next to Morimoto Asia and Raglan Road Irish Pub.While many of the Disney Springs restaurants aren't owned and operated by the Disney Company, this one is, so I knew I was in for a real treat and great special dietary accommodations to boot!Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWIt was a very busy grand opening day, so I didn't get as many photos as I would have liked. But, be prepared for the onslaught of photos in this review. The restaurant is gorgeous and beautifully themed, and I didn't even scratch the surface on taking photos or investigating all the little details.While waiting in line (which lasted about 20 minutes due to popularity), one of the cast members told me about the history of D-Luxe Burger. It has a charming back-story about the Glowing Oak Ranch, which is the setting for the burger joint. In fact, if you look next to the restaurant, you'll notice an oak tree. Legend has it that when the sun hits it just right, it glows...hence the name "Glowing Oak Ranch."Glowing Oak Ranch was founded by the Sinclair family, and their son, headed out to the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904 and got the idea to open up a burger restaurant after enjoying the burgers at the Fair (that's a pretty good reason to "meet me in St. Louis!") Soon after D-Luxe Burger opened.D-Luxe Burger is a quick service restaurant so its menu is limited. It's burgers and fries, and honestly, you don't need anything else when it comes to simple and tasty food. According to Chef Bill and Chef Lenny, pretty much anything on the menu can be made gluten free (and most can be made dairy free) with simple modifications.Here's the current menu (note this does NOT include the modifications for special diets)

Classic Cheeseburger – Beef patty topped with cheddar, lettuce, tomato and pickle
Barbeque Classic Burger – Beef patty topped with a fried onion ring, smoked Gouda, bacon, barbeque sauce and lettuce
El Diablo Burger – Chorizo-and-signature-blend patty, fried banana peppers, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato and chipotle mayonnaise
Southern Classic Burger – Beef patty, topped with fried-green tomato, pimento cheese, lettuce and bacon
Cluck Burger – Ground chicken patty, garlic herb sauce, avocado, lettuce and tomato
Veggie Burger – house-made patty topped with Tzatziki, green bean salad, lettuce and tomato

The great option with burgers here is that you can get a gluten free bun (currently, Local Oven brand) or a lettuce wrap, based on your preference.The chicken burger, which I was concerned might have a gluten filled binder, is gluten free, as is the veggie burger.The French Fries are made in a dedicated fryer, and I'm told by the chefs that this is the only thing put in the deep fryers.And, because you know I love a dipping sauce, every one of the sauces is gluten free!For my order, I opted for a modified version of the BBQ Burger which was made without the fried onions and minus the cheese (the cheese is GF so you can get it with it, if you consume dairy). I also ordered a side of small fries and three, yes, three dipping sauces.I was then given a pager and told that I could pick my burger up at another counter in the restaurant. Everything at D-Luxe Burger is made "to go" so you can easily grab and go, take it out or eat it someplace else, or enjoy in the restaurant.Wanting to enjoy in the new restaurant digs, I found a cozy spot outside with an amazing view of the new Disney Springs. It was a bit hot out, but there were ceiling fans outside that helped keep things cool too.As you can tell by the photos, the portions were pretty big at D-Luxe Burger. The burger, is hand formed and made to order. They aren't the pre-frozen burgers, which is great. Perfectly juice and smothered in BBQ sauce and thick cut bacon, lettuce, and tomato, this was a delicious burger. Probably my only complaint was that the bun was just a little dry because it wasn't heated properly. But overall, a really solid and delicious burger.It was messy, so make sure you grab some napkins at the table too!The hands down winner for me at D-Luxe Burger are the hand cut French Fries. Holy moly. Just order these. They are totally worth it. They are slightly thick-cut and so flavorful. I was told that they take 3 days to make. 3 DAYS! All that preparation is worth it because these were so good.Even better where the dipping sauces. The three that I had were curry ketchup, honey mustard, and chipotle mayo. *Note: I was told that these three sauces were both gluten free & dairy free; however, others have noted that the chefs told them the only dairy free sauce is the curry ketchup. Update: As of June 3, I have had reports that chefs have noted the only dairy free sauces to be the honey mustard and curry ketchup (both pictured above).The curry ketchup tasted like a homemade ketchup with curry powder in it. It was thick and not overpowering on the curry. The honey mustard was so good and one I will get every time I go there. But, for me, the favorite was the chipotle mayo. Not too spicy and a little sweet, it's the perfect vessel for a French fry!If you go to D-Luxe, get the sauces. Just do it. You will not regret it.I loved the food at D-Luxe Burger, and as you can tell by this photo, I really loved the food, especially those fries.After scarfing down all that delicious food, I took a bit to chill and relax at the outdoor seating and enjoy the beautiful Disney Springs view.And, I also took a tour of the restaurant to check out all the seating, which is pretty spacious.Overall, I really enjoyed my visit to D-Luxe Burger. I hope to go back soon & try some of the other options and explore more. Plus, I really need those fries and dipping sauces in my life!What are you most looking forward to when visiting D-Luxe Burger?

5/9/16 5/9/16

Afternoon Tea -- Crescent Solarium -- Table Service -- Beach Club

*This dining experience took place in February 2016. This is a gluten free only review.When it comes to unique dining experiences at Disney World, one of the highlights is afternoon tea. Having been offered at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for many years, the afternoon tea has been a tradition among many Disney guests. Back in February, Disney announced that another resort location would also offer afternoon tea on select dates throughout the year.Disney's Beach Club Resort is home to the Solarium, a small area that has been used as a spot to rest and recharge. But, in the announcement, we learned that the Solarium would be the location for another afternoon tea spot. Well, once I heard about this, you know I just had to make a reservation to check it out!The afternoon tea for the Crescent Solarium is currently offered on the following dates in 2016:

February 11-14
February 18-21
March 24-29
May 5-8
June 16-19
September 1-5

Gluten Free Profiteroles at Crescent Solarium

I chose February 21st, and invited my family along for the experience. I noted my special dietary needs on the reservation, and I also planned on checking with a chef upon arrival.Once we checked in, we were seated in a very open and bright room. I loved the relaxing vibe and the beach decor. Everyone in my group agreed that it seemed more low-key and relaxing than the afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian.I have to do a major shoutout to our server Tyrone! He was amazing. So personable and just a shining example of an amazing Disney cast member. If you go to the Crescent Solarium, definitely request to be in Tryone's section!Shortly after being seated, I was greeted by the chef to discuss options. Because I have been re-introducing a bit of dairy into my diet on occasion, I asked the chef what options were available. They can easily accommodate both gluten free & dairy free, though I found the options for just gluten free to be a bit better. If you're gluten free & dairy free, you will likely get a lot of Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC items.I chose to get the following tea service with special dietary needs modifications:Sea Side Park Tea: First course featuring a selection of Artisan cheeses and seasonal accompaniments, second course petit sandwiches and canapés on house-made breads, third course scones served with clotted cream, lemon curd and seasonal jam, finale of house-made pastries and tea cookies. Accompanied by your choice of loose-leaf tea.Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWFor the cheese and fruit course, the chef and I spoke at length about options, and she said she could give me an entire cheese course that was served with goat cheese. Because I do well with goat and sheep milk cheese, I opted for this.I thought the cheese course was great, especially with the fresh fruit, honey, and other accompaniments. I liked that I was also served toasted Udi's Gluten Free Bread with it.The sandwich course was another nice treat. The salmon salad does contain heavy cream but can be made without it. My favorites were the curry chicken salad and the crab salad with Old Bay Seasoning in it. I found all of the sandwiches to be light and fresh and not overly heavy. These were also served on Udi's Gluten Free bread.When the chef told me that the scone course included gluten free scones, I was intrigued. They were made with Cup4Cup flour blend (which contains dairy), and were lemon blueberry and cranberry orange flavored.Limiting dairy, I didn't eat too much of these but what bites I did were amazing. I was really impressed by the flavors and texture. You'd swear with Cup4Cup that the baked goods are gluten-filled!I would love to see them experiment with the Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour Blend and maybe try a dairy free version too.The last course included gluten free profiteroles filled with a raspberry filling, also made with Cup4Cup. I thought these tasted just OK. They weren't my preference, and if I were to go again, I would just ask for something from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC or fresh fruit.Overall, I found the afternoon tea at the Crescent Solarium to be really charming, relaxing, and delicious. Though I opted for gluten free only items on this trip, after speaking with the chef, I know that getting dairy free options would also be really easy. The Beach Club always has a nice variety of Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC products on hand too, so that's a nice substitution in a pinch.I would highly recommend the afternoon tea at the Crescent Solarium if you're looking for something special to do while on your next visit to Disney.Have you been to the Crescent Solarium afternoon tea? What would you most like to try if you went there?

5/6/16 5/6/16

Kona Cafe -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Polynesian Village Resort

*This dining experience took place in May 2016.It's been ages since I've been to Kona Cafe for dinner, and when I looked back here on the blog, I realized it's been 3 years to the month! I always assumed it hadn't been that long because I eat at Kona a fair amount for both lunch and breakfast. It's a good thing then that I had the chance to have dinner here recently with a friend.Kona Cafe is a table service restaurant located at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. The food and atmosphere are island inspired. My friend and I both enjoy that kind of cuisine (having stuffed ourselves silly at Ohana on his previous visit), and neither had been to Kona in quite some time, so it seemed like a nice spot to grab a meal.Kona Cafe does carry an allergy friendly dinner menu, which is helpful, as a starting point when deciding what to order. Neither my friend or I were really feeling some of the side dishes for the entrees and had some questions so we asked to speak with a Disney chef.While waiting for the chef, our server did bring us some Deanna's Gluten Free rolls (formerly known as GNI brand), but did not bring us any extra virgin olive oil or Earth Balance vegan margarine. We asked if we could get some when the chef came out, but it took a really long time to get the Earth Balance, and the rolls got really cold before we could enjoy.Something we did enjoy; however, was the sushi. My friend and I opted to split the Volcano Roll which was served without tempura crunch, and oddly, the accompaniments on the side. Weird. I've never seen a Volcano Roll deconstructed this like but still, we found it to be really tasty.The side of seasoned shrimp was delicious, as was the side of spicy mayo. The fish was super fresh, and the rolls were perfectly put together. The restaurant also carries San-J Gluten Free Tamari too, which made our sushi experience even better.This is definitely one I'd get again.For our entrees, we both chose the Pan-Asian noodles but asked if we could get rice instead of rice noodles. Neither one of us are huge fans of noodles, and I can eat rice for days. I have no clue why, but I just love rice.We both got chicken and shrimp as protein in our rice bowls, which were served with sauteed veggies and a garlic-ginger-soy sauce.Overall, I found the dish to be really good. I wouldn't say anything super special or exciting but delicious, hearty, and filling. It's one i'd definitely get again.Kona Cafe does have some really nice special dietary needs options, and my friend and I both enjoyed what we ordered there. There were a few hiccups here and there with service but overall, the meal was enjoyable. I think I still prefer the lunch options over dinner, but would diner here for dinner again if I had the chance.Have you been to Kona Cafe? What's your favorite meal to dine there?

4/21/16 4/21/16

Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village

*This dining experience took place in April 2016.Sanaa, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Disney World. It used to be a hidden gem but word has gotten out about this Indian and African inspired restaurant, and it's become very popular among Disney foodies.I never turn down an invite to Sanaa, and I had the chance to dine with friends visiting from out-of-town recently. They also have special dietary needs, and while I didn't get photos, they did get some great special diets options that I'll post about!Sanaa, like most Disney restaurants, does have an allergy friendly menu. But, I always recommend getting a regular menu in addition to the allergy friendly menu when you dine here, as often dishes that may be safe for you aren't listed on the allergy friendly menu. This happens a lot with gluten free only items, so it never hurts to double-check and consult with a chef.On this visit, my friends had multiple dietary needs that included: gluten, dairy, soy, corn, MSG, and Xanthum Gum free. Chef Fallon took care of us, and she did an amazing job making sure everyone had something safe and delicious.When Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando and I dined here for lunch back in December 2015, we discovered a new version of the gluten free & vegan naan bread made with Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour Blend. We were both wowed by the pliable texture and taste.On this visit, I mentioned this to my friends, and we were able to get a customized version of the bread service. My friend who is gluten, dairy, soy, and corn free did eat the naan (xanthum gum is not an issue for him) but his mom who is gluten free, MSG, and xanthum gum free was served pappadums and lentil chips as an alternative. Chef Fallon also made my friend safe versions of the red pepper hummus, coriander chutney, and mango chutney so that he could enjoy them.Overall, the bread service was a home-run and everyone was happy with their options. My only slight complaint would be that the bread itself seemed a bit less pliable than my previous visit.For my entree, I chose the braised beef and Durban shrimp with Basmati Rice. I'm super sad that the goan seafood curry is gone now, as I really enjoyed it. The Durban shrimp is always good, though quite spicy. The braised beef was just OK. Some portions of the beef were very fatty and tasted like it hadn't been braised long enough. I'm not sure I'd get the beef again because of that.My friend's mom had the Tandoor Chicken which needed no modifications for additional dietary restrictions beyond gluten.My friend got a version of the Durban shrimp and the appetizer Boerewor and Slaphakskeentjies (Traditional South African Sausage and Cape Malay Onion Salad) as a main dish with Basmati rice. Chef Fallon made all of his dishes from scratch due ingredients like soy and corn being present. My friend raved about his meal, and it looked delicious too!After our meal, the group was stuffed, and no one could manage dessert, though, I mentioned to Chef Fallon that I loved the chai spiced tapioca pudding (which they make gluten free and dairy free by adding coconut milk). It was a lovely surprise as we were leaving that she brought a to-go container of the tapioca pudding for me to enjoy at home, which I did the next morning for breakfast!Huge shoutout to Chef Fallon who did an amazing job at handling so many dietary restrictions and for making tasty and delicious options for everyone. It was a great meal and yet another reason why I love Sanaa so much!Want to learn more about Sanaa? Check out Podcast Episode 27 where we talk all about the restaurant!Have you been to Sanaa? What's your favorite dish there?

4/21/16 4/21/16

Raglan Road Irish Pub -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in April 2016.When it comes to table service locations at Disney Springs, Raglan Road Irish Pub has long been one of my favorites and one of the most consistently good options for special diets diners. Plus, where else can you find proper fish & chips that are also gluten free & dairy free?!On this particular occasion, Brandon and I visited before the inaugural Star Wars Dark Side 5K race after we'd gone to packet pickup and before our very early bedtime. We knew we needed to carbload up, and I couldn't think of a better option than Raglan Road.I love all of their options, and I've been really happy that my gluten free choices have opened up even more now that they have gluten free and dairy free buns available.Having had gluten free & dairy free chicken tenders & chips the night before at Cookes of Dublin, I decided to go for a sandwich. It was a toss up between the burger or the chicken sanger sandwich, and our server Cameron suggested I go for the chicken.I've had this sandwich before both dairy free and with the addition of the cheese. On this visit, I did opt for the Dubliner cheddar, as I have been re-introducing a bit of dairy into my diet on occasion and did well with the cheese options at Raglan Road on previous visits.I also opted to get the garlic Parmesan & truffle oil skinny chips based on Gluten Free in Orlando's recommendation.I loved both the chicken sandwich which was topped with an herb mayonnaise, pancetta, lettuce, and tomato along with the Dubliner cheddar. The sandwich was super flavorful and not too overpowering, and the chicken was perfectly cooked.I adored the garlic Parmesan & truffle oil skinny chips and would definitely get them again. I've luckily had great success with very aged cheeses and this one was another successful experience. Plus, these chips just tasted amazing!I can't help but love Raglan Road Irish Pub. The atmosphere and decor are amazing (go for dinner when you can see the live Irish step dancing or Irish bands!) and the food is outstanding. It's always consistently good, and I love their dedication to making safe gluten free and special dietary needs options.Have you been to Raglan Road? What's your favorite meal of choice there?

4/21/16 4/21/16

Cookes of Dublin -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs

*These dining experiences took place in April 2016.Cookes of Dublin is my hands-down favorite quick service at Disney Springs. With gluten free options like fish and chips and shrimp and chips, it's no wonder it's my go-to whenever I want a quick bite to eat.In fact, I go there so much, when we went recently one of the cast members recognized me from the week before. Yes, I'm officially a Cookes of Dublin regular!Cooke's of Dublin can make several gluten free and dairy free fried food items (fried in a dedicated fryer). These include:

Fish & chips
Shrimp & chips
Chicken tenders & chips
Battered sausages & chips
Onion rings
Chips (aka French fries)

You can also get garlic Parmesan skinny chips made gluten free (but not dairy free, due to the Parmesan).On my first visit, I ordered the chicken tenders and chips, as I've never tried the tenders before. All I have to say is wow. This portion was huge. I literally had to cut my chicken tenders up with a fork and knife because the size was so large.Overall, I liked them but didn't love them. I would say of the gluten free and dairy free fried dishes there, this would be my personal least favorite. But, it's a great option for those who prefer chicken or kiddos (as you can order a kid size version of this).On my next visit, I ordered the shrimp & chips, which continues to be my absolute favorite of all the dishes at Cookes of Dublin. The shrimp were perfectly cooked, and I really enjoy their cocktail sauce (which was brought out to me on the side). Be warned though, the fried shrimp are served on skewers and can be a bit challenging to eat.For the side, I ordered the gluten free garlic Parmesan skinny chips. I have been adding a bit of dairy (usually in the form of aged cheeses) into my diet on occasion, and I had heard nothing but rave reviews about them from Alexis at Gluten Free in Orlando.The skinny chips are a $1.00 upcharge currently, but were definitely worth it for something different. Brandon and I shared these, as he had ordered them on their own on our previous visit (which costs $5.00). My only suggestion would be watch out for grease. When we got to the bottom of our chip dish, we saw a giant pool of grease. Um, yuck.Overall, Cookes of Dublin continues to be my favorite quick service spot at Disney Springs. I absolutely love the options and always enjoy my meal when I dine here.Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What's your go-to dish to order?