2/21/17 2/21/17

Planet Hollywood Observatory -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Lunch at Planet Hollywood Observatory

Planet Hollywood Observatory, is a newly refurbished version of Planet Hollywood, located at Disney Springs. I have to admit that I've never dined at the original Planet Hollywood at Disney (though I have when there were locations in other cities years ago). With the recent re-opening and new theme, we decided to check it out. I had also heard from some blog readers that they had been recently gluten free and had been served some decent options.

Atmosphere

Since I've never been to Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs before, I can't compare the looks from the old and new version. But, I will say that Brandon had been and said it was a huge upgrade (and that the older version was very dated inside). I have, of course, have seen the outside for years and do appreciate how they've retro-fitted the building to reflect the new theme of Disney Springs. It's not perfect, but it looks a lot better.Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWInside the restaurant are several levels where you can dine and explore memorabilia. When you enter, you'll go up a flight of stars, where you'll check in for your reservations. There seem to be cast members at every level, asking whether or not you have reservations and directing you to check-in, which is helpful.Because the restaurant is multiple floors/levels, they have multiple bars set-up. The second floor seems to have the largest bar area.The inside of the restaurant has a star gazing theme. The carpet and even the decorations all reflect that observatory theme. When you arrive on the second floor, you'll see a giant telescope and also a huge screen covering one wall. Larger tables on the second floor even have big screen TVs in them, so you can watch music videos played on the larger screen on your table too. It's a little odd, but we got used to it by the end of the meal.Tables on some of the higher levels included memorabilia. I loved the Indiana Jones. Just as long as it's not Temple of Doom inspired and they serve me some of the stuff from that movie...Of course, I wouldn't mind an Ecto Cooler (if you're a child of the 80s, you'll remember this Hi-C drink) inspired by the Ghostbusters movie. These two tables were definitely my favorite.The restaurant itself has a ton of movie and TV memorabilia. Of course, the geek in me had to find the Star Wars and Star Trek stuff. Just remember, when it comes to eating at Planet Hollywood with a wookie, let the wookie win!In addition to indoor seating, the restaurant also has ample outdoor seating with really nice views. It's also much quieter outside, so it's worth requesting if you're not a big fan of loud bustling restaurants (which Planet Hollywood Observatory definitely is).

The Food

I've been hearing mixed reviews on the food at Planet Hollywood Observatory. Even the Disney Food Blog had a mixed review on the options. So, with this in mind, I'll admit I didn't have that high of expectations. In fact, I think our whole group was a little worried how the food would be after reading some reviews.Food Network chef Guy Fieri helped create the burger and sandwich menu for Planet Hollywood Observatory. So, you know I had to get one...for research, of course!The rest of the group ordered a variety of options from appetizers to full entrees, so I think it's fair to say we covered the menu options. Of the dishes ordered that might have been gluten free (but that I didn't confirm) were the kale salad and steak entree (which Brandon got and said was surprisingly solid).The restaurant doesn't carry a gluten free menu or mark items gluten free on their regular menu (but they do mark vegetarian items). With this in mind, our server got a chef to speak with me. I have to admit, the chef was nice, but I'm not sure he knew the options that well. He told me I could have every burger gluten free, but then retracted a lot of that when I asked about specific burgers. He did tell me that they don't have a dedicated fryer and that I couldn't have the Triple Fries normally served with burgers. I ended up with pan fried potato wedges instead.I decided on the Prime Time American Kobe Burger, which is an American version of Kobe style Japanese beef (known for its high quality and fat content). It was served on what I believe was an Udi's Gluten Free bun and topped with smoked gouda, cheddar, and lettuce, onion, tomato, and pickle on the side. The burger was served minus the caramelized onion jam and crispy onion straws.Oddly, the Donkey Sauce (mayonnaise, roasted garlic, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce) was gluten free but not put on my burger, but on the side. I actually didn't mind that because it meant I could dip my potato wedges in it. And you all know I love a good dipping sauce!I will say that the burger was solid. It tasted great and was well-cooked. The portion size was also really good (the burger itself was actually really big). I liked the combination of cheeses (since I've been reintroducing dairy back into my diet), and the potato wedges were such a nice change of pace from French fries. I'd say the burger was a solid choice and one I'd get again.I did ask about dessert options and was told that there is a gluten free brownie (not sure if it's dairy free or not) and regular ice cream. Given that the restaurant has such interesting milkshakes and dessert options, it's a shame they didn't have much in the way of gluten free options.

Overall

While, my meal at Planet Hollywood Observatory was fairly solid, I'm not sure it has enough of a draw to make me go back again anytime soon. There are so many amazing restaurants at Disney Springs with fantastic food and attention to special dietary needs that I'm not sure Planet Hollywood Observatory can really compete. The food was good, the atmosphere was something different, and while I enjoyed the memorabilia, it's just simply not the best restaurant at Disney Springs. Still, I do appreciate that they are there offering simple options for guests visiting the park. And, if you're craving food similar to restaurants like Applebee's or TGI Fridays, then Planet Hollywood Observatory is a place you'll like. For me, I'm sticking with my gluten free and dairy free battered burger at Cookes of Dublin or my local Red Robin for a great burger at half the price.Have you been to the newly opened Planet Hollywood Observatory? What do you think of the options?

2/20/17 2/20/17

Nomad Lounge -- Snacks -- Bar/Lounge -- Animal Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Appetizers and Drinks at the Nomad Lounge

The Nomad Lounge, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, offers appetizers, small plates, and drinks. The Nomad Lounge opened in 2016, and is located next to Tiffins, the new signature dining location in the park. I've been dying to go to the Nomad Lounge for a while now, especially after reading Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures review of the lounge. Brandon and I decided to stop in to check out the offerings before we caught a showing of the Rivers of Light.

Atmosphere

I have to say that the Nomad Lounge is one of the most relaxing and calm lounges I've ever been to at Disney. It's beautiful interior reflects the world travels of Disney Imagineers, and I love that. Plus, there are some really cool signs and quotes decorating the entire lounge from Disney guests who love to travel the world too. The color scheme is bright but subtle, and you truly feel calm the moment you enter the lounge.The bar area is the most elaborate with travel flags from Disney guests.I love that they thought of the theming right down to the menu and drink guide. It looks like an old travel journal and notebook. And you'll see from the inside notes from the Imagineers.Thought I didn't get a photo of the outside, the Nomad Lounge does have a charming outdoor seating area, overlooking a small bit of water. It's perfect for a Florida winter day or a cooler evening in the park.

The Food

But let's get to the food and drink. The important stuff, right?!Up first, our server Spencer got us some water. Interestingly enough, you can get still or sparkling water here, and the sparkling water is free of charge. That's pretty rare for most restaurants, so I asked for a sparkling water with some lime in it (my favorite!). It's so refreshing.Brandon and I each got one of the specialty drinks. I ordered the Spice Trader Classic with gin, vermouth, lemon juice, strawberries, and soda water. I loved that this drink was not overly sweet. A huge gin fan, I always look for unique gin options. This one was perfect, and I will definitely be ordering it again.As a side note, if you aren't sure if you can have or can tolerate a certain alcohol, do check ahead or on your phone when you are there. Disney does not typically offer information about gluten free options for alcohol.Brandon got the Tempting Tigress. I stay away from whiskey, bourbon, and other similar alcohol because I don't tolerate them very well. Brandon said this one was phenomenal though and even our server said this is one of us his favorites.Because I've been reintroducing dairy back into my diet, we also opted to get the Cheese Plate. At $14, it was a wee bit pricey, but the quality of the cheese was very good. It included an aged gouda, a feta cheese, Purple Haze goat cheese with fennel and lavender, and a strong blue cheese -- served with cardamon smoked marcona almonds and house-made raisins. The dish also had 2 small berry gelees that were to be eaten after you finished your cheese. They tasted like concentrated fruit snacks.The cheese plate is completely gluten free, according to the chef. In fact, almost all of the dishes on the small plates menu at the Nomad Lounge are gluten free, which is huge. Even the dishes that contain gluten like the sliders, just need a slight modification (like a gluten free bun). How cool is that?The cheese plate was perfect for us. I am a sucker for aged cheese, so I loved the gouda. But, I also really enjoyed the blue cheese and the goat cheese. The feta was good, but really bland and nothing special compared to the other cheeses. The almonds and raisins were nice compliments to the cheese too.

Overall

I have to say, I'm a Nomad Lounge convert now. It's a bit pricey, but the atmosphere and quality of food and drinks really do make it stand out from some of the other typical Disney bars and lounges. I adore that they have such unique drink options too. Plus, it's just a quiet, calm, and relaxing place to chill after a hot day in the Animal Kingdom. I'm a little worried it may become really busy once Pandora: The World of Avatar opens because it is located at its entrance, but hopefully, it will remain a quiet gem in a busy park.Have you been to the Nomad Lounge? What did you think of the food and drink there?

2/14/17 2/14/17

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Hollywood Studios

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Dinner at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, located at Disney's Hollywood Studios, is a table service restaurant that offers burgers, sandwiches, and milkshakes in a classic drive-in setting. One of the biggest selling points of Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant is the quirky atmosphere. But, it hasn't always been known for the food. Thankfully, that has changed some over the years, and I'd been hearing really great things from others who had dined at Sci-Fi recently.I haven't been to Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant for lunch or dinner since 2013, so it's been a really long time. I've been since then for the now gone Star Wars Galactic Breakfast during Star Wars Weekends, which I miss a lot. But, of course, it's not the same as lunch or dinner.Brandon and I were recently in Hollywood Studios, and while passing Sci-Fi, we decided we were interested in having dinner here. Typically, it's really hard to get a walk-up for just about any Disney table service restaurant, but we took our chances and asked. Luckily for us, we were told that we could get in with a minimal wait, but that we might have to be seated in the non-car seats (shown below). We were OK with this, though we were lucky as we ended up in a car after all.

Atmosphere

Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant is one of the best themed restaurants on Disney property. There's some really fun about dining in a classic drive-in, complete with movie clips showing on the big screen and car hops. The theming starts from the moment you walk up to the restaurant with the giant 1950s inspired signs and retro feel.On a random side not, while we waited for our seats, we were able to get not only complimentary water (which comes in handy on a hot day), but also some free samples of Disney popcorn. Now that's what I call true drive-in style food!Once our car was ready, we entered the theater. I can't tell you how much I adore the theming of this place. I love that you get to sit in vintage cars as tables and that it looks like you are outside on a starry night. They even decorate the kitchen area to look like an old snack bar at a drive-in.One of Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant's claims to fame is that they show clips of old classic space and horror movies. From cartoons like Tom & Jerry to films like Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, there's some thing really fun and nostalgic about it all.I do also love that you can watch retro advertisements and movie theater clips for snack breaks. So much fun!

The Food

Because Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant has a 1950's drive-in vibe, you can guess that the food is pretty much the same. Burgers, sandwiches, and milkshakes are staples here. But, you can also get some full meals like pork ribs and steak. Sci-Fi also has an allergy-friendly menu to help make things a bit easier for special diets guests. Of course, if you have questions or your special dietary needs aren't covered by the many, you can always speak with a chef too. On this visit, I ordered straight from the allergy-friendly menu.Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWFirst up, we did decide to order drinks. You can get full bar items and other specialty cocktails too. I opted for a gin and tonic, which is my cocktail of choice. Do note that if you're not sure about what alcohol is gluten free or not, you'll want to look it up online before you enjoy. Disney does not typically offer any assistance with special dietary needs and alcoholic beverages.For my entree, I ordered the Sci-Fi Angus Burger Topped with Pulled Pork, Sriracha Barbecue Sauce, Swiss, and Pickled Apple Slaw on an Allergy Friendly Bun.Can I just say, this was huge! This was a very substantial burger, with a very generous portion of pulled pork on top of the burger. There was also tons of flavor with the Sriracha Barbecue Sauce and Pickled Apple Slaw.Plus, the French fries served with it were outstanding. They are not your normal Disney French fry. These are classic steak fries, which means they are a bit thicker in cut. They were well-cooked and salted well too. And fresh! They were so good that I had Brandon try them too, and he also said they were really good.What can I say? We love good fries!Though I wasn't planning on dessert, I did end up getting a gluten free and dairy free milkshake. The chocolate milkshake was made with Tofutti chocolate non-dairy ice cream and soy milk. Though I've been reintroducing a bit of dairy back into my diet and even had cheese on my burger, I still can't tolerate a lot of dairy like milk or ice cream. The non-dairy one was just perfect with my meal and extra chocolatey too.A word about cross-contamination though. I did not check on this visit, but in the past, I have been told that the vegan / non-dairy milkshakes are made on the same equipment as regular ice cream. If you have a dairy allergy, you will want to speak with a chef about this option.Brandon also got the regular ice cream sundae, which is gluten free and really enjoyed it too. You can, of course, get a regular milkshake gluten free too.

Overall

I have to say we were pleasantly surprised by Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. Not only was the theming amazing, but the food was shockingly good. For the price too, it wasn't a bad value. We also received 10% off our bill as annual passholders too. For us, it was something different, with reasonably priced food that was a step up from quick service. It's definitely some place we'll go again in Hollywood Studios, and I'm glad we gave it a visit -- even after all these years. Of course, I'd love to see something like the Star Wars Galactic Breakfast again, but I'm to add Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant into our regular Hollywood Studios meal rotation again.Have you been to Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater? What did you enjoy when you dined there?

2/14/17 2/14/17

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Hollywood Studios

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Dinner at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

2/8/17 2/8/17

Boma -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Breakfast at Boma: Flavors of Africa

Boma, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, is a buffet restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. I'm a huge fan of their breakfast options. So, when I thought about where to go at Disney for my recent birthday meal, I decided brunch at Boma was just the ticket. Boma's breakfast is African inspired but has a lot of classic American breakfast options too. This means that even though it might seem like it has some exotic dishes, there are plenty of breakfast staples you'll recognize and enjoy.

Atmosphere

Boma's interior is simple but artfully designed. The buffet area has a charming thatched roof and some nice African touches. The main dining area has beautiful mix and match wooden tables and chairs, which I love. It's a buffet, so it's meant to hold a large number of guests, so some of the seating areas can be a little too close for comfort in my opinion. The best seating is near the windows, where you can find larger tables and cozy corners. Of course, the best part about Boma is the smells from the amazing open fires and the aroma of delicious food cooking.

The Food

I had recently been to Boma in December with my family during the holidays, so I was pretty sure not much on the menu offerings had changed. Because Boma is a buffet style restaurant, there is no allergy friendly menu. But, don't be too discouraged. When you arrive, you'll meet with a Disney chef who will take you through the buffet options, noting items that are safe for your special dietary need. If you are concerned about cross-contamination, the chefs will prepare you safe items from the back.On this visit, the chef took me through the buffet line, and I opted to get many items from the kitchen and a small select amount of items from the buffet, including the carving station.Up first, I made sure to get a bowl of the hot quinoa with apples and raisins. I had this on my last visit, and with a bit of brown sugar, it makes for the perfect hot cereal. They do offer oatmeal, but it is not certified gluten free. So, if you have celiac disease, you'll want to avoid that one. I have been told in the past that they carry Bob's Red Mill certified gluten free oats that they can make for you, but you'll want to check with a chef to confirm that they have them on hand. You'll also want to watch out for the bowl of fried quinoa next to the hot quinoa. I was told that it was fried in a shared fryer.After enjoying some hot quinoa, I made sure to get some grilled asparagus, along with some breakfast meats including the carved ham, bacon, and sausage. The asparagus was unbelievably good on this visit, and it continues to be a major favorite of mine. The ham is another favorite, and I can't not get it from the carving station on every visit.I was disappointed on this visit to hear that they didn't have turkey on the carving station, which they usually do. The chef said they are rotating it with other meats, and on the day I visited it was corned beef, which was not gluten free.Bummer.Still, there were a ton of breakfast meat options to choose from.Though not photographed, I did also have a bowl of pap, which is a fancy word for grits. It's really hit or miss whether the ones on the buffet contain dairy, and on this visit they did. The chef brought me some from the back. They went perfectly with my custom omelet that contained ham and onion along with baked breakfast potatoes.The regular breakfast potatoes are gluten free, but are fried in a shared fryer, which means cross-contamination might occur. Because of this, the chef made me some baked ones. Sadly, she didn't really season them at all, so they were really boring and bland. I managed to salvage them by adding some salt and pepper, but still. They could have used some of Boma's signature Afritude seasoning that they use, which is gluten free and dairy free.The chef also baked me some plantains. They had the same issue as the potatoes with a shared fryer. Again, this was another underwhelming option. They didn't have any flavoring at all, making them just really bland. My stepdad ate a ton of them, but they weren't high on my must eat list that morning.The best part of the meal had to be my allergy friendly Mickey waffles. I was able to add a few fun toppings for something different. I got toasted coconut, walnuts, and banana chips. Note that these were all served on the side and separately, as the allergy Mickey waffles are prepared in dedicated waffle makers.The allergy friendly Mickey waffles were served plain and with 100% pure maple syrup, along with my toppings on the side. The waffles at Boma are currently made with a combination of Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix and Namaste Pancake & Waffle Mix.They were absolutely perfect with the added toppings to them. The waffles themselves were crispy but not overly chewy. Thankfully, they were really well cooked, and I could dig into them happily. If you're just gluten free, you can get a bananas foster sauce there too, which is a nice option. But, I've really become partial to adding mix and match toppings to the waffles.I forgot to take a photo, but the chef also brought out an Udi's Gluten Free Muffin, Kinnikinnick donut, and some mini brownie cupcakes from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC, the gluten free and allergy friendly bakery at Disney Springs. This was a nice little touch. But, it was also a ton of food. Thankfully, they gave me a small to-go box for my baked goods to take with me. Though this isn't usually allowed at buffets, I have found that if you have a special diet, they will let you take extra food home with you, which is so nice.

Overall

Boma continues to be one of my favorite brunch spots at Disney. This visit wasn't the best in terms of food quality, with some underseasoned and bland dishes, but overall, I always find the breakfast there to be delicious and filling. Plus, the amazing allergy friendly Mickey waffles there and carving station make it a must do for me.Have you been to Boma? What is your favorite meal there?

2/8/17 2/8/17

Granny's Apple Fries -- Snacks -- LEGOLAND Orlando

*This dining experience took place in January 2017.

Snacks at Granny's Apple Fries

Brandon and I recently went to LEGOLAND Florida for the first time. Having never been before, I did a lot of research before our visit, along with contacting the LEGOLAND team. The folks at LEGOLAND Florida do have an email you get contact them at: LLF-Food@legoland.com and you also find a dietary guide that includes some basic information.One thing I did learn online is that you can get Granny's Apple Fries, a LEGOLAND favorite, gluten free and easily made dairy free and vegan. I'm in on anything fried that is gluten free, so you know I had to try these.

Atmosphere

Granny's Apple Fries is a quick service type restaurant. You order at a small ordering station. There is some covered outdoor seating, but I think a lot of people eat the Apple Fries on the go. Still, it's a cute little spot to grab a snack, and the theme, while not extension, fits.

The Food

Granny's Apple Fries are sold in individual portions at $5.25. You can get a combo deal for $7.25 that also includes a drink. If you like ice cream, they do serve it a la mode, for an extra charge. Normally, the Apple Fries come with a side of whipped topping. If you're dairy free or vegan, you can ask for no whipped topping, even on the side, to make them dairy free or vegan, which is great.The fries themselves are coated in cornstarch. Then they are deep-fried in a dedicated fryer. Next they are tossed with cinnamon sugar and served warm. Thankfully, since they are the only item served at Granny's Apple Fries, you don't have to worry about issues with a shared fryer.I will say that both Brandon and I liked the Granny's Apple Fries. I can't say that we loved them, but we liked them a lot. The Apple Fries are made from granny smith apples which makes them a little tart. They are the perfect type of apple for the Apple Fries too. Adding in some cinnamon and sugar gives them a nice sweet, but not overly sweet punch. If you can have dairy, dipping them in the whipped topping will help cut the sweetness too.

Overall

We did really enjoy the Apple Fries as a nice snack that was different from what we can usually find in theme parks. Both of us did agree though that one order of the Apple Fries could be easily shared by two people, as we both found them to be almost too much for one person. Still, it was a nice treat to enjoy at a new theme park. I did have a hard time finding much to eat gluten free while at LEGOLAND, so this was a welcome snack. I'll be posting more about my experience at LEGOLAND Florida in another post. In the meantime, if you do go to LEGOLAND gluten free and dairy free, I can definitely recommend the Apple Fries.Have you been to LEGOLAND Florida? What did you think of the special diets options there?

2/8/17 2/8/17

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

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Dinner at Cookes of Dublin

I recently had dinner at Cookes of Dublin, a quick service restaurant located at Disney Springs. Cookes of Dublin is not owned and operated by Disney, but is managed by Irish celebrity Chef Kevin Dundon. I'm a huge fan of both his table service restaurant, Raglan Road, next door and this quick service restaurant. Chef Kevin Dundon does a lot to make sure that there are gluten free, dairy free, and allergy friendly offerings for guests dining at either of these restaurants. Plus, where else can you proper gluten free and dairy free fried fish and chips at Disney?! Brandon and I stopped by here for a quick dinner before seeing a movie at the AMC Disney Springs.

Atmosphere

Cookes of Dublin is what you would expect from a quick service fish and chips shop. It's not particularly large, but does have some indoor seating and outdoor seating, along with a small outdoor bar. There's lots of touches to the "founders" of Cookes of Dublin throughout the restaurant. Overall, the design is pretty plain, but that's OK with me because really it's all about their amazing food.

The Food

Cookes of Dublin has recently changed its menu. Normally, menu changes are that drastic but this one has been rather big. They have removed a lot of the menu items including my favorite shrimp and chips along with the delicious garlic Parmesan skinny chips. Thankfully, you can still get several of the gluten free and dairy free fried options, including the onion rings, fish and chips, chicken tenders and chips, and the battered burger.On this visit, I decided to go for the Battered Burger. I recently discovered it, and boy, am I glad I did. The sandwich itself is huge -- served on a gluten free and dairy free bun and fresh French fries (aka chips).You would probably expect this burger to be super greasy. It is a deep fried battered burger after all. But, I was surprised that it wasn't really at all. Cookes of Dublin definitely has frying down to an art, and this is the perfect example. What I really love about the battered burger is the extra crunch from the batter along with the tender burger inside. Add in their garlic mayo, and you've got a real winner.When you go to Cookes of Dublin, make sure to let them know you'd like the gluten free and dairy free version. You'll be able to tell the gluten free version from the gluten-filled version fairly easily, but do check with the team to ensure you've got the right one.A note about fish and shellfish allergies. If you are allergic to either of these, you will want to check with the restaurant about options and potential cross-contamination due to shared fryers.

Overall

Cookes of Dublin continues to be a great go-to spot for a quick and delicious gluten free and dairy free meal whenever I visit Disney Springs. The food is delicious, and it always satisfies my gluten free fried food cravings.Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What do you like to order when you go there?

2/8/17 2/8/17

The Wave -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Contemporary

*This dining experience took place in January 2017.

Breakfast at the Wave

I recently stopped by the Wave, a table service restaurant located at Disney's Contemporary Resort. I've had sort of hit and miss experiences with the Wave in the past. But, my last visit was amazing, so I decided to grab brunch there again because I was craving their gluten free and dairy free sweet potato pancakes, which I've had on previous visits.The Wave does have an allergy-friendly menu and after being seated I took a look of it, but was also a bit tempted by the breakfast buffet that is also offered. You can order a la carte for breakfast or dine off the buffet, which is around $25 per person. Luckily, with any buffet on Disney property, you can ask a chef at any time for food to be brought directly from the kitchen, instead of off the buffet line to avoid cross-contamination.Chef Laura came out, who helped me on my last visit, and I was so glad to see her! She is beyond fantastic and made me a great breakfast. We talked through some options, and she also confirmed that they can still make the sweet potato pancakes gluten free and dairy free again.Hurrah! After some debate, Chef Laura sold me on the buffet, as she said she'd make me most of my dishes, plus a good portion of the buffet had gluten free options. So while she was making my custom omelet, potatoes, and pancakes, I decided to get some items from the buffet.

Atmosphere

A quick note about the atmosphere. I like the Wave's interior. It's very modern and clean (fitting for the Contemporary Resort). I also love the entrance which always feels like you're going into an airport tunnel. There's a quaint bar area which I love and the main dining area while clean and bright is nice but I wouldn't say anything too remarkable.Let's face it. It's all about the food!

The Food

There was so much, that it's hard to know where to start. First off, I grabbed a sampling of some of the fruit options, some breakfast meats, and some Tillamook Cheddar Grits (since I'm re-introducing some dairy back into my diet).I really loved the fruit options they had. The first serving I had was Tropical Fruit Cocktail with Coconut Syrup. I absolutely adore tropical fruit and coconut, so this was right up my alley. It was filled with pineapple which is one of my most favorite fruits. This is definitely something I need to recreate at home! They also had grapes and strawberries and Melon Fruit Cocktail -- all of which were pre-portioned in their own containers, which helps reduce cross-contamination too.I also got the Apple and Honey Spiced Hot Quinoa which was near the hot oatmeal (not certified gluten free). You could ask for this from the back, but since neither of them looked like anyone had scooped any recently, I decided to get the quinoa. It was good, but a little too "spicey" for me. I thought the cinnamon was just a little overpowering.The breakfast meats were nothing special. I did enjoy both the bacon and pork sausage, but the bacon was the same old stringy Disney bacon. Nothing special there.The star of the buffet was the Tillamook Cheddar Grits.Good time of day these were good.I didn't eat much of them because they were clearly loaded with dairy. A few bites though...heaven. They were some of the creamiest dreamiest grits I've ever had. I may have actual dreams about these. So good.If you can have dairy, do yourself a favor and get these.Chef Laura also made me an omelet with ham, cheddar cheese, and onions. It was super delicious and SUPER cheesy! I'm pretty sure I could eat that Tillamook Cheddar for days. The roasted red potatoes I had were quite good too. The hashbrowns off the buffet were gluten free but also loaded with dairy, and well, if you're limiting your dairy best to go with the cheddar grits? Amiright?!While I was waiting for my pancakes, I went back to the buffet and tried the Deviled Eggs along with a serving of Strawberries & Grapes. The eggs were good but nothing special. The smoked salmon on the buffet was also gluten free too, but I skipped that on this visit.The gluten free and dairy free Sweet Potato Pancakes are always well worth any wait. They are so delicious. They taste like fall on a plate, and I love that. Oddly, mine didn't come with toasted pecans, just the plain maple syrup on this visit, but I was so full at that point, I didn't mind.One word about getting gluten free and dairy free sweet potato pancakes. A lot of people ask if you can just get them even though they aren't listed on the allergy friendly menu. The short answer? Usually. On my last several visits, they've been able to make them with no advance notice. But, I've also been told that if you really have your heart set on them that you should contact the restaurants at least 2 weeks in advance to let them know. You can do this by emailing Disney's Special Diets Department at special.diets@disneyworld.com.Want to recreate these at home? I love that I can easily make these at home using Namaste Pancake & Waffle Mix (which is what they use in the restaurant). You can check out my YouTube cooking series for the recipe!

Overall

I really have enjoyed my most recent visits at the Wave. The food has been outstanding and Chef Laura is a gem. She's definitely quickly become one of my favorite new chefs at Disney. Plus, my server Steven was amazing. We chatted Star Wars all while enjoying a delicious breakfast. Talk about the perfect brunch!I will definitely be going back again soon, and I just may get the buffet again. I do prefer ordering a la carte, but this visit reminded me that the buffet there has some fantastic options.Have you been to the Wave? What did you think of the breakfast offerings there?

1/17/17 1/17/17

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

*This dining experience took place in January 2017.Sanaa, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, is one of my favorite table service restaurants on Disney property. Serving up African and Indian inspired food, the offerings here are not only delicious but very special diets friendly. Not only do they carry an allergy-friendly menu, but they also have some really great dishes, like the gluten free, dairy free, and vegan naan bread (more on that in a minute!).Sanaa has recently updated its menu and after a not-so-great experience this summer, I had been wanting to check out the menu changes for a while now. Thankfully, I had a good excuse to visit when Travel Planner Mary Morales invited me to dinner.On a side note, if you are interested in booking a vacation, I can highly recommend Mary. Her services are free (score!) and she takes care of all the planning and work for you (double score!). You can find out more info about Mary on her Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MaryMoralesTravelPlanner/ First things first, we decided to get the Sanaa bread service, which is always a winner. We decided to split it, so I was able to get 2 pieces of the gluten free and vegan naan bread and Mary could get the regular naan. Then, I made sure to scoop up some of the dips on my side plate so we could both enjoy without worry of cross-contamination.I was a little surprised to see the new Sanaa bread service platters, and I can't say I'm that impressed. I actually miss the rustic boards they used to use with the sauces surrounding the bread. Plus, the ramekins just seem smaller to me. That being said, I know change can be a good thing...just as long as they don't remove my gluten free and vegan bread option!Of the dips, all of them are gluten free and dairy free, except the cucumber raita, which is just gluten free. I'm a huge huge fan of the roasted red bell pepper hummus, mango chutney, coriander chutney, and tomato date chutney. The others are good, but these four are my jam! I highly recommend combining the mango chutney and coriander chutney together. They make for a delicious chutney on chutney combo!The naan itself is made from Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour blend and is gluten free and vegan. The restaurant gave me the recipe, and I've since re-created it on my cooking video series, "My Gluten Free Disney Kitchen," for you to check out! It's fairly easy to make and is sooooo delicious!Brandon and I had been at the Epcot Festival of the Arts that weekend to check out the new gluten free options and to enjoy the festival. So, to say I was a bit over-indulgent is an understatement. I was craving something simple, so I asked Chef Fallon if she could re-create the tandoor chicken dish that used to be on the menu. Ultimately, she ended up just making me some rice, grilled chicken with tandoor seasoning and seasonal vegetables.It was exactly what I wanted for my meal -- something simple and easy. I could eat rice for days, and I loved the combo of the flavorful chicken and mild bland rice and sauteed veggies. It wasn't anything special but definitely was perfect for the evening.Mary got the Potjie-inspired dishes which has definitely changed some since my last visit. Instead of getting your choice of 2 meat or vegetarian dishes, you are given one meat and one vegetarian dish along with rice. For a $10 upcharge, you can get a second meat item, but you will keep the vegetarian dish, for a total of 3 dishes. Chef Fallon noted that they are doing this to give guests more composed dishes, but I'll be honest, it feels like it's an excuse to be a bit cheaper on the entree since typically vegetarian dishes are cheaper to prepare. I like having variety, but I know that a lot of folks are disappointed by this change.That being said, Mary really enjoyed the Chickpea Wat (which is gluten free and vegan) with her meal. She also got two gluten free options -- the Butter Chicken and Braised Beef (which is also dairy free). The dishes are also served with yogurt but it can easily be left off the plate, as it's served in its own dish.I will say the portions did seem bigger, so that's at least an upside to the changes.For dessert, I decided to get the Chai Spiced Tapioca Pudding with fresh berries. The restaurant always has a gluten free and vegan version on hand made with coconut milk, and it's delicious. It's very comforting to the stomach too if you've overindulged or have a tummy ache. It was another simple and tasty dish and rounded out my meal nicely.Overall, you can't go wrong with Sanaa. I love the flavors and options for all courses the meal here. Plus, their ability to customize and cater to special dietary needs is pretty outstanding. Big shoutout to Chef Fallon who always does a really amazing job there too!Have you been to Sanaa? What do you love to order there?

1/14/17 1/14/17

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

*This dining experience took place in January 2017.D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs is a quick service restaurant owned and operated by the Disney Company that serves up burgers and fries. It's become another great gluten free and dairy free option for whenever I visit Disney Springs, and I enjoy both the atmosphere and the food. I also love the back story of the restaurant, which you can read about in my first blog post I wrote about D-Luxe Burger.On this particular occasion, we stopped by for dinner before a movie at AMC Disney Springs. We initially wanted to go to Blaze Pizza, but it was jammed, so we opted for D-Luxe Burger, which is a pretty close walk from Blaze.Brandon had yet to visit D-Luxe Burger, so he was excited to check out the burgers and fries. We both ended up with a cheeseburger (since I've been re-introducing a bit of dairy back into my diet, I decided to get the cheese on this visit, though you can easily make any burger dairy free by removing the cheese and certain sauces).Gluten free burgers at D-Luxe Burger are served in a lettuce wrap or on a gluten free bun, whichever you prefer. I decided to get the Local Oven gluten free bun, which was well heated. Brandon and I both agreed that the burgers are a step up from most Disney quick service burgers, but that the star of the meal was the order of fries we each got.Hand cut and perfectly fried, they are super delicious. Brandon likes his plain with just a bit of a salt while I, ever the condiment queen, love them with dipping sauces. I got the chipotle mayo (contains dairy), curry ketchup (gluten free and dairy free), and the honey mustard (gluten free and dairy free). I'm basically obsessed with their dipping sauces, and the chipotle mayo has to be my hands down favorite.All of the sauces at D-Luxe Burger are gluten free, but you'll want to confirm any other special dietary needs as many of the sauces do contain dairy. At this time, only the curry ketchup and honey mustard are both gluten free and dairy free.Overall, we both really enjoyed the meal -- though we both noted that this place is pretty pricey. The good news is throughout 2017, if you're a Disney annual passholder, you can get 20% off your bill, which does help. I'd probably opt for another Disney Springs restaurant on most occasion due to price and options, but I'm glad we got to go here again for the amazing fries and well-cooked burgers.Have you been to D-Luxe Burger? What did you order when you dined there?

1/8/17 1/8/17

Olivia's Cafe -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Old Key West

*This dining experience took place in January 2017.Olivia's Cafe, located at Disney's Old Key West Resort, is a table service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast has to be my favorite meal at Olivia's Cafe. I really enjoy their sweet potato hash, which is exactly what I ordered on my most recent visit to the restaurant.One of the things I love about Olivia's Cafe and Old Key West in general is the laid-back vibe and the long standing DVC member decor. Olivia's is flagged by photos of Disney Vacation Club Members who have stayed here in years past, which is really neat to see!Olivia's does carry an allergy-friendly breakfast menu, but if you have multiple dietary needs or those not covered by the allergy-friendly menu, you can always ask to talk to a chef. I do this quite a bit, as I tend to cross-reference the regular menu and look for things that can be made gluten free and dairy free whenever possible.Thankfully, the Poached Eggs and Hash is easily made dairy free by removing the Hollandaise Sauce.The Poached Eggs and Hash is Poached Eggs served over Sweet Potato-Ham Hash topped with Key Lime Hollandaise and served with Allergy-Friendly Bread. Removing the Hollandaise does make it both gluten free and dairy free. Plus, you can get Earth Balance vegan buttery spread with your Udi's Gluten Free toast too!Though I should probably branch out and try some other newer dishes at Olivia's Cafe, I keep coming back to the sweet potato-ham hash. The flavors are delicious, and it's a simple, hearty breakfast option. It's definitely a go-to whenever I am craving breakfast at Disney.Right now and through 2017, annual passholders can get 20% off their meal at Olivia's Cafe, which makes it even better. I will definitely be heading back there again a few times this year to get this favorite breakfast of mine!Though not breakfast, I'm also a huge fan of the Mallory Square Cobb Salad served at Olivia's Cafe too. It's soooo good!Have you been to Olivia's Cafe? What's your favorite breakfast item?

1/3/17 1/3/17

Liberty Inn -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Epcot

*This dining experience took place in January 2017.Liberty Inn, located in the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot, is a quick service restaurant that serves up burgers, sandwiches, and chicken tenders. Though the food isn't super fancy, it's a good go-to for me whenever I'm in Epcot.Liberty Inn, unlike many of the restaurants in the World Showcase, is actually owned & operated by the Disney Company, which means they adhere to Disney's food allergy and special dietary needs protocols, and they have an allergy-friendly menu.More often than not, when I visit Liberty I'm getting allergy chicken tenders. They are gluten free, dairy free and free of the top 8 common allergens, plus others like corn. (Always double-check with a manager or chef to confirm ingredients and safety before consuming)On this particular visit, I was joined by my friend Ron who was visiting from out-of-town. We decided to hang out at Epcot that day and of course, ended up grabbing lunch. Both of us figured Liberty Inn was an easy lunch to get.Because we both have special dietary needs, we ended up getting two orders of allergy chicken tender and fries. These take just a bit of extra time to prepare, and so we we grabbed a seat by the far window where we were told to pick up our special diets order.Though I mentioned it in my last review, I've always just been told to wait at the regular counter. Ron told me that he was surprised that I'd never experienced that before, as it's been that way for the past few years whenever he's visited. That was pretty interesting, but just goes to show you that experiences and procedures can vary from visit to visit for each guest.The chicken tenders and fries on this visit were excellent, as usual. I thought the frying was well-done, and I actually like my tenders cooked a bit longer, so the coating is extra crispy, which these were. My only complaint about Liberty Inn is that they don't have barbecue sauce or honey mustard for the tenders. That would make them perfect!Overall, Liberty Inn is the perfect spot to grab a special diets friendly meal during an Epcot visit. The chicken tenders are a great go-to, but they also have many other options too.Have you been to Liberty Inn? What do you order when you visit there?

12/30/16 12/30/16

Cape May Cafe -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Beach Club

*This dining experience took place in December 2016.Cape May Cafe, located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, is a table service seafood buffet that has been a long-time favorite in my family. As a special diets diner, navigating a buffet can seem pretty scary, but thankfully, Cape May Cafe is not only very gluten free (and even dairy free) friendly naturally, but the chefs there will prepare you food from the kitchen upon request to avoid cross-contamination.Cape May serves both breakfast and dinner, but for me, the dinner is the best of the two -- if you're a seafood lover. Breakfast is also a character meal, while dinner is not.Before this month, it had been a few years since I'd had dinner at Cape May Cafe. A few weeks ago, I had dinner there with my friend Ron, and we had such an amazing meal. So, I didn't argue when my family decided they want to go there too for our early Christmas celebration meal.On my previous visit, I got the Cape May Salad, prepared in the kitchen for me, and on this visit, I knew I wanted it again. The flavors are so good, and I adore the citrus dressing and candied walnuts in it.I also got a repeat of the peel and eat shrimp and cocktail sauce, along with their olive medley which was extra garlicky and delicious on this visit. I noticed that the salads on the salad bar (potato salad, antipasto salad, etc.) had changed from the previous week when we went. The ones on this visit were much more gluten free and dairy free friendly.On the previous visit, I avoided dairy completely but since I've been reintroducing it a bit, I opted to try the paella this time, which contains a bit of butter. Hands down, it was one of the best things I ate that night. The seafood in it was fresh and the flavors were incredible.The salmon was lackluster and dry, so I'd probably skip it next time.Of course, you can't go wrong with the steamed crab legs (no need to add drawn butter to these -- they are super sweet on their own), steamed clams, and steamed potatoes. I also tried the carved beef again, which was good, though a bit overdone. To be fair, I asked for a more well-done piece, so next time I might see if I could have one more on the medium side.The thing I was looking most forward were the steamed mussels with garlic and chorizo. Ron and I were both blown away by these on our visit, and I couldn't wait to get them again. Sadly, when the chef made them they were overcooked and the flavors weren't that balanced. I missed that big punch of garlic and flavor that we got on the last visit. They were still good, but not as incredible as the first time we went.For dessert, the chef noted there were two gluten free desserts on the buffet -- Flan and chocolate mousse cups. They both contain dairy.I did try the chocolate mousse cups, and they were super delicious. I also liked the raspberry sauce on top of them.The chef also brought me two Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC brownie cupcakes and Enjoy Life Foods Snickerdoodle cookies. These are a nice option if you're looking for more special diets options beyond gluten.Overall, I really enjoyed my meal at Cape May Cafe. I still think the buffet is outstanding for options and flavors, and it continues to be a huge favorite in my family.Have you been to Cape May Cafe? What did you think of the buffet options?

12/29/16 12/29/16

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

*This dining experience took place in December 2016.Raglan Road Irish Pub, located at Disney Springs, is one of my favorite table service restaurants on Disney property. Though not owned & operated by the Disney Company, celebrity Irish chef Kevin Dundon and his team do an amazing job at accommodating guests with special dietary needs.Plus, where else can you get proper gluten free and dairy free fish & chips?! If it's gluten free and deep fried, you know I'm in! Of course, Raglan Road has some other amazing dishes too, and I'm partial to their sandwiches. But, if you're a first-time visitor, you simply must get the fish and chips.On this particular visit, I went to Raglan Road with my friend Ron, who is visiting from out-of-town. We both love Cookes of Dublin and Raglan Road and decided on getting dinner at the main table service restaurant for dinner.Before we ordered, we both got a pint of Magners Irish Cider. It's available on draft at Raglan Road and is oh so delicious. It's one of my favorite hard ciders, and there's something about getting it straight from the draft that makes it even better. You can also get Magners Pear Cider from the bottle.Because we both can't resist gluten free and dairy free deep-fried foods, we decided to order the onion rings as an appetizer to split. All of the gluten free and dairy free fried foods use the same batter, so if it's available deep-fried at Raglan Road, chances are you'll be able to get it gluten free.Along with the onion rings, I asked for a side of sweet chili jam and the mustard sauce. I'm such a fan of condiments that I couldn't imagine eating the onion rings without them. The sweet chili jam is still my favorite with the onion rings, but the mustard sauce was also really nice too.We both also opted to order the gluten free and dairy free fish and chips as our entrees. It's such a classic Raglan Road staple, that sometimes I have a hard time NOT ordering it when I go. It's that good.A word of note on fried foods. A lot of people say that the fried foods at Raglan Road are a bit bland. I think this is because they don't tend to overly salt the dishes. If you find the flavors too bland, simple add more salt. It's easy to do and makes a world of difference. I always add a bit of salt to my fish and chips immediately after it arrives to the table.The fish and chips on this night were piping hot and well cooked. The fries, as always, were outstanding. Dip your fish and chips in the gluten free and dairy free house-made tartar sauce, and you have a real winner on your hands. If you're like me, you may need to ask for more tartar sauce too!Overall, I can't say enough good things about Raglan Road Irish Pub. I really appreciate the quality of the food and the level of care that Chef Kevin and his team put into providing safe gluten free and special dietary needs options for guests that are just as good as the gluten-filled versions!Have you been to Raglan Road Irish Pub? What's your favorite thing to order when you dine there?

12/29/16 12/29/16

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

*This dining experience took place in December 2016.Cookes of Dublin, located in Disney Springs, is one of my favorite quick service restaurants at Disney Springs and at Disney World, in general. Who can resist deep fried fish & chips and other deep-fried treats?! Not this girl...Cookes of Dublin is gluten free deep-fried heaven.I recently stopped by for lunch with my brother and his wife, while they were visiting from out-of-town. We are all big fans, and I was craving the gluten free and dairy free fried shrimp & chips. I get it a lot at Cookes of Dublin, and it's a favorite.So you can imagine my surprise and disappointment when I learned that Cookes of Dublin has completely changed up their menu and removed the shrimp & chips. It's still listed on the Disney website, but they are definitely gone from the menu now. Insert sad face.The cast member working suggested I get either classic Fish & Chips, but then she also mentioned they can now make the Hog in a Box dish and the Battered Burger & Chips gluten free. The Hog in a Box was sold out for the night, so Battered Burger & Chips it was!Of course, deep frying a burger sounded both intriguing and dangerous...The Battered Burger & Chips comes with a Hand Battered Beef Burger topped with Garlic Mayonnaise, Tomato Chutney and Mixed Greens. The manager I spoke with said they use the same batter for the gluten free fish & chips to fry the burger.The verdict?I gotta say, that it was kind of amazing. It sounds weird and even super greasy, but I found it to be really quite tasty. The grease factor wasn't as bad as I expected, and to be honest, it made the perfect super moist and tender...and flavorful. Plus, the crunch was pretty nice too.The burger is served on a gluten free bun, which is nothing to write home about, but the flavors in the burger and the mayonnaise and chutney were just outstanding. I also enjoyed the fries, as always, and got a side of the Dalkey Mustard and Cocktail Sauce, both of which are gluten free and dairy free, to dip my fries in. Yum!Overall, I can't believe that I ordered and loved the gluten free and dairy free battered burger at Cookes of Dublin. It was outrageously good and a dish that I'll definitely be ordering again. I do miss my shrimp & chips, but I'm glad that there are at least a few more options to enjoy at Cookes of Dublin.Next time, I might get onion rings or the garlic parmesan chips to go with the burger!What do you think of the gluten free and dairy free battered burger at Cookes of Dublin? Would you order it?

12/28/16 12/28/16

Kona Cafe -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Polynesian Village

*This dining experience took place in December 2016.Kona Cafe, located at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, is a table service restaurant that has been a long-time favorite for me for both breakfast and lunch. Offering affordable options, I enjoy the Polynesian inspired food and reasonable prices. Plus, they have some of the most best allergy Mickey waffles on property. Kona Cafe also serves dinner, but for some reason, I'm just not as big of a fan of the options at dinner.On this particular visit, we had lunch at Kona Cafe for my mom's birthday. It was her pick for a Disney restaurant, and she always loves the lunch options at Kona too.When we arrived, I checked out the restaurant's allergy friendly lunch menu which had some new items, including the Loco Moco -- a classic Polynesian brunch offering (more on that later). I ended up talking to a chef because I was craving the Island Chicken Sandwich, which has been one of my favorite Kona Cafe lunch choices, but isn't listed on the allergy friendly menu.The Island Chicken Sandwich is easy to make gluten free. There are two modifications -- serving it on a gluten free bun, in this case Local Oven brand, and removing the crispy fried onions. Otherwise, this dish is pretty easy to enjoy gluten free.Because I've been adding a bit of dairy back into my diet, I did get this sandwich with Swiss Cheese on it (which is normally lactose free for those who are lactose intolerant), but you can easily get it without it. It's actually the first time I've had it on the sandwich, and I will say it was good but didn't elevate the dish in my opinion, so I might order it without cheese next time.The sweet potato fries made in a dedicated fryer were as delicious as ever. Usually when I get this sandwich, my favorite component is the curry mango mayonnaise, but the restaurant has changed the recipe. The curry flavor has been reduced and the mango flavor is much more prominent. I wasn't as big of a fan of this version, but I still thought it was pretty decent. My stepdad ordered the Loco Moco, a new lunch and breakfast offering. It's made with a tower of Rice, a grilled Hamburger Patty, House-made Chorizo Gravy, Two Eggs-Any Style, and topped with a Tomato Salsa and is marked gluten free (but not dairy free) on the allergy friendly menu.My stepdad raved about this dish, especially the chorizo gravy, which he said was a bit spicy and really flavorful. I'm not sure how much dairy is in this dish, but it looked delicious and something I could see myself ordering for brunch.Overall, we had a great meal at Kona Cafe for lunch. The food options here are solid and there are plenty of gluten free and dairy free options. If I don't seem something I like on the allergy friendly menu, I always recommend talking to a chef, as the ones at Kona always seem up for modifying dishes to be safe.Have you been to Kona Cafe? What do you think of the special diets options there?

12/21/16 12/21/16

Spice Mill — Dinner — Quick Service — SeaWorld Orlando

*This dining experience took place in December 2016.Spice Mill, a quick service restaurant at SeaWorld Orlando, serves burgers, fries, and sandwiches cafeteria-style. I tried Spice Mill a few months back and was really impressed with the chef interaction and the burger that I had.On this visit, Brandon and I had been enjoyed SeaWorld's Christmas festivities -- which are so much fun & I would highly recommend. But, of course, we needed to grab a bite to eat in the midst of all of the fun.I really love the interior of Spice Mill. Despite the fact that it's a cafeteria style restaurant, there are a lot of nice touches and decor that help boost up the ambiance.I also like that Spice Mill carries several allergy friendly snacks. Not all are gluten free, but they do have several options. They can easily be found behind the counter at most quick service locations.Because I was starving, I went with a double cheeseburger and fries, thinking it would be similar in size to those served at Disney World. I was mistaken because it was huge!The bun, which is usually Udi's Gluten Free, was fine -- nothing special there. The fries were good and piping hot. The winner for me was the cheeseburger, which was unbelievably good. I have to give it to SeaWorld for having the best in-park burgers of all the theme parks in the area. I really don't like the ones at Universal and the ones at Disney are often not so great either. The burgers at SeaWorld are always really juicy and nicely seasoned, making them an actual tasty meal.Overall, I really like Spice Mill at SeaWorld Orlando. It's definitely quickly becoming my go-to meal choice when we visit the park for consistently good burgers and decent portions.Have you been to Spice Mill? What do you think of the options here?

12/21/16 12/21/16

Jiko -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in December 2016.Jiko: The Cooking Place, a signature table service restaurant, is located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. African inspired, it features an upscale menu with unique flavors. I've had hit or miss experiences with Jiko, but I had a wonderful experience last fall when dining at the chef's counter.On this particular occasion, we dined at Jiko for Brandon's birthday. Last year, we went to Artist Point which was fabulous, but we knew we wanted to do something different this year. We both love the atmosphere and ambiance in Jiko, especially that the restaurant actually changes color throughout your meal, in order to represent an African Sunset.We went with a medium size group and were seated in the cozy booths in the back of the restaurant.Jiko carries an allergy-friendly menu, though it's important to note that you can ask for a chef at any time. I chose to order on the menu, without a chef consult on this visit, though I often do ask to speak with a chef.I'm not sure what it is about signature dining restaurants, but they always seem to carry Ener-G rolls, which are allergy-friendly and vegan. I'm not a big fan of these, as they turn hard as a rock almost immediately, so I was definitely disappointed to see these rolls. I much prefer the Deanna's Gluten Free (formerly known as GNI Brand Rolls), which are also allergy friendly and so much tastier.I was served a side of butter with sea salt, but you can easily get extra virgin olive oil upon request. I didn't really eat the rolls because they were not very well heated.On a side note, Brandon did order a cheese plate, and I'm assuming you could easily get it gluten free with some slight modifications.While the rolls were really disappointing, I was more than pleasantly surprised with my entree. I decided to get the 7 oz Oak-grilled Filet Mignon with Pumpin Pap “Isidudu,” Brussels Sprouts, Caramelized Onions, and a South African Red Wine Sauce. This dish contains dairy, but can be modified to be dairy free, as well as gluten free (you'd get marble potatoes instead of pap, etc.)Wow. The flavors in this dish were outstanding. The filet was perfectly cooked and tender (served butterfly style) and the pap was creamy and delicious. The absolute stars of the dish were the Brussels Sprouts (my favorite), caramelized onions, and red wine sauce. I could have drank that red wine sauce; it was that good!There were a lot of dishes on the menu that I was interested in. Normally, I don't go for beef, but I'm glad I did. This was super delicious and a perfect meal for a birthday celebration. I'm also partial to the maize crusted fish, which I've had gluten free & dairy free on several occasions and is delicious.Have you been to Jiko? What is your favorite menu item to order when you go there?

12/21/16 12/21/16

Seafire Grill -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- SeaWorld Orlando

*This dining experience took place in December 2016.The Seafire Grill, located at SeaWorld Orlando, is a quick service restaurant with a decidedly Tex Mex flare. Serving up fajitas, sandwiches, and salads, Seafire Grill is the spot at SeaWorld Orlando to get a Tex Mex inspired meal.I've been wanting to check it out for a bit after having a really good dining experience at Spice Mill at SeaWorld.Brandon and I were spending time at SeaWorld for their Christmas celebration and needed to grab a break in between visiting with Rudolph & Friends in the park. When we arrived, the restaurant was surprisingly busy, though only one side of the cafeteria style restaurant was open -- making it even more crowded.Most of SeaWorld's restaurants are cafeteria style, so it makes dining with a special diet, a bit more challenging. I typically try to find a team member in advance to talk about options, instead of waiting in line, as the delays get even longer when you get a special dietary need involved. This time, I wasn't able to speak to anyone until getting up to the ordering portion of the line.The manager on duty greeted me, and they said everything was gluten free in the fajita rice bowls and the only thing to avoid were the tortillas, which are served separately and pre-packaged/wrapped in foil.I decided to order the Chicken & Steak Fajitas served with white rice, black beans, roasted corn, and peppers and onions. On the side, I was given cheese and pico de gallo (if you want, you can also get sour cream).Because I've been adding dairy back into my diet a bit, I did get the cheese, and I'm fairly certain the onions and peppers may have contained dairy. However, I think you could easily get a gluten free & dairy free version of this rice bowl.Overall, I wasn't very wowed by this. It was pretty bland and tasteless. The best part was the chicken, but the steak was really rubbery and tough. All of the other accompaniments were just bland and plain. It was a large portion, but that was about the only really positive part of this dish.While I love Tex Mex food, I found the rice bowl at Seafire Grill to be woefully lacking in flavor and substance. I'm glad I tried it, but I will definitely skip this one on my next visit.Have you been to Seafire Grill? What did you think of the options?

12/15/16 12/15/16

Frontera Cocina -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in December 2016.Frontera Cocina, a table service restaurant, has quickly become one of my favorite table service locations at Disney Springs. Serving authentic cuisine, Frontera Cocina is the brainchild of celebrity chef Rick Bayless. I'm a huge fan of his Chicago-based restaurants, so there's no wonder I enjoy Frontera Cocina so much. On top of that, most of the menu is gluten free and the restaurant marks their special dietary needs options on their menu, which is great.On this particular visit, I joined my friend Ron for lunch. We had dined here previously together along with our friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures and really enjoyed it.On this visit, we knew we had to get their guacamole. It's the perfect appetizer, and I love the versions in the main restaurant and at their to go counter. By far, the best one is the bacon guacamole. Served with gluten free chips, it's rich and delicious.My only complaint? It needs more bacon!We also decided to go for margaritas, and while there's a bunch of different unique versions, my preference is the classic Frontera Margarita. I also really like that they serve it with only half of the rim of the glass covered in salt. I'm not a big salt and margarita fan, so that worked out perfectly for me.If you're not into margaritas, I highly recommend the Cocina Gin & Tonic. So good!Both Ron and I ordered gluten free & dairy free entrees. Ron got the carnitas, which I ordered on a previous visit. He said the meat was really delicious and tender.For my entree, I ordered the chicken tacos. These come as "build your own," which means you can assemble them as you wish. The corn tortillas here are outstanding and the perfect vessel for the meat, salsa, and guacamole.I thought the chicken was quite good, though the winning pieces of my dish were the refried beans and guacamole.Note: This dish normally comes with cheese. You can order it without cheese to make it dairy free, easily.Overall, Frontera Cocina consistently offers a solid meal. I love how many of the dishes are gluten free, which means tons of choices! The restaurant is also really good and making accommodations for special dietary needs and modifying dishes.Have you been to Frontera Cocina? What's your favorite dish there?