Now that my kids are grown, I seek out family lodging options with a residential layout. That way we can make our own little breakfasts, play Bananagrams at the kitchen table and watch movies in the living room. Now The Grove Resort & Spa Orlando offers that option -- plus it will soon have a water park.
Read moreSample Latin Fare at the SeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas Food Festival
Midway through its multi-weekend SeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas Food Festival, the theme park has added several Latin-inspired foods and drinks.
Read moreTour the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
About a fourth of my work involves this: telling readers how to get the most for their money in Orlando. One of the always-valid tips involves choosing hotels that are on Disney World property but owned by others. Today's feature: Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace.
Read moreTrying Blowguns with a Tribal Warrior
I was beyond lucky to have as a leader Juan (not his original name), an Adventures by Disney guide who grew up within the jungle, in the Shuar tribe (I believe). Among his people's practices is shooting prey for dinner with a blowgun.
Read moreA Treat! Epcot's Party for the Senses
Have you been to Party for the Senses? It's an evening of unlimited, chef-driven food and spirits held weekly during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. It's worth a splurge.
Read moreEating Peking Duck in Peking
From market stalls to chichi dining rooms, Beijing restaurants are all about Peking duck. Here's are two delicious examples of the specialty -- one at a high-end restaurant, the other as street food.
Read moreFunny Signs in China
They're not designed to be funny, these signs. But, throughout the Chinese cities I visited, signs of all types were either poorly translated or just not something Americans would post. "Chinglish."
Read moreA Random Food Market in Chengdu, China
Cover your eyes, food-curious readers. We discovered a locals-oriented food market in Chengdu, China. Some of our discoveries are not pretty.
Read moreThe Street Foods of Chengdu, China
Often alluring, otherwise offputting, the street foods of Chengdu, China, are a colorful assortment of snacks.
Read moreI Can't Wait to Tell You about China
I have no Google, YouTube or Facebook and I'm working from a tablet, but I just had to give you a taste of Beijing.
Read moreWhere to Eat: Orlando Magical Dining Month 2016
Locals start planning their meals Orlando Magical Dining Month meals weeks in advance, bopping all over Central Florida to dining rooms that are usually beyond their budgets. This year, a record-breaking 96 establishments are participating.
Read moreWin a Disney Marathon Weekend for Two
Win a Disney marathon weekend for two. This is some prize: marathon fun plus transportation, lodging, VIP privileges and event cash to spend. In all, this fly/run/stay/play package is worth more than $3,800. Boondoggle!
Read moreWhat, Tiffins? No Yak Butter in My Coffee?
Mustang coffee at Tiffins. This version is made with the butter we all know, but it's based on a recipe laced with yak butter
This restaurant -- a comfy, relaxed fine-dining establishment sitting within a lush green yet buzzy-busy theme park -- is based on travel around the world.
Read moreWhere to Dine Out for Orlando United on Thursday
Where should you eat to support your neighbors during Thursday's Dine Out for Orlando United fundraiser? Look closely. The restaurants participating can pledge to give pretty much whatever they want, and some are set to donate way more than others.
Read moreFive Best New Dishes at Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016
What will be the five best new dishes at Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016? Here's my list. I sampled a slew of debuting entrees and desserts yesterday at a preview held for Tables in Wonderland members and the media. I was enchanted with these newcomers.
Five Best New Dishes at Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016: No. 1
Seared scallop with truffled celery root puree, Brussels sprout and wild mushrooms, from the Wine & Dine Studio marketplace: The sweet scallop will be given a Napa Valley twist, served with a creamy vegetable puree laced with that I suspect may be truffle oil, plus an al dente vegetable and lively bits of mushroom. This dish so good I'd order it in a fine-dining restaurant.
Five Best New Dishes at Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016: No. 2
Smoked beef brisket and pimento cheese on griddled garlic toast from the Hops & Barley marketplace: The beef was tender and smokey, but the addition of garlic toast and a shmear of intense pimento cheese put this dish over the top.
Five Best New Dishes at Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016: No. 3
Pork tenderloin with cannellini bean ragout and zinfandel reduction from the Wine & Dine Studio marketplace: The pork was fine, but incidental. Get this dish for the beans in the savory wine-laced sauce.
Five Best New Dishes at Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016: No. 4
Peanut butter and white chocolate mousse with a caramel drizzle at The Chew Collective marketplace: This dessert is creamy, almost frothy, with a strong peanut butter flavor plus plenty of peanut halves to chew on.
Five Best New Dishes at Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016: No. 5
Loaded Greek "nachos" with pita chips, meatless sausage crumbles and vegan tzatziki at the Greece marketplace: I was dreading tasting this once I learned it was vegan, but guess what? It was terrific. I kept eating beyond the two bites I require of myself for this type of review. Using the pita chips as nachos, I scooped up flavored, multitextured portions of a rich and satisfying entree. The sauce is made with "cashew cream." You'd never know it.
As always, the Epcot Food & Wine Festival will involve weeks and weeks of food and beverage events at the Epcot theme park. Small bites and drinks like those above will be sold at themed marketplaces dotting the World Showcase. In addition, guests can sign up for culinary demonstrations, chef-prepared meals, a food-and-wine gala called Party for the Senses, Beverage Boot Camp and way more. In fact, The Chew will host events October 5-7.
Full details will be posted on this link starting July 11 and you'll be able to start booking your cheese seminars, spice-mixing sessions and signature dining experiences on July 21.
The Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2016 is longer than ever this year -- 62 glorious days of culinary hedonism. It will run from September 14 through November.
Eat enthusiastically,
Rona
Groove Like a Rocker at the Hard Rock Hotel
Feel like strumming a guitar while in your hotel room? How about toying around with a DJ mixer? Call the front desk. Hard Rock Hotels encourage guests to let out their inner rockers in the privacy of their guest rooms. With a program called The Sound of Your Stay, employees will zip the tools you'll need to your door.
Read moreWhere to Eat on Mothers Day in Orlando 2016
Where can you still get a table on Mothers Day in Orlando? Here are restaurants that don't accept reservations, or do but still expect to have plenty of seats available for walk-ins.
Read moreSt Patricks Day in Orlando, in Style
Until someone proves St. Patrick was the saint of green beer, I’ll celebrate St Patricks Day in Orlando in a classy way, thank you. Good food. Maybe good drink. No drunken hordes.
Read moreStart Your Sunday with Brunch at Disney World
If Bloody Marys and eggs Benedict are your idea of a blissful mid-morning meal, try brunch at Disney World's Narcoossee's and California Grill.
Read moreMatsusaka Beef - Try It This Weekend
Try Matsusaka beef at Four Seasons Orlando this weekend, and only this weekend. It's your one and only chance, for months on end.
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