Morimoto Asia

I recently had the chance to eat at Morimoto Asia for the first time. It was absolutely fantastic! Located in the center of Disney Springs, this two story restaurant has a beautiful, and classy, overall look and feel. The main dining room has amazing chandeliers and subdued lighting. We were seated in a curtained area under the stairs, which was unique, but cozy.

Since this was our first visit, we spent a lot of time looking over the extensive menu. They have a wide variety of Asian inspired dishes to suit a variety of tastes. We chose several different items, and enjoyed them all.

I ordered the Sesame Balls, which are filled with a red bean paste, and the Orange Chicken. The Sesame Balls were wonderful, served hot, and sweet enough to be a dessert without being too sweet. The Orange Chicken was tangy and very orangy, but not spicy which made me happy, and the Chinese broccoli was the perfect side, sautéed lightly with garlic. I also had a Thai Tea, which tasted smoky and creamy. I loved all of it!

My sister had the Spicy Salmon Roll and the Chicken Pad Thai. She said the Salmon Roll was so good that it may have ruined all other sushi for her. The Chicken Pad Thai was really good as well, a perfect balance of chicken, noodles, bean sprouts and egg in a wonderful tamarind sauce.

The kids' menu, although not strictly Asian food, has enough options to please even picky eaters. And kids' entrees come with a Boba soda and dessert as well, for a very reasonable price. And they don't mind if older kids order from the kids' menu either, which is a great relief when you want to try something a little more exotic, but the kids don't. The kids' menu also includes three sheets of origami paper and instructions for folding a fish, frog, and crane.

Bean had Morimoto's Macaroni and Cheese, which has white and yellow cheddar and Pandora breadcrumbs on top. They have different Boba soda each day, and that day's flavor was blueberry. It was delicious and very fruity. For dessert, she chose the Fondue Churros with Nutella. She thought they were absolutely wonderful.

I've been dining at Disney for years, and while I haven't tried every restaurant,  I've eaten in quite a few. Morimoto Asia may be my new favorite! I'll definitely be making reservations there on my next trip.

Hoisin Sticky Spare Rib Recipe From Morimoto Asia

Disney

I love a good spare rib, sticky with some form of barbecue sauce. This recipe for Hoisin Sticky Spare Ribs from Morimoto Asia sounds like it would definitely fit the bill.

Hoisin Sticky Spare Ribs Recipe - Morimoto Asia

Pork Rib Braise

Full rack spare ribs, about 16 ribs

White onion, roughly chopped 

1/2 cup freshly chopped ginger

1/4 cup freshly chopped garlic

1/4 cup cooking wine

2 tablespoons canola oil 

1 cup tamarind paste

Preheat oven to 250°F. Place ribs in baking pan and add onion, ginger, garlic, cooking wine and oil. Cover with water, then gently stir in tamarind paste. Cover with foil and bake 3 ½ hours or until meat easily pulls away from the bone. Remove from oven and cool in braising liquid until cool enough to handle. Slice into individual ribs.

Hoisin Chili Sauce

1/2 cup hoisin

1 1/2 cups sweet chili sauce

1/4 cup rice Vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons fish sauce

2 tablespoons soy sauce

Whisk together ingredients in a mixing bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Frying and Garnish

Oil for frying

2 cups of cornstarch

2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro

Heat oil to 350°F. Lightly coat each rib in cornstarch and fry until golden brown and crispy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Place on a wire rack to drain and cool slightly. 

To serve, toss with hoisin chili sauce, (put back under the broiler for a few minutes to get extra crisp), top with cilantro and serve immediately.

Christmas Sweets and Treats at Disney Springs

All images: Disney

Christmas fun can be found throughout Disney Springs. From holiday decors to the Christmas tree stroll, there's something for everyone. And don't forget the food. There are so many delightful dishes that it will be hard to choose where to start.

Amorette’s Patisserie

• Holiday Sweets Petit Cake: Layers of spice cake, cream cheese icing, and apricot jam with fresh apple compote and Italian buttercream 🎄
• Mickey Winter Hat Dome Cake: Layers of vanilla chiffon, chai tea mousse, cranberry-cherry pâte de fruit, almond crunch, and brown butter ganache 🎄 
• Christmas Tree Cream Puff: Pistachio cream puff 🎄
• Hot Cocoa Crème Brûlée: Hot cocoa crème brûlée with toasted marshmallow cream 🎄
• Gingerbread Cheesecake 🎄
• Cookies and Milk Éclair 🎄
• Mickey and Minnie Gingerbread Cookies 🎄
• Santa Mickey Mousse: White chocolate mousse and dark chocolate mousse with crispy pearls

Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’

• Homecomin’ Holiday Turkey Sandwich: Smoked turkey on toasted artisanal bread, dressed with signature cornbread stuffing and a sweet and sour cranberry aioli served with house-made potato chips 

Chicken Guy!

• Holiday Cookie Shake: Hand-spun vanilla soft-serve, blended with sugar cookies and caramel drizzle topped with marshmallow whipped cream, mini chocolate candy pieces, holiday sprinkles, and a cookie 🧋
• Frozen Peppermint Cocoa Shake: Hand-spun vanilla soft-serve, blended with hot cocoa mix, peppermint, and crushed candy cane pieces topped with marshmallow whipped cream, sprinkles, crushed candy cane, mini marshmallows, and chocolate drizzle 🧋

D-Luxe Burger

• Caramel Apple Pie Shake: Vanilla Gelato blended with dark caramel sauce, Granny Smith apple syrup, cinnamon syrup, and graham cracker crumbs topped with whipped cream, caramel, and graham cracker crumbs 🎄🧋

Dockside Margaritas

• Spiced Cranberry Paloma: Lunazul Reposado Tequila, cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and spiced simple syrup

eet by Maneet Chauhan

• Yule Chai Greeting: Signature spiced chai, whipped cinnamon cream, toasted marshmallow, Christmas sprinkles, and a candy cane 🧋

Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew

• Holiday Donuts 

Frontera Cocina

• Marzipan Delight: Centinela Blanco Tequila, Marzipan Cordial, tres leches home-made mix, and marzipan crumble rim

The Ganachery 

• Gingerbread Mickey Chocolate Piñata: Milk chocolate piñata with crisp pearls and gingerbread toffee 🎄
• Gingerbread-Pecan Toffee: Spiced toffee enrobed with milk chocolate and encrusted with toasted pecans and gingerbread crumbs 🎄
• Mickey Chocolate-covered Gingerbread Cookies: Spiced gingerbread cookies enrobed in milk chocolate and dark 65% chocolate 🎄
• Chocolate Peppermint Bark: White and dark chocolate with crushed peppermint candy
• Olaf Hot Cocoa Surprise: Milk chocolate shell filled with The Ganachery hot cocoa mix and house-made marshmallows

Gideon’s Bakehouse

• Kris Kringle Cookie: White chocolate coffee bean cookie with coconut, caramel, and vanilla bean notes topped with coarse sugar crystals and edible glitter
• Cookie Vom Krampus: Chocolate cookie with mint

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar 

• Jock’s Famous Pigs in the Blanket: Debreziner sausage, puff pastry, and cranberry mustard sauce 🎄
• O’ Ham N’ Cheese Trees: Puff pastry, Pitt ham, cheddar cheese, garlic herb butter, and sugar plum jam 🎄
• Cranberry Barbeque Meatballs: All-beef meatball, cranberry barbecue sauce, orange goat cheese, granny smith apple, spiced walnuts, orange supremes, and crispy basil 🎄
• Naughty or Nice Deviled Eggs: Crispy Ham and Sweet Honey Glazed (Nice) or Spicy Honey Glazed (Naughty)

• Here We Come A-Croquetting: Turkey croquettes, sweet potato purée, bacon-cranberry jam, turkey gravy, and herbed gremolata
• Post-flight “Milk” and Cookies with Coquito: Bourbon-eggnog snowflake cookie, gingerbread reindeer cookie filled with dulce de leche, chocolate-peppermint Christmas tree cookie and coquito with Bacardí Rum 🎄
• Hot Chocolate Grail Flight: Spiced Caramel with Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Cookies ‘n Cream with white chocolate and Stoli Vanil Vodka, Peppermint with Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur and Bols Crème de Menthe White Liqueur
• Eternal Snowfall: St. Augustine Cane Vodka, St. Augustine Gin, Tippler’s Orange Liqueur, Siesta Key Silver Rum, chipotle pineapple syrup, and sour mix topped with a float of Bols Blue Curaçao Liqueur and garnished with a snowflake sugar piece and lemon wheel 🎄
• Jock’s Holiday Martini: Frangelico Liqueur, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur, hazelnut syrup, and half and half sprinkled with cinnamon and garnished with star anise 🎄
• Merry Margarita: Lunazul Reposado Tequila, Domain de Canton Ginger Liqueur, lime and pear juices, cinnamon syrup, and hibiscus syrup garnished with a holiday sugar piece and lime wedge 🎄
• Holiday Cherry Cocktail: Stoli Vanil Vodka, Heering Cherry Liqueur, simple syrup, and red cranberry juice with edible glitter and garnished with a cherry 🎄
• Ginger Mule: Frangelico Liqueur and Stoli Vanil Vodka topped with Fever-Tree Ginger Beer and garnished with a cinnamon stick and cranberries 🎄

Marketplace Snacks

• Olaf Waffle Sundae: Bubble waffle filled with vanilla soft-serve, peppermint sauce, candy snowflakes, a chocolate edible image, and chocolate sticks

Morimoto Asia

• Yokai: Morimoto Knob Creek Bourbon, Monin Caramel Apple Butter Syrup, Chambord, and prosecco
• Kyuri and Spicy: Cucumber-Infused Espolon Blanco Tequila, jalapeño, ginger liqueur, Ancho Reyes, John D. Taylor’s Velvet Falernum Liqueur, lime, and agave
• Toji Moon: Absolut Mandarin Vodka, sake, Monin Habanero-Lime Syrup, lemongrass, yuzu, and celery bitters
• After Midnight: Courvoisier VS Cognac, Legent Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, ginger, orgeat, grapefruit, lemon, cinnamon syrup, and black walnut bitters
• Forever Young: Aviation Gin, Aperol, Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth, blood orange liqueur, and mole bitters 
• Maker Mark Flight: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength, Maker’s Mark 46, Morimoto Maker’s Mark Private Select 

Paddlefish (Available Dec. 25 only)

• Santa’s Seafood Boil: Key West pink shrimp, Cedar Key little neck clams, Prince Edward Island mussels, corn bread, red potatoes, and sweet corn

Planet Hollywood

• Frosty the Snowman Shake: Mint chocolate chip ice cream with red and green Christmas candies, sprinkles, and holiday mints topped with homemade whipped cream and a marshmallow snowman pop 🧋

The Polite Pig

• Open-face Turkey Smash: Texas toast, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, turkey gravy, and cranberry chutney

Splitsville Luxury Lanes 

• Holiday Spice Old Fashioned: Michter’s American Whiskey US Kentucky Straight Rye, holiday spice syrup, and bitters garnished with a cinnamon stick and an orange twist
• Mistletoe: Stoli Vodka, rosemary syrup, Barrow’s Intense Ginger Liqueur, lemon juice, and soda water with a rosemary sprig and sugared cranberries garnish

Swirls on the Water

• Christmas Tree Sundae: Pistachio soft-serve in a waffle cone bowl with whipped cream, sprinkles, and candy Christmas lights 🎄
• Frozen Hot Chocolate Float with Salted Caramel 🧋 (Alcoholic version available with Knob’s Creek)

Terralina Crafted Italian (Available Dec. 25 only) 

• Christmas Day Special: Grilled lamb chops with creamed spinach and artichokes, wild mushroom and parmesan risotto cake, mint, and basil sauce topped and crispy leeks
• Poinsettia: Cranberry mimosa with sugar dusted cranberries

Vivoli il Gelato 

• Italian Hot Chocolate: House-made from scratch made with dark cocoa, dark chocolate bar, milk, and sugar topped with whipped cream or marshmallows 🧋
• Candied Yam Cannoli: Sweet cream of yams and ricotta topped with pecans
• Santa’s Crew: Elf Mint Chocolate Chip Shake, Reindeer Chocolate Shake, and Abominable Snowman 🧋
• Santa Waffle: Freshly-baked waffle topped with strawberries, bananas, whipped cream, and chocolate chips

YeSake

• Holiday Peppermint Chocolate Milk Boba Tea: Chocolate and peppermint tea latte made with boba pearls and whipped cream 🧋

Outdoor Bar Locations

• Holiday Rum Punch: Bols Blackberry Brandy, Bols Crème de Banana Liqueur, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, orange tangerine syrup, and orange juice garnished with an orange wedge 🎄

🎄 ‐ New

🧋 ‐ Non-alcoholic

Holiday Treats at Disney Springs

All images: Disney

Disney Springs is really getting into the holiday spirit. There are so many delightful looking sweets and treats that it's hard to know where to begin.

Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew (Dec 1 - Jan 5) 

• Holiday Donuts: Six pack of Christmas donuts celebrating the season with a snowman, palm tree adorned in lights, poinsettias, colorful sprinkles, and peppermint décor

Amorette’s Patisserie

• Christmas Present Petit Cake: Chocolate chiffon, milk chocolate mousse, and coconut-pecan filling 🥧 (Nov 8 - Dec 28) 
• Christmas Snickerdoodle Cookie Croissant: Croissant dough, snickerdoodle cookie, and holiday sprinkle plaque 🥧 (Nov 8 - Dec 31) 
• Peppermint Swirl Cheesecake: Peppermint cheesecake, dark chocolate mousse, chocolate cookie crust, and white chocolate-peppermint coating with crushed peppermint pieces 🥧 (Nov 8 - Jan 4) 
• Mini Christmas Croquembouche: Chocolate Pâte à Choux, chocolate-hazelnut custard, and chocolate ganache 🥧 (Nov 8 - Dec 31)

• Yule Log: Caramel-milk chocolate mousse, spiced orange gelee, chocolate chiffon, and a chocolate décor 🥧 (Nov 8 - Jan 4) 
• Mickey Gingerbread Cookie: Gingerbread cookie dipped in milk chocolate and garnished with sugar Christmas lights 🥧 (Nov 8 - Dec 31) 
• White Mocha Crème Brûlée: White chocolate crème brûlée with espresso, white chocolate crispy pearls, and chocolate espresso beans 🥧 (Nov 8 - Jan 4)  
• Winter Macaron Sandwich: Macaron, almond cheesecake, and cranberry-cherry jam 🥧 (Nov 8 - Jan 4) 
• Toy Soldier Mickey Dome Cake: Chocolate chiffon, milk chocolate mousse, and coconut-pecan filling 🥧 (Nov 8 - Dec 31) 

Enzo’s Hideaway (Nov 1 - Dec 31) 

• Apple Dram: Buffalo Trace, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Monin Caramel Apple Butter Syrup, Enzo’s bitters, and dehydrated apple chip
• Apple Spritz: Mionetto Prosecco, Angry Orchard, and Monin Caramel Apple Butter Syrup 
• Holiday Haze: Absolut Vanilla, Frangelico, crème de cacao, coconut milk, and cinnamon 
• Cocoa Blush: Skrewball, crème de cacao, Faretti Biscotti liqueur, and cherry juice 

Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC (Dec 2 - Dec 31) 

• Christmas Waffle: Vanilla cake bar half dipped in chocolate with a scoop of vanilla buttercream drizzled in chocolate with red and green sprinkles 🥕
• Gingerbread Cupcake with vanilla buttercream, sprinkled cinnamon, and an edible gingerbread man topper 🥕

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar (Nov 7 - Dec 30) 

• Air Tours Bacon and Waffles with breakfast sausage waffle, mini quiche, and candied bacon with bourbon-maple syrup 🥧
• Holiday Mine Car Meatballs:  Maple-Bourbon Meatballs, Granny Smith Apple and cranberry chutney, sweet potato hay and thyme 🥧
• O’ Ham ‘n’ Cheese Trees: Baked puff pastry, cheddar, smoked ham, herb pesto, Monterey Jack star, and infused honey 
• Here We Come a-Croquetting: Turkey croquettes, cranberry jam, turkey gravy, sweet potato puree, and herb gremolata  
• Naughty or Nice Deviled Eggs: Crispy ham, sweet honey-glazed (Nice) or spicy honey-glazed (Naughty)

• Jock’s Famous Pigs in the Blanket: Debreziner Sausage, puff pastry, and cranberry mustard 
• Coquito with Cookies: Santa cutout sugar cookie, hot cocoa cookie, pistachio wreath cookie, and Coquito with Bacardí Rum 
• Jock’s Fruitcake: Heering Cherry Liqueur, Cointreau Liqueur, white cranberry juice, and cupcake-flavored syrup topped with whipped cream and a holiday treat 
• Lump of Coal: Absolut Vodka, Chambord Liqueur, Bols Blue Curaçao Liqueur, hibiscus syrup, and lime juice with glitter and a black sugar rim (New) 
• Tannenbaum: Malibu Coconut Rum, Midori Melon Liqueur, DOLE Pineapple Juice, and cream of coconut garnished with a red sugared rim, whipped cream, and holiday sugar piece 🥧
• Hot Chocolate Flight 
• Spiced Caramel: Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum 
• Peanut Butter: Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey 
• Peppermint-White Chocolate: Bols Crème de Menthe White Liqueur  

Marketplace Snacks (Nov 8 - Dec 31) 

• Sven Reindeer Food Waffle Sundae: Vanilla and chocolate soft-serve swirl, white and dark chocolate-coated pretzels, M&M’S Milk Chocolate Minis, cinnamon cereal, marshmallow sauce, and a white chocolate coin 🥧

Morimoto Asia (Nov 1 - Dec 31) 

• Pearadise Tea: Monin Pear Syrup, Monin Desert Pear Syrup, green tea, lime juice, and simple syrup 🧋
• Bloom & Fall: Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey, banana oleo saccharum, parsley syrup, Bittermens Scarborough bitters, and lactic acid 
• Midnight Ube Spritzer: Captain Morgan, Monin Ube Syrup, Dolin Génépy le Chamois Liqueur, shiso essence, yuzu, and Highball Hard Seltzer 
• Tarutomēpuru “Tart Maple”: Knob Creek Smoked Maple Bourbon, cinnamon syrup, Fee Cherry Bitters, Fee Black Walnut Bitters, and lemon juice 
• Aki “Autumn Bliss”: Copper & Kings Apple Brandy, red wine, Lazzaroni Amaretto, pineapple juice, yuzu, filthy cherry syrup, and Bittermens Ginger Bitters 

Pizza Ponte (Nov 1 - Dec 31) 

• Orchard Chill: Absolut Vanilla, Pinnacle Salted Caramel Vodka, apple cider, and allspice dram 

Paddlefish (Dec 25 only) 

• Santa’s “Good List” Boil: Key West Pink Shrimp, Cedar Key Little Necks, PEI Mussels, cornbread, red potatoes, and sweet corn 

Swirls on the Water (Nov 7 - Jan 7) 

• Peppermint-Chocolate Swirl Cone: Peppermint and chocolate soft-serve swirl inside a red velvet cone garnished with peppermint bark and holiday sprinkles 🥧
• Christmas Tree Sundae: Pistachio soft-serve in a waffle cone bowl with whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate fudge, and candy Christmas lights 

Terralina Crafted Italian (Dec 25 only) 

• Porcini Prime Rib: Porcini and herb rub, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, crispy Brussel sprouts, and pancetta 
• Christmas Punch: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, DeKuyper Amaretto, cranberry juice, and apple juice topped with ginger ale and garnished with a lime and a cherry 

The Edison (Nov 1 - Dec 31)  

• Cup o’ Cheer: Apple cider, cinnamon syrup, cranberry juice, and lemon juice 🧋
• Fall for You: Angel’s Envy, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, spiced apple tincture, Fee Brothers Fee Foam, lemon juice, and a ghost leaf 
• Peppermint Patty: Peppermint-infused vodka, Caffè Borghetti Espresso Liqueur, Tempus Crème de Cacao, and a half-crushed peppermint rim 
• Cosmic Poinsettia: Infused Stoli Elit, Belle de Brillet Pear Brandy, St. George Spiced Pear, cinnamon syrup, and lime juice 

The Ganachery (Nov 8 - Dec 31) 

• Eggnog Ganache Square: Eggnog ganache covered in dark chocolate 🥧
• Mickey Ornament Chocolate Piñata: Milk chocolate shell filled with dark chocolate-covered peppermint marshmallows 🥧 
• Hot Sipping Ganache Kit: Hot ganache chocolate blend 🥧
• Gingerbread Ganache Square: Gingerbread spices and honey ganache covered in milk chocolate  
• Gingerbread-Pecan Toffee: Spiced toffee enrobed with milk chocolate and encrusted with toasted pecans and gingerbread crumbs 
• Disney Holiday Ganache Box: Assorted ganache squares in holiday flavors 

• Mickey Chocolate-covered Gingerbread Cookies: Spiced gingerbread cookies enrobed in milk chocolate and dark 65% chocolate  
• Olaf Hot Cocoa Surprise: Milk chocolate shell filled with The Ganachery Hot Cocoa Mix and house-made marshmallows 

Vivoli il Gelato  

• Gingerbread Tiramisu: Tiramisu cream with layers of gingerbread cake soaked in three different milks (Nov 18 - Jan 4) 
• Reindeer Shake: Chocolate gelato, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and sprinkles (Nov 18 - Jan 6) 
• Elf Shake: Mint chocolate chip, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and sprinkles (Nov 18 - Jan 5) 
• Pomegranate Mimosa: Pomegranate sorbetto, prosecco, and orange juice (Nov 18 - Jan 4) 
• Pomegranate Spritz: Pomegranate sorbetto, prosecco, and Sprite (Nov 18 - Jan 4)

🥧 - New

🥕 - Plant-based

🧋 - Non-alcoholic

Flavors of Florida at Disney Springs

All images: Disney

Flavors of Florida, presented by CORKCICLE, is coming to Disney Springs tomorrow. From July 1 to August 13, over 30 locations will be offering dishes and drinks that celebrate the flavors of the Sunshine State. Here are some of the delicious delights you can expect to find. 

Amorette’s Patisserie  

• Orange Cream Puff: Choux pastry with orange craquelin filled with orange curd and honey orange gel 🍊
• Orange Bird Dome Cake: Layers of Grand Marnier-soaked vanilla chiffon cake, mandarin pâte de fruit, mandarin orange cream, and white chocolate crispy pearls 🍊
• Strawberry Spritzer: French 75 with strawberry purée served in a Flavors of Florida CORKCICLE 🍊

The BOATHOUSE

• Pan Roasted Golden Tilefish: Citrus escabeche, coconut ginger rice, and cilantro aïoli 🍊

Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’

• Key West Shrimp Cocktail: Seasoned shrimp tossed with a mix of avocado, mango, cucumber, and a house-made cocktail sauce accompanied by homemade buttermilk crackers 🍊
• Florida Crush Cocktail: Combination of Florida’s iconic crops – oranges and strawberries – muddled with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, then complemented with a splash of freshly-squeezed orange juice and agave syrup 🍊

Chicken Guy!

• Sunshine Shake: A blend of hand-spun vanilla soft-serve and fresh Florida orange juice garnished with a crown of fresh whipped cream

City Works Eatery & Pour House

• Seared Grouper: Pan-seared grouper melds with citrus chipotle rice, Cuban spiced black bean puree, smoked watermelon pico de gallo, chili oil, and micro cilantro 🍊

Coca-Cola Store Rooftop Beverage Bar

• Orange Cream Float: Mix of Coca-Cola, vanilla ice cream and an orange cream bar presented in a novelty cup you can take home for a memorable treat 🍊

D-Luxe Burger

• Lime Garage Burger: Deluxe patty topped with pepper jack cheese, pork belly, and fried green tomato served with an avocado, lime, and jalapeño spread
• Orange Bird Milkshake: Artisanal shake made with vanilla gelato and orange topped with sprinkles

Dockside Margaritas

• Frozen Orange Daiquiri: Siesta Key Silver rum, Cointreau liqueur, orange juice, and vanilla ice cream garnished with an orange wedge 🍊

The Edison

• Sunny Disposition: Florida cane vodka from St. Augustine, Florida orange liqueur, Lillet Blanc, fruity fraise de bois, and local fruits including navel oranges, Minneola tangelos, Plant City strawberries, and Indian River grapefruit 🍊

Enzo’s Hideaway & Maria & Enzo’s

• Key West Pink Shrimp Risotto: Fine Italian vialone nano rice, Key West pink shrimp, guanciale, sweet corn, herbs, and pecorino Romano 🍊
• Creamsicle Coppa: Vanilla gelato, made in-house, paired with orange sorbet, whipped cream and white chocolate crunchy pearls, recreating a classic childhood favorite dessert 🍊

Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew

• Citrus Dream Donut: Orange-glazed confection with white buttercream, citrus-flavored icing, an orange-flavored candy, and fresh mint
• Orange Lemonade with Sweet Cold Foam: Blend of lemonade and orange juice cold foam

Frontera Cocina

• Orange Shrimp Cocktail: Assortment of Florida pink shrimp, hibiscus-citrus avocado salsa, jicama, cucumber, red onions, cilantro, and lime served with tortilla chips
• Agave Maria: Tromba Tequila Blanco, Ilegal Mezcal Joven, clarified lemon juice, and orange liqueur 🍊

The Ganachery

• Honey Lavender Square: Ganache square flavored with honey and lavender and enrobed in dark chocolate 🍊
• Key Lime Pop: White chocolate blended with key lime juice and fresh lime zest covered with dark chocolate

Gideon’s Bakehouse

• Key Lime Chocolate Chip Cookie: Vanilla bean cookie dough infused with Florida Key lime juice and blanketed with premium chocolate chips and special Key lime pie crumbs 🍊
• Orange Mocha Nitro Cold Brew: Dessert coffee made with locally roasted beans, maple syrup, rich dark chocolate, and delicious Florida oranges 🍊

House of Blues Restaurant & Bar

• Florida Sunshine Mango Lager: New seasonal lager on draft from the Winter Garden-based brewery Crooked Can 🍊
• Local Florida Mahi Tacos: Tacos served on a flour tortilla, filled with pickled onion and coleslaw, and topped with cilantro crema and fresh cilantro 🍊

Jaleo by José Andrés

• Ensalada de Sandía y Tomate: Salad made with compressed Florida watermelon, heirloom tomatoes, PX reduction, goat cheese, pistachios, and sherry dressing 🍊
• Vieras crudas a los cítricos: Thinly sliced scallops dressed with Florida citrus dressing 🍊
• Gambas Gabardina: Beer-battered Florida Atlantic white shrimp with caper mayonnaise 🍊
• Pato con Melocotónes y Naranjas: Seared duck breast with sweet peaches and a Valencia orange glaze 🍊
• Jamón Serrano con Melón: 24-month cured serrano ham with summer melon and sherry dressing 🍊

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

• Florida Shrimp Tacos: Florida jerk marinated gulf shrimp, watermelon, avocado, pico de gallo, and jalapeño served on a corn tortilla with a lime
• Jock’s Citrus Old Fashioned: A classic cocktail with a Florida summer twist
• Florida Mule: Florida Cane “Orlando Orange” Vodka, ginger beer, orange juice, and simple syrup

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company

• Buzzin’ Honey Latte: A buzzing combo of espresso, milk, honey, and vanilla syrup topped with cold foam and a special character 🍊

Morimoto Asia

• Cedar Key Clams “Chow Fun”: Cantonese dish with fresh Cedar Key clams, flat rice noodles, garlic chives, and Chinese black bean sauce 🍊
• “Banh Gan” Orange Blossom Crème Caramel: Vietnamese crème caramel reimagined with orange segments, sweet cream, and candied zest 🍊
• Orenji Dreamsicle: Cocktail that blends the flavors of Florida and Japan, made with Absolut Vanilia and citrus-infused Haku vodka, Cointreau, orange juice, orgeat, and Calpico 🍊

Paddlefish

• Key Lime Pie: Graham cracker crust and torched meringue

Pizza Ponte

• Pizza Diavola: Salame Calabrese and chili with local Orlando petal honey 🍊

The Polite Pig

• Key West Pink Shrimp Ceviche: Shrimp, smoked melon, shishito peppers, and local tomato vinaigrette with a drizzle of hot honey 🍊

Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant

• Sunshine State of Mind: Sweet orange pudding with whipped cream and an orange butterscotch sauce 🍊
• The Florida Split: Florida P1 Vodka, Florida local J.F. Haden’s Mango Liqueur, vanilla ice cream, and orange and mango juice 🍊

Rainforest Cafe

• Malibu Combo: Jerk seasoned mahi mahi topped with red onion and pineapple salsa served alongside Caribbean coconut shrimp with a coconut rum sauce and Caribbean rice 🍊
• Sailfish Brewing Sunrise City IPA: West coast-style IPA brewed with Columbus, Amarillo, and Mosaic hops, featuring a smooth finish and notes of bitter citrus 🍊

Salt & Straw

• Exquisito Guanabana Stracciatella: Tropical guanabana sherbet swirled with ribbons of dark chocolate Stracciatella with a floral undertone 🍊

The Spice and Tea Exchange

• Florida Sunshine Tea: Blend of floral and citrus flavors 🍊 (Available hot or iced)

Splitsville Dining Room

• Grilled Key West Pink Shrimp Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette: Spring mix greens, strawberries, oranges, cucumbers, tomato, parsley, red onions, and feta cheese tossed in strawberry vinaigrette
• Key Lime Pie Martini: Florida’s iconic dessert in a glass rimmed with graham cracker crumbs 🍊

STK Orlando

• Cuban Sandwich: Pulled pork, ham, and cheese with pickles and mustard 🍊
• Conch Fritters: Conch fritters with a spicy remoulade sauce and lime wedges 🍊
• Key Lime Bar topped with meringue, lime zest, and toasted coconut 🍊

Sunshine Churros

• Orange County Creamsicle: Churro rolled in orange sugar topped with cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of orange and white toppings 🍊

Swirls on the Water

• Orange Bird Sundae: DOLE Whip Orange in a vanilla waffle bowl with whipped cream, green sprinkles, and an Orange Bird chocolate decoration 🍊

Terralina Crafted Italian

• Almare Spritz 🍊
• Classico: Classic Italian spritz flavors of bitter orange, rhubarb, and subtle herbal notes
• Hugo: Refreshing and bright with elderflower, lemon, and mint
• Rosa: Notes of grapefruit, bitter herbs, and flowers

T-REX

• Blackened Tuna: Tuna seared rare served over cilantro-lime rice with a side of mango, avocado, and heirloom cherry tomato salad 🍊
• Oyster City Mangrove Pale Ale: Classic pale ale with a malty body and mild hops fermented in mangos for a tropical, fruit-forward flavor

Vivoli il Gelato

• Strawberry Shortcake Bombolato: Cake batter gelato, strawberry sauce, and fresh strawberries inside a warm Italian doughnut 🍊
• Orange Blossom Honey Cannoli: Creamy blend of ricotta and orange blossom honey served in a crispy Italian pastry shell 🍊

Wine Bar George— A Restaurant & Bar

• Dicuru Burrata: Dicuru burrata paired with tomatoes from The Villages Grown, Belle Glade corn, and Olde Hearth sourdough bread featuring ingredients sourced from Florida 🍊
• Frozen Old Fashioned: Frozen old fashioned made with DOLE Whip Orange and George Dickel 8-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey

YeSake Florida

• Fresh Poke Bowl: Fluffy rice, grilled chicken, crisp lettuce, carrots, cucumber, avocado, mandarin oranges, and tempura crunch topped with a savory roasted sesame sauce 🍊
• Florida Sunset: A tropical blend of Ozeki Sake, Nigori Sake, Monin Banana, and peach syrups and DOLE Pineapple Juice 🍊

Outdoor Bars Throughout Disney Springs

• Blood Orange Gin and Tonic: St. Augustine Gin, Tippler’s Orange, blood orange, and tonic water garnished with an orange wedge
• Key Lime Margarita: Patrón Silver tequila, Grand Marnier liqueur, Key lime juice, and vanilla garnished with a half graham cracker rim 🍊

New - 🍊

July Disney World Trip

I spent most of last week at Disney World for a surprise trip with my family. We had the chance to eat at several restaurants we hadn't tried before, including Morimoto Asia, Raglan Road and the Daily Poutine in Disney Springs, the Rose and Crown in EPCOT, and Kona at the Polynesian Resort. They were all absolutely delicious and I'll be reviewing them soon.

We also got to ride the new Soarin' Around the World as well as Frozen Ever After. I have to say, while I really enjoyed both rides, Frozen Ever After keeps breaking down, causing long waits for standby as they try to get all of the fast pass holders on first.

We spent an evening in Animal Kingdom for the first time without Extra Magic Hours. The new lighting on the Tree of Life is gorgeous and we all enjoyed the Bollywood style retelling of The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic. And Everest in the dark is quite the experience: because your eyes don't have to adjust to the dark interior, you can see more of the track as you zip through the mountain. And the park is definitely less crowded at night.

While I would probably go in July again, it was beyond hot, so different precautions needed to be taken to avoid dehydration and heat exhaustion. (Twenty years spent in Arizona really helped me plan for the heat.) I was able to find a new filtering water bottle, which I really like, so I could get additional filtered water and not have to lug around a gallon in a Camelbak all day.

The crowds at this time of year were most unexpected: it was ridiculously easy to get a Fast Pass for nearly anything, but the parks were fairly crowded with tour groups made up entirely of teens. There were at least four large groups of girls that were at Disney to celebrate their quinceaneras. (We noticed that they had a very big private party at EPCOT one evening.) Strangely, the tour groups always seemed to be waiting in standby lines and didn't appear to have any Fast Passes. That resulted in wait times which would change rapidly as groups of 40-60 teens got in line. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind teenagers, but these were a bit rowdy, loud, and under chaperoned, so it wasn't fun to get in line with them.

Our last day, we headed to Disney Springs to see what was new. We stopped in at Uniqlo, which is my new favorite place to shop for fun clothing. They have Disney shirts for the whole family as well as everyday clothing in a variety of styles and materials, like Supima cotton shirts and linen pants. They also have undergear for both warm and cool weather that were developed in Japan. It's an awesome store and I can't wait to shop there again.

Overall, I had a great time and I learned a lot of things that I'll be sharing with you soon. I'm already looking forward to my next trip!