Il Mulino; Walt Disney World Swan

Il Mulino New York ... in Orlando? We're Confused, but Everything Tastes Wonderful so We Don't Care!

For years Jay and I have abided by two informal dining rules while in WDW: no steakhouses and no eye-talian. We are awash in tasty beef here in the armpit of the Midwest so there is no point in visiting a state bordered by vast oceans of succulent seafood only to order a hunk of not-so-well prepared meat; and there are dozens of great home-grown Italian restaurants in Stinktown proper, even if they do over-sauce their pasta. We were never tempted to try Il Mulino, located on the main floor of the WDW Swan, because we didn't think we were missing anything we couldn't get at home.

Were we ever wrong.

I owe thanks to many friends for suggesting on more than one occasion over the last few years that Jay and I pay Il Mulino a visit, because without their reviews and high praise we would never have had the joy of well prepared, lightly sauced pasta, complimentary salami and oily eggplant, and the amazing traveling limoncello bucket.

On this most recent trip we actually found ourselves at Il Mulino three different times: once for dinner in the dining room, once with a group of friends drinking and snacking in the lounge, and one last time for Jay and I to enjoy dinner in the lounge. Food quality and staff service were equally as good in the dining room as in the lounge, and we actually enjoyed our dinner there more than in the dining room because it was so much more comfortable and relaxed. Very few people were in the lounge that evening and we received dedicated and personal service; I also really enjoyed settling in on one of those soft, comfy sofas with the hubba - it was cozy and all romantic-like, especially with premium booze service just steps away!

Typically guests in the dining room are provided with a house appetizer of salami and roasted eggplant and peppers along with a basket of fresh bread and crostini. I loved the salami and munched on that while dragging my bread through olive oil while Jay inhaled the eggplant and peppers.

House appetizer


Jay and I shared an appetizer off the menu that for some reason isn't easy for us to find in Stinktown: Carpaccio di Carne ... thinly sliced Tuscan-style beef served with arugula, extra virgin oilive oil, fresh lemon juice, and Il Mulino's original carpaccio sauce. This dish is the reason that I am now addicted to beef carpaccio ... flavorful beef sliced paper-thin served with peppery arugula and a creamy, slightly spicy sauce ... it's an upside down meat salad!

There's the beef!


For his entree on visit number one, Jay ordered a special not listed on the menu: Buffalo Short Ribs with Squash Puree, Roasted Taters, and a Melody of Vegetable Balls. This was the star of the evening - tender, fall-apart meat with just enough sauce to lend it some fat and flavor with dreamy, creamy baby-food squash. Jay and I thought this was really amazing and were quite impressed with the kitchen's ability to prepare something so outside the "norm" of what guests might expect from an Italian restaurant. Yes Virginia, these folks can cook!!

Short Ribs ... yum!


I played it safe with a half-order of Penne Rigatte and I was very happy - it was perfectly cooked with just the right amount of marinara sauce and ricotta cheese. Il Mulino allows half-orders on all their entrees, and I've found that's a great way to try a little more from their menu without loading up on potentially heavy food.

Noodle, sauce, cheese ... perfection!


Shortly after we ordered dessert the famed limoncello bucket made an appearance at the table - our server asked if we were interested in having some of the good stuff to which we replied, "Filler up!" The limoncello was scooped directly from the chilled bucket right into a glass and then we were able to sip and savor to our hearts' content. It was such a lovely blend of sweet lemon booziness and it was on the house - does it get any better?

Our shared dessert was the Tartufo, a word that I can say all day long and never get tired of, as well as a taste treat that I could eat all day long. It's Italian gelato encased in a chocolate shell and served with standard whipped cream and an espresso whipped cream ... beautiful, gorgeous, delicious ... I want one right now!!!

Tartufo


During our second visit we ordered multiple cheesy pizzas to share, choosing the whole wheat pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, locatelli, and parmigiano cheeses. I liked this quite a bit but would have preferred more cheese and less sauce - it would have been even better if the tomato sauce had been replaced with a garlic cream sauce. Still, it hit the spot and really paired well with the wine we were drinking that night.

Tre Formaggi


Our final visit found the two of us dining in the lounge where we started with a couple of amazingly tasty drinks: Spring Thyme and an Italian Margarita. Spring Thyme was a seasonal cocktail that may not be available right now, but it was one of the best mixed drinks I had during the entire trip - Hendricks Gin, Cointreau, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Muddled Strawberries and Fresh Thyme. It was refreshing and tasty and oh-so-smooth! The Italian Margarita is an Il Mulino signature cocktail and it's also very good: Don Julio Anejo Tequila, Amaretto, Cointreau, Fresh Sour and a splash of Lime Juice ... it's like an alcoholic sweet tart in a glass!

Spring Thyme? It's Drink Thyme!!


Eye-talian margarita


Our shared appetizer this evening was one of our favorites, although we don't order it often - prosciutto and melon. We thought the serving size was just right for two people and really liked that the fruit selections included more than just melon; there were blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, all of which tasted surprisingly good with the salty prosciutto.

Prosciutto & Melon


I dared to try something new this evening and selected a half-order of Manicotti, which when done well is one of my favorite dishes. This baked pasta with ricotta cheese and tomato sauce was just delicious - the pasta wasn't overcooked, the cheese was light and creamy, and the sauce lent it a perfect tanginess. It was so good I could have ordered another, but I didn't; I opted for a second drink instead!

Manicotti


Jay chose a half-order of Tortellini with creamy pea sauce ... meat filled pastas with peas served in a cream sauce. This is one of his favorite pasta dishes and he thought it was great - tender pasta, sweet peas, and just the right amount of sauce. I don't really care for white sauces with pasta but I did try this and I have to agree with the hubba - it was pretty damn good, even with those pesky peas.

Tortellini alla panna


Il Mulino is a clear winner as far as Jay and I are concerned. We tried them once last year and were happy enough to give them another try on this most recent WDW trip - we couldn't seem to stay away, it was just that good. They have great food and service with a varied and interesting menu; their cocktail and wine menus are terrific, too! This is one of the Walt Disney World Resort's hidden gems - if you enjoy Italian cuisine then you simply must dine at Il Mulino because there's no one at WDW who does it better than they do.

The Hollywood Brown Derby, Disney's Hollywood Studios

They're Gonna Put Us in the Movies; They're Gonna Make a Big Star Out of Wheeeee ... And All We Gotta do is Act Naturally!!!

For years Jay and I have been methodically ticking Disney's signature restaurants off of our dining "to-do" list; yet somehow we've always managed to overlook the Brown Derby, in part because of its location at Hollywood Studios which is not a park where we spend a lot of time and which is not known for the overall quality of its food. But many friends kept telling us during the last year or so that the Brown Derby was different - great food, great service, and a great bar - give it a try, they urged; you won't regret it! And so, on this most recent trip, we ventured forth with our dear friends Chelsi & Jason to have lunch at the Derby where one of the most amazing meals and experiences was waiting for us.

First up, a little background on the restaurant - as I previously mentioned it's located in Disney's Hollywood Studios and is considered an authentic reproduction of the original Brown Derby restaurant that graced Hollywood for so many years. The Brown Derby was the meeting place for the silver screen's most famous and infamous personalities and it was the goal of every one them to end up with their caricature hanging from the restaurant's walls. Disney has incorporated that design element into their version of the restaurant with great success, along with dark wood accents, sumptuous leather booths, crisp table linens, and a very professional wait staff accustomed to catering to the whims of all their stars.

Our lunch reservation was early - right at restaurant opening - and when Chelsi checked in with the hostess she asked if we wanted to be the Brown Derby celebrities of the day. None of us had any idea what that entailed, but we all know that when someone asks you that kind of question at WDW, the correct answer is always "YES!"

Now, I don't know if this is something the Brown Derby does every day or if they just thought Chelsi was so darn cute she needed a photo shoot, but it was loads of fun. Our "handler" took us outside the restaurant for some paparazzi shots and then we were brought back inside for a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially "open" the restaurant, all the while with cameras flashing and applause ringing through the lobby. We were then led through the restaurant, showered with Mickey confetti, and seated in a lovely booth away from the other guests in order to better maintain our privacy. Our waiter played along with the game the entire time we were there and he really helped make the whole experience that much more memorable and enjoyable. Shortly before we left, the manager brought us commemorative programs with all of our photo shoot pictures and the story of our arrival and how, just by making an appearance, we made the Derby famous that day.

Dining room before the celebrities enter


Dining room once more


Celebrities of the day ... couldn't have chosen better myself!


Ya know, being a celebrity is hard work and the only thing we could think of to really help us relax was a nice drink ... or six. I started the meal off with a champagne flight that included a glass of Iron Horse Fairy Tale Cuvee, Banfi Rosa Regale, and Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut. I actually ended up with a second glass of Fairy Tale Cuvee because the first glass poured was rather flat and sad; our waiter said it best, "It just won't do for a celebrity to have non-bubbling bubbly."

Champagne Flight


Jason ordered a Jack Diamond, aka Manhattan, which was the other drink choice that I considered for myself; it was made with Maker's Mark Bourbon, Sweet Vermouth, Bitters, and a drunken, drowning cherry. For anyone out there who enjoys a good Manhattan ... try this drink the next time you want to go uptown - it was awesomely tasty!

Jack Diamond


Full drink honors, however, must be awarded to Chelsi, who selected the Martini Flight of the Stars: Shelby Mayor - Grey Goose Vodka and Dry Vermouth; Honey Darling - Bombay Sapphire Gin and Dry Vermouth; and Dorma Nesmond - Ketel One Citron, Pomegranate Liqueur, and Cranberry Juice. I was lucky enough to have a taste of each of these and they were all good but the standout in my opinion was the Honey Darling. I'm not usually a fan of Gin martinis but this was flavorful and smooth and really refreshing.

Martinis of the stars ... for a star!


Coolest drink presentation of the trip!


We decided to share a few appetizers because none of us could choose just one; we started with the Spicy Sashimi Tuna Tartar with Cucumber, Daikon, and Pepper Salad, Avocado Wasabi Sauce, and Crisp Lotus Root Chips. The presentation was the first thing to grab our attention and then the taste of the tuna took over - it was a wonderful mix of sweet, spicy, and tender tuna bits with over-sized wagon wheel chips for texture. I also enjoyed the avocado-wasabi sauce - the cool creaminess of the avocado paired really well with the spicy wasabi and made the tuna sing, sing, sing!

Aerial Tuna


Tuna Profile


And because we were lunching at the Derby we had to try their "famous" Cobb Salad which includes finely chopped Greens, Turkey Breast, Bacon, Egg, Tomatoes, Crumbled Bleu Cheese, Avocado, Chives, and Cobb Dressing. This was mixed table side and then plated individually - I went light on the dressing and the bleu cheese, and was very pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this salad. Normally I don't care for a lot of stuff in my rabbit food when I do manage to eat leafy greens but this was mixed together really well and had tremendous flavor. I'm so glad Chelsi & Jason suggested that we try it!

Cobb Salad


You can toss my salad any day!


Our final appetizer - yes, we had three ... big egos require big eats - was the Blue Lump Crab Cake with Potato Crust, Green Cabbage Slaw, Cognac Mustard Sauce, and Remoulade. This was tasty and the potato crust and cognac mustard were nice touches, but I liked the tuna sashimi and the cobb salad better. Still, for anyone out there who really likes a crabby patty, Brown Derby's take on this classic dish was a good one.

C'mere, you sweet crabby patty!


Jason and I split a lunch entree, choosing a fairly new menu item that our server had high praise for: the Sam Adams Seasonal Brew Braised Short Rib with a Parsnip-Butternut Squash Puree, Crispy Rainbow Swiss Chard, and Rosemary Jus Lie. The kitchen split the dish into two serving portions for us and the size was perfect and still quite generous for only being half of one entree. As for the taste, our server was on the money - the short rib was oh-so-tender, the puree was creamy and smooth, and the Sam Adams sauce added a nice hint of Fall spice with a beery undertone. This would be a wonderful late Fall or Winter dish to serve at home - great flavors and a whole lotta comfort!

Sam Adams Short Rib


Chelsi and her Jason shared the Brown Butter Almond-Crusted Black Grouper with Golden Beets, Roasted Celery Root, Leeks, and a Lobster Beurre Blanc. The kitchen divided their dish into two serving portions as well - I have to say that the Derby's staff was exceptionally accommodating throughout our lunch and their serving sizes, even on split entrees, were very generous. Our friends shared a piece of their fishie with us and was it ever good! Flaky, mild, and tender with hints of lobster and sweet butter ... it was very tasty!!

Brown Butter Grouper


Celebrity is as celebrity does!


It was about this time, before the next round of drinks, that we decided some coffee might be in order. Two of our party ordered plain old cappuccinos which were warm and creamy and really hit the spot, while the other two ordered Cafe' Henry III - Brandy, Kahlua, Grand Marnier, and Galliano with a Cinnamon Sugar Rim. Apart from wondering which Henry III this drink was supposed to be in honor of, I can only say that this is the kind of coffee drink I'd like to start pouring into my thermos every morning before heading into the office. Damn was it ever good - strong and boozy, just the way we like our coffee drinks!

Cappuccino!


To which Henry do we pay homage with this beverage???


As if this weren't enough, we moved forward with after-dinner drink flights. One of the things on the Derby's menu that caught my attention over the summer was their Grand Marnier and Cognac flights. The price wasn't bad considering what they were pouring, and with four of us to sample the wares it seemed like the perfect time to try some new beverages! Jason and I selected the Cognac Flight which included the following for $20: Courvoisier VS, Courvoisier VSOP, and Courvoisier XO. This reminded us a little of the Remy Martin tasting we did last year at the F&W Festival - it was very good but we definitely prefer the older, more expensive cognacs, which tend to be much more smooth on the palate.

Cognac Flight ...


So shimmery and drinkable!


Chelsi and her Jason opted for the Grand Marnier Flight, which for $28 included the following: Grand Marnier, Grand Marnier 100 Year, and Grand Marnier 150 Year. It was nice to be able to try the fancy-schmancy aged Grand Marnier, but none of us are big orange fans so this was hard to choke down. And the 150 year ... good gawd, it was like sucking on an alcoholic orange fireball. Bleh ... no more for me, thanks anyway!

Grand Marnier Flight ...


Even though we didn't need it, and probably weren't even hungry, we finished off the afternoon with dessert and shared the Chocolate Three Ways: Dark Almond Buttermilk Cake Layered with Milk Chocolate Truffle Creme and White Chocolate Chambord. This was acceptable - nothing that really knocked our socks off but it paired well with the cognac. I was actually a little disappointed in the dessert selections and think that this is the one area where the Derby could use some work going forward.

Chocolate Three Ways


Chelsi & Jason went with the Brown Derby's signature dessert - Grapefruit Cake. This was made with light layers of yellow cake with fresh Grapefruit-Cream Cheese Icing. It was very pretty to look at but I don't like grapefruit at all and just couldn't appreciate the flavor. Everyone else seemed to really enjoy it, though, so that's a good thing and I guess that means it lived up to the hype!

Grapefruit Cake


We finally reached the end of our luncheon odyssey and couldn't have been more pleased with our decision to join Chelsi and Jason at the Brown Derby. Celebrity frou-frou aside, the Brown Derby provided one of the best overall meals Jason and I had during our vacation - the food, service, and atmosphere were stellar. We were really impressed with their food and beverage variety and look forward to paying them another visit the next time we make it to Disney World. Bravo, Brown Derby - you just joined Bistro Paris at the top of our WDW restaurant list!!

Via Napoli, Italy Pavilion, Epcot

In Which Jay and Bendy Roll the Dining Dice and End Up with a Cheese Baby!!!

Although Jay and I do enjoy pizza ... and in my case that's an understatement because I could eat pizza every day of my life and never grow weary of it ... we do not usually eat it while we're on vacation since it's something so readily and tastily available at home. But people whose opinion we value kept telling us that Via Napoli, which just opened its doors in August of this year, was serving up some terrific "authentic" Italian-style pizza at Epcot that would make our bellies very happy. Added to that was the lure of their reportedly strong, tasty sangria, available by the pitcher.

Pizza and fruity wine?

What's not to like?

The only potential problem - and considering how wacked the food scene is at Disney during the Food & Wine Festival it was a big problem - was that we didn't have a reservation for Via Napoli because it wasn't on my dining radar before we left Stinktown. If we were going to sample their wares it was going to have to be an early lunchtime visit during the week; in our experience that's about the only time guests without reservations can nab a table at some of the more popular Epcot eateries. On this particular day we were supposed to have visited the Animal Kingdom and then popped over to Sanaa so Jay could enjoy some spicy African-themed cuisine. But we never made it there for a whole host of reasons and that's how we found ourselves in Via Napoli's lobby about ten minutes before they opened for business, asking if there were any way we could have a table for two.

Imagine our happy surprise when the young lady behind the reception desk told us it would be no problem. We were among some of the first guests seated that afternoon, and found ourselves near the back of a very large restaurant at a two-fer table next to a frescoed wall. Via Napoli is bright and open and airy with charming touches designed to make it seem as if guests really are in Italy - terra cotta floors, hand-painted tiles, and the above-mentioned frescoes. But the best design element in the entire place is the wood-fired ovens in which they cook the pizzas. Each oven has been named for one of Italy's famous, or infamous, volcanoes: Stromboli, Vesuvio, and Etna.

Lobby chandelier


Restaurant section we were seated in


Stromboli


Vesuvio takes a punch!


Etna ... belching fiyah!


We had a terrific, friendly serving team - an experienced server as well as a new staff-member he was training. They made some great suggestions and seemed thrilled that Jay and I were going to share a pitcher of sangria, which they both told us was "just like it is at home."

All I can say is wherever those guys are from, they make some damn fine sangria!!

Sangria ... so good!


Because it sounded really refreshing, and our vegetable intake was somewhat lacking on this trip, we split a house salad which included a mix of fresh greens, tomatoes, peppers, and olives with a red wine vinaigrette. I picked around the olives and peppers but thought this was a great start to our meal - the greens were truly fresh and really tasted good while the vinaigrette added a nice tartness. And gawd bless them for not drowning the salad with it, but just lightly drizzling it over the top before tossing everything together. It was perfect!

You don't win friends with salad ...


There was never any doubt that we would share a pizza, but I would like to let everyone know that there are plenty of non-pizza options on Via Napoli's menu. I do think it's important to note, however, that this place is first and foremost a pizzeria - if your primary crave is for pasta I really think you should go next door to Tutto Italia. That's just my take on the Italian dining situation at Epcot and I'm sticking with it! Having said that, Jay and I ordered a large Quattro Formaggi - a wood fired four-cheese pizza made with mozzarella, parmesan, fontina, and provolone.

The portion size was huge for two people, but somehow we managed to put it all away which was why, at the end of the meal, we joked that we were both going to give birth to a cheese baby. And as for taste ... this was honestly one of the best pizzas we've had in a long, long time. The crust was light and crispy while the cheeses blended together in a tangy, flavorful baked pool of goo that made my toes curl with happiness.

Quattro Formaggi


Cheesy does it!!


We're convinced ... Via Napoli is the real deal - tasty, simple food; great service; and a casual, relaxed atmosphere. As long as they stick with their current formula it should be a very successful operation because the menu and setting will likely please just about anyone who walks in the door be they kids or adults. If you love pizza, the next time you visit WDW you have got to give this place a try ... I dare you to be disappointed!

An Illuminations Cruise ... For Us???

Sunday, October 10th, Disney's Yacht Club Marina - Sometimes Life Keeps the Lemons and Smacks You Over the Head with a Free Fireworks Cruise Instead.

And now for something completely different ... in which there is no food or booze.

You have been warned.

I had this great, sappy post written about the reasons that Jay and I enjoy spending so much time vacationing at Walt Disney World ... then I re-read it, promptly gagged on my own bile, and hit the delete key faster than you could ask, "Who farted pixie dust?" The truth of the matter is that we visit WDW so often because we have ridiculous fun and are able to spend time with great friends there, all the while drinking like fools and eating like pigs.

Ahem.

But sometimes, when you least expect it, a wee bit of magic creeps into your trip. The most wonderful surprises, some very small and others capable of taking your breath away, can fall into your lap at any given moment ... even the laps of snarky old curmudgeons like us. Which leads me to the the tale of how, while enjoying a leisurely stroll around Crescent Lake one beautiful evening, Jay and I were approached by a cast member who worked at the Yacht Club Marina.

"Hey guys," he said with a smile. "Do you have any plans tonight?"

Well, that certainly got our attention. A number of thoughts zipped through my mind including: "I shouldn't have worn the 'I Don't Bite' t-shirt ... this dude thinks we're swingers!" Luckily Jason was much more calm and rational than me; he shrugged and replied, "We're just out for a stroll to enjoy this amazing weather."

"Would you like to take an Illuminations Cruise?"

Whaaaaaa - ?

For years one of the fondest wishes of my greedy little vacation heart has been to take an Illuminations Cruise, but like so many WDW specialty tours they are expensive; Jay and I usually opt to spend our vacation funds on items of a more chewable and drinkable nature. We looked at each other again while the cast member waited for our answer and then I blurted out, "Sure we'd like to take an Illuminations Cruise, but how much will it cost?"

Crass, yes; but better to know the toll upfront than to find yourself out in the middle of the lake $350 (plus gratuity!) short and with no way to access your ATM.

"No charge; it's free."

This time Jay and I exchanged the raised eyebrow look with each other, the one that means: you're not falling for this, right?

The cast member laughed. "There's no catch, I promise. The family that had the cruise booked for this evening called us and said they were too tired to keep their reservation. Since the boat's ready to go it's yours if you want it."

Jeebus pleezus ... of course we want it!

And just like that, with a whole lot of "wow, thanks!" and "really? we can't thank you enough!" we were boarding a pontoon boat that seats up to ten guests and pulling out of the marina into the middle of Crescent Lake on our way to Epcot. We obviously weren't prepared for picture taking, so the few photographs I have to share aren't the best quality but they do offer a glimpse into what it's like to experience an Illuminations Cruise. I don't know why this cast member honed in on Jay and me when there were so many people wandering around the marina and boardwalk that evening but we will always be grateful for the gift he gave us. Illuminations has always been our favorite fireworks show and having the opportunity to watch it on the lake together like this was amazing - we will never forget this night and the good karma that was visited upon us by the great and glorious vacation gods!

Pinch us!


It's the Boardwalk ...


Following the Friendship into Epcot ...


I think that's the bridge between England & France!


Yep; definitely the bridge. And the other boats left us a parking spot!


You better pinch us once more ...


England ... the lower tier of the Rose & Crown


More England ... sucks to be on land, huh?


This is way cooler than being at home getting ready to go back to work!


The globe ...


The after-effects with all the fireworks fallout in the air.