Tiffins- Animal Kingdom

Tiffins is a table service restaurant on property at Disney World's Animal Kingdom. We had lunch there during our visit and it was one of our favorite meals.

Tiffins are the stackable lunch containers you see on top of the restaurant's sign in the photo above. I've posted some school lunches packed in these stackable metal containers here on my blog also. In some parts of India Tiffin can also refer to a light snack or midday meal. The name is fitting since the restaurant serves dishes that are inspired by travel throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and the America's all of which was themes found throughout the Animal Kingdom.  It's a beautiful restaurant and I am so glad we didn't overlook it.

Chef's de France- Epcot

We've never been disappointed after a meal at Chef's de France. I love how bright the place is during the day and how romantic it is in the evenings, if you have a later reservation you can view the fireworks at Epcot. It's such a sweet place with big windows, beautiful architecture.

 The cast members have always been so helpful. Lunch or dinner the food and service are consistent. Each visit the Chef has come out to discuss the allergy friendly foods and assure us that each dish will be prepared carefully for my daughter.

Hollywood Brown Derby- Hollywood Studios Orlando

OH Hollywood Brown Derby, how I wanted to love you. You and your famous Cobb Salad, Grapefruit cake, and rave reviews from so many people. Grapefruit cake that I anticipated and told my family about. I told them that you were wonderful. It would be a great meal. Where else would we go at Hollywood Studios?  Sigh. Here's the nitty gritty. Hollywood Brown Derby wasn't bad, I just really built it up I think.

Narcoossee's- Orlando

Narcoossee's which is an Indian Creek word that means "little bear" by the way. I looked it up because I'm a nerd like that. This waterfront restaurant is at the Grand Floridian Resort on the Disney World property. It's a beautiful restaurant. We didn't have bad service at all on our trip so stating that the service was great for us seems redundant but Narcoossee's was no different. The staff was friendly and so helpful. Our waiter had a trainee and he was also wonderful.
As with all Disney dinning they were so careful about what my nut free child could have. The chef came out to speak to us, and as each plate as put before her they mentioned it was prepared according to her needs. I can't tell you what a huge difference dinning at places like this makes for me. I know my child will be safe and I know that they take her allergy seriously. 

The Fountain of Fair Fortune- Universal Studios Orlando

Butterbeer. It's sweet, like cream soda, butterscotch soda. The cream on top, like melted vanilla ice cream that's been whipped to barely soft peaks. I like it cold and frozen. I didn't get to have it hot sadly. It's perfect to grab and wander around the Wizarding World and get lost.

At the bottom of this post is the Pumpkin Juice which taste like a spiced apple cider and pumpkin spices. It was way too sweet for me.

Mythos Restaurant- Universal Studios Orlando

Mythos was the best meal we had at Universal Studios. The pork chop was so amazing. Cooked sous vide then seared. So tender and juicy. The aioli on my daughter's already delicious lamb burger was so good. My youngest ordered the grilled cheese and finished it. The cheeses were so gooey and yummy. She isn't a big eater so we were surprised. 

The restaurant itself is so beautiful. It's bright and so pretty inside. The service was great, the chef and server were very attentive and assured us that our food would be allergy friendly for my but nut free child.

I would absolutely eat here again. 

"Featuring a mix of Mediterranean, Asian and American fare, Mythos' casually elegant menu includes options like Greek salad, pad Thai, wraps, burgers, and more. There's also a separate children's menu for little ones. Indulge in an outstanding dessert or selection from the full wine list to make your time spent in this mythical space even more sublime."

Bread service. 

Pumpkin Cream Churros- Disney World

I haven't blogged in forever, but iceI've got so many yummy food posts from Universal Studios Orlando and Disney World that I can't wait to share with you all. I wanted to ease into it by sharing these Pumpkin Cream Churros. 

In general I do not eat Disney Churros (or most Churros). If I want  Churros I go to a Churro shop in my home town where they pipe them fresh and fry them to order. Even then I don't eat a whole one. They tend to be sweet and greasy.  My children ordered Churros  at Marimoto for dessert and they were meh, better than most but not really that great.

Sushi, Matuba Review

Sushi at Matuba, I did a review on this place quite a while ago. But we went there for lunch over Spring Break, the kids asked to go twice. But once was on a day that the buffet wasn't open. You can find my earlier reviews here HERE, and HERE. I'm adding a little update here because there are some changes.

The sushi chef that is there regularly is wonderful. He's Lao so he asks how my parents are, if they are coming to visit etc. He's fast, and knows the regulars. Even if you aren't a regular, he's attentive. If it's not crazy busy he'll ask how everything is and if you have a request. The owner always greets us with a smile. 

Matuba has a military discount now so if you're military make sure you ask. I still suggest getting there early, especially if you have a party of 3 or more. I'm talking when they open for the buffet, not main dinning room.  

There's always a selection of nigiri, rolls, and hand rolls on the buffet.

California Rolls 

Spicy Crab Rolls

Tempura Rolls

Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls

Salmon Skin Hand Rolls

and more...

Salmon, Yellow-tail, Mackerel, cooked Shrimp, and Tuna are the regular line up for Nigiri 

The girls and I are big fans of the Salmon Skin rolls. They are made with hot crispy salmon skin. It's the only thing I eat with nori.

They do NOT serve sashimi on the buffet, and no the sushi chef won't give you sashimi either :) . I just happen to have one child who likes rice dipped into the Teriyaki chicken sauce. She leaves me the sashimi, I don't argue. My middle child eats her rice first, then eats her fish separate. So that's what you see in the picture above. Fish that my youngest left me because she ate my rice.

There are so many non sushi items on the buffet also

Teriyaki Chicken

Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura

Dumplings- steamed and fried

Fried Rice

Mussels (Rarely)

Seaweed Salad

Salad with Ginger Dressing

Edamame
Miso Soup

Tuna Collar (Rarely)

Fruit

And other items.

There is a parking garage right next to Matuba if you can't find parking on the street.

Matuba has always been clean when we've gone. The bathroom is also clean. That's a biggie for me. It's one of my favorite places to eat because it's quick and delicious.

American Girl- Washington DC

I mentioned we'd be back right? When we asked the girls where they wanted to go have dinner for their birthday's they said the American Girl Doll place. Hermm. Here's my first review of the place. The girls did say they wanted tea this time, but because of schedules we had to make reservations for dinner instead. I wasn't too disappointed we couldn't have tea. Other than the fact that it does cost less. Tea is $12.  Dinner was $17 a person. Except for Pixie she ordered off of the Bitty Bear's Picnic menu, $7.50 - not bad it comes with an entree, drink, and dessert. Prices don't include tax and tip. 

Each of the girls brought a doll along with them. So they got little seats to sit in. Of course you can borrow a doll or bring a teddy bear also. This is Diva's doll, Marie-Grace.
We got to the mall a little early so the girls and their cousin could look around the store. They all fell in love with Saige, the girl of the year. Diva really wanted her and Caroline. I told her I guess she's got some saving up to do. Piglet had just purchased Molly a week before our dinner. It was fun walking around and seeing all the accessories and the girls got to play with some of the items. All the salespeople on the floor were very helpful,  I had some questions about certain items and they were knowledgeable or found someone who knew the answer for me.

Our table was ready well ahead of our reserved time. We just decided to wait until all of our party was present. We were waiting on SIL and DH. So it was 7 of us for dinner total. We were seated promptly. I mentioned when making reservations that we had a peanut allergy and that we were celebrating 4 birthday's but did not want a birthday package. When we were seated they brought us favor bags and I had to remind them that we didn't reserve with the birthday package, sigh. I just wasn't going to be able to do $30 a child and $20 per adult. I did feel bad about that. BUT I did pack these "favors" for the girls

American Girl Bistro/Tea (Tysons Corner/DC)

When my brother and parents were in town for Thanksgiving, as an early Christmas celebration we took the girls to tea at the American Girl Bistro. They were so very excited, we got them out of school early. We also let them open some Christmas gifts from Uncle J. (I let them open all their gifts from him while he was here to see them.) Uncle J spoiled them! The girls were so surprised to see their gifts. Diva got Marie-Grace, Piglet got Bitty Twins and Pixie got a Bitty Baby. He also got them tons of accessories, clothing, books, it was a mini American Girl store in my living room.

PJ's Rice Bistro - Washington DC/ Maryland

Here's to making life simple. I just don't post at Here for the Food much. I should. I have pictures to post. I just don't, so I'll post here instead and figure out how to combine the two blogs maybe. PJ's Rice Bistro is a wonderful Chinese restaurant. Like good looking authentic I see lots of grandparents there Chinese food. The thing is they have $4 sushi rolls which the girls love and the sushi's great there so,  I don't order Chinese. These pictures are from several visits. This place is in the mall, it's a nice restaurant. Clean, nice ambiance, great service and it's a God send because I'm not a big fan of food court food. Unless it's Hot dog on a stick but I haven't seen one of those around.

The fish is fresh and sliced generously. The last time I had a Chirashi bowl it was a big serving, even with little hands trying to snag my food.