​ Touring Epcot’s Japan Pavilion? Visit Kabuki Cafe!

Yo – ho – ho!  Happy Monday, folks!  Hey!  Let’s talk Epcot.  Have you ever stopped at Kabuki Cafe?

No?  Think shaved ices.  Think Kakigōri – Japanese shaved ice available in Rainbow, Strawberry, Melon, Cherry, or Tangerine.  Think snacks like Edamame or Sushi.

Or, how about alcoholic beverages such as a Tokyo Sunset or a Rising Sun?  Maybe this month’s Main Street “beer of the month” – Kirin Frozen Draft – is more your speed?

Huh?  Frozen?  Beer?  Wait a minute.  Isn’t that what you get when you leave a bottle or can in the freezer for way too long?  Uh, no.  Let our resident “beer-ologist” – John Peters – explain.  John?

“So, go ahead and take away my ‘Beer Geek’ card, everyone!  This frozen brew is not on anybody’s list of the best-tasting beers in WDW.

However, on a hot day – in the middle of the Florida summer – you’d be hard-pressed to find a colder or more refreshing brew!

It’s available from two locations inside the Japan Pavilion – Kabuki Cafe and the Garden House Sake Bar.  This pale lager is a decent beer!

What makes this Kirin special is the frozen beer “frosting” you can add on the top!  This frigid pillow acts as a bit of an insulator, if you will.

In fact, it keeps the beer cold even on the hottest of days!  All I have to say is that it’s not the best beer in WDW, but, in August, you’ll be glad it’s the coldest!  Cheers!”

The All in WDW Readers’ Top 10 Epcot Quick Service Restaurants!

Good morning!  Did you have a chance to listen to the WDW Magical Main Street Memories Podcast starring … me?!  Well, not “starring” little ole me, but I made a solid contribution … I think!

Anyway, if you missed it, Doug Davis and Dennis Conroy of the aforementioned show asked me to “pull up a barstool” and join them in a rousing discussion of Disney food and, most of all, the upcoming Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival.

It’s worth the listen … if I do have to say so myself!  See that nice “triple-shot” picture off in the top-right margin of All in WDW’s home page?  The one labeled “All in WDW Talks Food & Wine ’14!”?  Click it!  It’ll take you right to the show!

Did you listen to the show?  Which one of these Sunshine Seasons dishes did Doug Davis rave about?

Did you listen to the show? Which one of these Sunshine Seasons dishes did Doug Davis rave about?

OK.  Enough with the commercials!  Back to today’s business!  To formally conclude our contest to crown Epcot’s “king” of Quick Services, let me introduce your Top 10 Epcot Quick Service Restaurants!

  1. Sunshine Seasons
  2. Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie
  3. La Cantina de San Angel
  4. Kringla Bakeri og Kafe
  5. Yorkshire County Fish Shop
  6. L’Artisan des Glaces
  7. Sommerfest 
  8. Tangierine Café
  9. Electric Umbrella
  10. Liberty Inn 

Great support last week, my friends!  Thank you, very much!  You constructed a great Top 10, too, by the way!  Have a great Monday … if there is such a thing!

Let’s “Quickly” Unveil the Epcot “Champ”, Shall We?!

It’s no secret that Epcot is the All in WDW family’s favorite park, so it should come as no surprise that we’ve sampled the cuisine from most of the Quick Service options in this week’s “tournament”.

Take the Yorkshire County Fish Shop, for instance.  One of our favorite activities is to take a seat in the Rose & Crown Pub, sample some of Carl the “infamous” bartender’s beer, and nibble on a serving of Yorkshire’s delicious fish and chips.

Mmm.  Love those Fish 'n Chips!

Where’s my beer, Carl?

It’s an excellent way to relax and spend a few hours out of the Epcot crowds and Florida heat.

Then, there’s La Cantina de San Angel.  One evening, some months back, Mrs. All in WDW and I staked out a table at the edge of La Cantina’s “deck”.  Prime Illuminations real estate.

Armed with waves of nachos and margaritas, we held onto that spot for hours … much to the chagrin of other hungry diners.  Of course, the show was great!

Who can turn down a School Bread?  I mean, really.  We were skeptical the first time we bought one from the infamous Kringla Bakeri og Kafe, but it, too, has become a family favorite.

School Bread

I knew that Norway was one of my favorite pavilions!

Custard.  Coconut.  It’s a great treat to have between meals or as a dessert.

Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie.  Oooh, fancy name.  Great selection of food!  An example of a refurb that went right.  Sandwiches upon sandwiches, and much, much more!  The only thing we don’t like about France’s bakery is the seating.  I wish it weren’t so darn hard to find a seat!

Like I said, sandwiches upon ...

Like I said, sandwiches and …

IMG_2536

… much, much more!  Delicious!

So.  Why do I babble on about virtually every contender in Epcot other than the true “champ”?  Simple.  Because, as good as all of the aforementioned places are, as good as any Quick Service in Epcot is, you can’t escape one undeniable fact.

The monumental variety of options and quality of cuisine at The Land’s Sunshine Seasons cannot be beat. In this series of polls, it wasn’t even close!

Step into the "Sunshine"!

Step into the “Sunshine”!

Seasons?  You are our “sunshine”. There’s not much more we need to say.

From soup to salads or sandwiches to entrees, you are the best. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, your overall offering is top-shelf. As a Quick Service option, you are the total package.

And, as a result, you are the two-time All in WDW Readers’ Favorite Epcot Quick Service Restaurant! Congratulations on the repeat!

One Last VOTE! It’s the HUGE Epcot Quick Service Finale!

The “destination” is always fun.  I love it when the winner of one of All in WDW’s “tournaments” is revealed.  And, I’m really excited about our Top 5, Top 10, and Top 15 lists.

But, the “journey” getting to all of these final results is the real entertainment.  For me, at least.  I love watching you guys vote.  To see two or three attractions, resorts, or restaurants engaged in a day-long “dogfight” for your support is an absolute blast!

Oh, I DO love a French bakery!

Oh, I DO love a French bakery!

OK!  One last day … one final vote!  It’s the HUGE Finale!

Vote!  Vote!  Vote!  Keep bringing your friends!  Your support this week has been PHENOMENAL!  Vote for ONE!  YOUR favorite!  One of these Counter Services will become the All in WDW Readers’ Favorite Epcot Quick Service Restaurant!  Which will it be?!