Many people visit Orlando's theme parks before or after a cruise,
but not all realize there are great alternatives to fast food at
reasonable prices. The ethnic restaurants of Disney World's EPCOT
attraction are not only economical but also a fun way to begin--or
wind down--after your cruise.
I recently visited EPCOT to discover what each of the foreign-theme
pavilions has to offer. Even a foodaholic like me could not sample
every menu, but I must admit it was fun trying. Besides, I told
myself, it's a long walk around the "World Showcase Lagoon,"
and the calories would burn off.
The Mexican pavilion's San Angel Inn is one of the most beautiful
eateries. With a huge mural depicting the Mayan ruins in the moonlight,
it gives diners the feeling of eating outdoors amid cooling tropical
breezes. The menu is a la carte, and the chef's suggestion is the
Mahi-Mahi Al Chopotle, a grilled and marinated filet over a bed
of diced chayote and carrots, topped with mushrooms, guajillo pepper,
chipotle pepper and parmesan cheese sauce. The lunch price is $16.50;
dinner is $19.95. The featured drink, of course, is the Margarita
San Angel Inn at $7.25.
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The Restaurant Akershus lunch buffet at the Norwegian pavilion
is, in my opinion, the best bargain. The Koldtbord (cold selections)
includes smoked salmon and mackerel, roast beef, ham, and a variety
of cold salads and cheeses. Hot dishes feature baked salmon, venison
stew, Norwegian sausages and roast pork. All-you-can-eat lunch from
noon to 4:30 p.m. is $12.99. The $18.95 dinner buffet is from 4:30
to 9 p.m. There is also a children's menu of hot dogs, grilled cheese,
and assorted sandwiches for $5.95 at lunch; $7.95 at dinner.
Another great value is China's Nine Dragons, where unlimited servings
of the "Taste of China" lunch sampler cost $14.75 for
adults and $6.25 for children ages 3-11. Shrimp and pork spring
rolls, wonton and hot and sour soup, stir-fried shrimp with cashews
and honey sesame chicken, all served with steamed white rice, are
just a few of the items offered. Dessert is red bean or ginger ice
cream. The dinner specialty is the "Nine Dragons Sampler"
for two at $42.50. Generous portions include Chinese hot tea and
fortune cookies. Many other items are available a la carte.
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At the German pavilion, the Biergarten hosts an Oktoberfest buffet
of everything from sauerbraten to sauerkraut, with Beck's Beer and
Valckenberg wines the drinks of choice.
Italy's L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante makes diners think
they are actually in Venice at a quaint outdoor eatery. For lunch,
the fried calamari with a spicy marinara sauce is only $6.50, but
the favorite is Stuzzicarolo--a rustic assortment of imported Italian
gourmet cheeses and sliced meats, including prosciutto, bresaolo,
mortadella and soppressata. This generous platter, priced at $23.95,
serves two to four people. Pizzas, $9.95, are all made in-house.
Prices on everything increase at dinner. Lasagna is $16.95 and a
grilled veal chop with a Chianti and black truffle sauce is $33.95.
And what would an Italian dinner be without wine? The list is extensive,
and prices vary.
At the USA pavilion, The Liberty Inn features (of course) American
favorites: burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and apple pie.
All of the restaurants are decorated in the style and culture of
their countries, and the servers, all natives, dress in authentic
costume.
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Japan's Mitsukoshi Restaurant cooks steak, chicken, and seafood
before your eyes. The Tempura Kiku features sushi, seafood, batter-fried
meat and vegetables. My favorite dish there was the Misoshiru--a
soybean soup with tofu and seaweed, only $2.25, followed by Hatamoto--shrimp
and chicken, including mixed green salad with ginger dressing, grilled
veggies and steamed rice, all for $11.75. The same would have cost
$19.95 at dinner. The specialty house drink is the Tachibana--a
concoction of light rum, orange curacao, mandarin orange and orange
juice for $5.50.
Morocco's Marrakesh Restaurant features authentic architecture,
carvings, tiles, paintings and crafts from twelve centuries of Arabic
art. The Berber Feast is the lunch special. At $18.95 per person
it includes Jasmina salad, brochette of chicken, roast leg of lamb
meshoui, vegetable couscous, and fresh fruit salad. Dinner features
the Marrakesh Feast for $27.95--Beef brewat rolls, lemon chicken,
beef shish kebab and couscous with seven vegetables and assorted
Moroccan pastries.
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Chefs de France offers a delightful lunch, beginning with appetizers
like escargot, $7.95; quiche Lorraine, $9.50; and grilled salmon,
$15.95. House wine averages $5.95 per glass. The dinner feature
is soup, chicken cordon bleu and crème brulee for $24.95.
The lunch at the United Kingdom's Rose & Crown spotlights the
famous British dish -- Fish and Chips, prime cod cooked in batter
and served with traditional English chips, $13.79. For dinner, the
English Pie Sampler is a popular choice, including chicken and leek
and pork and cottage pies, served with pureed root vegetables, priced
at $15.99. Another popular item is the Yorkshire Fisherman's Basket--cod
strips, salmon cake, and prawns, dipped in batter and served with
chips and sweet chili slaw for $18.99. A favorite dessert is the
Lemon Posset--chilled lemon cream topped with seasonal berries,
$3.99.
The menu of Canada's Le Cellier restaurant features mostly beef
dishes with a few fish and chicken items. Typical lunch fare: Herb-crusted
prime rib sandwich with red onion jam, $14.99; cast-iron seared
lake trout, $10.99, and sweet potato ravioli, $13.99. For dinner,
a seven-ounce filet mignon is $23.99; grilled double lamb chops,
$25.99; and one of the more popular dishes is the Maple Ginger Glazed
Salmon served with candied pecans, watercress, and roasted sweet
corn, $18.99. Le Cellier is also known for the 100 Years of Magic
Chocolate Cake, $5.99 per slice.
All of the World Showcase pavilions include gift shops, historic
exhibits, and occasional musicians. Mexico and Norway have thrill
rides. China and Canada both feature a Circle-Vision 360-degree
film. The USA pavilion spotlights "The American Adventure,"
where Ben Franklin and Mark Twain present an inspirational story
of America and its people.
Hours for EPCOT's World Showcase are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
