Thursday, July 28, 2011

A little A&A: more about CoraNation Room


The CoraNation Room at Kouzzina in Disney’s Boardwalk is an intimate dinning experience on every Friday and Saturday night starting at 6:30pm. This experience allows you to have Cat Cora’s personal favorites of Mediterranean food with a Southern cooking spin. As each course comes to the table, you have the opportunity to discuss the food with the Chef. “Amid flickering candlelight, delight in fresh seafood and oak-grilled specialties prepared with creative Greek touches that celebrate the chef's heritage. As the perfect complement to each course, enjoy optional wine pairings that include selections from Chef Cat Cora's private label.” kouzzina Disney suggests that you make reservations before, but we did not and had to issue getting in. Also, note is this expensive: $60+ per person BUT definitely worth it.
If this is not for you, you can other options with Kouzzina.
            If the 5-course dining experience is a little too fancy for you, you can also experience the same food in a more casual dining experience. Meals here can be anywhere from $15-35 per person. If you go this route, I would suggest to get the Trio because it lets you sample some of Cat Cora’s best dishes. My favorite was the Greek Lasagna, very yummy, out of everything I tasted. 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Street Performers at the Boardwalk

How to do Disney without ever setting foot inside a park? That’s easy. Just step foot onto Disney property and follow the Mickey Ears. There are three “downtown” areas: Downtown Disney, the West Side, and the Boardwalk. Most already know about Downtown Disney and the West Side, however the Boardwalk is one of Disney’s best kept secrets. Entertainment ranges “from a dance hall to piano bar to sports-themed club Specialty Cruises. There is no admission to Disney's BoardWalk area—where live evening entertainment can usually be found— but some venues may have a cover charge.” BoardWalk I spent a Saturday night at Disney’s Boardwalk and this is what I discovered.
            Like the other downtown areas, Disney has added street performers to their array of little shops, excellent restaurants, food venders, and dance clubs. Unlike some of the other entertainment, these performers are here free of charge and do not hassle you for tips or donations. Each performer has their own vaudeville type act that rotates throughout the area. The first act I saw that night was a magician who used the children in the crowd to help him to complete his corny magic tricks with the audience he had generated. I quickly realized how popular these street performers really are.  I stood there and watched the magician’s 15 minute show and was thoroughly entertained because he did not try to make his magic tricks seem more spectacular than they actually were nor did he disappoint the crowd.
The second act I watched was a clown who did not talk only squeaked and had a love for his many hats. He played with presents, had audience participation from all different ages, and shot a very small basketball into a very small hoop from the pole he balanced on his head from 30 feet high. I was amazed by the spectacle he created, but I also thought his act was quite humorous like most clowns should be. I was finding myself laughing with the very large crowd surrounding me.
            The last act we saw was my favorite: Carlo. Carlo was a Hungarian sword balancing, throwing, and swallowing expert. He continuously got the children in the crowd to repeat, do not try this at home, to emphasize the danger of his act. He was humble, humorous, ad held my attention the entire time. After watching Carlo, I went to sit and watch Epcot’s fireworks show on the beach store just in time to eat at the new Greek restaurant CoraNation Room Kouzzina by famous chef Cat Cora. CoraNation Room Overall a very enjoyable night. And the best part was the only expense was dinner. 

Friday, July 15, 2011

Drake at Universal Studios has been cancelled for this Saturday night, 7/15, due to a death in his family. There will be no replacement concert for Summer Concert Series.