Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
226
WHERE TO DINE
There's nothing quite like an energetic family v acation to build an appetite, and sooner
or later you'll have to make the inevitable Disney dining decisions: Where, when, and for
how much? The expanded D isneyland Resort has something for ev eryone, a r espectable
lineup that can easily meet y our needs for the duration of the typical visit. U ntil recently,
dining options were pretty sparse, limited to those inside D isneyland and some old stand-
bys at the D isneyland H otel. B ut D isney's big expansion upped the ante with national
theme/concept restaurants along Downtown Disney and competitive dining options at the
resort hotels. The best of the bunch are reviewed below. For dining reservations at any place
throughout the Disneyland Resort, call
&
714/781-DINE
(714/781-3463).
Expensive
Napa Rose
CALIFORNIAN Situated inside the upscale G rand Californian
Hotel, Napa Rose is the first r eally serious (r ead: on “ foodie” radar) r estaurant at the
Disneyland Resort. Its warm and light dining r oom mirrors the Arts and Crafts style of
the hotel, do wn to F rank Lloyd Wright stained-glass windo ws and C raftsman-inspired
seating throughout the restaurant and adjoining lounge. E xecutive chef Andrew Sutton
was lured away from the Napa Valley's chic Auberge du Soleil, bringing with him a wine-
country sensibility and passion for fr esh California ingr edients and inv entive prepara-
tions. You can see him busy in the impr essive open exhibition kitchen, sho wcasing
specialty items like Sierra golden trout, artisan cheeses from Humboldt County and the
Gold Countr y, and the S onoma rabbit in S utton's signature braised mushr oom-rabbit
tart. The tantalizing Seven Sparkling Sins starter platter (for two) features jewel-like por-
tions of foie gras, caviar , oysters, lobster, and other ex otic delicacies; the same attention
to detail is evident in seasonally composed main-course standouts like grilled y ellowtail
with tangerine-basil fr uit salsa atop sav ory couscous, or fr ee-range veal
osso buco
in rich
bacon-forest mushroom ragout. Leav e room for desser t, to at least shar e one of pastr y
chef Jorge Sotelo's creative treats; our favorites are Sonoma goat cheese flan with Riesling-
soaked tr opical fr uit, and chocolate cr epes with house-made carameliz ed banana ice
cream. N apa R ose boasts an impr essive and balanced wine list, with 60 b y-the-glass
choices (and 40-plus sommeliers, the most of any r estaurant in the world); and outdoor
seating is arranged around a rustic fire pit, facing a landscaped arr oyo toward California
Adventure's distinctive Grizzly Peak.
Tip:
My favorite place to sit is at the counter facing
the exhibition kitchen. Also, y ou can skip all the pomp and cir cumstance of a full sit-
down meal by dining at the restaurant's lounge, which offers full menu ser vice.
1600 S. Disneyland Dr . (in Disney 's Grand C alifornian Hotel).
&
714/300-7170.
www.disneyland.com.
Reservations strongly recommended. Main courses $22-$39. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 11:30am-2pm
and 5:30-10pm.
8
Tips
Healthy Snack Options
As a welcome relief to those ubiquitous salty, sugary junk-food stands, both the
Disneyland and California Adventure parks offer several bastions of healthful
snacking: rustic wooden
fruit stands
teeming with a variety of quality seasonal
fresh fruit and juices that sell for a fraction of the price you'd pay for a hot dog,
fries, and a Coke. Ask a Disney “Cast Member” (any employee) for the location of
the nearest stand.
