Taryn's Mad Hatter Adventures

Tales from my (mostly Disney) travels!
Taryn's Mad Hatter Adventures
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  • Tag: Disney Springs

    • Gideon’s Bakehouse – Disney Springs

      Posted at 10:58 am by taryngirl, on October 8, 2021

      9/30/21

      After I finished my breakfast, I made the walk over to Disney Springs. It was about 9:20 a.m. at this point, and Disney Springs opened at 10:00 a.m. My main goal was to check out Gideon’s Bakehouse, which I still had not been able to visit since they opened! Their cookies weigh almost half a pound, and they also have delicious looking cakes, and possibly the most popular item…the Peanut Butter Cold Brew.

      Here you can see just how big the Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is. There are several sections and several bus stops. I was starting near the Carriage House and had to make my way through Congress Park to the bridge that connects to Disney Springs.

      It’s important to note that previously, the line for Gideon’s has been long. They sometimes have to utilize a virtual line, giving people a return time to come back. I had no idea what to expect when I got there.

      The line stretched back to the Morimoto entrance. I was about 20th in line. No workers were out yet. I got there around 9:45 a.m. Once the workers came out at 10:00 a.m., they did not offer any kind of virtual line. I got inside around 10:15. They were limited the number of people inside. I was out with my goodies in 10 minutes! The line was even longer now stretching down around Morimoto, and they still were not offering a virtual line.

      September’s Menu

      Some pics of the inside decor:

      Cookie options:

      Cake options:

      I had looked at the menu online, and read some reviews ahead of time, so my choices were somewhat narrowed down.

      Coffee Cake Cookie

      I had read one review where the lady went back 3 times…just to get this particular cookie. So I figured I had to try it! This is an extra buttery, vanilla bean cookie, filled with cinnamon strudel and topped with homemade double baked butter crumbs. This one is only available in the morning until they sell out. This was SO GOOD! Tied for my favorite of the 4 different kinds I got! Also, these things are HUGE. It took days to finish them, and I didn’t even eat it all! 10/10 for this one.

      Lemon Poppyseed Cookie

      Also tied for 1st place for me was this delicious Lemon Poppyseed Cookie! I love lemon desserts…lemon meringue pie is one of my favorites, so I knew I had to try this. This was a special flavor for the month of September only. Besides lemon and poppyseed, this cookie also has a mix of white chocolate chips and mini lemon chips. 10/10 for this one! This is the only cookie I finished completely and it took me 3 days.

      Peanut Butter Crunch Cookie

      Next up is the Peanut Butter Crunch Cookie. I love all things peanut butter, so definitely had to try this one. The dough for this is made mostly with peanut butter, and it’s topped with candied peanuts and peanut butter chips. This was also good! 8/10 for this one.

      Original Chocolate Chip Cookie

      The last cookie I had to get was the original chocolate chip. It’s the foundation for the who the company is, and who doesn’t like chocolate chip cookies?! This cookie is packed inside and out with a variety of chocolates, infused with different vanillas. This was just okay to me. I wasn’t blown away. It’s also the last one I tried, and because I loved the others so much maybe this just underwhelmed me? 6/10 for this one.

      True Red Velvet Cake

      I had also read amazing things about the cakes! So of course I had to try a piece… This was my hardest decision because they all sounded great. I decided on the True Red Velvet. This is a traditional buttermilk cake base with thick layers of cream cheese frosting, and lined with baked, candied walnuts. This was SO GOOD and super rich! I only was able to eat one layer. Super moist and lots of frosting. 9/10

      Overall, I absolutely loved this place! I will definitely be returning on future trips. I actually brought everything back to the resort before trying anything, and was able to refrigerate the cake. Bell services held it for me until my room was ready.

      Posted in Dining Review, Disney Springs, Gideon's Bakehouse, Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged Dining Review, Disney, Disney Springs, Foodie, Gideon's Bakehouse
    • Lunch at Enzo’s Hideaway – Disney Springs

      Posted at 4:55 pm by taryngirl, on September 10, 2020

      1/29/20

      Upon leaving Animal Kingdom, we hopped on a bus to Old Key West so we could get to Disney Springs for our highly anticipated lunch at Enzo’s Hideaway. Usually when I go to Disney Springs, I like to eat at the same places because I have my favorites! Before the huge expansion, my favorite place was Wolfgang Puck Express. Then I tried Raglan Road and that was yummy and entertaining. And then I tried Morimoto and that was super delicious and just beautiful inside. And finally Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, which has become my #1 favorite restaurant at Disney Springs. The appetizers, main courses, and desserts are SO GOOD!

      For this trip, I was traveling with my cousin. We decided to try something brand new! Enzo’s Hideaway was available, so we grabbed a reservation for it. But first…transportation! There is no direct transportation from a Disney park to Disney Springs before 4:00 p.m. You have to take a bus to a resort for a transfer. We decided to take the bus to Old Key West and then enjoy a boat ride over.

      Our boat awaiting us!
      The boat dock, which was empty at this time of day!

      Some views on our ride:

      This is an Amphicar on a tour from The Boathouse. You can rent them and take a spin!
      There is also a ballon ride called Aerophile that you can do!

      We made our way towards Enzo’s. Now, it was slightly confusing because there are actually two different Enzo restaurants. There’s Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, which features authentic Italian cuisine set in a transformed airline terminal. And then there’s Enzo’s Hideaway, which is set underground in a tunnel bar, with a speakeasy vibe! This one was down the steps, and almost hidden. Here are some pictures of the inside:

      This area is outside the doors.
      And this is the entrance! Kind of tucked in a corner. Luckily I had read reviews so I knew where to find the door.
      This is the check in area. There was no one there, so we just wandered into the restaurant!
      I also read about this. Feel free to sign it!
      We still couldn’t find anyone…It was EMPTY! (We probably didn’t need a reservation.)
      This is the room where we were seated, and this was my view. I think there were maybe three other tables with patrons!
      I think you could also sign this wall if you wanted.
      I found this table on my way to the bathroom!

      The atmosphere was AMAZING! Really, really AMAZING! I would love to come back on a busy night just to see the difference. There were so many details that were perfect for the speakeasy vibe.

      As usual, I checked out the menu before we arrived. Of course I couldn’t decide exactly what I wanted, so made a decision on the fly! One word about the wait staff…very good and attentive. Almost too attentive, I think because there were so few tables. They had nothing else to do but check on us repeatedly!

      Complimentary bread with oil.

      Of course the bread was warm and perfect.

      I knew I had to have some wine, because…how could you not in this setting?! I went with my favorite, which is Moscato.

      Bucatini Bolognese–traditional braised meat sauce, parmigiano reggiano, basil $25

      I ordered the Bucatini Bolognese. This was absolutely delicious! The meat sauce was so tasty. The portion size was normal. The pasta was actually not just your average spaghetti. It was like a thick spaghetti with a big hole running through the center. It is pricey at $25, but alas, we are in Disney at a table service meal. I would definitely order this again!

      Classic Lasagna–thin layered egg pasta, braised short rib rag, béchamel, for di latte mozzarella, $26

      My cousin ordered the Classic Lasagna. This was also delicious. Super rich and a big portion! I don’t think she finished it.

      Needless to say, we were way too stuffed for dessert. Overall, we really liked it here. It was a nice change from what we are used to at Disney Springs. I would definitely return in the future!

      Posted in Dining Review, Disney, Disney Springs, Enzo's Hideaway | 0 Comments | Tagged Dining Review, Disney Springs, Enzo's Hideaway
    • Disney Springs – Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’

      Posted at 10:01 am by taryngirl, on December 13, 2018

      After our crazy, early morning at Hollywood Studios, we needed a definite afternoon break.  We rested until about 6 p.m., at which time we headed to the bus stop to head to Disney Springs.  We had a dining reservation at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’!  This was not a new restaurant for us.  I had eaten here twice before and it is now a must-do favorite for me!

      If you haven’t been to Disney Springs since it’s been redone, it’s definitely something to see.  There are tons of shops and eateries ranging from 2 credit table service to counter service and snacks.  It’s huge.  I rarely make it over to Goofy’s Candy Company anymore because it’s so far from the bus stop!

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      I love the decor and theming in this southern style place.  It goes well with the comfort foods they serve!

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      I already had an idea what I wanted.  The past two times I ordered the same chicken sandwich, and knew I wanted to try something different.  There are SO MANY GOOD OPTIONS!  Appetizers themselves are delicious!

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      Of course we had to have the deviled eggs, and my all-time favorite the hush puppies!

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      SO SO GOOD!  I could have just eaten this and been full and content.

      For my main meal, I ordered the Chopped Pork Barbecue Plate.  Served with Mac and cheese and a biscuit.

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      This was very good!  I would order it again.  It was a nice change from the chicken, and a huge portion that could easily be shared.

      Alex ordered the meatloaf.  I think this was a special not listed on the regular menu!  It was also super tasty!

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      Of the kids ordered the Fried Chicken & Donuts.  Again, so good, and so much food!

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      Another of the kids ordered the Kitchen Plate, which allows you to choose three different sides.  All of these were great!  And a good option if you aren’t in the mood for meat, or want to share someone else’s.

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      This was a meal off of the kid’s menu.  Good portion sizes for little ones!

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      Sadly we were too full for dessert!  The list here is amazing!  I have in the past had the Hummingbird Cake and it was huge and delicious!  There was no way I could eat anything else tonight.

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      If you are looking for something at Disney Springs, I highly encourage you to give Homecomin’ a try!  If you are a fan of Moonshine, they have an entire menu dedicated to those drinks.  They have both porch and indoor seating, and seating at the bar.

      Up next…Typhoon Lagoon!

      Posted in Dining Review, Disney, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Chef Art Smith's Homecomin', Dining Review, Disney Springs, Table Service
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