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New Restaurants Take Epcot Dining Into the Future
Fun, Creative New Restaurants Take Epcot Dining Into the Future
Walt Disney World Press Release
September 19, 2007
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- When Epcot debuted in 1982, the World Showcase pavilions pioneered the idea of global cuisine as a theme park attraction in itself, and expanded fine dining in Central Florida.
Now for the park's 25th birthday, Epcot is unwrapping the biggest makeover in World Showcase history, with grand new dining experiences that truly raise the bar with exciting restaurants, diverse menus and redesigned settings to wow guests with something fresh and different.
Here's what's on the front burner:
- Patina Group's Tutto Italia Ristorante just opened in the Italy pavilion. Another new restaurant in the same space is planned for late 2008.
- In October, the Japan pavilion debuts Tokyo Dining and Teppan Edo, a dramatic redevelopment of their dining rooms.
- China's Nine Dragons Restaurant closes in early 2008 to create a new dining room with five cooking stations, reopening in late 2008.
- By summer 2008, a new tequila bar opens adjacent to San Angel Inn Restaurante in the Mexico pavilion, and the outdoor Cantina de San Angel expands, with more seating and a new menu.
Collaborating with chefs and restaurateurs from around the world, such as France's celebrated trio of Paul Bocuse, Roger Verger and Gaston Lenôtre at Chefs de France, and Joachim Splichal's just-opened Tutto Italia Ristorante, the Epcot restaurants are premiere attractions at Walt Disney World Resort. From a spirited mariachi band and mole poblano in Mexico to belly dancing and spicy bastilla in Morocco, World Showcase offers gustatory globe-trotting -- all in easy walking distance.
"There's not another theme park in the world with such diverse dining adventures," said Rilous Carter, general manager of Epcot Food & Beverage. "The idea is to immerse our guests in traditional cultures, but with contemporary experiences."
As Epcot celebrates its silver anniversary, the Walt Disney World culinary team is unwrapping all-new dining concepts, and expanding and renovating longtime favorites. And menus are being rewritten with lighter, fresher, more healthful cuisine.
"World Showcase is timeless, and continually evolving with more interactive experiences," said Dieter Hannig, vice president of Food & Beverage New Concepts. "As our world grows smaller, Epcot grows more exciting, more authentic. The dreams and ideas are endless."
Explore Italy's Cuisine at Tutto Italia Ristorante
In the Italy pavilion, Tutto Italia ("everything Italian") Ristorante is the newest restaurant for California-based Patina Group. Showcasing cuisine from different regions of Italy, the newly outfitted restaurant features a bustling open-kitchen kitchen and a menu with freshly made breads and pastries, handmade mozzarella and pasta and an array of Italian wines.
"My inspiration for Tutto Italia was the incredible variety of cuisines that I have enjoyed during my visits to Italy," said Chef Joachim Splichal. "I wanted to distill that experience and create a restaurant with some of my favorite dishes."
Meals start with a complimentary starter, or assaggini, that includes vegetables, bruschetta, crostini and olives served with bread. Special features include the "Abbondanza Family Table" with family-style platters for sharing at lunch and dinner. Tutto Italia also has an outdoor kiosk and a gelati cart.
Tutto Italia Ristorante is the latest addition to Patina Group's portfolio of nearly 30 restaurants and its first in Florida, with plans to open another restaurant in the same space at Epcot by late 2008.
All-New Dining at Japan
Just unveiled on the top floor of the Japan pavilion is the all-new Tokyo Dining, and beautifully redesigned teppanyaki dining rooms, renamed Teppan Edo.
"This is not a renovation, but a complete redevelopment," said Yutaro Iwamura, director of business for Mitsukoshi USA. With sleek interiors and stylish new costuming for chefs and servers, both restaurants infuse authentic Japanese hospitality with a dash of hipness.
The popular teppanyaki rooms feature show-style cooking and upscale cuisine such as Wagyu and Kobe beef, along with traditional teppan dishes. Tokyo Dining (formerly the tempura bar and adjoining lounge) is a 140-seat dining room with a centerpiece "show stage" where diners can watch the sushi chefs in action. Nearly 50 varieties of sushi and sashimi and six varieties of sake are on the menu, along with tempura and grilled steaks and seafood.
Japan is one of several operating partners at Epcot who make the dining experience magical.
"These operating participants bring expertise and authenticity to Walt Disney World," said Keith Bradford, vice president of Operating Participants. "Particularly in World Showcase, these professional restaurateurs bring a diverse perspective to the park experience."
China's New Exhibition Kitchen
In China, a new Joy of Tea outdoor cart features hot and cold teas, trendy frozen green tea concoctions and alcoholic drinks such as plum wine and wine green tea slush. The pavilion's Lotus Blossom Café has been renovated and features a new menu that includes Beijing barbecue chicken, sesame chicken salad and rou jia mo, a popular Chinese sandwich made with sliced beef stuffed in toasted wheat-flour flatbread.
China's Nine Dragons table-service restaurant will close in early 2008 to make way for an innovative dining room that will feature five cooking stations where guests can interact with chefs from China. Scheduled opening is fall 2008.
Changes All Around World Showcase
In the Mexico pavilion, a 50- to 60-seat tequila bar, including a history of the beverage, replaces a retail shop adjacent to the restaurant, opening in summer 2008. Also in summer 2008, the pavilion's waterfront Cantina de San Angel is expanding with more seating with optimal views of World Showcase, and will offer a new menu.
Plans are under way to expand outdoor seating at the popular Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room, with covered waterfront dining that's optimal for viewing the nightly "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" fireworks show.
The expanding roster of international chefs joining the Epcot culinary team includes Chef Damien Besson, who comes from Chef Paul Bocuse's L'abbaye de Collonge in Lyon, France. And Artur Bukalo, a native of Berlin, Germany, is the new chef at Germany's Biergarten Restaurant.
While restaurant menus are redesigned to reflect tastes and trends, there's special emphasis on fresh, seasonal creations, said Epcot Executive Chef Christine Weissman. And like the rest of Walt Disney World Resort, trans fats and partially hydrogenated oils are being phased out of all restaurants.
"Our guests know more than ever about food and wine," said Weissman. "They are health-conscious and looking for new taste sensations -- our fun challenge is to exceed their expectations."
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Adding even more diversity to the mix for dining experiences is the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, in its 12th year. The six-week-long festival adds more than 25 international marketplaces with tapas-sized tastes of food from around the world, from the Dominican Republic to Turkey.
The Epcot festival has grown dramatically, attracting a diverse audience of more than 1 million guests each fall, from wine connoisseurs and epicures to neophytes primed to boost their wine IQs. Beer aficionados can raise their steins at several tasting locations.
"There's no other festival environment in the world like ours," said festival manager Nora Carey. "From the picturesque World Showcase Lagoon to the authentic architecture that showcases many cultures, it's an ideal backdrop for the exceptional culinary and wine-related talent of Walt Disney World Resort and for the great celebrity chefs and wine connoisseurs who join us each year."
Figment! aka Jason ºoº
INTERCOT STAFF
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All-New Dining at Japan
Just unveiled on the top floor of the Japan pavilion is the all-new Tokyo Dining, and beautifully redesigned teppanyaki dining rooms, renamed Teppan Edo.
"This is not a renovation, but a complete redevelopment," said Yutaro Iwamura, director of business for Mitsukoshi USA. With sleek interiors and stylish new costuming for chefs and servers, both restaurants infuse authentic Japanese hospitality with a dash of hipness.
The popular teppanyaki rooms feature show-style cooking and upscale cuisine such as Wagyu and Kobe beef, along with traditional teppan dishes. Tokyo Dining (formerly the tempura bar and adjoining lounge) is a 140-seat dining room with a centerpiece "show stage" where diners can watch the sushi chefs in action. Nearly 50 varieties of sushi and sashimi and six varieties of sake are on the menu, along with tempura and grilled steaks and seafood.
Japan is one of several operating partners at Epcot who make the dining experience magical.
Does this mean that Teppan Edo is now open?
May'98-WL
Sept'01-POFQ
Oct'03-ASM
Aug'04-CBR & Charley
Dec'05- WL-Joined DVC
June'06- DL's Grand Californian
Nov '06 SSR
Oct '07 SSR with extended family
Oct '08 Disney Wonder/OKW
Nov '09 AKV @ Kidani
Nov '10 Kidani
Nov '11 VWL
May-June 13 Kidani
Feb-March '14 SSR
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Originally Posted by tundramom
Does this mean that Teppan Edo is now open?
Not yet.
In the intro the Release lists a "October" Opening.
Operations currently lists an October 15th Opening.
Figment! aka Jason ºoº
INTERCOT STAFF
News, Rumours & Imagineering
Dining
Vacations Beyond Disney
~It’s what us storytellers do; we restore order with imagination, we instill hope again and again~
~We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things~
-
Thanks, Jason, for the update!!
Kristen and Ben
Next - 8/7-15 @ OKW w/Kakn7294 & Taylor & Joline; 12/16 Disney Wonder&12/19 SSR; July '10 @ VWL w/Kakn7294 - Nursing School Graduation Party ; Aug '11 Disney Dream; F&WF '11
DVC Owners @ SSR & AKV & BLT
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thanks, Jason!! It all sounds sooo good... can't wait to try them all next year!!
Blythe
Past trips -
3x offsite,May 06 CBR,Oct 07 I'cot 10,Dec 08 CBR,Jan 09 ASMu,Oct 09 CBR/AKL,Jan 11 AsMu,Aug 11 CBR, Oct 11 AKL,Oct 12 I'cot 15,Aug 13 CBR,Aug '14 mini AKL trip
Next -
May '17 DL OR June '17 CBR
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just back.
Japan had some activity, painting etc.
then i saw some people inside looking like they were practicing mayb. couldnt go up to the level to look inside though......
wish it had been open for me
BC 2
WL CL 1
AKL 4
SOG 3
POFQ 3
POR 2
CSR 4
CBR 2
Asp 3
AS m 2
POP 7
12-13 WL CSR ASM
3-14 POR, AS s Dolphin
6-14 Us CSR
1-14 Unv
6-15 WL, SSR.
11- 15. AOA, OKw
7 16..CSR, FW, AKL, POR
7 17..ASM, CSR, WL AKL club POP
8 18 As sports, Pop
DL 9-19
DVC WL, CSR and idk 10-20
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Teppan Edo? When is it officially opening???
My husband and I have reservations for November 9th for dinner. I'm hoping it opens when it's suppose to on October 15th. Did anyone hear anything yet? They keep on postponing it. I'm crossing my fingers.
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October 15th is the date currently listed internally.
The Press Release above states "October 2007".
Figment! aka Jason ºoº
INTERCOT STAFF
News, Rumours & Imagineering
Dining
Vacations Beyond Disney
~It’s what us storytellers do; we restore order with imagination, we instill hope again and again~
~We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things~
-
Thanks for the information....I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The old Teppanyaki was awesome, and I know Teppan Edo will be the same.
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I just read on Intercot that Teppan Edo opened today. One week before schedule..
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Originally Posted by Figment!
...Japan is one of several operating partners at Epcot who make the dining experience magical.
"These operating participants bring expertise and authenticity to Walt Disney World," said Keith Bradford, vice president of Operating Participants. "Particularly in World Showcase, these professional restaurateurs bring a diverse perspective to the park experience."
Interesting that they mention the Operating Participants in a press release. Disney doesn't talk about them much. But, I guess since Disney put them in a press release, they don't mind you knowing...
"operating participant" = company (not WDW) that is contracted to provide a service at WDW.
Yeah. The guy that cooked your lasagna at Alfredo's didn't get his paycheck from The Mouse. In fact, Alfredo's sent Mickey a fat check every month just so they could keep running their restaurant inside a WDW park.
This is so common, that there is a VP of Operating Participants.
Outsourcing, Disney style. Hmm.
K, Slater!
I take the Ferry!
26.08 , -77.54 , 210°, 0 kn...
__________________
DVCin', APin', Castaway Clubin', Tables in Wonderlandin', Disney Visain' FL Rez...
So, umm... do I get a discount on this post or something?
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I'm Gonna Miss Alfredo's!!
1994 - Caribean Beach
1996 - Boardwalk
1999 - Caribean Beach
2000 - Institute
2001 - Beach Club
2006 - Animal Kingdom lodge
2008 - Boardwalk
2015 - Yacht Club
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MMmmmm
This is one of the many reasons we love Disney. They are constantly creating new experiences. Japan is one of our favorite places to eat and we can't wait to try it out.
An hour from Disney; annual passes in hand. Anything less would be uncivilized.
10 year AP holders and going like the Energizer Bunny
Going to Universal Orlando would be blasphemous
We visit WDW at least once a week; resort stays once a month.
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we'll be trying tutto italia, on our next trip, i hope that it's good. i now allot of people disliked alfredo's (not us), so me and dw are hoping that it wont be a disappointing, but time and taste buds will tell
Victor
95-97,99(dixie landings)
06/06(asmo- mighty ducks)
06/07(asmu - jazz inn)
12/07(asmu - broadway)
06/08(asmu - calypso)
12/08(asmu - rock inn)
09/09(asmu - broadway)
03/10(boardwalk)free upgrade
09/10-(asmu- rock inn)
10/11-(asmu-country+7 day west carib cruise)
3/12- (okw resort dvc)
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What is the difference between Tokyo Dining and Japan Edo? We are planning dinner at one of these our arrival night in April. My dining window opens tomorrow morning (yay!) and I'm not sure which one we should go with
Thanks so much.
181 days to WDW!
Nancy
DL - May 6-9, 2012
DL - July 19-23, 2012
CBR - Sept. 1-9, 2012
Pop & Disney Dream - Sept. 29-Oct. 11, 2012
Pop & Disney Dream - Dec. 8-17, 2012
Feb. 3-5, 2013 - AoA Cars - Anniversary
Feb. 5-9, 2013 - The Poly - Anniversary
Feb. 23-Mar. 1 - 2013 - Disney Magic - DH's 60th BDay
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Hmm...Nine Dragons is to close early 2008? I hope we don't encounter any issues as we have an ADR for January and wasn't told anything by the CM making the ressie.
Overall, alot of great changes. I guess there will be some "new" places for us to try on our 2009 trip!
Aug 2006-POFQ & MWC
Feb 2007-DL
Jan 2008-POP/DCL
Sept 2009-Cont
May 2010-POP
May 2011-Poly/YC
Sept 2011-Cont
April 2012-POP
Jan 2013- AKL
Sept 2013- BLT/Swan
Upcoming Trips
April 2015- Cont/BWI
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