Napa Rose Wins 2007 DiRoNA Award of Excellence

NAPA ROSE AT DISNEYLAND RESORT WINS PRESTIGIOUS 2007 DiRoNA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

ANAHEIM, Calif. (August 30, 2007) – The Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA) has chosen Napa Rose, the nationally-recognized gourmet restaurant in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa at Disneyland Resort, to receive a 2007 DiRoNA Award of Excellence, one of the most sought-after accolades in the restaurant industry. DiRoNA Awards are distributed annually to restaurants throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico offering outstanding food, wine, service and hospitality. This is the second time that Napa Rose has received the DiRoNA Award.

Napa Rose is just one of many tempting dining options that create dreams-come-true experiences for guests during the ongoing Year of a Million Dreams celebration at the Resort. Other restaurant choices, all delivering Disney’s unique brand of quality and service, include Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel and Yamabuki at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.

Michael Jordan, general manager and chief sommelier of Napa Rose, noted that it’s especially gratifying to be receiving the award. “We are ecstatic that Napa Rose has been selected to receive a DiRoNA Award once again,” he said. “The award is only bestowed upon an elite group of restaurants that have undergone rigorous evaluations and we are thrilled to be among such a choice group.”
Only those restaurants that pass inspection by the Distinguished Dining Advisory Council, an anonymous, specially-trained group of hospitality and food industry professionals, food critics and distinguished dining connoisseurs, are eligible for the DiRoNA Award. Restaurants are evaluated on a 75-point scale, and those with the highest scores are then nominated for DiRoNAs.

At Napa Rose, the Distinguished Dining Advisory Council and guests alike enjoy Chef Andrew Sutton’s holistic dining philosophy through California Wine Country cuisine made with only the freshest ingredients. In addition to delighting guests with a one-of-a-kind food experience, staged within a striking Arts and Crafts architectural-style setting, Napa Rose houses an impressive 16,000-bottle wine cellar that features more than 900 vintages, and offers 50 wines by the glass. Napa Rose claims the distinction of staffing 42 top-ranked Level One Master Class sommeliers, the most of any one restaurant in the world.

The DiRoNA Quality Assurance Program is the only independent and anonymous restaurant inspection program operating across North America. DiRoNA utilizes an extensive list of criteria to evaluate all aspects of a distinguished dining experience. The Distinguished Restaurants of North America was formed in 1990 by a high-profile group of experts who wanted to promote, preserve and recognize superior dining establishments in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney's California Adventure – plus the Downtown Disney District comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. Resort hotels include the luxurious 745-room Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, the magical 990-room Disneyland Hotel and the "day at the beach" fun of the 502-room Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. For information on new attractions, the Year of a Million Dreams and vacations at Disneyland Resort visit www.disneyland.com, call (866) 60-DISNEY or visit local travel agents.