A little bit of Coney Island at Disney
Scattered around the Walt Disney World complex are little gems that are worth a side visit.
One of these is the Boardwalk Resort located near Epcot Center. The resort is right out of Coney Island in the early 1900’s complete with a boardwalk containing shops, a dance hall and several dining options.
The Flying Fish Café is an upscale restaurant serving expertly prepared seafood dishes ranging in the $30-$40 range. On my last visit I had the sautéed Grouper ($34.00) and I can tell you it was easily one of the finest meals I’ve had in quite some time. The kitchen is visible and if you can’t get a table, ask for a counter seat, it’s a great view into the kitchen. The food combined with ambience, elegance and service make for a memorable experience.
As Monty Python would say, for something completely different try ‘Spoodles’. Only steps away from the Flying Fish, This Mediterranean themed eatery is completely opposite of the Flying Fish. Where the Flying Fish exudes a simple, but quiet elegance, Spoodles will make you feel like you are in a grandmother’s kitchen and the entire family is there for a visit.
Don’t be fooled by small appearance on the outside, the interior of Spoodles is cavernous while at the same time warm and inviting. Like the Flying Fish, the kitchen, with its oak fired oven is out in the open, and kids love to watch the meals being prepared. The entrees range from $15-$30, and I highly recommend the oak-fired New York strip ($28.49).
Spoodles also has a pizza window on the Boardwalk and there’s always a line.
Sports fans, head down to the ESPN Club. This huge sports bar and grill has over 100 televisions spread throughout the club and is divided into three separate areas. One area contains video games and a souvenir shop, then there’s the main dining area. Separating the two is the main bar area. While you have to wait for seating in the main dining area, if you are in a hurry, you can head to the bar area. Note however, the Club normally fills up quickly so be prepared. The crowds here are as big a part of the ambience as anything. If you want to watch your favorite team among fellow fans, this is your place.
They also have a working television and radio studio and broadcast live and live to tape shows every night. I should know, I tape a live NASCAR show here every Tuesday night and we always have a great time.
The entrees here range from $10-$20 and I get the Angus Chuck Slider Burger, ($11.49) every visit.
For desserts hit the Boardwalk Bakery or Seashore Sweets and wander the actual Boardwalk, it’s great people watching.
Here’s a tip guys; I took my wife to the Flying Fish Café for her birthday recently. After an elegant meal, we walked past the ESPN Club to a small bridge. And yes I timed it right. You see the bridge faces Epcot Center and if you time it right you can get a great close up view of the fireworks. Ask your server what time the fireworks go off and they’ll be able to give you the info.
Enough for now, I’m getting hungry!
