Disney California Adventure Just Got Happier :: A Food and Drink Review from a Pseudo-Foodie

There are so many cool things about the newly refurbished and renovated Disney California Adventure Park, I can’t even begin to list them all. After spending three days there last week, I know one thing that made me happier was eating and drinking my way all around the newly remodeled park.

While the newer of the two parks at Disneyland Resort, Disney California Adventure (DCA) seems to be the more grown-up of the two parks. Disneyland is about fairies, princesses and magical moments, DCA is about cars, adventure and loving life in California. Also, it’s the park where you can get a drink. And everyone knows that after a day at the happiest place on earth with over-excited, over-sugared kids (whether they be yours or the other park guest’s), one could really use a good drink and a good meal; And Disney California Adventure can get you both.

Here is a round-up of where to get a good drink and a good bite to eat while visiting Disney California Adventure Park

Cars Land – Cozy Cone Motel & Flo’s V8

If you are running from line to line or in need of a little snack to tide you over while you wait in line for Radiator Springs Racers, the Cozy Cone Motel offers you a variety of sweet, salty and spicy goodies. If you are looking for more of a meal, try the chili “cone” queso from Cone #3 (get it? Chili CONE queso?).

The chicken chili verde is spicy and delicious and the bread cone it comes is a treat in itself. If some salty action is what you are looking for, try the Dill Pickle Popcorn from Cone #5. Trust me. It’s a salt lovers popcorn dream come true. And if you are looking to give yourself a sugar rush, try Red’s Apple Freeze, a fat-free, frozen concoction with apple juice, toasted marshmallow syrup and passion fruit-mango foam from Cone #4.

Flo’s V8 Cafe

While in the movie Cars, Flo’s served up some fine gasoline, in the all new Cars Land, Flo serves up some top-notch nom-noms. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, apparently the menu for Flo’s will change often, but the centerpiece of the restaurant will always be an on-stage rotisserie where you will see meats grilling, such as New York strip loin, citrus-marinated turkey breast and pork loin flavored with Coca-Cola barbecue sauce.  Breakfast specials include brioche French toast with salted caramel and bananas and chicken tamales with scrambled eggs.

Craft beers from Bear Republic Brewing Co. in Healdsburg, Calif., and California wines also are on the menu. Our own Trendsetter, Nicole, even went as far as to declare Flo’s as having  “best bacon I’ve ever eaten.” And even if you don’t stop and nosh, stop and stare at the amazing detail of the cafe, from the neon lights outside, to the fabulous modern decor inside.

Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge

So as you may know by now, when you walk into newly designed DCA you are being transported back to Hollywood circa 1937 – just as Walt Disney himself saw it the year he debuted Snow White and Seven Dwarves at the Carthay Circle Theatre. While in 1937 this was a movie theatre, at DCA it’s now one of the premiere restaurants in the whole resort.

Both upstairs at Carthay Circle Restaurant and downstairs Carthay Circle Lounge you will find the grandeur of the original theater’s 1920s Spanish Revival architecture with custom tiles, plaster arches, custom woodwork and other historic touches. Executive Chef Andrew Sutton from Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa created the restaurant’s seasonal menu, and Chef Gloria Tae, also from Napa Rose, is at the helm in the kitchen.

I was able to try samples of the food they will be serving, and everything was truly delicious. But if you are looking to relax with a drink and a nibble, then you want to head downstairs to the lounge area. Carthay Circle Lounge features cocktails from the 1920s with tableside service for signature beverages including martinis and classic punches. “The focus in the lounge is appetizers and tapas – international tastes that celebrate the diversity and heritage of Los Angeles in the 1920s and ’30s,” says restaurant manager and sommelier, Joy Cushing. It’s classy and cool – and you will wish that you were wearing something other than sneakers or flip flops to be hanging here.

The MadTParty

I have a soft spot for the wild and crazy. When watching SNL I often wish Stefan’s NYC night clubs were in fact, real places because I would hop the next plane east. Luckily we now have the MadTParty.

“Right now I’m drinking a glowing drink, watching dancing giant pink flamingos & listening to a DJ wearing bunny ears.” - @HipMamaB via Twitter

From the bright colored plastic furniture to the oversized lanterns hanging above the dance floor, the MadTParty is really a crazy trip down the rabbit hole. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are English cockney-accented bouncer punks and the white rabbit spins mad tunes. Get a glowing drink from, of course,  the “Drink Me” bar while watching men on stilts maneuver giant pink flamingo costumes with such precision that you can swear its a real bird.

Starbucks

Because really? EVERY ADULT needs a jump-start to a day at Disney. Or a kick to get you home after your 10 hour day of non-stop fun. Now, for the first time ever, you can grab your favorite mocha latte from the green mermaid INSIDE Disneyland.

While I don’t need to review Starbucks for you, I just wanted to mention that it’s here for you and all your coffee lovin’ needs.

See? I told you the happiest place on earth got happier!

- Beth

Beth “styley.techy.bloggy.mommy.” Avant can juggle it all while keeping up with the trends like none other. Oh, and make sure to ask her about her Vanilla Moose. He kinda sorta rocks! Twitter: @HipMamaB

Disclosure: On occasion, contributors of The Trend Tribe receive products, compensation and/or services gratis or at discounted rates. This practice does not influence the contributor’s point of view or the outcome of the review. All descriptions are factual and accurately reflect the reviewers experience. The opinions are their own. Photos credits: .

Beth (7 Posts)

This “styley.techy.bloggy.mommy.” can juggle it all while keeping up with all the latest and greatest like none other. Oh, and make sure to ask her about her Vanilla Moose. He kinda sorta rocks! Twitter: @HipMamaB