Wilderness Lodge Resort Dining
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Down-home cooking reflecting the spirit of the American pioneer tempts
modern-day appetites at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
Mealtime traditions of the grand lodges of the late 1800s are captured,
from the types of food and cooking methods to the dining-room ambiance
of the lodge's restaurants. It's chefs slow-smoking barbecue veal ribs
and serving up fresh fruit cobbler for dessert. It's high, wood-beamed
ceilings and dormers framing views of waterfalls, tall pines and Bay
Lake.
Dining options at the 728-room lodge include: Whispering Canyon, a family-style
cafe; Artist Point, an elegant yet casual specialty restaurant featuring
Pacific Northwest cuisine; cafeteria-style Roaring Fork; Cub's Den, a
retreat for kids; and Territory Lounge.
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Overlooking the expansive, log-structured lobby, Whispering Canyon Cafe
offers a family-style, all-you-can-eat feast in an American West motif.
"We hope to achieve a homelike feeling with old-fashioned cooking served
family-style," said Jill Schneller, restaurant manager. "It's almost
as if this is a way station where traders and barterers gather to share
stories and enjoy a hearty meal."
Here, a pit-master chef divulges recipes from generations past as he
serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes from a cast-iron skillet.
"We are using natural cooking techniques -- smoking, grilling and barbecuing
-- which are consistent with the time period the lodge reflects," said
Chef Alphonoso Walker. "We hope our guests will feel as though they are
dining in another era."
Aromas of breakfast meats, home fries and scrambled eggs welcome hungry
pioneers to breakfast. As high noon approaches, you can choose our family-style
skillet lunch or pick from our full a la carte menu featuring hot and
cold sandwiches, salads and a full-choice dessert board.
Suppertime features an all-you-can-eat sampling of apple-roasted chicken,
pulled pork, pork sausage, jumbo smoked turkey leg, smoked pork ribs
and beef brisket, served with salads, vegetables and home-made breads.
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Artist Point
The beauty and the mystery of the American Northwest is recalled at
Artist Point -- a specialty restaurant decorated with dramatic landscape
art from the era. The eatery offers an elegant yet casual dining experience
with a light wood design, a high-beamed cathedral ceiling, and dormer
windows allowing natural lighting to illuminate. The windowed restaurant
allows a panoramic view of the courtyard, waterfalls and Bay Lake.
Traditional Northwestern specialties include cedar-roasted wild king
salmon, a mixed grill of elk tenderloin, ostrich and venison and grilled
buffalo top sirloin. Beef and veal also are on the menu, along with pan-roasted
shrimp with orzo and chicken with a smoked pancetta potato hush and sugar
snap peas. A Washington State or Oregon wine completes the dining experience.
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Territory Lounge
Between Whispering Canyon and Artist Point is Territory Lounge, themed
with Teddy Roosevelt in mind for his contribution to the National Park
system. Territory Lounge is open daily, serving cocktails, specialty
drinks and Pacific Northwest wines. Appetizers and snacks are available
from 5-10 p.m.
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Roaring Forks
Roaring Fork Snacks and Arcade serves up grilled sandwiches and snacks
-- cafeteria style -- 24 hours a day. Trout Pass, the resort's pool bar,
offers hot dogs and cold sandwiches.
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Library
Nestled in the back lobby is the library -- a cozy retreat for reading,
writing letters or relaxing by the majestic three-sided stone fireplace.