If you have been to Palo, there is something about
it that stays with you. Is it the wafting aromas from their kitchen as you are
greeted “Buona Notte”? Or tasting their famed chocolate soufflé? Sure! But hands
down, it’s got to be the Palo Champagne Brunch. Last autumn, I was on the
Disney Magic with my husband and we were able to partake in this food "Abbondanza".
It was one of the best Disney dining experiences I ever had.
Though known for its Northern Italian cuisine at dinner, Palo's Champagne Brunch boasts a wider variety of special offerings, late mornings/early afternoons during "at sea" days on the Disney Cruise Line.
When you walk in to Palo, you are brought to your
table by way of the centrally-located buffet. You are seated and you order your
included cocktail beverage. While the Mimosa was tempting, I chose the Palo
Prosecco. Then your server takes you on a “tour”~a collection of cocktail
tables which showcase the different delights: cheeses, crudités, cured meats,
breads, seafood, salads, pastries, and sweets.
Save room, because it doesn’t stop there. The open
kitchen puts out their hot breakfast and lunch items for view including Palo’s
house-made pizza and Disney’s famous Strawberry Soup. You order these at the
table with your server.
One of my favorite aspects of this brunch is that
the portions are just right. Some come in little cups, ramekins, shot glasses,
or tasting spoons. Items to be ordered at the table are perfect for sharing. The
standouts the day we were there were: Cajun spiced rare tuna, bresaola,
whitefish mousse, bloody mary shrimp shooter, shrimp cocktail, gorgonzola
bread, mini focaccia, roasted cipolini onions, stollen bread, and almond
croissant...Or, pretty much everything you see in my accompanying pictures. (Because
of the Brunch's popularity, it was too crowded to get decent shots of our
buffet's set up itself).
At our table, we ordered the grape and gorgonzola
pizza with balsamic drizzle, Strawberry Soup, and the special pancakes. And,
while most people rave about the chicken parmesan, we went with the veal
saltimbocca instead and were not disappointed.
This delectable experience could only be
"plussed" by Palo's fantastic team of servers and chefs . While all
the servers in Palo are among the best on DCL, we were privileged to have the
incredible Andreja (from Croatia).
The following is courtesy of the Disney Cruise
Line website:
Palo is part of Disney Cruise Line Adult Exclusive
restaurants. Palo is located on Deck 10, Aft aboard the Disney Magic and the
Disney Wonder, and on Deck 12, Aft aboard the Disney Dream and the Disney
Fantasy.
Brunch is served while the ship is out at sea
during Disney 4-Night and longer cruises.
Brunch: an additional $20 dining charge, per
person. Reservations are required and can be made online or onboard the ship.
Online
reservations are available at the following times:
- Platinum Castaway Club, Suites/Concierge, Weddings/Vow Renewal, VIP,
Media and Make a Wish Guests: 120 days in advance
- Gold Castaway Club: 105 days in advance
- Silver Castaway Club: 90 days in advance
- All Other Reservations: 75 days in advance
For more information, go to Disney Cruise Line
and click on "Ships & Activities", then "Onboard
Activities", then "Dining". Or call (800) 951-3532.
If you can reserve a spot for Palo's Champagne
Brunch, you are in for a real treat. It's an experience you will not soon
forget. Enjoy! Si mangia bene qui!
*Quick fact: Named after the poles gondoliers use
to move gondolas in the canals of Venice, Palo
is also a nod to the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder's shipbuilder in Northern
Italy.
From
collecting Park brochures as a child, to planning her Disney Fairy Tale
Wedding, Fran Cassano keeps the magic of Disney a part of her everyday life.
She writes the beginning crafting blog, Practically
Perfect DISNEY Crafting over at Lou
Mongello's WDWRadio.com. Fran also blogs for her local Patch.com and appears elsewhere
as a guest blog writer and contributor.
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