| masterofmystery | 03-29-2010 04:01 AM |
SnitchSeeker does lunch at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
As you all know, last week SnitchSeeker's EmmaRiddle was invited to get a preview look at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida, to celebrate the launch of the opening date, which was announced as June 18th. Whilst she was there, she was given the unique opportunity to sample some of the produce which will be on sale exclusively at the park. Quote:
We began with the most iconic beverage of the series; Butterbeer. The sweet drink was served to us in tankards, with a yellow and orange logo crest on the side (the beverage is draughted as opposed to coming from a bottle, which adds to the authenticity). The bottom half is a golden orange colour, with air bubbles, while the top is white foam. The taste is slightly fruity and very sweet; I would describe it as a combination of J20 (which Daniel Radcliffe previously compared it to) and ice cream soda, while the foam atop of it is somewhere between squirty cream and melted marshmallows, in flavour. Just as in Half-Blood Prince, you’re left with a rather comical (and delicious!) moustache after every sip.
Next we were given a frozen version of the same drink, this time in plastic cups with the theme park logo on them. Again, the drink is split into two parts; the bottom tasted to me like butterscotch dessert whilst the top half was slightly bitterer than that of its liquid counterpart. I can imagine the frozen Butterbeer will prove very popular in the warmer months.
Finally (where beverages are concerned, at least!) we were given glasses of pumpkin juice, with plenty of ice. This was highly refreshing and thirst-quenching, bright orange in colour, with a strong taste akin to cinnamon. While I loved it, I do think it’s an acquired taste that might not appeal to all but is yummy all the same.
With drinks in hand, we were then served starters; a salad bowl for sharing, complete with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, garlic croutons and a vinegar-based dressing. One of the points stressed to us by Universal Orlando's executive chef Steve Jayson, responsible for all the recipes at the park, was that they are consciously striving to provide families with British food from the Harry Potter world that is both appetising and contains a healthy nutritional balance.
The meals available cater to adults, children (the same meals as adults, except smaller) and vegetarians; we however sampled food from a platter which is designed to feed at least 4 people (however, as we discovered, it can indeed satisfy many more). It consisted of; 4 half roast chickens (succelent, practically fell off the bone), 4 small racks of ribs, 4 corns on the cob, roast potatoes, carrots and broccoli. Additionally we were also served battered fish (melt-in-the-mouth) and chips, with tartar sauce, shepherd’s pie (minced beef & vegetables, with mashed potato on top) and Cornish pasties (minced beef, vegetables and potato wrapped in pastry).
Desserts on offer include; Cauldron cakes (shaped like cauldrons, they taste like chocolate gateaux), apple pie, strawberry & peanut butter ice cream, pumpkin pie, rock cakes (fruit cake shaped like a rock), treacle fudge and chocolate trifle.
It’s hard to describe individually how each of these things tasted, mostly because it was very hard, in fact practically impossible, to tell the difference between what I was being given and what I’ve eaten at home. From the perspective of a British fan, all I can really say is that the chefs have done a grand job of ensuring that the menu is totally genuine and, as such, keeps you totally immersed in the world of Harry Potter, even when you’re doing something as simple as eating. If pushed for something critical to say, I could comment that the pasties were a bit orange on the inside and that the topping of the apple pie looked more like a crumble (then again, everybody has different ideas about what a dish looks like; there isn’t one specific ‘British’ definition), but really, these are minute inconsequential details that just go to show how, by and large, Universal have got it very, very right. Colour me impressed.
|
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens on June 18. <a href="http://www.destinationsinflorida.com/harrypotterpark/?affId=96426">Click here</a> to plan your vacation package – with special access and perks! |
