Disney has just given us a look at some of the dishes that will be coming to the menu when Connections Café and Eatery opens this Spring in EPCOT. And as I sit here across from Connections Eatery writing this, I’m wondering what you think of the offerings. I’d love your two-cents worth!
You and I should but keep in mind that this is just a cross-section of what will be featured on the menu. With that out of the way, let’s look at a few of the details.
As part of the sneak peek, we’ve been told that the menu will reflect the park’s overall global focus. We’ll see drinks, dishes, and desserts that reflect the cultures of the world, and I for one am glad to see it. All I want is something fresh and unique to the park. Yes, we need our chicken nuggets from time to time, but I’d like to have an inventive salad or two as well. Thankfully, it seems that we’re going to get just that.
Pictured above are the Nicoise-Style Salad that reflects the flavors of French culture, complete with white and green beans, olives, and potatoes and topped with Dijon vinaigrette. The General Tso’s Chicken Salad (on the right above) will feature ingredients such as broccoli slaw, mandarin oranges, red bell pepper, and crispy wontons. Thank you, Disney chefs, for the inclusion of unique salads. Check.
What would a Disney World fast-casual quick service location be without a burger or two on the menu? The burgers at Connections Café will also have a global flare. The French Bistro Burger will feature bacon, caramelized onions, and brie cheese. The Southwestern Burger will be topped with roasted chipotle-corn salsa and guacamole spread. The Bánh Mì Burger will reflect the flavors of Vietnam and the Mediterranean Burger will be topped with Greek-inspired ingredients.
Friends, this is where I believe the true test will come: there’s pizza on the menu. Quality in-park quick service pizza has historically been hard to come by. There will be four pizzas on the Connections Café and Eatery menu, with two of them being the Meatball Pizza and the Curry Spice Pizza. The latter will come topped with carrots, peas, potato, and lime “yogurt,” and will be plant-based.
Of course, kids get in the act here at the café as well. Three items announced today are the Grilled Chicken Bao, a cheeseburger, and a Chicken Nuggets Basket. I’m thankful that they went ahead and announced that, yes, there will be chicken nuggets here. After the closure of Electric Umbrella, chicken nuggets have been hard to come by in the park, so I know that parents whose little ones need their chicken nuggies will be happy.
Of course, I’m invested in the desserts that the dining location will offer. Highly invested. The only one that we’ve gotten a look at is the Liege Waffle. I’m excited to give it a whirl as I will eat just about anything in the dessert category. Disney has said that this treat “will make you and your taste buds very happy.“ Let’s hope.
They’ll also be a few shakes on the menu. The picture above and to the left is the Mango-Coconut Milk Shake, which will be topped with a pomegranate molasses drizzle. The Apple Pie Gelato Shake is to the right, and that just sounds amazing.
As far as beverages go, there will be both adult beverages and non-alcoholic options on the menu. The two we’ve been shown today are the Watermelon-Mint Agua Fresca (alcohol-free) and the Cucumber and Thai Basil Cooler, which will be a specialty cocktail for the location.
Now that we’ve had a chance to preview the menu, what are your thoughts? Do you have dishes that you’re most excited to try? What are you hoping is featured when the full menu is released? It’s important to remember that whatever this dining location is, it’s in competition with the World Showcase. It’s true that some families may just need what they need at that moment or particular spot in the park, but when you have so many tempting choices just a short walk away, it can be hard to justify settling for less.
Me? I’m excited about what I’m seeing so far. I think there’s promise in what we’ve been shown, and I hope all that the rest of the menu follows suit.
We’ll be keeping a sharp eye out for additional mine updates in the days to come.
NEW
We tried the Cold Brew Coffee Ice Cream Float from Dino-Bite Snacks in Disney’s Animal Kingdom 
It’s got Vanilla ice cream 
along with Joffrey’s French Roast Cold Brew 
