LPWire: Epcot's The Land Pavilion Sunshine Seasons Gets a Menu Makeover

Sunshine Seasons Gets a Menu Makeover

Hungry Walt Disney World guests at the new Soarin' attraction have a brand-new venue for dining in The Land pavilion at Epcot. Sunshine Seasons, in the giant atrium of the pavilion, has a new look and a new "fast casual" menu.

Four shops offer a diverse selection of fresh eats, explained Chef Michael LaDuke, executive chef for Epcot. "We're taking fast-casual cuisine to the next level," he said. "There is no fried food or pizza, no burgers -- everything is prepared as you watch. It's designed to excite the senses."

The décor has been re-imagined, with -- fittingly for The Land -- colors and textures inspired by nature and Earth's natural environments. The center of the space is an abstract representation of sky with blue background and long golden sweeps of sunshine. Five balloons are suspended in the atrium, four to represent the four seasons, the fifth balloon in the center representing Earth. Large green abstract tree trunks reach up the building's columns.

Wood-Fired Grill Shop

Wood-fired grills and rotisseries are center stage with fresh vegetables inspired by autumn. Hearty, earthy flavors include rotisserie chicken on wild green tabbouleh with tzatziki (cucumber-yogurt sauce) and grilled flatbread; rotisserie beef chimichurri with wild green tabbouleh and grilled flatbread, and wood-grilled Atlantic salmon with mashed potatoes and kalamata olive pesto.

Sandwich Shop

Made-to-order sandwiches are served on artisan breads inspired by baking traditions of the winter months. Sandwich choices include grilled vegetable Cuban, Black Forest ham and salami grinder with arugula on ciabatta, and smoked turkey and Munster on Asiago foccacia with spring greens.

Asian Shop

Wrapped around a 6-foot-long Mongolian barbecue and wok station, this area serves noodle bowls and stir-fries inspired by crisp, spicy flavors of summertime. Dishes are light, healthy and flavorful, like spicy Mongolian stir-fry beef with Asian vegetables; tofu noodle bowl with lime ginger broth, and a garlic-chile noodle bowl with chicken.

Soup/Salad Shop

Inspired by the abundance of growth and the celebration of the spring, fresh salads are prepared on stage. Distinct flavor combinations include seared tuna on mixed greens with sesame rice-wine vinaigrette; roasted beet and goat cheese salad with cilantro-lime vinaigrette, and grilled chicken and rocket salad with pumpkin seed vinaigrette.

"You will smell the grill and the wood, see the vibrant salads and fresh pastries, hear the sizzle of the wok -- the senses are all engaged," said LaDuke.

--Posted April 15, 2005
Source: Walt Disney World