Wolfgang Puck coming to DCA
Wolfgang Puck and Cynthia Harriss
(c) Disney
The Disneyland Resort Announces Wolfgang Puck's Participation in 'Disney's California Adventure' Park
Cynthia Harriss, president of The Disneyland Resort, has announced the participation of Wolfgang Puck in a new restaurant to be located in Disney's California Adventure, the new 55-acre theme park under construction next to Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The restaurant, "Avalon Cove by Wolfgang Puck," was revealed today at Travel Industry Association of America's annual Pow Wow International trade show in Dallas, Texas.
Avalon Cove, a key part of the park's "Pacific Wharf' seaside district, will consist of a 250-seat restaurant and a 100-seat cocktail lounge. The venue will showcase a seafood-oriented menu that highlights Puck's creative talent and his famed brand of "California Cuisine." The Pacific Wharf area is located in "The Golden State," one of the park's three unique regions, and is designed to show Californians at work making the best in foods and beverages that the state has to offer.
Austrian-born and trained in classical French cooking, Puck is credited with reviving California's culinary heritage through his award-winning restaurants. His innovations in cooking have been enjoyed by celebrities, world leaders and fellow chefs alike.
"It's exciting to have my first seafood restaurant located in this new park," said Puck.' "We're developing some wonderful dishes using the freshest, highest quality ingredients that California has to offer, and the beautiful atmosphere of the restaurant will complement the dining adventure we will provide our guests."
Wolfgang is widely acclaimed as one of America's leading chef-restaurateurs," added Harriss. "He is famous for being the creator of California Cuisine and an Innovator of fusion-style cooking, and we are thrilled to feature his culinary creations in Disney's California Adventure."
Wolfgang Puck joins previously announced Robert Mondavi Wines, Andre-Boudin Bakeries and Mission Foods as the fourth participant to host a food experience in Pacific Wharf. Among other Puck restaurants are Spago Hollywood, Spago Beverly Hills, Chinois on Main (Santa Monica), Postrio Restaurant (San Francisco) and Granita Restaurant (Malibu). Others include Spago Chicago, Spago Las Vegas and Spago Palo Alto; the Wolfgang Puck Cafes; Trattoria del Lupo in Las Vegas and Postrio Las Vegas.
Situated on a pier and overlooking a bay, Avalon Cove will have an exterior architectural style suggesting a giant sandcastle, reflective of the designs found in seaside amusement parks in the 1920s and '30s. The entryway will be graced by a gold-leafed statue of the Greek god Poseidon, and a quartet of leaping dolphins will support a 50-foot-tall spire resembling a giant seashell.
Entering a glassed-in cupola, guests take spiral stairway down to the restaurant, which is whimsically decorated to create the impression of being in the ocean's depths. A dramatic, floor-to-ceiling wrought-iron and stained-glass lighting sculpture, representing a towering kelp plant stretching to the water's surface, forms a centerpiece and is echoed throughout with wall-mounted light fixtures. The undersea motif is further embellished by a 40-foot-long mural depicting mythical sea creatures, seashell-shaped chairs and booths, and a color scheme of blues and greens that are lighter near the "surface" (vaulted ceiling) and darker near the "sea bottom" (tiled floor). An outdoor seating area will also be offered along the waterfront.
The second-floor Cove Bar will offer scenic views of the faux seaside region and the Paradise Pier amusement area across the bay. A striking focal point in the lounge will be four sculpted dolphins that appear to be leaping outward. Within the bar's glassed-in prep kitchen, guests can see shellfish and appetizer being readied. Additional seating will be found outside on the terrace.
Opening February 8, 2001, Disney's California Adventure theme park will celebrate the fun and diversity of California. The Disneyland Resort also includes a new deluxe hotel, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel; and a retail, dining and entertainment district, Downtown Disney.
-- Posted May 16, 2000
Source: Company Press Release