ALONG COMES MARY

Last week, I had the absolute BEST time spending the day with Mike’s boss & his family at Disney’s California Adventure. While it was little 4-year-old Ryan’s day to have fun & celebrate, Mary, here, did an awfully good job of having fun too! We had lunch at the gorgeous Ariel’s Grotto on the pier. Overlooking California Screamin’ & Mickey’s Fun Wheel, this is also a wonderful restaurant to purchase a World of Color dining package.

With reservations required for Ariel’s Grotto, your journey to head ‘Under the Sea’ begins with an exciting meet & greet with The Little Mermaid herself that includes a photo opp. You’re then seated & this is when I began to nerd out: being gluten-free, this may sound silly, but, I am always sad that I cannot indulge in the bread basket usually served at fine dining restaurants. Here? THEY BROUGHT ME GLUTEN FREE BREAD! (Yes, I am screaming). That easily could have been my entire meal, & I would have been a happy princess, but, I was just getting started.

They provide you with a great Allergen-Friendly menu that lists what is suitable for you should you have a gluten, dairy or nut allergy. For my starter, I was able to select from the salad or soup of the day, which was tomato & was great. While sometimes I dis-like the creamy-ness to a tomato soup, this recipe actually had a chili-like taste to it that was perfect fr me. Mike even was convinced there was meat in it, but nope. It was the perfect companion to my bread, just sayin’

Gluten free entrée options that intrigued me were the corn cakes, lobster salad & the catch of the day, which was a crusted Mahi Mahi. I chose the latter & while the portion size was similar to my evening at Club 33, it was prepared to perfection. I just wish that I had a little more to enjoy as Disney food should not end!

During your lunch, the highlight is, of course, that this is indeed a character dining restaurant & you’re guaranteed a minimum of 5 characters to stop by. Along with the lovely Ariel, we also had visits from Belle, Rapunzel, Tiana & Cinderella. Guys? I felt like a kid again as all my favorite princesses came by!

For dessert, they offer you a sample plate of 3 decadent offerings: A chocolate covered strawberry, s’more & creme brule. Mike said the s’more was out of this world. For allergy kids like myself, you get the choice of a brownie or sherbet. I chose the sherbet which was a berry flavor with fruit toppings. If I had not been so stuffed, I would have had every last bite.

Ariel’s Grotto is a great choice if you’re at California Adventure & are looking for an up-scale experience with all your favorite Disney princesses. Just remember: They’re reservations only so definitely call ahead or head over as soon as you get to the park. It is only $45 per person for a 3 course meal & a non-alcoholic beverage (they do have cocktails though, too).

Thank you, Disney Dining, for having bread just for me! xo