Hipster Mom's Guide to Signature Disney Dining: The Flying Fish Cafe

In light of the current renovations going on at Flying Fish Cafe at Disney's Boardwalk Resort, I thought I would look back on some memorable meals I've had there.  Disney's Boardwalk Resort is located in the Epcot resort area, and is one of the three resorts that boasts a walking path to the World Showcase, (Disney's Beach and Yacht Club Resorts across Crescent Lake are the other two.) 

The Boardwalk Resort holds a special place in my heart because it was my father's favorite.  Not just favorite resort, either; favorite place, in the whole world.  I certainly got my sense of nostalgia from him, as he loved anything that was reminiscent of the era he considered "the good old days," even if it just existed in his imagination.  But Disney World is a place where figments of the imagination can come true, so this was truly magical for him.  Disney's Boardwalk is such a beautiful resort full of elegant details and delightful kitsch.

The Flying Fish Cafe always seems to be bustling.  Perhaps its designed to feel that way as the boardwalk is meant to be filled with people and excitement, eliciting a lively Northeastern seashore of the 1920's.  The decor is whimsical and light, with plenty for the eye to dance upon.  Though I haven't seen any plans for the new Flying Fish decor floating around the internet, I do hope they keep some of the more fanciful touches that give the Flying Fish Cafe it's charm, like the jellyfish chandeliers and the murals that lie somewhere between comic book and Norman Rockwell.

The Flying Fish Cafe is arranged in a way that the seating is long and narrow, and the ceilings are arched and high, which tends to make the place quite loud.  It's definitely more of an energetic and animated atmosphere, than a romantic one, but sometimes that is exactly what I am in the mood for.  Plus, I don't have to fret if my daughter is being loud, because it all sort of just blends in to the cacophony.

 On this trip to Flying Fish Cafe, it was a chilly fall evening, and we had just driven almost twenty hours to get to Lake Buena Vista, so we were pretty cold and starved.  The excited atmosphere and subsequent warmth helped to recharge our batteries, as did the rich food.  We started off with a mushroom bisque and the Jonah Lump Crabcake, which is a signature appetizer.  I have been ordering that in one version or another for years.

 It comes with a red pepper coulis, a spicy, ancho chile remoulade, micro greens, and a vegetable slaw, that all work together to bring out the sweet flavor of the succulent crab.  This crabcake was deep-fried, which I actually prefer at a restaurant, because that way it's always piping hot all the way through.  I feel  like I could actually eat probably two of the appetizers myself, but I was feeloing generous and let my husband have a couple bites.

We also shared a Caprese salad, which is probably my favorite type of salad: sans lettuce! It was a variety of heirloom tomatoes, Bufula di Mozzarella, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, which was just the right amount of cool freshness on a windy autumn night.

For my entree, I ordered the scallops, as I usually do because that risotto di carnaroli with the crisped prosciutto is worth the price of admission.  The scallops had a nice crust on them, and were cooked all the way through, which I requested.  They had a sweet, mild flavor, which is what I prefer in seafood dishes; I'm not one for strong fish flavors like in a salmon or swordfish.

My husband decided to get a bit adventurous with his order and chose the Poached Lobster with Spaghetti Nero, which is pasta with squid ink.  I was a tad hesitant at first, but I love poached lobster, so that helped soften the blow.  I have to admit, the squid ink pasta was delicious, a taste I was definitely not expecting, it was a lot milder and tastier than I imagined.  It had sort of a salty flavor, sort of the way Parmesan cheese does, not overly salty, but just that whole umami thing happening.  The lobster, of course, was buttery and tender, and delicious.

We were pretty stuffed (to the gills!), by this time, but I made us share at least one dessert, anyway.  My husband had never been to the Flying Fish before, so I wanted him to try the Banana Napoleon, which is another signature dish.

It was artistically plated with a brush of chocolate sauce, and a passion-fruit gel Mickey.  In between crisp, airy layers of filo lay creamy banana mousse, and soft, pillowy whipped cream, that made a symphony of sensual sounds as my spoon forced its way through its strata.  "Crack-crush", through the filo; "plud-squish" through the mousse, until finally the delicate stack gave way into my ravenous mouth.  Sooner, rather than later, the once perfect elevation of sugar and pastry, was but a few lonely filo crumbs on a smear of chocolate.

The Flying Fish Cafe is a Boardwalk institution; a hub of activity and laughter and good food.  But it also harkens back to an era that is quite romanticized in my mind.  This idea of a crowded, but friendly seaside where one would go to escape the busyness of the city, to relax and enjoy sweet-and-salty air.