When I originally published our review of Enchanted Rose a little over a year ago, we received several comments that quickly made us realize that we had made a big mistake – We didn’t try the food! At the time, I didn’t care so much, but as time went on and the words ‘truffle fries’ kept swirling around the DVC Fan Facebook Group, I knew that we had to revisit this signature lounge at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
With its inspiration drawn from Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, Enchanted Rose invites guests to relax in one of four areas, individually telling parts of this classic tale’s story. Guests visiting should be sure to check out the entire lounge, so they don’t miss some of the movie nods scattered throughout, such as Mrs. Potts and Cogsworth! It is worth noting that seating is currently limited due to the ongoing pandemic; however, the lounge does boast a small outdoor area for those still wary of dining indoors.
Open from 1:00 pm daily, Enchanted Rose offers a large selection of signature cocktails, as well as a small selection of small plates beginning at 5:00 pm. Blacked out from the parks on the final night of our most recent Walt Disney World vacation, Amy and I took the bus from Old Key West to Magic Kingdom and walked the new path to the Grand Floridian, arriving shortly after 6 pm, hungry and ready to eat!
In terms of drinks, we both found it impossible to not get what had made us fall in love with Enchanted Rose on our prior visit. Amy again chose to enjoy one of lounges non-alcoholic options called the B&B. This drink consists of Fresh Brewed Twinings of London® Iced Tea, lemon, blueberry, and basil served over ice for $7. Amy again asked to substitute the basil for mint, which she feels pairs better with the drinks blueberry and lemon flavors. Unlike many non-alcoholic beverages at Disney, this drink is not overly sweet and provides a great option for those looking for something light and refreshing.
I could not turn down another chance to enjoy the Seasonal Old Fashioned, which included Widow Jane 10 yr. Straight Bourbon Whiskey, House-made Seasonal Syrup, and Bitters for $25. This classic variation utilizes a housemade cranberry simple syrup that infuses for over 24 hours before serving, brown sugar and rosemary. A year removed, this drink was as smooth as I remembered, and the seasonal twist brings all the smells you expect from this time of year into the glass. The price tag may scare some off with sticker shock, but considering where you are and the fact that you’re likely on vacation, it is a splurge well worth taking.
Drinks in hand, we were now ready to eat!
Since Enchanted Rose would be our dinner this evening, we decided to try most of the lounge’s limited food menu. First up, the famous truffle fries we’ve heard so much about! These thick-cut fries are served with Shaved Black Truffles and 18-Month Aged Parmesan. A garlic-truffle aioli accompanies the dish. These are an extremely generous portion of fries for the price and were so hot and fresh out of the fryer that we had to wait a few minutes to enjoy. It is hard to say anything negative when it comes to truffles. These met and exceeded the high expectations set for them. As Amy put it, “these are the ultimate umami.”
Next up was the House-made Flatbread. This is served with Charred Broccolini, Seasonal Mushrooms, Fennel Sausage, Ricotta Salata, and Tomato Confit. I feel I should start by saying this is probably one of the best flatbreads being served at Walt Disney World. The toppings complimented each other well to really make the dish flavorful. That being said, the flatbread base is typical of what you see around Disney property, and we found the base and sauce to lack in flavor. The ricotta appeared to be absent from our dish, and the broccolini was slightly undercooked. Overall, we enjoyed it, but I think a little more attention to this dish would really make it stand out.
Our last dish of the night was the Mini Smoked Brisket Sliders. These are served with blue cheese and onion marmalade on split-top buns. We both agreed these were the standout surprise of the evening, but you’re served only three so you may fight over them. The brisket is extremely tender and has been pulled as opposed to sliced. These are essentially being served on Parker House rolls that have been buttered and grilled. Those that are leery of blue cheese will find this flavor to be subtle and not overpowering.
Having a pretty big sweet-tooth, I was craving dessert and sadly disappointed that Enchanted Rose had nothing to offer in this department. This seems to be a theme at lounges across Walt Disney World and, based on discussions with our server, a question, and a complaint for which they receive lots of feedback.
Instead of dessert, we opted to finish the evening with one final drink, the Espresso Martini. This cocktail includes Stoli Vanil Vodka, Espresso, Crème de Cacao. If you are a coffee lover like myself, the smell alone of this drink is tantalizing. It had a smooth refreshing coffee taste with only a subtle sense of alcohol.
All I can say is thank you to all of our DVC Fan friends that told us to go back to Enchanted Rose and try the food. Although this lounge boasts an expensive price tag, the atmosphere and quality of both food and drink justify it. Enchanted Rose has climbed even further up my list of favorite DVC dining on property. Amy and I look forward to our next visit and feel that Enchanted Rose continues to be an excellent addition to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa!
Have you been to the new Enchanted Rose lounge at the Grand Floridian? Did you enjoy the food or drinks more? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
*Please note that this dining review was conducted during Walt Disney World’s initial reopening period. We ask that you take into consideration that any negative impacts may be a result of situations surrounding the ongoing pandemic, and may not accurately represent the restaurant once the resort has fully reopened.
*Certain photos contained in this review are from before the pandemic and do not reflect current social distancing and mask wearing requirements.
You can’t make reservations for food correct?
Correct… Enchanted Rose does not accept reservations. It is strictly a walk up lounge.