Chef Art Smith's Homecoming - Disney Springs

Disney Springs has recently added some amazing new restaurants, like D-Luxe Burger and Frontera Cocina.

For weeks, I have been seeing this sign that Chef Art Smith's Homecoming is opening this summer.  

Frontera Cocina - Disney Springs

This post was last updated June 17, 2017

Earlier today, we had lunch at Frontera Cocina, which officially opened yesterday in the Town Center neighborhood of Disney Springs.

Frontera Cocina by Chef Rick Bayless features gourmet Mexican cuisine.  It is managed by the same restaurant group that operates the restaurants in Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot.  Because they are not Disney-owned and operated, none of them have allergy-friendly menus, but I have found all of their restaurants do an amazing job with special diets.

Craft Kafe - St. Petersburg, Florida

On Saturday, my husband and I drove to St. Petersburg to have dinner at Fresh Kitchen, and see the Chilhuly Collection and The Dali Museum.  After reading reviews for Craft Kafe on the Find Me Gluten Free app, we decided to stop there for lunch.

Craft Kafe is a 100% gluten free artisan coffee house and bakery.  They were pretty busy when we arrived at 11:00, so I was happy we managed to find a table inside.  Outdoor seating is also available.

California Grill - Disney's Contemporary Resort

Last weekend, my husband and I had dinner at California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

California Grill, a signature dining restaurant, has amazing views of Walt Disney World from their location on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort, and it is a great spot to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks.  We dined early, but you can bring your receipt back to the check-in desk for reentry to see the fireworks.  That was our plan, but the weather was so terrible Saturday night, we decided to go home after dinner.

Fresh Kitchen - Orlando, Tampa, St. Pete, and Sarasota

2018 Update: Fresh Kitchen now has 2 locations in Orlando - Waterford Lakes and Orlando's SoDo neighborhood, which is not too far from the theme parks.  

Yesterday, I met my best friend Tina for lunch in Tampa, Florida.  We considered going to Columbia Restaurant, which we both really enjoy, but then I found Fresh Kitchen on the Find Me Gluten Free app, and we decided to give it a try.

Fresh Kitchen, which has locations in Tampa, Sarasota, and St. Pete, is a 100% gluten free fast casual restaurant.

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar - Disney Springs

On Friday, my husband and I had dinner at Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar at The Landing in Disney Springs before seeing La Nouba.  I first dined there on opening day last fall, which you can read about here.

The restaurant, which is described on Disney's website as a "1940s airplane hangar turned dive bar," is themed around Jock Lindsey, Indiana Jones' pilot in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Gluten Free in Hilton Head - 2016

On the spur of the moment, we decided to go to Hilton Head Island last week to visit my aunt and uncle, who were staying at Marriott's Barony Beach Club.  My daughters and I spent 6 nights with them, then moved to Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa for 2 nights before we drove back to Orlando.  My extended family has been vacationing on Hilton Head Island every year since I was in 4th grade.  You can read my Hilton Head dining reviews from last summer here.

While staying at Barony, we had a kitchen, so we ate breakfast at my aunt and uncle's timeshare every day.

Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop - Disney Springs

After we moved to Orlando in 2008, Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop in Disney Springs became one of our favorite dessert spots at Disney World.  My husband and I loved to order a scoop of vanilla ice cream with their amazing milk chocolate hot fudge.

On our trip to Disneyland three years ago, I did not pass up the chance to stop at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop at Disney California Adventure Park.

Hotto Potto - Orlando

A couple of weeks ago, we had dinner with our school's international students and their host families at Hotto Potto on Semoran Boulevard near Baldwin Park.  They also have a restaurant on Aloma Avenue in Winter Park.

I don't particularly love dining at restaurants without a gluten free menu, but the employee I spoke to before we were seated was very knowledgeable about gluten free options.

Nomad Lounge - Disney's Animal Kingdom

This post was last updated June 13, 2017

Last Friday, we had dinner at Nomad Lounge at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Nomad Lounge is located next to Tiffins, Disney's newest signature dining restaurant.