Homecoming: Napa Rose Food and Wine Pairing Experience

The Disneyland Resort is truly a place where my dreams came true. I still remember my first visit to Disneyland when I was 4-5 years old and knew right then that I wanted to work there when I grew up. When I turned 16, Disneyland started recruiting at local Orange County high schools. With a referral from one of my mom’s friends, I landed a job as a Culinary Hostess at Café Orleans in New Orleans Square and is also where I met my future hubby. Accolades of my Mickey Mouse bread boule “invention” advanced me to Food Concept and Product Development. I worked as a Storyboard Artist just as they broke ground on Disney’s California Adventure, The Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Downtown Disney. Napa Rose at The Grand Californian Hotel & Spa holds a special place in my heart. My team had its last dinner here as each of us went on to other positions within Disney or to pursue careers outside of Disney.

General Manager Philippe Tosque (Courtesy of The Disneyland Resort)

Napa Rose Food and Wine Pairing Experience is where exceptional wine and food come together in a tasting event in the Napa Rose lounge. General Manager, Philippe Tosque, and his team of in-house sommeliers and culinary staff have put together five different wines with carefully paired artisanal cheese and small-batch cured meats. Your servers are sommeliers and will provide tasting notes, information about the origin of the foods and interesting details on the wines being served. This is great for the wine novice and even wine aficionados since pairing wine with the right foods is always a learning process. The selection of wines and food pairings will change every month or two.

Here is a look at what will be served through mid-May:

House Smoke Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast with Blonde Morel Mushrooms and Kumquat paired with 2011 Conde Valdemar Tempranillo (Crianza, Rioja DOCa, Spain). Tasting notes: Bright red cherry hue; Intense ripe fruit aroma along with spicy notes, cocoa, and balsamic; Well-balanced with long finish. The earthy, smoky, and tangy flavor from the duck pair perfectly with this Tempranillo.

Lamb and Kalamata Olive Paté with Mustard Accents paired with 2014 Stolpman Vineyards Estate Syrah (Ballard Canyon, Santa Barbara County). Tasting notes: Dark red hue; Earthy, menthol, smoky flavors on the palate. This pairs perfectly with the lamb, but would also be great with a chargrilled thick-cut ribeye.

Laura Chenel’s Crottin (California) paired with 2006 Reinhold Haart Riesling (Spätlese, Piesporter, Goldtropfchen GG, Mosel). Tasting notes: Golden hue; Earthy and apricot aromas; Juicy acidity, spicy minerality, and flavors of peaches, apricot, red raspberry, and tangy lime. This pairs perfectly with the soft-ripened creamy flavor of the crottin.

Fiscalini Cheese Company Bandage Wrapped Cheddar (California) paired with 2011 Castiglion Del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino (DOCG, Tuscany, Italy). Tasting notes: Ruby red hue; Complex and inviting mouthfeel with balanced flavor. This pairs perfectly with the creamy sweetness of English style farmhouse cheddar.

Rogue River Blue Special Reserve (Oregon) paired with Graham’s 10 Year Tawny Port (Douro Valley, Portugal). Tasting notes: Deep tawny color; Molasses and fig aromas; Dark fruit and molasses flavor enrobe the palate. This pairs perfectly with the intense yet creamy blue cheese.

A Disney-perfect adventure awaits you at the Napa Rose Food and Wine Pairing Experience. Make your reservation today for a relaxing afternoon or a nice break during the day when visiting the Disneyland Resort.

For more information:

Napa Rose Food and Wine Pairing Experience

1600 S. Disneyland Dr.

Anaheim, CA 92802

+1.714.781.3463

Saturday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Guest must be 21 or older and must present valid photo ID to attend.

Cost: $95 per person (tax and gratuities included)

Reservations: Required (reservation line open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.)

Parking: 5 hours free parking with validation

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World class food 24 hours a day at Triple 7 Sports Bar & Grill in Hawaiian Gardens, California

Earlier this year, The Gardens Casino re-launched following a $90 million renovation. After entering the front doors, you will see firsthand how many changes have been made. The interior has a Northern California coastal feel with wood paneled vaulted ceilings along with Asian architectural curves and décor.

Gaming is a huge draw to the casino with over 300 gaming tables, but foodies will have a sure thing with Triple 7 Sports Bar & Grill . The restaurant acts like the centerpiece of the casino with its dining room and upscale bar and lounge. Like Vegas, this restaurant is open 24 hours a day and features a variety of cuisines (American, Mediterranean, Mexican, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino) and well as integrating California’s seasonal, fresh, and sustainable ingredients. The upscale bar features handcrafted cocktails, locally sourced wine, and over 24 California craft beers on tap.

Let’s take a look at some of the menu:

Bao Trio ($9) is your choice of one of each or all of the same served in a soft creamy bao bun – tinga chipotle chicken garnished with cilantro, Korean short rib galbi garnished with spring mix and topped with Korean chili sauce, and/or Vietnamese marinated pork chop garnished with carrots and daikon radish in a vinaigrette mix topped with a Thai tangy sauce.

The galbi short rib meat was a little tough but had a nice sweet, savory flavor – sort of like a Korean teriyaki sauce. The veggies and chili sauce added a nice texture and spicy flavor. Rating 4/5

The tinga chipotle chicken had a pulled pork texture with peppery and spicy flavor. The cilantro added a refreshing touch. All the flavors paired perfectly with the sweet bao. Rating: 4.5/5

Vietnamese marinated pork chop was rather difficult to eat. The pieces were cut too small and were constantly falling out while trying to eat. The flavors were okay, but this might be better with a different cut of pork, like a thick slice of braised pork belly, with a Chinese flavor profile. Rating: 3/5

Beautiful breadsticks are served with a chimichurri-like dipping sauce.

Molcajete ($16) is tender ranchera steak, chicken breast, linguica sausage, and jumbo shrimp simmered in a mild roasted tomato, jalapeno, onion, and garlic broth. The broth had an exceptional flavor and was on the spicier side. However, due to the manner which it is served, in a giant molcajete, it was very hard to eat. You might need to ask for an extra plate so you can cut up the meat. It was a hearty meal so be prepared to take home a doggie bag. Rating: 4.3/5

Filet Mignon ($32) is certified angus beef tenderloin cooked to your liking, topped with a red wine reduction sauce, served with Yukon Gold smashed potatoes and broccolini. My steak of choice is usually ribeye, but since they didn’t have that cut, I went for filet mignon. Back in the 1990s, this was the only steak I knew before venturing out. I was pleasantly surprised by how flavorful, juicy, and tender this steak was, even at rare. This type of steak would normally cost you double in at a steakhouse. The red wine reduction sauce paired perfectly by adding an earthy and sweetness to the meat. The smashed potatoes were splendid with buttery flavor and smooth texture. The broccolini was cooked just right with a crisp snap yet tender at the same time. Rating: 5/5

Halo Halo ($7) is a Filipino dessert with purple yam ice cream, flan, sweet red beans (azuki), young coconut, sweet corn, and diced bananas topped with shaved ice, sweet rice crispies, and passion fruit. This is very authentic in both build and flavor. I love the rice crispies offering a different textural bite and contrasting the crunchy shaved ice. Rating: 4.5/5

Vietnamese Ice Coffee ($2.50) is an authentic drink to end the night. You can also order it hot. When the strong drip coffee is mixed with sweetened condensed milk, the drink has a beautiful caramel color. This coffee will perk you up and settle your stomach after a hearty meal. Rating: 5/5

Whether you have the gaming fever and need a break or if you’re looking for an upscale yet casual place for dinner, Triple 7 Sports Bar & Grill has what you are craving and more!

Atmosphere: 5 out of 5 stars

Service: 5 out of 5 stars

Décor: 5 out of 5 stars

Food: 4 out of 5 stars

For more information:

Triple 7 Sports Bar & Grill

11871 Carson St

Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716

+1.562.860.5887

Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Seating: Interior

Reservations: None, first come, first serve

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