Tables in Wonderland Holiday Spirits Dinner

by John Bowers

Tables in Wonderland hosted a Holiday Spirits Dinner at Epcot’s Norway Lounge on Friday evening, December 17, 2010. The Norway Lounge is a somewhat-secret space above Maelstrom, the pavilion’s signature attraction.

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There were maybe 60 people in attendance. We started out with a reception so people could have a chance to meet one another. We were served wine and three scrumptious small bites, passed around by the gracious servers. Those treats were Caramelized Beets with Microgreens, Pomegranate Free-Range Chicken with Citrus, and Charred Beef with Watercress Pesto. The servers were scrambling in and out of the room to keep plenty available.

We were seated at tables of 8, each table had the name of one of Santa’s reindeer, and we were given cards with our names on them and the name of our table. Lovely table settings, red tablecloths and gold plates, plus a Christmas-y centerpiece on each table.

Each course had its own specialty mixed drink served with it. Our appetizer, Spicy Seared Tilapia with Creamy Corn Pudding and Crispy Leeks was served with a martini glass that held a ‘Belle’s of St. Mary’s’, a bracing concoction of gin, triple sec, apricot brandy, and lemon juice. The tilapia and the libation were exquisite.

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Our salad was a Medley of Winter Greens and Herbs tossed with Sundried Cranberry Vinaigrette topped with Crunchy Sunflower Seeds. It was matched with a drink called a Red Nosed Reindeer: vodka, triple sec, and grapefruit juice. The drinks disappeared quickly.

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The entree was Prosciutto and Sage Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Tomato Chutney, and Italian Olive Oil Braised Yukon Gold Potatoes and Brussel Sprouts. This time it was a drink called Santa’s Little Helper: tequila, orange juice, and tomato juice. Nary a discouraging word from anyone at my table!

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The Dessert Trio: Warm Chocolate Ganache Brulee, Asian Apple Crumble, and Eggnog Foam with Nutmeg Dust. Alongside came Crockpot Mulled Cider, the main ingredient being Apple Brandy.

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Even with all those wonderful mixed drinks, the servers were busy pouring chardonnay, cabernet, and pinot noir for anyone who wanted it.

By this time it was about 7:45. Everyone who wanted to attend the Candlelight Processional was asked to follow the leader with the big lighted torch (battery-powered, not on fire, fortunately) from Norway to the American Gardens Theater, where seating had been arranged for us.

The walk from Norway to the theater was fun all by itself. It was dark, and the Christmas lights in the pavilions along the way were beautiful. It seemed every adult you passed had a drink of some sort, and I don’t mean a Coke. Unless there was rum in it. Drinking around the World, Christmas-style.

A great meal, a great show, and lots of Christmas spirits. How can you beat that?

The recipes for the drinks follow:

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Debra Martin Koma wrote about food, travel and lifestyle issues for a number of local and national publications before she fell in love with Walt Disney World on her first visit — when she was 34! She's returned to her Laughing Place more times than she can count in the ensuing years, and enthusiastically shares her passion with readers of AllEars.Net and AllEars®. Deb also co-authored (along with Deb Wills) PassPorter's Open Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line, a travel guide designed for all travelers to Walt Disney World who may require special attention, from special diets to mobility issues.

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4 Replies to “Tables in Wonderland Holiday Spirits Dinner”

  1. I attended this event as well and some of my experiences were not the same as the author. While all of the food was ok or better, the drink that accompanied the main course was simply TERRIBLE! Who ever thought of OJ, Tomato juice, tequila and rock salt as a drink probably had already had several of the other drinks before creating this mess! Many of those glasses were returned to the kitchen full.

    As for the show afterward, there were many complaints that the seating was all the way in the rear and off to the side. At a price of $116.28 per person, the seating should have been front and center, even in front of the dinner show package guests. After-all, we did pay at least double what they paid for this privilege. Overall, it was fun to do once, but I did not feel as though it was worth the money. Also, if you are not a drinker, then this would not have been a good value at all.

  2. Nice article! I was just wondering exactly where the lounge is…and is it just used for special occasions? Or can anyone eat/drink there?

    Deb Koma replies: The lounge is located above Maelstrom in Norway, and yes, it’s just used for special occasions, private events, etc.