New Cat Cora Restaurant (replacing Spoodles)

[kritter]

I just read that Spoodles is closing... Does anyone know when they are replacing Spoodles with the new restr...???????

 

[BreTyPres87]

It seems kind of odd to replace a restaurant that seems to have a steady clientele (or maybe i'm just judging based on DIS reviews ) they could build that restaurant in so many places imo Epcot- World Showcase, Magic Kingdom could really use another TS , DHS, AK.. it wouldn't hurt any of those parks to have a new restaurant choice but I guess WDW didn't ask me!

 

[catne]

you know, I have not seen an announcement of the date when it is closing, but this make me wonder. When I called to book dinner ressies for last week of May, I asked for Spoodles (for a a mid-week dinner, not on an Epcot evening EMH night.) And she said it wasn't coming up so it must be all booked. Which I thought was really odd...for Spoodles to be fully booked - since I was able to get everything else I wanted that week including Le Cellier at a reasonable dinner time...even a Fantasmic Dinner Package at 5:00 p.m. Mama Melrose! So maybe Spoodles wasn't coming up because it'll be closed by the last week of may

 

[kidanigirl]

I didn't know they were closing. We had a good meal there a couple of years ago. The pitcher of homemade sangria was delicious! I wonder if they will be closed before I go back again.

 

[NMW]

This sounds exciting! Can't wait for it to open.

 

[Tbelle1976]

This new restaurant will be on our "to do" list for sure. Can't wait to try the food!

 

[maggiew]

I'm not a big Cat Cora fan. I don't know why, I like all the other Iron Chefs??? Maybe its because I am not a fan of Mediterranean food?

When you guys say both she and her partner are pregnant, do you mean her life partner or her business partner?? Just curious. If its her life partner, they are going to be in for it with 2 babies so close together! Almost like twins!

Maggie

 

[disneybridetobe]

When you guys say both she and her partner are pregnant, do you mean her life partner or her business partner?? Just curious. If its her life partner, they are going to be in for it with 2 babies so close together! Almost like twins!

Maggie

Yep, "partner" as in wife. I think that's pretty neat. Yay for them.

I'd like to check this new restaurant out. I haven't had a lot of Mediterranean food but who better to prepare the menu but her!

 

[Uncleromulus]

I know someone said that the new place will be Disney owned and operated, but is that the case? Usually when someone "famous" connects their name with a Disney restaurant, it's more or less privately owned and operated (as Bongos, Pucks, Shula's).

 

[Singinglizzie]

After reading all these posts, it makes sense to me that Disney would choose Spoodles as the location for a Cat Cora restaurant. First since it is already a mediterrean theme restaurant they have already established a clientele. Second, you don't have to buy park admission to access the restaurant, so locals will be able to have dinner there. 3rd It will keep up with the "competition's " US riverwalk where Emeril has a restaurant. Overall it is a good move for Disney! I just hope they accept the DDP there for our next trip, which I just have to convice my DH that we should spend the $$$!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We have loved Spoodles for years now so we are going to really miss it. It will be nice to have a new edition to our dining choices though.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It seems kind of odd to replace a restaurant that seems to have a steady clientele (or maybe i'm just judging based on DIS reviews ) they could build that restaurant in so many places imo Epcot- World Showcase, Magic Kingdom could really use another TS , DHS, AK.. it wouldn't hurt any of those parks to have a new restaurant choice but I guess WDW didn't ask me!

But why build a restaurant, when there are already existing locations?

I know Spoodles is great, but as evidenced in catne's post, above, Spoodles NOT having space available appears unusual. Maybe Disney determined that, as great as the restaurant is, they could attract even more diners with a different influence.

I imagine that will be the end of breakfast at that restaurant location??? The new place dosen't sound like a breakfast spot to me---

It will depend, but not necessarily. We've got an entirely unrelated Kouzina restaurant up here that's open for all three meals, and relatively late into the evening.

And she said it wasn't coming up so it must be all booked. Which I thought was really odd...for Spoodles to be fully booked -

But much of that booking, already, could be by locals and upcoming Guests who, knowing that Spoodles will disappear relatively soon, want to try it, or one last chance there.

 

[dbk1029]

I understand that Spoodles was a mediteranean restaurant and that so will Cat Cora's new plpace. What I don't get is how either of these restaurants fits in with the Boardwalk theme of the resort.

Also not really interested in trying the new place. Not a Cat Cora fan.

 

[ElizabethB]

Spoodles was one of the few (very few actually) decent 1TS restaurants left at WDW. Couldn't they have replaced something else with it? Just about any of the theme park restaurants could go and not be missed these days. But, perhaps Cat wouldn't go for that. Or, they could have put it over at the "dud" restaurant in the Yacht Club, whatever it is currently called -- Yacht Club Galley, Captain's Galley. Or, in the space that was Ariel's and is now used for nothing.

I'm disappointed to lose Spoodles. It's as if WDW has a business plan that there will only be X number of decent places to eat, no matter how many losers and empty spaces remain. Very disappointing that Disney did this.

 

[TruBlu]

Did you guys see this?

A blog in the Orlando Sentinel last week leaked the info that Iron Chef Cat Cora was working with Walt Disney World on a new signature restaurant concept. Today, the story was confirmed. The new eatery, to be named Kouzzina (Greek for "kitchen"), is scheduled to open by fall 2009 in the space currently occupied by Spoodles on Disney's Boardwalk. The restaurant, which will feature Mediterranean cuisine and Chef Cora's philosophy to create simple yet sensational meals, will be owned and operated by Disney. The first and only female Iron Chef on Food Network's "Iron Chef America," Cora is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, and is Executive Chef for Bon Appetit magazine. Cora has worked with Disney to create a Disney Video on Demand series on healthy eating habits, and has been a featured chef at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and at Disney's California Food & Wine Festival at Disneyland Resort.

Full press release: http://land.allears.net/blogs/dnews/2009/03/celebrity_chef_cat_cora_to_ope.html

 

[teddygurlkeekee]

If that's taking the spot of Spoodles, when does Spoodles close?

 

[JMD]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2121550

 

[emlutz23]

I'm really going to miss Spoodles! I'm glad I ate there a few weeks ago. My last meal there did not disappoint!

 

[NJmouse]

The new restaurant is going to be serving Breakfast and Dinner and the pizza window is supposed to still be open.

 

[clc053103]

Totally bummed by this. We LOVE Spoodles, hoping that the 9/30 rumor is true so we get one last time on our Sept 09 visit. It was very kid friendly, guessing Cat Cora's place may not be so much. I wish they would replace Flying Fish instead. Or even the brewery.