Two must-try new restaurants recently opened at Disney Springs, adding more table service and fast-casual dining destinations to Walt Disney Worlds sprawling dining, shopping and entertainment districtand even introducing a new cookie player to the game.
On the west end, Summer House on the Lake?offers table-service and California-inspired cuisine in a chic waterfront setting. And on the east side, celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan introduces Disney Springs guests to the only Indian-inspired menu at Disney Springs at fast-casual eet by Maneet Chauhan.
We tried them bothheres a closer look.
Summer House on the Lake
Summer House on the Lake just feels like vacation. The bright and breezy, indoor-outdoor space gives off a beachy, California-cool vibe that feels trendy yet welcoming. Neutral tones, light wood, lots of trees and plants, and views of Lake Buena Vista solidify the coastal atmosphere, designed in collaboration with architecture and design firm Rockwell Group.
The fourth Summer House location by Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group, Summer House on the Lakes menu starts with the same California inspiration of the other locations, but also incorporates local, seasonal Florida ingredients.
Summer House on the Lake patio at Disney Springs. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
Were thrilled to infuse locally sourced ingredients and inspiration into the menu at Summer House on the Lake, says Summer House Chef Ben Goodnick. While the Summer House menu is rooted in the simplicity and variety of Southern California, our goal for this location is to incorporate the fresh, bold flavors of Floridas endless summer, too, like Key West shrimp, grouper from the Gulf of Mexico, citrus and other local produce. Seasonal specials including Wagyu Beef, main course salads and Caribbean-inspired flavors are a direct reflection of the people and food we have grown to love in the Orlando area.
Begin with starters like the Signature Guacamole, Jalape?o Corn Bread, or Potato Salad Deviled Eggs. Entree options are wide-rangingchoose from sandwiches like the Crispy Chicken with avocado and buttermilk dressing and Turkey Stack, a classic club take; tacosmy husband and son loved the Carne Asada; pastas; pizzawe ordered the Margherita and loved how thin and light the crust was for a not-too-filling lunch; and finally, Summer Comfort mains like Our Famous Herbed Chicken Breast Paillard, and Grouper Fish n Chips.
Carne asada tacos at Summer House on the Lake. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
A welcome antidote after too many churros and Mickey pretzels, the menu also includes entree-sized salads like Kale & Cashew, Buena Vista Cobb, and Costa Mesa, and lots of veggie sides.
Weekend brunch includes the full lunch menu plus elevated breakfast dishes like Cal-Mex breakfast burritos, tostadas and huevos rancheros, along with more traditional egg dishes, waffles and pancakes.
Kids can have brunch all day every day with Masons Breakfast for Dinner or Brodys Scrambled Eggs, which both of my kids ordered and ate every bite. The kid's menu also includes kid classics like grilled cheese, mac and cheese, pizza, and quesadillas, served in an appealing sectioned plate that makes kid's meals feel special.
For drinks, its Ros All Day at the restaurants multiple bars, including an indoor/outdoor Ros Bar on the back patio lined overhead with bottles of the six different types of ros, also served from the restaurants signature Ros Cart.
We tried the signature Froz, refreshing but on the sweeter side. Our favorite drink was the Summer House Ros, made in partnership with California-based BonAnno Winescrisp, dry, and reasonably priced, wed order this every time.
Rose bar at Summer House on the Lake. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
When you hear cookie and Disney Springs in the same sentence, all thoughts jump straight to Gideons Bakehouse, the nearby bakery thats garnered a cult following for its nearly half-pound cookies, but also often has such a long wait that guests find themselves headed home cookieless. Summer House on the Lake has an answertheir own Cookie Bar serving more than 10 different types of giant, reasonably priced cookies and dessert bars.
Were big fans of Gideons cookies but were over the moon for the Cookie Bars Sea Salt Chocolate Chip, crisp around the edges and soft and gooey in the middle. After a pretty heated family debate over which spot serves up better cookies, we decided to call it a drawand a win for cookie lovers headed to Disney Springs.
Summer House on the Lake cookie bar. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
We think this new spot knocks it out of the park as a wonderful place to spend time, before even getting to the food, which we also found to be very reasonably priced. It manages to feel upscale and modernperfect for a grown-up boozy brunch or a fun night outwhile also being completely kid-friendly and appropriate for a family meal.
Reservations for Summer House on the Lake are recommended. Book on OpenTable.
eet by Maneet Chauhan
This new eatery in Disney Springs Marketplace by Celebrity Chef Maneet Chauhan, a James Beard Award of Excellence winner and judge on Food Networks Chopped, serves globally inspired Indian dishes in a fast-casual setting. Order at the counter, take a pager to a table and wait for your food to be delivered by a server.
eet by Maneet Chauhan at Disney Springs. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
The menu is a mix of more traditional Indian dishes and fusion variations inspired by other global cuisines. Most dishes are shareablegreat for first-timers to Indian cuisine. Shareables range from traditional Indian street foods like Samosas and D.I.Y. Pani Puri to bread service with an array of dips and more playful fusion dishes like Tandoori Chicken Poutine and Walking Taco.
Bread service dips at eet. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
Naan Pizzas take traditional dishes like Chicken Tikka and Sag Paneer, typically served over rice with naan bread on the side, and instead turn them into a pizza, adding mozzarella and parmesan.
There are also Build Your Own Bowls, which are customizablehelpful for those with dietary restrictions and low-carb diets. All come with pickled red cabbage, Indian pico de gallo, and masala chickpea pearls, then choose your baserice, riced cauliflower or salad greens; kebabtandoori chicken, paneer tikka, basil cilantro shrimp, or masala roasted cauliflower; and choice of several traditional Indian sauces.
Build Your Own Bowl at eet. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
The kid's menu includes kid-sized pizza, sliders, or chicken fingers. There are also two dessert options and wine, beer, boozy slushies, fountain soft drinks, or a Mango Yogurt Lassi to drink.
The restaurant's interior is bright and modern, with vaulted ceilings and bold paint colors. There are also a handful of additional tables outside. While the food is very good, the cost does add up quickly. Pizzas are $14 and Bowls are $18. With the addition of shareables, the final price tag can land on the high end of Disneys quick-service restaurants but offers a fantastic option for experiencing Indian cuisine at Walt Disney World.
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