WDW Magazine April 2018: Beaches and Bayous | Page 16

it had a palpable energy. The theme of the resort is centered around Mexico – with
everything from authentic crafts in Panchito’s Gifts and Sundries to Mexican specialty
items like tacos, empanadas, and nachos available in the restaurants. Even the small Café
Rix coffee bar had chili pepper spiked chocolate bars! These little out-of-the-norm thematic
touches really enhanced our experience.
Let’s stop for a minute and talk about the food. Las Ventanas and Maya Grill provide
Table-Service restaurants with a Mexican menu (don’t worry – some American classics also
make the cut), and Pepper Market serves as the food court. The stand outs at Pepper
Market were freshly prepared burrito bowls with barbacoa and carnitas, tortilla soup and
those incredible fresh made churros.
Café Rix offers a quick grab-and-go selection with hand crafted espresso beverages.
Laguna Bar and Siestas Cantina offer drinks (including specialty margaritas developed by
the same team from La Cava del Tequila and the restaurants in Epcot’s Mexico pavilion!) by
the lake or the pool, respectively. Siestas Cantina also offers some snacks ranging from ice
cream to fries to nachos and even tacos – like the fried avocado with pineapple salsa
variety I simply had to have.
PHOTO BY BRETT SVENSON