Toledo at Disney's Gran Destino Tower: Deluxe Dining at a Moderate Resort

Back in the days of burgers and chicken tenders, who would have guessed Disney World would be home to two Michelin-starred restaurants?Earlier this year, Victoria and Albert’s, an opulent dining experience at the Grand Floridian, and Toledo, a Spanish eatery and tapas bar atGran Destino Tower were designated with this title. I would expect Victoria and Albert’s to earn national recognition, but to think Toledo, perched atop a humble moderate resort, has earned this prestigious title is remarkable. After my first meal here, however, I only wondered why Toledo had not received such honors sooner.

Toledo stunned me from the moment a host led us to our table. The main dining room combines traditional Spanish architectural motifs with sleek, modern design. A glowing mosaic graces the ceiling; its lighted panels evanesce from orange to yellow to magenta in a never-ending sunset over live olive trees sprouting in the middle of the dining room.Tall windows bordering the restaurant enhance Toledo’s natural aesthetic, bathing diners in sunlight and offering aerial theme park views.

Our meal was as awe-inspiring as the magical atmosphere. Toledo’s Rioja-braised chicken ($30) is the most delicious chicken dish I’ve enjoyed on Disney property, if not outright.The meat is so tender, and the rioja, or red wine, imbues the dish with rich flavor.Succulent, flavorful, and slightly spicy, this dish proves poultry can be worthy of fine dining. The accoutrements are also delightful; nothing on this plate is an afterthought.Thin, crispy potatoes contrast tender meat, and red grapes sweeten an otherwise savory dish. The tomato bomba rice is delectable, salty and spicy with warm tomato undertones, the chicken’s perfect complement.

My sister ordered rioja-braised chorizo ($15) and patatas bravas ($8), both shareable tapas. She adored the chorizo’s richness and warm spice. Rachel was shocked that our server asked if she’d like more olive oiled crostini, which accompanies the chorizo, an unusual but welcome request.The patatas bravas, fried fingerling potatoes topped with paprika aioli, excel in their simplicity.The aioli’s spice tickles the tongue but does not burn.Salty and garlicky, the patatas offset this spice and are divine even without dressing.

My mother ordered the filet of beef ($38) served with date jam, sherry vinaigrette, forest mushrooms, and olive oil-potato puree, a delicate layer of mashed potatoes. She touted it as the best steak she’d had at Disney World in years.My father also enjoyed his marinated hanger steak ($35); the high quality, delicious beef surprised him.He would order this entrée again.

Stuffed with meat and patatas though we were, we had to taste Toledo’s scrumptious sweets.Alongside two confections, we each ordered a Café Bombon ($4.99), an exquisite coffee concoction with a shot of espresso (also available decaffeinated), a dash of condensed milk, and steamed milk.The sweetened milk did not overpower the espresso’s deep flavor, making this luxurious beverage the perfect bridge between dinner and dessert.This coffee is also available at Barcelona Lounge in Gran Destino’s lobby and Dahlia Lounge, a few steps away from Toledo.

After we guzzled our delicious Café Bombon, our server brought the Toledo Tapas Bar ($12) and Crema Catalana ($8) to our table. The Tapas Bar, Toledo’s signature dessert, is a chocolate wafer cake--imagine an upscale Kit-Kat-- topped with five dollops of mousse: vanilla, lemon curd, raspberry, chocolate, and Spanish coffee. Each mousse flavor is delicious, but the tart lemon and rich coffee were my favorites. The chocolate wafer grounds these cake five contrasting flavors to create a harmonious dessert.

I tend to prefer chocolate treats over fruity desserts, so I worried the Crema Catalana may disappoint me, but as I learned from this meal, Toledo never disappoints. Each bite of this Spanish crème brulee bursts with a gentle orange tang, but cinnamon is the most prominent flavor. This unique, but fabulous, combination distinguishes Crema Catalana from an ordinary crème brulee. A chocolate tuile adds a pleasant crunch, and candied orange peels atop the crema are a lovely touch.

Our Toledo experience was perfect. Every dish we ordered, from tapas to desserts, amazed us. The service was excellent; our server, Taylor, was both friendly and professional, offering expert recommendations and going out of her way to ensure we had a fantastic meal. The restaurant’s atmosphere is unique and magnificent. Toledo more than deserves its place of honor beside Victoria and Albert’s. What makes Toledo even more spectacular is its humble setting. One would not expect to enjoy a Michelin-rated meal at a moderate resort, designed not for luxury but convenience. Yet here I am, praising Toledo, nonetheless. Toledo also provides fine dining at great value. My family of four spent just under $200 for our meal, including a tip. Considering we ordered three entrees, two tapas, four specialty coffees, and two desserts at a Michelin-starred restaurant, this was a bargain. By contrast, at Victoria and Albert’s, one will spend at least $295 per person; my family would have spent about $1,180, while we spent five times less at Toledo, the quality of whose fare I would confidently pit against that of Victoria and Albert’s. Toledo is even cheaper than signature restaurants like Space 220 and Storybook Dining at Artist Point, both of which serve far less remarkable fare.

Toledo is my new favorite restaurant, and I dare say the best restaurant at Disney World. I urge you to try Toledo on your next visit; whether you order tapas, desserts, or a full meal, I guarantee you will find its quality to rival even the most revered Disney restaurants. Buen provecho!

Stay tuned for our second Toledo review!