Les Chefs de France is the winner of this year’s Theme Park Insider search for “Best Theme Park Restaurant.” The Epcot restaurant beat out second-place winner Mythos for the first time. Mythos, one of only two full-service restaurants at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, had been voted the best restaurant inside a theme park by the popular Web site’s readers for the past six years.

According to TPI’s founder and editor, Robert Niles, Sharks Underwater Grill at SeaWorld Orlando is this year’s third-place winner, followed by Le Cellier, the steakhouse at Epcot’s Canada pavilion, and Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Because all five finalists in the restaurant category were in Orlando parks, Robert asked me to provide reviews of each for voters to consider. Although I did not have a say in the  outcome, Les Chefs de France would have been my choice too. You can read my reviews of each of the finalists by clicking on their names above.

Besides restaurants, Theme Park Insider listed winners in myriad other categories. To see all the results, visit the Theme Park Insider Web site.

I’ve always been a fan of Eastern Pearl, the casually upscale Chinese restaurant in Altamonte Springs. In fact, I awarded it numerous Foodie Awards for best Chinese while  I was the critic at the Orlando Sentinel. And plenty of readers agreed with me. One of the things that impressed me was that there was a window into the kitchen. I usually follow a don’t ask/don’t look policy when it comes to Chinese restaurant kitchens. It was refreshing to see Eastern Pearl’s so spotless.

Read more: Eastern Pearl Orlando

Who doesn’t love a picnic? Like the proverbial “cake walk” or a “piece of pie,” the very idea of this well-packed basket of goodies to share on a blanket under a big, blue sky defines ease—a very lovely day, indeed. Add the love of your life and some chilled bubbly and the divas would be hard pressed to improve upon perfection. 
            We like to think of preparing and packing the edibles as foreplay. Contrasting textures and flavors, sweets and savories—something old, something new. And even if coleslaw, macaroni and ‘tater salad make your mother-in-law smile, every now and then, it’s fun to mix it up a little.
            If you can boil water, you’ve mastered couscous. Often confused as a grain, it’s actually teensy pasta, fabulous in do-ahead, take-along salads. Sans the mayo, this diva mélange is naturally light, and perfect for hot, summer days. Fluffy couscous, sweet corn, raisins and crunchy veggies come together to inspire the very best sort of lip smacking and finger licking. We’re free this weekend—are you?

Read more: Couscous on the go-go

Road trip!

I’m headed to Great Britain and you’re invited to come along via the flog, although I suspect over there it would be spelled flogue.

I’ll be reporting on food finds and dispelling the myth of British food. We’ll seek out good fish & chips, bangers & mash, and bubble & squeak. I suspect there will be a trip to Drury Lane in search of the Muffin Man for a hot cross bun (or even a hot pleasant bun). And I intend once and for all to unearth the origin of the traditional English breakfast. Just who decided that it should include eggs, bacon, sausage, baked tomato, baked beans and mushrooms? Was it originally intended as a joke?

I’m starting off in London, then heading up to Cambridge and York for a few nights before heading back to London -- two weekends at Borough Market!

If you’re a London regular, I’d love to hear your suggestions. Do you have a favorite pub for a ploughman’s? Know of a gastropub off the track? Or maybe just a place with a good pasty? Send me a note.

See you on the other side of the pond!