A recurring feature on the Disney Parks blog is a sort of eye spy challenge called “Where at Disney Parks can you find…” where you try to figure out the location of their close-up shot. This was Monday’s picture, and it took me a few seconds before I remembered where I’d seen that ugly mug before…
Answer after the jump!
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At our weekly pub trivia, the categories I shine on are usually related to chefs/food or reality television. But this week we had a “Lost in Paradise” themed round where some of my accumulated tiki knowledge actually came in handy.
One of the questions was ‘Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, is located on what island?’ Yeah, you probably already know this from Geography class or traveling or just basic common sense, but how was I so sure it was Tahiti? Because I remembered reading about the Papeete Room from Stephen Crane’s Ports O’ Call restaurants! (Each of the four dining rooms was inspired by an “exotic” locale—the others were Saigon, Macao and Singapore.)
Another question was something to the effect of ‘On what island was the British explorer Captain Cook killed by natives?’ I can’t really pinpoint the source of why I guessed Hawaii (though I wasn’t sure of which particular island), but I lucked out in that it actually was Hawaii (the Big Island).
Yep, this is all somewhat off-topic but I just felt like sharing. It’s not often that I can answer something that stumps my teammates!
For many foodies, the cupcake craze has been overtaken by a food truck frenzy, but I still keep coming back to Yummy Cupcakes in Burbank. For one, they’re located on a neat stretch of Magnolia Boulevard right by Halloweentown and the sadly soon-to-close 8-Ball.
And they also get bonus points for creativity. Yummy has a roster of more than 200 flavors, and every month they feature a few dozen of them as rotating daily specials. I’ve been wanting to try their cocktail-inspired offerings (Mai Tai, Pina Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri, etc.) and finally got the chance when they put the Blue Hawaiian on the menu for July and August.
The Blue Hawaiian cupcake ($3) is made with rum, blue curacao and bits of shredded pineapple, and then topped with whipped pineapple buttercream frosting and a tropical drink umbrella. It didn’t really remind me of the drink, but it was delicious! The flavors are actually very subtle so the pineapple stands out, although one from our batch did have a distinctly boozey aftertaste.
Not all their concoctions are winners in my book (see: Pancakes & Bacon) but the Blue Hawaiian definitely is. (I also can’t leave without picking up a Peanut Butter Cup or two.)
They have a monthly calendar on their web site so you can find out what will be available each day, and you can also vote on the flavors for the next month. Who’s with me on a campaign for Mai Tai?
Yummy Cupcakes
2918 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505
818-558-1080
(There’s also a location in Santa Monica)
The Tiki Chick 