Page 48 - CelebrationsSpring2020

By Erik Johnson
The Beauty of Japan at Epcot’s Takumi-Tei
The Japan pavilion at Epcot has long been a destination for memorable dining. Teppan Edo provides the hibachi grill experience that blends quality food with entertainment. You can find great sushi and amazing views at Tokyo Dining. Katsura Grill is a great quick-service option for quality food. At first glance it would seem that Japan has all its dining options covered.
However, Takumi-Tei proves that there is still room for a premium dining experience at Epcot. The name means “House of the Artisan” and it delivers on that promise! The restaurant is tucked into the corner of the pavilion, underneath Tokyo Dining. The secluded entrance sets up Guests for a calm and relaxing experience right from the start. When your family is escorted inside, you learn about the design of this location. The five elements are introduced right from the entrance: water, wood, earth, stone, and paper. Each room of the restaurant reflects design choices around these elements as you will soon see. Your hostesses will explain the elements as they usher you to the room where you will spend the next hour or so.
Once you are seated, you have some difficult decisions to make. The menu at Takumi-Tei is packed with delicious options. Appetizers cover the gamut. Miso soup, bone broth, and mushroom broth are all rich options to whet your appetite. The restaurant also offers larger, more shareable options. Whether you want som vegetables like daikon radishes or compressed watermelon to start your meal or some hearty short rib or crab dishes, the chefs at Takumi-Tei have your party covered.
The main courses are where the chefs truly shine. Takumi-Tei boasts some astounding options. The Kano dish features roasted duck, squash, and beans amid a grape reduction. Seafood enthusiasts will love the sea bass, salmon, or tiger prawn dishes. Each is crafted with rich rice and vegetable accompaniments. If you have heard anything about this restaurant before now though, it is likely about their Wagyu beef entrees.
The restaurant offers several options with both American and Japanese Wagyu A-5 steaks. American Wagyu comes with the Gift of Ranch along with purple potatoes, mushrooms, and wasabi. The Cattleman’s Harvest features Japanese A-5 beef with potatoes, mushrooms, onions, and a mild but flavorful pepper reduction. The blue ribbon goes to the Artisan Beef, though. Japanese A-5 Wagyu tenderloin is so tender you can eat it without a knife. This dish comes with leek sauce and curried potatoes, allowing the meat to shine.
For those who want some premium sushi, the restaurant offers several options. The roll options are definitely plussed from those offered upstairs at Tokyo Dining. Pick from tuna, prawns, pickled watermelon, and Japanese A-5 Wagyu rolls for a sushi experience unlike any other. Sashimi and nigiri entrees are also available, giving you a wide variety from which you can choose.
If you really want to live it up, hand the reins over to the Takumi-Tei chefs. The Omakase tasting menu covers all of these entrée options, presented over several courses. The starting course changes from day to day, but is likely to include a quick bite to start your meal journey off right. The second course is a small selection of
Erik is the Communications Conciear with CONCIEARS, your magical vacation concierge. When he is not in his mountain fortress in Colorado, you can find him in Orlando or Anaheim, enjoying
an amazing meal and running
a race to burn off said meal. Contact CONCIEARS for your next vacation to any of Disney’s magical destinations around the planet and prepare yourself for a level of service you won’t get anywhere else. Call 1-856-687-3277 or email service@conciears.com to kick off your next adventure!
48 · Celebrations