In 2001, Walt Disney Studios celebrated Walt Disney’s one-hundredth birthday with “100 Years of Magic,” creating new rides, exhibits and parades at its world-renown theme parks. A decade later they’re still partying it up, but this time, Washingtonians have something to celebrate, too, as Wednesday marked the DC debut of Disney on Ice presents 100 Years of Magic, showing through February 20 at the Verizon Center.
With over 65 characters, the production features the largest cast ever assembled of Disney icons, from Mickey and Minnie to Buzz Lightyear and Nemo. But the festivities continue off the ice, too, as five Gallery Place-area restaurants—Fiola, Graffiato, Meatballs, Rosa Mexicano and Ping Pong Dim Sum—are each offering a Disney-inspired dish to celebrate the magic (with a portion of proceeds going to DC Central Kitchen).
Disney (themed) dishes included Ping Pong’s Little Mermaid-inspired lobster dumplings and Rosa Mexicano’s Minnie Mouse-shaped chocolate dessert. But it was Graffiato’s honey dessert—inspired by Pooh Bear— that a panel including Fresh FM’s Tommy McFly, renowned foodie Nycci Nellis and DC Central Kitchen’s Brian MacNair declared “took the cake.”
