The Edison Features Burger Of the Month in Disney Springs

With the birth of Disney Springs came an influx of amazing eateries.  Trying to dine at all of them certainly takes some time, but I was recently able to cross off one of those venues with a smile.  Now, I am all about a good burger ~ cooked to perfection, thick, juicy and topped with delicious condiments.  Of course, so are my bottom-less-pit boys.  Rumors tickled my ears that The Edison in Disney Springs had some great burger selections on the menu and I have been wanting to check them out for some time.  So, when I was invited to come taste-test their burger of the month for May ~ oh, yeah – I was all over that like barbecue sauce on a bun!

I was invited as media to attend this tasting event.  All opinions are mine and mine alone.  This post does contain affiliate links.  Please see my Disclosure policy for more information.

If you’ve never been, The Edison stands quite tall, towering over The Landing at Disney Springs.  It’s actually quite hard to miss, to be honest.  The venue’s design is that of a re-imagined historical power plant turned lavish, industrial gothic-style hotspot for classic American cuisine, craft cocktails and unique entertainment.

I was invited to join a handful of other bloggers to enjoy the introduction of the Edison Burger of the Month for May, which was the BBQ Tavern Burger.  Each month, the restaurant features one of its burgers as a special, a selection which takes into consideration what may be on the “national” celebration calendar.  For instance, next month is national veggie month, so we also had the opportunity to get a sneak peek and taste of what was coming for June.  I’ll share that a little farther down.

The Edison Burger of the Month

Upon arrival, I was so personally intrigued by the atmosphere and decor.  Since it was in the middle of the day, it was rather quiet and we were able to snap pictures and take video very easily.  The industrial artifacts scattered throughout truly bring you back in time.  I absolutely adored the ginormous clock that greets you “face to face” upon entry.  Apparently, the clock tower is said to have been designed to evoke a sense of timelessness.

There are two floors, the top level (Promenade level) having limited seating with three lounges and a small bar area (where we met Graham!).  This is also where your host will welcome you.  The bottom floor (Lake Level), which can be accessed by either staircase or elevator, is much more open and has a lot to offer.  There are three lounges inside and patio access on this floor.  From the Promenade Level, you can view the Lake Level through two very large openings, which is great considering there is a stage on the first floor.

Entertainment

My friends tell me that this is THE place to be at night!  As just noted, there is a stage on the Lake Level that welcomes a variety of entertainment.  From contortionists to bands to balloon artists and more, this place knows how to get the party started AND keep it going.

There are two full bars downstairs with bartenders who are eager and ready to craft up some unique cocktails (more on that in a minute!!).

One of the things I loved about the design is that there is a variety of seating options.  If you are gathering with a group of friends, there are spots to mingle easily.  For those looking for a quieter spot to chat one on one with someone, there are nooks and crannies for those, too.  If you are looking for a sunset, you can step out onto the patio for a picturesque evening view.  The restaurant even has private dining areas inside for special events.

Time to Dine!

But first, a cocktail

Graham was our personal bartender for the event.  He had prepared two signature cocktails for our group to enjoy, one being the specialty drink for the month of May and the other for June.

May’s “Almond Crusta” Cocktail includes a beautiful blend of Martell Blue Swift cognac, Tanqueray No. Ten gin, lemon juice, orgeat and Angostura bitters in a glass with a sugared rim.  The word on the street is to make sure you enjoy the sugared rim before taking a sip because the drink itself is pretty potent.

June’s “Tuckerpunch” Cocktail is a rough and tumble cocktail featuring oak aged Bib & Tucker Bourbon, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, pineapple juice and Orgeat, topped with a splash of ginger beer for a sweet and spicy finish.

Sadly, both drinks had something in it that I cannot have anymore (Orgeat has an almond component).  So, I asked Graham if there was anything he could provide as an alternative.  HE WAS ALL OVER IT!!!!  

Graham LOVES to create cocktails and he had one already in mind for me.  It’s called Smash in the Daytime and it has a blend of raspberries, blueberries, honey, lemon and gin.  This is his personal go-to on his day off…and I loved it!  (PS – this one is NOT on the menu yet….let’s see what we can do about that!)

Appetizers

Before we indulged in the burger of the month, we had the opportunity to savor some of The Edison’s signature appetizers.

Oh, my goodness, people – wait until you see these!!!

We were first served the DB ‘Clothesline Candied Bacon ($15).  We’re talking bacon covered with maple and black pepper and served with a cup of fruit mustarda and a cup of sweet and spicy pickles.  I could have LIVED on this.  NO JOKE!  I mean, bacon!!!

I loved how they came “hanging” by a clothespin and you have to take it off the line to eat.

A plate of The Edison’s Electri-Fries also found its way to our table.  The danger in this was that I think we all unconsciously filled up on these and left little room for our main course!  These fries were ah-mazing.  They were the perfect cut of L. Burbank potato, cooked crisp on the outside and covered with Edison special sauce, bacon, crumbled blue cheese and chopped green onion.

This is truly a meal in and of itself!

Time To Try The Burgers

As noted above, we were there to sink our teeth into the Edison Burger of the Month ~ The BBQ Tavern Burger.  This sandwich is a monster mouthful!!!  It features the famous signature Edison beef blend burger with a BBQ style twist.  It also comes fully loaded with crispy potato wedges, juicy bacon slices, lettuce and tomato ~ all served on a toasted buttery brioche roll (take note those who have egg allergies!!!  Brioche buns are a no-no).

I cut mine in half and took on the beautiful task of wrapping my entire mouth around that sandwich.  When I took my first bite, I was immediately in love with the sweet BBQ taste and combination of toppings.  I’ll admit – I had been skeptical of the potato wedges on there, but they were a great complement!!  It was really a great burger!!

Not to mention – did you see how much is on this plate???  HUGE portion sizes!!

As an added treat, we also had the option of choosing the June Burger of the Month, which was perfect for those in our group who were not meat eaters.  The June burger is set to be The Impossible Burger!

The Edison’s version of the Impossible Burger features an Impossible Foods (plant-based/vegetarian and vegan-friendly) patty, fresh avocado slices, lettuce, tomato and a stack of onion rings on a brioche bun.  I wanted to try this one so much, but let my burger-loving self get the best of me.  I would have had to have the sandwich without avocado (latex-food), of course, but boy – I heard from my friends that this was fantastic!!!

PS – I’m still learning about latex-related foods and eliminating them slowly, but surely.

DESSERTS!

As if we had not been served enough!!  For some reason, we had no idea that dessert was a part of the event.  We had stuffed ourselves silly, but obviously had to give these signature offerings a try.

Our server (she was pretty awesome, people!!) brought out three different treats to share.  We had the:

• BANANA SPLIT ($12) ~ Vanilla, chocolate and strawberry gelato with whipped cream, chocolate chips, toasted walnuts, marshmallows and sprinkles
• GREAT BIG ROCKY ROAD SHAKE ~ DESSERT FOR TWO ($16) ~ Chocolate gelato, white chocolate drizzle, cinnamon-Chile spiced chocolate syrup, whipped cream, candied almonds, marshmallows and chocolate chips
• BLACK CHERRY CREAM SHAKE ~ DESSERT FOR TWO ($16) ~ Vanilla gelato, black cherries, whipped cream, Pixie Dust, Nerds™ and Gummies.

Full disclosure – I am heavy-cream-sensitive and paid for my two bites of indulgence…but it was sooooo worth it.

Food Allergy Accommodations

So, if you caught them, I have already mentioned allergies at least twice above.  I mentioned the brioche bun and the avocado.  The avocado can be easily avoided, of course, but how does The Edison accommodate for other, more severe food allergies?

I had the chance to chat with Executive Chef PJ (Patrick Finneran) for a bit during the tour portion of our event.  It was a brief chat, so I may not have all the details.  However, I was able to confirm with Chef PJ that they are ready and willing to accommodate for dietary restrictions.  He did state, however, that, because they are usually on the tremendously busy side, it would most likely be a manager with whom a Guest would speak, rather than a Chef.  If it’s not busy, though, the possibility exists that a chef could come out and chat about accommodations.

The standing recommendation is to mention the specific allergies and their severity with your reservation and then again immediately upon your arrival.  Mention it to your server, as well, and ASK to speak to the manager or chef.  Do not hesitate to ASK for that.  When the manager or chef comes to your table, once again mention the dietary situation explicitly.  Be concise, smile and be sure that there is complete understanding between you and that Cast Member.

**NOTE: I am not a medical professional, nor claim to be an expert on medical advice.  I am simply a mom who has spent over a decade trying to provide safe experiences for her son who has severe, life-threatening food allergies.   I share my experiences with you, but you know your situation better than I do.  It is up to you to take the information and make a well informed decision on your own as to whether or not a restaurant or food item is safe enough for your allergies or restrictions.

Since my teen loves a good burger, we may give this one a try in the near future (lettuce bun vs. brioche, of course).  I’ll keep you posted if we do.

Ready to Sink Your Teeth Into Something Delicious?

Did you see my post about Vivoli il Gelato’s new bicycle cart?  Check it out here!!!  

• 11:30 am to 1 am (Sunday – Wednesday)
• 11:30 am to 2 am (Thursday – Saturday)

• Pork Belly Pops
• Mussel Pots
• The Edison Burger

• The Edison
• The Mistress
• The Spark of Imagination

• Facebook: The Edison
• Twitter: @TheEdisonFLA
• Instagram: @theedisonfla

Discounts available:

• APH ~ 10%
• Disney Vacation Club ~ 10%
• Cast Member ~ 20%
• Tables in Wonderland ~ 20%

Fun Facts

(thanks to The Edison for these tidbits of info!)

• The Edison pays homage to the adaptive re-use of historic buildings, where the recycling and “up-cycling” of our history allows us to experience the past in imaginative, innovative and exciting ways.
• The Edison was designed to capture an exuberant age of imagination and invention.  It strives to bring history to life with an evocative combinations of styles from Gothic and Industrial to Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Expressionism.
• When this power plant was built in 1901 (incidentally – the year of Walt Disney’s birth!), boilers like these at the Boiler Bar belched out so much heat and noise that they seemed practically alive.  This led many workers to nickname them “Birchfield Beasts.”
• The Edison features entertainment ranging from live bands, contortionists and cabaret performers to talented aerialists, dancers and singers.
• The Breaker bar is designed to highlight The Edison as a nightlife venue.  They are able to produce groundbreaking cocktails at a significant volume.
• See Master Alchemists bring the true essence of innovate craft cocktails to life at the Patent bar, located upstairs.
• The Edison encourages experimentation when it comes to crafting a specialty drink.  There is no feeling of obligation, intimidation and attitude that often goes with similar cocktail programs.