A Classic American Breakfast

When you think of the phrase “breakfast buffet” used in reference to the Contemporary Resort, guests’ minds typically run straight to Chef Mickey’s. The environment and character interactions are fun, but if we’re thinking of the best breakfast buffet for quality of food at the Contemporary, I’d like us all to start thinking about The Wave… of American Flavors.

If you look at the menu for The Wave, it seems fairly generic listing on Wave Specialties and Classic Breakfast Favorites. The Wave prides itself on sourcing locally, so the quality is going to be present from minute one of any meal there. What surprised me, however, was the imaginative dishes and twists on classic breakfast components.

Let’s take a quick run-through of the buffet’s options. There are assortments of pastries, both sweet and savory, and a variety of fruit options, but these are all things you would expect. For parfaits, you have options of Berry and Mint Greek Yogurt Parfait, Honey-Vanilla Yogurt Parfait, and Banana Caramel Greek Yogurt, each in its own personal shot glass. There is smoked salmon and pinwheels next to something you don’t always see on a breakfast buffet, deviled eggs. Biscuits, sausage gravy, oatmeal, and scrambled eggs are presented alongside an egg white frittata, hashbrown casserole, and eggs benedict. The bacon, sausage, and small Mickey Waffles are also present, but so is one of the best grits I’ve ever had on property. The Tillamook Cheddar and Bacon Grits is creamy, rich, with thick bits of bacon, in short it’s phenomenal.

Another specialty item on the buffet is the Sweet Potato Pancakes. These fist size pancakes are cooked to perfection and are moist, not dry, and are a bit denser than typical pancakes. The sweet potato flavor, that sweet earthy flavor really comes through, as do the pumpkin spices that have been added to the mixture. Top these off with some of the pecan-honey butter and you are on your way to greatness.

Here’s a pro-tip. On the regular breakfast menu is an entree known as Citrus-scented Brioche French Toast. It is not on the breakfast buffet, but that’s only because it is French toast and it gets soggy so quickly. If you would like some, the staff at The Wave will be happy to get you an order. Between the brioche bread, the citrus flavors in the dredge mixture, and the way it is fried to a golden brown make this some of the best French toast I’ve had anywhere in Walt Disney World. It made me very, very happy.

The Wave… of American Flavors had very few guests dining in it the morning we had breakfast, and it is a fairly easy reservation to grab. Call it the best kept breakfast secret on property, call it a hidden gem, call it whatever you want to call it, just get over there for breakfast. If you’re a fan of breakfast, you won’t be disappointed. Just to tempt you a bit more, let’s walk along the buffet together!