As a Disney Vacation Club owner with our home at the stunning Disney’s Riviera Resort, I often find my mind drifting back to the joie de vivre—the joy of living—that permeates this European-themed sanctuary. This morning, that longing led me to craft a Magically Epic version of one of my favorite Disney breakfast dishes: the incredible Riviera Croque Madame from Primo Piatto.
There is nothing quite like waking up at the Riviera, watching the golden sunrise kiss the horizon, and taking in that first, perfect sip of coffee. While my family and I can’t be at the resort every day, we’ve found a way to bring that magic home.
The Riviera Trifecta: Coffee, Food, and Nostalgia
For me, the perfect Riviera breakfast experience is a trifecta of flavors and feelings:
1. The Delectable Brew
It all starts with the coffee. We are huge fans of the Joffrey’s Riviera Resort Blend. This custom blend is a rich dark roast, a sophisticated combination of beans from Papua New Guinea, Costa Rica, and Kenya. The result is a profile that is sweet and smoky with a beautiful, rich aroma.
We order ours whole bean directly from Joffrey’s, have it delivered, and grind it fresh for use in our Ninja drip brew maker—a ritual that instantly transports us back to the resort’s stunning European walkways.
Magically Epic Tip: Fellow DVC Owners, you can often save on your home deliveries! Joffrey’s frequently extends a generous 20% discount to Disney Vacation Club members. To get your owner code, simply log into your DVC owner’s portal and check the members benefits section.
2. A Primo Piatto Classic, Croque Madame, Reimagined
The heart of this breakfast is the Croque Madame from Primo Piatto. It’s a classic for a reason: a delightful stack of French ham and Swiss cheese, topped with a fried egg (the “madame” addition!) and served with a choice of side.
In my kitchen today, I decided to elevate this European classic with two Magically Epic Tips:
- Bread Upgrade & Tangy Edge: Ditch the standard white bread. I use thick-sliced sourdough bread, which I lightly butter and pan-grill. The slight tang and chewy crust hold up perfectly to the creamy sauce. As Chef Billy’s recipe suggests, a smear of good quality stone-ground mustard on the inside of the bread is a must—it perfectly rounds out the tangy flavor profile we start with the sourdough.
- The Gruyère Swap: While Swiss cheese is traditional, I strongly recommend upgrading to Gruyère. This is where the magic truly happens! Gruyère cheese is a hard, cow’s milk cheese from Switzerland known for its nutty, fruity, and slightly salty complexity. It melts beautifully and adds a richness that truly transforms the sandwich.
3. The Creamy Croque Madame Secret: Béchamel Sauce and the Perfect Side
No Croque Madame is complete without a rich, velvety Béchamel. I love to riff on Chef Billy Parisi’s amazing version of the sauce.
For anyone tackling this dish for the first time (remember, the “madame” is simply the fried or over-easy egg on top of the “monsieur” sandwich), Chef Billy Parisi also has a wonderful, easy-to-follow Croque Madame recipe on his blog.
For a delicious and complete meal, I enjoy pairing my homemade Riviera Croque Madame with a small greens salad dressed with a simple lemon vinaigrette. The bright acidity of the lemon cuts through the richness of the Béchamel and Gruyère, making every bite feel light and refreshing.
The Missing Piece: Le Petit Café Banana Bread
The only thing missing from my magnificent at-home breakfast today was a warm piece of the famous Riviera Resort Banana Bread!
Found at the beautiful lobby café, Le Petit Café, this banana bread has a legendary reputation among Disney fans. It’s a true must-have, whether you are staying at the Riviera or just passing through on the incredibly convenient Disney Skyliner. You should totally check out our friends over at Disney Food Blog, also available @DFBGuide on YouTube, who have reviewed and RAVED about the amazing Riviera treat several times over the years!
A Taste of Topolino’s (and a Tip for Dinner!)
As a DVC owner, my thoughts also lingered on our other favorite Riviera dining spot: Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera.
It’s a wonderful character breakfast where you can meet Artist Mickey and Minnie while indulging in wonderful sweet and savory delights.
Magically Epic DVC Tip: Don’t sleep on dinner at Topolino’s! While breakfast is famous, the dinner service offers a fantastic menu and, if you time it just right, you can enjoy absolutely wonderful views of Disney firework shows to take in.
From European Elegance to Post-Apocalyptic Vanilla
The beauty of a Magically Epic meal, however, is that it doesn’t always have to be French elegance! If you’re looking for a coffee experience that leans more into the realm of epic flavors and fantasy themes, be sure to check out my recent review of Bone’s Coffee licensed Fallout Valiant Vanilla. I took that fantastic, vanilla wafer-flavored coffee and paired it with my own spin on an amazing banana milk bar. It’s a totally different vibe, but every bit as delicious!
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