By Peter Covino

Entertainment Editor

Just in time for the return of the 15th annual Epcot Food and Wine Festival — it’s La Hacienda and La Cantina de San Angel, two new restaurants under one roof at Epcot’s World Showcase.

The two-in-one dining experience had its official grand opening Wednesday night at the theme park, offering more options for both the leisurely diner and those in a hurry. Both restaurants are operated by the Debler family, who have operated the San Angel Inn at the Mexico Pavillion since the theme park opened. The family owns the original San Angel Inn in Mexico, one of the most famous restaurants in the country.

La Hacienda is a 250-seat table service restaurant, while La Cantina is a 150-seat quick service restaurant.

“The restaurant has been planned for years,” Dan Cockerell, vice president of Epcot said.

Along with a menu of authentic Mexican dishes, La Hacienda (and La Cantina) both offer great views of the World Showcase Lagoon, he said.

La Haciena is open daily for dinner at 4 p.m. Menu selections include starters such as queso fundido (warm cheese with poblano pepper and chorizo) accompanied by fresh homemade tortillas. Entrees include a mixed grill for two with flank steak, chicken, chorizo and vegetables or a seafood version with grouper, shrimp and scallops; roasted shrimp in pepper garlic broth; flank steak with spring onions, refried beans and cactus leaves; and grilled red snapper with roasted corn and cactus leaves. Dessert specialties include chocolate churros, sweet tamales and fruit empanadas.

La Cantina De San Angel opens daily at 11 a.m. serving both lunch and dinner. The menu features traditional Mexican favorites such as chicken and beef tacos on fresh handmade tortillas, nachos, cheese empanadas; guacomole and chips, warm churros and Mexican popsicles.

Menu prices at La Cantina start at $7.25 for guacamole; to $10.50 for empanadas and $11.95 for grilled beef tacos.

A children’s menu (empanada de queso and chicken tenders) is also available for $6.99.

The La Hacienda menu is much more extensive with six starters to choose from starting at $7.75 for a spinach salad with tomatoes, pomegranate, pine nuts and avocado to $12.95 for queson fundido, melted cheese with poblano peppers, chorizo and flour tortillas.

Entrees include roasted pork tender loin with roasted corn ($25.95); tacos de camarones (shrimp tacos, $22.95) and pollo al pastor (marinated chicken served with roasted vegetables, $23.95). Desserts include helado (traditional Mexican ice cream); chocolate con churros and empanada de manzana (puff pastry filled with sauteed caramel apples and vanilla bean ice cream).

Both restaurants offer an assortment of margaritas, but La Hacienda serves up handcrafted premium margaritas including the Rosita (premium silver tequila with orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, rose syrup and hibiscus salt on the rim); Orange Mango Fire (premium silver tequila with ginger liqueur, orange juice, mango, fresh lime juice, a hint of Tabasco sauce, served on the rocks with a Tajin chili powder rim and Coffee (Mezcal and Kahlua liqueur, blended with coffee, banana and ice cream.

Premium margaritas start at $12.50.

An assortment of tequila shots are also available as well as the La Hacienda Tequila Flight, 3 half-ounce tequila served with sangrita, lime and salt. Mexican beer as well as an assortment of wine from Argentina, Chile, Spain and Mexico are available as well.

La Hacienda accepts reservations at the Disney main reservation line 407 WDW-DINE.