Overlooking World Showcase Lagoon, the lakeside house or “La Hacienda” is a 250-seat table service restaurant, while La Cantina” is a 150-seat quick service restaurant.

The event started at La Cantina where we were greeted by a lively mariachi band and servers with trays full of food and beverages to sample. We don’t drink alcohol to the endless supply of Margaritas didn’t interest but we did enjoy the fruity agua fresco. We spent about an hour mingling and sampling Mexican delicacies like the Empanadas de Queso, Chiles toreados y chorizitos, Tacos de Camarones, Pedcado a la Talla and Tacos de carne.

My favorites were the Tacos de Camarones (shrimp tacos) pictured above and the Empanadas de Queso which were creamy and cheesy…with a kick. My least favorite was the Tacos de Carne, which were tasy but too dry for my palatte.

We were later led into La Hacienda which is beautifully decorated with a perfect balance of relaxing muted walls and festive accents and lighting fixtures. I love the fact that each room in La Hacienda had a different style of lighting fixture and each was beautiful in its own way.

La Cantina de San Angel, the counter service restaurant, opens daily at 11am and will serve both lunch and dinner. The menu features many traditional favorites including chicken and beef tacos on fresh, handmade corn tortillas, nachos, cheese empanadas, guacamole and chips, with warm churros and Mexican popsicles. La Cantina offers a selection of Margaritas, sodas, agua fresco, jarritos, pink lemonade, water and iced trea to cool you off on a hoy Florida day.

La Hacienda, the table service restaurant, opens daily for dinner at 4pm and accepts Advanced Dining Reservations. The menu features a mixed grill for two with flank steak, chicken, chorizo and vegetables or a seafood version with grouper, shrimp and scallops as well as Tacos de Camarones, Arrachera and more.

Perched on World Showcase Lagoon, the patio of La Cantina is the perfect place to watch Illuminations Reflections of Earth we were able to grab a table and watch the evening’s extravaganza in comfort.

We will definitely return to La Cantina and La Hacienda de San Angel on future trips to Epcot.  I can’t wait to share these traditional Mexican delicacies with the rest of my family.

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Viewers will be treated to highly-visual and entertaining events commemorating the opening of the world’s most anticipated entertainment experience. Viewers may even get a glimpse of stars from the “Harry Potter” films who will be in attendance at the events.

Live updates from the grand opening events will also be shared on Universal Orlando Resort’s Twitter page – www.twitter.com/UORnews.

More than five years in the making, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the most highly anticipated entertainment experience of 2010. The 20-acre area inspired by J.K. Rowling’scompelling stories and characters features multiple themed attractions, shops and a restaurant and brings the magic of Harry Potter to life.

Celebrity Preview Wednesday, June 16 from 9:30 – 10:00 PM EDT

Official Public Grand Opening Friday, June 18 from 9:00 – 9:30 AM EDT

Go to www.UniversalOrlando.com/HarryPotterNews and click on the LIVE FEED button at the top left of the home page (next to the RSS feeds button)

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