Wow, what an adventure the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is! It sweeps you up, it takes your breath away, and it allows even the oldest, most cynical of wizards to feel as if this magical, whimsical world exists. It is a contained experience, and it is a bit of a whirlwind, but the streets of Hogsmeade are so meticulously constructed that for the most fleeting of moments, for the splittest of seconds, you do believe you're there.
The first, and most readily available experience is Butterbeer. The right food at the right time can transform and transport, and butterbeer takes you there. A deep sip of this butterscotch sugar-water makes it easy to understand why it's a favorite among the middle and high school-aged students of Hogwarts, and actually, despite it having enough sugar to fill a small cauldron, I find the sugar-rush delightful.
We choose to go on the rides before stopping for lunch, and believe me, that is the smarter choice. We sit down at the Three Broomsticks when there is hardly any line, and we find that their cafeteria-style system is surprisingly efficient.
My first pleasant surprise is the prices. At under 20 dollars for a full plate, the prices are quite reasonable, the portions are generous, and the quality is impressive for the setting. The Rotisserie Smoked Chicken Platter, for example, may not taste quite smoked, but it includes an entire half of a sizable chicken. The chicken itself is tender, and the rotisserie doesn't spit out a single drop of savory juice.
The Bangers & Mash is something you can imagine Hogwarts students digging into on a blustery morning of English winter. The sausage is on the lighter, sweeter side, and the finish is smooth. It goes well with a smooth side of mashed potatoes with gravy, and the onions and cabbage are sauteed just right.
The Beef Lamb & Guinness Stew is hearty and thick, fall-apart chunks of beef and lamb, dark with heavy Guinness. The bread bowl soaks up the stew, though something so rich can be hard to finish.
I loved my every moment, and I treasured my every step in Harry Potter world, but the Three Broomsticks was absolutely my favorite. The sweets beckoned from Honeydukes, the wands whispered from Ollivander's, and the Forbidden Journey begged to be ridden again and again, but the real experience is at the Three Broomsticks, where you get a literal taste of what life must be like at Hogwarts.
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