Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – Comida en Brasil, Bélgica, Craft Beers

El International Food & Wine Festival ya casi se acaba, pero no queremos dejar de celebrarlo en el blog.

 

A un costado de Test Track, del lado izquierdo del parque, se encuentra un camino un poco escondido que lleva al centro Odyssey, donde está el puesto de Craft Beers.

Como lo indica su nombre, se venden distintos tipos de cerveza y comida para acompañarla.

Arriba se lucen las Piggy Wings (alitas de cerdo con salsa BBQ coreana) y el Charcuterie Plate (paté, carnes ahumadas y pan tostado).

Y aquí de nuevo un vistazo de cerca a ambos platos.

Ya en la World Showcase, pasamos por el puesto de Brasil (ubicado cerca del pabellón de Marruecos).

En Brasil comimos el Pao de Queijo (pan de queso) y tomamos el Carnaval Moscato vino blanco espumante.

Finalmente, visitamos el puesto de Bélgica, cerca del de Brasil.

Aquí el maravilloso Waffle con compoté de berries. El de chocolate también es imperdible.

Y el lomo a la cerveza (Beer-braised Beef) para rebelarnos un poco y terminar con lo salado.

Siganos en nuestras aventuras culinarias suscribiéndose al newsletter.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2016 – Comida en Patagonia, Grecia, Francia

Seguimos de paseo en el Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, trayéndote todas las fotos y la información de la comida, así como además precios y recomendaciones.

Recuerda que puedes ver el resto de nuestros post acerca del festival visitando la etiqueta “Epcot International Food & Wine Festival” del blog.

En el puesto de Patagonia, sabores de la región del mismo nombre, que incluye Argentina, Chile, entre otros.

Arriba: Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Purée (pincho de carne de res con salsa chimichurri y puré)

Arriba: Roasted Verlasso Salmon with Quinoa Salad and Arugula Chimichurri (salmón asado con ensalada de quinoa y chimichurri de rúcula)

Arriba: Como no podía faltar, Empanadas de Carne y un Bodega Noemía A Lisa Malbec, oriundo de Río Negro.

Nos mudamos ahora al puesto de Grecia.

Arriba: Oikos Greek Yogurt Vanilla Cake Soaked in Ouzo with Yogurt Whipped Cream and Pistachos (torta de vainilla y yogur griego embebida en licor de anís Ouzo con pistachos)

Arriba: Chicken Gyro with Tzatziki Sauce (wrap de pollo asado con salsa griega envuelto en pan de pita)

Luego, nos vamos al puesto de Canada.

Arriba: el famoso Filet Mignon con salsa de manteca y trufas. No parece muy apetitoso, pero sin duda uno de los mejores platos para los amantes de la carne. ¡Una delicia!

Y del puesto de Escocia. ubicado entre los pavellones del Reino Unido y Canada, nos llevamos…

Arriba: Panqueque de papa hecho en el momento con salmón ahumado y crema a las hierbas.

En el puesto de Irlanda, algunos fuimos directo para el postre. Arriba: Warm Chocolate Pudding with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard (budín de chocolate caliente con licor de crema pastelera)

Los que saben, van al puesto de Francia. Arriba: Croissant aux Escargots (medialuna rellena con caracoles, ajo y perejil).

Y finalmente, un segundo postre en Bélgica. Arriba: Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream (waffle con crema batida y salsa de chocolate tibia).

¿Les gustó? ¿Qué comerían ustedes?

Productos, merchandising del Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2016

El International Food & Wine Festival en Epcot trae oportunidades únicas de compras de productos de edición limitada. Hoy les mostramos algunas fotos.

Esta remera especial para los que tienen pase anual se puede conseguir en una sala especial dentro de Innoventions.

Mismo para estos pines y cajitas decorativas.

Pero no desesperen! Los souvenires lindos no solo se limitan a ofertas únicas para Pases Anuales. Alrededor de toda la World Showcase se pueden encontrar puestos vendiendo merchandising que, si bien es un poco distinto al exclusivo para Annual Passes, también es de edición limitada.

Además de World Showcase, todo los productos se pueden encontrar en el pabellón de Wonders of Life. Este área, que solía ser un salón lleno de atracciones al estilo de The Land, ahora funciona para exposiciones temporales. Allí se venden los productos del Food Festival, y por otra parte también da lugar a muestras culinarias, encuentros con chefs famosos, y una bodega de vinos para compra del público.

Wonders of Life está ubicado justo detrás de Universe of Energy, al lado de Mission: Space.

En el próximo artículo seguramente sigamos explorando las comidas en Epcot, así que no se pierdan del blog. El Food & Wine Festival durará hasta el 14 de Noviembre de 2016.

Epcot Food & Wine Festival – Comida, información, fotos

El Food & Wine Festival es una celebración de la cultura culinaria que se da en Epcot todos los otoños. Este 2016 va a estar entre el 14 de Septiembre al 14 de Noviembre.

Visitamos Epcot para contarte las mejores novedades del festival y mostrarte todas las fotos. Si estás planeando tu viaje en el otoño boreal (apróximadamente entre mediados de septiembre y fines de noviembre), ¡este es un evento que no te podés perder!

En la imagen: festivales de otros años.

Además, se puede obtener este librito “Pasaporte” gratis, para anotar la comida y bebida que has ido probando por la World Showcase.

“World Showcase” es el nombre del sector de Epcot en el que exponen diversos países. Cada uno de ellos cuenta con un área temática con restaurantes, tiendas, y más. Durante el Festival, esta “vuelta al mundo” se llena de puestos de comida extras que no están en ningún otro momento del año.

Tal y como vemos arriba, donde se ve el puesto de comida de Australia.

¿Qué comimos nosotros? Veamos las fotos.

Primero fuimos al puesto de Farm Fresh, comida tradicional norteamericana.

  

Arriba: Loaded Mac & Cheese (Macaronis -Fideos- con queso cheddar, bacon, cebollín de verdeo)

Arriba: Chicken and Dumplings (Estofado cremoso de pollo con espinaca, champiñones y bollos de masa de papa)

Después de eso fuimos al puesto de Corea del Sur.

En Corea del Sur, kimchi y vino dulce de frambuesas. El vino una verdadera delicia, para los que lo quieren probar se llama Bohae Bokbunjajoo Raspberry Wine.

Arriba: Roasted Pork Lettuce Wrap and Kimchi (Cerdo desmenuzado con kimchi -una especie de repollo picante- envuelto en lechuga).

Arriba: del puesto de África, nos trajimos también un Buttered Chicken with Cilantro and Naan Bread (curry de pollo a la manteca con pan para acompañar)

Luego, al puesto de Marruecos.

Arriba: Spicy Hummus Fries with Cucumber, Tomato, Onions and Tzatziki Sauce (fritura de hummus -harina de garbanzos- con cebolla y salsas)

Arriba: Chocolate Baklava (milhojas dulce de miel, almendras y chocolate)

Bonus del camino, un vino de miel (Bunratty Meade Honey Wine) desde el puesto de Irlanda.

Y por último, el postre en el puesto de Chocolate Studio.

 

Arriba: Liquid Nitro Chocolate-Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey-Caramel (mousse helado con lluvia de caramelo)

Todavía quedan muchos días y muchas fotos para mostrarles. Así que no se pierdan de nada suscribiéndose al Newsletter o siguiéndonos en Facebook.

EPCOT Food and Wine Festival 2016

 

El Festival de Food and Wine en EPCOT se llevará a cabo este año  desde Septiembre 14 a Noviembre 14, 2016, el festival esta incluido en la admisión general al parque, se abonan solo los platos que decidamos probar y que rondan entre los $4 y $8 dolares, es una experiencia culinaria realmente única

Les dejo aqui el menu 2016

Africa

Comidas:

Buttered Chicken with Micro Cilantro and Naan Bread

Berbere-style Beef Tenderloin Tips with Onions, Jalapeños, Tomato and Pap

Bebidas:

Simonsig Pinotage

Indaba Chenin Blanc

Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz

Australia

Comidas:

Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies

Lamington: Yellow Cake Dipped in Chocolate and Shredded Coconut

Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp with Pineapple, Pepper, Onion and Snap Peas

Bebidas:

Yangarra Estate Vineyard Shiraz

Bulletin Place Unoaked Chardonnay

Coopers Brewery Extra Strong Vintage Ale

Château Tanunda Grand Barossa Dry Riesling

Belgium

Comidas:

Beer-braised Beef served with Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes

Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream

Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream

Bebidas:

Hoegaarden Witbier

Leffe Blonde Belgian Pale Ale

Stella Artois Hard Cidre

Brazil

Comidas:

Pão de Queijo: Brazilian cheese bread

Crispy pork belly with black beans and tomato

Escondidinho de Carne: Layered Meat Pie with Mashed Yucca

Bebidas:

Kaiser Brewery Xingu Black Beer

Carnaval Moscato Sparkling White Wine, Serra Gaúcha

Frozen Caipirinha featuring LeBlon Cachaça

Brewer’s Collection

Bebidas:

Schöfferhofer Zitrone Weizen-Mix

Hacker-Pschorr Hefe Weisse

Radeberger Zwickel Pilsner (Unfiltered)

Canada

Comidas:

Canadian cheddar cheese soup served with a pretzel roll

“Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle-Butter Sauce

Bebidas:

Moosehead Lager

Neige Premiere Apple Ice Wine, Québec

Fielding Estate Red Conception

THE CHEW Collective — NEW!

Comidas:

Grilled Beef Skewer with Romaine, Apricots and Feta Cheese

Ricotta and Zucchini Ravioli with Rustic Tomato Sauce

Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Mousse with a Caramel Drizzle

Bebidas:

Festival Chardonnay, CA

Festival Cabernet Sauvignon, CA

China

Comidas:

Chicken Pot Stickers

Sichuan Spicy Chicken

Black Pepper Shrimp with Garlic Noodles

Beijing Roasted Duck in a Steamed Bun with Hoisin Sauce

Bebidas:

Tsingtao Lager

Strawberry Plum Wine Cooler with Takara Plum Wine

Ritzy Lychee with Courvoisier Cognac VS and Smirnoff Vodka

Kung Fu Punch with Smirnoff Vodka and Bols Triple Sec

Happy Peach with Dekuyper Peach Liqueur and Myers’s Dark Rum

Mango Bubble Tea with Assam Black Tea and Milk

Chocolate Studio — NEW!

Comidas:

Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel

Red Wine Chocolate Truffle

Ghirardelli® Chocolate Raspberry Torte

Bebidas:

Fonseca Bin No. 27 Port

Justin Cabernet Sauvignon

Rosa Regale Sweet Red Sparkling Wine

Blandy’s Alvada 5yr-Old Madeira

Craft Beers

Comidas:

Pimento Cheese Dip with Pretzel Crisps

Charcuterie Plate: Country Pâté, Cured Meats and Crostini

Piggy Wings: Fried Pork Wings with Korean BBQ Sauce and Sesame Seeds

Bebidas:

Orlando Brewing OTown Weiss, Orlando, FL

Florida Beer Company Passport 20 Belgian-Style Tripel Ale, Cape Canaveral, FL

Two Henrys Blueberry Vanilla American Wheat Ale, Plant City, FL

Concrete Beach Stiltsville Pilsner, Miami, FL

3 Daughters Bimini Twist IPA, St. Petersburg, FL

Shipyard Midnight Snack Milk Stout, Clearwater, FL

Beer Flights also available

Desserts and Champagne

Bebidas:

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin “Yellow Label” Brut

Dom Pérignon Brut

Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rosé

Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial

Hard Soda Floats with Vanilla Soft-Serve (alcoholic) – Best Damn Hard Root Beer Float, Sprecher Hard Cherry Cola Float or Sprecher Hard Orange Cream Soda Float

Soda Floats with Vanilla Soft-Serve (non-alcoholic) – Coc

a-Cola® Float, Grape Fanta® Float or Strawberry Fanta Float

Farm Fresh

Comidas:

Chicken and Dumplings: Stewed Chicken with Mushrooms and Spinach

Pickled Beet Salad with Herbed Goat Cheese, Minus 8 Vinaigrette and Toasted Walnuts

Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese with Nueske’s® Pepper Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Peppers and Green Onions

Bebidas:

Woodchuck Raspberry Hard Cider

Wyder’s Dry Pear Hard Cider

Two Henrys Elderberry Hard Cider

Florida Orange Groves Mango Mama Wine

France

Comidas:

Croissant aux Escargots: Escargot Croissant with Garlic and Parsley

Soupe à l’oignon au Gruyère et Cognac: Gruyère and Cognac Onion Soup

Boeuf Bourguignon: Cabernet Sauvignon-braised Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes

Crème Brûlée Caramel Chocolat: Caramel and Chocolate Crème Brûlée topped with Caramelized Sugar

Bebidas:

Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 Pale Lager

Chardonnay, Bourgogne Blanc, Mommessin, La Clé Saint-Pierre

Merlot & Cabernet Blend, Bordeaux, Château les Graves de Barrau

St-Germain Sparkling Kir: Sparkling Wine and St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur

Frozen Daiquiri Ice Pop: Strawberry Puree with French Caribbean Rhum Clément

La Passion Martini Slush: Vodka, Grey Goose Le Citron Vodka, Cranberry and Passion Fruit Juice

Germany

Comidas:

Roast Bratwurst in a Hard Roll

Schinkennudeln: Pasta Gratin with Ham and Cheese

Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce

Bebidas:

Radeberger Zwickel Pilsner (Unfiltered)

J&H Selbach Bernkasteler Kurfürstlay Riesling Kabinett, Mosel

Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, Mosel

J&H Selbach Bernkasteler Kurfürstlay Riesling, Mosel

Greece

Comidas:

Vegan Loaded Greek “Nachos”: Pita Chips, Meatless Sausage Crumbles, and Vegan Tzatziki

Oikos Greek Yogurt Vanilla Cake Soaked in Ouzo with Yogurt Whipped Cream and Pistachios

Spanakopita

Chicken Gyro with Tzatziki Sauce featuring Oikos® Greek Yogurt

Bebidas:

Domaine Skouras Moscofilero

Domaine Siglas Assyrtiko

Alpha Estate Axia Syrah Xinomavro

Hawai’i

Comidas:

Spicy Tuna Poke with Seaweed Salad and Nori Rice

Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole® Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise

Bebidas:

Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Pineapple Wine

Kona Brewing Company, Big Wave Golden Ale

Mai Tai featuring Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum

Hops & Barley

Comidas:

Smoked Beef Brisket and Pimento Cheese Served on Griddled Garlic Toast

New England Lobster Roll

Freshly Baked Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Icing

Bebidas:

Samuel Adams Rebel Grapefruit IPA, Boston, MA

Anchor Brewing Liberty Ale, San Francisco, CA

Dogfish Head Chicory Stout, Milton, DE

La Crema Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

Cambria Estate Winery Benchbreak Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County

Frozen Orange-spiked Tea featuring Florida Cane “Orlando Orange” Vodka

Ireland

Comidas:

SeaComidas Fisherman’s Pie

Irish Cheese Selection Plate: Irish Cheddar, Dubliner and Irish Porter

Warm Chocolate Pudding with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard

Bebidas:

Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale

Bunratty Meade Honey Wine

Twinings® Pumpkin Chai Tea Frozen Cocktail with Caramel Vodka

Twinings Pumpkin Chai Tea and Caramel Shake (Non-alcoholic)

Islands of the Caribbean — NEW!

Comidas:

Mojo Pork with Black Beans, Cilantro Rice, and Pickled Red Onions

Quesito: Puff Pastry with Sweetened Cream Cheese and Guava Sauce

Jamaican Beef Patty

Pescado con Coco: Seared Grouper, Pigeon Peas and Rice with Coconut Sauce

Bebidas:

Presidente Pilsner

Frozen Mojito

Caribbean Sangria

Italy

Comidas:

Pennete alla Parmigiana: Baked Ziti and Chicken Parmigiana, Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese

Spezzatino alla Toscana con Polenta: Tuscan-style Stew with Carrots, Mushrooms and Crispy Polenta

Cannoli al Cioccolato: Chocolate-covered Cannoli filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate and Candied Fruit

Bebidas:

Moretti Lager

Moretti La Rossa Double Malt Beer

Pinot Grigio, Placido

Chianti, Placido

Prosecco, Fantinel Borgo

Corbinello Spumante Dolce Rose, Montegrande

Fior d’Arancio Moscato Spumante, Montegrande

Frozen Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila

Japan

Comidas:

Spicy Sushi Roll: Tuna and Salmon with Kazan Volcano Sauce

Grilled Spicy Edamame tossed with Sesame Oil, Soy Sauce and Chili Powder

Garlic Shrimp: Marinated Shrimp sautéed with Garlic and Butter and served over Rice

Bebidas:

Kirin Pale Lager

Sapporo Black Lager

Pineapple Breeze Sake Cocktail

Echigo “Northern Bloo

m” Junmai Sake

Mexico

Comidas:

Taco de Camarón: Battered Shrimp served over a Flour Tortilla with Crispy Purple Cabbage and Chipotle Mayonnaise

Barbacoa Enchilada: Corn Tortilla filled with Beef Barbacoa and covered with Oaxaca Mole

Flan de Chocolate Abuelita: Mexican Chocolate Custard

Bebidas:

Bohemia Pilsner with Floater

Mexican-style Red Sangria

Mezcal Pineapple Margarita on the Rocks

Jalapeño Margarita on the Rocks

Morocco

Comidas:

Kefta Pocket: Seasoned Ground Beef in a Pita Pocket

Spicy Hummus Fries with Cucumber, Tomato, Onions and Tzatziki Sauce

Chocolate Baklava: Rolled Phyllo Dough with Toasted Almonds and Dark Chocolate Sauce

Bebidas:

Casa Pale Lager

Les Trois Domaines Guerrouane White Wine

Moroccan Sangria

Mimosa Royale: Sparkling Wine and Orange Juice topped with Orange Liqueur

New Zealand

Comidas:

Lamb Meatball with Spicy Tomato Chutney

Steamed Green Lip Mussels with Garlic Butter and Toasted Breadcrumbs

Seared Venison Loin with Wild Mushroom Marsala Sauce and Kumara Dumpling

Bebidas:

Nobilo Icon Pinot Noir

Kim Crawford Pinot Gris

Mohua Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

Patagonia

Comidas:

Beef Empanada

Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Purée

Roasted Verlasso® Salmon with Quinoa Salad and Arugula Chimichurri

Bebidas:

Verum Pinot Noir

Bodega Noemía A Lisa Malbec

Poland

Comidas:

Golabki: Pork-stuffed Cabbage in Tomato Sauce

Kielbasa and Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream

Bebidas:

Okocim O.K. Beer Euro Pale Lager

Donausonne Blaufränkisch Hungarian Wine

Frozen Szarlotka Apple Pie featuring Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka

Scotland

Comidas:

Traditional Scottish Lamb Stew with Neeps and Tatties

Fresh Potato Pancake with Scottish Smoked Salmon and Herbed Sour Cream

The Tipsy Laird: Whiskey-soaked Cake with Lemon Cream and Toasted Oats

Bebidas:

Citrus Thistle featuring Hendrick’s Gin

Innis & Gunn Irish Whiskey Aged Stout

South Korea

Comidas:

Roasted Pork Lettuce Wrap and Kimchi

Korean-style BBQ Beef with Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi

Vegan Korean BBQ with Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi featuring Gardein™ Beefless Tips

Bebidas:

iCing Grapefruit Sparkling Rice Brew

Bohae Bokbunjajoo Raspberry Wine

Soju Fruit Slushy featuring Jinro Chamisul Soju

Wine and Dine Studio — NEW!

Comidas:

Pork Tenderloin with Cannellini Bean Ragoût and Zinfandel Reduction

Seared Scallop, Truffled Celery Root Purée, Brussels Sprouts and Wild Mushrooms featuring Melissa’s Produce

Trio of Artisan Cheese

La Bonne Vie Goat Cheese served with toasted Craisin Bread

Karst Cave-aged Cheddar Cheese served with Fig Compote

Statesboro Blue Cheese served with Spiced Candied Walnuts

Artist Palette of Wine and Cheese

Trio of Artisan Cheese paired with Conundrum White Blend 25th Anniversary, Kurt Russell’s GoGi “Goldie” Chardonnay and Robert Mondavi Maestro Red Blend

Bebidas:

Round Pond Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford

Kurt Russell’s GoGi “Goldie” Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills

Conundrum White Blend 25th Anniversary, California

Vinum Cellars Pinot Noir, Monterey

Kurt Russell’s GoGi “Tiger” Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills

Michael David Winery Seven Deadly Zins Zinfandel, Lodi

Robert Mondavi Winery Maestro Red Blend, Napa Valley

Marketplace Name to Be Announced

Duck Confit with Creamy Polenta and Fire-Roasted Salsa

Additional Festival Locations

Block & Hans

Bebidas:

Mmmhops Pale Ale

Festival Chardonnay, CA

Festival Cabernet Sauvignon, CA

Intermissions Cafe

Comidas:

Southwest Chicken Wrap

Tuna Salad with a Croissant

Asian Chicken Salad with Noodles

Asian Chicken Salad with Noodles

Caprese Salad: BelGioioso® Fresh Mozzarella Cheese & Tomatoes with Basil Pesto

Side Salad

Fruit and Cheese Plate

Grapes

Brownie

Key Lime Pie

Bebidas:

Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale

Cigar City Homemade Apple Pie Hard Cider, Tampa, FL

Festival Chardonnay, CA

Festival Cabernet Sauvignon, CA

Zonin Prosecco

Caposaldo Peach Moscato Sweet Sparkling Wine

Iron Horse Vineyards “Fairy Tale Celebration Cuvée” Sparkling Wine, Green Valley, Sonoma

Joffreys Coffeey and Tea: Coffee Carts

Bebidas:

Showcase Coffee Cart (Canada) – Kahlúa-tini Iced Coffee: chilled roasted C

offee topped with Kahlúa, Grey Goose Vodka and creamy Half & Half

Disney Traders – Tiki Torch: frozen Passion Fruit thrills with juicy sweet flavors, a hint of tartness and blended with Grey Goose Vodka

Future World East – Frozen Strawberry-Lemon Sunset: layered frozen Strawberry and Lemon topped with Grey Goose Vodka

The American Adventure – Spiked Chai Latte: iced, frozen or hot Chai tea Latte blended with Chai spices, creamy Vanilla and Baileys Irish Cream or Grey Goose Vodka

Refreshment Cool Post

Comidas:

Spicy Hot Dog with Kimchi and Mustard Sauce

Bebidas:

Frozen Brown Elephant

Mango Starr featuring African Starr Rum

Refrigerios

Comidas:

Pineapple Dole Whip Soft-Serve Ice Cream

Croissant doughnut with Cinnamon and Sugar

Fried Chicken Chunks with Dole Pineapple Sweet and Sour Sauce

Bebidas:

Dragon Berry Refresher featuring Bacardi Dragon Berry Rum

Pineapple Dole Whip Soft-Serve Ice Cream with Bacardi Coconut Rum

The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar Hosted by Ghirardelli Chocolate Company

Bebidas:

Lasseter Family Winery Amoureux Malbec Blend, Sonoma Valley

Terra d’Oro Zinfandel Port, Amador County

Ghirardelli Drinking Chocolate

 

Some Favorites From Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival 2013

By: Nick-co writer and editor of the Disney Musings Blog

Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival kicks off this year in just about one month, running from September 19th to November 10th. Menus for the 2014 Marketplaces can be found here.

Every year, when making a plan of attack for the Festival,  I intend on hitting EVERY booth to try at least one item from each, and inevitably I miss a few. For one reason or another, last year I missed even more than usual. But, I thought I’d share some favorites, several of which are returning this year, and also some selections that I wish I hadn’t made, and will be sure to avoid this year!

 

We visited on September 29th, 2013, the third official day of the Festival.

Our first stop was Greece, which has always served one of my wife’s favorites, the Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey. This year however, she thought it was a little greasier than usual, which could have just been a one off, as I thought mine was the same as in years past. We also got the Chicken Gyro with Tzatziki Sauce, which was very good, if very heavy on the onion.

 

 

 
Next was a stop at the Refreshment Port which is newly offering selections for the Festival. We only got one thing, the Dole Pineapple Fritters, and really liked them. Essentially these are deep fried pineapple rings.

 

Next door is Canada, and we picked up the always good Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup, which seemed even better this year, the “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce, an excellent selection, and a new item, the Seared Rainbow Trout with Bacon, Frisee and Maple Minus 8 Vinaigrette, another winner. Year after year this booth is a top choice.

 

We started walking back towards the Mexican Pavilion side, to a favorite, the Argentina booth.

Along the way we stopped at Hawaii, where I had the Tuna Poke with Seaweed Salad and Lotus Root Chip, which never lets me down.

 

Next to this was another new kiosk, Scotland. I’d been anticipating the Scotch flight, but thought I’d get to it later in the trip. Sadly I didn’t. Instead I got the Seared Scottish Salmon with Cauliflower Puree, Watercress and Malt Vinaigrette, which disappointed me. The fish was dry, and the puree fairly flavorless.

 

We made our way to Argentina for our perennial favorite, the Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Puree, with high hopes that this would be a high to the Scottish Salmon low.

Wrong! This was unfortunately a let down this year, as the beef was overcooked, and there was little sauce on them. In the future, I’ll ask if they can give me one less well done, and try to get extra sauce as well.

 
By now, it was about 12:30 pm, HOT, and already getting crowded. We decided to hit the Mexico Pavilion, where a favorite activity of mine is to get a Tequila Flight at La Cava del Tequila and take a ride on the Gran Fiesta Tour.

As we were about to go into the Mexico Pavilion, we stopped at the Mexico booth, which is located out in front. We got what had been a hit with my wife last year, but had been way too spicy for me, the Taco de Rib-eye with Salsa de Chipotle. This year the heat was turned way down, and we both loved them! A strong finish to a shaky start.

 

We returned the next evening, and this time, started in France. We shared the Boeuf Bourguignon (Braised Short Ribs in Cabernet with Mashed Potatoes), and Crème Brûlée au Chocolat au Lait (Chocolate Milk Crème Brûlée topped with Caramelized Sugar), both terrific, but Barbie wanted no part in the Escargots Persillade en Brioche (Garlic and Parsley Snails in Brioche), despite the fact that you honestly cannot taste anything but garlic and butter. These are awesome, and I get them every year. Pictured with the food is what was my favorite beer of the Fesitval, Kronenbourg Blanc. It is a Witbier, one of my favorite beer styles. It has a light citrus undertone, perfect for a hot humid evening.

We skipped a bunch of booths on our way to the Florida Local kiosk, mainly because they are serving a beer from a highly regarded brewery, Cigar City, which doesn’t distribute much to the Northeast USA yet. I got their Cracker Belgian-style White Ale, and it was very good, I’d absolutely recommend trying. I also had the Florida Grass Fed Beef Slider with Monterey Jack and Sweet & Hot Pickles, which I loved, but which didn’t impress Barbie.

 

Continuing on, Barbie wanted to try the Ravioli de formaggio all’emiliana in Italy, one of 2 items a friend had raved about. We also got the Salsiccia e ‘Papacelli” Napoletani (sausage).The Ravioli was good as always, but the Sausage was terrific.

 

Skipping a few more booths, with the thought that we’d get back to them, which we never did, we visited South Korea for the other menu selection Barbie had heard was great, the Kimchi Dog with Spicy Mustard Sauce. While in line we heard a humorous exchange where a child very stubbornly declared that she would under no circumstance eat dog. Well, if she didn’t, she missed out, because it really was delicious, and the photo below doesn’t do it justice.

Our last stop of the evening topped them all however. We had the Seared Mahi Mahi with Jasmine Rice and “Singa” Sauce at Singapore, and it was tremendous, among the best dishes I had at the Festival. Again, the picture does it absolutely no justice.

We didn’t hit any more of the food kiosks for a few more days, until October 3rd, when we met up with a friend at the American Pavilion. Before heading all the way back there though, I stopped at the Craft Beers booth and got a Namaste from Dogfish Head Brewery to get me through the long, hot walk. This is another Witbier, and another wonderful beer from one of the best brewers in the US.

Back at the American Pavilion, we all split the Craisin® Bread Pudding with Grand Marnier Anglaise from the Hops & Barley kiosk. Despite the fact that it is bread pudding, it was extremely light, and didn’t sit on the stomach like a brick, as some bread puddings do.

We next hit Belgium, for the Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream and Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote featuring Driscoll’s® Berries and Whipped Cream. Waffles with fruit and chocolate. Need I say more? I had a Leffe Brune, a Belgian Dark Ale with the waffles, and it paired nicely. Beer. Waffles. Not really any way you can go wrong here.

 

 

We decided to hit Spaceship Earth, but to do that, we needed to have more dessert. I’m not really sure how this evening turned into the sugar and booze fest it became, but, there it is. 

 

To get all the way back around to the front of World Showcase, I got a beer in  the Japan Pavilion at the Saki Bar, a hefeweizen called Premium Unfiltered, which is the Japan Pavilions best kept secret as far as I’m concerned.

 

 

On the way out, we  stopped at the Desserts & Champagne marketplace again, and both Barbie and I got the Dessert Trio, which consists of:

• Chocolate Orange Cupcake
• Hazelnut Chocolate Cheesecake
• Morello Cherry Pistachio Mousse

These were all great, the top of the Orange Cupcake being my favorite, I wish they’d have just served that in a bowl.

 

 

I also had the Pyramid™Weiss Cream Beer, a wheat ale, which was very light, but still tasty, and to be honest, you could have handed me just about anything at this point and I’d have been happy. 

 

 

So there you have it. I missed several kiosks that I wanted to try, and will hopefully be able to get to them this year. 

I hope these reviews help you if you visit my favorite event ever, Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival!

 

Portions of this article were originally posted on the Tips From the Disney Divas and Devos Blog, where Nick is a contributing writer.