Food & Wine Fest...

[Pooh88]

We are going to WDW next Tuesday :sohappy:! I am looking for peoples' reactions/reviews on the F&W Fest! We can't wait! This will be our second time during F&W. Last time there were not as many countries. I looked at some of the menus for the different countries and I can't spell or pronounce half of what they are serving. Can't wait to hear which countries are the best etc...:slurp:

 

[daverube]

We went last year and were surprised to find out that you can use your snack option from free dining to pay for the food items. The lobster roll out side of AA was really good. So was the cheese soup in Canada. I don't remember eating much else...we were there mainly for the wine!! :slurp:

 

[Pooh88]

C'mon guys! I leave in a few days and can't believe I haven't heard anything about F&W Fest! Where are the best places to eat? Prices? Etc....I'm dyin' here! :slurp:

 

[coasterphil]

I'm just going to list the things I had and a simple yes or no as to whether I would have it again. If anyone has a specific question I'll answer it.

Argentina
-Empanada: yes
-Chimichurri Beef:yes

Spain
-Papas con Chorizo:no

Ireland
-Boxty Potato Pancake:no

China
-Chicken Sha Cha:no

Germany
-Sausage in Pretzel Roll: yes

Poland
-Cabbage Roll: yes

Hops and Barley
-Crab Cake: no

Japan
-Beef Roll: yes

Australia
-Lamb Chop: yes!
-Macadamia Nut Bar: YES!YES!YES!

Canada
-Cheese Soup: yes
-Maple Custard: yes

Peru
-Arroz con Pato: yes

Overall my two favorites were the Austrailan offerings. I'll be trying more as the month goes on. I also went to one of the culinary demonstrations yesterday and it was very nice. I'm planning on hitting several more of those before the event is over.

 

[mousermerf]

Oo! Good idea!

Dominican Republic
- Pastelon de Platanos Amarillos: No

Oklahoma - Rose Rock Diner
-Pecan Pie: Yes (but it was a pre-made boxed item)
-Peach Buckle: No

United States
-Maine Lober Roll: NO! Eww!

Poland
-Cabbage Rolls with Spiced Beef: Yes
-Kielbasa and Potato Pierogies: No
-Paczki (Doughnut): Maybe (was a little bland)

Italy
-Insalata Caprese Salad: Yes
-Lasagna al Forno: Yes

South Africa
-Bobotie with Mango Chutney: Yes! Yummy!
-Durban Spiced Chicken on Skewer: Yes
-Spice Cake: No! Tasted like it was rum-sponge

Turkey
-Meze: Yes, the olives were very good.
-Manti: Dunno, they were out so gave me the Meze for free.
-Authentic Pistachio Baklava from Turkey: Yes

India
-Samosa with Tamarind Sauce: Yes (but go easy on the sauce)

 

[Kuhio]

What I thought...

China
- Green Tea Plum Wine Cooler: A bit sweet, but very good.

New Zealand
- Lamb Slider: Not bad. The roll could have been a bit softer, though.

France
- Escargot Persillade en Brioche: Quite tasty.

Argentina
- Grilled Beef with Chimichurri Sauce: Delicious.

Ireland
- Boxty (Potato Pancake) with Bacon Chips and Kerrygold Garlic and Fresh Herb Butter: Delicious, if you don't eat the entire pat of garlic and herb butter they put on top of the pancake; it's too much butter for the portion you get.
- Bunratty Meade Honey Wine: Sweet, and pretty good. Kind of like a honey-tinged alcoholic apple cider.

South Africa
- Spice Cake with Marinated Fruit: I didn't care for it. The cake was dry and not that flavorful.

USA
- Maine Lobster Roll: Not bad, but not the best lobster roll I've had, either.

Australia
- Grilled Lamb Chop with Caramelized Onions: The chop itself was good, but it was covered in too much of the sauce, which was a bit too sweet. Instead of caramelized onions, there was some kind of clover-like herb.

 

[Gorjus]

I'd post the many foods I enjoyed, but I attended during Epcot's 25th celebration, all my guidebooks are completely soaked.:ROFLOL:

However, I saw someone above panned the Chicken Sha Cha. I LOVE that dish. So much so that I got the recipe and sometimes make it myself.

As for the festival, things have moved around a lot from last year. Australia is on the opposite side of the park and has a smaller venue although there is still a walk about (thank goodness). The USA walk about has also moved. Turkey and Oklahoma and Pears have the big venues this year.

I was disappointed that South Africa eliminated its Indaba Winery from the selections. In fact, this year, it was REALLY hard to find any Merlots or Pinot Noirs.

The other disappointing thing is that 3 separate times I purchased wine only to find that they had refrigerated the reds. Red should be at room temp. The cast members working the booths knew nothing about wine and just assumed all wine went in ice.:brick:

None the less, the F&W fest is still great fun. Do it during the week as opposed to weekends if you can. I am thrilled this year to have the luxury of going often:sohappy:. I'm so looking forward to it:slurp:

 

[Pooh88]

What I thought...


Argentina
- Grilled Beef with Chimichurri Sauce: Delicious.

Chimichurri, Chimichurri,Chimichurri Churri....To eat here is lucky as lucky can be....