What are the "Must Try" items at Food and Wine Fest this year?

[monkeysammich]

We are heading down to F&W tomorrow as a nice date night before MNSSHP on Sunday... and I wanted to get some opinions on some items that are winners and those that kind of fall flat (either in taste or value)..

Right now I've got my eye on that Waffle from Belgium...

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I think this can be a fairly subjective answer since everyone's taste vary. I usually make my list for the festival after looking at pictures and reviews and see what people are saying. I know what I like so I base it from there. I know that a highlight for me last year was the Escargots from the France booth, but others might not be as fond. Going the other way at the same booth, most people love the short ribs and potatoes. I found those to be something that I can pass up on a return trip since I didn't think that they were that great. To each their own...

 

[Thrill Seeker]

The main one I have had so far is the Chocolate Lava Cake from Ireland. That was delicious. I would also highly recommend the Cheese Ravioli from Italy.

 

[Sloan]

check the results of the big survey

I'm heading to the festival in 12 days, so I can't give you my personal opinions yet, but I will direct you to the results of an annual survey of guests who've already attended:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=DicEz9_2bsc4e64CYreJRN0W7f0HOFaLSJpaG3K7fG0bQ_3d

The survey is run by allears.net, which also has some good reviews of the special events.

From what I've seen, the big winners are much the same as last year (and which I totally agreed with - but there are a few new ones):

Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Pureé from Argentina

Pork Pot Stickers from China

Seared Beef Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Purèe and Mango Barbecue Sauce from South Africa

Seared Barramundi with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes,Arugula, and Lemon Oil from Australia - and Grilled Lamb Chop with Roasted Potato Salad and Red Wine Reduction, also from Australia

Apfel Strudel featuring Werther's Original Karamell Sauce from Germany

Freshly Baked Waffles with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream from Belgium

Braised Short Ribs in Cabernet with Mashed Potatoes from France

Lobster and Scallop Fisherman's Pie from Ireland

Lamb Slider with Tomato Chutney from New Zealand

Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup (Canada, of course)

Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki from Greece

I will do my best to try all of these, and many more!! :slurp:

 

[Phonedave]

The waffle WAS very good. Not just because it is a waffle, but because it was done well. Just made, still hot, excellent malt flavor in it, done nicely (crisp on the outside, but tender inside), the berry compote was not overly sweet. The whipped cream is Reddi-Whip, which I can pass on, but still better that say Cool-Whip

The Beef Tenderloin from South Africa was also a stand out for me

The escargots were also very good - however, there is a LOT of bread involved. I recommend digging them out of the bread cups and eating them so you can taste them. Then eat the bread later. If you pop the whole bread cup thing with snail into your mouth at once, all you taste is bread.

I also thought the braised short ribs with kimchi in Korea was very good - if not difficult to eat.

-dave

 

[rct247]

Top Favorites This Year:

-South Korea: Lettuce Wrap & BBQ Short Rib
-South Africa: Beef Tenderloin
-United States: Bison Chili
-Australia: Seared Barramundi & Grilled Lamb Chop
-Belgium: Baked Waffle
-France: Escargot
-Ireland: Fisherman's Pie
-Canada: Cheddar Cheese Soup & Maple-Glazed Salmon

Side Notes
-Chile's Shrimp Ceviche is interesting to try if you can.
-Didn't like Brazil's Grilled Pork Skewer.
-Puerto Rico's selections are basically chicken/rice soup and a Cuban sandwich.
-I usually don't get something at country booths that are represented around World Showcase and have restaurants.
-Singapore's Beef Rendang is similar to Japanese Curry in Japan or ABC Commissary's Beef Curry dish.
-Everything in Germany can be tasted in the Biergarten.
-Hops & Barley's food selections are good, but nothing amazing, and they are also costly.
-USA's Heirloom Tomatoes is just that...a tomato slice.
-Japan's Tuna Sensation is just a cup of raw tuna and avocado bites. You can also try sushi at restaurants in Japan.
-Morocco & Greece both have Baklava. It can also be bought in Morocco's quick service restaurant.
-Spain's Taste of Spain is just a selection of deli meats.
-Ireland's Chocolate Lava Cake is the size of a Hostess Mini Muffin.
-Greece's Skpanakopita is a spinach/cheese turnover.
-New Zealand's lamb slider taste like meatloaf in a mini hamburger slider form.

Enjoy Food & Wine!

 

[anc33]

My favorite thing hands down has been the short rib from South Korea. The cucumber kimchi that it comes with is also fantastic.

 

[monkeysammich]

Seems like the Short Rib is getting added to my list..

Thanks for the input, keep it coming!

 

[Phonedave]

-Morocco & Greece both have Baklava. It can also be bought in Morocco's quick service restaurant

And if it's the same as last year, it comes frozen from an industrial food supplier. I watched them load it into the stand early one morning last year.


-dave

 

[Mickey_777]

I personally was really dissappointed with the food at F&W last week...but DO get the new tacos at Cantina and the pizza at Via Napoli...WOW is all I gotta say about that

 

[MillerPoppins]

Cheddar Cheese Soup from Canada as always.

Tuna Sensation from Japan. Although it is just raw tuna and avocado, the sauce they put on it is just heavenly.

Corn and Cheese Empanada from Argentina.

Lettuce Wraps with Kim Chi slaw from South Korea

Passion Fruit Margarita from Mexico

Steamed Mussels with Garlic Cream Sauce from Belgian.

Limon Mojito from Puerto Rico...yummo:slurp:.

Hope you enjoy!

 

[Dave Disney]

Escargot from the french booth - It's unreal
and my favorite was the Fishermen's Pie from Ireland - Just amazing!

 

[DisneyChuck]

Stop by France for the Escargots and Irelend for the Lobster and Scallop Fisherman's Pie and the Warm Chocolate Lava Cake. You will NOT be disappointed!!!

 

[Phonedave]

Steamed Mussels with Garlic Cream Sauce from Belgian.

See, that gets a pass from me.

Not for taste reasons, but for the fact that they sourced some of the smallest mussels on the face of the earth. I looked at my plate and was suprised to see 6 or so mussels. Then I began to eat and realized the meat was the size of my pinky fingernail.


-dave

 

[fmingo36]

See, that gets a pass from me.

Not for taste reasons, but for the fact that they sourced some of the smallest mussels on the face of the earth. I looked at my plate and was suprised to see 6 or so mussels. Then I began to eat and realized the meat was the size of my pinky fingernail.


-dave

They were small but they were soooooooooo tasty. We went to EPCOT 3 times the week were down there and I got aleast one serving each time. I actually ordered 2 orders just before Illuminations our last night there. I think they tasted even better with the beautiful show going on before me.

 

[MillerPoppins]

They were small but they were soooooooooo tasty. We went to EPCOT 3 times the week were down there and I got aleast one serving each time. I actually ordered 2 orders just before Illuminations our last night there. I think they tasted even better with the beautiful show going on before me.

I concur! The sauce and bread actually made that dish for me.

 

[Phonedave]

I concur! The sauce and bread actually made that dish for me.

Then call it bread and sauce

Seriously, I agree with both of you, it was very good. I was just taken aback by the size of the mussels. Especially since the shells themselves were pretty big.

If you are a fan of mussels (and who isn't) the mussels appetizer at the Brown Derby is one of my favorites, however it is only available for lunch service.

Aw, ________. I just looked and it seems it is no longer on the menu for lunch or dinner.

Well, this is what it once was.

STEAMED PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND MUSSELS In grain mustard with shallots, chorizo, tomato and fried herb bread $8

-dave

 

[MillerPoppins]

Then call it bread and sauce

Seriously, I agree with both of you, it was very good. I was just taken aback by the size of the mussels. Especially since the shells themselves were pretty big.

If you are a fan of mussels (and who isn't) the mussels appetizer at the Brown Derby is one of my favorites, however it is only available for lunch service.

Aw, ________. I just looked and it seems it is no longer on the menu for lunch or dinner.

Well, this is what it once was.

STEAMED PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND MUSSELS In grain mustard with shallots, chorizo, tomato and fried herb bread $8

-dave

We had the Mussels at Le Cellier during this trip and they were delicious as well. Are you a fan of clams? I am not but we got them at Mama Melrose this time and I loved them!

 

[Phonedave]

We had the Mussels at Le Cellier during this trip and they were delicious as well. Are you a fan of clams? I am not but we got them at Mama Melrose this time and I loved them!

If it comes from the ocean, it goes in my belly.

That's a pretty good summation

-dave

 

[LucyintheSky]

If it comes from the ocean, it goes in my belly.

That's a pretty good summation

-dave

You are the exact opposite of me in that regard! I eat NOTHING that comes from the ocean.

I'd like to give a vote for the lettuce wrap in South Korea. Yummy! I think I may have to try the short rib there as well, mostly because the cucumber kimchi sounds so good.