Thursday, October 8, 2015

A Walk in the Park: WDW Edition - Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival


By Genevieve Roberts




Editor's Note: Welcome friends to another edition of Disney Avenue's Walk in the Park. Many of you write in to say how much you enjoy this particular segment because it offers us the opportunity to visit the Parks and see what's new. We haven't done a Walt Disney World version in awhile but that is about to change. Today, please join me in welcoming Genevieve Roberts to the Disney Avenue family. Genevieve will be our new WDW contributor for our Walk in the Park articles while Daisy Sparks will continue to cover Disneyland. Be sure to join us each Thursday for a brand new Walk in the Park article. Whether you visit the Parks daily, yearly, or maybe about to take your very first trip, Disney Avenue's Walk in the Park will be your eyes and ears, allowing you to bring a little of that magic right to your front door. I'm thrilled to welcome Genevieve to our team. And now, here's Gen to fill you in on Epcot's amazing Food and Wine Festival. Enjoy friends...

- Keith Mahne




*****








Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival is a "must do" for fans of Walt Disney World and a great time to visit the Park. Seeing how excited people get to try out new foods, see demonstrations, and experience new culinary cultures from around the world is a treat. Join me today as we travel to Epcot and see the sights and culinary delights in this edition of Disney Avenue's A Walk in the Park...









Let’s take a walk around the World Showcase, fill our belly, and enjoy Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival. For this adventure, we will concentrate on the food, and on our next installment we will drink around the world. 


Sustainable Chew and Chew Lab

You will find these two stands near Imagination. This area has a really cool vibe to it. They haven't just set up a stand, but an entire area. The difference between the two stands is pretty substantial. 








The sustainable chew stand is filled with natural ingredients and cooking methods. Food from the garden with conservation in mind if you may. You will find the following options;
  • Pork Spareribs with red wine, fennel, and cheesy mascarpone grits – $5.50, Gluten-Free
  • Ricotta & zucchini ravioli with tomato sauce – $4.75, Vegetarian 
  • Vanilla Panna Cotta with fresh figs and pistachio brittle – $4.25, Gluten-free








The Chew Lab is like a crazy food experiment. How much fun is that? The offer the following;
  • Olive Oil-Poached Salmon with Fresh Corn, Bacon, and Pepper Jam, $5.75, Gluten-Free
  • New York Strip with Parsnip Silk, Balsamic Glaze and Arugula Foam, $6.25, Gluten-Free
  • Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel, $4.00, Gluten-Free 







The Cheese Studio

This area is always packed! Every time I walked by there was always a line. The location is off to the side, and a little hard to find. Refer to your F&W passport for help. 








  • Trio of artisan cheese – $5.00, Vegetarian:
  1. Karst cave-aged cheese served with honey
  2. La Bonne Vie goat cheese served with Craisin® bread
  3. Rogue Creamery Oregon Blue Cheese with berry port compote
  • Sweet goat cheese Panna Cotta with guava gellé – $2.50, Gluten-Free
  • Cheese fondue with sourdough bread – $3.50, Vegetarian








Dominican Republic

This station by far has the coolest vibe. It's not just a stop of your tour, but a destination. It's like traveling down south to let loose, but so much closer.

  • Lechón Asado: Roasted pork with mangú pickled red onion and avocado – $4.50, Gluten-Free
  • Soufflé de yuca: Yuca soufflé topped with griddled cheese – $4.75, vegetarian
  • Pescado con coco: Seared grouper, pigeon peas and rice with coconut sauce – $4.75
  • Caramel flan with rum-roasted pineapple – $3.25, vegetarian








Refreshment Port

This one is easy to miss because it's a quick service station that's permanently there. It's easy to overlook it. I can not recommend enough the "Croissant Doughnut with Cinnamon and Sugar ". It's incredible and a must try.

  • Croissant-doughnut with cinnamon and sugar – $4.99
  • Dole fruit bowl: choice of pineapple tidbits or mandarin slices – $2.25, Vegetarian
  • Fried chicken chunks with Dole pineapple sweet and sour sauce – $9.29
  • Pineapple Dole® Whip soft-serve ice cream – $4.19, Vegetarian
  • Pineapple Dole Whip soft serve ice cream with Bacardí® Coconut Rum – $7.50, Vegetarian








Greece

I have not tried this station yet, but I haven't heard great things about it. I'm easily swayed by reviews I'll admit. I have heard from many people that the Vegan Moussaka is a pass. Try at your own risk. This is sad because there are very few vegan options at Food and Wine this year. Especially considering in the past they have had full vegan booths.

  • Vegetarian moussaka with Gardein™ sausage crumbles – $4.75, Vegetarian
  • Greek salad in a cone – $3.25, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
  • Chicken gyro with tzatziki sauce – $4.25
  • Spanakopita – $4.25, Vegetarian








Desserts & Champagne

  • Chocolate cherry explosion – $3.75, Gluten-Free
  • Strawberry-basil champagne “toast” – $5.25
  • Guylian® Belgian chocolate seashell truffles- $1.75, Vegetarian








Hawaii

The Pork slider is small, but everyone enjoys it. Sometimes good things come in small packages.

  • Kālua pork slider with sweet and sour Dole® Pineapple chutney and spicy mayonnaise* – $4.00
  • Tuna poke with seaweed salad and lotus root chips – $4.75








Scotland

  • Haggis with neeps and tatties: Traditional Haggis with rutabaga and mashed potatoes – $4.75, Gluten-Free
  • Fresh potato pancake with Scottish smoked salmon and herb sour cream – $4.25, Gluten-Free
  • Seared sea scallop with spinach-cheddar gratin and crispy bacon – $4.75, Gluten-Free
  • The Tipsy Laird: Whiskey-soaked cake with lemon cream and toasted oats – $3.25, Vegetarian








Farm Fresh

  • Loaded mac n’ cheese with Nueske’s® pepper bacon, cheddar cheese, peppers and green onions – $4.25
  • Griddled “yard bird” with braised greens – $4.50, Gluten-Free








Patagonia

  • Beef empanada – $4.75
  • Grilled beef skewer with chimichurri sauce and bonito purée – $5.50, Gluten-Free
  • Roasted Verlasso salmon with quinoa salad and arugula chimichurri – $5.00, Gluten-Free








New Zealand

Considering the smaller size of all the items, the Lamb meatball was a pleasant surprise. It was large, and it filled me up. It tops my list of must tries.








  • Steamed green lip mussels with garlic butter and toasted bread crumbs – $3.75
  • Seared venison loin with wild mushroom marsala sauce and kumara dumpling – $6.00
  • Lamb meatball with spicy tomato chutney – $5.25









Australia

  • Grilled sweet and spicy bush berry shrimp with pineapple, peppers, onions, and snap peas – $4.75, Gluten-Free
  • Grilled lamb chop with mint pesto and potato crunchies – $6.00, Gluten-Free
  • Lamington: Yellow cake dipped in chocolate and shredded coconut – $3.00








Mexico

  • Tacos de camarón: Battered shrimp, pico de gallo, pickled onions, and chipotle mayonnaise – $5.50
  • Chilaquiles de Pollo: Corn chips layered with seasoned chicken, queso fresco, sour cream and cilantro – $5.00, Gluten-Free
  • Pastel de Elote con queso: sweet corn cheesecake – $3.75, Vegetarian








China

  • Beijing roasted duck in steamed bun with hoisin sauce – $6.50
  • Gaoli beef slider – $5.75
  • Black pepper shrimp with Sichuan noodles – $5.50
  • Chicken pot stickers – $4.00








South Korea

  • Korean Barbecue Short Rib with Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi – $5.00
  • Roasted pork lettuce wrap with kimchi slaw – $3.75
  • Vegan Korean Barbecue with Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi – $4.75, Vegetarian


Refreshment Cool Post

  • Spicy hot dogs with kimchi slaw and Korean mustard – $6.50









Africa

  • Berbere-style beef tenderloin tips with onions, jalapeños, tomato and pap – $5.00, Gluten-Free
  • Buttered chicken with micro cilantro and naan bread – $5.00








Germany

The Pasta Gratin was a big surprise to me. I picked it randomly when my husband bought the bratwurst. It was amazing. The bratwurst was small, but honestly everything is.









  • Schinkennudeln: Pasta gratin with ham and cheese – $3.50
  • Roast bratwurst in a pretzel roll – $5.00
  • Apple strudel with vanilla sauce – $3.50, Vegetarian








Poland

  • Kielbasa and potato pierogi with caramelised onions and sour cream – $5.50
  • Sauerkraut pierogi with pork goulash – $5.50








Italy

  • Ravioli Alla Caprese: Cheese ravioli, tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan and basil – $6.00, Vegetarian
  • Filetto di Pollo, con Funghi al marsala: Chicken tenderloin, cremini mushrooms, marsala sauce and ciabatta bread – $6.00
  • Cannoli al cioccolato: Chocolate-covered cannoli filled with sweet ricotta, chocolate and candied fruit – $4.00, Vegetarian








Hops and Barley

The Lobster Roll is of great debate right now. This is a staple of the Food and Wine Festival and people are seriously let down by it this year. Why did they change a good thing?

  • New England Lobster Roll – $7.50
  • Florida grass-fed beef slider with pimento cheese – $4.25
  • Fresh baked carrot cake with Craisins® and cream cheese icing – $3.75, Vegetarian








Japan

This station has hands down the longest lines. Actually they normally have two lines going at the same time. Don't worry though, the line moves quickly. The spicy hand roll is well worth the money.

  • Spicy hand roll: Tuna and salmon with Kazan Volcano sauce – $5.50
  • Teriyaki gyoza bun: Steamed bun filled with chicken, vegetables and sweet teriyaki sauce – $5.50
  • Tempura Shrimp Roll: cut inside our roll, with cucumber, finished with Teriyaki sauce – $5.95
  • Miso Udon: steamed shrimp, vegetables, and noodles in a spicy broth – $5.25








Morocco

  • Kefta pocket: Ground seasoned beef in a pita pocket – $5.00
  • Harissa chicken roll – $5.00
  • Baklava – $3.00, Vegetarian








Belgium

My husband and I used the waffles as a dessert and it was way better than you could expect. It's not just a normal little waffle. We were really satisfied with the two of them.









  • Potato and leek waffle with beer-braised beef and smoked gouda cream – $4.25
  • Belgium waffle with warm chocolate ganache and whipped cream – $3.75, Vegetarian
  • Belgium waffle with berry compote and whipped cream – $3.75, Vegetarian








Brazil

The pork belly is a Food and Wine favorite year after and year. This is for good reason. It's awesome! I did receive one of the smaller pieces, but I didn't mind. Because of the black beans it was one of the only items I felt was a little meal. Not just a little taste of something.








  • Escondidinho de Carne, “Little Hidden One”: layered meat pie with mashed yucca – $5.00, Gluten-Free
  • Crispy pork belly with black beans and tomato – $5.50, Gluten-Free
  • Pão de Queijo: Brazilian cheese bread – $3.50, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
  • Cocada: Brazilian coconut candy – $2.00, Vegetarian








France

I was pretty skeptical about the Croissant, but it was amazing! Go now, run actually, and get one. Well worth the money!









  • Croissant aux escargots with garlic and parsley – $5.50
  • Boeuf bourguignon: Braised short ribs in cabernet with mashed potatoes – $5.95
  • Crème brûlée Vanille Chocolat: Vanilla & chocolate crème brûlée topped with caramelised sugar – $4.25, Vegetarian








Ireland

This station was never very busy when I passed by. A word of warning though; the cheese selection plate was very small.

  • Lobster and seafood fisherman’s pie – $6.50
  • Kerrygold® cheese selection: Reserve cheddar, Dubliner with Irish Stout and Skellig – $4.25, Vegetarian
  • Warm chocolate pudding with Kerrygold Irish Cream Liqueur Custard – $3.50, Vegetarian








Canada

Being Canadian I was most excited to try this stand and, to be honest, the most disappointed with it. I tried the cheddar cheese soup, and it was tiny. It was laughably small to tell the truth. The soup was good, but I would recommend ordering a full bowl in their restaurant instead of this sampler. It was embarrassing small. The filet mignon fell under the same review; small but looked tasty.

  • Canadian cheddar cheese soup – $4.25
  • Chicken sausage with creamy polenta and Minus 8 onion jam – $4.50
  • “Le Cellier” wild mushroom beef filet mignon with truffle butter sauce – $7.50








All in all, it’s a great event and a must do. It’s expensive, but most things at Disney are. With that being said, it’s a unique experience and an amazing way to pass the day. See you in the parks!

- Gen




*****





Genevieve is a freelance writer who splits her time between Ottawa Canada, and Orlando Florida. She is a true Disney geek at heart, and her favorite moments are spent enjoying the parks with her Disney nerd husband. Come adventure in the parks with her in our Walk in the Park articles of Walt Disney World.





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