Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2012 – Snack And Sip On This, Skip That

Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2012 – Snack And Sip On This, Skip That

Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Every year at Food and Wine festival at Epcot there are a few booths that are either the same as previous years or things that are always available in the parks. While these items are yummy, they can be skipped if you are a on a time crunch while sipping and strolling around the park. I figured I would let you in on a few of these items!

Canada:

Cheddar Cheese Soup: I know people go BANANAS for this soup and it is a top seller but this is both something you can get at Food and Wine, to go service AND table service at Le Cellier any time of the year. The line is ALWAYS super long and usually a bit of a wait.

My Advice: Skip This

Ice Wine: I am a HUGE FAN of Ice Wine. I had it for the first time many years ago at Food and Wine Festival. I make this a priority stop every year! The grapes for Ice Wine are only picked once a year, within a few hours from a special harvest of frozen to the vine grapes! It is a sweet dessert wine that is always such a treat no matter when you drink it!!!

My Advice: Sip on This

Greece:

Assorted Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt Cups: I feel silly putting this on the list but I have to let you know! Seriously, head to Publix and pick your own flavors and enjoy them for breakfast! I am a huge Greek Yogurt fan but, who needs to wait in line and bay 3.00 for yogurt… lol. I would sing a different song if they had fresh made Greek Yogurt however.

My Advice: Skip This

 

Italy

Ravioli di Formaggio All’emiliana (Baked Cheese Ravioli) : This is always a top seller and there is always a long line to sample this. After Food and Wine 2 years ago, Epcot set up an Italy booth just on the outside of the country where you could purchase this dish year round since it was such a popular and huge hit. This portion for Food and Wine is a bit smaller then the regular season portion so it isn’t really worth the bang for your buck!

My Advice: Skip This

 

Morocco

Kefta Pocket: This is an item that they do sell in Tangerine Cafe but this is a smaller portion at a much smaller price without the sides. The Seasoned beef is always flavorful and it is put in a Pita Pocket! One of my favorite choices for lunch so this is the perfect size if you want to try something new!

My Advice: Snack on This

 

Poland

Kielbasa & Potato Pirogi with Caramelized Onions: My husband and I are HUGE Pirogi fans.. we eat them at least twice a month. I am convinced that the Pirogi that they serve are the same ones we buy at Walmart. They tend to be over boiled and very floppy, served with a small slice of boiled kielbasa, a mickey head squirt of sour cream and a few floppy onions on top. Save your self the time, make them at home!

My Advice: Skip This

 

Singapore

Singapore Sling: This is a concoction of Gin, Fresh Pineapple Juice, Cherry Juice and Soda Water. If you are ready for a strong and sweet beverage then grab this! Our recommendation is to ask for a cup of ice and pour your beverage over the ice to cut down on the strength.

My Advice: Sip On This

 

These are just some of my notes. Please feel free to sip and snack and skip what you want. I am lucky enough to get to go to Food and Wine multiple times each year so I can be a bit picky when ti comes to what I want to spend my money on each year. Please Keep on the look out for some of our Favorites and some of our Not so Favorites in the coming weeks! Make sure you follow us around on Twitter to see what new Favorites we may have!!!

Beth went to the preview of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival yesterday, and here are some of the pictures that she tweeted!

And now here are some Quick Bites to keep in mind as you are going around the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! Now these Quick Bites are extremely honest, and we have also included links to our friends over at The Disney Food Blog since they have AMAZING coverage of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival for a different perspective and beautiful pictures!

Argentina

* Beef Empanada – I tried this last year, but didn’t like it.  It was the only thing that I actually threw out.
* Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Purée – I loved this.  It was one of my favorite   things at the festival.

Australia

* Shrimp on the Barbie with Pepper Berry Citrus Glaze – This is always good, but I’m not sure it is worth the cost.  I would love to try to make it at home.
*Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies – Yum!  I don’t recall the potato crunchies in previous years, but I can’t wait to try them.

Belgium

* Steamed Mussels in Hoegaarden Beer Broth and Baguette – This is a festival favorite.  I’ve always enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
* Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream – So good! People wait in the long lines for this dish alone!
* Guylian Belgian Chocolate Seashell Truffles – Last year this was only 2 truffles per package.  It wasn’t an expensive item and the prices were probably on par with high-end chocolate like Godiva, but I don’t think I’d spend my money on it.
* Hoegaarden – My personal favorite beer in Belgium (though not my favorite of all Belgian beers).
* Leffe Brune – This is a new one beer this year.
* Godiva Chocolate Liqueur Iced Coffee – Always delicious, but a very small serving.

Brewer’s Collection

* Altenmünster Oktoberfest – This is also available in the Germany marketplace and in the WS pavillion.
* Altenmünster Dunkel – This beer was so popular last year that it sold out with more than 2 weeks left in the festival.

Canada
* Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup – This is always a top seller, but I personally don’t care for it.
* Chicken Chipotle Sausage with Sweet Corn Polenta and “Minus 8″ Onion Jam – I loved this last year.  Officially, it doesn’t have a pairing, but I would recommend Niege (apple ice wine) with it.

** Neige Bubble – This actually won’t be at the festival because of a tornado at the orchard.** 

Caribbean Islands

* Ropa Vieja with Cilantro Rice – A good dish to try.  I actually preferred it to the one served at Columbia Restaurant in Celebration

Cheese

* Cheese Fondue with Sourdough Bread – I love cheese, but I didn’t really like this one last year.
* Trio of Artisan Cheeses: Beecher’s Flagship Reserve Cheddar, La Bonne Vie Goat Brie and Rogue River Creamery Echo Mountain Blue Cheese – These are new cheeses in this selection this year.

*Sterling Vintner’s Collection Meritage – this was only okay.  I don’t think I’d spend the money on it.

Desserts & Champagne
* Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial – served on the rocks

Florida

* Florida Orange Grove Hurricane Class 5, Florida White Sangria – If you like sweeter wines, this is a must try!

France

*  Créme Brûlée au Chocolat au Lait – I always have to have this once!

Germany

* Apple Strudel with Karamel-Vanilla Sauce – this was delicious.  Ask for extra caramel!

* Selbach-Oster Estate Spätlese
* JH Selbach Riesling QbA Red Label – this was good, but I prefer the spatlese

Greece

* Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey – delicious!  I can’t wait to have it again!

Hawaii

* Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise – This was delicious! It is a top seller!

Hops & Barley

* Linda Bean’s® Perfect Maine Lobster Roll® – being a native New Englander, I was skeptical about this dish, but it turns about be delicious.  Save your snack credits for this!
* Pumpkin Mousse with Craisins and Orange Sauce – the spices on this were delicious.  Just like pumpkin pudding.

* Angry Orchard Cider – OMG. This is delicious. I must have more of it!

Ireland

* Lobster and Seafood Fisherman’s Pie
* Kerrygold® Cheese Selection: Aged-Irish Cheddar, Dubliner and Cashel Blue with Apple Chutney and Brown Bread
* Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Bailey’s Ganache

* All three foods are delicious. I think the cheese plate is one of the best values of the festival.

* Bunratty Potcheene Chilled Irish Coffee – new this year, and I am excited to try it with the lava cake.

Italy

* Ravioli di Formaggio All’emiliana (Baked Cheese Ravioli, Creamy Beef Bolognese, Parmesan, Mozzarella) – popular, but I don’t really like it.
* Cannoli al Cioccolato (Chocolate-Covered Cannoli filled with Ricotta, Chocolate, Candied Fruit) – drooling just thinking about this!

Mexico

* Crispy Shrimp Taco with Chipotle Lime Mayo and Cabbage Served on a Flour Tortilla – I loved this last year!

Morocco

* Kefta Pocket (Ground Seasoned Beef in a Pita Pocket) – Good and a great size if you would like to try it without paying full price in Tangerine Cafe.

New Zealand

* Seared Sea Scallop with Kumara Red Curry Puree and Apple Radish Salad – Delicious!  A good sized scallop for the price.

* Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc – This wine really didn’t stick out to me. You may want to skip it…

Poland,
* Kielbasa & Potato Pierogie with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream – meh.  Go buy Mrs. T’s and Hillshire Farms and make it at home.

Scandinavia

* Rice Pudding with Driscoll’s® Only The Finest Berries™ – good, but I prefer the rice cream inside Kringla Bakery

Singapore

* Beef Rendang with Jasmine Rice – delicious and spicy

* Singapore Sling – get a cup of ice from a counter service location before you order this.  It is very strong!  Pour it over the ice.

South Africa

* Seared Filet of Beef with Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Braai Sauce – this was delicious! I may try it without the sauce next time.

South Korea
* Bohae Black Raspberry Wine-Bokbunjajoo – if this is the same wine as last year, I’d say skip it.  It tasted like cough medicine.

Terra

** Note that the wines served in Terra are not vegan**

* Paul Dolan Pinot Nior – This is delicious!

 

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