F&W, Halloween & Christmas-and all the food in between! Updated 4/6

[sbprincess]

Wednesday – November 7th (Breakfast)

Wednesday morning I only had one thing on my agenda.



We hadn’t gotten to ride yet because we hadn’t been to Epcot early. It had to be remedied! We woke up and went straight to Epcot, through the gates, to The Land, immediately got fast passes for later and jumped in line for Soarin’! After our first ride, we got a little (okay a lot of) breakfast at Sunshine Seasons. This was our first time ever eating here. Yes, ever. We usually eat in World Showcase. I’ve always heard great things but it has just never happened.

There aren’t many choices for breakfast in my opinion. There’s the same breakfast platter that’s served in all the food courts and sweet stuff like danishes, muffins, etc. But we had counter service credits to burn. At this point, I had worked out which meal we would use which credits (snack, QS, TS) so we didn’t waste any. There was one menu item though that was different. That’s exactly what we both got! The Breakfast Panini with Eggs, Bacon, Roast Pork, and Cheese served with Breakfast Potatoes.





This was pretty tasty. The whole thing was warm and fresh. The pork gave it a very interesting flavor. The potatoes were good too. Brian and I could have easily split this and been satisfied. I’m positive that I didn’t finish this. I’m not sure I would make a special trip for it, but if I’m in the area and need breakfast, I would get this again maybe.

Just for fun, I’ll include a picture from the F&W Welcome Center. If I remember right, this was sculpted from chocolate. We thought it was cool!



Up Next: Final Food & Wine booths for lunch!

[SRiley1985]

Originally Posted by sbprincess

This was pretty tasty. The whole thing was warm and fresh. The pork gave it a very interesting flavor. The potatoes were good too. Brian and I could have easily split this and been satisfied. I’m positive that I didn’t finish this. I’m not sure I would make a special trip for it, but if I’m in the area and need breakfast, I would get this again maybe.

That looks pretty good. We normally eat breakfast at our resort before we head out but I might have to make an exception for that sandwich. Plus, everything is better with fried potatoes

[francis6306]

I am SO excited that your CG meal was so perfect!! I can't wait to eat there… ONE DAY!!! It will happen, I just KNOW it! Did I show you the link to the plans for the "Undisclosed Orlando Restaurant" I saw online? Funny… in the pictures of how it will look, they managed to leave the castle right there…

Sunshine Seasons was really good when we ate there for dinner on our trip in 2010. That panini looks good… but, we know *I* will never eat it. Corey on the other hand would probably LOVE it. That sounds right up his ally… well, except for the cheese. He's funny like that.

[TheMaxRebo]

Loved your review of CG - it is out favorite restaurant at The World and one of the top 2 or 3 in the world (our abo****e favorite is Gotham Bar & Grill in NYC). That table you got was perfect!

Our next trip will be after the remodel (and there better not be any delays pushing said opening past mid-October!) - we are definitely both nervous and excited for it

[disney212]

I am late the party (I guess better late than never)! Loving your report, sound like you and your DH and the same tastes as my DH and I. Loving your pictures and descriptions!

[sbprincess]

Originally Posted by SRiley1985

That looks pretty good. We normally eat breakfast at our resort before we head out but I might have to make an exception for that sandwich. Plus, everything is better with fried potatoes

Hi! The panini really was good. And I'm not normally big on potatoes for breakfast but thiers were great!

Originally Posted by francis6306

I am SO excited that your CG meal was so perfect!! I can't wait to eat there… ONE DAY!!! It will happen, I just KNOW it! Did I show you the link to the plans for the "Undisclosed Orlando Restaurant" I saw online? Funny… in the pictures of how it will look, they managed to leave the castle right there…

Sunshine Seasons was really good when we ate there for dinner on our trip in 2010. That panini looks good… but, we know *I* will never eat it. Corey on the other hand would probably LOVE it. That sounds right up his ally… well, except for the cheese. He's funny like that.

It would just be perfect if we get to move there and take you guys on your first time to CG! I don't remember you sending me a link for that...I'm curious now.

I know - everytime I write about something that involves pork I'm a little sad that you'll never get to try it I've wanted to try SS for lunch or dinner but we're either there during F&W or in WS instead. Maybe one day.

[sbprincess]

Originally Posted by TheMaxRebo

Loved your review of CG - it is out favorite restaurant at The World and one of the top 2 or 3 in the world (our abo****e favorite is Gotham Bar & Grill in NYC). That table you got was perfect!

Our next trip will be after the remodel (and there better not be any delays pushing said opening past mid-October!) - we are definitely both nervous and excited for it

I am dying to take my DH to NYC! He's never really been and I have only been once. Disney keeps taking priority though

Oh - I hope it doesn't get pushed beyond your trip dates! I feel the same way - nervous but excited! I guess we just have to hope. I'm okay with changes for the better. But I don't want a complete overhall. The little I have seen looks promising though. Fingers crossed!

Originally Posted by disney212

I am late the party (I guess better late than never)! Loving your report, sound like you and your DH and the same tastes as my DH and I. Loving your pictures and descriptions!

Hello and welcome! How about we say you're "fashionably" late...? Thanks for joining in!

[sbprincess]

Wednesday – November 7th (Lunch)

This was our last scheduled day in Epcot – boo hoo! There were still so many F&W items I wanted to try too. But we were at the point in our trip that food didn’t have the same appeal as it did at the beginning. You know the feeling, right? “Is it really time to eat again??” But somehow we managed to find room…or our bodies expanded to make room. That’s a depressing thought. We did split pretty much everything you’re going to see though. That helped a lot!

ANYWAY! This day’s weather was nearly perfect for finishing up F&W! It was slightly windy but the temperature was around the high 60s/low 70s and it was sunny. Yea! Since we had started around Canada the other day, we chose the other direction on this day.

First up – the beef empanada in Argentina. We both liked this a lot. It was a little spicy but not bad. I thought the portion was quite generous.



Next, the Taco de Filete with Cascabel Pepper Sauce and Scallions Served on a Flour Tortilla from Mexico. Again, we both thought this was really good. I remember Brian saying he wanted another one of these but I talked him out of it. He felt bad that I didn’t get to try as much last year so before we had started this day, he agreed that I could pick whatever I wanted. Two of anything really wasn’t in my plan!



I almost broke my plan with this next item though! The Mongolian Beef with Chinese Steamed Bun (China, duh ) – might have been my favorite item from F&W…definitely top three! I suggested we get another on our way out if we still wanted one later. This didn’t happen because we were full. It’s a shame though because we did have a few duds coming up. The beef and sauce on this was so flavorful!



This next item was totally me. I’m not even sure Brian tasted it. It’s the Spinach and Paneer Cheese Pocket from South Africa. Honestly, it tasted exactly like the spinach and paneer cheese I had gotten at Landscape of Flavors (AoA) previously. It was a huge portion though and I had loved it at LoF! I didn’t realize it would taste exactly the same. But I enjoyed it anyway!





We passed a few booths after this that we had either tried last year (Germany) or didn’t have much interest in (Korea). The next item on my list was the Zapiekanki-Toasted Mushroom, Caramelized Onion and Cheese Bread with House Made Ketchup from Poland. I asked for no ketchup since I don’t really like ketchup. This was very tasty but not anything special really. Not sure if I’d get it again but there wasn’t anything wrong with it. Maybe a tad greasy.



This next item was more for Brian. The Salsiccia e “Papacelli” Napoletani (Sweet Sausage, Red Pepper, Ciaibatta Bread) from Italy. The whole thing was really good though. I had a small bite of the sausage and let him have the rest. He let me have the peppers. Yummy! I really wanted some Prosecco but it was $8! I couldn’t do that for such a small glass when I knew what it tasted like already. Boo.



This next item was probably my most anticipated choice that absolutely did not live up to the hype. From the Hops & Barley booth - Linda Bean’s Lobster Claw Cuddler Chilled with Herb Mayonnaise. The bun was just standard white bread and the lobster was…meh. Maybe I don’t know enough about lobster. I don’t know. I was certainly glad I had used a snack credit instead of paying $6.50 for it. I was wishing I had gotten the pumpkin mousse instead. I don’t have a picture but I also got a Samuel Adams Cream Stout. I think the label “cream” had me thinking it would be sweet. Granted, it was a very nice portion for $6.25. And admittedly, I’m not much of a beer drinker. But I took just a few sips and was done. Brian also couldn’t take the bitter flavor. I’ll stick to cider or mixed drinks from here thanks!



Now this next item I also had very high expectations for. The Sukiyaki Beef Pan (Marinated Thinly Sliced Rib Eye with Sauteed Onions and Teriyaki Sauce Served in a Bun). I had read RAVE reviews for this. Unfortunately, we both thought it was just okay. The Mongolian Beef Bun in China put this to shame in our opinion. Oh well, at least we got to try it!



Last F&W item was also my choice. The Créme Brûlée au Chocolat au Lait from France. This was really good. As I’ve said, I do like chocolate but I’m more of a vanilla person. I would have probably enjoyed vanilla more but it was crème brulee. You can’t really go wrong with a good crème brulee, no matter what the base flavor is.



So that’s it for Food & Wine 2012! I thought this year’s experience was so much better than 2011. The weather was better and we were able to sample more because of my pre-planning. I know we’ll return again another year though. Maybe 2014? Looking back I do wish we had maybe planned one more afternoon for it. I know I missed more desserts than I would have liked. I wanted to try the Lamington from Australia, the Mussels from Belgium, the Corn Arepa from Florida, the Lamb Meatball from New Zealand, and the items from Terra. And I wish we could have gone back for the beef in China, the Spanakopita from Greece, the sausage, peppers, and onions from Morocco, the pork slider in Hawaii, the Lobster pie in Ireland, and Coq au Vin in France. So I guess there’s my list of favorites.

If you’ve never been to F&W, I highly recommend it! We preferred November to October. We avoided the weekends and crowds weren’t bad at all. I think I forgot to mention it but the night we went to Teppan Edo (on a Saturday), the crowds were INSANE! We were so glad we had an ADR and weren’t eating at the booths. Seriously, avoid weekend nights at all costs. I’m not even sure I would do it if that was my only choice of time to experience it. It was that bad. But it really is a perfect way to spend an afternoon at Epcot during the week!

Up Next: A few World Showcase staple snacks

[francis6306]

I want to do F&W!!! We've GOT to win the lottery so we can go more often!!!

[archdandy]

Mmmm! Everything looks so delicious. I'm actually thinking about changing around some of my ADRs now I can't wait to see the rest of your meal pictures. Oh and we are one of those couples who go and see a movie at least once a trip too!

[francis6306]

Happy Birthday to my best friend!!!

[TheMaxRebo]

Originally Posted by sbprincess

I don’t have a picture but I also got a Samuel Adams Cream Stout. I think the label “cream” had me thinking it would be sweet. Granted, it was a very nice portion for $6.25. And admittedly, I’m not much of a beer drinker. But I took just a few sips and was done. Brian also couldn’t take the bitter flavor. I’ll stick to cider or mixed drinks from here thanks!

Sorry you didn't like the beer. Ironically "Cream Stouts" or "Milk Stouts" actually are on the sweet side - for beer. The key with beer is that bitterness - some beers do a better job of balancing it than others

Also, for some people "Cream Stouts" are too sweet .... guess that is why there are 31 flavors of ice cream

Originally Posted by sbprincess

If you’ve never been to F&W, I highly recommend it! We preferred November to October. We avoided the weekends and crowds weren’t bad at all. I think I forgot to mention it but the night we went to Teppan Edo (on a Saturday), the crowds were INSANE! We were so glad we had an ADR and weren’t eating at the booths. Seriously, avoid weekend nights at all costs. I’m not even sure I would do it if that was my only choice of time to experience it. It was that bad. But it really is a perfect way to spend an afternoon at Epcot during the week!

Glad you enjoyed F&WF - it is totally what we plan all of our trips around. Didn't make it in 2012 but are planning to go this year

[CSI:Jude]

Love this food report. Thank you for doing it. We were in WDW the exact same dates, what a small world this is and in world showcase the same day. We loved the beef rendang from Singapore booth. It was scrummy. Karamel shop is still the best though I have a massive sweet tooth.
I'm looking forward to reading more

[CSI:Jude]

Duplicate post

[princess aleya]

Great reveiw can't wait to hear more.