2009 Epcot Food & Wine Festival - General Reviews & Observations

[TheDISneyFamily]

All you guys had to do was ask! Jordan would have hunted down some bags for you! I'm sure Catherine would have, too, while she was in WDW over the weekend. I posted as soon as Jordan bought one to give everyone a heads up!

Sorry you didn't get to meet Jordan, Catherine. Maybe next trip...

Love the review. Bummer about the bags. I would have liked one.

I think those bags will be gone faster than Utopias samples at Party for the Senseless.

It's a bummer 'cause I'm sure there are plenty of folks going later (like Lori, and Chelsi, and me to name a few) who'd love to have one but I don't expect any to be left by October 14th when we first arrive. Oh well, just more money to spend on snackables.

Yes, it makes me sad if those are gone -
Ok I just got over it by increasing my Grey Goose Slushie budget!

 

[TDC Nala]

Sorry I missed Jordan. Maybe I will see her this coming weekend. I wonder how many others have a baloney bag because I'm pretty conspicuous wiht it.

There was some turbo touring going on last weekend. When I bought my bag on Friday there were a lot of them available. The next day after my mom decided she wanted one after all, they were gone. They were $29.95. I thought about buying some extras but I did not want to carry them all around all day, was not staying long enough to have them sent back to the resort, and wasn't leaving through the front gate to get package pickup, so I put it off. I could have taken orders though - didn't know there were any as I didn't have internet to check back.

Not saying they weren't holding some back to put out later but the cashiers didn't think so.

 

[jezebella]

Oops...forgot I had the greek salad to. It was very good..not as cold as I would have liked but the flavor was right on.

 

[kabuki]

All you guys had to do was ask! Jordan would have hunted down some bags for you! I'm sure Catherine would have, too, while she was in WDW over the weekend. I posted as soon as Jordan bought one to give everyone a heads up!

Sorry you didn't get to meet Jordan, Catherine. Maybe next trip...

Sorry I missed Jordan. Maybe I will see her this coming weekend. I wonder how many others have a baloney bag because I'm pretty conspicuous wiht it.

There was some turbo touring going on last weekend. When I bought my bag on Friday there were a lot of them available. The next day after my mom decided she wanted one after all, they were gone. They were $29.95. I thought about buying some extras but I did not want to carry them all around all day, was not staying long enough to have them sent back to the resort, and wasn't leaving through the front gate to get package pickup, so I put it off. I could have taken orders though - didn't know there were any as I didn't have internet to check back.

Not saying they weren't holding some back to put out later but the cashiers didn't think so.

That is sweet to even put it out that Jordan would have got some or that you thought of it Catherine - who would have thought they would have run out. OK! Maybe I should have but.. who knew!? Maybe I will get lucky and some will show when I do and if not I am sure it will be OK!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Hit up F&W yesterday. We usually go 3-4 times a year and I was actually going into this with not so high hopes due to the declining quality over the past several years, boy was I wrong. I don't know if it's because it's so early in the festival or what, but they have stepped up..at least from what I tried. Everything I got we split between 3 people so we could get through more stuff.

I had:

Mouse Catch trio of chees
Taste of Spain (serrano ham, chorizo, manchego, olive, and tomato bread)
Kielbasa and Potato Pierogie
Braised pork shank
Grilled Lamb Chop with red wine sauce and murrray river sea salt
Pizza with italian ham
Boston Crab cake
Lobster Roll
Gumbo
Arroz con Pollo and Bacardi Frozen Dragon Berry Colada.

The only thing that wasn't amazing was the Gumbo. Too much rice, not enough gumbo. I bit into the lamb chop and it was one of the best chops I've had in years. Insanely juicy and the salt really made the flavor pop. The crab cake is also quite an improvement. In the past it's been mostly filler and little crab. This year...I couldn't find any filler at all. It was about 90% crab and for only $4.50 makes it the best deal I've found.

The arroz con pollo was a little short on the pollo side, but still had great puerto rican flavor. Don't miss the dragon berry colada either. I'm not usually a fan of fruity booze, but this was awesome!

I'll be back on Saturday for more eats....I'll catch up with you later.

How was the lobster roll? In 2006 it was good but 2007 it was terrible (I didn't have one in 2008).

 

[jezebella]

It was good...but not $7.50 good. Did they jack up the price this year, or is it just my imagination?

 

[MickeyNicki]

MickeyNicki,
Will you be doing a live report this time (fingers crossed) or will you be too busy stuffing food into yourself? Either way have fun!!

Oh heck yes I will! Our plans have changed and DH cannot take the time at the end of the month so we are going Oct 1-5 instead and of course it will be a live review and we will spend the entire time at Epcot pigging out at the F&W booths and exhibits! Oh and drinking, there will be lots and lots of drinking!

 

[Kitchensink]

The pictures look wonderful.

Can you ask Jordan if there were brochures listing the chefs and wineries for the Party for the Senses? Also please ask her for an estimate of the number of chefs offering food items, and how many wineries came to the reception.

Last year we didn't get brochures with chefs and wineries listed at the earlier parties. It made it harder to locate what to try and where it was located.

Thanks so much.

 

[TDC Nala]

My friend ImprovGal who attended the party on Saturday had a program that did list all the chefs and the food items. You cannot get these until you arrive at the party.

The incomplete programs were only given out at the first two PFTS in 2008. After that all the parties had chef and food, winery and wine offerings listed in the programs.

 

[kabuki]

My friend ImprovGal who attended the party on Saturday had a program that did list all the chefs and the food items. You cannot get these until you arrive at the party.

The incomplete programs were only given out at the first two PFTS in 2008. After that all the parties had chef and food, winery and wine offerings listed in the programs.

I am SO happy to hear this!

 

[castmemberb4]

OMG - MUST have that bag - will be there in 37 days - fingers crossed!

Me too ! I'll be there on Thursday, going straight to the Festival Center on arrival. Fingers crossed for France !

 

[MickeyNicki]

A lady that works for my husband just went over the weekend and she was telling DH about what she sampled...here is what he remembered and he said he listened very intently so he could report back to me

A few places ran out of the beer they were sampling and it took a while before CM's replenished it, long lines waiting on cold beers. She said her DH loved all the beer he sampled but the best was the Octoberfest by Samuel Adams.

The stands were somewhat organized but she realized there were kinks to work out on opening weekend

The gumbo was great and they had seconds

Frozen Dragon Berry Colada was very good and not too sweet but it was a small serving.

Cheddar Cheese soup from Canada was very small and not worth the price

The cheese plates were excellent and there slices were large

Sushi was very good

Tenderloin with sweet potatoes was the very good but the meat was over cooked

Ham & Cheese croquette was just ok

Pizza was just ok

Sampler plate from Spain was good

The best item she ate and had to get seconds on was the shrimp cerviche....she was it was incredible and it was in a small cup so she has to get more it was so good, but she was confused by the popcorn on it (which is the reason why DH wants to try it ha ha)

She also said the crowds on Sat and Sun were very low but the restaurants were busy and the only place she could get in was at T-Rex on Friday night when they got there (she said they just had burgers and it was fine and the restaurant was not busy at all) and nothing else in Epcot was available for a walk up for 4 at dinner time so they just ate the F&W booths the entire day.


Cannot wait to check this out myself!

 

[Ellielovesdisney]

Is anyone going to the food and wine pairing at the Japan pavilion today? We are going to be there next week and would love to hear about it. I wonder if they are going to serve sake or wine?

 

[dznygrl]

Great Pics DISneyFAmily!!! THANKS!!!
The food looks awsome!!! But...what about the wine ????

Also, what is the dress code there?? I thought I saw some in shorts??? That would be good for us.....less to pack!!!
19 more days till our PFTS

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Great Pics DISneyFAmily!!! THANKS!!!
The food looks awsome!!! But...what about the wine ????

Also, what is the dress code there?? I thought I saw some in shorts??? That would be good for us.....less to pack!!!
19 more days till our PFTS

The dress code is business casual. I have a dress packed for it, but it's not very formal.

 

[Kteacher]

Great Pics DISneyFAmily!!! THANKS!!!
The food looks awsome!!! But...what about the wine ????

Also, what is the dress code there?? I thought I saw some in shorts??? That would be good for us.....less to pack!!!
19 more days till our PFTS

You will see a little bit of everything: some cocktail attire, some resort casual, some park attire. I've always worn a dressy sundress or cocktail dress

 

[ImprovGal]

My reviews have been delayed. In the meantime, here's the menu.
I don't think there's any chance of an abridged program ever returning. The CM I talked to said they did quickly learn their lesson last year. Another note: although you'll see pictures of the ribbon jellyfish thingies, this year the stations are denoted by giant shapes that hang down.

Food:

Lamb Lollipop, Garbanzo-Chorizo Fries and Romesco Sauce

Deconstructed "Tortilla De Patata", Poached Quail Egg, Carmelized Onions, Potato Espuma with Black Truffles

Duck Croquettes with Garlic Aioli, Smoked Date Puree and Duck-ham salad

Jamon (Iberico de Bellota and Serrano)

Warm Octopus Salad with Fingerling Potatoes and Smoked Paprika

Seafood Paella

International Cheeses: Mahon, Murcia al Vino, Ibores, San Simon
* there was also a second cheese station that had familiar PFTS standbys like Humboldt Fog and Tete de Moine, although now that I think about it I don't remember seeing Quark

Seared Day Boat Sea Scallops with Fall Asparagus Salad and Romesco Sauce

Syrah Beef with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Beet Salad with Manchego and Serrano

Empanada Espanole (Meat Pie with Chicken, Pork, Chorizo, and Ham)

Pastelon De Verduras con Salsa De Tomatillo y Culantro (Latin Style Lasagna with a Tomatillo and Culantro Sauce)

Orange Zest-Paprika Rubbed Pork Belly, Saffron Cauliflower Puree and Roasted Fennel

Jamon Iberico Wrapped Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates with Grilled & Chilled Gambas and Spanish Jerez Vinaigrette

Rioja Braised Veal Cheeks with Calypso Bean Cassoulet

Confit of Game Bird Leg with Andalucian Rice, Duck Pate, Drizzled with Sangria Glaze

Albondigas de Cordero: Spicy Lamb Meatballs with Smoked Paprika Aioli on Baguette with Arugula

Pan Fried Oyster with Mediterranean Pasta Salad and Chorizo Vinaigrette

Creme Catalan Moderne

Spanish Vanilla Cake, Almond Tuille with Creme Catalana and Candied Valencia Orange, Chilled Almond Gazpacho with Grapes and Sangria Jelly

A Collection of Chocolates

Assorted Pinxtos ala Plancha

Sea Bass and Shrimp Mousse

Plaintain Pastel Stuffed with Wild Boar, Black Beans and Escabeche Onions, Peppers and Garlic Sauce, Pork Crisp and Micro Cilantro

Raspberry Hazelnut Chocolate Silk and Coconut Green Tea Yogurt

Bizcocho Borracho con Helado de Tamarindo y Olive Brittle (Drunken Sponge Cake with Tamarind Ice Cream)

Joffrey's Coffee (Espresso, Cappuccino, Lattes)

Twinings Tea Bar (Hot & Iced)


Wine & Beer:

Caymus (Cab Sauv, Mer Soleil Chardonnay, Conundrum)
Kobrand (Poema Cava Brut, Don Olegario Albarino, Abadia Retuerts Seleccion Especial)
Abita (Purple Haze, Abita Amber, Abita Turbo Dog)
Marques De Caceres (White 2008, Reserva 2004, Gaudium 2004)
Cupcake Vineyards (Cab Sauv, Merlot, Petite Sirah)
Miolo (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Castas de Portugesas, Etko Commandaria St. Nicholas)
Wonderful Ethnic Wines (Vatistas Petroulianos, Megapanos Savatiano, Haggipavlu Nemea)
Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams Boston Lager, Octoberfest, Light)
S.A. Prum (Essence Riesling, Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese, Schloos Rheinhartshausen Olf Vines Riesling)
South African Wine Export Co. (Star Tree Chardonnay Northern Cape, Syrah Western Cape, Cab Sauv, Western Cape)
Hall Wines (Sauv Blanc, Cabernet, Merlot)
Bodegas El Cidaco (Marques de Tudelilla, Marques de Tudelilla Crianza, Marques de Tudelilla Reserva)
Red Newt Cellars ("Circle" Riesling, Dry Riesling, Gewurztraminer)
BSI (San Isidro Monastrell Reserva, San Isidro Airen, Zambra Sangria, San Isidro Monastrell)

 

[Charleston Princess]

Thank you so much for your reviews...I cannot wait to try it ALL! I will be there Thurs - Mon and I plan on doing as much eating and drinking at the F&W booths as possible!

Oh heck yes I will! Our plans have changed and DH cannot take the time at the end of the month so we are going Oct 1-5 instead and of course it will be a live review and we will spend the entire time at Epcot pigging out at the F&W booths and exhibits! Oh and drinking, there will be lots and lots of drinking!

MickeyNicki, we will be there October 1 -- 4 doing the exact same thing -- we are very excited! Maybe we will run into each other!

 

[TYMAN]

MickeyNicki, we will be there October 1 -- 4 doing the exact same thing -- we are very excited! Maybe we will run into each other!

We'll see you there Saturday! Maybe we all can meet up w/ MickeyNicki somewhere and share an adult beverage moment!

 

[basketlacey]

I am sooo excited! I will be there on Friday and then again on probably Mon-Tues. I can't wait! This is my first F&W