**2011** Epcot Food & Wine Festival HAS ENDED. 2012 Festival 9/28 - 11/11

[BriarRosie]

* Claw Cuddler just doesn't sound right. I imagine a stuffed lobster to cuddle or something.

I didn't know what a Cuddler was, either. I followed that nice link dgbg100106 listed about Linda Bean's lobster, and discovered that they are just lobster claws. I don't find the claws very cuddly in the least.

 

[TDC Nala]

I didn't know what a Cuddler was, either. I followed that nice link dgbg100106 listed about Linda Bean's lobster, and discovered that they are just lobster claws. I don't find the claws very cuddly in the least.

I guess it beats calling it "Seal Chow."

 

[JohnathanS]

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering how difficult it is to get tickets for the Wine View Lounge at PFTS? I would really love to do this option- it would make the party so much more enjoyable to not have to worry about a seat!

 

[TDC Nala]

The Wine View Lounge generally sells out faster than the regular tickets (because there are fewer of them available) but there's been quite a large price increase this year, so I don't know how that is going to go over.

 

[JohnathanS]

Thanks, Nala!

I had seen the hefty price tage, but I'm going to go ahead and splurge on it! We only have been to one PFTS, and I wasn't a fan of the mad rush for seats, and the "wandering and eating" if you didn't have one. I'm hoping the wine view lounge seats will solve that.

 

[basketlacey]

I am so excited for our trip! We will probably only sneak in one day at F&W because we will be there on the last weekend but I cannot WAIT!

 

[gometros]

3D dessert discovery was fun, and OK to try once, but I won't be doing it again. I am not that big a fan of dessert. I will stick to the Party for the Senses, it is the same thing. Costs more, but they don't just offer desserts. I have never done the Wishes dessert party.

The 3D Dessert Discovery says there is VIP seating for Illuminations. Does PFTS give you the same thing?

Is there a better description, either on this thread or in a trip report somewhere, of PFTS, than there is on the website? I'm trying to get a better feel of what it's about and whether or not it's worth it for a non-drinker.

 

[TDC Nala]

It's not "VIP seating" for Illuminations. There aren't any seats. It's a blocked-off area to stand. And I think PFTS used to have the blocked off area too...but I can't remember if they still do it or not because I never go to Illuminations. They do have "VIP seating" for the Eat to the Beat Concert which does have actual seats.

 

[gometros]

It's not "VIP seating" for Illuminations. There aren't any seats. It's a blocked-off area to stand. And I think PFTS used to have the blocked off area too...but I can't remember if they still do it or not because I never go to Illuminations. They do have "VIP seating" for the Eat to the Beat Concert which does have actual seats.

Thanks, I just came across the review back on page 8. And it is VIP seating, if I read correctly. It just doesn't include chairs

 

[BriarRosie]

I guess it beats calling it "Seal Chow."

Well, the worst thing that they could possibly offer would be People Chow, made from Soylent Green.

And the Clara Peller graphic you made for your signature about the ho-hum beer this year turned out great!

 

[theycomefromallover]

Ok. We will be at Disney on October 13. I'm curious Is this meal worth the $250 price tag? How many glasses of wine are included? Are they high end wines? How many courses? Were you full (and feeling good ) when you left? Thanks for the help!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Ok. We will be at Disney on October 13. I'm curious Is this meal worth the $250 price tag? How many glasses of wine are included? Are they high end wines? How many courses? Were you full (and feeling good ) when you left? Thanks for the help!

Even if you could find a full review of a Signature Dinner at the California Grill is earlier years, the menu and wines this year are likely to be completely different.

I've been to a couple of Signature Dinners at the California Grill. (Both were before Brian Piasecki became the executive chef there.) Overall, one was excellent; one wasn't. The wines were excellent at both. At the disappointing dinner, a guest chef from a vegan restaurant in California wanted to show off his vegan food, and made no effort to match the courses to the red wines from Rudd Winery and Merryvale Vineyards. At least neither dinner was $250 back then.

There was enough wine that I was glad I was taking Disney transportation, not driving, afterwards.

$250 seems excessive. That said, I'm sure Brian Piasecki will do his best to make it worthwhile. Also, in what appears to be a cost-cutting move, Disney's Signature Dinners no longer pair a guest chef with the Disney chef -- so you should not have to worry about a vegan chef from California serving chewy, burnt seitan (wheat gluten meat alternative) with a fine red wine.

 

[TDC Nala]

I have been going to the California Grill signature dinner whenever possible.

Of the recent ones, 2009 was really freakin' good.
2010 was pretty good.

That's how far it came down within a year. The wines outshone the food but even the wines weren't as good as 2009. I will say there was plenty of both. And yes, they changed the menus and the wines completely from year to year.

I remember the vegan dinner, which the Festival people actually called guests who'd signed up and gave them the option to cancel if they didn't want to pay for a vegan dinner. Plus I think they ended up offering an optional fish course.

I don't think I'm doing California Grill this year although I'm in town October 27. I'm going to save a little cash and go for Jiko instead and the back up is Brown Derby, which to my knowledge has never done a signature dinner before.

I did do reviews in 2009 but not 2010. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2289501&highlight=creosote California Grill is on page 9.

 

[cdtommie]

The only thing that catches my eye is wheat rauchbier. I've seen and had smoked marzens, but I've never heard of a smoked wheat. Honestly it doesn't sound too appetizing for a wheat variety ... but I'm interested enought to try it.

Schlenkerla smoked beers are pretty easy to find in the Northeast at least and they make a weizen - all of their products are worth checking out.

 

[Krissalee]

Ok. We will be at Disney on October 13. I'm curious Is this meal worth the $250 price tag? How many glasses of wine are included? Are they high end wines? How many courses? Were you full (and feeling good ) when you left? Thanks for the help!

Not a full review, but here are my photos and some comments from the 2010 California Grill Signature Dinner.

Thursday, October 21, 2010
Dinner – Signature Dinner at California Grill

This was a specialty dinner for the Food and Wine Festival. Seven amazing courses! I am just going to list the menu with the wine pairings and post photos without my comments, because they would all have the same captions (Amazing! Delicious! Delectable!) I thought everything was spectacular!

Reception
Spicy Fried Duck Pot Stickers with Sticky Asian Glaze
Balsamic Onion and Black Mission Fig Tarts with “burnt” Caveman Blue Cheese
Roast Suckling Pig “Tacos” with Avocado and Margarita Crème Fraiche
Dungeness Crab Cakes with Spiced Remoulade and Piquillo Puree
“J” Vineyards Brut Rose Sparkling, RRV

(No photos – sorry)

First Course
Seafood Consommé with Pacific Whitefish Mousseline, Herbs de Provence, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Vegetable Foam
Michel Redde, Sancerre 2008

Second Course
Seared Pacific Monchong with Roasted Artichokes, Oven-dried Kalamata Olives, Preserved Lemons, and Citrus Broth
Selbach-Oster Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer 2008

Third Course
Crisp Breast of Squab with Caramelized Pears, Bitter Greens, Confit, Parsnip Puree with Honey-Vanilla Vinaigrette and Squab Reduction
Rochioli Pinot Noir, RRV 2008

Intermezzo
Yuzu Sorbet with Concord Grape “Jello”

Fifth Course
Salt Seared Waygu Beef over Heirloom Squash Risotto, Oxtail Jus, and Roasted Blufoot Chanterelles
Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2006
vs.
Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 2004

Fromage Course
Hard, Soft and Crunchy
Royal Tokaji Aszu Essencia, Tokaji Hungary 1993

Seventh Course
Tanzanian Chocolate-Espresso Soufflé presented with a warm Honey and Lavender Crème Anglaise and Marcona Almond Brittle
Warres 1966 Vintage Porto, Portugal

Coffee, Tea​

[/QUOTE]

Feel free to ask any questions!

 

[LWQuestie]

Soo... how are the vegetarians in the group liking the offerings this year? I'm bringing a friend for the first time and am a little concerned with the kiosk offerings. They seemed to be more veg-friendly last year.

 

[BriarRosie]

Even if you could find a full review of a Signature Dinner at the California Grill is earlier years, the menu and wines this year are likely to be completely different.

I've been to a couple of Signature Dinners at the California Grill. (Both were before Brian Piasecki became the executive chef there.) Overall, one was excellent; one wasn't. The wines were excellent at both. At the disappointing dinner, a guest chef from a vegan restaurant in California wanted to show off his vegan food, and made no effort to match the courses to the red wines from Rudd Winery and Merryvale Vineyards. At least neither dinner was $250 back then.

There was enough wine that I was glad I was taking Disney transportation, not driving, afterwards.

$250 seems excessive. That said, I'm sure Brian Piasecki will do his best to make it worthwhile. Also, in what appears to be a cost-cutting move, Disney's Signature Dinners no longer pair a guest chef with the Disney chef -- so you should not have to worry about a vegan chef from California serving chewy, burnt seitan (wheat gluten meat alternative) with a fine red wine.

I was at the veggie "experimental" California Grill dinner, and I'm also from the Chicago area. I kept my reservation mostly because I'm very much a carnivore, and I wanted to do something completely outside my comfort zone.

I believe Jens Dahlmann was the Disney chef prior to Brian Piasecki at California Grill. And he came over from Flying Fish...which probably explains why I loved the optional (well, not optional for me!) halibut dish he served us.

I thought the seitan was not good, but that was my first time trying it. Maybe it was prepared badly? I wouldn't know. I did enjoy the wines, but I don't remember how well they paired (or not). While some things fell flat, I enjoyed my dinner and experience there. I would probably book the California Grill dinner again.

Not this year, as I canceled my F&W trip.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I was at the veggie "experimental" California Grill dinner, and I'm also from the Chicago area. I kept my reservation mostly because I'm very much a carnivore, and I wanted to do something completely outside my comfort zone.

I believe Jens Dahlmann was the Disney chef prior to Brian Piasecki at California Grill. And he came over from Flying Fish...which probably explains why I loved the optional (well, not optional for me!) halibut dish he served us.

I thought the seitan was not good, but that was my first time trying it. Maybe it was prepared badly? I wouldn't know. I did enjoy the wines, but I don't remember how well they paired (or not). While some things fell flat, I enjoyed my dinner and experience there. I would probably book the California Grill dinner again.

Not this year, as I canceled my F&W trip.

I was contacted by email regarding the vegan menu, and I was not given the choice of canceling. (Now I wonder how they had my email address.)

My choice was to have halibut instead of the vegan item for one of the courses. I opted for the halibut. I guess I could have insisted on a refund, even though I was not offered one and Disney's event dinners are officially nonrefundable.

The halibut was the most perfectly cooked piece of halibut that I've ever had (thank you Jens Dahlmann), but it didn't go with the wine, despite the fish having been prepared with a hint of a red wine reduction.

My wife felt the dinner was a failure. I thought it was saved by the halibut and the enjoyable wines, but that Disney should have set the the right expectations before taking bookings.

 

[srauchbauer]

sorry if this has been asked, but i am wondering if you can use snack credits from the dining plan at F & W?

 

[theycomefromallover]

sorry if this has been asked, but i am wondering if you can use snack credits from the dining plan at F & W?

yes you can!
on most food items at the booths.