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

[BriarRosie]

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.

I had gotten the email with the menu, and I was given the option of canceling. They did that because there were a few people who didn't want a vegan or vegetarian menu. My friend who also attended the dinner met a couple at another event who had canceled. Normally these events are non-refundable, but Rosa did tell me that I could cancel. I feel badly that you didn't know you could have canceled.

The only signature dinner I regret booking was the Todd English dinner. It was beyond disappointing. This dinner was a LOT better by comparison.

 

[Steve-O]

Would like more info on the 10 vertical wine tasting at California Grill Nov.5th. Is a meal included or is it just a wine course? For 225.00 I expect food. Anyone have any idea?

I went several years ago. The food consists of a few cheeses. This is not a meal event. It is all about the wine and how it differs from year to year. Look at the wine that is being compared and then check to see how much it costs if you bought it. When I went (c os D'Estournel) some of the wines were hundreds of dollars per bottle. Since I would never buy even one of them, it was a great opportunity to try something I would have no other way to try.

 

[andylcq]

Waw!I like dirnking

 

[Dancind]

Looks like this years tasting is Freemark Abbey Sycamore and Bosche wines. They are currently in the $50 to $80 range, from what I can tell. I'm sure the older vintages would cost more!

 

[PatriciaH]

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

Yes, it totally cracked me up

 

[JohnathanS]

Hi Everyone,

I'm curious, and forgive me if this has been answered, since they are charging for the cooking demonstrations now, and since tables in wonderland must book through Disney Dining in order to receive a discount- will there be a schedule for the demonstrations in advance? If so, where do we find it?

Thanks!

Johnathan

 

[TDC Nala]

Hi Everyone,

I'm curious, and forgive me if this has been answered, since they are charging for the cooking demonstrations now, and since tables in wonderland must book through Disney Dining in order to receive a discount- will there be a schedule for the demonstrations in advance? If so, where do we find it?

Thanks!

Johnathan

There always is one, but it doesn't usually come out until closer to the booking date (which is still 2 and a half weeks away). The 2011 one is not out yet.

 

[ehagerty]

The only signature dinner I regret booking was the Todd English dinner. It was beyond disappointing. This dinner was a LOT better by comparison.

Pass the salt!!

 

[ehagerty]

I caught the F&W "buzz" from all your postings on facebook - and officially bought my air and secured DVC rooms today!

Now, I just have to go look at the brochure and see what I want to do!

 

[TigerKat]

I caught the F&W "buzz" from all your postings on facebook - and officially bought my air and secured DVC rooms today!

Now, I just have to go look at the brochure and see what I want to do!

 

[worm761]

Can I ask a nosy money question? How much would you say you spend on average eating around the world? Per person since I have three.

 

[dgbg100106]

Can I ask a nosy money question? How much would you say you spend on average eating around the world? Per person since I have three.

On average for us $200 pp, but we do not eat everything.

 

[Skoolie]

On average for us $200 pp, but we do not eat everything.

Most people make a day of it and it includes lunch and dinner times. If that is the case 200 dollars per person seems pretty accurate. I find if I'm just doing lunch I come in at around 75-100 bucks per person, depending how many drinks you get. but if I'm doing dinner it's more in the 100 dollar range.

 

[Skoolie]

I live around the area and the FAWF is my favorite I go every year and you guys are making me so excited already.

I think the vets of fawf are pretty dead on and would like to offer up my opinion and expertise as well.

There are some things I'm really digging about this year and some things I'm not.

The elephant in the room seems to be craft beers. ??? What happened, as the craft beer movement has expanded in the Orlando area Disney seemed to be retracting. Grrrr.

I wanted to briefly mention that soup from Puerto Rico last year which was fantastic. I don't know if they are doing it this year or not but last year they had a disney employee contest and that soup was the contest winner. Sad it's not here this year, but hope they continue that tradition and make it more known to the public about the contest winner.

 

[Skoolie]

I'm using this: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-marketplace-booths-and-menus/

to go off of:

Argentina

• Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Purée - This has been a favorite of many friends for the past few years. It's been there for a few years now and friends don't seem to tire of it.
• Beef Empanada - I am also upset they aren't doing the corn and cheese empanda from last year, my husband loved it. this better be just as good or better

Australia

• Shrimp on the Barbie with Pepper Berry Citrus Glaze - From the image I saw this looks good just hoping it lives up to the photo.
• Grilled Lamb Chop with Potato-Goat Cheese Salad and Shiraz Reduction - glad to see a new little twist on this. The lamb we've had at the Australia booth has always been good.
• Lamington (chocolate and coconut covered Yellow Cake) - had this last year and it was good. It's a rather large dense dessert and can be shared easily among 2 people or 3 if you just want a bite.

 

[Skoolie]

Belgium

• Steamed Mussels with Roasted Garlic Cream & Baguette - This was new last year and the lines were long, we weren't 100 percent happy with the mussels but because of the long lines results may vary.
• Freshly Baked Waffles with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream - We got this not because we ordered it but because some guy left it there and they offered it to us. Delicious! Thank you man for leaving it. - It's large enough to split between 2 people.
• Guylian Belgian Chocolate Seashell Truffles - NEW - and sounds really good, it may go well with the chocolate iced coffees.
• Belgium has so many breweries can't we get something besides hoegarten and stella?

Brazil
I'm glad they revamped this menu as we have had a lot of misses here and hoping to see some banging dishes.

• Brazil’s National Dish — Feijoada (a Black Bean and Pork Stew) - I'm looking forward to trying this and hoping its awesome.
• Seared Mahi Mahi with steamed Rice, Hearts of Palm, and Coconut-Lime Sauce - last 2 years they did a shrimp with coconut-lime and it wasn't very good, very bland, hoping this makes up for it.
• LeBlon Frozen Caipirinha - I enjoyed this last year, slurp it up before the sun melts is, as it tends to get too sweet more it melts.

 

[Skoolie]

Brewers Collection

• My suggestion here is for a group to order a few beers and share or order something you know and something you don't know. Beer Enthusiast know them all, if you've had them and aren't wowed by them, skip it.

Canada

• Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup - it's worth standing in line just for this item.

Caribbean Islands NEW

• Ropa Vieja - I love it. I've typically had it hat Cuban/ Venezuelan and Puerto Rican places - So I find it interesting its come from this booth.
• Jerk spiced Chicken Drumstick with Mango Salsa - Sounds delicious
• Frozen Dragon Berry Colada - okay so I had this at a different booth last year. it was good, cold on a hot day, but a very small cup. Think shot glass size.

 

[theycomefromallover]

Brewers Collection

• My suggestion here is for a group to order a few beers and share or order something you know and something you don't know. Beer Enthusiast know them all, if you've had them and aren't wowed by them, skip it.

Canada

• Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup - it's worth standing in line just for this item.

Caribbean Islands NEW

• Ropa Vieja - I love it. I've typically had it hat Cuban/ Venezuelan and Puerto Rican places - So I find it interesting its come from this booth.
• Jerk spiced Chicken Drumstick with Mango Salsa - Sounds delicious
• Frozen Dragon Berry Colada - okay so I had this at a different booth last year. it was good, cold on a hot day, but a very small cup. Think shot glass size.

These are great!!!!! Keep them coming! I'm enjoying getting a play by play! I am making a definately eat and a maybe eat list to put on my iphone so keep these coming!

From someone who loves Beer (the darker the better) But hasn't tried many on the list of brewers choice which Beers do you suggest?

 

[Skoolie]

These are great!!!!! Keep them coming! I'm enjoying getting a play by play! I am making a definately eat and a maybe eat list to put on my iphone so keep these coming!

From someone who loves Beer (the darker the better) But hasn't tried many on the list of brewers choice which Beers do you suggest?

My hope is that everyone will chime in. It's not just my opinion. and my opnion is different from others.

I hope from now until the start we will be able to provide some insight, and I do have some pics. I'm reserving those for a little later

 

[Skoolie]

Cheese

• Cheese Fondue with Sourdough Bread - A friend got this and we all agreed that the potatoes were not right and that the fondue was too soupy. - It looks like they have revamped this dish a bit, it may be worth another try. I'm not expecting too much though.
• Looking forward to the other cheese options here.

China

• Black Pepper Shrimp with Sichuan Noodles - Enjoyed this last year, not our favorite but a good dish.
• Caramel-Ginger Ice Cream - you can get this year round at the Lotus Blossom Cafe - same price. It is yummy and cooling on a hot day and can be shared between two people.

Craft Beers

• Tisk Tisk Tisk - Seems to be for the masses, but hey, I'll talk more about this later. Some decent beers here that are good but the "Craft beer" name may not be living up to the standard.