Crowds during Food and Wine fest.

[Darian]

I lost my courage after eating ostritch. Its a dark meat, with the flavor and consistancy of neoprene rubber. No, on second thought, rubber tastes better. I nearly puked.

Tastes like chicken eh? I've had rattlesnake and that was pretty tastey. It really did look and taste like chicken only better. But whats a good wine to pair with aligator? Would you a red or a white?

Darian

 

[natt]

We're planning on Nov. '04 to experience F&WF! One thing I'm not clear about; Does the "sampling" start from the time that the World Showcase opens, or does it start up later in the day? Natt

 

[jenelope]

I didn't try the alligator. However, I did try the escargot at the French booth. If I hadn't gone to the Food and Wine Festival, I might never have known that I like escargot.

 

[betterlatethannever]

Originally posted by natt
We're planning on Nov. '04 to experience F&WF! One thing I'm not clear about; Does the "sampling" start from the time that the World Showcase opens, or does it start up later in the day? Natt

It starts when WS opens (usually 11:00). Some stands may not be ready right at 11 but usually open soon after.

Ed

 

[Darian]

Originally posted by jenelope
I didn't try the alligator. However, I did try the escargot at the French booth. If I hadn't gone to the Food and Wine Festival, I might never have known that I like escargot.

Were you nervous at the initial tasting? I agree they taste pretty good, almost like liver... but though I like the taste I still struggle with the concept of eating garden snails.

Darian

PS I can't wait to go back this year!!!! Yeeehaaaa

 

[jenelope]

I wasn't at all sure that I could go through with it, and then I took a bite and it was great. One thing that helped is that they were already removed from the shell, so they didn't look at all like snails.

 

[mkutch]

I don't recall the choices for wine with the alligator but if I had to venture a guess I would probably go with a dry white wine or Chardonnay.
This is fun--I am just imagining tasting everything--I can't wait for our trip in Oct.!!!

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by Darian
Did anyone try the aligator the Florida booth was serving? What was it like? I didn't have the courage.... maybe this year?

Although the 2002 F&W Festival brochure listed alligator as one of the foods at the Florida "marketplace" (food booth), it wasn't actually available. It seems they changed their minds between the time the brochure was written and the date when the festival actually opened.

 

[Darian]

Have to take your word for it Werner. DW and I were there last year, saw the huge sign for aligator as a food item and couldn't bring ourselves to come within puking distance of the booth to check it out up close and personal. There did seem to be a lot of people there... don't know if anyone was eating aligator as we ran away as fast as we could go...

Any idea why they "chickened" out?

Darian

 

[madcoco]

The Fresh Grouper Cakes with citrus slaw from the FL booth was well received. Imho one of the best items at the festival last year.
The citrus wines were also unique.

Alligator Wine

 

[Darian]

you mean like wine made from grapefuit juice? Oh my...

 

[Darian]

you mean like wine made from grapefuit juice? Oh my...

 

[madcoco]

Yes along with other fruits. Key Lime. This is an old press release for the 2001 F&W Festival:
Key Lime Wine

From LaughingPlace.com Review:
Florida Orange Groves Grapefruit Wine - $2.50
Quote:"This was very nice when paired with the grouper. Wonderful tang to its taste, gave a zing to the taste buds."

Although the 2002 F&W Festival brochure listed alligator as one of the foods at the Florida "marketplace" (food booth), it wasn't actually available. It seems they changed their minds between the time the brochure was written and the date when the festival actually opened.

From LaughingPlace.com Review:
Quote:"We were both looking forward to trying the Seared Gator Medallions but were told that they were having problems with the supplier, thus no gator for us to try. We were disappointed in this but quickly bounced back when we tried some of the other offerings."