Fourteen Days of Food Booths - Epcot Food & Wine Festival 2014

[NejTheLion]

Similar to the Grand Marnier slush, this drink has a good balance between the tartness of passion fruit and cranberry juice and the sweetness of the liqueurs. It actually reminded me of a frozen version of the juice mix that is served at places like Boma and Kona Cafe. I'm sure it's the passion fruit doing that. I can definitely recommend this one!

 

[NejTheLion]

I'm afraid this one was a disappointment. I love the food in Morocco, but this pales in comparison. The pita was basic, the vegetables were kind of boring, and the kefta was very, very dense. Kefta is ground meat formed into a small log shape and grilled. These were very under seasoned, and they were almost dry. Not enjoyable to me.

 

[NejTheLion]

I'm a sucker for baklava, so I grabbed this while I was at Morocco, even though I've been trying to visit different booths each night. Glad I did, since the kefta was disappointing. This was pretty traditional baklava--phyllo layered with nuts (walnuts, I believe) and soaked in honey. I don't typically like overly sweet desserts, but honey is the one exception for me. I've had other types of baklava that I preferred that were lighter, but I can't complain about this one...sticky, crispy, and sweet!

 

[DisneyJen]

Thanks so much for the wonderful reviews Jen

One question about the conch salad ... is the conch raw or cooked?

 

[SunnieRN]

Oh my, it just keeps getting better!! Awesome and thank you again!!

 

[suzimar57]

excellent reviews & photos - you doing a great job with this thread!

 

[NejTheLion]

Thanks so much for the wonderful reviews Jen

One question about the conch salad ... is the conch raw or cooked?

At first, I thought it might be like a ceviche...cured in acid. In the end, it appeared cooked to me. I'm not especially knowledgeable about conch, but this did seem cooked and not cured based on the texture. Plus, I figure there would have been a warning sign at the window like they have at Japan where seafood is served raw, and I didn't see anything like that here. The texture almost seemed like a chewy grain to me.

 

[NewRVLady]

This was my favorite dish at the preview event, and it holds up just as well at a food booth. The scallop was cooked perfectly, seared beautifully and just cooked through. It also had great flavor - fresh and sweet. As much as I enjoyed the scallop, the spinach tastes like the best cheesy creamed spinach you could imagine. And to top it off, they throw some bacon in. I can't say enough good things about this dish. The only problem is that it is very rich. Otherwise, I could eat several of these! I might have to give this a slight edge over the yard bird as my favorite dish so far. But that could just be because I love scallops so much!

I ADORE scallops and SO glad this was a winner!!!

Cant wait!!

 

[kittylady1972]

My mouth is just watering thinking about some of these dishes. The cheesy goodness of many of them...and the bacon ones...sounds soooooo good! You can't go wrong with cheese...or bacon!

We arrive tonight and I anticipate having a few Food and Wine booth meals myself!

 

[DisneyJen]

At first, I thought it might be like a ceviche...cured in acid. In the end, it appeared cooked to me. I'm not especially knowledgeable about conch, but this did seem cooked and not cured based on the texture. Plus, I figure there would have been a warning sign at the window like they have at Japan where seafood is served raw, and I didn't see anything like that here. The texture almost seemed like a chewy grain to me.

Thanks so much for the quick response and observations I can't eat raw seafood so it's good to know that there is signage about raw fish!

 

[Donald - my hero]

Just wanted to say thanks for providing such frank comments! I've seen pictures elsewhere but reading a description has helped! Only sad thing? That scrumptious looking seafoody- shepherdy -pie treat that was on my "must-do" list has tomato in it. I can't eat that anymore, but at least i now know to avoid it.

 

[MickeyMaz]

I also wanted to thank you for this great set of reviews. I go in 8 days and this is a big help for my list of must-trys. I find when going to F&W I still need to make a list of these kind of things. In years past I would go without a list and totally miss or forget half the things.

Thanks Again!!!

 

[jerseygal]

I ADORE scallops and SO glad this was a winner!!!

Cant wait!!

This one looks SO GOOD! YUM, LOOKS DELIC!

 

[NejTheLion]

Thanks so much for the quick response and observations I can't eat raw seafood so it's good to know that there is signage about raw fish!

As I'm sure you know, always ask to be on the safe side. You never know when a sign could have been missed.

 

[NejTheLion]

Just wanted to say thanks for providing such frank comments! I've seen pictures elsewhere but reading a description has helped! Only sad thing? That scrumptious looking seafoody- shepherdy -pie treat that was on my "must-do" list has tomato in it. I can't eat that anymore, but at least i now know to avoid it.

I can't be 100% certain, but it seemed like tomato was used in the sauce to me. Always ask to be sure.

 

[Sunseadisney]

Thank you so much form fsherman pie and scallop photos they are ones I am most looking forward to as I love seafood. I'm scrapping the conch thing did not look appetising at all.

 

[NejTheLion]

Okay, I had to do a little digging...didn't want to leave the question of tomato in the fisherman's pie out there without an answer. I found a recipe online posted in the Orlando Sentinel from a previous year. If this year's follows closely, it uses a lobster bisque for the base, and that bisque includes tomato purée. So, it looks like I was right that tomato was in the sauce. Just always be sure to ask if you have any food allergies.

 

[TiggerCL]

Loving this post! Thank you for sharing your reviews! I can't wait to try some of these dishes next week!

 

[DisneyJen]

As I'm sure you know, always ask to be on the safe side. You never know when a sign could have been missed.

Thanks for the reminder. Trust me I have learned the hard way what happens if I'm not vigilant!

 

[NejTheLion]

Planning to hit up that Lobster Alfedo tonight. I think that covers all the requests that have come in. Anything else?

I have to go away for the weekend, so after tonight, I won't have any new reviews until Sunday. Stay tuned!