Geeks plus booze: Food and Wine '06 with 12 of our closest friends....
- Thread starter zweihund
- Start date
zweihund
I tagged myself. I'm it.
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2006
Where did I leave off? Oh yeah. The almonds.
I should call this years Food and Wine fest excursion what it REALLY was: a chance for me to completely miss out on tons of food that I would have loved even though I read through my brochure every chance I got. I think next year we will either have to get there earlier and take a sloooooooow walk around, or we will have to go in stages.
I digress.
After the Crème Brulee, the next thing I was bouncing up and down about was the booth with nothing but Champagne and Truffles.
Now were talking.
After Soarin we headed back towards France to pick up where we left off. We took the Friendship boat! Awww, how appropriate. Ever seen the eyes of passengers on a nearly-full Friendship boat when a 7 foot man gets onboard? SAUCERS. Our beloved giant sat next to this lovely unsuspecting couple from England. As the boat started, he led us in an impromptu chorus of Rock the Boat (always funny) and then turned to the poor couple next to him. Hi, Im Brian. Im from Ohio. Do you know where that is? OHIO.
Oh, Lord, thank you for making this boat ride short. There was an audible sigh of relief as the geek squad departed at our destination.
We skipped Turkey and Spain as we were still fairly full. I was also starting to get that too much alcohol and sweets and not enough real food feeling in my stomach (you know the one, right?) so I didnt even bother peeking in my brochure to remind myself what we were passing up.
Spanish. Marcone. Almonds.
They are a thing of beauty, and I generally avoid them at all costs every time I go to Wholefoods because I KNOW that if I buy them I will eat the entire carton in one sitting. Here was my chance to get a single serving of them, and what did I do? I walked right past the stinkin booth.
*sigh*
One of our party stopped at Morocco to get a pistachio baklava, which I tasted despite the feeling described above. In fact, you are about to read more things I did to my stomach despite the feeling I described above, so just get ready to roll your eyes.
The baklava was lovely. I have a love-hate relationship with baklava. While it tastes wonderful, it is almost always far too sweet for me to enjoy more than a small bite. This was nicely balanced with the pistachio. Yum yum.
It was on to India. As we were dealing with minor stomach issues, I consulted the brochure and discovered not only that I had totally skipped my beloved almonds but also that there was a vegetable curry to be sampled in two different styles: Indian and Thai. Well, I absolutely adore Thai food so I opted to instead get a sample of the coconut rice pudding.
I know, I know, the stomach feeling. At least I didnt get any wine. Plus, the rice pudding was totally worth it. Creamy ricey goodness.
I was very excited about the next stop, because I am a self-confessed sake-holic. I love sampling sake. I love it hot, cold, flavored, whatever. As I made my way to the booth I noticed that everyone else was wandering off. Apparently there were a few in the crowd that were desperate to get to Oktoberfest, and the others who wanted sake chose instead to go inside the Japanese pavilion to the sake bar.
Again, there was no love for the booths. Boys, you can get that any time!
After trying to figure out what everyone else was doing, I demanded sake. Lionel pointed me in the direction of the booth which had a line approximately 800 people long. I decided that I could get sake anytime at the saki bar in the Japanese pavilion. My stomach thanked me.
Next: German pretzels and Gloria Gaynor!
I should call this years Food and Wine fest excursion what it REALLY was: a chance for me to completely miss out on tons of food that I would have loved even though I read through my brochure every chance I got. I think next year we will either have to get there earlier and take a sloooooooow walk around, or we will have to go in stages.
I digress.
After the Crème Brulee, the next thing I was bouncing up and down about was the booth with nothing but Champagne and Truffles.
Now were talking.
After Soarin we headed back towards France to pick up where we left off. We took the Friendship boat! Awww, how appropriate. Ever seen the eyes of passengers on a nearly-full Friendship boat when a 7 foot man gets onboard? SAUCERS. Our beloved giant sat next to this lovely unsuspecting couple from England. As the boat started, he led us in an impromptu chorus of Rock the Boat (always funny) and then turned to the poor couple next to him. Hi, Im Brian. Im from Ohio. Do you know where that is? OHIO.
Oh, Lord, thank you for making this boat ride short. There was an audible sigh of relief as the geek squad departed at our destination.
We skipped Turkey and Spain as we were still fairly full. I was also starting to get that too much alcohol and sweets and not enough real food feeling in my stomach (you know the one, right?) so I didnt even bother peeking in my brochure to remind myself what we were passing up.
Spanish. Marcone. Almonds.
They are a thing of beauty, and I generally avoid them at all costs every time I go to Wholefoods because I KNOW that if I buy them I will eat the entire carton in one sitting. Here was my chance to get a single serving of them, and what did I do? I walked right past the stinkin booth.
*sigh*
One of our party stopped at Morocco to get a pistachio baklava, which I tasted despite the feeling described above. In fact, you are about to read more things I did to my stomach despite the feeling I described above, so just get ready to roll your eyes.
The baklava was lovely. I have a love-hate relationship with baklava. While it tastes wonderful, it is almost always far too sweet for me to enjoy more than a small bite. This was nicely balanced with the pistachio. Yum yum.
It was on to India. As we were dealing with minor stomach issues, I consulted the brochure and discovered not only that I had totally skipped my beloved almonds but also that there was a vegetable curry to be sampled in two different styles: Indian and Thai. Well, I absolutely adore Thai food so I opted to instead get a sample of the coconut rice pudding.
I know, I know, the stomach feeling. At least I didnt get any wine. Plus, the rice pudding was totally worth it. Creamy ricey goodness.
I was very excited about the next stop, because I am a self-confessed sake-holic. I love sampling sake. I love it hot, cold, flavored, whatever. As I made my way to the booth I noticed that everyone else was wandering off. Apparently there were a few in the crowd that were desperate to get to Oktoberfest, and the others who wanted sake chose instead to go inside the Japanese pavilion to the sake bar.
Again, there was no love for the booths. Boys, you can get that any time!
After trying to figure out what everyone else was doing, I demanded sake. Lionel pointed me in the direction of the booth which had a line approximately 800 people long. I decided that I could get sake anytime at the saki bar in the Japanese pavilion. My stomach thanked me.
Next: German pretzels and Gloria Gaynor!
zweihund
I tagged myself. I'm it.
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2006
Ok, where was I?
Oh right. Pretzel today, sake tomorrow.
When we left, your faithful geek girl was stranded between cobbler and a crab cake. That is to say we were wandering between the USA pavilion and the Hops and Barley Market. Tempted as I was by the blackberry cobbler, I kept moving. Tempted as I was by the assorted ales, I kept moving. For I was on a mission: a mission of the truffle kind.
Fellow geek Jen and I made a desperate run for the Champagne booth. It was expensive, but delightfully bubbly and choc lately. I chose the Nectar Imperial, having never been much of a fan of anything Rose. While the truffles were scrumptious, I was a bit disappointed in their marketing. For in the brochure is CLEARLY stated that we would receive a TRIO of truffles, and last time I checked a trio did not mean two measly little truffles in a tiny white box. Fortunately I was tipsy enough to be thrilled with my measly little DUO so I did not complain.
All chocolated and fizzied up, Jen and I rejoined the group. Well, a much smaller group. Where were the rest THIS time? you may ask, and I think by now you know what the answer is:
They were in another stupid restaurant. In a line a mile long. Getting pretzels.
At this point you might think a pretzel sounds great right about now and while I feel that is total blasphemy at the Food and Wine fest, I was totally on board with that. Lionel and I found a much shorter line at a little kiosk to the side of the restaurant and commenced to drool over the case in which our destiny lied. Oh, sweet bready pretzel, you will be drizzled with hot mustard and greedily eaten. You will soak up the ridiculous amount of alcohol in my belly and make me feel anew. You will ..
For the love of all that is mighty, why is this line moving so slow???
Oh, right. That would be the family in front of us who, when faced with the choice of beer or pretzel, CANNOT DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT.
The good news is, we still made it back to geek central (read: bench in front of the Germany pavilion) long before our comrades made it out of the restaurant.
Oh wait, that isnt such good news.
After thirty minutes of waiting, the rest of us geeks were getting very restless, for if you sit too long then the alcohol starts to make you sleepy and then you start acknowledging crazy ideas like maybe we dont really need to eat or drink anything else because were tired. Yeah, like thats logical.
Lionel ran into the restaurant like a trooper and informed our fellow chickens that we were moving on and they were either with us, or would have to find us in the drunken crowd.
Now heres something funny that will instantly brand us as Floridians: as night was falling, we started to look at one another and say silly things like its kind of chilly, dont you think? Maybe it was just the alcohol shivers talking, but I was starting to regret not having packed a sweater. I excused myself on a little side trip to what I will call SILLY INTERNATIONAL BOOTH. What kind of sweatshirts do they sell at silly international booth? I had my choice of Italia, or Norway.
Wow. Way to latch on to the cold Floridian market, Epcot. I think I can find something better to spend $60 on, thank you very much. Plus, shivering is designed to warm you up.
So is booze! Woohoo!
Next: Australia, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain, and I finally explain the Gloria Gaynor reference.
Oh right. Pretzel today, sake tomorrow.
When we left, your faithful geek girl was stranded between cobbler and a crab cake. That is to say we were wandering between the USA pavilion and the Hops and Barley Market. Tempted as I was by the blackberry cobbler, I kept moving. Tempted as I was by the assorted ales, I kept moving. For I was on a mission: a mission of the truffle kind.
Fellow geek Jen and I made a desperate run for the Champagne booth. It was expensive, but delightfully bubbly and choc lately. I chose the Nectar Imperial, having never been much of a fan of anything Rose. While the truffles were scrumptious, I was a bit disappointed in their marketing. For in the brochure is CLEARLY stated that we would receive a TRIO of truffles, and last time I checked a trio did not mean two measly little truffles in a tiny white box. Fortunately I was tipsy enough to be thrilled with my measly little DUO so I did not complain.
All chocolated and fizzied up, Jen and I rejoined the group. Well, a much smaller group. Where were the rest THIS time? you may ask, and I think by now you know what the answer is:
They were in another stupid restaurant. In a line a mile long. Getting pretzels.
At this point you might think a pretzel sounds great right about now and while I feel that is total blasphemy at the Food and Wine fest, I was totally on board with that. Lionel and I found a much shorter line at a little kiosk to the side of the restaurant and commenced to drool over the case in which our destiny lied. Oh, sweet bready pretzel, you will be drizzled with hot mustard and greedily eaten. You will soak up the ridiculous amount of alcohol in my belly and make me feel anew. You will ..
For the love of all that is mighty, why is this line moving so slow???
Oh, right. That would be the family in front of us who, when faced with the choice of beer or pretzel, CANNOT DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT.
The good news is, we still made it back to geek central (read: bench in front of the Germany pavilion) long before our comrades made it out of the restaurant.
Oh wait, that isnt such good news.
After thirty minutes of waiting, the rest of us geeks were getting very restless, for if you sit too long then the alcohol starts to make you sleepy and then you start acknowledging crazy ideas like maybe we dont really need to eat or drink anything else because were tired. Yeah, like thats logical.
Lionel ran into the restaurant like a trooper and informed our fellow chickens that we were moving on and they were either with us, or would have to find us in the drunken crowd.
Now heres something funny that will instantly brand us as Floridians: as night was falling, we started to look at one another and say silly things like its kind of chilly, dont you think? Maybe it was just the alcohol shivers talking, but I was starting to regret not having packed a sweater. I excused myself on a little side trip to what I will call SILLY INTERNATIONAL BOOTH. What kind of sweatshirts do they sell at silly international booth? I had my choice of Italia, or Norway.
Wow. Way to latch on to the cold Floridian market, Epcot. I think I can find something better to spend $60 on, thank you very much. Plus, shivering is designed to warm you up.
So is booze! Woohoo!
Next: Australia, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain, and I finally explain the Gloria Gaynor reference.
zweihund
I tagged myself. I'm it.
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2006
Next stop: Australia!
It was shrimp on the Barbie for Lionel, nothing for me. I was, however, tempted by the Macadamia Nut Tartlet but that was mostly because I like saying tartlet. Anything instantly sounds smaller if you add let to the end. Try it!
South Africa was next, and this is where we finally met up with our fellow travelers. I was excited to see that they were offering a Melktert! Here is the story of the Melktart. Yes, in case it is not painfully obvious by now I will let you in on a little secret: I have a story for everything.
It was a cold November, 1997-ish, and I was in Edinburgh feeling homesick. What do Americans do when they feel homesick? They force everyone to celebrate their national holidays! I decided I was going to make a turkey for my flatmates, to which they added oh yeah, well were making mulled wine then to which a few other friends added oh yeah, well were bringing something native to our own countries to which my diabolical mind rubbed its hands together and hissed eeeeeexcellent.
My South African friend brought what I thought was called a Milk Tart. I could not accurately call it a tartlet as it was in a giant pan the size of our living area. I gorged myself on the tart and mulled wine and had a terrible hangover the next morning. Sound familiar, or have you not been reading?
What I ended up with at the South African booth could definitely been called a melktert-let, because it was roughly the size of a half-dollar. But it was full of rich milky goodness and I think it was well worth the asking price of $1.50.
One could say it was the bargain of the F&W.
Lionel got the Durban Spiced Chicken on Sugarcane at the recommendation of a couple we met way back in France (I love going to Epcot, my stories sound so much more fascinating .oh, this couple we met one year in FRANCE blah blah blah) and he said that while it was indeed tasty it did not live up to the hype.
Onward.
What do I see but the Thailand booth? Oooh, oooh, remember a few chapters back when I had to decide between curries? Well here was the winner! Sweet! I was drooling at the sound of the accompanying jasmine rice with lemongrass when I heard the words that still break my heart:
Im sorry maam, we are out of curry.
Did he just call me maam?
Worse, how does a booth just RUN OUT of food? At Disney? Inconceivable!
I sulked away from the booth and did what anyone would have done: grab some ice cream and drow my sorrows in a frou frou drink.
Yep. I went to China.
Thailand, you can just step off, because Im going to the mainland. Yes, I know they dont have any curry either, but they do have a drink I still have a hard time saying without rolling my eyes. Let me try again.
GREEN TEA PLUM WINE COOLER.
Dude. Im at the Food and Wine Fest, and Im drinking a wine cooler. Awesome.
The caramel ginger ice cream was lovely, and the drink was certainly interesting, but they lacked a certain quality I was seeking on that brisk Florida evening, and that it a quality that I like to call warm. I managed about half of each before I was unable to shove the spoon between my rapidly clacking teeth.
Our party was growing weary as we rounded the corner and headed in the direction of the five remaining booths. Nothing sounded good anymore. Ligonberry mousse? No. Semolina Con Leche? Gross. Conga Juice? What?
We passed the booths one at a time and I couldnt help but wonder if it was the fatigue talking, or if everything was just completely unappealing on this side of the park.
The last booth we passed made us all snort:
WILD AND WONDERFUL FLORIDA SHRIMP.
This is a booth?
Yes, indeed, you could have your Florida shrimp with one of two wild and wonderful toppings: mango salsa (which always makes me think of that Geico commercial with the cavemen), or ginger and lime.
Whoa, there. Dont get too wild on me!
The geeks silently piled out of the park, full and sleepy, and drove back to casa del Erica and Lionel where you would THINK they would not want any more food or drink.
You, dear reader, underestimate the power of the geek.
Out came the beer and leftover pizza.
It was shrimp on the Barbie for Lionel, nothing for me. I was, however, tempted by the Macadamia Nut Tartlet but that was mostly because I like saying tartlet. Anything instantly sounds smaller if you add let to the end. Try it!
South Africa was next, and this is where we finally met up with our fellow travelers. I was excited to see that they were offering a Melktert! Here is the story of the Melktart. Yes, in case it is not painfully obvious by now I will let you in on a little secret: I have a story for everything.
It was a cold November, 1997-ish, and I was in Edinburgh feeling homesick. What do Americans do when they feel homesick? They force everyone to celebrate their national holidays! I decided I was going to make a turkey for my flatmates, to which they added oh yeah, well were making mulled wine then to which a few other friends added oh yeah, well were bringing something native to our own countries to which my diabolical mind rubbed its hands together and hissed eeeeeexcellent.
My South African friend brought what I thought was called a Milk Tart. I could not accurately call it a tartlet as it was in a giant pan the size of our living area. I gorged myself on the tart and mulled wine and had a terrible hangover the next morning. Sound familiar, or have you not been reading?
What I ended up with at the South African booth could definitely been called a melktert-let, because it was roughly the size of a half-dollar. But it was full of rich milky goodness and I think it was well worth the asking price of $1.50.
One could say it was the bargain of the F&W.
Lionel got the Durban Spiced Chicken on Sugarcane at the recommendation of a couple we met way back in France (I love going to Epcot, my stories sound so much more fascinating .oh, this couple we met one year in FRANCE blah blah blah) and he said that while it was indeed tasty it did not live up to the hype.
Onward.
What do I see but the Thailand booth? Oooh, oooh, remember a few chapters back when I had to decide between curries? Well here was the winner! Sweet! I was drooling at the sound of the accompanying jasmine rice with lemongrass when I heard the words that still break my heart:
Im sorry maam, we are out of curry.
Did he just call me maam?
Worse, how does a booth just RUN OUT of food? At Disney? Inconceivable!
I sulked away from the booth and did what anyone would have done: grab some ice cream and drow my sorrows in a frou frou drink.
Yep. I went to China.
Thailand, you can just step off, because Im going to the mainland. Yes, I know they dont have any curry either, but they do have a drink I still have a hard time saying without rolling my eyes. Let me try again.
GREEN TEA PLUM WINE COOLER.
Dude. Im at the Food and Wine Fest, and Im drinking a wine cooler. Awesome.
The caramel ginger ice cream was lovely, and the drink was certainly interesting, but they lacked a certain quality I was seeking on that brisk Florida evening, and that it a quality that I like to call warm. I managed about half of each before I was unable to shove the spoon between my rapidly clacking teeth.
Our party was growing weary as we rounded the corner and headed in the direction of the five remaining booths. Nothing sounded good anymore. Ligonberry mousse? No. Semolina Con Leche? Gross. Conga Juice? What?
We passed the booths one at a time and I couldnt help but wonder if it was the fatigue talking, or if everything was just completely unappealing on this side of the park.
The last booth we passed made us all snort:
WILD AND WONDERFUL FLORIDA SHRIMP.
This is a booth?
Yes, indeed, you could have your Florida shrimp with one of two wild and wonderful toppings: mango salsa (which always makes me think of that Geico commercial with the cavemen), or ginger and lime.
Whoa, there. Dont get too wild on me!
The geeks silently piled out of the park, full and sleepy, and drove back to casa del Erica and Lionel where you would THINK they would not want any more food or drink.
You, dear reader, underestimate the power of the geek.
Out came the beer and leftover pizza.
zweihund
I tagged myself. I'm it.
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2006
You would think that Gloria Gaynor would make for some fascinating story follder but apparently not, for I have not been able to work her in anywhere. Truth be told, we never heard nor saw her, as we passed the American pavillion before she went on.
While I had high hopes of rocking out to "I Will Survive" while scarfing down some blackberry cobbler, the USA side of me was not feeling it for neither of those things actually happened.
I was however inspired to look at the list of all of the other acts who would be gracing the same stage that Bjorn Again had played on a few months back (and really.....how could you follow an act like that?). Here are a few, with commentary.
Survivor
Wow. Eye of the Tiger. Not much else to say about that.
Starship, featuring Mickey Thomas
Who the h-e-double hockeysticks is Mickey Thomas? I wondered if Grace Slick was kicking herself for losing the opportunity to one day get free admission to Epcot.
Loverboy
This just gets better and better.
Little Richard
He's still alive?
The Beach Boys
This one fascinated me the most. I mean, everyone else you can put on the has-been list but the Beach Boys? I thought they were an eternal beachy classic. Maybe they were there for the cool weather.
The list goes on, but it makes me sad. Not as sad as the time I went to a local bar on 80's night and someone suddenly announced that we should "give it up" for FLOCK OF SEAGULLS.
Only then did I notice all of the synthesizers. There was nothing left to do but shake our heads and leave.
I guess Gloria provided good fodder after all?
Hope you enjoyed the review!
While I had high hopes of rocking out to "I Will Survive" while scarfing down some blackberry cobbler, the USA side of me was not feeling it for neither of those things actually happened.
I was however inspired to look at the list of all of the other acts who would be gracing the same stage that Bjorn Again had played on a few months back (and really.....how could you follow an act like that?). Here are a few, with commentary.
Survivor
Wow. Eye of the Tiger. Not much else to say about that.
Starship, featuring Mickey Thomas
Who the h-e-double hockeysticks is Mickey Thomas? I wondered if Grace Slick was kicking herself for losing the opportunity to one day get free admission to Epcot.
Loverboy
This just gets better and better.
Little Richard
He's still alive?
The Beach Boys
This one fascinated me the most. I mean, everyone else you can put on the has-been list but the Beach Boys? I thought they were an eternal beachy classic. Maybe they were there for the cool weather.
The list goes on, but it makes me sad. Not as sad as the time I went to a local bar on 80's night and someone suddenly announced that we should "give it up" for FLOCK OF SEAGULLS.
Only then did I notice all of the synthesizers. There was nothing left to do but shake our heads and leave.
I guess Gloria provided good fodder after all?
Hope you enjoyed the review!
grumpydude
Never Underestimate the Power of Stupid People in
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2006
Cool, you just went back to the future.zweihund said:
oybolshoi
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2004
By the way, you forgot to mention Three Dog Night (who I wanted to see) and the Four Tops. Do you think the event planners pick artists who have easily recognizable names but a small fan base?
You should try that Plum Tea Wine Cooler on a warm day - it's a fine drink.
And although I can see a hazy resemblance between your hubby and mine, I don't think either one needs to worry about being mistaken for the other. What it proves is that you and I have great taste in food, booze, vacations, and men.
Thanks for sharing - it was highly enjoyable, as always.
B.
Only because i feel the need to defend myself several months later... i DID try the pomegranate Kir....in fact i stole it from Sarg....then Jen and i went back to get a second one. BEST drink ever that trip!
zweihund
I tagged myself. I'm it.
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2006
Only because i feel the need to defend myself several months later... i DID try the pomegranate Kir....in fact i stole it from Sarg....then Jen and i went back to get a second one. BEST drink ever that trip!
Apparently I was so drunk that I don't even remember tasting it.
I think our cruise is going to be a good one, my friend....
Disneygrl36
Happy DVC member!!!!
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2004
how did i miss this??? are there ginger chews involved??? will be back to read it later.
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