Insanity Vol 3: F&W TIW Sneak Preview Report - 7/24 TIW Event Plated Dinner

[mama03]

What happened, waiting patiently for update

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Just caught up with your wonderful reviews

Your dinner at Flying Fish really looks great, I am really hoping that the dessert trio is still available in October

Thanks for catching up! I'm hoping that trio is still there in October too as I think that it is something my husband would love too.

The F&W TIW event looks very interesting! Thanks for sharing it, Dis Yoda. I am looking forward to readign more about the presentation and seeing the plated dinner.

This has me counting down the days until I am at the F&W Fest!

It was very interesting and I was so glad I got to go. I can't wait until October when I get to go either

That pork slider sounds very yummy! I have only recently started to expand my pallet so I am very excited about doing F&W this year. Thanks for sharing!

F&W is a great place to expand your pallet as at least if you find you don't like something it isn't like you spent $30+ on an entree wasted. My husband has done the same thing over the years too.

Thanks for making me even more excited for F&W, not that I needed any!

I hadn't heard of the Boardwalk sampler before, it looks awesome!

And great photos.

I"m glad to get you more excited! I think the Boardwalk Sampler is new in the past couple months as I've seen it in a couple other reviews. Its awesome

Thanks for starting the F&W sneak preview review - as the beer man I have to say that's a pretty decent selection for a Disney event (they needed to ditch the Stella though).

Thanks for joining in! Yeah I dont drink beer but I'm glad they had so many options for those that dont like wine. My husband has been pleased that each year the keep offering more and more 'not wine' drinks as he hates the wine.

Wow! So far the F&W preview is looking pretty good. I can't wait to try some of those dishes when we're there in October!

It was pretty good! They are going to be great come October.

What happened, waiting patiently for update

I'm sorry I haven't been updating. Since Tuesday, I've developed a nasty nasty Upper Respiratory Infection that well has killed all my energy to move from my couch. I hope to have it up this weekend as I finally (stubborn self) went to the doctor this morning, got a shot and some antibiotics.

 

[mama03]

ugh, hope you feel better in no time!!!!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

TIW Dinner & Presentation​

As we finished our appetizers, everyone was called to take a seat and the presentation was going to be begin.

It started with everyone's favorite host, Pam Smith, welcoming us to the dinner and introducing the key figures in planning the festival for each year. She mentions how they start planning the next year's festival before the current festival is over.

This year's theme was revealed to be "Passport to a World of Flavors" with art reflecting on the 'golden age' of travel with steamer trunks and location stamps of the pre-World War era.

The layouts for the planters throughout the park were shown but I didn't take pictures of these. The Disney Food Blog has decent screen shots of the presentation of those located here: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/...e-festival-preview-dinner-details/#more-33640

As this was being discussed, our servers were filling up our wine glasses with an Argentina Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay & an Australian Greg Norman Estates Shiraz, Limestone Coast.

As this portion of the presentation wrapped up, the chef for the festival was introduced and he discussed his first dish of the plated portion of the dinner:

New Zealand's Seared Sea Scallop w/ Kumara-Red Curry Puree & Apple Radish Salad

As I mentioned during my Flying Fish review, I'm not the biggest fan of scallops; however, this wasn't that bad. The curry puree worked really well with the sweetness of the scallops. I also loved the apples and radishes together. Its also a good example of having an open mind going to dinner events where you might not like the food and trying it anyway

As we were enjoying our appetizers, the bread was served - Ocean Spray Craisin Bread w/ Butter (Mickey Face!)

I honestly didn't try more of a bit of it. It seemed a bit dry to me but I also am privileged in my cranberries as my husband comes from the land of the cranberry bogs. He's also slightly disturbed by one of the planters turning into a cranberry bog as Florida Weather isn't really conducive to cranberry harvesting.

Our entree was then served:
Caribbean's Ropa Vieja (Braised Beef) w/ White Rice & Jerk Spiced Chicken Drumstick w/ Mango Salsa

Both of these had great flavors that reminded me of the Caribbean. It also was a ton of food even considering Disney's portion sizes.

As this portion of the meal finished up, they refilled our wine glasses and filled the third glass w/ Canada's Neige, Cidre de Glace (Apple Ice Wine)

Sadly they wouldn't refill the Ice Wine after you had your taste

The dessert was then served:
Dessert Trio
Dessert & Champagne - White Chocolate Macadamia Mousse w/ Dark Chocolate Pearls & Tres Leches Verrine
Portugal - Pastel de Nata

All of these desserts were great in my opinion. The mousse and the tres leches were on the lighter side which was welcomed after having such a heavy main course. The Pastel de Nata was the pastry on the end with a vanilla custard that had been caramelized. It was almost impossible to eat with a fork so I gave up being civilized and ate it with my hands.

Each of the desserts I can see having again come festival time.

The presentation continued and the new booths for the festival were discussed as we had gotten to try some of those new dishes. A few liquors were mentioned that would be debuting at the festival for the first time in the US.

As going over the booths, the special events were discussed. If you want to see more about them please go here: http://disyoda.imgur.com/197EO#GOvke

As the discussion ended, we were given our booklets with the information of the events and allowed to leave the Wonders of Life Pavilion. The park had already closed at that point so you had to quickly get to where you wanted to go (and with no short cuts either as I got stopped from my usual route between the Mission Space area and World Showcase)

Overall I really enjoyed this meal and would attend again next year if it fell during a time I could easily go.

 

[cbg1027]

I missed the beginning of the review but I'm here now! You need to pimp out your reviews on facebook!

I love FF - going on Sept 4! That was a good idea to sub shrimp for the scallops...I might have to steal that. I like scallops, but I love shrimp more.

That said, I can't wait to try the new Scallop dish at F & W!