Not even 24 hours later, and I already changed my ADRs again!
Nigel expressed concern about hitting a breakfast buffet right before some marathon driving home. Something about food comas and accidents?
So, we switched up Kona and Boma. Now Boma is morning of day 5 and Kona is departure day. It should be interesting to see how many of these ADRs have stuck when I write a trip report.
So, let’s talk Food and Wine booths!
Let’s be completely crazy and list every item I want to have. (Disclaimer: Other than specialty drinks, I’m not listing any beer or wine we might have as it’ll be strictly spur of the moment.) I’m marking must do’s with asterisks, but all of this will really come down to a) room in the tummy and b) room in the budget! (Disclaimer 2: A lot of this is based on our 2013 F&W one-day experience). Ooh, maybe I can add some of my F&W pics from 2013.
Africa:
- Berbere-style beef tenderloin tips with onions, jalapeños, tomato and pap
- Buttered chicken with micro cilantro and naan bread*
Both of these sound good to me, but I am a sucker for butter chicken, so that may get the nod. (especially since we likely won’t hit Sanaa this trip)
Australia:
- Grilled sweet and spicy bush berry shrimp with pineapple, peppers, onions, and snap peas
- Grilled lamb chop with mint pesto and potato crunches
- Lamington: Yellow cake dipped in chocolate and shredded coconut
We had the lamb chop in 2013, and it was very good, but I don’t know that I would go racing back for it since there is plenty of new stuff to try. I’m not into shrimp, but Nigel likes them. Pass on the dessert, coconut is gross!
Belgium:
- Potato and leek waffle with beer-braised beef and smoked gouda cream*
- Belgium waffle with warm chocolate ganache and whipped cream*
- Belgium waffle with berry compote and whipped cream
Can you believe we didn’t hit Belgium in 2013?! This looks similar to what they had then. My guess is it will be a toss up as to whether we want to go savory or sweet. The first two sound great! (Nigel won’t go for berry compote.)
Brazil:
- Escondidinho de carne, “Little Hidden One”: layered meat pie with mashed yucca*
- Crispy pork belly with black beans and tomato
- Pão de queijo: Brazilian cheese bread
- Cocada: Brazilian coconut candy
We had the crispy pork belly before, and again, very good, but want to try new things. And meat pie sounds right up our alley as we love a good shepherd’s pie! Plus cheese bread, mmmmm. Again, no coconut for us.
Specialty drink alert! Frozen Caipirinha featuring LeBlon Cachaça* – This definitely sounds intriguing; I think it may be a must do for me!
Canada:
- Canadian cheddar cheese soup
- “Le Cellier” wild mushroom beef filet mignon with truffle butter sauce
- Chicken sausage with creamy polenta and Minus 8 onion jam
Since we have never been to Le Cellier (shock! Horror!), we made sure to try this last time. It was good, but again, not sure if it is worthy of a second try. The chicken sausage sounds intriguing, but the phrase “onion jam” worries me as I’m not huge into onions unless I can eat around them.
China:
- Beijing roasted duck in steamed bun with hoisin sauce
- Gaoli beef slider*
- Black pepper shrimp with Sichuan noodles
- Chicken pot stickers
Sadness abounds as the Mongolian beef in steamed bun we had previously is not on the menu. It was definitely one of my faves! I’m guessing we will likely try the Gaoli beef slider. RIP Mongolian beef
Specialty drink alert!
Ritzy Lychee with cognac and vodka
Happy Peach with peach liqueur and dark rum
Kung Fu Punch with vodka and triple sec
Mango jasmine tea with popping bubbles
China usually has some great drinks, so I may grab something here. I'm pretty sure that is the Kung Fu Punch pictured above. All of these sound good to me.
Dominican Republic:
- Lechón asado: Roasted pork with mangú, pickled red onion and avocado
- Soufflé de yuca: Yuca soufflé topped with griddled cheese*
- Pescado con coco: Seared grouper, pigeon peas and rice with coconut sauce
- Caramel flan with rum-roasted pineapple
Excited to see this since we were just in the DR! The Yuca soufflé sounds yummy!
Specialty drink alert:
Frozen Dominican piña colada featuring Ron Barceló Blanco Rum
Frozen sugar cane cocktail featuring Ron Barceló Blanco Rum
These sound yummy too, but we’ll see…
Farm Fresh:
- Loaded mac n' cheese with Nueske's® pepper bacon, cheddar cheese, peppers and green onions*
- Griddled “yard bird” with braised greens
Mac n’ cheese! With bacon!
France:
- Croissant aux escargots with garlic and parsley
- Boeuf bourguignon: Braised short ribs in cabernet with mashed potatoes*
- Crème brûlée vanille chocolat: Vanilla & chocolate crème brûlée topped with caramelized sugar
We tried the escargot last time, so I think once was enough…for a lifetime! I mean, they really just taste like butter and garlic, but I just can’t get over knowing I’m eating snails! The beef bourguignon sounds good to me though. 2013 pic below
Specialty drink alert:
- Ice Pop Pomme: Apple juice, vodka, and St. Germain liqueur
- La Passion Martini Slush: vodka, Grey Goose Le Citron, cranberry and passion fruit juice
The ice pop is intriguing, but I love slushies from France. Although with its hefty price tag, I may have to pass it by and just enjoy other items.
Germany:
- Schinkennudeln: Pasta gratin with ham and cheese
- Roast bratwurst in a pretzel roll*
- Apple strudel with vanilla sauce
Again, either of the first two sounds right like our kind of food. Pass on the apple strudel as I don’t like baked apples and Nigel hates all apples with a passion!
Greece:
- Vegetarian moussaka with Gardein™ sausage crumbles
- Greek salad in a cone
- Chicken gyro with tzatziki sauce
- Spanakopita
So, we are somewhat spoiled on Greek food since there is an awesome Greek Orthodox Church that holds a Greek Fest every year in our area where we get our fill of all the yummy Greek foods. Not sure we will stop here merely for that factor. Also, salad? I’m here for the decadent, not healthy!
Specialty drink alert:
Tzatziki martini featuring Crop Organic Cucumber Vodka and BOLS® Natural Yoghurt Liqueur –
All right, this may be quite delicious but yogurt in a drink just does not seem appetizing. Plus, there’s my bad history of ordering alcoholic drinks with some cucumber element to them and then not liking them, right Nigel? 
Hawaii:
- Kālua pork slider with sweet and sour Dole® Pineapple chutney and spicy mayonnaise
- Tuna poke with seaweed salad and lotus root chips
So, weirdly, I will drink out of a pineapple (Lapu Lapu anyone?), but I’m not really a fan of actually eating pineapple, so the chutney may be a bit of a turnoff. Nigel’s just not into fruit in general. The Mai Tai here could be tempting, but I could probably get a similar drink at any Disney pool bar.
Hops & Barley:
- New England Lobster Roll*
- Florida grass fed beef slider with pimento cheese
- Fresh baked carrot cake with Craisins® and cream cheese icing
I’m not a lobster fan, but Nigel enjoyed the Lobster Roll at this booth last time. He even ordered a Sam Adams with it, which is not normally a drink either of us gravitate toward. The slider sounds good as does the carrot cake. (But we can’t forget the carrot cake cookie in DHS! The best!)
Ireland:
- Lobster and seafood fisherman’s pie
- Kerrygold® cheese selection: Reserve cheddar, Dubliner with Irish Stout and Skellig
- Warm chocolate pudding with Kerrygold Irish Cream Liqueur Custard*
If Nigel skips the lobster roll, he may grab the fisherman’s pie here. I’ve heard good reviews. But we are absolutely, positively getting the warm chocolate pudding!! It was fantastic before and a definite must do again! It’s a little on the small side, but that’s probably for the best considering all this food. It tastes better than that picture looks, i promise!
Italy:
- Ravioli alla caprese: Cheese ravioli, tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan and basil
- Filetto di pollo, con funghi al marsala: Chicken tenderloin, cremini mushrooms, marsala sauce and ciabatta bread
- Cannoli al cioccolato: Chocolate-covered cannoli filled with sweet ricotta, chocolate and candied fruit
Any of the entrée items would be quite delicious, but I could see these items getting passed over by us in favor of trying the more exotic foods.
Specialty drink alert: Frozen margarita with limoncello and tequila – Limoncello in a margarita? Sounds good to me!
Japan:
- Spicy hand roll: Tuna and salmon with Kazan Volcano sauce
- Teriyaki gyoza bun: Steamed bun filled with chicken, vegetables and sweet teriyaki sauce*
- Miso Udon: steamed shrimp, vegetables, and noodles in a spicy broth
Since we split the majority of these dishes at F&W, the compromise choice at this booth would be the Gyoza bun, so Nigel doesn’t have to eat salmon and I don’t have to eat shrimp. Secret to a happy marriage right there, folks.
Mexico:
- Tacos de camarón: Battered shrimp, pico de gallo, pickled onions, and chipotle mayonnaise
- Chilaquiles de pollo: Corn chips layered with seasoned chicken, queso fresco, sour cream and cilantro
- Pastel de elote con queso: sweet corn cheesecake*
The Chilaquiles sound good, but the sweet corn cheesecake really intrigues me. Will Nigel go for it though??
Specialty drink alert:
Dos Equis Lager Beer with Floater
Mexican sangria
Tequila Flight
Guava margarita
We always stop at La Cava del Tequila in Mexico for a drink at some point on our trip, so I don’t know if we’d get anything at the booth or not. Although guava margarita does sound good.
Morocco:
- Kefta pocket: Ground seasoned beef in a pita pocket
- Harissa chicken roll
- Baklava
My passport and picture says we had both entrees last time, so we might pass by to save tummy room.
New Zealand:
- Steamed green lip mussels with garlic butter and toasted bread crumbs
- Seared venison loin with wild mushroom marsala sauce and kumara dumpling
- Lamb meatball with spicy tomato chutney*
All three of these sound AMAZING. But we have to get the lamb meatball, even though this will be a repeat for us, it was that good!
Patagonia:
- Beef empanada
- Grilled beef skewer with chimichurri sauce and boniato purée*
- Roasted Verlasso salmon with quinoa salad and arugula chimichurri
Another booth where I would try everything!!! Right now, I’m leaning toward the beef skewer.
Poland:
- Kielbasa and potato pierogi with caramelized onions and sour cream
- Sauerkraut pierogi with pork goulash
I think the first entree listed is the same as what we had before in the pic. Very nice, but not a must do repeat. That is the O.K. beer from the Poland booth, and it lived up to its name! (Just ok) 
Scotland:
- Haggis with neeps and tatties: Traditional Haggis with rutabaga and mashed potatoes*
- Fresh potato pancake with Scottish smoked salmon and herb sour cream
- Seared sea scallop with spinach-cheddar gratin and crispy bacon
- The Tipsy Laird: Whiskey-soaked cake with lemon cream and toasted oats
So, I’m a little curious. In 2013, the haggis was specifically labeled as a “vegetarian haggis.” As pictured above on right. But there’s no such indication here. So, will it actually be the real deal haggis? If so, I’d be willing to give it a try. Hey, we gave escargot a whirl before, right? If not, the scallop sounds delicious.
Specialty drink alert: Citrus Thistle featuring Hendrick's Gin – Could be tasty. I lean toward citrus/sour more than sweet drinks.
South Korea:
- Korean Barbecue Short Rib with Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi*
- Roasted pork lettuce wrap with kimchi slaw
Hopefully, one of these will live up to the Kimchi hot dog we had before; it was probably one of our top two. But the short rib sounds pretty good.
RIP Kimchi hot dog
Desserts & Champagne:
- Chocolate cherry explosion
- Strawberry-basil champagne “toast”
- Guylian® Belgian chocolate seashell truffles
I could see us skipping this. If given the option, we’re more likely to go with savory items at F&W than sweet (with some exceptions). We’ll just have to see what our mood is that day. We surprisingly grabbed the trio before; I had no memory of that until I looked at our pics, so it was either unmemorable or near the end of our snacking and the drinks were catching up to me!
2013:
Specialty drink alert: Frozen S’more drink – Although it sounds good, I’ve seen several “meh” reviews over the last two years.
Brewer’s Collection and Craft Beers –
So, it’s probably just me, but aren’t these booths redundant? Anyway, with some exceptions, we don’t really seek out the fancy or craft beer (here is where Nigel will advocate for his “watery domestics”, i.e. Miller Lite), so we won’t plan for anything here.
The below are some of the new booths, some of which I believe will be in the Future World area! So, no solid plans, but we’ll probably check them out.
- Sustainable Chew and Chew Lab (you know, cause of the talk show, The Chew)
- Cheese Studio – I am for anything with cheese!
- Wine Studio
So, there you have it. A very rough idea of items we are likely to grab and some review/recommendations based on our admittedly limited experience back in 2013.
LOL!
