Sorry Gaston, They are MUCH More Interesting Than You!*6/8* NEW Trip Report Link p154

[eandesmom]

I will let Cynthia have the honor of telling you about our seminar in detail. She is much more food and cooking savy then I am. My idea of cooking is boiling water and throwing pasta in the pot. OK - so I exaggerate. But that's not too far off from the truth. Just sayin'

I will definitely include that in my update! I even took notes Yes, I am a dork.

and our host, chef, and the intern who knew how to operate the high tech thermador stove

The operating of the stove part was funny. Clearly Thermador was sponsoring but you could tell that the chef's were a bit less than thrilled with being forced to use that technology. I"m sorry, say what you will but nothing is better than gas.

The seminar space was also equipped with a TV screen so you could actually SEE what was going in the pot. I didn't pay much attention to that, but I certainly paid attention to this - the finished product!

I confess, I did. I have a LOT of screen shots as understanding what stuff should look like at certain stages is key and seeing it like that was very cool from a teaching aspect I thought!

There was something special about the ingredients in this mole sauce. Again, you'll have to ask Cynthia. Green chiles? No, it wasn't that but it was something green that you can't get in every grocery store. Cynthia??? I give up???

Tomatillos there was a lot of chatter about where to get them and what to look for in one.

Of course, on the way to England I had my first official drink of F&W. May I introduce the mai tai from Hawaii

What did I think? Not bad. I'd drink it again!

It wasn't bad. Now as a bit of a Mai Tai officianado (Jeff and I made sure to try several different ones on our last Hawaii trip an quite sure we will do so in may, though reports are the cocktails at Aulani are lousy) this exceeded my expectations. It isn't a true Mai Tai, which is layered, in fact it came out of a bubble type machine which made me really nervous. Still the quality of the juice used was quite good (though way more juice than you'd actually get at a bar in HI) and you could taste a little bit of the rum which is always good. I always fear those blender versions are mostly juice and a rip off. While I wouldn't really say it was a true mai tai, it was tasty and refreshing!

My choice of beverage in France&&.

Sparkling wine

I'm going to have to look at my notes and pictures, not sure if I got anything in France or not, I definitely didn't get the sparking as I was avoiding bubbles in all iterations.

After France we wandered over to Morocco where we tried to locate a certain object often rumored about on the DIS boards

I wondered if you'd post that!

After exploring Morocco one of us had the bright idea to go visit the new wine bar in Italy. We may or may not have stopped at the Kiosk in America.

The wine bar in Italy is really, really cool. It's bigger than the Ditch and very, very dark. I imagine it would be a fabulous place to get out of the summer heat. I couldn't really take very good pictures in here because it was THAT dark.

Having Cynthia as my own personal sommelier is very helpful, She just says, "I think you will like this" and I order it.

That was my idea. I wanted to check it out. I think the decision to have a glass of wine there was a spontaneous thing once we were in if memory serves. I know I had a glass of Vernacchia, it was lovely! They have a lovely by the glass list. A few app's too though that was a bit more limited than I'd have liked.

I think this picture illustrates what you look like AFTER you come out of the wine bar. There is some serious squinting action going on here

I don't know if it was the transition from light to dark or the direction we were facing or what but those are horrendous! The second set was much better and clearly a different angle so I'm going with the direction we were facing (and not the wine). I have incredibly sensitive eyes and pretty much live in my sunglasses but do try to take them off for pictures. Thankfully we are ALL squinty which makes me feel a little better.

We may or may not have stopped in Poland

This was my next purchase. I can't even tell you what it is. Was it in Poland? I have no clue. All I can tell you is it was REALLY yummy! And the wine wasn't bad either.

That was from Poland and was the Mushroom Cheese Bread with homemade ketchup. SO yummy!

Apparently that last picture was just a warm up to this -

Another mouthwatering sammie with some kind of white wine (getting real specific now, aren't I?)

Was this in Korea? I think so. Close up!

I'm going to have to look at my notes and pictures and see if I can figure that one out but I don't think I had one of those. We will see huh!

Apparently we stopped in Argentina

Someone looks happy!

I think this was Cynthia's. I probably had more wine. Shock. I know!

Actually I think that was Pat's it looks like the lamb from Austrailia maybe?

Our Next Destination was the Festival Center. We were going back to find the Chase Lounge for a little non-alcoholic refreshment

And I think try to get wristbands!

 

[eandesmom]

Was the mysterious mole sauce ingredient tomatillos? That's my guess, maybe I'll get a slushie credit.

Well done!

Ooo, I'll have to take Judy to that wine bar, she'd love that.

My favorite photopass picture is the one where you appear to be talking when the photo is being taken MEK! It looks like it was taken in Italy.

I can't wait to take Jeff to the wine bar. I loved that place! I don't think my pictures are much better but we will see when I do my update.

 

[MEK]

What? You didn't get the right angle so you had to take multiple pics?

No. I pretty much took all my pictures from the same angle. You know I have this obsession with taking multiple pictures, even if they are all from the same angle.

It is taking all I can do to NOT comment but I will refrain...it seems you've created quite a bit of interest from the ladies reading this thread. I guess we now know what the belly dancer at Morocco uses for inspiration? (I'm sorry...I couldn't help myself)

Perhaps she does. Now there's a thought! Kind-of surprised so many people didn't know about this. I thought it was legend.

...and lots of grinning too! I think the blonde photo bomber in the background must have not gone in the wine bar yet. That must be a BEFORE pic!

She definitely has NOT been to the wine bar. Look at her face. She hasn't been to ANY bar in a long time. (she needs one, me thinks

Great update! Long one too!

Thanks!

I would LOVE to do the cooking seminars, we even go to the ones on the Disney ships.
Your stroll around WS, sampling food and DRINKS looks yummy - that would so be up my street. Unfortunately I can only experience it through your pics (THANKS AGAIN) as it is WAY outside our holidays.

I've been to Disney World multiple times, but that was my very first time during F&W and I can see why its a hit. I am definitely going to be a more frequent F&W visit. It was so fun. And good to know that there are cooking seminars on the cruise ships.

Oh, and BTW - I would love those cat wine bottles and I saw the pouch wine for the first time in France (the one in Europe ) before Christmas. REALLY caught my attention.

Aren't those cat bottle too cool? Seriously, that bottle is so cool that I probably wouldn't even care what the inside contents tasted like. And those wine pouches are unique.

Your culinary demo looks like so much fun! What a cool experience!

It really was fun, and that's from someone who isn't a huge fan of cooking.

We haven't been to the Wine Ditch, but that looks like a great spot as well!!

The "Wine Ditch" I like that - I think you just coined a new term that I will be using from now on. Thanks.

Awesome update !!! That mole sauce meal looks yummy!!!Have to pass on the wine , but looks like all 3 of you had a great time !!

What? You can't drink wine either? Bummer!

We really did have a blast AND it gets better.

Did they have a seminar on using the microwave? That's my kind of cooking.

(mine too! I mean - hey - what kind of comment is that?

Ew. Why would you want to eat something made from a mole? I really don't understand chefs sometimes.

mole (noun) : A disgusting creature akin to a giant rodant
mole (noun): (insert Spanish text mark about the e)a creamy delicious taste of heaven.

This could be a great business plan. Soon you'll have wine in containers that look like cell phones, too.

You might be on to something there. Better yet - disguised as an iPad for greater quantity.

You're the one showing the dirty pictures.

But at least I didn't show all four!

Are you sure you trust her? She already gave you mole guts or something.

Hey - don't you go picking on my personal sommelier!

Memory got a little fuzzy, huh?

I hate to tell you this, but my memory got fuzzy way back in France.

This is what happens when you have 5 drinks.

Yes - you take pictures of weird pink hats for no apparent reason other than to show them on the DIS boards months later.

I love your world showcase pictures - you got some really unique shots! I don't know how anyone manages at F&W. I'm too much of a lightweight, I'd be in a coma

Uh Oh! That's not good. Quite honestly, those small glasses of wine are so small that you feel like you are drinking more than you really are. It's a good way to pace yourself.

 

[MEK]

Was the mysterious mole sauce ingredient tomatillos? That's my guess, maybe I'll get a slushie credit.

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How did YOU know that! I know Cynthia already said that was correct, but darn - you must cook. If we were giving out slushie credits I think you deserve two for that one!

Wine in a pouch. Just be careful not to get mixed up with the kids' Capri Sun's.....'cause it'd be a shame to have to drink a Capri Sun.

OK - THAT's funny - and could possible happen given the right set of circumstances. What a lucky kid!

Ooo, I'll have to take Judy to that wine bar, she'd love that.

It's super cool. But from this point on I am referring to it as the "Wine Ditch" thanks to Stringbean!

My favorite photopass picture is the one where you appear to be talking when the photo is being taken MEK! It looks like it was taken in Italy.

I think I am getting ready to say, "wait....let me fix my makeup and hair".

 

[MEK]

I will definitely include that in my update! I even took notes Yes, I am a dork.

Why am I not surprised that you took notes. Yeah! I know you will fill in all the blanks!

The operating of the stove part was funny. Clearly Thermador was sponsoring but you could tell that the chef's were a bit less than thrilled with being forced to use that technology. I"m sorry, say what you will but nothing is better than gas.

That was very humorous! They were thinking to themselves "who needs a computerized stove. WTH? I need an 18 year old girl to work it".

I confess, I did. I have a LOT of screen shots as understanding what stuff should look like at certain stages is key and seeing it like that was very cool from a teaching aspect I thought!

I knew you would. But the real question is - Have you made it yet?

Tomatillos there was a lot of chatter about where to get them and what to look for in one.

Tomatillos! Of course. How could I forget???? Whole Foods. That's right.

It wasn't bad. Now as a bit of a Mai Tai officianado (Jeff and I made sure to try several different ones on our last Hawaii trip an quite sure we will do so in may, though reports are the cocktails at Aulani are lousy) this exceeded my expectations. It isn't a true Mai Tai, which is layered, in fact it came out of a bubble type machine which made me really nervous. Still the quality of the juice used was quite good (though way more juice than you'd actually get at a bar in HI) and you could taste a little bit of the rum which is always good. I always fear those blender versions are mostly juice and a rip off. While I wouldn't really say it was a true mai tai, it was tasty and refreshing!

I remember that you had mixed feelings about the mai tai. Of course, not being an expert, I thought it was pretty good. I remember wanting a second one, but it was too far to walk back.

I'm going to have to look at my notes and pictures, not sure if I got anything in France or not, I definitely didn't get the sparking as I was avoiding bubbles in all iterations.

I thought you got something to eat in France, but maybe it was Pat.

I wondered if you'd post that!

How could I leave that out? Really?

That was my idea. I wanted to check it out. I think the decision to have a glass of wine there was a spontaneous thing once we were in if memory serves. I know I had a glass of Vernacchia, it was lovely! They have a lovely by the glass list. A few app's too though that was a bit more limited than I'd have liked.

I loved that wine bar. I enjoyed the atmosphere better than the Ditch. Did I have the Vernacchia, too? I know when you recommend it, I order it, especially if its white.

I don't know if it was the transition from light to dark or the direction we were facing or what but those are horrendous! The second set was much better and clearly a different angle so I'm going with the direction we were facing (and not the wine). I have incredibly sensitive eyes and pretty much live in my sunglasses but do try to take them off for pictures. Thankfully we are ALL squinty which makes me feel a little better.

I really think it was the light because it was SO dark in there. As close to pitch black as it can get and still be able to see. I remember wondering where my sunglasses where and I kept checking my bag to make sure I still had them.

That was from Poland and was the Mushroom Cheese Bread with homemade ketchup. SO yummy!

I realized that right after I posted, but I didn't go back and change it. That was really good!

I'm going to have to look at my notes and pictures and see if I can figure that one out but I don't think I had one of those. We will see huh!

I think you got wine in Korea...or nothing...but I decided to get something eat. You got wine somewhere right around there.

Actually I think that was Pat's it looks like the lamb from Austrailia maybe?

Maybe we stopped in Australia first? No clue!

And I think try to get wristbands!

Maybe. Except I already resigned myself to the fact that I couldn't get a wristband. Boo!

 

[celeste.]

Great trip report! I just love the train, it's so relaxing. I never want to get off, I could ride it all day, haha.
Can't wait for more updates!!

 

[MEK]

Great trip report! I just love the train, it's so relaxing. I never want to get off, I could ride it all day, haha.
Can't wait for more updates!!

Celeste! Thanks for joining in! Between the two of us there will be plenty of update. Probably too many updates. It was a great trip, so we're happy to have you following along!

 

[Nermel9]

The seminar sounds like fun, I really have to start doing some of the events they offer during Food and Wine if I keep going at that time of year!

I LOVE those cat wine bottles!!! OMG I want one!!!

Yum, that mai tai looks good...I didn't even know they had that in Hawaii!

Love the pictures of Morocco, that's probably my favorite pavilion!

 

[MEK]

The seminar sounds like fun, I really have to start doing some of the events they offer during Food and Wine if I keep going at that time of year!

You definitely should! It was a lot of fun and just a nice way to get a food sample and a glass of wine. I intend to make F&W a regular event in my Disney trips. Can't believe it took me so long to catch on!

I LOVE those cat wine bottles!!! OMG I want one!!!

Aren't they cute? What's not to like about a cat bottle? I actually can't believe I didn't buy a bottle to take home.

Yum, that mai tai looks good...I didn't even know they had that in Hawaii!

I really enjoyed it. I thought it was a good sized sample for the price and I thought it was pretty tasty too!

Love the pictures of Morocco, that's probably my favorite pavilion!

I think it's probably one of mine as well. I really like Canada, England, and Morocco. France is up there, too. But Morocco is cool because its got all these wonderful details around every corner.

 

[englishrose47]

One of these days I will actually go for the F &W Fest without a group!!! I see all the goodies but is just too hard with the group !!!

 

[jash08]

Everything looks so great!

So far, you are having an awesome trip.

We are going in a few weeks. I will have to think about a trip report and share with everyone! I love seeing everyone's pictures and reading their stories!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Joining in!

Your pictures of Storybook Circus looked great! I can't wait to see this new area--it wasn't open yet when I was there in February.

I've always wanted to go during Food and Wine, but perhaps I wouldn't remember most of it anyway due to the "wine" part...

 

[norybell]

Wow, you're day at Epcot looks so much fun, you're making me jealous for a girls-only trip!

I'm not usually a huge fan of mole, but I do like the pork with mole they serve at La Hacienda - do you think it's the same one?

The wine bar looks awesome. I love wine bars. Wine bars and I have a real relationship. DH and I joke that the officiant at our wedding was our bartender...it was one of our closest friends, but we met him originally because he was the bartender at our local wine bar down the street!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[amandaw]

The seminar looks really interesting and the food looks delicious!

We went into the Festival Center to go to the Chase Lounge and I couldn't get over the amount of wine bottles in there. And there were definitely some pretty ones in there!

Sounds like y'all were having a lot of fun in EPCOT!

 

[annmarieda]

Wow, that beverage seminar prices seem very low! Why did I think all the seminars were price inline with disney tours? How did you book your seminar? Online..phone...in person? (I know you had to pick up tickets, so I assume you purchased ahead of time)

I seem to have missed so much at F&W! I must invest more time and thought into it next year!!

late here and I am tired...so this caused me to

At this point I started taking random guest shots

My dd tells me I am not allowed to do that... but I always want to. BTW, that hat is very interesting... not disney specific though, right?


The ingredient in the mole...tomatillos... I am pretty sure you can get them in the produce department up here, Cynthia. If not in the regular store like safeway (which I am sure I have seen them..at one point or another) Uiajimaya (I think that is how it is spelled. ) I think has had them at some point too.

 

[MEK]

One of these days I will actually go for the F &W Fest without a group!!! I see all the goodies but is just too hard with the group !!!

There is NO way you could keep track of your group at F&W. Just too many different directions to go and too many different kiosks to visit. I definitely think you would enjoy it more with no more than 3 or 4 people!

Everything looks so great!

So far, you are having an awesome trip.

It really was an awesome trip from start to finish. I can't even say anything bad happened. It turned out really perfect and I am very grateful for that.

We are going in a few weeks. I will have to think about a trip report and share with everyone! I love seeing everyone's pictures and reading their stories!

Yeah for your upcoming trip! You must be very excited. I always love reading TRs right before I go to Disney. I hope you have a fabulous time and how great to be getting away from winter weather.

Please let me know if/when you start your TR!

Joining in!

SimplyGoofy! Thanks for joining in and following along!

Your pictures of Storybook Circus looked great! I can't wait to see this new area--it wasn't open yet when I was there in February.

It's a really cute area and so is the new Fantasyland. That area is awesome! So pretty. Don't worry - I have tons of pictures from there, too!

I've always wanted to go during Food and Wine, but perhaps I wouldn't remember most of it anyway due to the "wine" part...

There is a solution to that and it's called - take TONS of pictures. I usually use my cell for the food/beverage pictures and my camera for all the others. Seriously - if I did not take a ton of pictures I would have no clue what I did. This day was already a blur.

 

[eandesmom]

As we started planning for this trip, I started looking into the various special offerings, specific to the food and wine festival, that would be going on during our dates. You name it, they probably have it. From culinary seminars, to wine seminars, tequila tastings, special lunches and dinners with celebrity chefs and dessert event. A few were of interest, but by the time we got around to deciding one was gone and many of the others, more than we wanted to spend. DVC did offer a small discount on some seminars, basically on the weekdays ($2 off) and for $11 each it was kind of like "why not?". I chose 2 and Mary Ellen was kind enough to go along with my suggestions. This was the first one. The seminar brochures don't give you a ton of information. All this one said was that it was Moises Flores, the chef from San Angel Inn and that he'd be doing something with chicken. I'll admit, the San Angel Inn has never been on my radar, too many lackluster reviews. I do love La Hacienda though and am always looking for ideas of something to do with chicken so...it sounded good enough to me! Especially for the price.

Despite being on the late side, we did get very decent seats and I admit, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the seminar included wine. The host set the stage and was quite the entertainer himself. He did the mandatory plug for the wine wed be drinking, LA Cetto Chardonnay.

This is what we'd be enjoying

Mole just means sauce and all this says is that it will be a green one. Not very descriptive huh! Chef Flores said that to him, Mole is always meant as a sauce that means the ingredients have been sauteed till they liquefy, and then blended. Ok, thats a lot more specific than "sauce"! As Chef Flores cooked, the host would interject and ask questions about what he was doing. Which sometimes was getting junior chef to adjust the temperature. It wasn't a dial on the stove, it was a touch adjustment and it really seemed to throw folks off.

They were all very entertaining, I had expected to maybe learn something but it was also quite entertaining. As you can see, they seemed to be having a good time themselves!

I love a chef that can teach in layman's terms. And one that can be flexible. The reality is you may like the idea of a dish, but not have the time, ingredients or inclination to make it the way it is written and so you do a version of it. This was one of those recipes that read like more work than it actually was once you watched it done. I actually loved the pot-cam.
Here we've got tomatillos sauteing away. It was interesting, as he spoke he said to saute for about 20 minutes, the recipe says 10. Either way there were 2 benchmarks he mentioned that youd never get just reading the recipe. As those tomatillos cook, they lose their color. So thats one thing. Then of course, the liquefaction aspect. His demonstrated version added the spices and then blended, the printed one has you blend, then put back in the skillet and then add the spices and cook for 10 more which does seem really silly. Same total time but one less step. As it cooked there were a lot of questions about tomatillos. Where do you find the, what does a "good" one look in the store (I had a lot of mental images of folks manhandling the fruit at that moment) and so on. I know here, they aren't at all stores, it would be more likely to find them at a higher end or more specialized store. Chef seemed pretty convinced Whole Foods would always have them but I've not tested that yet.

And a lovely finished dish

What fascinated me about this dish was how incredibly creamy the mole tasted. Had you not known better, youd have sworn it had some kind of cream or even butter in it. Which it didn't. It was an incredibly healthy recipe, that didn't taste so. Love that!

There are 2 full seminar locations, one for food and one for beverages, as Mary Ellen mentioned they were just putting the final touches on the next beverage one which was to be a Lasseter wine seminar and it had sold out quite early. I think Christine went to this one, we thought we might see her there but didnt. We did see several of the wines in the shop though!

Having arranged to meet up with Pat, we headed out. Apparently I found the bog more interesting than the pretty wine bottles!

She was a hoot, really seemed to be in character (or it was just her character, Ill never know) and enjoying her job. Very into it.

Better behave though, that thing could be a weapon

Dont pick the cranberries!

Bye bye bog lady!

Hope she wasn't falling over!

We were on our way here, so who knows, we could fall over by the time we made it around!

As we entered the WS I began an exercise that continued throughout the trip. Taking pictures of potential souvenirs for all the poor saps I'd left at home. Mostly T shirts. Id take pictures and text them. Some of it was to torture Jeff, like this one.

That was from the Beer Kiosk which was right as we walked into the WS, heading towards the UK.

I also got a picture of the menu for him

And then, we were here!

I had heard good things about the Mai Tai on a DISunplugged podcast so thought that sounded like a fine first beverage! Ok, technically the wine at the seminar was first but since we didn't know wed be getting it and it was at the Festival Center, not in the WS I agree, it was our first official drink of F&W.

As evidenced by our next stop, between Hawaii and France, we found Pat. Apparently we sat in England too as Mary Ellen took some lovely pictures there. Now in France, Pat got something to eat there, and Mary Ellen got her bubbly. I present to you photo evidence of such.

She looks miserable huh? Technically I am pretty sure she had the Sparkling Pomegranate Kir

Pat too! Pretty sure this was the Crème Brulee au Chocolat au Lait

A close up of Pats choice

I am 99% sure I went for a glass of French Chardonnay. Hey, they were both in line so I might as well get something, right?


Continued in next post

 

[MEK]

Wow, you're day at Epcot looks so much fun, you're making me jealous for a girls-only trip!

Girls trips are so much fun. You'll probably have a few more years until you can do a girls trip, but your family trips are bound to be tons of fun!

I'm not usually a huge fan of mole, but I do like the pork with mole they serve at La Hacienda - do you think it's the same one?

I have never had it, so I'm not sure. But I will tell you it was really fabulous and it could definitely be used on multiple dishes.

The wine bar looks awesome. I love wine bars. Wine bars and I have a real relationship. DH and I joke that the officiant at our wedding was our bartender...it was one of our closest friends, but we met him originally because he was the bartender at our local wine bar down the street!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

That's a great story! I, too, have a thing about wine bars and wine tastings. I know very little about the different wines other than I love to taste them.

The seminar looks really interesting and the food looks delicious!

The seminar was very interesting and the mole sauce was excellent. I could definitely see a lot of culinary uses for it. So good!

We went into the Festival Center to go to the Chase Lounge and I couldn't get over the amount of wine bottles in there. And there were definitely some pretty ones in there!

When I see so many bottles of wine it makes me really wish I didn't have to fly home. I just didn't want to pack any alcohol for the trip home. I don't mind taking it down to Florida, but by the return trip my packing is so disorganized that I know I would break it.

Sounds like y'all were having a lot of fun in EPCOT!

We had a ton of fun that afternoon! We had a ton of fun during the entire trip!

Wow, that beverage seminar prices seem very low! Why did I think all the seminars were price inline with disney tours? How did you book your seminar? Online..phone...in person? (I know you had to pick up tickets, so I assume you purchased ahead of time)

Cynthia actually called and booked the seminars. She picked them out and I was up for whatever she wanted to do. I assume she called and paid online.

I seem to have missed so much at F&W! I must invest more time and thought into it next year!!

I would like to attend a seminar or two again next year. I'll have to pick out something I think Denny would like. He likes to cook, but I'm not sure if he really wants to watch someone cook. So maybe we will stick with a beverage seminar.

late here and I am tired...so this caused me to

I couldn't help it. I had to post it ....and so far I haven't been censored yet!

My dd tells me I am not allowed to do that... but I always want to. BTW, that hat is very interesting... not disney specific though, right?

Definitely not Disney specific. Looks like something she could have in Mexico after having one too many margaritas.

The ingredient in the mole...tomatillos... I am pretty sure you can get them in the produce department up here, Cynthia. If not in the regular store like safeway (which I am sure I have seen them..at one point or another) Uiajimaya (I think that is how it is spelled. ) I think has had them at some point too.

I think I might have a hard time finding them where I live. I don't live close to any high end grocery stores, just the basic ones. Our local super Walmart probably has the best array of things. That's pretty sad.

 

[eandesmom]

Continued from previous post

Now since you've already seen our photo voyage to Morocco I wont belabor the point, only showing this just to give you a better idea of where it is in the pavilion

Oh, ok, 2

Hey, she went there first!

Apparently I thought I'd try to get an artsy picture of my wine. This is what makes me think I got a glass in France as I can't see anything on a menu between there and the next stop that sounds like something I'd get or marked off in my little passport book.

Lame.

Next stop, Tutto Gusto. Apparently now the Italian Wine Ditch!

It's a funny place, they do ask you as you walk in if you want a table and I think we said we just wanted to check it out. Once in, I think we may have gone to the bar first, but then elected to sit and had to check with them that it was ok, which it was.

We ordered. It is a HUGE wine list and I cant find it online. Boo. It did have a lovely selection of Italian Wines, as youd expect, both by the bottle and the class. I had the Verdicchio that they were offering by the glass but I am fairly sure I suggested something different for Mary Ellen, possibly an Orvieto or a Trebbiano? but Im not sure.

Just a little cellar

The view over our heads

As you can see, you also get bread. And I believe Pat opted for something other than wine!

You can kind of get an idea of the cozy seating; it is absolutely adorable and definitely nicer than the Ditch. The ditch is fun but feels like a bar. This is intimate, relaxing and really feels AWAY from the parks entirely! It is a seriously Zen kind of place (for me). I hope it retains that and Jeff and I can escape there during our next big trip as heavens knows we will need to run away from 5 teenage boys at least once!

And oh, the difference a flash makes!

After that full glass of wine, food was in order. A close up of the kiosk board

And yes, I did get the suggested pairing

Zapiekanki (toasted Mushroom, Carmelized Onion and Cheese Bread with House-Made Ketchup) and the Chandon Carneros Chardonnay

While we did that, I think Pat swung over to Germany and picked up one of these (The Apple Strudel with Karamel and Vanilla Sauce I believe)

I meant to get one later in the trip and it never happened. Sad. It looked really yummy!

After that we kept heading around the WS and it was off to South Africa for me! Seared Filet of Beef with Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Brazai Sauce. I confess, I had done a bit of reading up on all the kiosk menus and had a list of countries and items I wanted to try. Yes, I am a dork. This was HIGH on my list and didn't disappoint.

This was one of my absolute favorites of the entire trip, of all the F&W kiosks.

Im actually guessing that Mary Ellens item wasn't from Korea, it was the Mongolian Beef in a Steamed Bun from China.

Mnnn! She raved about this one, I remember that!

Pat with her lamb skewer? Or lamb chop? The Lamb Chop on the Australian Kiosk menu sounds right but it looks more like a skewer. I remember her being a little nervous about this, not being 100% sure what was in the mint coulis. Shes got some crazy food allergies and never knows...they are supposed to have "the book" everywhere but we found often, the kiosks were ill equipped to answer her questions and very clearly had some seasonal and uninformed CM's. I cannot imagine how frustrating that must be.

I had also gotten a glass of S. African wine with my meal

Fairview Sauvignon Blanc

Pat clearly has a few food pictures too!

A lovely view

We really lucked out this first foray around the F&W kiosks, finding seating every time. With that, bellies more than full and having had at least 3 full drinks (the wine is a 2 oz pour so 3 would equal one glass) so for me we'd have...wine at the seminar, mai tai, 3 kiosks wines (France, Poland and S Africa) and then one full glass at Tutto Gusto. Yep, about 3 drinks total, maybe a skosh more. Over about 5 hours according to the timestamp on my photos. So not quite as bad as I'm sure it looks! But hey, we were on vacation! That said, we were ready to give our systems a short break, head back to the Festival Center and see just what the Chase Lounge was all about.

 

[eandesmom]

Are you sure you trust her? She already gave you mole guts or something.

Hey!

Hey - don't you go picking on my personal sommelier!

Thank you for defending me!

Why am I not surprised that you took notes. Yeah! I know you will fill in all the blanks!

Well, only on the cooking parts. I have scribbled notes on the backs of both recipes for reference later, and that is the extent of my notes for the entire trip so I'm sure I'll forget a ton of stuff!

I knew you would. But the real question is - Have you made it yet?

Nope, not yet. It felt more like a spring dish, one you could easily do with pork as well. I do plan to make it though. I also think the fruit is a bit more seasonal, though I've honestly not looked. Haven't made the other dish either BUT have used the cookbook I bought at that seminar a few times and we've used the cookbook I bought Evan (I mean Santa bought Evan) at least 4 times already.

Wow, that beverage seminar prices seem very low! Why did I think all the seminars were price inline with disney tours? How did you book your seminar? Online..phone...in person? (I know you had to pick up tickets, so I assume you purchased ahead of time)

I think, though am not positive, for the seminars (not the more "experience: options that are tasting lunches/chef's dinners) you had to call. Some could be booked online. To get the DVC discount I had to book it through member services. I booked both of our seminars that way, even though we didn't get a discount on the 2nd one as it was on the weekend. The bad thing about booking through MS is all you get is a confirmation number, no email or voucher which always makes me nervous. We didn't have any issues though and I don't think they even looked for the confirmation number but rather looked up our names, checked my ID and DVC card and handed over the tickets. You can buy there but many of them are sold out ahead of time. Not all though!

The ingredient in the mole...tomatillos... I am pretty sure you can get them in the produce department up here, Cynthia. If not in the regular store like safeway (which I am sure I have seen them..at one point or another) Uiajimaya (I think that is how it is spelled. ) I think has had them at some point too.

You definitely can get them, I've seen them, cooked with them at least once before in my life though have no recollection as to what it was. Not sure if Safeway would have them but I've seen them either at Thriftway or QFC or both. I'd probably try those first before hitting Whole Foods or Central Market. I I do plan to make it in the spring, right now we are in comfort food cooking mode around here, though heaven knows just that sauce could make tonight's pork tenderloin more interesting. I don't think they are in season until about May though and then should be around all summer. I am going to peek at the store though just out of curiosity.