I’m back! And, so is the food!

Today, let’s feast on the next five dishes that have landed themselves in the “official” All in WDW 2013 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Final Top 25!

20. Chicken Gyro – Greece

Pre-Festival: 21

Change: +1

Although its improvement in rank is only slight, you could say I was pleasantly surprised by this one.  It definitely reminded me a lot of Greece’s Chicken Souvlaki (from previous years).

And, where the tzatziki sauce hasn’t been one of my favorite tastes in the past, this year, it wasn’t too bad. Could they have dialed it down a bit? Or, is it growing on me?

19. Beef Empanada – Argentina

Pre-Festival: 24

Change: +5

I had every intention of going back to Argentina for another empanada before we ended our quest through World Showcase.  Filled with plenty of beef, it was tasty in a spicy-flavorful sort of way.  The pastry shell, however, was a bit on the dry side.

And, this is where Rick Howard ‘rides to the rescue’.  As far as he’s concerned, all you need to do is spill some Chimichurri Sauce on top of it and enjoy!  Next time, Argentina.  Next time.

18. Berbere-Style Beef – Africa

Pre-Festival: 8

Change: -10

Mrs. All in WDW described this one best. “Bob, it has no taste. It’s just hot!”  Yeah, in the end, I think she was right.  But, it wasn’t the “heat” that lost me.  It was the grits and the overall appearance of the dish.

First, I have admitted to you on many occasions that I’m not a ‘grits fan’.  Second, do you remember Singapore’s Beef Rendang?  This dish looks just as unappealing from a presentation standpoint.

17. Braised Beef Short Ribs – France

Pre-Festival: 3

Change: -14

Not impressed.  As you can see from its epic drop, I was very disappointed.  In fact, I was so disappointed that I wasn’t even the smallest bit interested in giving it a second try.

I have to tell you, I’m a huge fan of braised beef short ribs.  This recipe just didn’t stack up … at all.  It wasn’t nearly as pull-apart, fork tender as I expected.  Oh, and the mashed potatoes?  It seemed like they had been sitting around for a while.  Sorry, France.  Fail.

16. Braised Beef Waffle – Belgium

Pre-Festival: 7

Change: -9

I felt that Belgium’s version of braised beef was way better than France’s entry.  But, in some ways, I was equally disappointed.

One-quarter of a Potato and Leek Waffle covered with Braised Beef, I was expecting intriguing, interesting, and unique.  It was all of those things, but I left wondering what a Potato and Leek Waffle tastes like.  In essence, the beef over-powered the dish … making the addition of the waffle a bit moot.

Thanks for the comments and feedback yesterday, folks!  As always, I really appreciate all of your support!  See you – with more food – tomorrow!!