I don’t know about you all, but these recaps have made me hungry … hungry for a return to Epcot!  I can’t wait to go back and have a second go at some of these dishes!  But, that will come soon enough. In fact, we’re mere weeks away from our return.  In the meantime, we’re closing in on the Top 5!

10. Crispy Pork Belly – Brazil

Pre-Festival: 14

Change: +4

My biggest problem with this dish was inconsistency.  I have had it three times – once at the Tables in Wonderland preview event, once with Rick Howard for our recording of his Travel with Rick episode covering Brazil, and once, later, with Mrs. All in WDW on our last day at the festival.  Each time it was different.

In truth, I think it is VERY worth the try.  As I said in my pre-festival comments, “The symphony of tastes you’ll find when you combine a bit of the pork with the dish’s black beans, onions, avocado, and cilantro are hard to beat.”  That’s all still true.  It might be inconsistent – sometimes crispy, sometimes not, sometimes big, sometimes small – but it still tastes pretty good.

9. Scottish Salmon – Scotland

Pre-Festival: 11

Change: +2

Tables in Wonderland also served us Scotland’s salmon at their July preview event.  I’m afraid that I wasn’t all that impressed, saying, “It was a bit on the bland side, for my taste.”

At the actual festival, however, the portion I enjoyed was much, much better.  Although it was a much smaller piece than I expected, the salmon was cooked perfectly and had better flavor. The cauliflower purée was a delicious accompaniment.

8. Taco de Ribeye – Mexico

Pre-Festival: 9

Change: +1

What a great “beef taco” comeback!  In 2011, while finishing 5th, I felt Mexico’s ribeye taco was one of the best plates offered at that year’s festival.

After learning that Mexico intended to sub in a filet mignon taco in 2012, I was really excited. Expecting the filet to be a phenomenal upgrade to an already-outstanding dish, I was left with a 16th-placed disappointment.  It was dry, and I was begging for them to bring back the ribeye.

Well, the culinary staff “figured it out” and ‘bring back the ribeye’ is just what they did.  The taco, the flavors, the beef speak for themselves … rocketing Mexico back up the charts!  Way to go!

7. Grilled Beef Skewer – Argentina

Pre-Festival: Honorable Mention

Change: “Skyrocket”!

Talk about ‘rocketing back up the charts’.  What’s this?  An honorable mention in the Top 10? The Top 10?!  An item that was so disappointing in 2011 that it didn’t even hit the All in WDW radar in 2012?

You got it.  Tender, well-seasoned, perfectly-cooked beef on a bed of luscious, creamy potatoes. And, I’m sold on the Chimichurri Sauce now.  I’ve literally been thinking about this dish’s combination of flavors – especially the sauce and potatoes, oddly enough – ever since we left for home!

6. Shrimp Taco – Mexico

Pre-Festival: 5

Change: -1

Consistently a “high achiever”, this item finished at 5th in 2012.  Mrs. All in WDW claims she prefers our sautéed shrimp, homemade version of this dish, but I disagree.  There’s something about Mexico’s fried shrimp recipe that kicks the whole concept of this taco up a few notches. A simple dish but very good.  A “must have”.

My friends, tomorrow, we return with the big finale.  The Top 5!  And, the “coronation”.  What Epcot Food & Wine delicacy will “rule them all”?  Which dish will be the 2013 “champion”? Don’t forget to stop back and see!