I just love providing you another perspective on Epcot’s Food & Wine festival. So, in that spirit, it gives me great pleasure to “re-welcome” Kelli Kopaczynski to the pages of All in WDW.
You’ll remember that she entertained us a few weeks ago with “Kelli’s Top 25!” Today, Kelli returns with a review of her and her family’s Opening Weekend “Food & Wine Adventure”! Take it away, Kelli!
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I am so happy to have the opportunity to be able to write for All in WDW again. It has been a little over two weeks since we came back from our trip and what an amazing week my family and I had enjoying our time together … making memories and eating our way around the world!
We arrived a few days prior to the “soft” open of the festival, and we patiently awaited the arrival of all that food & wine. So, on Thursday morning, with fingers crossed, we made our way over to Epcot and found ourselves excited and ready to “dive in” as we saw the booths springing to life.
The festival opens … at last!
Like I had said earlier, we had no particular plan of attack. We just wanted to try as much as we could in three days … and, in the end, we did “almost” everything we decided upon.
We, of course, knew that there would be some of our favorites that we would have to go and enjoy first. We were not disappointed at all!
The famous “Le Cellier” Filet (Canada), Grilled Lamb Chop (Australia), and Gratinated Mussels (New Zealand) did not disappoint. However, my husband has said over the past two years that he wishes that Australia would return the lamb chop to its “original” recipe. You know, something like they had in 2011 – a Grilled Lamb Chop with Potato-Goat Cheese Salad and a Shiraz Reduction.
Australia’s 2011 Lamb Chop!
Undaunted, he took matters into his own hands and asked for the lamb chop minus the pesto and “crunchies”. We were surprised that they modified it for us, but he loved it! It reminded him of the old one … but minus a “buttery” taste. Lesson learned. The Cast Members WILL work with you to “tweak” a dish!
There were many new items that caught our eye … and our taste-buds. The new Griddled Lobster Tail (Hops & Barley) was a hit with the whole family, and our eight-year-old daughter said, “This is the best lobster I have ever eaten, and I love the butter on it.”
Griddled Lobster Tail (Hops & Barley)
We tried other new items like the Dole Pineapple Fritters (Refreshment Port) and the Frozen S’mores (Desserts & Champagne). Let’s just say that anything sweet is a guaranteed winner in the kids’ book. The hubby and I shared some items like the Spicy Hand Roll from Japan (which was absolutely delicious) along with the beef bourguignon (Braised Beef Short Ribs from France), and the South Korean Kimchi Dog (which wasn’t even on our list). He said that it was one of the best hot dogs he had ever had!
Kimchi Dog (South Korea)
I, on the other hand, loved the Griddled Greek Cheese and the Kerrygold Cheese Selection from Ireland. And, of course, the Cheddar Cheese Soup (Canada) and Clam Chowder (Hops & Barley) were perfect! My oldest daughter said that she loved the little Tabasco bottle that came with the chowder … though, she would not use it.
Griddled Greek Cheese (Greece)
There were only a couple of items that didn’t “blow us away”. We found the Craisin Bread Pudding (Hops & Barley) to be dry. Germany’s Apple Strudel was just OK. And, the Fried Shrimp with Dole Pineapple (Refreshment Port) was pretty boring.
One other drawback was the crowds at night and on the weekend. We did expect it to be busy, but maybe next year we will go a few days later and after the festival opens.
Wow! It must be busy if Singapore’s line is THIS long!
I was impressed with the way that they served beer and wine flights … by including informative cards that corresponded with the beverage in its handy container. And, the new MagicBands were perfect for paying at the kiosks.
My son pointed out that there wasn’t a playground. I guess we have visited Epcot so many times during special events that he has taken notice, at only 5-years old that there wasn’t a place for him to have some fun. It was OK, though, since “pool time” made up for it.
Disney never disappoints us, and their culinary experts do such an amazing job we are always impressed. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our trip and experience at the Food & Wine festival … as we do every year. I look forward to going for many years to come and making this a tradition for my family!
