Guest Contribution – Scott’s Food & Wine Top 25!

My friends, WELCOME!  Welcome to All in WDW’s Food & Wine WEEK!  An unabashed tribute to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!

Food & Wine 2013!

To kick things off, I want to thank Scott Adams for jumping on the All in WDW “Food & Wine Fanatics” train.  From the email exchange that we had, I can tell that we have a lot in common.

Of course, the most-pronounced similarity is in our love for finely-designed and fantastic Food & Wine creations.

Scott is going to christen the week for us with his own, personal, Top 25.  What’s his view on what you should eat when you get Epcot?  Here it is!  Enjoy!

1 – Loaded Mac n’ Cheese with Nueske’s Pepper Bacon – Farm Fresh

If it is anything like last year’s Nueske’s Pepper Bacon Hash, this will be a fan favorite!

2 – Kālua Pork Slider – Hawaii

I could sit there and eat three of them, if I had to! (Bob: I hear that, Scott!)

3 – Kimchi Dog – The Outpost

I hate hot dogs. This one, from South Korea, got me to LOVE hot dogs!

4 – “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon – Canada

This one would be higher but, but I’m not a fan of mushrooms. (Bob: Hah!  We definitely have a lot in common, Scott!)

5 – Harissa Chicken Roll – Morocco

Last year’s Spicy Shrimp Roll was Top 5 for me.

6 – Potato Pierogi with Kielbasa – Poland

My wife’s #1 favorite. (Bob: You’re a better husband than me, Scott.  Mrs. All in WDW’s favorite doesn’t even crack my Top 15!)

7 – Roast Bratwurst in a Pretzel Roll – Germany

My wife’s #2 favorite. (Bob: OK.  Now, you’re REALLY making me look bad, Scott.  I’m outa here!)

8 – Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp – Australia

I love anything that has a combo of sweet and spicy.

9 – Corn Chips layered with Seasoned Chicken – Mexico

Sounds really interesting.

10 – Beef Empanada – Patagonia

An old favorite that is always good.

11 – Spicy Hand Roll – Japan

Sushi will always make my list.

12 – Belgium Waffle with Berry Compote – Belgium

Our three year old son will devour this in seconds!

13 – Seared Sea Scallop – Scotland

Scotland? You had me at BACON.

14 – Fried Chicken Chunks – Refreshment Port

Two of my favorites … fried chicken and pineapple.

15 – Grilled Beef Skewer – Patagonia

Beef on a stick? ’nuff said.

16 – Lobster and Seafood Fisherman’s Pie – Ireland

Another old favorite.

17 – Roasted Pork Lettuce Wrap – South Korea

On the list mainly because of the slaw.

18 – Buttered Chicken – Africa

The naan bread accompaniment helps this make the Top 25.

19 – New York Strip – Chew Labs

I wonder if all the extras on the steak will hide its real flavor.

20 – Braised Short Ribs in Cabernet – France

Not sure about the Cabernet sauce.

21 – Florida Grass-fed Beef Slider – Hops & Barley

The pimento cheese has me interested.

22 – Korean Barbecue Short Rib – South Korea

With Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi it is its own little meal!

23 – New England Lobster Roll – Hops & Barley

Glad it is back, but two years ago it wasn’t amazing.

24 – Cheddar Cheese Soup – Canada

It’s lower on the list because sometimes it tastes “mass-produced”.

25 – Battered Shrimp Taco – Mexico

Fried shrimp and chipotle mayo belong together!

Join the “Crew”, My Friends! It’s “Drafting Time” Once Again! VOTE!

Did you get it, my friends?  Did you “find” yesterday’s Shaved Beef Sandwich?  Warm bun.  Rich-tasting beef jus reduction.  Tender slices of fine New York strip steak.  Yum!

This great sandwich can be found deep in the heart of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort at The Crew’s Cup Lounge!  By the way, that New York strip?  Courtesy of Yachtsman Steakhouse, of course!

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So, did you get a chance to listen to yesterday’s episode of the WDW Main Street Podcast?  It covers the 5th Round of the 2015 WDW Parks Draft.  Here’s the link to the show:

2015 Fantasy Parks Draft – Round 5!

As for our actual selections, here they are …

Doug

  • San Angel Inn Restaurante
  • Fulton’s Crab House
  • The Trolley Car Cafe
  • Rainforest Cafe – Disney Springs
  • Narcoossee’s
  • AMC Downtown Disney 24 Dine-In Theatres
  • Oscar’s Super Service
  • Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe
  • Crossroads at House of Blues
  • Keystone Clothiers

Dennis

  • Harmony Barber Shop
  • Country Bear Jamboree
  • Journey Into Imagination With Figment
  • Maharajah Jungle Trek
  • Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
  • Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
  • The Barnstormer
  • Taste Track – Epcot
  • Characters in Flight
  • Once Upon a Toy

Bob

  • Disney’s Days of Christmas – Disney Springs
  • Todd English’s bluezoo
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • The LEGO Store
  • T-REX
  • Marketplace Co-Op
  • Astro Orbiter
  • Gurgling Suitcase
  • Mission: SPACE
  • Club Cool

So, the question becomes, which one of us made the best ten selections this time around?

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Finally, fifty picks in, here are our parks. They’re in this easy-to-open .pdf!

WDW Fantasy Parks Draft ’15 – Round 5

Take a look at our three parks. Where do you want to spend your well-deserved theme park time?!

In Search of … Shaved Slices of Beef?

I know.  I know.  It’s always about food, with me.  Hey!  Wait ’til next week!  It’ll be Food & Wine week around here!

Anyway, who’s up for an outstanding sandwich of shaved beef?  Roasted shallot mayonnaise.  Pickled peppers and onions.

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Beef jus reduction.  Vermont cheddar.  Watercress.  French Fries.  $13.49 of “plain and simple”, rich, beefy deliciousness!

So, my friends, here’s the million dollar question … WHERE can you find this fabulous masterpiece?

I’ll give you a hint.  I drafted the “home” of this delectable delight in the 2015 Fantasy Parks Draft.

Oh!  Speaking of that draft … Round 5 just hit the airwaves this morning!  What ten picks did I make this time?  Listen to the WDW Main Street Podcast to find out!  Here’s the link:

2015 Fantasy Parks Draft – Round 5!

Back to the “star” of this post, however.  You can find this Shaved Beef Sandwich at:

At Crescent Lake? Go Boating From The Bayside!

When it comes to outdoor sporting and recreational activities, Walt Disney World is loaded with options.  In fact, in reality, there are probably more opportunities for fun than most Guests will ever be able to imagine!

Oh, you can find the more ordinary of activities, of course.  Swimming in one of Disney’s fantastically-themed pools, for instance.  Most resorts own tennis courts.  You can even find places to play basketball or volleyball!

Then, there’s golfing, of course (pun intended).  Several locations provide a chance to fish.  Fort Wilderness hosts the ability to engage in archery, canoeing, and kayaking.  You can go running and walking, most anywhere!

Plus, if you want to, you can even get a bit more extreme!  At Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you can reserve an opportunity to go parasailing, tubing, wake boarding, or water skiing.

For today, however, we’re going to keep it on the “tame” side.  Just outside Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and right on Crescent Lake, you’ll find Bayside Marina.

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Have you ever wanted to “captain” a powerboat across Crescent Lake?  Then, Bayside is your spot.  Look at the multitudes of watercraft!

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Of course, this great opportunity comes at a bit of a price.  Starting at $32, there are a number of options to choose from among.  From Sea Ray to Boston Whaler, from 30 minutes to 4 hours, from treasure hunts to fishing excursions, they have it!

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Of course, they also rent bikes for a more nominal $9 to $18 fee.

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A bit of a cost on all of these, my friends, but, oh, so much fun!

How about you?  What outdoor sporting and recreational activities do you engage in on every trip to The World?  Which one of the above activities do you long to try?  Have you ever rented a watercraft?

Let us know your feedback!  We’d love to hear it!

Dining Recon: Breakfast at Captain’s Grille

Good morning, my friends!  Is it time for some bacon and eggs?  Some coffee, at least?

When it comes to breakfast, the Yacht Club’s Captain’s Grille is best known for its “all-you-care-to-enjoy” breakfast buffet.  Just ask Dennis Conroy of the WDW Main Street Podcast.  He, and his family, are big fans!

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Well, on our last visit to The World, we decided to tackle the Captain’s morning “feast”.  Then, we got distracted … by the skipper’s à la carte menu!  Eggs Benedict, Citrus-scented French Toast, Lemon-Ricotta Hotcakes.  How could we not?

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Oh, the breakfast buffet looked grand, mind you.  Filled with fruit, yogurt, pastries, smoked salmon, bread pudding, oatmeal, cold cereals, bacon, sausage, hash browns, scrambled eggs and frittatas, it appeared to be delicious.

Mrs. All in WDW and I, however, were enticed by the prospect of dining in a more “deluxe” fashion.  Plus, with a long day in front of us, we didn’t want to fill ourselves up to the brim!  We just had to try their Lobster Omelet!

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Let me tell you folks, made with butter-poached lobster, asparagus, and chive cream, this was no ordinary omelet.  Beautiful in presentation and delightful in taste, it delivered just what we needed for breakfast … without making us feel over-stuffed.

Unlike some venues in Walt Disney World, the Captain’s Grille doesn’t often get fully-booked with ADRs.  So, if you’re looking for an impromptu morning meal, it may just be your destination.  Whether the buffet or a somewhat lighter bite, the skipper wouldn’t steer you wrong!