Did you catch all of yesterday’s posts, my friends?  Food, food, food!  Nothing but food!  After all, it is “Food” & Garden 2016!

So, back to my question … did you catch yesterday’s posts?  No?  Well, then, don’t worry.  It’s time for you to get caught up.  Here’s what you missed!

Mrs. All in WDW and I invaded Epcot’s World Showcase with a ten-item menu in hand.  What was our Pre-Festival Top 10?

1. Shrimp and Stone-ground Grits – Florida Fresh
2. Pulled Pig Slider – The Smokehouse (The American Adventure)
3. Gaoli Beef Bun – Lotus House (China)
4. Jamaican-braised Beef – La Isla Fresca
5. Tempura Shrimp Tacos – Jardin de Fiestas (Mexico)
6. Beef Teriyaki Udon – Hanami (Japan)
7. Jerk-spice Chicken – La Isla Fresca
8. Smoked Pork Ribs – The Smokehouse (The American Adventure)
9. Chicken Fricassee – Bauernmarkt (Germany)
10. Pear Cider-brined Shredded Corned Beef – Cider House (United Kingdom)

So, also yesterday, I revealed our thoughts (or, mainly my thoughts) as to the quality of the first five items we tackled off of our menu.

If you didn’t catch the pictures and comments, well, here they are!

• Tempura Shrimp Tacos – Jardin de Fiestas (Mexico)

As usual, Mexico really delivered.  Crispy shrimp.  Honestly, I wish the dish was slightly bigger, but it is very good, nonetheless.

If I had one critique, I’d switch back to the spicy mayo that has been served in previous festivals.  This year’s “habanero sauce”, oddly, had very little “zing”.

• Gaoli Beef Bun – Lotus House (China)

See?  I told you!  If Epcot would listen to me and put Food & Wine 2015’s Gaoli Beef on a steamed bun, we’d have a contender!

In fact, I will go a step further.  This dish could be the Festival’s “winner”!  Way to go, chefs!

• Jamaican-braised Beef – La Isla Fresca

La Isla Fresca’s Jamaican-braised Beef was pretty good!  Frankly, I liked it.  It was fork tender and flavorful.  Mrs. All in WDW, on the other hand, could take it or leave it.

In the end, I felt it tasted great, but I was left wishing for more.  There’s less beef there than it looks.

• Pear Cider-brined Shredded Corned Beef – Cider House (United Kingdom)

Some dishes are a symphony of flavors.  Some just don’t work at all.  We found this item to be odd, unusual, and way too sweet.

In fact, we’d suggest that you pass on Cider House’s corned beef.  Instead, sample their Cheddar Cheese Biscuit with Smoked Salmon Tartare.

• Beef Teriyaki Udon – Hanami (Japan)

Too little beef and way too many noodles.  Also, the beef was too sweet.  And, the noodles were much too soft.

Honestly, I was looking (hoping) for something along the lines of a Kona Cafe’ “Pan-Asian Noodles with Beef”.  I got nothing of the sort.

That covers Day #1, folks.  Next up?  Check back in a few hours as the food pics start flowing once again!  Five more masterpieces to eat!

Don’t miss a morsel … stop back, right here at http://www.allinwdw.com, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter!