People ask me why I don’t publish all of my Food & Wine pictures in one day – meaning Opening Day.

The answer is simple … I can’t eat that much in one single day!  As a result, the unveiling of my Top 20 spans over days.  At least three of them!  As such, here’s Day #2 …

Coastal Eats “nailed it” with both of the entrées we sampled.  First, was their crab cake.  Today, I kick off coverage with their Seared Scallops!

A perfectly cooked duo.  Yes, there’s two!  Perfect for sharing!  In addition, the accompaniment – a Roasted Corn and Butterbean Succotash – was exceptional.

Ireland scored big with their ‘bangers and mash’!  Described as Roasted Irish Sausage with Colcannon Potatoes, the serving was quite generous.

Better yet … the food was piping hot.  The sausages and potatoes were great.  The gravy had a slightly sauerkraut-like tang to it.  The whole thing was delicious!

Next up?  Hawaii.  Too little SPAM and too much hash in their Teriyaki-glazed SPAM Hash.  Plus, that teriyaki glaze made the dish way too sweet for me.

As I mentioned in one of my pre-festival Top 20 posts, I haven’t had SPAM in what seemed like decades.  Therefore, I was really looking forward to this item.  It disappointed me.

You know what would make Flavors from Fire’s Sweet Pancake with Spicy Chipotle Chicken Sausage a better plate?  Jalapeños in the pancake!

The maple butter syrup that adorns the item makes the dish way too sweet.  Also, I’d take a lesson from Ireland, Flavors.  Be much more serious with the sausage!  Your three (if that!) little slices didn’t cut it!

As opposed to those served by Coastal Eats (see above), Wine & Dine Studio’s Seared Scallops were a big, big disappointment.

The scallops were prepared perfectly, I’ll say that.  The rest of the dish fell really flat, though.  Plus, in comparison to 2016’s presentation, there were way too many mushrooms and way too little roasted Brussels.

Patagonia’s Grilled Beef Skewer truly has been inconsistent over the years.  Well, 2017 appears to be a good year, folks.

The meat was pull-apart tender as we yanked it off the skewer. The purée was creamy-delicious. The chimichurri tasted great. Put it on your list!

Finally, the Chilled Scotch Egg wrapped in Sausage being sold at Craft Beers is quite good!  One hard-boiled egg cut in thirds looks pretty straightforward and simple, eh?

The sausage wrapping was crispy and fantastic.  One or two of these morsels – as a bar snack – with a few beers would really hit the spot.

Stop back later this morning, my friends!  Day #2 coverage is complete, but, believe it or not, many more food pictures will be rolling out throughout the day!