{"id":65227,"date":"2018-09-21T12:00:37","date_gmt":"2018-09-21T16:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/?p=65227"},"modified":"2022-04-08T23:14:35","modified_gmt":"2022-04-09T03:14:35","slug":"epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Epcot International Food and Wine Festival: A Culinary World Tour – Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Welcome to Bloggerpalooza, otherwise known as opening day of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival<\/a>. This multi-month happening is a culinary marathon, but opening day is an event unto itself. If you are anxious to meet your favorite internet celebrity, then this day should be pinned on your planner. Every member of the Disney interwebs is here to be the \u201cfirst\u201d to review this year\u2019s new gustatory offerings. The problem is, \u201cfirst\u201d on the WDW<\/a> scene is about 10 seconds in front of the next guy\u2019s retweet.\u00a0 So, even though I am here for the starting gun, I am going to slow things down a little. Don\u2019t get me wrong, I’m still going to cram about 50 plates of food into this review, but I wanted to take a little more time to, er, digest my findings. If your current itinerary takes you to Epcot in the early days of this soiree, then I am sorry I couldn\u2019t help. But if you have plans to attend in the next nearly 75 days, then sit back and soak this in.<\/p>\n

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If you have read my past articles, then you already know this….start your day at the\u00a0Epcot International Food and Wine Festival at 11:00 a.m.\u00a0 As a matter of fact, make that 10:45 a.m.\u00a0 Be that guy. I can\u2019t stress this enough. Be at the rope in Norway, or on the other side of the lagoon in France. When the whistle blows (there isn\u2019t really a whistle) you can bust it towards the American Adventure, and have about 6-8 kitchens to yourself for the first hour. After that, pick a direction, and make your way back towards Spaceship Earth.<\/p>\n

There are 15 kitchens on the World Showcase promenade this year for the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, and they will usually be busy. If you can have two days at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, it might be wise to split this area in half. Just pick and chose which kitchens have the shortest lines, and be a little fluid.\u00a0 \u00a0I started my first day in Italy. I wanted to give my countrymen a chance to redeem themselves. The food at this kitchen has been marginal at best for the last four festivals. I\u2019ll let you know how they did here in a second. I’m going to go pretty fast, so pay attention.\u00a0 Let\u2019s do this!<\/p>\n

ITALY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pollo Alla Cacciatora\u2026Braised chicken thigh in a generic red sauce. Very few veggies. Totally flavorless polenta. 8 bucks?? Nope.<\/p>\n

Fritto Misto\u2026Nice sized shrimp. Crispy zucchini. The sweet potatoes were a nice addition this year. Just ok.<\/p>\n

HOPS AND BARLEY<\/strong><\/p>\n

New England Lobster Roll\u2026Very well-made bread. I will leave it at that.\u00a0 Expensive and small…and not very good. I wouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

New Brunswick Slider\u2026Literally one bite(ok, maybe two) A very good bite, but not worth the price. Horseradish is the key, but it couldn’t put it over the top. Pass.<\/p>\n

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New Brunswick Slider<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

JAPAN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Teriyaki Chicken Bun\u2026Perfectly chewy and light bun. The chicken filling is packed with sweet soy flavor. Excellent.<\/p>\n

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Teriyaki Bun<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Beef Nigiri\u2026Weird as all get out, but I like it. Roasted and rare sliced beef served on sushi rice. Pickled jalapenos and shrimp sauce add a great kick. Yes please!!<\/p>\n

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Beef Nigiri<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Spicy Roll\u2026Freshly wrapped in well prepared sushi rice. The salmon and tuna filling is rocket hot and laced with sesame. Good size. Get everything in Japan. Please.<\/p>\n

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Spicy Roll<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MOROCCO<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kefta Pocket\u2026Very dry and under-seasoned beef patty. Slaw was crunchy and cool. Great pita. Pass though.<\/p>\n

Hummus Fries\u2026Basically a lighter version of falafel. Spicier than last year, but I\u2019ll allow it. Tzatziki and cukes cool things nicely. Love. This. Dish.<\/p>\n

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Hummus Fries<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Chocolate Baklava\u2026Nice and rich chocolaty almond filling. The shell is a little hard, so grab a knife. Worth a try.<\/p>\n

BELGIUM<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beer-braised Beef\u2026Not a fan. Beef was ok. Oddly acidic sauce. Boring mashers. Want beef?…head to France..or Canada.<\/p>\n

Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache\u2026Serviceable waffle. House whipped cream. Quality chocolate. Nice.<\/p>\n

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Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

BRAZIL<\/strong><\/p>\n

Moqueca\u2026Seafood stew. Fresh fish, shrimp and scallops. Lime tartness pops in the coconut sauce. Micro cilantro is a genius. Excellent dish.<\/p>\n

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Seafood Stew<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Crispy Pork Belly\u2026What more is there to say? Crunchy fatty pig. Firm, yet creamy beans. This is a must do. And a must repeat.<\/p>\n

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Pork Belly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pao de Queijo\u2026Brazilian cheese bread. Not sure what cheese they used, but it kills. Puffy and chewy like a popover. Try and eat less than half a dozen of these during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, I dare ya.\u00a0 Huge winner.<\/p>\n

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Brazilian Cheese Bread<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

FRANCE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Carbonade de Boeuf\u2026Excellent braise on this beef. Bacon smokes this sauce just a little. Great mashers. Winner.<\/p>\n

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Carbonade de Boeuf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cr\u00e8me Brulee\u2026Excellent version of this French classic. Velvet. Raspberry jam inside, and a crackly sugar on top. Perfect.<\/p>\n

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Creme Brulee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

IRELAND<\/strong><\/p>\n

Warm Irish Cheddar and Stout Dip\u2026Just like it sounds, and it\u2019s awesome!! Ask for more bread, or a straw, or a bib. Great shareable.<\/p>\n

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Warm Cheddar Dip<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Warm Chocolate Pudding\u2026Think molten chocolate cake. Gooey and densely chocolate. Irish cream cr\u00e8me anglaise is on point. Yes please.<\/p>\n

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Warm Chocolate Pudding<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

CANADA<\/strong><\/p>\n

I passed on this kitchen this year. The beef here is ALWAYS a hit. I am not a fan of the Cheddar Soup, but I am in the minority. By all means visit our neighbors to the North with my blessing.<\/p>\n

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The next few kitchens are scattered around the area between Future World and World Showcase.<\/p>\n

FLAVORS FROM FIRE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Piggy Wings\u2026A favorite returner. Actually, a piece from the shank, these are roasted to a gentle tug. Spicy Korean glaze is sticky in a good way. Love these!<\/p>\n

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Piggy Wings<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Charred Chimichurri Skirt Steak\u2026Great texture on the beef. The corn cake is fluffy with a little crispy edge. Pickled veg pop. Nice dish.<\/p>\n

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Chimichurri Steak<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chocolate Picante\u2026Dark chocolate mousse with a cayenne kick. Unbelievable four biter. Mangos for the win. Excellent dessert. Maybe the best.<\/p>\n

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Chocolate Picante<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

EARTH EATS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Steakhouse Blended Burger\u2026Very beefy patty. That brie cheese fondue is money. The truffle and bleu cheese potato chip adds the perfect crunch. Winner<\/p>\n

Impossible Burger Slider\u2026I wrecked this vegan slider. And I would do it again. And again. Fabulous Asian slaw. Get it. Trust.<\/p>\n

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Impossible vegan slider<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

COASTAL EATS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lump Crab Cake\u2026Good size, decent flavor. Love the Napa cabbage slaw. Avocado cr\u00e8me helps. Not bad.<\/p>\n

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Lump Crabcake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Seared Scallops\u2026Small, but fresh and sweet little mollusks. The butterbean succotash killed again this year. Easy recommend.<\/p>\n

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Seared Scallops with Succotash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Day one of the\u00a0Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in the books. I\u2019m going to head to the Stormalong Bay to sweat this one off. I\u2019ll be the one laying on a pile of greasy receipts and plastic forks. Stay tuned for part two. See you all for part two! We will start in Spain..get some rest!!<\/p>\n

Have you visited Epcot during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival this year yet? What were your picks from these marketplace kiosks?<\/em> Share in a comment below or <\/em>on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Did you like this article? Make sure to share it with your friends! Check below for easy ways to share!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Want to visit Walt Disney World? Contact\u00a0The Magic for Less Travel<\/a>\u00a0for more information and a free, no-obligation quote.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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