F&W 2011 We3Peas Eating Around the World ***New Stuff***

[we3peas 12]

This past Wednesday my dd13 and I went to check out F&W at EPCOT. We went for one afternoon trip last year before Halloween when our passes were expiring and were hooked. She's talked about it all year and wanted to try lots of new things.

dd13

me

So we head out on Wednesday and start at the Festival Marketplace, which we did not know existed last year. We wandered around a bit and bought our F&W swipe card so we wouldn't have to keep pulling cash out of our pockets. This is also the location where they hold many of the seminars and tasting events.

After purchasing our new mascot “Jean Ralphio” as my dd has named her vinyalmation (from the popular NBC show Parks&Rec)

we walked to World Showcase in time for opening of the countries.

On the way we saw the new Ocean Spray cranberry bog. Too cool. My dd wanted to go in and stomp cranberries.

Before I go on I want to let you know that we picked up the Discovery Passport this year and will stamp it in every country. My family jokes about this but I am an avid collector of stamps. On our journey out West last year they got tired of me asking where the National Passport stamps were located every time we entered a park. I also made my dd do every Jr Ranger book there was to be had. But enough on that, we were also going to use the passport to rank OUR opinion of what the food tasted like so if we wanted seconds later we would know what we liked.

Our original plan was to skip every other booth but that flew out the window when we were overwhelmed with all the food we could try. So we jumped from place to place until we were full.

First up was Hawaii. Since we have visited there 3 times I knew we would like the food so we tried the Kalua pork slider. In our ranking we gave it a 4. My dd was worried that the mayonnaise would be too spicy but she ate it all and said she would try it again. I think since the portion was smaller I enjoyed it but I don't think I would want a full size sandwich just because I don't go in for mayonnaise.

Next up was the Desserts and Champagne booth. We decided on the white chocolate Macadamia mousse with dark Chocolate pearls. We both gave it a 5. Really wished it were larger sized. But we will try this again. It has a nice chocolate flavor and the pearls were slightly crunchy.

Then we moved on to Greece, where we tried to Chicken Souvlaki with tzatziki. We gave it a 3. Mostly because it didn't taste like any chicken I've ever had. When I told my dh that it looked like sausage he informed me there is such a thing as chicken sausage. Who knew? I guess that's why HE does the shopping! It still didn't taste like chicken though.

We skipped Canada for now, but I know we will be back to try the cheese soup. I've heard good and bad about it this year.

On to Ireland...last year I was the only one who got to try the Lava Cake since dh and dd wanted to ride Soarin'. I got tired of waiting for them and went to eat instead. The wait for the ride ended up being 90 minutes. So this year I took my dd to all the parks one day a week before F&W and told her to ride anything she wanted to because during F&W we were there for the FOOD! Anyway, at Ireland we ordered the Lava Cake, the Kerrygold cheese selection and I got to try the Bunratty Meade Honey Wine. Cake was OK we gave it a 5, though I did give most of my half to my dd. I really liked the cheeses, I gave them a 4, but the chutney was way too sweet. My Meade was really good, I gave it a 4. Now looking to find out where I can get some. There was actually a lot of cheese so I put it in a container we brought in case we didn't finish something so we could eat it later.

Jean Ralphio enjoying the World

We skipped over France for now. Since we are local we are planning to make around 5 trips to F&W over the next month,so I'll think we will cover it all.

Next we hit Belgium. I'm not a seafood/fish eater so we skipped the mussels and we had the waffle last year, so this year we tried the Guylien Belgian Chocolate Seashell Truffles. I gave them a 2, my lowest rating of the day. First off they were boxed, like not made at EPCOT, meaning not fresh. Second they were pretty tasteless. I could not tell there was any chocolate in them. Hello, it's Belgian chocolate, shouldn't I have tasted something besides sugar. Dd liked them but she's a kid who loves candy. Just saying.

For now we skipped Portugal and headed for Morocco. We tried the Kefta pocket and gave it a 3. It was good sized and easy to share and not too saucy. The seasoning wasn't overdone but there was nothing to say Wow! about it.

\

Next up New Zealand. Dd was excited about this since she hasn't ever tried lamb before. So we ordered the lamb slider with tomato chutney. We ranked it a 4. She did think the chutney was spicy on this one, and didn't finish her half. So I saved it for later. I think she didn't finish because of a combination of people smoking near us and we were getting stuffed since we aren't big eaters, mostly grazers.

We skipped the next few booths and ended up at Hops and Barley to try the Pumpkin Mousse. Dd loves cranberries and pumpkin so for us this was a 5. Once again the portion didn't seem large enough to us. But I am glad it was small as I could see myself eating too much of it.

Our last stop was in Germany but not for food. Our last visit here I bought the Wine Walk and wanted to try some German wine this time. While in the shop I noticed something on a sign called a Wine Flight. This is a sample of 3 wines of 6 that they offer. This would include a sample of ice wine, something I've been wanting to try. I was willing to pay the price but didn't want all 3 wines at the same time (since I was the driver and I'm pretty lightweight for a drinker-2 oz would be OK but not 6-8 oz). So I asked if it worked like the Walk where I could try 1 today and the rest later. Unfortunately it doesn't, you have to consume all at the same time. I'll have to save it until my dh is with us next time. For today I just got the small sample that went with the Walk.

So this ended our day at F&W, and we did collect all the stamps and went back to the Festival Marketplace for our completed stamp. Then I let my dd ride Mission Space and we rode Test Track together and gave away our 4 other fast passes to a family. We then went to Sum of All Thrills and designed a rollercoaster before we left. We departed F&W feeling full and we also had great weather today so it was a perfect day.

[PureTcrazy...rita 380]

Thanks for posting this! I enjoyed the story, the pics and the ratings! I hope you try much more before we go, so we have a good idea about what we want!

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Looks like fun!!!!! Can't wait to try this at BATWIT!!!!!

[PureTcrazy...rita 380]

I'm with you Carol!

[Roller ... aka Ed 351]

We have several days planned for Food & Wine. There is no way we could even graze a little of each item we want to try in one or two days. BATWIT is going to be the drinking day - with some munchies we liked during our grazing earlier. Rita's (and Gramme's and OldeKoot's) idea of what we want to try was about $200 worth :rofl2: I will admit to having some input to that list - I read off the items, and they said, "we have to try that"!

[gramme 2]

Yes we did and now after seeing some of the pics I think its up to about $300.... I am so thankful that Runner is buying!!!!!!! :jumpforjoy :jumpforjoy :jumpforjoy :jumpforjoy :jumpforjoy :jumpforjoy :jumpforjoy :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2: LOL

[Lou... 3,118]

There was a discussion on here a while back about what was and who buys Vinylmation stuff. We never got a good answer, but I think we might get one now, from your daughter.

What and why does it exist?

[we3peas 12]

There was a discussion on here a while back about what was and who buys Vinylmation stuff. We never got a good answer, but I think we might get one now, from your daughter.

What and why does it exist?

my dd says "They're so cute!", she loves adorable stuff, like her purple penguin, and has obsessions with other stuff like rainbow bunnies

[stefa70 205]

Great reporting! Now I'm hungry.

I never could get into the vinylmation characters, but I love that your DD included him in the pics.

[we3peas 12]

There was a discussion on here a while back about what was and who buys Vinylmation stuff. We never got a good answer, but I think we might get one now, from your daughter.

What and why does it exist?

I think she has about 3 of them now. She thinks they are cute and she likes to collect stuff but I won't pay for them so she has a limited number right now.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Looks like a lot of different items from last year. We've only been to F&W once...do the offerings completely change each year?

[we3peas 12]

Looks like a lot of different items from last year. We've only been to F&W once...do the offerings completely change each year?

Some do, most don't. They add and take away country booths each year as well. I know Hawaii and I think the Caribbean booths are new this year.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Oh I am SO in for this TR!! And I just love that Jean Ralphio is in all your pics.

I'm with you Carol!

ME TOO!!!

We have several days planned for Food & Wine. There is no way we could even graze a little of each item we want to try in one or two days. BATWIT is going to be the drinking day - with some munchies we liked during our grazing earlier. Rita's (and Gramme's and OldeKoot's) idea of what we want to try was about $200 worth :rofl2: I will admit to having some input to that list - I read off the items, and they said, "we have to try that"!

We have ..... three weeks planned for Food & Wine.

:rofl2: :rofl2:

I haven't dare add up all the things I want to try this trip... I'm too afraid it will be a number with a comma in it.

Looks like a lot of different items from last year. We've only been to F&W once...do the offerings completely change each year?

The really popular stuff usually comes back - like the seafood pie in Ireland and the escargot in France (I'll take credit for making that one come back all on my own). Otherwise you'll see some new countries from time to time and some countries just change things up a bit. It's definitely not exactly the same from year to year.

[we3peas 12]

Going back today even if we end up underwater. Gotta try some new things! This time dh gets to sample as well.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Just popping in to say you did a great job on this report!

Of course, I have a few comments:

After purchasing our new mascot “Jean Ralphio” as my dd has named her vinyalmation (from the popular NBC show Parks&Rec)

Huge P & R fan here. But I'm no fan of Jean Ralphio. I want Tom to go back and work in the office! Based on how things are playing out, I think he will be back with the rest of the gang soon.

and we also had great weather today so it was a perfect day.

Consider yourselves lucky.

The TCD gang took its first scouting trip to the F & W festival on Saturday.

We could have used some water wings and snorkels!

But, look for a short TCD TR!

Looks like a lot of different items from last year. We've only been to F&W once...do the offerings completely change each year?

Dave-

As others have already said, the offerings do change from year to year, but not completely.

If you were hoping not to see a photo of TCD munching on a Nuerenberger sausage, you are out of luck.

Going back today even if we end up underwater. Gotta try some new things! This time dh gets to sample as well.

It looks like today will be drier than the weekend was.

Have fun!

TCD

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Going back today even if we end up underwater. Gotta try some new things! This time dh gets to sample as well.

We need another update! :)

[gramme 2]

Enjoyed your report on F&W. Can't wait till we get there in 15 days!

[we3peas 12]

We need another update! :)

Coming right up!

[we3peas 12]

Day 2(Monday night)

Today we make our way to F&W on a Monday afternoon. Today dh is joining us for our afternoon taste testing. We expect the crowds to be a bit more today since it is a holiday everywhere (Columbus Day) except for FL. We were pleasantly surprised when we found out the park wasn't as crowded as we thought.

A note about the birthday button on dd's shirt. It is NOT her birthday but she felt slighted when it was because only 2 people all day wished her a Happy Birthday that day.It was the day of the Royal wedding. So she came wearing her button again to up her number. By the end of the day at least a dozen people and not just cast members had noticed and said HB to her. So she was happy with that.

Our first stop was going to be Italy and we were going to work our way back to the front from there. We arrived at 4:30 pm and started walking. The weather was supposed to be warm, humid and lots of afternoon thunderstorms. We came prepared with the raincoats but carried them in vain. I think we felt 2 drops of rain the whole time.

We get to Italy where dh wants to start, and pick out the Ravioli-a 4 on our rating system and a cannoli-a 3, and a primavera smoothie-3 which is non alcoholic for dd to drink. DH loves the ravioli just like last year, the cannoli was kind of firm but the smoothie was great in my book. DD ranked it lower because she says mine are better.

Once again Jean Ralphio is with us trying new dishes.

Here we also took a picture of the wine I tried last time when I bought my wine card: Banfi Rosa Regale. I enjoyed it and am looking to buy a bottle soon.

From Italy we move on to Germany where since dh is with me I can try the wine flight. For $10 I get 3 samples of which I chose: Diva Spatlese Riesling, Frankfurter Apple Wine and Schmitt Sohne Ice Wine. I thought the Apple Wine tasted remarkably like Apple cider vinegar, so I would give it a 1. The Riesling was nice but not exciting so a 3, and after alI the hoopla about ice wine I found out I wasn't impressed. It was supposed to be real sweet but I felt it tasted dry so a 2 it gets. Later on I found out German wine makers harvest their grapes and THEN freeze them, where in Canada to be called ice wine the grapes MUST freeze on the vine. I haven't tried any Canadian ice wine yet but when I do I'll let you know the difference.

After I paid for the flight a nice boy was pouring the wine but the girl working behind the counter didn't like how he was pouring it so nice and neat so she took the bottle away from him and raised it about 18 inches above the glasses and poured it out. She made a wet sticky mess of the glasses and tray they had put the wines on. Maybe that's how it works in Germany? Anybody know? I think I prefer the non wet, non sticky glass instead.

While in Germany we tried the apple strudel with Caramel and vanilla sauce. We ranked it a 3 but I found very little caramel on my piece. Did taste the vanilla though.

We then moved on to the cheese booth. We selected the artisan cheese which consisted of 3 different cheeses and a few crackers. Group opinion was a 3. I liked the middle cheese the best and when I asked I found out it was goat cheese. I asked dh if he wanted to try the fondue this year but he remembered too well last years' bad edition and turned it down.

On to South Africa and a helping of Seared filet of beef with smashed sweet potatoes. Dh is a meat and potatoes guy so he ended up liking this but I thought the beef was a tougher cut and the sweet potatoes reminded me of baby food. Group rating was a 2.

We skipped over South Korea (dd asked if they would serve the same food they did in the show MASH-I told her they wouldn't have rations here). And we moved on to China. Here we tried the pot stickers and also the bbq chicken stick. Both rated high for us with 5's. The pot stickers had a good amount of seasoning and salty flavor and the bbq was cooked well. Neither was overly seasoned.

Then we walked until we hit Mexico. We grabbed a grilled ribeye taco and a nice family gifted us some flan. Both my dd and I thought the ribeye taco was too spicy and had an aftertaste and the flan was very heavy for a dessert. So the ribeye got a 3 rating and so did the flan. The fact that Mexico doesn't give you knives at their counter didn't help the rating either.

Yes Jean Ralphio is on top of a trash can. Mexico doesn't seem to have enough tables.

Yeah! on to the Caribbean booth. I miss working at the Orlando Int Airport. I quit when I had our dd. My friends there were very into ethnic foods and I so miss trading meals with them. So I love that I get to try some island food again. The ropa vieja was wonderful- the beef was perfect as was the rice it was served on. The jerk spiced drumstick had a lot of meat on it and a nice flavor with the mango salsa. I even tried the frozen dragon berry colada. The only problem I had with it was I kept trying to drink it too fast so I kept getting a brain freeze! We gave everything here a 5. Definitely want to eat here again.

Dh tried the mahi mahi and gave it a 5. He said it was cooked well. Not too dry or too moist for him. DD tried a sample and liked it as well.

To finish out our food day we took dh over to the desserts and champagne booth for the chocolate mousse. He tried it and gave it a 2. Dh is a big fan of American chocolate only and wants it pure-no creams, nuts, fruits, etc. to interfere with his taste of the chocolate. I try to enlarge his view of chocolate but he's not having it-so I eat my chocolate without him.

It was about 6:30 by now so dd wanted to go to Sum of All Thrills and build a rollercoaster with her dad. So we walked back to Future World where I split off and went to the festival Marketplace and they went to ride a coaster.

I was able to find the Irish Honey Meade

I had tried some last week so I bought a bottle and then they met me when they finishedwith their coaster ride. We walked around the shops area and then decided we wouldn't wait for the fireworks tonight, we would see them when we came out for Halloween and camped at FW. So we packed it in and came home.

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Sounds like a GREAT afternoon!!!

[Lou... 3,118]

Can't agree with hubby's rating on the ravioli in Italy. I didn't finish it was so tasteless, and I'm a huge Italian food fan. Very disappointed.

[we3peas 12]

Day 3 (Tuesday morning)

I was supposed to mentor some kids today for a 4H project but one of them is sick so the family canceled on me. I asked dd if she wanted to go back to F&W today instead of Wednesday and she said yes. This also makes it easier on me since my Dad will have his heart surgery on Wednesday and I can actually be close by if needed.

We got to EPCOT about 10:30 am and rode Test Track and got FP's for later. Then dd rode Mission Space and there was some problem and she got 2 more FP's for a week to Maelstorm, Mission Space and Soarin. While she was riding MS I went over to the Festival Marketplace. If you want to try some new wines they actually give you 3oz pours as we found out last night when we were in here. So this morning, (actually closer to lunch!) I tried a sample of a cava wine. I was surprised because I expected a sweet bubbly wine but this one was very dry but good. When dd finished her ride she called me and we headed over to WS.

Today we started in Greece with the griddled cheese with pistachios and honey, and the greek salad with Pita bread. We gave the cheese a 4 and the salad a 5. It was really good and refreshing on a hot day.

Better picture of the salad. It was good.

We kept our table and went to Canada to get a super small bowl of cheddar cheese soup and a 1 oz pour of Neige Premier ice wine. Things must really be tough for the Canadians since this was by far the smallest portions of everything we have tried. The soup we gave a 3 because it was cold, not even room temperature. And the wine I gave a 3 for the super stingy pour since I barely had enough to taste.

I think ice wine isn't for me. I don't get the rave reviews of it from people I know that have tried it. Nothing special so far to me.

Then on to France since we skipped it last week when we were here. Today we ordered the coq au vin with macaroni, and a crème brulee. I went into the wine shop and got my Wine Walk pour of Chateau Tour de Segur, which is a really dry red wine. The coq au vin was delicious and a very large serving as well as the crème brulee. DD gave the coq a 4 and I gave the crème brulee a 2. Mostly because it seemed soupy and I wanted a thicker sugar crust on it.

I took a picture of a white cat in France. I think it is one of the aristocats? If not I don't know who or why it is there....

Then we walked on towards Morocco. Here we tried a harissa chicken roll and a slice of baklava. The roll was tasty but did seem very reminiscent of a southwest egg roll and we gave it a 3. The baklava was chilled making the phyllo tough to eat so we gave it a 2. It was kind of chewy.

We decided we were full at this point and would make our way back to Future World and do a couple of rides. I looked at dd's FP she had been given at Mission Space and it said it was good also

on Maelstorm so we headed over there. The FP line gets to skip the movie section so we decided to use it. The cast member took the tickets though. I thought we got to keep them until the expiration date which was Saturday, Oct 15^th? No biggie since we live here and have done all the rides countless times.

So we rode and then skipped the movie at the end as well and walked back to Future World and walked on to Test Track again. After that ride we decided to leave. The skies were getting pretty

ugly looking and I do not like to drive in down pours. So we headed off to the car and home.

If anybody is counting, so far we have spent:

$130.00 on foods at International booths

$10 wine flight Germany

$13.55 on Jean Ralphio dd's vinylmation

$5.00 on a latte at the American booth (not part of F&W)

$20.00 on Honey Meade wine

$4.50 Cava wine

Total:$183.05

If we try everything we want this year at Food and Wine we are going to be spending about $300. I think that is our food budget for a whole month!

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

mmmm.... delicious!

I first tried Rose Regale in Epcot. I buy it all the time at home now. :)

[PureTcrazy...rita 380]

Thanks for sharing. We are talking about Disney, so it adds up real quick!

[DaveInTN 3,247]

THANK YOU for all of the pood forn!!!!!

Many of the items look good to me...and quite a few look not so good. I'd love to get back to F&W someday.

I had the cheese soup in Canada last year, and I swear it was a bigger serving than what I've seen people posting this year. That's tiny!

And I agree on ice wine. I've even had ice wine right at a winery outside Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, and didn't really care for it. So you're not alone.