The Best Dishes at Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Beef Filet- Canada

Hmmm, what to try, what to try? There are always so many foods - and beverages - I like at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival that I have to be picky. Before I went this year, I asked friends and bloggers their favorites, and I downloaded the Food & Wine app (there are a few - the one I liked was FW Passport), which lists the foods and drinks at each marketplace.

First, we had to try the highly-recommended Beef Filet with Wine and Mushrooms at the Canada marketplace. The meat was cooked perfectly - medium - and was flavored so well. This was probably our favorite dish of the whole event. The Moosehead Beer in Canada is a light ale that was really smooth. 

Another favorite food of the evening was Crispy Shrimp Tacos from Mexico. The shrimp is light and flavorful and all the ingredients on the tortilla blend very well together. This station also features a Lime Strawberry Margarita, which fellow Food & Wine guests said was not that great. Instead, they recommended a "frozen vodka slushie" from the Smirnoff booth. Well, I tried all night, and could not find a Smirnoff booth. What a let down!

Trio of Desserts - Dessert & Champagne

We also loved the Escargots Persillade en Brioche at the France pavilion. It was actually prepared a bit better this year! My favorite dessert of the night was also found in France: the Creme Brulee au Chocolate au Lait, which tastes exactly like chocolate milk with a crisp carmelized sugar topping. Many times, restaurants mess up on Creme Brulee, so this was a pleasant surprise. 

Of course we HAD to try the Belgium Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream in Belgium. Who does not love waffles?! This waffle was cooked perfectly: crispy on the outside and warm and gooey on the inside. However, the Berry Compote was way too sweet and overpowering. Chefs need to leave much of this sauce off the waffle. 

We ended the night with White Chocolate Macadamia Mousse with Dark Chocolate Pearls at the new Dessert & Champagne marketplace. It had a nice spice kick at the end, but I was disappointed with the texture of the mousse. It was dense instead of light and fluffy. 

Kalua Pork Slider - Hawaii

We were so full, we missed eating one of the best dishes at the Festival: the Lobster & Scallop Fisherman's Pie in Ireland. I would highly recommend this delectable meal. What food and drinks have you tried at this year's Epcot Food & Wine Festival? Let us know which ones to try next time we go! The event runs through November 12.

Savor Wines & Desserts at new Epcot Cellar

Tutto Gusto, inside
Epcot's Italy Pavilion

As a local to Orlando, I am always excited when Disney World adds something different to its food and beverage offerings. This month, the new Tutto Gusto wine cellar opened in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot, and I love the feel of it. Different from other bustling restaurants in the Disney parks, the atmosphere at Tutto Gusto provides a place for visitors to relax and sip wine with good friends. The rustic wine cellar has a luxurious feel, with wall hangings, marble and chandeliers direct from Italy.

Tutto Gusto's menu of over 200 Italian wines includes the 2009 Merlot San Giuseppe and the 2010 Rose Regale Banfi. I am also impressed with the extensive menu of small plates and desserts that pair perfectly with wine. Selections include: Prosciutto di Parma, Sopressata (lightly smoked, sweet pork sausage), a wide selection of Italian cheeses, and Cozze (mussels, white wine and tomato). You can also order full-size portions of Tutto Gusto's pastas, including the Gambretti, which includes shrimp, chili and garlic. Although it may sound simple, you need to try the eatery's Panna Cotta al Limoncello, with amaretti cookies and raspberries. The chefs really got this one spot on.