The 5 Best Dishes From the 2012 Food & Wine Festival (The Better Late Than Never Edition)

A note on the new year: I know the dangers of declaring New Year's resolutions on January 1, but in an effort to maintain a happier, better me, I've decided that, along with the traditional "I will work out and lose 20 pounds this year" spiel, I will also make more of an effort to fill my life with more Disney, hence the reason I started this blog in the first place. I make excuses since my professional life has been so fulfilling, I don't find much need to come home and write more after a long day. But darnit, it's what I love. And as you may have noticed, I always have plenty to say. So, now that I've gotten that out of the way, a happy and healthy new year to all, and here we go!

This is painfully late, somewhat embarrassingly so, but having had an amazing experience at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival this year (or last year, my goodness it's 2013!) I just had to tell you about it. Take a look at what I think were the 5 best eats from the gorge-fest that is the Food & Wine Festival.

Grilled lamb chop with mint pesto and potato crunchies, Australia

I'd hardly consider myself a meat person. In fact, if you had asked me before digging into this dish if I liked lamb, I probably would have said no way. The lamb dish from the Australia booth changed all that in just a few bites. The combination of the salty, crispy potato crunchies (read: crumbled up chips) paired with the zest of the mint pesto was enough to make my taste buds dance. And the lamb itself was cooked perfectly, and not at all fatty or too "meaty," as my sometimes-vegetarian self would say. It was just so perfectly yum.

Mongolian beef in a steamed bun, China

Any way you slice it, one of the dishes from China was bound to be a favorite. Of the three, it just so happened to be the Mongolian beef bun. Here we go again with the meat - but this was tender, and it wasn't the main ingredient that had our tongues wagging. It was the tangy spicy sauce, the crunchy noodles that I rarely eat a salad without, and the slightly sweet bun that made this dish. This paired with China's Happy Lychee vodka concoction, and we were pretty happy indeed. 

Kahlua pork slider with pineapple chutney and spicy mayonnaise, Hawaii

All of the hub-bub about Hawaii's famous pork sliders was 100 percent accurate. The pairing of spicy mayo and sweet pineapple was enough to make me forget I was eating pork (which I could have sworn I didn't love, though I'm starting to notice a pattern here). It's obvious why they brought this back, and I hope it will continue to be a festival mainstay for years to come. 

Belgian waffle with berry compote and whipped cream, Belgium

You might be thinking, "So what? It's just a waffle." Well, that may be. But it was one darn good waffle. These babies were served fresh, and piping hot, with a delectable compote sauce and perfect dollop of whipped cream. And after eating all of those meat dishes, this is just what we needed. Just wonderful.

Beef empanada, Argentina

Here in D.C., we have a place called Julia's Empanadas. It's most often frequented at 3am, when one wants to fill one's tummy with a fried concoction to balance out the night's surplus of cocktails. This was not one of those empanadas. This was an amazing, melt-in-your-mouth dish, with a warm filling and light crispy crust. Muy bien.

Stay tuned for what I thought were the worst dishes from the Food & Wine Festival, if you can forgive my tardiness on the subject!

Happy eating!

(Oh, Mexico)

I have an appreciation for all pavilions in Epcot's World Showcase, but perhaps my favorite among them is Mexico. It's your first stop as you enter the World Showcase from Future World (if you take a left). You can't miss the Aztec pyramid that towers over you, based on a real structure located in Teotihuacan, Mexico.
Upon entering, you are immediately greeted by "Animales Fantasticos," a tremendous display of Mexican artwork and wood-carved animals. Notice the cast members are painting the animals while you can watch, or choose to purchase one of the trinkets and bring it home for display.

Before heading down the steps to peruse the marketplace in La Plaza de los Amigos, be sure to stop and enjoy the view. It's my favorite element to this pavilion - the atmosphere is romantic as it was designed to resemble twilight, and I just adore the dimly lit lanterns hanging overhead.

The marketplace itself is really a treat. I have purchased a number of things here, including an awesome hand-knit blanket and a poncho for one of those chillier-than-expected nights in late February that I was not appropriately dressed for. You can also find everything from pottery, toys, handbags, jewelry and of course tequila! No visit to "Mexico" is complete without an oversized sombrero photo!

There are a few good options for dining in the Mexico pavilion. To your right, there is La Cava del Tequila. Here you can enjoy a various selection of tapas, as well as an unreal variety of tequila (over 70 different kinds!) We gave it a try last year and absolutely loved it. Winner of best restaurant atmosphere definitely goes to San Angel Inn, which seats diners along the River of Time (el Rio del Tiempo). The sister restaurant to the original in Mexico City, the San Angel Inn offers a variety of authentic Mexican dishes for both lunch and dinner. I have dined here on two occasions, but it has been years. I don't recall the food being anything particularly special, but in my opinion the atmosphere well outweighs the cuisine. The margaritas are tasty, and this a great place to go for a romantic meal - if you're lucky, you'll be treated to a fantastic performance by Mariachi Cobre. Recently opened in the fall of 2010 is La Hacienda de San Angel, an outdoor full-service restaurant along the water. This is definitely now on my to-do list.

Mexico is one of the few pavilions to have an actual ride; the Gran Fiesta Tour stars the Three Caballeros, and it's not to be missed. Will it win any awards, or knock your socks off? Probably not. But it's a cute journey with a fun premise. The Three Caballeros are expected to host a concert, only to find that Donald has run off exploring. The scenes are colorful and fun, and the best part is of course riding past the Mayan Pyramid where you can look to your right and witness diners at San Angel Inn.

When leaving the pavilion, refrain from going out the front door and instead, exit to the left. You will be treated to a gorgeous mural on the side of the pyramid - great photo opportunity!

If you're lucky, you may just run into a celebrity or two!

What is your favorite part of Mexico? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the restaurant options!

Feliz Explorar!

(Hidden Gem: Club Cool)

Club Cool, sponsored by Coca Cola, is one of those places in Epcot that most visitors to Walt Disney World miss on their rush to Test Track or Soarin'. It's easy to miss if you're in a hurry, located in Future World near Fountainview Cafe. Before it became a showcase for Coca Cola and its products, Club Cool was once Ice Station Cool. Guests would enter in through an Igloo, upon which the icy air would immediately hit you. Ice Station cool had a much more cave-like atmosphere, as opposed to the renovated Club Cool, which resembles more of a retail store. Still, the opportunity to try Coca Cola products from around the world is both interesting and fun.

My experience with Club Cool is that it's rarely crowded. If there happens to be a hefty amount of visitors inside, don't sweat it - there are a number of stations (all offering the same options), and you're bound to have your turn sampling the different types of soda. Offerings include Smart Watermelon from China, Kinley Lemon from Israel, Thailand's Lychee Mello, Vegitabeta from Japan, Fanta Kolita of Costa Rica, Germany's Mezzo Mix, Krest Ginger Ale from Mozambique, and the infamous Beverly from Italy. My favorites are the Smart Watermelon (very refreshing) and Lychee Mello (sweet). For those who enjoy a good old fashioned harmless prank, be sure to have your unsuspecting guests take a big gulp of Beverly. In Italy, Beverly is typically served as an appetite stimulant - the flavor is very bitter. One visit to Club Cool is worth your time for the photos alone - have your cameras ready!

Beverly, 2005 (as Ice Station Cool)

The wrath of Beverly, 2009.

MOM meets Beverly, 2010.

How fun does that look? Those faces are priceless. So, if you're looking to have a little fun with your guests and desperately need to get out of the Florida heat, pop in to Club Cool. This is also a great place to grab a frozen Coca Cola in a souvenir cup. The fun is free and rarely has a line. If anything, it's a nice little dose of culture. Enjoy!

Which flavor is your favorite? If you have any Beverly photos, I'd love to see them!

Happy Tasting!

(Underrated and Under-visited: Living with the Land)

March 2006. We look so young! 

You know the deal. You rush into the Land Pavilion to grab your fastpasses to the most in-demand attraction in Epcot: Soarin'. Not that I blame you, that is one amazing ride. It's far too easy though, to miss everything else that the Land has to offer. I'm guilty as well - many times I have walked through the Land Pavilion with only Soarin' in mind, surpassing that boat ride that rarely had a line. In 2009, we decided to finally give it a try. There was a bit of a line and we had some time to kill before Soarin', so we figured a nice, relaxing boat ride would be just the ticket.

Man are we glad we took that ride. Living with the Land is a slow moving boat ride through Epcot's experimental growing areas. You see larger than life lemons, pumpkins shaped like Mickey's head, fruits you've never heard of (Jackfruit, anyone?), and so much more.

You're thinking, "I'm on vacation, I don't want to learn anything." Well, that's what Epcot does best. There's so much to see and absorb on this 14-minute ride. There's even an aquacell (we saw baby alligators!) where you can see fish crops like catfish and eel.

So please, don't surpass this one. Even if you experience it just once and never go back, I really think you may learn a thing or two, and you'll have fun while you do it. This is where they grow a lot of the food that you're eating on your vacation!

While you're in the Land Pavilion, stop for lunch at Sunshine Seasons. There are five stations to choose from including Rotisserie, Soup & Salad, Asian Wok, Sandwich Shop and Bakery. On a week long vacation where a lot of lunches consist of chicken fingers and french fries, the fresh food is a welcome change. We tried a Turkey & Monterey Jack on Focaccia, and it was good! The bread is a bit thick but the flavor is so fresh it just felt like a really clean lunch.

When you visit the Land Pavilion, I ask you to just linger a little longer than it takes for you to ride Soarin'. It may not be for everyone especially if you only have a few days in Disney World, but if you have the time, I think you'll enjoy your experience there. It certainly did not disappoint for us.

What has your experience been with The Land? Have you eaten at Sunshine Seasons, or perhaps Garden Grill? Better yet, have you taken the Behind the Seeds Tour? I'd love to hear about your time there!

Happy Learning!

(For the Flower-Loving Females and Green-Thumb Girls)

2009

As Epcot's annual Food & Wine Festival comes to a close, they are already making plans for another big event: Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival. A sign that spring has sprung, the festival began in 1993.

Tic Toc, 2010

The festival is positively ripe with topiaries and flowers of all shapes and sizes. 2011's festival featured over 30 million blooms and half a million plants.

Stitch, 2009

Pirate-Stitch, 2007

With each year brings a new theme to the festival. This year, Epcot was decked out with characters from the well-loved Disney-Pixar films including Toy Story 3 and Cars 2. Past themes have included the great outdoors, Disney romance, pirates, princesses, a tropical vacation, and much more.

Pirate Mickey & Minnie, 2007

Recently Disney has partnered with HGTV for the festival, so many well-known television stars are on hand to help with the celebration. Avid gardeners can learn new techniques to make their gardens vibrant and successful. There is also a butterfly garden, and some great little pop-up shops for all of your flower and garden accessories.

Sorcerer Mickey, 2009

With the flowers come some amazing concerts! I had the privilege of seeing The Guess Who at one of the Flower Power concerts in 2007, and was not disappointed! There really is a lot to take advantage of during the event - and most of the great things going on around the park are included with your regular park admission!

Aladdin in Morocco, 2009

One of the best parts of the Flower & Garden Festival is without a doubt the topiaries. So many characters come alive through the gorgeous art of horticulture.

The Lion King, 2009

The centerpiece of the festival is the entrance to Epcot, without a doubt. Upon entering the park, prepare to have your breath taken away. The amount of hard work is clearly present each year in the amazing displays that greet guests at the entrance.

Princesses, 2009

Pirates, 2007

The gorgeousness doesn't stop there - take a walk around the World Showcase and find topiaries unique to each country's pavilion.

The 2012 International Flower & Garden Festival will take place from March 7 - May 20! No word yet on what the theme will be.

Have you visited Epcot during the Flower & Garden Festival? Send me your photos and tell me all about your experiences!

Until next time!

Happy Gardening!

(Believe the Hype: Le Cellier Steakhouse)

Ya know how you hear a lot of hype about something, and then it turns out to be kind of overrated? That is not the case with Le Cellier in the Epcot's Canada pavilion. Inspired by the wine cellars of Le Château Frontenac and Fairmont Château Laurier, two of Canada's greatest chateau-style hotels, it's "Where Upscale Dining Happens Down in a Cellar."

As you are dining in a cellar, there are no windows and the majority of the light comes from candles (or what cleverly resembles candles) that are spread all over the restaurant; hanging from the ceiling, in sconces on the wall, and even lined up along a fireplace mantle. The ambiance is romantic to say the least, but children can enjoy the experience, too. The restaurant is very small, one of the largest reasons that it's so hard to get a reservation. Different sections of the restaurant represent different areas of Canada - at the time, it was not obvious to me in what area of Canada we were seated!

Something that you may have heard about Le Cellier is the pretzel bread. Yes, it really is as good as everyone says and no, they definitely don't give you enough! Unfortunately, other breads are served too, (the sourdough is quite good), so savor what you get!

One of Le Cellier's most popular appetizers is their Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup. It's made with Moosehead beer, and served with bacon. It's perfect for a fall or winter visit to "Canada," and the warm, soothing soup really fits in with the cellar atmosphere.

On a family trip to Le Cellier for lunch, my grandpa ordered the New York Strip. Le Cellier prides itself on serving high-quality, corn-fed beef. The steak was served with beautiful Yukon gold potatoes, wilted spinach and a vin rouge reduction. My grandpa is not a man of many words, but his squeaky clean plate said it all. This dish did not disappoint.

My family tends to be fairly predictable in what we order, if our preferred dish is on the menu. For me, it's always nachos. For MOM, it's a Cobb salad. And for Grandma, it's salmon. Salmon is exactly what she ordered. On the current menu, they offer a pan-cooked salmon served with summer beans, roasted tomatoes, pickled onions and apple-wood smoked bacon vinaigrette. I believe her dish to be a variation of this at our time of dining. She absolutely loved the salmon - but had some issues with eating the frisee in the salad. I would have preferred the salad made with a different kind of lettuce.

In my opinion, J and I each got the best dish in the house. Le Cellier's filet mignon is spectacular. It's the perfect portion size for lunch (or any other time, for me), and it's cooked to perfection. Currently, they serve the filet with a mushroom risotto and white truffle and herb butter sauce. At the time of dining, it was served with some of the most delicious mashed potatoes I have ever eaten, and I believe a red wine reduction. Not that it matters; they could probably serve the filet with anything and it would taste amazing! It's definitely the best filet I have had, and probably one of the best dishes throughout all of Walt Disney World.

Now you know that I'm not big on ordering a lot of desserts, but at Le Cellier, it's a must. If you choose anything, choose the Chocolate "Moose!" Chocolate mousse rolled in chocolate cookie crumbs - the antlers are made of maple-leaf shaped sugar cookies and the tongue is another sugar cookie. The nose and eyes are M&M's! I had no clue what we were ordering at the time, and once it came out, what a pleasant surprise it was!

The other dessert at our table was the Chocolate on Chocolate Whiskey Cake. It was very, very good. However, it was not the Chocolate Moose. How do you expect anyone to pay attention to a piece of chocolate cake when there is a moose at the table?


So, to summarize - go to Le Cellier, and remember these things: Pretzel bread, Cheddar Cheese Soup, Filet Mignon, Chocolate Moose. Maybe some Canadian Ice Wine, too. This is the formula for an absolutely perfect meal. Menus may change and you may end up getting a variation on the aforementioned, but I just can't see it going the wrong way. Don't delay - reservations fill quickly! Once you experience Le Cellier, you'll understand why. Let me know when you do, I want to hear all about your experience!

Happy dining!

(Dining in Morocco: Restaurant Marrakesh)

In 1984, Morocco was added to Epcot's World Showcase. The pavilion is unique among all others due to the participation of the country's government. Morocco is the only country in the World Showcase to be sponsored by a government and not a corporation. So authentic is the design of the pavilion that the King of Morocco sent his royal craftsmen to lay all of the tile work, carvings and paintings.

Upon entering Restaurant Marrakesh, you step into what I imagine would feel like a Sultan's palace. The tile work is extraordinary in the dimly-lit space, and the music of North Africa fills the air. If you visit at the right time, you will be treated to the sultry movements of a belly dancer while you dine. She is beautiful and entertaining!

The restaurant does have a full bar, but we did not try any of the offerings. Apparently, the Marrakesh Express and the Casablanca Sunset are exceptional drinks, and for a small charge you can get them in a souvenir glass!
We opted to eat fairly lightly this time around, and chose to split the Sultan's Sampler Platter as a meal. Grilled brochette of chicken, a beef brewat roll, chicken bastilla and vegetable couscous round out this dish. The couscous was delicious, the chicken was tender and seasoned nicely, and the rest was equally tasty, but very, very different. The beef brewat roll is ground beef with a sweet twist; cinnamon, ginger and coriander pair with onion, parsley and saffron in this interesting eat. The chicken bastilla is another interesting one - this is Morocco's form of chicken pie. What looks like some sort of pastry is actually saffron chicken, stuffing and almonds in a pastry shell. I think that this platter as a whole is a really great choice for someone who wants to be adventurous and try new things, but also for someone who is a bit picky; the chicken and couscous are very safe choices while the remainder of the dish could certainly go either way in terms of taste.

I can't remember exactly why, but we were each gifted with a complementary baklava for dessert. It was delicious - I love baklava because it's that little dose of sweet that you want after a meal, but rich enough that you just need a teeny tiny serving. It was easily the best part of our meal and I was grateful for the gesture.

It sounds like we had a good experience, and we did. But do I like Restaurant Marrakesh? Not really. I can't quite put my finger on it. Disney does such an amazing job of making you feel that you are in North Africa that I feel a bit too far away. I feel terrible because I sort of sound like my mind isn't open enough for this place. I really did enjoy the food, honestly. I just never quite felt comfortable in this restaurant. The belly dancer was amazing and the music was beautiful. The service was attentive and it was evident of the hard work that went into creating the atmosphere. Overall, I am very glad that I tried it, but probably will not be returning. Who knows, maybe it's because I have no desire to travel to Africa. I'm a European kind of girl, which perhaps is why I favor pavilions like France and the UK. Whatever the reason, it certainly isn't for Disney's lack of effort. As always, the details were spot-on and there was nothing at all lacking at this place. Take what you will from my slightly-confused impression of Restaurant Marrakesh. I would love to hear about your experience at this fine dining establishment - tell me, what is it that I am missing?

Happy Dining!