Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival – Part 1
It’s that time of year again where droves of guests make their way to Epcot to try new, gourmet foods and drinks. The 23rd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival runs through August 30th – November 12th and most booths open at 11 am each day offering over 100 different food items.
I say most because if you happen to arrive early you can stop by the Festival Center and try some of the treats there. Including the new mimosa bar, Shimmering Sips, where they serve…you guessed it, mimosas. They have a variety of different mimosa flavors, along with various pastries like chocolate croissants and cheese danishes.
Shimmering Sips, Festival Center
Blood Orange Mimosa ($6.00), Shimmering Sips
Speaking of croissants…Taste Track is featuring Croissant Doughnuts and they look delicious! You may remember Taste Track as a seasonal kiosk selling things like grilled cheese or giant sundaes, but now it’s officially part of the Wine & Food as of 2018.
On the front, left edge of the Taste Track roof, Remy watches as guests enjoy their treats (Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak)
Also on the menu is the Pancake Milkshake which sounds and looks exciting but really just tasted like a yummy vanilla milkshake with strawberry syrup and whipped cream with sprinkles on top. I was disappointed that it didn’t have a more distinct pancake flavor to it or even a hint of maple syrup.
Pancake Milkshake ($5.00)
In the showcase, there are various food offerings from countries all over the world. Each kiosk featuring its homeland flavors in snack-size so as not to fill you up too fast. Walking into the showcase the aromas from all the different booths mix together and it’s enough to make the stomach grumble.
Mexico
Thailand
Islands of the Caribbean
Hawai’i
Greece
Today we focused on trying things off of the Greece Menu. We chose Loaded Greek “Nachos”, Spanakopita, and Bougatsa.
Loaded Greek “Nachos”
I really enjoyed the Loaded Greek “Nachos”: Pita Chips, Meatless Sausage Brumbles, and Vegan Tzatziki. The chips were crunchy and the vegetables were fresh, I just wish the Tzatziki had more of a garlic kick to it. Overall, it was a great snack. I could see us making them at home.
Loaded Greek “Nachos'”
Spanakopita
The Spanakopita was fantastic! I don’t even know what else to say about it, other than the Greek spinach pie was delicious with a slight crisp on the outside.
Bougatsa
I’ve never had Bougatsa before so I can’t tell you if this one is authentic, but either way, it was so great. The warm phyllo strudel was perfect with the sweet vanilla custard, lemon honey syrup, and cinnamon. Just watch out when you bite into it, they’re very hot. So hot that it started to bend my plastic fork.
That’s it for today. I can’t wait to get back there and try some new dishes. I’m also looking forward to some of the great ones that have returned from previous years, like Canada’s “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon.
