Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival offers a lot of marketplaces for countries not often represented even by the most ethnically-diverse areas of America. Whereas at some marketplaces, you can sample foods you may have had elsewhere or simply know of, many of them offer treats people have never heard of. It was fun mixing in the tried and true with the varied and new.
SOUTH AFRICA
While I didn't have the capacity to try any of the food offerings at South Africa, Mrs. Disney Folly thoroughly enjoyed the La Capra Sauvignon Blanc. Perhaps the one she enjoyed the most outside of New Zealand.
SINGAPORE
My wife has an allergy to wheat but was able to swap in Jasmine Rice and Curry for the Singapore Noodle Salad in the Shrimp Cake offering, which was indicative of the type of helpfulness we were accommodated by Disney cast members. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and very tasty. The rice made a perfect complement to the dish.
AUSTRALIA
The much-hyped Grilled Lamb Chop with Roasted Potato Salad at the Australia marketplace didn't fully live up to my expectations. The lamb had great flavor to it but was more fat than meat (and I say this as a connoisseur of lamb!) Also the potato salad just tasted like someone left roaster potatoes to the cold.
The Lamington dessert dish was a chocolate-covered butter cake. What they don't tell you is that the chocolate is covered with coconut. You'd think this would be advertised as many people are not a fan of shredded coconut. The cake texture was indeed buttery and heavy, but ultimately the cake was undone by the overuse of coconut.
BELGIUM
While it seemed the waffles and the beer were the obvious favorites at the Belgium marketplace (a Food and Wine rookie), I went for a lighter fare in the Steamed Mussels with Roasted Garlic Cream. Mussels are typically prepared in a plainer fashion or with the requisite marinara sauce so I was impressed with the garlic cream preparation. It added a little substance to an otherwise quick and light bite. Smartly, the mussels came with a slice of garlic bread to dip in the leftover sauce.
I also liked the Belgium marketplace layout. The stand was set off from the World Showcase walkway and surrounded by low tables and chairs (not the typical high, standing tables around the lagoon). The area had a lot of space and room to breathe.
FRANCE
France provided one of the absolute foodie highlights for me my entire trip with the Braised Short Ribs in Cabernet with Mashed Potatoes. When I was handed what looked like some sort of cake, I corrected the cast member about my order, which they reiterated the dish in fact was. The short ribs were actually housed inside of the mashed potatoes. The cabernet marinade gave both a deep tasty flavor and the presentation made the dish a joy to eat. It was also quite filling. Even a few weeks later, I can still recall the memory of sitting in a crowded French square enjoying this newfound favorite dish.
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