The Food and Wine Festival is defined by the delicious selections at the Global Marketplaces. Adding cuisine options typically not offered in Epcot makes the Food and Wine Festival a unique event. These aren’t substantial meals, but their small sizes allows you to sample many of the options. Most of the Global Marketplace dishes are 4 to 5 dollars, but in some locations an extra dollar or two means you can get lobster, steak, or escargot. Here are the 2015 Food and Wine Festival’s most expensive dishes:
5) Lobster and Seafood Fisherman’s Pie – $6.50
The Lobster and Seafood Fisherman’s Pie was located in the Ireland marketplace. Don’t be fooled, hidden under melted cheese and mashed potatoes were chunks of lobster in this dish. More sustainable portions of lobster were in this dish than in the New England Lobster Roll. The lobster sits in a warm bisque at the bottom of the dish so be careful it was extremely hot, but also extremely flavorful.
Was this dish worth its price?
Yes. The large chunks of lobster make this a great deal even considering it is one of the more expensive dishes at the Food and Wine Festival. Although the dish was extremely hot everyone did seem to enjoy it.
4) Beijing Roasted Duck – $6.50
Located in the China marketplace was the Beijing Roasted Duck, which was in a steamed bun with hoisin sauce. The doughy bun seemed to be a disputed choice among those who tried the dish. Some seemed to enjoy the doughy texture while other seemed to think it made the dish too chewy. The flavor seemed to be something everyone enjoyed, but the texture of the bun and the roasted duck were not as popular.
Was this dish worth its price?
Maybe. If you don’t mind the chewy texture of the dish than the flavor itself is something you will really enjoy.
3) Grilled Lamb Chop – $6.75
Located in the Australia marketplace was the Grilled lamb chop with mint pesto and potato crunchies. This dish seemed to be a festival favorite creating what might have been the longest line of the day for a Global Marketplace dish. Although I didn’t taste this dish it was reportedly packed with flavor and was well worth the wait.
Was this dish worth its price?
Yes. Even being a pricey item every guest that ordered the grilled lamb chop seemed to be walking away smiling. The taste left people wanting to go back for more.
2) New England Lobster Roll – $7.50
Located at the Hops and Barley marketplace was another festival favorite: the New England Lobster Roll, but I did not understand the excitement. This lobster roll lacked substance and was more of a lobster salad than a lobster roll. The flavor was mediocre, and I wasn’t blown away. I was told that past lobster rolls were better with actual chunks of lobster, similar to the chunks of lobster that can still be seen in the Lobster and Seafood Fisherman’s Pie.
Was this dish worth its price?
No. I think this dish is sold as a luxury item, but is lackluster compared to many of the other options in this article. This dish was tied as being the most expensive item at any of the Global Marketplaces, but its flavor left me thinking that I should have chosen something different.
1) “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon – $7.50
Located at the Canada marketplace was “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce. Wow! This dish was one of the best dishes at all of Food and Wine. The flavorful filet melts in your mouth and the truffle butter sauce is incredibly appetizing. Don’t let the presentation fool you; this was an amazing dish.
It wasn’t just the filet, the wild mushrooms were incredible, and that is coming from someone who typically does not like mushrooms. The truffle butter sauce is drizzled over the mushrooms making the whole dish come together.
Was this dish worth its price?
Yes. This dish was hands down one of the best dishes at the festival. Even with being tied as the most expensive dish it was well worth the price. In fact in my opinion it is still a value with how extravagant it tastes.
