Food & Wine Fest Pt. 2- When It’s a Wash

Sometimes you’ve got to know when to fold ’em.  When the park looks like this is one of those times.

And that’s what awaited me on Saturday, September 28th when I was primed for Food and Wine: Round Two.

On limited vacation time, sometimes you have to just grin, bear it, and maybe throw some ‘bows, but I live here and am not about to wait in those lines.  However, I was hungry.  The only solution was to find first country with no line.  This time I decided to mix it up and start at the left side of the showcase.

Welcome to Australia

Here I opted for the Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies

Not the prettiest of foods, actually kind of a greasy bloody mess, but I did find it enjoyable.  The mint pesto was tasty and though the “potato crunchies” are clearly just what ever they could shake out of the bottom of a bag of Lays, I did think they added a nice crunch.  However, Steve (who’s hand is seen here holding up this greasy bloody mess) thought it was too fatty.  My only advice for this one would be to grab a knife and fork and find yourself a trashcan to lean on.  I’m pretty sure this was designed to be a hand food, but no one looks cute Fred Flintstoning meat off the bone.  (That’s the same problem I have with the turkey legs…. well, one of the many)

I’m pretty spoiled by constant access to the parks and after having been nearly run down by one too many chubby 10 year olds in strollers, I was about ready to throw in the proverbial towel.  Unfortunately this was about the point that I realized my champagne hand was empty, a tragedy at the food and wine festival.  So, next I set out on a quest to find something served in a flute for which I didn’t have to wait in line.  I abandoned my go left plan and headed towards the champagne and dessert booth, before deciding that I just couldn’t wait in a line and pay $12 for champagne.  I ended up in France.

The food and wine booth in France is always one of the busiest, but there are permanent carts set up all around full of crepes and wine and there is also an inside bakery, ice cream parlor, and wine shop.  I hit the permanent champagne cart and ordered one of my favorites, the Kir Royale (champagne and creme de cassis).  It’s sort of cheating to go to a permanent booth during food and wine, but I was having a rough day.  This is like my Epcot comfort food.

A minor success in a day that was otherwise a complete wash, but all is well that ends well.