Just a couple more weeks, and we’ll all be checking out long-awaited 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
While we look forward to trying some brand new experiences, like the Scotland Booth, there are plenty of returning fan favorites as well. Two of my favorite booths over the past couple of years have been the France and Greece Marketplace Booths.
Boasting delicious bites and long lines, these are spots that you should try and hit early in the day before the crowds swell! Let’s check out what they’ll be offering in 2013…
France
The France Marketplace Booth is one of the original marketplaces that debuted for the very first Food and Wine Festival eighteen years ago. I can’t imagine having this event without it!
2013 France Marketplace Booth Menu
What’s back this year? Staples like snails and creme brûlée, but also a past festival favorite. This booth offers, really, a full MEAL when you think about it! Appetizer, entree, dessert, drinks!
- Escargots Persillade en Brioche (Garlic and Parsley Snails in Brioche)
- Boeuf Bourguignon (Braised Short Ribs in Cabernet with Mashed Potatoes)
- Crème Brûlée au Chocolat au Lait (Chocolate Milk Crème Brûlée topped with Caramelized Sugar)
- Beer Kronenbourg Blanc
- Chardonnay, Macon-Villages, La Côte Blanche
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Château Bonnet
- Sparkling Pomegranate Kir
- Eiffel Sour Cosmo Slush (Vodka, Grey Goose Cherry Noir, Grand Marnier, Cranberry Juice)
For the last two years, the France booth has offered Coq au Vin with Macaroni and Cheese, and there have been rave reviews (from me especially!).
This year, Boeuf Bourguignon created with Braised Short Ribs in Cabernet and served with Mashed Potatoes are back on the menu — a return from 2010. Thanks, as always, to Kelly Amey from Changing Latitudes for this pic!
Braised Short Ribs
The Escargots Persillade en Brioche have been a staple at the Food and Wine Festival for as long as I can remember. This classic dish is presented in perfect little rounds of brioche.
Escargots Persillade en Brioche
This is such a smart way to serve them when you know folks will be eating and strolling! Perfect one-bite snacks.
Inside Escargots Persillade en Brioche
The creamy, sweet Créme Brûlée au Chocolat au Lait (Milk Chocolate Créme Brûlée) has a great texture and a light flavor of chocolate. It’s not my favorite dessert at the festival (and, let’s not forget that the France booth is VERY close to Beaches and Cream where you can get a No Way Jose sundae…just sayin’…), but it’s a good end to the “meal” that’s served at the booth.
Créme Brûlée au Chocolat au Lait
And that créme brûlée is perfect with this fun twist on a classic French aperitif, the Pomegranate Kir! Another thanks to Ms. Kelly Amey on this one!
Pomegranate Kir
I personally must have at least one Cosmo Slush during the Food and Wine Fest! This bright red addition to the grown up slushie line up is always a welcome addition! Just understand that if this comes at the END of your Drink around the World tour, the Cosmo Slush is NOT forgiving when it comes to stains on your white t-shirt… 😉
Cosmo Slush returns in 2013!
Greece
OK, all. This is mostly likely where you’ll find me during the festival!! Head to the Greece Booth early — or be prepared for a long wait! This is always a popular booth with festival goers.
2011 Greece Booth
2013 Greece Marketplace Booth Menu
There are some brand new additions to the Greece Booth menu this year that we can’t wait to try. Gone is the Greek Salad with Pita; in its place is a brand new Taste of Greece, featuring some really interesting options. And the Chicken Souvlaki has made way for a Gyro made with chicken.
- Taste of Greece: Grilled & Marinated Calamari, Hitipiti, Eggplant Dip, Olives and Pita Bread
- Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey — YES! PURE HEAVEN! (Whoops, did I get too excited there?)
- Chicken Gyro with Tzatziki Sauce
- Spanakopita
- Dannon Oikos® Light & Fit Blueberry Greek Yogurt
- Domaine Skouras Moscofilero
- Domaine Siglas Assyrtiko/Athiri
- Alpha Estate Axia Syrah
- Ouzo by Metaxa
The Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey is…um…awesome. Yes. It’s incredible. Sweet, salty, crunchy, and out of this world. I will be eating many…MANY…of these, so be aware that they might run out of them again by the end of the festival like they did last year!
Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey
Spanakopita, a savory pastry with a spinach filling, is returning this year as well. Based on my memory from 2011, this one does have a nice mixture of creamy spinach-y filling and doesn’t taste TOO spinach-y…a huge no no in my book when it comes to spanakopita. (Those of you who read this blog faithfully won’t be surprised by that ;-).)
Spanakopita
Now, the cop-out of the bunch is this Dannon Oikos® Light & Fit Blueberry Greek Yogurt. I really dislike when the festival offers items that I can just go get in my grocery store, like the SILK smoothie at last year’s Terra booth and this yogurt cup.
Greece used to offer a real, prepared yogurt-y dessert, and I was unimpressed to see it changed to a cup-o-yogurt last year. But, if you’re in the mood for yogurt and don’t want to get your own at the Publix, go for it. 😉
Dannon® Oikos® Greek Yogurt Cups from 2012
Want More Details About the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival?
We work hard to keep you in the know about everything Food and Wine Festival related! Be sure to join our Disney Food Blog Newsletter for the latest information and details. And keep an eye on our 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Page for updates.
2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Index
2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS
2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events
2013 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Low-Cost/Free Seminars and Activities
2013 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule: Full List Now Available
Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page
2013 Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend Events
2013 Tower of Terror 10-miler Events
2013 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic: Menus, Booking Info available!
2012 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Marketplace Booth/Kiosk MENUS and FOOD PHOTOS
2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Reviews, and 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Reviews
2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival’s Gluten Free Items
News! The DFB Guide to the 2013 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available!
This 190+-page e-Book has everything you need to know — including full-color photos and expert tips — for making your visit to the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival the best Disney trip, yet! We’ve compiled all of our best advice so that you save money, save time, and have a blast.
Use code CHEFS at check-out for a $3 discount!
Will the France or Greece Booths be one your list of Food and Wine Festival stops in 2013? Let us know in comments!
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Two things I want at Greece. I may just bring a tray with me.
Arrrgh, I really want the Greek griddled cheese and I won’t be at WDW until a month after the festival closes. 🙁 Hey, maybe it’ll show up in one of those food trucks!
They brought the short-ribs back???! Yay!!! That was my most missed of all discontinued items, so I am pretty excited right now.
Such good news, in fact, that I’m willing to forgive them for selling pre-packaged yogurt, which is definitely a cop-out item. Although, if my two-year-old son sees someone eating a yogurt (his favorite food!) at the festival, he will probably beg us to buy him one, so I should not poke too much fun just yet. ;-P
Do they give you any pita bread to eat with that griddled cheese? It looks so good.
@Beth: Not as a general rule. The only thing I’ve seen there served normally with pita bread, besides the souvlaki/gyro, has been the greek salad. You could always ask the cast members, though.
I am beyond happy to see Kronebourg Blanc at the France booth this year. Being Canadian, I don’t know if this beer is available in the US or not, but it is in Canada and I can assure you all – it is fantastic. Do not miss out on a chance to try this beer if you haven’t had it before (or even if you have)!
Everything at the Greece booth sounds amazing. Though the yogurt may seem like a cop-out, I could see some people who aren’t keen on stuffing themselves to the gills (not that I am one of the few) going for a cup. One question…what no baklava?
I’m disappointed the chicken souvlaki isn’t returning – I loved that one so much last year, it was the only thing I went back for seconds on! And the coq au vin from France was delicious! I’m looking forward to the chicken gyro and the braised short ribs though. As for the yogurt, last year we had to get some for my 1.5 year old nephew, as he was eating yogurt every day then. It’s definitely a good option for kids.
Oh, griddled Greek cheese…*swoon*
Jenn — You could always make it at home with our recipe! 🙂
Diane and Juanita — Good point about the yogurt!
Sean — Thanks for the tip!
Beth — Agreed with J. This version is usually served as a knife and fork option.
Angelina — There’s baklava at the Morocco booth, thank goodness!
Can someone please give an update on the drinks too? I really don’t know what to get for a wine in Greece!