Disney4me Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 It’s almost time! The Fifth Annual Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic is just around the corner!This event, which takes place concurrently with the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, is a fantastic evening for food and wine lovers.This year’s Food and Wine Classic will take place on Friday, October 31 (yep! Halloween!) and Saturday, November 1. The two-day event consists of food and beverage tasting booths set up on the resort’s beautiful causeway each evening. And new for 2014, a Beer Garden experience has been added for even more great food and drink.Guests can also take part in a number of special food and beverage seminars for an additional fee. Seminars take place at 4:30PM both days, and the Causeway booths are open from 5:30 until 9:00PM on Friday and Saturday.We’ve enjoyed the event every year since it began, and 2013 was no exception! We thought a look back at last year’s event was the perfect way to get excited about what’s in store for 2014. Let’s head out to the Causeway for a delicious evening.Dining al fresco on the Causeway at the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic!AtmosphereWhether you’re staying at the Swan and Dolphin or you’re arriving from another location, head to the Promenade that connects the two resorts — that’s where the evening’s festivities will take place. We stopped by the Will Call Booth to pick up tickets.As far as admission goes, you have options. Purchase an all-access ticket, and it’s an all-you-can-eat-and-drink pass to the booths. If you prefer, you can choose a la carte tickets instead, which are sold in books of 25.Will Call BoothThe Check In Table provided us with handy plates and plastic wine glasses.Check-In TableThese would come in handy as we juggled plates and drinks on the Causeway.Food and Wine Classic Tray and GlassBooths line the walkway leading from the Swan to the Dolphin as well as the path directly behind the Swan. There’s a lot to take in!The PromenadeHi-Top tables are scattered throughout the middle of the Causeway. You’ll also find large tables with chairs off to the side directly behind the Swan.High Top TableAt the end of the Causeway closest to the Dolphin, a stage is set up for musical performance. While you sip and stroll, you can listen to live tunes!StageIn addition to the food and beverage booths, last year’s Classic featured a large retail outlet. Here, guests could purchase bottles of the wine we sampled.Wine Store EntranceThere was also an assortment of logo wear and a few food items.Merchandise DisplayFood and Wine Classic T ShirtLogo ApronsIt is a food and wine event, so expect to see lots of wine-themed merch here, like corkscrews and wine glasses.CorkscrewsGlassesEven More GlassesIn 2013, the Food and Wine Classic also had an emphasis on Breast Cancer Awareness, so there were a few retail items with the pink ribbon logo as well.Glasses with Breast Cancer Awareness EmblemsBreast Cancer Awareness MerchAnd of course — wine! Like a particular bottle? Conveniently, you can find it for purchase so that you can enjoy it at home!Bottles for PurchaseOne of the most popular booths, Cib’s Smoke Shop, also had a few barbecue sauces and rubs available for purchase.Cib’s Smokehouse SaucesCib’s Smokehouse Rubs and SaucesSoon, it was time to take up our plates and glasses and get started! Time to check out the spread.EatsNavigating the sea of white-tented booths is best done with a map! My recommendation? Get your bearings by taking a look at what’s available before you strike out. And pace yourself!Beverages and Drink PinkTo begin, there is a LOT of wine at this event. I mean a LOT. In 2013, there were 35 different booths, mostly comprised of wine. We tasted wines from all over California, Oregon, and Washington. The international wine community was well represented too, with booths highlighting wines from Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Italy, New Zealand, and Spain.Wine TentsI had to snap a few pictures of my favorites!Chateau Ste. Michelle Mimi ChardonnayFrancis Ford Coppola ClaretIn addition, there was a booth featuring Ty Ku Sake.Ty Ku Sake BoothSakeBeer lovers will want to head straight to the Beer, Please! booth, where a number of different craft beers are featured.Beer, Please BoothCraft BeersIn 2014, the Food and Wine Classic has added a Beer Garden to its offerings. For an additional fee, enjoy access to Crescent Terrace, where more beer will be featured alongside freshly prepared food items, like German-style sausages and soft pretzels!In 2013, this area was “pinked out” in recognition of breast cancer awareness, and to celebrate those who have battled the disease.Pinked Out TerraceOn offer were several rose wines to sample.A Glass of Rose for Drink PinkAfter a quick tour of the beverage booths, it was time to start sampling some food!Kimono’sKimono’s offers some of the best sushi available at Disney! It’s a fun spot for karaoke as well.Kimono’s BoothThe Spicy Yellow Fin Tuna Roll on offer was fresh and delicious.SushiSushi — Up CloseCib’s Smoke ShopCib’s Smoke Shop is the handiwork of the Swan and Dolphin’s Executive Chef, Robert Ciborowski. Lines get long here for smokehouse specialties, handcrafted by Chef Ciborowski’s staff just for this event.Cib’s Smoke Shop BoothWe tried the Handcrafted Bacon, Black Eyed Pea Puree, Maple Fluid Gel, and it was outstanding!Handcrafted Bacon, Black Eyed Pea Puree, Maple Fluid GelFresh Mediterranean MarketFresh offers quick casual dining with market fresh flavors inspired by the cuisine of the Mediterranean.Fresh BoothTheir Blackened Fish Sandwich was served with Butter Lettuce, Tomato, Caramelized Onion, and was topped with a tasty Old Bay Remoulade.Blackened Fish SandwichFish Sandwich — Under the BunGarden GroveOpen for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Garden Grove is your spot to enjoy Disney character dining at the Swan and Dolphin.Garden Grove BoothFor the Classic, they served up what was possibly my most favorite dish of the evening — a fun riff on Fish and Chips!The dish came together with Beer-Battered Sustainable Bass; and in place of thick cut, fry-style chips, they served it with Vinegar Potato Chips.Fish and ChipsSo good! I am STILL thinking of this one, and I’m so excited to see that it’s back in 2014!Fish and Chips — Insidebluezoobluezoo is the brainchild of Celebrity Chef Todd English, and focuses on coastal cuisine and fresh seafood.Bluezoo BoothOne of our favorite dishes on their menu is Shrimp and Grits. They reproduce the dish here on a smaller scale, and pair it with Pickled Okra and Organic Tomatoes.Shrimp and GritsPaired with a glass of Chardonnay and some Jazz — it was great!Shrimp and Grits with WinePicabuPicabu is truly a hidden gem among Disney area eateries. No matter what time you’re working up an appetite, you’ll find this spot serving — it’s open 24/7!Picabu BoothThe booth at the Classic featured a Taqueria for everyone — Corn Tortillas stuffed with your choice of Barbacoa of Beef, Braised Pork, or Organic Veggies.Tacos — Pork, Vegetable, and BeefAfter you choose your tacos, spend a little time at the garnish table, topping them with extra veggies, cheese, and an endless array of hot sauces!Garnish Table for TacosGarnishes for TacosI wanted to go back for seconds…and thirds. My Taco — Yum!FountainThe Fountain is one of our most favorite stops for homestyle food and killer ice cream treats. Their Caramel Apple Sundae is not to be missed!Fountain BoothDuring our evening at the Classic, they were offering a classic Lamb Gyro that featured Braised Lamb on a Toasted Pita with Tzatziki Sauce. The ingredients were fresh and it was the perfect three bites — enough to taste without filling up on it.Lamb GyroIl MulinoIl Mulino offers guests delicious Italian dishes in an upscale atmosphere. It’s always fun to see what they bring to the Classic.Il Mulino BoothThis time around, it was a delicious Ravioli with a buttery Yukon Gold Potato Filling garnished with Chanterelle Mushrooms, Truffle, and Charred Onions. It was a nice departure from traditional ravioli offerings.RavioliTodd EnglishAs Chef and Owner of bluezoo, Celebrity Chef Todd English has had a presence at the Classic for the last several years, and he continued the tradition in 2013. In addition to the fun food at the bluezoo booth, we could also taste a few additional dishes crafted at the Todd English booth.Banner at the Todd English BoothGuests could choose from a Tuna Tartare dish (sadly, no picture of this one), or go with something even more exotic — an Oyster Shooter topped with Huckleberry Champagne Vinegar. The briny flavors of the oyster paired really nicely with the fruit and acid of the vinegar.Oyster ShooterChef English also offered a Rock Shrimp Taco, garnished with Huckleberry Foam. I thought the handmade Corn Tortillas made the dish really special.Rock Shrimp TacoCabana Bar and Beach ClubCabana Bar and Beach Club was one of the few booths offering a vegetarian option.Cabana BoothThe Vegetarian Bao was a steamed bun with crisp tender Vegetables and a savory sauce.Vegetarian BaoWhile it wasn’t my favorite dish of the evening, I appreciated the attempt to offer something lighter; and it was really fun, watching the staff pull the buns out of bamboo steamers set up in woks right there.Vegetarian Bao — InsideShula’s SteakhouseShula’s Steakhouse is one of the best spots in all of Disney when you’re craving a steak. We’ve enjoyed meals here many times, and we always have a great experience. So it will come as no suprise that this booth always draws a big crowd.Shula’s BoothYou can nearly always bank on a “meat and potatoes” pairing here. Last year, it was Carved Prime Rib, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Horseradish Creme Fraiche. Really, how could you go wrong??Prime Rib with Mashed PotatoesPastries by Chef Laurent BranlardIf you’re after something sweet, head to the Pastry Booth, which showcases the talents of the Swan and Dolphin’s Executive Pastry Chef, Laurent Branlard, and his team.In 2013, Chef Branlard added an unexpected surprise to the assortment of pastries — Ice Cream Panini Sandwiches!Fans of L’Artisan des Glaces in Epcot’s France Pavilion will recognize these presses. They’re just like the ones that are used to make some of our favorite Pressed Brioche Ice Cream Sandwiches.Brioche Sandwich PressesThe hot-meets-cold treat came in two flavors — Vanilla or Chocolate with Hazelnut Crunch and Raspberry Coulis. They were marvelous!Brioche Sandwich — InsideIn addition to the sandwiches, guests could choose from an assortment of incredible sweets. Of course, I had to sample all three!My Pastry PlateThe BLA Shot Glass consisted Blueberry Compote, Lemon Creme Fraiche Panna Cotta, and Almond Pound Cake. I love the combo of blueberries and lemon, so this was a hit for me.BLA Shot GlassNext, we sampled the Dome, a combo of Milk Chocolate Mousse with a Caramel Cream Center, a Hazelnut Dacquoise Sponge, and Milk Chocolate Glaze.Milk Chocolate DomeFinally, guests could also choose a Raspberry S’more. The beautiful two-bite dessert included Raspberry Marshmallow, Raspberry Compote, and White Chocolate Cream on a Cinnamon Sable Dough. So interesting!Raspberry S’moreOverallStrolling the Causeway at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic is a fantastic way to spend a fall evening in Florida! With food from every Swan and Dolphin restaurant, the sheer variety of flavors that you can sample is astounding. And with so many wines, plus beer and sake, to choose from, there’s definitely something for everyone!Come for the Causeway only, add a Beer Garden experience, or book a food or beverage seminar for even more food fun!Book Your Tickets Now!Book your stay, causeway tickets, and seminar tickets now before your favorites sell out! Contact the Swan and Dolphin at 888-828-8850! One Night Room and EventIncludes 1-night room accommodations for 2 adults and 2 causeway event passes at check in to enjoy unlimited food and wine tastings and entertainment offered on the causeway. Seminar tickets and Beer Garden tickets may be added for an additional fee.Two Night Room and EventIncludes 2-night room accommodations for 2 adults and 2 causeway event passes for each night at check in to enjoy unlimited food and wine tastings and entertainment offered on the causeway. Seminar tickets and Beer Garden tickets may be added for an additional fee.Are you looking forward to the 2014 Fifth Annual Food and Wine Classic at the Swan and Dolphin Resort? Leave a comment and let us know!Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook FanRelated posts:Review and Preview: The Causeway at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine ClassicReview: The Causeway at the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine ClassicReview: Champagne Seminar at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine ClassicView the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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