Last year I got a chance to finally check out Epcot’s “Party For The Senses.” It’s the weekly Saturday night food and wine extravaganza that happens during the Food & Wine Festival.
And I was happy to get the chance to check it out again this year.
It’s a hefty ticket at$135 plus tax per person. That’s not including a ticket into the park, something you need to get into the party. But if you can afford it, it’s a fabulous event.
Performers from La Nouba Cirque du Soleil perform as you sip and nibble your way through a maze of food and wine stations. Standouts at last Saturday’s feast included the Maine lobster risotto with sea beans and lime oil from Epcot’s Coral Reef Restaurant and the Moroccan braised lamb with cous cous from Cinderella’s Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom.
But the desserts were what really blew me away. A pumpkin creme brulee in a chocolate tart shell with a Morello cherry sauce had me talking about it for days after the party. And close contenders mixed two of my favorite things together — alcohol and dessert. Those included a chocolate 3 ways-dark almond buttermilk cake layered with milk chocolate truffle creme and white chocolate Chambord and a tequila-infused key lime pie with chocolate coconut rum gelato.
Speaking of drinks, last week’s event stuck mainly to wine and beer, versus the event I attended last year that had a lot more mixed drinks and martinis available. Florida Orange Groves Winery from St. Petersburg had a very refreshing Key Hurricane Class 5 Florida White Sangria and a sweet dessert type wine called the Mango Mamma. Straying from the wine pack was a light, but enjoyable Leblon Brazilian Strawberry Lemonade, a rum drink presented by Vitoria Setta.
These menus change weekly throughout the Food & Wine Festival (the last one is on Nov. 13), so it’s always a surprise on what you’ll get to eat.
If you decide to check it out for yourself, it’s at the World ShowPlace Pavilion (between Canada and the United Kingdom). Your ticket includes reserved seating for the 5:45 p.m. performance of the Eat to the Beat Concert in the America Gardens Theatre followed by the main event from 6:30 – 9 p.m. This year there is also a Wine View Lounge – a private area with reserved tables, premium bar and artisanal cheese station for an additional $90.
To make reservations call 1-407-WDW-FEST.
