Disney4me Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 We are continuing our LIVE coverage from the first week of the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!Welcome to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!We’ve been busy eating at the various Marketplaces and attending events to bring you lots of good information.And today, we’re ready to offer you the first in-depth look at two booths that are crowd favorites — Brazil and Puerto Rico.Let’s go!The Brazil Marketplace BoothThe Brazil Marketplace returned last year after a brief hiatus, and wasted no time establishing itself as a favorite stop on festival guests’ trip around the World. And this year, it’s back again on a big ol’ plot of World Showcase land all its own (with a WATERFALL! and LIVE MUSIC!).2014 Brazil Marketplace BoothThis is the old Belgium location (Belgium has been booted next door), so there’s a seating area set up covered with colorful flags.Gorgeous Seating Area for BrazilThere’s a little waterfall (which the Cast Member made sure I knew about; they’re super proud of it). And if you’re lucky, you might catch some live Brazilian music while you’re there.Brazil Marketplace SceneryThe food is pretty much all new, except for the pork belly. And the drinks include some good offerings.2014 Brazil MenuWe were interested to see a new seafood dish debut at the Brazil Marketplace. The Moqueca de Pescado features responsibly farm-raised Regal Springs Tilapia. It’s flavored with a Coconut Lime Sauce and is served on a bed of steamed Rice.You guys know I’m not a HUGE seafood eater, but some of the festival’s offerings this year have made a liar out of me…including this one. I really enjoyed it! The dish is light with good flavor. But I was shocked that after I took my first tentative bite of fish, I actually went back for more. Red-letter day for me, my friends. ;-DMoqueca de Pescado Regal Springs Premium Tilapia with Coconut Lime Sauce and Steamed RiceOne of 2013′s most popular dishes, Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato, and Cilantro, returns this year. While the 2013 version also featured Avocado in the mix, we aren’t really missing it. The Pork Belly stands on its own just fine!Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato, and CilantroOne of our early favorites this year is the Pao de Queijo, or Brazilian Cheese Bread. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it?Brazilian Cheese BreadAnd it really is. Break it open, and you can see that it’s pretty much just soft cheesy bread stuffed with more cheese. This version is much better than the varieties that I’ve had at my favorite churrascaria back home.Cheese Bread — Cross SectionAnd finally, we had no idea what to expect when we read that Cocada — Brazilian Coconut Candy — would be included in the line up here. But this simple dessert also turned out to be one of our early favorites!Cocada — Coconut Candy at the 2014 Brazil MarketplaceSweet and full of coconut flavor, the texture reminds me of those no-bake “haystack” cookies that I loved as a kid. Super-sweet, but pretty awesome.Coconut Candy – Dig in!Does anyone have a Brazilian grandmother they’d like to share with me? And you know we’re getting the Frozen Caipirinha here.Frozen Caipirinha featuring LeBlon CachaçaThe Puerto Rico Marketplace BoothThe Puerto Rico Marketplace is back in 2014 after a brief hiatus, also with a brand new booth and a big chunk of real estate. And the petite, two-story structure is pretty cool. (These booths keep getting bigger and better each year. Maybe by 2025 they’ll have an entire park dedicated to the Food and Wine Festival year round. Hint, hint, Disney.)2014 Puerto Rico Marketplace BoothThe marketplace is actually one of the first that you come to in your journey around the World if you choose to begin your trip on the Canada side. Just like Brazil, Puerto Rico enjoys a larger seating area with plenty of room to mingle. And that definitely came in handy opening weekend, as crowds swelled quickly.The menu for the 2014 Marketplace is completely new.Puerto Rico 2014 MenuYou find a nice array of flavors here. Conch, enjoyed throughout the Caribbean, has the spotlight in the fresh Ensalada de Currucho — Caribbean Conch Salad with Onion, Tomato, and Cilantro. The conch meat is steamed and served over steamed Rice in a paper cone. Easy to eat, although not so easy to photograph. Ensalada de Currucho — Caribbean Conch Salad with Onion, Tomato, and CilantroI wasn’t sure what to expect with the Carne Guisada con Arroz Blanco, or Slow-Braised Beef served over Rice, but the flavors reminded me of the “Spanish Rice” my dad used to make when I was a kid! (I know; that totally helps you to imagine what it’s like, right? ;-D)It’s got some great spice to it, with that tomato/olive savory flavor. The meat was a bit overdone, but overall, the dish was absolutely worth buying. (Good-sized portion, too.)Carne Guisada con Arroz BlancoOK, so here’s the weirdness about the Food and Wine Festival. We’d been reporting all Summer on the Frituras that we had seen at previews for the Puerto Rico booth, but the day before the Festival opened, they switched up the menu to say they were now serving Tostones instead. You never know what you’re gonna get, eh?Well, regardless, the Twice-Fried Green Plantains are served traditionally with a side of Mayo Ketchup for dipping. And I was bowled over! I figured I’d take a small bite and move on, but that Mayo Ketchup was out of this world. What the heck? Why hasn’t anyone told me about this before! (And I don’t even like mayo…at all…not even a little bit.)And, no, it didn’t taste like bananas with ketchup. Which, I’ll be honest, I thought it might.Tostones (Fried Green Plantains with Mayo Ketchup)And don’t skip dessert. The Flancocho, with its flavors of Caramel, Vanilla, and Coffee, was pretty good. I was worried that it would be more “milk jello” like panna cotta or flan, but it was much more custardy than jello-y.FlancochoThere are several beverages to choose from as well. While a Medalla Light Beer may be the perfect crisp option for a hot Florida day, there are some other interesting flavors to tempt you.I had to try the Frozen San Juan Breeze. If there is one quintessential Puerto Rico flavor, this must be it! They didn’t have Don Q Limón Floater ready when I was there, so I just got the non-alcoholic version. Pretty awesome. I drank much more than  I should have.Frozen San Juan Breeze with Don Q Limón FloaterAnd the Gasolina Sangriiia Cocktail is like fruit punch for grown ups! Seriously! It tasted a little like grape juice, but with a zing. I really liked it. Probably too much.Sangriiia CocktailWe’ll be looking forward to seconds of many of these dishes throughout the coming weeks!Want More Details About the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival?We are always working to bring you all of the latest and most important news and updates on the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival right here, so stay tuned for details and check out all of the info below!Be sure to join our Disney Food Blog Newsletter for the latest information and details. And keep an eye on our 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Page for updates.2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Index2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth and Menu Index — and FOOD PHOTOS!2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Low-Cost/Free Seminars and Activities2014 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule and Dining Package Information2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Gluten Free ItemsEpcot Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page2014 Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend Events2014 Tower of Terror 10-miler Events2014 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic: Menus, Booking Info available!How to Book Epcot Food & Wine Festival EventsTo book all special events and demonstrations, call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) starting July 31 at 7AM ET. Culinary Demonstrations, Beverage Seminars, Mixology Seminars, and general admission for some special events will be bookable online at www.epcotfoodfestival.com.Tables in Wonderland members, Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and Golden Oak Residents are eligible for a $2 discount (per person, per event) for beverage and mixology seminars and culinary demos taking place Mon-Thurs during the festival. Discounts are by phone at 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Stay tuned to DisneyFoodBlog.com and the Disney Food Blog Newsletter for details.News! The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available!Start planning NOW for your trip with our expert advice, plus information on all of the Special Events, Low Cost Seminars and Demonstrations in a handy take-along format.Use code Chefs at check-out for a $3 discount!Return to the Main 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Page.What dish from the Brazil and Puerto Rico Marketplace Booths looks the best to you? Let us know by leaving a comment!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:2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth Preview: Greece and Puerto RicoEpcot Food and Wine Festival Food Pictures: Puerto Rico, Hops & Barley, Poland BoothsEpcot Food and Wine Festival Food Pictures: Brazil and Mexico BoothsView the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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