PDA

View Full Version : 2019 DCA Food and Wine Festival



Pages : [1] 2

cstephens
02-26-2019, 06:12 PM
Figured I'd start a new thread since they've finally released the menus (https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/02/foodie-guide-to-2019-disney-california-adventure-food-wine-festival/). Let the dining commence ... umm ... continue!

tea4two
02-26-2019, 07:19 PM
So looking forward to this and excited about hearing everyone's reviews!

olegc
02-27-2019, 08:18 AM
So many repeats - but that's a good thing. Im hoping for some neat flavors from the new items. The merch did not seem so fantastic but thats OK. This year I wont be attending any events - saving up for the possible for-fee SWGE preview.

KB1ankenship
02-27-2019, 09:14 AM
Is it time to break out the big jeans already!

cstephens
02-27-2019, 04:01 PM
This year I wont be attending any events

It seems to me like there are fewer events this year. Last year, we attended one event and would have attended a second but it was sold out by the time I looked. This year, none of them interest me.

Berry Princess
02-28-2019, 06:58 PM
I see some things I want to try that are new but I just feel like something is lacking. I can't put my finger on what though.

cstephens
02-28-2019, 10:54 PM
I see some things I want to try that are new but I just feel like something is lacking. I can't put my finger on what though.

I'm wondering if it's burnout. We looked forward to these a lot more in previous years because it was only once a year. But now, starting with Pixar Fest last Spring, it's been pretty much an on-going list of new things, PixarFest to Halloween to Christmas to Mickey and Minnie's celebration to Valentine's month and now Food and Wine. It's not as "special" as it used to be.

olegc
03-01-2019, 07:19 AM
Good point cstephens. I think you can also include all of the extra food items that have been created for the permanent locations and it's too much - it becomes just food.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Berry Princess
03-01-2019, 08:08 AM
cstephens, I think you are right. It has been overload since then. I think a few things here and there for those times would have been ok but as much as they push the food items for everything it does take from the Food Fests. I think have the 2 a year is great. The holiday one offers something different from the one Food and Wine one. Yet its to the point that every little thing done or opened requires some food hoopla around it. :rolleyes:

cstephens
03-01-2019, 11:13 AM
They even had special themed food for the Ducks Day celebration at DCA lately. And I would think they're going to have some kinds of special food for the Avengers parties on April 30/May 1, as well as for the 50th anniversary of Haunted Mansion.

Berry Princess
03-01-2019, 12:04 PM
They even had special themed food for the Ducks Day celebration at DCA lately. And I would think they're going to have some kinds of special food for the Avengers parties on April 30/May 1, as well as for the 50th anniversary of Haunted Mansion.

Yes they did. I think there was about 4-5 food "events" that overlapped at one point there this year. You are right they will do special food for those parties and I am sure for the Haunted Mansion anniversary as well. Just wait until SWGE opens...the resort will have it all over for that too I bet. *sigh*

olegc
03-01-2019, 12:15 PM
Maybe that's why there are so many repeats, or only slightly variations, of food at F&W this year - all the creative efforts went into specialty foods.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

olegc
03-01-2019, 01:14 PM
So here's my first update for FW2019
First - no more passholder buttons at each booth. Only the AP button at Blue Sky Cellar (btw the backdrop and props are cute for the photo op).
Second - some food - a few repeats and a new one (to me). I only had about 90 minutes so it was a rush job ;-)
1) Citrus Grove - Citrus-brined Pork Roast with Tangy Barbecue Sauce and Lemon Pepper Slaw - Huge portion. Pulled pork - the sauce seemed really rich (some may call greasy) so you may or may not like it. The slaw was great - crunchy
2) Citrus Grove - Meyer Lemon Blue Diamond Almond Macaron - I get this each year because I love the flavor. The macaron halves seems taller this year - harder to get your mouth around without crushing the halves first. The blueberry middle was not in the middle - and I started on the opposite end so I was wondering when I'd get to it - and pop! There it was
3) PEPPERS CALI-ENTE - Ghost pepper Mac and Cheese - the usual very creamy white mac and cheese they offer - but had a slight burn and Hot Cheetos sprinkled on top. Though it says Ghost Pepper it was not that hot.
4) CLUCK-A-DOODLE MOO - Salt and Vinegar Parmesan Chicken Wings - great flavor but I guess Im always getting the ones that sit out. They had pre-made a few trays of paper boats of wings so they could hand them out. So the skin was not crisp but at least it was not really fatty like last year. 4 wings.
5) PARADISE GARDEN GRILL- Large Soft Pretzel with Beer Cheese Dipping Sauce - took this home for a snack later. (i was FULL).

The longest lines? of course it was for CALIFORNIA CRAFT BREWS and UNCORK CALIFORNIA.
The longest wait? PARADISE GARDEN GRILL. For some reason they cant move quick at this location.

(edit) - Phat Cat Swingers opened the entertainment at the Paradise Park stage at 1230pm. Great stuff.

Merch? the wine bag looked great but I dont bring my wine anywhere. Some of the logo stuff was nice. The mickey and minnie "date" logo was cute. I think if they made a cork message board or a white board with the logo I'd be all over that one to put in my kitchen or family room. I picked up a stemless glass, beer garden glass, and the magnet. Please check your prices on the tags - a CM found a bunch of oven mits were priced 27.99 instead of 12.99.

More on Saturday.

For those interested Jarrod Maruyama will be on hand at DCA 3-5pm. The Artist area is near the Mermaid queue along the parade route (unless it rains, then its Off the Page).

tea4two
03-01-2019, 07:30 PM
...
For those interested Jarrod Maruyama will be on hand at DCA 3-5pm. The Artist area is near the Mermaid queue along the parade route (unless it rains, then its Off the Page).

Thanks for this tip! We'll be looking for him tomorrow -- after we finish our pork roast!

olegc
03-01-2019, 10:31 PM
He's at Wonderground 11am-1pm

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

ChipmunkStar
03-02-2019, 05:39 PM
Garlic Kissed: Both the Banh Mi and the Garlic crusted mac and cheese (however they've titled it) were very good!

The Mac and cheese was pretty rich but the crumb coating gave it a good texture. After about three quarters of the dish I was feeling pretty full- so I'd say it's a good portion size (maybe not for $7, but for a serving).

The Banh Mi was very tasty- the fattiness of the pork belly, the flavor of the garlic, and the tanginess of the veggies really played off of one another and made for a good tasting mini sandwich.

Got my spirit jersey (figured they'd run out quickly) and cutting board on Friday morning. Haven't gone back to look at the shopping since. But I LOVE my new spirit jersey! the logo on the front is super cute and the glitter on the back is a nice touch.

olegc
03-04-2019, 09:27 AM
I had a chance to go back Saturday and try some more items (after visiting Jerrod Maruyama). Average experience with the food - maybe it was the weather.
Golden Dreams - Deconstructed Teriyaki Chicken Musubi with Pineapple Relish - all the flavors were good but it was a little pedestrian. Not too much like the photo. More like a chicken teriyaky bowl with a rice disc.
Golden Dreams - Chocolate-Peanut-Caramel Parfait - This was great but SO RICH!. I would share it with someone next time and have something to cut the sweetness - coffee, tangy citrus drink, something.
California Craft Brews - Pepperoni Pizza Egg Rolls with Marinara and Pesto Sauce - these tasted OK but I felt not worth the $7.00. Crispiness was awesome but it was more like Totino's Pizza Rolls. Kind of small too.

Later i had the Smoked Sea Salt and Chocolate Crack ice cream at Salt and Straw. Wow - that was good!

cstephens
03-06-2019, 03:25 PM
Had a chance to do quite a bit yesterday - Mardi Gras at the Food and Wine Festival makes sense, right?

I picked up my sip and savor pass (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1103044874645823488). Oh, and I'd been remarking to the husband that for Festival of Holidays and Lunar New Year, I hadn't noticed anyone with the sip and savor pass that didn't also have the AP lanyard. Yesterday, I saw at least three separate groups of people who had the sip and savor pass and the regular black lanyard.

I picked up the tasting passport and noticed the cute table coverings on the cocktail tables (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1103047162517049344) they had out.

I really liked the tenderloin slider (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1103048326646095872) and the salt & vinegar parmesan wings (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1103049083680223233). The pork belly banh mi was really good (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1103058489633460224), but it's very rich, and the creamy mac and cheese with garlic bread crumble (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1103059521650417665)was just ok but also really rich. They're both from the same booth but having both one right after the other was not good planning on my part.

They don't have individual buttons at each marketplace this year, but they have stamps, which a friend said they'd had last year as well. The stamps are themed to each marketplace as you can see here (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1103049928203366400) and here (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1103060048245227520).

I stopped by AP corner at the Blue Sky Cellar and picked up my AP button. They had a cute photo op (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1103061249095434240) there too.


And, not from the festival, but I wanted something light and refreshing after all that heavy food, so I had a mangonada (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1103068179260030976) from Clarabelle's - perfect.

olegc
03-11-2019, 01:33 PM
More tastes to talk about from last Saturday, March 9th.
Nuts About Cheese - Ham and Vella Jack Cheese Pinwheel with Smoked Pistachios. wow! so much savory flavor (some may find it a little salty). The Vella cheese sauce was really great. This portion was a good size. And I could taste the pistachios past all of the other flavors.
LAstyle - BLT Chicharrón Duro with Ranch Crema - I liked this but I think it lacked something to keep everything on the Chicharron. all the toppings kept coming off. It was crisp without being too crunchy with a little heat after the swallow.
Garlic Kissed - Black Garlic Soy-braised Pork Belly Banh Mi - in my opinion you can't go wrong with this. Though I realize some people may find the texture to be too soft - but the flavor is a big wave right in your mouth. They provided some added sauce this time which flavored the roll inside the banh mi. Really great.

More next week!

cstephens
03-23-2019, 09:04 PM
Today, we had the shrimp boil tacos (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1109629489846210560) (ok, not as good as I recall from last year), the sweet corn nuggets with bacon lardon (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1109630635423875072)(ok but not wow), and the good old tried and true white cheddar lager soup (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1109631610108801026). The husband also had a barrel-aged scotch ale (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1109632634550812672)that he liked.

tea4two
03-23-2019, 11:55 PM
We had the shrimp boil tacos, too, and thought they were better than last year -- but, we got them freshly delivered from the kitchen, so that might have made a noticeable difference in taste and texture. (The CM knew we had been waiting for the restocking, so she waved us over when the fresh tacos arrived.) The salmon poke wasn't as good as last year's, but the trade off was it wasn't as (spicy) hot -- so I could enjoy all the flavors better than I did last year. Citrus brined pork roast was yummy as always.

olegc
04-09-2019, 02:05 PM
wow - I had not been to the park in more than 3 weeks. Finally was able to go last Friday and had some additional items.
Avocado Time - Spiced Roasted Chicken on Pita with Avocado Hummus and Garlic Sauce - I couldnt bring myself to try the Impossible Burger based on the iffy texture folks have been writing about. So I had the Pita. Decent, the Hummus had a lot of flavor and made the pita not too dry.
Veggie, Veggie, Fruit, Fruit - Cauliflower Ceviche with Chile Corn Crumble and Tortilla Strips - I really liked this dish. Light, tangy, and crunchy. And it did not allow so much of that cauliflower aftertaste. Very good.
Cluck-a-Doodle-Moo - Harris Ranch Grilled Beef Tenderloin Slider - they were out of sauce but I didnt care. The line was short. Such a great strong beef flavor without the sauce - but I needed a drink!
Festival Beer Garden - Lost Coast Brewery, Watermelon Wheat, Eureka - I did not have a lot of selection here (not all of the beers were someting I wanted. so I tried this. Not bad.
Paradise Garden Grille - Beer-battered Cod with Steak Fries and Spiced Remoulade - I had the tasting portion. really great. Light and flaky fish, the sauce was good.

I have to still visit Off the Cob, Berry Patch, and one more hit of the Ghost Pepper Mac and Cheese and my tickets will be done. Nice...

tea4two
04-09-2019, 09:30 PM
Glad you liked the cauliflower ceviche -- that one's on our list. We like the beef slider, too -- maybe not that exotic, but always dependable. We liked the beer battered cod, too, and were pleasantly surprised by the remoulade -- normally I don't like creamy sauces with my fish, but this one was tastier than I had expected. The guy next to me got the full portion -- it was really generous!

olegc
04-12-2019, 08:04 AM
I didnt know about these additional items. I know they had an extra cart during Viva Navidad and Lunar New Year - but so many additions... IMO they've jumped the shark. Too many items to know what to do - and they still want to reduce the crowds? I doubt it now (though DCA has not been an issue yet).
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/04/more-festival-exclusive-snacks-at-the-2019-disney-california-adventure-food-wine-festival/

cstephens
04-19-2019, 10:58 PM
Had a chance to try more things today.

Salmon peruvian poke (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1119335938897793024) - not as flavorful as I would have liked but still good. Orange chicken and rice (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1119341009316356096) - very good dish all around. Nice textures and flavors. Tasting portion of beer-battered cod and steak fries (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1119369834079211520) - really enjoyed the fish and batter. Large soft pretzel with beer-cheese dipping sauce (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1119379792049004544) - this never disappoints. Regular portion of beer-battered cod and fries (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1119380951337857025) - portion of fish was definitely much larger but the fries seemed about the same as the tasting portion. Black forest parfait (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1119381894942998528) - the husband really enjoyed this. Oikos yogurt cheesecake (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1119382830587318273) - it was fine and tasted like regular cheesecake.