Eat This: Wine & Dine Studio at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Stop the presses.

No seriously. Stop whatever you’re doing and get out your “to eat” list for Food & Wine and a pencil and start making notes, because this is the best booth at the Festival this year.

The Wine & Dine Studio is another of the booths in Culinary Corner in Future World West.

This year they are offering three dishes, all savory, and several wonderful wines. And every last thing is amazing.

• Seared Scallops, Truffled Celery Root Purée, Brussels Sprouts, and Wild Mushrooms ($6)

This is hands down one of the best things I’ve ever eaten at an Epcot Festival. They offered it last year, too, but it’s somehow hit the mark that much more perfectly this year. The scallops themselves are loaded with flavor and cooked perfectly. The brussels sprouts and wild mushrooms are outstanding. And the choice to put it on (truffled!) celery root purée instead of something heavier like a mashed potato brings it all home. I’ll be back for this and often and cannot recommend it enough.

• Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Vinaigrette, Parmesan Cheese, and Pumpkin Seeds (vegetarian, kid friendly) ($4.50)

Speaking of which – holy incredible new dish. Disney has mastered the butternut squash ravioli – you’ll find it around property at places like 1900 Park Fare – which we recently reviewed here – and it’s never an offering to miss. But the Wine & Dine Studio at Food & Wine takes it to an entirely new level with the addition of parmesan cheese and pumpkin seeds – not to mention the brown butter vinaigrette that’s all over it. At $4.50 this is one of the most delicious values at the festival this year. My only “complaint” is that there were only 2 of them. Again, this will be a frequent stop at the Festival for me. Go. Eat it. Please.

• Artist Palette of Wine and Cheese: Trio of Artisan Cheese paired with Reata Chardonnay, Rainstorm Silver Linings Pinot Noir Rosé, and Spellbound Petite Sirah (vegetarian) ($11.25)

 

This. Is. Wonderful. The cheeses run from the soft, creamy, brie-like Crescenza-Stracchino®, served with a crisp round of (raisin?) toast, to the firm Artigiano® Vino Rosso, served with pitted black olives, to the punch packing CreamyGorg® Gorgonzola Dolce, served with sweet preserves to cut the gorgonzola’s bite. This cheese plate can be purchased alone and is an incredible value that way at just $5.25. Or you can opt for this palette that pairs each cheese with a wine, again building from Reata Chardonnay to Rainstorm Silver Linings Pinot Noir Rosé (what an AMAZING name) to Spellbound Petite Sirah, for just $11.25 – and if you’ve ever purchased alcohol from a booth at Food & Wine, you know what a great value that is. My cheese loving 8 year old inhaled the cheeses with me while I got to have the wine to myself. It was all delicious – not to mention the gorgeous presentation – and, again, it won’t be the last time I eat it.

Until next time, Wine & Dine Studio: Check!