Welcome to our weekly series, Travel the Fest. We will showcase different countries featured in EPCOT’s Food + Wine Festival and share our picks for what to eat and drink. We hope you enjoy this series, and check back every Monday for the newest post!
This is a fun post for me to write. I have not been to Belgium yet, but I have loved traveling in France. Today I am able to combine sharing wonderful memories and investigating a new country I want to visit.
Belgium Pavilion in EPCOT
Belgium is a small country divided into two main regions of Dutch speaking in the North and French speaking in the South. Brussels is in the middle of both and claimed by each. It is the home of the European Union and NATO. Bruges and Ghent are next on my agenda with each city center closed to cars. You get to walk or explore the canals by boat. These are just a few examples of the medieval towns, history and many indulgences of Belgium. Belgian cuisine is often comprised of regionally sourced comfort foods and it is best known for chocolates, waffles and beer. Some people say Belgian cuisine is French quality with German sized portions. Perhaps to complement their love of chocolate, Belgians produce port and whiskeys. However, their specialty is beer. Belgians pair beer with meals the way French pair wine. They may have originated the craft beer craze!
Grand Place, Brussels
Belgium is a very popular booth and has been featured for five years. The following are this year’s offerings:
Food:
- Potato and leek waffle with beer-braised beef and smoked gouda cream
- Belgium waffle with warm chocolate ganache and whipped cream
- Belgium waffle with berry compote and whipped cream
Drinks:
- Hoegaarden®
- Leffe® Blonde
- Palm Spéciale Belge Ale
- Stella Artois® Cidre
- Chilled coffee featuring Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
- Beer flight: Hoegaarden®, Palm Amber Ale, Leffe® Blonde and Stella Artois® Cidre
Belgium is not an easy choice while trying to maintain healthy habits. I have heard unequivocally the Belgian waffle with warm chocolate ganache and whipped cream is the favorite. I can only imagine it is magnificent! I will take the opportunity to expand my horizons and try the beer flight.
France Pavilion in Epcot
France
My first trip to France was to the Riviera and it was positively enchanting. It is hard to believe places such as Nice, Eze and Monaco even exist. The first generation gal, my Mom spent time in this region when she was younger and it was even more magical than she described. Driving the Grand Corniche and drinking pastis at local bistros on the Cote D’Azur was like a dream come true. This is where I was first introduced to Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc which is still one of my favorite white wines. A visit to the village of Sancerre in the Loire Valley is on my list! Life in the South of France seemed to move at a pace that allows to luxuriate in meals and walks on the beach as only the French can do.
Arc de Triomphe
In contrast, my next visit to France was via chunnel TGV from London to Paris. It was a last minute extension of a trip to Europe and the youngest gal and I did not want to leave without seeing the legend that is Paris. I am so happy we stayed! To me, Paris is everything everyone has ever written about. It is gritty and raw mixed with the most amazing culture and architecture. We did all the touristy things in our limited time. I had to stroll the Champs-Elysees, go to the Eiffel Tower, visit Notre Dame and take a bauteaux ride down the Seine. Now when we return I can roam the streets and pretend to be a local! Of course, we couldn’t resist a stop in Marne-la-Vallee at Disneyland Paris. It was fabulous and I will save those details for another day.
Disneyland Paris
France is a perennial Food & Wine Festival favorite as well as a World Showcase treasure. The following are this year’s Food & Wine offerings:
Food
- Croissant aux escargots with garlic and parsley
- Boeuf bourguignon: Braised short ribs in cabernet with mashed potatoes
- Crème brûlée vanille chocolat: Vanilla & chocolate crème brûlée topped with caramelized sugar
Wine:
- Beer, Kronenbourg Blanc 1664
- Chardonnay, Macon-Villages, Vielles Vignes Mommessin
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Château Bonnet
- Sparkling Pomegranate Kir
- Ice Pop Pomme: Apple juice, vodka, and St. Germain liqueur
- La Passion Martini Slush: vodka, Grey Goose Le Citron, cranberry and passion fruit juice
France is not known for healthy eating either, but my choice would be Croissant aux Escargots with garlic and parsley (I developed a taste for escargots quickly in France) and I would pair it with the Chardonnay. Bon Appetit!
