This Friday marks the beginning of the 2015 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at the Walt Disney World Resort. Have you made a resort reservation yet? If not, consider booking a room at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando Bonnet Creek inside the gates of Walt Disney World. The Waldorf will be hosting its own Food & Wine Weekends to complement the Epcot event.
That stunning liquid art pictured above is the NEW WORLD GIN & TONIC an original hand-crafted cocktail on the Bull & Bear Lounge Menu. It’s prepared with Florida local St. Augustine Gin and edible flowers but the best part about it is the tonic ice cubes that keep your cocktail cold without dilution.
Here’s another beauty. I just can’t handle the speakeasy glassware. Stunning! This one is called the FRENCH GARDEN and it’s comprised of Ketel One vodka, homemade grenadine, a dash of orange water, Falernum and Absentroux which is an absinthe herbal wine.
This week I was invited to a sneak preview of what can only be considered the pinnacle of Food & Wine Weekends at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando…The Taste of Bull & Bear Wine Pairing dinner at the resort’s flagship steakhouse.
THE MENU
BEGINNING
POTATO CAPPUCCINO
Oregon Truffle Jus | Mushroom Salt
Wine Pairing: Jaffurs Viognier, Santa Maria Valley, CA
SALAD
MAINE LOBSTER SALAD
Herb Emulsion | McGregor Farm Petites | Aioli
Wine Pairing: Elk Cove Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, OR
CATCH
CHILEAN SEA BASS
Spinach, Mushroom Duxelle & Tomato Encrusted Chilean Sea Bass | Sorrel Sauce
Wine Pairing: Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay, Russian River, CA
PASTURE
8 oz. FILET OF BEEF
Beef Tallow Candle | Potato au Gratin | Sautéed Seasonal Mushrooms
Wine Pairing: 1000 Stories Red Zinfandel, Mendocino County, CA
Here’s a look at the Pescatarian option:
DESSERT
THE BIG REVEAL
Lemon and Berries Pavlova | Tahitian Vanilla Ice Cream | Meringue
Wine Pairing: Alvear Solera, Pedro Ximenez, Spain
All of this for $110 per person for both the food and wine pairings (plus tax and gratuity). Honestly there aren’t enough superlatives in the English language for me to describe this culinary experience. You will dine inside the restaurant’s private wine room with glorious sunset views like this.
The Taste of Bull & Bear wine pairing dinners will be offered on Friday and Saturday nights through November 15th. Reservations can be made by calling 407-597-5413. For more information and to book your room at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando Resort visit WaldorfAstoriaOrlando.com.
I was a guest of the Waldorf Astoria for the purpose of this review. I was not compensated to write this article and all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.
