REVIEW: France – 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Ah, Paris in September!!  Ok, we’re not actually in Paris, but this is the next best thing and my favorite Epcot World Showcase pavilion: France!  

We have so many good memories here at Food and Wine over the years, from the many varieties of Boeuf Bourguignon we’ve tried, to Creme Brûlée and perhaps my favorite Food and Wine cocktail…La Passion Martini Slush!  

Let’s see what this year holds in my France Review: 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival….

France Marketplace:

This pavilion is absolutely gorgeous and the France marketplace has by far one of the most beautiful backdrops of any in World Showcase:

France Menu:

The menu in France this year has some differences, but with many of the items fundamentally staying the same.  They added a 4th menu item, Fondue Savoyarde which is a cheese fondue served with croutons. Count me in!

The classic Croissant aux Escargots is back yet again if that’s your thing. There’s always a beef dish in France too and this year is Boeuf Braisé à la Bordelaise, Pomme Dauphine: Beef Braised in Cabernet Sauvignon with Red Onions and Puffed Potatoes.

You know the dessert is a Crème Brûlèe, this time though with hazelnut cream. Why is it that with all the amazing French desserts out there they can never switch it up?? Oh well..

Lastly to drink there are a variety of wines of course and our perennial favorite La Passion Martini Slushy of course is back! The interesting addition to the menu though for me is the Kir à la Grenade which I’m excited to try.

Food:

• Fondue Savoyarde: Fondue of Imported Cheeses and Chardonnay served with Croutons ($5.25)
• Croissant aux Escargots: Escargot Croissant with Garlic and Parsley ($5.75)
• Boeuf Braisé à la Bordelaise, Pomme Dauphine: Beef Braised in Cabernet Sauvignon with Red Onions and Puffed Potatoes ($6.50)
• Crème Brûlèe: Crème Brûlèe with House-made Chocolate Hazelnut Cream (KA) ($4.75)

Beverages:

• Kronenbourg 1664 Pale Lager Draft ($4.75)
• Chardonnay, Maison de France ($4.50)
• Cabernet Sauvignon, Village la Tourelle, Bordeaux ($6.50)
• Kir à la Grenade: Sparkling Wine with Monin Pomegranate Syrup ($8.50)
• La Passion Martini Slushy: Vodka, Grey Goose Le Citron, Cranberry and Passion Fruit Juice ($11.00)

Menu Review:

Fondue Savoyarde: Fondue of Imported Cheeses and Chardonnay served with Croutons ($5.25):

I LOVE cheese fondue and I jump at the chance to eat anything similar whenever I can. This was a mixed bag though.

The cheese itself was pretty good, it’s not a mild tasting cheese, definitely a bit pungent and must have some goat cheese mixed in. Very French-tasting. We liked it and they gave you a good amount of it as the bowl was pretty good. The only problem was there wasn’t nearly enough bread to soak all of it up.

We fully submerged our bread with each dip, but we were still left with half a bowl of fondue. That and I wasn’t a big fan of the bread they give you, it was a bit tasteless. A nice baguette from Les Halles would have been 10x better!

It’s an ok option, but there are better things at Food and Wine.

Croissant aux Escargots – Escargot Croissant with Garlic and Parsley ($5.75):

I love the flavor of the Escargot Croissant, it’s super buttery and flakey, and just covered in a wonderful garlic and parsley sauce.  Only problem with this dish is the snails!?  I know some people like them, and I’ve had them multiple time and can’t get over them.  

If you’ve never tried escargot before this is a great opportunity because the encasing is incredibly flavorful, I just won’t be having any more thank you.

Boeuf Braisé à la Bordelaise, Pomme Dauphine: ($6.50):

France always has some beef dish (usually beef bourguignon) and this year is no exception.  The Beer Braised Beef is very similar as it’s chunks of beef, braised in almost a stew, and served next to oven roasted potatoes.  The potatoes aren’t very good and they were a bit dry inside. They were ok when you smothered them in the gravy.

But it’s the beef that’s the star as mine was incredibly tender and you could tell it’d been stewing for hours.  I think last year’s version was better though because it was covered in onions and had bacon mixed throughout.  

If you are a beef lover it’s a good option, but again I think things like the Kenyan Beef in Africa or the Chimichurri Skirt Steak at Flavors from Fire will suit you better.

Crème Brûlèe: Crème Brûlèe with House-made Chocolate Hazelnut Cream ($4.75):

It wouldn’t be a stop in France, without dessert.  And what better dessert than a creme brûlée.  The ones they serve inside at Les Halles are really good, and this one was exceptional as well!  

The sugar-fired top was done perfectly and when you break through there was a mouth-watering cream underneath.  Don’t you just love breaking through all that crystalized sugar?!?!?! ?  At the bottom was a layer of HAZELNUT CREAM which tasted like Nutella! I just wish it was a little bigger because right when I was getting into it, it was gone!

The only thing that would have been better is if the cream was a little thicker, but we’re splitting hairs, this was a good creme brûlée and something you should try if you are a fan.

La Passion Martini Slush ($11.00):

Oh yeah, I’ve been waiting all year to get the La Passion Martini Slush again, and it didn’t disappoint!

This thing is so refreshing, which is key on a blazing hot Florida day like we had and the passion fruit flavor is so strong.  Perfect blend of alcohol and fruit juice imo, not weak!  Plus it’s totally awesome to look at!!

Of all the drinks we tried, this one right here is my favorite and one you have to try, period!

Kir à la Grenade: Sparkling Wine with Monin Pomegranate Syrup ($8.50):

This was our first time trying the Kir à la Grenade and we really enjoyed it. It was on the sweeter side and worked nicely after our creme brûlée. I though the pomegranate flavor was awesome, and you don’t see that worked into drinks too much.

Very solid sparkling wine and almost to the level of the one at The Cheese Studio!

Chardonnay, Maison de France ($4.50):

Standard Chardonnay for me.  Full body and rich and I could taste a little citrus and even butter in there.  Nice but I don’t have to have it again.

Booth Summary and Grade:

France was really good this year, and I liked it even better than last year with a 4th menu item being added.  You won’t go wrong with the beef or creme brûlée, and if you are by any chance an escargot fan then you surely will like that too.  

We were disappointed with the fondue, but overall it’s a solid marketplace as always. I’ve gotta say though, the best thing here is the La Passion Martini Slush, it’s one I keep coming back to time and time again!

If you have to get just one thing:

La Passion Martini Slush

France Review

Overall

8.5/10

8.5/10

• Overall Grade - 8.5/10
  8.5/10

I want you to be able to have the best info on the Festival so you have a great time and don’t waste your time!  Take a look at all of my 2019 Epcot Food and Wine articles including:

• 2023 EPCOT Food and Wine Info Guide
• Complete List of Food and Wine Menus
• Top 10 Best and Worst Snacks at Food and Wine 2023
• Top Food and Wine Booths (Coming Soon)

Your Thoughts:

I want to know what you think about the France Review at the 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival…

• Which is your favorite item?
• Which do you still want to try?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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