Islands of the Caribbean Review: 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Islands of the Caribbean Review: 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

A really cool new addition to the lineup for the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the Islands of the Caribbean marketplace.  In the past there was a been a Puerto Rico booth and also a Dominican Republic one.  I’m happy to see this new kiosk because it allows us to try food from the whole Caribbean, and not just one country.

Booth:

The location of Islands of the Caribbean is really one of the best.  I love the whole strip of marketplaces starting here and continuing on to Wine and Dine, Chocolate Studio, Greenhouse Guru and The CHEW Collective.  It’s so picturesque and calm on the walkway, love it!

Menu:

Food:

• Mojo Pork with Black Beans, Cilantro Rice, and Pickled Red Onions – $4.25, Gluten-Free, DDP Snack Eligible
• Quesito: Puff Pastry with Sweetened Cream Cheese and Guava Sauce – $3.75, Vegetarian, DDP Snack Eligible
• Jamaican Beef Patty – $4.75, DDP Snack Eligible  *Ziggy Recommended
  
• Pescado con Coco: Seared Grouper, Pigeon Peas and Rice with Coconut Sauce – $4.75, DDP Snack Eligible

Beverages:

• Presidente Pilsner – $3.75
• Frozen Mojito – $9.50
• Caribbean Sangria – $4.50

Menu review:

The Mojo Pork with Black Beans, Cilantro Rice, and Pickled Red Onions was the first option.  It was just ok for me.  The pork was decently flavored and the entire plate a nice sized portion being full of rice and black beans, but it just didn’t do it for me.  It’s a good option for someone who isn’t an adventurous eater.  However, I’m looking for something a bit more unique here at Food and Wine.

A found something a bit more interesting in the Jamaican Beef Patties.

I have to say I really didn’t know what to expect because I had never had them before, but they were really good.  They had a nice shell/crust to them, and inside was some nicely packed ground beef, with a really good spiced curry flavor.  It’s not too spicy and it’s not a hot spice, it’s just flavorful.   They are each about the size of a clementine I’d say and you get 2 of them, so it’s a very easy item to share.  It’s also a “Kid-Friendly” option and something the little ones would like.

There’s also a Pescado con Coco: Seared Grouper, Pigeon Peas and Rice with Coconut Sauce.  Disney usually does a nice job with seafood and this is no different.  The coconut sauce is a creamier sauce, so if you like that this is for you.  It’s a little sweet from the sauce, and it’s not a real fishy-fish, so it’s nice and light.  The rice is a little different than the rice that comes with the Pork, more like a saffron rice.  Nice option if you are in the mood for some fish.

For dessert there’s a Quesito: Puff Pastry with Sweetened Cream Cheese and Guava Sauce.  I didn’t try it, but I heard rave reviews about it with people telling me it was really good.  The sweet cream cheese and the guava sauce complimented each other nicely and the pastry itself had a nice flaky texture.  Looked like another great item to share with friends, or maybe just keep for yourself! 😉

Lastly I tried the Caribbean Sangria.

First it was very good and very different from a traditional sangria.  It had a wonderful flavor, very light and fruity as you would expect, it really felt like I was there on a remote island somewhere just enjoying life.  But then after one sip it was gone…hahahaha.  As I commented about Canada and the Apple Ice Wine there, this was just really too small, especially for the $4.50 price.  It’s a shame because I really liked it and it makes a nice compliment to each item on the menu.  I just can’t justify spending the money, you would need like 5 of them to make a normal glass.

Booth Summary and Grade:

Islands of the Caribbean is a great new addition to the lineup as I was hoping before I tried it.  They have some very unique and interesting offerings.  Nothing there was overly heavy, it was all very light and flavorful for the most part, and I love the fact they are so adventurous in having 3 savory items, plus a dessert.  I wish more kiosks took a page form them.  Hopefully they can improve even more next year.

If you have to get just one thing:  Jamaican Beef Patties

Grade:  8

Take a look at all of my 2016 Epcot Food and Wine articles.  I have the Top 15 Things You Must Try this year at Food and Wine, and also a complete Index of the Food and Wine Menus and other Helpful Info. I want you to be able to have the best info on the Festival so you don’t waste your time and you have the best time possible!

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Your Thoughts:

I want to know what you think my review of Farm Fresh at the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival.  What are your favorites?  What keeps you coming back again and again?  What would you like to see next year?  Let us know in the comments section below! 🙂