Mama Mia! We are headed back to Walt Disney World for another delicious media event experience. This food event was held at the World Showcase’s Italy Pavilion in Epcot. We were invited to try their newest treats from the Via Napoli Pizza Window and also provided with a sampling of their delicious eats from Italy’s Food and Wine kiosk for 2017. We are big foodies and hopefully this review provides you with an in-depth look at this year’s offerings. To make it a little easier for you, we have provided both locations and some examples of the food you can come to expect with our comments included.
Via Napoli Pizza Window/Donkey Cart
Orangecello: For those of you who love fruity cocktails, you will really enjoy this drink. Orangecello (which is usually a base liquor of vodka or brandy) mixed with orange/pineapple juice, and strawberry puree that is served in a champagne glass. It was a sweet and cold refreshing drink that wasn’t strongly overpowered with the taste of the previously mentioned liquors. As our first drink upon arrival, it was a great choice and provided a superb impression to start the event.
Limoncello Cocktail: If you like your drinks a little stronger, look to this flavorful treat with limoncello (same as the orangecello, but with infused lemon peels, orange/pineapple juice, and peach puree. They do an excellent job of keeping the natural flavors of the fruits that providing a delicious summer treat.
Pizza Bianca: Room temperature pizza? Yes, I know what you’re thinking, but in my opinion, this option amplifies the toppings of salty prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and arugula providing a unique flavor on an old classic. Topping it off with a crisp and perfectly charred crust.
Menabrea Ambrata: Not a big beer drinker, so I let Dan determine this one, he described it as a very dark and hoppy beer and something that complimented the pizza Bianca quite well.
Polpette E Mozzarella Parmigiana: One of my favorites of the bunch, beef and veal meatballs are served with an incredibly robust sauce topped with melted mozzarella and for those of us who love bread with their pasta, they give a side of toasted and buttered bread.
Food and Wine Italy Kiosk
Crispy Calamari with Spicy Pomodoro Sauce: Fried golden brown calamari with a salty seasoning (nothing too overbearing of course) served with a side of Pomodoro sauce, with a taste that is very similar to a marinara sauce.
Absolut Penne Vodka Sauce w/Shrimp: Time to kick it up a notch! Perfectly cooked shrimp served with al dente penne covered in a delicious vodka tomato sauce, which also gives a beautiful coloring to the dish. Vodka sauce has always been my favorite pasta sauce and not only does it taste homemade, but the tangy taste makes me want a whole bowl! As noted on the kiosk menu as well as others throughout the showcase, they all suggest a food and drink pairing that compliments both and at the Italy kiosk, this dish is paired well with a Pinot Grigio.
Spezzatino con Polenta: This was a warm and inviting comfort food; extremely tender beef slices are served on a bed of creamy parmesan polenta and as this was my first time trying polenta, the texture was similar to that of grits and along with the beef, practically melted in my mouth.
Cannoli al Cioccolato: A great tasty treat! Instead of the classically served treat with chocolate chips and ricotta inside, they take out the chocolate chips and cover it with a sweet and melty chocolate that compliments the sweet ricotta inside, my personal favorite!
All in all, Disney did a fantastic job in their Italy food offerings for this year and we left feeling full and very satisfied. Disney is always willing and able to come up with new and exciting options for every palette so that guests leave with a wonderful experience at their Epcot Food and Wine festivals.
If you have managed to explore Italy and the full walk of all the food booths for this year’s festival and are STILL hungry, look to the new My Disney Experience mobile app, where they now offer mobile ordering for 15 quick service locations all the around the Walt Disney World resort, so you can skip the line, pay in advance and get your meal fast and fresh! Check out the app for all participating locations.
Once again, we want to thank Disney/Allied I.M. for inviting us to this special event and we hope to showcase even more in the future. Also, take a look at our video recap of the event/review on our Midway Mayhem YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/EFmEe3o28Jc and www.midwaymayhem.com!