Feast Your Eyes on Some of the Colorful Food at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts

The Epcot International Festival of the Arts is a feast for the senses. Art is much more than visual stimulation. Still, one of the standout features of Epcot’s art festival is the beautiful sights you can take in, including the food. The saying goes “you eat with your eyes” and Disney has taken that saying to heart with many of the culinary creations offered at the Food Studios around World Showcase.

Members of our intrepid TouringPlans research team made the selfless sacrifice of investigating much of the festival food. Let’s take a look at some of the most colorful dishes available at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. I have made note as to if our team considered the dish to be a hit, a miss, or just okay.

• Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib with Parsnip Purée, Broccolini, Baby Tomatoes and Aged Balsamic from Cuisine Classique (a hit) – This hearty dish is robust and satisfying. The aged balsamic is mellow and ties the beef together with the al dente vegetables. A fair value at $8.00.
• Seared Corvina with braised Ratatouille and Lemon-Thyme Beurre Blanc from Cuisine Classique (just okay) – The portion of fish in our serving was fairly large. Corvina is a fairly popular fish because of its mild flavor and nice texture. This relatively light flavored dish is elevated by the ratatouille. It is a good option, just not a must-have. A fair value for $7.50,
• Saint-Honoré Tart: Caramel Cream Tart with Caramel Glaze topped with Cream Puffs from Cuisine Classique (a hit) – Festival food prepared in mass quantities can sometimes lose a little quality as compared to dining in a full service restaurant. Thankfully that is not the case with this tart, especially with the cream puffs. Of course it makes for a fantastic photo, but the taste is great too. A good value at $6.00.

• Spiced Beef with Pine Nuts and Dried Cherries, Hummus and Pita Chips from Mosiac Canteen (a hit) – This spiced beef dish is a must-do if you want to expand your horizons without getting completely lost. “Spiced” does not equate spicy, the flavors are warm and inviting. The portion is generous and a good value for $9.00.
• Mediterranean Flatbread with Zaatar, Olive Oil Artichoke, Olives, Mozzarella and Feta Cheese from Mosiac Canteen (just okay) – Here again is another option if you’re looking to be a little adventurous if you normally stick to basic flavors. The ingredients represent popular Mediterranean tastes. At $9.00 it isn’t an outstanding value.
• Chebbakia: Hand-twisted Strips of Fried Dough coated with Honey, Rosewater and Sesame Seeds from Mosiac Canteen (a hit) – Any fan of honey is going to be a fan of this treat. The rosewater is not very noticeable, which is generally the case with rosewater. The sesame seeds add a little earthiness. $6.00 is a fair price.

• Pan-Seared Scallop with Chorizo, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis and a Parmesan Crisp from The Artists Table (a hit) – This jumbo scallop isn’t a generous serving, but when you’re dining on a scallop as big as the ones they serve here, it’s to be expected. A scallop can easily be undercooked or overcooked, neither was the case here. The rich Chorizo (a spicy sausage) and the coulis are savory, allowing the sweetness of the scallop to shine.  At $7.00 the value is fair.

• Lemon Blood Orange Tart from Decadent Delights (a hit) – Give your taste buds a refreshing taste of citrus if you’re been indulging in some of the heavier dishes. The meringue is spot on. There is a lot going for this dessert without it being overpowering. A good value for $6.50.

Are any of these dishes pleasing to your eye? Will your tastebuds soon be presented with any of these bites?