Today we will be taking ourselves over to Epcot. I just adore roaming around World Showcase nibbling foods of all nations and sipping all the drinks. Future World has its limited charms, but on this visit there were none to be found. You see, the front of the park was under a severe renovations project. Instead of refurbishing one or two sections at a time, someone in corporate said “Just do it all!”.
We were rerouted around Space Ship Earth..
There were walls everywhere you turned. I’ve been to Future World a gazillion times, but I was still completely turned around. Get me outta here!!!
Can’t quite see it from here.
Ahhhh. Freedom.
Our first stop was in Norway for a bit of breakfast.
Kringla Bakery.
This is the type of stuff they should be selling in the gift shops. I would have bought the whole lot!
Skool Bread. A must.
Would you like some atmosphere with your breakfast?
We were just in time for our Fastpass for Frozen. Didn’t care for the movie. Love the attraction!
This was the first year we caught the Festival of the Arts! To summarize, it was Meh.
There were some colorful decorations about.
Art was for sale in temporary tents. What was offered was really no different than what you would find in the gift shops anyway. I was hoping for more local crafts. This set up wasn’t nearly as professional looking as the Food and Wine or Flower and Garden.
One could insert themselves into a work or art.
Chalk art.
One could get a lil’ tub of paint and contribute to a mural. No thanks, I didn’t come here to work.
On to Canada! You guys, we stayed at the Quebec Hotel that was inspiration for this pavilion. I would never had known about it if it weren’t for Epcot. Same with my fascination with Japan. This world may be “fake” but it can inspire the love for travel. It did for me!
Can you hear the rushing water?
Guess who rope dropped the Unibrou beer cart?
Let’s stroll to the United Kingdom.
And Morocco.
And Japan.
I really wanted to visit this original store while we were in Japan, but alas.
Pick a pearl.
Bonkers snacks.
Some colorful crockery.
Oh, these peaceful gardens.
Looking back to the Mitsukoshi. We probably had a Saki here.
Serene.
On to America!
I spent some time earlier describing this Festival of the Arts as lame, which I stand behind. However, the food was some of the best bites I’ve had at any Epcot festival, Food and Wine included! Really, any of these events are essentially about the food.
Pan-Seared Scallop with Chorizo, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis and a Parmesan Crisp
Beef Wellington with Mushroom Bordelaise, Fennel Cream, and Roasted Baby Vegetables
Some dark beer.
Some sort of red wine.
These guys need to get themselves a Wellington!
Things are looking “Macabre Cute” here in Mexico.
Nothing, just laying back.
How many pics do I need of these guys. A whole lot I guess.
A new edition! The Three Caballeros!
We stopped by the UK for a listen to the band.
And a look at the garden.
This act has been here in France forevah!.
It exists just to make me nervous.
Ok, you proved your point. Get down.now.
When we initially planned this anniversary trip for May last year, I scored a reservations at the legendary Victoria and Albert’s restaurant at the Grand Floridian Hotel. You can imagine my excitement! When we decided to move this deal to February, I was unable to get in. Boo!!! Guess I have another reason to return. In lieu of V&A I reserved dinner at the brand new Takumi-Tei in Japan.
Discreet signage.
I chose this experience because they offer an Omakase menu, which is similar to V&A in the way that it is multiple courses chosen by the chef. This is pricey here, but not even close to the cost of V&A. I won’t say how much, because Mr. Jones sometimes reads this blog and we don’t need him to know what our eventual Victoria and Albert’s dinner will set us back.
Kimono napkin fold. Kawaii!!!
Menu
I started with a lychee cocktail.
This was an amuse bouche from the chef. Don’t remember what. Pork belly?
First couse: Roasted Bone Marrow, Braised Wagyu Shortrib, Yuzu Kosho, Wasabi Shiso Bavaroise Warishita. Get all that?
Second: Ponzu Crab, Toasted Crab, Heirloom Tomato, Watermelon Radish Tsukemono, Leek Gel, Sesame Pollen, Plum Wine
Not too many diners tonight.
Preparations for our final course.
Temari Sashimi: Tuna, Toro, Salmon, Yellowtail, Uni, Ikura
I tried Uni for the first time! I approve.
This round “Temari Sashimi” was something I’d never seen before. Every bite was delightful, but it was more rice than fish.
All in all, this was an exceptional meal. The service was honestly a little too good. The charming young Japanese server who took care of us lingered to an uncomfortable degree. We hardly had a moment where she wasn’t checking in. I’ll forgive it.
One last stop in Mexico.
When in Rome…
Does this margarita look fuzzy to you?
Time for bed, Epcot.
So our theme of firsts on this trip continued today with the Festival of the Arts and brand new restaurant experience. We’ll continue the tend tomorrow at Animal Kingdom!
Up Next: Is the World of Avatar worth $500 million bucks? Uh….