Let me preface by saying that Food and Wine has lost its charm for me, I had more disappointments than hits! We weren't planning to go but were given a free hotel room so with AP's there we were 2 week-ends ago! My son (16) and I, both foodies, shared these dishes.
Hits:
France - Escargot, tasty, tender and fun in their little edible bowls, My son loved them!
France - Coq au Vin, flavorful but not outstanding.
France - Chocolate Creme Brulee - Yum!
Canada - Filet w/ mushrooms, cooked medium to a little rare. Fabulous!
China - Seasoned beef in a moist bun!
Mexico - White Corn Arepa with Mangalitsa Pork Rilettes. Loved it
Korea - ? Lettuce Wrap with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw, I love kimchi.
Not a hit but not a miss category:
New Zealand - Lamb Meatball w/ onion and tomatoes in a pastry cup. The meatball fantastic, moist, terrific flavor. Too much sauce & the pastry was sodden and nasty!
Canada - Cheddar Cheese Soup - Flavor good, needed to cook longer the veg. were still crispy!
Italy - Cheese Ravioli, overcooked. ( In all fairness, I was stuffed at this point, should have passed!)
Misses:
Greece- Spanakopita, filling bland, bottom,soggy, uncooked. Frankly the frozen ones at Costco are better!
Greece- Greek Salad, nice flavor but really limp greens.
Morocco - Mergues in a pita pocket! Had great difficulty finding the 1" piece of mergues in all of that green pepper and onion goo . These should be grilled to showcase their flavor, not steamed and served in a damp pita pocket.
Australia - Lamb Chop, gristly & overcooked! Very Disappointed!
New Zealand - Scallops, the smell alone drove me away! All I could do to wait for my meatball!
As far as drinks, I can't drink when it's hot and early in the day, so fizzy water from France and Italy and a coke from Morocco!
It had been several years since I attended Food and Wine, now I won't miss it when I can't go!