If you have
been to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg then you know the
park is themed in the style of Europe, so you are already in a virtual
paradise. During Food & Wine it is now with more food.
This will be
the 7th annual Food & Wine Festival and it runs from May 17th through June
30th which means it is starting a full week earlier. Which we personally think
is a great idea since it can be so warm at times in June and when its too warm
it means less food and drink you can consume.
This year
there will be 19 kiosks, 4 are brand new themes. There is also a lot of new drinks this year
(both alcoholic and non alcoholic) giving a total of 43 entrees/desserts, 35
wines, 33 craft beers, 30 cocktails and 11 specialty drinks.
The food
served at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg is a much higher caliber than you will
find at the majority of theme parks, so the idea of a Food & Wine event
gives the creative team a chance to go all out. The event has grown over the
years and celebrates food, drink and culture. All year
long the majority of food is made on premise. This includes all desserts,
sauces and they smoke all of their own meats. Fruits and much of the vegetables
are locally sourced, fish is all sustainable.
I would
consider the event a walking tour of Europe and the tastes of culinary dishes
from around the world without the high price tag. It’s a beautiful escape for
those who want to travel, but really can’t go too far. We have attended 5 of
the past 6 years and it’s consistent.
What’s New for 2019
New Kiosk- Mexico : Fried Shrimp Tacos, Carne Asada tacos, Chorizo Empanadas
(previously in Spain) I sampled both tacos on opening day when they had a
sampler offered and they are delicious (sampler also had the lavender lemonade
you will read about later and the Chicken Adobo mentioned below) Kiosk will
also have beer, wine and a margarita and Horchata
New kiosk- Philippines: Chicken Adobo, Siopao a steamed pork bun with sweet soy glaze, Mamon (sponge cake with glaze and cheese) Wine, Boracray, Melon Juice. The chicken adobo has been popular for years and was part of the South West kiosk (that is no longer). Glad they moved it here. Tried the Siopao, it was pretty cake like, without the sweetness...didn't really care for it as wasn't expecting it to be so caky. Plus it didn't have very much meat. Well they can't all be winners.
Revamped Caribbean Kiosk- Jamaica : Most the same food from previous years. Gamba Fritters, Pineapple upside down cake, Jerk chicken sliders (this is renovated from previous chicken on the bone)
New Kiosk- Italy: (replaced Spain and completely redone)
Mushroom Risotto, Caprese. Cocktails and Wine, Italian Cream Soda, Tried the Mushroom Risotto, it was creamy and divine with shaved prosciutto.
Drinks!
Drinks beverage bar- Herbal Infusion: Watermelon Mojito (yes please!) Mint
Julep (definitely) Rosemary Moscato (probably getting a little drunk here)
Lavender Lemonade. I loved the Mint Julep, it came in a souvenir glass so this wasn't part of the sampler program (cost $11.50) but was worth it.
New Beverage Bar- Craft Bar: large selection of craft beer on tap
New Beverage Bar-Garden Glass: Bloody Mary, Summer Winds (cucumber,
gin and lime), Specialty Smoothie (strawberry, Orange, beets and ginger) Joe tried the smoothie, it was fresh and tasty, but not recommended for kids as its not sweet at all.
New Beverage Bar-Sangria Garden: Traditional, Strawberry Rose, Citrus
Moscato
You can get
a flight of 4 5oz drinks
Tequila tastings by the Fest Haus (New in 2018
replaced Argentina Wine from 2017) this is also returning for the 2019 F&W
festival.
In Fest Haus
you will find a Beer flight, plus the famous Pork Schnitzel slider (schnitzelwich)
which has a lemon caper sauce.
As far as
the Wine part goes there are 5 Wine tastings - French Wine tastings (in France),
Niagara Region (New France), German, Italian, Ireland (Argentina/South America in Castle O Sullivan) all in their respective villages.
Scotch tasting in Scotland next to Tweedside
gifts, you can sample 3 authentic 12 year old scotches from the region.
Wine on the
Rhine is a specialty cruise down “the Rhine” which is an upgrade to the regular
boat cruise ride in (back of Scotland and Germany). Guests get to enjoy the
sounds of jazz band and nibble on cheese, fruit and chocolate (wine or beer
also) without alcohol $15, with $30. This requires reservations. There is also
an upgrade to the fireworks cruise which is longer and gives a premium view of
the fireworks. ($30-$40) It should be noted the fireworks cruise doesn’t return
to the dock until 30-60 minutes after the fireworks because of safety reasons.
Pass Members get a discounted rate.
QUICK FACTS
- ·
No
additional Ticket, part of your admission. Buy what you want
- ·
all
normal attractions are running
- ·
Food
kiosks open at 11am and serve all day, or until they run out of food. In the
case of lightening they do temporarily close
- ·
Tastings
range from $2-$3 for desserts and about $4-$6 for entrées, a few are more.
- ·
Sample
options available get 10 for $49 or $15 for $69 these include all food items,
specialty non-alcoholic drinks, wine and beer. Does not include frozen drinks
or cocktails. Liquor Tastings are also a separate fee
- ·
To
make your day a bit easier, you can purchase cashless wristbands.
- ·
Wristbands
are available in several areas of the park, 2 different spots before you even
get to food (Booth before the turnstiles and guest relations after you enter),
plus several other locations in the park.
- ·
You
can prepay with cash or link to a credit card. Then you just scan at the
locations. This is a great choice when your hands are full and you need your
stomach to be. If you don’t spend all of your cash, stop at Guest Relations in
England when exiting and they will refund you any money not spent.
- ·
You
can eat and drink your way around the park, and even take a short cruise down
the Rhine River, while delighting in some jazz music and savoring some fancy
cheese and chocolate.
- ·
The
park goes all out for this event with additional decorations, country flags,
lights and informational boards giving interesting tid bits from the countries
represented. Truly a feast for the eyes as well. (No calories for that).
We visited
on May 17, opening day and again on June 9
Here are
Kiosks of the Countries & regions represented
walking from center to right all the way around.
Virginia
(Scotland) Bacon Hushpuppies, She Crab Soup, Chocolate Pecan bars (no more ham
sampler) Wine, Apple Pie Moonshine, Strawberry Lemonade
Ireland:
Cheese Sampler, Bangers and Colcannon, Guinness mousse, Wine and beer. Kiosk is across from where it was before as the new ride Finnegans Flyer has opened.
Hawaii
(entrance of Wildlife Reserve) All the same all delicious one of the most
popular kiosks since it debuted, Tuna Poke, Huli Chicken, beer, wine, Frozen Blue Hawaiian,
hibiscus Lemonade. Sadly no Spam Slider this year, may it rest in piece. It was Noah's favorite thing. I admit we are a little bummed and perplexed.
French
Quarter (France) Same as previous but in a different spot, its across from what is pictured above. (In this spot there is a grab and go of various snacks)Food choices include the delicious Muffaletta, Shrimp Cajun
stew, Bananas Foster cheesecake, Beignets, wine, beer and Hurricane.
Cuba (France
near Griffon) Cuban Sandwich and Ropa Viejo (shredded beef over rice and beans- A Favorite!)
Wine, beer and Cuba Libre.
Brazil (New
France near Trappers/Show grill) all the same from last year and we are so glad: Grilled beef with chimichurri sauce, grilled pineapple with caramel sauce, Sausage with portabellas
and peppers, drinks include wine, Rum with cane sugar and lime, Brazilian
lemonade (lemonade with sweetened condensed milk). All delicious!!
Jamaica
Revamped formerly Caribbean (Germany) Jerk chicken slider, combining the
chicken and the mango slaw on a bun, Gamba Fritters, Pineapple Upside Down cake,
wine, beer and Ginger Limeade
Japan
(walkway between Italy and Fiesta Italy) Same as last few years, lettuce wrap, sushi, Bubble tea,
Matcha Ice Cream, Sake
South Korea
(Fiesta Italy) Beef Skewers, and Beef Korean Ribs, Korean Soju cocktail. They really should call it Rib as you only get one (at least that's what we got) they are super delicious. But frankly for the price of buying 2 you can get a whole meal at Trappers.
Greece/
Mediterranean (Italy near Pompeii) All the same, Lamb Burger, Dolamades,
Spankonoptia, new this year Loukoumades-Honey donuts puffs with cinnamon, Wine
and Ouzo. Noah enjoyed the donut puffs, ate them up in mere minutes.
Our Favorites
She-crab soup from Virginia Kiosk, very delicious, plenty of crab.
Easiest to
Eat while walking in the Park: Virginia. Hush puppies, with bacon inside, and honey butter. Gamba Fritters in Jamaica also, but we just all like these Hush Puppies a little more.
Best Dessert (Italy Desserts) mini cannoli trio, individually these are available in full size year round and you can customize those (sold at Marco Polo Marketplace in Italy). For F&W they served Nutella with chocolate jimmies, Strawberry, and Traditional ricotta with pistachio nuts. They are delicious and its a decent value.
Best Drink TBA (currently the Pear Cider from Cuba is in the lead)
Best New
item ; TBD- Either the Fried Shrimp Taco from Mexico or the Risotto from Italy. ( I will post the wining picture after trying them again!)
Carnivore’s
Delight : Brazil . Sausage with grilled peppers and mushrooms. This is one tasty sausage. BGW does a great job on all their sausages, this is the second year this has been on the menu and we hope its around for a long time.
Vegetarian Delight & Favorite : Tuna Poke with seaweed salad. This has been my favorite for the past few years since its been introduced. Its fresh sashimi tuna on a hand made crispy wonton with wasbi mayo. The seaweed salad is also delicious. I could eat nothing but this (Well and probably the sausage above)
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