Next on my list last week was the
Italian Food, Wine vs. Beer Pairing. OMG -- so good. In short, I can completely understand why this event consistently gets rave reviews and is relatively tough to reserve. It's well-deserved and I will, for sure, be back next year. I'd go back again this year if there was availability and I could get time off!
For any not familiar, this event is $99 and offered on select Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30-4:15pm at Via Napoli. The official description:
Discover authentic Italian dishes with an original twist—expertly prepared and served with regional beverages.
Guests choose culinary delights from an amazing menu filled with robust flavors adored the world over. Sit down to a 5-course gourmet meal paired with the chef’s own impeccable selection of Italian wines and craft beer—all chosen to complement his/her original recipes.
One taste is all it takes to see why Italian cuisine warms the heart and satisfies the palate. Mangiare!
The general theme is that for each of the courses, you vote as to whether the selected wine or beer was the better pairing and at the end one (wine or beer) "wins" … but really everyone wins because the food and beverage is just that good! The entire staff was knowledgeable and there was a friendly competition going on between the ladies presenting the wine and the beer. I'll also note that refills were freely available if anything that you particularly enjoyed.
The event was to begin at 1:30 and I think I walked up ~1:05 or so. There was a host stand set up outside to the right of the regular entrance and I (correctly) assumed that was the line. Around 1:15 or so they started checking in parties one by one. You checked in, then stepped to the side where their typical outdoor tables are. Parties were called individually by a host and brought to their assigned table just as in the restaurant. Either while waiting or when your host brought you in, each guest received a glass of white sangria.
Sitting down to this, you pretty much know it's going to be a fun afternoon!
Seating was assigned (the event was held in the side room -- to the right as you walk up if you can envision it) and I must say that I completely lucked out in the table department. I was a solo party sat with a party of 4 and 3, respectively (table of 8), -- they were all beyond delightful and we were all old friends by the end of the lunch. I'm going to slightly amend the famous Julia Child quote and say that
"people who love Disney and love to eat are the best people."
One of my favorite things about these F&W events is discovering new dishes and especially discovering that I actually like something I could have sworn I didn't. Eggplant would fall into that latter category. I was disappointed when I saw it on the menu but it was delicious! I suppose it's tough to go wrong when fried and served in cream sauce...
Anyone else see the hidden Mickey's in my pizza?? I know some don't like the Via Napoli pizza but I love it and this was as good as it ever is.
The third course was my least favorite and a little "fishy" for my taste but still good
Next came a cheese course ... I was full after the pizza so this was a welcome "break"
I didn't expect to like the dessert not really being a sweets person and not liking pistachio but I was wrong... again, delicious!
I can't recall if I voted wine or beer course by course but I surprised myself by choosing the beer for at least two courses when I'd generally consider myself a wine drinker. As I said, there was a friendly competition between the two ladies presenting the wine and beer and it made for a fun environment overall. The room definitely got progressively louder and louder as the drinks were flowing. I thought the hosts did a nice job of quieting people down to listen to the presentation when the time came.
The event ran right up to 4:15 and upon leaving we were each gifted with a small box of Italian cookies as a favor to take home. The hospitality at this event overall was impressive. I'm not just talking about the ease with which refills were provided but also the general friendliness of the staff. I did the Italian Regional Lunch at Tutto Gusto last year and while I also loved that and would do that event again as well, there were no (or begrudging) refills and servers seemed much more formal. Very different vibes for two events in the same pavilion and same operating company.
I had zero appetite for dinner this evening so definitely plan accordingly if booking this event in the future.
Also, for anyone curious, a couple of people at my table had dietary restrictions and someone came out to talk with each of them about their restrictions in detail and they received modified dishes, as appropriate.
That's all the details I can think of. I
LOVED this event. My tablemates, the food, the service, the beer and wine... all made for a perfect afternoon. Highly recommend.