The Swan & Dolphin Resort’s Food & Wine Classic is an annual event that typically takes place the last weekend in October. This must- do event features their Causeway, which is literally bursting at the seams with food, wine, and beer. They also offer seminars, a beer garden, Carnival Corner, and Chinatown. Here is my Food & Wine Classic Review for 2016.
The set up of The Causeway is a lengthy process of putting tables, chairs, tents, and tablecloths. As the afternoon wanes on the food, heating elements, ice, and displays are set up as well.
When you arrive, you will need to check in. There are various stations, based on your ticket type, to check-in at. For myself, I was checked in by the lovely Katie in the Convention Center area.
As the sunlight begins to wane, The Causeway opens. The results are simply magnificent. Along The Causeway you can get a taste of Surf and Turf by Todd English, Arancini by Il Mulino, Prime New York Strip Loin by Shula’s Steakhouse, Seared Striped Bass by Garden Grove, Southern Pulled Pork with Macaroni & Cheese by The Fountain and Dragon Roll by Kimonos to name a few. If you are looking for something fun to try then you must sample the Shrimp Cocktail Steamroller by Blue Zoo as it comes in a slim tube and your are left to your own devices to figure out how to get the shrimp out. Add a little spice to your samplings with Taqueria by Picabu. There is no possible way to pick a favorite bite of the night, but if I could choose only two items, from The Causeway, I would pick the Surf and Turf by Todd English and the Dragon Roll by Kimonos. As tastes do vary, you will need to attend the Food & Wine Classic in 2017 to pick your personal favorites.
What would a Food & Wine Event be without desserts? There were four specialty desserts to choose from. The Lemon Meringue Cup, the Chocolate Fondant Orange Pate de Fruit Milk, the Caramel Sea Salt Eclair, and the Caramelized Banana Sundae with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. My hands-down favorite was the Lemon Meringue Cup. I really enjoyed the texture and the zing of the lemon with this dessert choice.
Seminars on Wines, Cocktails, Beers, and Champagnes are also available. I did the Wine Blending Seminar and it was very informative and interesting. If wine is not your thing, then there are many seminar options to choose from and you are sure to find something that suits your lifestyle and preferences.
The Terrace Beer Garden is tucked away off the beaten path of the Causeway. Here you will find light, dark, and brown ales, a variety of ciders, and a few food bites. Be sure to try the Schnitzil and Soft Pretzel with your beer. Check out the Live Video walk-through of the Terrace Beer Garden here: https://www.facebook.com/chipandco/videos/10154701979648417/
Carnival Corner is tucked away in the back corner just off The Causeway. Here you will find Carnival Games, Food Trucks, and some fun surprises. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the flavors of the Grafton Village White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese. The other surprise that presented itself was the Nitro Kettle Corn. I had never heard of it so I asked how they make it. They use popcorn, caramel foam, peanuts, and liquid nitrogen. See the video here: https://www.facebook.com/chipandco/videos/10154702666173417/
Chinatown made its debut at the Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic this year. This new area featured Crispy Duck and Shanghai Dumpling. Lines were long and the Chinatown area was a highly popular area throughout the evening.
Also making their debut at the Food & Wine Classic was CIB’s Smokehouse. They featured their Hand Crafted Bacon with Sweet Corn Puree. I have never tasted bacon like this before and it was extremely flavorful. I will expect to see CIB’s again in 2017.
The Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic makes for a truly a classy evening. If you have not had the chance to attend one of these events, then be sure to stay tuned here for updates on the 2017 Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. Purchase your tickets early as this event does sell out. Hope to see you there. Bon appetit!
Will you be attending the Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic next year? Please leave your comments in the box below.
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