Our first stop at the 2022 Epcot International Festival of the Arts is the new Craftsman’s Courtyard Food Studio. This Walt Disney World dining review features photos of everything on the menu at this booth plus our thoughts on each dish.
This is our first food booth review for this year’s Festival of the Arts, and hopefully not the last. Admittedly, we’ve been pretty laid back about covering the Food Studios, which is for a few reasons. First, it’s the shortest Epcot festival of the year and the one least-attended by tourists, so there’s not as much value for (or demand from) our audience.
Second, because Epcot’s Festival of the Arts is about so much more than food. While the cuisine is artfully done and often delicious, it’s also the least important element of the event. (I also feel slightly guilty that our first bit of coverage was about the insane lines for the Figment popcorn bucket.) Finally, writing these reviews is a chore and I concoct excuses to avoid doing them–see above…
I was really excited for Craftsman’s Courtyard when it was first announced. Although I realized it was highly unlikely, my hope was that this Food Studio would feature dishes “imported” from Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, and its excellent restaurants, like Napa Rose and GCH Craftsman Grill.
Knowing that was pretty unlikely, I was happy when the menu was revealed to feature “seafood and refreshing salads inspired by one of the many hubs of the Arts and Crafts movement: the coast of California.” Here’s a look at what, exactly, the Craftsman’s Courtyard Food Studio features…
Craftsman’s Courtyard Food:
Now let’s take a look at our photos and reviews of each food item at Craftsman’s Courtyard Food Studio…
First up is the Pâté de Campagne. This is a Country Pork Pâté with Pistachios, Truffles, Toasted Ciabatta, Red Onion Marmalade, Pickled Mustard Seed and Caper Berries.
Pâté is a love it or hate it dish, and I’d say this is a great introduction to determine which camp you’re in. The pork pâté itself is tasty enough, but what elevates it is the accompaniments. There is a lot going on here, both in terms of pronounced earthy flavors and variety texture, and it all helps elevate the dish and mask the cold slab of meat pie.
Next up is the Cast Iron-Roasted P.E.I. Mussels with Sautéed Tomatoes, Garlic and Fresh Herbs.
These far exceeded expectations in terms of flavor and preparation. The portion size was also sizable, justifying the above-average price. The mussels were fantastic, having none of the ‘heat lamp hallmarks’ that sometimes plague festival food–thanks to them being freshly grilled right beside the Food Studio.
Beyond that, our mussels were hearty, high-quality, and had an exceptional flavor. The tomatoes, garlic, and herbs were delicious but didn’t overwhelm (a lot of ours were in the bottom of the bowl, under the mussels–making them easier to pair with the garlic bread). Highly recommended.
Finally, the Cast Iron-Seared Steelhead Trout with Parsley Salad, Grape Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Capers and Lemon Aioli.
This is a competently prepared, albeit undersized portion of trout. If you want a fresh salad and solid piece of fish, it’s a decent-enough option. Basically, it’s a crowd-pleaser; a dish that won’t wow or disappoint.
Here are your options in terms of drinks at the Craftsman’s Courtyard Food Studio:
Overall, the Craftsman’s Courtyard Food Studio at the 2022 Epcot International Festival of the Arts is a decent addition to the event. It offers a great, nuanced introduction to pâté for those who might have their trepidations, a hearty helping of delicious mussels, and a middle-of-the-road fish dish. About the only thing it’s missing is a decadent dessert to pair with these light and healthy entrees, but the nearby Deco Delights has you covered there.
Also notable is that in our couple of days at Festival of the Arts thus far, Craftsman’s Courtyard has consistently had one of the shortest lines. This confounds me, as its location and on-stage grill should catch the attention of passersby, but that doesn’t seem to be the case (so far). At the very least, stop here for ease when the other booths have long lines.
Check out our Food Guide to the Epcot International Festival of the Arts if you want to see and read more about every Food Studio this year, what to eat & avoid, and other tips for making the most of the culinary side of the event. As this event isn’t just about the cuisine, you’ll also want to read our full Epcot International Festival of the Arts Tips & Tricks post for info about the non-culinary side of the festivities. That covers the Disney on Broadway concert series, visual arts, performing arts, participatory arts, and much more!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
What do you think of the Craftsman’s Courtyard Food Studio at the 2022 Epcot International Festival of the Arts? Wish it were a booth of dishes “imported” from the Grand Californian? Have you tried any of the food items at this booth? What did you think of them? Do you agree or disagree with our item reviews? Questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Thanks for doing these, Tom. Despite how expensive and tedious it may be, please know it’s appreciated! We’ll be down starting this weekend (first Arts!) and these reviews will help whittle down what to order and what to avoid.
And just like Scott said above, for the fests we don’t make we still love the reviews!
I always appreciate the food booth reviews. I can’t make it out this year, so i like to live vicariously through you!
Hoping that you continue with lots of FOTA coverage, including the Food Studios! I’m going in a few weeks and plan to spend most of the time in Epcot for the festival.
Btw, I met you and Sarah on the first day of the 2021 Flower & Garden Festival. I geeked out when meeting you both and thanked you for not only your Disney travel tips, but also the ones for Bergen, Norway.
We are actually going to be going to the Festival of the Arts for the first time this year. Do you have an article of must-dos for the festival since it will be our first time?
Our guide to the event has an overview of everything: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/epcot-festival-arts-guide/
I’ll be updating that later today with more additions/changes for this year. Above all else, just wander around and let yourself discover the art. It’s all around, and simply strolling around Epcot is so satisfying this time of year. Have fun! 🙂
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