Don’t Feel Like Cookin’?: Tutto Italia
What would a stroll through the Italy pavilion in Epcot be without a restaurant? Since the pavilion lacks a ride, movie or show – it would be a beautiful but brief stroll. L’Originale Alfredo di Roma closed its doors at the end of August, 2007. After a brief hiatus, the restaurant Tutto Italia has opened in its place. So, on Epcot’s 25th Anniversary, it was only appropriate we experience the new offering tucked into the back corner of Italy.
The first thing to notice is that the aesthetic changes are minimal. With the exception of a few fancy knickknacks, this is still Alfredo’s. And it will be that way for a short time, after which the establishment will close its doors for a refurbishment. One obvious change already in place is the “pasta room” where tourists leer at chefs creating the many pastas served in the restaurant is gone. Now tourists leer into the “Antipasto room”. (Talk about going in the opposite direction!) A funny side note: as I was doing my leering through the antipasti window, I asked the manager Davide “what do you do with all the lemons?” He responded “Make lemonade”. Sure enough, fresh squeezed lemonade was on the menu that night.
Upon seating, the manager highly recommended the Antipasto appetizer. But only a few hours after eating lunch, my group avoided the pre-meal munchies. The seven appetizers ranged in price from $10 up to $24 for the “Grand Antipasto Misto”.
Even so, they bring a starter… or “Assaggini” to the table. It consists of Olives, vegetables for dipping, and eggplant relish and breadsticks. Certainly not a large order but a unique offering nonetheless.
The main entrees range from a few $24 dishes up to a $36 “Tangliata di Manzo”. My friends and I did a great job in ordering for our personal tastes. We did a horrible job in ordering for a restaurant review. Three of us ordered the “Lasagna al Forno” ($24) and the fourth ordered the Bucattini Pasta (24). We were all happy with the food and service. The menu itself may be a bit difficult as the descriptions don’t feel very informative. Thus, we all ordered the same thing as it seemed recognizable.
Agonizingly, we were too full for the great looking desserts, ranging from $8.00 “Gelati and Sorbetti” up to a $12 Cannoli.
We all enjoyed our dinner, the food and service were very good and our conversation - four Disney geeks chewing it up – was top drawer.
My friend seemed a little miffed that there was no Fettuccine Alfredo on the menu. This may be an issue with many folk. I’d bet its because this restaurant is replacing one operated by the creators of the Alfredo, it may be counterproductive to promote the previous regimes mainstay.
Tutto Italia is said to only be a temporary establishment, a place holder for what will soon be a new offering by first class restaurateurs, the Patina Group. . Until then, this is a real nice place holder. Like most of Epcot’s sit down restaurants, Tutto Italia is a bit pricey, but as far as I am concerned, the food quality is stellar compared with any food offering at any theme park the world over.
