hogwartsdropout
Let's go get that dino!
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2006
Looking forward to your reviews, especially Boma breakfast!
After my disappointing snack at The Mara, I headed over to Epcot and hit Mission:Space Orange and Test Track (yay for single rider lines!) before decided I was hungry enough to start venturing over to the Italy Pavilion.
I wasn't able to get an ADR at a time I wanted since my trip plans changed so last minute. DBF can't eat tomatoes, so he wasn't very interested in VN. The second I knew he wasn't coming on the trip, I changed my ADR's around, but couldn't find a decent time for VN. I decided to chance a walk-up since those are usually more feasible as a party of one.
I checked in at 6:30 and was told they could seat me shortly. I waited about ten minutes and then was shown to a table.
The inside of VN is cavernous and thus somewhat loud, but it had very pretty architecture and decor.
The views from my seat:
Mmmm wood-fired pizzas ovens. If only I could have one of those in my kitchen...
I noticed that 99% of the CMs in VN are CUTIES! Add in the Italian accent and ...well, maybe it was good my DBF didn't join me!
The cutie helping me that day was Luca. He was very friendly and efficient. He didn't forget about me even though he had a large party of 10 at one table in his section.
I decided to try one of VN's specialty drinks - an Acqua Fresca. It's a non-alcoholic mix of water and fruit juices. I went with the Blood Orange flavor, and they also have Lemon and Strawberrry.
There is a bread basket and olive oil brought to all tables. The bread was just ok...tasted like mediocre 'Italian' bread from the supermarket.
The bread was boring, but the Acqua Fresca was amazing! So light, refreshing, fruity, and not too sweet. It was a really great drink for a summer day in Florida. I had to pace myself from gulping it down since they're $5 a pop!
I knew what I wanted to order since I first read the VN menu - a Margherita Pizza! I got the individual size of course:
Your basic pizza with tomatoes, cheese and basil. The original, can't go wrong classic! Before I tell you how it was, I need to provide you with a disclaimer: I am a pizza aficionado. I have eaten pizza all over Italy, and more importantly in Naples at Pizzeria Da Michele, which is widely regarded as THE place for pizza in the city where pizza was born. My standards are very high and I'm not easy to please. I went through a six month period after my return from Italy where I didn't even eat pizza because there is no Italian style pizza in my hometown and everything else wasn't going to satisfy my cravings.
I also believe that you can't compare apples to oranges. I think there are four types of pizza and it's unfair to compare different types and proclaim one better than the other when the pizza makers are going for different products.
Abby's Four Main Pizza Types:
American - basically your delivery chains like Pizza Hut, Dominos, Little Ceasars, etc.
NYC - The NY style thin crust that you can buy by the slice at countless places in the Northeast.
Chicago - Chicago Deep Dish
Italian - my personal favorite. Thin crust, crushed tomatoes (not sauce), fresh mozzerella, and MUST come from a wood or coal fired oven.
So Via Napoli falls in to the Italian category. I read that one the developers even studied at Pizzeria Da Michele in Naples in order to make the best replication of true Napoli style pizza. So my expectations were high, as were my hopes. It's hard to find a place that makes Italian style pizza, so knowing I could possibly get it four hours away in WDW, where I go 2-3 times per year was really making me excited.
So....after my treastie on pizza here...what did I think?
Drumroll please......
Abby doesn't have to go across the Atlantic to satisfy her Italian Pizza cravings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If Da Michele's pies are 10, I'm giving VN an 8. The crust was thin, tasted 85% the same as Da Michele's, the crushed tomatoes were light and had that special bright flavor summer flavor, and the cheese was fresh mozzerella, sprinkled lightly over the pizza, not drowning the entire thing. Finished off with some torn fresh basil and we have a pretty authentic product. Surprising for WDW and Epcot, where I don't expect authenticity in the ethnic foods. My only critique would be that the crust wasn't quite as crisped as it should be. I knew something was a bit off, and it wasn't until I came home and did some reading here on the boards that I realized the doneness was the slight issue I had.
Apparently most of the customers have been complaining about the black charring on the crust, so they haven't been cooking the pizza quite as well done as it should be. I think a few more minutes in the oven would have moved this pizza to a 9. But now I know for next time to ask for it well done!
So for any poor reviews of VN, I think the issue is expectations, not the product itself. Most people probably have never had, nor are they aware of what Italian style pizza is. So they are comparing VN to something else like a NYC style slice, and as I said, I think that's an unfair apples to oranges issue.
Which makes me slightly worried about VN's success in Disney. Authentic doesn't usually bring in the crowds at Disney, people seem to want the Americanized versions of things. However, the restaurant was busy when I went, and from all reports I've read, it seems to have been this way since they opened around 10 months ago.
Do yourself a favor and get some pizza from VN on your next visit!
Grade: A
Thank you for pointing me toward yourreview!! I am now hooked on your dining report!!
This is imho only, but, I must say that the Mara is actually one of my favorite places to eat counter service. I love the stew in a bread bowl they offer, and many nights I would have the butternut squash soup, which is absolutely WONDERFUL and just pick off of a few leftovers for dinner or lunch. I found their menu limited, but not nearly as much so as Saratoga Springs or Wilderness Lodge counter service locations. I also liked the uniqueness of the menu. I liked that they were really accomodating to my grandsons allergies. If you are hungry, try the chicken and cous cous plate. They offer it hot or cold and I liked it cold better. I am SO hungry now, between thinking of soup and your pizza review!! Thanks!!
Love your report so far and looking forward to more. Oh yes, Mara also has zebra domes for dessert in their cool case, if anyone likes those. I'm not a fan, but my daughter and grandsons love them.
Loved your VN review. As someone who is partial to NY Style (or honestly since I am from Boston, I refer to it as Boston style, hahaha) pizza, do you know of anywhere in WDW that serves it? It seems everything is either crappy pre-made, disgusting crust or it's Italian style.
After I read your review of VN I went home and read my new issue of Rachael Ray and Andrew Zimmern wrote an article about Disney. He said that he ate at VN and he was a "pizza snob". He gave it a thumbs up as well! I think I really have to eat there!
Awesome review! I cannot wait to go to VN! One Margherita pizza for me and a kids meal for DD! Thank you so much for the awesome pics!
Yea for solo dining. I had a few a days at WDW alone in Nov and it was bliss. I even went to Narccossees alone, even though my DH who is the AF called me from Japan and stayed on with me most of the meal The pizza looks and sounds devine at VN!
Subbing in! I completely agree there are four main pizzas types Can't wait to try VN next time I'm there