Erikarate
married her prince
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2001
- Messages
- 608
The players:
Me, DH, DD 9, DS 7.
Where we stayed:
4 days at Portofino Bay Concierge(Universal Studios), 9 days at BoardWalk Villas 9 (1 BR unit)
Rating Scale:
10- everything perfect...food, service, atmosphere (very rare)
9- excellent, almost perfect
7-8- very good, overall great experience
5-6- mediocre, might not return
3-4- bad, not returning
1-2- should close this place down!!!
This was our first time staying at a Universal Resort hotel. I had been to USO many years ago in college (stayed off-site), but this was the first time with my family.
Before I review the food...I'd like to say that Portofino Bay was very beautiful and peaceful and we felt very pampered during our stay. Also when staying on-site we enjoyed "front-of-the-line" access to most rides and attractions. We never waited more than 10 minutes for anything and most of the time we literally walked right on. The rides at Universal are amazing, very technically advanced, but it lacks the magic that you experience at Disney.
Thursday, July 8
Dinner - Mama Dellas
We had just checked in around 7:30pm and were pretty hungry. We were just going to grab a bite, but decided to do a sit-down in order to unwind from all the travel. I had researched alot before our trip and had heard Mama Dellas was very good. I was told that many of the local come there which is always a good sign.
We started with the Insalata Mama Della which was mixed greens with sweet peppers, tomatoes, and balsamic dressing. This was delicious and mama herself came by to plate it. I recall the bread to be very good to served with olive oil and roasted garlic.
I had the eggplant parmigiana...WOW. Very good. It was lighly breaded and topped with a slice of tomato, melted fresh mozzarella and a basil leaf...served over perfect spaghetti.
DH had the filet of beef with caramelized onions and roasted potatoes. I didn't sample this, but he said it was wonderful. It looked like it had a nice sauce/reduction with it.
The kids had pizza, one of the 4 basic food groups for children (the others being nuggets, pb & j, and mac & cheese)...however we have been encourageing them to eat a healthier diet and they did pretty well this trip.
The service was good, though not memorable. The decor transported you into an Italian grandmothers dining room...very warm and cozy.
Overall rating: 8 1/2...would go back definitely.
Friday, July 9
We hit the ground running this day, getting up early enough to stop at the club (concierge) lounge for breakfast and make it for opening of Universal Studios.
Breakfast, Club Lounge
I will review breakfast here only once as the offerings were pretty much the same each day. We ate breakfast here each day and it was the most elaborate of the offerings. There were two tables set up. One had an amazing selection of sweet, fresh fruit, along with cereal, granola and yogurt. The other had sinful pastries and bagels and such. I had each morning a bowl full of fresh berries and melon with granola and yogurt and of course lots of fresh coffee. I also had fresh pink grapefruit juice...very sweet and refreshing. DH had similar choices, though I think he did partake in some of the pastries as well. The kids had cereal and milk and also fruit. DD had a chocolate croissant one morning too.
It was a great way to start each day and was glad to have healthy choices...didn't feel "weighed down" at the parks.
My only complaint about the lounge is that the staff was completely aloof and unengaging. This was completely different from our experience at AKL concierge who lavished us with treats and special attention. Also it would have been nice to have some hot items for at least one meal. The lounge could certainly accomodate this, but everything is served cold...Also another annoyance is parents who let their children hog the pool table when it is obvious that others are waiting to use it (my DS was sad he didn't get a chance to play).
Will review other offerings (evening, snack etc) later.
Overall rating: 8 - nice lounge, good food, unfriendly staff.
Bottom line: Do find it worth the extra cost. Would definitely do it again. Not nearly as good as AKL however it terms of offerings and staff.
Next to review-
Emerils Tchoup Chop
Circus McGurkus
Me, DH, DD 9, DS 7.
Where we stayed:
4 days at Portofino Bay Concierge(Universal Studios), 9 days at BoardWalk Villas 9 (1 BR unit)
Rating Scale:
10- everything perfect...food, service, atmosphere (very rare)
9- excellent, almost perfect
7-8- very good, overall great experience
5-6- mediocre, might not return
3-4- bad, not returning
1-2- should close this place down!!!
This was our first time staying at a Universal Resort hotel. I had been to USO many years ago in college (stayed off-site), but this was the first time with my family.
Before I review the food...I'd like to say that Portofino Bay was very beautiful and peaceful and we felt very pampered during our stay. Also when staying on-site we enjoyed "front-of-the-line" access to most rides and attractions. We never waited more than 10 minutes for anything and most of the time we literally walked right on. The rides at Universal are amazing, very technically advanced, but it lacks the magic that you experience at Disney.
Thursday, July 8
Dinner - Mama Dellas
We had just checked in around 7:30pm and were pretty hungry. We were just going to grab a bite, but decided to do a sit-down in order to unwind from all the travel. I had researched alot before our trip and had heard Mama Dellas was very good. I was told that many of the local come there which is always a good sign.
We started with the Insalata Mama Della which was mixed greens with sweet peppers, tomatoes, and balsamic dressing. This was delicious and mama herself came by to plate it. I recall the bread to be very good to served with olive oil and roasted garlic.
I had the eggplant parmigiana...WOW. Very good. It was lighly breaded and topped with a slice of tomato, melted fresh mozzarella and a basil leaf...served over perfect spaghetti.
DH had the filet of beef with caramelized onions and roasted potatoes. I didn't sample this, but he said it was wonderful. It looked like it had a nice sauce/reduction with it.
The kids had pizza, one of the 4 basic food groups for children (the others being nuggets, pb & j, and mac & cheese)...however we have been encourageing them to eat a healthier diet and they did pretty well this trip.
The service was good, though not memorable. The decor transported you into an Italian grandmothers dining room...very warm and cozy.
Overall rating: 8 1/2...would go back definitely.
Friday, July 9
We hit the ground running this day, getting up early enough to stop at the club (concierge) lounge for breakfast and make it for opening of Universal Studios.
Breakfast, Club Lounge
I will review breakfast here only once as the offerings were pretty much the same each day. We ate breakfast here each day and it was the most elaborate of the offerings. There were two tables set up. One had an amazing selection of sweet, fresh fruit, along with cereal, granola and yogurt. The other had sinful pastries and bagels and such. I had each morning a bowl full of fresh berries and melon with granola and yogurt and of course lots of fresh coffee. I also had fresh pink grapefruit juice...very sweet and refreshing. DH had similar choices, though I think he did partake in some of the pastries as well. The kids had cereal and milk and also fruit. DD had a chocolate croissant one morning too.
It was a great way to start each day and was glad to have healthy choices...didn't feel "weighed down" at the parks.
My only complaint about the lounge is that the staff was completely aloof and unengaging. This was completely different from our experience at AKL concierge who lavished us with treats and special attention. Also it would have been nice to have some hot items for at least one meal. The lounge could certainly accomodate this, but everything is served cold...Also another annoyance is parents who let their children hog the pool table when it is obvious that others are waiting to use it (my DS was sad he didn't get a chance to play).
Will review other offerings (evening, snack etc) later.
Overall rating: 8 - nice lounge, good food, unfriendly staff.
Bottom line: Do find it worth the extra cost. Would definitely do it again. Not nearly as good as AKL however it terms of offerings and staff.
Next to review-
Emerils Tchoup Chop
Circus McGurkus
