Foodie DxDP Family Reviews-- updated 6/22-Via Napoli

[havoc315]

I'm sorry you didn't have such a great time at Le Cellier, I promise it's usually much better. Though, it's possible that because people talked it up so much you expected better I know that happens to me all the time. Great reviews so far, they're fun to read!

Don't think it was a matter of expectations, I heard such an array of things, that I no longer had any expectations.
I had heard complaints about the food being too salty -- A problem I did not find.

I'm willing to believe I just had bad luck with the service, which may usually be better.

And I really did enjoy my appetizer.

It's not that I disliked the main course, the truffle butter filet -- It was simply so-so.

I'm spoiled by excellent cuts of meat. Typically, I rarely buy steak from the regular super market -- More often, I'll buy locally sourced open range beef directly from the farm. (Or sometimes, grass fed beef from specialty supermarkets). It's not unusual for me to pay $20-30 for a single steak, that I'm cooking myself. (In other words, without the restaurant mark up).

Simply put, the filet at Les Cellier tasted like a filet I would get at the regular supermarket. I don't think it was an "off night," I just think it's the quality of meat they buy in mass. If they were buying super premium beef, adding in the extra high Disney mark-up, I'd actually expect their prices to be even higher.

Further, I just found the truffle butter heavy handed. I know other restaurants serve similar dishes, and I haven't had that particular dish anywhere else. So perhaps I simply dislike truffle butter on my filet, or perhaps another restaurant would be capable of doing it with more subtlety in a way that I would enjoy.

 

[havoc315]

My apologies for going so slow, after starting the reviews as "live." Hard to find the time to write a thoughtful review. And at this point, my memory has somewhat faded.

But moving on... Via Napoli for lunch. Via Napoli reviews seem quite controversial. Many people finding the restaurant overpriced. Some people calling the pizza very authentic Neopolitan. Other people, complained about undercooked dough, or burnt pizza.

For us, price was not a major issue since we were on the DxDP. But I did look at the prices. For high quality ingredients and authentic wood burned Neopolitan pizza, I don't expect it to be cheap. So yes, this was a bit over-priced, but not outrageous for a Disney park restaurant, if the pizza is truly higher quality ingredients, truly authentic.... So did the pizza pass that test?

Well, let's start at the beginning.

I started with calamari fritti. Basically, fried calamari rings with a tomato sauce for dipping.

This is a staple in Italian restaurants. Hardly an innovative of complex dish. But this was an above-average rendition. The sauce tasted very freshly made. The calamari were not overly fried or greasy. The cornmeal dusting was light and flavorful. An excellent start to the meal.

I do not recall what DW ordered (no pictures of her food today), and DD was sick and not eating. (For the remainder of the trip really). But DS had a fruit cup for his appetizer. A perfectly robust appetizer for a young child:

Now the pizza! I had the mushroom (funghi) with 2 types of mushrooms. DW had the Prosciutto e Melone. Pictures of both below:

Both pizzas were very very good. Definitely high quality ingredients. Generous toppings. The wood burning ovens added smokiness to the crust. The sauce and cheese had the right flavors. I especially do like a bit blackened crust. In this case, I was a bit jealous of DW, whose crust was slightly more blackened than my own.

Was it the best pizza I ever had? No. But it was very very good.

I don't think DW enjoyed it as much as me.. she left over half her pie. But that was mostly because she was full. Though I think they may have instituted a policy against sharing if you are on the meal plan, 1 individual pizza and 1 appetizer is absolutely enough food for 2 people to share.

DS had a big bowl of pasta... No complaints from him there.


Desserts were very good, and a bit different than the typical Disney desserts.

I had the Gelato Frizzante, described as Ice cream soda Italian style, made with San Pellegrino Aranciata and Vanilla Ice Cream.
Basically, an ice cream soda... but with a lighter, fizzier taste, than you get from your regular ice cream parlor. Here is the picture:

Instead of ending lunch on a heavy note, requiring a nap... This dessert felt refreshing, in a way to re-charge for going back out to the park.

DS had a nice little bowl of chocolate pudding/mousse with whipped cream... I didn't try it, so can't comment. Of course he liked it:

In conclusion, I would not hesitate to return. If paying OOP... even though it is over-priced for pizza, this is actually one of the more affordable table service restaurants in Epcot. The pizza is well-above average, though it may not meet the expectations of many Americans, when they think of pizza. This isn't Domino's or Pizza Hut, which some people may prefer.
But just as you can't compare a McDonald's hamburger, to a burger served in a high quality steakhouse... You can't compare this pizza to the corner pizzeria.
While it wasn't better than other gourmet pizza I've had, it did hold its own nicely.

Coming up next (or eventually)... Hoop De Doo... Yak & Yeti... and Narcoose's.

 

[sandym718]

Glad you're back, great review!! Looking forward to the HDDR one!

 

[eargal]

Your pictures are great! I'm really looking forward to the last few reviews.