Italian Birthday Dinner

[bellastella227]

Hello! My aunt is going to celebrate her 60th bday at WDW in December. She has a group of 6 (4 adults and 2 4yo girls) and they all like Italian. Does anyone have any great recommendations for somewhere nice she could have her birthday dinner???
Thanks in advance!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Tutto Italia! Love this place great food.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Personally I don't think Disney does Italian food all that well. Tuto Italian, IMHO, is overpriced and inconsistent and Tony's is more often than not, disappointing. I would highly suggest heading over to the Swan and eating at Il Mulino. The food there is great and the atmosphere is really nice as well. I think it is a fitting place to celebrate a milestone birthday. Its really easy to get to from Epcot, just take the friendship launch at the International Gateway to the Swan and it is right inside the lobby.

 

[bellastella227]

Is Il Mulino on the dining plan? I can't find it...I forgot to say they are on the Dining Plan. Are there other recommendations that might have good options like a Mediterranean restaurant?

 

[sarehm]

I've always been happy at Mama Melrose at DHS!

 

[PrincessMonkey]

We've always been happy at Mama Melrose's too! That is whether we are on or off the Dining Plan, for special occasions or not, and with or without the Fantasmic package. I think we've eaten there over a dozen times and have always enjoyed it. The Italian food we've tried has been delicious, and we like the California casual decor of the twinkle lights.

We highly recommend the crispy calamari platter (huge portion for 2+ people with dipping sauce, totally yummy, with a similar batter as mozzarella sticks). For an entree, the shrimp pipette, spaghetti diavolo (sometimes I ask them to remove ingredients) and the penne ala vodka are very tasty. You get free bread and oils to munch on when you arrive.

We're trying Tutto Italia in Epcot next month, which is more upscale, but you can't go wrong with Mama Melrose's. Check out the menu at AllEars. I always see Mama Melrose's turning people without reservations away at dinner, because it's one of the better restaurants to dine at in DHS.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

We took DS to Tutto's to celebrate his birthday in March. He loved it. They brought him a special cake and sang "Happy Birthday" to him in Italian. It was a great experience and good food too. We are going back in November and Tutto's and 50's PTC are the 2 restaurants he has insisted we go back to.

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Tutto Italia is the only TS meal (I haven't been to Il Mulino so I can't speak about that one) that serves 'real' traditional Italian food. Mama Melrose and Tony's is the generic Olive Garden and Macaroni Grill food...which if you even dream of calling them Italian in front of anyone in my family...they might drop dead at your feet. We love Tutto every time and have never had any problems. Yes it's pricey...but we think it's worth it. It's the same price for a good decent Italian meal at a fancy NYC restaurant.

 

[bellastella227]

Thanks for all the input and responses. I really appreciate it!
Let me know if you have any other ideas or suggestions.

 

[TVEPFOX]

We did Tutto Italia last September for my Mom's 65th (she'll kill me for giving out her age). They did a special birthday menu, treated her like a Queen, brought dessert and sang Happy Birthday in Italian. They gave us a beautiful table by the courtyard. I made the note it was her b'day when I made the ADR.

My family thought the food was very good and our server was OUTSTANDING. We're going back in a couple of weeks, it was the only ADR my DH requested.

 

[walt's assistant]

If your aunt and her group are Italian and have high expectations based on their own personal culinary experiences, I would strongly recommend that you avoid the Italian restaurants at WDW. They are likely to be disappointed relative to their own personal expectations. Instead, try the California Grill. We've had a couple of birthdays there and all were terrific, especially with the view of the MK during the fireworks show.

If an Italian meal is a must, Tutto Italia is probably the best option.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) If you want Italian and DDP, you are at a loss.
2) WDW is not known for their Italian fare.
3) I would go OOP and go to Il Mulino at the Swan.
4) Anything else will be a disappointment.

NOTE: I once compared Tony's to Chef "Boy R Dee". I was maybe a little harsh, but not too far off the mark. However, their sauce does taste like ti out of a jar.

 

[Gina35]

Is Il Mulino on the dining plan? I can't find it...I forgot to say they are on the Dining Plan. Are there other recommendations that might have good options like a Mediterranean restaurant?

No, Il Mulino is not on the dining plan. We have ADRs for Tutto in 8 days. Haven't been there before, but my cousin just returned and said her entire family (9 adults) LOVED it there....so I thought it was worth a try!

 

[webray]

Our first choice for Italian would be IL Mulino, since you are on the dining plan go to Tutto. It is very good.

Mama Melroses and Tony's are disgusting.

 

[splashmountainjaxson]

Fellow Italian here ..... who appreciates good food, and married a Chef : )

My vote is Tutto.....