Will the waiters be as cute as the ones in December? Only time will tell.
We arrived back at POFQ around 2pm to find our room still wasn't ready. Our carryon's were at bell services but we didnt want to change clothes without a shower first. We stopped at the food court and bought a bottled water and green tea . 2 snack credits
Carrying these outside we found two lounge chairs in the shade by the kiddie pool and hung out there til our room was ready at 3:15. Opening the door Room 4344 in Bldg 4 we found that our luggage had made it to the room before we did.
After a quick shower and change of clothes we headed out the door and back to Epcot. As we entered the front of the park I reminded myself once again that one of these trips I need to stay in the Boardwalk area. We enjoyed looking at the food booths as we made over way over to Italy. Tonight was the soft opening of the festival and 90% of the food booths were open. We considered dropping our ADR to sample the food booths since there wasn't any lines but Tutto Italia was Mica's favorite restaurant the last trip so we resolutely marched past the booths.
We entered the restaurant about 5 minutes before our reservation time of 7:10 pm. The hostess said to have a seat and they would call us momentarily. As soon as I sat down they called us in. We were seated in the side room with by a window table overlooking the patio area. I was glad we were seated inside since it was still very hot and humid outside. Our waiter, Antonio, came over to introduce himself and offer us our menus. And, he was even cuter than our waiter last December.
Is Mica smiling at me or Antonio? Is Kenny smiling or giving him the glare of Death?
While we were deciding what to eat, another cute waiter who's name I cant remember brought us bread, butter, olive oil and marinated olives and vegetables.
Pane De Casa - with Tuscan olive oil - herb and parmesan grissini breadsticks
Verdure, Olive "Giardiniera" e Ricotto con Basilico
The bread was nice and fresh and the olives etc were very tasty. We ate most of the vegetable plate but not too much of the bread so we could save room for dinner. The menu didnt have the pasta Mica had last year so she ordered the Cannelloni.
Cannelloni al Forno - baked with spinach, ricotta, bechamel and parmesan cheese
While she did enjoy it, she said it had a little more spinach than she usually likes. I had a bite, it was very creamy and rich. She finished most of it.
I ordered the pasta primavera.
Tagliatelle alla Primavera - tagliatelle egg pasta with zucchini, broccoli, peas, mushrooms, and tomatoes in a light cream sauce
This was a very large portion. I could only eat about half of it. The pasta was cooked al dente and the vegetables were very good. My only complaint was that it was too dry. It needed some more sauce. I dont like my pasta drowned in sauce but I do like it all to be at least coated with it. Since I knew already that I couldnt eat it all I just ate the parts with the most sauce.
Next, came the part some of us were impatiently waiting for- dessert. Mica ( and Kenny ) already knew what they wanted- the tiramisu. This was her very favorite dessert from last year and she couldnt wait to have it again.
Move over Kenny , that's my dessert !
Mocha Tiramisu - mascarpone cheese, espresso coffee, savoiardi biscuits and chocolate
As you can see by the following picture she really enjoyed it
Dang you Kenny, we were supposed to share this
I had the berries with gelato and chocolate sauce
Now I see why Ewoks are plump
Copetta Sotto Bosco - berries, zabaglione cream gelato and chocolate sauce
This was excellent. It was filled with fresh raspberries, blueberries and strawberries , a rich and creamy custard , chocolate sauce and whipped cream. I only wish I wasn't so full so I could have finished it.
While we enjoyed our meal, and the cute waiters, we both felt the meal we had last December was much better. I think next time I go I'll try Il Mulino based on some other posters reviews.
2TS
When we finished we walked outside and admired the Italian Showcase, bought a glass of Rosa Regale from the Kiosk and found a spot to watch Illuminations.
After Illuminations we made our way back to the hotel for a swim and a soak in the hot tub.
next up
Animal kingdom here we come, maybe?
