Here is a copy of my review that I posted in the restaurant forum last summer...Hope you find it helpful. I also included reviews of universal restaurants just in case:
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.
Friday, July 9
Dinner, Tchoup Chop at Royal Pacific Resort
We weren't able to get a ressie for for Emerils, however Tchoup Chop is Emerils asian/polynesian restaurant...
We took a pleasant boat ride from Portofino Bay to CityWalk and then transferred to a boat to Royal Pacific resort. We toured the resort after dinner and it is lovely...Universals answer to the Polynesian resort though more of a modern artsy feel (IMO the Poly feels a little "1960's" even though I love it).
The restaurant, though small, was meticulously detailed and well-themed with lei chandeliers and a zero-edge "pond" in the center with lilly pads.
We were given a chinese take-out container of rice crisps with a peanut dipping sauce. Wow! The sauce was similar to the one they serve at Ohana. It was yummy. I ordered a coconut flavored cocktail (sorry can't remember the name). It was decadent with toasted coconut on top...I had only one as it was very rich.
For my appetizer I had the Emerils Big Island Style Poke Ahi Tuna tossed with Sesame Peanut Dressing, Ogo Seaweed, Toasted Peanuts and served with Won Ton Chips. The tuna is uncooked and sushi quality and took on the flavor of soy and sesame oil. Very nice. I also think there were enoki muchrooms with this even though it is not listed on the menu. I then had the moo shu vegetable with Spicy Eggplant, Snow Peas, Shiitake Mushrooms, Vegetable Fried Rice, Spicy Garlic Glaze, Butter Lettuce Leaves and Sesame Pancakes. This was very good, not a typical Chinese-style moo shu, however it was a little too salty.
DH had the chef's sampler which consisted of three courses. I didn't write down all the details of his meal and since it was a special, it's not listed on the menu. However DH reports it was one of the best meals he ever had. First course was a tuna sushi. Second course was tempura soft shell crab. Third course was Pan Roasted Filet Mignon with Red Bliss Potatoes, Char Sui, Port Wine-Anise Reduction Sauce, Melting Brie Cheese and Sweet Onion Crisps. Yum...after typing this I wish I had tried a bite!!
The kids both had a perfect filet mignon with mashed and green beans. They ate this all up!!
Dessert was equally as heavenly. DH and I had the banana creme pie which was at least 4 inches high with chunks of banana with a caramel sauce and chocolate shavings. DS had a chocolate-heaven type dish...I think it was a brownie with lots of chocolate frosting. DD had some kind of sundae.
Service was excellent. We had many people waiting on us. They appeared to work in teams. Water was always filled, napkins refolded at my place when I returned from the ladies room...etc
Overall rating: 9 1/2 - Would make a special trip here even if we were not staying at Universal.
Another word about Portofino Bay...each night we would return to our room and find soft music playing on the stereo, our fluffy beds turned down, lights dimmed, and chocolates on our pillow. What a nice way to end a long day in the parks...
Saturday, July 10
Again we had breakfast in the lounge (see Part I)...
We spent the day at Islands of Adventure and had a great time. I recommend however doing the water rides last as we were soaked to the skin for half the day!! We worked up and appetite and decided to do a grab and go vs. sit-down after having a big meal the previous evening.
Lunch, Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoopendous
The restaurant is well themed as is all of Seuss Landing, one of the lands at Island of Adventure. There really is not a straight line in the place, including the queque line railings. Seuss Landing was one of our favorite places in all of USO.
DH and I had the chicken caesar salad. DS had the pepperoni pizza and DD cheese pizza. All was good...typical counter service quality. The best was however the chocolate brownie. DS still talks about it and says it was one of the best things he ate all trip!!!
Overall Rating: 7 - great atmosphere and brownies...decent counter service type food.
Swam and napped at the hotel...woke up in time to check out the evening offerings at the club lounge.
Evening Offerings - Portofino Bay Club Lounge
I say "offerings" vs. dinner because although one could probably make a meal out of it, it is more of a antipasta. From what I recall there was assorted cheeses (i.e. smoked gouda, cheddar, goat) and italian deli meats (i.e. prosciutto, capacola, salami). Also olives, artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, red grapes, and assorted crackers. Also was assorted alcoholic beverages. It was very very good, but as I said before not nearly as good as AKL.
Late night they had cookies and chocolates out. I think the cookies were slice and bake. The chocolates were good.
I would have been fine for the evening on what I ate at the lounge, however the kids didn't eat much, so we dicided to try the deli/pizza place at the hotel.
Dinner, Sal's Market Deli
We found this place very charming. It is counter service, though they will deliver your pizza to the table for you. They had a variety of sandwiches and salads as well. We ordered a cheese pizza with half roasted garlic. I also had a side of coleslaw which looked so good I couldn't resist. I was happy I ordered it...not too much mayo, cold crunchy cabbage.
The pizza was good for Florida standards (less doughy than most), though I sent it back once as it was IMO undercooked. Sorry to complain but I live in CT and we have fantastic pizza here (NY style and New Haven pizza). I did enjoy it nevertheless.
Overall rating: 7 1/2 - Very good, would come back, especially for a lunch, the salads looked great.
You'd think we would have had enough to eat...but we ended up at the Gelateria (italian ice cream)...
Dessert, Gelateria (also at PBH)
I had Vanilla and strawberry in a waffle cone, DH had mocha and vanilla. The kids had similar in a cup. It was very flavorful, but not very creamy like ice cream, more like ice milk...probably less fat. It was a nice way to end the evening.
Rating: 8 - good but Beaches and Cream much better.
Sunday, July 11
Check-out day at Portofino Bay. We enjoyed our stay very much, but longed to be "home" at our beloved BoardWalk. Again we ate the usual in the lounge for breakfast (see part I)
We went to Islands and rode a few rides (I got DH to do the Hulk coaster) and attractions we had missed the day before...we left around lunchtime and decided to grab a bite in CityWalk.
Lunch, Margaritaville
I had been to the Margaritaville in Key West many years ago and recall that it had decent burgers and sandwiches. Also the kids love Jimmy Buffet music and wanted to try a "cheeseburger in paradise".
The restaurant is appropriately decorated with tropical beach/nautical artifacts lending a Keys/Caribbean feel. There are tv's everywhere playing of course fliks of Jimmy Buffet concerts. Also at one point during the meal the lights began to flicker and a simulated hurricane occured (much like that at the Rainforest Cafe). It was pretty cool...the kind of place that would be nice to kick back a few drinks with some friends...
I stuck with a diet coke however, along with a turkey wrap. Defeating the purpose of choosing a healthy sandwich I chose to substitute onion rings for french fries...oh well, they were GOOD...nice thick slices with a crunchy beer-batter (I like this style better than the breadcrumb type). The wrap was good, what you would expect. DH had the same but with fries. DD had the chicken fingers and DS the kiddie cheeseburger in paradise. They ate this up, so I assume it was good.
Service was good, but hard to compare to Tchoup Chop.
Overall rating: 7 1/2 - nice atmosphere, good food. Would come back.
Sorry so long...hope that helped. Any questions feel free to post.
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