Portobello - what's your opinion?

[Infamousmare]

I keep messing with my ADRs (mainly because I grabbed what I could get initially, since we planned this vacay last-minute by Disney standards!) and, after some input from helpful DIS'ers, I think we're finally almost set.

However, there's one dinner left to fill and I keep seeing Portobello come up with openings. The Trip Adviser ratings were all over the map - I can't get a good feel for this place. We're staying at SSR, so getting to DTD will be a breeze by boat...is it worth the boat ride over? Is the food there any better/worse than, say, Via Napoli, Mama Melrose or even Tony's Town Square? Is it worth the Signature Dining credits? (We're DxDDP)

Would love to hear from people who've been.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I don't think Portobello participates with the Deluxe Dining Plan. I think it takes Premium and Platinum plans only. That said, yes, it's better than Mama Melrose and Tony's. I haven't been to Via Napoli but I think it's better than Tutto Italia and Naples, which is Via Napoli's sister restaurant in Anaheim. Portobello is on par with Il Mulino for food quality, though the atmosphere and service are more casual.

 

[WheelCEO]

it's amazing, but not on the dining plan. Well worth it, blows away any of "disney's" places

 

[catne]

NOT on the deluxe dining plan...if you're looking for DTD restaurants that take the deluxe dining plan you're limited to Capt. Jack's (ugh) and Wolfgang Puck Cafe (the downstairs...good food, pretty view if near the window in daylight but a bit loud due to all the metal/tile in the place) or Raglan Road (fun Irish entertainment, fabulous drinks, great beer and good Irish pub food) or Planet Hollywood (fancy bar food, basically...and very loud)

All the other table service restaurants in DTD do not take the regular dining or the Deluxe dining...only the uber expensive Premium ($169 per adult per night) and Platinum ($229 per adult per night) plans

 

[CoolDisneyKitten]

Portobello is delicious! We went for the first time a few trips ago, and now we're going back in January. It's great food, and when we went we had amazing service. I'd definitely try it, unless you just don't want to do a non-dining plan place.

 

[Infamousmare]

I don't think Portobello participates with the Deluxe Dining Plan. I think it takes Premium and Platinum plans only. .

it's amazing, but not on the dining plan. Well worth it, blows away any of "disney's" places

NOT on the deluxe dining plan...

That is so weird - I'm glad I checked here first. According to the website, they are a signature dining experience on the Disney dining plan. If this isn't the case, they really need to make that more clear.

As for Cap'n Jacks - I saw that it got awful reviews (and it's one time I don't mind that I have a seafood allergy!). We have a Wolfgang Puck express nearby, so eating at WP doesn't sound so amazing, either (why waste credits on something you can get at home?).

I'm going to call and find out about Portobello & the dining plan and will report back. Thanks for the head's up!

 

[Infamousmare]

Just called Portobello - you guys are right! They only take Platinum DDP. However, on the WDW dining reservation page, it's listed as "signature" dining and simply states that they take the DDP. NO mention anywhere that it's only the Platinum DDP.

See, this is just one reason I love the boards here. Thanks for saving me a lot of money!

 

[pixarmom]

I know this no longer applies for OP based on the dining plan restrictions, but there are so few threads regarding Portobello that I thought I'd throw in my two cents.

We just ate lunch at Portobello in August and loved it - great service and flavorful, fresh food. The tomato soup was excellent and everyone enjoyed the pizzas and pastas. It wasn't my favorite caprese salad of all time, but the rest of the food was very high quality.

We've also been to Tutto and Mama Melrose multiple times, and Via Napoli and Tony's once each. I would rank Portobello above Tutto, Mama Melrose and Tony's, but I would rank it below Via Napoli. Via wins based on atmosphere, energy and caprese salad. The only thing Portobello lacked was energy - it was relatively empty on a busy summer day and while quiet is nice, it seemed a bit desserted. Maybe that's different at other times of day or year.

So if you're looking for Italian, we highly recommend Via. But if you're in Downtown Disney, Portobello is a great choice.

 

[cbg1027]

I really enjoyed Portobello. My family frequented the place for years back in the late 80's and early 90's when it was Portobello Yacht Club. I finally went back again in 2009 right after they renovated the place and dropped Yacht Club from the name. It was just as good as I remembered.

It's better than most of the Disney Italian places. For Pizza, I'd definitely go with Via Napoli, but for non-pizza items, I think Portobello is great. My grandmother and I made a meal out of the antipasti platter and calamari.

I had really good service there as well. The White Chocolate Custard dessert is really yummy.

 

[Uncleromulus]

It's slightly above average--certainly better than Mama's, but nowhere near Il Mulino in quality.
Our meal there in May was perfectly ordinary.