Replacing Kouzina

[lockedoutlogic]

There's also il mulino at the swan...right next door

Wait...sorry...double hit on that

 

[pooh2001]

Italian restaurant would love it

Maybe they could do breakfast too?
Sweet Risotto
Frittatas
Cornetti
Crespelle
Cinnamon Polenta Pancakes
Grilled Sausage

 

[beer dave]

Pardon my ignorance but does Disney have another Italian restaurant that is not inside of a park?


I know there is a ton of Italian places within the parks, but we have to consider the Boardwalk for what it is. Boardwalk offers Dining Plan options as well as Walk Up Dining without necessarily requiring a valid park admission.

I think there may be an Italian place at DTD, but am not sure any of the Resorts offer Italian.

Personally I was hoping for something unique and creative to keep with the Boardwalk Theme. Maybe some type of traditional American fair, or a catch-all restaurant, with a live brass band. The Dance Hall is a glorious waste of space, but if you had a dinner spot that appeals to the masses with the menu and offered some live music, swing dancing, and wait staff/musicians in period clothing I think that would be a big hit.

I also always thought Big River would be better if it was more of a "speak easy" setting that could catch the Epcot crowd who enjoys drinking around the world or doing the festivals. Once Epcot closes at 9 or 10:00 like most nights they can wander to the speak easy to keep the party going.

I agree, but the problem with this, as I have found, is that once you leave epcot for the boardwalk, there is no transportation to other resorts. I think this is a huge limiting factor in the traffic at BW. Staying open until 2 am with the use being somewhat limited to epcot resort guests might not be enough.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I agree, but the problem with this, as I have found, is that once you leave epcot for the boardwalk, there is no transportation to other resorts. I think this is a huge limiting factor in the traffic at BW. Staying open until 2 am with the use being somewhat limited to epcot resort guests might not be enough.

I agree 100%...

Transportation is a huge problem with boardwalks location.

I think the development on the EPCOT corridor to studios is fantastic... But they shot themselves in the foot a bit by not providing a transportation method that is accessible across property.

I also think that has stunted the growth of the studios over the years as well...because they could have constructed more rooms within the stones throw over there that would have supported a larger, mainstream park than what we see.

 

[ascardino]

Was there last week and there was a meeting scheduled with staff. I did not hear first hand but inquired in another restaurant. She knew someone who worked there and said they were really tight lipped but she thought that it would be re-opened as Spoodles. She said the planned down time was very minimal.

 

[dinolounger]

Personally I was hoping for something unique and creative to keep with the Boardwalk Theme. Maybe some type of traditional American fair, or a catch-all restaurant.

This would fit that bill, offers table or counter service and has a broad, catch-all selection of authentic early twentieth century eastern seaboard fare in spades:

Juniors Restaurant of Brooklyn, NY (which now has two locations in Manhattan as well as one at the Foxwoods Casino in CT.) A literal time capsule of classic American comfort food.

 

[ascardino]

Spoodles by another name........Trattoria al Forno Replaces Kouzzina at Boardwalk

 

[Teresa Pitman]

That's so disappointing. I like Italian food, but my family is vegan and I find most Italian restaurants have few or no vegan options. And Disney already has Italian restaurants! I loved Kouzina and we had some incredibly good meals there. I was really hoping for something different here.

TP

 

[dinolounger]

This is all getting very confusing. Mediterranean is dead.....Italian is in....no, we're going back to Mediterranean....with take-out sushi......

The only thing that's clear at this point is the need to be skeptical - very skeptical -- of every new post based on supposed "inside" information.

 

[rteetz]

This is all getting very confusing. Mediterranean is dead.....Italian is in....no, we're going back to Mediterranean....with take-out sushi...... The only thing that's clear at this point is the need to be skeptical - very skeptical -- of every new post based on supposed "inside" information.

And why is that, the spirit an insider on wdwmagic called this months ago exact name and everything

 

[dinolounger]

Disney is getting some interesting feedback of the "why another Italian restaurant? variety on it's official parks blog. Examples:

James from Channel Islands on July 15th, 2014 at 4:47 pm

I’d love to see a different cuisine represented here mainly because I feel we already have lots a great Italian Restaurants at Disney World.

Actually, James is correct. Disney already has:

Boardwalk Pizza Window at BWR
Il Mulino Trattoria at the Swan
Mama Melrose's at DHS
Mangino's at SoG
Pinocchio Village Haus at the MK
Pizzafari at DAK)
Pizza Planet at DHS
Portobello Country Trattoria at DTD
Tony's Town Square at MK
Tutto Gusto at Epcot
Tutto Italia at Epcot
Via Napoli (Epcot)

Mark on July 15th, 2014 at 5:02 pm

"Hi Pam,

Why is the Epcot Resort area getting another Italian restaurant? We already have Il Mulino, not to mention Via Napoli, Tutto Italia, and Tutto Gusto in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot, and Mama Melrose’s at Hollywood Studios!"

Harold D on July 15th, 2014 at 5:21 pm

"With Tutto Gusto and Via Napoli just a few minutes walk away, couldn’t they have put something of a different variety in Boardwalk? I’m not saying the description doesn’t sound tasty, but variety is the true spice of life."

Dianna on July 15th, 2014 at 7:54 pm

"I must agree I would have preferred something different. We have several Italian restaurants available in Italy in Epcot. I would have preferred something totally different more along the lines of a Boardwalk style restaurant."

Alison from KY on July 15th, 2014 at 9:24 pm

"Although I love Italian and this menu looks good, I would have loved to see something else here. I agree with the other posters, with Via Napoli, Il Muliano, the pizza windows, and Tutto all within walking distance, another Italian place is overkill."

Maura from MI on July 16th, 2014 at 11:48 am

"How will this restaurant be different from Via Napoli and Tutto Italia? Will dishes from regions in Italy not represented at those locations be incorporated into Trattoria al Forno? Hope so, otherwise, it’s just more of the same."

Matthew from NY on July 16th, 2014 at 6:15 pm

"Yawn is right. There are already 8 Italian eateries on property if you include Shades of Green. There is no need for a ninth."

 

[ParrotBill]

This is all getting very confusing. Mediterranean is dead.....Italian is in....no, we're going back to Mediterranean....with take-out sushi......

The only thing that's clear at this point is the need to be skeptical - very skeptical -- of every new post based on supposed "inside" information.

In case it wasn't clear, Disney announced the Italian theme on an official blog.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

In case it wasn't clear, Disney announced the Italian theme on an official blog.

Two days ago, the Disney Parks Blog even had the logo for Trattoria al Forno, the new restaurant replacing Kouzzina by Cat Cora for Disney’s BoardWalk

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...l-forno-new-restaurant-for-disneys-boardwalk/

There's even information about the restaurant's wine program.

 

[dinolounger]

In case it wasn't clear, Disney announced the Italian theme on an official blog.

Two days ago, the Disney Parks Blog even had the logo for Trattoria al Forno, the new restaurant replacing Kouzzina by Cat Cora for Disney’s BoardWalk

There's even information about the restaurant's wine program.

And as I pointed out previously, if one reads the guest comments on the blog, the general reaction to the announcement of "Trattoria al Forno" is.....rather underwhelming.

It appears most people were expecting something other than redundancy.

 

[Eddie]

No a real happy camper. Sorry just seing this thread. 1st, Le Cellier a fav now has a different menu and now Kuzzina closing for more food based on Italy. I will have to find other Orlando restaurants to eat at.

 

[Jake]

Under Disney food system. They only buy certain foods and used them in all of their restaurants.No matter what restaurant they put in the food is going to be the same. Same Italian food the other restaurants serve

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Under Disney food system. They only buy certain foods and used them in all of their restaurants.

Good point. That applies to the vendors who supply the food. So, for example, the source of the penne pasta or the ground beef will be normally be the same at any Walt Disney World restaurant.

Signature restaurants can and do cultivate relationships with other vendors.

Also, specialty restaurants, such as Disney-operated ethnic and specialty restaurants, start with the standard items from approved vendors, but can buy what's necessary to prepare the foods that guests expect.

No matter what restaurant they put in the food is going to be the same. Same Italian food the other restaurants serve

Not really. The executive chefs can develop menu items that use ingredients many different ways, even if they buy from the same vendors and start with many of the same ingredients.

Also, the Italian restaurants near Disney's Boardwalk are not operated by Disney, so they have their own vendors and chefs. Tutto Italia, Via Napoli, and Tutto Gusto are operated by the Patina Group. Il Molino is in the Tishman-owned, Starwood-affililated Walt Disney World Swan; it's part of the 9-restaurant Il Mulino New York group.

I am cautiously optimistic about Trattoria al Forno. I would think that foods management at Disney knows that the new restaurant will need to compete with some very fine Italian restaurants nearby.

Finally, Italian cuisine can take many different forms. There are Northern Italian ristorantes, Southern Italian ristorantes, Italian-American restaurants in the tradition of those in Italian immigrant neighborhoods of large American cites, modern tratorias, true Italian-style pizza houses, American pizza parlors, Italian Mediterranean seafood houses, and so on.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Good point. That applies to the vendors who supply the food. So, for example, the source of the penne pasta or the ground beef will be normally be the same at any Walt Disney World restaurant.

Signature restaurants can and do cultivate relationships with other vendors.

Also, specialty restaurants, such as Disney-operated ethnic and specialty restaurants, start with the standard items from approved vendors, but can buy what's necessary to prepare the foods that guests expect.


Not really. The executive chefs can develop menu items that use ingredients many different ways, even if they buy from the same vendors and start with many of the same ingredients.

Also, the Italian restaurants near Disney's Boardwalk are not operated by Disney, so they have their own vendors and chefs. Tutto Italia, Via Napoli, and Tutto Gusto are operated by the Patina Group. Il Molino is in the Tishman-owned, Starwood-affililated Walt Disney World Swan; it's part of the 9-restaurant Il Mulino New York group.

I am cautiously optimistic about Trattoria al Forno. I would think that foods management at Disney knows that the new restaurant will need to compete with some very fine Italian restaurants nearby.

Finally, Italian cuisine can take many different forms. There are Northern Italian ristorantes, Southern Italian ristorantes, Italian-American restaurants in the tradition of those in Italian immigrant neighborhoods of large American cites, modern tratorias, true Italian-style pizza houses, American pizza parlors, Italian Mediterranean seafood houses, and so on.

I loved reading your last paragraph. Do you mind expanding on your thoughts. I know there are differences in each of these, but am not particularly well informed on all of those differences.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

And as I pointed out previously, if one reads the guest comments on the blog, the general reaction to the announcement of "Trattoria al Forno" is.....rather underwhelming.

It appears most people were expecting something other than redundancy.

It may a good new location...

But one of the key wdw/DVC demographic is the northeast/eastern seaboard...

And from that group....this place would solicit a yawn as a reaction.

It just doesn't offer a anything that memorable on the aurface

 

[tup1830]

How about a 24/hr nj style diner? Yes i know that beaches and cream is diner-ish...but a proper diner would fit the theme pretty well, especially if the pizza window stays open.

Get a nice salad bar in there, 1000 item menu, 24 hr breakfast, cake display case, bar area, front desk/cashier.

I can't imagine it to be too difficult for disney to put it together.