Restaurant to replace Alfredos Confirmed

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I found this information on another WDW fan site (wdwmagic). I believe it's taken from the what CM's can access. Sadly I can't post the link where I got the information (it gets all **** out, probably because it's a link).


Restaurant to replace Alfredos confirmed by company today at 3:35 PM



Exciting new changes are coming to the Italy Pavilion at Epcot® that will further enhance the Guest experience.

Our contract with L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante will reach its conclusion on August 31, 2007. While we have enjoyed working with the Alfredo’s Group since Epcot opened,
we are finalizing plans to develop a new Italian restaurant concept.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has selected the Patina Restaurant Group to be the new operating participant for the restaurant at the Italy Pavilion at Epcot ®.

The Patina Restaurant Group will be running the operation beginning September 1, 2007 and a new restaurant concept is scheduled to open Fall 2008.

The Patina Restaurant Group was also one of the original operating participants at the Downtown Disney® District at the Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim, starting in 2001.

We’re very excited to have a strong strategic partner like the Patina Restaurant Group bring its world-class cuisine to the Italy Pavilion.

Click on the Advisory link on the left, then click on the Digital Asset link to view the FAQs.



I know this was mentioned by a new member, but we now have an official announcement and dates. For those of you that don't have access I would expect this should be on shortly. It usually takes a few hours for information on to move there.





Q1. Why are you making this change?

We’re constantly looking to create new and exciting reasons to enhance the Guest experience.


Q2. What will the last day of operations be for Alfredo's?

Alfredo’s is currently scheduled to close at the end of August 2007.


Q3. Who is the Patina Restaurant Group?

The Patina Restaurant Group was one of the original operating participants at the Downtown Disney® District at the Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim. The Group has operated Naples Restaurant at Disneyland® Resort since 2001. Master Chef Joachim Splichal of the Patina Restaurant Group will be bringing his world-class cuisine to the Italy Pavilion at Epcot®.


Q4. Will there be an Italian chef running the restaurant?

Yes, there will be an authentic Italian chef to run the daily operations.


Q5. Is this a new restaurant concept?

Yes, when it launches in Fall 2008, the Patina Restaurant Group will introduce a new restaurant featuring world-class cuisine to the Italy Pavilion at Epcot®. It will include signature dishes, interactive experience, and a variety of wines.


Q6. When would it open?

Patina Restaurant Group will begin operation September 1, 2007. Their flagship restaurant will open Fall 2008.


Q7. What restaurant will be at that location in the interim?

The Patina Restaurant Group will showcase similar Italian fare from some of its premiere Italian restaurants.


Q8. Will this new restaurant be a part of the meal plan?

Yes. They will participate in the Magic Your way dining plan options consistent with their participation at the Disneyland® Resort.

 

[Bob P]

Thanks for the post!

 

[leahlovesdisney]

I'll miss Alfredos, but I can't wait for this to open! We're Italian!
Thanks for posting this!

 

[mla1977]

This worries me. We went to the Italian place in DTD in Disneyland last year and it wasn't very good. (it was the CS place so maybe that makes a difference).

 

[Msslaydbug]

We might have been in the minority but we loved Alfredos and we had to go every trip. it will be missed.

We really like the Italian plaace in DTD at Disneyland.

 

[jennib5426]

I have also been to the Naples restaurant in DL that they own and it wasn't all that memorable. It served your basic pasta and pizza in the sit down part. I hope the new one at Epcot is nicer with a more exciting menu.

 

[firemanx]

sounds good thanks for the info

 

[kwdietrich1]

My DH and I ate at Naples in DL last summer, and I had the best pasta sauce ever! The food was absolutely delicious, and I consider myself fairly picky. DH raved about their freshly baked bread. I think this will be better than Alfredo's!

 

[EllyLovesDisney]

Thank you for posting this! I can't wait to try the new place

 

[emh1129]

Thanks for the info. We will miss Alfredo's but we'll give this new place a try when it opens.

 

[msteddom]

I am a frequent visitor to DTD Anaheim and I have dined at all of the Patina Group restaurants there. Naples is their mid-range restaurant that seves pizza and pasta. I thought it was good, but I prefer California Pizza Kitchen. Catal is their high end restaurant (think more along the lines of California Grill, but less fancy) I thought the food there was very good to excellent. They also have a Mexican Restaurant called Tortilla Jo's which is very good. So overall I am a fan of the PAtina Group and I am excited to hear that they are moving in to Epcot!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks for the info. I have stayed away from Alfredos because of the reviews, but now I kind of want to try it before it goes!

 

[bookgirl2632]

We will miss Alfredo's as well. It is a must-do for us. But I love Italian food, so I will most definitely give the new one a try.

 

[KevinYee]

Patina is quickly becoming the outsourcing of choice for Disney! Catal is indeeed excellent food, so one hopes Italy has something similar, and not the midrange stuff from Patina.

 

[natty1101]

Thanks for the info.
While I AM excited for the new concept...I will miss Alfredo's very very much!! I'm glad I get to go one last time next month. My family is extremely picky when it comes to Italian food (given we're Sicilian and no one can make sauce quite like my Gram or Mom) and we LOVE Alfredo's.

 

[Brocktoon]

My best guess would be due to the Dining Plan, and the fact that Il Mulino is already nearby in the Swan, they'll go with a mid-range Naples clone for Epcot. Maybe it'll have a diffrent name, but it'll be the same style food and service. I don't think they'll go with a 2TS option to replace a current 1TS.

 

[Rustysmom]

Aw, too bad it won't open until 2008. We're Italian and DH is going to miss his macaroni when we're in WDW. I would go to Alfredo's right before they close, but I'm afraid that maybe they won't care about their service at that point and the food will be lousy.

 

[Lewisc]

The reimbursement rate for a one credit restaurant, $26-$28, dictates the type of menu an outside company is willing to offer. I think a good mid-range restaurant is the best we can hope for.

 

[kelleigh1]

I'm a little confused. Will there be a TS place between September 1, 2007 and the Fall of 2008? It says that the new flagship won't open until the Fall of 2008, but then it seems to say that the Patina Group will take over operations in 2007. Can anyone shed some light on this?

We're going in November 2007 and really wanted to eat in Italy.

 

[Brocktoon]

I'm a little confused. Will there be a TS place between September 1, 2007 and the Fall of 2008? It says that the new flagship won't open until the Fall of 2008, but then it seems to say that the Patina Group will take over operations in 2007. Can anyone shed some light on this?

We're going in November 2007 and really wanted to eat in Italy.

I interpreted it as:

After Alfredo's contract is up, the location may be closed for a few days/weeks to re-tool the staff and menu. The location will then re-open in Sept. serving a temporary menu based on other Patina dishes. Meanwhile they'll still be working on a final menu/concept. Sometime in Fall '08 the location will switch over to the new concept, possibly closing again for a short period of time to re-decorate etc .

That's just my interpretation though