Trattoria al forno

[DisneyBarbie82]

All and all, we were very disappointed by our experience at Trattoria al forno.
Our experience was enjoyable for the first 5 minutes or so. We hoped to try this new restaurant even though we did not have reservations & we were thrilled when a pleasant hostess got us a table with only a short wait. When being escorted to our table we admired the decorative changes made to the renovated dining room & really liked what we saw (Kouzzina used to be one of our favorite Disney restaurants & we had been almost 10 times) so far we were enjoying our experience.
Unfortunately the dining experience only went downhill from there. Our server (Kaye) had less knowledge / enthusiasm about the menu than a typical fast-food worker does. She informed us that “everything on the drink menu was bad, except for the Molto Bello” (which as you can imagine was very discouraging to hear from your server)
We went on to order an entrée & wine flight each. Judging by her reaction, it seemed like wine flights were a major inconvenience and for the first time in my life I felt like I was “bothering” a server by ordering something on the menu. When our wine flights arrived they were actually not the ones we ordered, but since she disappeared before we realized this and didn’t re-surface for quite a while we decided just to accept these ones. One of the wine glasses served in our flight was absolutely filthy, covered in fingerprints / smudges and was so nauseating to look at that the wine was entirely undrinkable.
We found our entrees to be mediocre. My husband got the Chicken Parmesan & I got the Eggplant Rollatini. For the most part the meals were similar to that at large chain Italian restaurants, nothing to complain about, but nothing too special either. They were both covered in a lot of sauce, which unfortunately tasted much like jarred sauce from a grocery store. The great saving-grace of the meal was the eggplant was not breaded, which I really appreciated because you could really taste the eggplant … once you scraped off the sauce. So the eggplant was by far the most pleasant part of the whole dining experience.
We entered the restaurant planning to order coffee & desserts, but honestly by the time we were done with our entrees, we both felt that we didn’t want to extend this painful dining experience any longer than necessary, we decided to stroll over to boardwalk bakery & get coffee & tiramisu there instead (which happen to be delicious by the way)
When we were walking out, we realized that all the other tables around us had bread. We were never brought or offered any bread.
All and all it was a major disappointment & couldn’t hold a candle to Kouzzina. Granted, the majority of our disappointment was in the services provided, but there are so many places (Italian & otherwise) so close to that area where we have always gotten amazing food & service, that I see no purpose in ever again trying Tattoria al Forno.
When we’re in the mood for Italian, I think we’ll stick with Via Napoli in Epcot or Il Mulino at the Swan (both wonderful!) If we’re not stuck on Italiana, there are so many wonderful dining choices right in the crescent lake area that we’ve had countless good experiences at (Flying Fish, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Captain’s Grille, Crew’s Cup, Kimonos)

 

[dlbwright]

I am sorry you had such a bad experience. Kouzzina was probably my favorite TS restaurant. I adored the cinnamon chicken and cinnamon lasagna. Funny thing is the first time we went there I didn't think I would like anything on the menu at all. Our server was very good, we did get bread, but the food is just ok. I got a margarita pizza and it is 10x better at Via Napoli. Not somewhere I would go again.

 

[starousse]

That's so disappointing to hear. I was really looking forward to trying this place. I'm kind of turned off now.

 

[Megara5115]

Thanks for the review. I keep going back and forth on whether or not to add this ADR because of how our itinerary is we would have to go out of our way to go here. I think you have convinced me we can live without it!

 

[vettegirl]

That is a terrible experience I have no desire to try it at all after reading your review.

 

[Marshypooh]

We really loved Kouzzina, too, both breakfast and dinner, and were so sad about it closing. We are still willing to give the new restaurant a try as the menu actually looks quite good. I feel a bit hesitant now but hopefully we will get a better server and clean glasses. Thank you for the detailed review.

 

[roxysmum123]

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. We had a great meal there about a week ago, mediocre service but great food. I hope you made a complaint about the service, sounds like they could use some retraining.

 

[johnnyblz20]

Had the same experience. The decor looked nice but I feel good had more flavor at the local Olive Garden. The entrees weren't horrible but like already said it was nothing to rave about. I felt the braised beef and the chicken parm were very bland. We also ordered calamari which was ok and the truffle pizza.

I wanted to try it considering it was new but won't return. For a little more money you are MUCH better off going to Il Mulino which is our favorite Italian restaurant at disney or for pizza going to via Napoli.

 

[jwfla422]

That's too bad that your experience wasn't up to par, but there is NO EXCUSE for such mediocre to poor service from a "cast member". Just because the restaurant isn't Disney owned does not mean the service should suffer. There is a caliber they should be abiding to and if they are not that is an email to guest services.

I have to admit that I was even surprised they went "Italian" in that location with Il Mulino next hotel over... and with Via Napoli right in Epcot.
(Il Mulino is our favorite and we have always had excellent service there-even when it was Palio's!)