I was going to add this comment on the other thread I started yesterday, but the experience was SO GOOD and it's an option that maybe many people wouldn't think about that I think this deserves a post on it's own.
Jana and I were going to the Mardi Gras festival at Universal last night and as we have the entertainment book which offers a discount on eating at this restaurant in the Portifino Bay Hotel we had already decided to eat here, and then move on to the Mardi Gras activities. We have eaten here while staying at the Portifino Bay hotel before, and thought it was excellent then. The discount is worth up to $17. It is a buy one entree get either the same value one free (up to $17) or if you go over $17 , you only pay the balance. We both opted for their Italian buffet option at $29 each.
We took the ferry boat from Citywalk, as Jana has a bad knee at the moment. We have walked on the path that runs through the gardens of Hard Rock Hotel and Portifino. It's a very pretty walk and takes about 20-30 minutes depending if you're in Yomping mode or want to enjoy the flowers and gardens. If you've not been to the Portifino Bay Hotel before I would STRONGLY recommend taking the ferry boat as the view of the hotel as you go through the little tunnel is quite stunning, particularly in the late afternoon as the sun lights up the hotel marina area beautifully. For first impressions this one is hard to beat. The Trattoria is about 100 yards from the dock, there are a couple of little cafe areas around the harbour as well. You have the choice of seating inside or outside in the courtyard, under umbrellas. On a warm Spring evening I would imagine eating "al fresco" here would be a great option. For those with families it would also allow the adults to finish their meal over a coffee/ brandy while allowing the kids to run around the piazza exploring the vintage cars, motobikes that are "parked" on the waterfront.
The food
You have the option of an excellent cooked to order menu or a very nice "Italian" buffet. Jana and I both went for the buffet. They have a few "anti pasta" starters: It was a small choice, but all pretty tasty and trust me, you DO NOT WANT TO FILL UP on this (as I did) because they have some treats to come. Main course there was a few meat/chicken dishes. These are changed daily. Last night the options were chicken breasts in a port demi glaze , breaded pork loin with sun dried tomatoes and some veggies, catfish fillets (not my bag catfish so they got a wide berth). Then they have a chef cooking to order pasta dishes. You have a choice of 2 (sometimes 3) types of pasta and 4 different sauces (last night was Alfredo, bolognese, pesto or marinara). You can have shrimp, chicken, mushrooms,cheese, garlic,shallots or tomatoes added to your dish. I had a couple of runs at this because I enjoyed the first bowl so much. Finally they have an outstanding dessert selection. I had some pecan pie and some chocolate banana cake that were both wonderful. Jana tried the Tiramasu, choco banana and a chocolate chip brownie. All were REALLY good. They also had Key Lime pie, Apple pie and Apple cake. There is also a kids buffet with macncheese, chicken fingers and two types of Pizza.
What I liked about this place is that although the individual componants are not really that expensive ( unlike the lobster debacle the previous day) it was all cooked perfectly. They only have a small amount of each dish out at any one time and replace it regularly with fresh. For example the pizzas, Although there was still more than half of each pizza left, after 15-20 minutes two fresh pizzas were brought from the kitchen and the previous ones were taken away and disgarded. It meant everything was fresh and VERY tasty. Added to this the staff were 1st class. Drinks (water) were refreshed without the need to ask, used plates were removed before we got back to the table, more wine/coffee was offered as our glasses neared being finished. THe service was so good I actually felt obliged to (actual I didn't feel obliged, I wanted to)
1) tip the guy more than the usual 15-20% (which considering this was a buffet meal is unheard of for me)
2) I asked for the manager at the end of the meal to comment on what a good job the WHOLE restaurant was doing.
Another thing I liked here is there is a kiddies area (in side the main restaurant, with a bigscreen TV (sound turned off) , tiny tables and chairs set up ( like in a kindergarden) and they have a kiddies entertaining doing face painting, balloon animals, I think colouring with the kids. They have a small number of tables actually in this area if adults want to sit and eat in that area while their kids can sit with their parents or on the tiny tables to eat. As a P.S. the entertainer works JUST FOR TIPS, so if your child enjoys the attention of the entertainer you should "bung her/him" a couple of $ in tips.
For anyone visiting Universal/IOA and thinking of staying at one of the USF hotels in the future I would strongly recommend using this as an opportunity to have a quick look at the hotel, as well as taking a quiet break from the crowds of the parks and Citywalk.
Comparing this to the night before at Coney Island lobster feast is like comparing a kiss from Angelina Jolie and a punch on the nose from Lennox Lewis.
Jana and I were going to the Mardi Gras festival at Universal last night and as we have the entertainment book which offers a discount on eating at this restaurant in the Portifino Bay Hotel we had already decided to eat here, and then move on to the Mardi Gras activities. We have eaten here while staying at the Portifino Bay hotel before, and thought it was excellent then. The discount is worth up to $17. It is a buy one entree get either the same value one free (up to $17) or if you go over $17 , you only pay the balance. We both opted for their Italian buffet option at $29 each.
We took the ferry boat from Citywalk, as Jana has a bad knee at the moment. We have walked on the path that runs through the gardens of Hard Rock Hotel and Portifino. It's a very pretty walk and takes about 20-30 minutes depending if you're in Yomping mode or want to enjoy the flowers and gardens. If you've not been to the Portifino Bay Hotel before I would STRONGLY recommend taking the ferry boat as the view of the hotel as you go through the little tunnel is quite stunning, particularly in the late afternoon as the sun lights up the hotel marina area beautifully. For first impressions this one is hard to beat. The Trattoria is about 100 yards from the dock, there are a couple of little cafe areas around the harbour as well. You have the choice of seating inside or outside in the courtyard, under umbrellas. On a warm Spring evening I would imagine eating "al fresco" here would be a great option. For those with families it would also allow the adults to finish their meal over a coffee/ brandy while allowing the kids to run around the piazza exploring the vintage cars, motobikes that are "parked" on the waterfront.
The food
You have the option of an excellent cooked to order menu or a very nice "Italian" buffet. Jana and I both went for the buffet. They have a few "anti pasta" starters: It was a small choice, but all pretty tasty and trust me, you DO NOT WANT TO FILL UP on this (as I did) because they have some treats to come. Main course there was a few meat/chicken dishes. These are changed daily. Last night the options were chicken breasts in a port demi glaze , breaded pork loin with sun dried tomatoes and some veggies, catfish fillets (not my bag catfish so they got a wide berth). Then they have a chef cooking to order pasta dishes. You have a choice of 2 (sometimes 3) types of pasta and 4 different sauces (last night was Alfredo, bolognese, pesto or marinara). You can have shrimp, chicken, mushrooms,cheese, garlic,shallots or tomatoes added to your dish. I had a couple of runs at this because I enjoyed the first bowl so much. Finally they have an outstanding dessert selection. I had some pecan pie and some chocolate banana cake that were both wonderful. Jana tried the Tiramasu, choco banana and a chocolate chip brownie. All were REALLY good. They also had Key Lime pie, Apple pie and Apple cake. There is also a kids buffet with macncheese, chicken fingers and two types of Pizza.
What I liked about this place is that although the individual componants are not really that expensive ( unlike the lobster debacle the previous day) it was all cooked perfectly. They only have a small amount of each dish out at any one time and replace it regularly with fresh. For example the pizzas, Although there was still more than half of each pizza left, after 15-20 minutes two fresh pizzas were brought from the kitchen and the previous ones were taken away and disgarded. It meant everything was fresh and VERY tasty. Added to this the staff were 1st class. Drinks (water) were refreshed without the need to ask, used plates were removed before we got back to the table, more wine/coffee was offered as our glasses neared being finished. THe service was so good I actually felt obliged to (actual I didn't feel obliged, I wanted to)
1) tip the guy more than the usual 15-20% (which considering this was a buffet meal is unheard of for me)
2) I asked for the manager at the end of the meal to comment on what a good job the WHOLE restaurant was doing.
Another thing I liked here is there is a kiddies area (in side the main restaurant, with a bigscreen TV (sound turned off) , tiny tables and chairs set up ( like in a kindergarden) and they have a kiddies entertaining doing face painting, balloon animals, I think colouring with the kids. They have a small number of tables actually in this area if adults want to sit and eat in that area while their kids can sit with their parents or on the tiny tables to eat. As a P.S. the entertainer works JUST FOR TIPS, so if your child enjoys the attention of the entertainer you should "bung her/him" a couple of $ in tips.
For anyone visiting Universal/IOA and thinking of staying at one of the USF hotels in the future I would strongly recommend using this as an opportunity to have a quick look at the hotel, as well as taking a quiet break from the crowds of the parks and Citywalk.
Comparing this to the night before at Coney Island lobster feast is like comparing a kiss from Angelina Jolie and a punch on the nose from Lennox Lewis.
