Tutto Italia for "Italian food snobs"?

[eliza61]

We're also Italian from NYC, my husband grew up in Italy and his family has own restaurants in Italy and Florida. That said, you are not going to get "authentic" Italian food in a theme park. Years ago, Palio's in the Swan was my DH's favorite restaurant, really good Italian food. It's since changed to Il Mulino and has been getting mixed reviews, we haven't been there yet.

He hated Mama Melrose back in 2000 (we might try it again) and we're going to try Tutto Italia this Nov trip (he's referred to Mama Melrose as "Olive Garden" cuisine, yet we've never dined at the Olive Garden! I have heard that Mama Melrose has good soup, flatbreads and sangria. So a light lunch might be enjoyable there.

I once received very good advice from a fellow Italian NY DISer: when dining in WDW Italian restaurants keep it simple to appetizers, soups, salads, flatbreads etc... Don't go an order a chicken marsala and expect the same dish we have in NYC. If you expect less, you might be surprised and have a good meal.

PS: I LOVE the pizza at Spumoni Gardens!

I agree totally,
It's good food but no where near what I would call "authentic" Remember it is made for a theme park.

 

[Sleepy]

I am sure the mozzarella is not as good. When the last place was open, we went in for a "fix" and asked about the freshness of the mozzarella. They could not tell us how old it was. I am sure it was refrigerated, which ruins it completely. We passed on eating there. I'd rather save my authentic Italian food for home.

 

[mom2aredhead]

I'd rather save my authentic Italian food for home.

I would too if my home was where your home is...

 

[prncess674]

I would skip since you seem to have such high standards for Italian food and you can get good Italian at home. Why not try something you aren't going to get quite as easy at home. Just my two cents.

 

[bangzoom6877]

We're also Italian from NYC, my husband grew up in Italy and his family has own restaurants in Italy and Florida. That said, you are not going to get "authentic" Italian food in a theme park. Years ago, Palio's in the Swan was my DH's favorite restaurant, really good Italian food. It's since changed to Il Mulino and has been getting mixed reviews, we haven't been there yet.

He hated Mama Melrose back in 2000 (we might try it again) and we're going to try Tutto Italia this Nov trip (he's referred to Mama Melrose as "Olive Garden" cuisine, yet we've never dined at the Olive Garden! I have heard that Mama Melrose has good soup, flatbreads and sangria. So a light lunch might be enjoyable there.

I once received very good advice from a fellow Italian NY DISer: when dining in WDW Italian restaurants keep it simple to appetizers, soups, salads, flatbreads etc... Don't go an order a chicken marsala and expect the same dish we have in NYC. If you expect less, you might be surprised and have a good meal.

PS: I LOVE the pizza at Spumoni Gardens!

Oh yes!!! We go to Spumoni Gardens all summer with the kids!! Excellent pizza. Try Original Pizza on Ralph Avenue also...love their Original supreme pie (fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, diced fresh tomato, a little bit of fresh tomato sauce)...soooo good! But in a different neighborhood. I'm also dying to try DiFara. It is on Avenue J, and I just started teaching at a different school, a couple of blocks away! Definitely going to try that place!

Anyway, now that I have mentioned Brooklyn pizzerias (MMMMM!!), thanks everyone for the reviews. Still not totally sure about Tutto Italia. An above poster did have a point when they mentioned the fact that it is better to get food on vacation you wouldn't ordinarily eat at home. I suppose that's why I only had one burger when I was at WDW! And we had a CS lunch everyday...just wanted something different each time and nothing "ordinary".

We toss around all different restaurants at Epcot. We are planning 2 days there on our next trip, so that will be 2 TS dinners, and I want to go to a different country each time. We also want to go to different countries for CS lunches. I am thinking maybe Morocco (again, we loved it that much!) for a CS lunch, Mexico for a CS lunch, Les Chefs de France for one TS dinner and not sure about the other. In July we ate at Biergarten for dinner and loved it, and that is a possibility again. So was Tutto, but not too sure right now. So is Le Cellier, unless we decide to treat ourselves to Yachtman's Steakhouse (only if we get the deluxe dining plan). Just not too sure yet, but it sure is fun planning even though it is soooooo far away (look at my signature!!)!!!!!

 

[MarieA]

If you are going to be in EPCOT you don't have to limit yourself to the restaurants in Future World and the World Showcase. If you go out through the international gateway (between England and France) you can dine at one of the restaurants in the Boardwalk, Beach Club or Yacht Club. Spoodles, Flying Fish Cafe, ESPN Zone and Big River Grill are at Boardwalk. Yachtsmans Steakhouse, Cape May Cafe (buffet) and Captains Grille are at Beach Club and Yacht Club. You also can head over to the Swan or Dolphin.

We usually eat at LeCellier. I know it has gotten mixed reviews lately, but we have never had a bad meal there. We've tried many of the restaurants in EPCOT. Last time we ate at San Angel Inn we didn't care for it and haven't been back. We're not crazy about Biergarten. Chefs de France seems to get decent reviews (we haven't been there in a long time) and Restaurant Marrakesh also gets decent reviews (never been there).

BTW we love the L&B at Spumoni Gardens. There are some great Italian Restaurants on 3rd Ave. We have some outstanding Italian Restaurants on Staten Island too.

 

[kaleighmariesmom]

FYI, if you ever went to the North End in Boston you would think you died and went to heaven! I swear every restaurant there is fantastic Italian food!!![/QUOTE]


I too am Italian -- from Boston and my dad is from Italy. And the PP is right... You have to go to the North End... off topic but a GREAT place to eat!!
wanted to give you a bump!!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Head over to the Swan and you will fined Il Mulino, a very nice upscale Italian restaurant.

 

[Gixer]

Head over to the Swan and you will fined Il Mulino, a very nice upscale Italian restaurant.

Im glad you mentioned this place, I cant seem to find any reviews for it at all, we are staying at the Beach Club so thought it might be a nice place for dinner.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I'm also italian and I was also kinda worried about tutto italia. I'll let you all know how I liked it when I get back in Dec.

Desnik-Are you a twilight fan? I love your avatar. I am too! (Sorry for going off topic)

 

[hearts8701]

Italian food snob is just perfect to describe us Chicago Italian my husband is from Italy he will find fault with a meatball but after reading this thread I try it with remembering its a theme park maybe if my husband is distracted with the staff speaking to him in Italian he won't remember where we are if he's lost in the moment

 

[goofygal531]

In July we ate at Biergarten for dinner and loved it:

Glad to hear this! I canceled our Tutto Italia ADR and made it for Biergarten! We ate there 9 years ago and didn't care for it, but it's time to try it again. Plus it's loud and noisy which is perfect for my kids!

I was also thinking about what foods we don't eat at home. My other choice was Nine Dragons, but we eat chinese food all the time.