Via Napoli (Italy) and Hacienda de San Angel (Mexico) - FAQ

[mousermerf]

Why?

I understand that someone "in the restaurant business" is cited in the FAQ as saying that wood-fired doesn't hold up well for take out, but my preferred local pizza place would beg to differ. I agree that by the slice may not be the best idea, unless they limit by the slice to lunch/early dinner only and only offer two or three varieties, but unless they want to drive up demand and ensure server tip maximization, there is no reason to not window.

The owner/manager himself said they might have a by-the-slice counter "in the very near future" in an interview on grand opening day.

 

[nbs2]

The owner/manager himself said they might have a by-the-slice counter "in the very near future" in an interview on grand opening day.

That's great to hear.

I doubt they will go with a non-kids menu setup, but the thought of grabbing a couple slices, soda, and (I'm not sure what they would do for desserts - cutting prices in half for CS would make for unhappy people), then sitting outside to people watch would be a great way to spend a relaxing half hour afternoon. But, I suppose if the kids were limited to just one slice, that would make up for the cost differential.

Of course, while the F/W festival, it may not do so hot. I think.

 

[pixiesnake]

Came looking for this and it was all the way back on page 10! That won't do, so I'm bumping it up page 1.

I'm not so patiently waiting for info on ADRs for Hacienda.

 

[princesscharming]

Now that Via Napoli is opened, maybe Hacienda needs its own thread. I'm curious about Hacienda too. I'd love to get an 8pm seating for Illuminations.

Wouldn't we all?

 

[TruBlu]

Now that Via Napoli is opened, maybe Hacienda needs its own thread. I'm curious about Hacienda too. I'd love to get an 8pm seating for Illuminations.

Wouldn't we all?

I hadn't really thought about it, but now I WANT ONE TOO!!!

 

[Cafeen]

Edited the initial post for some Hacienda updates.

• Offcial word on DDP: Yes. It will be a 1 TS location, though there will be some "for 2" entrees that will require 2 credits.
• Opening Date: "Mid-September" with Dining Reservations for dates beginning Oct 15 sometime before then (more than likely the same deal as Via Napoli was).
• More detailed menu information
• La Cantina changes information

Check out the Disney Parks Blog for more details!

 

[alicia080979]

Edited the initial post for some Hacienda updates.

• Offcial word on DDP: Yes. It will be a 1 TS location, though there will be some "for 2" entrees that will require 2 credits.
• Opening Date: "Mid-September" with Dining Reservations for dates beginning Oct 15 sometime before then (more than likely the same deal as Via Napoli was).
• More detailed menu information
• La Cantina changes information

Check out the Disney Parks Blog for more details!

If I understand the blog correctly, it will be CS during the day and TS at night? I was hoping I could get CS at night after a sit down lunch.

 

[Cafeen]

Cantina (the CS location) will be open for both Lunch and Dinner. From the sound of it, the "Flex Space" sounds like a common area between both restaurants. For lunch, this space will be used by Cantina for additional seating, for Dinner the space would be used Hacienda. It does sound like they'll both have their own dining areas as well. (Although, I admit, I did skim that part, stupid work making me do work stuff!)

Tell us about the “flex space” idea.
We need quick-service capacity, but at the same time we want to increase table service. This space allows us during the lunch period to use a section of the dining room for quick-service guests – an air-conditioned space that will complement the terrace outside seating. So we will have 250 to 300 seats during the day; later in the afternoon La Hacienda switches to table service with 250 seats. We have a total of 400 seats.

Reading that over again (and this time actually reading it!), it does look a bit confusing, but the "Flex Space" is just a common area that's used for both. Cantina during lunch and Hacienda during dinner. Not sure if Hacienda will have it's own seating or just use this space.

 

[alicia080979]

Cantina (the CS location) will be open for both Lunch and Dinner. From the sound of it, the "Flex Space" sounds like a common area between both restaurants. For lunch, this space will be used by Cantina for additional seating, for Dinner the space would be used Hacienda. It does sound like they'll both have their own dining areas as well. (Although, I admit, I did skim that part, stupid work making me do work stuff!)


Reading that over again (and this time actually reading it!), it does look a bit confusing, but the "Flex Space" is just a common area that's used for both. Cantina during lunch and Hacienda during dinner. Not sure if Hacienda will have it's own seating or just use this space.

Thanks! Clear as mud I will just check it out in 3 weeks when get there if it is open yet! Hopefully a menu will come out before then!

 

[redzinner]

Cafeen, according to a Reply by Pam Brandon in the Blog on Aug 23 Reservations will be Live on Sept 16 for Oct 15 and thereafter for La Hacienda.

Pam Brandon on August 23rd, 2010 at 6:09 pm

Big apologies, I was misinformed about reservations — you can start making reservations Sept. 16 for Oct. 15 and thereafter… up until Oct., 15, it is a soft opening with no reservations.

 

[Cafeen]

Cafeen, according to a Reply by Pam Brandon in the Blog on Aug 23 Reservations will be Live on Sept 16 for Oct 15 and thereafter for La Hacienda.

Thanks for the heads up, it's been a busy time around here lately (why does work always have to get in the way of fun stuff! Seriously!)

At any rate, info regarding Hacienda has been updated. The future tense of the core Via Napoli info has been changed to present tense since, as of today, it's officially open!


(Does anyone else "see" the 7up dots rather than internet smileys when they see that one? I know I do)

 

[Cafeen]

Ok, it's time for my experiences. These won't be full reviews (and I don't have my pictures loaded onto this computer yet), but since I just returned from the World and ate at both, I'll share my toughts:

Via Napoli
Food - I had the Aracini appetizer, individual Quattro Fromaggi pizza, and the Tiramisu dessert. Everything was great, the appetizer was especially good. Never having had Aracini before, it was a very tasty introduction. The pizza (this one is without sauce by the way, which I did know going in) was excellent. Very tasty. The dessert was also good, it does have a strong coffee flavor to it though, so if you really hate coffee, you may want to pick something else. Then again, I really don't like coffee either, and I thought it was quite good.

Service - Poor. Very poor. Our server was just that bad. It could have been an off-night for him, but it took him about 15 minutes after we sat down to even come over. Then we had to ask another server for water as he didn't bother with that (and my Mom had even specifically ordered water to drink). When it came time for the checks (which were supposed to be split), he rushed through and put everything on my card instead of splitting them for each of us. Overall, not a very good experience as far as service is concerned.

Environment - Good and bad. Visually, the restaurant is beautiful inside and out. However, not sure if it was just that night, but it had a very strong smell of fish to it. (Maybe a lot of people were ordering the fish?). For me (I don't like seafood, and I even reaffirmed that a couple times this trip), it was a bit of a turn-off. Also, since it was one big open room, it was quite noisy (moreso than several other restaurants I ate at on this trip).

Overall - While the service was lacking and the atmosphere was mediocre overall, the food more than made up for it. It was absolutely delicious. I would definitely return here on a future trip. And heck, with poor service, I can save a little on the tip right?

Hacienda de San Angel
Almost the polar opposite of Via Napoli.

Food - I had the Queso Fundito, Arrachera, and Traditional Mexican Ice Cream. Both the Queso and the Ice Cream were very good (although, the Watermelon left a little to be desired, the Mango and... um, the other one were delicious). The entree did leave a bit to be desired though. The steak was a bit tough and not cooked to my liking. Overall, the food was just "pretty good". It may have been because I wasn't so hungry, but still...

Service - I'm sure a few things lead to the experience I received from the staff here. For starters, I was dressed in a WDW polo shirt (a very nice one that I found at Animal Kingdom) and was eating alone. Maybe they thought I was some important person or something. But Memo (Mey-mo, not Meh-mo ) was an excellent server. I also had several managers (I'm guessing, they were dressed in suits rather than the costumes that the other workers wore) stop by and ask how everything was. (I think 3 or 4 of them stopped by during the course of my meal). It was a nice touch and I'm sure it's because they were brand new. The pacing was a little off, as my entree came out after I was only 1/3 done my appetizer, but those little kinks are to be expected.

Environment - The place is beautiful. I didn't time it for Illuminations, but the view should be astounding. (I have lots of interior pictures taken just as Cantina opened for lunch). Visually it was very nice and there was no fishy smell . It was pretty empty when I was there (about 5:30pm) so I can't comment on the noise level, but it is basically one big room with two smaller sections, so I'd guess like most Disney restaurants, it'd be pretty loud when going full blast.

Overall - I'd have to think about going here again. The app and dessert were good, but the entree really didn't grab me. Maybe if I had it timed for Illuminations, but otherwise, probably not.

Well, those are my "quick" experiences of the two new restaurants. More detail will be coming in my TR (and will probably write up a full dining review to coincide with the TR as well).