What is up with Tutto Italia??

[k&a&c'smom]

I've noticed a lot of rave reviews for this restaurant, and from the photos I've seen on the food porn thread, I don't get it.

There was a very pedestrian caprese salad - $15 for a small hothouse tomato, quartered; a small ball of mozzarella; one basil leaf! Fifteen bucks? Another photo of about 25 cents worth of Barilla penne (I recognize Barilla, I use it all the time!) with some crushed tomato, grated parm, small amount of melted mozzarella and a basil chiffonade - $24. (That's right, it is listed on Allears as $24! And that was updated July 2008, could be more by now.) One cannoli, $12!

I am blown away by the prices for what seems to be very average Italian. I don't mean to step on anyone's toes, I'm just curious why everyone seems to love this place?

 

[Suellen]

OMG! the food here is SOOOO good!

Totally, totally worth it.

 

[tkgdisney]

We ate there in August and according to all of my family of very picky eaters - it was the best - now our server was absolutely wonderful making the meal even better. The tomato and mozz cheese salad was actually hertiage tom and not quarters and oh so much more sauce and the size of the app has me set to order it in Feb - it is the restaurant where we have ADRs for our first night! and we can not wait!

Try it you might appreciate it a little more than the pictures.

 

[Tiger926]

Likes and dislikes are very subjective, but this place is not that good at all. I come from an Italian restaurant family who cooks authentic Italian - my dad uses 7 different kinds of tomatoes for his sauce, and his prices are good. We've eaten there several times and just figure that it's big and impressive and people think it's better than it is because it costs so much money. I would bet that most families who eat here don't normally experience this type of restaurant, so it seems better than it is.

I would love to know how many of the DISers who rave about this place eat here on the DP? I would bet all of them as I can't imagine paying the crazy prices that Tutto charges for that food. Heck, we've had better food at Olive Garden for a fraction of the cost and with much better service.

I totally agree OP! Tiger

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have dined there twice and totally love it, but the entree is what makes the meal for me...in Oct I had pumpkin totellini's in a butter sage sauce that was to die for...yea the mozz tom salad was great but that is not why we go...the pasta is killer!

 

[hgoff79]

I wasn't a fan, either. I didn't think it was bad, per se, and the sabayon was great, but otherwise I would never choose to return. To be fair, the other three adults (DH and his parents) liked it. I might just like food that's a little more adventurous, I dunno.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I have not eaten at Tutto so I cannot attest to the quality of the food, but I'm confused about your confusion on the price. There is always price inflation at Disney no matter how good the food is.

 

[IggyLans]

We've eaten there in December, and were not really impressed. We found the food to be just ok, and overpriced.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I have not eaten at Tutto so I cannot attest to the quality of the food, but I'm confused about your confusion on the price. There is always price inflation at Disney no matter how good the food is.

I'm not confused about the price - I'm shocked! I understand inflated prices, but take, for instance, the price of comparable items at Mama Melrose's and Tony's Town Square:

Tony's Mozzarella/tomato salad - $8.69 (Tutto, $15)
Mama's Mozz/tomato salad - $7.99
Tony's Spinach & Ricotta Gnocchi - $16.99 (this was the closest I could get)
Mama's Penne al la Vodka - $16.99 (both similar to Tutto's Penne Caprese, $24)

The most expensive dessert at Tony's - Tiramisu @ $6.49; Mama's - crema limone @ $6.99.

These are both theme park restaurants, as is Tutto. But, if you'd rather compare it to Il Mulino, at the Swan (which I think is a bit of a stretch, since Il Mulino's menu is much more extensive, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt):

Prosciutto & melon - $11 ($18 @ Tutto)
caesar salad - $9 ($16 @ Tutto)
Penne Rigate - $20 ($24 Penne Caprese, Tutto)
most expensive dessert - tiramisu @ $10; most expensive dessert @ Tutto - $14 for berries and gelato

Tutto's prices are higher than Il Mulino's for comparable items, and I found Il Mulino to be overpriced - they are geared toward expense accounts, rather than families.

I'm not trying to convert anyone, just explaining my surprise.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I have dined at all three and can honestly tell you Tutto was much better than the other two....I dont mind paying high prices if the food is good and the service is good...at Tonys the food was good the service stunk, at MM the food and service stunk, at Tutto the food and service was fantastic.

Tonys and MM have been compared to Olive Garden, you cannot say the same about Tutto....

 

[SGMCO]

If the price bothers you--don't eat there or get the DDP (it's only 1 TS Credit).
All I know is I could have licked my plate.
I also took a bite off of everyones plate and it was all excellent.
I also live where there is very good autientic Italian Restaurants
most of the owners from Italy,
but I'm not a snob about Italian food.

 

[ms*mountaineer]

We have eaten at Tutto twice. Both times we had some entrees that were delicious and some entrees that were just so-so. We did think it was priced high for something as simple as spaghetti & meatballs. But some of the dishes were lick-the-plate good.

 

[tkgdisney]

My Dh family is from Italy and they cook the traditional food. I am sure it would be hard to match the quality in ANY restaurant - no insult intended, but it is unbelievable to match - but with that in mind, we look for the best we can get at WDW and find the dinner quite acceptable, and I think service does really matter and we lucked out and had the best in Epcot. Sorry you didi not appreciate the food, bit we did - all 4 adults. We did have the DP, but we have also paid for food without a plan and actually enjoyed the food.

I agree the food at ALL disney restaurants are high, but with that in mind, enjoy what is available and do not look for the quality of food we can find in New Orleans at Disney - we can appreciate food where we are for what it is. If we looked for food like we have at home in other cities, we would be unhappy with anything we eat outside of New Orleans.

 

[vicki_c]

Tutto was both the best meal and the best service I've had in 15 trips to Disney (haven't tried V&A's yet though). I paid $17 for a pasta entree this evening at the Cheesecake Factory, so $24 at Disneyworld doesn't surprise me in the least. I might not like the prices, but that's what they are.

And I don't think people like it because they're not sophisticated enough to know any better, as a PP suggested (who made it sound like everyone who goes to WDW only eats at McDonald's). It was really good. And I'm also used to fantastic Italian food, both in my family and other restaurants.

(PS - We don't do the DDP, but pay cash, and I still can't wait to go back to Tutto)!

 

[Shleedogg]

I've noticed a lot of rave reviews for this restaurant, and from the photos I've seen on the food porn thread, I don't get it.

There was a very pedestrian caprese salad - $15 for a small hothouse tomato, quartered; a small ball of mozzarella; one basil leaf! Fifteen bucks? Another photo of about 25 cents worth of Barilla penne (I recognize Barilla, I use it all the time!) with some crushed tomato, grated parm, small amount of melted mozzarella and a basil chiffonade - $24. (That's right, it is listed on Allears as $24! And that was updated July 2008, could be more by now.) One cannoli, $12!

I am blown away by the prices for what seems to be very average Italian. I don't mean to step on anyone's toes, I'm just curious why everyone seems to love this place?

Honestly, I don't know. After reading all the reviews I was really excited to eat there. Since we were on the DDP I didn't think about the prices. If I had to pay oop, I would have been outraged at the end of our meal. Service was mediocre at best and the food was not good, and it was out in less than 5 min after we ordered. Neither DH or I enjoyed our meal. Mine was a ravioli dish, Panzotti, and DH got spaghetti and meatballs, each were $24. Our cannolis were $6, allears.net is wrong on that one, but I wouldn't pay even $6 oop for it. All in all, it was the worst meal of the trip. I would much rather eat at the Olive Garden or some other chain Italian restaurant than at Tutto. Such a disappointment since the restaurant is so lovely and it seems they used to have good food.

 

[jwhtewolfd]

One word - BUGIE

 

[Disnsyncey]

One word - BUGIE

I am/was confused......I was like "lie?"

but then I figured it had to be something specific about Tutto Italia...and I went to the menu....but I still can't figure out what it is!

 

[jwhtewolfd]

It's strips of thin fried pastries with powered sugar and comes with chocolate and apricot dipping sauces.

Here is a link to a pic. It doesn't look like much, but ! I couldn't finish it, even though I really wanted to.
http://land.allears.net/blogs/lindamac/walt_disney_world/dining/

 

[aubriee]

OMG! the food here is SOOOO good!

Totally, totally worth it.

I agree the food here is great. I don't however think it's worth the money. On the other hand I'm usually on the DDP and for one credit it is a steal. In fact, I'll be eating there again in May, Sept, and Dec.

 

[lisaanddenny]

why don't you have your father bottle up his stuff and take it with you? Seriously, what a silly question! Why do people like McDonalds? They just do, I hate it but some love it...........I don't drink alcohol, I hate the taste of wine, so I can't imagine spending a $100 on a bottle of wine but some think that its worth it. I HATE THE OLIVE GARDEN, but some love it. Tutto, in my opinion, was good! Geesh! Is a diet coke worth $2.50 for 16ounces? Heck no, but its disney, is bottled water worth $3, heck no, but its disney...................I cant imagine paying $390 per night for a deluxe in Disney but some people find its what they want..........if I could have my mother cook for me while on vacation, that would be great, and I cook a little well myself, but that is not vacation, perhaps you should rent a place with a kitchen and cook your own meals and fly your father with you to cook!