Tutto Italia NOW OPEN in Italy

[Red Randal]

Didn't see this reported anywhere on the boards so I thought I'd make a thread. I see that the new restaurant has opened in Italy at Epcot. Tutto Italia replaces L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante and officially begins taking reservations this weekend.

So, first off feel free to discuss the new restaurant...especially if you happen to be visiting the World this week and want to let us know how it is.

Secondly, I was looking at some pictures of the new restaurant and I notice that they have outdoor seating. I'm not sure if this is new or not (I never got around to visiting Alfredo's) but it certainly seems to be a great touch. I have a friend who got back from Italy earlier this summer and just from looking at his pictures I can tell that this is something that is common at restaurants all over Italy (and Europe, for that matter) so it's a great touch for Italy in World Showcase. Who wants to be stuck inside when you can enjoy a beautiful Florida day and the scenery of Epcot's World Showcase?

So, folks, what do you think? Is the new restaurant a thumbs up or thumbs down?

[disneymom2000]

Alfredo's did have a couple of little tables outside, but I didn't know if this was for people waiting or if you could eat at them.

[wdwnomad]

ADR's can now be made for this restaurant.

[KarenP]

I am looking forward to trying this restaurant in October!

[Jared]

I saw a menu for Tutto Italia, and the prices seem absolutely outrageous! Does it accept the Disney Dining Plan? I can't imagine eating here without it, unless what I read was incorrect.

[ElenitaB]

Are they serious with these prices? I certainly don't expect them to be low-priced but there's expensive and then there's expensive.

For a reality check, I compared their lunch menu item for item with the menu of one of my favorite (nicer... only with clients) Italian restaurants in NYC (DeGrezia, in the East 50s), and they were within $2 above or below on most dishes.

Thinking that maybe that wasn't a fair comparison, I checked Tutto Italia's dinner menu against Il Mulino's menu (Il Mulino is located over in the Swan, and like Tutto Italia, doesn't have to pay NYC rents or taxes). Definitely more expensive with a more limited menu.

That said, they do offer a family-style meal, and that comes to around $60 per adult, not inlcuding beverages. I've been looking back for what we spent at Alfredo's the last time we were there for dinner, and it's probably more or less in line, or just a bit more expensive, than what a meal would have cost there. It bothers me that I can't find the figure from that visit, though I seem to remember that it was someplace in the neighborhood of $90-100 (and DS had ordered off the kid's menu that night).

I guess they have high start-up costs to deal with, and they're passing them on to the guests. Or they're betting on that old adage of "location, location, location." One thing's for sure... if they're NOT participating on the DDP, it shouldn't be hard to get a reservation there!

[laward32]

This really upsets me. I called about 2&1/2 weeks ago to make rezzies for our trip Oct 26-Nov 2 and I asked about when a restaurant would be open in place of Alfredo's and the CM told me there wouldn't be anything in there until at least after the 1st of the year.
Anybody who gets in for Oct please let us know if it's any good. I might wait until the week before we go and change one of my other restaurants if its good. Can't wait, only 32 more days until I am in the World!!!

[ElenitaB]

Well, I'll be taking one for the team!

I just called to make reservations for our December trip and was able to get an ADR for a Saturday evening prior to IllumiNations! Tutto Italia DOES participate on the Dining Plan and it counts as ONE TS credit.

[Figment!]

Details and info from the News Forum:

A New Taste of Italy

9/23/07 Advanced Dining Reservations are now being accepted.

Additionally, the Walt Disney World resort has made the following internal announcment regarding the new location and it's offerings:

Casually-elegant restaurant which features freshly made breads and pastries, handmade mozzarella and pasta, and regional specialties from all over Italy. Its warm, hospitable atmosphere and staff accentuate a classic Italian experience in an open, airy space.

HOURS:
Lunch - 11:30pm to 4:00pm
Dinner - 4:30pm to varies with park closing

MENU:
(menu subject to change without notice)

Appetizers: Lunch $9.00 - $24.00 / Dinner $12.00 - $29.00
Proscuitto di Parma, Eggplant Caponata, Pasta E Fagioli Soup, Ceasar Salad

Lunch Entrees: $15.00 - $40.00
Lasagne "Al Forno", Penne Caprese, Fish Filet, Chicken Cutlet Milanese, Tagliatelle Egg Pasta

Dinner Entrees: $24.00 - $59.00
Lasagne "Al Forno", Penne Caprese, Fish Filet, Chicken Cutlet Milanese, Tagliatelle Egg Pasta, Bucattini Pasta, Fennel-Roasted Loin of Pork

Desserts: $8.00 - $12.00
Mocha Tiramisu, Cannoli, Cinnamon Ricotta Cheese Cake, Sorbetti and house-made Gelati

Kid's Meals: $6.00 - $9.00
Pizzetta, Panino Sandwich, Spaghetti, Penne Pasta

DISCOUNTS:

Disney's Dining Experience 20% discount on ALL Food & Beverage for members & up to 10 Guests. DDE Discount not available on Holidays.

Seasonal / Annual / Premium Passholders10% discount off the regular price of food and non-alcoholic beverages (excluding tax and gratuity) Monday through Friday during lunch, for Passholder and up to 3 Guests. Valid thru 12/31/07.

This restuarant is located in the Italy Pavilion in the space formally occupied by L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante.

The Famliy Package is called the Family Table and is $59 (Guests 10 and Up) and $18.50 (Guests 3-9) for Dinner and $39.95 (Guests 10 and Up) and $14.95 (Guests 3-9)for Lunch. The package is described as "served on platters family style for the whole table Includes: choice of one appetizer, two entrees, and dessert".

9/21/07 According to recent Guest reports, Tutto Italia opened on schedule--September 17, 2007. The new location is reportedly not currently taking taking Advanced Dining Reservations, but is participating in the Disney Dining Plan. The current menu reportedly features a Family Package and items ala carte.

[Jared]

I compared the prices to the menu at Naples 45, a solid New York City Italian joint also owned by the Patina Restaurant Group. Everything at Tutto Italia is at least two dollars more expensive. If a couple orders one appetizer, two entrees and one dessert, it will spend eight more dollars than it probably solid.

Has anyone seen the wine list? I can't imagine how much a good bottle must cost.

[ElenitaB]

I compared the prices to the menu at Naples 45, a solid New York City Italian joint also owned by the Patina Restaurant Group. Everything at Tutto Italia is at least two dollars more expensive.

That extra $2 per plate is the cost the Patina Group is charging so that you'll actually be able to converse with your tablemates and not walk out with a headache. Naples 45 is a nice restaurant but when I went there a few years ago, they really needed to do something about the noise level.

[Jared]

That extra $2 per plate is the cost the Patina Group is charging so that you'll actually be able to converse with your tablemates and not walk out with a headache. Naples 45 is a nice restaurant but when I went there a few years ago, they really needed to do something about the noise level.

The noise didn't bother me, but I don't really remember. Regardless, we agree Tutto Italia is way too expensive.

[Fangorn]

DW and I ate at Tutto Italia last night for dinner. We arrived at the restaurant at approx 5:20pm. We did not have reservations. There was definintely some confusion on the part of the staff - it appeared that the ADR system wasn't working or perhaps they just weren't used to it yet. Regardless, we were seated in about 20 minutes.

The interior of the restaurant has not significantly changed. Decor is the same. Tables may be a bit further apart, but don't hold me to that - it may just have been the fact that at any given moment, there were a number of empty tables.

Service was very good, and lots of it. Yes, they take the DDP, and seemed very happy to do so. Our waiter was around frequently. Even though we were on the DDP, we were not asked to give our entire order at once.

The appetizers were amazing. DW had the fresh mozarella and tomatoes. The cheese was excellent and the tomato was probably one of the best I've had all summer. I opted for the Prosciutto with melon. It was incredible. I would have happily had one of each as my entire meal.

The entre wasn't as good. At the encouragement of our waiter (who had suggest the appetizers) we both went for the lasagna. It was good, but nothing to text home about. The noodles were very good - quite obviously homemade, but the just wasn't much in the way of filling. The sauce was not your typical maranara. It was much lighter and fresher. Quite good.

The desserts were excellent. I had the chocolate gelato and DW had some fruit concoction that she said was wonderful.

We are part of the crowd that enjoyed Alfredo's. Tutto Italia didn't quite live up to our memories of Alfredo's, but it was good and we have no regrets.

As for the price, yes it's expensive. Our total DDP bill was $103 for the two of us. That doesn't include the adult beverages. But as a way of comparison, two nights previously, we had dinner at the Kona Cafe. The DDP bill there was $106.

We were not hurried in any way, service was excellent, food was good - but not fantastic, and the atmosphere was really nice. DW and I had a nice dinner, then walked to Mexico, found a great seat next to the fence and watched Illuminations.

Steve

[Red Randal]

Correct me if I'm wrong here but I was under the impression that this is just a placeholder restaurant until Patina's opens in about a year. I thought I remembered reading that the timetable was Alfredo's closes, then Disney opens another Italian restaurant so that Epcot at least has one, and then Patina takes over.

Maybe I just dreamed this up or something, but I could swear that's what I heard.

[KarenP]

I just made an ADR for our October trip. The menu looks good. it is expensive but thank goodness we are on the dining plan.

[jenperich]

Correct me if I'm wrong here but I was under the impression that this is just a placeholder restaurant until Patina's opens in about a year. I thought I remembered reading that the timetable was Alfredo's closes, then Disney opens another Italian restaurant so that Epcot at least has one, and then Patina takes over.

Maybe I just dreamed this up or something, but I could swear that's what I heard.

This is what my travel agent just told me. I emailed her about getting us an ADR for us and she said that she thought it was just a temporary restaurant. So, I think you may be right. :-)

[TheSorcererofFantasia]

Well, I'll be taking one for the team!

I just called to make reservations for our December trip and was able to get an ADR for a Saturday evening prior to IllumiNations! Tutto Italia DOES participate on the Dining Plan and it counts as ONE TS credit.

PJ and I will be taking two for the team in Oct!! Couldn't decide between dinner and lunch after reviewing the menu's. I absolutely love Italian food so we have dinner booked our first evening and lunch on our eviction day. Very interested to see their list.

[Jared]

Correct me if I'm wrong here but I was under the impression that this is just a placeholder restaurant until Patina's opens in about a year. I thought I remembered reading that the timetable was Alfredo's closes, then Disney opens another Italian restaurant so that Epcot at least has one, and then Patina takes over.

Maybe I just dreamed this up or something, but I could swear that's what I heard.

Are you suggesting Tutto Italia, a place that just opened, will close again fairly soon to make room for the actual new Italian restaurant?

If you're right, what was the point of opening this one? I'm very confused.

[Hammer]

I believe Jason posted info about this in the News and Rumors forum, but I think the restaurant is only open until the end of the year in it's current state, primarily to increase the options for Free Dining and Candlelight Processional. The restaurant is being managed by the Patina Group. After the first of the year, the restaurant will close again, this time for a major renovation, reopening in September 2008.

I'm sure Jason or another Dining mod will be by soon to clarify if I got all the facts straight.

[jenperich]

We also have an ADR for Tutto Italia in November. So, we'll see how it is. We were deciding between it and San Angel and we have decided Italian it is! So, we'll be trying it out.