Most Recent Reviews
Review of Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
Reviewed by MargieVE Review Date: 11/24/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
My husband and I dined here for the first time (for lunch) in November 2013. Our reservation time was at the opening, so it was a bit crowded and crazy at check-in. However, once we were seated we had a lovely sever (assisted by a trainee) who was friendly and helpful. She was delightful and took time to discuss Italy with us, advising us on wines to try from her home area, places to visit, etc.
We decided to share an appetizer, a soup, an individual pizza, and wine. For our appetizer we chose the roasted peppers. For the soup we chose the pasta e fagioli. And for the pizza we chose the capriocossa (ham, artichokes, eggplant, tomatoes). The wine was a barolo available by the glass or quarter liter. Everything was delicious.
Via Napoli is a nice place to relax and enjoy a leisurely lunch at Epcot.
Pros:
Location, service, foodCons:
NoneReview of Kouzzina by Cat Cora - Dinner
Reviewed by MargieVE Review Date: 11/24/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
When I stay at one of the Epcot resorts, I often choose Kouzzina for dinner on my arrival night, because it is relatively casual and relaxing.
On this visit, I dined with my husband. Our server greeted us promptly and offered to get drinks. We asked about two of the red Greek wines available by the half carafe, and chose first one (and then the other, later) based on her descriptions and recommendations. Both were just as she described and we enjoyed them. Our wine delivery was accompanied by some bread, olives and olive oil for dipping.
For our meals, I chose the appetizer sampler with meatballs and spicy shrimp. It was delicious and just the right size. My husband chose the fisherman's stew, and we shared a side of the gigantes beans. The stew was also quite tasty, and we both enjoyed the beans.
I noticed that other reviewers have had problems with the service, but our server (Natalia) was terrific. She seemed quite busy, but was always there when we needed her.
Pros:
Food, serviceCons:
NoneReview of California Grill
Reviewed by MargieVE Review Date: 11/24/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
My husband and I have dined here a number of times over the years and were interested in seeing it after its recent redo.
We arrived early for our reservation and enjoyed a cocktail in the lounge. The atmosphere seemed to be lighter and less congested - but that may have been due to our timing (i.e. early hour and less busy time of year).
We were seated on time for our reservation. After asking about wine, one of the sommelier-trained servers came over to discuss wines with us. In the end, we went against his suggestion (of a good wine we’ve had before) in favor of something less available that we wanted to try. It was very good.
We routinely share all of the dishes that we order and in this case we chose four starters and one entrée. The starters were the clam appetizer (good, but not entirely clear how it was supposed to hang together as a dish despite our server's advice on how to eat it); crispy shrimp salad (very good); ravioli appetizer (good); and duck appetizer (very good). We chose the snapper for the entrée and it was also very good.
Our server was very accommodating with our approach to ordering and sharing, and did a good job of pacing the dishes and ensuring that we had enough share plates.
We had been concerned that the menu seemed reduced from what it had been in the past, but we enjoyed all of the food we chose and would dine here again.
Pros:
Setting, food, wine, serviceCons:
PriceyReview of Sanaa Lunch/Dinner - Kidani Village
Reviewed by MargieVE Review Date: 11/24/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
I dined here alone for lunch about a year ago and returned with my husband for lunch recently (November 2013). After raving to him about the experience, I was a bit worried that I might be overselling it - but we were not disappointed.
We were fortunate to be seated by the window on a lovely day and there were lots of animals to see. We started with a lime habanero margarita for him and a red wine for me - both were delicious. Along with that we had the bread service with raita, coriander chutney and the spicy pickles.
This was followed by the watermelon, Kachumbari and Bhel Puri salad sampler.
For our main dishes, he chose the slow cooked (fish curry and spicy shrimp) sampler and I chose the seasonal vegetarian (chana masala and seasonal vegetable wat) sampler. We enjoyed all of these dishes, but my particular favorites were the fish curry and the chana masala.
Our server was very helpful in explaining the dishes and making recommendations after asking about our preferences. He also made sure that the service was nicely paced.
This is a great place to get away from the parks and enjoy a relaxing lunch in a beautiful setting.
Pros:
Setting, service, foodCons:
NoneReview of Artist Point
Reviewed by MargieVE Review Date: 11/23/2013
Rating: (7) Recommended
My husband and I had dined here a number of times since it opened, but had not been here for a couple of years. On this visit (November 2013), we had a nice dining experience - but one that did not reflect the outstanding experiences we had on previous visits.
We started by looking at the menu and wine list. We were surprised that the wine list did not include vintages for any of the wines. In the past, Artist Point had one of the most impressive lists of Oregon and Washington state wines that we've seen outside of the Pacific Northwest. Given that these wines routinely vary from one year to another, we requested vintage information. Our server said that the wines turned over so quickly that it wasn't feasible to provide this. (Note that other restaurants we visited on this trip - e.g. California Grill, Flying Fish, etc. do provide vintages on their wine lists.) Our server responded to our request to identify any of the Oregon Pinot Noirs that were from 2008 or 2009, by offering only one choice - a 2009 - which we accepted.
We ordered the mushroom soup and green salad to start - both were very good. For entrees we chose the chicken and the scallops. The chicken was OK, but the sauce with it was overwhelming. The scallops over risotto were delicious.
Overall, our meal was good, but not as great as we had expected based on previous visits. For the price, there are other restaurants at WDW that we prefer.
Pros:
Pretty setting; good foodCons:
Wine list without vintagesReview of Tutto Italia Restaurant - Italy
Reviewed by mharder Review Date: 11/23/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
My wife and i had a late lunch (1:30) during our visit in mid-November. It was break from our normal routine of having lunch at the Inn at San Angel when visiting EPCOT.
We had a table inside, and it was not very busy, and the quiet was a nice break from all of the busy-ness of the park.
I was disappointed the menu was as limited as it seemed. I was hoping for some additional and more adventurous pastas or other Italian dishes. Spaghetti and meatballs and fettucini alfredo is pretty humdrum.
We split the Antipasto appetizer and it was the best part of the meal. It was huge! Could have been a light lunch by itself. Loved all of the different foods on it.
I had the lasagna, which was good (but not great - I think my wife's is better). My wife had the seafood risotto, which she enjoyed (including the mussels, which she normally avoids). I had a taste and thought it was quite good.
Definitely was worth trying, but will probably make a point of visiting the Inn at San Angel, the restaurants in France, and the Japanese restaurants before coming back again.
Pros:
Quiet respite from the parkCons:
Disappointingly limited menuReview of Chefs de France - Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by mharder Review Date: 11/23/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
My wife and I ate there on Nov. 17. We had been there probably 12-15 years ago but had not been back since.
We split a cheese tray and had the duck. The duck was wonderful and we highly recommend it. We also loved sampling the different cheeses.
Our server was new (he'd been in the States for only 2 weeks). He said one of his reasons for coming to EPCOT was to improve his English speaking skills. We thought he did fine and the few times he had to search for the right word just made the experience a more interesting cultural exchange for us. We enjoyed hearing about his native France.
The only critical comment we can offer is that it is a noisy restaurant and it's can feel a little crowded, but the food was terrific and we will certainly go back again - not wait another decade before doing so.
Pros:
Great food; fun experienceCons:
NoisyReview of Turf Club Bar and Grill
Reviewed by mharder Review Date: 11/23/2013
Rating: (5) Recommended
My wife and I stayed at SSG in mid November and ate at the Turf Club one night. We had eaten there a year ago and had a good experience, and because we were staying at the resort anyway, so we decided to have dinner there again.
It was an average meal. We had hoped to have the prime rib, but all they had left was beef cooked medium-well or well. Fortunately our server told us before we ordered, or we would have been very disappointed. We order the NY strips, but they were a little overcooked and just OK. Wine list seemed pretty limited.
Pros:
ConvenientCons:
Unimaginative wine listReview of Victoria and Albert's
Reviewed by mharder Review Date: 11/23/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
My wife and I had dinner at Victoria & Alberts on November 13. It was everything we had imagined it would be and more. Interesting menu, wines were great (we had the paired wine flights), and terrific service. We both were surprised at the conclusion of dinner to realize we had been there for 3 hours - the time flew by. Although it was probably the most expensive dinner we have ever had, it was also the best dining experience we have had. It won't be an every year or every visit dining destination, but we'll definitely add it into our rotation of Disney dining experiences.
Pros:
Food; wine; serviceCons:
Absolutely nothingReview of California Grill
Reviewed by mharder Review Date: 11/23/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
My wife and I ate at the California Grill on Nov. 18. It was our second visit (first since the renovations). I know some have been critical of the new menu, but we very much enjoyed the dinner. We each had the filet, which was done perfectly (we ordered it rare and it was not the least bit overcooked, which is sometimes been a problem). I order the ravioli appetizer, which was great. Found a terrific 2007 Cab from a small Napa producer on the wine list that was great. Service was the appropriate level of attentiveness.
Only one critical comment: we had a booth next to and directly across from the station where final preparations occurred and food was picked up by the waiters. It was interesting and fun to watch the chefs and the waiters, but it also was noisy, busy, and because we were near the heat lamps, it was actually kind of warm, which is not what we wanted on an 86 degree day. Next time I'll request a seat away from the kitchen.
One other comment. There are now 2 balconies from which you can watch fireworks. We were closest to the south balcony. I would recommend viewing from the north balcony. The building blocked some of our views.
