Felice Anniversario di un Anno
, Tutto Gusto!
This fantastic little wine bar, located in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion, has been open for a whole year. Can you believe it?
It’s amazing to think it’s been that long — and yet, one step into the cozy spot, and you’d swear it’s been there forever. In short order, Tutto Gusto has become one of our favorite stops in Epcot.
Time to check in and see how it’s going in this rustic wine bar after a full year of serving guests!
Atmosphere
Stepping into the inviting Tutto Gusto is a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of World Showcase.
While the space is intimate and cozy, it’s also wonderfully dim and cool. Whether you’re escaping cold temps on a (very rare) chilly day, or you’re taking a break from the heat, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief as soon as you settle into a chair.
Once your eyes adjust a bit, you’re greeted by a comfortable, rustic setting. The bricked, vaulted ceilings immediately convey a feeling of antiquity. Couches, dark woods, and low tables invite you to sit and linger over small plates and glasses of wine.
The fireplace itself is a gorgeous decorative element.
The lighting feature made from recycled wine bottles is awesome. It scores points for both beauty and creative recycling.
If you plan to enjoy a meal, you may prefer sitting at one of the simple tables. Several are plenty big for a gathering of friends.
Seating is a little tight. Tables are closely arranged; I would probably be uncomfortable if there were actually six people at this table. But even that mimics what you would find in Italy.
The main focal point of the space is the bar, which runs across the entire back wall of Tutto Gusto. Bottles of wine and glasses are displayed artfully, and there is also a full liquor bar for guests who prefer cocktails to vino.
Tutto Gusto and the neighboring restaurant, Via Napoli, are also introducing craft beers from Italy. These change very frequently because the batches are small, so if you’re interested in craft beer, be sure to check out the selections at both places.
The taps here represent the selections that are available on a regular basis.
And don’t forget — this really is a wine bar! Wine refrigerators line the walls and ensure the wine is maintained at the proper serving temperature.
Eats
Since Italian wine is the star of the show at Tutto Gusto, we thought it fitting to begin our meal by taking a look at the Best of Italy Wine Flight.
The flight includes two-ounce pours of three Italian wines. It begins with Prosecco, and continues with two other selections from Tutto’s collection, and can change daily.
While this sounds fabulous, the price is a little high, especially when compared with other wine flights throughout World Showcase, like the one in the Germany Pavilion.
Still, I know that Tutto Gusto has a commitment to quality, and our friends took the plunge. They greatly enjoyed the wines, and the presentation in stemless glasses was beautiful and befitting the rustic setting.
Next, we contemplated the menu. We asked our server for input and decided to try a couple of different options.
The menu here offers a good bit of variety. On the left, you have Gusto Plates, which are meant to be shared by two or more people. The first three options typify regions in Italy, while the final two are samplings of specific types of foods — one meat, and one vegetable.
I think this is a great approach, because it really does give you a fantastic variety of Italian specialties, and the combinations are thoughtfully arranged. While this pic was taken before the Tutto menu switched, it will give you an idea of what you’ll receive with these dishes.
Also remember that you can often order anything off of the Tutto Italia menu next door while you’re here at Tutto Gusto!
For our first dish, we chose the Cannelloni on the Tutto Gusto pasta plates menu. This one was ardently recommended by our server. Like, seriously. He couldn’t stop talking about it.
And he was so right! This was one of the best things I ate all week.
Creamy ricotta filling with just the right amount of spinach mixed in, bechamel, and a rich, savory sausage ragu. I know the pictures don’t do it justice, but I’m telling you — this was the best cannelloni I have ever tasted.
On a previous visit, I’d also sampled two of the Cavatappi dishes on the menu. Haven’t written about the shrimp one yet, so this is as good a time as any to tell you about it!
The Gamberetti pasta dish comes with shrimp, calabrian chili, garlic, and pomodorini, and delivers what I’ve come to associate with Tutto Gusto — TONS of flavor.
The shrimp and pasta were the perfect texture, and I was shocked how much oomph the chili gave to the dish. The sprinkling of parmesan was an idea accompaniment. Loved this!
OK, back to our current visit! We also chose a Panini. You can choose a plate with one or two selections, and your “small bread” sandwiches arrive accompanied by a Caesar salad wedge. We went with the Fontina and Salametto Panini.
It’s important to note: if you are expecting an American-style sandwich, this isn’t that. Rather, it’s a small roll, split and grilled, with the ingredients layered. There’s really no cohesive sauce or veggies tying everything together.
Still, this is a terrific accompaniment to the wine, because you don’t have a lot of competing components or flavors. It’s almost like getting a plate of antipasti, except that everything is stacked and munchable!
The Fontina was a soft version, strong and creamy. The Salametto, a coarse-ground salami with a pronounced flavor of garlic, stood up nicely to the richness of the cheese. We also enjoyed the salad — a wedge of baby romaine dressed with a creamy Caesar dressing and shavings of Parmigiano-Reggiano.
We enjoyed all of our dishes in this relaxed setting. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented.
Overall
Tutto Gusto remains a favorite stop for me. And I love that you can stop by this spot for a full meal — without a reservation — as well as a drink. If I had anything negative to say, it would be that it does tend to run a little on the expensive side. However, prices are in line with the other Italy offerings.
But this is vacation, right? And a little indulgence is practically required. So if you love Italian food and wine, or would like to know more about either or both, I strongly recommend that you give Tutto Gusto a try. It’s a beautiful stop on the World Showcase tour, and an excellent place to savor the charms of Epcot’s diverse offerings.
Is Tutto Gusto a favorite spot for you? Leave a comment and tell us why!
Stopped in there my last trip. The food looked good, but I couldn’t get myself to pay $16 for a teeny tiny plate of pasta.
However, on the flip side….I dont mind paying to drink my food. So, I had a bruschetta martini. Expensive (I think around $13), but really tasty.
This is on the list for September. Did they have any Mosacatos?
A lot of folks were unhappy when Alfredo’s left Epcot. But it really stayed the same for over twenty years. The people who replaced them are not being complacent and sitting still. They now have three varied restaurants with different ambiances and food choices to fit any mood we may be in. The credit may be due to the new owners foresight, Disney’s emphasis on expanded food choices or maybe just the public’s changing tastes, but whichever, we are the winners.
One of my favorite places on property!
This is our new go-to place when we want to sit and relax for a bit. Much larger and less noisy than the tequila bar in Mexico.
Their wine selection is great – we had some wine there that we’ve been trying to find ever since, and haven’t had luck. We’re hoping we can buy some to bring back with us when we go there in October! 🙂
The small plates are a little expensive, but definetely worth the money. We didn’t order off the Tutto Italia menu, but stuck with the goodies they had in the case. Our favorites were the Parmigiano-Reggiano and prosciutto, both of which we’re very very picky about. We’ve been to Italy several times, and this really is the same quality you would get over there.
As Stacey would say, it’s a must-do!
I love the food and the wine but the prices were OUTRAGEOUS. Disney is really pricing their food out of the market for many. We live in the area and, as annual passholders, visit often but eating on property is getting to be out of reach for our family. 🙁
Honestly – $25 for 6oz of wine (in the wine flight) is ridiculous. I can’t stand the 2oz pours in EPCOT (France and Italy). To put it in perspective – there are 25 ounces in a standard 750ml bottle – so you are spending $25 for a quarter bottle of wine – none of which would retail for higher than $12 a bottle
Ciao! The fireplace area is my #1 favorite spot to sit and cool off after walking around in the sun for hours. Quiet, comfortable, cool. Ugh.. its so great. And the service is fantastic.
The food prices — no big deal. Totally worth it to sit in a themed area. You really feel like you’re in a wine cellar. I don’t get a flight, just a big glass of crisp white. I never found it to be so over-the-top that we couldn’t manage. When we were there two weeks ago I got a glass of vino, my husband a beer and we shared a customized cheese and meat plate.
Thanks for the review, AJ. Looks like a lovely escape from the hustle of the parks! Just wondering who did their proofreading for the table tents…. “pallet cleansing” instead of palate. Struck me as funny:) Anyway, will definitely put on the list for the upcoming trip. Always appreciate your reviews!!
We went for 4 nights last fall, and I had supper here twice! Once, I ordered a smaller pasta dish from their menu, and the next from next door. I had two different wine flights both times. This is one of my favorite stops, and I can’t see us not going here this fall!
Great addition to the World Showcase and my wife’s new favorite (2nd for me…I still like La Cava a little better). I would prefer the other eateries to raise their prices as well IF that is what it takes for superior epicurean choices like we are seeing with the latest additions….and maybe they would be a little less crowded as a bonus. Hopefully, we will see similar excellence and theming when Tapaz opens up.
We did this twice on our last trip in March. Loved it and will be going back next year. We loved the wine and the food and our server was great! Best food (maybe not the best value) Of the whole trip!
My husband and I have been trying to get into Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar since it opened. We finally were able to on our last visit during the Flower and Garden Festival. We sat at the bar and had excellent service. We love the intimacy of it! I agree with others that it was on the expensive side, but totally worth it. The bartender catered to us and provided much explanation on the wine and food. He encouraged me to try a wine I never would have before, and I LOVED it. I found it at the local ABC liquor. 🙂 I highly recommend the wine cellar if you just want to get out of the Epcot crowds and relax with a nice glass of vino and tremendous atmosphere!
Popped in for a quick little snack. Waiter said he’d take care of us. Bill was $90. Very easy to spend in here, but it is a nice little place.
We ate there for the first time this week. It was very hot outside and we did not want a heavy lunch. The coolness and atmosphere was a wonderful escape, then when we left the restaurant an hour later it was a shock as if we had just left Italy. We had the cannelloni which was melt in your mouth, light and wonderful. We also split two panini. The caesar salad dressing was the best I’ve ever had. The panini were extremely flavorful. The staff is extremely polite and helpful. The $30 I spent on lunch for two was on par with costs in my home town and we were not hungry when we left the restaurant. Smaller portions and meant to be shared dishes are a wonderful way to sample a menu without over-stuffing yourself. We did not try any wine or beer, but I definitely will on my next visit. This is a must do restaurant on my list.
We are AP’s and have become regulars here. I have the antipasti board $29, and my girlfriend varies her choices. She loves the Sicilian Iced Tea and I go for the pitcher of Moretti $30. Our bill, after the Tables in Wonderland discount and tip is around $125.
We don’t mind the prices as it keeps out families with screaming babies and unruly children.
Having stayed in several parts of Italy while backpacking/cycling, this is a true escape to Italy.
Going back this weekend for our third visit this year. Buon Appetito!
This place peaks my interest but can kids eat in there? I mean like an 11 or 12 year old? We have one child and I would love to try it but we can’t very well leave roaming around Epcot while we enjoy a dish or two!
Yes. They even have a children’s menu.
My husband and I just discovered this place yesterday and we will definitely be back! Lovely atmosphere, great service, exceptional food and fabulous wine! Just like being in Italy, except unlike much of Italy, this place was air conditioned!
I’m looking for a bottle of wine that we drank in this restaurant the only thing I had on my receipt and we had it for anniversary and loved it it was 55.oo a bottle the name that I have is 145 Pecorino can you send me a picture of the of it please
Robbie, we don’t have any pictures of specific wine bottles at Tutto Gusto, but there is a wine called La Valentina Pecorino. Maybe if you do an internet search for it, you’ll recognize the bottle. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful!