Italy | the disney food blog

Review and Food Photos: Tutto Italia in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion

If you’re looking for decent Italian food in Walt Disney World, you don’t have to look too far.

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

In every park (save Animal Kingdom) there are Italian restaurants — some better than others — and Disney Springs has several from which to choose (think: Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, Terralina Crafted Italian, Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnel Bar). Even the resorts get in on the action with one of our favorites — Il Mulino — located at the Swan Hotel.

And then, of course, there’s the Italy Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase, where food is celebrated in several forms: pizza at Via Napoli, gelato at a cart outside, wine in the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, and classic Italian dishes at Tutto Italia.

Tutto Italia opened in 2013 in the space formerly occupied by Alfredo’s. And even though the name had changed, a lot of Alfredo’s remained. The overall styling of the restaurant was retained — murals, crystal chandeliers, and dark wood create an elegant atmosphere — while the menu satisfies with traditional Italian dishes.

It’s been a while since my last official review of Tutto Italia (see that review here!), so on a recent trip I decided it was time to return and see if this oft-forgotten spot is worth a more regular visit.

Outside Tutto Italia

Atmosphere

Tutto Italia’s design aesthetic features some classic, elegant elements. [Read more…]

What’s NEW in Epcot?? All the New Menus, Changes, and Construction!

By AJ and the DFB Team 11 Comments

We’re in Epcot checking out what’s new this week! The restaurants are busy adding some seasonal treats as well as fall flavors! Construction is moving forward on a variety of attractions! Let’s take a closer look…

Welcome to Epcot

[Read more…]

DFB Video: Nosh or Not? Epcot’s Italy Food Tour!

By AJ and the DFB Team 3 Comments

Why, hello there! We’re back with another DFB Video today, and we’re taking a tour of Epcot’s Italy Pavilion. Acually, it’s better than that… we’re taking a FOOD TOUR of Epcot’s Italy!

Pizza at Via Napoli

Sure, the Italy Pavilion is home to the Best Pizza in Disney World, courtesy of Via Napoli. But Italian cuisine is more than simply pizza (even when that pizza should NOT be missed!). We hope you’ll join us for a spin around Epcot’s Italy to discover the Pavilion’s vino, pasta, cheese, gelato, and more. [Read more…]

News! 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menu UPDATES and CHANGES, Plus New FOOD PICS

By AJ 10 Comments

There is just never a dull moment when it comes to bringing you the latest 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival news. 😀

Today, we’ve learned that there have been major updates to three of the festival’s Marketplace Booth Menus.

If you’re not familiar with the way that the festival works, the Marketplace Booths are the small kiosks that serve the special food and drink items throughout Epcot during the festival.

For many folks, these booths ARE the festival — and in 2017, you’ll be able to make stops at 35 booths total, to mark the 35th anniversary of Epcot.

So, what’s changing? Let’s take a closer look. And then check out some new FOOD PHOTOS that we’re also sharing!

Mexico

One of the festival’s most popular booths, Mexico has rolled out an entirely updated beverage menu.

Mexico Marketplace Booth

Previously, they had planned to serve the following: [Read more…]

Spotted: Italia Kitchen Merchandise in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion

By Wendy 5 Comments

Before a recent visit to Via Napoli in Epcot for a pizza, my husband and I had a few spare minutes before our Advance Dining Reservation. We decided to spend that extra time in La Bottega Italiana, one of the Italy Pavilion’s shops, where I happened upon some fun kitchen gear and other Italia-themed merchandise.

Pasta Mickey Italia Apron

It had been a while since I’d popped in this particular store, so I’m not sure how long these have been around, but what stood out to me right away was this fun apron featuring Mickey formed out of various pasta shapes. [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: October 28, 2012

By AJ Leave a Comment

Um…how cool are these Darth Vader s’mores?! I know I just posted about the Darth candy mold (and other super fun Star Wars and Marvel gift ideas) on Friday, but I couldn’t help showing it off again!

Darth Vader S'mores

So, in Disney Food News this week we were pleasantly surprised to discover updates to Walt Disney World’s standard bar menu found at the watering holes and restaurants throughout the parks and resorts.

We’ve also got my personal review of the new Frozen Beer in Epcot’s Japan pavilion. But there’s more to Disney than drinks… check it out!

Disney Food News

Disney World has new adult beverages, plus seasonal treats!

Make Darth Vader S’mores with these awesome Darth Vader helmet ice cube and candy molds! You can also make R2D2 s’mores!
Shrunken Zombie Head Mugs now available at Trader Sam’s at the Disneyland Hotel!
Disney World’s Polynesian Resort will introduce a new menu at the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show for a limited time.
Disney’s standard bar and lounge menu has been updated to include some fancy new drinks, and some classic concoctions as well!
Frozen beer has debuted in Epcot’s Japan pavilion.
Seasonal Funnel Cake Flavors are available Disney World’s Epcot in the American Adventure Pavilion!

We’ve got additional food news (including a souvenir stein at Sleepy Hollow, new name for Fresh A-Peel in Downtown Disney, new Le Cellier dessert item, new menu item at Sci-Fi, restaurant closure updates, and LOTS more) on our Disney Food News Pin Board!

DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2012 Review!

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2012 is our comprehensive, 300-page e-book packed with Disney Dining tips for your next vacation. Wondering if the book will help with your upcoming trip? Check out our latest review!

We’d like to thank Richard Bernato at WDW Radio for the glowing review:

I bet that no one, in or out of Walt Disney World has researched and constructed such a study as her Guide to Walt Disney World Dining.

There is virtually no aspect about Disney Dining, planning for it, paying for it, and oh by the way enjoying it, that you will be unable to find in the guide. And having the book for its advice and information will certainly be a major contributor to you and your family’s very happy and satisfying vacation.

You can read the rest of the review here, and don’t miss the DISCOUNT with code WDW Radio!

Learn more about the DFB Guide here!

DFB Food Finds

If you find a fun new food in or from Disney, share a photo with us so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds!

This week, our colleagues at Disney Hipsters shared this spooky pic of a skeleton brownie at The Mara in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! I haven’t seen this one anywhere else!

Skeleton Brownie at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Updates

The 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is still going strong, and we’re updating our coverage daily with World Showcase booth and special event reviews, new photos, and other Festival updates!

Rose Margarita, The Opening Cocktail at Tequila Lunch

Here’s some of the latest…

A review of the Tequila Pairing Lunch in Mexico’s La Hacienda de San Angel.
Food pictures and reviews of the New Zealand and Italy marketplace booths.

Find all of the latest Epcot Food and Wine Festival News and Reviews here, and stay tuned for our take on several seminars and events around the festival.

On to the Round-Up

David Lebovitz shares his perspective on Disneyland Paris eats (including some long-awaited macarons)!

Daveland takes a look at vintage photos of coffee locations in Disneyland before there was Starbucks.

Disney History Institute visits backstage at the vintage Golden Horseshoe in Disneyland.

AKL Resort orders room service at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Main Street Gazette re-visits the 2012 Epcot Food & Wine Festival with an at-home recipe for Frozen Jim Beam Red Stag Lemonade.

Eating (and Drinking) Around the World visits the 2012 Food & Wine Classic at the WDW Swan and Dolphin.

Disney Parks Blog takes us on a behind the scenes look at the Haunted Mansion’s gingerbread house in Disneyland.

Guest Review: Complimentary Wine Seminar at Tutto Gusto in Epcot’s Italy

By AJ 5 Comments

We’re welcoming back Melissa Sue Sorrells Galley with a fabulous review of a FREE wine seminar that’s been taking place Mondays and Thursdays this Summer at Tutto Gusto in Epcot’s Italy pavilion. Let’s take a look!

As big fans of Mexico’s La Cava del Tequila in Epcot, my husband and I were anxious to try Disney’s newest not-quite-counter-service wine bar, Tutto Gusto.

Tutto Gusto

Located near the back of the Italy Pavilion in Epcot, just behind Tutto Italia, Tutto Gusto wine cellar offers light meals, meats, cheese, and of course, wine!

They also, as we found out during our recent visit to Disney World, offered complimentary wine tastings in the dimly-lit, cozy little wine cellar Monday and Thursday throughout August and September.

A-frame sign advertising the wine seminar - click image for larger version.

Atmosphere

Upon entering, we felt like we’d been transported to a family-owned winery with a modern twist. Classic, old-world style details mingled with fun, contemporary features — like the unique wine bottle light fixture above the bar.

Glass bottle light fixture (and Italian servers!)

Beautiful details on the walls.

Glass cases lined with fresh meats, sandwiches, and delectable desserts drew us in deeper, and the [Read more…]

Snack Series: Gelato Ice Cream Sandwiches in Epcot’s Italy

By AJ 10 Comments

Happy National Ice Cream Sandwich Day, everyone! And in honor of this important day, it’s time to head back to one of my favorite spots for a frosty treat, the Tutto Italia cart in Epcot’s Italy!

I couldn’t wait to tell you guys about the Coppa Delizia sundae at this very spot a few months ago, so I wondered what other delicious treats they might have to satisfy a craving for cold and creamy on a hot Florida summer day.

Gelato Selections

I was excited to see that the menu had changed a bit, and the kiosk was now offering Gelato Cookie Sandwiches! I wondered if these would be as good as the Homemade Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches you can find throughout the parks…

You can choose from pre-made sandwiches, or you can request that your cookie treat be custom-made with your choice of gelato flavor.

Pre-made Gelato Cooke Sandwiches

I decided to go for a custom sandwich. While I’m probably not going to [Read more…]

New Pics! Tutto Italia and Gusto Wine Cellar Exteriors in Epcot

By AJ 1 Comment

Tutto Italia Ristorante in Epcot’s Italy pavilion has undergone a renovation that includes the addition of the Gusto Wine Cellar.

Recently, we shared Tutto Italia’s new menus! Now, we’re thrilled to show some photos that we captured on a recent stroll through World Showcase!

Tutto Italia and Gusto Wine Cellar

Wine Cellar

The new outdoor patio at Tutto Italia provides [Read more…]

First Look! Epcot’s Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar to Open in Early May

By AJ 24 Comments

Tutto Gusto, a new wine bar that will be adjacent to Tutto Italia Ristorante, is set to open in early May as part of the restaurant’s recent refurbishment.

Learn About:
Tutto Italia Ristorante

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

We can’t wait to add this location to our Drinking Around the World itinerary!

Nestled next to Tutto Italia Ristorante in Epcot’s Italy pavilion, Tutto Gusto will feature a cozy 96-seat space located in the former lobby space and extending toward Via Napoli.

Atmosphere

The new wine bar will take over Tutto Italia’s former lobby space. Stone walls and floors, vaulted ceilings, and a fireplace will create the atmosphere of an Italian wine cellar.

The soon-to-be-hot-spot will be open to patrons from 11:30AM to 9PM to enjoy over 200 Italian wines and what sounds like an amazing selection of small plates and appetizers.

Gusto Wine Cellar

Eats

According to the DisneyParks Blog, this venue will be part of the Disney Dining Plan. We’re not sure yet if it will be considered a one-credit or two-credit location, but either way, this will make Italy the only pavilion with [Read more…]