BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 Excerpted from the Disney Food Blog. Follow the link at the end for the full article and lots more photos... Photo Tour and Review: The NEW Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar and Tutto Italia RestaurantMay 1st, 2012 by AJ.We’ve been anxiously awaiting the opening of the renovated Tutto Italia, along with the addition of the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar at the Italy pavilion in Epcot!This week, we shared Tutto Italia menus and exterior photos when the restaurant’s new entrance and patio were unveiled!Now, we get to bring you inside! First up — the Ribbon Cutting at the Grand Opening of Tutto Gusto and Tutto Italia!Ribbon CuttingMickey and Minnie showed up in their Italian costumes and celebrated along with Nick Valenti, CEO of Patina Restaurant Group; Joachim Splichal, Chef and founder of Patina; and Erin Youngs, VP of Epcot. Tutto GustoNext, we went into Tutto Gusto — welcoming the cool atmosphere and air conditioning! Gusto AtmosphereAs promised, Tutto Gusto — Italy’s new Wine Cellar — is themed like a wine cave inside. Large and small tables are set up around a long bar, and a wall of gorgeous wines punctuate the darkened room.Tutto Gusto Wine CellarGusto BarGusto TapMouth-watering meats, cheeses, and other antipasto ingredients are displayed in a refrigerator next to the bar.Antipasti ShowcaseDessert - CannoliI love the creative wine bottle lighting over the main bar area!Wine Bottle LightingAnd the wine fridges lining the far wall offer a fun and functional decor element.Wine FridgeThe seating here at Tutto Gusto is rustic and simple. There are several tucked-away seating areas that accommodate different group sizes.Gusto SeatingMost enchanting to me is the little fireplace alcove. Decked out with comfortable sofas, upholstered stools, ceramic art decor, and the centerpiece fireplace, this spot is pure relaxation for park-goers.Fireplace Area at GustoGusto Fireplace Area Gusto EatsAs for food here, you’ll be treated to some impressive wines as well as small plates, meats, and cheeses.This location will function much like Mexico’s La Cava del Tequila — reservations are not taken, and seating is first come, first served. However, servers will be around to take your order and deliver food and beverages.Cheese and BreadsticksWhile the Disney Dining Plan is not an option here, they do take Tables in Wonderland.During the Grand Opening event, I got chance to sample several of the rich cheeses and delicious, savory meats from the front counter; and I even had the chance to indulge in one of the cavatappi pasta dishes, complete with potatoes, pancetta, and pecorino!The cheeses — asiago, fontina, parmigiano (oh. my. gracious — you MUST have the parmigiano), mozzarella, and more. These were outstanding; some of the best on property, easily. And coupled with the rich meats, these are truly the perfect appetizer or small meal when working your way around the World.Cheese from GustoParmigianoMy favorite meat served was the large, round Finnochiona slices in the middle! Slightly fatty and very flavorful!Meats served at GustoNext up was the cavatappi. Tutto Gusto will serve several small plates, but all pasta served here will be the corkscrew-shaped cavatappi — get it? Wine bar? Corkscrew? Seriously, that’s why they chose it! Anyway, if you have the chance to try this version — the Rughetta e Patate — jump at the chance! It’s truly incredible. You don’t NEED sauce when you have this combination of flavors…Cavatappi Dish from GustoAlso from Tutto Gusto, we got the chance to sample the Torte di Nocciole — a Hazelnut polenta cake with Nutella (eep!) and Piemonte cream. While I’ve been a bit off of chocolate desserts lately, the light combo of the Nutella with the Piemonte cream on the top was incredible.True to my “you-can’t-take-her-anywhere!” nature, I scraped all of the puffy cream and Nutella off of the top before I actually ate the underside of the polenta cake. What can I say — life is short; eat frosting first.Dessert from GustoAnyway, the whole cake was delicious, though the actual polenta portion was not what you’d expect. It’s not soft and mushy; instead it’s a harder “cake,” — actually more like a rice krispie treat mouth feel, believe it or not. (Forgive me Tutto Gusto — that’s the only way I can think of to describe it. ;-D) The Hazelnut-chocolate flavor is very popular right now, so it makes sense to include this dish on the menu. I liked it, but I’m eager to see what else is available for dessert (like Cannoli!).Tutto Gusto is going to be a showstopper. I think that the popularity of La Cava del Tequila in Mexico is the perfect example of how much Epcot visitors want a quick stopover where they can sit down, relax, enjoy a drink and a small plate of food, and then move on.I’m loving this not-quite-counter-service / not-quite-table-service thing they have going on. It still makes you feel relaxed and rejuvenated, but you get in and out quickly. Tutto ItaliaTutto Italia, Italy’s long-standing “fancy” Italian restaurant, has been renovated yet again. Tutto AtmosphereWhile it will look a lot like you remember. The huge Italian murals are still there, the chandeliers and ceiling beams are the same, and you can still sit in the “sun room” or in the main dining room.Italia kept the murals!HOWEVER! Here’s the fun part — much of the indoor seating has been turned into booths!And guests can now be seated on a lovely outdoor patio as well as in the two internal dining rooms!Italia Outdoor SeatingThe table settings are high-end, as always.Italia Event Seating Tutto EatsAs for food from Tutto Italia; at the Grand Opening event we got the chance to indulge in the new Polenta Valsugana dish — short ribs over polenta and fontina cheese. The short ribs were tender and delicious, and the polenta was flavorful, if a bit thick.Polenta Aalsugana - Short Ribs Meet the ChefJoachim Splichal, Chef & Founder of the Patina Restaurant Group, is a culinary master.Meet Joachim SplichalHis accolades include the 1989 opening of Patina in Los Angeles which was the catalyst for the city becoming known as a global dining destination. With restaurants on both coasts, and a catering division that has served innovative meals to guests at the Primetime Emmy Awards and the royal couple Prince William and Kate Middleton at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Splichal has earned numerous awards along the way.Inducted into the James Beard Foundation, the prestigious organization also nominated him twice as “Chef of the Year.” He has been honored as one of the nation’s “Legendary Chefs” by Bon Appétit and has appeared as a guest judge on Gordon Ramsay’s MasterChef.When’s your next visit to Tutto Italia or Tutto Gusto? Do you like the new set-up? Any menu items you hope to try?Thanks to Disney for inviting me to attend this Grand Opening event! While the food was complimentary, all of my opinions are my own. See more on our disclosure policy.http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/05/01/review-the-new-tutto-gusto-wine-cellar-and-tutto-italia-restaurante/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted May 3, 2012 Report Share Posted May 3, 2012 The wine cellar looks awesome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted May 3, 2012 Report Share Posted May 3, 2012 I want to go there now!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted May 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2012 Me too!! Wine bar and antipasti.... I'm SO there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted May 3, 2012 Report Share Posted May 3, 2012 Looks yummy!! That will have to be on our Halloween dining list! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted May 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 Touring Plans has the full menu listed here...http://touringplans.com/epcot/dining/tutto-gusto/menus/barI may just move in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 Touring Plans has the full menu listed here...http://touringplans....gusto/menus/barI may just move in.Save room for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted May 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2012 Excerpted from a 4 part series on DaMouse. Follow the links at the end for all 4 articles with lots more photos...The tale of Tutto Gusto begins with the wine cellar but it extends into the small plates of food that you can enjoy. From olives, to sliced meats and cheeses to shrimp, its a menu filled with palate pleasers and natural wine pairings galore. So while I was told the menu is still subject to change in the next few weeks as guest feedback is taken into consideration, we think there is more than enough to whet your appetite. But just to be sure, follow us past the break. http://damouse.com/2012/05/16/the-tutto-gusto-experience/http://damouse.com/2012/05/16/the-tutto-gusto-experience-part-2/http://damouse.com/2012/05/16/the-tutto-gusto-experience-part-3/http://damouse.com/2012/05/16/the-tutto-gusto-experience-part-4/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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