Downtown Disney's Portobello. Experience: Taste.

Good day,

    Today, I would like to share the first of the many Taste experiences that are on the menu at Downtown Disney. I have visited the Portobello in early March of 2013 during one of my shopping day.

Downtown Disney's Portobello.

    I did notice that nice Italian restaurant a couple of years before, but the variety of high quality restaurants in the district pushed back my first visit at the Portobello a little. I must say before I get into more details, that this restaurant offers an exceptionnal price vs. quality rate. The Guests' invoice can remain in a reasonnable range compared to other tables just around the corner.

    The sober and elegant ambiance is well balanced with the help of the wood, the modern frames and the brick decor. A full bar, a windowed section, banquettes and a spacious dining room can accomodate small groups, families as well as couples.

Windowed section inside the  Portobello.

    On the menu, the appetizers are a lot more interesting than salads. While only two salads are served, there are at least ten appetizers available. From the Calamari to the Antipasti platters, the Meatball sliders and Sicilian eggplant fries, there are so many delicious choices for under 9$.

    For the main course, many classic Italian dishes like the Gnocchi dish, the classic Spaghetti with meatballs and the Penne bolognese are in there as well as interesting creations like the Ravioli gigante and the Black linguine with Florida shrimp main course. Wood oven pizza is also on the menu along with a couple of more elaborate (and pricy) dishes like the Filet mignon during the evening.

    For dessert, more delicious Italian classics like the Tiramisu, some Gelato or a Panna cotta will complete Guests' meals for under 8$.

    After a single visit, I am confident enough to tell that everything on the menu at Portobello should be delicious. The general cleanliness, the quality of the ingredients in my appetizer, meal and dessert were great and makes me believe that it is also the case all over the menu. The cooking and plate temperatures were nice and the service went very quickly.

    Overall, without being absolutely exceptionnal, the Portobello offers a great meal for a reasonnable price. In my opinion, the restaurant ranks itself just outside the top tier and could be considered as a reasonnable measuring stick for other restaurants in order to be considered as a part of the top tier Taste experience at Walt Disney World Resort.

    Your opinions/comments about this location are welcome!

    Have a magical day,

           Frank.