Tutto Italia Re-Opens with Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar

Patina Restaurant Group officially opened Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar and re-opened Tutto Italia at Epcot earlier today.  Located in a reproduction of the Medici Palace in the Italy pavilion, the new wine cellar is a space that was “discovered” as Tutto Italia was being built. This “unearthed treasure” features 200 Italian wines and a selection of authentic Italian small plates.

“Tutto Gusto offers a refreshing place to relax and sample authentic tastes of Italy during a day at Epcot,” said restaurateur and CEO of Patina Restaurant Group, Nick Valenti. “It is a welcome addition to the popular dining options at the Italy pavilion.”

“We are always looking at ways to keep Epcot fresh and vibrant for our Guests,” said Erin Youngs, vice president of Epcot. “The new Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar and refreshed Tutto Italia are excellent enhancements to World Showcase. Both nicely complement Via Napoli and offer Guests a chance to enjoy the richness of Italian culture as they savor the authentic flavors of Italy.”

Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar offers a variety of delectable small plates, perfect for sharing, to pair with its wines.  Menus feature sections devoted to simple, flavorful piccoli piatti such as bruschetta di Capri, pizze fritte, polenta funghi e taleggio. Artisanal Italian cheeses are on offer in the formaggi section, with everything from soft, creamy La Tur to salty-sweet aged Parmigiano Reggiano. Fresh hand-crafted mozzarella will be made in bufala and fior di latte styles.  Also featured are cured, sliced meats in the affettati section – including prosciutto di Parma, mortadella, sopressata and more. The corkscrew-shaped cavatappi pasta is highlighted in its own section, with different preparations.

Chef Renzo Barcatta grew up in Cavalese, Italy and honed his skills in restaurants in Venice, Milan and Rome. He will prepare authentic dishes with choices sourced across Italy, offering the best of each region. In addition to pairing well with wine, Chef Baracatta’s creations also match nicely with family-friendly agua frescas and other non-alcoholic beverages.

Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar was unveiled as part of Tutto Italia’s grand re-opening.  The architecture of both properties reflect classical antiquity and symmetry emblematic of the Italian Renaissance period.  Tutto Italia has been completely refurbished along with a new enclosed patio to offer al fresco dining.  Both the restaurant and wine cellar are furnished with authentic design elements directly from Italy: chandeliers, marble and limestone floors, wall hangings and more.

 

Adam Roth’s 1/20/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot on Friday and has some noteworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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One of the rock arches is being rebuilt in the Oasis

Major reconstruction

Could we refurb this please?

This water fits the theme, but it is disgusting…

Waterfalls running at Everest

Is this photo from 1971?

The steam is still working

Well, he moves more than Harold…

The new Disney Vacation Club logo is everywhere now

On to Epcot where the old Alfredo’s facade is being ripped apart in the long-delayed remodeling of Tutto Italia

This makes me want to cry…

The quick serve window is open at Via Napoli to accommodate guests

Mmmmmm…

More and more of these new directional signs showing up in Future World

The Seas mural is being repaired

Sleepy cuttlefish…

I think they sponsor a golf event of some kind… or am I confused? 😉

How different will this look come October?

This board could use a good washing

Cast Members wrote on some props, probably will be replaced in the refurb

The heat chamber is rumored to be leaving

As is the cold chamber

And those robots might actually be turned off permanently

Plenty of the Chevy cars out there now

These diplays aren’t super-new, but they are all Chevy-related

Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar Opening Next to Tutto Italia This May

From Pam Brandon on the Disney Parks Blog:

With an opening set for early May, here’s a sneak peek at Tutto Gusto, the new wine bar adjacent to Tutto Italia Ristorante in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot that’s sure to be a new World Showcase hot spot.

Gusto takes over the former lobby space of Tutto Italia and extends back toward Via Napoli. The 96-seat Tutto Gusto will be a more intimate space, with décor inspired by an Italian wine cellar with stone walls and floors, and vaulted ceilings and a fireplace in the dining room. Hours will be 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The chefs have created a small-plate menu that takes guests on a fabulous culinary tour of Italy. There are six sections and all sorts of wonderful tastes: Affettati (cured, sliced meats); Formaggi (Italian cheeses); Panini(sandwiches); Piccoli Piatti (small plates); Cavatappi (a type of pasta), and Dolci (sweets).

With more than two dozen small plates with everything from a taste of prosciutto de Parma to creamy burrata cheese and mussels with white wine, we can’t wait for a taste. The pasta dishes all are made with cavatappi, a corkscrew-shaped pasta, and include three versions: tomato and bufala mozzarella; shrimp, chilis, garlic and tomato; and arugula, potato, pancetta, tomatoes and asiago cheese. Classic Italian!

More than 200 Italian wines, including sparkling, reds and whites, and beers such as La Rossa, Moretti and Menabrea will be offered. Grappas – a distilled drink made from what remains of grapes after they have been pressed for winemaking – will be another specialty, or just sip an espresso or cappuccino.

Tutto Gusto is part of the Disney Dining Plan.

Adam Roth’s 11/28/11 Epcot Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot yesterday and took a TON of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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The RFID ticket test is over for now while they work out the bugs…

They should be back soon

The holiday topiary display is up

Bambi

Stitch bit the card…

No line for Spaceship Earth

Holiday floral behind Spaceship Earth

The tip board still works!

It now sports a Holidays Around the World image

Club Cool has been decorated for the holidays

Joyful! is back

Another set of topiaries by the fountain

New sign outside of Kim Possible World showcase Adventure kiosks

The Epcot Christmas tree is up

More decorations

Canada is still behind tarps

No Off Kilter, but Papa Noel was performing for Holidays Around the World

Rose and Crown decorated

France storyteller stage

On to France

France decorations

The temporary Japan booth from Food & Wine remains as Yakitori House is still closed

Walls still up at Yakitori House

A look inside…

The Storytellers stage in Japan

More walls

Walls also up around the small food vendor

A look from above

A look inside

Workers finishing up

Candlelight Processional running

Santa’s Village is open at the American Adventure

Precious Moments doll signing

Candlelight Processional booth… and I won’t comment on anything else in the photo…

Santa and Mrs. Claus

Kwanzaa booth

There is a sign for the gingerbread house outside of the Liberty Inn

Mmmmmmm….

The Liberty Inn is decorated

The snowman Mickey buckets are back

The overflow restrooms are back for the Candlelight Processional

Long line to enter the theater

Storytellers in Italy

The train village in Germany now celebrates the season

Germany decorated

Storyteller on the schedule in Germany

Germany stage

Mmmmmm….

Ornaments and alcohol, a great mix!

China stage

Storytelling going on in Norway

Decorations on La Hacienda

The Mexico stage

Decorations on La Cantina

Stitch also got caught up in some lights…

Donald and Goofy are ice skating

Bambi looks on… goodbye sweet prince…

Epcot Welcomes Via Napoli Ristorante E Pizzaria

The grand opening ceremony and media event for the new restaurant in the Italy pavilion, “Via Napoli”, was held yesterday at Epcot and Robert Ashburn was there to cover all of the excitement for WDWNT. Let’s take a look at the festivities, beginning with some Disney provided photos:

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Mickey Mouse; Dan Cockerell, Vice President of Epcot; Clay Shoemaker, Walt Disney World Ambassador; Nick Valenti, CEO of Patina Restaurant Group; Joachim Splichal, Founder and Chairman of Patina Restaurant Group; and Minnie Mouse celebrate Aug. 5, 2010 during the grand opening of Via Napoli in the Italy pavilion at Epcot World Showcase. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

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