Mouse Extra

Good bye Alfredo’s, I knew you well. When I first heard the rumor that this restaurant was possibly leaving the Italy pavilion in Epcot, I was very dismissive. I didn’t believe that Disney would junk one of the most popular places to eat in Walt Disney World. When the rumors persisted, I was surprised. Now that its official, I’m still having trouble believing. This was consistently one of the first places in Epcot- the food park- to be booked. I recall the old days when you had to get to EPCOT Center first thing in the morning to make a ressie by video monitor with a CM at the base of Spaceship Earth (good old Walter Cronkite was still narrating back then too). Alfredo’s was almost always the first to fill. I attribute this more to the popularity of Italian cuisine in general as opposed to the delicacies offered here in particular.

Whether you like it or not, the restaurant, L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante, is an Epcot institution. The place is in a terrific setting. Having been to Venice myself, the pavilion does a nice job in evoking St. Mark’s Square, an architectural masterpiece. There are entertainers outside in the Square as well as in the restaurant itself. A roving troubadour sings and plays Italian folk songs to the diners.

The food does not quite match the setting. It can best be described as above average. I live in an area that has approximately ten billion nice Italian restaurants, many of which are superior to Alfredo’s. Still, its no Olive Garbage..er…I mean, Garden. You can get a nice, albeit pricey, meal here. Appetizers include the usual suspects like antipasto, Caesar salad, and calamari. The specialty is obviously Fettuccine Alfredo, apparently created by the founder of the restaurant. You can get it as an entrée, as an appetizer portion, or “per Tutti”- a big heaping pile tossed at your table which serves about four hungry people. I would get it, but for many the appetizer portion is the most manageable.

There are other items, as well. Various pasta dishes like lasagna and gnocchi in a Bolognese sauce with cheese are decent. You can also order things like roasted lamb and Italian veal stew. Keep in mind that nothing here is a bargain. The osso bucco is about $28 and the Fettuccine can run you $11 for the appetizer or $19 for the entrée sized plate. The wine is especially expensive. Having said that, make sure you save room for dessert. The waiter/waitress will come over with a tray of choices, such as tiramisu. I recommend you go for it.

I’m not sure what ultimately led to the decision to drop Alfredo’s. I’m pretty confident it has to do with money. Be that as it may, Disney has a big opportunity on its hands. I hope that whatever they put in the soon-to-be-vacant spot has a menu as interesting and good as the visual setting itself. They can surely do better than Alfredo’s, but I’m not overly confident that they will. I’m worried that one day I will miss L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante. In fact, I already do.

Today’s article comes from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra