Ever since the steampunk inspired venue “The Edison” was announced for Disney Springs, we’ve been waiting with baited breath to learn more details about the restaurant and its related properties. Little details have trickled out, thanks mainly to job listings, and we learned that it would actually be four venues.
The Patina Restaurant Group, has confirmed plans to open three new modern Italian restaurant and bar concepts to go with “The Edison.” The venues are a new Italian trattoria “Maria & Enzo’s,” a speak-easy themed “Enzo’s Hideaway” and quick service “Pizza Ponte.”
The restaurants, all new concepts created by PRG, each with unique menus, will form an expansive dining complex showcasing authentic Italian food and entertainment. They will be adjacent to The Edison, the lavish “Industrial Gothic”-style destination also being developed by PRG.
“I’m delighted to announce that we will be opening a trattoria named Maria & Enzo’s, as well as Enzo’s Hideaway, a separate restaurant in what were said to be rum-running tunnels, which is destined to become a local favorite,” said Valenti. “They are inspired by the cuisines of Sicily and Rome, the Italian family, and the best of Italian modern cooking.”
The new concepts tie into the Disney Springs storyline of a restored Florida waterfront town. “Our inspiration is to bring unforgettable food and wine from Italy to Florida, with the stunning scenery you only find at Disney,” said Valenti.
Maria & Enzo’s – an Italian trattoria set in the town’s storied abandoned airline terminal from the 1930s, now transformed into a restaurant. The dining room is open and airy, featuring 50-foot ceilings with views of Lake Buena Vista. The restaurant interiors showcase artifacts that reference air travel of the time, with maps and historic flight paths. The menu is inspired by Sicily, with a range of family-friendly dishes – Arancini di Carne (rice balls stuffed with meat), Melanzane Parmigiana (eggplant Parmesan) – and handmade pastas – Busiate con Granchio (spiral pasta with crab), ‘Ncasciata al Forno (Sicilian baked pasta) – served tableside. Other highlights include fresh fish, richly flavored steaks and chops.
Enzo’s Hideaway – a speakeasy inspired by Roman aperitivo bars, located in the storied rum-runner tunnels that adjoin Maria & Enzo’s. Inspired by Florida’s true history of rum running, Enzo’s Hideaway will pour Prohibition-era cocktails at its Tunnel Bar and serve a casual menu of hearty Roman dishes, such as the city’s legendary Bucatini alla Carbonara (hollow spaghetti with creamy egg and pancetta sauce) and Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe (square-cut spaghetti with pecorino and black pepper).
Pizza Ponte – a fast-casual concept and the perfect place for a quick bite serving pastries, pizza, Italian sandwiches, and espresso. Pastry specialties include Bomboloni (Italian doughnuts) Sfoglia di Riso (pastry with rice cream) and Tiramisu. Savory items include signature Triangolo (stuffed pizza bread) sandwiches, Porchetta (roast pork) and Pizza al Taglio, Sicilian-style pizza by the slice.
I’m very excited to have a whole host of venues from the great chefs and restauranteurs at The Patina Group. They’re behind some of my favorite restaurants of all time. At Disney Springs they operate Morimoto Asia and they already have a great set of Italian resturants in the Italy pavilion at EPCOT (Via Napoli and Tutto Italia). In Disneyland, they run six restaurants including Tortilla Jo’s, Uva Bar and Cafe, Naples Ristorante E Pizzeria, and Catal Restaurant (which served me one of the best meals of my life). In the greater SoCal and NY areas they also have a world renown line up on great eateries and fine dining establishments.
Maria & Enzo’s, Enzo’s Hideaway, and Pizza Ponte are slated to open during this winter.