The news that AB-InBev would be selling the Busch theme parks came as a surprise to almost no one. The sale of SeaWorld has the potential to change the Central Florida theme park business forever. The other news I’m reading could be an even bigger… Read More »More Themeparks Up for Sale?
Update: It’s official now. Although AB-InBev doesn’t come right out and say it, they’ve effectively announced that their theme parks (aka, non-core business lines) are up for sale. The folks at Busch Entertainment Center have been waiting for the other shoe to drop and now… Read More »For Sale Sign Up For SeaWorld and Related Parks
I should have left my big mouth shut, no sooner than I mention that Downtown Disney Orlando had so far escaped the recession without loosing a tenant, than Virgin Megastores announces that all their locations, including the Downtown Disney one, will be closing on May… Read More »Bad Economy Strikes Downtown Disney Orlando
I’m such a dunce. This morning I wrote that Downtown Disney Orlando update and left off the best part. FoxxFur has posted a retrospective look at Walt Disney World’s Village, listing the initial shops and vendors of Disney’s outdoor shopping mall through to the ones… Read More »Downtown Disney Retro
Last week I roamed through Downtown Disney on a Thursday night and marveled at how amazingly crowded it was. What was also amazing was that despite warnings of doom and gloom last year not one vendor has closed their doors due to the economy. Yes,… Read More »Downtown Disney Orlando, quick update
Scott Joseph at the Orlando Restaurant Guide has one of the first actual signals of change occurring at Disney’s executive level. In this case it’s Dieter Hannig, who was the Vice President of the Food & Beverage Division. Dieter Hannig, who is credited with changing… Read More »Executive Layoffs brings change to Disney Dining Leadership
The Orlando Sentinel has some of the first details of how the newly reorganized executive levels of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts will look. Erin Wallace gains more responsibility and Jim MacPhee moves up as well. Erin Wallace, who has been the senior vice president… Read More »Promotions at WDW, first signs of reorganization
Those who were following my short tweetfest from Downtown Disney last night probably caught my mention of the new look, and lovely scent, of Portobello. The restaurant, which sits between Pleasure Island and the Downtown Disney Marketplace, has recently completed a transformation from the old stuffy ‘Yacht Club’ theme into an eatery reminiscent of the Italian countryside.
Chef Steven Richard
According to Executive Chef Steven Richard, the change is a natural one. “America has had a love affair with Italian food for decades,” Richards said. “What we’re seeing now is more and more people knowing the regional nuances of the cuisine – having more vivid notions of what Italy feels and tastes and smells like. More families have been there themselves, and the ones who haven’t, want a life-like recreation of that trip they haven’t taken.”
The space, inspired by Italy’s trattorias and hidden corners, features warm tones of red, orange and yellow, with terracotta tile and rustic irons designed to make guests feel transported to the Italian countryside. Guests can also enjoy dining outdoors with the new alfresco patio. The revamped trattoria will offer authentic regional fare and warm rustic décor with a reinvigorated wine list.
Portobello’s new menu was developed by the culinary trio comprised of James Beard award-winning Chef Tony Mantuano, of Chicago’s noted Spiaggia restaurant, John Radcliff, Regional Chef of Levy Restaurants, and Steven Richard, Executive Chef of Portobello.
As it turns out Orlando Food Critic Scott Joseph recently visited Portobello and found the experience a pleasurable one (which is saying something considering what he writes about the other restaurants run by Levy in Downtown Disney). Now, I am really looking forward to my first opportunity to dine there.
Portobello is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and accepts all major credit cards. Visit www.portobellorestaurant.com to learn more.
Finally, Portobello has also been kind enough to share its recipe for Ravioli Gigante which you can find below the cut in case you want to try it at home:
Read More »Portobello at Downtown Disney Remakes its Image & Menu (plus a recipe!)