Italian Food Showdown

Hi Tink -

We've eaten at Mama Melrose's and via Napoli. MM has been a little hit and miss for us over the past several years. The very first time we went, it became our top pick and stayed there for a few trips. Then it went to mediocre, probably around our 2009 trip, so we skipped it for a few trips and then went back in 2013 and it was quite good.

We had dinner at vN in 2013 as well - pretty sure we both got pizzas, but I can check our pics. We both really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. I'd go back there in a heartbeat.

My honest opinion - either would be good, but I'd love to hear from anyone who has been to MM lately. I think both would offer you a number of non-sweet tomato sauce options.

We've eaten at all 3 and have enjoyed them all. If you like thin crust pizza, then you definitely must try Via Napoli. My other favourite is quickly becoming Tony's. They have a great cannelloni that has a mixture of a white sauce and tomato sauce that is scrumptious. Also, their pork tenderloin with creamy polenta was one of my favourite meals on our most recent trip. We haven't been to Mama Melrose in a couple of years, but it was very good as well. There's more selection there, but if I had to choose, I would go to one of the others first. Have fun choosing!

I have also eaten at all three. I would say Via Napoli is my favorite of the three. I had the Chicken Parm at both Tony's and MM. I liked the chicken better at Tony's but the prefered the sauce at MM. Tony's sauce is too chunky for my liking. I would eat at any of them again.

Well I do have a passion for Italian cuisine..I've never booked Tony's due to the pretty average reviews...Nor MM....But as far as Via Napoli goes....Yes!!! ....In our last two trips we split the Mezzo Metro Pizza...( That's between 3 people ) OMG....Now that's what I call Mama Mia....Yummy yum yum....

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Having grown up in North Jersey I've never, ever had Italian food in Disney! I'm afraid it won't be up to my very high standards! BUT! I'm looking to see what all of you have to say as next trip we are going to shake things up and try mostly new places (maybe) depending on the feed back here! THNX

Same here..Can't get a good Haggis anywhere in Disney..lol...Last years F&W festival at the world snacks, we thought Ireland's was outstanding and Scotland booth was just ok..But hey, it's fun...

We love Tony's! If the weather is nice, you can't beat sitting out on the porch. And if you can time it for when the parade comes by, magic!

We tried Mama Melrose's last year and loved the food. We are planning to eat there again this year. Via Napoli is on my list for this year.

The only place acceptable in my New York biased opinion is Via Napoli- and only for the pizza. However, the wine bar next door has very good small plates.

Never tried Il Mulino. MM and Tony's were awful. Tutto Italia better. Portobello at DTD the best of the bunch.

The one they opened on the Boardwalk looks bad. They didn't even put an appetizing picture in the advertisement. Looks like a chicken pattie with muenster cheese on it.

We have eaten at Tony and Via Napoli many times and love them both.
Via Napoli pizza

Tonys Chicken Parm, Pasta w/mussels, scallops & Octopus, side salad & Tomato & Mozzarella cheese with balsamic.

I could probably see them better if they were a little larger.

Oh! now they shrunk.

Tony's must have gotten better since I was there because those pictures don't look half bad. And many people seem to like it. I'll have to give it another try sometime. Too many restaurants and too little time.

I never miss an opportunity to post more food pics! These are from our 2013 trip and dinner at via Napoli.

I had the Pepperoni Pizza:

Joe ordered the Carciofi - white pizza, artichoke, fontina, mozzarella, truffle oil:

I'll toss in another vote for the pizza at Via Napoli. It's amazing. We haven't eaten at Mama Melrose's and to be honest, Italian is not a "go to" cuisine for me, but I do love Tony's. I think that the sauce tastes slightly sweet if I recall correctly, but the big deal to me is how much I love the meatballs in the spaghetti & meatballs. I've also sampled the chicken parm and I thought it was tasty as well. I don't recall a sauce with alfredo sauce, but I always order the spaghetti, so maybe there is one. As much as I enjoy the entrees at Tony's, I go for the dessert. And that's saying something because I don't typically eat restaurant desserts. Their pistachio creme brulee might just be my favorite individual food item on property. (It's a toss up between that and the strawberry soup at Grand Floridian and the entire caramel store in Germany.) They serve it with a sweet nutty wafer and it's the only creme brulee I'll even eat anymore.

If you love Lady and the Tramp, you have to try Tony's at least once.

Everything looks soooo yummy. I love Italian food and we are hitting Via Napoli this trip.
Have always wanted to try Tony's, so just maybe I can talk the hubby into it one night!

Here's a picture of the cannelloni from Tony's that we had in September 2014. I have enjoyed it a couple of times now! You'll notice there is a white sauce and then tomato sauce on top.

Here are pics of the rest of our meal - calamari appetizer, tomato and mozzarella salad and the chicken parmesan.

Isn't there a new Italian opening on the boardwalk where Kouzzina used to be?
Il Mulino gets my vote for great Italian food. It is my favourite.

I'm not a big fan of Italian food, but I thought the pizza at Via Napoli was good.

Yes, it's been open since last December. We tried it in January - we had a craving for thin crust pizza and we weren't able to get into Via Napoli as they were booked. It was ok, but I have no plans to return in the immediate future. We haven't tried any of the restaurants at the Swan or Dolphin - we may have to change that.

Tutto Gusto(lunch) and Il Mulino(dinner) are two of our favorites. Anniversary dinner at Il Mulino, the past five years in a row!

I'm not a huge Italian fan but I've heard awesome things about Il Mulino! We'll be trying Tony's for the first time in December. Jan's pictures look awesome!

So, I love Italian food. Mama Melrose is one of my favs, but strangely enough I don't go there for pasta etc. because the steak is awesome. I've eaten at both Tutto Italia and Via Napoli. Tutto was good, nice food, linen tablecloths, but Via beats it. The atmosphere was better, I love the open kitchen and watching the pizzas in the ovens. Better than that is the way they taste, sooooo good.