Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
155
4
PLACES TO DINE IN LAKE BUENA VISTA
In this section, I've listed restaurants located in Downtown Disney and the Lake Buena
Vista area. Many eateries listed below can be found on the “Walt Disney World & Lake
Buena Vista Dining” map on p. 142. Downtown Disney is located 2
1
/
2
miles from Epcot
off Buena Vista Drive. It encompasses the Downtown Disney Marketplace, a complex
chock-full of cedar-shingled shops and themed restaurants overlooking a scenic lagoon;
the adjoining Pleasure Island, a lively nighttime entertainment venue full of clubs and a
few restaurants of its own; and Downtown Disney West Side, a slightly more upscale
collection of shops, restaurants, the Cirque du Soleil (p. 336), and a multiplex. The res-
taurants below have kids' menus, usually in the $4 to $9 range, though sometimes
higher.
Note:
Pleasure Island's restaurants don't require you to pay the park admission fee.
AT PLEASURE ISLAND
Expensive
Portobello
SOUTHERN ITALIAN/MEDITERRANEAN Along with the name
change (once the Portobello Yacht Club) comes an updated menu of authentic, regional
Italian fare and a reinvigorated wine list. The pizzas here go beyond the routine to
quat-
tro formaggi
(mozzarella, Gorgonzola, Fontina, and Parmesan, with sun-dried tomatoes)
and
margherita
(Italian sausage, plum tomatoes, and mozzarella). But it's the less casual
entrees that pack people into this place. The menu changes from time to time. Pastas
might include
Bucatini All'Amatriciana
with tomato, guanciale, garlic, chile flakes, and
olive oil or
Linguine alla Vongole
with manila clams, lemon, white wine, and garlic,
though you'll also find offerings such as grilled lobster, snapper, and luganella sausage as
well as a small selection of steaks. The Mediterranean-inspired decor, now more inviting,
is accented by terra-cotta tiles and rustic iron set against the warm earth tones and amber
lighting. The Portobello's awning-covered patio overlooks Lake Buena Vista. Its cellar is
small, but there's a nice selection of wine to match the meals.
1650 Buena Vista Dr., at Pleasure Island.
&
407/934-8888.
www.levyrestaurants.com. Advance Reserva-
tions recommended. Main courses $20-$40; porterhouse steak for two $80; pizzas $10-$13. AE, DC, DISC,
MC, V. Daily 11:30am-3pm and 5-11pm. Free self-parking.
5
Moderate
Planet Hollywood
Overrated
AMERICAN Those who flock to this restaurant come
for the unique surroundings, movie memorabilia, and scenery from some of Hollywood's
hottest hits, much like those who head to the Hard Rock (a far better choice) at CityWalk
(p. 340) to check out their musical montage. Diners, however, are doomed to be disap-
pointed. Though the atmosphere is fairly neat (including a planetarium-like ceiling), the
Planet's servers can cop an attitude, and the food is at best blasé. If you must, you'll find
the usual suspects: wings, salads, sandwiches, big burgers, ribs, pasta, steaks, and seafood.
Even with a less-than-stellar lineup on the menu, the lines to get in can at times be
excruciatingly long.
1506 Buena Vista Dr., at Pleasure Island (look for the big globe).
&
407/827-7827.
www.planet
hollywood.com. Limited Advance Reservations accepted. Main courses $12-$24 (most less than $18). AE,
DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 11am-1am. Free self-parking.
