= Cara's Favorite
German cuisine in the Germany Pavillion. Lunch and dinner.
French cuisine at the France Pavillion. Lunch and dinner.
Seafood at the Living Seas Pavillion. Lunch and dinner.
American cuisine in the Land Pavillion. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Chinese cuisine in the China Pavillion. Lunch and dinner.
Moroccan and Mediterranean Cuisine in the Morocco Pavillion. Lunch and dinner.
Pub Food in the United Kingdom Pavillion. Lunch and dinner.
South-of-the-border cuisine at the Mexico Pavillion in World Showcase. Lunch and dinner.
A romantic ambiance where it is perpetual nighttime alongside the inky Rio del Tiempo (River of Time) is an excellent recipe for one of Epcot®’s better dining choices. The historic atmosphere of the original San Angel in Mexico City scores bonus points for a more refined feel than some of the other Epcot restaurants. Start with a specialty margarita like blood orange or passion fruit, or one of the more classic varieties, but beware that all are quite sweet; if a tart margarita is more to your liking, ask for a dose of extra lime. Good starters are tlacoyos de chilorio, corn cakes topped with refried beans, savory pork, queso fresco, a touch of sour cream and tart green tomatillo sauce; or tostadas de tinga, crispy tortillas topped with grilled chicken, black beans, and tasty queso fresca.
Entrees such as pollo a las rajas, grilled chicken breast served over red peppers, an overload of onions, chile poblano, chorizo, and melted cheese fits the bill for those who crave rich flavors. Still, meat lovers might consider the tacos de carne with tender strip steak, avocados, whole grilled green onions, and chipotle sauce in soft flour tortillas. Seafood seekers will enjoy the Veracruzano fish, a savory combination of fresh fish topped with capers, olives, bell peppers, onions, and tomato sauce. Or, if it’s a kick you’re seeking, then the piquant shrimp a la diabla with cascabel chili sauce served over a creamy yuca puree is the way to go. An authentic dessert choice is the helado del dulce de leche, a vanilla ice cream mixed with delicious Mexican caramel sauce. If you’re in luck, the fabulous Mariachi Cobre will be performing during your meal.
Moroccan cuisine in the Morocco Pavillion. Lunch and dinner.
Italian cuisine at the Italy Pavillion in World Showcase. Lunch and dinner.
With an obligatory charming maitre d’ and no less than three flirty waiters to serve you, this is one of the better restaurants in World Showcase. The décor is one of glittering chandeliers and walls of murals depicting ancient Rome, definitely a slightly formal, Old World ambiance. And from my place at a window table overlooking the piazza and its fountain, with Italian arias playing in the background, I could almost swear I was smack dab in the center of my much-loved Rome.
On the menu is a mound of mozzarella di bufala paired with tomatoes and basil, then drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with sea salt. Or a Grand Antipasto platter served family style with an assortment of meats, cheeses, and peppers is a definite winner. Pasta is Tutto Italia’s best asset, and I know that every Italian restaurant west of the Tiber claims their lasagna is fabulous, but here it’s the truth—superb with a meaty
ragu and a creamy béchamel.
A side of whatever vegetable is being served is always a good bet, my last taste being that of crisp-tender green beans glistening with fruity olive oil and sprinkled with ripe cherry tomatoes and fresh tarragon.
Italian cuisine in Italy Pavillion. Lunch and dinner.
You must plan a meal here if only to try the best pizza I’ve had in ages. More like a neighborhood trattoria, I almost prefer it to its next-door neighbor, Tutto Italia, although both have their assets. On beautiful days you might want to choose the outdoor patio. Still, it would be a shame to miss the entertaining hustle and bustle of the main dining room with its open kitchen, frescoed walls, and the massive faces of the three pizza ovens appropriately named Stromboli, Vesuvius, and Etna after Italy’s active volcanoes. There’s even a huge communal dining table perfect for those eating solo.
For starters, the arancini fried risotto balls are quite the delicacy with a touch of meat ragu filling on a bed of light tomato-basil sauce.
When it comes to pizza it’s a tough decision, but I would go with the Carciofi Bianca, a white pizza (sans the tomato sauce) topped with freshly grilled chopped artichokes and sprinkled with heady truffle oil. Wood-fired, thin yet chewy, and cooked to smoky excellence, it’s topped with a tasty blend of fontina and mozzarella cheese and just a touch of garlic. This is the stuff dreams are made of!
And no question about it, order the zeppole for dessert, crispy ricotta cheese fritters served with whipped cream and oh-so-good chocolate sauce!