REVIEW: Another Disappointing Italian Outing at L’Arte di Mangiare at the 2020 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

Alicia

REVIEW: Another Disappointing Italian Outing at L’Arte di Mangiare at the 2020 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

L’Arte di Mangiare, back for its third year for the 2020 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, is debuting an all-new food menu this year. Boasting that they serve “Baroque-inspired dishes that celebrate the art of eating with dramatic flavors and rich colors,” we were excited to see how these new food items taste… and then we had them.

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Menu for L’Arte di Mangiare at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts

Food:

  • 🆕 Insalata di Gamberi al Limone di Zagara: Salad of Poached Shrimp in Sicilian Lemons, Arugula, Shaved Fennel, Avocado, and Citrus Dressing – $10.00
  • 🆕 Pollo ala Pirandello: Golden Chicken Drumstick stuffed with Ricotta Cheese and Pomodoro Sauce – $10.00
  • 🆕 Rossini: Prosecco Mousse with Strawberry Sauce (contains alcohol) – $10.00

Beverages:

All three food items are new for 2020, while all beverages but one are returns from last year. The Pinot Grigio was previously seen at Tuscany Holiday Kitchen for the 2019 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.

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Photos of Menu Items for L’Arte di Mangiare at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

*NEW* Insalata di Gamberi al Limone di Zagara: Salad of Poached Shrimp in Sicilian Lemons, Arugula, Shaved Fennel, Avocado, and Citrus Dressing – $10.00

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Insalata di Gamberi al Limone di Zagara: Salad of Poached Shrimp in Sicilian Lemons, Arugula, Shaved Fennel, Avocado, and Citrus Dressing – $10.00

Based on how it tasted, this was likely the thought process behind this dish: take your standard grocery store frozen tail-on cooked shrimp, thaw it out, throw 4 of them on some wilted lettuce, and charge $10 for the privilege. This should be illegal.

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Insalata di Gamberi al Limone di Zagara: Salad of Poached Shrimp in Sicilian Lemons, Arugula, Shaved Fennel, Avocado, and Citrus Dressing – $10.00

There was no seasoning, no dressing, nothing. This was a complete waste of money.

*NEW* Pollo ala Pirandello: Golden Chicken Drumstick stuffed with Ricotta Cheese and Pomodoro Sauce – $10.00

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Pollo ala Pirandello: Golden Chicken Drumstick stuffed with Ricotta Cheese and Pomodoro Sauce – $10.00

This chicken was gross. (That’s a notch below “garbage” on the WDWNT scale.) It was poorly cooked and almost gelatinous. The chicken at Poultry Palace in Disney California Adventure is better than this. Heck, the glorified chicken tender from the Italy marketplace at last year’s EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival was better. At least they were edible.

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Pollo ala Pirandello: Golden Chicken Drumstick stuffed with Ricotta Cheese and Pomodoro Sauce – $10.00

This is just one big mess from start to finish. And the accompaniments don’t help, either.

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Pollo ala Pirandello: Golden Chicken Drumstick stuffed with Ricotta Cheese and Pomodoro Sauce – $10.00

If you do find yourself buying this, well, don’t say we didn’t warn you. Flock away from this chicken.

*NEW* Rossini: Prosecco Mousse with Strawberry Sauce – $10.00

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Rossini: Prosecco Mousse with Strawberry Sauce – $10.00

First of all, this is listed as a beverage on the Food Studio menu, but with the primary ingredient being mousse, this is very much a dessert. We actually attempted to drink this as a beverage to no avail. Be sure to grab a spoon if you get this.

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Rossini: Prosecco Mousse with Strawberry Sauce – $10.00

That being said, it left a lot to be desired. The “Prosecco” mousse was virtually flavorless and there was no sign of this alleged Prosecco. The strawberry sauce was rich, but if you took a big spoonful, it became overbearing.

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Rossini: Prosecco Mousse with Strawberry Sauce – $10.00

It was a dessert you can most likely do without… especially at this price point.

Peroni Nastro Azzurro Pilsner (5.1% abv) – $5.50

Peroni Brewery describes their beer as “a crisp and refreshing beer with a delicate balance of bitterness, citrus and spicy aromatic notes, combined with a fast and clean finish.”

Prosecco, Villa Sandi ($12/bottle) – $10.00

Villa Sandi describes their wine’s aroma as “…fruity and flowery with hints of ripe golden apple and small mountain flowers.” “The dry, fresh and flavorsome sensation on the palate is followed by a fruity and harmonious aftertaste.”

Moscato Fior d’Arancio, Montegrande ($15/bottle) – $10.00

Christofanon Montegrande describes Fior d’Arancio as “typical of Muscat, intense but delicate, with clear reminiscent of wisteria, white flowers and citruses.”

Corbinello, Montegrande ($15/bottle) – $10.00

Christofanon Montegrande described their Corbinello as “a ruby red wine, from the red-fruit fragrance that recalls marascas and violets. It has a kind wrapping fresh and pleasantly tannic taste.”

*NEW* Pinot Grigio, Santa Marina ($6/bottle) – $9.00

Total Wine & More describes Santa Marina Pinot Grigio as “pale yellow in color, and contains aromas of citrus, nectarines, and peaches, with earthy notes. A light-bodied palate with a medium amount of acidity, and a short finish.”

Merlot, Montegrande ($13/bottle) – $9.00

Christofanon Montegrande describes their Merlot as “a wine with ruby red colour, typical pleasant fragrance, delicately herbaceous, with blueberry and raspberry nuances. It has a pleasant soft and quite intense taste.”

Amaretto Bellini: Amaretto, White Peach Purée and Prosecco – $13.00

Festival of the Arts
Amaretto Bellini: Amaretto, White Peach Purée and Prosecco – $13.00

I’m not sure there was much alcohol in our pour, so it tasted a little off. You might think it would be sweet given the amaretto and prosecco, but it wasn’t at all.

Vodka Rossini: Vodka, Strawberry Purée and Prosecco – $13.00

Vodka Rossini: Vodka, Strawberry Purée and Prosecco $12.00
Vodka Rossini: Vodka, Strawberry Purée and Prosecco – $13.00

The prosecco used could have been a little less bitter to match the fruitfulness of the strawberry puree. Unfortunately, even after being hand-mixed by the Cast Member, the puree all floats to the bottom leaving one last chunky slurp of the drink. You can do better.

Location of L’Arte di Mangiare at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

L’Arte di Mangiare is conveniently located adjacent to the Italy pavilion in the World Showcase Promenade. You can find it at number 9 on the map below.

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What did you think of the new dishes at this Food Studio?

1 thought on “REVIEW: Another Disappointing Italian Outing at L’Arte di Mangiare at the 2020 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts”

  1. So disappointing what Italy keeps coming up with for all these different festivals. You’d at least think for Festival of The Arts they could come up with some more creative beautiful dishes but once again Italy manages to be extremely uninspired. Their food offerings at these festivals make it seem like it’s a complete inconvenience for them to be a part of it. And I would hardly call it “Italian”. They think throwing sauce on a basic drumstick is enough to call it Italian. And that chicken tender they tried to get away with was appalling. Step up your game hardcore Italy or just don’t be a part of the festivals.

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