Portofino Bay Hotel Universal Orlando

5601 Universal Boulevard Orlando, FL 32819 Check In time: 4:00 p.m. Check Out time: 11:00 a.m. Price Range: $269 - $2500 (rack rate) DIS Rating: 3 1/2 out of 4 stars

Full Service Restaurants

• Mama Della's - DIS RECOMMENDED - We consider Mama Della's to be the best Italian restaurant in Orlando. The food here is outstanding, and there's plenty of it (this restaurant serves VERY large portions). Friendly and relaxed service, coupled with a cozy atmosphere make this restaurant hard to beat for a great night out. Good for kids and adults alike. We recommend you try to get a table on the piazza at night, and enjoy your dinner while enjoying the "Musica della Notte" performance that takes place each evening around 8pm. Very romantic! Open from 5pm for dinner only. Reservations are suggested and can be made through the hotel or through your Dreams Unlimited Travel vacation planning specialist.
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• Bice - (pronounced bee-chay) an upscale (and expensive) Italian trattoria located just above the piazza at the Portofino Bay Hotel. Meals here are usually 4 courses, with appetizer and pasta courses between $17 - $25. Main courses run between $26-44. Desserts from $8-12. Recommended dishes include Grilled VEal Chop, Loin of Lamb, and Roasted Beef Tenderloin. This restaurant also boasts and extensive wine list (also $$$). Reservations can be made online at www.biceorlando.com
  
  
• Trattoria del Porto - Our least favorite dining experience at any of the Universal resorts. Food and service are very inconsistent (breakfast or dinner). Buffet service can be hit or miss - some food is excellent, some awful. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast buffet is $17 for adults, $8 for children. A la carte menu for breakfast is between $10 - $14. Lunch entree's run between $10-$14 Dinner buffet is $29.95 for adults / $12.95 for kids. A la carte menu for dinner runs between $17-$31. Character dinner on Fri and Sat from 6:30-9:30pm.

Quick Service dining

• Sal's Italian Market Deli - excellent wood-fired pizza's (everything made on premises). Arguably the best pizza in town. Also offers a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, a selection of Italian delicacies as well as wine & beer for sale.
  
  
• Gelateria - very nice Italian bakery is a good option for breakfast if you want something quick. It's not unusual to find guests enjoying their morning coffee and pastries on the piazza while reading their newspapers - there are worse ways to start your day :) Open from 6am-11am and from 4pm-10pm.

• Splendido Pizzeria - Located just off the Beach pool - offers pizza, burgers, hot dogs, etc. If you're looking for pizza though, we suggest taking the walk over to Sal's Deli and getting one of those pizza's to go -they are infinitely better. Open from 11am - 5pm.

Lounges

• The Thirsty Fish - **DIS RECOMMENDED** evening - piazza - nice glass of wine - (REALLY) great live entertainment (especially if you're there to catch Nino and Heather) - 'nuff said. Open from 6pm - 2am during the week, from noon-2am on Saturday, noon to midnight on Sunday (hours change based on the season).
  
  
• Bar American - located in the lobby, this is a stylish and elegant bar that also serves a limited hors d'oeuvres menu. Open 4pm-midnight.