Universal Orlando Resort (USF, IOA, Epic) Discussion Thread

[Philrad71]

^Thanks for the report!

 

We will be heading to Orlando next month so it's nice to see some foodie reports on some of the new restaurants in the area. Gives me an idea of where we might choose to dine.

 

If anyone has any other reviews of restaurants at Universal or Orlando in general, I would be interested in reading them!

[triggernel]

^Thanks for the report!

 

We will be heading to Orlando next month so it's nice to see some foodie reports on some of the new restaurants in the area. Gives me an idea of where we might choose to dine.

 

If anyone has any other reviews of restaurants at Universal or Orlando in general, I would be interested in reading them!

 

I ate at Red Oven a couple weeks ago. I'd also recommend eating there, lol. I had the fennel sausage pie and it was excellent. It's not a full service like Antojitos, instead you order at a counter and they bring your food out to your table. It's similar to Be Our Guest Counter Service, in that they give you a locater to put on your table that tells them where to bring the food.

 

The pizzas are all thin crust, and done in a more italian style than something you'd find in New York or Chicago; lots of weird names, lol. It actually took quite a while to get my pizza, but it was well worth the wait. Crispy around the edges, but soft towards the middle, and with an abundance of toppings. It's a decent value at about $12-14 for a 12" pizza. I ate one myself, but it could easily be split between two people. And like Antojitos, they do have AP discounts.

[Philrad71]

Do they have a good beer selection?

 

You just gotta have beer with pizza!

[triggernel]

Honestly, I couldn't tell you, but Antojitos on the other hand, has like 200 different Tequilas.

[traincrossin]

I know Universal is going to be making bank by making you buy a park hopper ticket to visit both Potter lands, but I would hate to be the ride op for the Hogwarts Express that had to tell guests and children that they aren't allowed to ride the train to the other side. I can only imagine how many frustrated families there will be.

[triggernel]

Guests without tickets won't even make it to the entrance of the train station, let alone the train itself. There are going to be ticket gates that guests must pass through when exiting and entering each park. This is where you'll need to show your Park to Park.

The yellow structure in the foreground is the turnstyle. The brick structure way in the back is the actual station itself.

[Wes]

I know Universal is going to be making bank by making you buy a park hopper ticket to visit both Potter lands, but I would hate to be the ride op for the Hogwarts Express that had to tell guests and children that they aren't allowed to ride the train to the other side. I can only imagine how many frustrated families there will be.

 

They'll just point them in the direction of a ticket upgrade booth, and hundreds of dollars later, they'll be happily traveling hundreds of feet to the other park.

[Garet]

I know Universal is going to be making bank by making you buy a park hopper ticket to visit both Potter lands, but I would hate to be the ride op for the Hogwarts Express that had to tell guests and children that they aren't allowed to ride the train to the other side. I can only imagine how many frustrated families there will be.

 

They'll just point them in the direction of a ticket upgrade booth, and hundreds of dollars later, they'll be happily traveling hundreds of feet to the other park.

 

Waiting time for ticket upgrade booths 30 minutes from this point

[robbalvey]

Tonight another new restaurant property officially opened up at Universal Orlando's CityWalk... Antojito's Authentic Mexican Food! Now, I have to be honest, when we moved from Southern California, home of some FANTASTIC Mexican Food, we thought we would have to give up decent Mexican for good... WRONG!!!

 

Oddly enough, Orlando has some fantastic Mexican places from quick service like Tijuana Flats and Lime to full service restaurants like Rocco's Tacos. Well, now we have another one to add to the list!

 

Antojitos claimed residence in the former "Latin Quarter" at Citywalk, and upon entering the building, I didn't even recognize the place! Fully decorated with Mexican decor and atmosphere, this location has been given a complete facelift.

 

Guests can choose to dine downstairs and enjoy a more casual dining experience that includes items like carnitas al pastor tacos (made with beer and chile braised pork, grilled pineapple and guajillo salsa) and oaxaca enchiladas (chicken tinga and house made mole sauce, queso fresco and lime crema). Upstairs, guests can enjoy a more refined dining experience that includes menu options like carne asada brava (coffee crusted ribeye with fire roasted vegetables) and menonita shrimp (bacon wrapped shrimp stuffed with menonita cheese, manchego corn pudding and a poblano chorizo sauce).

 

Enough words!!! This place is better seen in pictures! (Well, actually in PERSON!) Here goes...

Here we are! The newest restaurant location at Citywalk, Antojitos!

Upon our arrival, we were directed to get lots of alcohol from this VW bus. Sketchy? SURE! But they had booze, so we aren't going to complain!

That's right...first drink of the night, the Antorita and it was DELICIOUS!!!

Here's some of the drinks offered.

Highway to Heaven, Antorito (the blackberry one especially) and the Handsome George were all some the drinks we sampled, and all of them were GREAT!

Our current view of our table at Antojitos includes lots of alcohol and little food!

The mariachi band is here so you know the fiesta has begun!

Let's go inside, shall we?

Here is an overview of the downstairs section of the restaurant.

Love the choice of lighting and theming in here.

And for those of you who are menu enthusiasts, here is the first page...

...and the second.

They had these funky "birdcage" tables which had fun written all over them.

Jack only has three drinks...he needs more!

Oh, look! More drinks!

But what about the food? Yes, they have tacos, and they were GREAT!

Eric and Jack take a shot of Esquites Asado! Yum!

Highway to Heaven! OMG! It really IS heaven!!!

The Carne Asada Brava was right up there with the most flavorful steaks I've ever had!

More food! Enchiladas, tacos, OLE!

More MEAT for the MEAT EATERS!!!!

And yes, they do table side guacamole seasoned to your request.

"We haven't eaten anything in like 57 seconds...time to try some more yummy entrees..."

These were like a "tamale fritter" .... again, delicious!

One of these things is not like the other... one of these things does not belong (because it belongs in my table!)

When one blackberry Margarita isn't enough... Have TWO!

The dessert sampler was insane! Creme Brulee, warm gooey caramel cake...and Churros!

The FIESTA has begun!

The "mask painters" were here and we are told that they are at the restaurant select nights (Wed - Sun) to paint complimentary masks for all the guests!

OMG! What is that thing?!?!?

We are going to start our own Mexican wrestling team.

Thanks to the incredibly friendly and helpful staff at Antojitos for a wonderful night and congrats to Citywalk for another great dining option! This summer is going to just get better when the opening of the new Vino Italian Kitchen, Cowfish burger/sushi fusion place (yes, this is a thing!), Bread Box, Hot Dog Hall of Fame, and more!

 

We highly recommend checking out Antojitos next time you're at Universal Orlando!

 

Thanks to Jack Crouse for the additional photos!

Edited February 6, 2014 by robbalvey

[Nrthwnd]

Love all the colours of the building outside.

You can never go wrong with pure Agave Tequila.

The food - faints at the steak - looks awesome.

 

And the four of you in masks need another caption.

 

Great coverage of the restaurant, Robb!

[robbalvey]

And the four of you in masks need another caption.

Any suggestions?

[Nrthwnd]

Hmmm.

 

"Before and After the Tanning Spa".

 

All I got for now.

[Mrlittle]

I've said it before but I'll say it again. I really love that Universal has made many changes to their food options around the resort.

Edited February 6, 2014 by Mrlittle

[triggernel]

I've said it before but I'll say it again. I really love that Universal has made many changes to their food options around the resort.

 

And to think, we've got 6 more food options opening at CityWalk by June.

[cfc]

Looks great--especially anything involving steak. I do love a good carne asada.

[SuperShawn]

For some reason I am really craving margaritas now. Great looking addition.

[Wes]

The exterior looks like someone paintballed it.

 

But the food and drinks look great!

[Jew]

^Agreed. Anything with Patron XO is OK in my book!

[traincrossin]

There's something kind of weird about a mariachi band playing Wrecking Ball. Food looks great though!

[vine]

[/vine]

[cfc]

The exterior looks like someone paintballed it.

 

But the food and drinks look great!

 

Agreed--but I do like the interior.

[Woodie Warrior]

I actually kind of like the exterior. The food looks really good.

[Meteornotes]

As a Menu Enthusiast, I thank you for those photos!

 

Food and drinks look great, and I like the interior. The exterior of the place...not so much.

 

dt

[Hercules]

Anyone else find the drinks out of the VW..... meh...... potentially racist?

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.associationnews.com/loews-portofino-bay-hotel-at-universal-orlando-resort-completes-22-million-renovation/

 

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort has completed a $22 million renovation, which includes its 750 guest rooms.

 

“Our new look is all at once refreshing and relaxing,” said General Manager Diane Petit. “We made a commitment to enhance the overall aesthetic—both inside and outside—of this stunning property and its imaginative setting here at Universal Orlando Resort.”

 

Universal Orlando Resort offers 250,000 square feet of indoor meeting space and a variety of outdoor event venues that can accommodate groups ranging from 20 to 20,000 guests.

[Jew]

Anyone else find the drinks out of the VW..... meh...... potentially racist?

 

It's authentic!