The term, signature dining, conveys many images in people’s minds when at Walt Disney World. Walt Disney World calls signature dining its fine dining establishments. Many of these reside within their deluxe resort hotels but not all. These generally provide the best food and service on the property. Of course, signature dining usually comes with high prices. Though we can debate the quality of some of the signature dining options available at Walt Disney World, signature dining at Topolino’s Terrace continues to stand out.
Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera located on the top floor of Disney’s Riviera Resort serves breakfast and dinner. The breakfast offered here fits the signature dining level. However, that quality breakfast counts as a character breakfast so it is a bit more casual. In contrast, the evening dinner at Topolino’s Terrace fits most people’s idea of signature dining. There exists a basic dress code. During my November 2022 visit here, I wore a collared shirt and long pants. However, many people in the indoor bar area wore more formal attire. If you connect signature dining with fancy, then this place meets that expectation.
Photo Credit: Walt Disney World
Recently, Topolino’s Terrace added some new menu items. Our server in November informed us that this might be happening. For example, the “Burrata” returned to the menu. The burrata antipasto option features black truffle, grapes, artichoke, verjus gel, and burrata cheese, of course. This antipasto option also comes with some focaccia bread. Initial reports indicate that this meets signature dining standards for $19.
Other new menu options include a “Red Kurl Squash Soup”, “Pork Shank Blanquette Milk Braised Pork”, and a new version of their sea scallops. Based on my suspicion of which items would disappear from the menu, I ordered the “Ricotta” and the “Classic Sole Meunière” back in November. Theme park food bloggers live in fear of the item ordered being taken off the menu the next day.
In fairness, I shared the ricotta with my three dining companions. I also shared the sole entrée with Tom of Vacationeers Podcast. Since I knew I would be having the seasonal dessert for a review, that made sense for our 5:00 pm seating. Also, I already ate breakfast and lunch at Kona Café earlier that day. I decided to show restraint as a food blogger.
When we arrived at Topolino’s Terrace after some significant human error, by me, we checked in. After an interesting wait, we were seated. We sat at a table by the window offering a great view. Still, even with the shades drawn at the beginning of our meal, the dining area temperature was very warm. Yes, I know this is Florida. However, Florida believes in air-conditioning. If you are part of the conspiracy theory claiming the air conditioning across the property seems set for a higher temperature than in the old days, this might provide more evidence.
So how was the meal? Excellent as always would count as an understatement. The ricotta tasted wonderful as usual. The ricotta appetizer costs $16 and provides a tomato jam of sorts, aged balsamic, cracker pepper, basil, and epi bread. The creamy flavorful ricotta creates a wonderful beginning to your meal. The ricotta is prepared in-house for maximum freshness. This will probably be the best ricotta you have ever tasted. Yet, if you have ever enjoyed great ricotta, this will match or exceed that level of ricotta. The ricotta tastes fresh and smooth. I have one friend that calls it silky. The classic combination of bread and cheese wakes up your taste buds during signature dining at Topolino’s Terrace.
The Classic Sole Meuniere costs $50. This large entrée arrives at your table as an entire fish. The entrée features sea beans, capers, asparagus, English peas, toy box tomatoes, and potatoes. According to Taste Atlas, “meunière” refers to a French cooking technique in which a whole fish or fish fillets are lightly dusted in flour and then sautéed in butter.” My main concern with ordering this revolved around the amount of oil and butter involved. My worry involved whether I needed that much butter. I know butter makes food taste better, especially in French cooking, but did I need that much?
Photo courtesy of Main Street Magic Podcast
When the entrée arrived, my concern lessened. The anticipated overflow of oil and butter failed to be with this order. The fish provided a crispy outer layer. Still, the fish inside delivered a flaky texture and solid flavor. All the vegetables prepared with this fish enhanced the dining experience. The vegetables brought the right amount of tenderness and contrasting flavors to the fish. The meunière preparation at Topolino’s Terrace deserves signature dining status.
If looking for signature dining while at Walt Disney World, Topolino’s Terrace rarely disappoints. Whether you order a new menu item, this Classic Sole Meuniere, or just appetizers and desserts, your experience should be lovely. When you visit, do not forget to visit the outdoor terrace for the beautiful views.
As you might imagine, reservations disappear from this signature dining location quickly. Feel free to set an alert at MouseDining.com to aid in your quest to dine here. I know I have been successful a few times in making a reservation here with an alert from MouseDining.com. As always, eat like you mean it!
