Trattoria al Forno is a welcome addition to the Boardwalk area at Walt Disney World Resort.  Upon entering the renovated dining space, you feel like you have entered a warm and inviting dining room in a Tuscan home.  On the walls, there are family photos and antique kitchen tools and in one of the smaller dining areas, a massive china cabinet complete with a collection of wine goblets and place settings.  And the food is just as authentic and delicious as you would expect.

The main entry of Trattoria al Forno in Boardwalk

While I visited the restaurant on a busy Friday evening, the service was prompt and our group never felt like we had to wait for anything.  The meal began with our server offering us some complimentary, fresh-from-the-oven bread.  In addition to the bread, I would recommend beginning your dining experience with one of the signature cocktails.  Our table enjoyed the Peach Bellini; a fresh tasting start to the meal that included a whole slice of peach in the drink (which makes an excellent post drink snack).  It was the perfect blend of Prosecco and fresh peach puree, not too sweet and not too heavy.  While some may sound like normal Italian staples, I would advise you not to overlook the selection of appetizers, as they are anything but ordinary.  In particular, the run of the mill sounding Romaine Lettuce actually involves a crisp romaine leaf filled with fresh vegetables and herbs carefully perched atop a slice of grilled bread … fantastico!  Also, the Calamari burst with flavor due to the addition of the Balsamic drizzle and Lemon Agrodocle – which can best be described as small bites of lemon and spiced deliciousness.

The Fizzy Peach Bellini

The Romaine Salad Appetizer

Although attentive and always nearby, the server never imposed, making for a truly intimate dining experience.  However she was available to make recommendations on dishes, as a few of us in our party were undecided on which dish to get.  I was torn between a few dishes, but after letting my server know about my preferences I went with her recommendation of the Braised Beef Bolognese.  This ended up being a departure from the typical bolognese, offering more of a pot roast style beef with tomato sauce over a thick, short noodle.  It was definitely a different take on the classic dish, but I enjoyed the lighter version of Bolognese.  After her own consultation with our server, my mother selected the Campanelle (a twisty, short pasta) with Green Beans, Roasted Potatoes and Genovese Pesto.  The Campanelle ended up being the favorite dish of our table, having just enough pesto flavor without being heavy or greasy.  My sister opted for her favorite – Linguini alla Vongale (linguine with clam sauce), and while it was very tasty, I will note that it also had quite a kick to it (not so much as to mute the flavor though), so if you are not a fan of spicy dishes, I would avoid that one.  Finally my husband went for the classic Baked Lasagna (which came with an unconventional plating of Shaved Fennel Arugula Salad).  I can say that no one was disappointed with what they got as everything was delicious.

Linguini alla Vongole

The Campanelle

Unfortunately, we did not have any space left for dessert, but this gives us a good reason to go back another time.  Overall, the food and ambiance at Trattoria al Forno make it a must-try on your next visit to the Boardwalk/Epcot area at Walt Disney World Resort.