Topolino's Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera- Dinner Review

So you can easily look up a menu and super long reviews diving into all the fun facts and whatnot on your own. We are going to talk about the basics so you don't have to spend your whole day trying to figure out if this is the restaurant for you or not.

LOCATION:
Getting into it Topolino's Terrace is located on the rooftop of Disney's Riviera Resort. Nearby places include
-Disney Caribbean Beach Resort
-Disney Beach Club
-Disney Yacht Club
-Disney Boardwalk
-Epcot
-Hollywood Studios
We haven't stayed at the Riviera Resort yet but it was super easy to access by taking the Skyliner as it is a stop between Epcot and Hollywood studios. Other options to get there would be driving to the resort and just parking there (you tell security at the front you are there for the restaurant and if you have a reservation it is free parking). You could also take a Disney bus to Riviera Resort.

Here are some pictures from when we went. I sadly didn't take pictures of the food but you'll just have to experience that part for yourself :)

The views up here are spectacular. If you come in the evening you'll catch the Epcot firework show and they have the music playing that correlates with the show on the terrace.

ATTIRE AND AMBIANCE:
So the restaurant food and theme is French/Italian. It is considered a fine/signature dining place which simply means that you should not present in a swimsuit or ragged clothing. Honestly, just wear normal theme park cloths and you should be okay (unless you are someone who dresses practically naked). I wore a stormtrooper t-shirt with shorts and some shoes while Ally wore nice yoga pants and a sports bra with a jacket. Worth noting the bathrooms are nice!

SERVICE:
As most nicer Disney restaurants, the service was great. Server was very knowledgable and knew which wines paired with what dishes. She also knew the flavor profile and how to explain each dish/ answer questions we had. No complaints at all.

DRINKS:
1. French Rose (Ally's drink) (Ketel One Citroen Vodka, Combier Crème de Pamplemousse Rose Liqueur, Raspberry, Agave, Lemon, Soda Water) $18.50- This drink was refreshing and hit the spot after a long day at the park. It had the right amount of alcohol and went down easily. At the price though I would say it's not a necessary item to get but would still recommend.
2. Red wine (mine)- I can't exactly remember which one it was but it was per the server's recommendation

FOOD:
1. Bread- the bread was good, nothing to go crazy over but good!

2. Starter- Gnocchi (Braised Lamb Shoulder, Exotic Mushrooms, Lamb Jus, Kale, Carrots) $18- so this dish was delicious. The portion was appropriate for two people and we soaked up the sauce using the bread. Its around the same price as other starter's and we would both get this again. I recommend!

3. Main:
-What I got: Bouillabaisse (Provençal Fish Stew, Red Snapper, Striped Bass, Clams, Shrimp, Squid, Mussels, Pastis, Saffron Rouille) $51- so I always ask what is the top 2-3 dishes to servers at every restaurant we go and this one recommended this. Per the waitress this recipe has been in the head chef's family for generations. I would say it is good if you are craving a stew/soup (thats what it is). There was adequate seafood and broth. I would say though if you are very hungry with a big appetite then probably get something else as its not on the hearty side. If you want a soup that isn't too heavy but is seafood dominant/salty then get this item. Given how much I normally eat (big eater) i'd probably get something else in the future.

-What Ally got: Red Wine-braised Beef Cheeks (Artisanal Polenta, Butternut Squash Relish, Haricots Verts, Popcorn Gremolata, Banyuls Jus) $48- This dish was worth it. Those cheeks were so tender and falling apart when touched by a fork or spoon. The polenta and beef had adequate Jus sauce, paired with the veggies it was definitely spot on. Savory, hearty, dense, filling. The waitress recommended this in her top 3 and I thoroughly agree. I recommend!

4. Dessert- Warm Chocolate Cake (Caramel Center, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Strawberries) $16- So to preface this I love lava cakes. The waitress said this was similar with that caramel center but also had some berries so we went for it. It was a very good dessert, the caramel/chocolate center was warm and the cake itself was soft with no hard/dry spots. The berries were a refreshing touch and the ice cream didn't taste like an "out of the box" ice cream it had more richness/ better texture than most. The price was steep but so it's a fine/signature dining place so it was to be expected. Ultimately, I recommend this dessert as they are made fresh in house and tasted better than the run of the mill lava cakes.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Ally and I really enjoyed this restaurant. Personally, having the table with a view of the fireworks and the terrace to go out onto added to experience. The beef cheeks, gnocchi, and chocolate cake were all top tier items and don't leave you wanting more. Since going here, I have wanted to go back on numerous occasions and the reason we normally don't is because we have a little quest to try new restaurants (there are so many) and because its on the pricier end. Nevertheless, I am excited to visit this place again and would recommend this place to anyone looking for a good meal with good scenery with a upscale ambiance.