VIVO Italian Kitchen

Location

Universal Orlando Resort, CityWalk

Selections

Pasta, pizza; salads, lasagna, chicken, risotto, wine.

Entree Range

Lunch and Dinner: Adult $13-26

Summary

VIVO, located in the former home of Pastamore on the main level of CityWalk, replaced an average Olive Garden wannabe with Universal's best Italian food outside Portofino Bay, instantly making it one of the shining stars of CityWalk's 2014 renovation. The menu is filled with comfortingly familiar dishes – chicken picatta, veal parmigiano, spinach cannelloni, linguine and clams – presented without unnecessary post-modern flourishes; just classic recipes, prepared a la minute with the freshest ingredients. Best of all, you can dine here for half the price of Bice, Mama Della's, or one of Disney's signature restaurants. Start by ordering an enormous house-made meatball, hand-pulled mozzarella, or beet and gorgonzola salad. Standout entrees include linguine (when razor clams are in season), black squid ink pasta with seafood, risotto with short ribs, and pear-stuffed fiochetti in brown butter. Save room for warm orange-walnut cake; the recipe came direct from Chef Steven Jayson's grandmother. On a cost/quality basis, this may be the best table service meal you'll have on Universal property.

Setting and Atmosphere

Sleek and contemporary without being stuffy, VIVO brings a touch of casual class to CityWalk's central crossroads. There are outdoor tables (with embedded chessboard) and a well-lit bar, along with plush semi-circular booths surrounded by sinuous steel cages. But the real action is around the open kitchen; see if you can snag a seat at the food bar in front of the “tree” where fresh pasta is hung.

House Specialties

Freshly made pasta; homemade mozzarella; pizza; salads; lasagna; chicken marsala; risotto.

Menus

• All Day Menu
• Specialty Drink Menu
• Dessert Menu
• Kid's Menu

Details

Requires Credit Card to Reserve: No
Requires Pre-payment in Full: No

Universal Dining Plan

Does not participate.

Photos