03/09/08

Smal portion on a large plate just like that commercial

by LesPal

This was our first time at this restaurant located in Downtown Disney. Since it was at Disney, we had very low expectations. We ordered the duck and fish for dinner. Service was very nice and friendly. The food in general was tasty, warm and prompt. Compared to other restaurant of this scale, it seems overpriced based on the quantity served. I thought that the fish portion was very small for a Patina group restaurant. It is like that Citibank commercial with a large plate with a fluff garnish. My dish was served on a very large square plate with a single long grilled onion on top of the fish and some type of corn ragout. Also, it seems that what I got did not look like the description on the menu. Would we go back? Most likely not unless the give us a free meal. If you like duck and fish, try Sage at Newport.

• Pros: No line if arrive on early bird hour
• Cons: Large plate small portion

Upscale yet casual Mediterranean-inspired dining in the heart of Downtown Disney.

by Contributor

In Short
With its mock-ups of pastoral seaside scenes, semi-surrealistic paintings of a fisherman's catch and kid-pleasing menu, Catal is Mediterranean dining with Disney sensibilities. Appetizers include marinated olives or arugula salad with stewed dates and manchego slivers. Traditional entrees include braised Moroccan-spiced lamb and paella a la Valenciana with seafood, chicken and chorizo. The downstairs wine bar, more reminiscent of Napa Valley than the Mediterranean, offers 40 wines by the glass and tapas, sandwiches and salads.

11/12/06

Mediocre food

by bobcat11_11

We ate on the outside patio area for dinner on a Saturday night. The outside patio area has an abbreviated menu. We ordered the marinated grapes, buffalo style chicken wings, and the turkey sandwich. My g/f and I both agreed the food was very mediocre especially considering the price. We are locals, and get the feeling the only way this place survives with such average food is because most customers are probably one-time customer tourists. Service was decent. Drinks were good. Unless you are just stopping in for a few drinks I wouldn't recommend going here. You are likely to be disappointed.

• Pros: Outside patio is nice for people watching, good outside bar for drinks
• Cons: Mediocre food, long wait if you want to eat inside, overpriced

06/23/05

Sit in the Balcony

by enelra616

Not bad. Food was good and appetizing. Portions was just enough for me, but may not be for a big eater. Fair menu selection. The appetizer was interesting, but the Creme Brulee was very savory and delicious. Indoor ambience was modern. If it's nice outside, request for a table in the balcony. It's a great place to people watch. Although the service could be improved considering the money you put in. Our drinks kept coming but our server came by a couple times. Should check-up on us more frequently, don't you think?

• Pros: on-line reservations, creme brulee

04/24/05

Build a Buzz While the Kids Build a Bear

by showmethemoney

The Uva Bar is the place to hang out while the wife and kids are over at Build a Bear next door. Build your buzz with the friendliest bartenders anywhere...nice granite bar with a good selection of wines and beer. I met some interesting people while waiting for the kid to finish picking out clothes for her bear. It's a prime people watching spot too, and at night you can have a nice drink and watch the fireworks show at Disneyland. Food is ok, they offer light fare...the pizzas are pretty good. Take my advice, if the wife and kids start running towards Build a Bear, go build yourself a good buzz at the Uva Bar.

• Pros: location, friendly staff

03/04/05

Excellent food, nice ambience, fairly expensive

by erineleone

I loved the pumpkin ravioli and the goat cheese gnocchi (5 big ones to a plate instead of 20 or so little gnocchis) and my sister loved her filet mignon on top of spinach and mashed potatoes. The ambiance was a peaceful and relaxing break amongst all the kids running around in Downtown Disney. It was romantic - and even nice even with my sister, reminded me of Italy, and had artwork and music that kept up the feeling of being in a Mediterrean villa. I recommend it for a night when you want to splurge! (it was a bit expensive)

• Pros: Excellent Food, Nice ambiance, Feel of Italy
• Cons: Expensive

08/03/04

Good spots for dinner and firework

by vaine

Good to go during summer, can sit outside and see the firework while having desert. Reasonable price for great service and food. But the main dish is average, can be better.

• Pros: Services, Desert

10/07/03

Just an Average Restaurant

by sora03

I made reservations for this restaurant online one night. Upon my arrival, I was told that the kitchen was closing. The fact that this restaurant made reservations past its kitchen's hours is bad business. We waited twenty minutes for the dining room manager to come, who at least was gracious. He promised a great meal, but warned us that it would be rushed. He wasn't joking! The server was rude in his brusqueness.

The menu struck me as extremely simple for the price range. The special was fish with lemon vinegraitte and red peppers--easy to make. My dish was like this and the presentation didn't make up for the smaller portions. I had a small-sized fish fillet on top of one slice of potato, and about five cherry tomatoes.

I'm a firm believer that upscale restaurants can have normal-sized portions without sacrificing the presentation. This restaurant doesn't have that.

• Pros: Lovely decor
• Cons: Rude servers, Diet-sized portions

01/13/03

People Watching Bar

by dogbrick

We stopped at the outside Uva Bar in Downtown Disney. It's a quaint little outdoor bar and it actually has a couple of decent beers on tap. It was nice to try a nice brew from San Fran after pretty much giving up on finding something beside BudMillerCoors elsewhere. If the weather is nice this would be a good place to take a break from the Disney hustle and bustle, to kick back, enjoy a brew and watch the people go by. My only major complaint (other than lack of selection) is the price. But hey, it is Disney.

• Cons: Expensive