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Enjoying a Disney vacation is so often about the rides, shows, and mementos but, thanks to some epicurean additions, it is also offers a “fast pass” to fun-loving foodies.

For one, nestled into the Disney California Adventure Park is the Wine Country Trattoria at the Golden Vine Winery. I recently had the pleasure of wining and dining at the location, which serves up fine Italian fare al fresco for adults and kids, alike.

Photo Credit: Disneyland Resort

The Wine Country Trattoria offers a quieter atmosphere that’s more refined from other eateries at the park. The restaurant features outdoor patio and indoor seating with a décor reminiscent of a Tuscan villa replete with plaster walls, timber, and tile flooring. The terrace seating with large umbrellas, flowers and herbs, and a bubbling limestone fountain completes the effect.

The cuisine theme at the Wine Country Trattoria is Mediterranean with a touch of California flair–well-seasoned, fresh, and light. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant features everything from small bites from the tapas menu to a price fixe menu along with an extensive selection of entrées—grilled sandwiches, pastas, meat, poultry and fresh fish—to suit most everyone’s tastes and dietary preferences. In fact, the chefs are more than happy to prepare vegan and gluten-free items, including gluten-free bread.

Of course, Disney always caters to the kids, and the Wine Country Trattoria offers wonderful children’s pre-fix menu options ($7.00) for Mouseketeers, ages 9 and under. There is a kids’ Antipasti plate with healthy grapes, carrot slices, and mozzarella balls that’s served with every kid’s meal and entrée choices include Grilled Chicken Breast with spaghetti and marinara; Fresh Fish of the Day with roasted potatoes and green beans; and the ever-popular Little Bell Pasta with choice of sauce—with or without turkey meatballs and marinara or a savory vegetable sauce.

For the adult fare, classic Italian favorites abound. My visit was during the lunch seating, and my party feasted on the Caprese Salad ($7.49) of tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar; the fresh sustainable grilled Sea Bass ($19.99); and the Smoked Chicken Arugula Salad ($14.99) rife with spiced walnuts, goat cheese, red onion, fennel and fig lightly tossed in a tart and sweet balsamic dressing. Also on the lunch menu are a Fritto Misto ($9.49) appetizer with calamari, mussels, green beans and artichoke hearts lightly breaded served with Pepperoncini Aïoli as well as Campanelle, Spaghetti, or Tagliatelle Pasta Your Way ($16.49), with preparation options of alla vongole, bolognese, shrimp scampi, quattro pomodoro, or broccolini aglio olio.

While wine selections are ample at this trattoria, with 25 wines by the glass alone, a tasty alternative is the restaurant’s Superfruit Sangria, which combines Eppa SupraFruta red sangria with organic grapes and a blend of pomegranate, blueberry, acai and blood orange juices topped with a VeeV Acai Spirit. Other signature cocktails are available as well.

The dishes at this restaurant are well portioned, fresh, and nicely flavored. It was hard not to fill up on the fresh, hot bread delivered upon seating, ready to be dipped into a delicious mix of oil and spices. But, however full you might find yourself after your main course, while on vacation, do be sure to cap the meal with a delicious desert like the restaurant’s Mini Chocolate Caramel Tart on the kids’ pre-fix menu or the traditional Italian Tiramisù ($6.49); Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta ($5.99); Warm Chocolate Espresso Tart ($6.49); or the Seasonal Roasted Fruit Crostata ($5.99). Or, perhaps the Godiva Chocolate Martini ($10.50) from the dessert cocktail menu will suit your fancy.

No matter your food and drink selections, when you’re ready for a park rides and recreation respite, the Wine Country Trattoria will not disappoint.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost and/or arranged to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way as per the disclosure policy on our “Legal” page***