Paradiso 37 Opening Day Review and Photos

Several years ago, Raglan Road opened at Pleasure Island – bringing in good food and fun entertainment, and it's been the one bright spot on the Island since the clubs closed late last year.   Paradiso 37 is now helping to fill the void left between the Marketplace and the West Side.

I have been following the construction of Paradiso 37 since the beginning, and it's nice to see it finally realized.  Celebrate Tonight aside, there has been a need for nightlife at Pleasure Island and Paradiso 37 has live entertainment scheduled each evening.  How Disney will be able to operate the loud street party at the same time will be interesting to see.

 

 

Many of the menu items are listed outside:

 

 

 

The front entrance:

 

 

I was seated quickly since it was midday, I'd left Star Wars Weekends early due to the heavy rain.  The view from my seat included a part of the kitchen area, the tequila bar behind me, as well as one of the pieces of artwork being hung on the ceiling:

 

 

 

For an appetizer, I ordered the Mexican Chips and Salsa ($3.99).  The salsa is incredible, thick but not too spicy.  The restaurant fire-roasts the tomatoes, and it takes 2-3 days to make the salsa.   You'll see below that even the water is served with flair, in a bubble glass with a lemon.  The only complaint I'd really have is that I felt a little pushed to buy alcohol (not by my server, but from the employee who took my drink order).  They do carry 37 kinds of tequila and show how cold the beer is on a visible thermostat.  I still had a half of a bag of chips left when my salsa ran out, I didn't ask for a replacement nor was I offered one.  (I was okay without, since I still had a meal coming!)

 

 

 

While I was waiting for my food, I took a few photos.  Later, I took a 30 second video clip as well.

 

 

For my entree, I ordered the Tres Tacos ($11.99).  There are only one or two items on the menu that are less expensive, so I would put this restaurant in at least a moderate price category for Disney property.

 

 

There are a variety of different fillings for the 3 tacos, and you can mix them.  I had two beef and one chicken – other choices include pork and mahi mahi.   The tacos are small, but come with a tasty cilantro rice along with carrots, coleslaw and beans.  My server said that the beans were the best he'd ever had, but I wouldn't know what is good or bad with black beans (I don't tend to eat them).  I did take a quick taste.  As far as the meat, my chicken was a little too dry.  The beef was much better, and went well with the diced tomatoes and onions.

 

 

 

While waiting for my dessert, I took some photos: