Primo

My girlfriends and I come here for all of our birthdays and always love the food, service, and ambiance. We just went this past weekend and I think it was our favorite time here. First off, we had Tomas as our waiter, he is such a joy and provides excellent service, we really enjoyed our time with him. The food was superb this visit. I will say our last visit in May, we didn’t love the pasta we got. This time we had the bread service, mushroom arancini, meatballs, and fungi pizza to share. All of these things were delicious, my personal favorite was the pizza. The crust was perfection (I’m from New Jersey so I have high pizza standards) and the flavor was so good. For dessert we had the zeppoles which were fantastic with their sauces. Highly recommend this restaurant for date nights, celebrations, or just a great meal.

I've never cared much for restaurants on resort properties, but my visit here was genuinely delightful. Nate was our bartender the evening my partner and I visited and he made wonderful recommendations. He was warm and accommodating, leaving us to linger a while longer just to enjoy our conversations with him and the other staff. The happy hour spritzes are wildly delicious and they have an N/A option available. I appreciated the same level of care that went into both cocktails/mocktails. The roasted, herbed almonds were also a nice touch while we waited for our food to arrive. I recommend the margherita pizza for a post-pool snack to share. It was perfectly thin and light. Overall, it was a wonderful experience in a modern, but cozy restaurant and bar. Definitely worth a stop for a quick cocktail and a snack after floating down the lazy river. While we only ordered from the happy hour menu, I would certainly dine here again to experience the dinner service.

Very good restaurant. Craft cocktails were very good & our bartender was very helpful. The food was definitely 5 star delicious. The restaurant was very busy & slightly short staffed which put an extra burden on the servers, but they handled it well. We had the Pork Saltimbucca & the Lobster Pasta. Both delicious & perfectly cooked. We started with the Arancini which were delightful. We shared the Zeppenos for dessert & were not disappointed.

Thought it’s highly recommended that you make a reservation, my husband and I brought our daughter here for her 3rd birthday this past weekend. Firstly, the hostess (I believe her name was Akera), was absolutely amazing. She was able to squeeze us in at one of the tables by the bar, and not only that, but went truly above and beyond, and surprised our little girl with 3 balloons! It was so considerate and sweet! Our server/bartender was very attentive despite keeping up with a full bar. The manager came to our table and chatted with us a bit, she made sure everything was to our liking and took such good care of us. After we’d settled everything and thought we were done the manager surprised our baby with a birthday sweet with a cute edible happy birthday sign as well! This was one of the most memorable and beautiful dining experiences I’ve ever had. We had the octopus dish as well as the lobster Caio E Pepe, both the octopus and the lobster were perfectly cooked, and you can tell in the best way, that they make the pasta in-house. I couldn’t possibly recommend this place enough, they made us feel incredibly special.

Ordered food to go (back to our hotel room) at the bar. Fiancé ordered a beer while we waited. Bartender washed all of these glasses (pic) took an olive oil & bread plate outside and then served the beer. There is no one else at the bar. It is 9:16pm on a Sunday (4/27/25). Clearly he is more concerned with closing down than with guests. **Back at the room - food portion was abysmal as was the food. Ordered all 3 of the pasta dishes - bolognese, the mushroom, and the seafood. Lobster was chewy (thinly sliced and likely the size of a langostino) & sauce was bland, mushroom was greasy, and the bolognese noodles were overcooked. JW should do better for on-site dining. Saving grace was room service despite a $160 tab for "to go" food. Stinging mad at this restaurant. I would suggest eating at the downstairs bar or the Kitchen. Or get in your car and go elsewhere. I am local (Indian Rocks Beach) here for "staycation"- this place needs an overhaul. Yuck.

Not impressed. The pictures on the other reviews look wonderful and well plated. We picked up food to go - arancini, burrata salad, and the ricotta cavatelli. All were lacking. I don’t mind spending good money on good food but the salad was a joke - around 5 leaves of “farm greens”. My boyfriend and I both laughed and said oh well. But then we opened the arancini. It was served wet (sitting in a lot of sauce which made it mushy) and there wasn’t much flavor at all. The ricotta cavatelli was gummy and doughy and left a lot to be desired. Food to go is always going to be different from actually within the restaurant. But the Ritz is only a 5 minute walk from the restaurant in the JW. It should have been fine. TLDR: meh food. Entirely too pricey for portion sizes. What we ordered was over $150

It's a good place. In my opinion, not an award-winning place. I've had better experiences at other Italian restaurants. The food is good, nothing spectacular. Being inside the JW, it's very crowded with tourists. The service is good. The cost-benefit ratio is expensive.

Last night I went to Primo for my very first time and let me tell you the experience was absolutely amazing! We had a few appetizers, a main course meal and pasta. The staff was incredible, extremely friendly and all around the atmosphere was stunning. If you’re a local or just in town visiting, I highly recommend heading over to the JW Marriott grand Lakes, and enjoying a lunch or dinner at Primo!

My wife and I stayed on property and dined here 3 nights in a row. They are a busy restaurant and although you have a reservation, you might end up waiting 15-20 minutes. Well worth it! They have impeccable attention to details. The hostess was communicating and apologized profusely while we waited. Service was spot on. Very professional and friendly staff. Food was excellent. We tried pretty much everything on the menu. Kudos to the kitchen and the chef. Thank you for making our anniversary special. Well done! A++ we will be back 100%.

While staying at the Ritz Carlton, my partner and I wandered through barren convention center hallways until we arrived at the lesser, neighboring Marriot for a Primo dinner reservation. Not only was the menu quite varied and interesting, but the service was attentive and knowledgeable. Money is no issue for me, but it's also worth pointing out that the menu was reasonably priced as well. This was a fine dining experience. - Lou Sassle

Okay so this is going to be based off of my experience My partner and I have eaten here on new years day of 2024 and had a great experience and he has been there multiple times so I wanted to see the hype about the restaurant. The first time was great, the second time not so great First, they said we were checked in and had a reservation, but we had to wait which is no issue, I understand they get behind. It started to develop for almost 20 mins and they apologized and I said it's not your fault and sat down. Our server..was one of the most discrimative person I've ever met. He would take care of the customers of Caucasian decent first and would take their orders, check up on them frequently, etc. Took us 40 mins to track him down to ask about refills & our food order status. My boyfriend and I talked to a hostess since the manager wasn't available and never got a simple I'm sorry or we will discuss this right away. It's 2024, just because we are minorities doesn't make us below everyone else eating there. If this is the type of behavior that marriott tolerates then we can not give them our service in restaurants and hotels

Primo @ the JW Marriott Grande Lakes focuses on farm-to-table cuisine with Mediterranean & Italian accents. Primo procures much of its produce, eggs, honey, & proteins locally, including from on-property Whisper Creek Farm & Primo's own garden below the restaurant. Primo has been designated a Recommended restaurant by the Michelin Guide since June 2022. Chef Melissa Kelly, owner, is a 2-time James Beard Foundation award winner for NE Best Chef. The restaurant is named after her grandfather, Primo Magnani. Primo underwent a major renovation in 2021 & is light & airy. You feel like you were whisked to a Southern Italian Villa. I sat @ the bar & the service was strong. The food & beverage arrived w/in an appropriate time frame. What I Ordered the Say Less Cocktail, Zellwood Corn Soup, Primo Meatballs, Oysters Oreganata, Bread Pudding Dinner service began w/ an amuse bouche. The tuna tartar w/ mango & avocado was a well-balanced, tasty bite. Say Less featured Appleton Estate Signature Rum, Amaro Montenagro, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, & lime. The drink lacked depth of flavor & did not make the components shine. The soup was amazing & memorable. I could have had a bowl of the corn relish alone. The whole kernels provided great texture & the acid from the relish cut through the richness of the crème fraiche. I wanted to love the meatballs & I did enjoy the fresh ricotta and scamorza cheeses. I was just looking for more flavor in the meatballs. The tomato sauce was solid but not memorable. The oysters were well prepared. I loved the herbaceous quality created by the oregano and the garden greens. A squeeze of the Meyer lemon accentuated the breadcrumbs, & I appreciated the generous amount of breadcrumb on top of the oyster. The bread pudding had nice subtle notes that went well w/ the bright basil-calamanzi coulis. I thought it was a fun play on French toast sticks and liked the slight crisp on the ends. However, I feel the dessert tasted more like banana bread than bread pudding.

I was at the JW Marriott for a work event and had dinner at Primo. The service was exceptional from the host stand through to our table. Our waters were always kept full, the food never too long to come out, and the bar drinks were great. I ordered the corn soup and the braised beef tortelloni. The flavors were great and portion size were so filling. Our table also started with the octopus appetizer which was a hit. Our server brought out an amuse bouche of pimento cheese and pork rind after we were sat. It was a fun start with a seeming simple, but delicious taster to begin the evening. We live in the area and will consider this restaurant again. Pro tip: the restaurant has a wonder herb garden on the ground level below the restaurant and some herbs growing in planters on the balcony outside or the bar. It's worth a smell and appreciation if you have time.

We did 4 day staycation here and never left the property. The food at the JW did not disappoint. Primo was great! There were menu options for the entire family! Our toddler loved the meatballs and pizza! The service was efficient and friendly.

Get the rigatoni. I repay, GET THE RIGATONI. Delicious dish. I highly recommend this restaurant if you are staying on property. The ambience is bright and airy, not super intimate. Definitely make a reservation in advance if you have a party of two or more. Or just sit at the bar for quick service!

I have been here twice now and both times really enjoyed my choices. The first time I went with my family and we had the farmers salad, mushroom pizza and the pork saltimboca and they were all great. Our only issue was the kids selection as they ordered the Alfredo and it was very small portions and not much flavor, so we had to get lots of extra Parmesan to add some taste. The regular menu was great though. The service was okay but not fantastic that time. The second time I went with coworkers and we all tried different items and I really loved the meatballs and the seafood ciopino. It normally comes with fish, muscles and shrimp, but I'm a big fan of shrimp so they modified it to give me extra and no muscles which was wonderful. The sauce was insanely delicious. I could have drank it straight but the garlic bread soaked it up nicely so I could do almost that! The server was on point this night and the vibe was very nice.

Parking: hotel self and Valet Decor: fresh and modern People: bartender (Dara) amazing Food: well prepared and great presentation Price: about average for a JW Marriott location

I just adore Primo. It's quickly become my favorite restaurant on the Grand Lakes property and my go-to place when I'm on that side of town. If you haven't been since their stunning remodel (see pics), then you're missing out! Ignore all the old photos before 2021 because everything is completely different now. The new interior is absolutely gorgeous. They also have a beautiful patio area that overlooks the new pool renovation at the JW Marriott. I decided to treat myself to a resort pass at the pool and then have dinner at Primo and it was the best little daycation getaway. I've been to the new & improved Primo a few times now and the food has been amazing every time. During this visit, we started with the dicuru burrata which was one of the most beautiful burrata plates I've ever seen. I loved all the accompaniments and that you could build your own little sammies. For our main entrees, we ordered the redfish (my husband loved) and the chitarra nero which is a squid ink pasta dish served with rock shrimp and sausage... soooo good! We always save room for dessert here because I am obsessed with their affogato. It's served with 2 scoops of ice cream, espresso, and 4 zeppoles (Italian donuts) for dipping. They are so light and fluffy -- the perfect ending to any meal. We're always so stuffed after we eat here, so it's nice to walk around the massive Grande Lakes property afterwards. There's a walking path that connects the JW to the Ritz, so sometimes we'll head over their for a nightcap. As locals, this is one of my favorite ways to spend date night and feel like you're on vacation for a few hours.

This dinner was the best I have had in a LONG TIME. Longer than I can remember. The service was fantastic from seating to server to the Complimentary Amuse Bouche AND dessert from the Chef. It is an absolutely gorgeous light and beautiful atmosphere with perfect decor and is a recommended restaurant in the 2023 Michelin Guide.

This Has to be one of the worst meals I have had ever. Started off with the bread service three dollars a person that was actually fairly good especially the focaccia and then it just went downhill from there started out with a burrada which they have at the café there in the hotel same thing probably out of a package was fine for my entrée. I wanted a dish without meat or chicken Vegetarian I was surprised to see that they didn't have any pasta entrées that didn't have that option so the waiter. Let me know that the easiest one to substitute was the pasta with sausage and broccoli when I was eating the pasta dish and noticed some weird texture in my mouth and realized that it was sausage I don't eat any meat I didn't say anything, but overall food was like soup consistency, my friend got the Aji tunacarpaccio and she said it was vile that she didn't even eat it. She didn't send it back, but they actually took it off the bill. The kids food look like worse than my daughter ordered fettuccine Alfredo with chicken. The chicken looked boiled there is no sauce on the pasta looks like box pasta overall definitely not a good meal.

My cousin and I went here for my graduation dinner and this new renovation is stunning (compared to previous pictures) The atmosphere was very inviting, aesthetic and had a lot of natural light. Our server was very attentive to our needs and was informative about the menu! To start off, we got the primo meatballs with some primo bread service. The meatballs were delicious and coated in a creamy ricotta sauce. However, I cut open into one and found an eyelash :( The bread was yummy with a balsamic oil sauce, which is a classic! For entrees, my cousin got the prime ribeye which was so beautifully presented. However, it made cutting the meat and eating a bit difficult. I got the rigatoni with spicy italian sausage and silky ricotta (which was my favorite part). The silky ricotta balanced the spiciness of the sausage and tied the whole dish together. Surprisingly, the entrees were huge portions which I really appreciated! I even had extras to take home which was nice. To end the night, our server gave us mini pastries as palette cleansers/dessert to end the night with. Overall, such a breathtaking space, however, I feel like this place may be better for a brunch outing! Also, I was surprised that it was quite noisy with many kids during my visit here! All in all, the food was delicious and worth checking out.

Let's Start with service, the Hostess was friendly and patient, our server, Brandon, was one of a kind. when i say we had excellent service it would be an understatement. He was attentive, friendly, a true gem!!! We had to go back the next day for more, couldn't stay away! Thank you for making our experience memorable. 5stars!!!!! The Ambiance, omg!!! the fresh flowers, the lighting, high ceilings, just great Food is delicious, all in all, extremely satisfied.

I really struggled between four and five stars for this restaurant, and here's why the Zeppoli dessert and squid ink pasta was some of the best and freshest flavors that we've had in a while. However, the appetizers were huge let down (we got the arinchini and squid). for starters, this restaurant has a great ambience very well lit and there is a nice outdoor patio with a fire pit. The bread service, even though cost $3 a person is well recommended because they use 12 year old age balsamic. The service was very good and attentive. Espresso martini was just ok, the bar right outside in the lobby at the JW does it better. Maybe the chef had an off night for the apps, but the entree and dessert were just perfect

Three stars for a nice view to the fireworks over the lake, for a nice meat & cheese plate & yummy rib eye. The cacio e pepe was ok. The rigatoni was undercooked, and the server almost poured water into my Perier water. Lost stars due to the hostess treatment when we arrived. We had a reservation, and she waived us off and pointed to a table by the entrance. We had to emphasize that we had a reservation, to which she responded by saying it was full night. We again stated we had a reservation. We were then walked over to a nice table, by the doors, with a view to the lake and the fireworks. Close to us, at least four empty tables. SMH.

We went to Primo during our stay at the JW for a staycation. The hours are pretty weird at Primo (6 Opening at 6PM) and we went right at 6 given we didn't have a reservation. They "didn't have room" to seat us, a party of 2, until 8:30 even though the dining room was empty until 7:30 PM and we were the second group in line. This didn't mess with the quality of meal too much, but the logistics could easily be improved to allow more tables. We were directed to the bar area, which was immaculately designed and the service was fantastic. You have a view of the patio and the pool area and there was plenty of space for people at the bar and plenty of room as well. The vibe is relaxed and chill but is still worth dressing up a bit. We started with the bread serving ($3/person) which provided plenty of bread for each of us. There are three types of bread and all worth the cost. A complimentary tasting of bbq was brought out as well. Lastly we got the Bolognese and the Cavatelli. Cavatelli could have been cooked a bit more. Bolognese may have Beene better with a different pasta. But the flavor was perfect and nuanced. We may have had some nightly credit at the JW to use which helps with the cost, but I still would recommend everything we had. Only recommendation is try to do more for walk-ins, even if it is letting them know they maybe only have 60-90 minutes to eat. No one likes being turned away and seeing an empty dining room for the entirety of a meal.

We came here for Mother's day this past weekend and had an amazing experience! This italian restaurant specializes in handmade pastas, and stone oven pizzas, we got the pappardelle Bolognese , the butchers pie, and the pork belly and everything was delicious! Leah was our server and was super attentive throughout service and made our experience extra special by bringing out special Mother's day pastries at the end of the meal.

My wife's it was my wife's birthday weekend so I was looking online for Michelin star restaurants! We have recently been to a couple Michelin restaurants and loved how everything that came out. It came out with love and care for each item. It had to be perfect so I was expecting that hotel. It was literally number one on the Michelin guide huge question mark there! So when we got there we seated, we had a great seat comfortable they brought out some little hors d'oeuvre cracker right away with a beef tartare or something on top, but it seems like it was sitting in a fridge for a while and then they just pulled it out and served it to us. It didn't seem like it was prepared as we came through the door and then given to us, it was style not crispy. It was kind of blah talk to the waiter. He had great descriptions and he knew the whole menu. I asked him about the Michelin star and he said they were nominated. I didn't wanna go someplace that was nominated. I was really hoping that since it was a Michelin guide I would think it actually had a star or two anyways let's get into it. Online saw some meatballs. I figure OK let's try those they look good. It came out. Didn't look anything like what it was online the Michelin star restaurants I've went to came out. I was like dang this looks better than what they show online. It was like a piece of art, no matter what it was so I was a little bit letdown because the meatballs that they slapped on a plate with a dollop of ricotta we're just scooped up a container. It wasn't like they went back there and were like three meatballs and they cooked them. It was just fast food. It was all prepared already. It was nothing special ordered something different. His explanation for it was great when it came out. It looked nice, but it was cooked and then they just threw it in the deep fryer and gave me a little bit of sauce and I thought the sauce is where it fell short! Zero flavor explosions here we each ordered the swordfish. The swordfish was good, but it came out on a plate of lettuce or garnish plain very basic nothing special everything that they did. I could've done everything at home this falls in line with Casa Stefano , Carrabba's or Macaroni Grill at a price that is more than triple or quadruple we also had a salad farmers i think it was called ! water 1 cocktail 1 glass of wine, & tiramisu ! After a 20% tip we were just under $400 Now we have had wonderful experiences at some other Michelin star restaurants and payed about the same BUT this was not made with love ! It was not cared for ! Attention to detail there was none!!! I mean this with all my heart this is no different from Carrabba's or Macaroni Grill when it comes to quality of what comes out and we eat at those places and enjoy what we get but when your portrayal is that of something upper echelon or higher class this falls waaay short and shame on the Michelin guide for false advertising !

Great quality dishes that the kitchen takes pride in. Especially enjoyed the cavatelli pasta and the pork saltimbocca that is a generational recipe of the chef's, and oh yeah, the breads! Wonderful, friendly service. Will say we were surprised by the casual ambiance - we felt overdressed compared to other patrons and the setting seemed a bit diner-ish. The kitchen is talented and glad we experienced their work.

Was at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes for a conference and colleagues booked a group dinner at Primo. Service was efficient and the food was fantastic! The Dicuru Burrata salad (cantaloupe, arugula, sugar cane syrup, fig, balsamic, pistachio dukkah) was absolutely refreshing and the burrata went perfectly with the table bread (otherwise served with olive oil). The Fusili Bolognese pasta (shaved summer squash, calabrian chili, grated parmesan) was perfectly al dente and had just the right amount of zing). The Lake Meadow Chicken (gnocchi alla romana, arrabbiata sauce, garden vegetables) was tender and the Grilled Ribeye (green onion, creamed kale, mushroom, beef jus, crispy shallots) was to temperature and well seasoned. Desserts came family style in miniature sizes, of which my favorites were the Mini Budino and Tiramisu, though the Zeppole and Cannoli looked appetizing as well. Would recommend.

My dining experience at Primo Italia restaurant in the JW Marriott Hotel, Orlando, left much to be desired. The service, unfortunately, fell short of expectations. Our waitress seemed disinterested and was not forthcoming with menu information and her presence was sporadic at best. Moving on to the main event, the dishes varied in quality. The bolognese and rigatoni were a mixed bag - one overcooked, one undercooked, and inconsistent temperatures left much to be desired. Even the appetizer, the octopus, suffered from overcooking, although the presentation was commendable. Overall, the restaurant's performance was lackluster. With subpar service and inconsistent food quality, I'd rate Primo Italia a mere 5 out of 10. There's certainly room for improvement in both the kitchen and front-of-house operations. Despite the shortcomings in service and food quality we appreciated the gesture of the chef in offering us complimentary desserts. This thoughtful gesture demonstrated a commitment to guest satisfaction and showed a willingness to make amends for any shortcomings. Though our overall experience may have been less than ideal, the chef's generosity left a positive impression, and we appreciated.

Excellent food. We didn't have a reservation and the wait was over an hour, so we just set at the bar and were not disappointed. Tried some minty mocktails and liked it a lot.

Excellent food and service! We enjoyed several excellent dishes and the service by Jordy was exceptional. After uncorking a brilliant 2007 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon, we enjoyed the following: Primo began with an unexpected quick bite of: Carrot hummus with shrimp tomato sauce on cucumber which was deliciously bright and fresh Various fresh breads cooked on site and dipped in olive oil and their 12 year aged balsamic French onion soup with the divine taste of being cooked for hours EXCEPTIONAL! Burrata mozzarella salad which was described as "So FRESH" Primo's Signature James Beard award winning Pork Saltimbocca with mash, where the au jus was reduced 3 times over 9 hours Linguini with crab (This plate was licked CLEAN!) Golden Tile In bouillabaisse broth was the fresh fish of the day selection Our dessert topped off the meal with a shared: Warm chocolate molten budino cake with raspberry sauce and fresh mint ice cream Primo completed the meal with another surprise: Orange almond cookies Red velvet raspberry bites Our guests couldn't have been more thrilled! And other than the loud music from the bar (our table was closet to the bar) this dinner was exceptional! Next time I will reserve a private room. :D

food & service could not be better. The menu is small, but everything on it is beyond exceptional. It is always hard to decide what to get. The bread service, the milanese, saltimboca and fish are all so flavorful- not at all heavy and super fresh. everything is great here!

Amazing quality food. We got the bread service which had 3 types of bread, a Margherita pizza and the rigatoni pasta. Everything tasted great, full of flavor. The server brought out beef tartar for all the tables to try, and they surprised us with an apple pie since we were celebrating an anniversary. The service is great here, everything is refilled and tended to immediately, we will definitely return.

I'm not gonna lie. I saw the menu beforehand what I had in mind for the night was not available that day. The atmosphere was great. Well decor with very attentive service. There was a little bit of a wait with a reservation but worth it. The food was a little pricey but it's expected for the area and given the flavor and quality of the ingredients I believe it's well worth it. Will definitely be back in the near future.

Dinning at the newly renovated PRIMO Restaurant at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes was an utterly refreshing experience. The new layout, bright colors, and seating arrangements really heighted the culinary experience. Speaking of, the food was amazing. The plating presentation and the service was a step above the rest. We dined at the bar and devoured the Octopus, the Fettuccine with Oxtail, and the Prime Beef Ribeye (WOW). All must tries and must shares.

Was invited to a business dinner here and really enjoyed it. Nice wine list and excellent seafood. We ordered the charcuterie and oyster apps and they were both good. Three of us ordered fish main courses and one ordered a flatbread and we all were happy-

I've visited this restaurant twice so far, and have no complaints. The food is remarkable, best Italian restaurant in Orlando in my opinion. Faves: - Sautéed Scaloppine of Pork Saltimbocca***** (favorite dish anywhere) The saltiness and consistency of the sauce is similar to masala wine. - Great Cocktails - Their pastas are cooked Al Dente as they should be - The wait staff is friendly and knowledgable Better than Ok: - If you love pepper, you'll love their Rosemary chicken, but it was too spicy for me. - Their gnocchi was soft on the inside with a slight crisp on the outside, so overall, perfect texture. If you love garlic and pesto, this dish is for you. Meh: - If I HAD to nit pick, my only grievances were that they forgot to bring us our bread, we had to ask for it again and ate it after our entrees. - Their pasta Bolognese didn't impress me, but sausage lovers will love this dish. More info: - Clean and spacious ambiance - Parking validation: if you park valet and bring your voucher/ticket to the host stand, they will validate your parking, so you only have to pay tip. - If you have reservations you'll get seated right away. - They have a bar for walk-ins. - The dress code is dressy casual to semi-formal. (we went dressy casual because we were celebrating my sister's birthday) - They have vegetarian options - Their menu changes often so looking at the online menu doesn't help lol.

Hmmm, why didn't I come here the first night I checked in? This place is so chill and pleasant. Since I didn't have a reservation, I thought I'd sit in a couch bench near the bar. I wasn't that hungry but I thought I better get a bite before heading upstairs to my room at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes where this restaurant is located. It seems that they are only open at dinner time so I had an early supper. The staff was sweet to accommodate me and I was happy to just get in without a reservation. Since it was just me, I didn't want to order too much and be stuck with leftovers that I couldn't enjoy later so I opted to have an appetizer instead. First they served a nice amuse to tempt your palate, it was very delicious indeed and complimented my hot steamy tea. I ordered the Arancini. It was a generous portion and so delicious. The outside was nice and crispy while the inside was warm and comforting. Being Asian and far from my local Hawaiian dishes, I was craving the closest thing to rice and this hit the spot so nicely. Sorry, it was really tasty so I ate it all quickly and so no pictures. I enjoyed my tea and the staff was so attentive to fill my pot with more hot water and a refresher that I didn't have to ask. I decided that I wanted something sweet so I ordered a take out to something similar to a fried donut bursting with chocolate which complimented my savory crispy rice balls of yummy. If I ever head back this way again, I definitely will be bringing my family here maybe for a full course of amazing and quality food!

Salty food, noisy restaurant. But good bread and good wine offerings... The bar where we waited to be seated was casual and service was fast. It went downhill from there. For some reason they sat our party of four at a six-top right at the entrance. One side of the table was a cushioned bench, and the other side had chairs. The bench was a little too low for the table, so three of us sat in chairs and my husband sat on the bench. It was an awkward setup, the restaurant was noisy, and conversation was challenging. The bread we ordered was delicious. The charcuterie was a huge presentation, but the variety was hit or miss. The meats were good. The cheeses were just okay, except for the very dark blue cheese--creamy and good. The honey was locally harvested, which is a lovely concept, but the comb was all smashed into the honey making it too waxy to enjoy as part of the charcuterie board. The entrees were all too salty. I had a Farmer's Salad, and I expected the bacon to be a little salty, but everything was salty, even the vinaigrette (which, by the way, was pre-tossed--ask for it on the side if you're concerned). Overwhelmed the salad. My husband had a pork dish, also exceptionally salty. The two others had pastas--they didn't mention why, but none of the four of us finished our dinners.

The food is pretty good, with a decent sized menu. The service was pretty slow, and it seemed like they were understaffed. The prices are somewhat high and it isn't for everyone. I would recommend Primo if you're in the JW Marriott or Ritz Carlton, and you just want to eat somewhere close.

We had a lovely time at Primo! It was by far our favorite restaurant at JW/Ritz resort...and we've tried quite a few places the last couple of days. We started with the charcuterie board and bread w olive oil and balsamic. Both were absolutely delicious! The charcuterie board was bigger than I was expecting too. We then shared the kale salad and margarita pizza. Both were very good, the crust on the pizza was so good! We finished with the chocolate cake and an affogato which were by far the best desserts we've had this weekend. I wish we would've been here sooner since we're leaving tomorrow. Highly recommend!

Service is impeccable. Food and drinks are always solid. Had the grilled octopus, bread basket, farmer's salad, and pizza al forno, which was a white pizza with toasted pine nuts and grilled broccoli rabe. For dessert, I had the summer pavlova with lemon whipped cream, mascerated strawberries and a bergamot foam, which was delicious but could have used a little more lemon to cut the sweetness. Pavlova was baked to perfection. My husband had the tiramisu cheesecake which was delicious but more like a deconstructed tiramisu. The amaretto cookies were crunchy and the coffee flavor was on the side in homemade ice cream. Again, it was delicious, but wasn't what he expected based on the name. Overall, it's always a pleasurable dining experience at Primo!

My boyfriend took me to Primo because it had apparently been rated one of the best Italian restaurants in Orlando. We had a reservation for 8:30 PM. I'm not sure how busy the restaurant gets, but I think it'd be your safest bet to make a reservation. The ambiance of the restaurant was beautiful -- very elegant, warmly lit, and architecturally beautiful. It definitely added to the culinary experience. We started off with the arancini and the bread service ($3 per person). If you're a warm bread/olive oil/balsamic vinegar type of gal, get the bread service! It's worth every drop of oil. You can tell that they don't use the cheap stuff for the dipping plates. The arancini is also a must-have. It's fried, saucy, cheesy goodness with risotto. The server was a little pushy with the cocktails, which was slightly off-putting, but the food was great otherwise. For the main courses, we ordered the squid ink pasta and the pappardelle bolognese. The squid ink pasta was good, nothing exceptional really. It tasted like it should have, but just a touch too lemony. The pappardelle, on the other hand, was SO GOOD! My boyfriend and I couldn't stop eating it and finished every bite of it. We had put down that we were celebrating a birthday on the reservation, and the server gave us a little plate of cookies and chocolates after the meal (on the house).

12 years since my last review of this place? How time flies! I believe they updated the decor, and it's light, relaxing, and inviting. The service is approachable, yet knowledgeable, and they explained the menu and each of the dishes professionally. We started with the octopus, served warm in a small salad with spicy chorizo slices and a purple potato (or something that resembled such a root). Absolutely delicious and perfectly prepared. For mains, we had the pasta bolognese - a fresh take on a classic dish - and their house specialty Pork saltimbocca. Both were perfectly executed and balanced in flavor. The wine list is well thought out, and there is enough choice in wines by the glass to please any sort of connoisseur. Loved the food and atmosphere!

First -Jared is an amazing waiter. My wife, daughter, and myself all agree. Once you get past the awesomeness that is Jared you are taken on a culinary journey of texture, flavor, and presentation. We had an early dinner so decided to try antipastos and dolce last night. The Foie Gras on Pumpkin French Toast was fantastic and the grilled octopus was everything it promised to be. For dessert the apple crustatta was light and flaky while the cheesecake tiramisu was as promised: as if it fell from the sky. We returned to try the entrees. While veal saltimbocca will remain my favorite of the saltimboccas their pork version held up with fresh black pepper undertones and tender pork cuts and creamy mash. We all went in a different direction with the desserts which again impressed. The carrot cake was light, moist, and delicious an very nice departure from the traditional dense/heavy offerings we are accustomed to. They do need to work on their espresso. Both nights I had a double and both were very bitter with no crema. Primo currently exists in Maine and Florida. If you are in the area give it a try.

Everything was next level. Every bite and taste felt new and satisfying. We tried the mussels, 3 pastas, and 2 desserts and each one took us for surprise. I would eat here weekly if I could. Leah was our server and did phenomenally. I would highly recommend this spot for those who seek fantastic flavor.

Nice ambiance at the JW, but the ambiance is the best thing about this restaurant. Food was average at best. Sadly, the tastiest item at our table was our sons pizza. The salad I had was underwhelming, as was the squid ink pasta my husband ate. Kids meals are $20+ and they nickel and dime for bread. Our waiter brought to our table what we thought was complimentary bread (it is an Italian restaurant after all), but alas, they charge per person and don't mention the cost. When we brought it up, they couldn't have cared less. We still have another week at this hotel, so Uber eats it is. This place doesn't deserve a second visit.

Food was great. Came for valentine's day special menu and really enjoyed the interior design and build of the restaurant. It's inside the JW Marriott building so you can walk around after. Service was meh. Honestly worst part of the experience. WARNING Valet parking is $50!!! They do not tell you at any point that you have to pay FIFTY DOLLARS just for parking. Ruined the whole experience ! So upset.

We had an exceptional evening at Primo. The atmosphere of the restaurant is beautiful, light and airy. We had a reservation and we're seated immediately, with the hostess also wishing me a happy birthday (we had come for a birthday dinner date). Our server came right out and was extremely friendly. I am pregnant so I asked if they had any mock tails available - he offer to have the mixologist whip up something unique based on what I liked. It was amazing! The timing of the food was perfect. We got bread and the meatball appetizer. The chef also sent out little mini selections - such a thoughtful gesture. For dinner, I was able to have two half pastas, the bolognese and the rigatoni which were some of the best pasta dishes available in Orlando. You can't beat homemade pasta. My husband had the pizza, which he said was a little greasy but the flavor was amazing. We debated on which dessert and went with the goat cheese cheesecake, but our server also came out with mini cannolis and a happy birthday. So thoughtful! The cheesecake is outstanding. Friendly service, thoughtful gestures, a true love for food, amazing presentation, a beautiful environment. We can't wait to come back!

The hostesses are RUDE and ARROGANT. They are smug and condescending. The place was half empty and they said zero availability so sit at these little waiting area tables to eat like a child banished to the kiddie table at Thanksgiving (unfortunately no tv and no Lions game on either). The food was mediocre for the price and frankly the decor is dated. They have cheap plants hanging above the bar area and there was dust on some of the surfaces. I didn't pay attention to the health code violations listed here on Yelp but should have. Don't eat here. The JW Marriott should be embarrassed and as guest here, I am disappointed to be a Titanium member.

Wow! The food was magnificent here! I had a vegetarian pasta dish, a ravioli of some sort with crispy wild rice, it was SO GOOD. My husband had fettuccine and he loved it. The dessert was incredible. Highly recommend this place!

The food was OK, but the price tag certainly warranted better than OK. Pizza crust was chewy and the pasta sauces were Americanized (could have been at Carrabbas and saved some money), but the arancini were very tasty, but small. The service was awful, from not having the correct height highchair for the odd height "high top" tables, to the unconcerned manager, and the wait staff that spent more time talking to each other in the corner than attending to the table (dishes were not cleared, water not refilled, etc.) without asking. We were a larger group there to celebrate an occasion as a family and were very disappointed.

Primo is not a good restaurant. Calamari was burnt and greasy. Worst calamari ever. Plus it was expensive. How can you screw up fried calamari??? My wife's meal included shrimp which was mushy & terrible. The bread was stale and hard. Beautiful hotel and lazy river. Don't eat at PRIMO!!!

Wow. Their food is some of the best we had in a while. Our waiter was explaining how most of what they carry is farm to table. I had the Ribeye, amazing melt in your mouth & my boyfriend had the Pork with Mash Potatoes. Their sause takes 8 hours to create and I see it why Delicious

Ate dinner here while staying at the JW. Phenomenal. The original location is being renovated so we were in the Citron location which is a little outdated, but the new renovation promise an ambiance that matches the food. The food was just amazing. Service was prompt. We were a table of four with two kids. They are child friendly. The kids loved their food and wiped their plates completely, which by itself says a lot. We tried the farmer salad for an appetizer. The ingredients are all farm to table and it shows. The salad was perfection. For an entree I had the short rib fettuccini, which is not a classic fettuccini. It was delicious. The short rib was cooked perfectly, tasted wonderful and the pasta was great. My wife had the potato truffle pasta which also was delicious and had a unique flavor. Dessert was also delicious. Overall reasonable prices. The food and the service were impeccable. Will definitely come again here.

We first came to Primo years ago and loved it, making sure it was booked whenever we visited the Grande Lakes property and were excited to see the remodel and new menu. Fabulous in every aspect. It's bright, light, trendy and has that perfect modern day Mediterranean feel that both makes you feel at home and like you are at a far away resort. The menu isn't huge, but each dish you can tell has been created with a purpose, and such care to detail. Even as a foodie Ill admit I googled a few ingredients to see what all certain dishes entailed. We started with cocktails (which was a great choice... fabulous bartender). I had a gin based cocktail that tbh I wasn't sure of all the ingredients but felt confident it would be the perfect blend. My bf had a Manhattan and was also equally impressed. We stayed with bread service, initially a little put off by the $3pp charge, but with the bread being homemade I suppose it keeps people from asking that don't really want any. Also, super tasty; a carmelized onion and rosemary focaccia, a sesame crusted white baguette and a wheat sourdough served with olive oil and aged balsamic. We were STARVING and opted for a pizza as our starter and went with the salami. Nice and thin and extremely flavorful, the salami had a little kick and despite not looking overly fancy, was so so tasty. My bf went for the rigatoni and I had the big eye tuna appetizer as my main. The tuna was the perfect portion and the accompaniments with it were outstanding. I would never have thought to pair some of the textures and flavors, but each bite was better than the next. The rigatoni was hearty and gone pretty fast! I was excited to try dessert and we settled on sharing the zeppoles. The seasonal sauces were a dark chocolate Ganache and an apple caramel. The outside of the zeppoles was light and slightly crisped with perfect cinnamon sugar dusting. The inside was a bit eggy and undercooked for my liking, but the portion was huge and the other tables around us certainly seemed to enjoy them; so I'm leaving my eggy comment, but each has their own taste preference! I wish I would have been able to try another dessert offering! The chef came out to talk to the table next to us and suggested the goat cheese cheesecake (sounds amazing right) and there were a few other items that sounded fabulous I look forward to trying soon. All of this partnered with outstanding service by our waiter Drew. He patiently answered so many of my questions, made suggestions and told us more about the farm and garden on property. His interest and pride in working there certainly matched my interest and love of food. We look forward to coming back and will reinstate Drew again if able!

I absolutely love this place! I looked at my mom and she seemed to be enjoying her steak a lot. So I asked her, "Do you love this steak more than me?" It took her about a minute to process it but she seemed to really love this steak. The ribeye steak is her favorite!