Bistro de Paris - still the same??

[M5ward]

...oh, and we also ate at Artist Point in January; another wonderful meal with great service. AP doesn't feel as formal and elegant as Bistro, but the food was very good.

 

[Aunt Bee]

I disagree with all of the negative reviews.

We ate there for the first time last October (I know...things may have changed in a year) and were blown away by the food, service and atmosphere! It's our first stop for us when we head back to the World this year (Sept 29th)

I find it odd that they would 'dumb down' a menu, seeing how it is NOT on any of the dining plans. Like any high class restaurant, the menu should be smaller in size and should change fairly frequently. When comparing menus online from last month as opposed to last year, I don't really find that much different. Most of the main foods are the same and they've modified the selections that go with them.

I tend to think the Pocast review mentioned earlier in this thread, which was raving about Bistro, is spot on. In no way am I changing my ADR's!!

Ditto. I love the Bistro. I'm going there again for the upteenth time at the end of October for my birthday. It's my favorite Disney restaurant and I wouldn't miss it.

Viva La France (and the Bistro).

P.S. and if you are served something that tastes "fishy" or that you don't like, speak up so they can make ammends.

Aunt Bee

 

[ElizabethB]

There is no excuse for a $35 entree of fishy tasting scallops. We should not have to tell management that. Moveover, by the time our entrees came out it was after 10 pm, it was clear the kitchen was running out of everything and the waiters wanted to go home.

Rather than complain and wait for a new entree to be cooked, while the waiters looked impatient and miserable, we chose the easy approach -- cross the restaurant off our list and never return.

 

[cbg1027]

I ate at Bistro back in December. I will preface my opinion of the place by saying that my standards for French food are quite high because I lived in France for a year.

Bistro was good. A little better than OK, but not great. I had the goat cheese app which was enjoyable, and the Lamb entree. The lamb itself was wonderful, but the sides were awful (way overcooked and flavorless).
Dessert was good, but didn't wow me.

Our server, Vincent, was lovely, although by American standards, the service was slow (but not by French standards).

We had a 7:00 reservation and the place was pretty packed. There weren't a lot of kids, but most people were dressed extremely casual and the atmosphere wasn't what I had expected. It felt more like being a nicely furnished Applebee's than a romantic French Bistro.

Bistro was good...but at signature prices I want more than good. I've been wowed at Citricos, Flying, Jiko, Cali Grill, and bluezoo.

I'm not sure if I'd return for a regular ADR. I did, however, book one of Bistro's French Regional Lunches during Food and Wine Festival. So I'm kind of giving it another chance.

My advice would be to go and see for yourself.

 

[TDC Nala]

Bistro is not operated by Disney and it is not on the dining plans, but they do have to follow some of Disney's rules (which is why they don't serve foie gras). I've been in the lobby before and watched the poor guy at the door turn away people who thought Bistro was on the dining plan - as far as I know they were having him ask everyone who checked in if they were intending to use the dining plan, since Bistro doesn't take it.

And though it's not on the plans and is marketed as a more "formal" restaurant, they are inside a theme park. So they don't have a dress code, and lately the place has been full of families with little children - apparently because they've been offering the child's menu from Chefs. This is the first indication I've seen that they may have stopped that.

I think I'm going to Bistro next month, will see how it is.

I think if Bistro had been located outside a theme park, we would not be seeing the changes in it that we have seen.

 

[sotoalf]

NOTE: For as bad as Bistro is getting, Artist Point is improving.
Over the past 12-months it has made MAJOR gains in food
quality. It now replaces Bistro on our list.

I'm glad you noticed too. I've written about our February trip: by far our best experience at Artist Point after half a dozen visits in four years.

 

[TheReason]

I second this!!
Blue Zoo is GREAT!

I've never tried Blue Zoo but I've heard good things, might give it a shot!

 

[saintstickets]

One of my favorite and must go-to restaurants is Bistro de Paris. Unfortunately last time I was at Disney we weren't able to go and lately I've read some so-so great reviews. I'm getting very nervous about one of my favorite places which I will be enjoying in less than 3 weeks! Has anyone been there lately? I realize it's expensive, that's not an issue. I'm more concerned about the food and service. I know there will be some good and bad reviews, but anyone who has been there recently - how was it?

We have limited experience with ALL the restaurants at WDW and the resorts (but we're getting there!). DW and I tried Bistro de Paris for the 1st time during our "no-kids" trip this past Nov/Dec, 2010 (TR link below). We had a late ressie so the restaurant was about 2/3's full. It was absolutely fantastic! The service, the food and the view (we had a table for 2 by the window) were great. DW and I rate Bistro between V&A and Jiko's. Again, we haven't tried them all but there is a reason for Bistro to be voted for the 3rd year in a row as the best theme park restaurant in Florida!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I'm disappointed to see so many people were unhappy with their meal at Bistro. After many years of talking about it, we finally made an ADR there for our anniversary. Our most recent meal at Flying Fish wasn't as good as in the past. I'm especially disappointed to see many think Bistro isn't as good as FF now.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Bistro de Paris unfortunately has fallen victim to the penny pinching mentality of the Disney Executives. The restaurant shares a kitchen with Les Chefs, so gone are the wonderful creative special platters, gone is the quality. I miss it but can't justify spending a small fortune for mediocrity.!

Unfortunately, this is the case with Disney dining. Some menus are still "good", but nothing unique. Sadly, most are "hit or miss", no consistency. It's quite disappointing..:sad1

 

[Claireybear]

Hi,
I have to say I disagree with all the negative views of Bistro!
First off I will say dh and I are food snobs and have spent a lot of time in Paris and love expensive French food. We were in Disney for 21 nights so spent 21 nights with free dining and ate at lots of good (and no so good) Disney restaurants. Bistro was the only restaurant we paid out of pocket for and we only went as I have wanted to eat there for years! It had high expectations to live up to as we were paying when we could have eaten on the ddp elsewhere. The service, although slow (typical of a french restaurant) was outstanding but the food was what blew us away! Having had steak at Kona, Le Cellier, Cali Grill, Teppan Edo, Brown Derby etc on the same trip the steak here was to die for!! The appetiser sent with compliments from the chef was delicious as was the wine! For dessert was crepes suzette and was the highlight of the meal!
We found the restaurant to have a lovely adult feel and although I saw one family with young children it was in no way like any of the other park restaurants!
We loved it and will definitely be going back - Disney and Paris rolled into one what could be more perfect!!
Claire

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I plan to keep my reservation. I have eaten there a few other times and always enjoyed it...

And I admit that I 'walked in' and was dressed "park casual" I realize that some of you will be upset by that, but I think that's just the risk of having this resturant in the park. The resturant is just not going to be able to have a strict dress code.

I am more concerned over the "addition" of a kids menu and the "rushed" dining expereince. It's always been a slow paced meal and I liked that. I have a feeling that the "kids" led to the "speed it up" since most kids at Disney don't want a 3 hour dinner.

Looking at the menu I don't see the "dumbing" down I do at the rest of the Epcot resturants which I attribute to the refusal to take the DDP and the low reimbursement that plan gives.

 

[AmyBeth68]

I really love to eat, not sure I'd call myself a foodie but I've dined at some of the best French restaurants in New York City, LA and Vegas. I've also had the pleasure to dine at all of the fine dining restaurants at WDW save Victoria and Alberts.

I dined at Bistro last year during F&W and had the best meal I've had on Disney property. It is in fact pricey, but I love the atmosphere and service, we were fortunate to have a wonderful server who was very attentive. It didn't "feel" like we were dining at a theme park which was probably the first time that's happened for me at a Disney restaurant. Now some might not like that, but I for one enjoyed the refined atmosphere and relative peace and quiet that a fine dining experience should provide. In my opinion this restaurant was far better than some of the other pricey Disney restaurants including most notably Flying Fish where I had an AWFUL meal and AWFUL service twice, therefore we will not return. I also feel that California Grill offers a great environment but the food doesn't live up to the hype.

My other recommendations for great food and service in line with Bistro: Artist Point, Citricos and Jiko. Without question these places live up to the price and the hype and have given us some really special and romantic dining experiences .

I have reservations for a few weeks from now at Bistro and cannot wait to return. I'll report back if things have gone down hill, but i don't expect that to happen at all.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I'm glad to read the positive reviews.

AmyBeth68, if I look at the menu to see what I may want to order, will you order that to tell me if it's good? Seriously, I'm mostly concerned about the atmosphere. I'm looking forward to your review. Hopefully, they've gotten a handle on the patrons & cut down on the noise.

 

[AmyBeth68]

I'm glad to read the positive reviews.

AmyBeth68, if I look at the menu to see what I may want to order, will you order that to tell me if it's good? Seriously, I'm mostly concerned about the atmosphere. I'm looking forward to your review. Hopefully, they've gotten a handle on the patrons & cut down on the noise.

HAHA...sure! Not sure the noise will really change, it's sort of set up in that bistro style which doesn't lend to tons of privacy, which doesn't bother me b/c it's fun to eavesdrop. KIDDING . With that said when we were there the noise wasn't an issue, it's a different "noise", as opposed to having kids running around and screaming which is more typical of the other theme park restaurants (understandably so) . Hey you can't go wrong with their menu I just wish they were allowed to serve Foie Gras (sorry PETA). It's truly one of the big things missing from their classic French cuisine. We will post reviews if anyone cares LOL....I'm not a food critic but studied French in college so I've grown to love the food and seek it out in all the cities we visit for work and pleasure. I still say Bistro holds up against some great French restaurants in the big cities, especially considering it's in a theme park!

 

[saintstickets]

I'm disappointed to see so many people were unhappy with their meal at Bistro. After many years of talking about it, we finally made an ADR there for our anniversary. Our most recent meal at Flying Fish wasn't as good as in the past. I'm especially disappointed to see many think Bistro isn't as good as FF now.

I know everyone has different tastes and that always has to be accounted for when personal opinions are given. As I stated in a previous post, we loved Bistro. We ate at both Bistro and Flying Fish during our last trip and for us, on this trip, with our tastes, Bistro won hands down! I hope you have as great a time as we did.

 

[Jitzy]

We had a great meal.

I too had heard the podcast review and having never eaten there was excited to try it. We had the price fixed menu with the wine pairing.

DH: tuna app, tenderloin and chocolate cake
Me: tomato soup, scallops and peach clafouti

The worst thing was the cake part of the peach clafouti... the ice cream was great but it is just a little tablespoon...!

What really surprised us was the noise!!! It was very loud. Lots of families with kids and groups of women who were having a VERY good time. One group was asked to leave because a guy in their party was wearing a tank top. As we left we walked through Chefs, and noticed them eating there.

We did see an engagement. Very sweet and romantic. I'm sure however, the guy was expecting a more romantic and quiet atmosphere.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I promised to report back.

Ate there this past Saturday.

It was PACKED, but there were not lots of children there (Saturday was very busy at Epcot so that may be why it was full) There was a child at the table next to me and I saw one other one. I felt sorry for the parents next to me. They really make very few accomdations for kids. They did give her a "cheese pastry" dish as I guess a 'kids meal' but there were not 'child friendly' cups etc. The little girl drank out of the same water glasses the adults did... crisis waiting to happen! Plus she was BORED and while they kept her from bothering others I didn't get the feeling it was fun The place was louder then I remembered but it was also fuller then I had ever seen it and it did not bother me.

Food was very good! For the first time I got the Prix Fixe menu with the wines. The wines are not really "matched" to the dish IMHO. The red I had was probably not the best choice with the scallop dish but the wine was very nice

Total cost with TIW as $88. In late Spring I spent well over $100 for a meal at Le Cellier (that did not include desert) IMHO the food and atmosphere at Bistro were so much better that it's not even close. Bistro's wait staff does the little things.. the crumbs are wiped up, bread plate refilled professionally, service is just much nicer and the table settings etc just reflect "upscale" none of which I felt at Le Cellier.

To borrow a phrase "I'll be back"

 

[ScoJo15]

Thanks for the review OrangeCountyCommuter! I am reporting back as well...we ate there a week ago, Thursday Sept. 29 and it was every bit as exceptional and delicious as we remembered from our first experience there a year ago.

First off the service is second to none. Every waiter/worker we walked by made sure to say hello. Our server for the evening was top notch...wine/water was never even close to empty, bread crumbs were scraped, dishes were extremely well paced...that perfect service where you completely feel taken care of, yet in almost an invisible friendly kind of way. Romantic dining at its finest!

There were a couple younger kids in the restuarant, but they were very, very well behaved. You would have never known they were there unless you specifically looked.

Finally the food was the best in WDW once again. Perfectly prepared, perfect combination of flavors and perfect sized portions.

I completely recommend Bistro de Paris for the best food, environment and service in WDW for a second year in a row. Well worth every penny

 

[TDC Nala]

I was just there on Sunday. The food was lovely and tasted good. I had a tuna appetizer and some snapper with potatoes in a rosemary sauce.

They've taken the Grand Marnier souffle off the menu and replaced it with lemon. I didn't order a dessert. and only one glass of wine since I had just come from the Mixology seminar.