Bistro de Paris

[WDW Princess]

Hi all! I am completely new to this forum but so happy I have discovered it! I was starting to worry about my mental state as I am in my late 20s but absolutely love (no, LOVE) WDW and get butterflies in my stomach every time we plan vacation or weekend there. It’s good to know there are other adults that love Disney just as much!!!

This being said, I wanted to share our experience at Bistro de Paris last weekend. We have never been there and my husband decided to take me to BDP to “cure” my homesickness (I have lived in France most of my life and even after 10 years in the US still get very homesick). We hoped for a delectable and romantic dinner, savoring foods that would remind me of my childhood. Not so! I was disappointed almost to tears! There was very little of the real French cuisine and food was at best mediocre and extremely bland. A few people, with whom I had a chance to speak of this restaurant, mentioned that it was not a child-friendly place and this is what we hoped for: romantic ambience – instead they put a kid right on top of us, who kept looking over into our plates and talking loudly so the tables are NOT generously spaced as promised (I know, I know, it’s Disney – it’s for kids, but it’d be so nice to have a dining experience, at least for once, without screaming kids). The best part was being able to speak French to the au pairs that worked as waiters, but that’s about it!

The deserts are ok though. There has never been a time when we did not enjoy a restaurant at WDW park – this is a first for us! I guess when it is listed as “French Cuisine”, I expect French cuisine. And this was anything but… As a true connoisseur of anything yummy French, I certainly do not recommend BDP. Thank you for letting me vent (I should have probably written something more positive for my first post, huh?)

 

[Uncleromulus]

Sorry about your experience--. We've learned over the years to expect kids at every WDW restaurant, so seeing them at Bistro would not have been a suprise. And not too suprised at the table spacing either--that seems to be an "Epcot" sort of thing.
Anyway--what did you actually have that evening??

 

[Leota]

WDW Princess, I'm sorry about your experience. I had the same reaction to my experience at Chefs (downstairs) I was trained in Classical French & worked in several classical & noveau French restaurants. I was looking forward to enjoying some of the delicious food I was surrounded by "back in the day" (I am retired from the restaurant business now)

What a let down! There was no character, no joy - it was bland, bland, bland.... I realize that I was expecting too much from a Theme Park restaurant which caters to mass appeal. But, I was hopeful that a World Showcase restaurant would truly showcase the cuisines of the countries they represent, not some mass American interpretation of that cuisine.

After the disappointment of Chefs, I never again considered Bistro, no matter what the menu promised.... I didn't want to be let down like that again.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

We had lunch in the downstairs restaurant the other day....and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.....we had onion soup, croque monsieur, a tart with onions and bacon and a goat cheese salad....the food was plentiful and good. I was rather surprised as I have not thought it was a great representation of French cuisine, but did think it was quite good this past week and service was very attentive.

 

[jarrdisney]

WE actually enjoyed Chef's to the Bistro, especially considering the pricetag. We had the tasting menu when we went to the Bistro and there were kids everywhere. The wine list is juvenile and the food is far from fine dining status. I would suggest victoria and albert's if your looking for a great new american/french fusion. Their Foie Gras is to die for.

 

[WDW Princess]

Hey guys. I just wanted to say that I wasn't complaining - I was just venting and wanting people to know that if they are willing to spend 100-150$ for a nice authentic French dinner, there are other restaurants out there that are quite good. Bistro de Paris is just not worth it. And, I guess, I didn't want people to think that this is what France has to offer. We do have such scrumptious foods over there!!!!!

Leota, as you said, perhaps, I was expecting too much from a theme park restaurant.

Uncleromulus, I had their chicken dish (tasted like boiled chicken, which I like, but not at a restaurant )and my DH had the tenderloin - very bland and nothing "tender" about it. And I definitely have absolutely nothing against kids (sometimes it's the parents, really, that have no common sense, but I guess if it was my child I would certainly want to make sure he or she does not inconvenience other patrons - just wanted a nice romantic dinner as promised .

Mackey Mouse, I can't say anything bad about the service - it was impeccable. We've never tried to eat downstairs but as you said yourself, it is probably not the best representation of French cuisine.

But you know what, this was the first time that I was truly disappointed with a Disney restaurant - we both enjoy trying different cuisines every time we go there!! And for me, no bad dining experience is bad enough to ruin our Disney weekends/vacations!! Hey, if I can have with me 2 out 4 men I love more then anything in the world (my DH and Mickey Mouse are first two I am referring to and the other two are my Dad and my brother), then what is one bad dinner, right? Especially, considering all other great delicatessen possibilities that are out there!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Hugs to WDW Princess....I know how sad it is when you feel disappointed when you have great expectations..

Hey, I just came off an 11 day WDW cruise where the food was less than adequate and the cruise was very expensive......am I ever disappointed....

Maybe that is why the restaurant in France seemed good to me....food came in a timely fashion, was hot and tasty, and the service was good....something that was pretty much lacking on the cruise. There were some good meals on the cruise, but on the whole.. not good.