Can you believe this

[Chris and Pooh]

We have just come back from a brilliant holiday with my family to celebrate my 50th at Disney. The only thing which marred it was our meal at Les Chefs de France which was unsatisfactory in part, but it was the manager's comments that we could not believe, in a nut shell, he would never eat there and the food was ****{slang word for faeces as I cannot type the word due to posting rules} (full report on tripadvisor - http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...o_Florida.html headed "Bad experience")

 

[vettegirl]

Wow that is surprising. Our loved our dinner there it was excellent. I guess it depends on your tastes and what you order.

 

[bama106]

WOW! Very surprising what the manager said to you. We have only been once, but it was really a great experience when we ate there and the food was really good.

 

[RMulieri]

wow! Sorry it was not to your liking.We have always enjoyed our meals there and found Christophe to be quite nice

 

[jb01]

Well if the manager thinks their food is ***#? that about says it all. I do not think we will be eating there again.

 

[Doctor P]

I read the review. All the manager said according to the review was that Americans would allow or appreciate real/authentic French cooking. As a result, he found the food terrible and wouldn't eat there (since it wasn't authentic French food). Not as damning as it might have seemed at first.

 

[vicki_c]

I read the review. All the manager said according to the review was that Americans would allow or appreciate real/authentic French cooking. As a result, he found the food terrible and wouldn't eat there (since it wasn't authentic French food). Not as damning as it might have seemed at first.

I would have to agree -- although the manager certainly shouldn't have used whatever language was used (totally inappropriate) -- the rest of the review really came off differently to me. I thought it sounded more like a difficult table -- sorry to the OP -- that wasn't happy with much and wanted to be comped more than the manager was willing to do. It wouldn't stop me from returning to CdF -- we had a great meal and service there.

 

[Doctor P]

I would have to agree -- although the manager certainly shouldn't have used whatever language was used (totally inappropriate) -- the rest of the review really came off differently to me. I thought it sounded more like a difficult table -- sorry to the OP -- that wasn't happy with much and wanted to be comped more than the manager was willing to do. It wouldn't stop me from returning to CdF -- we had a great meal and service there.

I agree wholeheartedly.

 

[bavaria]

I read the review. All the manager said according to the review was that Americans would allow or appreciate real/authentic French cooking. As a result, he found the food terrible and wouldn't eat there (since it wasn't authentic French food). Not as damning as it might have seemed at first.

Agreed. Knowing the restaurant, the food, the manager, and having spent countless days in my life in France, I agree.

I don't recommend Biergarten either - like the vast majority of dishes at World Showcase the food has been modified to meet the tastes of the local palate. For instance, there is no veal Schnitzel - they serve a chicken dish and call it 'Schnitzel'. Recent changes to the food prep mean that much of the food there is no longer even vaguely 'authentic'. Several CMs over the years have whispered to me in German 'don't bother', and told me how disappointing the food is to them.

Or take the chocolate shop in the German pavilion. Those slabs of fudge, and nut clusters, and rice krispie squares etc have no relation to German sweets, and you won't find things like that in Germany. I personally don't like them and don't buy them, just as the manager in Chefs de France apparently doesn't like the Americanized version of the food.

I know that when I dine in Epcot I am going to be served an Americanized version of food, not the 'authentic' version I would find in that country. If I didn't expect that I may find myself disappointed.

 

[Chris and Pooh]

I would have to agree -- although the manager certainly shouldn't have used whatever language was used (totally inappropriate) -- the rest of the review really came off differently to me. I thought it sounded more like a difficult table -- sorry to the OP -- that wasn't happy with much and wanted to be comped more than the manager was willing to do. It wouldn't stop me from returning to CdF -- we had a great meal and service there.

With respect, we were not difficult we only wanted at least acknowledgement that the food had not been served as expected, which he failed to accept in full. Thatwas when I asked for some form of compensation which was ignored. My main gripe was his attitude and the negativity towards the quality or authenticity of the food.
In contrast I have written to Disney to praise the service and food I had received especially at Le Cellier and Artists Point at the Wilderness Lodge.

If I pay good money I expect good food and service, that is not too much to ask for, and as a closing note we still tipped the waiter well as we did not regard the issue we encountered as his fault

 

[Chris and Pooh]

Agreed. Knowing the restaurant, the food, the manager, and having spent countless days in my life in France, I agree.

I don't recommend Biergarten either - like the vast majority of dishes at World Showcase the food has been modified to meet the tastes of the local palate. For instance, there is no veal Schnitzel - they serve a chicken dish and call it 'Schnitzel'. Recent changes to the food prep mean that much of the food there is no longer even vaguely 'authentic'. Several CMs over the years have whispered to me in German 'don't bother', and told me how disappointing the food is to them.

Or take the chocolate shop in the German pavilion. Those slabs of fudge, and nut clusters, and rice krispie squares etc have no relation to German sweets, and you won't find things like that in Germany. I personally don't like them and don't buy them, just as the manager in Chefs de France apparently doesn't like the Americanized version of the food.

I know that when I dine in Epcot I am going to be served an Americanized version of food, not the 'authentic' version I would find in that country. If I didn't expect that I may find myself disappointed.

Perhaps Disney should not then state regarding "Les Chefs de France" that "The classic food served at Chefs de France is inspired from the French Brasseries Bocuse. It is properly cooked with authentic tastes and respect for ingredients. The preparations are simple but the result is pack with flavor."

 

[goofy4tink]

I've eaten at Chefs just once, and won't be back again. It was the only restaurant that was available for the CP show pkg that I wanted. I refused to take it, so had to choose an earlier show in order to avoid eating there again. Our experience was not good...our server refused to get dh ice for his iced tea, we never got addtl bread..they actually brought out three tiny pieces of bread. My beef was warm, not hot. My dh had fish but found it to be very unsatisfactory. Our server never returned to our table to ask how our meal was..didn't really seem to care. Dh tried grabbing her as she walked by, trying to get some of that ice for his iced tea (which truly should have been called tepid tea). It was just not a good meal...not by a long shot. We won't be back.

But, other posters are correct. Epcot WS restaurants are not authentic. They have been 'americanized' for our palates. If they were truly authentic, it wouldn't be nearly as hard to get ADRs at them!!

 

[bavaria]

Bocuse was our idol when I trained in the kitchen. 'Inspired by' is very different than food created by him. It is the same as when I travel in remote parts of the world and see fast food 'inspired by' Americans. Even McDonalds serves things like wasabi burgers and fried shrimp burgers in Germany, as 'American' food during 'Asian' month.

The reality is that way back when Epcot DID serve more authentic foods, but the American public did not patronize those restaurants because they were not to their taste. When they dumbed down the menus and Americanized the tastes, the restaurants became popular. Ten years ago one could a better meal, and not have to wait for a table.

Now tables are full, and meals are no longer of the same quality or authenticity.

I can assure you that many of the CMs from the host countries are ashamed of what is served as 'authentic'. I know that I am ashamed of the German pavilion and lack of quality.

 

[bavaria]

Remember too that recent cutbacks and restrictions on servers and chefs means that very often one can no longer have anything served 'off menu'. I have had some excellent meals in past at WDW prepared by chefs who were excited to make something not on the menu. That really no longer happens unless one has made specific arrangements for a food allergy, etc.

Ingredients have become so limited and homogenized in the kitchens, and creativity curtailed, so that there is no longer the option to prepare a more authentic meal to meet individual tastes. No longer would I expect the kitchen to prepare me something and serve it at Chefs de France off menu; no longer would I be able to have a German chef at a mundane WDW restaurant prepare a dish 'just like I would make myself at home'.

The culinary front at WDW has changed so dramtically; it took a giant upswing several years ago and recently plummeted to a very low standard. Many of us no longer go to WDW looking for great dining experiences, or realise that we generally find those more often at the non Disney run establishments.

 

[Chris and Pooh]

Bocuse was our idol when I trained in the kitchen. 'Inspired by' is very different than food created by him. It is the same as when I travel in remote parts of the world and see fast food 'inspired by' Americans. Even McDonalds serves things like wasabi burgers and fried shrimp burgers in Germany, as 'American' food during 'Asian' month.

The reality is that way back when Epcot DID serve more authentic foods, but the American public did not patronize those restaurants because they were not to their taste. When they dumbed down the menus and Americanized the tastes, the restaurants became popular. Ten years ago one could a better meal, and not have to wait for a table.

Now tables are full, and meals are no longer of the same quality or authenticity.

I can assure you that many of the CMs from the host countries are ashamed of what is served as 'authentic'. I know that I am ashamed of the German pavilion and lack of quality.

This is a real shame, as I think the experience of tasting authentic food from around the world ( the real world not the showcase) whether it is to my taste or not is one of the great reasons why we travel.

Perhaps Disney restaurants could cater for those people who are not keen on expanding their culinary palate, but also produce genuine dishes for the more adventurous

 

[bavaria]

Unforunately I do think that your expectations are too high from WDW v2009. Perhaps if you had visited about 10 years ago your expectations would have been met. A few years ago it was bicker who told me that if I didn't like it, to try somewhere else.

I did.

Many of us did.

There is far more to see in the world than just WDW, and for those looking for an authentic experience they would be better served to travel outside WDW. Factor in the homogenization of merchandise and there really isn't the same feeling at WS that there was 10 years ago.

It's an embarassment to see what is being sold and what is being served as 'authentic' these days at World Showcase. A local Target often has a wider selection of 'German' chocolate than the Epcot pavilion, with the exception of Reber, which can be found at CostPlus World Market in Lake Mary.

 

[tony67]

To be honest this does not surprise me at all, but I say it all the time.
It's too bad that they did not address the problem and make you happy before you left, that is unusual IMO.
Especially since I think you were paying OOP.

I am also surprised they would say it to a customer that is still actually having a meal there.
I have had similar discussion with someone in France, Italy (Alfredos) and recently Mexico but always after the meals and on the way out.

He probably felt comfortable because you were European.
I have also found discussing soccer and their home countries with these folks seems to get them to drop their guard.

I had a very somewhat similar discussion in France the last time I ate there a few years back, but on the way out.
I was in Paris when France won the world cup and I talked to the manager about my experience there. I was then able to get him to discuss things about the restaurant he would not otherwise and the decline in the quality of the food.
(BTW, the cheese thing in the US really annoys me. I want real goat cheese, not the stuff they are giving us. I need to go to Canada for a weekend again)
One other thing about France. I recall they had to take things of the menu because of the DDP. I do not recall what the item was (sorry it was 4 years ago), but it was expensive and people ordered it not knowing what it was because it was the most expensive thing. They would then send it back and get something else. This got to be too expensive so they dumbed down the menu a bit.
That has lead us to the current situation. The food is usually OK, but rarely great and the staff is unhappy with the quality of what they are serving IMO.
The escargot is nothing like it was 5 years ago.

At Alredo's I talked about my trips to Rome and Milan and when I saw Italy in the 94 World cup against Spain. We then discussed some of the issues there since the DDP started. They left not too long after that. They were also irate with customers that asked for grated cheese on the fettuccini alfredo. It already has the perfect amount. They were annoyed with "Americans that want grated cheese on their chicken parmesan." They were annoyed with "people who want pepper and salt without tasting things." They had a really bad attitude in general. I liked the place but it is probably good that they are gone.

Very Recently I had a long discussion with someone in Mexico about Chivas USA and Soccer in the US. Eventually I mentioned the poor quality of the food in Mexico and they agreed. Then then told me that the waiters were not happy with it and that was why the service was so bad. He even told me that the restaurant had been reprimanded by Disney 2 months earlier. He would be quite happy to see some Mexican Street food options on the menu, but the Chefs will not make tamales, they are Chefs not street vendors. He also discussed the amounts that they are reimbursed for the DDP and its affect on things.

I gave up complaining to Disney a long time ago.
The DDP is very popular but has been the death of innovation and quality in most of the Disney Dinning locations IMO.

In the end your experience reminds me of an episode of Fawlty Towers (best Comedy Series ever IMO).
Someone tries to complain to Fawlty and he ends up agreeing and complaining back.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Arrad: Excuse me.
Basil Fawlty: Yes?
Mr. Arrad: Look, we've been waiting here for about half an hour now, I mean I gave the waiter our order...
Basil Fawlty: Oh, *him*. He's hopeless, isn't he?
Mr. Arrad: Yes, well I don't wish to complain, but when he does bring something he's got it wrong.
Basil Fawlty: You think I don't know? I mean, you only have to eat here. We have to live with it. I had to pay his fare all the way from Barcelona, but you can't get the staff you see. It's a nightmare.
Mrs. Arrad: You were supposed to be complaining to *him*.

 

[tony67]

I can assure you that many of the CMs from the host countries are ashamed of what is served as 'authentic'. I know that I am ashamed of the German pavilion and lack of quality.

One that really disappoints me are the pretzels.

They used to make fresh hot buttery pretzels for the German pavilion (4-5 years ago).

Then one night I walked from the front of the park past numerous pretzel carts, dragging my tired family with me, just to get one of these fresh hot pretzels and a beer.

Unfortunately, they had replaced them with the standard Disney Pretzel they serve everywhere. It was extremely disappointing, possibly one of my worst Disney experiences ever.

After we each took a bite and I had to explain that it was not the same Pretzel and then I returned the 3 Pretzels to the cart and the CM apologized saying she was sorry but they had just changed them about a month ago.

She gave me my money back and said we could keep the pretzels. I said no thanks and through them in the trash. She said, "Good Choice".

I did not hear the end of that from the family for a while.

To be fair I did have a difficult time finding fresh hot pretzel in Munich, so maybe the ones they used to make were not authentic, but they were great.

I'd also like to see some better German Beers to be honest.
Paulaner Weissbier or Berliner Weisse would be very nice.
How many Berliner Weisse with woodruff or raspberry could they sell in the hot Florida sun.
It would sell just for the novelty factor alone.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I would have to agree -- although the manager certainly shouldn't have used whatever language was used (totally inappropriate) -- the rest of the review really came off differently to me. I thought it sounded more like a difficult table -- sorry to the OP -- that wasn't happy with much and wanted to be comped more than the manager was willing to do. It wouldn't stop me from returning to CdF -- we had a great meal and service there.

I agree that the manager should not have used inappropriate language to describe their food, but I do know that the chefs from each of the different countries do Americanize their food because we Americans are "Picky" Eaters so to speak.

 

[RMulieri]

I agree that the manager should not have used inappropriate language to describe their food, but I do know that the chefs from each of the different countries do Americanize their food because we Americans are "Picky" Eaters so to speak.

Exactly. You want Authentic, then you look outside of a themepark for it...