Changes to Palo brunch

[mmackeymouse]

I am curious if you think there will be changes to Palo brunch, even if temporarily, since buffets seem to be going by the wayside. Will the self-serve portion of brunch be affected?

I love the entree menu. The chicken parm is one of my favorite things in life, ever. But, the magic of Palo brunch, aside from the atmosphere and quality of food, is that buffet portion. The wide variety of items. All the breads, desserts, seafood. That sticky bun, oh that sticky bun. I just don't see how they could replicate that in a non-self serve fashion.

I tend to think that with the lower amount of traffic, it would probably be fine to keep it as is. I've never been up there when there is a crowd congregating. I personally think it wouldn't be that difficult to replace/sanitize serving utensils between uses, with such a limited capacity.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am curious if you think there will be changes to Palo brunch, even if temporarily, since buffets seem to be going by the wayside. Will the self-serve portion of brunch be affected?

I love the entree menu. The chicken parm is one of my favorite things in life, ever. But, the magic of Palo brunch, aside from the atmosphere and quality of food, is that buffet portion. The wide variety of items. All the breads, desserts, seafood. That sticky bun, oh that sticky bun. I just don't see how they could replicate that in a non-self serve fashion.

I tend to think that with the lower amount of traffic, it would probably be fine to keep it as is. I've never been up there when there is a crowd congregating. I personally think it wouldn't be that difficult to replace/sanitize serving utensils between uses, with such a limited capacity.

Well, in the past, during norovirus outbreaks, they've (the servers) have done the actual serving from the food tables to people's plates. They could continue such a practice, or eliminate the buffet part of it altogether.

 

[mmackeymouse]

Well, in the past, during norovirus outbreaks, they've (the servers) have done the actual serving from the food tables to people's plates. They could continue such a practice, or eliminate the buffet part of it altogether.

That's the thing. I think many would argue that's the best part. So, if they get rid of that....is Palo brunch really worth it, would be the next question.

If cafeteria style or servers putting the food on people's plates is really the only option, then it is what it is. Maybe this is a personal thing, but I feel like I would be less likely to sample or try new things or be a bit more adventurous. I'd probably be too embarrassed to say, "Give me three sticky buns." or "Can you give me just a tiny spoonful of the...yada yada" I am sure it's one of those things that I will just have to buck up and do.

But, it would definitely damper down the experience a bit, because you are not eating as much or as wide a variety as you'd like to try, and if you are like me, the whole cafeteria style thing gives you anxiety.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'd probably be too embarrassed to say, "Give me three sticky buns." or "Can you give me just a tiny spoonful of the...yada yada" I am sure it's one of those things that I will just have to buck up and do.

I've found, when the servers were serving, their concept of "just a small portion" is vastly different than mine.

 

[disneylove69]

They will have servers serve but things would have to change a little. Maybe spread out reservations. I did see a news article that cruiselines said they buffets will have servers dishing your food which I'm fine with.

 

[TestingH2O]

Maybe this is a personal thing, but I feel like I would be less likely to sample or try new things or be a bit more adventurous. I'd probably be too embarrassed to say, "Give me three sticky buns." or "Can you give me just a tiny spoonful of the...yada yada" I am sure it's one of those things that I will just have to buck up and do.

The Dream and Fantasy have had people serving the food off and on through the past few years. My second brunch was like that actually. I enjoyed having someone serve me actually! They suggested I try some things I wouldn’t have otherwise and it was great!
The WBPC also had servers during brunch at the end, and they gave us plenty of food. I had two sticky buns instead of dessert. Mmmmm.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

I cannot see them eliminating the buffet portion at Palo as it completely changes up the experience. I am fine with people serving the food and it will likely become the "new norm" for the foreseeable future. During my last dining experience at Palo my server asked me if he could get anything else off the buffet line for me. I wish I could go back in time and request just one more sticky bun please with a side of caviar!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There was a Japanese video showing the impact of letting people serve themselves at buffets. They may have a buffet but it won't be self serve. It is not just about volume of people. It is about people, period.

 

[MomOTwins]

I cannot see them eliminating the buffet portion at Palo as it completely changes up the experience. I am fine with people serving the food and it will likely become the "new norm" for the foreseeable future. During my last dining experience at Palo my server asked me if he could get anything else off the buffet line for me. I wish I could go back in time and request just one more sticky bun please with a side of caviar!

Haha, I'm not ashamed to admit that I went back to the buffet THREE times for more caviar. It's my favorite thing ever. Probably would be smarter of them to make that a la carte rather than buffet anyway, even setting aside Covid-19.

I could see them putting out a bowl of mixed pastries on the table at the start of the meal like they do at Tratttoria al Forno at WDW (and offer refills of any favorites), and using the antipasti carts from the dinner service to deliver the meats/cheeses/seafood tableside. I don't think that would be too bad, especially if they threw in bottomless bellinis to sweeten the deal as "compensation" for the lost buffet!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

This is the article by the way. Applied fluorescent paint to one person, had 10 people dine buffet style. All 10 ended up with paint, 3 on their faces.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20200508/amp/k10012422171000.html

 

[Cruising Engineer]

I'm fine with CMs serving the buffet in Palo. And yes, "just a little" is still a mess hall size spoon full. I shamefully admit multiple trips to get more caviar also ( ....if I only had plastic-lined pockets).

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Haha, I'm not ashamed to admit that I went back to the buffet THREE times for more caviar. It's my favorite thing ever. Probably would be smarter of them to make that a la carte rather than buffet anyway, even setting aside Covid-19.

I also make multiple stops at the caviar station when doing the Palo brunch. However, I think it’s something people either love or avoid. I notice relatively few brunchers adding caviar to their plates. Okay with me, more for my plate.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

I notice relatively few brunchers adding caviar to their plates. Okay with me, more for my plate.

Thank goodness for the caviar avoiders

 

[MomOTwins]

Thank goodness for the caviar avoiders

Totally! My DH isn’t wild about it, and he likes inexpensive stuff like eggs for brunch, so between us DCL probably breaks even on food cost when we dine.

 

[Chemist]

Thank goodness for the caviar avoiders

The scene:

Holiday meal with (then) boyfriend's family (Russian, they take caviar seriously).
I choke down expensive caviar to be polite.
Boyfriend's brother wants last bit, mother insists that it is for the guest. Caviar hating guest tries to say no.

The hostess wins. The caviar hating guest gets the last bit while the hosts son who really wanted it goes without.

 

[gotomu212]

We had to do Palo wait service for the buffet once and I did get a little side eye when I said “please put some caviar ON the pretzel bread, but when we came back for dinner a few nights later our server whispered I tried the caviar on the pretzel bread and it has changed my life...

 

[Cruising Engineer]

We had to do Palo wait service for the buffet once and I did get a little side eye when I said “please put some caviar ON the pretzel bread, but when we came back for dinner a few nights later our server whispered I tried the caviar on the pretzel bread and it has changed my life...

Caviar and Champagne; they go with everything.

 

[bcwife76]

Oh another caviar lover here, look out

 

[mmackeymouse]

There was a Japanese video showing the impact of letting people serve themselves at buffets. They may have a buffet but it won't be self serve. It is not just about volume of people. It is about people, period.

By volume, I just meant that it would be easier to control how many people who go up at any one time, sanitize between guests, etc.

As far as the Japanese videos, I totally get it. Without any measures whatsoever, I can see how that can happen. But, I am sure it is possible for it to work with sanitary measures in place. After all, who's to say that same experiment wouldn't happen with the bathroom? They take away the buffet and have the CMs serve it. And all is well. Then, someone puts a contaminated hand on the bathroom door and someone else does and then, we're off to the races.

I could see them putting out a bowl of mixed pastries on the table at the start of the meal like they do at Tratttoria al Forno at WDW (and offer refills of any favorites), and using the antipasti carts from the dinner service to deliver the meats/cheeses/seafood tableside. I don't think that would be too bad, especially if they threw in bottomless bellinis to sweeten the deal as "compensation" for the lost buffet!

I would definitely be okay with that. I'd still be kind of shy about asking for more. And being specific about my requests. That's why buffets are so good for me. I don't feel like I'm being judged. Even though I know I'm not, realistically.....it's still a psychological thing I'll have to get past.

 

[MomOTwins]

After all, who's to say that same experiment wouldn't happen with the bathroom? They take away the buffet and have the CMs serve it. And all is well. Then, someone puts a contaminated hand on the bathroom door and someone else does and then, we're off to the races.

It would, which is why I never touch a bathroom door--grab a paper towel and use that to open the door.