Chefs de France - a grand disappointment!

[Aimeedyan]

Like all Disney restaurants, Chefs is hit or miss.

We went in Sept 06 and had an okay meal. Service was good but atmosphere was noisy and cramped, food was okay.

Went back in August 07 for a late lunch and had one of the best meals on property to date. EXCELLENT food, service, bright beautiful uncrowded atmosphere.

You can't take any Disney restaurant at a few reviews or never give it another try. We had an absolutely miserable Le Cellier visit but will try again in awhile as it's hit and miss, just like others.

 

[ntsammy5]

Like all Disney restaurants, Chefs is hit or miss.

Very astute observation

 

[ElizabethB]

We used to love Chefs de France -- it was a must do for us. But, no more. They've jammed so many more tables in now, it is so crazed and noisy and the food has declined in quality and variety. We crossed it off our list about 3 years ago.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Chefs used to be one of my favorites. The last couple of trips has changed that. It has lost it's ambience. ( the menu isn't that great anymore either) Glad to hear the reviews on Le Cellier. We are trying it for the first time on our next trip.

 

[Dana49]

We usually have an early lunch at Chefs de France, so we normally don't have a problem with it being loud and crowded. We do on occasion have a server who's seems not to be overly thrilled with being there, but we always feel that it can happen most anywhere. Next time, try lunch and see if it helps.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We went on October 10th by accident (LeCell had problems with their kitchen and couldn't cook anything that night) They got us a reservation for the same time at LesChefs. They assured us at LeCell that LesChefs had the menu that was most similar to theirs.

Boy, is THAT a loose interpretation! But, yeah - I mean, San Angel, Akershus, Nine Dragons, Biergarten, etc.,,, all don't have the same type of food. But heck - Chefs doesn't have any steak on the menu - so how is THAT 'most similar' to Le Cellier??

 

[Piglet's Momma]

Oh, that's too bad. We ate there once on a past trip, and found the servers and staff more than accomodating (although they were out of DH's favorite drink, Orangina) and quite friendly. Similiar to what someone else said, maybe it helped that DH is half-French and we chatted a lot about France with the server. And we ate an early lunch- it wasn't noisy or crowded at all.

That said, we unfortunately won't go back- DH didn't find the food up to par (he said the snails tasted too much like dirt).

 

[jess20k]

I am sorry for your disappointing time. We usually love Chefs de France, but things can happen anywhere. It is especially a shame that it had to happen on your special event.

 

[bavaria]

(although they were out of DH's favorite drink, Orangina)

on a totally unrelated topic to Chefs....

Tell your husband that there is now Passionfruit Mango Orangina in Europe (they often release special flavours in Europe....)

 

[La2kw]

We have been dining at Chefs de France for years and have always had excellent meals there.

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

Our family ate at Chefs de France on Saturday, Nov. 17th. It was our 10 year anniversary and on our honeymoon we had a wonderful dinner in the Bistro upstairs. Since only Chefs is on the dining plan, I thought this would be a lovely choice for us with the children. Boy, was I wrong!

I had previously called to surprise my husband with an 8" anniversary cake with Mickey and Minnie on top saying '10 magical years - happy anniversary' in French. I spoke to the head chef for epcot who put me in touch with the baker. The head baker (and cake order taker) made a note and email about the cake to the baker/ chef at France. I spoke to LeChefs directly just prior to our departure. Yeah, yeah, you can guess what happened. Of course they lost all notice of the cake, what I paid, and completely ruined the surprise for my husband/kids. (we completely left at this point and didn't even get the DDP deserts)

Not to mention that the ambience was absolutely over-crowded and mind-splittingly noisey; our meal took 1 and 1/2 hours to get to our table (!!!!) and our french waitress was clearly not thrilled to be dealing with american tourists. (why apply for the college program then?) So unfriendly and snobby!

I know it's the only epcot restaurant operated by a non-disney third party, and it is quite obvious!

We had the same thing happen at Ohanas for my 40th bd a few days back - my DH reconfirmed even twice during during the meal - then when they were supposed to bring it out there was no cake. To add insult to injury we never even got credited back for a cake we never got but paid for. I tried three times after I got back but just gave up. Been there - done that - know how you feel.

 

[BoomNLeon]

Sorry you had a bad time. We ate at Chefs in September and it was the worst dining experience of the trip. We were lucky to have some really great dinners in Sept, but Chefs was really a disappointment. I agree the indifference the staff showed us was what got to me. Our server tried hard to make things right, but it was a lost cause.

We will be eating at Bistro next September. Hopefully it will be a better experience.

 

[princessesrule4]

Thanks for the review. I keep thinking we need to try this but I really don't hear very many good reviews anymore.

 

[JennyDrake]

I have onlye aten tehre once, and it was a year ago. The food ranged from pretty good to pretty "meh." The server was OK, a little indifferent and must have mentioned at least 6 times that the gratuity was not included. The table next to us, which had a fueding family was almost seated in our laps. There are so many good places at Epcot, that I won't be back.

 

[dzneelvr]

I loved your term "grand disappointment" we felt that exact same way at Alfredos...even gave it a couple chances over the years...service was snooty, food horrible (lukewarm if that and no better than chefboyardee ). we go into the experience with an open mind because we love to try new spots every year, but when you are paying extra $$, it makes for extra disappointment. You also gave me second thoughts about ordering a special cake for our anniversary trip this summer. I DO NOT want to go through all the p's and q's and then have it fall through like yours did. Thanks for the honest report.

 

[BrianPJ]

I am so glad to see people having the same opinion of Chefs de France; I thought I was just being overly critical of the restaurant. I've been there about three times over the last four years, and each time I walk out of the restaurant thinking that it should have been so much more enjoyable. Whether it's the dumbed-down menu (macaroni and cheese? roasted chicken and mashed potato?) or the noise level, or the indifferent service, I keep going back expecting it to be better than the last time.

Every time I walk out of the Kona Cafe, or the Whispering Canyon Cafe, or even the Yakitori House or Flame Tree Barbeque, I feel that I had a nice meal that left a smile on my face (and probably a stain down the front of my shirt).

The next time I think of eating at Chefs de France, I'll steer myself upstairs to Bistro de Paris (after a quick stop at the champagne kiosk, bien sûr).

Wow, I hope I didn't sound too cranky! I didn't realize how much Chefs de France was starting to bug me!!!

 

[jade1]

We did the DP in July and France was very good we thought. I had the filet and it was very good, DW had the shrimp and whatever fish this is and said it was also very good. Course we didn't order a cake and I cant remember how long it took.

 

[TLSnell1981]

on a totally unrelated topic to Chefs....

Tell your husband that there is now Passionfruit Mango Orangina in Europe (they often release special flavours in Europe....)

Could you bring some over for us? It sounds delightful! (and it will probably be a while before I can cross the pond...euro vs. dollar)

 

[annie_in_wonderland]

I respect your opinion but I just have to say it is one of our favorites!

We love talking to the French kids (my kid actually has exchanged emails with them) and we love going there for lunch. It is one that we never ever miss!

Actually I think it is pretty authentic in terms of a busy, noisy European restaurant and not meant to be extremely fancy.

 

[annie_in_wonderland]

. The wait staff was rude. (no surprise there).

What an odd comment. We have met some really lovely young people there.

Are you sure you didn't set the tone?