Chefs de France

[Amberleefuta]

I just switched our teppan edo reservation to chef de france on November 16th. We are eating at 750. Will we still be able to see illuminations? Also is this a good choice? It is just my husband and I and we have never eaten here.
Thanks so much!!

 

[frannn]

We have eaten at Teppan edo many times and CDF once. DH prefers TE, and as far as type of food goes, so do I. That being said, I chose to do CDF this summer because Teppan edo seems to take longer and the portions are smaller than most. If we were on the DXDP, I would have booked TE, but knowing this will be our only sit down (on arrival day) on the DP with no apps, we are doing Tutto on arrival day and CDF on the 2nd Epcot day. CDF has a 3 course meal available on the DP that includes the most amazing french onion soup. The main courses are not fancy with this special (roasted chicken, salmon, short ribs & maybe something else), but it is good and the atmosphere is lovely.

 

[MatzoBelle]

The food is good (not extraordinary), and the experience is very pleasant. I think you've made a good choice.

 

[disnut8]

I just switched our teppan edo reservation to chef de france on November 16th. We are eating at 750. Will we still be able to see illuminations? Also is this a good choice? It is just my husband and I and we have never eaten here.
Thanks so much!!

Not from your table. That's my concern if you think you can see the show from the table. The timing is a bit close since I usually will allow over 60 minutes for a table service meal. If you get seated at your dining time and you know what you want, you should be fine as you can go out of the restaurant and be at a good place. It won't be right at the railing but you should be able to see most of the effects. The "problem" with France is that a lot of people who are staying at the Epcot resorts like to stand around here for the show since it's a quick exit out the International Gateway.

Either choice for restaurants is fine but I would think about trying to have a reservation around 7:30 instead. Just my opinion.

 

[tluvstink]

I think both restaurants are good but I prefer CDF. I think you made a good choice

Terri

 

[samsteele]

As the PPs have mentioned, if you are hoping to watch Illuminations from inside the restaurant that will be very difficult. There are some window seats (and I enjoyed one) but the view is at least partially blocked and it looks onto a very congested area of the walkway. Many of the tables are not near windows at all. If you mean you are hoping to eat & then be out of the restaurant in time for Illuminations to start, that is very possible (providing they are not backed up with their ADRs and seating late) but you may not get a great spot to watch the show because you will be jostling for a good viewing spot just as the show starts. Part of the reason why you could be in and out of CDF in an hour is that I think they prepare their food ahead of time & its either reheated or kept warm under heating lamps. I'm not a big fan of this but I understand many Disney restaurants do this to facilitate turn over (I'm looking at you Tutto Italia). I had a good dinner at CDR last Fall. Had the duck. Very tasty. But I arrived at restaurant opening & had my entree within 5 minutes of ordering. So definitely pre-cooked and waiting "for just the right guest". At Teppan Edo the food is cooked in front of you. That may be important to you. The restaurants offer completely different dining experiences and both are very good. But very, very different. In terms of the actual food, food preparation and obviously atmosphere. But whatever you choose, you are still bound to have a good meal.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I just switched our teppan edo reservation to chef de france on November 16th. We are eating at 750. Will we still be able to see illuminations? Also is this a good choice? It is just my husband and I and we have never eaten here.
Thanks so much!!

1) I think you will be out of the eatery late for Illuminations.
2) At that time, the ADR's are usually running a few minutes behind schedule.
3) So, if you get seated late, you remain late.
4) Plus, like in France, the service at Chefs is usually pretty slow.
5) All combined, I would say you would miss the start of The Show.

 

[vicb]

Last trip we had dinner at les chefs, it took us over an hour but we ordered apps, meals and dessert. Service and food were both good. We left the restaurant about 10-15 min prior to Illuminations. We walked to the bridge between Int. Gateway and France, stood behind two or three rows of people but saw things just fine. It was an easy walk for us to the Boardwalk which was our next destination for the evening.

 

[goofyintoronto]

We love the food at chef/france! Its delicious! Both appetizers, main course, and dessert were all outstanding.

 

[LSUfan4444]

It's very hard to say whether you made the right choice as both cuisines are very different. I can say I enjoy CDF, but that doesn't mean you will.

That being said, I like the location for Illuminations. I like to watch the show from the bridge between France and the UK so you will be right there, but if you arrive at 7:40, sat by 7:50 you might be cutting it close depending on apps, salads, desserts, drinks, etc.

 

[Amberleefuta]

Thanks for your help. I actually changed the reservation based on the feed back and my husband saying he may not like eating there.

 

[MrsJD]

My best dining memory at WDW, after 7 visits, is the dinner DH and I had at Chefs. It was romantic and delicious and I loved every minute of it. Hope you have an amazing experience there also!!