Hollywood Brown Derby or Monsieur Paul's?

[goofy78]

We dined at HBD a very long time ago (11 years) and I can't remember anything about it. We have never dined at Monsieur Pauls. I do have TIW which HBD takes and MP does not. Any suggestions? Just looking for a delicious meal and nice atmosphere- but more importantly a delicious meal! Thanks!

 

[OhThePain]

Do you plan on going for your meal with or without going back to your resort to freshen up? Personally, HBD I don't mind going to in park attire. MP I would be very uncomfortable if I didn't get freshened up first. I like MP better than HBD, but I don't like it quite enough to go out of my way to leave a park, get back, shower, get to EC and walk through the park (might think differently if I was staying at an EC resort, which it looks like you are). For food and atmosphere, I'd go with MP. For convenience I would go with HBD.

 

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

I went to the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge and it was incredible, so I can only imagine that the actual restaurant would be great too!

 

[goofy78]

Do you plan on going for your meal with or without going back to your resort to freshen up? Personally, HBD I don't mind going to in park attire. MP I would be very uncomfortable if I didn't get freshened up first. I like MP better than HBD, but I don't like it quite enough to go out of my way to leave a park, get back, shower, get to EC and walk through the park (might think differently if I was staying at an EC resort, which it looks like you are). For food and atmosphere, I'd go with MP. For convenience I would go with HBD.

We will definitely be going to dinner after being at the resort and showering. The plan for that day is check out of Kidani, AK in the morning, EP in the early afternoon mostly for F&G food booths, then checking into the BWV and relaxing a bit before our dinner around 7-7:30. No big plans after dinner- I figured we could catch either Star Wars or Illuminations depending on which park we are in.

 

[gharter]

Both are good, depends what you are looking for. Brown Derby is louder and busier, but the food is very good as was the service.
M Paul is quieter, higher quality and more of a formal dining experience, but not dressy. Excellent food and service. More expensive. Does have a pre-fixe option.

 

[JZCubed]

We dined at HBD a very long time ago (11 years) and I can't remember anything about it. We have never dined at Monsieur Pauls. I do have TIW which HBD takes and MP does not. Any suggestions? Just looking for a delicious meal and nice atmosphere- but more importantly a delicious meal! Thanks!

I find Monsieur Paul has both better food and ambiance than Brown Derby if I'm in the mood for 'fine dining'.

However, unless you are trying to dine inside a Park, the Signatures inside Swan & Dolphin serve even better food than either Brown Derby and/or Monsieur Paul - and they take Tables in Wonderland. BlueZoo would be my first choice if you enjoy a seafood-centric menu; Shula's for steaks & chocolate souffle dessert.

 

[kniquy]

I have not done MP, but can attest to having the best Filet every at BD. My self and 5 others in my party all ordered it - came out perfect, amazingly tender and a month later my husband ( who is a foodie) is still talking about it. It is rather large in BD, we ate at 4pm so it wasn't very busy. I could imagine at prime dining time and a full dining room it might get a little noisy

 

[goofy78]

I find Monsieur Paul has both better food and ambiance than Brown Derby if I'm in the mood for 'fine dining'.

However, unless you are trying to dine inside a Park, the Signatures inside Swan & Dolphin serve even better food than either Brown Derby and/or Monsieur Paul - and they take Tables in Wonderland. BlueZoo would be my first choice if you enjoy a seafood-centric menu; Shula's for steaks & chocolate souffle dessert.

I have one person who doesn’t eat seafood but Bluezoo does have a filet on the menu which she would eat. I just don’t know if I want to dine in Swan & Dolphin. We ate at Il Mulino once and we just didn’t like the atmosphere. I don’t feel like I’m in Disney anymore. I could give it another shot I suppose. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I would say both have really good food, but provide 2 very different experiences. HBD is more relaxed, a bit noisy, while MP is more upscale in ingredients, atmosphere and service. And 2 different price points as well. Enjoy both.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We really like both, but, as PP's have said, they are very different experiences. HBD is a bit livelier, the food is excellent. MP feels "fancy". You are escorted up a back staircase to the dining room and the service is impeccable (food is also delicious). For me, it would depend on how far afield you want to go for dinner. After a day of moving resorts and park touring, I would probably opt for the closer restaurant, which would be MP!

 

[Firebird060]

Brown Derby because not only are the main courses amazing, there deserts are great to

 

[AnnMichele]

Monsieur Paul. I just went and talked about it here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/current-menu-for-monsieur-paul.3680584/

 

[goofy78]

I think I’ve decided to go to HBD. Having the TIW card and not knowing if I’ll get it again I feel like I should get the most out of it. I will definitely do MP next trip no matter what. Thanks to everyone for their comments!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

You'll HBD. Still awesome.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I like each for different reasons and in fact have ADRs for both this summer.

Here are some vids that allow you to get an idea of the atmosphere and dishes served:

First up, Monsieur Paul. This vid amuses me with the male's obvious apprehension about French food in general.

For a sense of continuity I chose a video from the same couple. Yes, he does like his bread, LOL:

 

[JZCubed]

I have one person who doesn’t eat seafood but Bluezoo does have a filet on the menu which she would eat. I just don’t know if I want to dine in Swan & Dolphin. We ate at Il Mulino once and we just didn’t like the atmosphere. I don’t feel like I’m in Disney anymore. I could give it another shot I suppose. Thanks for the suggestion!

BlueZoo is about seafood and is seemingly not for you.

To me, it's amusing about 'feeling at Disney' or not.....Brown Derby is intended for you to feel as if you're in old-Hollywood, and Monsieur Paul as if dining in Paris (beneath the Eiffel Tower). BlueZoo is designed to feel as if you are apart of an aquarium (a blue zoo, as it were), and Shula's is wood-paneling and football that are yet another theme. I find it amusing because some folks find the theming at Contemporary to be un-Disney...as the Monorail whisks overhead....beauty/theming, or lack-thereof, is in the eyes of the beholder.

FWIW, the lobby of Dolphin (see: BlueZoo & Shula's) was redone in the past year. The lobby now has a larger cocktail lounge and music (quick-serve too). Shula's may be a better fit for your needs, but so too might Yachtsman. Yacht & Beach are certainly more Disney-theming than Swan & Dolphin.

Monsieur Paul versus Yachtsman would be a true toss-up to me....with my wife likely preferring France, and remaining conflicted.....

P.S. if you get to Shula's, the chocolate souffle is outstanding and shareable.

 

[goofy78]

I like each for different reasons and in fact have ADRs for both this summer.

Here are some vids that allow you to get an idea of the atmosphere and dishes served:

First up, Monsieur Paul. This vid amuses me with the male's obvious apprehension about French food in general.

For a sense of continuity I chose a video from the same couple. Yes, he does like his bread, LOL:

Wow! Thanks for those videos! So glad you posted them. They confirmed my decision to do HBD this trip and leave MP for the next one.

 

[goofy78]

BlueZoo is about seafood and is seemingly not for you.

To me, it's amusing about 'feeling at Disney' or not.....Brown Derby is intended for you to feel as if you're in old-Hollywood, and Monsieur Paul as if dining in Paris (beneath the Eiffel Tower). BlueZoo is designed to feel as if you are apart of an aquarium (a blue zoo, as it were), and Shula's is wood-paneling and football that are yet another theme. I find it amusing because some folks find the theming at Contemporary to be un-Disney...as the Monorail whisks overhead....beauty/theming, or lack-thereof, is in the eyes of the beholder.

FWIW, the lobby of Dolphin (see: BlueZoo & Shula's) was redone in the past year. The lobby now has a larger cocktail lounge and music (quick-serve too). Shula's may be a better fit for your needs, but so too might Yachtsman. Yacht & Beach are certainly more Disney-theming than Swan & Dolphin.

Monsieur Paul versus Yachtsman would be a true toss-up to me....with my wife likely preferring France, and remaining conflicted.....

P.S. if you get to Shula's, the chocolate souffle is outstanding and shareable.

I know. My explanation probably wasn’t the best. I was trying to not say how I hate the sight of those hotels and wish they weren’t nestled in between the BW YC and BC. Looks like I just said it.