Is Chefs de France really that bad?

[Stittsville]

Here is Kevin's review on the Dis, seems they had a better meal than we did:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/reviews/chefs-de-france.htm

When I saw this comment in the review, I wondered if this isn't a common problem:

"The baked macaroni and cheese was less successful. I think this was more because I was expecting a more Americanized dish. This was large pasta tubes cooked in a cream sauce and then baked with a layer of gruyere on top. The dish was very, very rich and filling but if you have your heart set on something more traditional, then you might be disappointed. Please understand, it wasn’t bad, just not what I was expecting."

But really, why would you go to a French restaurant and expect American food?

 

[madalex]

I had lunch there during my trip last April and was very pleasantly surprised. The food was good and the service was great. I plan to go back during my trip starting next week.

 

[wezee]

We have eaten lunch and dinner there amny times, and have had a great experience each time. I will agree, I actually like lunch better, because it does seem more relaxing and not so loud. I do love my glass of wine with lunch. . DH loves the escargot and the french onion soup.

I would rec. an ADR for lunch or dinner.....but I'm not a ADR risk taker either.

 

[Luv4Disney]

Sad to hear about the bad service. The hostess was very pleasant and she was very pleasant to the people we saw her turn away despite them being very rude to her. One time we went our server kept making French jokes, he was hysterical and the last time we went our server couldn't stop smiling. He was the happiest guy I've ever seen. We definitely plan on returning.

 

[La2kw]

When I saw this comment in the review, I wondered if this isn't a common problem:

"The baked macaroni and cheese was less successful. I think this was more because I was expecting a more Americanized dish. This was large pasta tubes cooked in a cream sauce and then baked with a layer of gruyere on top. The dish was very, very rich and filling but if you have your heart set on something more traditional, then you might be disappointed. Please understand, it wasn’t bad, just not what I was expecting."

But really, why would you go to a French restaurant and expect American food?

Especially when the menu says this:
Gratin de Macaroni - Baked macaroni with cream and gruyere cheese
As far as I know, Kraft Mac & Cheese is not made with gruyere.

 

[WETWHISTLE]

We just went there for the first time on this last trip. We liked it! My DF LOVED it and keeps raving about it. So I know he'll definitely want to go when we go on our next trip to WDW!

 

[DisneyKevin]

When I saw this comment in the review, I wondered if this isn't a common problem:

"The baked macaroni and cheese was less successful. I think this was more because I was expecting a more Americanized dish. This was large pasta tubes cooked in a cream sauce and then baked with a layer of gruyere on top. The dish was very, very rich and filling but if you have your heart set on something more traditional, then you might be disappointed. Please understand, it wasn’t bad, just not what I was expecting."

But really, why would you go to a French restaurant and expect American food?

I wasnt expecting American food. I just didnt care for the prepartion of the macaroni and cheese. Have you never had something in a restaurant that didnt suit you?

Especially when the menu says this:
Gratin de Macaroni - Baked macaroni with cream and gruyere cheese
As far as I know, Kraft Mac & Cheese is not made with gruyere.

Nowhere did I state I was expecting Kraft Mac and Cheese. Any time I have ever had homemade macaroni and cheese it is made with a mixture of cream and cheese, as opposed to being baked in cream with a layer of cheese on top.

I'm sorry that my description confused both of you. I will attempt to be more precise and understandable in the future.

 

[BabyPiglet]

DisneyKevin, was the dish not very cheesy? I was looking forward to this dish but I like my mac and cheese with lots of cheese. I know it's going to be different but I don't want try pasta with hot cream and just some a sprinkling of cheese.

 

[DisneyKevin]

DisneyKevin, was the dish not very cheesy? I was looking forward to this dish but I like my mac and cheese with lots of cheese. I know it's going to be different but I don't want try pasta with hot cream and just some a sprinkling of cheese.

There was a layer of gruyere cheese on top but none mixed with the pasta. The pasta is baked in cream only and the cheese is on top.

It is the only time in my life I have ever had mac and cheese in this fashion...anywhere.

 

[BabyPiglet]

There was a layer of gruyere cheese on top but none mixed with the pasta. The pasta is baked in cream only and the cheese is on top.

It is the only time in my life I have ever had mac and cheese in this fashion...anywhere.

Thanks, I think I'll skip that dish.

Has anyone tried the veggie lasagna?

 

[IHEARTNY]

I love it! I recommend the French Menu if you're lucky enough to be there for dinner before 7PM.

I used to work in a very very busy restaurant and I love the busy restaurant atmosphere so I feel right at home. But it's definitely not for everyone.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

One more thought here.... and this bothered me as well. I had taken the time to make reservations for this restaurant....we were there before the doors opened and we had a reservation for that precise time, when they opened.. I was seated outside with people who told me they did not have reservations... two separate parties, they were walk-ups......and they were seated before us..

Sorry, that is just bad form. If people have taken the time to make a reservation to dine, then I think they should be seated before the walk-ups....they were seated and having their drinks before we even got into the restaurants..

Chefs de France.......I do not think that is right and then to send out mediocre food....frozen goat cheese on my daughter's cheese plate and have a server that does not give good service, you do not get a good review from me and I will not be back.

 

[ElizabethB]

Wow -- someone actually ordered the tuna and got it rare? We ordered it. the menu warned that it would be rare. Our waiter then warned us it would be rare. We said, "Great, that's how we like it and how we want it." It came out so overcooked that it could have been Chicken of the Sea from the can. We sent it back and had the baked chicken instead. It was okay, but the overall experience at Chefs de France has declined so precipitously from a few years ago, it's hardly recognizable as the same restaurant. We used to look on it as a wonderful opportunity to dine on the delicioius food of three Michelin-starred French chefs without the long flight to Paris. It was a not-to-be-missed meal. Not any more.

 

[MrsJackSparrow]

We have eaten here twice. First time was me and DKs, 6 and 8 at the time. Second time was the four of us, DKs 7 and 9.

We this place! Both times, our service was exceptional. First time, I had pain bagnat and the kids both had blanc de poullet aux nouilles. The pasta was served without sauce, just how the kids like it, and all the butter and cheese they could tolerate was abundantly provided. We all had iced tea, which amused the server for some reason - guess iced tea is sophistocated for kids? Anyway, she could not have been more attentive, quick to fill drinks and straighten the table up between the bread and our meal. The desserts were simply outstanding. I have no idea what I ate but it was unbelievable. At the end of the meal, the server asked if we'd like cups with lids and iced tea refills. Maybe she liked the kids, maybe she was just very into customer service. We all had iced tea refills to go in large (16 oz) cups with lids.

Second trip, DH came along with the impression that he "hated" French food. Kids and I had the same as last time, and DH had demi poulet fermier a la brouche, pommes puree au basilic et tomate braisee. The mashed potatoes were delicious, and the chicken was just perfect. DS had a rather severe nosebleed and he and DH were in the bathroom for an extended period of time. Guillame, our server, took their plates back to the kitchen to keep them under warmers and promptly brought them out when DH and DS returned to table. I remember having the sorbets this time and they were incredible. The mango sorbet is like nothing I've ever had. Again, service was impeccable, and our experience made DH a believer.

Chefs is up on our next trip and we cannot wait.!

 

[jpeka65844]

There was a layer of gruyere cheese on top but none mixed with the pasta. The pasta is baked in cream only and the cheese is on top.

It is the only time in my life I have ever had mac and cheese in this fashion...anywhere.

I see you got tagged Kevin! That was quick!!!!

DH and I will definitely be eating at Chefs de France soon. I'm confused though. What's Bistro de Paris? Someone said it's upstairs of Chefs de France? Are there any tables with a view of the lagoon???

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Bistro de Paris is the restaurant upstairs and more upscale. There are window seats and you might be able to see the lagoon from there......I actually love Bistro de Paris....good food and great service. We have always had a good meal there.

 

[englishrose47]

I loved Chefs. Ihad the shrimp and scallops with the spinach flan and the apple crepe for dessert It was wonderful! The service was superb!!

 

[mommy2g]

There was a layer of gruyere cheese on top but none mixed with the pasta. The pasta is baked in cream only and the cheese is on top.

It is the only time in my life I have ever had mac and cheese in this fashion...anywhere.

I am French and this is excatly what I would expect from the menu's description, this is the way I had always eaten mac and cheese before moving to the US.

 

[scojos]

Bonjour mommy2g!!
my dh is french too, not many french people on these boards, unless you know of a group i have not met yet
We hated CDF service baaaad, v slow, food worse, sent steak back twice, dh asked for it blue. In a french diner did not expect it to come back med!!!
kids were not treated well, despite us checking it was ok to bring them in.. the french are generally great with kids but not this time.
dh is a head chef so we know our stuff, ate better in other places, my opinion, skip it
Tracy

 

[DisneyKevin]

I am French and this is excatly what I would expect from the menu's description, this is the way I had always eaten mac and cheese before moving to the US.

I'm from NY and I didnt think it was bad...or wrong.....just not suited to my taste.