The background...
The family includes DH44
, DS13 
, and me39 
. We stayed at SSR in a 1BDR villa, so we had a kitchen. However, we opted to not cook any meals, just have breakfast and snacks in the room...we're on vacation and as the momma, I really wasn't interested in cooking. 
We did use our Disney Dining Experience (DDE), which as AP holders we are eligible at a cost of $50 for one year. We purchased the card for our June trip, which we recouped the $50 and saved about $85 on that trip, so for this trip it was all savings with the DDE. We ate mostly at table service locations as you will read and had very few repeat locations from other trips. 
I won't be posting many photos (if any at all) in this thread as I've already posted them on the "Post your photos of Disney dining food here..." thread. If you really want to have a gander at what we ate, here's the link to the page where my posts for this trip begin...post #2200.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=773269&page=147&pp=15
I will grade the locations as a teacher, since that is what DH does...A, B, C, D, E, F
So, let's begin this review in the order of where we ate...
Olivia's at OKW, 12/18 late lunch w/o ADR 2nd time eating here
We were seated without delay even though we didn't have an ADR, and noticed we were taken to the very same table as we had on our June trip...we joked that it must be "our" table...lol
DH had the soup (cup of Conch chowder), salad (field of greens), sandwich (turkey) plate $9.29
DS had the Cuban sandwich with a side of chips $9.49
a small Caesar salad $6.19
and a piece of Chocolate earthquake cake $6.19
I had the bowl of Conch chowder $4.49
Field of greens salad $4.59
Our drinks included 2 sodas $4.38 and 1 Sultry Seahorse (alcoholic) $7.75
20% savings with DDE for food was $8.05 20% savings for beverages was $1.55 for a total savings of $9.60
Amount of bill including tax was $45.56 and we gave a $9.00 tip
DH and I enjoyed the conch chowder, although I was surprised at the texture...to me it seemed very potatoe-y and the texture of over cooked potatoes seemed to take over the dish. (DH said that was typical of chowder, which I wouldn't know since this was the first bowl of any kind of chowder I'd ever had.) We all really liked our salads...not much that can go wrong here. DS said the sandwich was great, but he preferred a slice of cake than finish the sandwich, so we boxed half up to take to the room. The chocolate cake was good, but nothing specatcular according to DS..similar to something he'd find at an Applebees in his opinion. The Sultry Seahorse is a nice, frufru, rum drink that goes down nicely...quite tropical.
We did not feel rushed as we ate and will return to Olivia's.
Grade: A-
Cape May Buffet at BC, 12/18 dinner with 7pm ADR 1st time eating here
3 adult dinner buffet cost $77.97 and our DDE 20% discount was $15.59, so the amount with tax was $66.44 and we left a $13 tip.
We enjoyed our meal well enough...DH loved the clams and mussels...he ate 3 plates of them, which seems like a lot, but so many of them were empty shells. DS who isn't a seafood fan managed to find enough to hold him with the carved beef, ribs, chicken, caesar salad, and side dishes. I was extremely pleased with the grilled fish I ate...DH and I argued if it was salmon or tuna since I dislike salmon with a passion, so I asked one of the chefs...it was salmon and I was in shock because it was really good...not an icky fishy taste at all. The desserts were okay...DH and I shared a plate with blueberry shortcake, Oreo bonbon, cheesecake, lemon tart, and something that reminded us of the eagle brand milk bars our moms used to make. We both decided the lemon tart was our fav...the oreo bonbon just left something to be desired for us. DS opted for no desserts.
Since we decided this trip that we really don't care for many buffets, we probably won't be heading back to Cape May anytime soon, unless it would be to try the breakfast. Our server never seemed to rush us, but it was clear from the host/hostesses checking for cleared tables that they wanted us to move along.
Grade: C
Le Cellier, 12/19 lunch, 12pm ADR
We actually arrived 15 minutes late for our ADR, but were seated immediately and with no complaints from any CM. We had tried Le Cellier for the first time in June and were very pleased so opted for lunch this trip.
DS had the NY strip steak with yukon gold potatoes $19.99
appetizer Caesar salad $5.99
DH had the Prime Rib French Dip sandwich with fries $14.99
I had the Grilled Steak burger with cheddar cheese and bacon, with a side of potato salad $9.99
We all had iced tea or soda totaling $6.57
Our 20% DDE saved was $11.51 so the amount due with tax was $49.01 and we left a $10 tip.
DS loved his steak and salad...said it was better than what he had in June. DH couldn't stop going on about the sandwich and fries...fries were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
I laugh when I see "steak burger" or "chopped steak" on a menu, but Le Cellier can say it...the quality of the burger was top notch. I was surprised to see an English muffin as a bun though, but it was a good choice. The burger was huge and I think 2 people could have easily split it.
We had a great meal and will be making future trips to Le Cellier. DH and DS think they'd go back for dinner, while I think I'd hit lunch again...either way it should be another great, filling meal.
Grade: A
Snacks for the day at Epcot...
DS had a funnel cake from the stand near the American Pavillion...tasted pretty good he said...couldn't use the DDE card and I don't recall the cost.
Grade: B
I had a cup of Gluwein from Germany...couldn't use the DDE and the cost with tax was $4. It was as good as I remember from when I visited Germany 20 years ago.
Grade: A
Chefs de France, 12/19 dinner, 5:30pm ADR with the Candlelight Processional
This was prepaid at $45.99/person and we could not use our DDE for any savings.
We arrived a few minutes before our ADR, but were seated right away. I wasn't sure if DS would like the place, but he actually places it in his top 5 for the trip.
DH had the escargot, in a garlic, parsley and butter sauce $9.75
grilled beef filet, with potato gratin and green beans $28.95
Happiest Celebration dessert (almond macaroon with orange sorbet and caramel Grand Marnier sauce) $6.95
iced tea to drink $2.50
DS had the soup du jour, a creamed veggie soup $5.50
the grilled beef filet $28.95
puffs with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce $6.95
soda to drink $2.50
I had the assorted French cheese plate $9.95
the grilled beef filet $28.95
the happiest celebration dessert $6.95
iced tea to drink $2.50
All of this totaled $130.95 before gratuity or tax was added. IF WDW added a 15% gratuity then add another $20...so we ended up about even by doing the CP dinner package, but we were able to get a great seat with less time standing in line, in our opinion.
As for the meal...we had a super server, Tristan, who complimented us on our attempts at French...it'd been many years since DH or I had used it...and Tristan was very encouraging to DS as he tried to pronounce his dessert....Profiterolles au Chocolat et amandes grilles. Tristan even took the time to write down the names of the cheeses for me so I could try to find them when we returned home.
DH had forgotten how rich and heavy some French food can be...the butter sauce for the escargot was almost too much. DS didn't care for the soup, but at least he did try it...we all did and determined it was very heavy for us...it tasted okay though. Our entrees were all ordered medium, but only DH's arrived as such. DS's was more medium-rare, while mine was more medium-rare and on the rarer side. We didn't complain as DS and I are fine with the beef cooked that way as long as it's tasty and these were fine. The potatoes seemed to have real cream and butter in them, tasted good, but needed a bit of salt and pepper. The green beans were a bit stringy as the photo of the dish I posted shows on the other thread shows. Our desserts were good. The macaroon was crispy on the edges and chewy in the center which made it hard to cut...I ended up holding it with the spoon and tearing it with my hand. The orange sorbet was very nice, light and refreshing. DS liked the puffs, even though as he took the last bites he commented it was too much chocolate...never in my wildest dreams...lol
We never felt rushed by Tristan or any other CM in the restaurant and would consider eating here again, but might try the Bistro before returning to Chefs de France.
Grade: B
Days 3 and 4 take us to Kona Cafe, Cinderella's Royal Table, Artist Palette, and Artist Point.
If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to attempt an answer.
The family includes DH44
, DS13 , and me39 . We stayed at SSR in a 1BDR villa, so we had a kitchen. However, we opted to not cook any meals, just have breakfast and snacks in the room...we're on vacation and as the momma, I really wasn't interested in cooking. We did use our Disney Dining Experience (DDE), which as AP holders we are eligible at a cost of $50 for one year. We purchased the card for our June trip, which we recouped the $50 and saved about $85 on that trip, so for this trip it was all savings with the DDE. We ate mostly at table service locations as you will read and had very few repeat locations from other trips. I won't be posting many photos (if any at all) in this thread as I've already posted them on the "Post your photos of Disney dining food here..." thread. If you really want to have a gander at what we ate, here's the link to the page where my posts for this trip begin...post #2200.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=773269&page=147&pp=15
I will grade the locations as a teacher, since that is what DH does...A, B, C, D, E, F
So, let's begin this review in the order of where we ate...
Olivia's at OKW, 12/18 late lunch w/o ADR 2nd time eating here
We were seated without delay even though we didn't have an ADR, and noticed we were taken to the very same table as we had on our June trip...we joked that it must be "our" table...lol
DH had the soup (cup of Conch chowder), salad (field of greens), sandwich (turkey) plate $9.29
DS had the Cuban sandwich with a side of chips $9.49
a small Caesar salad $6.19
and a piece of Chocolate earthquake cake $6.19
I had the bowl of Conch chowder $4.49
Field of greens salad $4.59
Our drinks included 2 sodas $4.38 and 1 Sultry Seahorse (alcoholic) $7.75
20% savings with DDE for food was $8.05 20% savings for beverages was $1.55 for a total savings of $9.60
Amount of bill including tax was $45.56 and we gave a $9.00 tip
DH and I enjoyed the conch chowder, although I was surprised at the texture...to me it seemed very potatoe-y and the texture of over cooked potatoes seemed to take over the dish. (DH said that was typical of chowder, which I wouldn't know since this was the first bowl of any kind of chowder I'd ever had.) We all really liked our salads...not much that can go wrong here. DS said the sandwich was great, but he preferred a slice of cake than finish the sandwich, so we boxed half up to take to the room. The chocolate cake was good, but nothing specatcular according to DS..similar to something he'd find at an Applebees in his opinion. The Sultry Seahorse is a nice, frufru, rum drink that goes down nicely...quite tropical.
We did not feel rushed as we ate and will return to Olivia's.
Grade: A-
Cape May Buffet at BC, 12/18 dinner with 7pm ADR 1st time eating here
3 adult dinner buffet cost $77.97 and our DDE 20% discount was $15.59, so the amount with tax was $66.44 and we left a $13 tip.
We enjoyed our meal well enough...DH loved the clams and mussels...he ate 3 plates of them, which seems like a lot, but so many of them were empty shells. DS who isn't a seafood fan managed to find enough to hold him with the carved beef, ribs, chicken, caesar salad, and side dishes. I was extremely pleased with the grilled fish I ate...DH and I argued if it was salmon or tuna since I dislike salmon with a passion, so I asked one of the chefs...it was salmon and I was in shock because it was really good...not an icky fishy taste at all. The desserts were okay...DH and I shared a plate with blueberry shortcake, Oreo bonbon, cheesecake, lemon tart, and something that reminded us of the eagle brand milk bars our moms used to make. We both decided the lemon tart was our fav...the oreo bonbon just left something to be desired for us. DS opted for no desserts.
Since we decided this trip that we really don't care for many buffets, we probably won't be heading back to Cape May anytime soon, unless it would be to try the breakfast. Our server never seemed to rush us, but it was clear from the host/hostesses checking for cleared tables that they wanted us to move along.
Grade: C
Le Cellier, 12/19 lunch, 12pm ADR
We actually arrived 15 minutes late for our ADR, but were seated immediately and with no complaints from any CM. We had tried Le Cellier for the first time in June and were very pleased so opted for lunch this trip.
DS had the NY strip steak with yukon gold potatoes $19.99
appetizer Caesar salad $5.99
DH had the Prime Rib French Dip sandwich with fries $14.99
I had the Grilled Steak burger with cheddar cheese and bacon, with a side of potato salad $9.99
We all had iced tea or soda totaling $6.57
Our 20% DDE saved was $11.51 so the amount due with tax was $49.01 and we left a $10 tip.
DS loved his steak and salad...said it was better than what he had in June. DH couldn't stop going on about the sandwich and fries...fries were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
I laugh when I see "steak burger" or "chopped steak" on a menu, but Le Cellier can say it...the quality of the burger was top notch. I was surprised to see an English muffin as a bun though, but it was a good choice. The burger was huge and I think 2 people could have easily split it.
We had a great meal and will be making future trips to Le Cellier. DH and DS think they'd go back for dinner, while I think I'd hit lunch again...either way it should be another great, filling meal.
Grade: A
Snacks for the day at Epcot...
DS had a funnel cake from the stand near the American Pavillion...tasted pretty good he said...couldn't use the DDE card and I don't recall the cost.
Grade: B
I had a cup of Gluwein from Germany...couldn't use the DDE and the cost with tax was $4. It was as good as I remember from when I visited Germany 20 years ago.
Grade: A
Chefs de France, 12/19 dinner, 5:30pm ADR with the Candlelight Processional
This was prepaid at $45.99/person and we could not use our DDE for any savings.
We arrived a few minutes before our ADR, but were seated right away. I wasn't sure if DS would like the place, but he actually places it in his top 5 for the trip.
DH had the escargot, in a garlic, parsley and butter sauce $9.75
grilled beef filet, with potato gratin and green beans $28.95
Happiest Celebration dessert (almond macaroon with orange sorbet and caramel Grand Marnier sauce) $6.95
iced tea to drink $2.50
DS had the soup du jour, a creamed veggie soup $5.50
the grilled beef filet $28.95
puffs with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce $6.95
soda to drink $2.50
I had the assorted French cheese plate $9.95
the grilled beef filet $28.95
the happiest celebration dessert $6.95
iced tea to drink $2.50
All of this totaled $130.95 before gratuity or tax was added. IF WDW added a 15% gratuity then add another $20...so we ended up about even by doing the CP dinner package, but we were able to get a great seat with less time standing in line, in our opinion.
As for the meal...we had a super server, Tristan, who complimented us on our attempts at French...it'd been many years since DH or I had used it...and Tristan was very encouraging to DS as he tried to pronounce his dessert....Profiterolles au Chocolat et amandes grilles. Tristan even took the time to write down the names of the cheeses for me so I could try to find them when we returned home.
DH had forgotten how rich and heavy some French food can be...the butter sauce for the escargot was almost too much. DS didn't care for the soup, but at least he did try it...we all did and determined it was very heavy for us...it tasted okay though. Our entrees were all ordered medium, but only DH's arrived as such. DS's was more medium-rare, while mine was more medium-rare and on the rarer side. We didn't complain as DS and I are fine with the beef cooked that way as long as it's tasty and these were fine. The potatoes seemed to have real cream and butter in them, tasted good, but needed a bit of salt and pepper. The green beans were a bit stringy as the photo of the dish I posted shows on the other thread shows. Our desserts were good. The macaroon was crispy on the edges and chewy in the center which made it hard to cut...I ended up holding it with the spoon and tearing it with my hand. The orange sorbet was very nice, light and refreshing. DS liked the puffs, even though as he took the last bites he commented it was too much chocolate...never in my wildest dreams...lol
We never felt rushed by Tristan or any other CM in the restaurant and would consider eating here again, but might try the Bistro before returning to Chefs de France.
Grade: B
Days 3 and 4 take us to Kona Cafe, Cinderella's Royal Table, Artist Palette, and Artist Point.
If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to attempt an answer.
Thanks for posting. I enjoyed reading your reviews.
