Negative Wolfgang Puck Cafe experience

[niceneasy]

Anyone else notice how WPC has seemed to go downhill over the last year or so. This used to be one of our favorite stops when we visit 2-3 times a year but recently both the quality of food (Sushi & Sashimi used to be "to die for") and attitudes of the hired help (and management) has taken on an offensive "flavor".

We made reservations for an afternoon lunch after a movie at the West End. When we arrived (party of 4) we specifically mentioned that we were there for lunch which had a posted menu right outside the door and a big sign that WPC was "Open for Lunch" during construction. When we were seated in an almost empty restaurant we were given "dinner" menus. After some casual conversation with a "snobby" waiter we were informed that WPC does not serve lunch on weekends only dinner and that we would have to order from the dinner menu. Needless to say having visited this restaurant 10x over the last few years our favorite snacks and meals are on the lunch menu.

Making a longer story shorter, we folded our menus and decided to leave which I don't think the server anticipated and headed casually for the exit. The manager met me a couple of steps from the door and expressed his amazement at our disappointment with the menu for "dinner". I asked why we couldn't order lunch with an afternoon res and he politely informed me that the restaurant's policy was to serve dinner all day Sat/Sun based on customer's requests. I expressed my dissatisfaction with the policy and informed him that I thought the decision might have something to do with most entres and the dinner bill in general being about double the lunch menu which he admitted was also true.

After reminding the manager that the restaurant was virtually empty we departed for a casual outside lunch @ Raglan Road.

Did I miss something here or has anyone else experienced attitude changes at WPC?

 

[Condorman]

I don't believe Wolfgang Puck's company actually manages the Cafe any longer, only the upscale restaurant on the second floor. Nor is this location managed by Disney, so it's clearly a loose cannon on the faltering deck of the already sinking ship that is DTD. Nothing about your experience surprises me, but I have heard a few good reviews so it may be hit or miss.

However, I think DTD is making great strides with their new endeavors, i.e. a place where I can design my own t-shirt and a restaurant that has extinct animals screaming at me while I eat... **he says as his eyes roll back into his head.**

 

[niceneasy]

I agree that DTD isn't what it used to be. I think Disney is aware of all the "chains" right outside the gate. i.e. Fridays, Olive Garden, Macaroni Grill, Landry's, et al and should be made aware when guests are NOT treated well on property. They've been trying hard to sell the Disney Dining Plan which essentially locks all of your meals up on the property if you decide to go that way.

DW and I have always opted for our favorite restaurants most of which are on site but we want flexibility just in case. This is only the 3rd or 4th time in 25 or so years that we we've been disappointed this way. To my way of thinking if WPC want's to get you in the front door using the good Disney name then they should make good on satisfying customers. This whole dinner menu only on weekends reeks of poor marketing and price gouging to take advantage of the uninformed customer. At some point Disney may have to call the Wolfgang Puck management on this. As for us, WPC is in the penalty box for awhile.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, first, figure if their 'practice' is to serve only the dinner menu all day on weekends, then chances are they did not have the lunch menu foods prepped/available to cook.

Also, if ONLY the lunch menu was posted outside, there is a reasonable argument to expect to be able to order from the lunch menu at that time; however, if both/all menus are posted, those are likely permanant posts (example: Olivia's) and not necessarily an indication that a specific menu will be available at a given time.

 

[Mrs. Pookie]

Anyone else notice how WPC has seemed to go downhill over the last year or so. This used to be one of our favorite stops when we visit 2-3 times a year but recently both the quality of food (Sushi & Sashimi used to be "to die for") and attitudes of the hired help (and management) has taken on an offensive "flavor".

We made reservations for an afternoon lunch after a movie at the West End. When we arrived (party of 4) we specifically mentioned that we were there for lunch which had a posted menu right outside the door and a big sign that WPC was "Open for Lunch" during construction. When we were seated in an almost empty restaurant we were given "dinner" menus. After some casual conversation with a "snobby" waiter we were informed that WPC does not serve lunch on weekends only dinner and that we would have to order from the dinner menu. Needless to say having visited this restaurant 10x over the last few years our favorite snacks and meals are on the lunch menu.

Making a longer story shorter, we folded our menus and decided to leave which I don't think the server anticipated and headed casually for the exit. The manager met me a couple of steps from the door and expressed his amazement at our disappointment with the menu for "dinner". I asked why we couldn't order lunch with an afternoon res and he politely informed me that the restaurant's policy was to serve dinner all day Sat/Sun based on customer's requests. I expressed my dissatisfaction with the policy and informed him that I thought the decision might have something to do with most entres and the dinner bill in general being about double the lunch menu which he admitted was also true.

After reminding the manager that the restaurant was virtually empty we departed for a casual outside lunch @ Raglan Road.

Did I miss something here or has anyone else experienced attitude changes at WPC?

That's terrible! Great...we have a reservation for lunch on a Sunday. We'll probably end up doing what you did. I'm not paying dinner prices at lunch! What bad business!

 

[TDC Nala]

and guess what - if you're on the dining plan it's totally irrelevant whether you pay lunch or dinner prices so dining plan guests would probably be thrilled to see that dinner menu at lunch. It's the remaining cash guests getting soaked.

Have had no issue with the food on recent visits to Puck Cafe - but did have service issues.

I'm reluctant to head back to DTD anyway what with the Adventurers Club sitting there empty and all. Disney apparently wants to add more chain restaurants to that area, but there's no telling when.

 

[niceneasy]

I didn't want to have to beat this negative experience @ WPC anymore. My only point was DW and I don't do the Disney Dining Plan, we like a little flexibility. If WPC has this "dinner menu only on weekends" thing, that's fine just tell me up front when I make a res or at the very latest when I check-in and NOT wait until I'm seated and then surprised (and disappointed). At that point it's fairly obvious that whoever is managing that restaurant for WPC has tried to pull a fast one and is betting the customer will be too embarrassed to get up and leave.

We'll be back to California Grill also managed by Wolfgang Puck (where it's dinner only and a great one at that) later in the year, but WPC has to change their policy before I'll revisit them anytime soon. It's the principle of the thing and there are too many other choices.

 

[bluslag]

Last March we went to Wolfgang Puck Express over at DTD and had the best food. We had great waiters and one of us told us the story of Wolfgang at the West End. Of course this is the story we got so we think it is true but who really knows. He said that Wolfgang lost that property (West End) to his wife in his divorce. I think he said that she has since sold it and it has gone down hill ever since. He said unless your getting sushi he wouldn't try anything else. The sushi is still good. We were there in late March and Wolfgang was susposed to visit this restaurant but plans got changed and he had to be somewhere else. My friends bought one of his cookbooks and asked if he would sign it when he came to Wolfgang Express and then send it to them and they said yes. It arrived about a month after we got home and they gave it to their son for graduation. Pretty cool huh! We loved the pizzas there and a couple of their sandwiches but I can't really remember them now. We are going back March 2009 and we probably will go there at least twice.

 

[niceneasy]

As many times as I have passed by Wolfgang Puck Express @ DTD I was always reluctant to try it because of the "fast food" look. Now, I'm going to put WPE on my list next trip over in late December. I have no idea what the menu is but I'm sure DW and I can find something "snacky" that appeals to the palette,

I did find out a piece of information that might interest some of you. The company that manages Wolfgang Puck Cafe also manages Raglan Road and Portobello Yacht Club. Disney leased the space to them some time ago and they get their $$$ right off the top which probably explains why they don't take a genuine interest in how this company treats the guests as long as $$$ arrive in Burbank every month. We also heard that Disney has at least 2 new restaurants within the old Pleasure Island area on the drawing board.

 

[stlouisdisneyguy]

I used to love Wolfgangs years ago, but it is not the same as it used to be. I definitley think that it has taken a turn for the worse.

 

[Condorman]

We also heard that Disney has at least 2 new restaurants within the old Pleasure Island area on the drawing board.

Yes, but who is going to manage those new restaurants -- Disney, or the company that manages WPC, RR and PYC? That's the difference.

 

[niceneasy]

My guess would be that Disney would want the eateries with the highest traffic potential. Who manages T-Rex? Is that a "Rainforest" enterprise? Sure has a similar layout. The real question for me is what is going to be the draw for anything built at Pleasure Island? Disney already has way too many shops, boutiques, restaurants, etc in that general area. Too many places to spend $$$ and not any real entertainment for that hard earned dollar.

 

[disneymom1980]

We ate at the Express location for the first time on our October trip, and we thought it was GREAT. The portions were huge and the service was great.

 

[bob6sims]

We also eat at WPE has time we were at DTD and had a great meal

The server was great and the portions were huge (even my DH struggled to eat all his meal )

EoS was also a favourite - especially with our kids, they were heart broken we didn't get back there on our last day oh dear I'll just have to go back so they won't be disappointed