Spoodles, what happened?

[bicker]

I suppose part of the cache of an open-kitchen is that it is supposed to emminate a sense of energy through the restaurant, so it is passive and easily ignored, they might have put it behind a wall instead. Some people have voices that grate on some people surely. Sorry for the OP's discomforture.

 

[zalansky]

We are going to Spoodles for the first time this September on the dining plan. I have always heard the food was pretty good. Hope it is when we go. I can deal with the yelling because I have 2 small kids too.

 

[jwfla422]

We really enjoyed Spoodles the first few years it was opened but in the last 5-6 years it definitely went downhill. If you weren't there prior you may not agree since you don't have anything else to compare it to. The menu had a nice selection with more choices, IMHO it really needs a change right now. We like if for breakfast but not for dinner.

As far as the kitchen noise and the obnoxious chef, it sounds like it wasn't really necessary for him to be so loud that it would basically ruin your dining experience there. The mgr doesn't sound like they handled the situation appropriately especially if he/she pointed your party out. It sounds pretty unprofessional to me. Don't be afraid to voice your experience to guest services. They should be aware of it especially if it wasn't handled appropriately. (wdw.Guest.Communications@disneyworld.com)

Flying Fish which is practically next door (separated by the "goodie" shop) has an opened kitchen. I go there a lot with my 7 yr old dd and we love to sit at the kitchen. They don't yell and aren't obnoxious. It is very relaxing while entertaining. The chefs there are very nice and are very accomodating. We have gotten to "sample" many items sitting here which is a nice little perk. Jiko at the AK Lodge also has an open kitchen. We haven't gotten lucky enough to get a seat there but we will one day. (it's a pretty popular place to sit there so it's tough to get an open seat).

 

[bicker]

Spoodles was run by executive Marianne Hummel for many years, and it was remarkably pretty close to the best restaurant at WDW, despite being moderately-priced. Unfortunately, Marianne has gone on to bigger and better things.

 

[mking624]

It's typical in a kitchen for the chef to be barking out orders. When you're serving a bunch of people, there's no time for pleasant please and thank yous...it needs to get done and get done NOW.

That said, if the chef was laughing about it and being overly loud, it seems like he was doing for more for show than anything else...especially considering the maanger didn't really do a whole lot about it. I've been in open kitchen restaurants like that and have had a lot of fun...but it's definitely not for some people.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

First.. he was an expediter......that is what I was told but he could have expedited in a less volatile manner, I think... Keep in mind the restaurant was not at capacity, in fact there were not that many people dining so he was not yelling over people dining.

Second, I am thinking if I complained about the screaming and yelling to more than one person maybe he was in fact told to tone it down, which would be great.

Third, my daughter is a chef in London so I do know a little bit about kitchens and chefs, she told me this would not be tolerated in her restaurant... You never make your patrons uncomfortable while they are eating in your restaurant.

 

[DVCconvert]

Mackey Mouse--

Judging from the response that occured after the Mgr spoke with him -- I'd suggest you write guest relations with your observations. It would be most helpful if you can recall the exact date, time of your ADR and any CM names.

 

[Dizneydaz]

We've eaten at Spoodles several times over the past years and have also noticed a decline . And where is the calamari appetizer-it was the best! We had a problem in Jan. 05 on the dining plan, we had a problem this Jan. with some of the food and slow service. Sad to say, I don't think we'll be returning to Spoodles-unless I hear about some changes before we return in Sept.

 

[bicker]

I had read some bad reviews last year, and it was off our list for next year, but I put it back on because I recently read a lot of very good reviews (just since the beginning of this year).

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I had the rigatoni dish and it was good.....the food was not the issue, it was the noise level of one particular chef, who thought it was funny to continue to scream after I had complained..... We had Gary as a waiter and he is superb although I believe he was leaving to work somewhere else.

I am not sure how I will handle this as I do know Disney reads these boards and I believe the message has already been heard at Spoodles.

 

[jwfla422]

But if you don't contact guest relations then the mgr will just figure it was the complaint of one guest that night if he/she even remembers. Guest relations should know that this made a guest feel uncomfortable and wasn't necessary.

Whether or not "Disney" reads these boards is really irrelevant because "Disney" is made up of thousands of people, this should be addressed through the right channels to guest relations to be resolved. The behavior of this CM was unprofessional, end of story. I would address it and onthe other hand, it certainly wouldn't hurt to mention how "happy" and pleased you were with your Gary, your server.

Just tell them you felt the need to address them about your recent experience at Spoodles. "While we had a wonderful server I thought I would mention that I did find the head chef, line leader, etc disturbing as he yelled unecessarily at a tone that was even too loud for this restaurant, etc, etc...""

 

[Disney Planner Mama]

Wow! Sorry to hear about your experience there! Personally, I preferred the old Spoodles menu when it was a little more exotic. But, we still enjoy the new menu just not as much. Not a great dining experience to hear yelling the whole time!!

I completely agree with this. It used to be a really interesting and different place to eat. Not so much now.

 

[DisneyGerry]

We went Friday, July 27th and been there many times prior under a few different menus.

The waiter said they just changed menu once again. Not happy without the 'fruit of the sea' dish.

It seems they are going for a more authentic Mediterranean feel/ taste to it--which is fine to me.

I wonder if there menu (seemingly with far less choices) is another victim of the DDP?

Gerry

 

[budbeerlady]

That is too bad, you didnt go there expecting Chef Ramsey to be yelling during your dinner and I would be irritated too. Things can get tense in a kitchen (ughhh, bad memories....) but not when there are so few patrons at the time. If a restuarant isnt known for its over the top chef behavior then there is no reason for it. I would write guest relations over the way it was handeled after you complained.

 

[SauceBoss]

Wow, this one's a blast from the past? April 06?

 

[budbeerlady]

Wow, this one's a blast from the past? April 06?

Aughhh, I didnt even look at the dates, why the old threat revivals?