Don't tell him I told you, but Patrick loves sniffing all the soaps in France!
Caught in the act!
Finally it was time for our reservation at Bistro de Paris.
Inside, the restaurant feels like the classic French bistro… of 1982. I like it, but I wonder if it's like stepping into a time warp for people who actually live in France.
So many glasses, so little time…
We got a table for two right by the window, just like on our honeymoon, which meant we'd be able to see IllumiNations. True, it's not, like, the greatest view ever (they turn on big lights aimed right at the window about halfway through the show, plus you have trees in the way), but it's awfully nice to be able to watch the show from the comfort of your table while you eat a swanky dinner.
Our view inside the restaurant wasn't too shabby either: Seated behind me in a semi-private corner of the restaurant was the entire
D23 team! Patrick and I got into a heated-but-whispered debate when he thought we should go over and get a picture with them that I could tweet. I thought I would rather die. The idea of approaching a celebrity for a photo or an autograph makes my skin crawl, so the idea of fawning over a bunch of real people just trying to eat their dinner made me feel like crawling under the table. We dithered so long and so increasingly loudly that I'm sure Steven Clark was about to stand up and shout, "Oh just come over here and take a picture already!!!"
Finally Patrick's appeals to my journalistic sensibilities prevailed (what…? Tweeting is just reporting on a micro level!) and we sidled over to hover until there was an awkward pause in their conversation. Carmen very kindly put me at ease by smiling at us and offering to take our picture with Jeffrey (he must've drawn the short straw to become the sacrificial lamb for camera-toting fanboys). I was also surprised when she remembered my name, although this could be due to my sending her a marked-up copy of the second issue of
Disney Twenty-Three Magazine that bled red ink, along with the suggestion that they hire an additional copy editor…
Mission accomplished, we scurried back to our table.
"Now that wasn't so bad, was it?"
"Harrumph!"
This was our amuse bouche, and I'm afraid I don't remember what it was. Green... flavored soup? I think it was prolly tasty though!
We started with an appetizer of Sauteed Jumbo Shrimp with Parsley & Garlic, Crab & Sesame Seed Croquette, and Cocktail Sauce. It was very, very tasty! I could have eaten the parsley and garlic sauce on my entire dinner…
Sauteed Jumbo Shrimp with Parsley & Garlic, Crab & Sesame Seed Croquette, and Cocktail Sauce
For dinner we split the Pork Tenderloin Wrapped in Bacon, Stuffed with Mushrooms, Truffles Pasta Gratin, and Morel Sauce. I was a little worried about the pasta because "truffles" is usually code for "truffle oil," which is gross and tastes nothing like real truffles. Also, "gratin" can sometimes be code for "dried out cheese sauce," but this stuff was pretty good. The tenderloin was very nice, but not as good as the one at California Grill.
Pork Tenderloin Wrapped in Bacon, Stuffed with Mushrooms, Truffles Pasta Gratin, Morel Sauce
IllumiNations started before our entrée arrived. It's easier to get pictures before the big lights on the roof of Chefs de France come on.
Yikes!
My eyes!!!!
For dessert, I had my contraband Karamell Kuche cupcake and Patrick had Bistro de Paris' assortment of sorbets and fresh fruit. I don't remember what the flavors of sorbet were, so I will make them up: Oeil de Newt, Orteil de Grenouille, Laines de Batte, and Langue de Chien.
Assortment of Sorbets and Fresh Fruit
By then the park had been closed almost an hour, and the restaurant was emptying. On their way out, the D23 team jabbed Jeffrey and he bid us farewell. We waved and called out, "You can't escape us that easily!"
I always love leaving Epcot well after closing time. It's such a beautiful and peaceful walk out. The last few times I'd done it, I'd been alone on the phone with Patrick telling him what he was missing. So this time I made sure I appreciated getting to be there with him.
Up Next: 3D - Disney Dessert Discovery Party + D23's Sip 'n' Stroll Begins!
)
) I remember he/she/them saying to either go to WWOHP within an hour of opening or closing. I think we'll be heading over an hour before closing as, from your pictures, it looks even better at night!
I'm Mouse Scrapper or Scrappie or Julie 
and it is like hundreds of miles away 
I am always up for some DIS time that keeps me from the other stuff 
