We finally drank the kool-aid...err, ate the French Onion Soup!

[iwynlea]

We were driving up to Epcot yesterday listening to the latest DisUnplugged podcast, and Kevin's dining review of Rose & Crown. It wasn't so much that review that started the conversation, as the fact that after the bad experience at Rose & Crown, Kevin, John, and Ann went to Chefs de France! "We really need to try that place," I told my DH, then added, "But I know it's expensive and I don't know if we'd like the food." (DH and I are very picky eaters, and not that adventurous.)

The plan for the day was to take lots of photos of Flower & Garden, grab some school bread in Norway as a snack, and head to Earl of Sandwich for lunch around 1pm. It was a beautiful day, we really took our time walking around and photographing (I give this year's F&G Festival an A compared to last year, and a B overall compared to all the ones we've been to before). About 2pm, we found ourselves in France, outside Chefs de France. "Let's just look at the menu," I said. And lo and behold, we discovered a prix fixe lunch menu, very reasonable at $20 per person. And we LIKED the options! DH and I looked at each other, looked at the menu, looked at each other, and then decided to splurge on lunch, if they had availability! And they did!

We were seated in less than 10 minutes, and lunch was everything I expected and more -- and I had REALLY high expectations after listening to Kevin & John talk about CdF on several podcasts. Not a big onion fan, I didn't think I'd like the soup, but I knew I wouldn't eat the lobster bisque -- turns out, the soup was very flavorful and with the cheese and bread, it was a perfect starter (I just didn't eat the big slices of onion). I had the croque monsier (ham & cheese sandwich) and DH had the mac & cheese. Both were fabulous - in fact, I have half a sandwich left for lunch today, which I am quite looking forward to. Dessert DH had the creme brulee and I had the chocolate cake. Both were fantastic. And our server, Robert...he was attentive without being obnoxious - just as I finished a soda, he would be there smiling with another. He stood nearby, and clearly watched us, but was not obvious in doing so, because I never caught him staring. The entrees weren't brought out until we were done with soup, and dessert wasn't rushed at all.

We were even treated to a visit by Chef Remy just as we were finishing dessert! He was so cute, and really quite the good chef! Totally unexpected finish to a great, unplanned meal. He's a nice addition to the restaurant. We had forgotten about him, but had heard he was making appearances on a past podcast.

So, now we're converted! We will definitely eat at Chefs de France again, and it's all thanks to Kevin & John! Thanks, guys, for the restaurant reviews and everything else you do for the Dis!! We'd probably never have found this gem without you!

 

[kaligal]

What was the ham and cheese sandwich like? Details, please. Especially regarding the cheese.

 

[wishspirit]

I am glad you enjoyed the meal!

I have had a look at the menus after Kevin's glowing review, but the high cheese content means that it looks like Chefs will be a miss for me! I HATE cheese!

Any recommendations for a good place to eat for a non-cheese eater Kevin?

 

[WaltD4Me]

I am glad you enjoyed the meal!

I have had a look at the menus after Kevin's glowing review, but the high cheese content means that it looks like Chefs will be a miss for me! I HATE cheese!

Any recommendations for a good place to eat for a non-cheese eater Kevin?

You hate cheese?????? How is that possible? Cheese is awesome! How do you eat pizza? What do you put on crackers? I'm never without cheese. Sometimes that is about the only thing in my fridge! I've never heard of anyone who hates cheese. Is it a Brit thing?

 

[iwynlea]

What was the ham and cheese sandwich like? Details, please. Especially regarding the cheese.

I'm not sure of the kind of cheese, but I think it was actually two different kinds. They were both very mild flavors, white cheese, and one was very creamy - like a Bree in terms of creamy and gooey, but definitely not a Bree in flavor (or at least none of the Bree I've every tried). The ham was thinly sliced, basically like ham I buy for lunch meat. There were, I think, 4-5 slices. If I was being really picky, I would have liked more ham -- but overall I really liked it, so I'm not being picky. The bread was a thick sliced french bread, but sliced like sandwich bread, not like a baguette -- very "crusty" crust and soft in the middle, and it had been toasted with more cheese on the outside of the bread. There was not any dressing on the sandwich that I could tell -- didn't really need it, with the creamy cheese, that more than made up for it. Definitely in my book, and the leftovers were just as good for today's lunch.

I should have taken photos, but we were having such a nice meal, it didn't even cross my mind until too late! When I'm "on vacation" I always take photos of meals, but since this was basically a nice dinner out (just happened to be at WDW...one of the perks of being semi-local!), I didn't even think to do so.

 

[iwynlea]

I am glad you enjoyed the meal!

I have had a look at the menus after Kevin's glowing review, but the high cheese content means that it looks like Chefs will be a miss for me! I HATE cheese!

Any recommendations for a good place to eat for a non-cheese eater Kevin?

Ooh, you hate cheese? I sometimes wish I did....but I love cheese in all shapes, sizes, and colors (except bleu, not a big blue cheese fan). I didn't look at the menu that closely, but everything we ate except dessert definitely had lots and lots of cheese! So much so, that I felt a little overloaded, since cheese is so filling, but oh, my, it was so yummy!

You could maybe just go in for drinks and dessert, if you wanted the experience or to see the Remy AA? Both the creme brulee and the chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream were a hit with DH and me!

 

[JenniBugInPink]

You hate cheese?????? How is that possible? Cheese is awesome! How do you eat pizza? What do you put on crackers? I'm never without cheese. Sometimes that is about the only thing in my fridge! I've never heard of anyone who hates cheese. Is it a Brit thing?

I want to know all these same things, too! I've never known anyone who didn't like cheese, either, and I'm terribly curious, as it's about the only protein source in my diet, other than the occasional stray bean. Is it the texture? Smell? Color? Or is it really the taste?

There are so very many tastes, how could one hate them all? Hard cheeses like parmesean? Soft cheese like Brie? Cottage cheese (though I have no idea if it's called that in the UK)? Goat's milk cheese? Melted cheese, which to me tastes nothing like room temperature cheese? Really, I'm serious, I reeaaallllly want to know!! This is fascinating to me!

 

[wishspirit]

You hate cheese?????? How is that possible? Cheese is awesome! How do you eat pizza? What do you put on crackers? I'm never without cheese. Sometimes that is about the only thing in my fridge! I've never heard of anyone who hates cheese. Is it a Brit thing?

I do hate cheese, and no it's not a Brit thing, most of my friends don't understand why I don't like it. We do have an on-running joke (mainly started by Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson) that American's put cheese on everything, or at least ask if you want it with cheese on. I can't tell you how many times I have had to send stuff back in the states because they put cheese on that they didn't put down in the menu. Now I just ask before ordering anything, just in case! I can handle some kinds of pizza, when the taste of the toppings override the taste of the chesse- such as Domino's Texas BBQ here. However pizza can often make me feel sick, so I don't eat it very often.

I want to know all these same things, too! I've never known anyone who didn't like cheese, either, and I'm terribly curious, as it's about the only protein source in my diet, other than the occasional stray bean. Is it the texture? Smell? Color? Or is it really the taste?

There are so very many tastes, how could one hate them all? Hard cheeses like parmesean? Soft cheese like Brie? Cottage cheese (though I have no idea if it's called that in the UK)? Goat's milk cheese? Melted cheese, which to me tastes nothing like room temperature cheese? Really, I'm serious, I reeaaallllly want to know!! This is fascinating to me!

For me it is a mixture of the taste, which to me is just weirdly sharp even in the mildest forms, the consistency of both raw and cooked cheese, it is ether got a really weird texture or pulls appart in that really gooey way which makes me shudder! The ultimate hate for me is the smell!! I have a really strong sense of smell, which is very much linked with my memories. To me cheese smells very strongly of both lactic acid and Butyric acid (most easily smelled in Parmesan), which is also the smell of vomit. So to me all cheese smells at least mildly of vomit, and as someone with mild vomit phobia, this means I really don't want to eat it! It is less so in melted cheese, but then you have consistency issues!

Even cream cheese, the least acidic of all cheeses still smells acidic and vomit-like to me. If the flavours over the top mask it (say in a well made carrot cake with vanilla cream cheese frosting) I can usually just about deal with it.

However I do keep trying cheese again every couple of months to a year, to see if I like it yet, as it does restrict my choices. Thus far not so much!

 

[MinnieGarden]

Chefs is my favorite restaurant, and a must do for every trip! I love the lobster bisque and the quiche lorraine. As for cheese, quiche has swiss, but it isn't that noticable. My 6 year old orders plain pasta with tomato sauce. No cheese there. There are so many other fabulous things on the menu, many without cheese. Also, Remy is absolutely fabulous!

 

[DisneyKevin]

I've already participated in the "Kate Hates Cheese Debate".

I'm still in recovery therapy.

It's beyond me. Everything I eat COULD be buried under a blanket of cheese.

Notice I said could and not is......

And the cheese on the soup is gruyere.....I think it's on the croque monsieur as well.

It's my favorite cheese and it's pricey.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I do hate cheese, and no it's not a Brit thing, most of my friends don't understand why I don't like it. We do have an on-running joke (mainly started by Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson) that American's put cheese on everything, or at least ask if you want it with cheese on. I can't tell you how many times I have had to send stuff back in the states because they put cheese on that they didn't put down in the menu. Now I just ask before ordering anything, just in case! I can handle some kinds of pizza, when the taste of the toppings override the taste of the chesse- such as Domino's Texas BBQ here. However pizza can often make me feel sick, so I don't eat it very often.



For me it is a mixture of the taste, which to me is just weirdly sharp even in the mildest forms, the consistency of both raw and cooked cheese, it is ether got a really weird texture or pulls appart in that really gooey way which makes me shudder! The ultimate hate for me is the smell!! I have a really strong sense of smell, which is very much linked with my memories. To me cheese smells very strongly of both lactic acid and Butyric acid (most easily smelled in Parmesan), which is also the smell of vomit. So to me all cheese smells at least mildly of vomit, and as someone with mild vomit phobia, this means I really don't want to eat it! It is less so in melted cheese, but then you have consistency issues!

Even cream cheese, the least acidic of all cheeses still smells acidic and vomit-like to me. If the flavours over the top mask it (say in a well made carrot cake with vanilla cream cheese frosting) I can usually just about deal with it.

However I do keep trying cheese again every couple of months to a year, to see if I like it yet, as it does restrict my choices. Thus far not so much!

Makes sense actually. I have always thought parmesan has a vague vomit smell too. I definitely get the consistancy thing. I don't go anywhere near cottage cheese because the consistancy is so weird.

I can't imagine not eating cheese, but then again alot of my friends think I'm crazy because I HATE nuts. Any kind. They taste like dirt to me. I've never had a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich in my life and even hazelnut coffee makes me want to gag. I think desserts are completely ruined when you put nuts in them and it makes me so mad when the only brownie they have at the restaurant for the brownie hot fudge sundae has nuts in it.

So, I get it. But nuts aren't cheese! Cheese is goooooooooooooooooood!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Makes sense actually. I have always thought parmesan has a vague vomit smell too. I definitely get the consistancy thing. I don't go anywhere near cottage cheese because the consistancy is so weird.

I can't imagine not eating cheese, but then again alot of my friends think I'm crazy because I HATE nuts. Any kind. They taste like dirt to me. I've never had a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich in my life and even hazelnut coffee makes me want to gag. I think desserts are completely ruined when you put nuts in them and it makes me so mad when the only brownie they have at the restaurant for the brownie hot fudge sundae has nuts in it.

So, I get it. But nuts aren't cheese! Cheese is goooooooooooooooooood!

Oh dear...

Nuts and cheese are some of my favorite foods.

Why oh why arent my favorite foods lettuce and broccoli?

 

[slapwhitey]

This meal is now one of our favorites thanks to some "guidance" from John & Kevin. I also love...I mean love....cheese. I truly think it's one of the best meals and deals on property for lunch. What we have started doing is ordering 1 meal and just an extra soup as we find we can share the sandwich as it's quite rich. We'll be doing this meal again this summer.

 

[wishspirit]

Oh dear...

Nuts and cheese are some of my favorite foods.

Why oh why arent my favorite foods lettuce and broccoli?

You don't like broccoli?!?!?!

Seriously one of my favourite foods!!! I have it with my meals most days. Roasted or boiled, I broccoli!

Lettuce is pretty good too, I like a good salad or ham and lettuce sandwich.

Ok, now i'm drooling!

 

[WaltD4Me]

You don't like broccoli?!?!?!

Seriously one of my favourite foods!!! I have it with my meals most days. Roasted or boiled, I broccoli!

Lettuce is pretty good too, I like a good salad or ham and lettuce sandwich.

Ok, now i'm drooling!

Broccoli you like? Really? Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! It smells like feet!

 

[kaligal]

I don't like cheese, either.

If you count Velveeta (in small amounts, like a slice on a cheeseburger) and cottage cheese (which I don't think is even cheese), then I do like some.

Otherwise, I don't like it and avoid it. It's why I asked the OP about the cheese in the ham and cheese.

It's a bad idea to ask for Velveeta or American cheese in fancy, French restaurants, I think.

 

[JenniBugInPink]

You don't like broccoli?!?!?!

Seriously one of my favourite foods!!! I have it with my meals most days. Roasted or boiled, I broccoli! Ok, now i'm drooling!

Broccoli you like? Really? Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! It smells like feet!

I love broccoli, too! But I bet the way I love to eat it is the strangest. Cooked until done, then dressed with butter, fresh lemon juice, and a bit of apple cider vinegar. YUUUMMM! Had a huge bowl for supper just last night.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I like broccoli a great deal....but I like nuts and cheese as much or more.

I was suggesting that I wished I only had favorites that were good for me.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I like broccoli a great deal....but I like nuts and cheese as much or more.

I was suggesting that I wished I only had favorites that were good for me.

I thought grapefruit was your favorite food?

 

[Halbleib1]

I've already participated in the "Kate Hates Cheese Debate".

I'm still in recovery therapy.

It's beyond me. Everything I eat COULD be buried under a blanket of cheese.

Notice I said could and not is......

And the cheese on the soup is gruyere.....I think it's on the croque monsieur as well.

It's my favorite cheese and it's pricey.

Yes you are right it is expensive. Even at our Sams Club it is 16.99 a pound now.
Unfortunately it is the only dairy cheese that my son can eat. Something to do with the aging process removes the lactose/galactose from it. Thus allowing my son whom can not have any dairy to be able to eat it. Which is great but if only it were less expensive. We mainly buy him soy cheese unless we are making mac and cheese than we will pick up some gruyere.