Monsieur Paul

[horizons82]

I had wanted to dine at this place going back to when it was Bistro de Paris.

Because I didn't see much written about it, a while back I asked people on the boards what they thought of Monsieur Paul, and most of the responses made it sound not-so-great.

However, having the chance to finally go over my birthday, I could not pass it up and I am so glad I decided to go and I had a splendid meal there!

I thought the interior was beautiful, the service wonderful and the food incredible (and I liked that some of the items had a slightly modern approach).

Two complaints I remember reading were that the restaurant was using paper place settings and that they had no curtains over the windows...both of which are no longer the case. The restaurant had crisp white linen tablecloths and window treatments throughout the restaurant.

It was a wonderful dining experience, but there was a HUGE difference between the restaurant being nice and quiet and serene during the first part of our meal and then it becoming filled and noisy during the latter half (which took away from the ambience). Otherwise it was a wonderful meal and I wanted to give it some praise as I don't see MP mentioned very often.

Here is a link to my full, detailed review:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...r233818846-Monsieur_Paul-Orlando_Florida.html

 

[shipley731]

When I tried Monsieur Paul shorty after it re-opened, the service & food were both excellent. The din of noise was my main compliant. I've been to concerts that weren't as loud as it was in the restaurant that night. It really spoiled the experience. The husband & I will give it another try, but we're going to aim for a week night at a less busy (if there is such a thing anymore) time of year.

 

[horizons82]

When I tried Monsieur Paul shorty after it re-opened, the service & food were both excellent. The din of noise was my main compliant. I've been to concerts that weren't as loud as it was in the restaurant that night. It really spoiled the experience. The husband & I will give it another try, but we're going to aim for a week night at a less busy (if there is such a thing anymore) time of year.

I'd definitely recommend going as early as possible. We arrived in the 5:45-6pm time frame and there was only one other table that was present and it was wonderful. By the end of our meal 90 minutes later it was pretty full and very noisy. So go as early as possible to be able to enjoy the ambience and atmosphere.

 

[disneydudette]

Greatly enjoyed your TA review... wonderfully written!

Having since read it... I was curious to see how this experience compared to other signatures on property. I'm still really on the fence with an ADR here... but your well balanced review is leaning me towards a 'yes'! We'd certainly appreciate a more quiet atmosphere and would most likely go with an early ADR, a bit more drinking around the countries, and Illuminations.

I have 8 other nights to plan... so was just curious as to what your thoughts were for a few others on property!

 

[horizons82]

Greatly enjoyed your TA review... wonderfully written!

Having since read it... I was curious to see how this experience compared to other signatures on property. I'm still really on the fence with an ADR here... but your well balanced review is leaning me towards a 'yes'! We'd certainly appreciate a more quiet atmosphere and would most likely go with an early ADR, a bit more drinking around the countries, and Illuminations.

I have 8 other nights to plan... so was just curious as to what your thoughts were for a few others on property!

Thanks for the very nice compliments...I really do try to write reviews as objectively as possible and to give as much information in them as I can. I know when I am looking to go somewhere (whether it be a restaurant, hotel, etc.), I really want all of the info I can (good and bad) to make a good decision. So thanks for the feedback.

As far as comparing Monsieur Paul to other signatures on property, it's difficult to do because each signature has something different and interesting to offer.

Le Cellier has excellent food and what might be my favorite steak on property in what COULD be a nice and romantic setting, but the ambience is ruined by tables that are WAY too close together and it's ALWAYS noisy. Unlike Monsieur Paul, Le Cellier is open lunch & dinner, so you can't get in for a quiet early reservation unless perhaps you arrive as soon as they open for lunch.

Flying Fish Café has an amazing and whimsical décor, but I found the food to be a little too much quantity over quality, though it was still good. It does not come close to Monsieur Paul in terms of food IMHO.

California Grill is my all-around favorite signature...excellent food, wonderful views at the top of the Contemporary, and being able to watch the fireworks from the observation deck. I highly recommend this for the overall experience.

Artist Point was very enjoyable with some very good food in a nice Northwestern atmosphere (although it's starting to feel it needs updated).

Jiko is also a favorite of mine...you get to enjoy the Animal Kingdom Lodge and see the savannas with the animals, but the restaurant is also more modern and romantic with slowly rotating colors along the wall. The food is slightly exotic, but still very approachable.

Sanaa is my favorite non-signature restaurant. It is in the Kidani Village part of the AKL, so you still get to enjoy the lodge's grounds, but the food is also excellent (and perhaps more authentic than Jiko). The ambience is a little more whimsical than Jiko, but it's still cute and nice.

Citricos at the Grand Floridian and The Brown Derby at the studios are both very good in terms of food and atmosphere, but they seem to lack that a certain uniqueness that most of the others have.

Victoria and Albert's, Narcoossee's, Bluezoo and Il Mulino are on my dining "wish list", so I can't really say much about them.

In general, if atmosphere and a quieter setting are most important, stick with the resort restaurants. Monsieur Paul might be the exception, but only if you go as early as possible. The Brown Derby wasn't too busy, but it doesn't feel quite as upscale or as unique as some of the others. I mentioned.

I'd say Monsieur Paul felt the most upscale of all of the signatures I've been to, at least until it got busy and loud.

Let me know if you have any other questions
I also have similar reviews of theother restaurants I mentioned posted on TripAdvisor

 

[disneydudette]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write that post!

I tend to write my TA reviews similarly... but always feel like I'm 'over doing' it! Rarely do posters take the time to write a quality review and truly explain their rating.

Really appreciate your notes on other signatures... so far I was 'committed' to California Grill, Flying Fish, and Victoria and Albert's. I was hoping to maybe try the 'bar' at Narcoossee's for drinks and a cheese platter/other appetizer before dinner elsewhere. Would love to try Jiko or Sanaa... just need to do a tad bit more menu research. I've recently been reading more positive reviews with Yachtsman over Le Cellier... though the beer cheese soup always seems to suck me in!

Definitely looking to stick with the resort dinning over parks... which is why Monsieur Paul never really made it onto the list. Also trying to see what the resort bars/lounges have to offer as well... I've heard good things about the WL, AKL, and YC.... and am curious to even try the new lounge at the Brown Derby. I'm also tempted to try the Bull & Bear at the Waldorf one night...

*that awkward moment when your realizing you'll spend more on food and drink than resort and tickets*

 

[horizons82]

I think the places you are 'committed' to sound great and they give you a nice range of experiences--each kind of have their own special quality.

Yes, the cheese soup at Le Cellier is difficult to pass up...I especially like to dip the pretzel bread in it

I also really like all of the cheese plates at the signature restaurants...in fact, I do remember the one at Flying Fish being one of my favorite. I really wanted to love Flying Fish because of it's unique décor, but for our visit the food wasn't quite up to signature level in my opinion, but serving sizes were quite large.

I think if you can fit in Jiko and/or Sanaa you'll have a great and well-rounded food experience.

Enjoy!

 

[shipley731]

Unfortunately, my husband & I are late eaters. Dinner at 5:45pm-6pm doesn't really work for us. We'll give M. Paul one more try, but if we have a similar experience to our last visit, we'll leave it off the rotation. There's plenty of other restaurants in WDW that we like.

As far as Le Cellier goes, IMO, it's overrated. Yes, I've eaten there & the meal was good, but it certainly doesn't live up to the hype. The recipe for Le Cellier's cheese soup is out on the interwebs & those pretzel rolls everybody raves about are a par-baked product that come from their food supplier. You can get them in the bakery section at both Whole Foods & Fresh Market grocery stores. Steaks are better at Yachtsman.

Narcoossees is nice & I've never had a bad meal there. Try to time your visit around the Mk fireworks. You can go out on the porch & watch with the music piped in. It's a different view from watching at Cali Grill, but lovely in it's own way.

Jiko & Cali Grill are probably my favorite signatures with Flying Fish & Yachtsman coming in close behind them.

 

[TXDisney]

Very good food there. I've only done lunch reservations there. And loved both.

 

[Tuvalu]

Very good food there. I've only done lunch reservations there. And loved both.

I think you lunched at Chefs de France. Monsieur Paul is only open for dinner.

 

[TXDisney]

My bad. Got the 2 mixed up.