Lumiere's is unique. Unique in the way that a singular restaurant is unique. In the way that there is only one of a specific restaurant with a highly rated chef, or a wonderful family eatery makes the best comfort food you know and love. This is because Lumiere's is one of the rotating dinner restaurants on the Disney Magic, one of the original two ships in the fleet of the Disney Cruise Line, and also one of the first things you see when you step on board if you are lucky enough to book a trip aboard the wonderful vessel. Located in the forward lobby, where all the characters meet and general fun happens at the larger events, this French-American spot sits behind a resplendent set of heavy silver and crystal gilded doors, with the entire space evoking the opulence that most of us remember from the 90's classic Beauty and the Beast when they serve dinner during the fan-favorite song "Be Our Guest".
As this was our first night aboard the Magic, Lumiere's was our first of several restaurants onboard and where we met our servers, who follow you and your party each night of your trip, from restaurant to restaurant, all by design to provide you the absolute best service and dining experience possible. We were lucky enough to be seated with Gideon and Bozidar, two of the nicest people we met during our journey, as well as people who we will never forget as they provided smiles, meaningful interaction, and much more beyond simply suggesting menu items and providing our table with food and drink. They truly were what made the experience absolutely top-notch, as was our experience with all of the staff onboard.
Now, enough about everything else, the most important thing here is the food.....which was spectacular! A brilliant pairing of traditional French offerings, as well as American choices, melded together to create a menu with a great selection where everything we tried was at the peak of quality. I specifically had the potage, easily on point with the best potato leek soup I've ever had; escargot gratinee, with melded flavors of unctuous and funky French cheeses and herbs, accentuating the tender and soft escargot. Following those two wonderful starting dishes, the lamb rack was prepared medium rare, with the classic gamey flavor of the lamb balanced with minimal seasoning and a red wine reduction to make it really pop.
All of this was followed up with an array of desserts that the table shared because we could not decide between the many on the menu, so we simply ordered them all. I had been hoping for the gateau to lead them all, and while it was outstanding, the Tahitian creme brûlée that really blew me away. Possibly one of the best that I have ever had. This is pretty significant because if there's brûlée on the menu, it's what I'm ordering! What it all boils down to is that if you have the opportunity to take a Disney Cruise and it happens to be on the Disney Magic, make sure you stop at Lumiere's. You'll be coming here anyway if you do, because it's one of the rotating restaurants, but you can also come for breakfast, and you should! This is one place aboard that you won't forget! read more