I love when I can stroll down town and stop here for a relaxing lunch on the patio. The fruit and cheese platter is wonderful and you get French bread with it. Or their salad with chicken, brie, cranberries and walnuts, it's wonderful and very filling. Add a glass of wine to your meal and sit back and relax for a bit. I have had their soup and sandwiches in the past too and they have all been good. Will definitely come back again.
(5)
Michelle F.
The location and French theme pulled us in. The food was pricey. We had the quiche which took 40 minutes to arrive and it was obvious it had been microwaved. Plus mine had a hair in it. Our waitress was non attentive and had attitude. Everything was a big fail at this place. Do yourself a favor. If you want a better "French" experience get the fries at McDonald's.
(1)
Jeff M.
I and four others stopped in today for lunch. The warm brie on bread appetizer was delicious, served with cranberry sauce and walnuts. The cheese melted right off the bread if one wasn't careful (as my wife's iPhone can attest.) My prosciutto and muenster sandwich was very good, the side salad just OK (dijon vinaigrette house dressing was underwhelming.) They were out of dark chocolate fondue, but the five of us split a milk chocolate fondue comfortably (though a little more chocolate in proportion to the dippers (grapes, marshmallows, apple slices, bananas, strawberries -- my wife thought the menu mentioned cake pieces (which weren't served)) would have been good. Overpriced, but hey, this is Mt. Dora. It seemed to me that the kitchen was kind of slow given the hour and the uncrowded state of the restaurant. Service was good.
(3)
Jen D.
Came here for the first time today. Amazing service and the outdoor seating was perfect. My husband and I both had the Quiche Lorraine. was really yummy. The portions were perfect. We definitely plan to come back again .
(4)
Jill S.
This is our third visit to this lovely outdoor French themed restaurant. Each time the story is the same- wonderful ambiance, good food and crappy service! Take some pride in your work and appearance wait staff and your costumer's experience will improve as will your tips!
(3)
Phil P.
Terrible food - crepe was frozen Tyson strips in a terrible wrap... Service was terrible, avoid at all costs
(1)
Cyn P.
The food is ok, the outdoor seating is great (except for the smoking) and the service is horrible. The waiters and waitresses could have cared less whether you ate there or not. Because of the limited menu I wouldn't recommend it for dinner.
(3)
Dennis B.
The only thing this place has going for itself, is its location. The food is tasteless, the service is useless and Oh My God The local entertainment is earth shattering bad. Eat at McDonalds and do yourself a favor.
(2)
Annalisa W.
We stopped in to escape the rain on a lazy stroll day thru Mount Dora. The covered patio actually made it able for us to eat outside and still enjoy the drizzling rain as well. We both ordered cappuccino's which were delicious and with a nice hint of cinnamon. We had actually just had a light lunch and weren't very hungry... That was until we saw the crepes! The table opposite had ordered them and they looked amazing. So we took our servers advice and ordered the Delia and the Symphony. What arrived was delicious, fluffy crepes stuffed with strawberries, nutella, bananas, nuts and fresh cream. Wow! We may have over indulged a bit but it was definitely worth the drive to Mt. Dora! I gave them a four based on service. Service was lacking and often inattentive. It is a small local spot though so I can overlook it since they did start to fill up after we arrived.
(4)
Katie L.
Nice little spot for lunch with shaded outdoor seating. I had the cheese plate and although the cheese tastes like it is bought from the local Publix, it is still a nice spread. My mom had the mushroom chicken crepe and it was very good. It's a rich dish but definitely yummy. My sister had the smoked salmon salad and she enjoyed it. I would say you come here more to people watch and enjoy average food than really looking for a culinary adventure.
(4)
Brandy H.
Extremely rude waitress. From the time we sat down she acted like she was annoyed with us being there. She got my drink order wrong and when I kindly told her she blew me off, turned around and walked away while saying "that's what you ordered". Did not care a bit to make it right. My husband and I looked at each other in disbelief and walked out before we got our food which we have never done before. This is very unfortunate as we love to support the downtown Mt. Dora restaurants and shops in which we frequent several times a week. Will not be back to this one.
(1)
C B.
Great place to have a glass of wine and cheese platter along with other meals . Great ambiance.
(4)
KatyCakes M.
Not sure where the bad reviews are coming from. Best location in town. Best outdoor patio, great ambiance, have had live music when I've been. I always order the Escargot (which is basically a salad with escargot on top), and the crepes and find it all to be delicious! Service has been more than friendly and prompt even during super busy times and town events for me. It's the first place I recommend to friends. Enjoy!
(5)
Cathy P.
If you read reviews, you will see a pattern of bad service. The best predictor of future performance is their past performance... That being said, we sat for an hour while none of the tables in our section were served. At that point we were told that the waitress hadn't even put in our order, only when we got up to complain to the hostess. Don't go their of you are hungry, you may leave just as hungry as you came in
(1)
Ari W.
NIce outdoor dining in quaint Mt. Dora. Service is mediocre but the food was ok. Breakfast crepes and the omelets were all good and creative. The food tasted good but the omeletes while big in size had very little egg, super thin. Oh they also have quiche if thats your thing, it was good and a healthy piece. Everything came with fresh fruit which is nice. Our server seemed to be thrown off by an order of a simple scrambled egg with bacon because it's not on the menu. I guess it's like going to a restaurant and asking for a grilled cheese when its not on the menu. From that point she just didn't seem to get it. 6 people at the table and she seemed to have a difficult time and there was no one else at the restaurant. Decent food, service lacks, but if you don't mind relaxing and waiting like you are in the keys then go enjoy the outdoor dining in nice Mt. Dora.
(3)
Misty B.
It's a vacation town, so it's hard to be critical on the lackadaisical service -- but this place forces you to be. Vacation town or not, this staff's sleepy-meets-sarcastic style is distracting from the food and cozy outdoor ambience. After reading the food reviews, I played it safe with the soup du jour and a cheese platter. The tomato basil soup tasted homemade and was very rich, very good. The cheese platter (three selections) was bountiful, but the fruit was only OK. Soft grapes, aged strawberries. The Viognier on the wine list is stunning; alas, only half a glass was available chilled. The al fresco dining was perfect for spring lunching and bringing the dogs. Great location a block or two from the lake. The service is so dismal, though, that I'd circle the block for another option before committing.
(3)
Marcelo A.
First time to Mt Dora and was glad We stopped to eat here. We had a cheese platter and a quiche and it was terrific. Great relaxing outdoor seating. The portions are generous and reasonable pricing. Definitely worth coming back.
We go to Cecil's on a regular basis because of the amazing at atmosphere and the quality of the food. The portions are large and the quality is always consistent. The cheese trays and salads are our favorite. It is the best place in Mount Dora to sit outside under a beautiful huge oak tree and watch the sunset over the lake without the interruption of loud music and costing you an arm & a leg. Servers are very friendly and personable. Great place to sit outside and bring your pets. To the excitement of my young daughter one occasion one of the servers, Mickey, served her American Girl doll just like a real guest even taking the time to make a miniature lemonade cup & straw. It is now my daughters favorite restaurant and one of ours. This place is well worth a visit.
(5)
Lauren F.
Cute and relaxing place to eat, Nothing to great about the food very simple, i ordered the nova sandwich it was good but not enough nova a little overpowered with cream cheese and not many chives, the waiter took quite a long time to refill drinks and bring the check but overall it is an okay place to eat.
(3)
LA M.
Absolutely a must stop when in Mt Dora! This truely is a Genuine french cafe! Culinary delight!
(5)
Laura S.
When we first saw Cecil's, we were drawn in by their humorous sign (see pictures). The food looks expensive, but it's worth every penny since the portions are humongous. We ate the appetizer fois gras with brie, fruits, scalloped stuffing mix (in a shell - do not bite shell, it hurts), escargot, and bread. My boyfriend really loved all of it, but I mostly ate the fruits, brie, and bread. In addition to good food, we had a fantastic host/server "Micky," who entertained us throughout the entire meal. We truly enjoyed the atmosphere, and would be happy to return.
(4)
Holly N.
French this restaurant is not. It took forever to get our French onion soup, which was not bad but had way too much cheese. We ordered the chicken side salad and ham and cheese croissant. Both were just average nothing spectacular. Just an average soup ,average salad and sandwich. It really is not that difficult to make a great sandwich, soup or salad except a little extra effort. We sat inside the restaurant which needs some serious updating. The carpet inside looks old and dirty. The staff whined ,in front of us, about working the whole time we were trying to have an enjoyable lunch. A good restaurant needs a very dedicated owner that prides itself in detail and a great staff. This restaurant needs a lot of improvement in every area from its food to service. I hope they will make improvements , and train their staff to be professional in front of customers. I grew up in Miami in the 70's. We had the best restaurants and most creative chefs. I wish someone from the old cooking school would move to Mt. Dora and open up a fabulous restaurant.
(3)
Lisa W.
Cecile's French Corner is located on 4th street and Alexander, a block or so off of the Lake in the historic section of Mt. Dora. (The Yelp app directed us several blocks away from the lake to a B&B on East 4th, you want WEST 4th. I'm making that address change now.) Head to the lake, Cecile's is right by Pisces Rising. Friend and I stopped here for lunchtime and perused the menu. Lots of nice traditional French Cafe offerings- sandwiches, crepes, quiche, salads. We decided to go with a cheese plate and see if we were still hungry. We ordered the 5 cheeses and settled back to enjoy the shaded patio seating with our iced tea. The cheese plate arrived and it was HUGE. Nice selections of cheeses, fruit and a bread basket. We were please to find that the wooden plate was actually a lazy susan, which meant trying various cheeses with ease. We enjoyed the Port Salut, Saga Blue, Brie, Goat and Boursin. The brie tasted like a double cream, nice quality. We were very happy with our selections and could not eat one more bite by the finish of the plate. Service was very nice, we were checked on throughout our noshing and teas were refilled. Tables around us seemed just as content and happy with their selections. A very nice place to stop when you are in the area and the shaded patio was enjoyable on a warmer day.
(4)
Monica S.
5 STAR location 3 star on the food. Square crepe? Non filtered Florida water. Service was good.
(3)
Pamela J.
Mount Dora itself gets 5 stars! This cafe is quaint and cute and has French bistro music playing. Sitting on the charming patio, one is easily transported to Paris. And, there is one waiter who looks and acts tres Parisien, in both good and bad ways. Regardless, we enjoyed ourselves. The onion soup is a stand out as are the wine selections and the very French chocolate mousse.
(3)
Dawn G.
Cute bistro with mainly outdoor seating. Food was good. I had a quiche the hubby had a savory crepe. That's where it ended. Service was horrible. Was there two hours and rarely saw the server. He was not attentive at all. Since it was a Saturday evening there was a live singer. Horrible doesn't describe the guy. I looked forward to him taking a break.
(2)
Wendy F.
We just came here today for the first time during the art festival. I ordered the Nora sandwich and waited about 40 minutes. The sandwich I do not recommend. Bread tasted like it was frozen then reheated, and the salmon wasn't fresh, probably frozen too. It tasted like a cheap sushi sandwich. Waiter wasn't attentive but again that can be attributed to the unusually large crowd. I won't come again. It's really pretty, especially outside in this weather, but the food is wholly unremarkable.
(2)
Trencherman H.
I really love this place-- it's so French, right down to the slightly rude and slow waiter. But I gotta tell you the French Onion soup makes up for it. It's a great location and just about everything on the menu is both unique and very good. My only suggestion is to resign yourself to a leisurely (I.e. Very slow service) meal, have a couple of glasses of wine and watch the world walking by. If you can't do that, you're in the middle of Mt. Dora and there are restaurant everywhere around you. Bon Appetite!!
(5)
Troy S.
The food was okay, but my pate had pieces of aluminum foil stuck to it and the service was pitiful. If you do go, avoid getting the waiter with the black beret; he seems to hate his job and is determined not to do it. The only reason I'm giving this place as high as two stars is because of the outdoor location.
(2)
Jessie R.
Nice outdoor patio, but we had bad food, other than the cheese board which was awesome because cheese is awesome. We also had - escargot, scandinavian crepe, chicken and brie salad. Salad- goopy with sweet dressing. Crepe - fish was actually gross, crepe wasn't very thin or tasty, way too thick cut of fish for crepe. Escargot - served in weird little filo dough cups for some reason, ew. Also - everything served on a big bed of iceberg lettuce and cucumbers - why? Also - I'm all for quirky service but this was distractingly over the top insane. I got ice cream after somewhere else just to not taste the food anymore :-/
(1)
Derek S.
Quiche was good. Server was inattentive and uncaring. The dessert I got had peaches which were obviously from a can. We should have known to leave when we walked in on a Friday night and there were only people at three tables, including where the server was sitting while checking her phone. At one point, we were the only customers in the restaurant. We had some decent food, and some terrible food, but just about everything was either frozen or out of a can. Also, some awful wine that cost $7 a glass... Do yourself a favor and avoid this place, unless Gordon Ramsay visits to give it a complete makeover.
(1)
Jim S.
Great little place for visitors to Mount Dora to have a relaxing lunch. Service was very friendly and the food was good when we stopped in. My wife ordered tea and got to choose from a rather robust selection. Almost everyone chose outside seating even though they are several tables inside. This really is more a place you check out in good weather
(4)
Brandy N.
Amazing food. We had the Brie and chicken salad and the Normandy croissant. The service was... Weird. The server had to take a quick break to take a swig off of his flask. For real. But it was kind of entertaining.
(4)
Mandi K.
This is our go to place when we go to Mt Dora, all the other restaurants are either always under new management or closed. We have tried a few things on the menu and have never been disappointed. They made a simple crepe for my daughter which was awesome, since they do not kids menu. We always sit inside, because people can smoke outside, which is a bummer, because the outdoor seating is nice, and on a perfect day like today, it would have been great to eat out there. I would have given this place 5 stars, if only the service was better, which it never is, and today they made up a sandwich for me, that I did not order and is not even on the menu. I ate it anyway and did not complain, because I do not like to waste food, and I know what happens to food that is sent back and cooks that get pissed off. (Sorry I was in the industry for 16 yrs) Again, this is our go to place, but we already have low expectations on service, but high ones on the food.
(4)
Bobby H.
Good service. Crepes are excellent! Nice setting outside.
(4)
kelley s.
I always love when I come to Mt. Dora and have a chance to eat here, it's behind a bunch of stores and not on the main street, so yes, hidden gem it is :). My fave! There is seating outside and it's shaded so even on a hot Florida day, you are still comfortable. There's also inside seating if you're not used to the humidity and stuff. Today, my server was really fun. Unfortunatly I can't remember his name, but he was a delight. He chilled with me while I was trying to make up my mind for lunch, which I thought was odd at first, but since I was dining alone, it was actually nice. He also knew the menu and helped with my decision which was nice as well. His comedic relief was much appreciated and kept me smiling. When my salad (Brie and Chicken) arrived, he made sure I was completly happy before he left me to devour it, thank goodness too cause we all know how messy salad is to eat and when it's this good, you don't "take your time"...it was a munch fest! There was actually so much of the topping that I ran out of leafy greens, which is NEVER the case. I love toppings and that's what you pay extra for, so I was very delighted to have a bunch at the bottom of my bowl :). Over all, It's great. Wine, outdoor seating, friendly staff and great french cuisine that fares on the lighter side. It is a bit pricey, but they use great ingredients and they don't skimp. If you're looking for a nice wine and cheese kinda afternoon while shopping and strolling in Mt. Dora, hit this place up!
(4)
Fetchsprouts F.
Great, quaint little place to sit outside for brunch. Nice selection of cheeses. We happened to visit during the Mount Dora Craft Fair and while we were seated quickly, service was very slow and less than attentive. The food is good...crepes were very good (tried the riviera) but quiche was a little soft for our taste. had to ask for every little thing we needed. Overall nice atmosphere, decent food but poor service.
(3)
Steven S.
Yummy! Yummy! Yummy!
(4)
Ashley B.
What a great taste of Europe in Old Florida! My friend and I were highly disappointed on a Tuesday night when we found out that this place closes early during the week. However, we were able to make it there for lunch the next day and were very pleased we made the time to try again. The service was great. I loved the outdoor seating, even if it was a bit cool in the shade. And the crepes were great! We didn't have room for a dessert crepe, so I plan on going back again!
We just came here today for the first time during the art festival. I ordered the Nora sandwich and waited about 40 minutes. The sandwich I do not recommend. Bread tasted like it was frozen then reheated, and the salmon wasn't fresh, probably frozen too. It tasted like a cheap sushi sandwich. Waiter wasn't attentive but again that can be attributed to the unusually large crowd. I won't come again. It's really pretty, especially outside in this weather, but the food is wholly unremarkable.
(2)
Trencherman H.
I really love this place-- it's so French, right down to the slightly rude and slow waiter. But I gotta tell you the French Onion soup makes up for it. It's a great location and just about everything on the menu is both unique and very good. My only suggestion is to resign yourself to a leisurely (I.e. Very slow service) meal, have a couple of glasses of wine and watch the world walking by. If you can't do that, you're in the middle of Mt. Dora and there are restaurant everywhere around you. Bon Appetite!!
(5)
Troy S.
The food was okay, but my pate had pieces of aluminum foil stuck to it and the service was pitiful. If you do go, avoid getting the waiter with the black beret; he seems to hate his job and is determined not to do it. The only reason I'm giving this place as high as two stars is because of the outdoor location.
(2)
Jessie R.
Nice outdoor patio, but we had bad food, other than the cheese board which was awesome because cheese is awesome. We also had - escargot, scandinavian crepe, chicken and brie salad. Salad- goopy with sweet dressing. Crepe - fish was actually gross, crepe wasn't very thin or tasty, way too thick cut of fish for crepe. Escargot - served in weird little filo dough cups for some reason, ew. Also - everything served on a big bed of iceberg lettuce and cucumbers - why? Also - I'm all for quirky service but this was distractingly over the top insane. I got ice cream after somewhere else just to not taste the food anymore :-/
(1)
Derek S.
Quiche was good. Server was inattentive and uncaring. The dessert I got had peaches which were obviously from a can. We should have known to leave when we walked in on a Friday night and there were only people at three tables, including where the server was sitting while checking her phone. At one point, we were the only customers in the restaurant. We had some decent food, and some terrible food, but just about everything was either frozen or out of a can. Also, some awful wine that cost $7 a glass... Do yourself a favor and avoid this place, unless Gordon Ramsay visits to give it a complete makeover.
(1)
Jim S.
Great little place for visitors to Mount Dora to have a relaxing lunch. Service was very friendly and the food was good when we stopped in. My wife ordered tea and got to choose from a rather robust selection. Almost everyone chose outside seating even though they are several tables inside. This really is more a place you check out in good weather
(4)
Brandy N.
Amazing food. We had the Brie and chicken salad and the Normandy croissant. The service was... Weird. The server had to take a quick break to take a swig off of his flask. For real. But it was kind of entertaining.
(4)
Mandi K.
This is our go to place when we go to Mt Dora, all the other restaurants are either always under new management or closed. We have tried a few things on the menu and have never been disappointed. They made a simple crepe for my daughter which was awesome, since they do not kids menu. We always sit inside, because people can smoke outside, which is a bummer, because the outdoor seating is nice, and on a perfect day like today, it would have been great to eat out there. I would have given this place 5 stars, if only the service was better, which it never is, and today they made up a sandwich for me, that I did not order and is not even on the menu. I ate it anyway and did not complain, because I do not like to waste food, and I know what happens to food that is sent back and cooks that get pissed off. (Sorry I was in the industry for 16 yrs) Again, this is our go to place, but we already have low expectations on service, but high ones on the food.
(4)
kelley s.
I always love when I come to Mt. Dora and have a chance to eat here, it's behind a bunch of stores and not on the main street, so yes, hidden gem it is :). My fave! There is seating outside and it's shaded so even on a hot Florida day, you are still comfortable. There's also inside seating if you're not used to the humidity and stuff. Today, my server was really fun. Unfortunatly I can't remember his name, but he was a delight. He chilled with me while I was trying to make up my mind for lunch, which I thought was odd at first, but since I was dining alone, it was actually nice. He also knew the menu and helped with my decision which was nice as well. His comedic relief was much appreciated and kept me smiling. When my salad (Brie and Chicken) arrived, he made sure I was completly happy before he left me to devour it, thank goodness too cause we all know how messy salad is to eat and when it's this good, you don't "take your time"...it was a munch fest! There was actually so much of the topping that I ran out of leafy greens, which is NEVER the case. I love toppings and that's what you pay extra for, so I was very delighted to have a bunch at the bottom of my bowl :). Over all, It's great. Wine, outdoor seating, friendly staff and great french cuisine that fares on the lighter side. It is a bit pricey, but they use great ingredients and they don't skimp. If you're looking for a nice wine and cheese kinda afternoon while shopping and strolling in Mt. Dora, hit this place up!
(4)
Fetchsprouts F.
Great, quaint little place to sit outside for brunch. Nice selection of cheeses. We happened to visit during the Mount Dora Craft Fair and while we were seated quickly, service was very slow and less than attentive. The food is good...crepes were very good (tried the riviera) but quiche was a little soft for our taste. had to ask for every little thing we needed. Overall nice atmosphere, decent food but poor service.
(3)
Steven S.
Yummy! Yummy! Yummy!
(4)
Ashley B.
What a great taste of Europe in Old Florida! My friend and I were highly disappointed on a Tuesday night when we found out that this place closes early during the week. However, we were able to make it there for lunch the next day and were very pleased we made the time to try again. The service was great. I loved the outdoor seating, even if it was a bit cool in the shade. And the crepes were great! We didn't have room for a dessert crepe, so I plan on going back again!
(4)
Bobby H.
Good service. Crepes are excellent! Nice setting outside.
(4)
tony A.
We go to Cecil's on a regular basis because of the amazing at atmosphere and the quality of the food. The portions are large and the quality is always consistent. The cheese trays and salads are our favorite. It is the best place in Mount Dora to sit outside under a beautiful huge oak tree and watch the sunset over the lake without the interruption of loud music and costing you an arm & a leg. Servers are very friendly and personable. Great place to sit outside and bring your pets. To the excitement of my young daughter one occasion one of the servers, Mickey, served her American Girl doll just like a real guest even taking the time to make a miniature lemonade cup & straw. It is now my daughters favorite restaurant and one of ours. This place is well worth a visit.
(5)
Laura S.
When we first saw Cecil's, we were drawn in by their humorous sign (see pictures). The food looks expensive, but it's worth every penny since the portions are humongous. We ate the appetizer fois gras with brie, fruits, scalloped stuffing mix (in a shell - do not bite shell, it hurts), escargot, and bread. My boyfriend really loved all of it, but I mostly ate the fruits, brie, and bread. In addition to good food, we had a fantastic host/server "Micky," who entertained us throughout the entire meal. We truly enjoyed the atmosphere, and would be happy to return.
(4)
Lauren F.
Cute and relaxing place to eat, Nothing to great about the food very simple, i ordered the nova sandwich it was good but not enough nova a little overpowered with cream cheese and not many chives, the waiter took quite a long time to refill drinks and bring the check but overall it is an okay place to eat.
(3)
LA M.
Absolutely a must stop when in Mt Dora! This truely is a Genuine french cafe! Culinary delight!
(5)
Annalisa W.
We stopped in to escape the rain on a lazy stroll day thru Mount Dora. The covered patio actually made it able for us to eat outside and still enjoy the drizzling rain as well. We both ordered cappuccino's which were delicious and with a nice hint of cinnamon. We had actually just had a light lunch and weren't very hungry... That was until we saw the crepes! The table opposite had ordered them and they looked amazing. So we took our servers advice and ordered the Delia and the Symphony. What arrived was delicious, fluffy crepes stuffed with strawberries, nutella, bananas, nuts and fresh cream. Wow! We may have over indulged a bit but it was definitely worth the drive to Mt. Dora! I gave them a four based on service. Service was lacking and often inattentive. It is a small local spot though so I can overlook it since they did start to fill up after we arrived.
(4)
Katie L.
Nice little spot for lunch with shaded outdoor seating. I had the cheese plate and although the cheese tastes like it is bought from the local Publix, it is still a nice spread. My mom had the mushroom chicken crepe and it was very good. It's a rich dish but definitely yummy. My sister had the smoked salmon salad and she enjoyed it. I would say you come here more to people watch and enjoy average food than really looking for a culinary adventure.
(4)
Brandy H.
Extremely rude waitress. From the time we sat down she acted like she was annoyed with us being there. She got my drink order wrong and when I kindly told her she blew me off, turned around and walked away while saying "that's what you ordered". Did not care a bit to make it right. My husband and I looked at each other in disbelief and walked out before we got our food which we have never done before. This is very unfortunate as we love to support the downtown Mt. Dora restaurants and shops in which we frequent several times a week. Will not be back to this one.
(1)
C B.
Great place to have a glass of wine and cheese platter along with other meals . Great ambiance.
(4)
KatyCakes M.
Not sure where the bad reviews are coming from. Best location in town. Best outdoor patio, great ambiance, have had live music when I've been. I always order the Escargot (which is basically a salad with escargot on top), and the crepes and find it all to be delicious! Service has been more than friendly and prompt even during super busy times and town events for me. It's the first place I recommend to friends. Enjoy!
(5)
Cathy P.
If you read reviews, you will see a pattern of bad service. The best predictor of future performance is their past performance... That being said, we sat for an hour while none of the tables in our section were served. At that point we were told that the waitress hadn't even put in our order, only when we got up to complain to the hostess. Don't go their of you are hungry, you may leave just as hungry as you came in
(1)
Holly N.
French this restaurant is not. It took forever to get our French onion soup, which was not bad but had way too much cheese. We ordered the chicken side salad and ham and cheese croissant. Both were just average nothing spectacular. Just an average soup ,average salad and sandwich. It really is not that difficult to make a great sandwich, soup or salad except a little extra effort. We sat inside the restaurant which needs some serious updating. The carpet inside looks old and dirty. The staff whined ,in front of us, about working the whole time we were trying to have an enjoyable lunch. A good restaurant needs a very dedicated owner that prides itself in detail and a great staff. This restaurant needs a lot of improvement in every area from its food to service. I hope they will make improvements , and train their staff to be professional in front of customers. I grew up in Miami in the 70's. We had the best restaurants and most creative chefs. I wish someone from the old cooking school would move to Mt. Dora and open up a fabulous restaurant.
(3)
Lisa W.
Cecile's French Corner is located on 4th street and Alexander, a block or so off of the Lake in the historic section of Mt. Dora. (The Yelp app directed us several blocks away from the lake to a B&B on East 4th, you want WEST 4th. I'm making that address change now.) Head to the lake, Cecile's is right by Pisces Rising. Friend and I stopped here for lunchtime and perused the menu. Lots of nice traditional French Cafe offerings- sandwiches, crepes, quiche, salads. We decided to go with a cheese plate and see if we were still hungry. We ordered the 5 cheeses and settled back to enjoy the shaded patio seating with our iced tea. The cheese plate arrived and it was HUGE. Nice selections of cheeses, fruit and a bread basket. We were please to find that the wooden plate was actually a lazy susan, which meant trying various cheeses with ease. We enjoyed the Port Salut, Saga Blue, Brie, Goat and Boursin. The brie tasted like a double cream, nice quality. We were very happy with our selections and could not eat one more bite by the finish of the plate. Service was very nice, we were checked on throughout our noshing and teas were refilled. Tables around us seemed just as content and happy with their selections. A very nice place to stop when you are in the area and the shaded patio was enjoyable on a warmer day.
(4)
Monica S.
5 STAR location 3 star on the food. Square crepe? Non filtered Florida water. Service was good.
(3)
Pamela J.
Mount Dora itself gets 5 stars! This cafe is quaint and cute and has French bistro music playing. Sitting on the charming patio, one is easily transported to Paris. And, there is one waiter who looks and acts tres Parisien, in both good and bad ways. Regardless, we enjoyed ourselves. The onion soup is a stand out as are the wine selections and the very French chocolate mousse.
(3)
Dawn G.
Cute bistro with mainly outdoor seating. Food was good. I had a quiche the hubby had a savory crepe. That's where it ended. Service was horrible. Was there two hours and rarely saw the server. He was not attentive at all. Since it was a Saturday evening there was a live singer. Horrible doesn't describe the guy. I looked forward to him taking a break.
(2)
Karen H.
I love when I can stroll down town and stop here for a relaxing lunch on the patio. The fruit and cheese platter is wonderful and you get French bread with it. Or their salad with chicken, brie, cranberries and walnuts, it's wonderful and very filling. Add a glass of wine to your meal and sit back and relax for a bit. I have had their soup and sandwiches in the past too and they have all been good. Will definitely come back again.
(5)
Michelle F.
The location and French theme pulled us in. The food was pricey. We had the quiche which took 40 minutes to arrive and it was obvious it had been microwaved. Plus mine had a hair in it. Our waitress was non attentive and had attitude. Everything was a big fail at this place. Do yourself a favor. If you want a better "French" experience get the fries at McDonald's.
(1)
Jeff M.
I and four others stopped in today for lunch. The warm brie on bread appetizer was delicious, served with cranberry sauce and walnuts. The cheese melted right off the bread if one wasn't careful (as my wife's iPhone can attest.) My prosciutto and muenster sandwich was very good, the side salad just OK (dijon vinaigrette house dressing was underwhelming.) They were out of dark chocolate fondue, but the five of us split a milk chocolate fondue comfortably (though a little more chocolate in proportion to the dippers (grapes, marshmallows, apple slices, bananas, strawberries -- my wife thought the menu mentioned cake pieces (which weren't served)) would have been good. Overpriced, but hey, this is Mt. Dora. It seemed to me that the kitchen was kind of slow given the hour and the uncrowded state of the restaurant. Service was good.
(3)
Jen D.
Came here for the first time today. Amazing service and the outdoor seating was perfect. My husband and I both had the Quiche Lorraine. was really yummy. The portions were perfect. We definitely plan to come back again .
(4)
Jill S.
This is our third visit to this lovely outdoor French themed restaurant. Each time the story is the same- wonderful ambiance, good food and crappy service! Take some pride in your work and appearance wait staff and your costumer's experience will improve as will your tips!
(3)
Phil P.
Terrible food - crepe was frozen Tyson strips in a terrible wrap... Service was terrible, avoid at all costs
(1)
Cyn P.
The food is ok, the outdoor seating is great (except for the smoking) and the service is horrible. The waiters and waitresses could have cared less whether you ate there or not. Because of the limited menu I wouldn't recommend it for dinner.
(3)
Dennis B.
The only thing this place has going for itself, is its location. The food is tasteless, the service is useless and Oh My God The local entertainment is earth shattering bad. Eat at McDonalds and do yourself a favor.
(2)
Ari W.
NIce outdoor dining in quaint Mt. Dora. Service is mediocre but the food was ok. Breakfast crepes and the omelets were all good and creative. The food tasted good but the omeletes while big in size had very little egg, super thin. Oh they also have quiche if thats your thing, it was good and a healthy piece. Everything came with fresh fruit which is nice. Our server seemed to be thrown off by an order of a simple scrambled egg with bacon because it's not on the menu. I guess it's like going to a restaurant and asking for a grilled cheese when its not on the menu. From that point she just didn't seem to get it. 6 people at the table and she seemed to have a difficult time and there was no one else at the restaurant. Decent food, service lacks, but if you don't mind relaxing and waiting like you are in the keys then go enjoy the outdoor dining in nice Mt. Dora.
(3)
Misty B.
It's a vacation town, so it's hard to be critical on the lackadaisical service -- but this place forces you to be. Vacation town or not, this staff's sleepy-meets-sarcastic style is distracting from the food and cozy outdoor ambience. After reading the food reviews, I played it safe with the soup du jour and a cheese platter. The tomato basil soup tasted homemade and was very rich, very good. The cheese platter (three selections) was bountiful, but the fruit was only OK. Soft grapes, aged strawberries. The Viognier on the wine list is stunning; alas, only half a glass was available chilled. The al fresco dining was perfect for spring lunching and bringing the dogs. Great location a block or two from the lake. The service is so dismal, though, that I'd circle the block for another option before committing.
(3)
Marcelo A.
First time to Mt Dora and was glad We stopped to eat here. We had a cheese platter and a quiche and it was terrific. Great relaxing outdoor seating. The portions are generous and reasonable pricing. Definitely worth coming back.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Karen H.
I love when I can stroll down town and stop here for a relaxing lunch on the patio. The fruit and cheese platter is wonderful and you get French bread with it. Or their salad with chicken, brie, cranberries and walnuts, it's wonderful and very filling. Add a glass of wine to your meal and sit back and relax for a bit. I have had their soup and sandwiches in the past too and they have all been good. Will definitely come back again.
(5)Michelle F.
The location and French theme pulled us in. The food was pricey. We had the quiche which took 40 minutes to arrive and it was obvious it had been microwaved. Plus mine had a hair in it. Our waitress was non attentive and had attitude. Everything was a big fail at this place. Do yourself a favor. If you want a better "French" experience get the fries at McDonald's.
(1)Jeff M.
I and four others stopped in today for lunch. The warm brie on bread appetizer was delicious, served with cranberry sauce and walnuts. The cheese melted right off the bread if one wasn't careful (as my wife's iPhone can attest.) My prosciutto and muenster sandwich was very good, the side salad just OK (dijon vinaigrette house dressing was underwhelming.) They were out of dark chocolate fondue, but the five of us split a milk chocolate fondue comfortably (though a little more chocolate in proportion to the dippers (grapes, marshmallows, apple slices, bananas, strawberries -- my wife thought the menu mentioned cake pieces (which weren't served)) would have been good. Overpriced, but hey, this is Mt. Dora. It seemed to me that the kitchen was kind of slow given the hour and the uncrowded state of the restaurant. Service was good.
(3)Jen D.
Came here for the first time today. Amazing service and the outdoor seating was perfect. My husband and I both had the Quiche Lorraine. was really yummy. The portions were perfect. We definitely plan to come back again .
(4)Jill S.
This is our third visit to this lovely outdoor French themed restaurant. Each time the story is the same- wonderful ambiance, good food and crappy service! Take some pride in your work and appearance wait staff and your costumer's experience will improve as will your tips!
(3)Phil P.
Terrible food - crepe was frozen Tyson strips in a terrible wrap... Service was terrible, avoid at all costs
(1)Cyn P.
The food is ok, the outdoor seating is great (except for the smoking) and the service is horrible. The waiters and waitresses could have cared less whether you ate there or not. Because of the limited menu I wouldn't recommend it for dinner.
(3)Dennis B.
The only thing this place has going for itself, is its location. The food is tasteless, the service is useless and Oh My God The local entertainment is earth shattering bad. Eat at McDonalds and do yourself a favor.
(2)Annalisa W.
We stopped in to escape the rain on a lazy stroll day thru Mount Dora. The covered patio actually made it able for us to eat outside and still enjoy the drizzling rain as well. We both ordered cappuccino's which were delicious and with a nice hint of cinnamon. We had actually just had a light lunch and weren't very hungry... That was until we saw the crepes! The table opposite had ordered them and they looked amazing. So we took our servers advice and ordered the Delia and the Symphony. What arrived was delicious, fluffy crepes stuffed with strawberries, nutella, bananas, nuts and fresh cream. Wow! We may have over indulged a bit but it was definitely worth the drive to Mt. Dora! I gave them a four based on service. Service was lacking and often inattentive. It is a small local spot though so I can overlook it since they did start to fill up after we arrived.
(4)Katie L.
Nice little spot for lunch with shaded outdoor seating. I had the cheese plate and although the cheese tastes like it is bought from the local Publix, it is still a nice spread. My mom had the mushroom chicken crepe and it was very good. It's a rich dish but definitely yummy. My sister had the smoked salmon salad and she enjoyed it. I would say you come here more to people watch and enjoy average food than really looking for a culinary adventure.
(4)Brandy H.
Extremely rude waitress. From the time we sat down she acted like she was annoyed with us being there. She got my drink order wrong and when I kindly told her she blew me off, turned around and walked away while saying "that's what you ordered". Did not care a bit to make it right. My husband and I looked at each other in disbelief and walked out before we got our food which we have never done before. This is very unfortunate as we love to support the downtown Mt. Dora restaurants and shops in which we frequent several times a week. Will not be back to this one.
(1)C B.
Great place to have a glass of wine and cheese platter along with other meals . Great ambiance.
(4)KatyCakes M.
Not sure where the bad reviews are coming from. Best location in town. Best outdoor patio, great ambiance, have had live music when I've been. I always order the Escargot (which is basically a salad with escargot on top), and the crepes and find it all to be delicious! Service has been more than friendly and prompt even during super busy times and town events for me. It's the first place I recommend to friends. Enjoy!
(5)Cathy P.
If you read reviews, you will see a pattern of bad service. The best predictor of future performance is their past performance... That being said, we sat for an hour while none of the tables in our section were served. At that point we were told that the waitress hadn't even put in our order, only when we got up to complain to the hostess. Don't go their of you are hungry, you may leave just as hungry as you came in
(1)Ari W.
NIce outdoor dining in quaint Mt. Dora. Service is mediocre but the food was ok. Breakfast crepes and the omelets were all good and creative. The food tasted good but the omeletes while big in size had very little egg, super thin. Oh they also have quiche if thats your thing, it was good and a healthy piece. Everything came with fresh fruit which is nice. Our server seemed to be thrown off by an order of a simple scrambled egg with bacon because it's not on the menu. I guess it's like going to a restaurant and asking for a grilled cheese when its not on the menu. From that point she just didn't seem to get it. 6 people at the table and she seemed to have a difficult time and there was no one else at the restaurant. Decent food, service lacks, but if you don't mind relaxing and waiting like you are in the keys then go enjoy the outdoor dining in nice Mt. Dora.
(3)Misty B.
It's a vacation town, so it's hard to be critical on the lackadaisical service -- but this place forces you to be. Vacation town or not, this staff's sleepy-meets-sarcastic style is distracting from the food and cozy outdoor ambience. After reading the food reviews, I played it safe with the soup du jour and a cheese platter. The tomato basil soup tasted homemade and was very rich, very good. The cheese platter (three selections) was bountiful, but the fruit was only OK. Soft grapes, aged strawberries. The Viognier on the wine list is stunning; alas, only half a glass was available chilled. The al fresco dining was perfect for spring lunching and bringing the dogs. Great location a block or two from the lake. The service is so dismal, though, that I'd circle the block for another option before committing.
(3)Marcelo A.
First time to Mt Dora and was glad We stopped to eat here. We had a cheese platter and a quiche and it was terrific. Great relaxing outdoor seating. The portions are generous and reasonable pricing. Definitely worth coming back.
(4)Cari W.
When I saw the sign for a French café I was looking forward to enjoying a delicious French pastry. Nope. The name of this place is certainly misleading. The meager selection of desserts they did have displayed looked old and sad and definitely were not made there, except maybe the chocolate mousse which tasted like a mix bought from the kitchen store right next door. My friend had the onion soup which she said was pretty good. Our waiter was amusing and attentive at first, then disappeared for a really long time. So long that my friend had to go hunt him down so we could get our check, which by the he didn't bother asking if we were together or separate checks, so my friend got stuck paying the entire bill. And pray you don't have to use the restrooms! They give you a key like you are at a gas station & you have to go around the corner to the restroom which aren't much better than what you would find at a restroom. Ick.
(2)tony A.
We go to Cecil's on a regular basis because of the amazing at atmosphere and the quality of the food. The portions are large and the quality is always consistent. The cheese trays and salads are our favorite. It is the best place in Mount Dora to sit outside under a beautiful huge oak tree and watch the sunset over the lake without the interruption of loud music and costing you an arm & a leg. Servers are very friendly and personable. Great place to sit outside and bring your pets. To the excitement of my young daughter one occasion one of the servers, Mickey, served her American Girl doll just like a real guest even taking the time to make a miniature lemonade cup & straw. It is now my daughters favorite restaurant and one of ours. This place is well worth a visit.
(5)Lauren F.
Cute and relaxing place to eat, Nothing to great about the food very simple, i ordered the nova sandwich it was good but not enough nova a little overpowered with cream cheese and not many chives, the waiter took quite a long time to refill drinks and bring the check but overall it is an okay place to eat.
(3)LA M.
Absolutely a must stop when in Mt Dora! This truely is a Genuine french cafe! Culinary delight!
(5)Laura S.
When we first saw Cecil's, we were drawn in by their humorous sign (see pictures). The food looks expensive, but it's worth every penny since the portions are humongous. We ate the appetizer fois gras with brie, fruits, scalloped stuffing mix (in a shell - do not bite shell, it hurts), escargot, and bread. My boyfriend really loved all of it, but I mostly ate the fruits, brie, and bread. In addition to good food, we had a fantastic host/server "Micky," who entertained us throughout the entire meal. We truly enjoyed the atmosphere, and would be happy to return.
(4)Holly N.
French this restaurant is not. It took forever to get our French onion soup, which was not bad but had way too much cheese. We ordered the chicken side salad and ham and cheese croissant. Both were just average nothing spectacular. Just an average soup ,average salad and sandwich. It really is not that difficult to make a great sandwich, soup or salad except a little extra effort. We sat inside the restaurant which needs some serious updating. The carpet inside looks old and dirty. The staff whined ,in front of us, about working the whole time we were trying to have an enjoyable lunch. A good restaurant needs a very dedicated owner that prides itself in detail and a great staff. This restaurant needs a lot of improvement in every area from its food to service. I hope they will make improvements , and train their staff to be professional in front of customers. I grew up in Miami in the 70's. We had the best restaurants and most creative chefs. I wish someone from the old cooking school would move to Mt. Dora and open up a fabulous restaurant.
(3)Lisa W.
Cecile's French Corner is located on 4th street and Alexander, a block or so off of the Lake in the historic section of Mt. Dora. (The Yelp app directed us several blocks away from the lake to a B&B on East 4th, you want WEST 4th. I'm making that address change now.) Head to the lake, Cecile's is right by Pisces Rising. Friend and I stopped here for lunchtime and perused the menu. Lots of nice traditional French Cafe offerings- sandwiches, crepes, quiche, salads. We decided to go with a cheese plate and see if we were still hungry. We ordered the 5 cheeses and settled back to enjoy the shaded patio seating with our iced tea. The cheese plate arrived and it was HUGE. Nice selections of cheeses, fruit and a bread basket. We were please to find that the wooden plate was actually a lazy susan, which meant trying various cheeses with ease. We enjoyed the Port Salut, Saga Blue, Brie, Goat and Boursin. The brie tasted like a double cream, nice quality. We were very happy with our selections and could not eat one more bite by the finish of the plate. Service was very nice, we were checked on throughout our noshing and teas were refilled. Tables around us seemed just as content and happy with their selections. A very nice place to stop when you are in the area and the shaded patio was enjoyable on a warmer day.
(4)Monica S.
5 STAR location 3 star on the food. Square crepe? Non filtered Florida water. Service was good.
(3)Pamela J.
Mount Dora itself gets 5 stars! This cafe is quaint and cute and has French bistro music playing. Sitting on the charming patio, one is easily transported to Paris. And, there is one waiter who looks and acts tres Parisien, in both good and bad ways. Regardless, we enjoyed ourselves. The onion soup is a stand out as are the wine selections and the very French chocolate mousse.
(3)Dawn G.
Cute bistro with mainly outdoor seating. Food was good. I had a quiche the hubby had a savory crepe. That's where it ended. Service was horrible. Was there two hours and rarely saw the server. He was not attentive at all. Since it was a Saturday evening there was a live singer. Horrible doesn't describe the guy. I looked forward to him taking a break.
(2)Wendy F.
We just came here today for the first time during the art festival. I ordered the Nora sandwich and waited about 40 minutes. The sandwich I do not recommend. Bread tasted like it was frozen then reheated, and the salmon wasn't fresh, probably frozen too. It tasted like a cheap sushi sandwich. Waiter wasn't attentive but again that can be attributed to the unusually large crowd. I won't come again. It's really pretty, especially outside in this weather, but the food is wholly unremarkable.
(2)Trencherman H.
I really love this place-- it's so French, right down to the slightly rude and slow waiter. But I gotta tell you the French Onion soup makes up for it. It's a great location and just about everything on the menu is both unique and very good. My only suggestion is to resign yourself to a leisurely (I.e. Very slow service) meal, have a couple of glasses of wine and watch the world walking by. If you can't do that, you're in the middle of Mt. Dora and there are restaurant everywhere around you. Bon Appetite!!
(5)Troy S.
The food was okay, but my pate had pieces of aluminum foil stuck to it and the service was pitiful. If you do go, avoid getting the waiter with the black beret; he seems to hate his job and is determined not to do it. The only reason I'm giving this place as high as two stars is because of the outdoor location.
(2)Jessie R.
Nice outdoor patio, but we had bad food, other than the cheese board which was awesome because cheese is awesome. We also had - escargot, scandinavian crepe, chicken and brie salad. Salad- goopy with sweet dressing. Crepe - fish was actually gross, crepe wasn't very thin or tasty, way too thick cut of fish for crepe. Escargot - served in weird little filo dough cups for some reason, ew. Also - everything served on a big bed of iceberg lettuce and cucumbers - why? Also - I'm all for quirky service but this was distractingly over the top insane. I got ice cream after somewhere else just to not taste the food anymore :-/
(1)Derek S.
Quiche was good. Server was inattentive and uncaring. The dessert I got had peaches which were obviously from a can. We should have known to leave when we walked in on a Friday night and there were only people at three tables, including where the server was sitting while checking her phone. At one point, we were the only customers in the restaurant. We had some decent food, and some terrible food, but just about everything was either frozen or out of a can. Also, some awful wine that cost $7 a glass... Do yourself a favor and avoid this place, unless Gordon Ramsay visits to give it a complete makeover.
(1)Jim S.
Great little place for visitors to Mount Dora to have a relaxing lunch. Service was very friendly and the food was good when we stopped in. My wife ordered tea and got to choose from a rather robust selection. Almost everyone chose outside seating even though they are several tables inside. This really is more a place you check out in good weather
(4)Brandy N.
Amazing food. We had the Brie and chicken salad and the Normandy croissant. The service was... Weird. The server had to take a quick break to take a swig off of his flask. For real. But it was kind of entertaining.
(4)Mandi K.
This is our go to place when we go to Mt Dora, all the other restaurants are either always under new management or closed. We have tried a few things on the menu and have never been disappointed. They made a simple crepe for my daughter which was awesome, since they do not kids menu. We always sit inside, because people can smoke outside, which is a bummer, because the outdoor seating is nice, and on a perfect day like today, it would have been great to eat out there. I would have given this place 5 stars, if only the service was better, which it never is, and today they made up a sandwich for me, that I did not order and is not even on the menu. I ate it anyway and did not complain, because I do not like to waste food, and I know what happens to food that is sent back and cooks that get pissed off. (Sorry I was in the industry for 16 yrs) Again, this is our go to place, but we already have low expectations on service, but high ones on the food.
(4)Bobby H.
Good service. Crepes are excellent! Nice setting outside.
(4)kelley s.
I always love when I come to Mt. Dora and have a chance to eat here, it's behind a bunch of stores and not on the main street, so yes, hidden gem it is :). My fave! There is seating outside and it's shaded so even on a hot Florida day, you are still comfortable. There's also inside seating if you're not used to the humidity and stuff. Today, my server was really fun. Unfortunatly I can't remember his name, but he was a delight. He chilled with me while I was trying to make up my mind for lunch, which I thought was odd at first, but since I was dining alone, it was actually nice. He also knew the menu and helped with my decision which was nice as well. His comedic relief was much appreciated and kept me smiling. When my salad (Brie and Chicken) arrived, he made sure I was completly happy before he left me to devour it, thank goodness too cause we all know how messy salad is to eat and when it's this good, you don't "take your time"...it was a munch fest! There was actually so much of the topping that I ran out of leafy greens, which is NEVER the case. I love toppings and that's what you pay extra for, so I was very delighted to have a bunch at the bottom of my bowl :). Over all, It's great. Wine, outdoor seating, friendly staff and great french cuisine that fares on the lighter side. It is a bit pricey, but they use great ingredients and they don't skimp. If you're looking for a nice wine and cheese kinda afternoon while shopping and strolling in Mt. Dora, hit this place up!
(4)Fetchsprouts F.
Great, quaint little place to sit outside for brunch. Nice selection of cheeses. We happened to visit during the Mount Dora Craft Fair and while we were seated quickly, service was very slow and less than attentive. The food is good...crepes were very good (tried the riviera) but quiche was a little soft for our taste. had to ask for every little thing we needed. Overall nice atmosphere, decent food but poor service.
(3)Steven S.
Yummy! Yummy! Yummy!
(4)Ashley B.
What a great taste of Europe in Old Florida! My friend and I were highly disappointed on a Tuesday night when we found out that this place closes early during the week. However, we were able to make it there for lunch the next day and were very pleased we made the time to try again. The service was great. I loved the outdoor seating, even if it was a bit cool in the shade. And the crepes were great! We didn't have room for a dessert crepe, so I plan on going back again!
(4)Cari W.
When I saw the sign for a French café I was looking forward to enjoying a delicious French pastry. Nope. The name of this place is certainly misleading. The meager selection of desserts they did have displayed looked old and sad and definitely were not made there, except maybe the chocolate mousse which tasted like a mix bought from the kitchen store right next door. My friend had the onion soup which she said was pretty good. Our waiter was amusing and attentive at first, then disappeared for a really long time. So long that my friend had to go hunt him down so we could get our check, which by the he didn't bother asking if we were together or separate checks, so my friend got stuck paying the entire bill. And pray you don't have to use the restrooms! They give you a key like you are at a gas station & you have to go around the corner to the restroom which aren't much better than what you would find at a restroom. Ick.
(2)Wendy F.
We just came here today for the first time during the art festival. I ordered the Nora sandwich and waited about 40 minutes. The sandwich I do not recommend. Bread tasted like it was frozen then reheated, and the salmon wasn't fresh, probably frozen too. It tasted like a cheap sushi sandwich. Waiter wasn't attentive but again that can be attributed to the unusually large crowd. I won't come again. It's really pretty, especially outside in this weather, but the food is wholly unremarkable.
(2)Trencherman H.
I really love this place-- it's so French, right down to the slightly rude and slow waiter. But I gotta tell you the French Onion soup makes up for it. It's a great location and just about everything on the menu is both unique and very good. My only suggestion is to resign yourself to a leisurely (I.e. Very slow service) meal, have a couple of glasses of wine and watch the world walking by. If you can't do that, you're in the middle of Mt. Dora and there are restaurant everywhere around you. Bon Appetite!!
(5)Troy S.
The food was okay, but my pate had pieces of aluminum foil stuck to it and the service was pitiful. If you do go, avoid getting the waiter with the black beret; he seems to hate his job and is determined not to do it. The only reason I'm giving this place as high as two stars is because of the outdoor location.
(2)Jessie R.
Nice outdoor patio, but we had bad food, other than the cheese board which was awesome because cheese is awesome. We also had - escargot, scandinavian crepe, chicken and brie salad. Salad- goopy with sweet dressing. Crepe - fish was actually gross, crepe wasn't very thin or tasty, way too thick cut of fish for crepe. Escargot - served in weird little filo dough cups for some reason, ew. Also - everything served on a big bed of iceberg lettuce and cucumbers - why? Also - I'm all for quirky service but this was distractingly over the top insane. I got ice cream after somewhere else just to not taste the food anymore :-/
(1)Derek S.
Quiche was good. Server was inattentive and uncaring. The dessert I got had peaches which were obviously from a can. We should have known to leave when we walked in on a Friday night and there were only people at three tables, including where the server was sitting while checking her phone. At one point, we were the only customers in the restaurant. We had some decent food, and some terrible food, but just about everything was either frozen or out of a can. Also, some awful wine that cost $7 a glass... Do yourself a favor and avoid this place, unless Gordon Ramsay visits to give it a complete makeover.
(1)Jim S.
Great little place for visitors to Mount Dora to have a relaxing lunch. Service was very friendly and the food was good when we stopped in. My wife ordered tea and got to choose from a rather robust selection. Almost everyone chose outside seating even though they are several tables inside. This really is more a place you check out in good weather
(4)Brandy N.
Amazing food. We had the Brie and chicken salad and the Normandy croissant. The service was... Weird. The server had to take a quick break to take a swig off of his flask. For real. But it was kind of entertaining.
(4)Mandi K.
This is our go to place when we go to Mt Dora, all the other restaurants are either always under new management or closed. We have tried a few things on the menu and have never been disappointed. They made a simple crepe for my daughter which was awesome, since they do not kids menu. We always sit inside, because people can smoke outside, which is a bummer, because the outdoor seating is nice, and on a perfect day like today, it would have been great to eat out there. I would have given this place 5 stars, if only the service was better, which it never is, and today they made up a sandwich for me, that I did not order and is not even on the menu. I ate it anyway and did not complain, because I do not like to waste food, and I know what happens to food that is sent back and cooks that get pissed off. (Sorry I was in the industry for 16 yrs) Again, this is our go to place, but we already have low expectations on service, but high ones on the food.
(4)kelley s.
I always love when I come to Mt. Dora and have a chance to eat here, it's behind a bunch of stores and not on the main street, so yes, hidden gem it is :). My fave! There is seating outside and it's shaded so even on a hot Florida day, you are still comfortable. There's also inside seating if you're not used to the humidity and stuff. Today, my server was really fun. Unfortunatly I can't remember his name, but he was a delight. He chilled with me while I was trying to make up my mind for lunch, which I thought was odd at first, but since I was dining alone, it was actually nice. He also knew the menu and helped with my decision which was nice as well. His comedic relief was much appreciated and kept me smiling. When my salad (Brie and Chicken) arrived, he made sure I was completly happy before he left me to devour it, thank goodness too cause we all know how messy salad is to eat and when it's this good, you don't "take your time"...it was a munch fest! There was actually so much of the topping that I ran out of leafy greens, which is NEVER the case. I love toppings and that's what you pay extra for, so I was very delighted to have a bunch at the bottom of my bowl :). Over all, It's great. Wine, outdoor seating, friendly staff and great french cuisine that fares on the lighter side. It is a bit pricey, but they use great ingredients and they don't skimp. If you're looking for a nice wine and cheese kinda afternoon while shopping and strolling in Mt. Dora, hit this place up!
(4)Fetchsprouts F.
Great, quaint little place to sit outside for brunch. Nice selection of cheeses. We happened to visit during the Mount Dora Craft Fair and while we were seated quickly, service was very slow and less than attentive. The food is good...crepes were very good (tried the riviera) but quiche was a little soft for our taste. had to ask for every little thing we needed. Overall nice atmosphere, decent food but poor service.
(3)Steven S.
Yummy! Yummy! Yummy!
(4)Ashley B.
What a great taste of Europe in Old Florida! My friend and I were highly disappointed on a Tuesday night when we found out that this place closes early during the week. However, we were able to make it there for lunch the next day and were very pleased we made the time to try again. The service was great. I loved the outdoor seating, even if it was a bit cool in the shade. And the crepes were great! We didn't have room for a dessert crepe, so I plan on going back again!
(4)Bobby H.
Good service. Crepes are excellent! Nice setting outside.
(4)tony A.
We go to Cecil's on a regular basis because of the amazing at atmosphere and the quality of the food. The portions are large and the quality is always consistent. The cheese trays and salads are our favorite. It is the best place in Mount Dora to sit outside under a beautiful huge oak tree and watch the sunset over the lake without the interruption of loud music and costing you an arm & a leg. Servers are very friendly and personable. Great place to sit outside and bring your pets. To the excitement of my young daughter one occasion one of the servers, Mickey, served her American Girl doll just like a real guest even taking the time to make a miniature lemonade cup & straw. It is now my daughters favorite restaurant and one of ours. This place is well worth a visit.
(5)Laura S.
When we first saw Cecil's, we were drawn in by their humorous sign (see pictures). The food looks expensive, but it's worth every penny since the portions are humongous. We ate the appetizer fois gras with brie, fruits, scalloped stuffing mix (in a shell - do not bite shell, it hurts), escargot, and bread. My boyfriend really loved all of it, but I mostly ate the fruits, brie, and bread. In addition to good food, we had a fantastic host/server "Micky," who entertained us throughout the entire meal. We truly enjoyed the atmosphere, and would be happy to return.
(4)Lauren F.
Cute and relaxing place to eat, Nothing to great about the food very simple, i ordered the nova sandwich it was good but not enough nova a little overpowered with cream cheese and not many chives, the waiter took quite a long time to refill drinks and bring the check but overall it is an okay place to eat.
(3)LA M.
Absolutely a must stop when in Mt Dora! This truely is a Genuine french cafe! Culinary delight!
(5)Annalisa W.
We stopped in to escape the rain on a lazy stroll day thru Mount Dora. The covered patio actually made it able for us to eat outside and still enjoy the drizzling rain as well. We both ordered cappuccino's which were delicious and with a nice hint of cinnamon. We had actually just had a light lunch and weren't very hungry... That was until we saw the crepes! The table opposite had ordered them and they looked amazing. So we took our servers advice and ordered the Delia and the Symphony. What arrived was delicious, fluffy crepes stuffed with strawberries, nutella, bananas, nuts and fresh cream. Wow! We may have over indulged a bit but it was definitely worth the drive to Mt. Dora! I gave them a four based on service. Service was lacking and often inattentive. It is a small local spot though so I can overlook it since they did start to fill up after we arrived.
(4)Katie L.
Nice little spot for lunch with shaded outdoor seating. I had the cheese plate and although the cheese tastes like it is bought from the local Publix, it is still a nice spread. My mom had the mushroom chicken crepe and it was very good. It's a rich dish but definitely yummy. My sister had the smoked salmon salad and she enjoyed it. I would say you come here more to people watch and enjoy average food than really looking for a culinary adventure.
(4)Brandy H.
Extremely rude waitress. From the time we sat down she acted like she was annoyed with us being there. She got my drink order wrong and when I kindly told her she blew me off, turned around and walked away while saying "that's what you ordered". Did not care a bit to make it right. My husband and I looked at each other in disbelief and walked out before we got our food which we have never done before. This is very unfortunate as we love to support the downtown Mt. Dora restaurants and shops in which we frequent several times a week. Will not be back to this one.
(1)C B.
Great place to have a glass of wine and cheese platter along with other meals . Great ambiance.
(4)KatyCakes M.
Not sure where the bad reviews are coming from. Best location in town. Best outdoor patio, great ambiance, have had live music when I've been. I always order the Escargot (which is basically a salad with escargot on top), and the crepes and find it all to be delicious! Service has been more than friendly and prompt even during super busy times and town events for me. It's the first place I recommend to friends. Enjoy!
(5)Cathy P.
If you read reviews, you will see a pattern of bad service. The best predictor of future performance is their past performance... That being said, we sat for an hour while none of the tables in our section were served. At that point we were told that the waitress hadn't even put in our order, only when we got up to complain to the hostess. Don't go their of you are hungry, you may leave just as hungry as you came in
(1)Holly N.
French this restaurant is not. It took forever to get our French onion soup, which was not bad but had way too much cheese. We ordered the chicken side salad and ham and cheese croissant. Both were just average nothing spectacular. Just an average soup ,average salad and sandwich. It really is not that difficult to make a great sandwich, soup or salad except a little extra effort. We sat inside the restaurant which needs some serious updating. The carpet inside looks old and dirty. The staff whined ,in front of us, about working the whole time we were trying to have an enjoyable lunch. A good restaurant needs a very dedicated owner that prides itself in detail and a great staff. This restaurant needs a lot of improvement in every area from its food to service. I hope they will make improvements , and train their staff to be professional in front of customers. I grew up in Miami in the 70's. We had the best restaurants and most creative chefs. I wish someone from the old cooking school would move to Mt. Dora and open up a fabulous restaurant.
(3)Lisa W.
Cecile's French Corner is located on 4th street and Alexander, a block or so off of the Lake in the historic section of Mt. Dora. (The Yelp app directed us several blocks away from the lake to a B&B on East 4th, you want WEST 4th. I'm making that address change now.) Head to the lake, Cecile's is right by Pisces Rising. Friend and I stopped here for lunchtime and perused the menu. Lots of nice traditional French Cafe offerings- sandwiches, crepes, quiche, salads. We decided to go with a cheese plate and see if we were still hungry. We ordered the 5 cheeses and settled back to enjoy the shaded patio seating with our iced tea. The cheese plate arrived and it was HUGE. Nice selections of cheeses, fruit and a bread basket. We were please to find that the wooden plate was actually a lazy susan, which meant trying various cheeses with ease. We enjoyed the Port Salut, Saga Blue, Brie, Goat and Boursin. The brie tasted like a double cream, nice quality. We were very happy with our selections and could not eat one more bite by the finish of the plate. Service was very nice, we were checked on throughout our noshing and teas were refilled. Tables around us seemed just as content and happy with their selections. A very nice place to stop when you are in the area and the shaded patio was enjoyable on a warmer day.
(4)Monica S.
5 STAR location 3 star on the food. Square crepe? Non filtered Florida water. Service was good.
(3)Pamela J.
Mount Dora itself gets 5 stars! This cafe is quaint and cute and has French bistro music playing. Sitting on the charming patio, one is easily transported to Paris. And, there is one waiter who looks and acts tres Parisien, in both good and bad ways. Regardless, we enjoyed ourselves. The onion soup is a stand out as are the wine selections and the very French chocolate mousse.
(3)Dawn G.
Cute bistro with mainly outdoor seating. Food was good. I had a quiche the hubby had a savory crepe. That's where it ended. Service was horrible. Was there two hours and rarely saw the server. He was not attentive at all. Since it was a Saturday evening there was a live singer. Horrible doesn't describe the guy. I looked forward to him taking a break.
(2)Karen H.
I love when I can stroll down town and stop here for a relaxing lunch on the patio. The fruit and cheese platter is wonderful and you get French bread with it. Or their salad with chicken, brie, cranberries and walnuts, it's wonderful and very filling. Add a glass of wine to your meal and sit back and relax for a bit. I have had their soup and sandwiches in the past too and they have all been good. Will definitely come back again.
(5)Michelle F.
The location and French theme pulled us in. The food was pricey. We had the quiche which took 40 minutes to arrive and it was obvious it had been microwaved. Plus mine had a hair in it. Our waitress was non attentive and had attitude. Everything was a big fail at this place. Do yourself a favor. If you want a better "French" experience get the fries at McDonald's.
(1)Jeff M.
I and four others stopped in today for lunch. The warm brie on bread appetizer was delicious, served with cranberry sauce and walnuts. The cheese melted right off the bread if one wasn't careful (as my wife's iPhone can attest.) My prosciutto and muenster sandwich was very good, the side salad just OK (dijon vinaigrette house dressing was underwhelming.) They were out of dark chocolate fondue, but the five of us split a milk chocolate fondue comfortably (though a little more chocolate in proportion to the dippers (grapes, marshmallows, apple slices, bananas, strawberries -- my wife thought the menu mentioned cake pieces (which weren't served)) would have been good. Overpriced, but hey, this is Mt. Dora. It seemed to me that the kitchen was kind of slow given the hour and the uncrowded state of the restaurant. Service was good.
(3)Jen D.
Came here for the first time today. Amazing service and the outdoor seating was perfect. My husband and I both had the Quiche Lorraine. was really yummy. The portions were perfect. We definitely plan to come back again .
(4)Jill S.
This is our third visit to this lovely outdoor French themed restaurant. Each time the story is the same- wonderful ambiance, good food and crappy service! Take some pride in your work and appearance wait staff and your costumer's experience will improve as will your tips!
(3)Phil P.
Terrible food - crepe was frozen Tyson strips in a terrible wrap... Service was terrible, avoid at all costs
(1)Cyn P.
The food is ok, the outdoor seating is great (except for the smoking) and the service is horrible. The waiters and waitresses could have cared less whether you ate there or not. Because of the limited menu I wouldn't recommend it for dinner.
(3)Dennis B.
The only thing this place has going for itself, is its location. The food is tasteless, the service is useless and Oh My God The local entertainment is earth shattering bad. Eat at McDonalds and do yourself a favor.
(2)Ari W.
NIce outdoor dining in quaint Mt. Dora. Service is mediocre but the food was ok. Breakfast crepes and the omelets were all good and creative. The food tasted good but the omeletes while big in size had very little egg, super thin. Oh they also have quiche if thats your thing, it was good and a healthy piece. Everything came with fresh fruit which is nice. Our server seemed to be thrown off by an order of a simple scrambled egg with bacon because it's not on the menu. I guess it's like going to a restaurant and asking for a grilled cheese when its not on the menu. From that point she just didn't seem to get it. 6 people at the table and she seemed to have a difficult time and there was no one else at the restaurant. Decent food, service lacks, but if you don't mind relaxing and waiting like you are in the keys then go enjoy the outdoor dining in nice Mt. Dora.
(3)Misty B.
It's a vacation town, so it's hard to be critical on the lackadaisical service -- but this place forces you to be. Vacation town or not, this staff's sleepy-meets-sarcastic style is distracting from the food and cozy outdoor ambience. After reading the food reviews, I played it safe with the soup du jour and a cheese platter. The tomato basil soup tasted homemade and was very rich, very good. The cheese platter (three selections) was bountiful, but the fruit was only OK. Soft grapes, aged strawberries. The Viognier on the wine list is stunning; alas, only half a glass was available chilled. The al fresco dining was perfect for spring lunching and bringing the dogs. Great location a block or two from the lake. The service is so dismal, though, that I'd circle the block for another option before committing.
(3)Marcelo A.
First time to Mt Dora and was glad We stopped to eat here. We had a cheese platter and a quiche and it was terrific. Great relaxing outdoor seating. The portions are generous and reasonable pricing. Definitely worth coming back.
(4)