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dec2901

01-08-2008, 10:36 PM

**Update** We still love Le Cellier!! Read post #59.

I have been waiting for Kevin's review of Le Cellier since Christmas and I can say that I am very sad now that I have heard it. I had my fingers crossed that Kevin, John, Bob, and their families would have a great experience unlike the other reviews/reports that I have been reading. Le Cellier was our (DH & I) favorite meal from our last trip and we have an ADR for our last night in WDW in 2 weeks.

Now I do not know what to do (maybe cry)!! Kevin, I know you will say this is just your opinion and that I should try it for myself, but lately many people share that same opinion (John, Bob, board members). We are on the dining plan and currently have ADR's for Narcoosee's and Chefs de France (as you can tell I really respect Kevin's opinion). Any suggestions for a one TS credit restaurant to replace Le Cellier? What would you do - change ADR or go ahead to Le Cellier?

Kevin, John, Bob, and pod-squad members - thanks for hearing me out and offering your suggestions. Now where is the kleenex?!?

Rachel

DisneyKevin

01-08-2008, 10:55 PM

I would tell you to go to Le Cellier.

I might have had a very different opinion had I not been every year and seen the changes for myself.

Our food was not bad. I really never said it was bad....I said it was ok to good. I did say I was disappointed in the appetizers...but everyone thought their meal was ok.

Maybe I didnt make a strong enough point...but what I was trying to say was that Le Cellier has this iconic image and people get very upset if they can not get an ADR for this "must do" restaurant. I dont get that image and status. If that sort of praise was for Chefs de France...I'd understand it.

I am of the opinion that one of the major reasons that Le Cellier is so wildly popular is because it is a small restaurant and fills quickly. It's a case of supply and demand and an outdated reputation.

Go and try it....it's not going to make or ruin your vacation....it's just dinner.

Kevin

MaryKatesMom

01-09-2008, 08:05 AM

I'm with Kevin on this one. We go to Le Cellier a couple times a year and the last trip was underwhelming. Very long wait then see several empty tables sit, small filet, crunchy rissotto. Unbelievably long wait to get our credit card back.

I too don't understand the hype on this one. Yachtsman is so close yet worlds better.

Yet, when I tried to make my ADR for the end of this month (prior to going there last month) I had a hard time finding a table for 4 during my 5 nights. As soon as I find the time to spend on hold with WDW dining I'm cancelling it.

simonkodousek

01-09-2008, 08:14 AM

I agree with Kevin. Le Cellier wasn't what I expected. The portions were very tiny and the prices were very high. My steak was satisfactory, but the rest of the meal was just "ehh" because we had higher expectations of the restaurant. If you really wanted to, I would try it, but otherwise try a different restaurant. :)

Alicnwondrln

01-09-2008, 08:53 AM

we took it off our must do list year
it was great the 1st times not I dont care if we eat there

Robo-Daddy 3000

01-09-2008, 09:09 AM

I am going to Le Cellier for the first time in April. I keep reading about the tiny portions but when I leave the restaurant will I still be hungry?

Towncrier

01-09-2008, 09:17 AM

We love Le Cellier, but we have removed it from our "must do" list as well due to the difficulty in getting an ADR there. Perhaps with enough average or negative reviews, the popularity of the place will diminish and we can once again get a resservation there.

wildeoscar

01-09-2008, 09:37 AM

MsStinkerBelle

01-09-2008, 09:44 AM

When did the new chef take over? When we were there in Sept. Things still seemed in order, and the Wasabi Shrimp Cocktail slaw was a good enough appy that I ordered it again two nights later when we ate at Le Cellier for a second time in the same trip. And the steaks were right on both times.

I ate there on Christmas Eve (CP package) with my DD8 and my sister and I had the same appetizer. It was amazing! And our steaks were cooked very well and the leftovers were still good the next day. Our server was prompt and attentive. I don't consider LeCellier a 'must do' as it isn't as good as say, the Gotham Steakhouse in Vancouver, BC but it's close enough. I've had LeCellier reservations before and cancelled them mainly due to touring constraints.

I don't consider Le Cellier iconic, and my vacation would not be ruiened if I could not get a reservation... but the current versions beats the heck out of when it was a crappy counter service place.

:::shudder:: Don't remind me. I STILL have nightmares about when it was counter service. So much so that last December was the first time I'd eaten in the Canada pavillion in almost forever. The only good thing about it then was the dessert.

disneyfan2

01-09-2008, 10:06 AM

I ate there on Christmas Eve (CP package) with my DD8 and my sister and I had the same appetizer. It was amazing! .

Can you tell me/suggest what your DD8 ate? I am wondering what my DD8 would enjoy. I heard you can get the soup with the kids as there meals still included the appetizer here on 2008 DDP? :confused3

Madi100

01-09-2008, 10:34 AM

I have eaten there three times now. The first time LOVED it. Was wonderful. This past October, it was nothing to write home about. I'm a picky steak eater. I enjoy it, but I don't like red, and I don't like it overdone. In October, it was one or the other, don't remember. We went in November with my mom, sister, and aunt and I have to say it was the best steak I've ever eaten. My mom and I ordered the exact same thing, and I was overly thrilled with mine, while hers mooed at her. They took hers back and recooked it, which I think is gross. It was overly done. Everyone else in the party loved their meal.

Kevin gave Kona Cafe a great review, and I have to say that my steak there was so rare, it about made me sick. I also ordered a cake there for my sister (right at the podium when we were seated). I was told it couldn't have her name on it. So, I just asked for 30th birthday to be on there. The cake arrived and it had MY LAST name on it. And, they were still fine charging me full price for my steak and full price for the cake. I did say something and they took the cake off.

So, while I LOVE hearing Kevin's restaurant review because of the detail, I think if there is someplace that you really want to try you shouldn't listen to Kevin, and you should go. And, I think he'd agree. He's given some great advice on where to eat, and he's made me want to try different restaurants. But, people have different meal experiences.

SamIAm21

01-09-2008, 12:25 PM

I was a little disappointed in portion sizes the last time I was there too and I worked hard to get that reservation only to walk out looking like this :confused3 What's the big deal with this place??

So, I outsmarted them, I bought the cookbook, Cooking with Mickey and the Disney Chefs and now I can make my own cheddar cheese soup, the famous mashed potatoes and one of their other signatures dishes (I forget which now). I can have LeCellier any time I want and it's way better.

Thanks Kevin for your usual honesty and I'm really sorry about the beefsteak tomato stack. If it helps at all, I had a really awesome one of those over at Maggiano's a few weeks ago. I even asked them where they got such good tomatoes this time of year... Brazil!

ADP

01-09-2008, 01:06 PM

MsStinkerBelle

01-09-2008, 01:09 PM

Can you tell me/suggest what your DD8 ate? I am wondering what my DD8 would enjoy. I heard you can get the soup with the kids as there meals still included the appetizer here on 2008 DDP? :confused3

I can't remember exactly what she ate but I do know the kids menu did have an appetizer section on it. And I l believe soup was one of the selections. She would up getting either chicken strips or pizza as the main course. For her appetizer she got carrot sticks with ranch dressing. In her case it was more of a lot on the menu she liked to choose from rather than being 'bored' with it. Hope that helped!

fakereadhed

01-09-2008, 01:49 PM

Go and try it....it's not going to make or ruin your vacation....it's just dinner.
Kevin

ITA! :thumbsup2 After reading the dining reviews on the restaurant board I thought about canceling LeCellier and Ohana after reading negative reviews. LeCellier we liked, Ohana not so much. But it was a meal either way. We have also gone to the same restaurant and had two totally different experiences. I think the reviews are a great way to get an inside peek at the restaurants and someone else's experience. But Kevin's right- it is just dinner.

DisneyKevin

01-09-2008, 01:49 PM

There is one word that describes WDW restaurants in my opinion.....Inconsistant.

You will find guests who love or dislike certain restaurants. Some days certain restaurants are "spot on" and other days are terribly off. What drives the inconsistancy...I'm not sure and I believe that is the mystery.

Which is why I always tell people that my reviews are based on a single visit and are my opinions.

Everyone should go and decide for themselves.

two-foxes

01-09-2008, 02:50 PM

I completely agree that it all boils down to the "iconic image" as the problem. It is a good restaurant with good food, decent service and good atmosphere that had an off night with the appetizers (and a potential $200+tip:scared1: ). I don't think Kevin's review would be generating such a buzz here if, as the Roundtable noted, it wasn't the darling of the Disney fans right now. Well, maybe if it keeps getting mediocre reviews (which really may be classfied as decent reviews at any other WDW eatery that isn't a "darling" right now), the crowds will cease a bit, and ressies will be easier to come by.....

But, all of that still doesn't excuse them for the massive downsizing of portions. My dad's cheese soup in Dec was laughable....not the taste, but the portion! But, I thought our CP package there in the middle of Dec went off without a hitch (other than "dinner" at 4:00 pm...but it was worth it!)

I<3EvilQueen

01-09-2008, 02:55 PM

I have been hearing from several sources that Le Cellier hasn't been as good lately. I was saddened to hear the review, but like Kevin says the resturant isn't a vacation breaker for me.

Did I have one of the best meals that I have ever eaten on property there??? Yep (Feb 06), I had the free range chicken and it was "slap your mama good". But the service was so-so (if not a tad slow), and I have had equally good meals at other places on property.

As I like to try new places to eat in each park it will probably be awhile before I go back to Le Cellier anyway, but I am hoping that things improve.

Timmbco

01-09-2008, 06:30 PM

We ate at Le Cellier for Christmas dinner and had the beef and barley soup. Waaaaaaay too peppery-it was absolutely inedible just like Kevin said. So it wasn't fixed by the next day. (the portion size is shameful)
For appetizers we also had the mussels which were good but my son had the duck confit and can't stop raving about. He said it was outstanding.

We all enjoyed our entrees (filets) but yes, they were small portions.
Our server was good and we had a good time

The last time we were at Le Cellier, (Christmas 2004) the chocolate mousse was about twice the size it is now.

One more note....the tomato STACK at Tutto Italia was very good and big enough to share.
This was our last hurrah on the dining plan which we have enjoyed for the past several years. With the changes to the plan :worried: we won't be dining "fine" anymore. Thanks, Kevin, for the review!

raidermatt

01-09-2008, 06:58 PM

Go and try it....it's not going to make or ruin your vacation....it's just dinner.

Kevin

That's as good advice as I've seen given. What's going to make or break your vacation more than anything is your company and your attitude. Yeah, if you have some kind of truly horrible experience it will be a bummer, but in most cases the worst that will happen is you'll be underwhelmed with the food but still have a great time with your friends/family.

If you really want to pass on Le Cellier, there's other good choices, like Rose and Crown for example.

But you will still get varying opinions no matter what.

So, yeah, just give it a shot and have fun!

dec2901

01-09-2008, 07:12 PM

Wow, I just now got home from work and was excited to read all of the responses. I listened to Kevin's review (again) while at work and I have figured out what my problem is - I am one of those with the high expectations. I had high expectations in 2006 and they were met!! So now my experience is not based on the hooplah but on my own experience. I had the filet with mushrooms and the cheddar soup and both were incredible.
It is one thing to try a new restaurant and not like it, but when you find one you like and it fails to meet your expectations that is depressing. Le Cellier is the only restaurant that we visited in 2006 that we rescheduled for 2008.

I understand that to some it is "just dinner" but to me it "IS DINNER" - I love food!! To me part of the fun of a vacation is eating. We visited Boston in November (1st time) and the food was one of the best parts of the trip (lobster, crab, canolis) (makes Red Lobster look like the McDonald's of seafood). The same goes for a recent trip to New York City. To me part of the vacation experience is the food!! I know it will not make or break my trip but I want to make the best choices possible.

Anyway, I guess I still have a little time to ponder. I had not thought about Rose and Crown. We have not eaten there and do not have it on our ADR list. I will have to check out the menu.

Thanks for all of your responses and comments!

cdotla

01-09-2008, 07:54 PM

I completely agree with you.

Yes, it is only dinner. And yes, there is NO WAY that I would let a bad dinner ruin an evening of vacation. Instead, I would try to find humour in the situation if possible.

However, like you, I live for great meals. And because there are only so many you can fit into a vacation, you want to make the best possible choices so that they are as memorable and special as possible.

Wow, I just now got home from work and was excited to read all of the responses. I listened to Kevin's review (again) while at work and I have figured out what my problem is - I am one of those with the high expectations. I had high expectations in 2006 and they were met!! So now my experience is not based on the hooplah but on my own experience. I had the filet with mushrooms and the cheddar soup and both were incredible.
It is one thing to try a new restaurant and not like it, but when you find one you like and it fails to meet your expectations that is depressing. Le Cellier is the only restaurant that we visited in 2006 that we rescheduled for 2008.

I understand that it is "just dinner" but I love food!! To me part of the fun of a vacation is eating. We visited Boston in November (1st time) and the food was one of the best parts of the trip (lobster, crab, canolis) (makes Red Lobster look like the McDonald's of seafood). The same goes for a recent trip to New York City. To me part of the vacation experience is the food!! I know it will not make or break my trip but I want to make the best choices possible.

Anyway, I guess I still have a little time to ponder. I had not thought about Rose and Crown. We have not eaten there and do not have it on our ADR list. I will have to check out the menu.

Thanks for all of your responses and comments!

calypso*a*go-go

01-09-2008, 08:00 PM

All I know is that Kevin and I never seem to be on the same track as far as Le Cellier is concerned. :) I had an email read several months ago where I stated that I felt the restaurant was only so-so, and couldn't understand everyone's infatuation with it. His advice was to give it another try...which I did, and on that particular visit it was fantastic. So now I have reservations there for a visit in February and was thrilled to get in "last minute" (by ADR standards), and my favorite restaurant critic has just given it a thumbs down. I feel like the only way this situation can be rectified is to accompany Kevin there so we can try it together!!! ;)

goofy89

01-10-2008, 01:49 PM

Hi guys-
I have been listening to the podcast a long time, but haven't posted on the boards.

After hearing Kevin's scathing review of LeCellier, I had to post.

I don't know if Kevin just attracts bad luck or if he is too picky, but I wonder if he will ever eat a meal at Disney that he likes. Or if I will be alive to hear the review whenever it happens.

It has gotten to the point that every time there is a restaurant review on the podcast, i just roll my eyes because I know what is coming.

Every time we visit WDW, we try to eat in as many of the nicer restaurants as possible, LeCellier being one of our favorites. Overall, our experiences have all been pleasant- but we don't go looking for trouble, we're on vacation and are trying to enjoy ourselves.

Kevin, I hope that next time you have dinner at WDW, you have much better luck (or take some chill pills before you go- it may help you enjoy yourself more).

Love the Podcast- hate the restaurant reviews.

Goofy89

disneycruise05

01-10-2008, 02:10 PM

WebmasterBob

01-10-2008, 02:30 PM

Hi Goofy89, For your first post you really jumped in head first. :confused:

I just must say that you may have missed a few podcast shows because Kevin has done many good reviews that it looks like you missed. There is Portabello Yacht Club in downtown Disney, Chefs De France, Narcoosee's to name a few.

I am sure you have heard that Kevin always states that it is just his opinion and you should judge for yourself. The fact is the night we went the Soup was not right. It was stated by someone else that the next night they also found the same thing.

We go to this restaurant every Christmas eve and there were things this year that were just not the same as in past years. Should we not report that the soup is different, or that the Tomato Stack has been changed from what we have had in the past. Do we just not say anything about changes we found from meals we have had in the past that we felt were very good.

So I will challenge you now to go back and eat there next time you are at Disney. Keep in mind all those great meals you have had in the past, just as we did this year and come back and report back to us your experience.

I will stop here because I am sure Kevin will be jumping in soon.

SamIAm21

01-10-2008, 02:30 PM

His reviews of Narcooses and Yachtsmen Steakhouse were also glowing reviews as well as Portobello Yacht Club. He also really liked the Columbia Harbor House in the MK.

I think people have a tendency to remember the bad ones and forget how many great things he has to say about other places on property. The good ones just don't generate as much controversy.

I hope Kevin doesn't reply to the above post because he has "explained" his position multiple times on the podcast and here on the board. If you don't understand his position by now, you never will.

goofy89

01-10-2008, 03:27 PM

Okay guys-
I'll go back and listen to some of the other reviews that maybe I've missed. Just seems that the ones I have listened to lately have been a little negative, but I have missed some podcasts so maybe I have generalized too much as some of you have pointed out. And I guess a reviewer is supposed to be picky, right?

I appreciate the podcast and do enjoy it- even though you may not be able to tell from my first post!

Bob-
I enjoyed your review of Rix and hope to go there when I am attending a conference in late April.

Goofy89

Annette_VA

01-10-2008, 03:28 PM

WebmasterBob

01-10-2008, 03:57 PM

Hi Goofy89, :thanks: Thanks for the reply. :thumbsup2 Have a great time listening to the podcasts. Have a Mogeetoe for me at the RIX. :drinking1

DisneyKevin

01-10-2008, 04:07 PM

Scathing????

Have you heard what I thought of Ohana?

Read the review. I dont think "fair to good" is considered scathing.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/reviews/le-cellier.htm

"This crap is swill." <---thats scathing. :lmao:

Kevin

sarah4770

01-10-2008, 04:57 PM

I gave my opinion of lecellier on the dining board, but just want to say the 1-08-08 podcast was excellent.

OKW Lover

01-10-2008, 05:14 PM

We visited Boston in November (1st time) and the food was one of the best parts of the trip (lobster, crab, canolis) (makes Red Lobster look like the McDonald's of seafood).

Uhh, Red lobster is the McDonald's of seafood.

pta-mom

01-10-2008, 05:26 PM

Today was my very first pod-cast experience...very cool!! Thanks!

As for Kevin's review of Le Cellier, I did find it interesting & a little disappointing but honestly, it does not change the fact that this is still our family's favourite restaurant in DW. We've eaten there in April 06 & Sept 07 & it will be the first one we eat at in our Aug trip...it has become tradition. Perhaps it's gone downhill since Sept but it won't really matter to us too much as it's all part of the experience of DW! We love the steak & cheesy potato & of course, the "moose"!!

Thanks Kevin for your review!

beachwarmer

01-10-2008, 06:41 PM

I have a bit of a theory I would like to put out there in regards to restaurant reviews.

My premise is that people who are on vacation and eating consecutive meals at Disney will use comparison to a certain extent to decide on their opinion of a particular restaurant. I think that people's views/opinions of various restaurants are influenced by the one that they ate at the day/meal before.

Let me use an example: Monday night you eat at San Angel Inn. Tuesday night you eat at Nine Dragons. Wednesday night you eat at Le Cellier. Thursday night you eat at Tony's. I think that Le Cellier will get a glowing review...."best meal we eat all trip" kind. I think that if you ate at Chef de France the night before Le Cellier, then Le Cellier would not get as glowing of a review. It would get a "good". (This all being based on the food being edible.)

I also think that something that we do not take into account with all the reviews posted on the Dining boards is the poster's dining history. Does the poster eat at 4 and 5 star restaurants at home? Well then only V&A and some of the signature restaurants will get positive reviews. Le Cellier has taken on this iconic status and to the casual Disney visitor (i.e.: If you have read this far in my post I am not talking about you:) ...we are Disney :upsidedow Enthusiasts.) Le Cellier could easily be mistaken for one of the signature restaurants. Another consideration is if the poster eats at traditional ethnic restaurants in their home town. After eating at an authentic Moroccan restaurant how does Marrakesh really stack up?

Not that there is anything wrong with that. It is human nature to compare based on your personal experiences and biases.

Now on to Kevin's reviews. If you are a devoted Podcast listener:worship: ...(and again you have read this far in my post) you have gotten to know Kevin. You know that he does not like to put on a suit and tie to go to dinner. You know what kinds of non-Disney restaurants he eats at. You know who his dining party consists of...i.e.: he does not have to entertain a 4 year old throughout a meal...but he does have Bob with him sometimes.:) He likes a leisurely pace for his meal. You also know that he has not spent the last 7 days eating "Disney" food and walking through the theme parks. He is not on vacation.

All of these factors I believe make his reviews a bit different than a lot of the one’s posted on the boards. I think all of these factors allow him to judge a restaurant with a little more of a clear head than many. That is not to say he is not bias because we all are and he makes a point to always tell us this is a snapshot and his opinion. I value his reviews because I know where they are coming from and I can use them to help plan my dining. The beauty about Kevin’s reviews are that we know him and can compare his views of the various restaurants, as opposed to seeing alot of reviews from people we might know very little about and have no base line to judge their reviews from . All reviews are fun to read and you can still see a pattern develop but when you have Kevin’s ‘Ohana review to use as a baseline then his Le Cellier one can be put into perspective.

In conclusion (Sorry this is so long winded and lecture like)

Yes I am going to probably still eat at Le Cellier because; well it is still better than a lot of options at Disney. I did eat there the same night as Kevin, John and Bob, but I had the worst meal of our 19 day trip the day before at Kona. We were a party of 3 with a 4 year old to entertain so the pace of our meal was faster than a party of 8 with no children. All our meals were hot, which I think is probably a result of the size of our party. All 8 of Kevin’s party’s meals had to be delivered at the same time, but I am sure they were not all ready at the same time. I think John’s was probably under the heat lamp. Does that make it okay...no...but it does explain it a bit. We got good service...we are Canadian and talked to the waiters about home. Does that influence service.....yes. You should have seen the service we got in France and Morocco when we spoke French to them. This was day 15 of our 19 day trip....my opinion of the food is so clouded that it would not mean a thing for me to share it with you. Also the day before we flew to Orlando I ate a 7 course tasting menu at a 5 star French restaurant in Montreal. Did any Disney restaurant measure up? No not even the signature restaurant. Is that a fair comparison...no., but it still happened in my head as I was eating.

Thanks Kevin for the great restaurant reviews.

Gillian

01-10-2008, 07:10 PM

I was disappointed in the tomato stack as well 12/07, compared to April 2006. Maybe it's hard to get good tomatoes in December. My 7 year old said,"no mom, they grow them here at Epcot!"

Our server was not very happy. She was fairly quick about things, but admitted that she wasn't enjoying her stay in Florida. The weather was too warm, it was difficult to get any time off, the guests didn't ask her questions, and when they did they didn't really seem interested in the answers :confused3 We, along with the table next to us, tried to get her to talk, but I don't know if it was worth it.

ETA: I haven't listened to the podcast, but now I will. Sorry Kevin!

Maggi May

01-10-2008, 11:56 PM

Hi guys-

It has gotten to the point that every time there is a restaurant review on the podcast, i just roll my eyes because I know what is coming..

Goofy89

You know, I hear Wolfgang Puck's is hiring . . .

DisneyKevin

01-11-2008, 12:13 AM

If you can master teeth sucking...I think we have a match.

Maggi May

01-11-2008, 12:15 AM

:thumbsup2

wildeoscar

01-11-2008, 08:25 AM

So When did the Chef at Le Cellier Change? And was the former Chef Abducted by Aliens? Is him/her nailed in place at Buzz Lightyear?

Fitswimmer

01-11-2008, 08:42 AM

We still like Le Cellier, we ate there on 12/20 before our 8:15 Candelight show and we enjoyed it very much. Does it deserve it's "iconic" status? I would agree with Kevin that it does not. It's a good meal, and we always enjoy it, but it's not one where you come out thinking nothing could possibly be better.

We are big fans of Narcoosee's and I think Le Cellier, while good-ranks below our experiences at Narcoosee's. Based on Kevin's reviews, next December's trip will probably include Chef's de France and Yachtsman's Steak House.

OKW Lover

01-11-2008, 08:52 AM

Perhaps le Cellier's iconic status is due to just the poor competition it has around World Showcase. By comparison, its a great place to eat. Now, if we could only get some of the other "countries" to improve their offerings then you'd soon find that le Cellier would lose its following quickly.

sarah4770

01-11-2008, 08:53 AM

So When did the Chef at Le Cellier Change? And was the former Chef Abducted by Aliens? Is him/her nailed in place at Buzz Lightyear?

I am not sure exactly when the chef changed, I think it was last fall. The chef at LeCellier moved to Jiko.
Just looked it up, was last august.

MaryKatesMom

01-11-2008, 09:16 AM

beachwarmer makes a good point but I'd like to add a bit to it.

What makes my dining experience a bit skewed is whether I am hungry or not. When in WDW we have table service usually twice a day. This is way more food then I would even consider eating at home. By the end of the trip I am full all day long making those earlier meals more enticing then the ones at the end of the trip.

MaryKatesMom

01-11-2008, 09:32 AM

If fine dining is what you wish, then the short walk out of the International Gateway to Yachtsman is well worth it.

fakereadhed

01-11-2008, 09:37 AM

Can we just get a sticky about Kevin at the top of the board?
Just with the basics of how he conducts his reviews and how he has a no picture policy would do. That way we could discuss the topic instead of debating Kevin.

If we keep this up Kevin will think it's all about him and turn into Bob. :scared1:

abeyst

01-15-2008, 02:58 PM

I have been waiting for Kevin's review of Le Cellier since Christmas and I can say that I am very sad now that I have heard it. I had my fingers crossed that Kevin, John, Bob, and their families would have a great experience unlike the other reviews/reports that I have been reading. Le Cellier was our (DH & I) favorite meal from our last trip and we have an ADR for our last night in WDW in 2 weeks.

Now I do not know what to do (maybe cry)!! Kevin, I know you will say this is just your opinion and that I should try it for myself, but lately many people share that same opinion (John, Bob, board members). We are on the dining plan and currently have ADR's for Narcoosee's and Chefs de France (as you can tell I really respect Kevin's opinion). Any suggestions for a one TS credit restaurant to replace Le Cellier? What would you do - change ADR or go ahead to Le Cellier?

Kevin, John, Bob, and pod-squad members - thanks for hearing me out and offering your suggestions. Now where is the kleenex?!?

Rachel

Rachel - I would KEEP that reservation! I went for the very first time last month (Dec 07), and it was absolutely hands-down the BEST meal I've ever had at Disney. I was with 7 other family members who all LOVED their meals. Some of us had questionable desserts (I hated mine), but that was all I could say bad about it. Would I definitely go again? ABSOLUTELY!!

Minnie's Mate

01-16-2008, 01:14 PM

We have been going to WDW a minimum of three times per year since around 1999 and on our earlier trips, Le Cellier was one of our favorite restaurants. The ambiance is really great. However, for the past three or four years we noticed the quality of food slipping. The last few times we ate there we really felt like the steaks were on par with the Golden Coral. I think this is a result of inferior quality of ingredients. The one time I tried the cheese soup, I thought, "What's the big deal? It's cheese soup." Not terrible, but not worth the price. So now we eat at the Rose-n-Crown when we eat dinner at Epcot.

I have wondered why over the last few years the restaurant has garnered such a reputation and following and I still don't understand.:confused3 I can't believe that we just happened to hit the restaurant on all their bad nights.

Sylvain "Sly" Leroux

01-18-2008, 03:38 PM

I folks , just to tell you that I had an ADR for 9 persons for Le Cellier and I followed Kevin's suggestion to split my ADR into more than one table... I had 3 tables (4+3+2).

When we arrived at the podium they where more than pleased to accomodate us with one table of 10 just in from of the fireplace...simply wonderfull....The service was perfect and efficient

At our table we had the mushroom filet mignon and the regular filet mignon. They were cooked to the perfection and my belly was full and I'm a big eater...

Go to Le Cellier !

Sylvain

abeyst

01-18-2008, 06:46 PM

I sure wish I was there having the filet right now.... YUM!!

Shrimp cocktail & wasabi slaw... YUM!

Cheddar Soup and all the bread... YUM!

If any of you want to cancel your LeCellier ADRs let me know! I'd be happy to go down for a couple days and eat there everyday!

DisneyKevin

01-18-2008, 07:35 PM

Just don't be surprised when you get half as much as you are used to getting and you pay more than you are used to paying.

Kevin

calypso*a*go-go

01-18-2008, 08:04 PM

Okay Sly -- you are going to have to correct the title of your thread! ;)

DisneyKevin

01-18-2008, 08:36 PM

ok...thats funny.:lmao:

Sylvain "Sly" Leroux

01-19-2008, 03:03 PM

Sorry guys , english is just not my mother tongue, that's all, but I'll be honest with you IT WAS A FUNNY MISTAKE.....:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

MaryKatesMom

01-20-2008, 01:01 PM

Just don't be surprised when you get half as much as you are used to getting and you pay more than you are used to paying.

Kevin

My thoughts exactly. Our dinner, while by no means "bad" just wasn't as wonderful as it was last year. Smaller portions. Longer wait. Tables that sat empty the entire dinner while patron's were turned away.

Two years ago, our Canadian College kid, was so wonderful and so happy to be there. So excited to describe Ice wine, etc. Our waitress was so rushed, she listened to my Dad, over her shoulder trying to move away.

*NikkiBell*

01-24-2008, 07:05 PM

I'm curious to see how Le Cellier has changed. We haven't been back there in about 1-2 years, but are going in April. My parents are also going next week. I'll let you all know how it goes! :) Thanks Kevin!

disneygirlinnj

01-29-2008, 02:29 PM

So I'm thinking Kevin and I have the same taste and expectations when we go to restaurants. Like someone else said... a main part of my vacation is the FOOD! I love trying new places and new things I don't mind paying a lot for dinner but I sure better enjoy my expensive meal! My mother and I pretty much had the exact same meal at Chefs de France as the review and I couldn't have agreed more. It was by far one of the best dining experiences I had at Disney in the 35-40 times I've been down there. I'm going again in May and we have reservations for Le Cellier and I definitely don't have high hopes anymore. There are too many so-so reviews but I am still going to try it. I just won't be getting the tomato stack! haha! (by the way...I had the same 'stack' at Tony's at the MK...pretty disapointing!)

Disneydd2

01-29-2008, 03:09 PM

i would agree with disneygirllinnj. Chefs de France was an excellent dining exprerience. we stayed a week with the DDP and the appetizer from CdF was by far our favorite- ratatouille and calamari. now i'm feeling a rumbly in my tummy.

dec2901

01-29-2008, 09:45 PM

Well, we are so thankful that we kept our reservation at Le Cellier. We ate there on our last night in WDW and I was a little nervous. However, our meal was excellent. DH and I both had the Cheddar Bacon Soup and it was amazing - so amazing that I was tempted to order another bowl! I then had the Mushroom Filet. It was cooked (medium) and seasoned perfectly - I cleaned my plate. I then followed up my dinner with the Whiskey Cake - this was not as amazing as last time but it was still good.

Our waiter was Mattie and he was incredible. Our food did not appear all at once and our drinks were consistently refilled. He chatted with us about how he ended up at WDW and shared some of his experiences (since he has been here) with us. He returns to Canada in April. I had made note on our ADR that it was our anniversary and Mattie did not fail to recognize it. In fact, after our dessert, he brought us a second anniversary dessert!

We will be booking Le Cellier for our next trip - whenever that may be.

By the way, we also ate at Chefs de France and will be eating there again. We actually liked it so much that we considered eating there a second time but couldn't work it into our schedule.

dburg30

01-29-2008, 09:54 PM

I havent listened to it, but I know Dec 13th 2007 will stick out as my 2nd best steak to this point :).

I had the maple BBQ filet, the cheese soup, the apple spice dessert and was in heaven. I dont like 'fancy' resuraunts, I like steak and taters, and OMG IMO LC was just about the best I've had. My opinion of course, but it's the only one that counts to me :D