Eating Alone at Le Cellier

[MouseMomx2]

Disclaimer...I usually have no issues eating at a sit-down restaurant by myself, but I do not want to sit so close to others that I feel like I am sitting at their table with them.

On our next vacation my DH is arriving the day after me due to work obligations. I was thinking of going to lunch at Le Cellier on my solo day, but I have noticed many people mention how crowded it is, table wise. So, my question is this...do you think that the table are so close together that a solo diner would feel uncomfortable eating alone?

TIA

 

[fla4fun]

I eat solo at Le Cellier all the time. I just did it last month, as a matter of fact.

Yes, the tables can be close together, particularly if you are along one of the walls where it's half booth and a chair. I usually sit in the chair in that situation so I don't have to worry about getting between the tables to leave. But I've been at some two top tables in the main part of the floor that weren't quite so close. I've never felt uncomfortably close to the other diners in either location.

My main problem has been getting an ADR for one. It will show nothing, but if I put in two people, then it comes up. I'm tempted to book for two, even with the new cc guarantee and if they charge me the $10, it will just be a cover charge for dining in a good restaurant. It just doesn't seem right that they should discriminate against solo diners by holding back the table. I'd really love to get that pork chop again before they change over to signature lunches in January.

 

[MouseMomx2]

I eat solo at Le Cellier all the time. I just did it last month, as a matter of fact.

Yes, the tables can be close together, particularly if you are along one of the walls where it's half booth and a chair. I usually sit in the chair in that situation so I don't have to worry about getting between the tables to leave. But I've been at some two top tables in the main part of the floor that weren't quite so close. I've never felt uncomfortably close to the other diners in either location.

My main problem has been getting an ADR for one. It will show nothing, but if I put in two people, then it comes up. I'm tempted to book for two, even with the new cc guarantee and if they charge me the $10, it will just be a cover charge for dining in a good restaurant. It just doesn't seem right that they should discriminate against solo diners by holding back the table. I'd really love to get that pork chop again before they change over to signature lunches in January.

Thanks for your feedback. I think I will keep my ADR.

As for your issue...you can book for two and they will not charge you the $10 fee for the person who doesn't show up. As long as at least one person in the party keeps the reservation there will be no penalty. It says so in the terms and conditions on the Disney Dining booking page.

Thanks again!

 

[SignMeUp]

If you book for two and show up solo for your ADR they will not charge you a no-show fee. As long as you keep your ADR, even if it's just part of your party, your cc will not be charged. Same is true if booking for a party of 6 and showing up with only 3 or 4. You are only charged the no-show fee if no one shows up for the ADR, then you are charged for the number of people the ADR was booked for.

 

[Aulika]

Last december, i just booked for two called the dining reservation line and got my reservation changed to one.
It is easy and you will avoid any possible charge this way

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I ate alone. I was on top of the table next to me. The tables had to be slid out to let the people near the wall in and out because there was not room to walk between them (and I am a normal size person. )

I could hear everything the family near me said (which was fun as Mom was on the "make sure we eat only the high price stuff to get out money's worth" trip. So her kid got something he didn't want and pouted LOL)

 

[vicki_c]

I ate alone. I was on top of the table next to me. The tables had to be slid out to let the people near the wall in and out because there was not room to walk between them (and I am a normal size person. )

I could hear everything the family near me said (which was fun as Mom was on the "make sure we eat only the high price stuff to get out money's worth" trip. So her kid got something he didn't want and pouted LOL)

Both times we've been to Le Cellier (party of 2 and party of 4) we had a table like that, so I don't think that is related to dining alone.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Both times we've been to Le Cellier (party of 2 and party of 4) we had a table like that, so I don't think that is related to dining alone.

no, it's realted to the whole issue of LeCellier trying to pass itself off as a "fine dining establishment"

 

[B-Ride]

no, it's realted to the whole issue of LeCellier trying to pass itself off as a "fine dining establishment"

There is a chance it is related to the issue of being so popular that you are trying to fulfill a demand. If being a "fine dining establisment" was their goal they could easily have less tables. I suggest that filling tables and making lots of money is more likely their goal and who can blame them for that.

Perhaps the people who dislike Le Cellier so much should just move on and accept that there are lots of people out there that like it.

Everyone figured the demand would drop when it became a signature restaurant but it is still a difficult ADR to get because of its popularity.

 

[fla4fun]

Good to know I won't be penalized if I make an ADR for 2 and go alone.

As far as the tables being so close together, I wonder if they will thin them out a bit when the entire restaurant is signature? I would think they would need to, especially those tables along the wall that are .

 

[Tissa]

I ate there on a solo trip and hated it. I was sitting so close to the couple beside me I heard their heated discussion. I felt so uncomfortable that I got my food to go and went back and ate it in my room later.

I ate at several other places on that trip and did not have the same issues.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well--if you are married to Le Cellier it will be what it will be.

IF I were dining solo, I'd pick a spot that served a full meal at the bar-- and dine at that restaurant.

No issues at all with tables if you do that.

 

[Nairnyn]

I've eaten alone at several places in WDW, and the only two where I was ever uncomfortable was Le Cellier and Les Chefs de France. When the table next to you tries to include you in their conversation because you are basically sitting at their table, you are too close!

 

[Jcricket Fan]

We (2 of us) have tried Le Cellier for lunch & dinner several times and most likely won't be back as we just don't care for how close the tables are.

Once a woman at the next table went to get her napkin from her lap and grabbed mine instead!

I always chuckle when people want to know if the restaurant is romantic "why yes in that old world way when you are made to bring all your family members with you on a date!"

We did enjoy the food but I just don't want to be that close to others at a meal where the atmosphere seems that it should lend itself to a bit more privacy...or at least separate napkins! This isn't an issue for other people but it is enough for us to pass on Le Cellier for now.

We do have plans to try the Biergarten in Dec. but we know we will be sitting with others at long tables and that fits the theming of the restaurant with everyone hopfully joining in with the band.

Peace.
Colleen

 

[MouseMomx2]

Well--if you are married to Le Cellier it will be what it will be.

IF I were dining solo, I'd pick a spot that served a full meal at the bar-- and dine at that restaurant.

No issues at all with tables if you do that.

Funny you should say that...I have decided to skip Le Cellier and head to the Tune-In Lounge instead. All of the recent talk about the fried cheese appetizer has won me over.

I have no problem sitting at a regular table. I have had lovely solo meals at the Grand Floridian Café, Tony's and Sanaa. I just don't want to feel like I am close enough to be part of someone else's group. It sounds like the table arrangement at Le Cellier would create this scenario so I'm going to pass. Luckily, the filet is being offered at the F&WF (and is getting rave reviews) so I'll still get to try it.

Thanks to all who took the time to offer opinions/advice.