Sept 2 - dinner at Le Cellier (again!)
In the afternoon we took the Monorail over to Epcot. Since there was only a short line for Spaceship Earth we went on to check out or future.
We then walked around for a while, exploring the shops, before we went over to Le Cellier at around 6pm. We had a reservation for 6.30 and we were hoping Mary Ellen and Joe would feel well enough to join us. We sat on a bench near the entrance to LeCellier but no Mary Ellen and Joe. By 6.30 we went to check in. Three weeks before we had been to Le Cellier and our server had then told us that if we liked our service we could request to be seated in his area. Well, we had wanted to show off to Mary Ellen and Joe, but since they didn't show up we just decided to be seated wherever they were to seat us. We did not know what we were letting ourselves in for.
After about 20 minutes wait and a few quizzes later we were finally seated. We had a table at the end of a bench and a family of four was seated next to us. They had two adorable little girls and they behaved like angels! I was really impressed. Our server came over, asked us if we had been to the restaurant again and was pleased when we told him, we had just been there 3 weeks ago. He took our drinks order, then said he guessed we had a favourite bread and he was going to guess and bring out more of it - it was the pretzel bread again.
He also got down on his knees and explained the menu. They had a Chef's Special which allows guests on the regular
DDP to order a starter, a main course and dessert from a limited menu. His advise was, that if we had not set our heart on the filet (and we hadn't) that this was a much better deal and he was definitely right. He brought out our drinks and some water and told us to take our time, he would be right back. Tom and I talked it over and then decided to try the limited menu.
When our server came over to take our order he winked when we said we would order from the Chef's menu. He was fun, commenting on anything and everything and made us feel especially welcome. (and not just us, everyone, as we witnessed with at least the family next to us).
We both ordered the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup. If you have ever tried this, it is a very yummy, but very rich, creamy soup, even better with the pretzel bread. Now, up to this visit I have always had it served in a small bowl, not so this time!!!!
When he came over with the bowls they were HUGE soup bowls and his comment was that we could just use a "Canadian sized" portion of it. Made us LOL!!!! Needless to say, even though this WAS a huge portion, we ate it all.
Tom had chosen the Herb-crusted Prime Rib as his main course and it was sooooo good. The meat was just cooked perfectly, slightly perfumed with herbs and was melt in your mouth. The potatoes were yummy too!
I wanted to try the Pan-seared King Salmon with lentils, and this was what I got. It was quite a big piece of perfectly moist salmon on a well flavoured lentils. Unfortunately I had had to much of the yummy soup, so I could not finish it all, but I did my very best!!
All the time while we were eating our server would "sneak" up on us and refill glasses or ask if we liked the food, then answering the question himself, since we always had our mouths full and all we could do was nod!
We were already sure he would get a HUGE tip, but he just kept going. When we were finished with our main courses, he said that we HAD TO have dessert. Yeah, right!

He then looked at me and told me that I looked like someone who would go for the Creme Bruleé - well yes, I did. I just love their Creme Bruleé, goes head to head with the one at WPE!
Tom went for the Canadian Chocolate Moose, which was a much bigger portion that we expected. Very nice tasting mousse, I have to admit.
Well, as we experienced before, a waiter can make or break your dining experience. This server made dining at Le Cellier a true experience. So when he came around to pick up our key to the world I told him that I needed a good look at his name tag, so I could mention him in my trip report. He showed his name tag to me and told me to use his real name if the review was good and to use his brother's name if it was bad - his brother's name was Patrick - the very Patrick we had been served by the last time and loved the experience as well. I could not believe it, so he made Patrick come over to our table. We had a short conversation, but didn't want to occupy too much of their time. Now, how much of a coincidence is this. Our server brought out the bill, we settled it with a HUGE tip AND a plan!
Before we left the restaurant I asked the greeters at the entrance if there was a manager around. I tried not to smile, not to give too much away. One of the greeters hunted down a manager, who didn't know what to expect. Well, it was ALL praise for our server and his dear brother!! You should have seen the HUGE grin that appeared on the manager's face. He told us that he would take a note of what we had said and that it would go in both their records. The conversation with the manager lasted for about 5 minutes and Tom later told me that most of the greeters were trying to listen in on the conversation. When we left, they ALL had big grins on their faces.
We were happy and stuffed after our dinner, so what better than to ride Mission Space. Yes, we CAN ride it on a full stomach!
We then got on the Monorail and back to the Magic Kingdom to catch Wishes. There was enough time to walk around a bit and shop a bit, before the fireworks. They were wonderful as always.
After the fireworks it was time to leave and head back to the resort. At the exit these guys were waving at us!
When we got back to the resort, the lights were out at Mary Ellens and Joe's room, so we didn't want to disturb them. When we came back to our room we were greeted by our Pal Mickey sitting in the "curtain-swing".
Sorry, this photo didn't turn out too well, but there was one more surprise waiting for us ........... we had had some towel animals before, but what Maria left for us, was just incredible!!
She also left a note that the towel animals we had gotten beforehand AND the doll were a present and we were to keep it! It now sits on my nightstand!! Thank you Maria!!
To be continued ...........
Next up - Columbia Harbour House, Main Street Bakery and Maya Grill