Disappointing lunch at LeCellier

[mousey]

After trying for lunch reservations for myself and my husband for my birthday luncheon that we were spending in Disney, I finally got a reservation! From the moment we walked into the dining room, something seemed very different. I can't explain it--just different. I remember it as darker and a real cozy feeling--not this time. Tables of 2 stacked one after the other in the middle of the restaurant. The menu has changed which we we were aware of. I think the biggest change other than the cream cheese potatoes disappearing along with the beef barley soup was the increase in prices. One of us got the steakburger and it was no different than one of the counter restaurants--only it was on an english muffin and was twice the price. Before someone says, but your paying for the atmosphere. Not packed in there like sardines I'm not!! My husband mentioned my birthday--not that I wanted him too--but the server was too preoccupied with other tables to acknowledge it. My husband got the steak with mushrooms which he said was good--not great--and definately not worth the 25.99! So I guess the next time we try somewhere else. I also had a piece of bone in my burger which wasn't pleasant--but that happens. So long LeCellier!!!

 

[Aimeedyan]

That's a shame =(

We had hyped up LeCellier to our family, who had never been to WDW, and it was a terrible exp. We had some of the worst service we've had at any restaurant anywhere. Food didn't make up for it, nor did being able to dine with the strangers next to us.

And they were out of the creme brulee we had dreamed about!

Sometimes when a restaurant gets a little TOO popular, it goes downhill in quality.

Bummer it was your birthday lunch =(

 

[suzimar57]

the cream cheese mashed potatoes are gone?????!!!!!

 

[rebe1968]

That's a shame =(

We had hyped up LeCellier to our family, who had never been to WDW, and it was a terrible exp. We had some of the worst service we've had at any restaurant anywhere. Food didn't make up for it, nor did being able to dine with the strangers next to us.

And they were out of the creme brulee we had dreamed about!

Sometimes when a restaurant gets a little TOO popular, it goes downhill in quality.

Bummer it was your birthday lunch =(

Thats one cute puppy

 

[shadowryter]

After trying for lunch reservations for myself and my husband for my birthday luncheon that we were spending in Disney, I finally got a reservation! From the moment we walked into the dining room, something seemed very different. I can't explain it--just different. I remember it as darker and a real cozy feeling--not this time. Tables of 2 stacked one after the other in the middle of the restaurant. The menu has changed which we we were aware of. I think the biggest change other than the cream cheese potatoes disappearing along with the beef barley soup was the increase in prices. One of us got the steakburger and it was no different than one of the counter restaurants--only it was on an english muffin and was twice the price. Before someone says, but your paying for the atmosphere. Not packed in there like sardines I'm not!! My husband mentioned my birthday--not that I wanted him too--but the server was too preoccupied with other tables to acknowledge it. My husband got the steak with mushrooms which he said was good--not great--and definately not worth the 25.99! So I guess the next time we try somewhere else. I also had a piece of bone in my burger which wasn't pleasant--but that happens. So long LeCellier!!!

After reading your post I must admit that I'm second guessing my ressie...Again I was really looking forward to dining here and then I saw the menu changed and wasn't so sure. My DD is very choosy when it comes to red meat and I figured since the menu was different maybe the atmosphere might be worth it. Now...not so sure. We were planning on having a birthday celebration at Le Cellier also...again not so sure now. It's my DD's 18th and I really don't want her to be dissapointed...Help!!!!

 

[DizzDoll]

Oh dear. Not sounding good about LeCellier and I have lunch reservations there for August. Oh, well - my DD and I are going for the pretzel bread and cheddar cheese soup and my son will probably end up with the overpriced burger. C'est le vie!! Hmmm...

 

[Quiksilvr]

Le Cellier is one of the most overrated restaurants at WDW. I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I also did not enjoy Le Cellier the last time I went; it's just not that great of a steakhouse. There are a number of places in WDW where one can get a better steak at either similar cost or for just a few dollars more.

 

[traci]

We have never dined ther or even tried to make an ADR...why is it so popular? What is so magical about the atmosphere?

 

[Melrosgirl]

Just back from WDW trip. Le Cellier was disappointing for us, too. Went there on the 11th at night. The menu had changed. They took off the filet on top of the mashed potatoes. I ended up ordering mashed potatoes a la carte and the cheddar cheese soup. (They said they could make the filet and put it on top of the potatoes, but they would charge the new price of $36 or whatever it was.

We were supposed to go again a few days later on a ADR, but ended up canceling it.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Le Cellier is one of the most overrated restaurants at WDW.

I think it is the most overrated WDW restaurant. There's a few others that we think are close, but LC definitely owns the title. The cult like following it has is mind boggling. We've eaten there a few times & it's always been hit or miss. More misses than hits, in our experience. Personally, I don't think it's ever been deserving of the praise it gets here.

We have never dined ther or even tried to make an ADR...why is it so popular? What is so magical about the atmosphere?

This is just my personal opinion, but I think the popularity comes from the undeserved hype. People think they've won a prize by scoring an ADR there. However, if one is used to eating steak at Western Sizzlin' or similar, their steaks would compare favorably. The answer to your 2nd questions is nothing. It's very crowded & very loud.

 

[traci]

Thanks for the insight - I still have no desire to schedule an ADR for our next trip. Now Kona...well that's another story

 

[biscuitgirl]

The more I read about Le Cellier, the more I'm glad I didn't try to get an ADR for our upcoming trip. There's nothing worse than going to a place you have such high hopes for and being sorely disappointed. Sorry it wasn't to your liking!

 

[DrDeb]

Well i DO have a ressie there for Sept 5 evening-- i loved the filet in Jan-- where else for a great filet????

 

[Quiksilvr]

Well i DO have a ressie there for Sept 5 evening-- i loved the filet in Jan-- where else for a great filet????

You want a great filet, go to California Grill. The filet I had there was amazing.

I had a filet at Hollywood Brown Derby that was also pretty good but it was not in the same neighborhood as California Grill. For a restaurant that isn't really a "steak place", CG does an unbelievable job with their filets.

 

[Wendybird55]

Unfortunately it sounds like Le Cellier got too good for it's own good. It's become the hottest restaurant in Disney and with that comes cramming in more tabels to acocmodate more guests, busier waiters who don't have as much tome for each table as before and I would think more pushing to get you finished sooner so more people can be seated.

Plus everyone has such high expectations for Le Cellier that when it falls short, I think you notice it more. I'm still keeping my ressies in Sept. I haven't yet been disappointed going there (last time was 2006) we'll see waht happens this time...

 

[Quiksilvr]

Unfortunately it sounds like Le Cellier got too good for it's own good. It's become the hottest restaurant in Disney and with that comes cramming in more tabels to acocmodate more guests, busier waiters who don't have as much tome for each table as before and I would think more pushing to get you finished sooner so more people can be seated.

Plus everyone has such high expectations for Le Cellier that when it falls short, I think you notice it more. I'm still keeping my ressies in Sept. I haven't yet been disappointed going there (last time was 2006) we'll see waht happens this time...

I guess that's a big part of my confusion over Le Cellier. IMO, it's a "hot" restaurant because it's become a popular place to go in Epcot, not because the food was ever that great. I never had huge expectations for the place and it met my expectations: a decent steak that's only moderately overpriced for what it is. I just don't understand the love affair with the place.

 

[goofy4tink]

I try to eat at LeCellier every trip. It is a huge family favorite. And I made an ADR for Sept 6. But, my friend returned from WDW last month, with a not so great review of LeCellier...we used to eat there together every time. So, I double checked the menu there now...nope, my favorite maple glazed filet is gone, no more smashed potatoes. So, today I changed to Coral Reef and canceled LeCellier.
I love the physical plant of LeCellier...the atmosphere is wonderful, but not if I can't get my favorite beef.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Well i DO have a ressie there for Sept 5 evening-- i loved the filet in Jan-- where else for a great filet????

I had a wonderful filet at Kona last August.

I too, have cut LeCell from my "must-eat" list. The first time we ate there the service was wonderful, the food was great. Last year I was highly disappointed. Although, I will say the service was wonderful, the food....eh - not so much. We decided to jump off the LeCell bandwagon this year with all the bad reviews it's been getting.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Well i DO have a ressie there for Sept 5 evening-- i loved the filet in Jan-- where else for a great filet????

So far, Jiko has the best filet we have tried.....hands down. It was so tender you didn't even need a knife and the taste.....AMAZING.

 

[LoraJ]

Le Cellier is one of the most overrated restaurants at WDW. I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I also did not enjoy Le Cellier the last time I went; it's just not that great of a steakhouse. There are a number of places in WDW where one can get a better steak at either similar cost or for just a few dollars more.

With only 3 steaks on the menu, I don't know why they call it a steakhouse.

We're skipping it this year and going to try out Yachtsman or Shulas.