Help me choose an Epcot couples only lunch

[Dallas_Lady]

We are planning a morning of our trip where the kids will stay in the room with Grandma while DH and I go to Epcot on our own. I'd like to have a nice lunch at a place that I wouldn't necessarily take the kids (so, character meals are out).

DH already thinks the food prices at WDW are way too high for what you get (surprise, surprise) so to get him to pay them without whining the food better either be really good or really plentiful.

I was thinking of LeCellier, but we are used to great steak houses here in Texas and I'm worried it won't stack up. He loves Beirgarten, but we've done that three times and I want to try something different. I am a big seafood person, but he's not so I'm not sure Coral Reef would be a good choice.

Help!

 

[VegasMike21]

We are planning a morning of our trip where the kids will stay in the room with Grandma while DH and I go to Epcot on our own. I'd like to have a nice lunch at a place that I wouldn't necessarily take the kids (so, character meals are out).

DH already thinks the food prices at WDW are way too high for what you get (surprise, surprise) so to get him to pay them without whining the food better either be really good or really plentiful.

I was thinking of LeCellier, but we are used to great steak houses here in Texas and I'm worried it won't stack up. He loves Beirgarten, but we've done that three times and I want to try something different. I am a big seafood person, but he's not so I'm not sure Coral Reef would be a good choice.

Help!

1. Le Cellier
2. Coral Reef- There's more options then seafood.
3. Chefs De France

 

[wdwmom0f3]

1. Le Cellier
2. Coral Reef- There's more options then seafood.
3. Chefs De France

Dito

 

[Aimeedyan]

LeCellier is highly overrated and you can get a better steak in TX. I also find the place cramped and not the least bit couple-friendly.

I'd do Bistro, if you can figure out a way to get a menu without prices It's romantic, tucked away, and there is no children's menu! http://allears.net/menu/men_bisd.htm

A late lunch at Chef's is very good - we went around 2pm and there was no one in our entire section and we had fabulous service.

Coral Reef is tasty, but it's a big draw for families due to the tank.

What about Tokyo Dining? It's couple friendly, and you can get a great view of Epcot from the restaurant. http://allears.net/menu/menu_tokyo.htm

Good luck!

 

[Rhonna]

Bistro is only open for dinner and it extremely expensive. OP wanted lunch and although the food is top quality there, the prices may shock the hubby.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Bistro is only open for dinner and it extremely expensive. OP wanted lunch and although the food is top quality there, the prices may shock the hubby.

Whoops! Didn't realize Bistro was dinner only. I do have to disagree that it's extremely expensive, though - their filet is only $3 more than LeCellier and it's a much nicer atmosphere with better service. Well, unless LeCellier is considered extremely expensive too

 

[Neesy228]

I would suggest Chefs de France...great atmosphere, not terribly expensive for lunch, good food. Teppan Edo is fun and good food as well, and I don't recall it being too horribly priced.

I wouldn't do Le Cellier if you have good steakhouses near you, and I never recommend the Coral Reef to anyone!

Enjoy your time together!

 

[Rhonna]

Whoops! Didn't realize Bistro was dinner only. I do have to disagree that it's extremely expensive, though - their filet is only $3 more than LeCellier and it's a much nicer atmosphere with better service. Well, unless LeCellier is considered extremely expensive too

I was going mainly by OP's comments. Sounds like her hubby is reluctant to spend a lot. I had just been looking into these restaurants myself but for dinner.

Personally I would spend the money on Bistro rather than Le Cellier but french food and formal dining doesn't appeal to everyone going to WDW. It has been described as fine dining - take at least 2 hours and enjoy it - many locals come dressed nicely, not in theme park attire - there is no child's menu and it's not on the dining plan so children are a rare sight at the Bistro. It is rated by many as second only to Victoria and Albert's at the GF. This is apparently due to the fact that Bistro is run privately and can set their own menu, unlike a lot of WDW food which is getting kind of generic.

We usually have done Rose and Crown (for dinner) and somehow always managed water seating for Illuminations (three or four times total). So I thought rather than test my chances again, we might try something else this time. But we have not yet agreed on what to choose.

Bistro is highly recommended but is spendy (for us). I was quite surprised at Le Cellier's prices too - I think they are overrated but people seem to love the place and will pay those prices. But there are some dishes at Le Cellier that aren't quite as spendy. However, you get what you pay for. We just aren't willing to fork over the $30-40 for entree alone at the Bistro.

The beef tenderloin at Bistro is $38. There is either a Filet Mignon or a NY Strip Steak at Le Cellier for $34.99.

The Bistro's appetizers are all between $13-16. Their entrees are $32-43 (for lobster).

Le Cellier is all over the place. Their appetizers run $5.50 for soup up to $17.99. Their entrees run $19.99 for a vegetarian dish; $22 for the basic chicken dish; and the highest is $36.99 for a veal T-bone. The one thing Le Cellier does have is a price fix dinner for $36.99 which includes an appetizer; entree and dessert. But there are limited choices, not the whole menu to choose from. So that may be a bargain to many diners. Of course, this is comparing the two places at dinner, lunch at Le Cellier may run cheaper.

I am much more tempted to go to Bistro but my sister is not very adventurous. And this trip we are trying to be more careful of our food spending. So we are trying to decide between Germany, Morocco or just go back to Rose and Crown even if we end up dining inside this time.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Not sure if you are doing a plan or not, also, the type of food you might like but we have always had consistently good meals at Teppan Edo.. granted you may be seated with others but you can chat or not, depending on your mood, and the food is good and we never finish. They have cut a few things from their menu, we have noticed, they think we do not, but we have always enjoyed it there.

Also, we like the fish and chips at Rose and Crown and if the weather is nice, sit outside facing the lagoon. If it were an evening meal, I would suggest Bistro de Paris for the ambiance, the food is good though....but pricey. Would you think of venturing outside the park to the Boardwalk area.. as I know Cat Cora is opening a new restaurant where Spoodles use to be.. I am interested in trying that one as she is one of the Iron Chefs and we love that program..

Anyway, hope you find one you might enjoy. Good luck.

 

[ElizabethB]

I'd go to Marrakesh. It's never crowded, the prices are reasonable, the decor is neat, plus you get live music and a belly dancer! The food is rather exotic and different, which is I think why people don't go there more. We've not been in a while but the food was good last time we were there.

As for LeCellier, I'm convinced the dinner pricing there is irrelevant. No one (and I mean no one) would go to Le Cellier and pay the menu prices. Why do that when you can go to Yachtsman Steakhouse or Shula's for the same prices. As another poster said, the tables are horrendously close together and it's always crowded. People go there if they are dining on the DDP. The go elsewhere if not. The menu prices are there solely to make the DDP crowd feel like they got a bargain. Same for Tutto Italia.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Me & my DH had an Awesome Lunch outside on the patio at Tutto. The food was one of the best we had on property.

 

[Dawn68PA]

I'll throw in my vote for Coral Reef. Last trip there were 6 adults in our party. Only one seafood lover. We all scarfed our meals - they were great! The tank is so cool, my DH really enjoyed it.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Thanks so much for the suggestions. We don't necessarily need a "no-kids" restaurant, it's just that we won't have our kids with us.

I keep hearing about how fabulous LeCellier is and it's making me want to try it, but I am worried that it's more hype than anything else. Plus, we won't be on the dining plan, so that makes me scrutinize whether or not a restaurant is worth the money (which I know is relative being at WDW).

Coral Reef looks interesting. I think I would really like dining at the tank.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Thanks so much for the suggestions. We don't necessarily need a "no-kids" restaurant, it's just that we won't have our kids with us.

I keep hearing about how fabulous LeCellier is and it's making me want to try it, but I am worried that it's more hype than anything else. Plus, we won't be on the dining plan, so that makes me scrutinize whether or not a restaurant is worth the money (which I know is relative being at WDW).

Coral Reef looks interesting. I think I would really like dining at the tank.

Although I suggested Tutto and I still think Tuto has better food.
Been to Coral Reef many of times and the food is good and the Aquarimun is AWESOME.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I had 2 solo lunches in June, one at Tutto and one at Chefs de France...both of them were loaded with kids and it was loud and super busy but the food at both places was wonderful.

Last Oct DH and I did a lunch at SAI and the food was good but the atmosphere was wonderful, nice and quiet and relaxing.

 

[mommycrawford]

If you would like a quiet meal that seems like you are not in Florida, I suggest Tokyo Dining. It is traditional Japanese...that is to say polite and serene, women dressed in obis, bowing and respect. You will not feel rushed, and it is overlooking the illuminations pool. They have many cooked foods as well as sushi. There is a beautiful Japanese garden in the back of the pavillion that has a river, and usually has may butterflies overhead.

Tutta Italia is a beautiful, elegant with chandeliers place, with good food.

It really depends on the experience you want!...You may prefer to get selections from the french bakery (quiche,salad, sandwiches) and sit at the bistro tables outside...I believe there is a fountain there!