Jiko or Le Cellier?

[connorlevismom]

First let me say that both my DH are getting steaks, there is no doubt about that. We are staying at AKV so Jiko is something we plan on doing. We also were planning on Le Cellier but I have heard it really is not that great, just a lot of hype. So if you had a choice, would you have a meal at each or go to Jiko more than once? I am so afraid that I expect Le Cellier to be so much more than it is going to be and I will be disappointed. I have heard amazing things about Jiko but I don't have my expectations set as high as Le Cellier.

We are not on the dining plan, if that makes a difference.

Kristine

 

[itchin2go]

I would definitely go ahead and try to get an ADR for Le Cellier. Here's my reasoning: We have had success getting a last minute ADR for Jiko, but Le Cellier ADRs are impossible to get. So, if you eat at Jiko and love it to pieces, you can cancel your Le Cellier ADR and hopefully snag a Jiko ADR with short notice. The reverse is not true.

Now, we've travelled in January, not October, so free dining may throw a monkey wrench in that plan. But I stand by the idea that you'll have a better chance of snagging a last minute ADR to Jiko than to Le Cellier.

ADR logistics aside, we enjoyed Le Cellier. We like the atmosphere, we loved our server, we loved trying Canadian wines, and we enjoyed the food. We would go back there again (ADRs allowing) in a heartbeat. We did not feel it was overhyped. Is it the best restaurant at WDW? No, but it is a great experience.

Jiko is a stunning restaurant. The appetizers and desserts are to die for. We have never been impressed with the entrees. BUT, if you're staying at AKL, I would definitely give a try.

Also, since you're staying at AKL, you must do the Culinary Tour of Africa. It's basically a (FREE!) mini tour of Boma and Jiko with tastings at each. At Boma, we got to taste two soups (on Thursday, they had Potato Bacon and a Cream of Mushroom). At Jiko, we tasted this:

Taste of Africa - Trio of Dips with Assorted Breads and House-made Naan $9.00

There were only about 8 people in our little tour. I think they do it every evening, and again, it's FREE!

 

[gillep]

DH and I both thought that Jiko was amazing!!! It was our best meal of the whole trip which included 5 other signature meals. All three of the courses that we had were very good and the filet with mac and cheese was just spectacular. DH is a huge steak person and we have been to many well regarded steak restaurants in NYC, DC, Chicago and Boston and Jiko was very good, maybe not the best steak of all the places we have been but still respectable, and the pairing with the mac and cheese just put it over the top.
That being said we also went to LeCellier and I compare it to steak at The Outback not horrible just not top notch steak. We also had a super rushed waiter and although everyone raves about the soup I had much better at other Disney restaurants and make much better at home. LeCellier wasn't bad it just wasn't THAT good but that is my opinion based on my experiences at these two restaurants and literally dozens of amazing steak houses. If it looks good to you though and you want to try, it go for it maybe you will really like your meal there.

I also suggest if you are staying at AKL maybe walk over to AKV and have a meal at Sanaa. We had a wonderful lunch there and were able to watch the animals right from our table it was truly lovely and the food was delicious. Also there is Boma for dinner at AKL which I have heard wonderful things about and will be trying in January.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

I would go to Jiko twice. I have never been to Le Cellier because like you said, I heard its a lot of hype and not that great. Now I know there are lots of fans for there, but my family and I are not into "signature restaurants" in the theme parks. To us they just don't have the same atmosphere and experience as the signature restaurants at the hotels. I went to Jiko for the first time in January and was immediately hooked, their stellar South African wine list alone makes it worth going to, but the food was outstanding and such a refreshing change from the norm. Like the previous posters said, the mac and cheese with the filet mignon is to die for, such a unique pair. I would highly recommend going at least once and for you, either go there twice or choose another signature at a hotel because I think you'll be disappointed at Le Cellier. For steaks at WDW we love the Yachtsman Steakhouse, have gone on every trip for the last 14 years.

 

[connorlevismom]

I would definitely go ahead and try to get an ADR for Le Cellier. Here's my reasoning: We have had success getting a last minute ADR for Jiko, but Le Cellier ADRs are impossible to get. So, if you eat at Jiko and love it to pieces, you can cancel your Le Cellier ADR and hopefully snag a Jiko ADR with short notice. The reverse is not true.

Now, we've travelled in January, not October, so free dining may throw a monkey wrench in that plan. But I stand by the idea that you'll have a better chance of snagging a last minute ADR to Jiko than to Le Cellier.

ADR logistics aside, we enjoyed Le Cellier. We like the atmosphere, we loved our server, we loved trying Canadian wines, and we enjoyed the food. We would go back there again (ADRs allowing) in a heartbeat. We did not feel it was overhyped. Is it the best restaurant at WDW? No, but it is a great experience.

Jiko is a stunning restaurant. The appetizers and desserts are to die for. We have never been impressed with the entrees. BUT, if you're staying at AKL, I would definitely give a try.

Also, since you're staying at AKL, you must do the Culinary Tour of Africa. It's basically a (FREE!) mini tour of Boma and Jiko with tastings at each. At Boma, we got to taste two soups (on Thursday, they had Potato Bacon and a Cream of Mushroom). At Jiko, we tasted this:

Taste of Africa - Trio of Dips with Assorted Breads and House-made Naan $9.00

There were only about 8 people in our little tour. I think they do it every evening, and again, it's FREE!

Wow! Thanks for the head-up on the tour! I have never heard of it before.

We are actually going in 3 weeks and have reservations at both places but the latest ADR I could get for Le Cellier was 4:00. Not sure I want to eat dinner at that time.

Let me throw this out there for you. We are from MN , so we are more than familiar with most everything Canadian. From beer to wine to beer cheese soup. Would that make a difference to you if it was something that is familiar? That you could pretty much get at home? That is what I am struggling with. Personally, I just really want to try the soup, I love me some beer cheese soup.

We both love steak but we went to Yachtsmans last year and neither of us were impressed with the steaks we had.

Kristine

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Never been to Jiko but If I had to choose it would be Jiko. Don't get me wrong LC is good NOT great. Yes there is a lot of hype to get ress for here.
It's pouplar and the resturant is small so it makes it hard for ress.

 

[connorlevismom]

Never been to Jiko but If I had to choose it would be Jiko. Don't get me wrong LC is good NOT great. Yes there is a lot of hype to get ress for here.
It's pouplar and the resturant is small so it makes it hard for ress.

My guess is it is popular because it is a place to get a decent steak on the DDP? We are paying OOP so we don't need to worry about that aspect of it.

Kristine

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Wow! Thanks for the head-up on the tour! I have never heard of it before.

We are actually going in 3 weeks and have reservations at both places but the latest ADR I could get for Le Cellier was 4:00. Not sure I want to eat dinner at that time.

Let me throw this out there for you. We are from MN , so we are more than familiar with most everything Canadian. From beer to wine to beer cheese soup. Would that make a difference to you if it was something that is familiar? That you could pretty much get at home? That is what I am struggling with. Personally, I just really want to try the soup, I love me some beer cheese soup.

We both love steak but we went to Yachtsmans last year and neither of us were impressed with the steaks we had.

Kristine

If you weren't impressed with the steaks at the yachtsman, then i highly doubt you would enjoy Le Cellier. I cant speak from personal experience at Le Cellier, but I do know people who have gone and said the quality was not great, similar to what Gillep said above, comparing it to Outback Steakhouse quality, which IMO is horrific. For these reasons coupled with the Canadian options you have at home, I think you would be much happier with Jiko twice or another signature restaurant altogether.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Kris, I am a steak eater and get it almost every Disney resturant that I go to. I have been to almost all the Disney resturants. Love Steak.
Now last year my best steak was France. It was so good.
You really can't go wrong where you go at least I don't think so.
Enjoy where ever you pick.

 

[TDC Nala]

I haven't seen a lot saying Le Cellier is bad, just that it isn't up to the extreme hype it gets on this board and in other Disney planning circles. But if you didn't like Yachtsman I can't tell you how you would like Le Cellier. I don't do steak myself but from what I hear if money is no object and the dining plan is not involved you might consider trying Shula's.

Sanaa also has a restaurant tour.

 

[AppleSister1]

I haven't seen a lot saying Le Cellier is bad, just that it isn't up to the extreme hype it gets on this board and in other Disney planning circles. But if you didn't like Yachtsman I can't tell you how you would like Le Cellier. I don't do steak myself but from what I hear if money is no object and the dining plan is not involved you might consider trying Shula's.

Sanaa also has a restaurant tour.

I have eaten at all three and agree with above. If you didn't love Yachtsman you definitely won't be impressed by Le Cellier. Definitely do Jiko...and have you considered the California Grill? Great food (I haven't tried the steak, though) and fabulous view.

 

[connorlevismom]

I have eaten at all three and agree with above. If you didn't love Yachtsman you definitely won't be impressed by Le Cellier. Definitely do Jiko...and have you considered the California Grill? Great food (I haven't tried the steak, though) and fabulous view.

I think that We will probably cancel Le Cellier. I will have to see what DH says.

Cali Grill really does not appeal to us for some reaon. The view seems amazing but the menu just does nothing for either of us.

Kristine

 

[WDW Princess 71]

I think that We will probably cancel Le Cellier. I will have to see what DH says.

Cali Grill really does not appeal to us for some reaon. The view seems amazing but the menu just does nothing for either of us.

Kristine

I love California Grill, love the electic menu and view, but I understand its not for everyone. For seafood I recommend Narcoossee's, which has a lovely view of the lake and electrical parade, and of the fireworks at MK. For Italian we LOVE Il Mulino at the Swan, we were so excited when we got one near our hometown. Excellent choice for Italian if you arent constrained with money or the DDP. We also love the buffalo tenderloin and the cedar plan salmon are amazing at the Artist Point in the WL. Finally we also enjoy the menu variety at the Wolfgang Puck UPSTAIRS dining room (not the zoo like cafe downstairs). Have you considered any of these?

 

[itchin2go]

I think that We will probably cancel Le Cellier. I will have to see what DH says.

Cali Grill really does not appeal to us for some reaon. The view seems amazing but the menu just does nothing for either of us.

Kristine

If the time of your ADR doesn't work for you, it makes sense to cancel it. 4:00 wouldn't work for me either.

I am vegetarian, so I'm not going to be much first-hand help regarding steak. My husband is a rabid carnivore and kind of a food snob, and he enjoyed his filet at Le Cellier, whereas he did not enjoy THE filet at Jiko. Go figure. Maybe Jiko was having an off night, because they severely undercooked the beans in my entree, too. We did eat at Yachtsman, but we were at the end of a DxDDP trip and were experiencing food fatigue, so I can't really give it a fair review. Our favorite signature place is Flying Fish, but we also enjoyed Cali Grill and Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge.

For what it's worth, I would eat twice at Boma instead of Jiko!

 

[Jaklackus]

I don't drink wine(makes me cranky and unpleasant to be around) so that isn't a draw for me and DH doesn't drink at all. DH and I had managed to walk up and be seated at Le Cellier about a year ago and we loved the mushroom filet(disappointed with the desserts/couldn't understand the hype over the soup though). Took a year to catch another reservation for lunch and it was just ok. During the year that we had been waiting to go back to Le Cellier....we had tried Jiko(very good, lovely restaurant, lavender ice cream...yum), went to Palo on the Wonder-yum, the Bull & Bear at the Waldorf Astoria-(so much roasted garlic..heavenly for us as garlic lovers and as a bonus left us with no fear of vampire attacks for the next 4 days ) and had been exploring different restaurants closer to our house that turned out to be excellent for steak.

...unfortunately Le Cellier had no chance to impress by time we had a chance to eat there a second time...the 'steak' bar was reset very high....my now husband has no interest in going back. I love the mushroom risotto..I wonder if they would let me order some of that to go....

 

[BriarRosie]

My guess is it is popular because it is a place to get a decent steak on the DDP? We are paying OOP so we don't need to worry about that aspect of it.

Kristine

Bingo. It's a 1 TS credit on the dining plan, in a theme park. That alone makes it desirable for the people on the dining plan who want steak. I had steak there prior to the dining plan's existence, and the steak was decent.

I recently had a "filet" from Yachtsman in the Crew's Cup Lounge next door in December, and the quality was NOT up to par with what I expected from Yachtsman. So I'm with you there.

I'd definitely suggest Jiko instead. I'd be willing to try Shula's for steak, too.

 

[Tara]

My guess is it is popular because it is a place to get a decent steak on the DDP? We are paying OOP so we don't need to worry about that aspect of it.

Kristine

I think part of its popularity is that it's a TS restaurant that is "meat and potatoes" and more like American fare when compared with the other TS around World Showcase.

Wow! Thanks for the head-up on the tour! I have never heard of it before.

We are actually going in 3 weeks and have reservations at both places but the latest ADR I could get for Le Cellier was 4:00. Not sure I want to eat dinner at that time.

Let me throw this out there for you. We are from MN , so we are more than familiar with most everything Canadian. From beer to wine to beer cheese soup. Would that make a difference to you if it was something that is familiar? That you could pretty much get at home? That is what I am struggling with. Personally, I just really want to try the soup, I love me some beer cheese soup.

We both love steak but we went to Yachtsmans last year and neither of us were impressed with the steaks we had.

Kristine

Of all the steaks I've had at WDW, the best* was actually at Citricos! I've had excellent filet at California Grill and Jiko, and a range of experience at Yachtsman Steakhouse (superb to just average for a good restaurant, not average as in Outback). My last visit to Le Cellier was okay - the filet I had was not bad, certainly better than any I'd get at Outback!

I would choose Jiko over Le Cellier any day, though. It isn't that Le Cellier is bad, as others have said, it just isn't great. Of course, it isn't bad for a 1 TS credit meal, but again, if credits or money isn't as big a factor, there are many other choices that are much better.

*Well, the true best was the kobe beef at V&As - that is in a league all by itself!

 

[connorlevismom]

Thank you so much for all the great ideas. We will look at all the options, for sure. I just was wondering if Le Cellier was worth it or not. I don't think it is going to be. And it does not really fit into our schedule that well. Jiko fits in much better and we are staying there so it is nice and easy to get to and waddle back to our rooms.

Kristine

 

[Golf4food]

Le Cellier is good. Not great, but good. One of the better WDW non-signature restaurants, for certain. We definitely prefer it to Chefs de France and only Tutto Italia has been better for us, but that is Italian vs. Steakhouse, so there is room for both.

Jiko, on the other hand, is our favorite WDW restaurant so far and one of the better all around meals we've had anywhere - in WDW or out. If money is no object I'd definitely take Jiko over Le Cellier.

Ask if Ron is working as a server and request him if so. He was the best server we've ever had anywhere by a mile.

And the pistachio creme brulee is outstanding.

 

[Happydog]

I would totally do both -- but we like Le Cellier.

Jiko was amazing!

Le Cellier, very very good, too! I think they are two very different meals. We have been to Le Cellier each trip we have taken this year and it has NEVER disappointed. (but again, on the DP -- it is worth it (like Other Posters have said) Jiko we were just at, and I loved the menu. It was an amazing dining experience, but I am not sure I would want to go there twice in one trip... You know if you want a good steak I also hear Shula's is really good...

Mussels at Jiko OUT of this world.

Enjoy whatever you decide!