Just back... be careful recommending LeCellier, too highly!

[Laurin612]

My family and I had lunch at Le Cellier when we were on vacation 12/3-12/10. I thought it was great! We'd go back there on our next Disney World trip in a heartbeat. My only complaint was that our waiter was quite chatty. So if you needed something and he was chatting with one of his other tables, it would be a while! I ended up taking matters into my own hands and swiping some sweetener for my iced tea from empty table! But, in his defense, he was chatting about Canada and all things Canadian!

 

[Pamlur]

We had dinner there on December 11, as part of the Candlelight Processional package, but our server was Ty, who has been highly praised in other threads here. The 20 oz ribeye has been off the menu completely for a while now, I believe. I had the most incredible prime rib that I've ever eaten, that night.

Somehow, my grandson's order for a cheeseburger got confused with something else, but there was plenty for him to eat until he got his cheeseburger. He was tired enough to melt down a little bit, but recovered. I'm sure it took us forever to eat, but there were 10 of us and we managed to entertain ourselves well.

 

[Disbug]

You know, all of these servers DO come from Canada and it may be possible there are certain times of year when they have many more trainees than usual. It was just unfortunate that during such a busy time, they didn't have more servers than normal to help with the crowds. I am really grateful that he was such a pleasant fellow. Never once was he not just the nicest guy. I think that was the only thing that kept us from killing him! lol! wink (JK!)

 

[Disbug]

We had dinner there on December 11, as part of the Candlelight Processional package, but our server was Ty, who has been highly praised in other threads here. The 20 oz ribeye has been off the menu completely for a while now, I believe. I had the most incredible prime rib that I've ever eaten, that night.

Somehow, my grandson's order for a cheeseburger got confused with something else, but there was plenty for him to eat until he got his cheeseburger. He was tired enough to melt down a little bit, but recovered. I'm sure it took us forever to eat, but there were 10 of us and we managed to entertain ourselves well.

pamlur! It sounds like you must have gone to the CP first and then ate afterwards? Service can be a real issue if it's the other way around. I know if you figure on 1.5 hrs or so to eat. Then give yourself a half hour buffer... a two hour meal could cause you to either miss your CP or get there after the General Public has been allowed in. That is assuming you are seated on time. That happened to us two years ago at the Garden Grill. We allowed MORE than enough time to eat and get over to the American Pavilion. What we didn't count on was being seated 45 minutes past our PS! EEK! We had to literally RUN all the way to make our show and then we still didn't get the best seats....

 

[mic_key_mouse]

After an experience at Boma which was really disappointing not due to the meal but due to the expectations, I really try to temper my reviews here. Le Cellier is a very good steak house for the price - but I've been disappointed when I've wandered off the core of their menu (i.e. the steak), and would be disappointed if I expected a truly excellent steak (its a good steak, it isn't a great steak since they stopped importing Canadian beef due to mad cow). It sounds like the folks who stuck to the core part of the menu (steak and the soup) were content.

I agree as well. If you stick to what they do well (steak) you can't go wrong. The only sub-par items we have ever had here were when we strayed from their 'staples'.

 

[Pamlur]

We went to the 5:00 CP performance, and our ADR at Le Cellier was at 7:15 or 7:30. I know us well.

 

[canwegosoon]

I am glad you had a resolution to a not so great evening, and I think it was fair. Will be going in 2 months...hoping for a better result, but will stick with steak , soup or salad entres. My Adr is for 6pm and I am scheduled for an 8pm Illuminations cruise...we are only 4 persons, this should be enough time right? or should we just get dinner at the YC?

 

[nbodyhome]

You can have a bad experience anywhere - my first time at Artist Point was terrible, the worst waiter I think I've ever had in my life. This was maybe 8 or 9 years ago now, and I wrote to Artist Point (I should have asked for a manager there) and they gave us two dinners for free. I was scared to go back, even for free - we finally did, and it was much better (and has been the times I've been back).

For our first Artist Point meal - not only was the waiter VERY slow (even just to bring the check after we asked maybe have been a half hour!), but he never cleared any dishes. So we had appetizer plates, etc. sitting on a two-seater table for our entire meal. We left a normal tip - instead of less - because I didn't want to wait another half hour to get the money back. He was awful, and I did find out that he'd been fired at some point.

 

[crisi]

You can have a bad experience anywhere - my first time at Artist Point was terrible, the worst waiter I think I've ever had in my life. This was maybe 8 or 9 years ago now, and I wrote to Artist Point (I should have asked for a manager there) and they gave us two dinners for free. I was scared to go back, even for free - we finally did, and it was much better (and has been the times I've been back).

For our first Artist Point meal - not only was the waiter VERY slow (even just to bring the check after we asked maybe have been a half hour!), but he never cleared any dishes. So we had appetizer plates, etc. sitting on a two-seater table for our entire meal. We left a normal tip - instead of less - because I didn't want to wait another half hour to get the money back. He was awful, and I did find out that he'd been fired at some point.

I had a bad Jiko experience, but given the good reviews, I'm willing to say we got one of the few "less than great" waiters and I simply ordered something not to my taste.

 

[Sammie]

Interesting, we have eaten here at least 3 times and never gotten a story about the sections of the restaurant or the breadsticks, so this lack by the waiter would not even have been missed by us.

I don't think it's a great restaurant because our experiences have varied with service and food being very good to just ok.

I will always choose Yachtsman for steak.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

DH and I ate at Le Cellier In October. While we enjoyed the experience, we thought the food was just OK. DH ordered their signature steak, and said it was "pretty good." I ordered their vegetarian meal, and frankly am just happy that Disney provides a vegetarian entree in each table-service venue. I didn't expect it to be wonderful, and it wasn't.

 

[kendall]

We ate at Le Cellier on 12/21 after CP - DH and DS had sirloin, DD and I had filet mignon. All the steaks were fine, though mine was well instead of medium well. The cheese soup and shrimp cocktails were tasty, and the deserts yummy. Glad this was part of the CP package. Oh, the breadsticks are quite tasty - we too liked the pretzel stick the best (DD preferred sourdough, go figure). Dining was about 1.5 hours.

FYI, we ate at Raglan Road (Downtown Disney) later in the week - DD said the steak at Raglan Road was better than the one a Le Cellier. DS said the burger was good. I had the sole (excellent) and DH had the small chicken (their menu words - I would call it a cornish game hen), also excellent. Scallops on a fork forest appetizer were delicious. In and out in an hour, great service.

 

[msteddom]

I had a similar experience with my parents at Le Cellier. I had a lovely solo lunch there last July, so I reccommeded that my parents and I have dinner there since I had such a nice meal last time. Well our dinner experience left much to be desired. Our waitress was inattentive, she did not know the menu very well and the restaurant was crowded and very noisy which makes things difficult for my hard of haring father. the meal was stressful and just not very enjoyable. I will continue to eat there by myself, but I don't think I'll do the restaurant choosing when I have company next time!


Melissa

 

[Pats Dragon]

We ate at the cellar for the processional dinner on Dec. 20th and it was excellent as usual. Two members of our party were overcome with grief about a family member so they couldn't stop crying to come into the restaurant on time. The cm's were very kind and seated 2 of us and were solicitous toward the upset 2 when they came in. I think tragedies happen to everyone but for a busy restaurant to handle problems this kindly and then to serve a perfect meal says a lot.

 

[micksterlee]

We ate at Le Cellier on Dec 19th our meal was good but I don t quite get all the hype. We had to settle for a lunch ADR due to the fact that everything was booked in to January for dinner. As I said the food was good but I have had much better in restaurants that were not nearly as hard to get in to.

 

[John's Mom]

My DH, DD and I had dinner at LeCellier on Dec. 21. Our ADR was for 6:50 p.m. and we were seated at 6:55 p.m. Our waitress had a name tag for Jen, but introduced herself as Robin. She lost her name tag.

I order a fancy martini. The description of the drink: rim dipped in chocolate and raspberry in the drink. When the drink arrived, the waitress said the bar ran out of chocolate. About ten minutes later I was given a plate with two raspberries. By the way, my husband ordered a Canadian beer. It came with a live fly in it. He was given another beer.

For dinner I ordered the medium well done filet. When I cut into it, it almost bled. Robin said she would have the chef cook it longer. I politely asked Robin for a new filet. I didn't want my filet recooked. Well, they stuck my filet back together, cooked it longer and give it back to me.

Robin then offered to get me a new filet. By this time my husband and daughter were half done their meals. I didn't want them to wait any longer so I asked for another bowl of soup, which I really enjoyed.

We were on the dining plan and were charged for two table service meals. We didn't ask for the removal of any of the items we ordered.

On our next trip to WDW, I will most definitely make an ADR at LeCellier. We've never had a problem like this on previous visits. I'm hoping this was a one-time thing.

 

[Disbug]

Thanks everyone for your input! I have enjoyed reading about other experiences with this restaurant. I think the reason I was so excited about it initially, is because I became a convert when the restaurant changed from a cafeteria-style buffet to more gourmet type fare. Since the restaurant was really STRIVING to gain a following, they were extremely careful with the preparation and the service. They even won several Zagat awards. Now that they have gotten so popular, perhaps they are having trouble keeping up, both in the kitchen and in the service departments? Plus, I am not in the know as far as management goes. Maybe they have undergone a management change?

One good thing, I guess! Now I am open to seeking other restaurants to try. I will probably always try to squeeze in lunch here, but dinner is no longer a must do, in my book.

 

[Disbug]

I am glad you had a resolution to a not so great evening, and I think it was fair. Will be going in 2 months...hoping for a better result, but will stick with steak , soup or salad entres. My Adr is for 6pm and I am scheduled for an 8pm Illuminations cruise...we are only 4 persons, this should be enough time right? or should we just get dinner at the YC?

I think you will be fine. Is your pickup for Illuminations at the YC/BC marina? That is about a 15 minute walk from Canada, 20 if you are strolling! My tip would be to arrive at least 15-20 minutes early for your ADR. As soon as you arrive at LeCellier, your name will go on the list and you will be in the queue for the next table. Hope you have a great time!

As far as getting dinnner at the YC, I know a lot of people swear by the Yachtsman Steakhouse, although since it is a pricier meal, I would expect it to be better quality.

 

[John's Mom]

Disbug,

A lot of people feel that the Magic Your Way Dining Plan has caused most of the changes. More people are making ADRs and eating at restaurants that they normally wouldn't if they didn't have the dining plan. I'm also wondering if we went to WDW at a slower time if we would have the same problems.

I hope you enjoy your next meal at LeCellier!

Kathy

 

[Disbug]

Disbug,

A lot of people feel that the Magic Your Way Dining Plan has caused most of the changes. More people are making ADRs and eating at restaurants that they normally wouldn't if they didn't have the dining plan. I'm also wondering if we went to WDW at a slower time if we would have the same problems.

I hope you enjoy your next meal at LeCellier!

Kathy

Hmmmmm? I'll bet that has had an impact! I honestly never think of that, since I have yet to try it. We have the DDE card and before that we used the VKL vouchers, which were WONDERFUL! I'll bet when it slows down, the issues will go away (fingers crossed... toes, too!)