Le Cellier - anyone out there who didn't like it?

[Tiger926]

At least, we'll agree to disagree. I don't see why anyone wouldn't expect a better steak for $35 than what they would expect for $22. There's a reason all steaks don't cost the same. I think Crisi's McDonald's example explains it well.

My point is that it's the same steak - the cost is different due to a discount. Now, if you were comparing 2 different steak products - a strip steak for $35.00 and a chuck steak for $22.00, then I might agree with you, as the expectations for those products may be different. But, you are comparing the same product, just at a different cost due to other external factors, so this is where you have lost me.

I guess we can disagree, but I still don't follow your logic, Tiger

 

[waltsgirl]

We love it. We have never had a bad meal here. The last time was Jan 09. Our waitress, Erin was great. We were not rushed at all. This is a must for us each trip.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

My point is that it's the same steak - the cost is different due to a discount. Now, if you were comparing 2 different steak products - a strip steak for $35.00 and a chuck steak for $22.00, then I might agree with you, as the expectations for those products may be different. But, you are comparing the same product, just at a different cost due to other external factors, so this is where you have lost me.

I guess we can disagree, but I still don't follow your logic, Tiger

To me, that discount makes a big difference. Let's say I walk into a restaurant, order a moderately priced steak, & it's good. I'm happy with that! If I go into this restaurant & get that same steak, but this time it's $13 more, good is no longer good enough. OTOH, if I order a $22 steak that's not good, it wouldn't be any worse for $35. The person paying $35 will just have paid more for the bad steak. It's still unacceptable at any price. My point is the people receiving a bad steak at any price won't be a fan of the restaurant. Their reviews are going to be bad regardless. It's the rave reviews I wonder about. Do most of them come from those who pay $22, or is there an equal number of people who pay $35 for that same steak & still love it?

 

[crisi]

My point is that it's the same steak - the cost is different due to a discount. Now, if you were comparing 2 different steak products - a strip steak for $35.00 and a chuck steak for $22.00, then I might agree with you, as the expectations for those products may be different. But, you are comparing the same product, just at a different cost due to other external factors, so this is where you have lost me.

I guess we can disagree, but I still don't follow your logic, Tiger

There are steaks I've had that I'm willing to pay $35 for - or more. Shula's has a steak that I paid far more than that for - and didn't regret it for a second.

I'll pay $22 for a steak at Outback and not regret it. Its a $22 steak.

What I don't like doing is paying $35 for a $22 steak. If you are on the dining plan you are paying around $22 for your Le Cellier entree - and its a pretty good value - really on the dining plan Le Cellier is a great place to go - it doesn't live up to the hype (usually) but its a good dining plan value. Out of pocket, the entree is costing you $35 - and I'd rather pay the extra $5 and get a steak that's nearly twice as good over at Yachtsman. But I'm not sure Yachtsman is worth two credits.

 

[SGMCO]

This is not true, because I do not eat beef at all and I went to try to seafod as well. I tried the salmon and it was some of the worst salmon I have ever had.

Well then tell me where I can get decent seafood for 1 TS Credit.

 

[Aimeedyan]

There are steaks I've had that I'm willing to pay $35 for - or more. Shula's has a steak that I paid far more than that for - and didn't regret it for a second.

I'll pay $22 for a steak at Outback and not regret it. Its a $22 steak.

What I don't like doing is paying $35 for a $22 steak. If you are on the dining plan you are paying around $22 for your Le Cellier entree - and its a pretty good value - really on the dining plan Le Cellier is a great place to go - it doesn't live up to the hype (usually) but its a good dining plan value. Out of pocket, the entree is costing you $35 - and I'd rather pay the extra $5 and get a steak that's nearly twice as good over at Yachtsman. But I'm not sure Yachtsman is worth two credits.

I completely agree with you (as I usually do!).

 

[JerseyJanice]

We ate there quite a few years ago (2000) and didn't love it. As was already said, the atmosphere isn't anything special. Our food was pretty good, but the service was horrible. It took us forever to settle the check while we were trying to get out and see Illuminations.

With all the other interesting restaurants in Epcot, I have no desire to give it another chance.

 

[Tiger926]

There are steaks I've had that I'm willing to pay $35 for - or more. Shula's has a steak that I paid far more than that for - and didn't regret it for a second.

I'll pay $22 for a steak at Outback and not regret it. Its a $22 steak.

What I don't like doing is paying $35 for a $22 steak. If you are on the dining plan you are paying around $22 for your Le Cellier entree - and its a pretty good value - really on the dining plan Le Cellier is a great place to go - it doesn't live up to the hype (usually) but its a good dining plan value. Out of pocket, the entree is costing you $35 - and I'd rather pay the extra $5 and get a steak that's nearly twice as good over at Yachtsman. But I'm not sure Yachtsman is worth two credits.

I actually agree with you here too! Based on all of the steaks we've had on property, Yachtsmen is by far the best. I would absolutely pay a few dollars more for those steaks, but again, they aren't all the same steaks - there is much more selection at Yachtsmen, you can pick your own cut, etc.

My point is that it shouldn't matter what price someone pays for the meal - if it's bad, it's bad. You might be disappointed as it cost you more out of your pocket, and I can understand that, but for us, we don't really make a distinction as to whether a bad meal is paid for by cash or DP. If it's bad, we comment on it, or mention to manager/chef in the hopes that it will improve for the next diners - this is where I am coming from.

Most people have the attitude that it's no big deal if the food or service is bad, because they are on the DP and Disney is paying, and this attitude really bothers me. 1) You are paying, just not as much as someone paying cash and 2) Not mentioning anything might not improve the situation, and then I go and spend my hard earned money there and receive the same subpar food. If more people on the DP speak up instead of saying it's no big deal as the food is discounted, then perhaps this will tell Disney something.

Basically, this attitude allows Disney to serve you subpar food as you are telling them it's ok, since they are giving you a discount. My philosophy is that it's not ok, in any circumstance, whether paid for in cash or DP, KWIM?

Happy eating to all, Tiger

 

[crisi]

I actually agree with you here too! Based on all of the steaks we've had on property, Yachtsmen is by far the best. I would absolutely pay a few dollars more for those steaks, but again, they aren't all the same steaks - there is much more selection at Yachtsmen, you can pick your own cut, etc.

My point is that it shouldn't matter what price someone pays for the meal - if it's bad, it's bad. You might be disappointed as it cost you more out of your pocket, and I can understand that, but for us, we don't really make a distinction as to whether a bad meal is paid for by cash or DP. If it's bad, we comment on it, or mention to manager/chef in the hopes that it will improve for the next diners - this is where I am coming from.

Most people have the attitude that it's no big deal if the food or service is bad, because they are on the DP and Disney is paying, and this attitude really bothers me. 1) You are paying, just not as much as someone paying cash and 2) Not mentioning anything might not improve the situation, and then I go and spend my hard earned money there and receive the same subpar food. If more people on the DP speak up instead of saying it's no big deal as the food is discounted, then perhaps this will tell Disney something.

Basically, this attitude allows Disney to serve you subpar food as you are telling them it's ok, since they are giving you a discount. My philosophy is that it's not ok, in any circumstance, whether paid for in cash or DP, KWIM?

Happy eating to all, Tiger

Well, with the exception of one steak on one entree, we've never had a "bad" steak at Le Cellier....we just have never had one that lived up to what has been the hype here. Until the past eighteen months or so, I've though Le Cellier was a "good value" - i.e. the steak was worth what you were paying for it - if that was out of pocket or on the dining plan. It didn't deserve being called "the best steak at Disney" - but it was a good value. Now its still a good value on the dining plan, it just isn't out of pocket. It isn't a "bad steak" - its a "bad steak for the money." I don't expect Disney to give me Yachtsman quality food for $45 a day (or whatever the dining plan is). But since we don't do the dining plan, I do expect a $35 steak to be a $35 steak - Le Cellier's aren't - but they are perfectly good $20 steaks - maybe even $25 steaks.

I've also never had bad service at Le Cellier (unlike - oh, say - Jiko). I don't find the restaurant any more crowded than any other 1 credit WDW restaurant - and plenty of space in comparison to San Angel Inn.

 

[Tiger926]

Well, with the exception of one steak on one entree, we've never had a "bad" steak at Le Cellier....we just have never had one that lived up to what has been the hype here. Until the past eighteen months or so, I've though Le Cellier was a "good value" - i.e. the steak was worth what you were paying for it - if that was out of pocket or on the dining plan. It didn't deserve being called "the best steak at Disney" - but it was a good value. Now its still a good value on the dining plan, it just isn't out of pocket. It isn't a "bad steak" - its a "bad steak for the money." I don't expect Disney to give me Yachtsman quality food for $45 a day (or whatever the dining plan is). But since we don't do the dining plan, I do expect a $35 steak to be a $35 steak - Le Cellier's aren't - but they are perfectly good $20 steaks - maybe even $25 steaks.

I've also never had bad service at Le Cellier (unlike - oh, say - Jiko). I don't find the restaurant any more crowded than any other 1 credit WDW restaurant - and plenty of space in comparison to San Angel Inn.

We've eaten here tons of times for L & D, and sadly, it has gone downhill. Just last night my hubby (it used to be his favourite) said how disappointed our last experience was - terrible service (server dropped food on us because he was chatting with a cute girl next to us - I kid you not), subpar food and overbooked. We compared it to no other restaurants but itself, so for us, it's gone downhill.

Thanks for the discussion, Tiger

 

[LWcalif]

LC used to be one of our favorite restaurants. However, when we ate there in 2007, our food tasted like a shaker of salt was dumped on it. We debated dining there again, but since we were on the deluxe dining plan last year, we decided to add it to our list for lunch. Food was horrible. Depending on the entree......cold, over cooked, under cooked, you name it - it was bad. Service wasn't any better. This will be the 1st year we won't be adding LC to our list.

 

[CarolA]

Well, I have posted several times that this place is not what it used to be, I think it's a victim of it's own success....

There are much better filets at Disney! The soup is great, but... unless that's all you are getting LOL!

I don't even try to get reservations anymore. I go to Jiko or one of the other steak places if I want steak.

And no, I didn't get an "off day" I have given it three tries...

I do travel and get to eat out a lot so my standards are "it has to be worth the calories" not just nice LOL!

 

[Pumbaa_]

I agree completely! Le Cellier used to be on my must do list. The place was a favorite. great food, great sevice and then eh
It became super popular and it was only 1 credit on the DDP.

Now it is nothing special IMHO. They have scrunched in as many tables as possible, you become new bff with the table next to you and the food and service, not quite as special as it used to be

For anyone who still loves the place, I am very glad that you do

We will not be back