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

[tarheelmjfan]

I always wonder why this is an issue for people? We have paid out of pocket many times, and have been on DP, and guess what? Our expectations and reactions are the same. I assume you are meaning because people might feel more 'ripped off' if paying out of pocket, as opposed to being on DP as Disney is paying? People need to remember, that they are still paying - perhaps it's not as much as someone paying out of pocket, but they are still paying, nonetheless, so not saying anything about bad food or service just because one is on the DP, is irresponsible.

I would suggest this is why food and service is sinking. It shouldn't matter how one is paying for a meal - if it's subpar, it should be noted as such as that is the only way it is going to improve.

I think this whole attitude (not saying you espouse this belief as you just asked the question) is very selfish and is contributing to the subpar food and service we have been experiencing as of late, IMHO.

Tiger

LC's steaks are an incredible value on the DDP. By the time you deduct the dessert, drink, CS meal, & snack, you're paying around $20-$22 for the steak. Those paying OOP would be paying $33-$35 for the same steak. Personally, I expect more from a $35 steak than one that costs me $22.

 

[shortchange1026]

We ate there this past October and didn't find it as good as when we were there in 2005. We had a great meal there 3 years ago so DH wanted to go again. Calling 180 days out all I could get was a 4pm dinner reservation. We were soooo rushed it wasn't even funny, our waiter was horrible, talked down to us the whole time. The cheese soup and pretzel bread were fabulous and my DH's mushroom filet was great, but my prime rib was sooo raw it wasn't even funny. I had to fight with the waiter to take it back. I got a lecture on how the prime rib is slow roasted for 3 hours and how medium rare is a cool pink center. I know that, but mine is raw and I know what medium rare is, why would I order my meat that way if I didn't know what it was?? Not cool. Just apologize and take it back. We were in and out in less than 45 minutes. We were paying oop, but it would have been uncool whether we were on the DDP or paying oop. Like a previous poster said, to me it was like a get 'em in and get 'em out situation.

I think sometimes it's the luck of the draw or what your personal opinion of what good food/service is. We definitely won't be going back next trip and will try something different.

 

[dltnboz3mom]

My DH loves the soup and the moosehead ale. When we were there last Jan our service and food were both terrible. We had 5:30 ADR's and a walkin was taken in in front of us. When I asked the little snot at the podium about this she explained that "there were only 3 of them". Guess they have alot of tables for 3 that I have never noticed before. Not going back...too many other places to eat in Disney to put up with that type of service.

 

[crisi]

LC's steaks are an incredible value on the DDP. By the time you deduct the dessert, drink, CS meal, & snack, you're paying around $20-$22 for the steak. Those paying OOP would be paying $33-$35 for the same steak. Personally, I expect more from a $35 steak than one that costs me $22.

Le Cellier - three years ago or so - used to be a good deal off the dining plan. The steaks were priced higher than your local offsite chain steak place, but not much so - and did tend to be a cut above the local Outback.

Prices went up, and - IMO - quality went down - so you are now getting an Outback steak, but paying a price for it out of pocket that is almost the same as Yachtsman (making Yachtsman a great value OOP - its about $5 more). However, Yachtmans is a two credit restaurant. And entree that is $5 more (and a total meal that will cost an extra $15 or so over Le Cellier) for a much better meal is a value, but an extra dining credit worth of value?

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Sort of off topic, sort of on. (We ate at LeCellier for the first time in November and loved it, we too ate there for lunch.)

But DH and I ate at Cali Grill on our last trip (annivarsary dinner). We found it to be our worst meal of our trip. It's wasn't bad, but nothing special at all. We left wishing we had gone to WPE again instead. To each his own I guess. I would go back to leCellier in a heartbeat, but won't rush back to cali Grill anytime soon...

 

[princess&her4princes]

We love it!!! Ate there for lunch in December 2008 and it was the best meal of our whole trip!! Can't wait to go back....September 2009!

 

[5boyz]

I am from Canada and I didnt like it neither did my husband...will never go again!!!

 

[skater]

LC's steaks are an incredible value on the DDP. By the time you deduct the dessert, drink, CS meal, & snack, you're paying around $20-$22 for the steak. Those paying OOP would be paying $33-$35 for the same steak. Personally, I expect more from a $35 steak than one that costs me $22.

When I spend $22 on anything, I expect a lot out of it. A bad steak is a bad steak whether you're on the dp or not. If I'm on the dp, I could use that credit at other places that have better food - now that's good value .

 

[crisi]

When I spend $22 on anything, I expect a lot out of it. A bad steak is a bad steak whether you're on the dp or not. If I'm on the dp, I could use that credit at other places that have better food - now that's good value .

I don't think most of the steaks I've had at Le Cellier have been bad $22 steaks (my husband's was on the last trip, but it was the exception). Most have been good $22 steaks - they've just been lousy $35 steaks.

The double cheeseburger at McDonalds for a $1 is a darn good burger for a buck! For $7, no one would ever order it.

 

[dklam]

We ate lunch there during our recent trip. It was "ok". I did not care for my prime rib sandwich at all. My husband said his steak was just alright. I was disappointed as I had always read such awesome reviews. I definitely wouldn't rush back to eat there. Maybe it would have been better if we had eaten dinner there instead, but we were unable to get a reservation for dinner. Just curious if I am the only one out there who didn't care for it all that much.

We were in the same situation - couldn't get a dinner reservation so we did lunch. Mixed reviews - I loved my filet mignon - it was perfect! I didn't want the rice and they substitued mashed potatoes without a problem. DD also got the prime rib sandwich, and found it kind of dry. But, she also doesn't like onions or horseradish sauce, so she only had it with the melted cheese. Maybe that is why it was dry?? DH got the mushroom ravioli - said it was delicious, but very rich. Also, he had a bit of a diabetic "reaction" later that day - we thought that maybe it was the salad dressing? He usually is very careful, but didn't ask and it came with the dressing already on. The desserts were great and loved the breadsticks! DH asked for the sugar-free dessert, but hardly had any because he was so full. We had a wonderful server! I am glad we tried it - this trip I made it a point to make ADRs at all new restaurants that we had never tried. All in all, I would give it a B+! (that's the teacher in me!) I also thought being on the dining plan for this was a great deal - I would NEVER pay that much out-of-pocket for lunch!!

Oh, and one thing I learned - in the future, no big meals mid-day. We all got kind of tired and it made us avoid some of the rides we were planning on doing for a few hours. I much prefer dinner or breakfast reservations!

 

[Tiger926]

LC's steaks are an incredible value on the DDP. By the time you deduct the dessert, drink, CS meal, & snack, you're paying around $20-$22 for the steak. Those paying OOP would be paying $33-$35 for the same steak. Personally, I expect more from a $35 steak than one that costs me $22.

I guess I don't understand your logic - a bad steak, is a bad steak, period. Again, this is related to selfish reasons as you are only looking out for your bottom line with this logic. It shouldn't matter how much has been paid for that steak - whether $22 or $35, it's the same bad steak.

I could never understand this logic, Tiger

 

[skater]

I don't think most of the steaks I've had at Le Cellier have been bad $22 steaks (my husband's was on the last trip, but it was the exception). Most have been good $22 steaks - they've just been lousy $35 steaks.

The double cheeseburger at McDonalds for a $1 is a darn good burger for a buck! For $7, no one would ever order it.

I understand your point. However (you knew there had to be a however, right?), a $1 is not much to throw away. But I do understand what you're saying - and you're right, I guess I do expect more for $35 than I do for $22.

Also, I guess its just a matter of opinion - the last couple meals we've had at LeCellier have not even been good $22 meals, unfortunately (in our opinion). I just feel sad that what used to be a consistently good place to eat has gone downhill. Like I said, I think they're still good for soup.

 

[Jenvenza]

We ate there in September, and thought it would be great from all the reviews I have read. We were so disappointed. It was probably our least favorite meal of the trip. The only good thing about it was the dessert. maple Creme Brulee - you cant go wrong with that! But I wouldnt go there again.

 

[nobodies36]

It wasn't a bad meal per se, just nothing to write home about. My steak was really salty (but cooked to perfection).

 

[Stacy_C]

Been there. Done that. Won't do it again.

It is SO overrated IMO.

 

[crisi]

I understand your point. However (you knew there had to be a however, right?), a $1 is not much to throw away. But I do understand what you're saying - and you're right, I guess I do expect more for $35 than I do for $22.

Also, I guess its just a matter of opinion - the last couple meals we've had at LeCellier have not even been good $22 meals, unfortunately (in our opinion). I just feel sad that what used to be a consistently good place to eat has gone downhill. Like I said, I think they're still good for soup.

And one dining plan credit isn't a lot to throw away either. Le Cellier is, IMHO, no worse than San Angel Inn or Marrakesh. The food is better than Sci Fi or Chef Mickeys. I've probably tasted fifteen steaks over the past ten years at Le Cellier - one was bad. Three - many years ago - were incredible. The rest were rather meh - Outback quality steaks.

 

[SGMCO]

It seems that most of the ones who don't like
LC are big Meat/steak eaters.
I don't eat beef or chicken and will be trying
LC Seafood.

I'm not going to get my expectations to high but
I am hoping to enjoy my dinner.
It looks like it will be easy to get ADRs if no one like it anymore.

I think all of the WDW restaurants should be tried at least
once so each person can make up there own mind.
There are some people that just love Garden Grill and
Chef Mickey, they can't go to WDW without eating there
and I think these are Gross. But that is just my Opinion
and that's all it is--I'm not a Dining Expert.

 

[Jenvenza]

It seems that most of the ones who don't like
LC are big Meat/steak eaters.
I don't eat beef or chicken and will be trying
LC Seafood.
I'm not going to get my expectations to high but
I am hoping to enjoy my dinner.
It looks like it will be easy to get ADRs if no one like it anymore.

I think all of the WDW restaurants should be tried at least
once so each person can make up there own mind.
There are some people that just love Garden Grill and
Chef Mickey, they can't go to WDW without eating there
and I think these are Gross. But that is just my Opinion
and that's all it is--I'm not a Dining Expert.

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.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I guess I don't understand your logic - a bad steak, is a bad steak, period. Again, this is related to selfish reasons as you are only looking out for your bottom line with this logic. It shouldn't matter how much has been paid for that steak - whether $22 or $35, it's the same bad steak.

I could never understand this logic, Tiger

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.

 

[casndan]

I've only been to LC once but it was outstanding all around, the steak was delicious, my appetizer was amazing ( I didn't get the cheese soup, I got the tomato with the balsamic reduction, I don't remember what it was called), my creme brulee was delicious, it was our anniversary so they brought us champagne, I really really loved it, and it is by far my favorite restaurant in WS.