Le Cellier - Disappointing

[nbodyhome]

I have enjoyed this restaurant for as long as I can remember, even before it was a steakhouse.

I did 11 nights on the dining plan (though used many credits "to-go" and are in my fridge/freezer). It is too much food for me to eat on the DDP, but it was free - so I had a chance to try some new restaurants, and old. My favorite was Tutto Italia, the food was GREAT, I was there 3 times.

Le Cellier on the other hand, was not so good. The first night, I ordered the mushroom filet. For those who remember, the filet actually used to be stuffed with mushrooms. That was the best. Then it was with large mushrooms, and it was still great. Now, it's mushrooms chopped up into risotto (I don't even like risotto, at least this was pretty salty). The experience was great - I had lovely people on either side of me. Unfortunately on the left side of me, they had their ticket lost and it took an hour for them to get their food. On the right side, they received HUGE steaks, and then the waiter brought (as they requested) a tiny souffle cup of extra au jus. He didn't tell them until that moment that it was an extra cost. In the end, I don't think he charged for it - but we all found it amusing that they'd charge extra for what essentially is the juice of the steak.

The second time, my DH and I went for lunch. The filet was okay, the chocolate moose was excellent, as was the beef barley soup. But the steaks just don't seem the same to me anymore, and I used to really enjoy this restaurant (for many, many years). I'm not in any rush to go back. Also, the chef is from another restaurant - the last chef went to Jiko, and I was told that the new chef is from The Coral Reef. Our waiter for the second meal was EXCELLENT, his name is Patrick - I'd ask for him if I went back again. The first waitress was okay, but my DH and I both agreed that Patrick would be on top of any lost ticket (you could tell that he was very aware and on top of his tables).

Denise

 

[simonkodousek]

When we dined at Le Cellier (lunch) this July, I wasn't very impressed. The food seemed a bit off-par with the prices, but then again, so does everything in WDW.

My $22 filet mignon was VERY VERY small with a VERY small amount of parmesan mashed potatoes underneath. However, the steak was tender, and cooked just right with the perfect spice blend. But for $22 it was WAY too small.

We had Patrick also and thought he was an excellent waiter. He described the restaurant to us, along with some of the best things on the menu. Needless to say, he got a big tip!

 

[nbodyhome]

We had Patrick also and thought he was an excellent waiter. He described the restaurant to us, along with some of the best things on the menu. Needless to say, he got a big tip!

We should have left him more (though he does get the 18% on the DDP), I do need to write to Disney to give him a compliment! At first, I didn't think he was as personable - he was efficient, but he was actually friendly too (he was busy, so you can't always get lots of time with a server). But we never needed to ask for refills, he was always right there.

The steaks we had were decent, but I used to really love the filets at Le Cellier. I didn't need a bigger filet than what I had, but I used to rave about the steaks - and neither were raving quality. And I didn't have one mushroom on or in my mushroom filet, the mushrooms were in the risotto.

Anyway - I'm not trying to stop anyone from going, but the restaurant menu has changed some (in the way items are cooked) since my last times there. And for me, it wasn't for the better. If you are expecting big mushrooms on your filet, that isn't how it's cooked.

 

[andrews1]

We ate there last week, I was sooo excited about it, and it was TERRIBLE! My prime rib and DH's filet were soooo salty (and I like salty food). DH sent his filet back, it tasted like someone has poured salt on it, and it was cooked medium (at the least) and he had ordered it rare. The second one they brought was better, but still not good. We were very disappointed. It was the worst meal of the trip.

 

[nbodyhome]

We ate there last week, I was sooo excited about it, and it was TERRIBLE! My prime rib and DH's filet were soooo salty (and I like salty food). DH sent his filet back, it tasted like someone has poured salt on it, and it was cooked medium (at the least) and he had ordered it rare. The second one they brought was better, but still not good. We were very disappointed. It was the worst meal of the trip.

Neither of my steaks tasted overly salty, but the risotto definitely tasted EXTREMELY salty. I don't like a lot of salt, I tend to cook low sodium - a little is okay, but my risotto was definitely like your steak was. It's too bad, as that is where the poor mushrooms were buried.

I am really sorry about your experience! I just didn't want anyone being surprised to find a filet without noticeable mushrooms.

 

[simonkodousek]

IMO, it's pretty sad that Le Cellier's quality is so low. They have some of the best staff members (other than the chef) and they get to work in a restaurant where the food isn't right...

 

[nbodyhome]

IMO, it's pretty sad that Le Cellier's quality is so low. They have some of the best staff members (other than the chef) and they get to work in a restaurant where the food isn't right...

One of my waiters was just so-so. The other one was fantastic. And not everything was bad for me, but the steaks weren't great and my potatoes were overcooked. And as I mentioned, wayyyy oversalted risotto.

But the barley soup and chocolate moose were very good. That was about it, I guess. Perhaps Jiko would have been a better choice, as that is where the Le Cellier chef went!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Ate at Le Cellier in August. Puny mussels, salty mushroom filet. The only thing that was good about my meal was the Smores and the service. I won't be going back.

 

[Lisa D]

We, on the other hand, had a great meal in August. DS's 15 and 12 had their first taste of filet minon (we didn't find it salty), the Mussels and Duck appy's were awesome, and we loved the Mushroom filets.

Oh, and by the way, Patrick rocks!

 

[nbodyhome]

We, on the other hand, had a great meal in August. DS's 15 and 12 had their first taste of filet minon (we didn't find it salty), the Mussels and Duck appy's were awesome, and we loved the Mushroom filets.

Oh, and by the way, Patrick rocks!

Patrick appears to be taking care of everyone! Did you get any mushrooms actually on your filet at that time? I was told that they changed the meal recently. I was wondering why I didn't see one mushroom, Patrick told me (on my lunch visit when I asked) that they changed from the large mushrooms with the filet to the small ones, chopped up into the risotto.

 

[Anna T.]

My daughters love Patrick. He served us in May 2006 and they still talk about it. He was kidding with them and told them some jokes and every once in a while it still comes up. Mostly when I'm dancing in the kitchen.

BTW....also noticed this past June that the food wasn't as good as previous years.

 

[nbodyhome]

My daughters love Patrick. He served us in May 2006 and they still talk about it. He was kidding with them and told them some jokes and every once in a while it still comes up. Mostly when I'm dancing in the kitchen.

BTW....also noticed this past June that the food wasn't as good as previous years.

That seems like a long time for an international worker, I thought they were on 1 year contracts? But that is great that Disney has had him longer than a year. Sorry about your meal too. I miss the old mushroom filet!

 

[Atotty]

May be more than one.

 

[nbodyhome]

May be more than one.

They may have switched it - though all the foreign workers I've met here have been a year or under (the ones I've spoke with about their jobs).

 

[andrews1]

Neither of my steaks tasted overly salty, but the risotto definitely tasted EXTREMELY salty. I don't like a lot of salt, I tend to cook low sodium - a little is okay, but my risotto was definitely like your steak was. It's too bad, as that is where the poor mushrooms were buried.

I am really sorry about your experience! I just didn't want anyone being surprised to find a filet without noticeable mushrooms.

That's funny...the risotto was the only thing we liked! Well, the chocolate cake was pretty good, too.

 

[nbodyhome]

That's funny...the risotto was the only thing we liked! Well, the chocolate cake was pretty good, too.

I didn't like the chocolate cake this time! The chocolate moose I had the 2nd meal was very tasty, though.

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

I did 11 nights on the dining plan (though used many credits "to-go" and are in my fridge/freezer). It is too much food for me to eat on the DDP, but it was free - so I had a chance to try some new restaurants, and old. My favorite was Tutto Italia, the food was GREAT, I was there 3 times.

Denise,

Could you please post a review of Tutto Italia? There have only been 2 or 3 reviews so far, and I know I'm not the only DISer eagerly awaiting more info!

 

[nbodyhome]

Denise,

Could you please post a review of Tutto Italia? There have only been 2 or 3 reviews so far, and I know I'm not the only DISer eagerly awaiting more info!

Kristen -

I don't have time to write anything lengthy right now, but I do have one up (I'll send the link) to you in a PM. I had the strip steak all 3 times, it was excellent - the potatoes were always perfectly done, and I had the mozzarella and tomato appetizer. The desserts I had were so good too. For the dining plan, it's terrific. And everyone I dined with over the 3 times (one time I was alone, but there were a total of 6 others total with me over the other 2 meals) loved their food. Again, I'd not pay cash - but I would use dining credits. Remember also, it is not Disney owned - so they do not get an 18% tip on the full amount. (the tip they get is around $5.31 per person dining).

 

[nbodyhome]

Hi Kristen!

I can't PM you (you have them blocked). You can send me your email if you want, and I can send a link to my review/pics of Tutto Italia. I just can't post the link here. I still need to work on other reviews, but I've been so busy this week (I was at Disney 11 days, but we are in the middle of moving to a house). Or you can google my screen name and Tutto Italia, you'll find it quickly.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

I loved this restaurant when it was cafeteria-styled years ago. I really miss the meat pie and was sad to see it go. I couldn't figure out why they didn't keep it on the lunch menu at least.

One problem I've had with Le Cellier is they always overcooked my steak. Then I had to wait for a new one. This happend every time I ate there, and it didn't matter what cut of meat I ordered.

And the service is always so slow. So if you don't plan on spending at least 2 hours for dinner, don't eat there.

Their steaks were always *just OK* and nothing to write home about.

At Tutto's did you order the cannoli by any chance?