Le Cellier: Lunch vs Dinner?

[dreamsofdisney]

I'm sure this has been asked a zillion times, but I couldn't find a thread, so I figured I'd ask, too!

I finally get to make our ADRs on Friday!



All along, I've planned on Le Cellier for dinner on our first Epcot night. I knew that it would be a 2 TS meal, but it's a favorite for my family, so I didn't mind. Actually, the main reason we were doing dinner instead of lunch is that the chicken that I loved so much on our last trp is only listed on the dinner menu.

Now I'm starting to have second thoughts. Other than not having the chicken at lunch, the only difference I've heard is that the steak portion sizes are slighlty smaller. (DH says he doesn't mind.) Anyone know any other difference, other than the obvious: price/# of TS credits?

I'm thinking of scheduling Le Cellier for lunch instead, and La Hacienda for dinner and Illuminations viewing.

TIA for your input!

 

[Alabama Minnie]

I have eaten dinner there several times and this past week we had lunch. I got the filet for lunch and my DH got the strip. Both were great as usual. They were both plenty when you had a cup of cheese soup and all that pretzel bread. We even had room for dessert between the two of us. We paid OOP and it was about $10 less pp.

 

[Tricia1972]

It's hard to speculate what the menu will be once it goes to 2TS credits. They have promised an exciting new menu, so there could be a big difference between lunch and dinner. We may not know for sure what it is until we are much closer to the actual change.

One thing that I would guess is that with dinner being 2TS and lunch being 1TS, that there will be no more subbing dinner items at lunch. It may be possible to go the other way, but it would surprise me if they still let people sub dinner items at lunch. (otherwise why would anyone pay 2TS credits for dinner?)

 

[dreamsofdisney]

Thanks for the input!



Of course, I'm still as undecided as ever. I was starting to lean towards Le Cellier for lunch and La Hacienda for dinner, but I'm curious about the new menu. Maybe we should just stick it out for dinner and plan to do the usual wait super early for our good Illuminations viewing spot. We'll be at WDW for 11 days, but somehow, only one evening at Epcot, so I'm trying to get it right!

ANOTHER IDEA: We could schedule a late lunch or very early dinner at Le Cellier, and then get a snack and drinks at La Cantina around 7:30-7:45 and hang out for the view from the patio...

 

[jgazda]

We ate there a week ago and had a new menu item we were told would be on the menu when it changed to the 2TS. It was a veal chop with some sort of reduction on it with a bread pudding stuffed into a tomato half with a vegetable. Seriously the best meal I have ever eaten. I can't stop thinking about it. If it indeed stays on the menu I would not even think twice about using two credits to have that meal again. Simply amazing!

 

[Tinker74]

I just hope they keep the mushroom filet on the menu!!...Lunch or dinner i don't care just PLEASE keep my Filet!!

 

[rlahansler]

I have lunch ADRs on March 19th at 130p for my family of four. I mainly care about the chedder cheese soup, but some steak options would be good too!!!

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

I'm having a terrible time trying to figure out what to do about LeCellier for our May trip too. I can't make our ADRs for another month and it may drive me straight up the wall by them. I don't really want to commit 2 TS credits to it but we loved it so much last time that I have a hard time leaving it out. Not knowing what the menu will be is definitely making it even harder. I'm considering just booking a late lunch to keep it at 1 TS credit.

Does anyone know what the latest lunch ADR time might be?

 

[taymorel]

I had lunch there last May and it was awesome. We are going back in May 2011 and I plan to just have lunch there because I don't want to waste 2 TS credits. But, I say if you can afford it go for the dinner--it was yummy!



caroline
May 2010 CR
May 2011 AKL

 

[dreamsofdisney]

We ate there a week ago and had a new menu item we were told would be on the menu when it changed to the 2TS. It was a veal chop with some sort of reduction on it with a bread pudding stuffed into a tomato half with a vegetable. Seriously the best meal I have ever eaten. I can't stop thinking about it. If it indeed stays on the menu I would not even think twice about using two credits to have that meal again. Simply amazing!

I don't eat veal, but DH would probably love this! It might even make him forget about his mushroom filet! Thanks for the glowing review!

I just hope they keep the mushroom filet on the menu!!...Lunch or dinner i don't care just PLEASE keep my Filet!!

DH said the same thing about the mushroom filet. It was his favorite meal last trip!

I have lunch ADRs on March 19th at 130p for my family of four. I mainly care about the chedder cheese soup, but some steak options would be good too!!!

Yummmm...Cheddar Cheese soup! My DS17 said all he cares about is the pretzel bread! I'm pretty sure they'll always have steak on the menu since it's called Le Cellier Steakhouse! Enjoy your meal!

I'm having a terrible time trying to figure out what to do about LeCellier for our May trip too. I can't make our ADRs for another month and it may drive me straight up the wall by them. I don't really want to commit 2 TS credits to it but we loved it so much last time that I have a hard time leaving it out. Not knowing what the menu will be is definitely making it even harder. I'm considering just booking a late lunch to keep it at 1 TS credit.

Does anyone know what the latest lunch ADR time might be?

Lunch ADRs at Le Cellier are 11:30-3:00. Dinner starts at 4:00. I'm STILL going nuts, and I have less than 2 days before I make our ADRs! : I don't mind the 2TS, but now I'm wondering if when they change the menu, it will be a "business casual" dress for dinner, as some of the other 2TS restaurants are. I don't want to have to worry about forcing my teenage son into wearing "something nice" for Epcot.

I think I'd kind of decided that we'd do lunch at Le Cellier and a late dinner at La Hacineda, but then I read that the viewing for Illiuminations is much better from the pation outside...So maybe we'd be better off skipping La Hacineda and having a later lunch/early dinner at Le Cellier and having some yummy churros on the patio of La Cantina???

I had lunch there last May and it was awesome. We are going back in May 2011 and I plan to just have lunch there because I don't want to waste 2 TS credits. But, I say if you can afford it go for the dinner--it was yummy!

Keep an eye out for my trip report when we get back. I'll have a review of the "new" Le Cellier - complete with pics!

 

[dreamsofdisney]

Just found this online at examiner.com in an article by ***** ********:
"...And if Le Cellier Steakhouse upgrades to a Signature Dining experience, there would likely be other changes to align it with restaurants with the same designation. A menu redesign would take place, with new dishes reflecting the price increases mentioned above. Also, Le Cellier might shift to accommodate fewer tables; Disney’s Signature Dining restaurants tend to offer guests an intimate, exclusive dining experience – though Le Cellier is already a relatively small restaurant.

In addition, a “Resort casual” dress code would probably be adopted (e.g. no tank tops, cut-offs, swimsuits or cover-ups, hats for men, or torn clothing; business casual is recommended – khakis or dress slacks for men, dresses or dress slacks and capris for women – although nice shorts and dressy t-shirts are allowed). Although not strictly enforced in the theme parks, the dress code is recommended for Signature Dining restaurants."


I'm leaning even more towards dinner. We're all usually dressed pretty well for the parks, and aren't in the habit of wearing cut-offs or swimsuits to Epcot, but DS17 only wears jeans and sometimes baggy, cargo shorts.

 

[Tricia1972]

Just a word of caution when reading examiner.com. Articles by there are written by, well anyone. I (or anyone from here) could write an article and proclaim it fact, even though we know no more than the average joe on the street.

Just something to keep in mind when considering that as a source of authority.

(Also, Brown Derby is the signature that LeCellier will be most closely related to, and they do not have the same dress code as other restaurants, so it's just as likely that they won't require a dress code)

Until Disney makes an announcment, it's all just speculation on all of our parts.

 

[dreamsofdisney]

Thanks, Tricia! I just stumbled upon that article via Google. Can you tell I'm obsessing a bit?

 

[MrsLS]

glad the veal got such a great review. I plan to get that when I am there.

Also as far as the dress code, even if it was 2 TS credits and listed as a signature, I don't think the dress code would apply since it is in the park as with the Brown Derby.

 

[bcvmargs]

I've only ever eaten their for dinner but give the cost savings you are all talking about I think I'm going to check out the lunch menu. I just wish they still had the maple bbq steak that think was amazing.

 

[GovieMom]

I just wish they still had the maple bbq steak that think was amazing.

That was my favorite! On our trip earlier this year I asked if I could still get it and was told no. I settled for the mushroom filet, but it tasted so bland compared to the BBQ maple. My son got a NY Strip which was excellent, so I'll get that next time (sure hope it'll still be on the lunch menu though).

 

[trixiequilts]

Does anyone know the sizes of the filet at lunch vs. dinner? Thanks!

 

[loislane]

We had lunch at Le Cellier when we were there last year. It was DELICIOUS! We each chose the chef's favorites with cheddar cheese soup, shaved prime rib sandwich, and chocolate moose. But let me tell you - we were STUFFED afterward and didn't bother eating dinner that night!

 

[ZoZo]

Have had both lunch and dinner there, and loved both. Last trip went there for lunch, and wasn't sure what to order.

I got the (bear with me, can't remember the exact name) "shaved" prime rib sandwich. It's kind of like a french dip - it was fabulous! Since it was made from prime rib, the quality of the meat was excellent - no fat, no gristle. Just great, tender, flavorful meat. Yumm.

 

[dreamsofdisney]

Thanks everyone! I get to make our ADRs tomorrow morning, and I'm planning on LUNCH at Le Cellier. I'm hoping the lunch menu doesn't change too much, because they still have the filet on the menu for lunch last I checked. We'll plan on a VERY light breakfast, later lunch at Le Cellier, and then a late dinner at either La Hacienda or La Cantina (depending on how hungry we are by then. The bonus is, if we don't do La Hacienda, we can add another lunch at Le Cellier on another of our Epcot days!



Thanks for your input!