Le Cellier or Signature?

[jakenzie32]

DH, DS (5), DD (6) and myself will be visiting the world in August. Lately I have read almost all bad reviews of Le Cellier. We have never eaten there and for the price we could probably throw in another $20 and eat a Signature Restaurant. We are not on the DDP. What's your opinion and which Signature would you suggest? My husband will order steak and I will order either steak or fish (not tuna, but probably more adventuresome than salmon.) No appetizers or desserts will be ordered. Thanks for your help.

 

[gismo1554]

Go signature and go for Yachtsman Steakhouse. Although Le Cellier I enjoyed and the steak was fantastic if you're not on the dining plan and are definately going for steak Yachtsman is fantastic and as said not that much more money

 

[dreamer17555]

Since you are not on the DDP do a signature. Le Cellier is great if you are on DDP as it is only one credit and signatures are two but out of pocket cost is only a little higher.

-Becca-

 

[flipflop]

I also vote for signature. I rec. Jiko - great filet and several seafood options.

 

[BriarRosie]

I've posted my Kona dinner review in my Larded and Loaded food report (in the reviews sub-forum. I feel the food at Kona is very good without the cost of the signature dining.

And I have pics of the food, too. (But the pork chop came out blurry.)

 

[jakenzie32]

Thanks for the advice. Now I will have to decide which Signature. My decision will probably be based on price and which park we will be at that day. Jiko says it has African flavors, but will the steak pretty much taste like an "American Steak?"

 

[Pakey]

The filet at JIKO is cooked in a wine reduction sauce and served over a small portion of macaroni and cheese. It's one of the best entrees on property, IMO. It did not have any weird spicy taste to it. Our picky eater adult children all love this particular dish. I haven't thought any of the entrees I've had here were all that unusual (but very good). The appetizers have some interesting choices though if you like to experiment.

 

[flipflop]

The filet at JIKO is cooked in a wine reduction sauce and served over a small portion of macaroni and cheese. It's one of the best entrees on property, IMO. It did not have any weird spicy taste to it. Our picky eater adult children all love this particular dish. I haven't thought any of the entrees I've had here were all that unusual (but very good). The appetizers have some interesting choices though if you like to experiment.

ITA with this description. I am a picky eater and the filet at Jiko was awesome and didn't have any unusual seasoning on it. I found the mac n cheese to be salty but I think it needed the salt to stand up to the red wine sauce. I also agree that most of the more unusual flavors are found in the appetizer section.

I also wanted to add that if you haven't been to AKL, it is gorgeous. You can take your kids out to see the animals and if it is dark after dinner, you can get night vision goggles and watch. Fun resort to visit.

 

[DisneyGal358]

Another vote for Jiko!

My husband and I went this past September during the free dining program. We used this opportunity to eat at some wonderful places we had never been (Signature Dining). Jiko was our favorite meal!

I had the Filet Mignon and he had the BBQ-Braised Beef Short Rib.

 

[Hopefully]

Another vote for Jiko, especially if your children are good in nicer restaurants. We love it there. The atmosphere is beautiful, the service is wonderful and we find the food outstanding. The atmosphere in October was very quiet and subdued.
We did not enjoy the Yachtsman Steakhouse at all, and it is a restaurant that we will not return to. I know that I am in the minority on this.
The restaurant is beautiful and the service was wonderful, but none of us enjoyed our food (except for the rolls which were heavenly). It was too heavily spiced for us. For example the Horseradish Mashed Potatoes were way too spicey for me, and I like Horseradish. None of us really enjoyed our steak either. It was the meal I had most looked forward to and I was truly disappointed.
Have a Great Trip.

 

[Leota]

Another vote for a Signature. I don't get the LeCellier madness at all. I've tried a couple times, but haven't had a good meal there since 1999, to be honest with you.

Jiko is fantastic. Our favorite signature right now. We also like BlueZoo alot. They specialize in seafood, but do make a mean steak there as well.

 

[tinkandpan]

I too would say a signature restaurant. Jiko is terrific but I also enjoy the food at California Grill and my kids love to watch the view (we have yet to see wishes- but they love watching for the train and such). In addition, I would also give another vote for a nonsignature Kona which delivers very good consistent food at a lower cost and much more casual atmosphere.

 

[CarolA]

Signature!

Le Cellier is a victim of it's own success. It's noisy, service is so so and after the soup course food is just goo.

Mypersonal fave is Jiko.

 

[ZoZo]

I guess I'm in the minority - I had lunch at Le Cellier in October and loved it! (Excellent prime rib sandwich!) It was one of my favorite meals of my trip, and not super expensive (around $10). I've never had a bad meal at Le Cellier.

I guess I'd say, take all restaurant reviews with a grain of salt (no pun intended). For every person who likes a restaurant, you'll get one who doesn't. Case in point: I had a terrible meal at Raglan Road in October (by far our worst meal of the trip - lukewarm, soggy fish and chips) but lots of people list it as one of their favorite restaurants.

 

[cmonroe]

ZoZo,

I'm in the 'minority' with you. We eat at Le Cellier every visit. We have always had good food, good drinks and good service there. We will continue to visit and enjoy it!

 

[daisy112878]

My number 1 choice is Jiko. I had the filet in december and it was soooo much better then my filet at Le Cellier. The last 2 times (Nov and Dec 2007) we went to Le Cellier they couldn't get the steaks cooked right. Not a good thing for a restaurant like that. Coming in second was Brown Derby the last two times we were there we had great filets.