Le Cellier: The worst meal we've ever had on Disney property

[UnderTheMistletoe]

Hi all-

We returned home very early Saturday (our plane was coming from Chicago to MCO in that horrible weather) morning from our 6 night/7 day stay. This was our food and alcohol trip to celebrate my Birthday. One of the places I was so excited to go, after hearing such rave reviews here, was Le Cellier. At this point, I would never return and never recommend it to others.

We arrived early for our ADR on Tuesday afternoon for lunch. We originally had ADRs for dinner on Monday night but swtiched those becuase of an IllumiNations dessert party one of the Disney brides on the boards invited us to attend. We sat waiting forever. Well past our ADR time. They had us down as a party of 4, despite the fact that we walked to the restaurant in person to change the reservations. No offense, but I'm a young twenty-something. I shouldn't look like I have kids in tote. I chalk it up to, once again, poor service skills at the restaurant. When they switched us to a party of two, we automatically went to the end of the "party of 2" list in the computer as it changed our arrival time from early to very late. We arrived early becuase we were hungry. At this point, I'm grouchy and hungry.

I approached the hosts and hostesses, of which there were several, and asked what on Earth was taking so long. That's when we learned of the fact that our "revised party of 2" had put us at the end of the computer queue . DH wouldn't have said anything if he'd known but they said, "(Last name)? Party of 4, correct?" when he asked how much longer it would be. When I said something to the young (and quite attractive) young man that we should not have to sit here and wait for your mistakes, he became incredibly defensive and nasty. He said that WE should have caught the fact that it was a party of 4. Hmm... how? You gave me a buzzer with the number 26 on it and told us to wait. I can't see your computer screen.

We were finally seated and both incredibly pleased to be seated. Our waiter arrived, did the spiel, and asked us for our drink orders. And then we waited. And kept waiting. Ten minutes later, we asked him if he was going to take our order and possibly bring us the glasses of water we so badly needed. I ordered the salad with filet on top. DH ordered the petite filet. My appetizer (cheese soup...yummy... I will make this at home) came promptly and was promptly cleared. Even the waiter said, "Wow! That went down fast." I replied, "Well, we were made to wait quite awhile and we were good and hungry before we ever arrived."

Our meals arrived. Much to our suprise. Yes, the petite filet is practically non-existent. For about $25, DH was certainly expecting a larger portion. Please note he's in good physical shape and not an eater that looks for large prtions or sizes. I serve about 7 oz filets at home and this thing was rinky dink. We estimate it might have been 4.5 to 5 oz with little or no mashed potatoes and an enromous white plate. I took a few bites of my steak salad and found two things wrong: no salad dressing and blue cheese present when I specifically asked for no blue cheese. We watched our waiter dote on the tables of families around us explaining the dining plan and whatnot. Not once did he approach us to even ask how the meal was.

After twenty minutes (no, I am not exaggerating) of this, I finally turned around as he walked by us again (the seventh time) and said, "Did you want a tip?" At that point, he went to the kitchen to get salt and pepper and the salad dressing. I was livid. Absoultely livid. The manager saw and came over and asked it everything was all right. Hah. Wrong question.

My other issue of contention with Le Cellier was the fact that we waited for so long and they turned people away at the door citing, "I'm sorry. We're the most popular restaurant in Epcot and we are booked solid for today and tomorrow." Ok... then why is it taking 20 or 25 minutes for you to clear and set nearly 6 tables in the (small) dining room? C'mon now! When you've got demand and people waiting, don't leave tables sitting with the prior occupants' mess for half an hour!

In the end, my food went back, practically untouched and uneaten. DH received 20% off his food tab and we were given a Fastpass... which was the manager's initial "fix it all." No, I'm not looking for a handout and I'm sure as hell not looking to ride something with no wait to make up for your stinking mess of a staff. I'm not two.

So, our meal at Le Cellier was terrific. We were incredibly impressed with the kitchen, wait, host, and managerial staff. The food was overpriced (which we expect at Disney) and not good quality (which we don't expect at Disney). DH's medium steak was as well done as charcoal. And the whole, "Let me fixt his by giving you a Fastpass," infurutated me more than anything. Why don't you fix the way you're running the restuarant and the problems you're having here vs. giving me a Fastpass to shut me up and get me out the door? Nor were we looking for a percentage off the final tab. We budgeted for this trip and had the money available. Truly, I want to bring to your attention the problems you're having, not be given something.

I know that our experience is not like many others, but we were incredibly disappointed with the whole situation. We went to Kona Cafe to make up for it though... and there's a meal and wait staff to write home about.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Wow!! Sounds like you did have a bad experience.

After twenty minutes (no, I am not exaggerating) of this, I finally turned around as he walked by us again (the seventh time) and said, "Did you want a tip?" At that point, he went to the kitchen to get salt and pepper and the salad dressing.

You had my sympathy until here. Sorry, but IMO, that was rude.

 

[John's Mom]

I'm sorry to hear about all your problems at LeCellier. My DH, DD and I had dinner there in December. I had problems with my drink order and my filet (I sent it back twice). I finally asked for a second bowl of soup and considered that my dinner. I was surprised when the bill came. I was not charged for my meal or drink.

I hope you had better luck with the rest of your meals.

 

[johnvree]

Sorry about the bad experience. Like most, we love Le Cellier. It's a must-do for us every trip. But no restaurant is perfect all of the time. Given the overwhelmingly great reviews Le Cellier gets, why not try it one more time and give it a chance to redeem itself.

 

[goofy4tink]

We've eaten at LeCellier many times and for the most part, enjoyed it. We did have one server that was totally non-existent. It seemed that we must have had 4 different people bringing out stuff to us, rather than that one young man. It took forever to get our drinks, and then about 25 minutes to get our bill.
But, that is the only time we have had a bad experience there. Just ate there a week ago, and it was very good. Our server wasn't the best we've had, but passable.
Now, my friend and I returned to Kona Cafe, one of our favorites, and found our server to be 'out to lunch'. He was very cute and personable but not so attentive!!! And for the first time my food was just mediocre. But those sticky wings were terrific!!!!
Sorry to hear you had such an awful experience. Just goes to show that even those popular restaurants can mess up royally!!!

 

[eeyore45]

We encountered the same problem with waiting for our adr, an evening, and people coming after us were getting seated, I sat quietly thinking this is how it goes in a busy restaurant!

IMHO - you brought up some very good points!! I've never heard of a restaurant giving out FP - that is very odd!!

 

[dreamscometrue47]

Last January, I, like you, could not wait to visit Le Cellier after reading such overwhelming rave reviews. And I, like you, was totally turned off. The service started out good as our waitress was immediately there to get our drink orders but then she was lost. It took 30 minutes to get diet cokes with absolutely no apology, but a remark something like "Well, you are in the most popular restaurant in Epcot so just enjoy it."

My son and I both got the filets and they were awful. We ordered medium well and they were raw. We sent them back and they came back literally burnt to a crisp. We sent them back again and they once again came raw; i mean cold in the middle. They wanted to try one more time, but we said no, and just got some pretty basic roasted chicken.

Between the service and the bad food, I won't try them again.

 

[Micca]

We ate at LC on our trip a couple of weeks ago. I think we've probably dined there about 8 times over the years. The server and the service was pretty good, but the food lacked a lot. We ate at YSH the following night and it blew LC away.

 

[Jennasis]

Actually sounds like most of the problem was not the restaurants. Changing your ressie (in person or otherwise) puts you at the bottom of the list..period. Being rude to the server...not cool. Just because the manager offered you a FASTPAss doesn't mean he won't address the "problems" you encountered with the staff or kitchen. Sorry you didn't enjoy your experience. Just means more openings in the future for those of us who love it.

Maybe writing a letter to Disney instead of complaining to us would be a more constructive apoproach?

 

[Aimeedyan]

I'm sorry about your bad exp! What a nightmare!

 

[beattyfamily]

Well, that's a shame.

We ate there twice and loved it and will be eating there again in October.

I think its because they are so popular, they are sometimes overwhelmed.

I have always had a bit of a wait there though and both times it was a long, slow moving meal; at least 2 hours.

 

[jackmac]

In my opinion Le Cellier is the most over-rated restaurant at WDW. That's not to say that it's not good, but it is not great. Le Cellier has become very popular since the dining plan went into effect. Before that it was a good restaurant and moderately priced. With the DDP it is a 1 TS credit steak house, and thus it's popularity. Yachtsman is a 2 TS credit steak house. Le Cellier is small and dark and very crowded. The waitstaff is friendly but just kids at Disney for a year. For my money I will always go to Yachtsman for a good meal in a great atmosphere with professional waitstaff.

 

[magicmouse2]

ITA about LeCellier. We first went there years ago mega excited and were dissapointed with grissly steak and cold potatoes and the smallest portion of food I have ever seen. Really long wait once we were seated for our food and drinks too. Wont eat there again, but might get the cheese soup to go. Thought it was very dark inside too! Glad to hear good remarks of Kona - I am hoping to change DHs opinion that all Disney restaurants are terrible.(apart from Ohanas and Crystal Palce which he likes.)

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Sorry you had a bad time. We've been several times, and never had a problem.

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

Just quoting you becuase you've mentioned things several other posters have asked... and I don't know how to do the multiple-person quote in one post.

Changing your ressie (in person or otherwise) puts you at the bottom of the list..period.

I can understand this. But, the change was made 72 hours in advance. The problem that came up was that they put us down as party of 4. While we were waiting for the ADR AT the restaurant, they discovered the mistake in a party of 4 vs. 2. ETA: We had aleady waited half an hour. We went from the top of the list of a table of 4 to the bottom of the list for a table of 2. Add more than another 45 minutes to the wait after our ADR time.

I'm sorry, but that's not my fault or my problem. Next time, the hosts can't assume and need to ask the right questions... and a manual over-ride on the computer. There's no sense in the host becoming upset with me when I mention that we've waited nearly an hour past our ADR becuase they made a problem in the computer programming.

Being rude to the server...not cool

I could go on and on about him. After someone blatantly lies to your face and walks by you for 20 minutes without adressing you as even existing, all bets are off. Customarily, you ask if the food is all right and offer to get something else if needed. He didn't bring our food from the kitchen and we never got the courtesy of his gracing us with his presence after that fact.

And for the person who mentioned writing a letter, we've already taken that step for DIsney to address the issues at hand.

 

[kabbie]

In regards to the treatment by the server, I have to say that you did the right thing completely. I have worked at hotels/restaurants for several years and my manager told me that when he eats out, he has a method of ensuring good service. When the server greets his table, he'll immediately put 20% of the expected bill on the table in cash (mainly singles) and let the server know that this is his tip right now. Everytime the server messes up, he'll lose a portion of his tip.

And the whole idea of writing a letter after the fact doesn't do much. Disney would rather hear about at the time to give them a chance to fix it. I have written countless letters and get a form letter back in response.

About your ADR and long wait, I have eaten at Le Cellier and I also expect a long wait. It is extremely popular. They can't help that.

 

[Hugpug]

I half agree with the poster. The food was OK but far below what I have had at Concourse Steakhouse. Yes I do agree the service is awful. Waiters are rude and slow. Not a place I expected from all the reviews I got here and other boards. I will not go back here either. You should send an e-mail to Disney and explain your dis-pleasure that's what I did and felt better for myself in letting them know there standards are far below what should be.

 

[BlindTyldak]

I would have been just as "rude" if I'd had to go through that. I'm all for being understanding at restaurants and being patient with waitstaff who of course DO go through a lot, but there's a point where you have a right to be upset and you definitely hit it.

 

[swankybeth]

Thanks for sharing your experience, sorry that it was not a good one. Hopefully they will listen to your criticism because I agree with you, they should have been more accomodating with your ADR situation.

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

In regards to the treatment by the server, I have to say that you did the right thing completely. I have worked at hotels/restaurants for several years and my manager told me that when he eats out, he has a method of ensuring good service. When the server greets his table, he'll immediately put 20% of the expected bill on the table in cash (mainly singles) and let the server know that this is his tip right now. Everytime the server messes up, he'll lose a portion of his tip.

How funny... my Dad used to do this. I've often wondered about doing the same thing. After the fact, DH and I said on our way out the door that we should have He did get a tip... 18% of the bill total after the manager messed with it. Mind you, it still was much, but he did receive something.

I understand that it was not entirely him- it was the kitchen staff, the hosts, and the managerial staff, although he did play a large part in our dissatisfaction and overall dining experience.