LeCellier - so disappointing

[rapriebe]

We went to LeCellier for dinner last night and that's that last time we will go there. We both ordered the Prime Rib ($28.99) and it was the pits. It was maybe 4 x 6 in size, was very thin and was dried out like it had been sitting under a warming lamp for awhile. After I finished mine, I had a pile of fat and grissel that was maybe a third the size of my original meat.

You know it sucks to pay $74 (incl tip) for 2 glasses of water, 2 pieces of dried out meat, 2 small portions of potatoes and 3 breadsticks. Even though the restaurant was not full, we were crammed into a corner and one of us had to sit at an angle to the table because the next table was so close to us. Ridiculous. And this restaurant is going to become a Signature restaurant soon - ha!

All in all, the Disney food has been very disappointing this trip (except Ohana, it was fabulous). We don't eat on-site alot because it is so expensive but we have decided that we are done with on-site eating.

ETA - We ate at LeCellier 2-3 years ago and it was wonderful; couldn't wait to go back. It was such a lower quality of food this time. I was actually surprised at how empty LeCellier was even though it seems to be difficult to get reservations. They were turning walkups away while we were waiting to check in. We ate in the section to the left as you enter and it was maybe 1/3 full during the entire meal. At one point there were only 3 other tables with people at them; kinda surprising.

 

[alldiz]

Sorry you were disapointed.

I've never been disapointed in Flying Fish or Boma.
Don't give up completely....every place has a bad day.
FWIW.....I didn't moon over Le Cellier either.

I also though Chef De France was very good.
Happy planning
Kerri

 

[aubriee]

Le Cellier is normally one of my favorite restaurants and a must each trip. In Dec I was on the DxDDP and wanted to eat at Le Cellier before it became two credits. I was so excited to get not one, but two of those coveted ADRs for that week. My first meal was so bad that I round up canceling my second. I had the absolute worst waitress I have ever had at any restaurant. She was sooo slow, then finally brought my appetizer and entree at the exact same time. Uh, no I don't think so. I sent my supposedly med rare filet back and when I finally waved her down a good 30 minutes later to ask for another one, mine came back very well done. I waited forever for her to clear that plate and take my dessert order. When I finally got her attention and told her I was ready to order dessert, her response was, "Oh you want dessert too?". My favorite duck appetizer was changed to three little duck meatballs, my steak was inedible, the risotto was pure salt, so none of my entree got eaten, so yes I wanted dessert. She didn't even ask me why I had taken only one bite of my steak and one bite of the risotto.

 

[tink2007]

I think that Disney food in general as gone way done hill in the past 5 years. We used to love to eat at Cinderella Castle and Le Cellier but now it is not worth the money to eat at either one. We ate at Cinderella Castle for my daughter's birthday and the whole experience was a let down from the service to the food. I'm not sure where we will eat when we go in May.

 

[dancingdisneygirl]

That's too bad you had a bad experience. We ate there for the first time in January and it was wonderful. We had lunch not dinner. Our waiter was very good. I didn't eat a lot of my main course because I was full from the soup and he asked me if everything was ok becasue I hadn't eaten much. I told him it was good I was just full Maybe you can try it again in the future!

 

[Lewisc]

We went to LeCellier for dinner last night and that's that last time we will go there. We both ordered the Prime Rib ($28.99) and it was the pits. It was maybe 4 x 6 in size, was very thin and was dried out like it had been sitting under a warming lamp for awhile.

That's exactly what you should have told the waiter when you asked for a replacement prime rib.

Complaining on DIS is a way to vent. Complaining at the time of service, and requesting a new meal is a way to solve your problem. Enough guests do the same and the restaurant has to do a better job.

Complaining about the prime rib being dry and under a warming lamp is valid. Complaining about the portion size is a little harder. Was the size listed on the menu? Weigh is pre-cooked but if the meat was much smaller then expected I would have said something.

 

[eliza61]

op, sorry you had a bad experience. you're right that does suck.

Unfortunately this has been a common complaint lately. So here are my general thoughts.

1) Disney suffers from very high expectations. It really is one of the few theme parks where everyone expects great food and Disney itself markets their restaurants as great.

2) le Cellier, also suffers from overhype. Now that its going to a 2 credit signature restaurant, the expectations will go up another notch

3) Check other boards. As much as I love the dis, sorry guys we are not a reliable source for unbiased reviews. Most of the time if you post a less than stellar review, you will be told either a) it was some how your fault b) you are a negative person who should grovel on the ground because you are at disney world c) you're at a theme park you should expect mediocre food at high prices.
I routinely check Tripadvisors and allears simply to get a more "balanced" view.

4) My dad was an old army sargent, he use to have a saying. When one person complains you can dismiss that as whining, when 100 people complain you've got a problem. I think LC has problems

I hope LC gets better since we love a good steak but what I do is simply show my displeasure by not giving them my money.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

We ate there last year and I was not impressed at all, but I am reluctantly giving it another shot in May. With the reviews that I have read lately though, I am on the fence with cancelling it all together.

 

[princess aleya]

So sorry to hear that you had a bad experience. Hopefully they were just having an off night or something. I will keep my fingers crossed that our service and food will be good when we go.

 

[jwfla422]

That's too bad, especially considering how difficult it is to even get a priority seating....I don't understand that. We've been there a few times in the past and it was "hit" or "miss"...never consistent so I just don't get all the hoopla about not being able to get a reservation. It's just a bummer when you expect something and you don't get near it.

We were once crammed into a corner when we were a party of 2 and that was one of the "misses"...wonder if it was the same table (the "jinxed" table! ) All jokes aside, not right...

You didn't get a good meal. Did you speak to a manager or let your server know about your dissatisfaction? (sometimes it's so crazy at the time you don't realize how bad it is until after you leave) I would contact guest services via email or even at the park and let them know about your disappointment and experience. (they owe you a dinner IMHO)

 

[skater]

You know, the advice to talk to a manager while you're there is great advice, however its not always as great as it sounds. I had to do this last year, the issue was not taken care of (at first) and I ended up in tears. At the time, it didn't feel worth it. Who wants conflict on vacation?

 

[RMulieri]

Sorry you didn't enjoy it...We aren't fans either

 

[rubato]

op, sorry you had a bad experience. you're right that does suck.

Unfortunately this has been a common complaint lately. So here are my general thoughts.

1) Disney suffers from very high expectations. It really is one of the few theme parks where everyone expects great food and Disney itself markets their restaurants as great.

2) le Cellier, also suffers from overhype. Now that its going to a 2 credit signature restaurant, the expectations will go up another notch

3) Check other boards. As much as I love the dis, sorry guys we are not a reliable source for unbiased reviews. Most of the time if you post a less than stellar review, you will be told either a) it was some how your fault b) you are a negative person who should grovel on the ground because you are at disney world c) you're at a theme park you should expect mediocre food at high prices.
I routinely check Tripadvisors and allears simply to get a more "balanced" view.

4) My dad was an old army sargent, he use to have a saying. When one person complains you can dismiss that as whining, when 100 people complain you've got a problem. I think LC has problems

I hope LC gets better since we love a good steak but what I do is simply show my displeasure by not giving them my money.

I am in complete agreement with you on this. I have had a lot of less than stellar experiences dining at Disneyworld. I have even done some complaining to management or to my resort when I deemed it necessary. I have gotten dismissed quite a bit here. Each of us is entitled to our opinion based on our experience. I don't like eating at Disneyworld anymore. Le Cellier was my biggest dining disappointment. Lesson learned.

OP, Sorry you had such a bad experience.

 

[figment_jii]

I am sorry to read that so many people on this thread seemed to have a bad experience at Le Cellier. I've eaten there several times, most recently twice for dinner during a trip in early December, and both times it was really good. We did notice that my Dad's prime rib looked a bit more fatty than we would have expected, but at the second dinner it was great. My mom's filet was a little too rare, but we told the server that and he quickly corrected it. Overall, we had wonderful meals. I would not hesitate to go back.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Even though the restaurant was not full, we were crammed into a corner and one of us had to sit at an angle to the table because the next table was so close to us. Ridiculous

I'm going to address just this, because I don't eat Prime rib - but I have been seated at an uncomfortable table more than once: "This table isn't going to work for us; could we please sit _____?". Sometimes there's a bit more wait - but whether it's a table tucked between two swinging doors or a booth where the bench is so low my chin practically rests on the table or some other issue...

 

[rlahansler]

We where there in Sept 2009 and I was disappointed in the meal. I had the fillet. Now I know I am spoiled being from Chicago since we have the best steakhouses but I thought it would be better. We are going next month and I did make a lunch ressie as I did enjoy the Cheddar cheese soup. My husband got the recipe for the soup and always makes it here in home. I probably am going to get a burger this time, will see how it is.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

I had the prime-rib once and was disappointed with it too (really fatty). I only get the filet now and it has ALWAYS been great. I think that's why it is not part of the "course meal" and the prime-rib is.

rapriebe: Did they still have the potstickers at OHANA when you ate there this trip? Thanks!

 

[rapriebe]

. . . . . .
rapriebe: Did they still have the potstickers at OHANA when you ate there this trip? Thanks!

Oh yes they did and they were WONDERFUL. We ate there about 3 weeks ago and it was the best meal and super service. I know that Ohana can be hit or miss with the service but luckily this time both were super. They use to give you a plate of potstickers, a plate of wings, etc but now they are bringing out a smaller amount with the potstickers and wings on one plate. That was okay, we just asked for a second plate after the first was empty. I can't begin to say how wonderful it was. We are going to try and go again before we leave WDW on February 18.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

Thanks! We go next week and DH has never eaten there. I hoped they still had them since I have seen people on here reporting they do not. I LOVED it when I ate there in December.

 

[goofy4prez]

op, sorry you had a bad experience. you're right that does suck.

Unfortunately this has been a common complaint lately. So here are my general thoughts.

1) Disney suffers from very high expectations. It really is one of the few theme parks where everyone expects great food and Disney itself markets their restaurants as great.

2) le Cellier, also suffers from overhype. Now that its going to a 2 credit signature restaurant, the expectations will go up another notch

3) Check other boards. As much as I love the dis, sorry guys we are not a reliable source for unbiased reviews. Most of the time if you post a less than stellar review, you will be told either a) it was some how your fault b) you are a negative person who should grovel on the ground because you are at disney world c) you're at a theme park you should expect mediocre food at high prices.
I routinely check Tripadvisors and allears simply to get a more "balanced" view.

4) My dad was an old army sargent, he use to have a saying. When one person complains you can dismiss that as whining, when 100 people complain you've got a problem. I think LC has problems

I hope LC gets better since we love a good steak but what I do is simply show my displeasure by not giving them my money.

I concur 100% line for line word for word in your assessment.

You know, the advice to talk to a manager while you're there is great advice, however its not always as great as it sounds. I had to do this last year, the issue was not taken care of (at first) and I ended up in tears. At the time, it didn't feel worth it. Who wants conflict on vacation?

I agree, we addressed an issue with a manager and to paraphrase it her words were, "too bad." See below.

I'm going to address just this, because I don't eat Prime rib - but I have been seated at an uncomfortable table more than once: "This table isn't going to work for us; could we please sit _____?". Sometimes there's a bit more wait - but whether it's a table tucked between two swinging doors or a booth where the bench is so low my chin practically rests on the table or some other issue...

When we ate at Le'Cellier, after waiting 45 minutes past our ADR, we were escorted to a table right next to the entrance to the restrooms, and located right between the credit card station and the silver ware station. It was non stop traffic to the restrooms, constant harmonious sound of flushing toilets, servers standing next to credit card stations, and constant clanging from the silverware station.

Prior to dealing with this I politely asked if we could be seated elsewhere as we did not like this location. The hostess said there were no other tables. We politely asked for a manager and she proceeded to say the same thing. Again, politely asked if we could go back into waiting and get a table at that time. She then somewhat testily stated, there will be no other seating, and if this table was not sufficient, we would have to decide what we wanted to do as this was the only table being offered. We chose to be seated there. We were not happy, we did not complain, we did not give the waiter a hard time, but upon exiting I did let the manager know I was going to report her name to guest relations. I never heard from WDW or Le'Cellier after going to guest relations, sending a letter, and shooting an email. I have to assume one disappointed person from Ohio who has been to WDW four times in two years is really not important to them to respond.

Perhaps this is the root of why I'm not a big fan of Le'Cellier. After that incident, the food could have been great, but it would not have mattered.

We where there in Sept 2009 and I was disappointed in the meal. I had the fillet. Now I know I am spoiled being from Chicago since we have the best steakhouses but I thought it would be better. We are going next month and I did make a lunch ressie as I did enjoy the Cheddar cheese soup. My husband got the recipe for the soup and always makes it here in home. I probably am going to get a burger this time, will see how it is.

I travel to Northbrook on average three or four days every month. I love Gibsons Bar & Restaurant. I also love Stetsons Chop House, but I was just up there a few days ago and it was closed until later in February. I"m hoping this is true and not permanant. I love this place.