Nervous About LeCellier

[Disneyhappy]

I was so looking forward to finally trying LeCellier in January but I am a bit nervous since all of the bad reviews. Granted , there have been great reviews as well but the service is what appears to be lacking, depending on your server. My sister's family lives in FL and will be joining us for a couple of days and we were going to celebrate my DH's birthday at LeCellier. There will be 8 people in our party. I want a leisurely dinner but it sounds like some service issues goes beyond the leisurely point. Should I change restaurants or do you think things will improe now that the free dining is over?

 

[Kaycee]

Please don't let a few bad reviews make you change your mind about a restaurant you really want to try. You will find at least one or two bad reviews about every WDW restaurant - even Victoria and Albert's! If a restaurant sounds good to you, definitely go.

And yes, I do think that the recent increase in reports of bad service can be attributed to free dining. This offer really took it's toll on the servers it seems. I expect that reports on service will be much better now that the offer is over.

 

[MScott1851]

Honestly...I think that my food was so good, they could have thrown it to me and I would have been happy.

I was really, really pleased with the food. The service, not so much. But I didn't let it ruin my trip! It was a great meal, and the slow service didn't do much to diminish my enthusiasm about the restaurant, I plan on eating there FIRST when we return, and possibly more than once.

I would keep the ADR.

 

[WDW LOVR]

We eat at LeCellier every trip and sometimes the service is a little slow, but that could never wreck what a great meal it is. The Restaurant is so relaxed that it is a wonderful retreat from a busy park.

I have read somewhere recently that WDW did away with their bus staff at the TS restaurants, so that might be contributing to the slower service as the reports I've read say the servers have to also bus the tables. We have not been to WDW since May so I can't confirm or deny this (anyone?). If this is true I think it stinks, but you might want to cut your server a break as they are definitely earning their money!

 

[3princesses4us]

Personally I think the amount of comments regarding it being packed, slow to be seated, turning people away and waiting a while for food are because this place above all has been praised so much everyone wanted to try it esp. during free dining. Statistically, if they are suddenly bombarded with people wanting to try it, their service is going to go down a little. Like the other posters said, don't let that stop you from getting a great meal. Just plan for it and be patient. We ate here in September and would go back in a heartbeat.

 

[mtdevine615]

What hurts Le Cellier is that it is the smallest restaurant in WS. If they could double the size that would help. We've been many times and have had slow service but not bad service. If you have a time deadline just mention that to your server and that should help. Maine

 

[ugadog99]

I have never received bad service at Le Cellier. I do think that part of what we are seeing in bad service can be attributed to the free dining. I will say that at buffets I have never had quality service. However, Le Cellier has always been very good. With the quality of the food, I really wouldn't care if I did have poor service. I am dreaming of the ice wine, cheese soup, maple glazed filet, and maple creme brulee as I type this! Mmmmmmmm

 

[GailT]

The service does not bother me, the food is real good and yes they are slow but wouldn't you rather have good food and the server being pokey, I would

 

[i like stitch]

On our recent trip LeCellier's was, hand's down, our best meal. The only thing we didn't like was the cheese sampler.

Our server was fine. I wouldn't say service, overall, was slow but the check could have been brought sooner. She didn't rush with people and there were people asking lots of questions which naturally took up her time.

Our adr was for 4:40, we arrived at 4:25 and were seated within 5 minutes in a corner table away from most of the other diners---more quiet and peaceful there! I think making early an early adr will minimize the wait.

 

[Luv4Disney]

Our food has been so good from Le Cellier we can't stay away from the place! We had it booked twice last trip. We're addicted!

 

[bicker]

A bad day at WDW is better than the best day at work. Sure, the food quality at Le Cellier has left a bit to be desired on our previous trips, but not so much that we "never went back". It serves a very specific need, and unless you're unlucky (which does happen -- I don't want to minimize that), you'll have a great time.

 

[Luv4Disney]

A bad day at WDW is better than the best day at work. QUOTE]

So true. Plus, Disney does it's best to accommodate.

 

[Disneyhappy]

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm going stay with LeCellier and think positive. I am so excited to have the dining plan to finally try it. For years I have been reading mouth watering posts and I will finally experience it myself. Thanks again for making me feel more comfortable!

 

[ceecee]

We went there this month 2 times! We had the best meal there so we went back. The steak was perfect and dessert was great (we had the apple fruit crisp with ice cream). The second time we went the service was a little slow and they were out of glow cubes for DD's Northern Light (but they gave us the root beer float free) the food however was very good. We think it was the best meal we had there and we ate at a lot of places!!!

 

[Melrosgirl]

I was at Le Cellier last week two times. Food was excellent. Service the first time was great; second time was okay (she just wasn't great about refills, no big deal).

I will say that the first time we were there just our family (no dining plan). Second time we were with friends who were on the dining plan and let the server know that. Each time we ate with our friends who were on the dining plan, it seemed like the servers were non-existant at most of the restaurants. Coincidence? Probably not. They know they are getting the 18% tip either way, so why pay too much attention?

Anyway, I really enjoy LeCellier.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We just ate there a few weeks ago and had great meals. My steak was cooked just like I wanted it and it was very tender. I got mushrooms and asparagus for sides and they were very good also. Go and enjoy yourself.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I had one of the best meals here. The sevice was a little on the slow side, but they were extremely busy, and every table was full. They were very nice though.

 

[mitros]

Le Cellier is tops! We eat there at least once a month. Lately, though, it has been hard to get a reservation for lunch. I think a lot of folks are realizing what a great place it is. We will be going there this coming Tuesday for supper. Could not get a lunch seating, and have not been able to do so since the start of the 50th anniversary celebration.

 

[cherokeemamma]

We just returned from a fantastic 10 days at WDW (look for my trip report soon) and we ate at Le Cellier. It was the BEST meal of the trip. My husband doesn't really like steak and he was going to get the salmon (again) but I said this is a steak rest. eat a steak. He was absolutely thrilled with his meal. He said it was the best meal he had ever had. He went on and on about how great it was and we laughed at him because of the convincing it took to get him to eat a steak. We all truly loved our meal. We all agreed it was the best meal of the trip. The service was great and we were seated within 5 - 7 minutes of our PS timing. (BTW, We were on the disney dining plan and everything went very smoothly).

Aaahhh I am hungry just thinking about it!

 

[jarestel]

Service is an important part of a meal to us when paying LeCellier prices. It's not TGIF's so we do expect a little more from the servers. I don't subscribe to the "soup nazi" way of doing business, ie, just sit there, shut up, and be glad they even let you in the door to begin with.

Regarding servers who tend to disappear, nothing prevents you from getting up and asking a roving manager or a host/hostess to get you more drinks or whatever else you need. We've noticed that a server tends to become much more attentive after their manager has had to serve drinks to one of their tables. The worst thing you can possibly do is sit and stew at your table waiting for your server to appear.

I think you'll have a good meal at LeCellier though. It's usually very nice.