Please explain the allure of Le Cellier?

[kathyg]

We finally tried it last trip and my husband wants to go again this trip. I wasn't particularly impressed. The food was fine, but not great. The place was dark and dreary. So why do so many people gush over it? Is it becaue they are on the DDP and can get a "bang for their buck"? I think there are much better steak offerings at Disney, but maybe I'm missing something.

 

[CoolDisneyKitten]

Honestly... I can't explain it. Like you said, the food is good, but not *great*. The tables are *way* too close together. It's so incredibly crowded it's actually ridiculous. I like Le Cellier, but we haven't been there in several years (since before the debut of the DDP), and unless something changes *drastically*, we don't plan to go back. You can get better food (inc steak) in a better atmosphere all over WDW.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[rgf207]

I think a lot of people love LeCellier because it's a fairly good, high quality meal and only 1 TS credit. I believe it used to be a 2 Credit place.

I really like it. I love the Cheddar Cheese Soup and the steaks are always good.

 

[Hopefully]

It is as if it has "Folk Allure". So many people here and all over the Internet gushed over it that it became very popular. Then with the advent of the DDP more folks could "afford" it and wanted the best for their money.
To be honest, we thought it was MUCH better in the past. In our opinion the quality of the food has gone way down since the DDP. We did not go on our last trip and we will not return soon.
Too bad, it used to be very nice.

 

[lilyv]

Honestly... I can't explain it. Like you said, the food is good, but not *great*. The tables are *way* too close together. It's so incredibly crowded it's actually ridiculous. I like Le Cellier, but we haven't been there in several years (since before the debut of the DDP), and unless something changes *drastically*, we don't plan to go back. You can get better food (inc steak) in a better atmosphere all over WDW.

Just my 2 cents.

The table are way too close together is an understatement. I couldn't believe how close they were. I was practically dining with strangers. It's a neat place, but they need to removed 10-20% of the tables. Everyone around me was on DPP, I wasn't. Lots of discussion/negotiating with their servers of what they could/couldn't have on their meal allotments. It got old quick. I liked the atmosphere, but I don't want to hear each and every detail of my "neighbors" conversations. You just can't avoid it when you're that close together. I'm not sure if I'll go back again.
What did I like? I had a ressie at 11:30, and got to hear all the waiters come up to the front and sing O Canada.

 

[Kimberly Hill]

To be honest, we thought it was MUCH better in the past. In our opinion the quality of the food has gone way down since the DDP. We did not go on our last trip and we will not return soon.
Too bad, it used to be very nice.

uh oh. We went in '99 and haven't managed to make it back yet... until our ADR's this month. Fingers crossed we have another great experience!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I think it is a combination of what has been mentioned already ("bang for the buck on DDP, very good for a theme park restaurant, etc.) but another factor is that as far as WS restaurants are concerned it is very "safe" for Americans.

I would never have thought there were so many "picky eaters" as I have discovered there must be based on all the posts on the DIS about "Where can I go with picky eaters?" Meat and potatoes...generally a pretty safe bet.

 

[suzimar57]

the steaks are decent - we like the cheddar cheese soup

beyond that - you got me.

youarethisclosetothepersonatthenexttable.

literally.

and it's noisy.

but the steaks are good.

 

[NurseJamie]

I got 3 things for you - Steak. Pretzel bread. Cheddar cheese soup. I am sold.

But seriously - if you think about the TS restaurants at Epcot, and the number of unadventurous people (diet-wise at least) out there, Le Cellier probably has the most familiar and reliable food in World Showcase. People know they are going to get a good steak, and especially on the dining plan, a good value for their TS credit. Many people don't like the authentic ethnic foods - Marrakesh usually has available tables much later than other restaurants, I have heard that Nine Dragons was pretty awful and is now getting a much needed rehab, many people can get very decent Italian food at home and don't want to pay through the nose for it at Disney. People are scared of French food and British food gets a bad rap. So it doesn't leave you with very many other options.

I liked Le Cellier when I was there, and I would like to go back. But if I don't get my ADR next time I won't cry over it - but I will be calling 180 days out

 

[wezee]

LeCellier, for DH and I, is a traditon. We always go to LeCellier for dinner and Illuminations on the first night of your vacation. It's just something we have done over the years....and can't break the habit.

That being said....They have a great filet mignon, the pretzel bread is awesome and we have always had top-o-line service there. Plus...we can enjoy a nice TS meal and then grab a beer and enjoy Illuminations.

 

[ADP]

I think the allure of Le Cellier is the quality of the steak. Canadian beef is a higher quality of meat. The steaks at Le Cellier reflect that.

 

[daisy112878]

We use to go every trip until the last 2 trips in Nov and Dec of last year. Our steaks were horrible both times. Neither were cooked right and they just didn't have that great of flavor anymore. And the cheese soup just wasn't that great either. I found we had much better steaks else where during those trips plus we like some of hte other restaurants in Epcot (chefs, bistro, marrakesh, nine dragon, etc).

 

[Abharmagic]

I agree with others- I am a cynical person though so take my post with a grain of salt- I am very opinionated about Disney Dining. I can get a good steak here in Pittsburgh at any number of places. When I go to Epcot I want "different"- it's too run of the mill for my tastes when there are more exciting foods awaiting you there.

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

We had a great experience there this past December. We gave into the hype and we're so glad that we did. The filet mignon was incredible, the beer cheese soup was fantastic and the pretzel bread was to die for. What's there not to like??

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Steak and steak and more steak

I also think it has a lot to do with the fact it's not very adventurous. A lot of people don't like ethnic food or seafood. Most people like steak. It's the most "normal" food there that is also upscale but 1 ts credit. I enjoyed my meal and will plan there again.

 

[joenan88]

We finally tried it last trip and my husband wants to go again this trip. I wasn't particularly impressed. The food was fine, but not great. The place was dark and dreary. So why do so many people gush over it? Is it becaue they are on the DDP and can get a "bang for their buck"? I think there are much better steak offerings at Disney, but maybe I'm missing something.

I agree with you. We liked Le Cellier but didn't love it..maybe being from NY and experiencing great Steak houses in NYC and on Long Island has made us steak snobs. The atmosphere is dark and dreary and filled with kids...don't get me wrong! I have three of my own 10, 7 and 6 but I thought it was a fine restaurant and put them in a kids club at The Poly thinking it was fine dining..how wrong I was. Some poster make it seem like it is on the same level as the Palms or Mortons....at least I know better now..

 

[jimmiej]

We've eaten there several times. Two things draw us back. The quality of food & the quality of service. We've never had a bad experience at Le Cellier.

 

[KatMark]

My DH had been hearing of this place for years and wanted to give it a try We had stuck to Rose & Crown and Biergarten for years, along with counter service meals, especially with the boys when they were young. I am not an adventureous eater...boring is probably more like it--I like my seafood, some italian and my meat and potatos...don't like Mexican, Chinese, etc.

After the first visit to LeCellier, we were hooked. Love the cheese soup, the pretzel and sourdough bread, chocolate chocolate whiskey cake and the filet. We have great steakhouses in Chicago, but this was one of the best filets I had ever had. I am sure there could be/are better steakhouses at Disney. But while on vacation, we don't dress up--I dress up every day for work because I work in a law firm, and my DH hates dressing up. If we want a 4-star steak dinner, we'll do it at home with friends.

LeCellier gives us everything we want!

 

[TJA]

My opinion is that their signature dish, the mushroom filet mignon, is a notch above the rest of their meals. I think many people go to LeCellier and order other meals and think they are just "okay" and never get to try the mushroom filet and therefore never get to experience their signature dish and perhaps what makes LeCellier so loved. Personally, I will not book lunch at LeCellier because they don't serve the mushroom filet. To me, it is THAT good. Now people rave about the cheddar soup and I think it is just "okay." I do really like the pretzel bread, though.

 

[davinakb]

I think it is a combination of what has been mentioned already ("bang for the buck on DDP, very good for a theme park restaurant, etc.) but another factor is that as far as WS restaurants are concerned it is very "safe" for Americans. ..... I would never have thought there were so many "picky eaters" as I have discovered there must be based on all the posts on the DIS about "Where can I go with picky eaters?" Meat and potatoes...generally a pretty safe bet.

That sums it up for me. As other posts mention favorite dishes (I do like the soup), I would guess part of its allure is its consistency. Other theory: at home we eat out a local chains, nothing fancy (don't want to drink/drive into city with traffic, blah blah) and I am guessing other people may do what we do: save nicer dining for vacation. So if you don't often visit the pricey steakhouse, LC can be impressive. We do like it, but don't make a point of going every trip. YMMV.