Question about Le Cellier and ordering etiquette.

[Disneyliscious]

We will be doing the IFWF in a few weeks but unfortunately poutine and a dessert I'd like are not offered at the festival. I very much want to try these.

I have an ADR for Le Cellier to try these 2 items. There are 2 other people with me and they may or may not order anything. If they do, it would be like a bowl of the cheddar cheese soup. None of us have any desire to order an entree. Ideally, since we will be sharing foods at the IFWF, I would like us to be able to share the poutine, creme brulee, and possibly a bowl of soup. We don't want to get full because then we couldn't enjoy all of the IFWF.

Is there a requirement that all party members order something? Any rules on sharing?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

No, but it is generally a good practice to tip a HUGE amount on an order where you take up three seats an order this little. The server's income is based on that being a table of 3 actually purchasing not just taking up real estate. I would assume that the normal meal for three would cost at least $150 to $175 and tip on that. For one person your order is fine, but take up a large table for two or possibly three small items is really pushing it.

 

[DisBuckMan]

No, but it is generally a good practice to tip a HUGE amount on an order where you take up three seats an order this little. The server's income is based on that being a table of 3 actually purchasing not just taking up real estate. I would assume that the normal meal for three would cost at least $150 to $175 and tip on that. For one person your order is fine, but take up a large table for two or possibly three small items is really pushing it.

Our bill for 3 last night (no alcohol) was $200.25 before tip, just for frame of reference. Three beverages, three entrees, and three desserts, with the only extra being one bowl of cheddar soup. The meal was very good, regardless of complaints of others here. I agree with what you say about tipping well. Our server Lauren was excellent.

 

[gwynne]

I guess bowls of cheese soup and free bread might be a group DIY fondue.

 

[Disneyliscious]

I would assume that the normal meal for three would cost at least $150 to $175 and tip on that.

Are people expected to tip on these amounts even if their ticket doesn't cost that much?

So if 3 of us went in and all ordered a drink (3 x $4?), a bowl of soup (3 x $11) , and my dessert ($9) = $54, you are saying we are expected to tip based on a $150 meal? Just making sure I understand right.

Can we get the items "to go"? I'd much rather do that if its possible. We don't care about sitting at a table, just want to try 2 or 3 small things from their menu. If I could get the poutine and creme brulee to go, that would be great. How would that work though as far as us not eating at the table? Would they charge us a no show fee?

 

[Hopefully]

Very rarely if ever can you manage to get something to go from Le Cellier. They are not set up for to go service.

 

[DisBuckMan]

You can get the cheddar soup at Canada's f&w booth. Quite honestly, the creme broulee is nothing special...wife had it last night.

 

[AlixaLock]

Le Cel will not have a problem with you ordering a small order or with sharing since obviously you aren't paying for any type of dining plan. You will certainly be done quickly and they will be able to re-set the table quickly. Tip, as always, is at your discretion. So I think your plan is fine and you will not have any issues from he restaurant.

However, you asked about etiquette, which is what people are referring to when they advise over-tipping in this circumstance ... It's a courtesy to the server, who could have been waiting on a full table an earning a full tip. Like all things etiquette this is at your discretion. I personally wouldn't do this just to taste a few items, even if I really liked them. I would just look forward to them on my next visit and not waste the time and energy and extra expense associated with this plan.

But that's just me! Do whatever works for you and enjoy!

 

[Dis703]

I agree with pp the question seemed more geared towards etiquette. In that case I'd either a) not plan on going for just a couple of appetizer or desserts or b) plan on tipping for what the normal meal ticket would have been. Le Cellier is a signature dining location so it's considered more upscale. In or outside of Disney it wouldn't be typical to walk into a fine dining establishment and order just an app or dessert without making up the difference in tip for the server.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Are people expected to tip on these amounts even if their ticket doesn't cost that much?

So if 3 of us went in and all ordered a drink (3 x $4?), a bowl of soup (3 x $11) , and my dessert ($9) = $54, you are saying we are expected to tip based on a $150 meal? Just making sure I understand right.

Can we get the items "to go"? I'd much rather do that if its possible. We don't care about sitting at a table, just want to try 2 or 3 small things from their menu. If I could get the poutine and creme brulee to go, that would be great. How would that work though as far as us not eating at the table? Would they charge us a no show fee?

Yes I think you need to tip as if you actually went in there and ate something. Of course you have now at least got everyone ordering SOMETHING unlike your earlier post of one bowl of fries and one desert so it's better. In this case I would probably still tip at 50%. As I said before the table was booked as if you were having a meal. So now the server has this empty table with no revenue when you are done after 20 minute or a table where the total bill for a 4 top table was $30 or so (original post)

If this were me I would either book for one, you, and still tip generously, but within reason. Your meal would probably be $30 so I would tip $10 to $15 (yes, I have done this when eating solo at nice restaurants if I didn't want a full meal)

The "to go" option require you to sit at the table, place the order, ask the waiter to go box it up, pay and leave. No tip reduction there IMHO since it's even more work for the waiter to go box up your food.

 

[jon18uk]

Maybe its because I'm British, but the idea of tipping 50% of the food cost feels plain wrong.

Order what you want to eat and tip what you personally feels appropriate.

 

[tabrizia]

I agree with pp the question seemed more geared towards etiquette. In that case I'd either a) not plan on going for just a couple of appetizer or desserts or b) plan on tipping for what the normal meal ticket would have been. Le Cellier is a signature dining location so it's considered more upscale. In or outside of Disney it wouldn't be typical to walk into a fine dining establishment and order just an app or dessert without making up the difference in tip for the server.

This. We have never done this at a Signature at Disney, but we have done this at a few restaurants near us. We tip on the total or close to the total we would have spent on a full meal rather then the 1/3rd to 1/4th of the cost we actually spent since we are just getting appetizers and dessert.

 

[Hopefully]

Maybe its because I'm British, but the idea of tipping 50% of the food cost feels plain wrong.

Order what you want to eat and tip what you personally feels appropriate.

I think it is because you are British that this feels wrong. But I agree with the majority of the posts that you need to tip extra. Right or wrong, tips are a basic part of servers income. Should it be this way - maybe not, but it is. To occupy a table with such a small order is taking away from their basic wages.

 

[Disneyliscious]

Appreciate the responses. I guess I meant the etiquette part was more geared toward us sharing if I were the only one to order. I tip based on service, not a percentage and tipping habits aren't allowed to be discussed here I don't think so the tipping isn't really what I was inquiring about in my first post. I did ask for clarification in a later post about what someone meant.

I don't eat at fancy restaurants much and find it odd that there is an expectation of ordering a certain $ amount of food when one patronizes restaurants like that. Le Cellier is not booked (at this time) for the day we are going and I assume there will still be empty tables there when we had planned to go because of the IFWF. Because of this, it seemed to me that having 3 empty tables is one thing. Having one of those tables used for 20 mins to spend $50 or so would be preferred over the 3 empty tables.

Perhaps I was wrong in my assumptions that a restaurant would rather fill an empty table with someone who doesn't want a full meal rather than leave it empty.

 

[HopperFan]

We will be doing the IFWF in a few weeks but unfortunately poutine and a dessert I'd like are not offered at the festival. I very much want to try these.

I have an ADR for Le Cellier to try these 2 items. There are 2 other people with me and they may or may not order anything. If they do, it would be like a bowl of the cheddar cheese soup. None of us have any desire to order an entree. Ideally, since we will be sharing foods at the IFWF, I would like us to be able to share the poutine, creme brulee, and possibly a bowl of soup. We don't want to get full because then we couldn't enjoy all of the IFWF.

Is there a requirement that all party members order something? Any rules on sharing?

3 guests sharing a fries and dessert at a Signature restaurant would seem to me to be poor manners. While I get your question is not in regards to tipping, and you think you will be out in 20 minutes and they will somehow find someone to come in and fill the remaining hour .... therefore allowing the server to maintain his income .... it does impact the manners part and the responses gotten. The reason there is expectation you order is because they have boxed off a slot of time at a table for YOU and have expectations of a certain amount of income generated from the table. It's a business and servers work for tips basically.

Some thoughts I first had were:
- The Cheddar Soup is outside at the Canada F&W Kiosk.
- Creme Brulee is a very common dessert throughout WDW and is offered at the France kiosk. The only real difference is slight flavors but overall it's all the same. I know because I used to order it all the time. Now it seems to be pretty assembly line made and nothing to write home about.
- French Fries with cheese and gravy ......... they had to find a Canadian cultural food to add to the steaks but ........... french fries, cheese and gravy for $10.

Can you do it? yes.
Are there rules on sharing there? no.
You asked folks opinions - they gave them.
You don't understand how your ordering a couple things has anything to do with tips ........ but it does.
Folks are just giving you their and probably servers point of view. (I've heard a few talk after having this same situation)

 

[HopperFan]

Maybe its because I'm British, but the idea of tipping 50% of the food cost feels plain wrong.

Order what you want to eat and tip what you personally feels appropriate.

Tipping that much is not normal, what folks are trying to say is not tipping on expected income hurts the server's wages. It would be different if it were a restaurant where folks walk up and constantly fill tables (assuming OP only stays a short time).

US is not like other countries. Law allows servers to be paid very very low, like $2.13 an hour in some states. They depend on tips to live.

I just went on a cruise and asked our Steward if he ever did the European cruises because I thought the ports would be cool. His response is he did it once and learned his lesson, lost income. He said any of the crew who know do not want to work those ships because they don't get tips.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I personally don't feel it's right to have a table for 3 if 2 of them won't be eating. I know I'd feel uncomfortable sitting in a restaurant and not ordering anything. Id also feel uncomfortable eating in front of two people who aren't eating, but that's just me.

Either convince them to order something or just go by yourself to try the items you want.

 

[Disneyliscious]

The reason there is expectation you order is because they have boxed off a slot of time at a table for YOU and have expectations of a certain amount of income generated from the table.

This was what I wasn't clear on. I had never heard of a restaurant having expectations of patrons being required to order a certain amount of food before.

3 guests sharing a fries and dessert at a Signature restaurant would seem to me to be poor manners.

The reason for this is because we would be enjoying the IFWF and wouldn't be able to eat an entire meal.

- The Cheddar Soup is outside at the Canada F&W Kiosk.

Yes, I am aware of this. Since its something we were going to eat at the kiosk anyway, we could just order it in the restaurant (to increase our bill) instead of at the kiosk.

- Creme Brulee is a very common dessert throughout WDW and is offered at the France kiosk.

I have never had creme brulee of any kind and its one of those desserts I have always wanted to try. Maple happens to be one of my favorite flavors so this was a perfect fit.

I think at this point I will just cancel the ADR as we have no desire to order more food than we will eat and, from what I can tell, the restaurant would look down on us for ordering soups, drinks, and a dessert. Its just food. Not like I have to have it. In fact, I'd rather not have it than to be judged by restaurant staff because I didn't order a predetermined amount of food that makes my bill meet some expectation. Again, I'm not entertaining the tipping discussion because its irrelevant to this.

I do appreciate all the info. Have learned a lot this morning!

Either convince them to order something or just go by yourself to try the items you want.

They would be willing to have the soup and drinks as stated above.

 

[HopperFan]

I understand you not wanting to do a full meal. We tried that a couple times with F&W and it was a abdominal disaster - never so miserable - so many more things I wanted to try but couldn't. With so many great things to try at the F&W I really would just stick with that - your money especially would go so much farther out there, plus tip money saved. The soup truly is the best thing and you can get that at the kiosk.

If you are eating at any other restaurants with creme brulee try it. Its very sweet but a nice treat.

 

[gwynne]

I understand you not wanting to do a full meal. We tried that a couple times with F&W and it was a abdominal disaster - never so miserable - so many more things I wanted to try but couldn't. With so many great things to try at the F&W I really would just stick with that - your money especially would go so much farther out there, plus tip money saved. The soup truly is the best thing and you can get that at the kiosk.

If you are eating at any other restaurants with creme brulee try it. Its very sweet but a nice treat.

I'll toss this suggestion into the mix...When we go to F&W, we enjoy the booths, but try to pace ourselves over several days. If we have reservations, often we will order a vegetable or two or salads, a couple of lighter appetizers and a glass of wine each. (We ask for the food to all come out at once, and then we enjoy some of this and that.) The booths are yummy, but are pretty carb and protein forward. Eating a bit differently at restaurants balances that out.
And yes, we are very thoughtful about tipping. One of ours worked as a server through college.

The menu OP is planning to enjoy at Le Cellier combined with a few booths would be way, way too heavy for me. I'd need to take a nap.
Lots of options at Disney, good thing!