The Myth that is LeCellier

[Kit'smommy]

I think Le Cellier is way overhyped because I have way higher standards in food than the commoners who fill up the ressies there. People with my discriminating taste need somewhere off the beaten track to satisfy their tastebuds. Its not so much that I think people who like it are just wrong, I actually pity them. It like they are stuck in the cave (and by cave I mean the Outback steakhouse) while the snobby, err I mean sophisticated people are out enjoying the sunshine (and by sunshine I mean Shula's.) Can anyone actually enjoy the Outback steakhouse? Didn't think so.

I hope this post is just a bit of sarcasm, because if it isn't I pity the poster for being a snob. It is not sophisticated to look down on others for enjoying something they like.

We have several really good steakhouses in the cities where I live and work. I enjoy our Shula's, Charley's, and Bern's and Capital Grille has some awesome steaks. The Longhorn near my house is also really good and the Cave (oops, I meant Outback) 5 minutes from my house is usually really nice. After all, so of us "commoners" have budgetary constraints that make Outback and Longhorn quite attractive compared to the first few of my local options I listed.

I actually think Le Cellier is quite comparable to our Longhorn or Outback. It isn't the best meal ever, but it is great for a theme park and 1 TS credit. And if I could order a bowl of cheddar soup for lunch right now, I would.

I have always been happy with my meal there and so have the rest of the commoners (oops, I meant family members) that have eaten there with me.

 

[goofy4prez]

I think Le Cellier is way overhyped because I have way higher standards in food than the commoners who fill up the ressies there. People with my discriminating taste need somewhere off the beaten track to satisfy their tastebuds. Its not so much that I think people who like it are just wrong, I actually pity them. It like they are stuck in the cave (and by cave I mean the Outback steakhouse) while the snobby, err I mean sophisticated people are out enjoying the sunshine (and by sunshine I mean Shula's.) Can anyone actually enjoy the Outback steakhouse? Didn't think so.

I can enjoy Outback, but then I go in knowing what to expect, an average steak at a reasonable price. When I went into Le'Cellier for the first time I was expecting something to be as good as Shula's or Ruth Chris Steakhouse; after all, there was so much hype about this place it had to be true. Once I encountered this over-hyped phenomena it was the same quality as an Outback. I was expecting more, but it just was not to be. I was not overwelmed with Le'Cellier and nor was it as great as the raves, but it was good, just not great. I expected so much more.

Again, my own personal disclaimer when giving an opinion of a restaurant; it is only the opinion of myself and not intended to be factual.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Once I encountered this over-hyped phenomena it was the same quality as an Outback. I was expecting more, but it just was not to be. I was not overwelmed with Le'Cellier and nor was it as great as the raves, but it was good, just not great. I expected so much more. Again, my own personal disclaimer when giving an opinion of a restaurant; it is only the opinion of myself and not intended to be factual.

Sad to say, I feel the same pretty much about most of Disney's Dining establishements, as a whole they were much better years ago, now I'm underwelmed and disapointed! We go to Todd's Blue Zoo, Il Mullano, etc. and other eateries that charge the same price as Disney but give you better quality and significantly better choices. We skip most of Disney dining!

 

[superdiz]

We love Le Cellier. The filet with mushroom risotto is excellent everytime. I prefer this location for steak to the Yachtsman, Jiko, and Cali Grille. I haven't yet tried Shula's so I will keep you posted But I do get the hype and hope more and more people feel the way you do so that we can get in!

 

[robinb]

I can enjoy Outback, but then I go in knowing what to expect, an average steak at a reasonable price. When I went into Le'Cellier for the first time I was expecting something to be as good as Shula's or Ruth Chris Steakhouse; after all, there was so much hype about this place it had to be true. Once I encountered this over-hyped phenomena it was the same quality as an Outback. I was expecting more, but it just was not to be. I was not overwelmed with Le'Cellier and nor was it as great as the raves, but it was good, just not great. I expected so much more.

I agree that Le Cellier is over-hyped. However, I don't know why you would expect the same caliber of steak from a Disney park restaurant as someplace that costs a minimum of twice as much. Even at Disney's inflated prices . Live and learn, I guess. FWIW, I like the steaks at Outback better that the ones at Le Cellier .

 

[tiredsigh]

However, I don't know why you would expect the same caliber of steak from a Disney park restaurant as someplace that costs a minimum of twice as much.

 

[goofy4prez]

I agree that Le Cellier is over-hyped. However, I don't know why you would expect the same caliber of steak from a Disney park restaurant as someplace that costs a minimum of twice as much. Even at Disney's inflated prices . Live and learn, I guess. FWIW, I like the steaks at Outback better that the ones at Le Cellier .

I was using some sarcasm in the statement; I would never expect it to be at a level of a Ruth Chris. However, I will admit that I was disapointed that when I left I felt like I just ate a steak at Longhorn that had a can of Campbells Musroom Soup poured over it on top of a bed of rice. I expected more based on such overwelming hype. Your right, live and learn.

By the way, like you, I also like Outback better than Le'Cellier.

 

[crisi]

I learned the hard way....always take DISBoard hype with a grain of salt and reasonable expectations. That way, if the meal is as good as the hype, you'll be pleased. And if it isn't, you won't be disappointed. Le Cellier has been the victim of both DISBoard hype and its status as a "one credit steak place in a theme park."

I learned it the hard way when the darling of the Dis was Boma. Had I expected what it was (an extensive and unusual buffet) I'd have been charmed. But I'd been lead to believe the prime rib would be table service steak house quality, that somehow the food managed to avoid the "sat in a chafing dish" features, and that Zebra Domes were orgasmic. And repeated it - but to a lesser "I'd been burned once" extent - with B&C.

This advice holds true no matter where you go - there is someone out there who won't be impressed with V&As and will find it doesn't live up to the hype.

 

[robinb]

I was using some sarcasm in the statement; I would never expect it to be at a level of a Ruth Chris. However, I will admit that I was disapointed that when I left I felt like I just ate a steak at Longhorn that had a can of Campbells Musroom Soup poured over it on top of a bed of rice. I expected more based on such overwelming hype. Your right, live and learn.

By the way, like you, I also like Outback better than Le'Cellier.

Oh good! I thought you were serious .

 

[Bummbok]

So is at all ironic that just before I opened this thread I was sitting here pondering dinner at either Outback or Longhorn?

Not that my opinion means anything but I found Le Cellier to be fairly average, but perfectly servicable. While the menu at Shula's appeals to me (any place that tosses that much steak on a plate always gets my attention) if what I read is true (that it is a Ruth's Chris type of experience) I'll pass. I found Ruth's Chris to be nothing but over priced (ohh hot plates and butter on the steak) and would much rather eat at Outback. To be fair the reason I would try for an ADR ressie at LeCellier again even though I could get same quality cheaper is because if I wanted to eat offsite I'd stay offsite.

 

[GuySmiley]

I know people like different things but this isn't anything but a nasty bit of snobbery.

Can't help myself... but I LOVE outback! Guess I live in a cave...

I think the poster was being sarcastic. At least I hope so!

I hope this post is just a bit of sarcasm, because if it isn't I pity the poster for being a snob.

I can enjoy Outback, but then I go in knowing what to expect, an average steak at a reasonable price.

Yes my post was extremely sarcastic. I know that doesn't come accross well on the internet but I still try

 

[texasgirl73]

My kids love steak (I like steak myself but don't go out of my way to get it, I guess I've had so many in my life that I just don't get excited about them anymore) and I think they would really like to eat at Le Cellier but I am simply not willing to get up 180+ at 6am to get a reservation nor am I willing to eat at some inconvenient time, or shuffle my park days around just to eat at a restaurant. I am amazed at the lengths some people go to eat at this place. I have read a few people actually say that they book CL so that IPO can make their reservations giving them a better chance of getting Le Cellier for dinner.

 

[BelAir3]

My husband, son and I just dined at Le Cellier on Sat 4/17 for a late lunch ADR was for 3pm.

I ordered an iced tea,the steak salad, cheese soup and Moose dessert
Can't remember what my hsband ordered, a steak sandwich I think, a coke, and my 6 year old had a steak and green beans, and the make our own sundae dessert.

We were very psyched to be dining in this restaurant, as I had read all of the hype on the threads, and felt super lucky, as I picked up the ADR 4 days prior to our vacation!!

But.... I was not impressed, nor was my husband.
I liked the multigrain and pretzel breads, but the sour dough was hard. The cheddar soup was very very salty, and my steak salad...well..it was just ok.
(It was slices of steak arranged on the diagonals of the plate, with a portabello mushroom and tomato covered with leafy green salad and vinagrette dressing in the center) It had a nice presentation..but was just average in taste. The moose was good..but not as rich as the chocolate moose that I am used to eating.

My husbands meal was not-memorable...other then he said to me, as we were leaving.."I thought this was supposed to be a REALLY good restaurant? I didn't like my meal at all!"

Now, my 6 year old's steak was fine..average..but his grean beans were very undercooked, crunchy, so he wouldn't eat them. He ate half of his steak, and my husband ate the other half. He loved the build your own Sundae..but what 6 year old wouldn't?

I'm glad that we tried Le Cellier..but will not dine there again, as there are many many other places to try!

Oh, and btw, we did have the dining plan, and used it..but I wrote down the cost of all of our meals..just to see if the dining plan was worth it...(it was by the 3rd day!)..and our check at Le Cellier for LUNCH for 2 adults and 1 child was $79.19 we left a tip of $16.00 (Grand total for LUNCH $95.19)

 

[ElizabethB]

A previous poster indicated Yachtsman is twice as much as Le Cellier, so of course Le Cellier won't be as good. Actually, Yachtsman is more, but not that much more, which is why if we're paying OOP, we always skip Le Cellier. We think the differential between Le Cellier and Shula's, for example, is not sufficient to justify going to Le Cellier instead of Shula's.

Le Cellier
Shrimp Cocktail - Served with seaweed salad and homemade cocktail sauce. - $10.99
Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon - Served wild mushroom risotto and white truffle-herb butter sauce. - $25.99
New York Strip Steak - Served with balsamic red onions, watercress, and roasted Yukon potatoes finished with Bercy butter. - $29.99
Pan-seared Halibut - Topped with tomato confit served over braised red beets. - $24.99
Pan-seared King Salmon - Served over Orzo veggie salad with tomato vinaigrette. - $21.99
Chocolate-on-Chocolate Whiskey Cake - Chocolate cake brushed with Canadian whiskey, layered with chocolate mousse, and finished with honey thyme anglaise. - $7.99

Yachtsman Steakhouse
Chilled Seafood Salad - Made with lobster, shrimp, and jumbo crab with lemon creme fraiche and avocado cream. - $16.00
NY Strip Steak - 12-oz strip steak served with peppercorn brandy sauce and potato gratin with Diamond white cheddar. - $42.00
Porterhouse - 24 oz. Center cut portehouse with freah cut fries and roasted garlic butter - $44.00
Herb crusted Rack of Lamb - With braised Belgian Endive, sunchoke puree and cabernet -olive reduction - $34.00
Slow-roasted Prime Rib - 14oz Prime rib with popover and AuJus. - $39.00
Faroe Islands Ocean Trout - Eggplant tarte tatin, rainbow chard, with cara-cara orange butter sauce. - $34.00
Creme Brulee - Served with fresh berries and rolled chocolate. - $8.00

Shula's
Colossal Shrimp Cocktail - Colossal Shrimp Cocktail - $14.95
16-ounce NY Strip - 16 oz NY strip. - $38.95
20 oz. Kansas City Sirloin - 20 oz. Kansas City Sirloin - $38.95
22 oz Cowboy Steak - 22 oz Cowboy Steak - $39.95
22 oz Loin Lamb Chops - 22 oz Loin Lamb Chops - $35.95
24 oz. Porterhouse - 24 oz. Porterhouse - $41.95
32 oz. Prime Rib - 32 oz. Prime Rib - $38.95
10 oz Norwegian Salmon - 10 oz Norwegian Salmon - $27.95
Creme Brulee - Creme brulee - $9.95

 

[jdisnut]

A previous poster indicated Yachtsman is twice as much as Le Cellier, so of course Le Cellier won't be as good. Actually, Yachtsman is more, but not that much more, which is why if we're paying OOP, we always skip Le Cellier. We think the differential between Le Cellier and Shula's, for example, is not sufficient to justify going to Le Cellier instead of Shula's.

That information begs this question: Why is Le Cellier worth one credit on the dining plan when the other, better steakhouses cost two? Disney, understandably, realizes that if Le Cellier became a signature restaurant, it would never fill.

Remember when Coral Reef cost two credits for a while? That didn't work out so well.

 

[TDC Nala]

Le Cellier rocks if you're on the dining plan, if you're not you might as well go to Shula's. Especially if you have a TIW.

 

[miprender]

Well we finally ate there for the first time on Sun 4-18 and I was quite disappointed with my meal.

I ordered the Prime Rib, and I was warned by our great server that it can be quite fatty. But I thought she meant around the outside of the meat like it is suppose to be. Well, the piece I received looked like the meat that John Candy needed finish in order to win in the movie The Great Outdoors

DH did order the Filet Mignon and said it was really good.

I could have sent it back, but we had just gotten stuck in a downpour and were freezing and wet and cranky.

But at least I can say I tried it.

 

[Tiger926]

My husband, son and I just dined at Le Cellier on Sat 4/17 for a late lunch ADR was for 3pm.

I ordered an iced tea,the steak salad, cheese soup and Moose dessert
Can't remember what my hsband ordered, a steak sandwich I think, a coke, and my 6 year old had a steak and green beans, and the make our own sundae dessert.

We were very psyched to be dining in this restaurant, as I had read all of the hype on the threads, and felt super lucky, as I picked up the ADR 4 days prior to our vacation!!

But.... I was not impressed, nor was my husband.
I liked the multigrain and pretzel breads, but the sour dough was hard. The cheddar soup was very very salty, and my steak salad...well..it was just ok.
(It was slices of steak arranged on the diagonals of the plate, with a portabello mushroom and tomato covered with leafy green salad and vinagrette dressing in the center) It had a nice presentation..but was just average in taste. The moose was good..but not as rich as the chocolate moose that I am used to eating.

My husbands meal was not-memorable...other then he said to me, as we were leaving.."I thought this was supposed to be a REALLY good restaurant? I didn't like my meal at all!"

Now, my 6 year old's steak was fine..average..but his grean beans were very undercooked, crunchy, so he wouldn't eat them. He ate half of his steak, and my husband ate the other half. He loved the build your own Sundae..but what 6 year old wouldn't?

I'm glad that we tried Le Cellier..but will not dine there again, as there are many many other places to try!

Oh, and btw, we did have the dining plan, and used it..but I wrote down the cost of all of our meals..just to see if the dining plan was worth it...(it was by the 3rd day!)..and our check at Le Cellier for LUNCH for 2 adults and 1 child was $79.19 we left a tip of $16.00 (Grand total for LUNCH $95.19)

But, if you weren't on the DP, would you really order a drink, salad, entree and dessert for lunch? If so, then the price may be worth it for you, but if not, then it's an inflated total. Which is why most of the restaurants have such high prices - it's to justify the DP.

We have the TIW card, and so we bring in bottled water and juice boxes, kids will share an adult entree, and hubby and I will each get our own sandwich at Le Cellier for around $42.00 for lunch, for the 4 of us, and that includes an 18% gratuity.

Just another thing to throw into the mix, Tiger

 

[ROEDISNEY]

It's hard to get into and because of that everybody wants to go. It's also small in there. The food is good not the best steak I had in Disney. I eat steak everyewhere.

 

[BelAir3]

But, if you weren't on the DP, would you really order a drink, salad, entree and dessert for lunch? If so, then the price may be worth it for you, but if not, then it's an inflated total. Which is why most of the restaurants have such high prices - it's to justify the DP.

We have the TIW card, and so we bring in bottled water and juice boxes, kids will share an adult entree, and hubby and I will each get our own sandwich at Le Cellier for around $42.00 for lunch, for the 4 of us, and that includes an 18% gratuity.

Just another thing to throw into the mix, Tiger

You are right..we typically would not order an appetizer and a dessert..(my salad was my entree) for lunch. We were planning on this meal being an early dinner, esp. since we were not seated until 3:20 for our 2:55 ADR (Weird ADR time, yes I know- that's what popped up on the online system when I booked)

So realistically, $95 for a meal that was considered our dinner was ok.

I am/was not familiar with the TIW card..maybe that is something that I will look into for our next trip.

But overall...Le Cellier was not impressive for my family's taste.
I'm glad that we tried it, but will choose other restaurants for future visits.