I Repent.

[rsoxguy]

Here’s the thing. I have ragged against Le Cellier on this forum every time that I have commented on this restaurant. I have claimed that the food is mediocre at best. Consequently, I had not eaten there for several years up until yesterday.

I have often stated something that I firmly believe regarding most of the eateries at WDW, namely this; mediocre food and exorbitant pricing almost always leaves me dissatisfied. I still hold to this opinion, and half of the statement would include Le Cellier. It is priced ridiculously high for the value.

With this said, I have been wrong about the quality of the food. We decided to go to EPCOT for Labor Day this past Sunday. We checked the Disney website Sunday night around 8:30, and to our surprise there were plenty of openings at Le Cellier for the following day. We made an ADR, and ate there on Monday. The food was delicious. I ate poutine for the first time in my life (lobster poutine) as an appetizer, and it was quite nice. This review comes from a guy who doesn’t ordinarily like to eat fries with accessories poured on top, and doesn’t even dip them in ketchup. The pretzel bread was quite nice, with a slightly hard outside and a soft and warm inside. I ate a New York strip steak that was thick, juicy, and cooked perfectly. It came with potato pave, which was a small tower of thinly sliced potato and topped onions. It was similar to an au gratin type of dish, and it was very nice. I thoroughly enjoyed this meal, and walked away so full that I skipped a sweet pretzel from Norway later in the day. It was far too expensive when compared to other eateries offering the same basic fare in “the real world”, but it was a very good meal in quality of food. I’ve been wrong about the quality, and I admit it. Go figure.

 

[Master Yoda]

"Value" is always a big X factor in dining.

I can honestly say that I have never had a bad meal at Le Cellier. Everything has always been prepared correctly and has been good quality. Service has never been less than exceptional. Bang for the buck, well... that is where the place loses me. If I am going to pay Cadillac prices, I don't want a Chevy with a Cadillac hood ornament on it.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Le Cellier used to be my favorite place to eat. It was a "must do" for us, if you will. Unfortunately, since it's change over to signature for lunch as well as dinner, we have decided to skip it the last few trips as we are limiting ourself to 1 signature a trip and we're trying new places. Last week, there were plenty of openings when I checked for a lunch or dinner on Sept 12, so it appears others are steering clear as well. You would have NEVER seen any openings when it was not signature. Is it worth the price? Probably not. Not compared to other places outside WDW that give you much better quality and service for less than LC. But speaking in terms of Disney, where everything is ridiculously overpriced, I think it's ok. Cali Grill, Citrico's, Hollywood Brown Derby... all places with filet on the menu, all priced pretty much the same.... $40 or so. I think everyone loved Le Cellier because it was so cheap. Now that it's on par with the other signature places on property, people seem to be shying away from it. Everything in Disney is overpriced. But as far as overpriced meals there go, LC has always hit a home run, in my opinion.

 

[rsoxguy]

"Value" is always a big X factor in dining.

I can honestly say that I have never had a bad meal at Le Cellier. Everything has always been prepared correctly and has been good quality. Service has never been less than exceptional. Bang for the buck, well... that is where the place loses me. If I am going to pay Cadillac prices, I don't want a Chevy with a Cadillac hood ornament on it.

This is my issue with many restaurants at WDW. My exception with Le Cellier is that I have always judged the food by memory, and I now must admit that the food was quite nice. Way too expensive, but tasty.

 

[Monty]

I go every trip, often more than once. I get an excellent meal, excellent service and enjoy the "visiting royalty" treatment I get as a Canadian!

I think the ADR system made it seem better than it is, but mainly because of the size of the venue. It's a very small restaurant inside a park. I've seen food and service reviews that are particularly negative despite my own experiences that have probably turned a few folks away and going "Signature" may have turned a few more away. IMO the restaurant was a real value at one credit on the dining plans and is less so at two credits. Paying OOP it didn't actually change as much, prices did go up some, but the quality and presentation of the food improved too. So for all that use DDP, it's less attractive, but for those who pay OOP, it's a draw since the change.

 

[rsoxguy]

So - have they fixed the Cappuccino machine? Things been broken for a good four years....

I don't drink coffee, but the soda fountain seemed to be working perfectly.

 

[zurgandfriend]

Okay from a guy in Boston to rsoxguy I guess I'll have to trust a red sox fan and try it again.

 

[Bparso87]

I have never tried it because of mixed reviews and price. I can't justify the price r using two credits. I have a lot more signatures I want to do first.

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

I'm trying this for the first time ever next week with some of the Ladies after our Dream cruise. Glad to hear you had a good meal - I do love a good steak and was planning on ordering one while I was there.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

Glad you enjoyed your meal. When it comes to vacation I know the meals are going to be more expensive especially at WDW so we try not to think about it too much. Like staying on property instead of off property, you can save money but miss on the experience.

 

[George]

Paying OOP it didn't actually change as much, prices did go up some, but the quality and presentation of the food improved too. So for all that use DDP, it's less attractive, but for those who pay OOP, it's a draw since the change.

Maybe I'll have to give it a go again. It has been 3 or 4 years, but I always found the food to be so-so. But based on some of the comments and the OP(thanks @rsoxguy ), I'm intrigued.

 

[jesemeca]

I'm trying this for the first time ever next week with some of the Ladies after our Dream cruise. Glad to hear you had a good meal - I do love a good steak and was planning on ordering one while I was there.

Hey I'm one of those ladies you are going with! I am sure you will love Le Cellier. I'm not a big steak person but I love the filet mignon there. It's delish!

 

[ShookieJones]

I've never had a bad meal at the joint, but it never seemed on par with the other signature restaurants at WDW so once it went signature I bailed.

However I do have to say that your review has me thinking it over and let's face it --- your avatar and screen name solidifies that you have the finest of tastes.

 

[jkl2000]

I'll probably check for an ADR the day before and see if anythings opened up. Would like to try it and all we have booked is San Angel Inn for one night.

 

[sxeensweet]

So happy to see a positive thread about Le Celllier!! Very happy you enjoyed yourself!! All of me and DH experiences there every trip are like yours delicious food cooked to perfection, excellent service, nice pace to the meal, etc. The consistency of a great experience is what keeps us going back every single trip! We went last 3 trips including most recent last Dec And will be again this Dec, and every trip in the future. People always talk about value but we judge by good food and service not value of the costs!!!! Me and DH always gladly spend good money at any restaurant we love the food, etc. Whether we are on a dining plan or not never makes any difference in our dining choices. We simply eat where we enjoy.

 

[Figgy1]

Here’s the thing. I have ragged against Le Cellier on this forum every time that I have commented on this restaurant. I have claimed that the food is mediocre at best. Consequently, I had not eaten there for several years up until yesterday.

I have often stated something that I firmly believe regarding most of the eateries at WDW, namely this; mediocre food and exorbitant pricing almost always leaves me dissatisfied. I still hold to this opinion, and half of the statement would include Le Cellier. It is priced ridiculously high for the value.

With this said, I have been wrong about the quality of the food. We decided to go to EPCOT for Labor Day this past Sunday. We checked the Disney website Sunday night around 8:30, and to our surprise there were plenty of openings at Le Cellier for the following day. We made an ADR, and ate there on Monday. The food was delicious. I ate poutine for the first time in my life (lobster poutine) as an appetizer, and it was quite nice. This review comes from a guy who doesn’t ordinarily like to eat fries with accessories poured on top, and doesn’t even dip them in ketchup. The pretzel bread was quite nice, with a slightly hard outside and a soft and warm inside. I ate a New York strip steak that was thick, juicy, and cooked perfectly. It came with potato pave, which was a small tower of thinly sliced potato and topped onions. It was similar to an au gratin type of dish, and it was very nice. I thoroughly enjoyed this meal, and walked away so full that I skipped a sweet pretzel from Norway later in the day. It was far too expensive when compared to other eateries offering the same basic fare in “the real world”, but it was a very good meal in quality of food. I’ve been wrong about the quality, and I admit it. Go figure.

Next thing you'll say is the Yankees rule

 

[DBTAY]

My mouth is watering just reading about your meal. I've never been to Le Cellier, I've heard most of these negative points before.. but I'll have to talk to hubby about maybe giving it a shot! All this delicious steak-talk will probably win him over

 

[Figgy1]

My mouth is watering just reading about your meal. I've never been to Le Cellier, I've heard most of these negative points before.. but I'll have to talk to hubby about maybe giving it a shot! All this delicious steak-talk will probably win him over

A most magical welcome! My bucket list includes trying every restaurant at Disney. Never know until you try it for yourself.

 

[DJMoore2011]

We must have eaten there before it's service type changed. We had lunch there and it was only a 1 credit on the DDP.

We went with the Chef's Lunch Specials that day, which were on the DDP, and got and appetizer, entree, drink & dessert. Boy did we walk out of there over full. From the Cheese soup and pretzel bread to my maple creme brule, oh so good. The service was very good, our waitress was very patient with Darling Daughter who asked where in the US was Canada (no she doesn't understand maps) and then Darling Daughter asked about the Hockey Hall of Fame and the waitress was very happy to talk about that. When the waitress came back with our bill she showed Darling Daughter a picture of her standing next to the Stanly Cup. Darling Daughter was over joyed and was very happy to explore the rest of Canada and more of the World Showcase to see what things were the same and what things were different.

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Next thing you'll say is the Yankees rule

Don't they ???