Le Cellier Steakhouse Review - Oh Canada you have let me down.
Written: Oct 04 '09
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Pros: Supposed to have "the best" steaks
Cons: pricey, salty, rushed, food not great, had a gross out experience.
The Bottom Line: Le Cellier, I could leave it.
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| marytara's Full Review: Le Cellier Steakhouse |
My husband and I have dined at Le Cellier Steakhouse, located in the World Showcase Canada pavilion at Epcot, in the past - and loved it. So, when it came for booking our anniversary dinner my husband suggested that we go back to Le Cellier. I was game, and love a good steak. I booked our reservation 90 days ahead via Disney's Dining reservation system online since we were staying at a Disney resort. You can also book reservations via the Disney Dining advanced dining reservation phone line. If you would like to dine at Le Cellier, you need to book this one well in advance as it is a very popular dining spot.
Our reservation was for our anniversary (late September 2009) dinner at 7pm, knowing that we would get out just in time to watch the spectacular fireworks display over the lake at Epcot. We looked forward to this dinner throughout our trip - as it was on one of our final days in Disney. Sadly, I am here to say that I was sorely disappointed by Le Cellier.
We arrived at Le Celiier about 15 minutes before our reservation and were seated promptly. The restaurant is located in a wine cellar of sorts - it is dimly lit and lends itself to a romantic dinner if it weren't so over-run with families. But, I'm guilty of this myself as we were dining with 2 children also. However, my kids actually behave and remain seated at a restaurant as opposed to many you'll run into at Disney.
Like many Disney restaurants, the meals come at a high price. But, if you are using the Disney Dining Plan you are on a pre-paid (sometimes even FREE depending on your trip package) meal plan. We were on the dining plan which meant we could order our meals guilt free and not worry about getting the priciest entree - which we both did. In the past the Dining plan included appetizers and gratuity but the new meal plan has done away with these inclusions unless you are on the "deluxe" plan. We were just on standard dining, which meant appetizers were not included.
Our server, who was from Canada, and a friendly fellow - asked us what plan we were on and when we mentioned the Dining plan he didn't even ask if we were interested in appetizers (as they aren't included). Afterwards, I had wished I had ordered some of their famous cheddar soup because I remember really enjoying it. In fact, if I had ordered it - it probably would have 'saved' my meal. But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Before the meal, we were brought out bread and butter - including pretzel bread that I did enjoy. The sourdough and other bread (it was seedy) were not that good in my opinion.
Both my husband and I ordered the Filet Mignon which is priced at $34.99 and served over a mushroom risotto. I ordered my steak medium and found it to be undercooked and bloody inside and tough on the outside. My husband ordered his rare and enjoyed it. I feel that at this price, even if it was on the dining plan - the steak should be cooked to order and not seem 're-heated' but that is what I got. The mushroom risotto was tasty but definitely over-salted. Between that and the (yummy) pretzel bread I think I could have drank 5 glasses of water plus my diet soda. I had thought about ordering a cocktail, but our server didn't come around other than to deliver the meals and then he ran off again. I definitely felt like we were getting pushed through and rushed on our meal.
My 4 year old daughter ordered from the kids menu and had spaghetti for her main entree and a fruit cup for an appetizer. For dessert she had an ice cream sundae. Her meal would have cost $7.99 includind her drink -- this was suitable and kept her fed. No complaints here.
My 8 year old son is on a special gluten and casein free diet and so he couldn't order off of the fixed kids meal menu. Disney is good with food allergies and sends a chef to the table to discuss alternatives and make a meal to order. He had fries cooked separately and some pan seared chicken. The portion size was good but the food quality was horrible. His chicken was dry and he wouldn't eat it claiming it tasted it like mustard. His fries were raw in the center and it is rare that he doesn't devour fries, but he left many of them on his plate. The chef and server never came back to ask how his meal was - so I couldn't tell them that it was basically inedible. The only edible part of his meal was the dairy free ice cream that he had for dessert. Since his meal was so bad, he kept busy with the crayons and completing the activities on the kids menu which was Disney UP and Wizards of Waverly Place activity worksheet. During this meal he asked if he could go eat at Pepper Market (which was the cafeteria style restaurant) at our hotel! For a kid who doesn't ask for much, this spoke volumes.
For dessert I had a chocolate mousse that was shaped like a moose and had maple crackers for ears. It was cute and all, and the kids liked it and had me take a picture. Tastewise it was basically like Jell-O brand chocolate pudding with oreo crumbs on the top.
So, I mentioned that this was our anniversary dinner, right? I had indicated it in our reservation we were celebrating our anniversary. I mentioned it again to our server, and both my husband and I were wearing our prizey disney buttons indicating that it was our anniversary. Le Cellier did nothing extra. Not even a candle in the dessert, nor a mention of Happy Anniversary from our server. This was very undisney and not like anything else I have ever experienced at Disney. Oh well.
It could be worse, right? Well it got worse when I went into the ladies room to find a mother with a child vomiting all over the place. Now, I know - as a mom.. this happens. But - it wasn't even in the stall it was all over the sink and into the bathroom. I immediately exited and told our server to let management know to please send in someone to clean, etc. I also asked if there was any other restroom I could use in the meantime. The server looked at me like I was being unreasonable and just said "I'll tell a manager". We were sitting very close by the bathroom and the smell from the bathroom wafted right out into the restaurant. I was glad we were done eating at this point, but at this point I felt nauseous myself and we paid and ran.
So, Le Cellier was not real magical for us this time around. If we were paying our meal out of pocket it would have been over $100 for the 4 of us and we didn't order apps or alcohol. For the service and not so great food quality it definitely was not worth it. I would really think twice before returning to Le Cellier. I did actually have a better steak at Pepper Market which is the cafeteria/market style restaurant at Coronado Springs resort - and that doesn't even need a reservation (its Quick Service!).
Oh Canada! You have let me down.
Recommended:
No
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Cheddar Cheese Soup
Best Suited For: Friends
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marytara
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Member: MT
Location: Jersey Shore
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