On our last trip to Disney World, I decided it was time to continue the steak debate by ordering steak at two different restaurants and comparing them. Last time, I compared Shula’s Steak House to Yachtsman Steakhouse. You can read that review here. This time, I wanted to know which restaurant served better steak: Shula’s Steak House or Le Cellier Steakhouse?
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Le Cellier Steakhouse is in the Canada pavilion of EPCOT. Disney’s site describes the restaurant as dining in a wine cellar of a chateau-style hotel that serves steaks and seafood specialties.
I will admit that I wanted to post a review of this restaurant previously but could not because I did not take usable pictures of our entrees. I will also let you know that this previous visit was great, and this visit was even better.
Because I look for consistency when reviewing restaurants, it is relevant to summarize the previous dining experience that I did not post. The last time I went, the server was very good to talk to concerning my special dietary needs (no wheat, dairy, or strawberries). I spoke to an allergy chef and had a nice steak meal with carrots, fries, custom peppery steak sauce, and gluten-free rolls with nondairy butter. The steak was cooked as I had requested, and I was happy to have a steak sauce that I could eat. This was important to me because I like peppercorn sauce, but many restaurants on the property either do not have it or it contains ingredients I cannot have, so having a peppery sauce custom-made for me was really appreciated. The restaurant did well following safety protocols, and I felt comfortable eating there. The staff members were knowledgeable about special diets, and the waitress allowed me to speak directly with the pleasant allergy chef. I was impressed that when a wait staff member other than my server brought me my gluten-free bread and nondairy butter, he clearly stated the food items as he set them down on the table. I found the special diets communication very friendly, helpful, and straightforward. My needs were taken seriously and respectfully, and honestly, I felt very well taken care of in a way that is difficult to find at restaurants with my dietary needs. The ambiance made me want to put this restaurant at the top of the list for our next trip. It was a calm, relaxing break from the chaos of the park. Beyond that, the atmosphere made me feel I had a unique dining experience. You do not often find a restaurant with a great atmosphere, good service, appealing food, and safe accommodations. It is even rarer that you walk away with that good feeling of having had an all-around pleasant experience. It was a treat to eat there, especially as someone who has difficulty finding places to eat with my special dietary requests. The service throughout the meal was also fantastic. We had everything we needed throughout the meal; the server and attendants were attentive and friendly. It felt like a team effort from when we walked in to check in until we were thanked on the way out of the restaurant.
Now that we are caught up, let us compare the two restaurants from my latest trip. This time, I had two servers at Le Cellier (one was assisting or training, I believe). The main server was knowledgeable about my menu offerings and what could be modified. I was so comfortable that I did not request to speak directly to a chef. She informed me that I could have gravy with my steak. I had the most honest, sincere reaction to this amazing, unexpected news: I was so overjoyed I started crying. There I was, a grown woman so happy I could eat gravy that I started crying in front of the servers.
I had a side of fries with my steak and envisioned combining them with the gravy, but the fries were so good on their own that I left the gravy for my steak. The fries may seem less interesting, but they were good and complemented the steak. They had a nice crispy texture. I enjoyed the steak and gravy so much that while chewing some bites, I sat and closed my eyes briefly and allowed myself to be in the moment. I looked like a woman in an air fresher commercial, smiling with closed eyes and taking a deep breath to savor the Moonlight and Crisp Linen scent I had just sprayed. My husband enjoyed his steak with a side of onion gravy on top of a bed of carrots and his bread service. From start to finish, my experience was exceptional. The service, food accommodations, and food were spectacular.
Shula’s Steak House
I previously reviewed Shula’s. I am reviewing it again because I want consistency in food quality and service, not just a one-time lucky dining experience. I also wanted to compare it to a different restaurant this time. This experience left me a little disappointed compared to my last visit. The service this time was not as exceptional; I did not feel taken care of as much as the previous visit. I was not as comfortable ordering my food with accommodations initially, although everything was acceptable after I placed my order.
Additionally, our waiter paid attention to a couple seated next to us and paid less attention to us during the meal. The couple was celebrating an anniversary, and I understand that the waiter was hoping for a nice tip from the guests celebrating. Still, I was disappointed that we were chosen to be provided with a less impressive server experience.
I was also annoyed for other reasons regarding the dining room seating. The first reason was that my dining atmosphere was ruined due to the couple’s loud laughing and interactions with one another and with staff members due to them consuming too many adult beverages. The second reason is that apparently, this behavior was acceptable to management, but we are always informed that my husband is not allowed to wear his hat in the dining room, indicating we might be the problem guests. We are fully aware that hats are not permitted in the dining room. Still, we also realize that Shula’s has chosen to locate its restaurant in the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel near the Disney parks, where some of the (sweaty) guests are returning from the parks to eat dinner and have been wearing hats and ear hats all day. People will have a case of hat hair when they remove their hats. I did take offense that we were considered potentially troubling guests even though we were polite to all staff members and followed the dining room rules, while this couple was unruly and was allowed to tarnish the atmosphere, which is part of the dining experience. On this visit and our previous one, we were punished for our after-park appearance and attire by being seated in a corner where fewer guests would see us. I would much rather be placed next to someone like us with slightly crazy hair over nicely dressed guests who are unruly any day. I also believe our money is just as valuable as that of other guests with less roller coaster-styled hair and that we deserve to be treated as such. I have found the restaurant’s attitude concerning this a little frustrating.
As for the steak, it was good. I tried the chimichurri sauce and enjoyed it, but I would not have enjoyed the steak without a sauce. The gluten-free, dairy-free rolls were good. Dairy-free butter is unavailable, but I was provided with olive oil and requested balsamic vinegar. The baked potato with bacon was good; I did use my miniature bottle of barbecue sauce because I did not have butter.
My husband ordered a filet with au poivre sauce and crispy potato wedges. The wedges were very crisp and came with a sauce that he thought was good. He said the wedges were a nice alternative to a baked potato. The au poivre sauce was consistent on the two visits. The sauce was good but lacked peppercorn flavor and the number of peppercorns.
The Winner
My husband felt the steak at Shula’s Steak House was a little better than Le Cellier’s, but he admitted that for an overall experience, Le Cellier could not be beaten. Shula’s also provides that very traditional steakhouse atmosphere that many might seek. Shula’s cost twice as much, but if you asked me if Shula’s was twice as good, I would answer that it was not. The gluten-free, dairy-free bread service was better at Shula’s than at Le Cellier. My husband enjoyed his bread service better at Shula’s as well. Le Cellier, for the price difference, great food, outstanding and more friendly service, ability to serve special diets guests, and its relaxing atmosphere, will always be a winning choice for guests.