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Review: New Lunch Menu at Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot’s Canada Pavilion

Since Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot’s Canada Pavilion is one of my favorite places to dine, I take any change to the menu pretty seriously.

We recently reported the news that the steakhouse would be changing their lunch meal to a signature (i.e. expensive!) meal, meaning they’d be featuring the same menu for lunch that they have for dinner.

The change in the menu was pretty hotly contested by most readers who are Le Cellier fans. Those of you who routinely use the Disney Dining Plan expressed disappointment that you couldn’t opt for the one credit lunch (now both lunch and dinner are “signature” meals, thus requiring two credits on the Disney Dining Plan.)

But many of you who don’t use the DDP also expressed exasperation, as the prices were steep for lunch. Still others were upset that beloved items like the Le Cellier Burger didn’t make the cut.

With all of this in mind, we decided to stop by Le Cellier for lunch and take a look at some of the new menu items. I was also interested to see how we felt about eating our large, most expensive meal midday, rather than in the evening.

Atmosphere

Le Cellier Steakhouse is located in the “cellar” of the chateau that you’ll find in the Canada Pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase. Modeled after famed chateau-style hotels, the restaurant is themed to give you the impression that you’re dining in the wine cellar.

When you arrive, you’ll check in at the podium on the main thoroughfare, then proceed down the path and into the small lobby. Le Cellier has historically been a very tough ticket to get when it comes to Disney dining reservations. I’m interested to see if it will be easier to dine here now that both meals are on the expensive side.

Le Cellier -- Outside

When we entered the lobby, we noticed that there have been some new landscape portraits added to the walls.

New Landscape Portraits in Lobby

This plaque details the history of The Group of Seven and its importance in bringing Canadian landscape art into its own.

Description of New Lobby Decor

Before the group of artists — also sometimes known as the Algonquin school — began capturing the Canadian countryside on canvas, many thought the country not worthy of artists’ attention. The paintings are a welcome addition to the lobby, and really serve to further this spot as a real taste of Canada’s beauty.

Another View of New Lobby Artwork

Once you leave the lobby area, you enter the small dining room, which is Continue reading →

Disney Food Post Round-Up: May 12, 2013

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you fantastic moms, mothers-in-law, grandmas, and moms-to-be out there!

Disney Mother's Day Cookies

We love that Disney is featuring some yummy “just-for-mom” cookies and rice krispie treats in their candy shops this month! Have a wonderfully sweet day!

And let’s start that day with a little Disney food news…that’s always sweet!

Disney Food News

Read on for this week’s news from your favorite Disney destinations…

And there’s more! Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including Celebration Cakes at Epcot, a fall refurbishment for Cinderella’s Royal Table, and new menus at ESPN Club, Kona Cafe, and Beaches & Cream.

Reader Finds

If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!

This week, we get a glimpse of some fun birthday celebrations such as this one sent in by Facebook Friend Alynne. She says “This was my son’s 4th birthday cake I ordered in advance at the Enchanted Garden Restaurant at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel. It was super yummy!”

Birthday Cake at Enchanted Garden in Hong Kong Disneyland!

Another friend from Facebook, Hal, sent this delicious treat from their son’s birthday. It’s “a build your own sundae birthday celebration at Le Cellier”!

Build Your Own Sundae at Le Cellier!

Be sure to check out lots more Disney birthday goodies in our Disney Birthday Treats Gallery!

Deal of the Week! Pre-Order A 2013 Disney Dining Guide and get the 2012 Edition for FREE!

When you pre-order your copies of the DFB Guide to the 2013 Walt Disney World Holidays and/or the DFB Guide to the 2013 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival for an exclusive discounted rate, you’ll be able to instantly download the 2012 Guides and start your planning — TODAY.

Then you will be automatically emailed the 2013 Guides when they’re published. Get two editions for the price of one and start planning right away.

Pre-Order — DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2013

The Holiday season in Disney World is packed with magic: Holiday meals and snacks, special events, and seasonal shows, for starters! How will you see all the attractions, save money, AND take in the extra festivities in your already jam-packed vacation?

We’ll guide you through all the holiday events, activities, and dining so that you can get the biggest bang for your buck in Walt Disney World!
List Price: $14.95. This price includes the 2012 Guide as an instant download. You will automatically be sent the 2013 Guide as soon as it’s published.
Enter Discount Code: PreHoliday
DFB Reader Discount: $3! (20% off)
Your Exclusive DFB Price: $11.95 — get the 2012 Guide instantly, and the 2013 Guide as soon as it’s published!

Pre-Order — DFB Guide to the 2013 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

46 days of special events, 29 food and beverage tasting booths, and celebrity chefs to meet? How do you fit it all in without breaking the budget? Make sure you make the most of your time and money at Disney World’s Food & Wine Festival!

List Price: $14.95. This price includes the 2012 Guide as an instant download. You will automatically be sent the 2013 Guide as soon as it’s published.
Enter Discount Code: PreFoodWine
DFB Newsletter Reader Discount: $3! (20% off)
Your Exclusive DFB Price: $11.95 — get the 2012 Guide instantly, and the 2013 Guide as soon as it’s published!

On to the Round-Up!

Walt Disney World for Grown Ups sips on rum drinks at Walt Disney World! What’s your favorite rum drink at Disney?

Mickey Fix leads us to some great merchandise this week. How about a Build on Brick Lego mug or Gaston’s Tavern Stein?!

Cake Wrecks shares photos of an awesome Millennium Falcon cake!

Daveland highlights one of my favorite past Disney restaurants — Casa de Fritos — for Cinco de Mayo.

Yesterland remembers Bountiful Valley Farm in Disney California Adventure.

Disney Travel Babble highlights new celebration cakes available at select Epcot restaurants.

Main Street Gazette stops by the Landscape of Flavors food court at the Art of Animation resort.

Disney Parks Blog announces a Celebration of Greece at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, including wine education and tasting seminars on May 25.


News from Raglan Road! Mother’s Day Brunch and New Wine List

There’s more great news coming from Raglan Road in Walt Disney World! Let’s check out the latest news coming from one of our favorite Downtown Disney restaurants…

Mother’s Day Sunday Brunch

On Mother’s Day, May 12, treat your mom to Sunday Brunch!

The Full Irish Breakfast will feature sausage, black and white pudding, bacon, roasted tomato, mushrooms, and fried eggs with potato “roasties.” Or dig into a smoked salmon omelette, pancakes with crème fraiche, maple syrup and berry compote, and Chef Dundon’s “Host the Roast” family dining experience.

Pancakes at Raglan Road Brunch!

See the full brunch menu here.

Entertainment by Irish house band Creel and performances by the Raglan Road Irish Dancers make this a Continue reading →

News! Menu Updates at Disney Restaurants

It’s that time of year again!! Disney World restaurants are updating menus left and right!

Thankfully, we have wonderful readers who help keep us all up-to-date with these changes. Here are a few of the updates… . And stay tuned for our review of the NEW Le Cellier Steakhouse menu coming up soon!

Beaches & Cream

According to a server, menu changes took place approximately two weeks ago at the Beach Club’s Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. Check out the addition of a Vegetarian Falafel on flatbread which replaces the Grilled Vegetable Sandwich.

Beaches and Cream Menu. Click image for larger version.

Here’s a pic of the new Falafel sandwich, thanks to ThatMattLynn on twitter!

Falafel Sandwich at Beaches and Cream

Also, prep for a Kitchen Sink Sundae price increase by $2 — it now costs $28.99. Thanks to Brent Hannon for the info!

Ice Cream Menu at Beaches and Cream. Click image for larger version.

Artist Point

Artist Point in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has a few menu updates this Spring, according to DFB reader Elyssa Henry!

She says, “My husband and I just ate at Artist Point for the first time and it was AMAZING! Thanks for the previous reviews. They helped guide our choices. I also wanted to let you know that they just added two items to the menu and our server, Paul, told us tonight was their debut.”

Artist Point Cedar Plank Salmon

It sounds like the Wild Columbia River Cedar Plank Roasted King Salmon is back on the menu, and there’s also a seasonal dessert to sample: pistachio coffee cake and sea salted caramel vanilla panna cotta.

Kona Cafe

The Polynesian Resort’s Kona Cafe has a new dinner menu, which features a new cheese plate as an appetizer.

For entrees, a pan-seared chicken with Continue reading →

DFB Snack Attack IllumiNations Dessert Party Tickets On Sale May 13th

Calling all Disney food fans! I’m pleased to announce that tickets for this year’s DFB SNACK ATTACK will be available for purchase THIS MONDAY, May 13, 2013, at 6pm ET.

Watching Illuminations from a VIP location and eating Disney desserts? Yes, please!

What’s Snack Attack?

This our Fourth DFB Snack Attack, a private, VIP event featuring a menu full of our favorite Walt Disney World snacks — all in one place AND an incredible, private view of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth in Epcot!

The event will take place on October 2nd, 2013. Click here to read more about this event!

All-You-Can-Eat Writer's Stop Carrot Cake Cookies!

While Snack Attack ticket-holders will certainly appreciate the one-of-a-kind menu, you’ll also be able to relax and enjoy an awe-inspiring view of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, Epcot’s outstanding fireworks spectacular!

Watching the IllumiNations Globe from our private viewing location

How to Buy Tickets

On May 13th at 6pm EST, we’ll publish a post here on Disney Food Blog with a link to purchase tickets. Based on this year’s menu, tickets will cost around $60 per person.

Here are a few extra details about the event: Continue reading →

Snack Series: Banana Pudding in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Every once in a while I come across a truly unique item at a Disney counter-service location. Today, so many of the desserts and snacks are homogenous across Disney World and Disneyland, that it’s always great to find a one-of-a-kind!

Today, we’re headed to Yak and Yeti Counter Service — also known as Anandapur Local Food Cafes — in Disney’s Animal Kingdom to check out the Banana Pudding!

Yak and Yeti Counter Service Menu

Banana Pudding

OK, I totally understand your concern. Pudding can be boring. I’d skipped over this dessert many, many times before actually ordering it, too. But in this case…it’s pretty awesome!

Banana Pudding at Disney's Animal Kingdom

This dessert is not only unique to this counter service spot — it’s also delicious! Truly rich and creamy, the pudding is thick — not soupy at all.

PLUS…here’s the best part — it’s full of real bananas and built on a crust of crushed Continue reading →

Reminder: September 2013 Walt Disney World Free Dining Offer Now Available for ALL GUESTS!

It’s official!! A Disney World Free Dining offer is now available for check-in dates 9/2 – 9/25 in September 2013! This means that guests taking advantage of the offer will get a free Disney Dining Plan with their Magic Your Way package.

Must Arrive Between 9/2-9/25

The offer is currently available only for guests ARRIVING September 2 to September 25, 2013. Our understanding is that a minimum stay of 3 nights is required. The package may not be booked for longer than 14 nights.

This means that even if you arrive late in the offer window, you will still be able to apply free dining to your entire stay. For example, if you arrive on September 25th, you can still have free dining for your whole trip, up to 14 days.

We currently don’t have any knowledge as to whether the free dining offer will be extended in either direction.

Must Stay at a Disney-Owned Resort on Property

Guests must stay at a Disney-Owned Resort. If you stay at a Value Resort, you’ll receive the Quick Service Dining plan for FREE. (Note that you can upgrade to the standard or deluxe dining plans by paying the difference in cost per night.)

Stay at a Moderate, Deluxe, or Deluxe Villa Resort, and you will receive Continue reading →

What’s Your Disney “First Day Tradition?”

It’s time to talk Disney trip traditions!!! Over the years, my “first day at Disney” traditions have changed and evolved. But there’s nothing like looking forward to that thing you love to do first when you get to Disney World or Disneyland.

So my question for you today is this: Do you have a favorite ”Welcome to Disney” tradition that you always look forward to? Let us know in the comments below — I might just have to change mine once I get inspired by a few of yours!

In the interest of fairness, I’ll share one of mine, too… :-)

Take a Deep Breath and Enjoy the View

One of my favorite “first night traditions” in Disney World is shaking off the stress of travel with a deep breath and a relaxing view. The best place to do this in my opinion? Disney’s Polynesian Resort!

I usually choose one of two options once I get there: Either lounge in a comfy, wicker chair at the Tambu Lounge, or head to ‘Ohana for a sunset dinner! (And sometimes I do both!)

Tambu Sign

“The Poly” offers lots of choices for Continue reading →

News! Disneyland’s Refreshment Corner Adds a New Chicago-Style Hot Dog

When you’re in Disneyland and in serious need of a hot dog, we have just the place for you — the Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner!

Refreshment Corner -- Outside View

This spot will remind East Coasters of Casey’s Corner with its decor and location. With a nod to early twentieth century vintage, this spot anchors Main Street U.S.A. with lots of charm as well as good eats.

And today, we’re bringing you news and pictures of a brand new menu item here. Let’s take a look!

Refreshment Corner

Refreshment Corner occupies a corner of Main Street U.S.A., just before you get to Jolly Holiday Bakery and Cafe. It’s compact to be sure, and seating is all outdoors, but there’s plenty of fun decor to check out!

Tiffany-Style Shades with Coca-Cola Branding

This spot is best known for Continue reading →

Top 5 Disney Dessert Recipes!

I know you’ve got a big event planned soon and you’re looking for the perfect recipe to try out…right?

OK, even if you’re not, I think today’s post might inspire you to start planning a dinner party! Let’s check out my top 5 favorite Disney dessert recipes! Which ones have you sampled in the parks?

Bananas Foster Bread Pudding at ‘Ohana

Alrighty — it’s time to start out with a BANG! There are few things that I love to eat in all of Disney World more than the Bread Pudding at ‘Ohana.

This Polynesia-meets-churrascaria restaurant can be somewhat unpredictable in terms of quality. But one thing is always certain: the dessert is PERFECT. Seriously…every single time!

The bread pudding is served warm with a heaping scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, and the most incredible sauce ever. I could easily eat a bowl full of it.

Bananas Foster Bread Pudding at 'Ohana

It was a happy day when I discovered the ‘Ohana bread pudding recipe, and with it, the power to make this one at home!

Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake at Liberty Tree Tavern

Say what you will about Liberty Tree Tavern, the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake is a must-order!

While Liberty Tree Tavern dinner is served family style and consists of roasted meats and traditional sides, lunch features an a la carte menu…and it’s awesome. There are many dishes on the menu that I look forward to having when I visit, but I never leave without ordering dessert, and it’s always Ooey-Gooey Toffee Cake!

Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake at Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom

Less a cake and more like a rich, shallow, muffin-shaped chocolate chip cookie, I fell in love with this treat the first time I tasted it! And I could have kicked myself for having passed on it before then. The flavor combo of Continue reading →