Walt Disney World's Le Cellier Steakhouse

Located near the gorgeous Victoria Gardens of the World Showcase Canada Pavilion at Disney World's Epcot park is a surprising favorite of a restaurant. The atmosphere is a subtle wine cellar. Elegant, but hardly unique. The tables are located very close together and the turnaround is fast so a lingering and romantic dinner is not guaranteed. Yet, somehow, Le Cellier Steakhouse has become one of the most sought after reservations on Disney property. Why?

The starters. Le Cellier has two items that would possibly cause a strike if they were removed from the menu: the Canadian Beer Cheese Soup and the hot and fresh pretzel bread. These can be enjoyed separately, but dipping the pretzel bread into the soup is close to divine. The pretzel breadstick accompanies sourdough and multi grain breadsticks with every meal, and for an additional appetizer, diners can select the cheese soup, Prince Edward mussels, tomato stack salad, duck two ways or a spicy sausage, chicken and polenta combo.

The steaks. Le Cellier definitely does steaks right. They include both a Kansas City and New York Strip, an excellent prime rib and the signature Mushroom Filet Mignon, served over mushroom risotto and topped with a sauce that would make a mushroom lover's heart melt. Those guests who do not care for the fungus can still order the filet, but substitute the decadent cream cheese mashed potatoes for the risotto. At lunch, diners have the option to enjoy their beef either on a grilled steak salad, an Angus chuck burger, or a prime rib French dip sandwich.

Other entrées. Le Cellier also offers items for the diner who is not looking for steak. Osso buco, chicken coq au vin, salmon, scallops and vegetarian ravioli are generally available for choices. At lunch, a chicken Caesar salad joins chicken sandwiches and a delectable salmon BLT for alternate entrées.

Desserts. Le Cellier typically offers a seasonal fruit dessert ranging from an apple pumpkin crumble to an apple rhubarb crumble. The most whimsical desserts are the chocolate moose, which is made from a dark chocolate decadent mousse rolled into the shape of the animal, complete with maple cookie antlers, blueberry eyes, and a red candy tongue and the s'mores, which begin with vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two graham cracker cookies and chocolate and topped with sprinkle encrusted marshmallows on a stick. The most unique to Canada dessert would be the sweet maple crème brulee. With it's perfect crust over creamy maple flavored custard, this dessert is a winner.

The value. One reason behind Le Cellier's success is the Disney Dining Plan. Diners can enjoy quality steaks and desserts with considerable value by using only one table service credit. The meal is competitive with several signature restaurants requiring two credits, so eating at Le Cellier gives guest quite the credit bang for their culinary buck, so to speak.

But is there a tradeoff? Le Cellier is in a theme park. The atmosphere will always have lots of families and children who are stopping in the middle of thrill rides and shows to eat, so a quiet and elegant meal it is not. A table for two may find themselves sitting practically on top of the tables next to them. And there is always the fear of service sliding when the restaurant tries to get as many people through as quickly as they can. But if diners are prepared for the experience, the meal can be delicious, fun and completely enjoyable.