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Review: Le Cellier: Epcot
O Canada. Perhaps not the first nation that comes to mind when one thinks of world-class cuisine. Truthfully, I wasn’t even certain what typical Canadian fare is (apart from maple and cheddar). Yet Le Cellier at Epcot is surely one of the finest restaurants along the World Showcase lagoon. Not only is the food a culinary feast sure to please the most critical guest, the ambiance is as cozy as one could imagine. I became a quick convert to the simple joys of Canadian food.
Nestled past colorful gardens, at the foot of mountainous rocks and a splendid recreation of Quebec’s famed Chateau Frontenac, Le Cellier is a lovely combination of elegance and earthiness, of coziness and class. Every bit a cool, dark “cellar”, the dining room is impressive in its rich décor. From its stone block archways to its heavy, Medieval-like door frames to the dense fireplace, Le Cellier feels like a snug, cavernous oasis, its rustic aura a nice escape from the soaring June temperatures. The muted lighting is provided by dozens of candle-like sconces which appear to drip wax. This all enhances a sort of quiet enchantment of the room as does the blending of the dark maroon linen against the dark wood-finished tables. Our server Emily from Ontario exuded a warm and “down-home” sort of charm. A lovely representative of our Neighbor to the North. And she quickly became our best friend when she started off our meal with a lovely presentation of hot, straight out-of-the oven, bakery fresh rolls ,each representing a different region of Canada. The pretzels rolls, representing Ontario, are incredible. Soft, lightly salted and scrumptious, they were a welcome start to our meal. The sourdough roll, representing The Yukon territory, is hearty with a crispy crust while the multigrain roll, representing Alberta/Manitoba, is soft and scrumptious.
For starters, we ordered the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup made with Moosehead beer and bacon. Wow! Hearty, thick and creamy with a sharp cheese flavor and a definite kick, this soup is a must-have. We began dipping pieces of the incredible pretzel roll into this pale yellow concoction and smiled from ear to ear. Quite a wonderful discovery. We could have happily made an entire meal on this practice alone. I almost jumped the gun and gave Le Cellier a five-star review based on this alone.
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For a no obligation, FREE Quote with new bookings contact our sponsor Magical Vacation Planner by calling: 1(407)442-0289
Or for a free no obligation quote with new bookings you can fill out the form by Clicking HERE!
For entrees we naturally had to order the Wild Mushroom Filet Mignon (their signature dish) and opted also for the Grilled Pork Chop, two excellent choices. The filet was moist and one of the most tender cuts of meat one can savor. Cooked and seasoned to perfection, the filet was complimented divinely with a delectable mushroom risotto with a truffle butter sauce. To use the word scrumptious is putting it mildly. The pork chop was packed with smoky flavor and glazed with a wonderful bourbon-chipotle sauce which curiously impersonated a distinct maple flavor. The chop was enormous and very meaty but incredibly lean. The slightly sweet sauce made a beautiful pairing with the smokiness of the meat. While the chef recommends the pork being ordered medium, this one may have been a tad, just a tad, overcooked. The onion straws crumbled across the top were crispy and appealing while the accompanying cheddar cheese pasta was overcooked and dry, its texture not being too appealing. The cheddar flavor was a little too pungent for my taste. The restaurant is also famous for its ice wines and while we did not sample any, I did smell the delightful and inviting bouquet of a neighboring diner’s wine. Definitely something I would try on a subsequent visit. For dessert, we shared the Maple Crème Brulee. Light custardy goodness with a heavenly, crisp sugary maple top layer, it oozed comfort and pleasure. It actually tasted almost like butterscotch, which to me, was a wondrous and welcome thing. The portion was ample for two, especially after a very hearty and satisfying meal. Le Cellier will easily persuade you to consider Canada one of the frontrunners in world cuisine. Surely one of the best restaurants of World Showcase, if not the entire Disney Resort. You’re sure to be a convert the minute the bread reaches your table. Food: Yes, the menu does have its share of the maple and cheddar you would expect, but these flavors are showcased in the most wonderfully palatable ways. PLUS, there is so much more to sample. Think outside the box and instead of running to the pavilions more well-known for their cuisine (Italy, France, etc),give Le Cellier a try. You will be delightfully surprised and happy you did. Canada is giving those countries a run for their money. Atmosphere: Oozes coziness in its food and its décor. The heavy, somewhat rugged stone cellar mirrors the heartiness of the food. Service: Friendly and efficient. Emily had a quaint charm about her that was quite endearing. Tips: Book early. Le Cellier isn’t the largest of dining rooms and books rather quickly and well in advance. The Cheddar Cheese soup makes a delightful dipping sauce for the breads. Try it!
