The Steakhouse is an American tradition. For most, nothing says “dinner” like a succulently seared slab of cow. In its marketing wisdom, Disney is well aware of this affection for red meat, and its theme parks feature numerous steakhouses. Some of those steakhouses have, in fact, become fan favorites, and a few, like Epcot’s Le Cellier, are so popular that securing a dinner dining reservation in their environs is somewhat akin to winning an academy award for many Disney diners.
But in the end, whether most want to admit it or not, a steak is…well…a steak. Certainly, you can discuss the marbling of the meat, the aging process, the perfect cooking method, but it’s a steak. And, as succulent its offerings may be, a steakhouse is…a steakhouse. If a dining option is going to stand out, to shine, it needs something to set it apart from the herd. Le Cellier’s selling point is its accompaniments, from cheddar cheese soup to pretzel breadsticks to mushroom garlic risotto. The steak may be the centerpiece, but it’s those “add-ons” that make Le Cellier the hot dining reservation it is.
Warm, wood decor & nicely spaced tables
But then, if a steakhouse is made by the little things, what turns a steakhouse into a “Signature Restaurant”? Disney’s Yachtsman Steakhouse is among a small bevy of restaurants designated as “signature dining experiences” - special places deemed worthy of depleting 2 dining credits from those on the Disney Dining Plan and carving a respectable hole in the wallets of those who are not. Many of those restaurants feature ethnic flavors or subtle, complex concoctions with exotic ingredients. What puts a steakhouse in that exclusive club?
Service. Although the Yachtsman Steakhouse offers succulent dry-aged steaks and a mouth watering menu, the things that truly sets it above the other restaurants on property is the dining experience it offers. It manages to strike the perfect balance between elegance and comfort, giving patrons a memorable meal presented by a warm, personable server…all without your water glass ever being more than ¾ empty.
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