July 20, 1997 – Le Cellier Becomes a Steakhouse
“Descend into the cozy cellar of a Canadian château for exquisite steaks and seafood specialties.”
On July 20, 1997, the restaurant Le Cellier, located in Epcot’s Canada Pavilion in the World Showcase, underwent a massive change to become a full-fledged steakhouse. Le Cellier was opened on October 1, 1982, and was a buffet and cafeteria-style restaurant; it underwent its first overhaul in 1995, featuring deli-style sandwiches and salads. The 1997 update gave the restaurant a new name (Le Cellier Steakhouse), a new menu, and a new status as a signature restaurant within Walt Disney World. It was an immediate success, and to this day it is still difficult to gain a reservation. The menu features such dishes as the Maple-brined Kurobuta Pork Porterhouse, a black angus rib-eye, and Skuna Bay Canadian salmon.