After our absolutely fabulous appetizers, UncleR and I were excited to move on to our entrees. And again, after all of our obsessing...I mean research, we both knew exactly what we wanted.
No question, I was having the grilled pork tenderloin, which is served with goat cheese polenta, roasted mushrooms, and a Zinfandel glaze.
I was looking forward to this meal and had expectations regarding its level of awesomeness that would put it on par with the excitement you feel when you're buying a new car. I was expecting melt-in-your mouth meat, slap your mama polenta, and a glaze that would make me want to stand on the table and do a dance while I proudly showed my plate licked clean.
Instead, what I got was...well, the best way I can sum it up is: "Is that it?"
I'd read countless dining reviews on the cooked-to-perfection pork tenderloin that is juicy when cooked to a true medium. What I got was dry pork tenderloin. And let's be clear here...it is incredibly hard to ruin pork for me. I love pig like no other meat product. I only managed to (literally) choke down one tenderloin. It was tasteless as well, and the Zinfandel sauce wasn't doing it any favors.
The polenta was incredibly yummy, while the mushrooms weren't anything that I don't already make at home. Neither of them were enough to save my pig meat.
UncleR ordered the oak-fired filet of beef, served with mascarpone potatoes, roasted delta asparagus, and a Teriyaki barbecue sauce.
It was exactly as she ordered it, a good medium to medium rare:
I tasted her meat, and it was incredibly tender and while it was good, it also left us feeling underwhelmed. The potatoes were good, but my polenta was better.
The one critique UncleR had? "Why didn't I have them leave off the barbecue sauce?"
Again, after countless dining reviews, we saw multitudes of posters downgrading the taste of this sauce. And they were right. It's sad when you've built up the expectation of a meal to such a point and then you find yourself outright avoiding certain components of that meal. That barbecue sauce was overpowering, and not at all tasty.
I will say that the wine that David, the waiter, had recommended for both of us to compliment our entrees (the Provenance Merlot) was an absolute perfect accompaniment.
It was now approaching 10 p.m. and Wishes was about to begin. David stopped by the table and we asked him to box up our leftovers (cause we felt so bad leaving food at Cali Grill) and told him we were going out to the observation deck to watch Wishes. We also told him we'd be back for dessert after Wishes (because at this point, we were hoping to end the meal on a high point).
I will say that at this point we'd been traveling all day and had been walking for hours in the high heat. Both UncleR and I stood up to head out to Wishes and looked at each other and I said, "Whoa! I think I'm a little drunkety." I'd only had 1/2 of my mai tai and maybe 1/3 of my glass of wine, but apparently, liquor and heat and Goofyluver don't mix. UncleR was feeling a little wonky on her feet as well, so we promised each other to help each other hang on to the observation deck wall for stability.
David gave us a tip for Wishes viewing. Most guests head out to the observation deck which is accessible directly from the CG dining room. Apparently (and we didn't know this either) there is a second observation deck. After you round the bar, you head back towards the elevators and pass them as if you're visiting the restroom, and there's a second observation deck right there. No one goes there because no one knows about it. We were out there with only a few other guests while the other observation deck was packed like a can of sardines. And the view is just as wonderful.
There was an incredibly cute kid sitting on his father's shoulders watching Wishes. After the first large "boom" of fireworks maybe a few seconds in, he loudly started to clap and proclaimed, "That was awesome dad! Disney is AWESOME!"
He thought it was over and he was ready to head back inside. Imagine how thrilled he was when the show continued for several more minutes!
(And just a side-note for you smokers, smoking is allowed on the observation decks)
After clinging to the wall during Wishes, we headed back in to attempt to salvage the meal and *hopefully* go out on a high note.
UncleR ordered a coffee to sober her...I mean wake her up.
For my dessert, I ordered the bananas and caramel, which are described as crispy baked phyllo squares layered w/banana, caramel, mascarpone mousse, with caramelized bananas on the side.
Again, meh. It's almost too unforgetable to write about.
UncleR ordered the lavender profiteroles, served with wildflower honey and strawberry rhubarb compote.
I thought it tasted like soap. She took a few bites and shoved it to the side as well.
I would really like to know what the heck happened to my amazing meal at California Grill? It started out on such a high but ended in utter disappointment. I'm still a bit sad about it.
I will say, David was still an absolute joy of a server. And the wine room at Cali Grill was an amazing backdrop for a very romantic evening. But even those positives weren't enough to save the overall experience, especially after the meal we were going to experience the next day...
We left our drinks unfinished, picked up our to-go boxes and went back to the Boardwalk. I hate being full of subpar food...it's like a total waste of calories...
...
We'd go back to Cali Grill, although not on the DxDP. And we'd be very selective with our food...sushi, sushi, and probably more sushi.
Dining Credits Used: 4 (Ugh...2 dining credits each, down the drain)
Total Credits Remaining: 6
Total Cost of DxDP: $315.96
Total Cost of California Grill: $151
Total Spent on Dining Plan Meals: $220.32
***We did pay OOP for our mai tai's and wine. The mai tai's were $9 each, and each glass of wine was $12. Too bad I couldn't finish it all, as it wouldn't have been fun to see one bride carrying another drunk bride over her shoulder all of the way from the Contemporary to the Boardwalk.
We're getting married in my hometown, but doing a fairy tale themed wedding.
Get to it, good woman!! Bring on the entrees!
You're a good egg, T....
The one meal I'm so looking forward to. 
I wonder if it's too late to change it to Artist Point. 
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