CA Grill vs. Emeril's Orlando?

[MinnieGirl33]

For those of you who have been to both could you please comment on which you like better?

Service?
Menu?
Taste?
Cost?

We have been to Emeril's a number of times, absolutely love it & will continue to return but keep making & changing ressies for CA Grill

Are we missing the boat here?

FWIW, we do DDE not DDP so it would be OOP.

 

[Jacqui]

I am also very interested in the Emeril part of this response. When we are in WDW in September, my DH & I are considering going there one night for dinner.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I am also very interested in the Emeril part of this response. When we are in WDW in September, my DH & I are considering going there one night for dinner.

I would absolutly go! His menus are on his website. People rave about Tchoup Chop too but we haven't made it over there yet.

Service at EO is impeccable... attentive without being overbearing... accomodating & helpful when asked for suggestions, casual but no too casual.

Food is flavorful & interesting. DH is a meat & potatoes guy who swears this is consistently the best filet. I like to try something new each time we go & have yet to be disappointed. The specialties remain but the menu will vary based on season, etc. Kids love it & look forward to going as well.

We always walk out feeling we got our monies worth.

 

[rickdeni]

Where is Emeril's?

 

[skunkvette]

Emeril's is at City Walk/Universal.

Having been to both, the issue with Emeril's is the need to drive to and park at City Walk. If both restaurants were located side by side, I would choose Emeril's menu, decor and service in a close race, but prefer CA Grill for the convenience of being in the park.

This year's trip will include a return to the CA Grill, but not to Emeril's, that slot has been filled by a return to the Bluezoo.

 

[Jacqui]

I would absolutly go! His menus are on his website. People rave about Tchoup Chop too but we haven't made it over there yet.

Service at EO is impeccable... attentive without being overbearing... accomodating & helpful when asked for suggestions, casual but no too casual.

Food is flavorful & interesting. DH is a meat & potatoes guy who swears this is consistently the best filet. I like to try something new each time we go & have yet to be disappointed. The specialties remain but the menu will vary based on season, etc. Kids love it & look forward to going as well.

We always walk out feeling we got our monies worth.

Thanks for the info. We will be without the kids that night, since my MIL has agreed to watch them. Should I make reservations now? The night we go will be for my birthday and I don't want to wait too long and not be able to get in. When you say casual but not too casual, is standard park attire acceptable, or should we dress up some? TIA

 

[oybolshoi]

Emeril's restaurants at Universal (both of them) are incredible. I think that the CityWalk location is probably more comparable to California Grill. The decor is contemporary and the primary dining rooms are both busy and noisy. I've gotta say, you can't beat the view from CA Grill - it's gorgeous!

The main dining room at Emeril's is pretty noisy but when we were there last year for our anniversary we were seated upstairs in their wine room and it was lovely and romantic and peaceful.

I think the menu at Emeril's offers more choice than California Grill and there is a chef's tasting menu which we've done twice - it was excellent! Service at both (in our experience) was pretty good, but I'd give the nod to Emeril's for overall professionalism.

Tchoup Chop is unbelievable - that's over at the Royal Pacific - a beautifully themed restaurant with an inventive menu and their prices are actually a bit lower that Emerils at CityWalk (or at least they were last year).

You can follow the link in my signature to read a review I did of both Emeril restautants last year (sorry, no pics!).

We really liked California Grill when we ate there this past fall, and we're planning on going back next month.

We've not been disappointed in any of these restaurants, for what that's worth.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Thanks for the info. We will be without the kids that night, since my MIL has agreed to watch them. Should I make reservations now? The night we go will be for my birthday and I don't want to wait too long and not be able to get in. When you say casual but not too casual, is standard park attire acceptable, or should we dress up some? TIA

I wouldn't do park attire although I have seen it there. I think (depending on season) capri's or even jeans with a nice top... my boys usually wear khaki shorts & a golf shirt.

If you know when you want to go I would definately make the ressie now. I think they book 6 months out. I always book throught the Emeril's website but you can call as well.

If it is a special occasion you might want to request the wine room upstairs. Much quieter... only about 5 tables IIRC... amazing service.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

oybolshoi

enjoyed your review...

 

[bgdiznee]

As others have said the Emeril's at City walk is excellent. Thcop Chop at the RPR is imho just alright. I've eaten far better meals at other Emeril establishments including Las Vegas. Unless you want to see the RPR I would pick Emeril's at City Walk. I think you would feel like it best compared with CG and I promise you would have a great dining experience. You can also go online at "Opentables.com" to make reservations for Emeril's. I would strongly advise you do it asap. There is no cost or CC obligation to make a reservation using this service.

 

[Kae]

We sat at the Chefs Bar At Tchop Chop fabulous. It is the prettiest place. If you have never done CG then I will do it. CG is very nice the food is great but I would rate Emerils places higher on service & food, CG has the best view in the "world"

Kae

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I've eaten at all three as well though not recently at CG and they are all very good.

I also have enjoyed Tchoup chop more than Emeril's, the Asian fusion thing works very well, IMO. Although the scallops I had as an appitzer at Emeril's were the best scallops I have ever had. My slight grudge against Emeril's was my entree, my server talked me into the bone in ribeye (cowboy steak) 'special', which is one of my favorites when done right and sad to say it was not very good at all. Everything else was great though.

 

[Connears]

We have eaten at Calif Grill and Tchoup choup. Both are fantastic.
Tchoup choup has a beautiful dining room, great service, open chow kitchen, fantastic food. We have been twice and would go back in a heart beat. Our DS is 16 and we took him and his friend wehn they were 14 and they loved it(both got filet..of course) Desserts are also wonderful. We are staying one night at Royal Pacific after OKW this christmas and will probably eat there again.

We had the most amazing Christmas dinner this year at Calif Grill. There were four adults and our DS (16). We had DDP so we all had fabulous appetizers, entree and desserts. We got there for our 9pm adr early and were seated immediately with a great view for Wishes (which we did not ask for). We really feel we got the most for our money that night and had a great holiday meal.

You can't go wrong with either..they are specatcular.
Connears

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Emeril's is better than Cali Grill.
. . . more quality in the food
. . . more creative menu items
. . . more spectacular plating of dishes
. . . more expensive

 

[MinnieGirl33]

OK, so if I am finally willing to stray from our beloved Emeril's, I am guessing (based on the other posts) that people would suggest trying Tchoup Chop first?

The menu looks so interesting but I have to admit DH is not as adventurous as I am (have to give him credit though, he is trying & has started ordering things new to him). Kids will try anything for the most part. Question is, are the flavors familiar enough or subtle enough to not be "odd" to a meat & potatoes man?

 

[oybolshoi]

OK, so if I am finally willing to stray from our beloved Emeril's, I am guessing (based on the other posts) that people would suggest trying Tchoup Chop first?

The menu looks so interesting but I have to admit DH is not as adventurous as I am (have to give him credit though, he is trying & has started ordering things new to him). Kids will try anything for the most part. Question is, are the flavors familiar enough or subtle enough to not be "odd" to a meat & potatoes man?

I don't know if this will help you or not, but I am actually a pretty picky eater. Originally I booked a reservation at Tchoup Chop because I knew my husband would enjoy it. But I found plenty to enjoy there, too - and the entree I ordered...a filet in port wine sauce with goat cheese melting on top...was so good I still start drooling when I think about it almost a year later.

Their menu is quite extensive so I think he would have no trouble finding something he'd enjoy. You should take a look at the menu in advance - just go to Emeril's website and follow the links to his restaurants. The menus are posted there for both lunch and dinner.

PS. - glad you enjoyed the review. That was the first time I ever tried to "review" a restaurant.

 

[Jacqui]

Thanks for the info. I will make my reservations tomorrow.

 

[Jacqui]

Our reservations are made. I can't wait to try Emeril's. Thanks for all the info.