Cali Grill, allowed there before table ready?

[Sorrel]

It's been years since I ate at Cali Grill, and I have a ressie there for 7:40 in February. In the small print on the website it says that we'll be escorted from the 2nd floor to our table when it's ready. My question is, are we allowed to go up for a drink in the bar up there beforehand? Or if our table was running late, could we still go up there at the allotted time?

 

[Uncleromulus]

They will certainly let you up beforehand. It's what we always do.
But--there may NOT be any room at the bar, or in the small lounge. Which means you MAY need to stand until something opens up, or until the table is ready.

 

[Sorrel]

Thank you! That's good to know. So long as they will let us enjoy a martini while we stand and wait that is more than fine! We will go a good half hour earl so we can enjoy an aperitif

 

[JimmyV]

Also, be aware the ADRs are not reservations for specific times. You get the "next available table". So if you arrive early, you might get seated right away or soon after you arrive. If you really want to relax with a cocktail in the lounge, make sure to let them know that you are in no rush.

 

[Sweettears]

You can always stand out on the viewing deck to enjoy your cocktails as well.

 

[Sugardimples]

The onle thing I don't like abouth California Grill is the lack of space while waiting. People end up standing against the wall waiting for a table. It doesn't seem right in a restaurant of this type to not take better care of you while you wait.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Been there and done that. And I agree. If they let you up there ought to at least be a place to sit. We once stood for almost 1/2 hour before a bar seat became available..and that was the only way we could finally get a seat, standing where we could see the bar.

It was a bit better in the old days, when the lounge area encompassed the entire "right side" of the restaurant. But then they obviously found out they could put more tables there and hence the very small lounge area today.

Of course in the "old days" anyone and their brother could go right up to the restaurant, whether they were actually eating there or not...so there wasn't really any more room then.

 

[aubriee]

The onle thing I don't like abouth California Grill is the lack of space while waiting. People end up standing against the wall waiting for a table. It doesn't seem right in a restaurant of this type to not take better care of you while you wait.

I got a little pissed when I was there waiting for my table in Oct '09. I was solo and as soon as I arrived, I saw, and sat at a tiny table by the window in the lounge to wait for my table. I'm not much of a drinker, so did not order anything when the waiter came around. Just a few minutes later the table next to me got up to go to their table and a party of five wanted to sit there. They decided to eat in the lounge and their waiter told me to give up my table so he could push those two little round tables together for them. The lounge was of course full by that time, so I had to give up my table to stand against the wall. It sort of pissed me off that just because I had not ordered a drink I had to give my little table up.