Cali Grill review

[WeLoveAriel0505]

Hi all,

Thought I'd share some thoughts on our Cali Grill experience last week............

Embiance..........little louder then we would have liked. We went as a couple and if we're going to plunk down $100 or more dollars for a dinner it would be nice if it was a little more quaint. Just really loud in there. Service was not very attentive the first 5-10 minutes we were there which I think is critical in a meal.

First course - We had a sort of duck confit salad which was really good. We also had Spicy kazan roll which is of crab shrimps scallops and tuna with a "fireball sauce"

Main course - DW enjoyed her pork tenderloin dish while my Ostrich filet was just okay.

All in all, not the worst experience, but not sure we would go back for a date night out.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Yes it is a little loud in there. But keep in mind you are in Disney and they are Kid friendly resturants. With that in mind that's what you get. The only place I ever found quiet in Disney was V & A.

 

[blanq]

The main dining room at CG is indeed loud and bustling. The wine room, however is not; it is cozy, intimate, quiet and one of my favorite places in all of WDW to spend an evening.

 

[BriarRosie]

I wanted to second the comments about the Wine Room.

If you ask the cast member acting as host/hostess upstairs that you'd want a table in the Wine Room if possible, they will do their best to accommodate you.

 

[si-am]

We were in the wine room last year and I actually didn't like it at all. No view of MK from there, which is really the best part of Cali Grill for me.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

Yes it is a little loud in there. But keep in mind you are in Disney and they are Kid friendly resturants. With that in mind that's what you get. The only place I ever found quiet in Disney was V & A.

Good point. It IS Disney World after all, so I suppose we should expect a bit of noise. I had no problem with that at all, actually. I rather like the sound of kids squealing around and laughing. None seemed to get out of hand, so I liked it.

What I did have a problem with -- and this is just a bit of Momma's home training coming out right here -- is the lack of enforcement when it comes to the dress code at the California Grill. I was truly stunned at what I saw at dinner. Cutoff shorts, T-shirts with holes in them. Ratty flip-flops, and men in baseball caps at the table. That probably bugged me more than anything. I simply couldn't believe these people not only WANTED to look like they did, but were ALLOWED to enter the restaurant that way when the dress code clearly states that none of that is permitted.

What's up with that? We left Epcot two hours early so we could go back to the room, bathe, change and brush our teeth so we could go to the Cali Grill for a fine-dining experience sitting next to Gomer and Cletus? Fellas, seriously, pretty please, take off your Chick-Filet baseball cap at the table.

If people want to dress down like that, fine. There are hundreds of restaurants at DW that would love to have you. But for cryin' out loud, I am plunkin down $400 for my family to eat at the California Grill, man ... spit out the gum. Patch a hole in your pants. Stop belching like a frog at the table. And for the love of all that is holy in the world, take of your ridiculous Chick-Filet baseball cap at the table.

Pretty, pretty please.

 

[Nancyg56]

I understand that you were distracted by the folks not following the dress code. I never notice other unless they are literally falling out" of their clothing so it does not bother me. We always allow the time to shower and dress for dinner but a lot of people just do not realize how much time traveling from park to resort and then to dinner takes so they are caught short.

 

[ajpa]

- DW enjoyed her pork tenderloin dish while my Ostrich filet was just okay.

What the heck does ostrich taste like?

Not to hi-jack the thread, but any recs for us on what to order on the ddp?

I love meat & spicy food, dh does not like spicy and is health conscious -- likes fish, and 12yo does not like spicy.

Edit: Do they still have creme brulee?

 

[llqool]

We left Epcot two hours early so we could go back to the room, bathe, change and brush our teeth so we could go to the Cali Grill for a fine-dining experience sitting next to Gomer and Cletus?

too, too, funny! We felt the same way when we spiffed ourselves up and went to Artist's Point, only to have to sit across from an older lady in Daisy Dukes! And *that* restaurant was much *less* family-friendly and loud than Cali Grill.

We loved having a window view at California Grill. It was well worth having early dinner ADRs!

 

[scot@dvcstore]

Well said eastcarolinafan. I couldn't agree more.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

What the heck does ostrich taste like?

Not to hi-jack the thread, but any recs for us on what to order on the ddp?

I love meat & spicy food, dh does not like spicy and is health conscious -- likes fish, and 12yo does not like spicy.

Ostrich is a good meat. The texture won't be unfamiliar to you, it's simply like a firm steak. Not tough, but thicker-tasting, if that makes any sense. It can be served any way you like it, I suppose, spicy or not -- it's up to you.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

I understand that you were distracted by the folks not following the dress code. I never notice other unless they are literally falling out" of their clothing so it does not bother me. We always allow the time to shower and dress for dinner but a lot of people just do not realize how much time traveling from park to resort and then to dinner takes so they are caught short.

I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, honestly. I realize things happen. They happen to us too and we have to make do. Still, that has nothing at all to do with Cletus and Gomer not taking off their shabby, greasy caps at the dinner table.

And kudos to you for not noticing things like that. Sadly, I have not evolved that far. Also, you have to admit it's a bit of a let down after all that build-up of actually getting to the Cali Grill. You know, starting at the 4th floor lobby, being greeted by a hostess and escorted onto the private elevator up to the restaurant. Ooooooh, this is gonna be soooo cool. Doors open, sweet lighting, nice music. Awesome .... step out, still nice, plush digs ... and then ... oh, hey, it's Cletus and Gomer! Where's the keg, fellas?!?!

Still, the fireworks were the most beautiful ever. That view is something any Disney fanatic should see at least once. It would be criminal to miss the view and the Jimminy Cricket narration.

 

[blanq]

We were in the wine room last year and I actually didn't like it at all. No view of MK from there, which is really the best part of Cali Grill for me.

True there is no view of the MK, but the view from that height, through that big wall of windows in the wine room, is still amazing IMHO. The best part of a meal at the CG for me is actually the food and the service. The fact that they stock Conumdrum wine seals the deal for me.

 

[Nancyg56]

I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, honestly. I realize things happen. They happen to us too and we have to make do. Still, that has nothing at all to do with Cletus and Gomer not taking off their shappy, greasy caps at the dinner table.

And kudos to you for not noticing things like that. Sadly, I have not evolved that far. Also, you have to admit it's a bit of a let down after all that build-up of actually getting to the Cali Grill. You know, starting at the 4th floor lobby, being greeted by a hostess and escorted onto the private elevator up to the restaurant. Ooooooh, this is gonna be soooo cool. Doors open, sweet lighting, nice music. Awesome .... step out, still nice, plush digs ... and then ... oh, hey, it's Cletus and Gomer! Where's the keg, fellas?!?!

Still, the fireworks were the most beautiful ever. That view is something any Disney fanatic should see at least once. It would be criminal to miss the view and the Jimminy Cricket narration.

Yeah, the caps are rude. I so seldom get to dress up that I use every opportunity to at least get out of my jeans or shorts and the ignore whatever makes me nuts....most of the time.

I remember when the CG was the Top of the World. That was not only fine dining but a very strict dress code. Men wore suits and women wore cocktail dresses. It was wonderful! Now I am happy that it is a little more relaxed, we vacation with my DGD and while she is very well behaved and loved to dine out I am glad that there is a little noise. Not to mention that we usually have 7 or 8 of us at the table, we do appreciate the buffer of the other folks talking

 

[ElizabethB]

The noise bothers me far more than failure to comply with the dress code. I couldn't care less what people wear. But, if their kids are running around, shouting and intruding on my peace and quiet -- that's when I care.

We once watched as a boy took the chopsticks and used them to drum on the plates, the table, the chairs, the floor and on his little sister's head (she, of course, started screaming at that point). Mom and Dad did nothing.

We now ask for the wine room. However, that is no guarantee of quiet. With the DDP so popular now, we've often been seated in the wine room with large and loud family groups.

The only real answer to the noise at CG is to dine really late and after the fireworks are over -- 10 pm or later.

 

[TigerLilly28]

What's up with that? We left Epcot two hours early so we could go back to the room, bathe, change and brush our teeth so we could go to the Cali Grill for a fine-dining experience sitting next to Gomer and Cletus? Fellas, seriously, pretty please, take off your Chick-Filet baseball cap at the table.

If people want to dress down like that, fine. There are hundreds of restaurants at DW that would love to have you. But for cryin' out loud, I am plunkin down $400 for my family to eat at the California Grill, man ... spit out the gum. Patch a hole in your pants. Stop belching like a frog at the table. And for the love of all that is holy in the world, take of your ridiculous Chick-Filet baseball cap at the table.

Pretty, pretty please.

Gomer and Cletus! I am cracking up! I feel your pain! My DS8, who is years beyond his age and a gem at nice dinners, had dinner at Jiko last year, and had the same experience..... loud, obnoxious kids, tossing food at each other, while the parents did nothing to stop it. Families dressed like they were heading to Waffle House for dinner..... even my eight year old was annoyed! I know it's Disney... but come on! This isn't a character meal! Book your ADR's somewhere where it's ok, even ENCOURAGED to behave that way! Keep in mind, many of the Disney hotels that house these restaurants also house child care centers!
If my son wasn't capable of acting like an 'adult' at dinner, I would never take him to a Signature Dining restaurant!

 

[eastcarolinafan]

Gomer and Cletus! I am cracking up! I feel your pain! My DS8, who is years beyond his age and a gem at nice dinners, had dinner at Jiko last year, and had the same experience..... loud, obnoxious kids, tossing food at each other, while the parents did nothing to stop it. Families dressed like they were heading to Waffle House for dinner..... even my eight year old was annoyed! I know it's Disney... but come on! This isn't a character meal! Book your ADR's somewhere where it's ok, even ENCOURAGED to behave that way! Keep in mind, many of the Disney hotels that house these restaurants also house child care centers!
If my son wasn't capable of acting like an 'adult' at dinner, I would never take him to a Signature Dining restaurant!

Nicely said. And what I really don't understand is why CG allows it. We can't possibly be in the minority when it comes to being offended by this behavior, can we? It doesn't take a great deal of effort to step up your game for the three hours you are there. A decent pair of pants with no holes, and a golf shirt, and there you go. Even a nice pair of Levis would be appreciated.

And, of course, please remove your Chick-Filet baseball cap upon entering the dining area. All the best people do.

 

[natalielongstaff]

What I did have a problem with -- and this is just a bit of Momma's home training coming out right here -- is the lack of enforcement when it comes to the dress code at the California Grill. I was truly stunned at what I saw at dinner. Cutoff shorts, T-shirts with holes in them. Ratty flip-flops, and men in baseball caps at the table. That probably bugged me more than anything. I simply couldn't believe these people not only WANTED to look like they did, but were ALLOWED to enter the restaurant that way when the dress code clearly states that none of that is permitted.

Could not agree more, such a shame

 

[thewall2k]

We went on our honeymoon last year and got seated in the Wine Room which was fantastic despite there being no view of MK. It was nice and quiet, the staff was great, it was us, an older couple, and David Cook(in town for the Xmas Parade) it was pretty cool.

 

[kbmaggs]

We have tried Cali Grill twice, once in the main dining room and once in the wine room. Both areas were chaotic the nights we were there, and, while the food was good, it just wasn't good enough to put up with the kids chasing one another, babies crying, and service that wasn't up to par. We have found that Citricos has the food, service, and atmosphere that, combined, resulted in a fine dining experience.