momomonster
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2003
- Messages
- 177
Id been looking forward to this meal for soooo long and my expectations may have gotten the best of me because it was fairly disappointing. Service was awkward, food was okay, and wine was overpriced.
Our reservation was for 6:10pm and we checked in around 5:45pm. Our pager buzzed almost immediately and we rode the elevator up to where the host told us, Youll be dining in the wine room where the VIPs sit and the kitchen noise cannot be heard. Cool! I have no idea why we were getting the VIP treatment other than checking in early, maybe? Well, the view of Discovery Island was spectacular and the excitement mounted.
The waitress quickly came over to introduce herself and make small talk, but I could tell she was asking questions and not listening to the answers because her response was always the same exact uh huh. When she poured our wine she managed to spill it not once, but twice, and rather than comp us something or bring us more wine she decided we needed a new table cloth. Dh and I gathered up our numerous menus (cheese, regular, expensive wine, obscenely expensive wine, etc.) into our laps while the wait staff swooped in to move the water glasses, silverware, bread plates, etc., so a new cloth could be laid down.
In all the fuss I ordered the Spicy Sensation sushi plate without asking about the sauce- I dont care for mayo-based sauces, but that is what I got. Im fairly adventurous, so it didnt bother me too much and I enjoyed it okay. I just wished Id asked more questions and ordered something else, especially since Id also ordered the lobster bisque, which is also on the spicy side.
DH got the oak-fired filet and he enjoyed it fine, but not quite $36 fine. Ha Ha. My other problem was with the wine selection. Im not an expert by any means, but I do know there are plenty of quality wines to be had in all price ranges- not just the above $40 range! They need to offer more lower-priced options, IMO, because the word is out and we all know there are great less-expensive wines out there.
We skipped dessert and finished up just as a family with crying toddlers entered the wine room. Another stroke of luck in an otherwise disappointing experience! My final impression of the restaurant centered on a host chatting with us as we waited for the elevator down. To my horror, he had the worst breath! I thought it may have been my imagination until my husband confirmed it several days later when discussing this review. Not a nice way to end a meal. . .
Im sure others could visit the California Grill and come away with a much different experience. I was disappointed and probably wont be returning. YMMV!
Happy travels, all.
Our reservation was for 6:10pm and we checked in around 5:45pm. Our pager buzzed almost immediately and we rode the elevator up to where the host told us, Youll be dining in the wine room where the VIPs sit and the kitchen noise cannot be heard. Cool! I have no idea why we were getting the VIP treatment other than checking in early, maybe? Well, the view of Discovery Island was spectacular and the excitement mounted.
The waitress quickly came over to introduce herself and make small talk, but I could tell she was asking questions and not listening to the answers because her response was always the same exact uh huh. When she poured our wine she managed to spill it not once, but twice, and rather than comp us something or bring us more wine she decided we needed a new table cloth. Dh and I gathered up our numerous menus (cheese, regular, expensive wine, obscenely expensive wine, etc.) into our laps while the wait staff swooped in to move the water glasses, silverware, bread plates, etc., so a new cloth could be laid down.
In all the fuss I ordered the Spicy Sensation sushi plate without asking about the sauce- I dont care for mayo-based sauces, but that is what I got. Im fairly adventurous, so it didnt bother me too much and I enjoyed it okay. I just wished Id asked more questions and ordered something else, especially since Id also ordered the lobster bisque, which is also on the spicy side.
DH got the oak-fired filet and he enjoyed it fine, but not quite $36 fine. Ha Ha. My other problem was with the wine selection. Im not an expert by any means, but I do know there are plenty of quality wines to be had in all price ranges- not just the above $40 range! They need to offer more lower-priced options, IMO, because the word is out and we all know there are great less-expensive wines out there.
We skipped dessert and finished up just as a family with crying toddlers entered the wine room. Another stroke of luck in an otherwise disappointing experience! My final impression of the restaurant centered on a host chatting with us as we waited for the elevator down. To my horror, he had the worst breath! I thought it may have been my imagination until my husband confirmed it several days later when discussing this review. Not a nice way to end a meal. . .
Im sure others could visit the California Grill and come away with a much different experience. I was disappointed and probably wont be returning. YMMV!
Happy travels, all.
I think my DH and I keep each other in check...there have been times that maybe I love a restaurant, and he is "eh" about it, or vice versa. BUT...when we both rave about a place, or both agree it was a let down, then we kind of know it is not "in our heads."
