California Grill - bar seating for singles?

[KelNottAt]

Is there a bar at the California Grill?

And if so, does it serve food?

Lastly, if there is a bar that serves food, would a single diner need an ADR?

TIA.

 

[profdsny]

Yes there is a bar, you can sit there and eat. I don't know if you need a PS because the one time we did it we were able to 'walk in'.

 

[alldiz]

Best time to go would be soon after it opens at 5:30ish. Place not packed yet
the view is georgeous and you can enjoy your meal without
20 people behind you waiting for their table.

While they don't let everyone up to wait for their tables there are still not
enough seats.
Kerri

 

[deej696]

Since most of our trips are last minute, we eat at the bar at CG and Narcoossees all the time. Say hi to the bartender Ray, he makes some amazing drinks Last time he made my fiance something with Godiva liquour that was amazing....

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Not sure what you mean by a "bar," so I'll try to explain...sorry if this is more info than you were looking for.

Years ago the space was called the Top of the World and had a real honest-to-goodness lounge with lounge acts. A friend of mine says he saw Florence Henderson perform there once. No one was performing the one time I was there. I did discover that riding in the front of the monorail after a couple of Long Island Iced Teas is very fun! But I digress...

Now the space is almost entirely restaurant space. There is a very small lounge area with low seating and cocktail tables. There are only 4-5 tables in this area IIRC and if you are by yourself someone may ask to join you, especially if you are nearing fireworks time. One time I was there this happened and the ladies who joined us were very friendly and fun. There is also counter seating. It has a view of the open kitchen. I've ordered appetizers in the lounge area. You might be able to have a full dinner. But if I were going to do that I would try to get a seat at the counter.

I do not know if you need ADRs to

 

[TDC Nala]

You can order from the full menu in the lounge.

If you get there before 5:30, they may let you up and pour you a drink (they did for me) but they will not start taking food orders until after 5:30.

 

[smiller]

When DSis called to make my ADR for my solo dinner she asked about sitting at the counter - but was told that you couldn't order from the full menu there.

I thought it would be fun to watch the chefs at work but I'd rather have more menu options.

Anyone else have experience with this?

 

[BriarRosie]

When DSis called to make my ADR for my solo dinner she asked about sitting at the counter - but was told that you couldn't order from the full menu there.

I thought it would be fun to watch the chefs at work but I'd rather have more menu options.

Anyone else have experience with this?

The counter seating at the open show kitchen most definitely will serve you the full menu. I've eaten there before.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Remember tho as Alldiz and Stinky Pete pointed out--there are very few lounge tables and the bar isn't terribly large. As fireworks time nears, both areas can be impossibly crowded. At one meal last year, we were let up early (before our ADR) to have a drink. THis was at 8:00 PM. Bar seats were full, with a mob of SRO's standing behind them. And not a lounge seat in sight. We had to grab two unattended chairs and sit up against a wall. Couldn't even get near the bar to order a drink, and not a server in sight waiting on the lounge tables.

PS to Pete: We saw Billy Eckstein perform at that Top of the World supper club many years ago.

 

[profdsny]

The counter seating at the open show kitchen most definitely will serve you the full menu. I've eaten there before.

We went up there about 8:30 or so. We asked at the check in counter if there were seats at the bar/counter, and we were sent up. I know it was the full menu. Didn't need a PS, but that doesn't mean that you either might be able to get one the day off, or even that you might not be able to get in as a walk up.

 

[daisy112878]

I was there in October for a convention. My coworkers and I got a adr for 6pm. When we went up there were 2 men from our convention going up to eat at the open kitchen area. There were seats at the bar then there were about 6 seats at an open kitchen area. Plus there were small tables in the lounge area and when we were there I remember there being more then 5 tables in the area. We were early so we sat at a table in the lounge for a little bit then were seated at our table. By the time we left around 8 something it was packed up there and we just wanted out. I say go early and have a quiet meal before it gets packed. We saw some very interesting child and adult behavior that night.

 

[WEDWDW]

I have sat at one of the lounge tables and I do remember you could order appetizers there.I am not sure about the full menu.On a side note,I know that there are two observation decks on the "lounge side" of CG,but I have heard that there is an observation deck on the other side of CG-the side facing the Ticket and Transportation Center-also.Is this true?Is it open to Guests.I thought that would be a great place to watch IllumiNations from if you happened to be dining there at that time.

 

[BriarRosie]

We went up there about 8:30 or so. We asked at the check in counter if there were seats at the bar/counter, and we were sent up. I know it was the full menu. Didn't need a PS, but that doesn't mean that you either might be able to get one the day off, or even that you might not be able to get in as a walk up.

I'm not sure why you responded to me about that. I was assuring smiller that the full menu is offered. I don't go to the California Grill for the Wishes fireworks viewing. I think the odds of successfully sitting down at the open kitchen area as a solo diner are good if you eat nowhere near the scheduled fireworks time.

 

[profdsny]

I'm not sure why you responded to me about that. I was assuring smiller that the full menu is offered. I don't go to the California Grill for the Wishes fireworks viewing. I think the odds of successfully sitting down at the open kitchen area as a solo diner are good if you eat nowhere near the scheduled fireworks time.

Lori, I'm not sure why you responded to me about me responding to you. Seems to me I was only seconding what you said in your post.

 

[BriarRosie]

Lori, I'm not sure why you responded to me about me responding to you. Seems to me I was only seconding what you said in your post.

I couldn't tell if you were agreeing or disagreeing with me.
Now I am good. Thanks