California Grill Bar

[hetzeltj]

I am not interested in the Cali Grill pre fixe menu. Is the bar still first come first serve? Is the bar also only serving the same pre fixe menu?

Thanks in advance.

 

[mn51]

I was just about to post the same question. Hopefully someone knows the answer.

 

[hetzeltj]

Anyone?

 

[supersnoop]

I'm pretty sure the prix fixe menu is the only menu available. There is no a la carte menu currently. Therefore, I don't think bar seating would have any different options.

 

[Richie248]

I'm pretty sure the prix fixe menu is the only menu available. There is no a la carte menu currently. Therefore, I don't think bar seating would have any different options.

I believe you are right, used to love going up to the lounge/bar and enjoying some appetizers...I have a smaller appetite so a 3 course menu is too much food for me. Wonder if this will switch back to a regular menu after the "50th"....probably not...

 

[monorailmom]

We feel your pain. DH and I used to love California Grill. We each order a glass of wine, share an app, and each order an entree of our choice. We aren't interested in dessert. We won't be back until the whole prix fix thing goes away. We don't like being forced into what to order. It's too bad though, we had many wonderful meals there before!!

 

[Pjglmg]

Yes you can go to the bar and order off a smaller menu for appetizers as well as the pre fixe. This is only at the bar. It is a first come first serve. The restaurant is only pre fixe. I was told that the pre fixe menu is here to stay and will not be going away. It is permanent.
My DH and I had a wonderful experience when we dined there last month. The food was very, very good and the service was impeccable. We thought it was worth every penny, and we will go back.

 

[Pjglmg]

Yes

 

[Richie248]

Yes you can go to the bar and order off a smaller menu for appetizers as well as the pre fixe. This is only at the bar. It is a first come first serve. The restaurant is only pre fixe. I was told that the pre fixe menu is here to stay and will not be going away. It is permanent.
My DH and I had a wonderful experience when we dined there last month. The food was very, very good and the service was impeccable. We thought it was worth every penny, and we will go back.

Oh wow, this is great news (re: bar seating), will head over and grab a seat at the bar. Bad-news re: pre fixe... Thanks for the info!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I try to sit at the bar once a trip - one of my favorite spots in all of WDW. Here’s a pic of the bar menu, accurate as of a few weeks ago. As has been noted, you can also order the regular prix fixe menu while sitting at the bar.

The current menu setup at the bar and restaurant annoys me to no end, but I like the people and service there so still like visiting and supporting them. It kills me as I really don’t want to give the mouse my business and support the current concept, but my enjoyment of the setting, the atmosphere, the wine/cocktails, and CMs wins out. Blah.

 

[hetzeltj]

I try to sit at the bar once a trip - one of my favorite spots in all of WDW. Here’s a pic of the bar menu, accurate as of a few weeks ago. As has been noted, you can also order the regular prix fixe menu while sitting at the bar.

The current menu setup at the bar and restaurant annoys me to no end, but I like the people and service there so still like visiting and supporting them. It kills me as I really don’t want to give the mouse my business and support the current concept, but my enjoyment of the setting, the atmosphere, the wine/cocktails, and CMs wins out. Blah.

View attachment 685596

Yessssss! The items we want are on that menu! This is amazing thank you. I’ll head there at 5pm and wait for some seats. Thanks so much.

 

[Tjnik88]

Couple lounge questions, my son (14) wants sushi on our trip would he be good at the bar seating? Also check in at 5 in person and they will text when something opens up or should I have the whole party checking in at 5?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Couple lounge questions, my son (14) wants sushi on our trip would he be good at the bar seating? Also check in at 5 in person and they will text when something opens up or should I have the whole party checking in at 5?

Kids/younger folks at a restaurant bar is a never ending Disney debate and my opinion has been contradicted here before by those who feel differently, but I’ve been to the CG bar with my son (currently 12) several times over the years and I personally think it’s just fine. I wouldn’t take a child who couldn’t sit through a nice meal or may bother fellow patrons given the close quarters, but otherwise all good in my book. I do usually tip extra on account of not ordering alcohol so therefore a lower bill than a two adult party that has some beverages, but that’s just me.

Random unrelated note, we were denied seating at the Citricos bar recently as they seem to have implemented an adults only policy at some point (we have previously sat there with no issues since reopening, so this was new). But there is no such policy at CG at least as of a couple of weeks ago.

If you’re going for bar seating at/around 5pm, I’d have your party ready as chances of getting a spot quickly are relatively high. You don’t all have to physically be right there at the stand to check-in… but they better be close. We checked in at 5:10 last time, they took our number, said they’d text when ready… and by the time we had made it 10 steps from the podium got the text.

Later in the evening it gets more variable for sure.

Hope that helps!

 

[Ms.Minnie]

Yes you can go to the bar and order off a smaller menu for appetizers as well as the pre fixe. This is only at the bar. It is a first come first serve. The restaurant is only pre fixe. I was told that the pre fixe menu is here to stay and will not be going away. It is permanent.
My DH and I had a wonderful experience when we dined there last month. The food was very, very good and the service was impeccable. We thought it was worth every penny, and we will go back.

This may be true for now, but NOTHING is permanent. This too will pass.