California Grill - Dessert Only

[tarheelmjfan]

Frankly, I htink it is poor form to believe that anyone other than the restaurnat management should be attempting to educate others in what it acceptable in that particular restaurant.

No offense, but do you really think a manager is going to come right out & say they aren't serving you dessert only? They may think it, but they're not going to come out & say it.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

No it's not.

If I was going to have only dessert I would mention that when I made the reservation

 

[DLgal]

If I was going to have only dessert I would mention that when I made the reservation

There is no place to mention that when you book online, and what difference would it make anyway? Disney doesn't ask, so they don't care either.

Desserts and drinks at the CG can run a couple over $60, easy. A server is probably ecstatic to turn a table in 30 minutes and pocket a $12-15 tip for such an easy order.

 

[Runnsally]

There is no place to mention that when you book online, and what difference would it make anyway? Disney doesn't ask, so they don't care either.

Desserts and drinks at the CG can run a couple over $60, easy. A server is probably ecstatic to turn a table in 30 minutes and pocket a $12-15 tip for such an easy order.

This is not an issue specific to Disney, but I am sure the restaurant is interested in folks who book reservations actually ordering meals.

And incorrect - the server will not be ecstatic with a $12 tip at California Grill.

 

[OneinThree]

Frankly, I htink it is poor form to believe that anyone other than the restaurnat management should be attempting to educate others in what it acceptable in that particular restaurant.

It's not rocket science, it's called cost accounting for a business unit. Some of us are better acquainted with the discipline than others, which is fine. At the same time, the suggestion that it requires privileged information to make such an assertion is unreasonable.

 

[Nancyg56]

It's not rocket science, it's called cost accounting for a business unit. Some of us are better acquainted with the discipline than others, which is fine. At the same time, the suggestion that it requires privileged information to make such an assertion is unreasonable.

I am capable of understanding the cost accounting that management uses to determine the total revenue stream. My Dad was a Chef and responsible for manageing that aspect of the business as well as the kitchen management. You can take it to the bank that if there was an issue in regards to overall revenue there woudl be a change in business practices. You and I are not privy to the actual numbers achieved by CG, and the management has not set a minimum. I think we can assume that if they needed to do so, there woudl be a policy placed.

 

[Nancyg56]

No offense, but do you really think a manager is going to come right out & say they aren't serving you dessert only? They may think it, but they're not going to come out & say it.

No, the manager would not, however you know Disney. A change is implemented and that is that.

 

[DLgal]

California Grill has been open for 23 years. If people just ordering dessert or just ordering apps or just ordering one entree to split among 2 people was really a problem, they would have a prix fixe menu. It's obviously not an issue. How is just ordering dessert any different than a couple ordering one entree to share and just drinking water? It's not any different.

OP, it's fine to just get dessert and watch the fireworks. People do it all the time.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

No, the manager would not, however you know Disney. A change is implemented and that is that.

Exactly! Posters here kept telling people it was perfectly fine to order cupcakes w/ coffee or a glass of wine at BOG. You can order anything you want at an a la carte restaurant, after all. We saw their eventual response. It obviously wasn't okay with them. No restaurant wants to sell dessert w/coffee or wine, when they could be selling complete meals with that wine. That's totally logical & easily understandable. At a place like CG near fireworks time, that could be the difference between a $50 table or a $200 to $300 table. Which one do you think they prefer? When people book ADRs around the fireworks, they don't give up those tables, regardless of how much they order. People can do whatever they want. It really doesn't matter to me, but to think the restaurants &/or servers don't care is wishful thinking. Of course, they care. They just don't say anything, until they do.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

It’s poor form to book a reservation and just order dessert.

The CA Grill doesn't consider it poor form. Neither does Reservations. Lots of people go up there for wine and desert. They have in the past stocked Muscats or late harvest desert wines for that purpose. They will let you have just appetizers too. They are extremely flexible up there.

 

[OneinThree]

I am capable of understanding the cost accounting that management uses to determine the total revenue stream. My Dad was a Chef and responsible for manageing that aspect of the business as well as the kitchen management. You can take it to the bank that if there was an issue in regards to overall revenue there woudl be a change in business practices. You and I are not privy to the actual numbers achieved by CG, and the management has not set a minimum. I think we can assume that if they needed to do so, there woudl be a policy placed.

The reason there is no policy is because most people realize that you don't reserve a table at a $100-$150/plate sig and order just dessert. That's a great thing because otherwise, it would either be prix fixe or would not exist for long. There is a similar thread here regarding showing up to Sci-Fi and order only a milkshake. It is truly baffling that the absence of specific policy is misconstrued as validation. These are things people are expected to know, and not have to be told. Sad.

 

[Runnsally]

The CA Grill doesn't consider it poor form. Neither does Reservations. Lots of people go up there for wine and desert. They have in the past stocked Muscats or late harvest desert wines for that purpose. They will let you have just appetizers too. They are extremely flexible up there.

The presence of a dessert wine on the menu is not an endorsement of ordering only dessert...that’s absurd.

 

[Farro]

I don't know.

I'm not sure how many people are in OP's dining party, but if it's just the two of them or just speaking in generalities, I think getting a couple/few appetizers, some booze, and splitting a dessert is just fine that late at night. It's most likely after fireworks anyways.

Earlier dining time? I wouldn't suggest doing it just to take up space to see the fireworks.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

The CA Grill doesn't consider it poor form. Neither does Reservations. Lots of people go up there for wine and desert. They have in the past stocked Muscats or late harvest desert wines for that purpose. They will let you have just appetizers too. They are extremely flexible up there.

It's really not my intention to argue with you. Again, I don't care what other people do. Those wines aren't there specifically to accommodate those who choose to have dessert w/dessert wine only. All fine dining restaurants have suggested wines for each course. Dessert wines are a small section in a larger wine list that is usually at the end of the list suggesting they are for the last course.

 

[smcabee]

Enjoy your dessert and dont stress over it. Ive done it many times at Cali Grill. We are doing just dessert on Halloween for the Fireworks. There is no requirement as to what you must order.

 

[Farro]

Enjoy your dessert and dont stress over it. Ive done it many times at Cali Grill. We are doing just dessert on Halloween for the Fireworks. There is no requirement as to what you must order.

Can I ask? Is it just to see fireworks? Or do you want to experience California Grill?

Because if it's just fireworks, grab a cupcake from the quick service place in CR - they have amazing cupcakes - and I think there is a public viewing space - I think observation deck on 4th floor.
Just me cheaping out on ya!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Can I ask? Is it just to see fireworks? Or do you want to experience California Grill?

Because if it's just fireworks, grab a cupcake from the quick service place in CR - they have amazing cupcakes - and I think there is a public viewing space - I think observation deck on 4th floor.
Just me cheaping out on ya!

FTR, your cupcake idea isn't being cheap. It's being practical.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

The presence of a dessert wine on the menu is not an endorsement of ordering only dessert...that’s absurd.

Never said it was. But the fact they've been allowing it over 20 years and neither reservations nor the staff has said anything about it is. What's absurd is declaring it poor form when it is clearly allowed and not discouraged by either CA Grill staff or reservations. Not poor form at all.

Can I ask? Is it just to see fireworks? Or do you want to experience California Grill?

Because if it's just fireworks, grab a cupcake from the quick service place in CR - they have amazing cupcakes - and I think there is a public viewing space - I think observation deck on 4th floor.
Just me cheaping out on ya!

The downside of that is if reservations are booked up and the lounge is full that cupcake won't get one up there. That said, only during the busiest of times of the year have I not been able to get up to the lounge without a reservation when trying a reasonable amount of time before the fireworks.

 

[Farro]

The downside of that is if reservations are booked up and the lounge is full that cupcake won't get one up there. That said, only during the busiest of times of the year have I not been able to get up to the lounge without a reservation when trying a reasonable amount of time before the fireworks.

Oh sorry, there is an observation deck on the 4th floor at Contemporary that you can view the fireworks from. You don't need a reservation at California Grill for it, they have their own deck.

That's what I meant by buying a cupcake from the quick service.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Oh sorry, there is an observation deck on the 4th floor at Contemporary that you can view the fireworks from. You don't need a reservation at California Grill for it, they have their own deck.

That's what I meant by buying a cupcake from the quick service.

True that. I thought you meant buy the cupcake and go up to the lounge because of the thread. Professor Snape slapped me with a book for not paying attention.