California Grill Disapointment

[BEASLYBOO]

Had 9:20 resv. on Sat night and I have to say it was our most expensive meal and least favorite meal of the trip. It's true selling point is the ambiance, service, view & decor. Had the charcuterie platter, I opted again to have it w/out the sweet goo, and w/out the sickly sweet riellettes, came as ordered, the pâté being the best. Truthfully I prefer Citricos and Yachtsman charcuterie platters. Ordered the tuna four ways, still awesome. My son had the bison strip loin, me the seared scallops. Both were warm, not hot. Mine came with a tasteless shaved undressed carrot salad that added nothing to the meal nor the presentation and asparagus that looked and tasted as if they were rinsed and put on top of the dish, hard and woody, what the heck! My son's bison strip loin was good and cooked rare as ordered and his asparagus, was diced and cooked, much better than mine, his potatoes, tasteless. You can't even get a pot of pressed coffee there. All in all, we ate at Citricos, Yachtsman, Narcossees and California grill this trip and it was our least favorite. Here forward, CA Grill, sushi only!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

a tasteless shaved undressed carrot salad . . . can't even get a pot of pressed coffee there

1) There are times Cali Grill does not meet expectations.
2) It has a good rep due to the fireworks viewing, but we find the eatery of only average quality and too expensive for its offerings.
3) Although it has a cult-like following, sometimes it is not deserved, except for the sushi

4) As for pressed coffee, I am disappointed in the pressed coffee even at Citricos . . . one of our favorite WDW eateries)
. . . WDW does not know how to make pressed coffee
. . . pressed coffee is a process, not just "dump grounds into device and serve hot
. . . our last trip to Citricos, we had to educate the SERVER how pressed coffee is done
. . . until we told them, they had no idea
. . . after tasting, even the SERVER said there was a marked improved in taste
. . . (the next time one orders Pressed Coffee at WDW, ask them the method)


NOTE: Pressed coffee methodology (also the way we do it at our restaurant):
. . . put grounds into device
. . . add just enough hot water to cover grounds
. . . stir with a chopstick (or other non-reactive stirrer) until "murky" to release the coffee bean oils
. . . fill with remaining water
. . . start timer . . . at the four-minute mark, slowly press the coffee (should take about 45-seconds)
. . . waiting longer does not make the coffee stronger, just more bitter
. . . if stronger coffee is desired, use more grounds, not more time
. . . if weaker coffee is desire, try instant

 

[MimiOfTwo]

Were it not for the view I would never eat at Cali Grill.

 

[cjsquared]

Same here, I've had some great sushi and appetizers from CG but my entrees are always a disappointment.

 

[johnsonet]

I don't think I've heard anything positive about CG in several years.

Sorry for your disappointing meal.

 

[rwdavis2]

Interesting. We've never been disappointed and there is some serious places to compare it to here in the MD/DC area. It's just pricey for what you get. Then again I never have really high expectations for meals at WDW but I would like to try V&A sometime.

CG was getting a lot of hate after the refurb and sounded like they deserved it. The bad review pretty much stopped after 6 months. I guess Disney had to fix it rather than just let it slide like they do other restaurants.

But what I really want to know, what's the proper way to make pressed coffee? Mine is average at best.

 

[Rhombus]

I've had two disappointing meals at California Grill and won't return. Either the entrée was sub-par, or the sides were off, or it was served only lukewarm, etc. They're trying too hard and missing the mark on certain things. Some items were good, but overall, for the prices they charge, it's not worth the risk.

 

[Janet-TX]

I totally agree that CG is expensive. My husband and I were there celebrating our anniversary in mid-December last year. It was magical! When we were shown to our table, there was confetti on the table and an anniversary card. The waiter and his food and wine recommendations were all excellent. A dessert was brought to us, free of charge, with "Happy Anniversary" on the plate edge. When we finished, we went out and watched the fireworks. Awesome evening!

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I find the food at Narcoosees consistently better. That said, I keep going back to Cali as well. The view is great. IMO, Narcoosees wins out though.

 

[wdwjeffc37]

We had a fabulous meal at CG last year. The service, the ambiance, the food(apps and entrees), the wine(recommended by server), seeing Wishes, and dessert were all top notch. That meal was only second to our V&A meal the year before. I guess maybe we got lucky. As for food that is not prepared or served well I do not hesitate to inform the staff if something is not up to par. It has always been made right at Disney. Cheers!!!!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I never order entrees there. Appetizers (Sushi and flatbread) and drinks only. Same with Le Cellier and Be Our Guest. If I want an entree I'll go to Jiko, Flying Fish, Artist Point or Narcoosees.

 

[goofy78]

I just cancelled California Grill for our upcoming trip. So glad I did! I kept looking at the menu and nothing was "wowing" me. And that combined with the prices it just didn't seem worth it to me. Love FF and Jiko though!

 

[Eastern]

We usually get drinks, a couple flatbreads, and sushi.

 

[hedberg1661]

I have to say I totally agree with you. For those of you who had the pleasure of dining pre-renovation you had the real CG experience. While I love the decor changes the menu changes were not good. Also, food there is consistently warm..not hot. Unacceptable.

 

[hedberg1661]

We usually get drinks, a couple flatbreads, and sushi.

Absolutely the way to go at CG.

 

[jenjersnap]

Absolutely the way to go at CG.

Agreed.

 

[staceyrhood]

I agree with you, we went a few years ago for our anniversary and will not be back, there are much better options.

 

[Aerinha]

I have to say I totally agree with you. For those of you who had the pleasure of dining pre-renovation you had the real CG experience. While I love the decor changes the menu changes were not good. Also, food there is consistently warm..not hot. Unacceptable.

I was one of the last few in before the renovation and it was my first visit there. Was crushed the new chef ditched the varlhona lava cake (which was written up in several guide books) as it was fab. New menu doesn't seem appealing, nor does its prices.

 

[followthatmouse]

We have dined at CG twice since the renovations were completed. The first meal was very nice. The food was good; the service attentive. The second meal was an unmitigated disaster. The food bland, overcooked and unattractively plated. The service was almost nonexistent and when we did eventually gain the attention of our server, the attitude was that we were ruining his evening by being there. We were seated at two-seater tables where one seat has a view of the windows. Unfortunately, the table is set too far back for the diner at the window-facing seat to see anything but reflections in the glass. My view was of an internal service area - a busy site where servers come hurrying around my chair. I am not what you'd call tall, but I was hit in the head by trays on more than one occasion. So, I think our CG days are done.

 

[goofyintoronto]

. . . if stronger coffee is desired, use more grounds, not more time
. . . if weaker coffee is desire, try instant

"try instant" So funny. I love that.

BTW, thats exactly how I make my coffee too.