California Grill - great!

[famcruisefun]

We had dinner at CG this past Sunday. The whole night was wonderful! Our PS was for 7:30. We arrived at 7:25 (didn't want to be seated too early as we wanted to be there for Wishes). My son is a chef wannabe - so we requested a table near the kitchen when we arrived. "Sorry - I don't have anything available near the kitchen - would you be ok with a window?" So we said yes - we'd take the window. Well - surprise, surprise! Our table was at the window at the far end of the restaurant looking straight at the MK. We had an amazing view of the whole MK throughout dinner.
Food was great. Flatbread to start - yum. Both kids had the beef filet - even my picky daughter ate every bite! (11 year old son cleaned his plate too). My husband had the pork tenderloin and said it was delicious. I had the shortrib - because it sounded so good - shallots and really wonderful things with it - and it was completely up to my expectations.
Dessert was spectacular. We had the molten chocolate cake and the butterscotch creme brulee. Both were to die for. Wishes started just before we finished dessert. The best fireworks we've ever seen. And what a spot to watch from. The music and words were piped in and the lights dimmed for the show.
It was an expensive night out - but worth every penny for the great food, and great view.
Our server was Jenny and she was great too - lots of energy and very willing to explain menu items and help us decide what to order.
There were other families there - most had older kids - but some younger. We dressed up sightly from our "park wear". My husband wore Khaki pants and a polo shirt. Son wore cargo shorts, a tshirt, and a collared island-print shirt. Daughter and I wore capris and nice t's. Few people were dressed up more (girls and women in skirts) most dressed about like we were. Didn't really see anyone in what looked like park-going clothes.
It was a great night out - would be happy to answer ?'s. Wish I could have saved the menu - would have gone into more detail about our meals.
Kelley

 

[CRSNDSNY]

This is great to hear! We're eating here for the first time this coming May and have reservations for 8pm (fireworks are at 9pm that night).

Thanks for the report! Now I'm even more excited!

 

[postmanrings]

I think we ate at the same table you did,(march 12) if it was the farthest table near the MK. The only thing that sort of bugged me was I wished the piped music was a little louder as many people just kept talking loud around us and it was a distracting. I just wanted to yell SHUT UP!! I wondered if the music could be heard outside on the walkway as that seemed like a nice place to view Wishes also. Out meal was supurb also, but our waiter was pretty dull.

 

[lillygator]

glad you had a fabulous time.....we have ps on 5/12 and I am looking so forward to eating there!!

 

[danny1649]

We are going to try this dining venue on our upcoming trip,thanks for posting.

 

[DeDixie]

Thanks so much for your detailed review. We are eating there on our 20th Anniversary and I can't wait!!!!

 

[mybgirl]

HI CG ?
MY DH AND I, NIGHT ,OUT!!!!!!I WOULD LIKE TO DREESS UP A LITTLE FOR HIM

WHAT DO YOU THINK , YOU CAN DRESS UP IF YOU LIKE , WOULD I FEEL OUT OF PLACE ,

THANK YOU!!!!!

MYBGIRL JUNE 5 IS OUR TRIP MY DREM COME TRUE :

 

[Uncleromulus]

At CG, you can wear just about anything you want (except a bathing suit or a tank-top on men) and not be out of place. So if you want to dress up, by all means do so!!

 

[Shells9]

Cool! So glad to hear you had a great time.
We have PS on 05/21 also, and hope to watch Wishes while we are there.
Can't wait!

 

[wdwpluto]

Originally posted by Shells9
Cool! So glad to hear you had a great time.
We have PS on 05/21 also, and hope to watch Wishes while we are there.
Can't wait!

We have a 6pm PS on 5/21 for my birthday I can't wait!

 

[Shells9]

for my birthday I can't wait

We're celebrating my birthday, too! I think our PS is 7:40. My birthday is actually the 24th, but the whole weekend is my celebration, lol!

Maybe we will run into you there!

 

[Stiff]

great review

we have a PS for 6/3...our anniversary. we are very excited for that dinner

 

[JKanownik]

I wondered if the music could be heard outside on the walkway as that seemed like a nice place to view Wishes also.

Yes, it is.

-DH

 

[ocalla]

Did the kids feel out of place there? Or do a lot of the families take their kids with them?

I have been wanting to dine there, and may go ahead and do it in May also, but was not sure about the kids.

thanks

 

[molliesmom]

I just had dinner there on 3/22. We had a table for 9 and celebrated my daughter's 5th birthday. It was awesome can't say a negative thing about our total experience. I made our reservation for 8:20 pm. They had the table decorated with mickey confetti. My daughter had a pink cake that we arranged for in advance (and it was so yummy). The food was great - my dh had the filet and said it was the best he's had! To our surprise, my daughter was asked to handle the "controls" for Tinkerbelle to start the fireworks. Afterward, she was given a birthday card with a photo of the fireworks over the castle which was signed by the staff for her. She also got a certificate for helping out with the fireworks. Our server, Billy, was just so great, too. We will see CG again, I'm sure.

We had three kids in our party (one 4 yo, one 5 yo and one 13 yo). They were not out of place. We dressed up a bit only because of the occassion.

I was surprised that people could come up to the restaurant (people not eating) and go out onto the balcony to view the fireworks. A good tip to know for the future.

 

[tiggergirl31]

I can't wait to try the CG in May. It will be my first time eating there and I think I have planned it so that we will be there for wishes!!!

 

[QBUSH]

What a nice review! DS(12) and I will be dining there April 2 and are hoping for a window table too. He too is a budding chef. I have been so impressed with how many chefs actually take the time to come out and speak to him. It has really meant a lot to him. The Chef at Bistro de Paris actually took him back into the kitchen for a tour. He met the sous chefs and pastry chef too. Mom was not invited. When he returned to the table he was beaming!! He also met the head chef at CaG when we were there in December. So glad to hear your kids enjoyed their evening.

 

[uktigger]

hi
me and dh are celebrating our birthdays while we are at the world this sounds a great place to eat do i tell we are celebrating birthdays when i make my ps or do you wait untill you book in on the night

thanks eve

 

[wdwpluto]

Originally posted by Shells9
We're celebrating my birthday, too! I think our PS is 7:40. My birthday is actually the 24th, but the whole weekend is my celebration, lol!

Maybe we will run into you there!

That's so cool! My bday is the 21st and Mom's is the 23rd so it's a double celebration and dh is joining the fun. Hope to bump into you!

 

[MomlovesDad]

I think I've read that you don't have to have park admission or be staying at the Contemporary to eat at CA Grill? We are arriving in Orlando on a Saturday afternoon, but not going to WDW parks until Sun-Wed. I thought we may sneak in a dinner Sat. night at the CG and see Wishes, but need to know for sure that we can dine without park admission or hotel res.
TTFN! Thanks! What a great review - so glad you posted!
MomlovesDad