California Grill - is it really worth it?

[apostolic4life]

We went to CG for the first time two weeks ago to celebrate our 10th anniversary; we will be back!!! All aspects of the meal were done to perfection: service was the best I have ever had (and I have been to many restaurants as a chef), food rivaled the best restaurants I have been to, and the "magic" could not have been reproduced at any other restaurant.

My DW and I spent $104 OOP on our hot tea, first course and entrees. Because of anniversary celebration, our server brought out complimentary champagne and dessert so these costs were absent from our bill.....even if they were added in the value would have still been great!!! We left a 25% tip to compensate for the lack of dessert on the bill......our server was very much worth it!!!

The menu changes here, but I am sure when you go the food will still be outstanding!!! I think it will be on our radar for future visits!!

 

[MrsLS]

Yes it is worth it. If you are on the deluxe plan, I would do it, no question. We do the deluxe dining and sometimes are too full from 2 TS meals a day & we are big eaters, I couldn't imagine doing 3 TS meals a day. We always do one signature a day & never miss the Cali Grill. Its my favorite on Disney property.

 

[MoonFaerie]

Yes! We were on the DxDP last year, and Cali Grill is one of our must repeat meals for this year. (For the curious, Raglan Road is the other.)

 

[patsal]

Worth it is so subjective! Worth it to Dh and I and our kids yes; worth it to my parents who gauge things by portion size and love to go to buffets, no. I prefer a well made, delicious right sized portion of food rather than mediocre all I can devour. My parents and one sister and her family view worth it by quantity and price. My family and my other sister view worth it as high quality ingredients that are well prepared.
That said, Cali grill is one of our favorites. It is usally about $300 for the four of us to have dinner and leave a nice 20-25% tip.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

As far as actual price goes, I don't think any restaurant is worth two table service credits.

But that doesn't mean the food isn't good. It just might be more financially sensible to pay in cash.

Edit: Although on the DxDP it may be worth it. You'd have to check the math. On the regular DDP, I would say no.

 

[btcrane]

As others have said, "worth it" is subjective, but my DD and I really enjoyed our experience there last year...so much so that I'm taking DH there for our anniversary next month, even paying OOP.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

On the DXDDP I would plan a Signature Rest every evening and one table service a day.

Cali Grill is delish I pay OOP and think it is worth every penny.

 

[Aisling]

We weren't impressed with the food or service at CG. The other signature restaurants seem to do better at both.

OTOH, if its the view you are more interested in then you'll be happy at CG.

Oh dear, I was enjoying all the positive reviews! I have an ADR for there because I've never been and wanted to give it a try. I'm not on the Dining Plan, so I hope it's worth the OOP. I think I'll take another look at the menu to keep myself psyched about it.

 

[OKW Lover]

Oh dear, I was enjoying all the positive reviews! I have an ADR for there because I've never been and wanted to give it a try. I'm not on the Dining Plan, so I hope it's worth the OOP. I think I'll take another look at the menu to keep myself psyched about it.

Don't let my opinion stop you! Everybody's taste is different and you may find that its exactly what you are after.

 

[kmk1180]

I'll be the disenting view here.

For two dinning credits? Depends are you going to watch fireworks?
If that's so, and you think that's worth 2 credits, then fine.
If your hoping for a quiet fine dining experience?
Go to Jiko instead.
Better Food, Better service, better apps, better wine, better atmosphere.
Hands down just better.

Cal Grill has become a hangout to watch fireworks for familys thus it's loud, and lots of kids running around from shortly after open till about 30 after fireworks.
The menu is nice but nothing outstanding. Again location is the big draw.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

California Grill is my favorite Disney World restaurant. I had my wedding reception there. Of course I think it is "worth it". My guests are still raving about the food- the teriyaki barbecue filet mignon, salmon and risotto and chicken. I think the food is some of the best in WDW and the view brings it to my number one restaurant. However, this isn't true for everyone. If you are more accustomed to more "traditional" American food and think the prices are too expensive, you may be setting yourself up. The food is all fresh, made with seasonal ingredients only. I love fresh fruits and vegetables, so I love this of course. Many items have a California/Asian fusion flavor profile. Does this appeal to you? I would review the menu and see if anything strikes your fancy. If so, why not give it a try? I do agree with the PP that it is NOT a quiet dining experience. Too many parents let their children run around here. Jiko is quieter and has delicious food, but to me, not quite at the level of California Grill. Both have excellent filet mignon dishes, but California Grill's ever changing side dishes are most interesting and fresher tasting and the menu is much larger. I feel more limited at Jiko, although both the short rib and the filet are excellent. The pork is the best dish, IMO, that polenta is awesome. Their housemade sorbet or ice cream is even better than the valrhona chocolate cake to me. There is nothing like fresh homemade sorbet!

 

[tinacaplan]

Interesting thread...

I LOVE CALIFORNIA GRILL! It is absolutely worth it on the DxDP. I think the only way to really get your money's worth out of the DxDP and not completely gorge yourself is to do either breakfast or lunch and then a signature at night. At least that's what worked best for us.

Having said that...value in Disney restaraunts, as many previous posters have pointed out, is somewhat laughable. Looking at prices and menus prior to our arrival, I had pretty high expectations of the places we dined at (including Jiko, Citrico's, and Flying Fish) and California Grill is the one place that really thrilled me. While I can easily get an incredible, gourmet meal here at home for a fractoin of the cost of the California Grill, that goes out the window at Disney. I also think that the California Grill has a fun, eclectic menu.

I think that a top quality dining experience (and that's what you're going for with a signature...it isn't just a meal) involves a kind of alchemy of service, atmosphere, and food. Service is of particular importance, in my view, and I felt that we received top notch service from beginning to end at Cali. And yes, watching the fireworks from our table (on Valentine's Day, I might add) was amazing! Was it the only reason we went there? Of course not.

Overall, it is the one the signature I will gladly pay OOP for when we return in February.

 

[Mich123]

I think CG is totally worth the dining experience. The food is terrific and the view is wonderful. It's definitely worth planning it out so you get to see Wishes from the rooftop.

 

[Figment632]

Hands down the best restaurant in WDW!!!!! Nothing beats a late night dinner there and watching wishes from the observation deck!!!!

Also if you go request the wine room, if your dinner is 9:00 P.M or later you can see some of Iluminations and the Fireworks from Universal.

 

[OhThePain]

If you are looking to go based only on the view, then to you it might be worth it. However, when it comes to the food, CG is on the list with Le Cellier as totally overrated. The food is good but it isn't what everyone makes it out to be. There are much better restaurants at WDW.

 

[btcrane]

If you are looking to go based only on the view, then to you it might be worth it. However, when it comes to the food, CG is on the list with Le Cellier as totally overrated. The food is good but it isn't what everyone makes it out to be. There are much better restaurants at WDW.

I loved CG, haven't eaten at Le Cellier yet, and am always interested in trying new things. Which restaurants would you consider better than CG? So far, it's the best I've experienced at Disney...would LOVE to try something even better! Which are your favorites?

 

[OhThePain]

I loved CG, haven't eaten at Le Cellier yet, and am always interested in trying new things. Which restaurants would you consider better than CG? So far, it's the best I've experienced at Disney...would LOVE to try something even better! Which are your favorites?

My girlfriend and I both love Jiko. We also like Narcoossee's, Bistro and Yachtman better than CG. I feel Flying Fish is on the same level as CG as far as food goes. Don't get me wrong, I liked CG, I just felt that it was a bit of a disappointment after reading all the hype on the boards.

 

[mskayjay]

CG is by far our favorite restaurant at WDW. The food, service, atmosphere all bring together a dining experience that could only be better if there were not so many kids there for the fireworks! lol (love them but there is a time and a place for adults!).

For us, Yachtsman's was very "cold" feeling, service was not that great, and the food.....really it wasn't fantastic.

Jiko was a total mess. Drinks were so strong they could not be enjoyed, they gave us the wrong appetizers, realized it, and still charged us for them (seriously!), and the meals themselves were just okay.

To compare CG to LeCellier is just plain wrong IMHO.....one is so much more casual. The food at LeCellier is very good but it is not to the level of fine dining that you get at CG. To me that is almost like comparing a great lunch to a fabulous dinner.

We have celebrated several anniversaries at CG and will always go at least once while at WDW. Service, quality, atmosphere all right up there.....For us, it is just absolutely worth it.

 

[tinacaplan]

CG is by far our favorite restaurant at WDW. The food, service, atmosphere all bring together a dining experience that could only be better if there were not so many kids there for the fireworks! lol (love them but there is a time and a place for adults!).

For us, Yachtsman's was very "cold" feeling, service was not that great, and the food.....really it wasn't fantastic.

Jiko was a total mess. Drinks were so strong they could not be enjoyed, they gave us the wrong appetizers, realized it, and still charged us for them (seriously!), and the meals themselves were just okay.

To compare CG to LeCellier is just plain wrong IMHO.....one is so much more casual. The food at LeCellier is very good but it is not to the level of fine dining that you get at CG. To me that is almost like comparing a great lunch to a fabulous dinner.

We have celebrated several anniversaries at CG and will always go at least once while at WDW. Service, quality, atmosphere all right up there.....For us, it is just absolutely worth it.

FINALLY! Someone else said it about Jiko....we thought we were crazy when we didn't completely LOVE our meal there in February. I really thought the food was only so-so, at best.