California Grill or Kona?

[pinky4disney]

I'm having trouble deciding between the two. All the reviews and pics for both are great and I could eat up both of their menus. I'll only have time for 1 nice sit down dinner...please help me choose!!

 

[donaldsgal]

This is interesting because, from my understanding, the two offer different experiences in terms of ambiance. I've eaten at CG twice and both were what I'd call fine dining. I easily could have been in NYC and felt quite spoiled by the whole thing.

At Kona, while I've not dined there, I understand it to be less upscale. I suppose you could argue that from the 1 TS credit issue alone. I have heard great things about this place and look forward to trying it, but I would expect to have an experience rather like going to a favorite, great-food local place. The CG is one that, IMO, you can't get "just anywhere." I think you'd have a great time with great food at either place, so for me, it'd be about the type of "atmosphere" you're craving that would be the deciding factor.

 

[wwaleye]

I have been to both and although I will probably be in the minority, I would go to Kona over Cal Grill. CG is just a little too pricey for me and I think overrated. I thought the food was good, although I had to send something back to the kitchen because it was cold. Kona does not have the atmosphere but I thought the food was just as good, if not better than CG.

 

[mdhkitten]

The two absolutely do not compare IMO. Of course, I've only eaten breakfast at Kona, but it certainly isn't a "upscale" restaurant like California Grill, although it is nice and comfortable. Being a foodie, the menus don't begin to compare. If you want a real a real "fine dining" experience, then go with California Grill.

 

[kathie859]

Since they are so diverse in experience, it's just up to you what you want.
CG is an upscale, pricey, fine dining experience. Kona is a nice sit down restaurant with an experience similar to an Applebee's, O'Charley's etc. Nice but not "over the top". Either is a good choice--it boils down to what you want.

Whichever you choose I am sure you'll enjoy!

 

[pinky4disney]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I've only ever eaten at the parks or my own resort...never ventured off to any other resort just to eat. Since I'm going with a "grown-up" friend this trip, maybe we'll try California Grill. I'll be back for a few solo days in January (for the Goofy Challenge ) and will probably try Kona then. From the sounds of it, it seems like Kona would be a place that I wouldn't mind dining solo, whereas that may not be the case at CG.

 

[Kellie8992]

I prefer Kona

 

[disneykate28]

I also preferred Kona to CA Grill!
We ate at Kona last Tuesday and CG on Friday. The atmosphere was better at CG but, even still, I prefer to watch Wishes from Main Street! Some of the magic seemed to disappear when I saw how far the fireworks are from Cinderella Castle.
The filet I had at Kona was definitely better than the one I had at CG. I also enjoyed my appetizer more at Kona. Dessert was gooooooood at CG. I had the banana butterscotch buzz- incredible!
Since it sounds like you'll get the chance to dine at both, I say enjoy!

 

[DMAN96]

If You Like Sushi Cg Is One Of The Better Places To Get It And They Have A Pretty Good Steak There To. So If You Go To Cg Definetly Go About An Hour Before Wishes. It Is Pretty Cool To Watch After Dinner. We Went In Oct 96 And Got Two Shows Out Of It. Apparently Nasa Had Some Sort Of Rocket Launch At Cape Canaveral Right Before Wishes Began So We Got To See It Go Up. Cape Canaveral Is About 50 Miles Away (according To A Cm That Was There) And You Could See The Flames From The Rocket Exhaust Very Brightly. That Was An Awesome Experience. Anyway What Ever Choice You Make You Really Can't Go Wrong. Have A Good Trip.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I prefer the CG. Although the dinner food at Kona gets good reviews, we only eat there for breakfast. It looks too much like a coffee shop (which it once was) to make it an attractive dinner spot.

 

[Dana49]

I would have to choose Californai Grill. Although I'm not happy when we have a long wait, even with an ADR, I would have to say that CG is the better of the two.

 

[kirrrby]

i'd say depending on what quality you're looking for makes the decision.
Kona is more of a sit down resteraunt with casual type foods. [burgers, fries..etc] (although i've only ate there for lunch). CG is more pricey, because of the location, and the food, and the ambiance.
At Kona, you've got good food for a good price.
At CG, you've got excellent food, for extremely high prices.
if you're budgeting your trip, Kona is definatly the way to go.