California Grill - Picture Report - Relive the experience! ADDED MAY '09 Pics Page 23

[ehagerty]

Duplicate

 

[Need An E Ticket]

I don't want to be rude and hijack this thread, Ehagerty, those shots were very nice!!

I would like to know if you can eat on the balcony, or if there is a lounge that will serve dinner there. I have the pleasure of a business trip next week in Orlando and I am staying a couple of extra days, but I will be solo and would prefer not to take up a table.

Again, sorry to alter this post, hopefully I can post some shots next week and make up for it, although I am sure mine will not compare.

 

[Need An E Ticket]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1324152

Ok, I just didn't dig far enough.

Carry on with this post and ignore my intrusions.

 

[ehagerty]

I haven't read the solo links, but I presume it is all encouragement for not giving it a second thought - go, do, eat, enjoy.

I have a solo reservation for Victoria & Albert's in March - wait listed for the Chef's Table. Told them not to waste it on me - a solo - but the lady assured me that the size of the table doesn't matter and it is frequently a table for one. If that is true for V&A, it would have to be true for all the restaurants!

Look forward to your pictures!

 

[dawgfan]

Thanks for the review.

 

[ehagerty]

Thanks for the review.

My pleasure - really!!

 

[ehagerty]

Lobster

Flatbread

 

[ehagerty]

Yellowfin Tuna, Three Ways

 

[ehagerty]

 

[ehagerty]

Strawberry

Chocolate Cake

Birthday Slice

 

[ehagerty]

Cheese Plate

Click here to go to next set of pictures

 

[Disney_Fanatic]

This might be a dumb question:

Can all (most) of the tables at CG watch the Wishes fireworks comfortably at their tables? Do we have to walk to the balcony and fight for a nice spot before Wishes starts? DBf was saying that he would eat at CG if we could watch Wishes at the dining table comfortably. He said the point of eating a CG this upcoming trip is that we could have a nice view of Wishes at our table without standing on our feet at the park. What should I do? I really want to eat at CG!!!

 

[PrincessTiff]

Amazing pictures, thanks for sharing!

 

[ehagerty]

This might be a dumb question:

Can all (most) of the tables at CG watch the Wishes fireworks comfortably at their tables?

I would say that the tables close to the windows can probably view the fireworks from the tables, but it is my understanding that you cannot hear the accompanying music. My recollection is that they "moved" the music (speakers) out of the dining room, to the balcony as a result of people crowding the windows (and, therefore, the people sitting at table windows) to watch the fireworks.

At present, if you want a visual and audio fireworks experience, you must watch from balcony. Servers will allow you to step away from your table - and hold whatever course is pending until you return - to watch them. Another option would be to time the end of you meal with a comfortable transition to the balcony (my preference). A third is to return to balcony, with a gap between eating and viewing.

Since the music is, for me, an integral part of enjoying Wishes, I would not like to view from within the restaurant.

It is my experience that the balcony is not typically "crowded" - it is full, but comfortable amount of space between patrons.

In summary, it depends on the kind of fireworks experience you want. For example, if you want to propose - where your conversation is all the audio you need / want - with fireworks as a romantic, but silent, experience, by all means, view from your table. If you think you might dine here more than once, try once from your table and once from the balcony - then you will know which you will prefer.

 

[shovan]

When can we expect the photo-journal of your birthday meal?? I look forward to your pictures!!!

The Canon is a great camera - not the only great camera, but a great camera that I know. If you are already a reasonably skilled photographer (lighting, composition), you will love the results. The beauty of digital is that you can take many pictures and delete the inferior ones!

These are my hints for food photography (there are books, but most of us can't think in terms of full checklists when taking a picture):

1. 
   Patience - it's human nature to start eating as soon as the plate hits the table. Take a deep breath, lean back and view the plate like you would a flower.

1. Photo Check - I usually check for 3 simple things, just before - and after - taking the shot (to determine need for retake):

• Focus- is it sharp?

• Light- too bright? not bright enough? (how to correct for these is a longer thread)

• Composition / Clutter- are there crumpled napkins, dirty silverware, half an elbow, etc. in the shot? Depending on placement, some can be cropped out, but frequently, they cannot.

Kind of like an internlized photo-mantra "Sharp-Light-Clutter"...

Oh, and tell your server to ask Chef Jens what he recommends that night. Let them know you've seen the pictures and your expectations are HIGH!!

Thanks for the tips! I was just going to ask how you do it! Those pics are gorgeous! Love them! Now CG is going to be a must do for us. I'll have to start practicing more at home on my food shots!

 

[curiouser]

When can we expect the photo-journal of your birthday meal?? I look forward to your pictures!!!

The Canon is a great camera - not the only great camera, but a great camera that I know. If you are already a reasonably skilled photographer (lighting, composition), you will love the results. The beauty of digital is that you can take many pictures and delete the inferior ones!

These are my hints for food photography (there are books, but most of us can't think in terms of full checklists when taking a picture):

1. 
   Patience - it's human nature to start eating as soon as the plate hits the table. Take a deep breath, lean back and view the plate like you would a flower.

1. Photo Check - I usually check for 3 simple things, just before - and after - taking the shot (to determine need for retake):

• Focus- is it sharp?

• Light- too bright? not bright enough? (how to correct for these is a longer thread)

• Composition / Clutter- are there crumpled napkins, dirty silverware, half an elbow, etc. in the shot? Depending on placement, some can be cropped out, but frequently, they cannot.

Kind of like an internlized photo-mantra "Sharp-Light-Clutter"...

Oh, and tell your server to ask Chef Jens what he recommends that night. Let them know you've seen the pictures and your expectations are HIGH!!

Once again, fantastic photos!! I am SO excited about our visit. A little less than one month now! We are ordering our Rebel this week and I am glad that spring has arrived so I can take it out and get some practice with it. I'll keep all your tips in mind - thank you for being so generous with your tips and your photos!! I hope my food report looks half as good as yours!

 

[ehagerty]

Once again, fantastic photos!! I am SO excited about our visit. A little less than one month now! We are ordering our Rebel this week and I am glad that spring has arrived so I can take it out and get some practice with it. I'll keep all your tips in mind - thank you for being so generous with your tips and your photos!! I hope my food report looks half as good as yours!

I forgot to mention - the March, 2007 photos were taken with the lens that comes with the camera! I had my Image Stablizer one in the shop and had to go use the original one. I think the pictures turned out at least as good. I realize that the IS lens allows me to take the Wishes shots, but it turns out anyone with the basic, digital Rebel should be able to get similar food shots!

 

[ehagerty]

Terrific pictures - can't wait to get back to CG in May!

Thanks for sharing with us.

I really had my nose to the grindstone for the past two years - new jobs always seem to require a lot of time to learn new cultures and lingo, to establish relationships and, of course prove yourself - yet again.

Low and behold, through no particular choice on my part, I have some time to actually read other posts. I wandered into the food thread, recognized your moniker from this thread, then thoroughly enjoyed your food trip reports (I am sure I will enjoy the non-food ones as well - just haven't gotten there yet).

By the way, we have something else in common besides food gusto - I insisted on going on my 2003 Disney vacation two weeks (exactly 14 days) after a complete abdominal hysterectomy. I had no idea, well, we won't go into detail here - but here is a link to the antique (in internet, digital time metrics) thread.....

Missionisney 6/18-7/2/04 - Part #2 - 2003 Post-Surgical Disney-Recovery

Oh yes, while not an aspiring writer, I graduated with a BA in English. Fortunately or unfortunately (never too sure), I also had a minor in business, education and math - so I am currently working in a bank cube farm myself! It is the least creative environment / culture I have ever worked in, and I've been an IT project manager in law firms, academia, manufacturing, health care and the print industry!!

 

[MeetingMickeyin2006]

OK, in no way, shape, or form would I eat 95% of the food in this thread, but your pics are AMAZING!

 

[ehagerty]

OK, in no way, shape, or form would I eat 95% of the food in this thread, but your pics are AMAZING!

Just curious - what is it about the food - or your food preferences - that would keep you from eating it?