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

[eeyore45]

IASWAA - I spent last week in Vernon Hills - Lake Forest. Thunder storms, tornedo warnings.

Go, Bills.

P.S., My sister-in-law, a native Chicago-person, has experienced Buffalo winds in winter. She says it is waaayyyy worse than Chicago. But we digress from thread focus!!

GO BEARS!!!
Well Well Well - THAT's my neck of the woods!! (VH, LF!!) Its a small world after all....

Interested in your report of Calif Grille as well!!

 

[irongirlof12]

Food Heaven !

 

[swankybeth]

Gorgeous pictures! Everything looks (almost) too good to eat. And I want to personally thank you for helping convince DH to try California Grill again. We've been a few times but the last couple of trips he said he doesn't want to eat there. I showed him your pics and now I think he's coming around.

 

[ehagerty]

I'm composing a Disney screensaver and am dying to add CG pictures. Yours are the best. Any chance you can provide a link to some full-sized files? (i.e. 1024x768)?Thanks. This is an awesome thread!

Let me give this some thought. If you have a few specific ones that you want, I will send them via PM. I have thought about creating a separate folder and making them all available, but am not quite sure about that. Give me a little more time...

Ehagerty, thought you would be the one to ask.... Allears has a new menu up for CG and it is very different than the one I saw last year... any advice on the flatbreads & entrees? we'll be there in one week!!!

Well - I would say that it is different, but largely the same. In other words, I could comment on the items that are familiar, but probably not much of a resource on whether the new items should be considered. That said, if I were ordering today....

• Flatbreads - I haven't tried any of these listed, but if I were going to get a flatbread, I would probably get the chicken (interesting mix-ins) or the BLT (after asking the server how customers are reacting to it and what Nueske's bacon is)
• Sushi - my favorite is Yellowfin Tuna 3 ways, but all the sushi is outstanding, so I recommend ordering based on what is listed vs. what you like / know.
• Entree - probably the buffalo steak (because we have had it before, it is lean and the accompaniments sound interesting) or the halibut (only after asking what Chef Jens recommends that day, as he IS the fish expert ).
• Dessert - me? The cheese board - always. Although I might be tempted by the white coffee ice cream.

All that said, I would consult with the server - describes things you like and dislike - don't be swayed by a single ingredient - they can always customize to your requirements!

Gorgeous pictures! Everything looks (almost) too good to eat. And I want to personally thank you for helping convince DH to try California Grill again. We've been a few times but the last couple of trips he said he doesn't want to eat there. I showed him your pics and now I think he's coming around.

I hope it works out well for you. If you have any questions, let me know. Was his concern with the food? Ambience? Service?

 

[hmillerbarilla]

Thanks for the advice... last year I had a flatbread and it was my favorite thing I ordered. I also had sushi and an entree, and think I'll try all new things this year. Can't wait!!

 

[BlueFairy]

Let me give this some thought. If you have a few specific ones that you want, I will send them via PM. I have thought about creating a separate folder and making them all available, but am not quite sure about that. Give me a little more time...

I sent you a PM with a list. Thank you! I don't mind being patient. Sadly this will have to be my "fix" since DH and I aren't going to brave CG with my DD (2) in December.

 

[ehagerty]

I sent you a PM with a list. Thank you! I don't mind being patient. Sadly this will have to be my "fix" since DH and I aren't going to brave CG with my DD (2) in December.

Hopefully, with CG pictures flashing on your screen-saver, maybe the power of suggestion will lead to dinner there after all.

For other readers, should anyone want a picture or two, you can PM me with a short list and your personal email - I send one a day so you can download and delete without overloading your email.

 

[ehagerty]

Well, I've said all along, you can never have too much California Grill. Maybe it just looks that way from the shores of Lake Erie in November (Edmund Fitzgerald weather the other day - extended, horizontal hail pellets)...

Anyway, we had the good fortune (and Disney Rewards card, Disney Dining Experience and $20 food gift card for staying at the ASMu, because there was NO VACANCY at the DVCs) one more time, starting with......

....the table

....with some bread and olive oil

....a lobster appetizer

....and Yoshe's Deluxe Sushi Platter

....with a Hidden Sushi Mickey!!!!

The buffalo steak was every bit as good as it looks

on the pretty plate

....and the halibut

Who knows when we will go again. The DDP isn't attractive to us next year, however it appears to have succeeded well on getting us hooked! Will add commentary on a near-future session.

 

[FirstMagic]

Thanks (again!) for the beautiful CA Grill pictures! My favorite of this batch is the bread crust in olive oil, something simple but it looks so beautiful.

I love the hidden Mickey sushi! Do they always do that?

 

[luckytobeme88]

My favorite Dis'er is finally back. Ehagerty, you have absolutely the perfect eyes for taking food pictures. We will be doing the "Deluxe" DDP next July, so we plan to eat at CG twice during our stay.

 

[ehagerty]

I love the hidden Mickey sushi! Do they always do that?

Not sure - I think so

My favorite Dis'er is finally back. Ehagerty, you have absolutely the perfect eyes for taking food pictures. We will be doing the "Deluxe" DDP next July, so we plan to eat at CG twice during our stay.

Well, thank you for that! You are fortunate indeed to have plans already to dine there twice! Something to look forward to! And what happened to our Sabres!?!?! Toronto tonight!

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

Thank you so much for the photos! I've been following your CG reviews and your photos are amazing (and not just the food ones, I love the Japan shot in your signature!)

We're planning on making a CG ADR for next summer... your photos make the food look awesome!

 

[Poppinsme]

Once again what stunning Pics you have, thank you!
I am going to attempt some photos on my trip of yummies, god help me.

 

[luckytobeme88]

Oh Ehagerty, What can I say! Our Sabres played their best games so far this season, and yet...you have no idea how much I hate the Maple Leaf....

 

[samefay]

Thanks for the report. We're trying CG for the first time in January. We're going to be on the deluxe dining plan and are trying lots of new places. On your latest trip there did you notice if the sushi was still on the appetizer list or if it's seperate now. The menues here have it seperate.
Thanks!

 

[ehagerty]

Thanks for the report. We're trying CG for the first time in January. We're going to be on the deluxe dining plan and are trying lots of new places. On your latest trip there did you notice if the sushi was still on the appetizer list or if it's seperate now. The menues here have it seperate.
Thanks!

The sushi appeared on the dinner menu - can't recall the "heading" for the section - probably "sushi"! I don't know if they also have a separate sushi menu. I wasn't on the dining plan in Oct, but all previous DDP experiences you could order most of the listed sushi dishes as an appetizer (with the exception of Yoshe's Deluxe sushi platter and Snake in the Grass - which you can order as an entree)

 

[hmillerbarilla]

Okay, I just had to stop in again to say, what wonderful pics you take of our favorite place! My DH and I are so excited for our Sept trip (in ten months!!!). We will be on the Deluxe plan (discounted with the bounceback) so we're going to Cali Grill & other 2 TS places. Can't wait! Again, thanks for all the beautiful pics to remember the Cali Grill! It's great.

 

[ehagerty]

Okay, I just had to stop in again to say, what wonderful pics you take of our favorite place! My DH and I are so excited for our Sept trip (in ten months!!!). We will be on the Deluxe plan (discounted with the bounceback) so we're going to Cali Grill & other 2 TS places. Can't wait! Again, thanks for all the beautiful pics to remember the Cali Grill! It's great.

Lucky for you!

What is "discounted with bounceback"? Is doesn't sound familiar to me.

 

[dawgfan]

Thanks for your review. Great pics.

 

[hmillerbarilla]

Okay, I just had to stop in again to say, what wonderful pics you take of our favorite place! My DH and I are so excited for our Sept trip (in ten months!!!). We will be on the Deluxe plan (discounted with the bounceback) so we're going to Cali Grill & other 2 TS places. Can't wait! Again, thanks for all the beautiful pics to remember the Cali Grill! It's great.

The bounceback was offered in September for those that were staying on property to book for the following year either free dining, or discounted deluxe dining. So, we're booked for the Poly for 8 nights with discounted deluxe dining plan. It is about $32/day I think for an adult for the Deluxe Plan. We're thrilled & can't wait. Yay!

There is a whole thread on the restaurant Dining Plan board.

Thanks again for all the pics. My sister "smiller" (and my Cali Grill date this past September) is over tonight for Thanksgiving and I'm about to show her all your lovely pics.