California Grill Question

[ninecrayons]

Hello All!

On Sunday my friends and I will be going to the California Grill for dinner before we go to MNSSHP. I've been wanting to go to the CG forever, so I am very excited.

My question is, to maximize my chance to try different things, I was planning to order two appetizers instead of a main course. Not knowing anything about the size of the appetizers I'm curious - would they be big enough that I won't feel starving? I obviously don't want to feel overfull, but I don't want to have to have a second dinner!

 

[TDC Nala]

No problem. Sushi and a flatbread is all I ever order there.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

It really depends on the appetizers ordered. In general the apps listed as First courses are pretty small, but if you order one of the first courses and sushi, that is enough for a meal.

 

[ninecrayons]

It really depends on the appetizers ordered. In general the apps listed as First courses are pretty small, but if you order one of the first courses and sushi, that is enough for a meal.

My plan was to get the Heirloom Tomatoes with Buffalo Mozzarella and then the Lobster Risotto.

If I were get a flatbread, any suggestions?

 

[tdsbu]

Wow, going to CG and not ordering sushi ... somewhere a raw fish is shedding a tear.

Just kidding, you will love your choices - you can't go wrong at CG.

 

[TDC Nala]

There's usually a Chefs Special flatbread, which is often changed, and that's what I order. I can't say anything about the regular ones that are always on the menu.

 

[kungaloosh]

I'm so glad you posted this question. I'll be going to the Grille Wednesday night for the first time and was considering doing the same exact thing. I'm even leaning towards the same choices as you are. Thanks!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

I have not had the heirloom tomato salad, but the lobster rissoto is delicious! I don't know if those choices will be enough for a meal though. If you are a light eater it is prob sufficient.

We have had all of the flatbreads and they are all good!

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

A note on the heirloom tomatoes - We ate there on 10/3 and our waiter mentioned that he was still surprised heirloom tomatoes were still on the menu because they were slowly running out due to the season ending. Sorry to be Debbie Downer, but I just don't want you getting your hopes up. For your sake, though, I hope there's still some remaining!

 

[cbg1027]

Ordering 2 apps should be plenty for one person.

The risotto is awesome. Last time I went it was with shrimp instead of lobster, but it was the same basic risotto recipe with the goat cheese and meyer lemon beurre blanc. SO GOOD! I thought the risotto dish was also plenty large enough to serve as an entree.

I think a lot of Signatures and upscale dining establishments trick your eyes to begin with. It's plenty of food, but they put it on a huge plate, so it looks like a small serving.

 

[HaleyB]

Don't forget, there is nothing to prevent you from ordering something more if you need to after you have eaten your first selections. The flat breads are big and yummy, everything is yummy.

Ask for a window seat, it never hurts to ask.

 

[wezee]

When DH and I dined at CG last week....I had the best sushi ever....and it was a huge portion ( the spicy "something" roll with bay scallops). I could have easily just ordered the appie and glass of wine and been comfortably full....but we were on the DxDDP and had to proceed to stuff ourselves. DH had the flatbread, which he loved. Next March we will be back in WDW for a week without the dining plan and we plan to visit CG and just order appies and wine.
Also.....for the cheese lovers out there...CG has a very nice cheese plate which can be ordered as an appie or dessert. DH and I both ordered the cheese plate for our dessert and had it boxed to take back to our resort (for pool time snack)

 

[BCV23]

Excellent point, Haley.

Don't be afraid to ask your server about portion size, ninecrayons. We find the servers at CG to be excellent.

Like others, some of us get two appetizers. Our meals there really vary....one of us might get a an appetizer and then flatbread. Someone else a flatbread followed by sushi. Sushi and an entree. It's all good.

Don't count on getting any particular flatbread or appetizer from an online menu though. One flatbread has been standard...the three cheese (although I think it was 4 cheese at one point). The others change often. Every one we've had has been good.

 

[madalex]

My plan was to get the Heirloom Tomatoes with Buffalo Mozzarella and then the Lobster Risotto.

I ate there last week with a friend. He had the tomatoes/mozarella app and I had the lobster risotto. They were both quite good, but (IMO) would not be sufficient for a full meal.

 

[ccgirl]

I ate there last week and had the lobster risotto. I was full after it. Very rich and absolutely delicous. My DH also got the tuna three ways. I don't usually like raw fish but this was absolutely delicous as well. I was full after the apps and a glass of wine but forced myself to eat as much of my entree as possible. The pork tenderloin was amazing. A word of advice. We were looking for a romantic night and it was incredibly loud. Even had to ask the server for an aspirin. Also, there were many children running around trying to look out the windows and the parents let them. We were very surprised. The food and service were still wonderful though. I even remember our servers name...Walter. Enjoy!

 

[MickeyNicki]

I dont think the appies are large unless you get a flat bread. I had the lobster risotto and I was lucky if there was three teaspoons of food in that bowl..it was rich though. DH had a salad and it was the smallest one we had received at any TS but it was a wonder salad.

IMHO if you are going to Cali Grill you should order the trifecta...Appie, Entree and Dessert!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

In my opinion I would not just order App's. I would definately order a dinner. The food is awesome there.
Oh and definately dessert.

 

[dchi]

I think 2 appies could be enough if you get dessert too. The choc cake is soooo good! If you do not want one of their desserts I would probably order a flatbread to get filled up. Bettter yet a flatbread and the choc cake. oh man...that sounds so good right now!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Speaking of the ever changing flatbreads at CG--last week we had a Reuben Flatbread--corned beef, cheese, a smatering of Thousand Island dressing. Quite good!!! They also had the BLT Flatbread that evening, along with the standard "three cheese" as BCV 23 has noted.

 

[kungaloosh]

Hi,
I just thought I'd post an update on our experience last Wednesday. Our flight arrived on time but due to the ME not taking off until 30 minutes after we boarded and the Contemporary being the last of 4 stops we didn't arrive at the CA Grille until 10:20 for our 9:55 ADR. The counter was already closed with a sign that lounge guests could proceed directly upstairs so we went up hoping they'd let us order some wine and an appetizer at the bar and not have to pay the cancellation fee. They were so wonderful when we got up there and said no problem at all and gave us a pager. We sat at the bar and before our wine was even poured the pager was going off and they moved us to a table.

We both decided that even though we were hungry we didn't really want to eat a lot right before bed. My friend ordered a salad and one of the sushi dishes (which was large) and wasn't able to finish. I ordered the apple salad and the lobster risotto. Both were fantastic. I really wanted dessert but was actually too full to order it. It was a great start to a great vacation. I'm just sorry that I didn't think to jot down exactly what we ate since the menu wasn't exactly the same as what is currently shown on line.

Cathy