California Grill Questions (Stupid)

[Topper]

Wow, thanks for the great sushi pictures! What is the second one pictured?

That is the Malibu roll.

 

[MrsLS]

How big is the flatbread? Is it to share with the table? -
the flat bread is VERY good & it depends on how many people are at your table but it is shareable with a few.

How many pieces of sushi? Could this also be shared with the table?
Yes it can be shared. It is also very good. I don't remember how many pieces but about 10 or so.

Do we have to get flatbread or sushi? What if we aren't big food people? Are they going to look at us like we're low-class?
Um, no, why would you think you had to get either? The first time we went we didn't get either. Why would not getting these make you low class???!!

More importantly... how snooty are the waitors? Is this a strictly high-class environment? Are they going to scoff at us if we don't pick the most expensive entree?
Again, ; its not very high class environment at all, its nice but not very upscale. The waitors are VERY nice and friendly.

Is splitting dishes completely unacceptable? Is bypassing the first course and going straight to the main course unacceptable? What if someone in our party would like to make their first course their main course?

You can split entrees, but the entrees aren't as big as some of the app like the flat bread & sushi, actually in most of the signatures the portions of the entrees I think are on the smallish side. But yes you can box up, we did with our desserts one time.

We have reservations for 9:25 (fireworks are at 10:00). We're probably more excited about this than the food. Can someone give me more details on the fireworks viewing?
If you don't have a window view, you just go outside. You might not sit at exactly your adr, but you can go outside at anytime you get there to see the view &/or get up after you have been seated.

 

[MrsLS]

A flatbread can be shared by two or possibly 3 people.

The sushi can be ordered as an entree.

Many people don't order appetizers, and just go straight to the entrees (apps are not included on the dining plan).

You can share an entree.

As far as it being a snooty place, it's Disney, all walks of life eat there. I've never encountered snooty waiter, even if we go in to have dessert and coffee.

Apps are included in the dining plan if you are on the deluxe plan...just wanted to clear that up if anyone else read this.

 

[BBQMommy]

Back in Feb., CG was our date night. DD5 was at the kid camp at WL for the evening. We were on DxDP and paid OOP for extra sushi for DH and a second appetizer for me (instead of a salad). That course was the best plate of food put in front of me on the trip and so far this year. It was a lovely, rich yet delicate, lamb shank risotto. It rocked my world.

Our waiter was great - didn't get a snooty vibe, however I was distracted by the view and the risotto.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Most of my hesitation is because we ate at bluezoo for this past New Year's, and we felt completely out of place. It was so stuffy.

Idk if it was just because it was New Year's Eve, but other people were in full out cocktail attire... we were in polos and knit dresses. And our waitress kind of scoffed at us when we didn't order any of the alcoholic beverages that she spent fifteen minutes recommending.

It was just a very uncomfortable dining experience... the waitress gave us a speech about every item on the menu, it seemed. And there was a big table behind us where everyone had the $65 lobster plate, and they kept looking over us... perhaps it was our imagination. But we did not have a pleasant time.

 

[Linda67]

The sushi plates are huge and can easily be shared
If we were heading there any time soon we probably just share sushi and flatbreads and skip entrees all together
The CMs would have no problem at all with anyone doing this
Hope you enjoy it

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Wow, thanks for the great sushi pictures! What is the second one pictured?

Tempura "Malibu" Roll - grouper, snapper, cobia, hamachi, tuna tartare, and spicy sesame sauce $21

It was my Favorite! "Snake in the Grass" was DS18's favorite!

When we sat down we informed the waiter that we were only there for Sushi. He was very nice and very professional. We didn't get any vibe at all that this was unusual.

I REALLY wanted to order more...but after sharing the above 3 plates, DS and I were Totally full...

I have to go back though and have the Kazan roll AND the "Tuna three ways".... Definitely the Best view of the trip! (This was May 9-14 2010).

Hugs,
Mary

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Hi!

First, I want to say I love California Grill! It is my favorite WDW restaurant and where I had my wedding reception!

Do NOT be intimidated at all. Order whatever you like and enjoy it!

I will tell you what DH and I like to do. We like to taste everything, so we order 1 sushi, 1 flatbread, 1 appetizer or salad, 1 main course and 1 dessert and share it all! It is PLENTY of food! California Grill split our entree and our Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli app in the kitchen so it arrived on two separate plates. I love when restaurants take that extra step so you don't have to divvy it up at the table. So, feel free to order whatever you like! This is why DH and I don't want to use the DDP, we love the freedom to eat whatever appeals to us at the moment.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

While California Grill is great for dining, it's also a great place just for drinks and appetizers / sushi / tapas. It's got a great vibe -- diverse dining population, not uncomfortable at all.

 

[My sister's princess]

We ate there the night of our wedding. I took photos of all the food we had, it is in my TR (January 2010)

The flatbread is super yummy, and can be shared! My Dsis had sushi, so there are pics of that too! The waitress we had was amazing, and very sweet, didn't rush us or pressure us at all

We watched Wishes from the table, and really enjoyed it!

 

[7165red]

Great question, I just had so many of my questions answered.

 

[allshookup]

Don't get me wrong, CG is one of our favorite restaurants & a must do every trip. It is not at all snooty or uncomfortable even for young children. They bring gold fish crackers, crayons, etc. for them. But I will say that I have ordered just the shrimp tempura sushi for my dinner the last couple of times we dined there, because nobody else will share w/ me & it's just way too much as an app on top of an entree. Anyway, both times the waitstaff did give the "is that all you're getting?" response. The first time the waiter even made a snide comment, "at least you're getting a glass of wine". Now I don't know if maybe they really were concerned that I wouldn't be full enough or I wasn't 'treating" myself enough, but I found it a bit off-putting. Plus my kids have been adults in Disney's eyes for quite some time now & always order the adult meals, DH always gets the filet, we usually split a dessert because we are too full for one each & DH & I always have a couple of alcoholic beverages, so the bill is never small by any means, but I still sense a bit of an "attitude" if you know what I mean. Not that it should scare you away from ordering what you like...it certainly doesn't stop me!

 

[tinacaplan]

California Grill was my favorite restaurant on our last trip and was probably one of the greatest dining experiences I've ever had. By far, the sushi and the flatbread were the highlights. My husband and I were almost completely full just after those two course and I don't consider us to be "light" eaters. Our waitress was great, as was the bartender while we waited a few minutes for our table to be ready.

I will agree with pps who have said that Cali Grill isn't worth it just to see the fireworks... we'll be going back for the food!

 

[Belle599]

Overall, order exactly what you feel like having and don't feel pressured at all.

Yes, it is a fine dining experience but it is Disney. They should be making your experience magical for you no matter what!!!

We have worn both cocktail attire (for our anniversary) and a sun dress/polo there (just a regular meal) and I would say neither time was our attire out of place.

I think a lot of your experience at a fine dining establishment comes down to your waitstaff. It sounds like you had a horrible server at Bluezoo - so sorry.
I have had a FABULOUS server at Cali Grill and also a poor server who spent all his time with a larger table of 6 (compared to just us 2) - I suppose a larger tip was there.

And lastly, don't be afraid at the beginning of your dining experience to let your server know what you're interested in - ie: just here for appies & wine/looking for a lighter meal etc.

Enjoy!

 

[pad406]

Nice to hear all the great things being said here about CG. We're having Christmas dinner there, yahoo

 

[7165red]

pad46, Will they be offering a special xmas day menu?

 

[CanadianPaco]

Hello!

First .. your not asking stupid questions!

Disney is great about splitting! We went last year to California Grill and told the waiter we want to split some items and take our time and he was VERY accommodating. We were not at the time of the fireworks BUT I think as long as you tell them what you want you should be fine. My husband and I had a flatbread and I believe it had 8 pieces, a sushi roll (again large 8-12 pieces) and dessert. All split and no issues.
I hope this helps and have a great time!

I agree! Last year we split the lobster risoto! That was too funny!