California Grill reviews?? Is it worth it?

[Rudegrle]

We love the CG! Always good food, always enjoy the atmosphere, but it's our type of place. We took my DBF's parents w/ us for dinner a couple of years ago and they did not enjoy the evening one bit. They both thought the resteraunt was loud and pretentious on top of not enjoying the meal. CG was simply not their style, but the Outback steakhouse is

 

[Tatania]

We really enjoyed in last Feb. DH and I went for our anniversary, but I wouldn't take my kids there. Other opinions may be different, but for me, I wouldn't take my kids until they're older. They wouldn't appreciate it (they're 7 and 4) and our meal lasted about 2 hours. The food and service were wonderful.

I completely agree. The dress code makes clear this is supposed to be sophisticated dining and I was mortified (when dressed to the nines) to ride up the elevator next to teen boys wearing shorts and T-shirts. I was also amazed at how many toddlers were brought in as I doubt this is the kind of place you'd take a toddler to at home.

Other than that, the food, view, and service were all great.

 

[huggiebear23]

Absolutely.....between the view and the taste of the food it is wonderful. The flatbread for an appetizer is to die for. The first time we went my husband and I split one...well all I can say is the next few times we went I mde him get his own because they are that good I didn't want to share it
I crave it all the time. I also have to say that their filet mignon is amazing. The sauce they have on it just melts in your mouth. I haven had filet mignon at home at restaurants and NOTHING compares to theirs. Go and enjoy....your won't be disappointed.

Thanks your dog is adorable.

I'm so reassured to see all the good reviews. I know every experience is different but I've seen a few too many bad reviews of late for the CG. We have our reception booked there in Dec. 08 and will be trying to get ADR's during July while were in Disney for our wedding planning session so we can try it out. In addition to the bad reviews the fact that CG is so controlling compared to all the other reception locations and since they don't do tastings we decided to try it OOP in July. I've been so worried I wouldn't be able to find anything I like to eat and that it would be a bad experience but I'm starting to find hope thanks to all the good reviews!

Thanks to all for their opinions and to the OP for starting such a good thread!

Christine

No problem. Congratulations to you.

 

[huggiebear23]

I completely agree. The dress code makes clear this is supposed to be sophisticated dining and I was mortified (when dressed to the nines) to ride up the elevator next to teen boys wearing shorts and T-shirts. I was also amazed at how many toddlers were brought in as I doubt this is the kind of place you'd take a toddler to at home.

Other than that, the food, view, and service were all great.

My family always dresses for dinner. Everytime we go to dinner at Disney no matter what restaurant we always go back to the hotel and change. I like to feel refreshed. I have 2 toddler girls who are extremely well behaved. But I always dress them in pretty sundresses for dinner. For me personally I enjoy getting dressed nice for a nice dinner.

 

[snowbunny]

Do you think it is worth the hype?

In my opinion, no. It is more of an attraction than a fine-dining experience. The menu still says fine dining, but the actual execution of the menu, overall atmosphere (many many kids running wild for example) and service say otherwise. Not that you can't have a nice time there, but there are much better signature restaurants, Artist Point to name one.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Yes, Yes, Yes. It's our top place to dine at WDW.

 

[JoanneNC]

My family always dresses for dinner. Everytime we go to dinner at Disney no matter what restaurant we always go back to the hotel and change. I like to feel refreshed. I have 2 toddler girls who are extremely well behaved. But I always dress them in pretty sundresses for dinner. For me personally I enjoy getting dressed nice for a nice dinner.

I have boys so no sundresses But we definitely plan to have ourselves and both kids dressed up - My kids are used to eating our regularly and actually in nice places so unfortunately I will be one of those families that will dare to bring in 2 kids (6 and 18 mths) here for dinner.....

 

[stitchlover]

We loved our dining experience at CG. We had our 11 year old with us and she still talks about the food at CG. We have made reservations to go back our first day onsite this upcoming trip. We are ALL looking forward to it.