California Grill, Sanaa, WPE reviews

[Brygida]

Just got back from 11 days of FREE DDP and will be sharing some reviews.

First up - California Grill.

Pros: Best Bread at WDW!
Cons: Check all ingredients and don't be afraid to substitute!

I think I have finally figured out how to eat at California Grill. The complex dishes with multiple flavors may not be for all picky eaters. For instance, I can't stand cheese and don't like gamey meats/seafood. That automatically disqualifies most dishes on the menu! However, I decided to not be afraid to ask for substitutions. For instance I love pork, but I knew I would not like the goat cheese polenta, so I DID ask the waiter for substitutions and he recommended the roasted potatoes which were beautiful! The dish was excellent!

Even though we were on the regular Disney Dining Plan (and we ate here twice during our trip!), we splurged for the appetizers, which were phenomenal. My husband had the spicy chicken flatbread and I tried the rock shrimp salad (Wow!) and the Gazpacho with shrimp (I love soups!)

My 6yo son LOVED the whole wheat pizza with provolone... I don't think he has ever had provolone! and he pronounced the California Grill bread (a crusty, warm, thick concoction) the BEST food at WDW! bar none! I think he ate an entire bread basket each time we were there!

And the desserts.... I had the banana napolean, a work of art with multiple components (caramelized banana, panna cota, ice cream?, and perfect napolean wafers in between. My husband had the cheese board (which is allowed as a dessert on the DDP) and took the cheese map/menu home to look for them locally.

We also splurged on a glass of wine. The waiter was excellent and knowledgeable. I only like very sweet, usually fruity wines. He recommended a Risling? and a Merlot for my husband. They were spot on and accomponied the entrees beautifully!

This dinner for 3 cost us about $90 (with tip) after the DDP covered about $160. Worth every penny!

 

[Brygida]

Rating: 1 out of 10
Pros: Nice restaurant ambience
Cons: Food average and tiny portions

My husband loves Indian food and eats/cooks it several times a week, he was looking forward to trying the 1st Indian restaurant at WDW and was deeply disappointed. The best thing about good Indian food is how the combination of flavors work together to give you that fireworks of tastes in your mouth.

DH asked for his seafood special extra spicy. All they did is dump some extra crushed chilis on top of the dish! That is not how you do it.

My DS and I (who can't stomach Indian food!) ate at Boma (one of our favorites) while DH tried Sanaa on his own. DH wished he had joined us! At least Boma DOES incorporate spices well and some of the dishes DO pack a punch! Just how he likes it.

My advice is to eat at Boma and skip Sanaa. Try your local Indian take-away back home and you will probably have a much better dish.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I think this time I am going to get the rock shrimp salad...I changed my mind the last time we were there and had the lobster risotto which was out of this world but I could not stop thinking about the shrimp!

 

[Brygida]

Rating: 10 out of 10
Pros: The food! I can't believe this is a counter-service!
Cons: WPE should be located in multiple locations at WDW!

This counter-service restaurant is phenomenal and worth renting a car just so you could eat your counter-service meal here every day! I'm not kidding either!

This CS restaurant is better than many Table Service restaurants at WDW. The more expensive entrees run about $18 and are certainly more expensive than some TS entrees! Unbelievable!

During our trip last week, after the first time I took my husband here, he insisted we leave the park we were at and go to Downtown Disney just to eat here! He said he couldn't stop dreaming about it. I'm glad I had that rental car!

At one meal, my husband had the salmon over mashed potatoes (1 DDP CS credit) with a side of broccolini (1 DDP snack credit). I had the spaghetti & meatballs (no cheese!) and I inhaled it! I then fell in love with the beet salad (deleted the cheese, added grilled chicken). I think I had that 3? 4 times? Loved the roasted pecans and the vinaigrette was perfectly matched. Had the creme brulee once - very good, but then fell in love with the chocolate / vanilla frozen yogurt twist...I think it was the best frozen yogurt anywhere. Does anyone know if they make it on the premises? Can I buy it?

Each time left a tip even though it is counter service! Waitstaff excellent and happy to meet your needs.

If they had one of these in every park, I would seriously never eat anywhere else for counter service!

 

[Plumeria9]

Rating: 1 out of 10
...
My advice is to eat at Boma and skip Sanaa. Try your local Indian take-away back home and you will probably have a much better dish.

Thank you for your report. I really wanted to eat at Sanaa so we could see the AKL resort, but was not sure if the food was really going to be good. We don't really eat Indian food anyway, but the menu looked benign enough. I was also considering Jiko, as I hear they have the best steak in The World, but I didn't want to blow 2 TS credits. We are doing this trip w/ Disney Bus transport only, so if was going to be a stretch. So thank you, we will visit AKL on another trip when we have a rental car!

 

[Brygida]

Thank you for your report. I really wanted to eat at Sanaa so we could see the AKL resort, but was not sure if the food was really going to be good. We don't really eat Indian food anyway, but the menu looked benign enough. I was also considering Jiko, as I hear they have the best steak in The World, but I didn't want to blow 2 TS credits. We are doing this trip w/ Disney Bus transport only, so if was going to be a stretch. So thank you, we will visit AKL on another trip when we have a rental car!

This past trip, I did not regret "blow"ing 2 TS credits on California Grill nor on Hoop Dee Doo Revue. They are more easily reached using Disney transport than AKL is.

In your place, I would skip Jiko on this trip too, not worth 2 TS credits in my opinion anyway.