California Grill - To go or not to go!

[DisGirl81]

I have a reservation at CA Grill in early December. It is for my Mom and I (girls only trip).

I am starting to second guess my choice. I have eaten there in the past, but it was so long ago I don't remember much...

I know the view is spectacular, but for what I am reading people seem to be going more for the view and the food is an after thought.

We are staying at BC and there are EMH's at Epcot that night.

I am wondering if perhaps we should pick a different signature restaurant. Maybe the Flying Fish or Yachtsman. I don't think we have ever eaten at either.

I am not opposed to not eating in the Epcot area, so while we are at it what is your favorite signature restaurant and why???

Help me make my decision!

Thanks in advance!

 

[vettegirl]

I dined there a few weeks ago for the first time and the meal and service was amazing. The sushi was some of the best I have ever had and the flatbread was good as well. We also had the filet and it was sooo tender and good. We sat in the wine room so it was very secluded and quiet in there. The combination of the views and the food made it my favorite signature dining experience ever!

 

[hstrickland]

Just got back from WDW....DH and I LOVED California Grill! Can't say enough about it! I think your mom will like it, too. Have been to Yachtsman's and love it, also, but CG is sooooo cool at night. The view is to die for as well as the food.

 

[gojoe]

I love them all but for a special girl only night I would pick California Grill. All three have fantastic menu's and superb service. Only one has the best view.

 

[FloridaFarmer]

We did lots of research when choosing our ADR's and for us...the California Grill was a no brainer. If you can...try to get reservations during the time that the MK fireworks are taking place. Can't wait to go there in a few months...

 

[jlhill4444]

CG is amazing. I would keep the reservation, you won't be disappointed.

 

[PoohsFan1]

For our family, we absolutely love the Cali Grill. We love it BECAUSE of the food...the atmosphere and view is bonus to us. The best meals that I have ever had came from that restaurant. My kids who are 6 and 9 love the restaurant just as much as DH and I do....they love it for the food (DD9 love the kids steak and DD6 loves the mac and cheese) and of course the view of Cinderella's Castle . With that being said, I say definitely keep your ADR....you could make an early ADR for around 5:30pm and still make it over for evening EMH at Epcot if you really didn't want to miss that. We did that last March and it worked out really well. Good luck.

 

[Linda67]

You should go ahead and do it. I am sure you will have a wonderful evening

 

[mom2val]

The view is breathtaking. I have never experience fireworks like that before. The music and narration took it to a whole new level. The food was amazing also. This truly defined for us what a Signature experience is.

 

[Cat0727]

I say go for it! California Grill's food is delicious and the view is amazing!

 

[minniemay4]

I went to California Grill 5/29 and it was amazing! I definetly think you should try it. I had the grilled pork tenderloin and my boyfriend had the filet. Both were soooo good!

 

[DisGirl81]

Thanks guys! I appreciate all the responses!

 

[DW2010]

I haven't been but am going in September. My boss used to work at the credit union in Disney and said it's her favorite restaurant .

 

[texasgirl73]

Just decided to make a reservation there myself. I loved it two years ago and decided I had to go back. I could care less about the view, I'm going back for the food.

 

[Mouseturtle]

just curious what time to make ADR to see the fireworks? I got my res for my trip in November, 7:25pm

 

[Pakey]

I have eaten at all of the signatures many times and CG would rank about 4th or 5th on the list of places on the dining plan. Of the restaurants on the dining plan, Flying Fish is my favorite, followed by Citricos and Jiko. Above FF would be some of the places not on the dining plan, in particular bluezoo and Bistro de Paris (I'm excluding V&A because it's in its own league).

CG used to be a better dining experience before everyone decided it was "the" place to go to view fireworks. The food is still decent but we would probably skip it now if it weren't for the sushi (which is very very good). We prefer to dine here after the fireworks because the place empties out and it's not nearly as noisy and returns to being a restaurant where you can enjoy an excellent bottle of wine and conversation.

The views are incredible, the best of any restaurant at WDW.

 

[cbg1027]

For food at a signature, I think Citricos and Flying Fish are tops, followed very closely by Jiko.
Cali Grill and The Brown Derby would be my next choices, but they're not too far behind.

If you've already got the ADR, I'd say just keep it. I've never had anything that was bad or just ok at CG. It's always been excellent food. It's just that some of the other signatures are a bit better.

 

[smidgy]

If you've never tried it, do so. we though the food was good, but nothing spectacular (although hubby really enjoyed his variety of cheeses with pairings, but now appetizers are no longer included on the DDP.)
the view from the window was great. but we thought view from the fireworks viewing area was not so great. guess we just like to be closer up (yes, it was better than the view of wishes from the Ploy beach) we feel the music is an integral part of the wishes viewing experience, and the music wasn't loud enough. (of course, it didn't help that a child near us kept yelling out "blue! red! yellow!" everytime the fireworks changed, which was constantly, of course)

we did it, I'm glad we did.

my favorite signature restaurant is the Hoop de Doo Revue.
the tip is included (but we still tip extra, they deserve it), you get free unlimited beer or wine, unlimited GREAT chicken, ribs, baked beans, salad, corn bread, corn ,shortcake, and a great, FUN show! corny? yeah, but great fun!

I love the view at Narcosses, and the whole maine lobster!
if you time it right, you can also view the electrical water pagaent after dinner.

Yachtman's Steakhouse is on our list to try. for some reason, we have never wanted to try Brown derby. can anyone tell me why we should? Cobb Salad? yeah, I put hard boiled eggs on my salad at home all the time.

I always wanted to try the Aloha Luau,( but hubby is not a big fanof roast pork) but the thing that scares us away is that it is cancelled due to inclement weather. and now, you have no where to eat that night and 2 TS creditsopen with no ADRS! (and, no, I don't want to use those 2 credits for room service, don't want to eat in my room for 2 credits, I can have salami sandwiches in my room!)

I have never tried it, but I have heard very good things about Flying Fish.
so.. Im sure you'll be happy with California Grill. to me, it was always one of those "have to try it" things.
but DO consider Hoop de doo Revue in the future,.... SUCH fun!!!!(esp. for a girls' night out!)

 

[GailT]

You will not be sorry, I went through this should I or shouldn't I go, got reservations for 2009 Christmas eve after a month, wow, the food, service was great hopping to get it again for this Christmas Eve

 

[jking6]

We are going there for the first time in August and really looking forward to it... My question is what is proper to wear for clothing?
Thanks