California Grill vs Narcoosees

[twinmom1107]

OK...so the only bad thing about ADR's so far in advance is 2nd guessing what we picked!! Booked Narcoossees (oh so yummy ) for our last night but I'm thinking maybe we should try California Grill....decisions, decisions! Who's been to both and what's your favorite? And btw...my 15 year old twins are a teeny bit picky.

 

[TheNewMrsB]

Oh, decisions decisions! Everything in life should be this difficult!

Well, we CG - it's always our most special meal. The atmosphere, the service and most especially the food is what makes it so memorable. Are you sushi eaters? You MUST give it a try for that alone.

Otherwise check out the menu at allears.net to see if there's anything your kids might like. There are some pretty basic things on there like filet and cheesy flatbread.

Out of the two, well, we had originally booked both without even thinking about it for our upcoming trip but then decided to try a new restaurant (Sanaa) and when given the choice, we cancelled the Narcoossee's ADR, as much as we love it there (seriously, the bisque and cheesecake alone warrant another visit). But we'd never, ever cancel CG.

 

[CraigInPA]

My wife and I eaten at both several times.

When we went to WDW with her 9 year old twin nephews, the clear choice between the two was California Grill. Not only is the view VERY impressive to someone who is 9, but their little food adventurous palates had choices not found on other menus where we had dined during the week.

When it's just my wife and I, we'll eat at Narcoosee's two times for every meal at California Grill. We just like the quiet romantic atmosphere (reservations after 9 will do that for you!).

 

[iloveeeyore]

We haven't been to Narcoossee's yet, but I can tell you that my teens both adored California Grill and thought it was the best restaurant they have ever experienced (and we often take them to really nice places). The menu is very varied, and I think it offers more choices than Narcoossee's for picky-ish eaters. My DS, who was 13 at the time we dined there, and is still a bit on the picky side, said it was his best meal ever. The view is absolutely amazing. Narcoossee's also has a nice view, but it is from the 1st floor instead of the 14th (?) floor. I have also heard and read wonderful things about Narcoossee's, which is why we are giving it a try in August, but I honestly can't imagine that it is better than CG!

One consideration, as a PP mentioned, CG can get quite boisterous (though we didn't experience that at all when we were there). Narcoossee's has a reputation for being much more quiet, if that matters to you.

 

[Pakey]

We've had some meals at Narcoosees that were just as noisy as the meals at CG. While neither of these restaurants rank at the top of my best food lists, I do think CG has much better food (both in quality and presentation) than Narcoosees.

 

[KAB1]

Narcoosee's - Better Food
Cali Grill - Better Atmosphere

I would suggest eating dinner at Narcoosee's one Night (Whole Snapper: To die For). Go to Cali Grill another night just for Apps (Especially Sushi: Amazing). You do not need an ADR and can sit right in the Lounge. The Views are Spectacular!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[twinmom1107]

Sounds like both are terrific! I think I may have to reconsider some of my ADR's and squeeze CG in too! It's my boys 15th b'day so what the heck ~ we'll do both!

 

[twinmom1107]

Narcoosee's - Better Food
Cali Grill - Better Atmosphere

I would suggest eating dinner at Narcoosee's one Night (Whole Snapper: To die For). Go to Cali Grill another night just for Apps (Especially Sushi: Amazing). You do not need an ADR and can sit right in the Lounge. The Views are Spectacular!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my DH loves sushi! What a great idea!

 

[nemofans]

We have eaten at both several times & like both. DH is more fond of CG though. Narcoossee's is seafood & the cheesecake is so yummy! I love being by 7 Seas Lagoon (especially since DH proposed to me out there).
I consider CG fancier (not that that has prevented us from bringing our young boys). I LOVE their goat cheese polenta w/button mushrooms! DH loves their sushi. I don't care for their desserts much.
I don't think you'll go wrong w/either. I guess ask yourself if you would you prefer seafood or not.

 

[Geordietyke]

Haven't eaten at either but have both booked for our November trip - can't wait to try them

 

[gojoe]

We love them both for different reasons. Both offer excellent food and fantastic service. We would do California Grill for a family and Narcoosees for a special diner with my wife. If you have never dined at Cali the view alone make it a must do. Enjoy

 

[tdsbu]

We've done both multiple times.
Scale of 1 to 10:
Food: N 7, CG 9
Atmosphere: N 6, CG 10
Service: N 8, CG 9
Value: N 7, CG 8

 

[auntfrannie]

I definitely prefer CG. Narcoossee's is at the bottom of my signature restaurant preferences.

 

[wallawallakids]

Narcoossee. Hands down. Much better food, IMO.

 

[44Majestic]

Been to Narcossees & CG three or four times each. CG has more of a WOW factor and perhaps slightly more creative presentation of meals. The view and the surrondings on a nice evening are great. We like Narcossees too. This summer we are doing Narcossees only. We are skipping CG only because we are staying at BLT Theme Park view. So we'll have the view and night time at the lounge. At Christmas we plan on doing both. They are both good. Slight edge to CG. IMO.

 

[psac]

We've had five or six meals at California Grill. Two have been dissappointing, the other 3 or four have been the BEST BY FAR in WDW. We're going at the end of this month on a trip we just booked, and my wife spent the last 3 weeks checking for a Cali Grill ADR multiple times a day hoping for a cancellation. We JUST got one this morning! Very psyched. Definitely better than Narcoossee's. Ate at N's twice -- never bad, but not overly fantastic, either.

 

[BLTLDZ]

We love both...And are doing both in december..
If you can squeezer them both in, do it! If not, I don't think you can go wrong with either.

 

[Mater246]

Can't wait to try Narcoossee's on our next trip. California Grill is one of our fav's.

 

[hooch11bear]

We will be eating at both again in August, but we would never give up eating at CG. In fact, we will be eating there twice!! I could give or take Narcoossee's.

 

[twinmom1107]

I switched some things around and booked CG. With all this great feedback for CG, we sure don't won't to miss out! Showed my boys the menu and my somewhat picky guys loved it!