California Grill - what did you wear ?

[pooh2001]

We are going to the Cali Grill

7:45 PM reservation
fireworks at 10 PM
June 28, 2012

We will celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary there and our DD's 17 birthday. Our DS will be 20 - so no little kids with us.

What did you wear to the California Grill ?
Are nice shorts, nice shirt and dress sandels OK for us ladies ?
Can our DS wear a nice shirt & nice shorts, but his sneakers ?
Our DS does not wear sandels.
DH has nice shorts, nice shirts and boat shoes.
DD may even wear one of her many skirts and sandels - she just has to pick which ones before we pack for WDW

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I've seen people in the California Grill in suits and cocktail dresses, and I've seen people in shorts and sneakers. I tend to err on the more dressy side because I feel very uncomfortable if I'm underdressed anywhere. I like to wear nice sandals and a dress, or a dressy top with slacks or dark-rinse jeans. My partner usually wears khakis and a polo or button-up shirt.

 

[pooh2001]

Thanks!
It may be a hot summer night - so I am unsure of long pants.
But I could look for a dress for myself too.

DD already told me she has a dress picked out for me to buy (what else is new with a 16 year old DD) and she also said American Eagle has a whole new line of sandles she would love to get.

DS said he may even consider getting some sandels.
DH has dress shirts and would wear kakhi's.

We would be coming from the Dolphin and not a park - so I could see us dressing up a bit.

Anyone else have some idea's ?

 

[ciera321]

I usually wear nice capris, dressy top and dressy sandals. I've also seen a great variety in what people wear, from shorts with tennis shoes to cocktail dresses.

 

[Pakey]

We've been going to the signatures for 15 years or so and we used to dress. Honestly, the dress code has gotten so casual that we rarely bother anymore. We always go to our room and shower and change before dinner because we hate the feeling of grungy while eating but we usually just toss on shorts and sandals and a casual top/shirt.

If you are going at a time when it's hot, it will be unusual to see anyone in long pants in these restaurants.

 

[OneLittleSpark7]

It's a little disappointing how much the dress code has gone down over the years. When we went to California Grill last year we pretty much saw it all. From semi-formal to a man in (I kid you not) ripped jeans, a torn NASCAR t-shirt, and a dirty hat.

 

[aubriee]

I usually wear a sundress and sandals. My husband wears nicer dress type shorts (not cargos) or khacki pants, a button up shirt, and boat shoes.

 

[BlovesC]

I wore a skirt, blouse, pumps, and cardigan. My DH wore khakis, a dress shirt, and a blazer. We went on our honeymoon, it was our first signature experience, and nearly everyone around us was in t-shirts and polo shirts. I felt a little silly!

 

[brucerob62]

Just remember its not what is on the outside that matters..its whats on the inside..there are alot of people who want to experience a higher end restaurant..and may have never done so, like myself..i dont own a suit..dont want to own one..i have some dress clothes for work, but when im on vacation i have NO desire to dress up..I do that enough at my job, any restaurant who requires a dress code.. i will never go to, if you are that high and mighty ..you cant cater to the average person,,Forget you..Sorry for my bluntness, but that how i feel,, we all put our pants on the same way, and if i want to come in a tanktop and flip-flops so be it, it doesnt mean anything.....How much money someone has is not indicated by how dressed up they look...one has nothing to do with the other,,,have fun on vacation ..leave dress clothes at home..

 

[MicRac]

Everyone does it differently and that's ok. You should wear what you want and what makes you happy. For my family we like the opportunity to dress up. I am a healthcare worker and we live on a farm so we rarely get to dress up. Last year we went to Artist's Point and I wore a summer dress and heels and my dd wore a dress and sandals and my dh and ds wore khakis and button down dress shirts. So I am sure this year when we go to Cali Grill we will wear my the same type of clothes because to us its fun.

 

[tcrandal]

I always have mixed feelings on any dress code. The dress can set the atmosphere, and people don't dress up like they used to. The dress can also set the psychology of a person, and people tend to act as they dress. However, that said, people that judge others on how they dress are laughable. Most of the people wearing jeans or dressed down, do so because they are on vacation, everyone is paying the same bill, so thinking someone in ripped jeans doesn't belong there because you may be dressed better is just arrogance.

Most of the people in ripped jeans probably make much more than those complaining they are dressed poorly. Everyone should surround themselves with their family and friends around them, not care what others are doing.

 

[BlovesC]

any restaurant who requires a dress code.. i will never go to, if you are that high and mighty ..you cant cater to the average person,,Forget you.

But California Grill HAS a dress code. My husband and I aren't 'fancy' people...we're young, we're both still in school, and since we're both happiest with a burger and ice cream, we never eat at signature restaurants. California Grill was our very first signature experience, which we booked since we were on our honeymoon and it was a special occasion. We read up on the California Grill's suggested dress code and followed it, only to arrive and be seated around folks who were dressed for exploring the parks. I'm a little self-conscious so I felt a bit uncomfortable because of the way we were dressed, and felt like we looked like two high schoolers on their first date at a 'real adult restaurant'. Most of the people in the restaurant in their polos and tees probably think nothing of dropping $150 on a meal; for us, it was a very rare, very expensive splurge, and I expected the atmosphere to match up to its pricetag. If I'm going to kick back and be comfortable in my capris and t-shirt, it'll be at a place where I can get a delicious meal for $20 flat (like Kona Cafe!), so I don't think we'll ever go to the California Grill again. But everyone is different!

 

[pooh2001]

DD age 17, loves dresses and skirts - so I bet she will be in a casual sun dress and sandels.
I will wear my white capri's, a nice shirt and sandels.
DH most likely will wear his kaki pants, nice shirt and boat shoes.
DS, age 20, nice shirts, decent shirt, and his sneakers.

I also moved our ADR for Saturday, June 30th, same time 7:45 PM.
This way we can go back to our resort, before eating at California Grille.
Yes, we will shower before dinner, since we will most likely use the resort pool on Saturday afternoon.

 

[kiddo76]

When we ate there this past October, we had planned on going back to the hotel and freshen up and change before dinner. I was going to change into a nice pair of capris, a dressy top, and dress sandals. However, it was an early ADR (5:30) and after getting unexpectedly delayed on Splash Mountain, we wouldn't have had very much time to go back and change. So we ended up going in our park clothes, which for me was a pair of casual capris, a gray Mickey t-shirt and a pair of Merrills sandals and DH had cargo shorts, polo shirt, and Tevas. I felt awkward at first, but no one cared what we were wearing. We had a great dinner and I'm glad I didn't skip it because of how we were dressed.

 

[brucerob62]

But California Grill HAS a dress code. My husband and I aren't 'fancy' people...we're young, we're both still in school, and since we're both happiest with a burger and ice cream, we never eat at signature restaurants. California Grill was our very first signature experience, which we booked since we were on our honeymoon and it was a special occasion. We read up on the California Grill's suggested dress code and followed it, only to arrive and be seated around folks who were dressed for exploring the parks. I'm a little self-conscious so I felt a bit uncomfortable because of the way we were dressed, and felt like we looked like two high schoolers on their first date at a 'real adult restaurant'. Most of the people in the restaurant in their polos and tees probably think nothing of dropping $150 on a meal; for us, it was a very rare, very expensive splurge, and I expected the atmosphere to match up to its pricetag. If I'm going to kick back and be comfortable in my capris and t-shirt, it'll be at a place where I can get a delicious meal for $20 flat (like Kona Cafe!), so I don't think we'll ever go to the California Grill again. But everyone is different!

I understand where you are coming from ..but i dont see the correlation between being a signature restaurant..and how people are dressed.?.i guess the price and the atmosphere and looks of the place..make it a signature restaurant.more than how people are dressed. just my opinion..maybe because im a male..i dont care how people are dressed..my wife is more conscious of that than me. The ambience is more important to me.

 

[Ducky0615]

We are going to the Cali Grill

7:45 PM reservation
fireworks at 10 PM
June 28, 2012

We will celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary there and our DD's 17 birthday. Our DS will be 20 - so no little kids with us.

What did you wear to the California Grill ?
Are nice shorts, nice shirt and dress sandels OK for us ladies ?
Can our DS wear a nice shirt & nice shorts, but his sneakers ?
Our DS does not wear sandels.
DH has nice shorts, nice shirts and boat shoes.
DD may even wear one of her many skirts and sandels - she just has to pick which ones before we pack for WDW

We have reservations for 7:50 July 1, I thought maybe we had the 28th at first!

We too made reservations here so that we can get out from the park attire and dress nicely for hopefully a good meal and good time!

 

[HadesTX]

I wore black capri's dressy shirt, heeled sandals (wore flip flops until we got to the restaurant, then switched out )

DH wore black dressy cargo shorts, a polo & new black sneakers. There was no way I was getting him in anything other than sneakers. He flat out refused. I was lucky to get him that dressed up.

 

[starrysky]

For me its normally a long summer dress and sandels and for DH its normally linen pants and a light shirt with his more dress sneakers.

I too like to dress for dinner and like pps have seen many people dressed up and dressed down.

If we were eating in a park TS place like Teppan edo or san angel i would wear park clothes at lunch time and unless I did not have time to go back and change for dinner.

But if people want to go in park clothes thats up to them. I don't think it takes away from the atmosphere it just looks out of place to me personally.

Go with whatever you are comfortable in, We love the food in Cali Grill and its a must do for us every trip. DH said the sushi was to die for and I loved the Bison with the mac and cheese. Deserts are good too especially the chocolate deserts. They have a lovely wine list as well.

 

[pooh2001]

I am glad DS can wear his shorts and sneakers,
He does have 'church' shorts and a decent shirt to wear.
The rest of us will be a bt dressed up,

If MK is open later than 10 pm on June 30th, then we may even do some MK after dinner and fireworks.
I doubt it will be an EMH night, since 7/1 is a EMH night till 1 am per the calendar.

If MK is changed to close at midnight, are the fireworks still at 10 pm ?

If the fireworks are at midnight....can we go back to the CR and go to the Cali Grill fireworks viewing area ?

 

[XGrumpy1]

We just came from the parks and were not dressed in anything special.