california grill

[wdw47]

we are wondering what guest that have dinned here would and would not recomend and also if there is a site where we could get a copy of the menu

 

[Epcot242]

Try allearsnet.com for a menu. As for recommendations, their menu changes often so I couldn't give you anything specific. Their steaks are good though.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We have menus on our site as well--just go to the DIS HOME and find the restaurants section. You can easily locate the menus by restaurant, price, etc etc.
AS to the CG--always liked their filet, pork entree, and the flatbread appetizers.

 

[mommystieg]

We dined at the CG on our very first visit in 2002 and it was awesome

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

We LOVED Cali Grill, but they change their menu quite often, I think once a week. They do have several constants, a steak and the Pork Tenderloin - I have tasted both and they were both very good. If you would be happy with one of those dishes no matter what, then I'd go for it - you may end up with something else, but always have one of those to fall back on!

 

[ougrad86]

I was SO disappointed with Cali Grill . We had made this for out 25th anniversary meal, and it went from bad to worse. When we checked in, we requested a window view, and they said it might be 45 min more, which was fine since I really wanted to see Wishes. We barely had sat down and received our drinks in the lounge when a little old man came by and told us to follow him. With me carrying a drink and a very full glass of milk (our son had come with us), we followed him to one side of the restaurant, and then he stood confused . I finally walked over to the bar to put the drinks down, when he ushered us over to the other side of the room. Found our table (very good view), and then he was upset when found out we didn't pay our bar tab.
Waitress came over and explained what had happened and she was able to get the bar tab for us. We gave our orders and watched darkness coming over MK. The Flatbread was pretty good. Had out entrees delivered, and there was a problem with mine. Wishes were started at the same time and the waitress was nowhere to be found. I tried to watch Wishes, but the noise level was such you could not hear the music, and they do not dim the lights anymore, so there were annoying reflections off the glass. Also, having the fireworks to one side of the castle just threw if off kilter for me.
Caught out waitress, I very apoligetically told her what was wrong, and she snatched it away with "Fine! I'm only human." Have no idea what happened to make her angry with me, but being a very emotional type, sit there trying not to cry while DH is fuming at the way I was treated. A short while later a new waitress comes bearing the corrected entree. She was very nice, and explained that she was replacing the other one.
The food was good, but I've had better food elsewhere. Seeing Wishes didn't work well, I saw it better from the ground. The second waitress was good, but the first waitress completely destroyed any chance of my returning. We plan to go back to WDW, but will not return to Cali Grill. Simply not worth it, IMHO.

 

[Wazzo]

Hello!

My Mom and I were at the Cali Grill in February, and it was our absolute favourite! Ron, our waiter, was the best waiter I've ever had! We were SO impressed with the intimate service. The food was excellent! You HAVE to have the ravioli, it was just amazing!!!!

Good luck!

 

[Uncleromulus]

As far as the fireworks are concerned--we have the best result just by gettng up and walking out to the observation deck. Great view from there,

 

[granmaz]

So sorry you had a bad experience at the CG. it sounded that the waitress was stressed and they replaced her, but no excuse!
We had a great meal and service at the CG and hope to return.
I understand your remarks about seeing Wishes from the side. I had read on a thread somewhere about that, but was still surprised by the effect. However, we did go out on the deck and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It does not take the place of seeing it in front of the castle though, so don't use it as the only way to see Wishes or you will be disappointed.
Watching Wishes from the beach at the Poly was very disappointing though. No piped music, and the fireworks still a little off to the side and far away.

 

[ougrad86]

So sorry you had a bad experience at the CG. it sounded that the waitress was stressed and they replaced her, but no excuse!
We had a great meal and service at the CG and hope to return.
I understand your remarks about seeing Wishes from the side. I had read on a thread somewhere about that, but was still surprised by the effect. However, we did go out on the deck and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It does not take the place of seeing it in front of the castle though, so don't use it as the only way to see Wishes or you will be disappointed.
Watching Wishes from the beach at the Poly was very disappointing though. No piped music, and the fireworks still a little off to the side and far away.

I'll think I'll stay in the park next time! Our first night there wasn't planned, but we just happened to be at the castle at the right time with a perfect viewing spot. It was awesome ! Even got a good view of Tink. The California Grill is now a been there, done that. There are so many wonderful places to eat at WDW , I don't need it .

 

[majortom]

We dined at the CG on our very first visit in 2002 and it was awesome

Yes, but there is a new Executive Chef, a new General Manager, a new Sommelier and many other changes. It is not the same restaurant as you visited (in my opinion, not as good).

/carmi

 

[JadenLayne]

We just ate there last week and had an absolutely AWESOME experience. Our waiter was wonderful. He taught our 14 year old how to use chopsticks and just spent alot of time with us and was very funny. The restaurant was busy and loud but not enough to take away anything. We were at a window seat and WISHES was wonderful. Yep the fireworks were off to the side but it was still magical.

Lets see what did we eat? My mom had a salad, our son had the flatbreat and DH and I had the sushi. My Spicy Sushi was the best food I had all week. It was wonderful! DH liked his too but agreed mine was better. Our son ate every single bite of the flatbread.

For our main entrees everyone but me had the steak and agreed it was melt in your mouth tender! I had the grouper which was very good and flaky.......still didn't top the sushi though.

For dessert I had the lemon pudding cake which was to die for. Everyone else had the molten cake and it was yummy too.

It was our best experience all week and we will definitely be back on our next trip!!!!!

 

[PRaffen]

We just ate there last week and had an absolutely AWESOME experience."

Did they pipe in the music and dim the lights during Wishes?

 

[Trena]

My meal was so wonderful, I wanted to lick the plate and kiss the chef!!!

We were there for our anniversary and got to see the Water Parade come by. Nice touch.

If you happend to catch wishes while you are eating there, its nice. Step outside if you can. However, don't let that be the only time you see it. Watch it from Main Street. Nothing beats that! Its worth fighting with the crowd if you have to.

 

[frndshpcptn]

I was there in February on a Friday evening with a party of 12. The entire experience was fantastic. The food was delicious, the fireworks were fun to watch (we went outside on the observation deck to view) and the service was fantastic.

My group of diners are hard to please folks, and they raved about the dinner the rest of the week we were in Orlando (for a trade show).

 

[Jerseygirl63]

We always dine at the Calif Grill. It's our favorite! Our kids (11&7) also love the kids menu(good pizza, steak , fish, chicken) and the view is breathtaking. So sorry to hear about your rude waitress. Sounds like they probably gave her the rest of her life off that night! We also had Ron as our waiter several times. He's great! If you are undecided about our dinner selection, Ron always encourages us to take a look at the dishes in the kitchen. The chef will come over to you and answer any questions. It is what dining should be always

 

[ougrad86]

Did they pipe in the music and dim the lights during Wishes?[/QUOTE]

They do not dim the lights anymore. I was told it was considered too dangerous. You can still see from inside, but as someone mentioned it is probably better on the terrrace outside. They also pipe in the music, but I could not hear it well above the crowd noise.

 

[Cookie Princess]

HANDS DOWN OUR FAVORITE WDW MEAL. I prefer dinner here over V&A (don't flame me). We enjoy the sushi, flat breads, filet (SOOO GOOD) and the valrona chocolate cake for dessert. DH had a new dessert in November called the butterscotch buzz that he really enjoyed. I couldn't tear myself away from the chocolate cake with PB ice cream.

 

[Frankiesmom]

So glad to hear all the great things about the CG. We will be in WDW for our 6th anniv. and I made reservations for our anniv. nite here. It will be our 5th trip-1st without the kids. We have reservations for 8 pm on 5/6. Does anyone know if this will be a good time to catch wishes while dining? Thanks Angel

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We have reservations for 8 pm on 5/6. Does anyone know if this will be a good time to catch wishes while dining?

No. It doesn't look like there will be a Wishes show the night of 6 May.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Mayfw06.cfm

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...ex?date=05/06/2006&id=MKCalendarDailyViewPage