California Grill

[britchic4]

We are going to DLRP at end of May partly for my birthday, and DH was very pleased with himself for thinking to check for nice restaurants we could have a birthday meal. He looked at the California Grill, where the food sounds wonderful (if expensive!), but when he read the reviews on the ultimate food guide they all seemed to say that it wasn't child friendly. We have a 6 and 3 yr old, so a special meal would be for the 4 of us at lunchtime or early evening. They are used to restaurants and well-behaved, but I wouldn't be comfortable taking them somewhere really high end where we might disturb other people or they might get bored with a long wait. Anyone eaten here who could advise me?
Personally I thought the food in Auberge de Cendrillon was lovely and the children would love that too, but I don't want to discourage DH from his line of thinking!
Also how much more is California Grill in prices than Auberge? Perhaps it's just not a possibility anyway.

 

[Bolanette87]

I haven't eaten here, but I think there's a thread in the restaurant reviews on here that might help a little bit.

I think I read a review recently (Sorry, can't remember where!) that said the children's menu at the California Grill was of excellent quality. If I remember rightly it's things like hamburger with vegetables and things like that.

I've been researching it too as I'm trying to persuade my DBF to eat there... Not having any luck at all mind!

People also say it's definately worth eating there at least once for the experience!

Whatever you do, I hope you have a wonderful time for your birthday!

Bob xoxox

 

[andy6326]

Hi there -

I don't necessarily agree that its not child friendly. We've been twice, once when DD was 6 and again when she was 7. She is good and used to going to restaurants but nonethelesss the waiters treated her like a princess and she was given colouring to do.

The child menu was great especially the Mickey painter desert which was a real hit. If your children are really fussy and only eat burgers then maybe this isn't the place but other than that I'd recommend it. I understand they will make dishes not on the menu as well.

For the adults, the degustation taster menu is wonderful.

All in all, this is Disney and even at the best restaurant, children are catered for and other diners expect children to be there. On both occasions we did go early evening which as its less busy gives the waiters more chance to give the children some time.

Having said all of this, I'm still choosing to go to Inventions for my 40th birthday. I think the food is of an equivalent standard albeit presented in a buffet - maybe not quite as cordon bleu as CG, but when you have kids with you the character interaction probably gives it the edge on balance.

Sure you'll have a great time whatever you decide

Andy

 

[britchic4]

Thankyou! I'm sure the food is good, really I just want a feel for the restaurant and whether we would feel comfortable eating there with 2 small children.

 

[andy6326]

really I just want a feel for the restaurant and whether we would feel comfortable eating there with 2 small children.

As I suggested above, I think you'll feel perfectly comfortable with two small children, and they will be treated well by the waiters. Make sure you tell them its your birthday and request a table with a good view

A

 

[britchic4]

As I suggested above, I think you'll feel perfectly comfortable with two small children, and they will be treated well by the waiters. Make sure you tell them its your birthday and request a table with a good view

A

Thankyou, it does sound a good possibility after all!

 

[A Small World]

I think you'll be fine. Ive never eaten there but we have taken DD and before that our 3 DSs when they were young to several restaurants in France as they have never felt out of place.
Probably when people have commented about it being not child friendly its because they serve proper food for children as opposed to burger or nuggets. DD loved the food at Auberge when we went last year.

I always have a small notebook in my bag and pen so if she does get bored waiting we can play games etc

 

[britchic4]

I think you'll be fine. Ive never eaten there but we have taken DD and before that our 3 DSs when they were young to several restaurants in France as they have never felt out of place.
Probably when people have commented about it being not child friendly its because they serve proper food for children as opposed to burger or nuggets. DD loved the food at Auberge when we went last year.

I always have a small notebook in my bag and pen so if she does get bored waiting we can play games etc

Personally I'd be ecstatic for them to have the opportunity not to have burgers or nuggets in DLRP! They do like relatively plain food though. DS was rather dismayed to find his tortellini full of green 'bits' at Auberge.

 

[A Small World]

Personally I'd be ecstatic for them to have the opportunity not to have burgers or nuggets in DLRP! They do like relatively plain food though. DS was rather dismayed to find his tortellini full of green 'bits' at Auberge.

DD loved the chicken at Auberge

 

[marcus.ka]

We had a very great experience when we ate there in June 2006.
Here in my album you can find pictures of the food and of the view that you can have from this restaurant.

http://pp.mousekingdom.com/thumbnails.php?album=281

 

[britchic4]

We had a very great experience when we ate there in June 2006.
Here in my album you can find pictures of the food and of the view that you can have from this restaurant.

http://pp.mousekingdom.com/thumbnails.php?album=281

The food looks wonderful...but perhaps not very child-friendly, LOL!
I'm lucky enough to have eaten in some wonderful restaurants in London with work and this looks to compare.

 

[marcus.ka]

To be honest: I think your children would not feel very comfortable at the California Grill. They would have more fun right next door at the Inventions with all the characters.
The mean thing is both restaurants have the same entrance: If you then take your turn to the left you are at Inventions. And if you take you turn to the right you are at the California Grill. It can be very hard to explain to your children why all the other kids are having fun with the characters and your children have to go to the "boring adult restaurant".

 

[britchic4]

The mean thing is both restaurants have the same entrance: If you then take your turn to the left you are at Inventions. And if you take you turn to the right you are at the California Grill. It can be very hard to explain to your children why all the other kids are having fun with the characters and your children have to go to the "boring adult restaurant".

That is an excellent point. Since they've had experience of character meals before, if they could see it all happening in another room they'd be very sad.

 

[Bolanette87]

That is an excellent point. Since they've had experience of character meals before, if they could see it all happening in another room they'd be very sad.

Why don't you take them for a character tea or something similar at the Plaza Gardens earlier on in the day, then explain that this was their character meal and then tonight you're going to a posh restaurant? My parents did similar things with me when I was little and it meant you get the best of both worlds and I was always happy with it!

Having said that, I'm not a parent, so my experience as far as children dining in restaurants is rather limited!

Again, whatever you do, I hope you have a really lovely birthday!

Bob xoxoxox

 

[britchic4]

Why don't you take them for a character tea or something similar at the Plaza Gardens earlier on in the day, then explain that this was their character meal and then tonight you're going to a posh restaurant? My parents did similar things with me when I was little and it meant you get the best of both worlds and I was always happy with it!

That's a good idea. Hmm I can see I'll have to think about this!