California Grill

[LindaBCannon]

I took five friends to the California Grill, telling them how wonderful it was. Our reservations were at 8. We checked in at 7:30. We were not seated until 9:40. No explanation what so ever. The food (lobster cakes) was horrible. I will never go there again.

 

[goodeats]

Did you check with the hostess at all? I find it hard to believe that you waited over 2 hours when you had an ADR.

 

[BriarRosie]

I just ate there Monday, but I didn't get the lobster cakes. Everything I ate was really good. Was the only thing you ate?

I think the people weren't vacating their tables because of "Wishes", but I don't know what time the fireworks were starting the night you went there.

 

[LindaBCannon]

I just ate there Monday, but I didn't get the lobster cakes. Everything I ate was really good. Was the only thing you ate?

I think the people weren't vacating their tables because of "Wishes", but I don't know what time the fireworks were starting the night you went there.

I do think Wishes was the problem. I had the tomato soup as well as the Lobster Cakes. The soup was good, although they failed to tell us there was ham in it and one of us is a vegetarian. They took it back with no problem, though. The Lobster was way too salty. We thought it was too late to eat a full meal.

 

[LindaBCannon]

Did you check with the hostess at all? I find it hard to believe that you waited over 2 hours when you had an ADR.

No, I didn't check with the hostess and I should have. I still don't think that was an excuse, though. I read several reviews today (I think on disboards but I am not sure) who were all complaining about the noise and the number of children there. I did notice that, too, but we WERE at Disney World.....

 

[aDVCguy]

Sorry, to hear that your meal wasn't up to parr.
9 of us ate there back in Aug and found it to be very good.
Don't write off the Cal Grill too soon...if the lobster cakes
were not to your taste...try the steak there...a 10 out of 10!

 

[BriarRosie]

I do think Wishes was the problem. I had the tomato soup as well as the Lobster Cakes. The soup was good, although they failed to tell us there was ham in it and one of us is a vegetarian. They took it back with no problem, though. The Lobster was way too salty. We thought it was too late to eat a full meal.

I had the creamy tomato soup, but I did not detect any ham in mine. Nor was ham listed on the menu with the soup. How did you discover there was ham?

And we didn't order a typical meal, either. Our meal consisted of sharing flatbreads, sushi, ordering some items (like the soup) that interested us. I think someone did order an entree but there was mostly a lot of sharing.

 

[LindaBCannon]

I had the creamy tomato soup, but I did not detect any ham in mine. Nor was ham listed on the menu with the soup. How did you discover there was ham?

And we didn't order a typical meal, either. Our meal consisted of sharing flatbreads, sushi, ordering some items (like the soup) that interested us. I think someone did order an entree but there was mostly a lot of sharing.

I'm not the vegetarian, but the lady who is detected it immediately. After she said something, I could taste it too. The waiter apologized, so I assume it did have ham, although you know what assume means..... I did not have bits of ham in mine, but I could taste the flavor.

By the time we reached this point in our CG experience, I think we were all just fried. One of our group had gotten so mad after an hour and forty minutes she left and went back to the hotel. That put a damper on all of us. It was just a bad experience all around.

What did you think about the crowd? I have read lots of bad reviews about the number of children running around. The children didn't bother me, but the noise and their lack of discipline did. That is a parental problem, though.

 

[BriarRosie]

I'm not the vegetarian, but the lady who is detected it immediately. After she said something, I could taste it too. The waiter apologized, so I assume it did have ham, although you know what assume means..... I did not have bits of ham in mine, but I could taste the flavor.

By the time we reached this point in our CG experience, I think we were all just fried. One of our group had gotten so mad after an hour and forty minutes she left and went back to the hotel. That put a damper on all of us. It was just a bad experience all around.

What did you think about the crowd? I have read lots of bad reviews about the number of children running around. The children didn't bother me, but the noise and their lack of discipline did. That is a parental problem, though.

We were in the farthest booth away from the entrance, close to the Wine Room. I didn't feel it was overly crowded, noisy, or teeming with children. Then again, I had wine, and that tends to make the outside influences go away.

This restaurant will be the final installment for my food report, but since I only just basically started, it will be a while before it's posted. I've never had a bad meal there, so it's still on my list.

 

[CNYGuy]

We just got back from our 5 day trip. DW and I had 9:00 reservations for dinner without the kids. We ate there 6 years ago for our anniversary and were hoping it would be another great experience. Unfortunately it was not what we hoped for. It was "OK" but we were expecting more.

Seated in a timely fashion, waiter (Walter) was friendly and helpful. Started with drinks and snake in the Grass (eel) appetizer which was good. atmosphere was not what we hoped for, lots of kids, sweatshirts, strollers and overall noise. i know it isn't V and A's at GF, but expected something different than casey's.

i had the steak, wife had the scallops, dessert was good not great. I was hoping it would be a more adult, quiet atmosphere. i didn't want to wear a jacket or tie, but expected a less casual experience. i love WDW and like to stay at monorail resorts, but i wouldn't go back to CG based on our recent experience...

 

[rockydek]

I love the California Grill....... However, the last time we went in May 08,
It was awful....the food was very salty.

Whats up with the salt?

 

[AliceinHalloweentown]

We went in June 08. It was fantastic... sorry to hear you had such a bad experience.

We were there for a few hours, but we were there to eat dinner and see wishes, so the relaxed pace was nice.

 

[disneynuts777]

We were there in August and the meal and service were very good. I can see where the noise might get to you but for some reason I can block it out. I love being able to watch wishes and eat my dessert

I am sorry that you had a bad experience

 

[natalielongstaff]

im sorry i didn't live up to your expectations

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I had the lobster cakes when I ate there, and enjoyed them, I am sorry you did not. I did however, think my entree, (the lamb,) was a little on the salty side, but it was stilly yummy.

 

[CNYGuy]

im sorry i didn't live up to your expectations

That's OK...it lets us try a different restaurant next time, and frees up an ADR for someone who really like CG!