California Grill

[Tdisney]

Is the California Grill stuffy?

The reason I asked is because when I was making ressies I was informed there was a dress cose. We have a 2 and a 4 year old. They dont have the best table manners but Ive seen much worse. I didnt know if it was like victorias.

 

[singingpixie]

It's not like Victoria's and Alberts. It's actually a fairly loud restaurant for the kind of food they serve and the dress code. There are usually many children, even later in the evening. That said, you should be fairly confident that your kids will be able to behave well enough not to disturb other diners, and prepared to remove them if it is a tough night for them.

 

[JMD]

No, not stuffy at all. There are always alot of kids and it can get very loud.

 

[disneyJMD]

We took our three children with us to Cali grill last September. We had a long wait for our table--about 50 minutes, and there was no real place to entertain them as we waited. And it was a looong 50 minutes. So be prepared for this possibility and come prepared with some quiet entertainment while you wait. The food was very delicious and we were able to go out and watch the fireworks right before dessert. Enjoy!

 

[Pakey]

It may not be stuffy but when I'm sitting there having a $100+ bottle of wine, I wouldn't want to be seated at a table next to kids throwing food or running around the table (not sure what "not the best table manners" means). It is signature dining. There are children there, but they are well behaved and sitting through a meal that could take 90-120 minutes. I've eaten here at least a half dozen times and have never seen poorly behaved children. In fact, I've always enjoyed seeing them dressed up and sitting there all proper.

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Only call it stuffy if allowing people to sit on the floor in the restaurant while waiting for a table is stuffy.

We did not think so. My almost 10 year old son and 4 1/2 year old daughter really liked it there this past Nov.

 

[MickeyNicki]

So will DH be ok in jeans and a polo and me in a sundress?

 

[singingpixie]

So will DH be ok in jeans and a polo and me in a sundress?

As long as they're nice jeans (not ripped), then yes.

 

[Halle]

It's definitely an upscale Disney restaurant, I would not be comfortable bringing children there who aren't well behaved, just not fair to the other diners who are spending $$$ to dine there. JMHO, it's my favorite restaurant in the world....the entire world. Happy eating!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

All the Signature restaurants except CRT have a "dress code." What it boils down to is don't wear your pool clothing or messy shorts or ripped jeans, and if you're a guy don't wear a tank top.

It's up to you, but if the kids are food throwers or silverware bangers and are not inclined to sit through a long meal, there are many character buffets and other restaurants at Disney that are well suited for kids with not the best table manners. The signatures really don't have a lot of entertainment provided for small ones.

 

[vcgirl925]

We've only eaten there for the Character dinner with Mickey and friends. So that was not stuffy at all, the food was inedible IMO. We had friend go recently too and they could not eat the food.

 

[singingpixie]

We've only eaten there for the Character dinner with Mickey and friends. So that was not stuffy at all, the food was inedible IMO. We had friend go recently too and they could not eat the food.

I think you're talking about Chef Mickeys- California Grill does not offer a character meal.

 

[vcgirl925]

I think you're talking about Chef Mickeys- California Grill does not offer a character meal.

I just looked it up and it wasn't the California grill! The one i'm referring to is the Garden Grill..... Sorry for the confusion. I've never eaten at the california grill.

 

[DawnCt1]

It's definitely an upscale Disney restaurant, I would not be comfortable bringing children there who aren't well behaved, just not fair to the other diners who are spending $$$ to dine there. JMHO, it's my favorite restaurant in the world....the entire world. Happy eating!!!

It was my favorite restaurant, and DH loved his pork tenderloin, but this past week, I was less than impressed with the red snapper. I found it to be a bit dry, and the stir fry vegetables and sticky rice and bit salty. My salad and DH's soup were great, but I thought the food at Spoodles, for half the price was just as good. It pains me to say that because it was my favorite restaurant. Next visit, we will skip it.

 

[Tdisney]

I was being somewhat funny when I said not the greatest table manners but to sit through a 90 minute meal youve got to expect some rustling around from a 2 and a 4 year old. And what I meant by stuffy was if kids can move around or is there anything to see or a place to walk around while we wait on our meal ? If not can anyone recommend a good place to take kids to see wishes and get back to the monorail quickly?

 

[ToddyLu]

I believe there is an observation deck on maybe the fourth floor as opposed to the 15th where the CA Grill is located. I would recommend that and Chef Mickey's--that way you have good food and Fireworks. At night you will be able to see lovely lights and FW but I find that a night time view would not be interesting to children. CA Grill is a very noisy but excellent dining expperience--we go evey year. If you do go be sure to get a flatbread.

 

[Sandy321]

we've gone several times -

we rarely see kids there - I'm sure there are kids there, we just dont see, hear , or notice them....

as a PP said, it can be a long wait for a table, and since it is a signature dining place - the meal itself takes at least 1 - 2 hours...

as a disney restaurant, they do put tables close together - so there really isnt places to walk around - to go out to the observation deck for the fireworks, the end of the balcony is cement - so you will have to lift your children up to see anything...

 

[tgj]

We took our son there and he was very well behaved, but bored out of his mind until the fireworks started.

The service and food was just so-so to good (certainly not great) for adults, but I wouldn't take a kid back there. (Not sure if I'd go back either....)

 

[mef78]

We love California Grill and have seen many kids there (with and without bad manners!). Don't let bad manners deter you from going.

However, I agree with the poster who said her kiddo was bored--that is a definite side effect of California Grill on kids!

 

[Tdisney]

I didnt realize california grill was a signature restaurant with that long of a meal. Is this restuarant a chain like the ones in atlanta or is it just a disney only. I thought the only real signature restuarant was Victoria and Albert. I have eaten at alot of disney restuarants and Victoria's is so far above the rest but pricey. So is chef mickey a good place to eat where you can see the fireworks ? Is it more kid freindly ?

Thanks