California Grill!!

[havoc315]

Hi everybody!! I was just wondering... My family and I have a reservation to eat at California Grill but we're not sure if we should keep the reservation. I'm a very picky eater so I'm not sure if this is a good place to eat for me. Is the food too fancy?? I've looked online at the menu and I'm not too sure this would be a good restauraunt to eat at. Anybody's comments would be great!! I'd love to hear how many people like or dislike California Grill!
Thanks so much!!

I'm amused when people describe California Grill as "very fancy" etc. It depends what you are used to. It certainly is a lot "fancier" and more sophisticated than your typical Olive Garden.
But it is not what I would consider high end fine dining. It is casual California fusion dining. It's not even an ultra modern take on California fusion cooking... it feels like California fusion circa 1980s.

You don't get many totally innovative combinations or unusual ingredients. It's more sophisticated than a steak thrown on a grill, or a bowl of pasta with red sauce. But nothing that makes you look at the plate and say, "What is that???"

It's really a loud casual restaurant serving well presented food.

If you're worried about being intimidated by overly fancy, unusual, new dishes.. then stay away from Victoria and Alberts.

I like California Grill, but I wouldn't personally consider it to be "fine dining."

 

[Sinderelly]

DH and I had dinner at the Calif Grill on May 9th for our anniversary. The food wasn't that great but the view was AMAZING. DH had the filet and said it wasn't that good.I had a flatbread and thought the flatbread I had at the Contempo Cafe tasted much better. The steaks we had at Kona were way better!

 

[Dumbo Mad]

I was a bit worried about eating there as I have food allergies, and everything sounded so fancy, but we still went ahead as we really wanted to experience the food and the fireworks!

The server and chief were great and prepared me filet with plain potatoes (as I have diary allergies) and a sauce. Best steak I have ever eaten!

We would definatley go there again.

 

[winniethepooh4eva]

The food is a bit more complex than your average restaurant. However, there are usually a few dishes that can be simplified by removing a sauce or something if you'd like. Also, have you checked the flatbreads? They are like individual pizzas and may have something that would appeal to you.

For the prices you pay to dine at Ca Grill, I personally would not want to go there and have them strip down the dishes. If you enjoy eating plainer food there are so many places at WDW that will get you what you want, probably at a better price.

The flatbreads sound great!! Maybe I'd try them if I went there!!!

 

[winniethepooh4eva]

California Grill is by far the most fantastic restaurant in all of Walt Disney World, and that's saying something because there are tons! My brother is an exremely picky eater, but he loved it! He just substitued things off the menu for other things he liked. He had pork tenderloin with roasted potatoes, and carrots, and he really enjoyed. Me, I had the steak with teriyaki sauce, and it was soooo tender. It melted in my mouth. The desserts are the best part! You won't be sorry, even the pickiest eaters will appreciate this restaurant.

I think this restauraunt might suit my taste after all it sounds like there's alot of different meat options!! (Which I like) And it sounds like there are good desserts!! (Which I also like) Thanks for the help!

 

[winniethepooh4eva]

This is exactly why I avoided this restaurant for years. I'd read the menu and think NO WAY I was trying any of that fancy sounding food.

Then we had a meal there a few years ago and it was great...and now we go back every year!

Now I didn't used to like sushi, but now I do so that added one more item for me to try.

The Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli is also delicious...never thought I'd ever try goat cheese but I did and now I'm hooked...I make this dish at home and even my picky kids love it.

The flatbreads are my favorite. We ate here last week and I had the Triple Cheese flatbread. I normally would not eat Sun-dried tomato but I tried it on this and also enjoyed it.

The pork was my main dish...also very tasty.

It's definitely worth a try even for the picky eaters!

Yeah I don't think I'd eat sun-dried tomatoes or goat cheese either... but it sounds like it's good!! Thanks for the help!!!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

California Grill is my favorite Disney World restaurant and I love the food there! I don't know what you like or don't like so it is hard for me to gauge if it will appeal to you or not. Check out some menus or some reviews online and hopefully that will help. As a PP has said, you can always ask for a different side dish or sauce to be left off, so I am sure there is something for everyone. Disney is very accommodating like that.

 

[sdzman]

In my experience:

The food was very good, one of the best meals we have had on property.

The view is awesome.

The restaurant is very noisy. The open kitchen adds to the noise.

The service was slow and not very memorable.

I would say go and try it.

 

[winniethepooh4eva]

The food is a bit more complex than your average restaurant. However, there are usually a few dishes that can be simplified by removing a sauce or something if you'd like. Also, have you checked the flatbreads? They are like individual pizzas and may have something that would appeal to you.

For the prices you pay to dine at Ca Grill, I personally would not want to go there and have them strip down the dishes. If you enjoy eating plainer food there are so many places at WDW that will get you what you want, probably at a better price.

Everybody keeps raving about those flatbreads!! They really sound delicious!!
Thanks for the help!

 

[thesupersmartguy]

CG will accommodate your style of eating. We eat there 8-10 times a month so I can safely say the food and the cast is wonderful!