California Grill

[MagicTilly]

Hi All

Just transferring my dining reservation into my holiday spreasheet (sad, I know!) and have come across my California Grill booking. I am a little unsure about this one, I have heard very mixed reviews.

Would be fab to have my fellow Brit's opinions, do you think I should keep the reservation or go somewhere else instead?

thank you in advance

 

[MrsTigger]

Def keep it.We loved it, best evening of our trip!good food, fab server/ atmosphere and fireworks we're sad that it's probably going to be closed for our next trip.

 

[darthtatty]

We're not a fan, shame as its at our home resort.
what time is your adr for?

we had to wait for nearly an hour past our adr and then service was so slow. when we sat down were told we had to order dessert first as if it needed cooking the kitchen would be closed.
The place had kids running all over, worst than Chef Mickeys.
The food wasnt much better and we were there for several hours.
I am such a sucker for punishment and used to bad luck, guess thats why we didnt walk out.
I didnt enjoy watching Wishes from there and on our night they didnt even play the Wishes music.
It was the last night of our holiday and I just felt it ruined the end of our holiday.

As with every restaurant at WDW there will always be people that love/hate any restaurant.

 

[luke]

When's the ADR for? Isn't California Grill in/going in for a major refurb?

 

[wayneg]

I am with Nicky on this one.
I have eaten close to 100 meals onsite, Cali Grill one of the worst, 2 hours for 2 courses, smallest steak in my life, right under the aircon, very poor server, just didn't enjoy anything about it.
That said others love the place so you have to try for yourself.

 

[torsie24]

Was one of the best meals of our trip. loved it.

I say keep it. Amazing location and delicious view.

 

[disney_princess_85]

We loved our first meal there but hated our second! You win some, you lose some. If you fancy it, go for it.

 

[FloFlo71]

We ate there last Aug and really enjoyed it. Lol, one of the best bits was the bread, DH asked for more and our server brought out another basket .

Steak was superb and dessert was fab, I also enjoyed watching the fireworks from the terrace away from the crowds.

 

[Danauk]

We have always enjoyed California Grill and it is a must for us every trip. Every meal we have had there has been very good and the service always excellent. We always make sure to book our meal so that we can watch Wishes from the viewing gallery too. I would keep the reservation.

 

[scottishgirl1]

We have been to Cali Grill a few times as we love the sushi, seeing fireworks is great but rest of food and atmosphere can be mixed but I would keep the reservation and give it a try.

We had a great server in August (Ron) but we were still at the restaurant for about 3 hours. It is always one of our longest waits to be seated and then this time it seemed to take forever for each of the courses to arrive.

Also been very cold both times we have been seated in the middle area of the restaurant.

We will no doubt be back to see the refurbished restaurant sometime but will allow plenty of time (and bring a cardigan).

 

[Chilly]

Its our last night tradition to go there.

 

[MagicTilly]

Thank you all so much for your replies! Seems quite 50/50 on here, so I am going to try it.

We have booked it for the 7th September, 9.20pm (just realised how late this is!!!) - its not a fireworks night. Its at the beginning of our trip, so if it is rubbish, we have lots of lovely meals to make up for it. I will report on it in my TR!

I think its always a bit of a risk you take with all of the restaurants, but because you have spent so much money and effort planning each trip, you want everything to be perfect don't you!

I seriously dont know what I would do without the Disboards

 

[Chilly]

Thank you all so much for your replies! Seems quite 50/50 on here, so I am going to try it.

We have booked it for the 7th September, 9.20pm (just realised how late this is!!!) - its not a fireworks night. Its at the beginning of our trip, so if it is rubbish, we have lots of lovely meals to make up for it. I will report on it in my TR!

I think its always a bit of a risk you take with all of the restaurants, but because you have spent so much money and effort planning each trip, you want everything to be perfect don't you!

I seriously dont know what I would do without the Disboards

Not a fireworks night? MK has fireworks every night. If Wishes isn't listed it'll be Hallowishes.

 

[Lesleyluvsdisney]

We really enjoyed it! We arrived just as Wishes was starting so got to go out on to observation deck with drinks to watch it!

We used DP, but we ordered appetisers and drinks so including tip came to around $100 on top of DP. Well worth it though x

 

[RDP]

Love the CG! Some of the best meals we have ever eaten at the 'World'

 

[izzie-wizzie]

Another big fan of California Grill here - my only grumble was that I didn't order the steak after I tasted how good my fiances was!!

 

[starrysky]

We love it and try to go at least once each trip. I can see why some people would not be keen as the service can be slow. But we have always found it gives us a chance to relax and enjoyn our meal. Unlike some places where we are still on our starter and they are bringing out the main.

Go and give it a try and its worth it for the view of the fireworks.

 

[wayneg]

I can see why some people would not be keen as the service can be slow. But we have always found it gives us a chance to relax and enjoyn our meal. Unlike some places where we are still on our starter and they are bringing out the main.

I have no problem with a relaxed meal, I certainly don't enjoy being rushed but when we ate there we specifically asked for food ASAP, due to res time being about 2 hours later than we wanted. We ordered desserts before the fireworks, the server asked if we wanted straight away or wait until after the firworks had finished. Again I said ASAP, we were not interested in watching fireworks, the show ended and we still had to wait about 30 mins.
It wasn't just the service though it was everything about the place, steak wasn't a patch on Yachtsman or Le Cellier.
We can't all like the same.

 

[starrysky]

I have no problem with a relaxed meal, I certainly don't enjoy being rushed but when we ate there we specifically asked for food ASAP, due to res time being about 2 hours later than we wanted. We ordered desserts before the fireworks, the server asked if we wanted straight away or wait until after the firworks had finished. Again I said ASAP, we were not interested in watching fireworks, the show ended and we still had to wait about 30 mins.
It wasn't just the service though it was everything about the place, steak wasn't a patch on Yachtsman or Le Cellier.
We can't all like the same.

Ah I see well then that I can totally see would put you off.