California Grill

[disneynuts2]

They only have the 50th, prix fixe menu. We ate there the first night it was served. The food was good, but the service was incredibly slow. They were obviously having difficulty timing the courses. An hour between the appetizer and entree wasn't really the experience we were looking for.

Thank you for your response. This is one of our favorite restaurants but it looks like it will be a pass this time.

 

[godisneyboat]

We went tonight and it was great! Almost all of our menu favorites were included. I was a little apprehensive with the changes, but we were not disappointed at all. We had sushi and the duck pizza for our app. The sushi was just as it has been (the Spicy Kazan roll is delicious). The duck pizza was good, but it has blue cheese, and it was a strong flavor, but really good. I had the filet and it was cooked perfectly, My DH had the grouper and he loved it. For dessert, we had the chocolate torte and donuts. They were both good options, but we had already eaten so much that we could not finish them. One word of warning, the souffle was not rising as it should be and they were not looking super appetizing as they were being delivered to tables. They did offer bread service at the beginning of the meal. It was served along with the yummy tomato dipping oil. The meal took about 2 hours from start to finish. We will definitely keep it on our normal rotation!

Thanks for your review, I have a question hoping you can help me with. Our first time at California grill is coming up next month, will be there before we go over to the Magic Kingdom for a Christmas Event. Our reservation is 5:10, and you mentioned it took 2 hours. Would you say that was a minimum time, I would like to be at Magic Kingdom at 7:00 when we can enter. Will your server work with you if you would like to finish quicker? Any info would be great.

 

[_19disnA]

I assume the new pricey/fixed menu is partly to discourage people from taking up a table just to eat dessert and watch the fireworks. How did they previously handle that situation with their prior menu?

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I assume the new pricey/fixed menu is partly to discourage people from taking up a table just to eat dessert and watch the fireworks. How did they previously handle that situation with their prior menu?

With the prior menu you could order as much or as little as you wanted. While I’m sure there were people who went just for dessert, I would’ve thought it was a small minority and not really an issue overall.

 

[Marthasor]

Thanks for your review, I have a question hoping you can help me with. Our first time at California grill is coming up next month, will be there before we go over to the Magic Kingdom for a Christmas Event. Our reservation is 5:10, and you mentioned it took 2 hours. Would you say that was a minimum time, I would like to be at Magic Kingdom at 7:00 when we can enter. Will your server work with you if you would like to finish quicker? Any info would be great.

You can certainly mention it to your server, but the issue will be the kitchen. As I mentioned previously, the time between our app and entree was incredibly slow (about an hour). This was the first night, however, and hopefully they will tighten things up as they get more used to the new menu. I still think you will be hard-pressed getting out of there in less than 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours - and then you have a 10-15 minute walk to MK.

 

[crazytoshop]

Thanks for your review, I have a question hoping you can help me with. Our first time at California grill is coming up next month, will be there before we go over to the Magic Kingdom for a Christmas Event. Our reservation is 5:10, and you mentioned it took 2 hours. Would you say that was a minimum time, I would like to be at Magic Kingdom at 7:00 when we can enter. Will your server work with you if you would like to finish quicker? Any info would be great.

I think they probably would work with you. I would try to arrive a little before opening to check in so you could hopefully be seated immediately. We weren't planning on returning to any park that evening, so we were fine with it being very leisurely. Our visit also occurred just a couple of days after the menu change, so I am sure that they are now better accustomed on how to pace meals. I know you will enjoy!!

 

[gharter]

We have ADRs in one week. We have loved every meal at CG. While different, I don't expect this to miss a beat.

 

[Flossbolna]

We ate there last week and had an amazing meal, perfect service and timing. We have been multiple times and this might have been the best experience there ever.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

For those who have been more recent than the first few nights, was it still taking close to 2 hours?
DS9 has been begging to eat here, but we are usually with 6-8 family members, so too $$$.
Just the 2 of us are coming for a last minute planned weekend in December. Tonight I just grabbed a 5:05 ADR that opened up, but we have the Merry AH party that night. Wondering if we should skip it this trip as well.
TIA

 

[twincruisers]

For those who have been more recent than the first few nights, was it still taking close to 2 hours?
DS9 has been begging to eat here, but we are usually with 6-8 family members, so too $$$.
Just the 2 of us are coming for a last minute planned weekend in December. Tonight I just grabbed a 5:05 ADR that opened up, but we have the Merry AH party that night. Wondering if we should skip it this trip as well.
TIA

Our dinner took around 90 minutes, it felt rushed but the whole restaurant was packed and the kitchen was going at full speed, I would say it was the noisiest dinner for all of our ADR’s but not surprising given that we finished at 8pm right when everyone showed up for fireworks.

 

[gharter]

We were there last week. Spent about 2 hours there. Did not feel rushed at all. Loved every course with the wine pairing. The wines were paired to the food item, not the course. Did a great job with the match. We were very happy with all 3 courses and plan to go back in the spring.
We were happy to be on what used to be the lounge side as it was quieter. The main part of the restaurant was definitely much louder.

 

[gdrj]

Was looking at making a reservation at Calif Grill and see that they are going with another $$$ Grab with the BS “50th Anniversary” grab. There is no value here just maximizing very penny.

With a party of 4 we dont need 4 appetizers and 4 desserts. For 4 people with 1 alcoholic drink you are looking at $550 after tax and tip Just disappointed.

 

[Aela]

Was looking at making a reservation at Calif Grill and see that they are going with another $$$ Grab with the BS “50th Anniversary” grab. There is no value here just maximizing very penny.

With a party of 4 we dont need 4 appetizers and 4 desserts. For 4 people with 1 alcoholic drink you are looking at $550 after tax and tip Just disappointed.

The apps are mostly single type stuff. salads, soups and sushi. They aren’t “full table” apps.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I ate there about a month ago. It was a two hour meal but this was partly due to us having the fireworks occur between the appetizer and entree, We were able to enjoy a wonderful view and a wonderful meal. I knew it was $90 and was concerned if it would be worth it based on comments I had read on this board before the trip. I had nothing to be concerned with as every meal on the trip was quite enjoyable and this one was the best of the entire trip. I would happily book it again!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Was looking at making a reservation at Calif Grill and see that they are going with another $$$ Grab with the BS “50th Anniversary” grab. There is no value here just maximizing very penny.

With a party of 4 we dont need 4 appetizers and 4 desserts. For 4 people with 1 alcoholic drink you are looking at $550 after tax and tip Just disappointed.

“Value” is very personal. Obviously if you’re not interested in the apps and desserts than the fixed price meal is not for you. My family, however, loved it. We enjoyed ordering 4 different (small) apps to share, the main courses were delicious as always, and the desserts were again the perfect sized portion. We would happily do it again despite the price.

 

[gdrj]

Was looking at making a reservation at Calif Grill and see that they are going with another $$$ Grab with the BS “50th Anniversary” grab. There is no value here just maximizing very penny.

With a party of 4 we dont need 4 appetizers and 4 desserts. For 4 people with 1 alcoholic drink you are looking at $550 after tax and tip Just disappointed.

Just to be clear, we dine at Calif Grill and other higher end restaurants, Narcossees, Wine bar George, so its not the price by itself. It’s the not being able to order off the menu, and that Disney is doing it to just drive up revenue. After a full day of Parks, you may want a lighter option (I’m not talking about just going there for dessert). I’m sure the food is fine, but we had hoped to bring our 2 guests who may or may not want 3 courses. IMO its just Disney doing a money grab because they can. Just tired of the constant grab. From food prices as simple as soda’s and Mickey Bars going up, to hotel parking (which doesnt impact us on DVC stays), to Lighting Lanes, etc.. When I say value I dont necessarily mean price but an enhanced value compared to what it was prior to pre-fixe. The only difference as far as I know is they are labeled it “50th” We travel from outside Florida, an average 4 trips a year some long weekends and others a week +. So I’m not new to Disney pricing, just getting tired of it. We have AP’s that renewed prior to the 40% increase in AP’s. We have visited Universal once in the last 20 years, and for the first time seriously considered doing a split trip, but the DW APs make it hard to justify going to Universal. Also we thought if we are going to do it, probably be best not to do Easter week. Anyway thats my rant. Don’t mean to be the “get off my grass” cranky old man (well maybe). Just hate that they may very well do more Pre-fixe to more restaurants.

 

[Her Dotness]

We didn't have any issue with the 3 courses since we used to do the DeluxeDP. Oinking ourselves to waddle stage is our aim at places as good as Cali.

I can appreciate the concern that your guests, gdrj, may not want that much food. I ended up asking for dessert to be boxed after thoroughly oinking on a magnificent salad and entree.

What worried both of us, with dueling food allergies (DH peppers, me gluten and dairy), was how many chefs told us they couldn't modify dishes to meet our needs because most are pre-prepared now. Also, they've no additional ingredients, they said, to create something suitable. We ate a lot more steak with salad than we cared for and got weary of green beans or broccoli as the only sides. Fish and chicken were all marinated or sauced with things we couldn't eat.

So much for Disney being fabulous for people with multiple allergies/intolerances. We were told supply chain issues were a big issue but suspect...Ahhh-CHAPEK! (Oops! Didn't cover that sneeze adequately, did I?)

 

[kc51570]

We didn't have any issue with the 3 courses since we used to do the DeluxeDP. Oinking ourselves to waddle stage is our aim at places as good as Cali.

I can appreciate the concern that your guests, gdrj, may not want that much food. I ended up asking for dessert to be boxed after thoroughly oinking on a magnificent salad and entree.

What worried both of us, with dueling food allergies (DH peppers, me gluten and dairy), was how many chefs told us they couldn't modify dishes to meet our needs because most are pre-prepared now. Also, they've no additional ingredients, they said, to create something suitable. We ate a lot more steak with salad than we cared for and got weary of green beans or broccoli as the only sides. Fish and chicken were all marinated or sauced with things we couldn't eat.

So much for Disney being fabulous for people with multiple allergies/intolerances. We were told supply chain issues were a big issue but suspect...Ahhh-CHAPEK! (Oops! Didn't cover that sneeze adequately, did I?)

I was there in July before the change and they were definitely still accommodating with food allergies. We had an app, entrees, and dessert then so the courses don’t bother me, just not enough or any choices now for people with allergies especially for the app or dessert course. So disappointing.

 

[Her Dotness]

I was there in July before the change and they were definitely still accommodating with food allergies. We had an app, entrees, and dessert then so the courses don’t bother me, just not enough or any choices now for people with allergies especially for the app or dessert course. So disappointing.

I hasten to add that Cali was as wonderful as ever so there's no confusion. Their chef tweaked dishes to meet our needs beautifully.

The chefs at Topolino's and Trattoria al Forno were fantastic, too.

But those were the only ones who modified dishes or at the Trattoria, asked us what on the menu appealed most and then created marvelous dishes for each of us just like it used to be.

So many of the allergy-friendly menu items elsewhere were gluten-okay or dairy-okay but not both. And DH's being allergic to peppers restricted his choices even more. He got only a plain steak with rice and green beans at Chefs de France which was extraordinary. Not well-cooked, either. We were terribly disappointed there, having had such wonderful meals in the past.

 

[kc51570]

I hasten to add that Cali was as wonderful as ever so there's no confusion. Their chef tweaked dishes to meet our needs beautifully.

The chefs at Topolino's and Trattoria al Forno were fantastic, too.

But those were the only ones who modified dishes or at the Trattoria, asked us what on the menu appealed most and then created marvelous dishes for each of us just like it used to be.

So many of the allergy-friendly menu items elsewhere were gluten-okay or dairy-okay but not both. And DH's being allergic to peppers restricted his choices even more. He got only a plain steak with rice and green beans at Chefs de France which was extraordinary. Not well-cooked, either. We were terribly disappointed there, having had such wonderful meals in the past.

Good to know-I read this wrong originally.