California Grill

[Forever a Princess]

Hi!

I would like your review on the Califronia Grill.

What are your favorite menu items?
Renee

 

[LKS]

I was there with a friend last fall and everything we had was great. I know we shared the goat cheese ravioli, she had fish and I had the filet. For dessert, I had that hazelnut pyramid or whatever and I would go back for that.

Do note that this is a busy, bustling, noisy type of restaurant with paper on the tables where kids can draw. That was a little bit of a surprise to me. I have since read that there is a "wine room" that is a bit quieter.

 

[Unofficial627]

We go there our first night in WDW all the time. I usually have the filet (I'm not sure of the specific name) with some sort of sauce, I think it came with mushrooms also, but I asked for it without them. Under the filet were mashed potatoes. I'm sorry I don't remember the names of it, but it was VERY good. Great views too.

 

[MHopkins2]

Despite the fact that the other entrees sound WONDERFUL, I have been there three times and ordered the pork tenderloin every time. It is just... wow!!

 

[Jeanny]

We went there for Thanksgiving dinner last year... great place We had a great table, right by the window so we could see the castle changing colors. I'm sure by looking at the regular menu's that the food should be good. We paid $100 for a little bit of turkey & goat cheese ravioli....that was the going price for Thanksgiving dinner, WAY overpriced. .

Have fun!!
Jeanny

 

[Ted and Holly]

Originally posted by Jeanny
We went there for Thanksgiving dinner last year... great place We had a great table, right by the window so we could see the castle changing colors. I'm sure by looking at the regular menu's that the food should be good. We paid $100 for a little bit of turkey & goat cheese ravioli....that was the going price for Thanksgiving dinner, WAY overpriced. .

Have fun!!
Jeanny

We went there for Thanksgiving Dinner in 2001. It was $46 per person. Drinks were extra. We were able to each order from 5 courses. I thought it was a pretty good deal, given that we spent less than we normally do there.

Ted

 

[fantasia73]

Yes, the wine room is much quieter and more pleasant! We had asked for the best table in the house that was far away from screaming children, and they put us in this room. We were right by the window overlooking Epcot with a view towards the Magic Kingdom as well. I would definitely ask to sit here again.

I had the pork which was unbelievable and my friend had the filet which she enjoyed.

 

[lissawynn]

DH and I ate at the California Grill on our honeymoon trip last September. We had the three cheese flatbread for an appetizer. I had the pork tenderloin, and I think DH had some kind of fish. We also had something with apples(?) for dessert.
Our service was wonderful, and our food was excellent. It was my favorite meal of the trip.

We're going back on Halloween night!

 

[Forever a Princess]

Thank you for your replies.

We don't mind noise. We love to watch the kids. Hopefully "the big kids" get to color on the paper tablecloths as well.

What is the dress "code" for this section of the California Grill.

What is your favorite time to make dinner reservations?

Renee

 

[stellaxluna]

dress code is "smart casual"

 

[mitros]

We eat there often, but it is rather expensive.

 

[LKS]

There were plenty of people there in park attire, but we wore long pants and nicer, but still casual, shirts. The "big kids" were definitely being artistic too.

 

[Jen D]

To be fair, white butcher paper on tables (placed on top of table cloths) is not uncommon in these sort of "smart casual" upscale places. I can think of a dozen places off the top of my head here in New York that do white paper and there isn't a crayon or a child to be seen on almost any night, and like CG you can easily drop $100-150 for two people on dinner. The paper is just kind of a fashionable thing right now. It is just a bonus for California Grill that they can use the popular white butcher paper and also please their kid clientele, obviously higher at CG in WDW than they would be at a similar place in a big city...

 

[BCV23]

My favorite thing is a wonderful beet appetizer that I enjoyed in October, December and March. Alas it was not on the menu when we dined there two weeks ago tonight. Our waiter said it was not in season. Hope it's back on in November.

Also wish I was dining there tonight.

 

[asta]

I am probably the only person who would give this restaurant a bad review but we were treated so rudely there last July that it is the only restaurant in WDW in which my husband refuses to eat. We had made an early PS time (around 5:30) because we weren't interested in seeing the fireworks from there and didn't want to get caught up in the competition for a good table. When we arrived, only about 20% of the tables were occupied but we were seated at probably one of the few tables without a view at all. (It backed up to the waitstaffs' beverage area.) As we were led around the restaurant to this table, I very politely asked the hostess if we might have another table with a better view. Afterall, the restaurant was practically empty. Her only reply was that we were welcome to step outside if we wanted to see the view. We quickly decided that we would rather dine elsewhere. As we walked out of the restaurant, this same hostess came after us at the elevators and finally offered us another table. We ended up eating there but after the rudeness, we were too unsettled to enjoy our dinner.

 

[BCV23]

Asta that is a shame. I think most CMs at WDW are so friendly and provide such good service that when we come across one that doesn't it really can affect the meal.

We've dined there many times since it opened. We too had a snippy little hostess a year or two ago. Have been back several times since with the usual friendly service. Maybe someday your husband will be willing to try again.

 

[mitros]

Wow!, I guess we have just been lucky over yhe 15 years or so of going to WDW. We have never had a rude waitperson. Once in a while maybe a few that were a little slow in getting things to us, but never rude or obnoxious. Knock wood......

 

[cmatt]

yes once and know we went ahead and found another place to eat, how does that work really, I'am not sure at the CG

but on DCL at palos 1 st time asked for veiw seat didnt get it ok,

next cruise said that was the only way that I wanted the ressi and guess what got it /// go figure

cmatt

 

[BrerMom]

Our food was fantastic; our waiter was extremely sweet and he went out of his way to help us. I had said I didn't want to go back because the acoustics were so horrible. I couldn't hear DH talking from across the table. Our waiter noticed what trouble I was having and made sure to stand right by me while he was talking, but it was not an enjoyable meal for me. Can somebody tell me more about the "quiet" room?

 

[BCV23]

BrerMom, the quiet room is also often called the wine room on this board. It is much smaller than the main dining room. Maybe a half dozen tables. It is a quiet room at the South end of the restaurant...sort of tucked behind the kitchen so it is easy to not notice it but that's not the best description because you hear no noise from the kitchen. It has a view toward the South so you see both lakes and I think the Epcot fireworks although we've never been there at that hour. I believe only adults and older teens are normally seated there. The difference in noise level is incredible to us. My husband loves that room and so we will wait for it.