Can Anyone Tell Me A Little About Cali Grill?

[thesupersmartguy]

Hi all,

This will be our first time at Cali Grill for dinner. Is the food really as good as I hear? Or is it one that I should skip?

Thanks for any input.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I've been twice in '08 so far, with another reservation in November. I think the food is very good, tasty and prepared well. I've been with 4 different people at these meals and every one has enjoyed the food and service. The last time I was with people who enjoy sushi and everyone raved.

I only remember the desert that 4 of us shared, a wee bit each. It was cake, pistachio, with wonderful berries and accompanied by a bit of buttermilk ice cream...an amazing combination and so delicious.

The last time, this was June, we went out on the roof to watch Wishes after the meal. Great place to enjoy the show. If you've eaten there earlier that night, you can go back up to the rooftop to watch.

I suggest you go, try it and decide if you want to do it again. DH and I are looking forward to our November visit. It's for his birthday, the January visit was for mine!

Bobbi

 

[MickeyNicki]

I booked it for our Oct trip because I have heard nothing but fantasic things about Cali Grill

 

[Uncleromulus]

I like it. Its our traditional "first night" dinner at WDW--and will be again in September!

 

[chrisw127]

I really enjoyed it. It is definitely lives up to the "hype" that you hear on the boards. I am not a picky eater, but I'm hard to please (I love to cook) and the food there is excellent. Everyone was pleased with their meals and dessert was great. We also had a vegetarian dining with us and she was very happy with her meal.

A couple of things:

I found that overall people were better dressed than I expected. I didn't feel out of place wearing the same thing I'd worn to the park all day, but I wish I'd changed. It's a special occasion restaurant and it's worth it.

It's really a beautiful restaurant. Of course, you can't beat the view in any direction. I was sort of surprised because the photos don't do it justice.

The service was good. Not great, but efficient and friendly.

And finally, there were a LOT fewer kids there than I expected. We went early because we had a teen and a five-year old with us and we didn't want to get in the way of other diners (less worried about the teen, who is practically a gourmet herself, than my five-year old). We figured other parents would do the same, but there were very few there. The ones we saw were very well-behaved, probably because it was so early. I imagine as the night goes on, the kids get a little crankier.

We will definitely go again. I'm hoping to make it a tradition.

 

[iluvpluto27]

California Grill is definitely a must do for us. I love their sushi, and my DH loves their flatbreads.

I had their signature entree last visit, pork with a goats cheese polenta. I can honestly say before tasting it I would never have believed polenta could taste that good, it was just incredible.

My DH is vegetarian and has always enjoyed the vegetarian options on the menu, which are usually quite unique and well thought out.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[thesupersmartguy]

Thanks everyone! Keep them coming.

 

[haveitall]

We going there on the day that we arrive. Hope it is as good as everyone says.

Sylvia in MN

 

[FormrCastMbr]

We really enjoyed CG. The food was amazing! We shared the cheese board and flatbread as appetizers (my DH is a very picky eater) and I had the pork tenderloin (amazing), DH had the filet of beef and DS had the childrens pizza. I believe we had a Reisling wine that was great and the desserts were also great...I had the banana dessert.

What I really liked was the waiter was super friendly and very helpful. The dinner was not rushed at all. At one point the waiter brought us out to the observation deck to look around and take pics. We were the only ones out there. It was a truly magical dining experience.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Hi all,

This will be our first time at Cali Grill for dinner. Is the food really as good as I hear? Or is it one that I should skip?

Thanks for any input.

OMG! I would say this is a must do . Don't skip this one. The food is really good

 

[MousekaMaddi]

great food, nice spot, I agree, dont skip it

 

[B-Ride]

We have eaten there twice and really enjoyed our meal. The hightlight for us were the shushi appetizers. The service was good but not the best we experienced at WDW.

 

[DougK]

Food is above average, try the flatbreads.

Service is good to excellent.

View is awesome of course!

 

[hollyluvsdisney]

My DH & I ate at Cali Grill on our honeymoon at it was hands down our best dining experience. The food was excellent! We ordered one of the flatbreads, sushi, the pork entree, filet entree and chocolate lava cake dessert. It was all amazing. The server was probably the best server I've ever encountered. And of course the view of Wishes wasn't bad either. (We were lucky enough to get the last window table of the night!) I would highly, highly recommend California Grill, it's definitely my fave WDW restaurant.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Definitely go! We hit CG 1 or 2 times during a weeks vacation at Disney-it is our favorite place. The food is excellent. I agree with the others, the flatbreads are awesome! Here's some yummy CG food pics to ponder:

Triple Cheese Flatbread with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil Pesto

Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli

Oak Fired Beef Filet

 

[buckeyebill1995]

I like it. Its our traditional "first night" dinner at WDW--and will be again in September!

Ours too! We didn't do it last time (because we were there for SWW) and my entire family said it felt like something was missing. Cali Grill for a great meal and stress-free view of the fireworks is the perfect way to let the Disney Magic take over and the vacation begin!!! Enjoy!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

We visited the California Grill for the first time in August 2007. We went 3 times over the course of 17 days. It is now our favorite Disney restaurant.

Here are some pictures to get you excited about the food!

Sushi place setting

World's best platter of sushi!

California Roll

Shrimp Tempura Roll

Spicy Tuna Roll

Artsy Shot - Shrimp & Tuna Nigiri

Ahi Tuna 3 ways

Sourdough Bread, Olive Oil & Butter

Lobster Salad w/ Blood Orange Vinaigrette

Cheese Flatbread with sundried tomatoes and pesto

Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli

Year of a Million Dreams Honey Crunch Cake

 

[thesupersmartguy]

Bump.

 

[Cookie5nupe]

You'll love Cali grill......we ate there last year our first night and will be eating there again this trip.

The sushi is the best I've ever had and the steaks are wonderful....

The fireworks are just the icing on the cake.....

Go ahead and go.....you won't regret it.

~cookie

 

[pixie08]

My dh is a foodie. We live in Ny anmd have access to many great restaurants and this is one of his favorite places in the world (the whole world that is ) aside from 4 star places like V&A's or Daniel here in NY of course because those are in a different league.

I used to say CG was tied at first with Jiko for me but recently I have been have amazing meals at CG- that in combination with the amazing service, menu and ambience make this a top pick.