Cost of V&A vs. CG?

[lklasing]

We've just booked our trip for May!! There will be 2 families with a total of 3 kids, whom we are looking forward to finding some childcare for for one night while we go off to a nice dinner. We are right now thinking of either V&A or Cali. Grill. I know CG would be cheaper (we won't be able to use any dining credits for this meal), but I'm concerned about the number of kids at CG. Since we're leaving ours behind, I'd love to find somewhere without too many other kids, or at least somewhere where the kids aren't as prevelant (sp?). I guess I have two questions: 1. What would the cost difference be between CG and V&A? (Everyone will be having wine, if that helps figure it out any.) And, 2. What is the kid population at CG like? I don't necessarily mind other kids being there, but I'm hoping for a nice meal where we can hear each other well and just enjoy being without the kiddos for one evening.

TIA for any help you all wonderful DIS'ers can give me!!

Leslie

 

[lookingforward]

VIctoria and Alberts is a total evening experience, and you won't find many if any children there. I would prefer it for an adult only evening but it is expensive and you have to have a large appetite. I found that there was too much food (yes, I should have paced myself...a bite or two). The food was amazing and the service was wonderful. Cali Grill is upscale, wonderful, but there are lots of kids there and it can get noisy and crowded.

 

[lklasing]

Thanks for the info! I'd love to hear any more opinions if anyone else have some!

Leslie

 

[*Flower*]

If you're not concerned about having a Magic Kingdom view during dinner, I've found that the Wine Room is quiet and away from the main dining room hubub.

There's only about 12 or so tables in there- and although the view isn't the best (top of CR and across to Epcot.... and all the birds that flock there too), the quiet is great!

We love both restaurants. In fact, over Christmas we'll be doing both.

Good luck!!

 

[*Flower*]

Go here: http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_va.htm

This is a Victoria & Alberts menu from December. The wine pairing is $55 additional, but if you just want a half pour instead of the full pour you could split the pairing. Others have done that and they configure the pairing to each diner. This would be good for a couple. The meal is $100 per person, excluding tax & tip.

Go here: http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_cg.htm

This is a California Grill menu from July. I tend to go for the Pork Tenderloin (the first time I ordered it the price was $19) but the filet is wonderful also. I just get it without the Tamarind Barbeque Sauce.

Good luck deciding!

 

[hmp2z]

We just came back from our trip, at which we ate at the Chef's Table at V&A's and the California Grill. They were both wonderful experiences, but in very, very different ways.

The quality of the food at V&A's BLOWS AWAY everything else you will eat at WDW. If you are a foodie, this is a must-do place. I can tell you that V&A's will be more expensive, but I can't say how much more, since I've, oddly enough, never eaten in the main dining room at V&A's.

The atmosphere at V&A's is much quieter, more elegant, and more romantic.

While the atmosphere at California Grill is a LOT louder, when we were there this past week, it wasn't children making the noise, but just the large crowd of adults dining & waiting to be seated. We have never had a problem with a child misbehaving or bothering us at CG, but the restaurant itself is just in general much, much louder. At V&A's, everyone seems to speak quietly, and, if I remember correctly, there is a harpist playing in the main dining room. V&A's attends to tiny details. For example, at California Grill, they gave us white napkins though I was wearing a black skirt & my husband had on black pants. Even at Citricos, they were careful about the napkin color. If you like these small niceties, then you would prefer V&A's.

The view at CG is unbeatable, though. For the first time ever dining there, we got a lovely window seat on this past trip, and had an unbelievable view of the castle, the GF, the wedding pavilion, and the fireworks. I was in heaven, and couldn't stop looking out! The sushi there is also top notch.

I hope this helps a bit; they are both such different experiences. I'd say that if you're looking for a quiet, elegant evening, or if you are a major foodie, then V&A's is for you. If you like very good but not necessarily top-notch gourmet food, and if you like a great view and don't mind a loud restaurant, then choose California Grill.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[lklasing]

Oh my gosh - I'm so torn! Both sound wonderful! V&A's really appeals to me - the atmosphere and the food sound unbeatable, but alas, cost may be a factor, which weighs in favor of CG. I'd love to hear more about the Wine Room at CG - I had never heard about that before. Since we're staying at the Poly, I could live without a view of the fireworks, and if that made it more intimate (less loud!), then that might do it for me. I'd love to hear more about the Wine Room if anyone can tell me!

What to do? What to do?

Thanks so much to everyone who replied!!

Leslie

 

[Uncleromulus]

We've been seated in the wine room at California Grill several times. It is away from the main open kitchen area and thus is a lot more quiet.
BUT--kids can be (and are) seated in there--we had a table of 12-or so folks right next to us last time out and there were probably 5 kids in that group.

 

[CinderellaPug]

After eating there one night, we returned an hour or so later to look for a hidden mickey, they were nice to let us in and our server even came over to help us locate the mickey. Anyway, the atmosphere had completely changed, there were mostly adults dining and many of them were dressed nicer than earlier. Maybe you could try a later reservation at CG...this is definatly one of the best places to eat!