disappointed in Cali Grill

[gogo]

I was at Disney last week on the DDP and we visited 7 restaurants. I will review the others later but I thought California Grill warranted a separate review because it's a signature and I was sooooo disappointed.

My son and I ate here on Saturday, January 22 around 6:00 p.m. We didn't have a window seat although there were a few that were empty. We sat close to the open kitchen, which was interesting to watch the chefs at work. We only had a few minutes to wait to be seated and our waiter was pleasant and efficient throughout the meal. Although, there was one negative when I received my meal, I'll get to that later.

We ordered a bottle of Evian and I had a glass of a California Chardonnay(sp?) It was good. The bread with sea salt butter arrived and it was also good. I ordered the triple cheese flatbread with sundried tomatoes and pesto. I thought this was just okay but on the bland side. My son ordered a flatbread with steak and onion straws on it. I didn't try it but he liked it.

We both ordered the filets cooked medium. This is where I think the waiter should have been more prompt in asking if our filets were cooked properly because my steak was more well done than medium although my son's steak was cooked very medium if not a little rare. It was a stark difference in the way the two steaks were cooked (although both were ordered medium) and the waiter only stopped to ask if our steaks were cooked properly after he went by several times and saw us comparing the two steaks. He agreed that mine was cooked too much and offered to take it back but I had already cut it up and ate quite a bit so I declined the offer. Now, if my steak was over cooked but tender, I would have felt better but my steak actually tasted like a TOUGH ROAST. It was so tough, I got tired of chewing it. I tasted my son's steak and it was better but it also was tough.

We both ordered the chocolate lava cake and it was fine.

All in all, this was a disappointing meal. I know some people say well at least I was on the dining plan and I was not paying OOP. I feel that I did pay for this meal becase the DDP is very expensive and when charging 2 table service credits it should be worth it. I may try California Grill in the future but I would check my steak while the waiter is there or try another entree. Also, I have eaten here before and this dinner was not up to par.

This is a lovely restaurant with nice service but when paying over $40.00 for a small filet it should be excellent.

 

[VeganRazzleDazzle]

I've read a lot of reviews lately from people who were disappointed with Cali Grill. I'm questioning whether or not we should go there on or trip. I've never been there before so I wanted to try it. I'd rather spend my 2 credits elsewhere over having a mediocre meal. Thanks for the review. Sorry you had a disappointing dining experience.

 

[gogo]

VeganRazzleDazzle:

Cali Grill is a pretty restaurant especially the views. This was my third meal here. The other two were nice but this one was surprisingly bad (as far as the steak was concerned). I should have sent it back. The other thing I forgot to mention in my previous post was when using the DDP at a 2 signature restaurant the tip is not included and that can add up, so that also adds to my disappointment in the meal.

We also ate at Narcoossees at the Grand Floridian the following night. This was a very nice meal (although I had a fish entree and my son had surf and turf). Different atmosphere but very nice and IMO worth the two dining credits. We also ate at Narcoossee's the previous January and it didn't disappoint then either. You may want to check this restaurant out.

Check out California Grill's menu online and see if there are other things that appeal to you. Whereever you choose to have dinner, let us know how it turns out for you.

 

[Euphoria027]

I've read a lot of reviews lately from people who were disappointed with Cali Grill. I'm questioning whether or not we should go there on or trip. I've never been there before so I wanted to try it. I'd rather spend my 2 credits elsewhere over having a mediocre meal. Thanks for the review. Sorry you had a disappointing dining experience.

I think you should give it a shot... I thought it was lovely.

 

[serendipity]

I agree with the OP. We've been disappointed here twice. Once because of the popularity, and the second time because we thought the first time was a fluke. Both times were disappointing. If anything just go for the sushi. You can find better steaks at other restaurants in the world.

 

[bluejasmine]

Yea I would have sent that steak back immediatley. Its my motto at any restaurant if its not made correctly, you pay out the nose now a days in restaurats and we pay for DDP too.

WE loved Cali Grill last yr, but we only had sushi, dessert and cocktails but thought it was amazing! OUr server seemed a bit condescending, he brought me a bowl of gold fish crackers b/c we told him we only came for the sushi and cocktails. He seemed upset by this, I guess he was thinking of his tip. We still enjoyed the experience and are bringing our two teens back in Sept. This time we plan on getting full dinners and paying OOP for the sushi as a shared appetizer for the table. It was truly some of the est sushi we have ever eatten

We also went to Narcossee the day before and I ordered the whole steamed lobster which was incredibly chewy, I could only eat the claw meat, I think the over steamed it. My DH and I agreed we rather go to Calli Grill..

Sorry your experiene was bad, I find that each and every restaurant gets bad reviews from time to time and its always different variables that make it a bad night..

 

[gogo]

BlueJasmine:

I agree that a good restaurant can have an off night ( I really think this is more so at disney or other popular tourist sites). This restaurant has been in business a long time and they should know how to prepare a medium steak plus it seemed to be bad quality. I think sometimes because they have such a constant barage of patrons they get lazy or sloppy.

I would not discourage anyone from trying California Grill, or for that matter, any restaurant, unless there was something really terrible that happened. I just think at Disney there are probably more misses than in the real world.

During our visit, we enjoyed some of the other restaurants and like I said because I like the atmosphere at Cali Grill, I would probably go again but I'd be more vocal regarding any dislikes.

 

[bluejasmine]

Oh I defanitely agree! I havent been anywhere else where Ive seen the ball dropped in service or in food as much as I have in WDW, there seems to be a problem in consistancy.. Maybe b/c they are so busy..

Our restaurants we were very dissapointed in for service and food were San Angel and Crystal Palace, Kona

 

[SnwflkCts]

Wow! I rarely hear bad reviews about Cali. I was considering it for a future trip, and felt bad that I loved The Wave so much I would forgo a ressie at the Cali, but now I don't feel so bad.

Thanks for the review.

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

DH and I have eaten at CG twice and both times I got the filet (also got that flatbread OP ordered) and both times food was EXCELLENT! DH even LOVED that flatbread and he doesn't like tomatoes!

Our service on our second trip, however, was pretty bad. But CG made up for it by having a big white chocolate Mickey and some huge chocolate covered strawberries delivered to our room the next day! (Nice surprise!!)

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

California Grill is my favorite WDW restaurant, and I have eaten 6 medium filets there, all prepared perfectly. I love it so much- probably because it is one of the only places I haven't seen a drop in quality or change in service. I am sorry you had a bad meal, but it seems like your only real critique was the way the meat was cooked. Poorly cooked meat is so disappointing! You're looking forward to a great meal and in one bite you know it is not what you wanted. I've had that happen to me at Kona and Le Cellier and both times the wait staff was apologetic and either brought another or comped our entree cost. I definitely agree that you should send something back if it isn't what you ordered. That said, I still love Kona and Le Cellier and have had great meals there since my own issues, so I personally don't think it is something to dismiss a restaurant over. An off night to me is when there are several things wrong. With dozens of chefs and dozens of meals being prepared, one item being incorrectly cooked is a distinct possibility almost anywhere. I would have sent it back and given them the chance to fix the mistake.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Yea I would have sent that steak back immediatley. Its my motto at any restaurant if its not made correctly, you pay out the nose now a days in restaurats and we pay for DDP too.

WE loved Cali Grill last yr, but we only had sushi, dessert and cocktails but thought it was amazing! OUr server seemed a bit condescending, he brought me a bowl of gold fish crackers b/c we told him we only came for the sushi and cocktails. He seemed upset by this, I guess he was thinking of his tip. We still enjoyed the experience and are bringing our two teens back in Sept. This time we plan on getting full dinners and paying OOP for the sushi as a shared appetizer for the table. It was truly some of the est sushi we have ever eatten

We also went to Narcossee the day before and I ordered the whole steamed lobster which was incredibly chewy, I could only eat the claw meat, I think the over steamed it. My DH and I agreed we rather go to Calli Grill..

Sorry your experiene was bad, I find that each and every restaurant gets bad reviews from time to time and its always different variables that make it a bad night..

FWIW, no matter how you cook a Maine lobster they're a bit chewy and that's what Narcoossee's uses.

 

[juliebug1997]

My brother and I were there on 12/22 with a reservation for 9:00 PM and the fireworks weren't until later. While we had a great waiter and we thought that the food and wine were terrific, the pre-care (for lack of a better term) left a lot to be desired. We waited at least thirty minutes for a table and were basically ignored until I finally approached someone to ask what was the deal. There were just two of us and they had taken a couple of other couples to tables who arrived after us. I was kind of rudely informed that they were trying to find us a table for the fireworks (while we wanted one, we didn't ask for one). I said, "It doesn't look like any of those people are getting ready to leave" and she replied that they had been there since 7 PM. All their plates had been cleared away and they had nothing--not even a glass--on their table. My brother works in restaurants and I know that you can't just ask someone to leave but I feel that they should put some sort of limit on the length of time that someone can sit at a table. We ended up with a great waiter and the real manager stopped by to check on us several times (along with free champagne). DH and I are going there when we go back in July so we'll see if I feel any better about it!

 

[emmysmommy]

I was planning to dine at Cali Grill again in April and order something other than the chicken dish like last time - it wasn't so great. After reading your review now I'm not sure I want the filet either... maybe the pork is a better option?? I am disappointed to hear that so many dishes are lackluster for such an expensive place.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[gogo]

I was planning to dine at Cali Grill again in April and order something other than the chicken dish like last time - it wasn't so great. After reading your review now I'm not sure I want the filet either... maybe the pork is a better option?? I am disappointed to hear that so many dishes are lackluster for such an expensive place.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Your Welcome

 

[ElizabethB]

We've loved CG in the past, but our last visit was disappointing as well. It started with our order of two glasses of wine. The wine bottles had been open too long and the wine oxidized. We were surprised that a restaurant that prides itself on top notch food and wine would serve wine that had been open too long -- and for $20 per glass. We passed on the glasses of wine and instead ordered a bottle. But, this gaffe with the oxidized wine left a negative impression.

Then, we have loved the cheese plate in the past -- and it has been excellent. Once, the chef brought it out himself, positively grinning with pride -- and it was amazing. Our most recent visit, we ordered the $20 cheese plate and, althought the cheeses were good, they seemed to have been plated way ahead of time as the cheeses were drying out.

In any event, we were disappointed and will not be going back again. I realize a restaurant can have a bad night, but the signature restaurants are operating in, and priced at, a level for which there really is no excuse for anything less than perfection. So, when a highly priced restaurants disappoint, we don't return.

Leter in our vacation, dh and I dined at Bice at Universal and had a truly outstanding meal that was well worth the price. It can be done. I just think the volume of meals that the signature restaurants are now producing as a result of DDP and free dining, has caused a decline in quality.

We are now eating mostly at restaurants that do not take DDP.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

the waiter only stopped to ask if our steaks were cooked properly after he went by several times and saw us comparing the two steaks. He agreed that mine was cooked too much and offered to take it back but I had already cut it up and ate quite a bit

Sorry, but this is your own fault. You should have found your waiter as soon as you discovered your meat was not cooked properly, not eaten most of it first.

 

[sophie832]

DH and I just ate there this past Tuesday. I'll post a longer review when I get around to doing my January dining review, but it was ok...not great, not bad. However, compared with the 6 other signatures we've dined at on this trip, I can see why some people might be disappointed.

 

[hcortesis]

We visit Cali Grill once or twice a trip. We never really have a bad meal, never really have a fantastic meal. For us, it is more about the view than the food. We always ask to wait for a window table and so far we have always received a window table. Without the view, our meal wouldn't be special at all. We were there last week, had a window seat and not a bad meal. We expect the same when we return for Valentine's Day. But without the availability of a great view, I doubt we would return.

Our best dining experience for food, always is at Blue Zoo.

 

[gogo]

Sorry, but this is your own fault. You should have found your waiter as soon as you discovered your meat was not cooked properly, not eaten most of it first.

IMO, I didn't cook the steak, the FAULT lies with the restaurant who did prepare the meal and who charges a heafty price to dine here, I don't know you, but I like to eat a meal with the people I am dining with not eat my meal when they are finished...