Disney is refunding our less than satisfying California Grill meal!

[chris4disney]

Last month DH and I decided to go to California Grill to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We knew well in advance that the bill was not going to be cheap and that was fine, as long as we got a nice meal in return. We had looked over the menu ahead of time and saw many things that we would be happy to try. I will say that everything we ate was very good! My only complaint was that the portions of every course (except for my DH's $47 steak) was SO TINY! Seriously, my vegetarian pasta dish had maybe 8 bites of food. I've had larger portions of pasta in a frozen Lein Cuisine for $3.00. We both had an appetizer... DH had a $14 ravioli appetizer that came out in this huge dish with ONE ravioli in it. We had no salads, and no desserts. We both had one drink, and probably their cheapest on the menu. Anyways, our bill came to $150! I wouldn't have minded the $150 if we hadn't left the restaurant still feeling hungry!

So anyways, after we returned home from our trip I decided to email guest services about our experience. Obviously many people continue to go to this restaurant and share the same experence we did or it wouldn't be so popular. But regardless we had decided that we were never returning and our special Anniversary dinner was quite disappointing.

Of course, Disney is going to make it right.... they called me over the weekend and apologized for our less than magical experience and is mailing us a Disney gift card to refund our meal!! Thanks Disney, we had already started planning our next year's trip and this a nice little bonus!

 

[goofyintoronto]

Good for you! Sorry you had a bad meal. I LOVE Cali Grill!!!

Same thing happened to me. We went to Tony's and had a TERRIBLE experience, the food was the worst i've ever had in my life. I emailed to let them know how horrible it was....and i made it clear im NOT looking for freebies. But guess what? they sent me a gift card anyway! WOOHOO!

 

[Pakey]

California Grill, California cuisine. We have small portions here, usually served on large plates; it's quite common in more upscale restaurants.

Sorry it caused you to be disappointed in your experience there but it sounds like you had a happy resolution.

 

[chris4disney]

California Grill, California cuisine. We have small portions here, usually served on large plates; it's quite common in more upscale restaurants.

Yes, I can see why so many people are so skinny on the west coast!!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

California Grill, California cuisine. We have small portions here, usually served on large plates; it's quite common in more upscale restaurants.

Sorry it caused you to be disappointed in your experience there but it sounds like you had a happy resolution.

IME, the higher quality the lower the quantity in all restaurants. I don't think it's just a Cali thing, but I agree the portions I've been served in California aren't large. On vacation, we eat in higher quality restaurants, so that's pretty much our experience everywhere. I get plenty low quality, low cost, high quantity meals at home.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

We had a big service and food issue there in May--I wrote--They refunded the amount for our Dining Credits to my Visa. We had been there several previous times and this was the first time things were bad.

We decided to go again.

We ate there the night of our wedding (Nov 10) and had a fantastic meal, a fantastic server, and totally remembered why we love the place. Don't let an off night scare you away--it's truly a great restaurant.

 

[chimo2u]

We had a big service and food issue there in May--I wrote--They refunded the amount for our Dining Credits to my Visa. We had been there several previous times and this was the first time things were bad.

We decided to go again.

We ate there the night of our wedding (Nov 10) and had a fantastic meal, a fantastic server, and totally remembered why we love the place. Don't let an off night scare you away--it's truly a great restaurant.

Hi Luv I just noticed ...you mean you didn't want to be one of the 11.11.11 brides?? .....
Glad you enjoyed your Cali Grill meal....I was originally planning to use 2 TS credits and plan for a meal there, but we have changed to Yachtman's Steak house instead....My boys love a good steak! Staying at BWI, I figured it was closer to our resort too, so that's another plus. excitedly counting down the months until October!
OP, glad Disney took care of you and refunded your meal....for $150 you should definitely NOT be hungry still after your meal!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Hi Luv I just noticed ...you mean you didn't want to be one of the 11.11.11 brides?? .....
Glad you enjoyed your Cali Grill meal....I was originally planning to use 2 TS credits and plan for a meal there, but we have changed to Yachtman's Steak house instead....My boys love a good steak! Staying at BWI, I figured it was closer to our resort too, so that's another plus. excitedly counting down the months until October!
OP, glad Disney took care of you and refunded your meal....for $150 you should definitely NOT be hungry still after your meal!

lol... i wasn't getting involved in all that 11.11.11 stuff, lol. you'll love yachtsman--it's a good one too!!

 

[waynesgirl]

So anyways, after we returned home from our trip I decided to email guest services about our experience. Obviously many people continue to go to this restaurant and share the same experence we did or it wouldn't be so popular. But regardless we had decided that we were never returning and our special Anniversary dinner was quite disappointing.

Same thing happened to me. We went to Tony's and had a TERRIBLE experience, the food was the worst i've ever had in my life. I emailed to let them know how horrible it was....and i made it clear im NOT looking for freebies. But guess what? they sent me a gift card anyway! WOOHOO!

We had a big service and food issue there in May--I wrote--They refunded the amount for our Dining Credits to my Visa. We had been there several previous times and this was the first time things were bad.
.

Just a couple of questions for all of you:

1. We all of you on the DP? (I see LuvLuv was.) I have noticed complaints on the boards and it seems to directly coincide with people on the DP.

2. Why did you not complain right on the spot? As a former server and owner of a restaurant, I want to know immediately that something is wrong so I can make it right and also make sure that my guests understand what my service/portions are about.

By no means am I undermining but when I was an owner, I found that my complaints were mostly warranted but some not. Based on what was ordered, there was sometimes a larger expectation going in than what was actually provided. I was much more inclined to help someone who spoke to me on the spot than to listen after the fact.

As someone in customer service, I am VERY glad that they made it right, but I would have, as a chef and server, been very curious to see if your meal was the same portion size as everyone else's right then and there. They cannot fix what they don't see and perchance they might have been reprimanded for something that wasn't their fault. Refering back to the DP complaints, it seems as if WDW is making it less of an "extra" and more of a hassle. Maybe yet again, a subtle push to cut costs to make more profit this coming year as well.

Please don't think I am being rude- I am curious. I have encountered less-than-stellar meals at WDW but I made it clear right then and there and was either refunded my money or given a whole new meal. But I try to do it in a professional and descreet way to make sure I am making a legitimate complaint. I never want my money back for a *meh* meal, but I also expect good service and good park food.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

waynesgirl:

in our case... one of the problems was our server with the attitude problem. my meal was sent back 3 times and her attitude got worse. my dh was very upset with how she talked to me. we really wanted to get out of there--we left and went to gasparilla's to get a pizza since i hadn't really eaten. upon returning home it continued to irk me that one of my favorite restaurants had treated me so poorly so i wrote.

 

[elainesj]

I have and will continue to return dishes when not satisfied.

we were at Sci Fi and my daughter's dish....forget which kid's meal it was, was dreadful. Even her apple slices were gross - and she LOVES the apple slices at WDW and was really looking forward to it.

We told the waitress and asked for a replacement. She brought out burger and fries which were delicious.

Now I don't ask unless the meal was really bad enough to leave us unhappy. My steak was so-so but nothing bad so I ate it.

Then we were at Rose n Crown and after much deliberation with the waitress I ordered a dish she recommended and was very excited. It was....very underwhelming. I told her I was disappointed and didn't care much for it. She whisked it away and brought out a shepherd's pie instead. It was YUMMY! She turned what would have been a disappointing meal into a highlight meal for me and I was thrilled.

I'm glad WDW made things right for you

 

[Montegut]

We're from New Orleans, and we never, ever eat at the "signature" restaurants here in town. We have heard too often of people leaving with a three digit bill and having to pick up pizza on the way home because they're so hungry.

We're doing the Deluxe Dining Plan for our anniversary trip so we can enjoy signature restaurants at Disney without the sticker shock. I know we're paying dearly for our meals, but it will be less painful this way.

We'll be staying at the Contemporary and hope to eat at California Grill at least one night. Thanks for the warning that we should not expect big portions. We're going there more for the view and convenience. Maybe I'll save our reservation for a day when we've been sampling the Food and Wine all day and will focus more on the experience that day than the food.

 

[Missyrose]

We're from New Orleans, and we never, ever eat at the "signature" restaurants here in town. We have heard too often of people leaving with a three digit bill and having to pick up pizza on the way home because they're so hungry.

We're doing the Deluxe Dining Plan for our anniversary trip so we can enjoy signature restaurants at Disney without the sticker shock. I know we're paying dearly for our meals, but it will be less painful this way.

We'll be staying at the Contemporary and hope to eat at California Grill at least one night. Thanks for the warning that we should not expect big portions. We're going there more for the view and convenience. Maybe I'll save our reservation for a day when we've been sampling the Food and Wine all day and will focus more on the experience that day than the food.

I think part of it depends on what you order. We went to Cali Grill while on the DxDP and were so stuffed after appetizers and entrees that we could barely touch our desserts.

I had a flatbread for an appetizer and the duck two ways for my entree. My DBF had sushi for an appetizer and the salmon for an entree. Hope you have a meal as yummy as ours!

 

[Desert Dwellers]

This is exactly how upscale small-plate restaurants work. They intend for their customers to have several courses, including salad and dessert. This way you have many wonderful dishes to try, without feeling overloaded because the portions were too big. Quality over quantity.

 

[marielynn724]

We dined there on our honeymoon as well, and for 2 appetizers, 2 entres, NO alcohol and NO dessert, our bill was $140.

 

[marielynn724]

I have to say though, that we did enjoy all of the food we had and did feel satisfied with our meal (the bread was awesome too.) Part of what you are paying for is also the view of the MK fireworks.

 

[chris4disney]

Just a couple of questions for all of you:

1. We all of you on the DP? (I see LuvLuv was.) I have noticed complaints on the boards and it seems to directly coincide with people on the DP.

2. Why did you not complain right on the spot? As a former server and owner of a restaurant, I want to know immediately that something is wrong so I can make it right and also make sure that my guests understand what my service/portions are about.

By no means am I undermining but when I was an owner, I found that my complaints were mostly warranted but some not. Based on what was ordered, there was sometimes a larger expectation going in than what was actually provided. I was much more inclined to help someone who spoke to me on the spot than to listen after the fact.

As someone in customer service, I am VERY glad that they made it right, but I would have, as a chef and server, been very curious to see if your meal was the same portion size as everyone else's right then and there. They cannot fix what they don't see and perchance they might have been reprimanded for something that wasn't their fault. Refering back to the DP complaints, it seems as if WDW is making it less of an "extra" and more of a hassle. Maybe yet again, a subtle push to cut costs to make more profit this coming year as well.

Please don't think I am being rude- I am curious. I have encountered less-than-stellar meals at WDW but I made it clear right then and there and was either refunded my money or given a whole new meal. But I try to do it in a professional and descreet way to make sure I am making a legitimate complaint. I never want my money back for a *meh* meal, but I also expect good service and good park food.

No, we were not on the dining plan. And I suppose I could have complained to the server, but at the time, I guess I didn't want to make a big fuss about it. If the food tasted bad or the service was horrible, of course I would have said something right away. But what would I say to the waitress... "hey, the food tasted great, but I'm a big eater and still hungry. Can you send out another round and not charge me for it?" We did not have dessert because we were watching the other desserts come out from the kitchen and they two were just bite size for big $$. It really wasn't until after we got the bill, paid and left, that I had more time to look back on what we actually ate and it bothered me enough to send the email.

I'm not sure what I expected them to do with my emailed complaint. I was happy with anything they were willing to offer. Even if it was just a couple pins.

 

[MSLRAC]

But what would I say to the waitress... "hey, the food tasted great, but I'm a big eater and still hungry. Can you send out another round and not charge me for it?" We did not have dessert because we were watching the other desserts come out from the kitchen and they two were just bite size for big $$.

After this comment, I am starting to wonder if your expectations weren't a bit too high. I honestly do not think that it is CG's fault that you left hungry if the food 'tasted great'. If you are a 'big eater' then maybe you should have ordered more and not just expected more.

 

[cymbaldiva]

after this comment, i am starting to wonder if your expectations weren't a bit too high. I honestly do not think that it is cg's fault that you left hungry if the food 'tasted great'. If you are a 'big eater' then maybe you should have ordered more and not just expected more.

+1

 

[Pakey]

After this comment, I am starting to wonder if your expectations weren't a bit too high. I honestly do not think that it is CG's fault that you left hungry if the food 'tasted great'. If you are a 'big eater' then maybe you should have ordered more and not just expected more.

I agree. If quality was good and service was good, there's nothing to complain about. I've never left Ca Grill hungry and if I was still hungry, I would not hold the restaurant responsible for that.