First California Grill Review - Who Will Win?

[Linda67]

Come on guys - the challenge has been set
I want to read reviews and it opens today
Bring it on!

 

[wilma-bride]

You're a bit eager Mrs, it's only 3.15 there

 

[goofy78]

I am sooooo curious to see more reviews. The ones I have seen are making me a bit scared. I am starting to feel as though eating here is not meant to be. On our 2006 trip, DH and I were going to have date night but ended up cancelling to do a second MNSSHP with the kids. In 2011, we ended up cancelling to eat dinner with some of my family on their arrival day since it was their first trip at TRex. Now here we are and all I'm seeing is negative reviews I hope some good reviews start coming in or I'll be cancelling this one as well and going to Tokyo Dining for some sushi!

 

[Pikester]

I am sooooo curious to see more reviews. The ones I have seen are making me a bit scared. I am starting to feel as though eating here is not meant to be. On our 2006 trip, DH and I were going to have date night but ended up cancelling to do a second MNSSHP with the kids. In 2011, we ended up cancelling to eat dinner with some of my family on their arrival day since it was their first trip at TRex. Now here we are and all I'm seeing is negative reviews I hope some good reviews start coming in or I'll be cancelling this one as well and going to Tokyo Dining for some sushi!

Opinions are like......well, you know the saying. I've heard just as many good reviews as I've heard bad. All I can do is give it a try and see what I think about it. By going you don't have to keep wondering.

My hubby and I are celebrating our 19th anniversary there with dinner on October 8th.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I dined at CG on opening night. I'll have a full review up on my dining review thread in the next few days.

General thoughts:

As someone who dined at CG twice a year for the past 7 years I was very pleased!

The sushi was just as good as when Yoshie was there! Thank god! LOL. We had the Spicy Kazan Roll and two of the Shrimp Tempura Roll.

The meatballs were a bit underwhelming. The entrees we had were amazing! DDad had one issue with the Short Rib Filet - the first few pieces were tough and very fatty. There were several managers wandering the restaurant throughout the evening and as soon as one noticed that DDad was not eating he stopped by. They immediately replaced it with the Filet entree. We were sketical about the tomato pairing with the filet but it was divine. The risotto was silky and creamy. The steak was tender and seasoned well.

I had the Pork Duo. I have always loved the Pork Tenderloin and it is still as wonderful as ever. Smokey, savory, cheesy. The addition of the pork belly is fantastic. The crisp, fatty belly paired with sweet apple compote and a ring of cinnamon spiced apple adds the perfect sweetness and tang to the dish.

DMom had the Halibut and raved about it. Pretty much every member of the staff we spoke to said this was their favorite dish. It was beet heavy but those that are not fans of beets have nothing to fear - the earthiness is marginal and instead the sweetness is emphasized.

For dessert we tried the Sundae Sampler and the Banana Fritters. The Sundae Sampler was the star! The coke float is adorable, the caramel corn pot de creme is salty, sweet and has light notes of popcorn. The strawberry basil sundae is amazing. Sweet and herbacious. Loved it. The Banana Fritters were only so-so. They were a bit too heavy for my taste but the sauces and toasted caramel marshmallow were great!

We will gladly return. In the past few trips we have ranked Jiko above CG, but CG reclaimed it's spot as the #1 signature om property for us (after V&A of course)!