dpic
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2001
- Messages
- 1,107
The next to last night of our nine night trip (Oct 22-31), we planned a night out from the kids (11 & 14) to enjoy a night at the California Grill. We were staying at WL, so we werent far away. The DKs got personal pizzas, $5 each for the arcade, one of the cell phones, and a few death threats for good measure. We had PS for Cali Grill at 7:30 PM on Friday October, 29th. It was a night for MNSSHP, and we wanted to see the fireworks from the 14th floor observation deck. We checked in on the second floor. I asked the very nice young man while checking in if this was the place to beg for an MK window seat. Cheerfully, he said, yes. I said, I know everyone must want it, but its our first time, blah, blah, blah. He was very friendly, and he noted it on our reservation. Then after a very short wait we were taken up to the restaurant.
The first impression was the noise. It seemed as though everyones voice was equally loud in the entire restaurant, and the din made one speak a little louder to be heard by the person next to you. While this did not spoil the ambiance, it was a distraction and inconvenience at times. We were told at the desk there would be a short wait for our table. That was perfect for us as we wanted to explore the view from the observation deck. Cali Grill did not disappoint with its view of MK! It was a warm night, and leaving the dim of the restaurant behind to walk out on the observation deck was simply incredible. All of MK and the surrounding area was spread before you. I love MK at night, and view from the observation deck was amazing.
After about 10-15 minutes our pager went off. To our great surprise, we were lead to a window table with a perfect view of MK. Wow! Our server was Steve, and he was a very pleasant and professional. We started with flat bread. It was difficult to decidethey all looked so good. We choose the Flank Steak, and it did not disappoint. It was the size of a small oblong pizza. I was concerned because we also were looking forward to a first course, main course, and dessert. This would be another stuffed, nearly exploding night. In other words, the perfect dining experience. For our first course, my DW ordered the Autumn Squash Soup, and I opted for the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli. While we waited for the first course, we finished the flat bread (to our great surprise), and it was excellent. I jokingly asked Steve if they made Flat Breads to go, and he said, sure, they come in a little box like pizzas (memo to self: go to Cali Grill earlier during our next trip and order flat bread to go). My DWs soup was wonderful. It has a subtle flavor with a very fine pulpy texture. My ravioli was acceptable. There were two or three pieces about the size of a childs palm. It was flavorful enough, but for about the same price as the Flat Bread, I should have ordered another of those. The flat bread is a very good value. (BTW, sorry the photo below only shows part of the flat bread, we were hungry and began eating (i.e. scarfing) before remembering the photos. Also, I hope everyone enjoys the food pics here. You really feel like a putz sitting in a fine restaurant taking pictures of your food. However, I felt a responsibility to my friends at the Disboards, so I fell on my sword and did it.)
Next, up the main course. Since I had read so much about the Grilled Pork Tenderloin, I went for this. My DW wanted to try to pork, also, but that would have really cut down on the food sneaking off each others plate. So, she went for the Beef Filetordered medium well, I could almost hear Steve sniffle. The Grilled Pork with Goat Cheese Polenta with was extremely goodprobably the best meal I tried at WDW. Surprisingly, the pork was slightly pink in the center. I have always been told to cook pork well done. This gave the pork a tenderness and flavor I had not experienced before. The Polenta was rather like less than stiff mashed potatoes. When combined with plentiful mushrooms, it was a very flavorful complimentary side to the pork. My DWs filet was very good, but not great. It was less than very tender, but still with good flavor with a hint of barbecue sauce. At a restaurant of this stature, I would expect filet to be very, very tender. I will give them the benefit of a doubt, though, since they were asked to burn it instead of a good searing leaving plenty of red meat inside. Her Three Cheese Potatoes Gratin was very good.
Now, the only real disappointment of the evening was the timing of dessert and the fireworks. They both were going to happen at about the same time. I love dessert, but I simply could not leave the table to watch the fireworks then come back to order and eat dessert. There were people waiting. So, with Steves help getting the bill ASAP, we left our table for the fireworks. They were fabulous.
Total Bill (my wife had one small glass of wine, I just had water--your performance may very--a lot): $119.63 Grade: A
I almost exploded! Part 1: Reviews of O'Hana, LTT, and Boma
I almost exploded Part 2: Sci-fi, 50s Primetime, and Chefs de France
The first impression was the noise. It seemed as though everyones voice was equally loud in the entire restaurant, and the din made one speak a little louder to be heard by the person next to you. While this did not spoil the ambiance, it was a distraction and inconvenience at times. We were told at the desk there would be a short wait for our table. That was perfect for us as we wanted to explore the view from the observation deck. Cali Grill did not disappoint with its view of MK! It was a warm night, and leaving the dim of the restaurant behind to walk out on the observation deck was simply incredible. All of MK and the surrounding area was spread before you. I love MK at night, and view from the observation deck was amazing.
After about 10-15 minutes our pager went off. To our great surprise, we were lead to a window table with a perfect view of MK. Wow! Our server was Steve, and he was a very pleasant and professional. We started with flat bread. It was difficult to decidethey all looked so good. We choose the Flank Steak, and it did not disappoint. It was the size of a small oblong pizza. I was concerned because we also were looking forward to a first course, main course, and dessert. This would be another stuffed, nearly exploding night. In other words, the perfect dining experience. For our first course, my DW ordered the Autumn Squash Soup, and I opted for the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli. While we waited for the first course, we finished the flat bread (to our great surprise), and it was excellent. I jokingly asked Steve if they made Flat Breads to go, and he said, sure, they come in a little box like pizzas (memo to self: go to Cali Grill earlier during our next trip and order flat bread to go). My DWs soup was wonderful. It has a subtle flavor with a very fine pulpy texture. My ravioli was acceptable. There were two or three pieces about the size of a childs palm. It was flavorful enough, but for about the same price as the Flat Bread, I should have ordered another of those. The flat bread is a very good value. (BTW, sorry the photo below only shows part of the flat bread, we were hungry and began eating (i.e. scarfing) before remembering the photos. Also, I hope everyone enjoys the food pics here. You really feel like a putz sitting in a fine restaurant taking pictures of your food. However, I felt a responsibility to my friends at the Disboards, so I fell on my sword and did it.)
Next, up the main course. Since I had read so much about the Grilled Pork Tenderloin, I went for this. My DW wanted to try to pork, also, but that would have really cut down on the food sneaking off each others plate. So, she went for the Beef Filetordered medium well, I could almost hear Steve sniffle. The Grilled Pork with Goat Cheese Polenta with was extremely goodprobably the best meal I tried at WDW. Surprisingly, the pork was slightly pink in the center. I have always been told to cook pork well done. This gave the pork a tenderness and flavor I had not experienced before. The Polenta was rather like less than stiff mashed potatoes. When combined with plentiful mushrooms, it was a very flavorful complimentary side to the pork. My DWs filet was very good, but not great. It was less than very tender, but still with good flavor with a hint of barbecue sauce. At a restaurant of this stature, I would expect filet to be very, very tender. I will give them the benefit of a doubt, though, since they were asked to burn it instead of a good searing leaving plenty of red meat inside. Her Three Cheese Potatoes Gratin was very good.
Now, the only real disappointment of the evening was the timing of dessert and the fireworks. They both were going to happen at about the same time. I love dessert, but I simply could not leave the table to watch the fireworks then come back to order and eat dessert. There were people waiting. So, with Steves help getting the bill ASAP, we left our table for the fireworks. They were fabulous.
Total Bill (my wife had one small glass of wine, I just had water--your performance may very--a lot): $119.63 Grade: A
I almost exploded! Part 1: Reviews of O'Hana, LTT, and Boma
I almost exploded Part 2: Sci-fi, 50s Primetime, and Chefs de France
