I have a bad feeling about this...(venting)

[myhoney]

We are meeting up with inlaws on vacation for a "nice" dinner. Someone told my SIL California Grill is nice, so that is the only place they want to go. I booked the reservation. But, they are not seafood people. I've suggested more than once that they look at the menu and make sure that is where they want to go since there are a lot of "nice" restaurants at Disney to choose from. They can't be bothered.

Now, we are paying oop, but any signature is going to be pricey. And I don't really mind because it is a special evening. So tonight, MIL asks if I'm really ok going there, because I seem like I'm not. So I tell them again, I eat almost anything (and I really do!), but I would never in a million years look at the menu, and think of ILs wanting to eat there. For myself, I already have a meal picked out and think it sounds delicious!

I mentioned that the place is heavy on sushi, and she says how that's not for her. (no kidding) She asks if they have steaks. I tell her there is one steak entree, one pork, one chicken and one veal. She looks at me and says, well they must have burgers? and when I say no, SIL says, what kind of grill is this?? I'm like the California grill. It's like, Californian style of food. No lie, SIL says, they have cows in California.

Honestly, I don't want to eat there. I'd rather go to Yachtsman or Narcoossee's. I can't get them to look at the menu, and they don't seem to get the fact that it's not their type of food. And they are not adventurous people. DH is not thrilled with the menu, either, but has found an entree that he will get. Don't get me started on DD6 and DD4 and what they will eat there. I don't know who made this recommendation to SIL, but I'd like a strong word with them!

 

[Pumbaa_]

In my family I call this executive decision time - I would book what I think would be best for hte family and then just bring them to Narc and be done with it

they will thank you later

 

[2forMe]

Just tell them that you could not get a reservation and book somewhere else.

 

[duffy]

Well, you told them a bit about the menu. I'd describe the food a little more, describe each meat entree, and then let them make the decision. If they don't care, eat there, and be done.

Maybe you could feed your kids earlier, so they're not that hungry?

 

[ajleone]

We love Cali grill and although sushi isn't to everyone's liking theirs is amazing! Your in-laws could always try the flatbreads or may find a main course they will eat I've gotta say that your kids will be fine. The child's menu there is great. Things like Mac and cheese, Steak, and Chicken. And for desert there is a rice crispy treat "sushi plate" with rice crispy treat, gummi fish and fruit roll-ups as sushi and maki rolls!

 

[jones235]

This situation would frustrate me to no end. Of course, since you know your family will not enjoy CG at all, I say the ADR should mysteriously disappear. Miraculously, Narcoosee's or Yachtman's would be the only available restaurants to take the CG's place.

Wrong? Yes, but it's better dealing with all the drama when you get blamed for CG not being what they expected. I hope it all works out for you in the end & everyone is happy with their experience.

 

[vinotinto]

To be fair, Narcoosee's has more seafood/fish in their menu than Cali Grill. Cali grill usually has a steak, some kind of poultry, and pork/veal or both and many non-seafood apps and flatbreads, whereas Narcoosee's will have the filet and that's it for non-seafood/fish. Both of these menus change frequently, but especially CG will change depending on what's in season.

Now, based on what you are describing, it sounds like CG will not really provide the kind of menu that they are looking for. CG is not "nice" nor "burgers" and your instinct is completely right. It sounds like the evening will be a dud. I agree with the others. You can say the restaurant called to say they will be closed for a private function or just tell them that you really want to eat at "x" restaurant. There are many places to eat that are "nice" and fun and pleasant.

 

[canopynut66]

We are meeting up with inlaws on vacation for a "nice" dinner. Someone told my SIL California Grill is nice, so that is the only place they want to go. I booked the reservation. But, they are not seafood people. I've suggested more than once that they look at the menu and make sure that is where they want to go since there are a lot of "nice" restaurants at Disney to choose from. They can't be bothered.

Now, we are paying oop, but any signature is going to be pricey. And I don't really mind because it is a special evening. So tonight, MIL asks if I'm really ok going there, because I seem like I'm not. So I tell them again, I eat almost anything (and I really do!), but I would never in a million years look at the menu, and think of ILs wanting to eat there. For myself, I already have a meal picked out and think it sounds delicious!

I mentioned that the place is heavy on sushi, and she says how that's not for her. (no kidding) She asks if they have steaks. I tell her there is one steak entree, one pork, one chicken and one veal. She looks at me and says, well they must have burgers? and when I say no, SIL says, what kind of grill is this?? I'm like the California grill. It's like, Californian style of food. No lie, SIL says, they have cows in California.

Honestly, I don't want to eat there. I'd rather go to Yachtsman or Narcoossee's. I can't get them to look at the menu, and they don't seem to get the fact that it's not their type of food. And they are not adventurous people. DH is not thrilled with the menu, either, but has found an entree that he will get. Don't get me started on DD6 and DD4 and what they will eat there. I don't know who made this recommendation to SIL, but I'd like a strong word with them!

Artist Point over at WL is great food and is a signature as well and has more beef on menu as well as fish. Royal Table in the Castle is also good place (if one can get ressie there) California Grill as you already know is not a hamburger joint but is hard sometimes to explain that to people. It is a great place to watch fireworks from. My sister picky eater and wanted to go there and then ate nothing she ordered and I had told her to also LOOK at the menu first and no she wanted to see the fireworks from up there... so she proceeded to vent all night and the next day so now I tell her to look at menu and she does... think I would change it to where you feel is the best for all. after all you will be the one who gets the blame for it

 

[Girls1]

You're really sweet. You've done as much as you could. The only thing to do now is do like one other poster suggested: Feed the kids early and go to California Grill. Enjoy your selection, and watch the frown on their faces!

 

[Lynne M]

Do you live near enough to them that you can go see them? If so print out the menu and take it to them. If not, e-mail it. Don't just send a link, paste the contents of the menu in the e-mail. Tell them "This is it. These are the only dishes that you will be able to choose from. There are no burgers, or anything else."

People think that Disney restaurants are like TGI Friday, and have a 10 page menu. They don't understand that each restaurant has only a handful of entrees.

If they still won't listen to reason, just tell them that you and your husband don't want to eat there. Which is true.

 

[McIntoshTx]

And this is why I avoid big family events, meals and outings like the plauge

 

[burberryplaid]

I think you should just go with it. You told them about it and they keep insisting...if they end up not liking it, it's not your fault. Go and enjoy yourself...don't let their possible distaste ruin it for you and don't keep pushing the issue...their minds seem to be made up

 

[Patience]

I agree with whoever said to print the menu out and mail (or hand-deliver) it to them and ask them specifically if they are okay with that menu.

 

[erocrobro]

If you can find things that you and your family will enjoy and you have tried to explain the menu to them with no success, I say just go. If you don't you will have to listen to them complaining about how they didn't get to try it and it sounds like the blame will be yours to keep. If you go and they like it, great, if not, they can blame whomever gave them the recommendation.

 

[duffy]

If you can find things that you and your family will enjoy and you have tried to explain the menu to them with no success, I say just go. If you don't you will have to listen to them complaining about how they didn't get to try it and it sounds like the blame will be yours to keep. If you go and they like it, great, if not, they can blame whomever gave them the recommendation.

Great advice, but I would add the warning, that if you give them the tools to plan a good meal, and they refuse to use them, they have no one to blame but themselves, and tell them afterwards, "I don't want to hear it!!"

 

[bumbershoot]

Do you live near enough to them that you can go see them? If so print out the menu and take it to them. If not, e-mail it. Don't just send a link, paste the contents of the menu in the e-mail.

YES.

I'd also take away the descriptions and the prices, and just show the names. Short and sweet.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

And this is why I avoid big family events, meals and outings like the plauge

Nope, I just plan them. They eat where I tell them too.

 

[tpholland]

Just tell them that you could not get a reservation and book somewhere else.

This is EXACTLY what I was thinking! They'll never know the difference.

 

[3pletprincesses]

I wouldn't go and would book the yachtman or something like that otherwise you might hear all about how bad it was for centuries LOL

 

[Principessa1284]

I really wouldn't worry too much - I am a very, very picky eater and Cali Grill is hands-down my FAVORITE disney restaurant. They are extremely accommodating. I hate seafood and anything too weird or exotic - so I always get the fillet of beef and it's AMAZING! Last time we went it came with some weird vegetable, so I asked to sub it with something else and they were more than happy to give me broccoli instead. As for an app, the flatbreads are fantastic. Again, if there's something on there they don't like, just ask to alter it and I promise the waiter/chef really won't mind. They also have a great roasted chicken entree, and a pork chop-type meal that my husband got last time we went. The desserts are also something everyone can like! Name me one person who could say no to the chocolate valrhona cake!!