I might be solo but I still got to eat *California Grill*

[ClareH37]

Just wanted to pop in and say thank-you for sharing your
dining experiences . Great Pictures!

I'm always looking to try something new but hesitate as I have a severe shellfish allergy and cross contamination is a big issue for me.


The food and wine pairing looked like alot of fun.

Hugs Mel

Thank you, I can't say enough good things about Disney and their catering for special diets, although some restaurants are better at it than others. A number of the restaurants have special 'clean' sections where they prepare the food for those with dining allergies, I was advised Tutto was one of those restaurants.

Great to see you back. We have only been once during F&W and it was manic, unfortunately for me the kids were only little then and didn't want to queue at any of the F&W booths so I only got to stop at one. I would love to go back with DH and do F&W properly.

Thank you Looks like you might just have to plan another F&W visit

Great updates

Your lunch at Tutto looks wonderful

We must head back to Tepan Edo sometime, we've only been once before and that was years ago; you've just reminded me how good it is

Thank you, I was really surprised by Tutto as I was only expecting little tasting portions, not such large portions lol

Tepan Edo is fabulous isn't it, I'm considering going again for my upcoming trip.

Great report. I'll be at wdw in May for my 1st solo trip & I cant wait. Love me some room service too

I had my first solo trip in May, great time to go and the feeling of doing what you want when you want is very self indulgent

 

[ClareH37]

Mmmm everything looks so delicious! I don't even like omelettes and the way you described the one you had made me want to try it Maybe I'm just hungry, ha ha! Great reviews so far.

Believe me, everything was delicious

I really don't like eggs at home (or wherever I am) but I just felt the urge to try one and that's it I'm now hooked (yet anything else egg'y I still don't like!).

 

[ClareH37]

I wasn't actually planning on having a table service lunch today but after spending a couple of hours in the Magic Kingdom I decided to hop on the boat over to the GF to see if the gingerbread house had opened early, my decision paid off and it was open, and not only that but due to it not being the 'official' opening day there was only myself and a couple of other people there snapping away with our cameras.

On a whim I decided to see if the Grand Floridian Cafe could seat me, they had just finished serving breakfast so the restaurant was not very busy at all, the CM at the check-in podium advised they 'would be delighted' to seat me and I was led through with no wait to my table. The table was, I felt, a rather strange choice for a solo diner, it was a 4 top table right in the middle of an almost empty restaurant There were no more than 6 other tables full during my whole lunch experience. I was however happy and my server was a lovely lady who took time out to talk to me.

I didn't want anything heavy for lunch so I chose my all time Grand Floridian Cafe favourite - prawn caesar salad accompanied by a glass of perrier water with a slice of lime.

I didn't have to wait very long until my salad was placed in front of me - it was as good as I remembered, the prawns were soft and tasty, served perfectly warm, the salad leaves crips and refreshing with just the right amount of dressing and parmesan - not too much that the salad is swamped with dressing but not too little that you're craving more.

I love the Grand Floridian Cafe, it's the perfect spot for a solo lunch, and it's another one on my return list next trip.

 

[ClareH37]

I caught a taxi to the Contemporary and made my way up to the second floor to check in for my 5.35 pm ADR.

I last ate at the California Grill in 2004 where to be perfectly blunt it was a mess, crowds of people standing around waiting for a table, children running around the tables whilst the parents couldn't care or less. I was hoping it would be different this time in that respect, unfortunately it wasn't.

However, the food was divine and ambiance aside, the California Grill is now my favourite, even over Flying Fish!

Whilst waiting for my table I sat at the bar and enjoyed a Kir Royal, I only waited a couple of minutes and my buzzer went off, I was given the choice of a table overlooking Epcot or a seat at the 'pastry' counter, I went with the pastry counter.

I had a fantastic time, I overlooked the desert section and the chefs working this section were great fun, they would chat, offer me samples and generally look after me very well, in addition to my server.

Some of the children's 'sushi' being made at the pastry counter

I had the best service I have ever experienced at any Disney resort that night - my server David (I hope I can name him, if not apologies) was amazing, a nice touch was he sat down next to me and talked me through the whole menu, I wanted a good wine to accompany my entree and he bought me some samples first before I decided on a Sterling Three Palms Merlot.

So, onto the food.

To start, Dungeness Crab Stack; avocado, cucumber, tomato ginger vinaigrette

Wow! The crab was so fresh, and the vinaigrette worked perfectly, although it was large in size it was surprisingly light and I could have eaten 2!

For my main I went with the Oak-fired Filet of Beef; Buttered Purple Stokes Potatoes, Broccolini, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Teriyaki Barbecue (gluten free version) on the side.

This is hands down the best steak I have ever had, amazing, even better than my Tutto food & wine pairing steak. David was concerned as I only managed to eat half and it took quite a bit of assurance on my part that I really did enjoy it. It was just too large a portion and I was saving myself for the cheese!

I love the cheese courses at the Disney resorts so couldn't resist the California Grill's version.

Reypenaer VSOP, MT Tam, Drunken Goats Cheese, Lamb Chopper. I loved all of these cheeses and they were served with perfect accompaniments - my favourite being the honey almonds, where sitting on the 'pastry' counter I received some extra helpings. I think I'm going to request sitting here again!

This was my most expensive meal of the holiday at over $120 (with the TIW discount) but it was worth every penny and I will be back next trip.

 

[iloveeeyore]

We can't wait to go back to CG! I agree that the food is divine, and we actually had a much better experience ambience-wide (no screaming crowds). It does occur to me that the night we were there, the monorail was broken down, so maybe the crowds were just unable to get there! I had the filet and it was the best steak ever...but my potatoes were pale yellow. Those purple potatoes look amazing!

 

[Lisa29]

Great reviews, you are making me feel hungry!

I'm being lazy now not looking, are you doing a trip report too? I feel like I have read reports of yours before but I may be confusing myself and it was previous dining reports of yours I have read.

 

[Linda67]

I really shouldn't read these reviews; I now want to fit CG into my plans

 

[Libby_Darling]

Oooh hi Clare I didn't realise you'd started your review over here

LOVE you CG review, that was my favourite meal of our whole holiday - I also had the steak but with slightly different accompaniments and it was one of the best plates of food I've ever eaten in my life

Can't wait for more!

 

[ClareH37]

We can't wait to go back to CG! I agree that the food is divine, and we actually had a much better experience ambience-wide (no screaming crowds). It does occur to me that the night we were there, the monorail was broken down, so maybe the crowds were just unable to get there! I had the filet and it was the best steak ever...but my potatoes were pale yellow. Those purple potatoes look amazing!

I think I've just been unlucky re. crowds at CG That said, crowds or no crowds I am going to return. When I first saw the purple potatoes I was a little apprehensive lol but they were so delicious.

Great reviews, you are making me feel hungry!

I'm being lazy now not looking, are you doing a trip report too? I feel like I have read reports of yours before but I may be confusing myself and it was previous dining reports of yours I have read.

Thanks, I'm making myself hungry lol

I did a report for my solo trip in 2010 but I have to confess although I started a report for last year it's not got very far.

I really shouldn't read these reviews; I now want to fit CG into my plans

It's a must, go on you know you want to

Oooh hi Clare I didn't realise you'd started your review over here

LOVE you CG review, that was my favourite meal of our whole holiday - I also had the steak but with slightly different accompaniments and it was one of the best plates of food I've ever eaten in my life

Can't wait for more!

Hellooo I cannot wait to return to CG, I might even try and fit in a couple of visits as I have the free dining