Inventions or California Grill

[kizzabel]

Hey all,

Myself and Mam were just discussing meals today and as our arrival day is also my birthday and Mam's very 1st trip to DLP and well it would be rude not to have a nice celebratory dinner.

We are staying at the DLH anyway and have not tried either restaurant so I would love to hear recommendations and advice or if you think theres another restaurant that would suit better or that has something better to offer then either of the DLH's restaurants please share your opinions!

It will be myself, my lovely Mam and my two munchkins (5 and 8 - neither that fussy of eaters, unless its broccoli! Thats just not gonna fly!).

Thanks in advance

 

[rottie155]

Oh Kizzy - you know what a fan I am of the DLH and how I love Inventions.

I would personally say to eat there! You will all have all that you can eat food wise, it is a lovely restaurant, the staff are extremely friendly and the characters are brilliant. It's not a celebration in Disney unless Mickey is there - right?

You could try ask for a window seat too so you can all look down Main Street at the castle, it's breathtaking (tell them it's a celebration meal too).

Don't forget a Bacardi Royale on the way out

 

[dhidra]

My favorite restaurant is Inventions and my DH's favorite is California Grill! Sorry, that really doesn't help!
We dined in both with our son who was 3.5yrs, and while he was accommodated fine in CG, I felt it was much more of an 'adult' restaurant. If it's either/or and you have children with you, I'd say go for Inventions.

 

[Jonjo]

I like both Inventions and the California Grill, but if it's a special occasion then I would go for the California Grill and ask for a window table for the view down Main Street USA. The California Grill is a more formal silver service restaurant that the buffet at Inventions, so ideal for a celebratory dinner and somewhere your mum might enjoy.

If you want to try a restaurant within the park Walt's on Main Street is also another very good table service restaurant, especially if you book a window table during parade time as you can watch the parade pass by below while you enjoy your meal.

Another suggestion for somewhere fun, would be the Blue Lagoon in the POTC ride. It's another favourite table service restaurant of mine. As you enter you are transported to a Caribbean evening with sound track to match. But watch out for the pirates.

 

[kizzabel]

I like both Inventions and the California Grill, but if it's a special occasion then I would go for the California Grill and ask for a window table for the view down Main Street USA. The California Grill is a more formal silver service restaurant that the buffet at Inventions, so ideal for a celebratory dinner and somewhere your mum might enjoy.

If you want to try a restaurant within the park Walt's on Main Street is also another very good table service restaurant, especially if you book a window table during parade time as you can watch the parade pass by below while you enjoy your meal.

Another suggestion for somewhere fun, would be the Blue Lagoon in the POTC ride. It's another favourite table service restaurant of mine. As you enter you are transported to a Caribbean evening with sound track to match. But watch out for the pirates.

Ooooh we will probably be lunching at Walts later on in the week and I think Blue Lagoon will keep until November as I think hubbie would like to try it.

I'm quite undecided as I think the kids would get more from Inventions but the menus I've found for CG sound out of this world and myself and Mam are foodies!
I think we'll lean towards CG for my birthday as we can do Inventions next time when hubbie is with us in November and I reckon CG wouldn't be my husbands thing whereas Inventions would suit.

My favorite restaurant is Inventions and my DH's favorite is California Grill! Sorry, that really doesn't help!
We dined in both with our son who was 3.5yrs, and while he was accommodated fine in CG, I felt it was much more of an 'adult' restaurant. If it's either/or and you have children with you, I'd say go for Inventions.

eeeek thats made me more unsure! Both sound great!!

Oh Kizzy - you know what a fan I am of the DLH and how I love Inventions.

I would personally say to eat there! You will all have all that you can eat food wise, it is a lovely restaurant, the staff are extremely friendly and the characters are brilliant. It's not a celebration in Disney unless Mickey is there - right?

You could try ask for a window seat too so you can all look down Main Street at the castle, it's breathtaking (tell them it's a celebration meal too).

Don't forget a Bacardi Royale on the way out

Oh Adam we are at the DLH for the 1st time - there will be loads of Bacardi Royales!!! Window seat overlooking Main ST sounds like heaven! Too many options!! Thankfully we'll be walking loads!! I'm on a strict diet until this holiday

What I'm reckoning so far is:
Mon:
lunch - CS in Frontier or Fantasylands
dinner - CG or Inventions

Tues:
lunch - CS in WDS
dinner - King Luds or Planet Hollywood or Annettes

Wed:
lunch - Lucky Nugget
dinner - Hotel buffet

Thu:
lunch - Val D'Europe if we go or maybe Col Haithis or Victorias if we don't
dinner - Rainforest Cafe

Fri:
lunch - Walts

 

[Jonjo]

Don't forget a Bacardi Royale on the way out

And on the way in

If your both foodies then you must try the Tasting Menu at the California Grill, there is a sample menu on the DLRP Magic site.

 

[kizzabel]

And on the way in

If your both foodies then you must try the Tasting Menu at the California Grill, there is a sample menu on the DLRP Magic site.

And between courses
We would be very drunk sticking to that logic and doing the tasting menu!!
I'm doing to show Mam the sample menu and see what she reckons. Thanks for that Jonjo!

 

[rottie155]

And on the way in If your both foodies then you must try the Tasting Menu at the California Grill, there is a sample menu on the DLRP Magic site.

I am still very keen to try California Grill. Do you think it would be a bit much me going there on my own for my solo night?

 

[Jonjo]

I am still very keen to try California Grill. Do you think it would be a bit much me going there on my own for my solo night?

I can't see why not. It's a very nice restaurant with a great menu, and if you make a reservation requesting a window table it's a lovely view up Main Street USA.
It's my favourite restaurant at DLP so I'm a bit biased. The only reason we did not eat there on our last trip was because Inventions was closed and they moved the Character Buffet there instead.

 

[kizzabel]

I am still very keen to try California Grill. Do you think it would be a bit much me going there on my own for my solo night?

Sounds like a lovely pampering evening! An ideal start to your holiday Adam!