Is California Grill Worth It?

[Emme]

I just booked the CG for DH and I for Father's Day. I read some of the reviews here on the Dis and some say it's just NOT worth the money. What do you all think?

We have never eaten there, and have a 7:10 seating. Wishes doesn't begin until 10:00 so I doubt we will get to see it from the CG
I guess I could make the PS later, but who wants to eat at 9:00, we are usually sleeping by then

Thanks for any info!

Emmy

 

[Alice Sr.]

We ate there for our 1st time in January. The view was fabulous, we were there for Wishes also, but I think it would be worth it without Wishes, I really liked it. That being said - we were a party of 3 Jr. and 3 adults, most of us really enjoyed our dinner but the 2 that ordered chicken did not. Also we had the least personable waitress I have ever encountered, not bad service per se but absolutely stone cold, to the point it took away from the ambiance of the dinner. We are going back in June and my DD's said NO to CG. I would have liked to go back. I bet I didn't help you one bit did I?

If I had to say yes or no it would be a yes - there does that help

 

[tlev]

we ate there on our honeymoon and were not impressed. The food was OK but not worth the prices. We thought Fulton's and LeCellier were MUCH better. We were there during Wishes but did not get a window seat so we went out on the deck to watch.

 

[disney queen]

last year we ate there w/in 6 monthes of each time and both times were not as great as the first time. opted not to return for several visits.

 

[dpic]

If you want to do it cheapter get the flatbread and desserts (you could do that for less than $50--not counting drinks). The flatbreads are fabulous and are a meal in themselves. My DW and I have thought about that for our next trip. We loved our meal there and thought the flatbreads were awesome.

If you go for the whole meal, we love the Pork Tenderloin.

 

[Nanabug02]

we ate at CG for dinner after our wedding back in 2002....i really liked the food & atmosphere, but was not too impressed with the service. our server kind of took away from the magic of the experience instead of adding to it. overall, i enjoyed it......but we were all still in our wedding attire (dress & all) when we ate there, and i expected the server to be a little more attentive to us.

if you are looking for an upscale restaurant and aren't sure about CG, I would suggest Citricos at the GF. This place was WELL worth it...wonderful food, wonderful service. I can't say enough nice things about this place. just to give you another option......

 

[Tinkaroo]

YES, YES, YES!!!!!!!!

It is SO worth the $$ (and it wasn't that bad - I've spent more at my local steak restaurant). Hands down, it was the best meal my DH and I have ever had, hand's down. Can't wait to eat there in 11 days!!!

And that pork tenderloin is incredible....

 

[LVSWL]

Absolutely, we have eaten there three times , and love all. The last, in March, we had the filet, the two seafood dishes. All were fabulous. Service was wonderful. We will absolutely go back!

 

[Cookie Princess]

We say YES to CA Grill. The views and food are great. We go every year and have never had a bad experience. I have tried to skip a year, but we just can't do it! We love the beef filet.

 

[Kteacher]

Absolutely! We eat there every trip. The last time we ate there my DS15 said it was the best meal he had ever eaten The staff is outstanding, and the views are incredible. we've had a window seat during Wishes, but we actuall prefer to time our dinner to the incredible sunsets. Here's the sunset we saw from our table last December:

Enjoy your meal

 

[webray]

It is ok. The wine list is very good. Appetizers were wonderful. Entrees mediocre at best. The people beside us had the sushi platter, they definately were not impressed.

Definately not the best restaurant we have ever been to. A lot of people get caught up in the ambience, because of the fireworks. Remember all the restaurants/food comments about disney are very subjective. People going to disney come from all over the place. For some of them, CA Grill is the first time they have ever experienced anything like this restaurant wise, and for some..fine dining is a hobby. Those sets of people will have very different opinions on CA Grill.

There are definately much better restaurants at WDW. (Artist Point, Jiko and Flying Fish are our top three, have been since the day each opened). There is also V&A's, but you can't do that everyday..lol.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

My hubby suprised me with PS to the CG on our honeymoon last year. I LOVED IT! The food rocked and the atmosphere couldn't be beat. We went again this year and loved it even more! We then decided the CG would be a tradition for us every time we went.

I say give it a try. If you don't like it at least you gave it a chance.

 

[Alice Sr.]

we ate at CG for dinner after our wedding back in 2002....i really liked the food & atmosphere, but was not too impressed with the service. our server kind of took away from the magic of the experience instead of adding to it. overall, i enjoyed it......

Sounds like the same experience we had, I wonder if we had the same waitress.

 

[MrsTink04]

We have been there twice and loved it both times. Our service was impeccable both times we were there (Kevin was our server last time and he was the greatest...above and beyond the call of duty...Kudos to him!!!) I was a little disappointed with their sushi, but their soups, salads, entrees, wine, etc. are excellent!!! I don't think I could go to Disney without a trip to the CG.

 

[kellymouse]

I had a PS at CG and after talking to my Mother-in-law I cancelled. She said it was expensive, just ok food, and the service was slow. She would not go back.
Some people on here love it though, and you may too. Just try it and find out. A lot of people on here don't like my favorite restaurant, Fulton's, so you just have to see for yourself I think.
Good luck!

 

[sotoalf]

Positive reviews outnumber negative ones, if that helps.

Just ask yourself: do you want to spend the money to enjoy one of WDW's premier dining experiences?

 

[pigtail]

We have had great food and experiences at California Grill. The ambiance itself is outstanding. If you get the right view, you can see the Electrical Parade on the water!

 

[kyirish25]

Our service was impeccable both times we were there (Kevin was our server last time and he was the greatest...above and beyond the call of duty...Kudos to him!!!)

We had Kevin as well in December and he was just wonderful! Added so much to the meal with his recommendations and help with food allergies.

We loved our meal at CG and we eat at finer establishements often. I think everyone sholud at least try it out for themselves.

 

[BCV23]

It is well worth it for our family. We love it.

Great food, service and views. I also really enjoy the variety on the menu.

We usually go early so most times of the year we are gone well before Wishes. We go because it is such a good restaurant.

 

[Mister Disney]

I think California Grill is well worth it.

We didn't even have a PS, but showed up and they said there would be an hour wait for a "Chef's Counter" space, which over looks the kitchen and you can interact with the chefs. We love sushi and were able to watch all the sushi and sashimi being made.

During our hour wait, we went out on the deck and watched the fireworks. When we came in from that, our seats were ready. This all happened during Easter Vacation week.