Kevin's California Grill review

[Alicnwondrln]

I cant believe thats how the waiter started the meal.
I would have been so mad!

 

[Quinn222]

If you go in dreading it, you may create a self-fulfilling prophecy. I have gone to CG several times, and never had a bad experience. Ever. Nor have I had a bad meal. ...
As for Wishes, they have always let me up to see the fireworks on the deck, even if my actual seating had to be delayed, so please don't be concerned about missing Wishes. You wouldn't have been guaranteed a window seat anyway, and would have wanted to go on the deck to see the fireworks if you were seated inconveniently. Count on the probability of viewing from the deck, and enjoy your experience!

I could care less about seeing Wishes, I was hoping to miss it to tell the truth, (not that we don't like it, we have plenty of chances to see it.) We're more concerned about not being seated on time or close to on time. I don't care how good the food is, I don't want to wait an hour to be seated for it.

 

[Cruz Family]

I think its interesting how people hear what they want to hear from Kevin’s reviews. He said that the food that was ordered directly from the menu was “pretty spectacular”. To read some of the comments in here, you would think he trashed the place.

The California Grill is what it is. I am going in October. I know I am going to pay $40 for a $20 steak, but I am ok with that because of the incredible setting and a view of Hallowishes that you can’t get anywhere else.

I agree, we enjoy CG and I hope you do as well.

 

[surfergrl31]

Now I am worried and I know I should just go and experience and form my own opinion blah blah blah, but this is going to be our first dinner when we arrive. I speak from experience that it can put a damper on things with experience like this. I already have a adr for Narcoosees for our last dinner of the trip, but now I am wondering if we should just eat there twice or another signature resturant. Has the majority of everyone had this bad of an experience? Keep in mind I am traveling with dh, three children 5 and under, db,dsil, and parents so it is going to be a big party we have the earliest time available, but still concerned.

 

[SamIAm21]

Others might think..."what's this loon talking about...I love sad, little, crabcakes served by pretentious, teeth sucking, female impersonators who look like they should be loading the Haunted Mansion. I would never listen to a word he says. He's CRAZY."

Kevin

Oh my sides are aching. OMG!!

 

[GinnyFavers]

Now I am worried ... Has the majority of everyone had this bad of an experience? ... Keep in mind I am traveling with dh, three children 5 and under.

Nope, the majority of everyone definitely hasn't had a terrible experience at California Grill, and if you listen to Kevin's wonderful review on this week's podcast, he didn't have a terrible experience this time, either!

I got engaged at CG, and I adore their sushi and their filet and just about everything they cook, and would go back there tomorrow if I could.

I would not recommend this or any other signature restaurant for kids 5 and under, but perhaps you got lucky and got the quiet gene to pass on to them! My son, NO WAY

But all in all, CG would be a pick I'd make, especially early in the evening as you have planned, over any of the other signature restaurants to bring kids that young to. There's a fun view, and it's kind of a loud and colorful atmosphere. If the kids act up a little you can take them outside or walk around, and it will be less noticable to other guests.

Personally, I hope Kevin's reviews drive everyone away and make it easier to eat at my favorite WDW restaurant!

 

[disneyholic family]

I would not recommend this or any other signature restaurant for kids 5 and under, but perhaps you got lucky and got the quiet gene to pass on to them! My son, NO WAY

It's good of you to take that into account. So many parents seem not to.

That was another thing about the CG that disturbed us when we were there. It was so very noisy. Surprisingly noisy. But the truth is, we've been in many truly fine restaurants (not in WDW - in other cities), where the noise level has gone up over the years. I'm not sure why that is. Maybe it's just my tolerance has gone down.

 

[Quinn222]

Nope, the majority of everyone definitely hasn't had a terrible experience at California Grill, and if you listen to Kevin's wonderful review on this week's podcast, he didn't have a terrible experience this time, either!

But I can't get anyone to answer me on what is to us the vital question: Were you seated on time and if not, how long did you wait???

 

[DisneyKevin]

We had a 6:15 ADR and were seated by 6:20pm.

 

[doconeill]

I'm not sure the exact specifics, but we waited only a matter of minutes once we checked in. We waited longer for the two couples in front of us to check in and go through the "can we get a MK window? It's our..."

 

[GinnyFavers]

But I can't get anyone to answer me on what is to us the vital question: Were you seated on time and if not, how long did you wait???

I've never waited to be seated for more than three to five minutes.

But be aware, the service is not rapid. It's not terribly slow, but it's not a quick place to eat.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I could care less about seeing Wishes, I was hoping to miss it to tell the truth, (not that we don't like it, we have plenty of chances to see it.) We're more concerned about not being seated on time or close to on time. I don't care how good the food is, I don't want to wait an hour to be seated for it.

I think our longest wait time was 20-30 minutes, and our ADR was for Christmas Day at 8:15 p.m. Wishes was scheduled for 9. We've had shorter waits on less hectic times of year.

 

[doconeill]

I could care less about seeing Wishes, I was hoping to miss it to tell the truth, (not that we don't like it, we have plenty of chances to see it.) We're more concerned about not being seated on time or close to on time. I don't care how good the food is, I don't want to wait an hour to be seated for it.

In this case, I'd avoid scheduling between 1 hour before and perhaps 1/2 hour after Wishes is scheduled. People take their time eating, and those without prime viewing spots go out to the balcony to watch Wishes, and then back to their tables to finish eating, so the dwell times tend to be higher and seating will be slower. After that, seating should be very fast as the people who hung around for Wishes leave.

 

[Quinn222]

In this case, I'd avoid scheduling between 1 hour before and perhaps 1/2 hour after Wishes is scheduled. People take their time eating, and those without prime viewing spots go out to the balcony to watch Wishes, and then back to their tables to finish eating, so the dwell times tend to be higher and seating will be slower. After that, seating should be very fast as the people who hung around for Wishes leave.

I did schedule it for well before Wishes for just this reason and then they moved Wishes up.

I have no problem with leisurely service or a three hour dinner or whatever but we do not wait for seating. I don't care how good the food is, it isn't worth waiting an hour for.

 

[Quinn222]

I've never waited to be seated for more than three to five minutes.

But be aware, the service is not rapid. It's not terribly slow, but it's not a quick place to eat.

That's good to hear. I have no problem with a leisurely pace of service, we enjoy a long meal. It's the waiting to be seated that I can't stand.