Kona or CA Grill?

[MinnieMom]

I realize I'm comparing two different classes of restaurants here, but I need some input. I currently have CA Grill booked on a night when Spectro is at 8 PM and Wishes at 9. Our ressies are for 6:10 at CG.

This trip is just for DH and I to celebrate our 10th anniversary. His one request was to see Spectro because he hasn't seen it since he was a kid. When we have taken our kids they were always asleep by Spectro time and we ended up leaving the park.

I booked CG because I doubt we will ever eat here on a trip with the kids and I also don't think we'll ever come back without the kids . . . not for years anyway. I really want to make this a special trip for DH. Since I've heard such great things about Kona (and we're staying at the Poly) I'm thinking about switching to an early ADR at Kona so we could make it to MK in time for Spectro. What do you think? Is it totally foolish to give up CG?

 

[Married_Him_@_Disney]

I actually don't really think CG is all that great. We went there for an all girls dinner the night before my wedding. The food was good, but the presentation is so stuffy. It's sort of loud too - fine for a bunch of girls, but I doubt DH and I would enjoy a nice dinner up there.

For me - personally - I would try to book Narcoosees instead. It's at the Grand, and it's wonderful! They will personalize the menu for you if you let them know you are celebrating your anniversary. The food is excellent, and it's a very ADULT atmosphere. We love Narcoosees

 

[iluvpluto27]

I really like California Grill, their sushi is fantastic. However if the only request your DH made is to see spectro, I'd definitely try and acommodate that and switch ressies to kona, if you can get an earlier time.

Or if you really want to do both, you could try walking up to California Grill when they open, I think they can seat people in either the lounge or by the counter without a reservation.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

California Grill!

 

[DiznyDi]

We weren't particularly impressed with Cali Grill Our waiter was most impressed with himself which was a huge turn-off to all of us. Food was OK, though not at all what I expected with all the hype I'd read. Maybe it was just an off night? We're in no hurry to go back. Too many other nice restaurants to try. Kona on the other hand was wonderful! What the restaurant lacks in ambiance, they make up for with their menu choices and food quality.
Enjoy your trip and Happy Anniversary!

 

[MinnieMom]

Thanks everyone for your responses. For some reason I feel like we are really going to miss out on something if I cancel the CG ressie, but the more I read about it the more I'm not so sure it's "for" us . . .

We do have ressies at Narcoossee's, Coral Reef (w/ diver), and Le Cellier, so I think I'm just going to stick with those and hope for the best! Thanks again for the input!

 

[SnwflkCts]

Since you have some other special restaurants already booked, and you mention DH's desire to see Spectro ... I think KONA would be a nice choice. I know - it is a hard decision. Only the desire to get to MK makes me say this. Unless you could get an earlier ressie at CG and do the same thing (go to MK).

I do love the KONA Cafe (and the Poly!). The steaks are wonderful - we once went to KONA two nights in a row and had the filet both nights! We've eaten there two other times also! The noise level is a little loud but I think there are bad acoustics in that area.

Anyway ... I've heard good things about CG too but never eaten there. I would really try to judge DHs feelings about Spectro & if he wants to see it ... make sure he gets the chance by changing what you must. Good Luck and have fun!!!

PS: Have a Happy Anniversary at WDW

 

[BostonRob]

I'd read all the hype and booked the california grill on a special night and it was a disapointment. I think it is appropriately named because the whole atmosphere is very faux. It wants to be all show, but it doesn't even live up to that. The food was overpriced and undergood. And yeah, our waiter was also very impressed with himself. For all that, we waited an hour to get a table. Now I don't mind waiting an hour for a restaurant when I walk up, but when I have a reservation, they darn well ought to figure out a way to sit me within an hour of my reservation.
I can understand if sushi lovers recommend the place, but I always scratch my head when I read people raving about this place.
I would suggest anywhere but the CG. Especially if you'd be sacrificing your husband's chance to see something he wants to see - I mean if he misses his parade AND the CG stinks, then that would be a lousy night.
And of course every time I mention the CA Grill, I have to add that I really wish they'd bring back the Top of the World Broadway review. WDW doesn't have enough dinner shows and that one was pretty good.
edit: it think it was called "broadway at the top"

 

[Uncleromulus]

If it's just a restaurant comparison, it's not even a contest--California Grill. But it sounds like Spectro is more important than the meal, so Kona would be an OK spot.

 

[czycropper]

I love Kona but I will tell you that for a special dinner the California Grill is a good choice with a fantastic View! We ate there exactly a week ago and we had window seating and the view couldn't be beat!

My family is not into sushi (other than me) so I'm the only one that had the sushi, they had one of the flatbread appetizers and they actually wanted to order another one that's how good it was. We had a great waiter (Dawn) who was not only helpful (my DD10 wanted a salad for her entree instead of anything on the menu and she talked to the Chef and they made her a wonderful salad that looked like a piece of art) but not invasive. We had 7:15 pm ADRs and we were lucky to get a table with about a 5 minute wait.

As to the noise - I really didn't think it was that bad. There were other places in WDW that are much louder (ie Ohana's, Boma, Kona, even Chefs of France).

We will definitely be eating there in our next trip as a family. Actually my DD10 has asked that we eat there as a girl's only dinner instead of another TS restaurant when we go at the beginning of December.