Magic and Mayhem--A TFW Supreme Leader TR--Les Chefs and DHS...the end on 6/25

[cmp1111]

You are back from Pigoen Gorge or whatever it is called.....

I'm HUNGRY!

 

[The Hoff]

The Hoff just popping in to spread The Hoff LOVE.

 

[englishrose47]

The Hoff just popping in to spread The Hoff LOVE.

 

[TEminnie]

Happy St Patty's Day to YOU TOO, HOFF!


I'll update soon---busy getting my new PT job going!

 

[TEminnie]

"Please stand clear of the doors"
"Por favor, mantegan se allejado de las puertas"

If standing, please hold onto the rails and remember to push ahead of other people next time so you get a seat!

What DM? No, this is not the Epcot monorail! We're going to the Contemporary! .........well, I guess the Canadians can eat at Le Cellier again........

The rest of you----follow me! We got a 5:30 ressie at the Cali Grill!


Anyone been here before? Me neither. But apparently, it is forbidden to go directly up to the restaurant. You must be "escorted."

So we check in on another floor.........get our pager.......and wait in THE BIG COMFY COUCH.
Here's me waiting/directing:

At around 5:30, our hostess presents herself and excorts us to the official elevators. She chats nicely and recommends the Strawberry/strawberry/strawberry dessert. The doors open and "wow"--it's really pretty! Glass all around with a great view of everything. No one is being seated yet, so we wait at the bar. (The girls had some kinda fruity slushie drink)

Then, we are escorted to our table! Right by the window! YES!
(tip of the day--book the 5:30 earliest seating, and there's a good shot you'll get a window seat).

Plus, at this time of year, you get to watch the sunset!

An announcer said:
"ladies and gentleman.........please direct your attention outside to the famous CALIFORNIA GRILL SUNSET"

We watched the horizon and counted 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1.......it set that fast and it was beautiful. This is all I could catch on my camera:

Then we placed our orders..........the waitress mentioned the cheese board could be substituted for 1 dessert (which was a good value at $17) so we did that. Daran and I liked it.........BA thought it was really weird, and was glad she got dessert later!

Daran ordered the sushi:

He liked it a lot......the waitress had said they had a great sushi chef.........but after tasting Ab's steak (Oak-fired Filet of Beef with Potatoes, Bacon, Pearl Onions, Mushrooms, and Teriyaki Barbeque Sauce 36.00), he wished (once again) that he had ordered that.
Dang---didn't get a pic of her steak...probably cause she wouldn't let me.....she dug right in and really liked it. Better than Le Cellier which was her favorite then! Daran said it was better than any steak he had eaten over the whole world.

Anyway, I ordered the scallops! Seared Jumbo Day Boat Scallops with Farro Risotto, Roasted Wild Mushrooms, and Banyuls Reduction 34,00

There was a debate on another thread regarding the number of scallops---the answer is 3. I only could eat 2--they are huge. I would hate to meet up with one in the ocean.

BA had a pasta dish (can't remember what the name was and the menu has changed......but she really liked it!)

Notice the drink---we had to convince the server to count the slushy drinks as the girls' DDP drinks.........they did this but not sure if I could count on that every time.

Then desserts:

I tried the Strawberry x3 one:

it was good......but just too much gelatin and strawberries for me.

Daran tried the Banana foster one:

and the girls shared something chocolate that I don't remember.......I was too busy eating by this point!


Oh----and Daran and I had wine.......he liked the red wine so much he convinced me to try a glass (and I rarely drink)...but it really was very nice.....
Then the bill came:

$283. Wow--that's a lot for 4 people.

We owed $90 from wine and tip, so the DDP paid for $193. Daran was most happy with the DDP at this point, cause he knew ordinarily he would have been performing CPR to get me to revive after seeing the bill!

Overall---we all really enjoyed this meal! The food, atmosphere, and service were great, and we'll do it again........on the DDP!

Then..........BA heard fireworks and said "We're missing the party!" So we head out!


Back on the monorail! There's a party going on!!

 

[cmp1111]

First!

Wow, that food all looks amazing. I'm kind of picky about the sushi that I can eat - the raw fish just doesn't always do it for me ('cause are you SURE that it's not the one BA caught?) but that all looked good. Your scallops looked FANTASTIC.

The view was great, too!

I love the pic of you "directing".

Yeah, the bill would have scared me, too, if not on the DDP.

 

[kykatt2]

Dadgumit CE !!!! You are quick!!!!

Escorted ?? Excuse me... I must be in the wrong resturant. They usually tell me.. "Ya want fries with that ??

Late for the Fireworks... Thats where "Pal Mickey" saved our show for us the first year we had him.

I'd have went with strawberry too That looks good !!

 

[ncsjodi]

Let me just say that the Bananas Foster dessert looks heavenly! I'll give you three dancing bananas for that one! -

I'm not a big sushi fan, but I have to admit that the plating was excellent. And your scallops looked really good too!

We've never been to Cali Grill and would love to go sometime, but probably without the kids. Or at least we'll have to wait until they're older. Right now, we're more at the Chef Mickeys and Princess breakfast stage.

Thanks for the food porn though! Makes me want a steak!

So, did you get to see the regular Wishes from the restaurant?

 

[DisneyJo]

If standing, please hold onto the rails and remember to push ahead of other people next time so you get a seat!

I'll remember that one

Anyone been here before?

Nope!!

Then, we are escorted to our table! Right by the window! YES!

Wooohooo

Better than Le Cellier which was her favorite then! Daran said it was better than any steak he had eaten over the whole world.

Wow better than Le Cellier It must have been good!

it was good......but just too much gelatin and strawberries for me.

Sorry but too many strawberries in the strawberry dessert

$283. Wow--that's a lot for 4 people.

That is a lot!

we'll do it again........on the DDP!

Good old DDP

I need to find a great Narcoossees review quick as I was undecided between that and CG and now I'm wondering if I made the right choice!

Last edited by cmp1111 : Today at 01:39 PM. Reason: Claimed first, then commented.

Well that is cheating so doesn't count

 

[cmp1111]

Well that is cheating so doesn't count

I commented immediately afterwards, though. I just hate when I say "First!" and then someone else posts whilst I'm posting. I feel silly when that happens, I mean - not mad at the other person. So I posted and still edited before anyone else was here, I swear.

 

[DisneyJo]

I commented immediately afterwards, though. I just hate when I say "First!" and then someone else posts whilst I'm posting. I feel silly when that happens, I mean - not mad at the other person. So I posted and still edited before anyone else was here, I swear.

Yeah yeah yeah we all believe you LY

 

[Tanya90210]

mmmmmm the food looks fantastic!!!! Escorted up eh.... kinda cool I think ..... Thank goodness for the DDP with that bill....whoa baby ....

Another great chapter boss lady

 

[KatGarcia]

I wanna go for the desert alone! Everything looked awesome tho!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

That installment made me hungry! Everything looked delicious!

How swanky, being escorted up in the private elevator.

 

[TEminnie]

First!

10 points for you!

Wow, that food all looks amazing. I'm kind of picky about the sushi that I can eat - the raw fish just doesn't always do it for me ('cause are you SURE that it's not the one BA caught?) but that all looked good. Your scallops looked FANTASTIC.

He liked the sushi and it was pretty (I didn't try it). Next time, I'll distract the fishing attendant and bring the little fish to the restaurant--maybe we'll get a discount!

The scallops were the best I'd ever had--tender and not grainy at all.

The view was great, too!

everyone should see it once---the panorama of the kingdom is really neat!

I love the pic of you "directing".

Yeah, the bill would have scared me, too, if not on the DDP.

BA's pics always look up my nose!

Dadgumit CE !!!! You are quick!!!!

Escorted ?? Excuse me... I must be in the wrong resturant. They usually tell me.. "Ya want fries with that ??

Ya gotta get outta Roanoke more often! Maybe go to a really high class place like Pigeon Forge!

Late for the Fireworks... Thats where "Pal Mickey" saved our show for us the first year we had him.

I'd have went with strawberry too That looks good !!

I just looked and the strawberry isn't on the menu anymore--but the server said the menu changes weekly so it's always new and fresh!

Let me just say that the Bananas Foster dessert looks heavenly! I'll give you three dancing bananas for that one! -

I tried some--it was good!

I'm not a big sushi fan, but I have to admit that the plating was excellent. And your scallops looked really good too!

We've never been to Cali Grill and would love to go sometime, but probably without the kids. Or at least we'll have to wait until they're older. Right now, we're more at the Chef Mickeys and Princess breakfast stage.

Thanks for the food porn though! Makes me want a steak!

So, did you get to see the regular Wishes from the restaurant?

This dinner was really a highlight for the meals on the trip--both girls really liked it and we all had a great time. They are past the character things and had requested more upscale dining this time so this was perfect! (course the first nite was LeCellier and they loved that too!)

Wishes? That was the plan for 6:45, but it was canceled due to P&P party.

I'll remember that one

Wow better than Le Cellier It must have been good!

I asked the same thing--but they both swore it was even better! (but I didn't let him stuff it in the backpack! He just finished hers off there! )

Sorry but too many strawberries in the strawberry dessert

Uh......yeah..........it's kinda a stretch for me to not order chocolate!

I need to find a great Narcoossees review quick as I was undecided between that and CG and now I'm wondering if I made the right choice!

I've never been to Narcoo.., but if you have a 2 TS, you really should try here! The view is astounding and it's so close to the MK too!

 

[TEminnie]

mmmmmm the food looks fantastic!!!! Escorted up eh.... kinda cool I think ..... Thank goodness for the DDP with that bill....whoa baby ....

Another great chapter boss lady

Thanks! It was good---makes me hungry when I'm thinking about it........particularly when I'm having lean cuisine for lunch!

I wanna go for the desert alone! Everything looked awesome tho!

It was good! Desserts were $10 each! (except the cheese plate that was $17)

That installment made me hungry! Everything looked delicious!

How swanky, being escorted up in the private elevator.

It was fancy.....yet relaxed too.......which is what I imagine California to be like......but I've never been there so I dunno!

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

WE LOVE Cal Grill. I think it, and the bistro, are the best.

I love that Sushi Appetizer also. Lin won't eat it so I get it all to myself.

Whenever we go there, we always end up in the "wine room". I like the windows better with the view of MK.

ONe questions because I couldn't tell: Could you have watched the fireworks from your table?

 

[TEminnie]

WE LOVE Cal Grill. I think it, and the bistro, are the best.

I love that Sushi Appetizer also. Lin won't eat it so I get it all to myself.

Whenever we go there, we always end up in the "wine room". I like the windows better with the view of MK.

ONe questions because I couldn't tell: Could you have watched the fireworks from your table?

Wow--we didn't see the wine room--probably just as well--Daran would have never left!

Yes, it would have been a good view--we could see the beginning fireworks from the P&P party clearly. And it was a clear, nice night too!

 

[scottny]

well you did it. you convinced to me to go. I canceled Rose & Crown and will leave Epcot and go there to eat. we have 7:30 so hopefully we will get a good table for the fireworks.

 

[PrincessV]

You didn't get the goat cheese ravioli??!! You missed out.

I am SO glad you guys got to experience the CG Sunset - isn't it amazing? This from a person who regularly watches the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico. Truly, watching it from the CG is one of my most favorite WDW memories.