Narcoosees or California Grill!?

[GirlfromTN]

My BF and I are having trouble deciding between Narcoosees and California Grill. Right now we have an ADR for both restaurants for the same night so we're trying to decide which to cancel and which to keep. We are also eating at Jiko, Artist Point, FLYING FISH, and Brown Derby (for lunch). We went to CG last year for the first time and LOVED it-had sushi, and flatbread, filet, cheese plate, great dessert, etc. but my very favorite part was that between the main course and dessert, we got to go out to the observation deck and watch WISHES!!!
Our ADRs for both CG and Narcoosees are a little before Wishes so we'd be able to see Wishes from either restaurant. Questions:
1: Can you see Wishes from Narcooses? Is there an outdoor observation deck (like in CG) or can you see it from inside the restaurant? Is there a good view of the MK and the fireworks from the restaurant or not?
2: Since I loved CG so much last year, is it worth it to give Narcoosees a try, or should I stick with CG (since the menu changes often, I'm sure there will be new things to try on the menu). If we go to Narcoosees, we will NOT be getting the whole lobster b/c we just don't like eating whole lobster. One of us would probably get the surf n turf, however. The menu looks pretty good there, but not *quite* as good as CG; my BF however is kind of wanting to try something new, just b/c we've never been to Narcoosees.
TIA!!!

 

[septbaby]

Questions:
1: Can you see Wishes from Narcooses? Yes Is there an outdoor observation deck Yes (like in CG) or can you see it from inside the restaurant?to an extent, yes, but go outside for the best view Is there a good view of the MK and the fireworks from the restaurant or not?
Absolutely awesome view

2: One of us would probably get the surf n turf, you can substitute. I had scallops instead of the turf do you could chose something instead of lobster

Narcoosee's gets very high praise on the boards, only you can decide whether to try something new. We were delighted with everything at Narcoossee's.

 

[BCV2002]

Both are very good. IMHO, CG is slightly better, but both are great!

Both restaurants have an observation deck to watch Wishes! and they both pump in the music too. However, just so you know, if you get to either one like an hour to 90 minutes ahead of time, request a window seat and you can watch Wishes! from your table. It's amazing!!

 

[septbaby]

Both are very good. IMHO, CG is slightly better, but both are great!

Both restaurants have an observation deck to watch Wishes! and they both pump in the music too. However, just so you know, if you get to either one like an hour to 90 minutes ahead of time, request a window seat and you can watch Wishes! from your table. It's amazing!!

I wouldn't have my heart set on this as guests on the deck may obstruct your view and asking them to move, well no so magical. It was really nice to watch it from the deck. Probably romantic to do too.

One extra you'll get at Narcoosee's is the Electric Water Parade. It goes by on the lagoon before Wishes and is fun to watch. The EWP is easily visible from most tables as the floats go right past the restaurant; the lagoon side of Narcoossee's is all windows. The lagoon can be seen from any table.

Though you know you love CG since DBF wants to try to something different Narcoossee's is probably a pretty safe bet. I doubt that you'll be disappointed. As for menu items:

Beverage: Mango Smoothie
Dessert: Almond crusted cheesecake is lauded on these boards. Even I as a non cheesecake kind of gal loved the taste I had of my Mom's. I chose the kids banana split and loved that too.
Appetizers: if you're on the Basic DP I won't even tempt you, they were that good
Entrees: already posted that

We took the boat from the MK transportation center to the Grand Floridian. Narcoossee's is just steps from the dock.

Thanks for the review of CG, some day. However, my travel companion is 6yo this time so character meals it'll be for us. I've booked Boma breakfast for "me" though.

 

[mandymommy4]

Both are so good!

I had great meals at both but I liked my dinner at Narcoossee's better! I LOVE seafood so having good seafood was heaven!

Honestly you can't go wrong!

 

[SoonipiLady]

reports of BOTH restaurants. I managed to get ressies for CG on our first night of our vacation and Narcoossee's on our last night! Our ressie at CG is for right around wishes time (so hopefully we can watch while we're waiting for our table) and the one at Narcoossee's is for an hour before wishes start.

DH and I have always really enjoyed good restaurants, and trying new things (I'm a chef by training), but two kids five years apart has slowed down THAT hobby!

We are taking a long weekend to celebrate our 13th anniversary during free dining. I upgraded to the deluxe dining since I was able to get ADRs at many more restuarants than I anticipated this late in the game!

Only 100 days to go, but who's counting?!?

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I'm one who can't give high, or even good praise for Narcoosee's. I found the service slow, and the server more than a little uninterested in her job.

The food was poorly prepared and served tepid (a personal pet peeve of mine).

I've not had good service or good food there in any visit. Therefore, I've stopped going.

I would go with CG. Never hurts to patronize those places that do it right, and stop visiting those places that don't!

 

[ElizabethB]

CG has better food, by a wide margin, IMO. I agree with those who say you will need to go outside at Narcoosee's to see the fireworks -- the people outside will block your view even if you have a window table. And, $58 for a lobster that is often under two pounds is ridiculous. I can get a lobster in Manhattan for considerably less than that!

If we go to CG, we always book a table for after the fireworks are over. It's too insane before that.

 

[Pakey]

Another vote from me for CG as being the better of the two. I'm not one of the legions of fans of Narcoosees here as I think Flying Fish has much better and inventive fish/seafood.

And we have always had excellent service at CG.

 

[GirlfromTN]

Great responses! Sounds like both CG and Narcoosees have lots of fans. I am tempted to stick with CG though just b/c we liked it so much last time.
However now BF has become interested in Citricos! From what I can tell, you can't see Wishes from Citricos (is that correct?)
So new question, is whether Citricos is worth a visit. The menu on allearsnet.com is pretty old so I can't really tell what the menu is but recent reviews I have seen look pretty interesting...

 

[disneyokw]

Last year I treated my mom for her 65th birthday and had her choose the restaurant. I gave her tons of reviews plus menus. She choose Narcoosees because she had seen it being built (don't ask what a reason to choose a restaurant). Anyway, I had given her many bad reviews on Narcoosees and kept on asking her are you sure? I think we should go to California Grill. We were the first one's there on Saturday, December 8th so there should not be a problem. Wrong. My mom ordered a lobster (was ice cold), I ordered the Ahi Tuna. Very cold and the restaurant just opened. The soup was fantastic but the bowel has about a 3" circle in a large white type of bowel. I wanted to say something to the waitress but my mom did not want to make a fuss. She was trying to humor me that it was okay (now she says otherwise). We had a table by the window and you can clearly see the castle so no problems if there were fireworks (no fireworks the time we were there). I was upset because this trip was planned for five years. Hence, when we return to Disney in September we have reservations for California Grill.

 

[ElizabethB]

We dined at Citrico's a few months ago. The food was outstanding. Better than Narcoosee's. However, it was horrendously noisy. There is an open kitchen. We asked to be seated away from the kitchen in an area by the window that looks toward MK. We thought it would be more quiet. It wasn't. So, although the food was good, we probably won't go back. You can see a bit of the fireworks from the back area with the window looking toward MK. But, it's not a great view. Narcoosee's is much better for that. If you go to Citrico's, just plan to be out by fireworks time and walk down to the dock where Narcoosee's is located.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

We did CG last year and Nar this year. I found the CG loud and bouncy and Nar was quiet and more romantical . The view of Wishes from CG is something not to be missed.

One thing. Just in case you have kids don't take a child to either. The just won't have fun. Either take them to one of the more "Disney" places, or pay to have them go to the Neverland club or something. Neither resaurant was made with kids in mind. In fact Nar descretely asks you NOT to bring your kids.

It's your call, I love kids so I don't care if they are there or not as long as they behave with decorum, but, I really don't think they would like either.