Narcoossee or California Grill?

[Sheila E.]

O.K. I wanted to get reservations to eat dinner at California Grill to eat dinner and see the fireworks, but they are booked all 3 nights we are there. I did get reservations at Narcoossee for a late dinner so we can see the fireworks, but I see that they are expensive too, is it frowned upon or even allowed to order just 1 entry and to share it, have it split between the 2 of us, as mentioned in a previous thread, I hate paying so much for food when I can't even eat it all and I sure as heck can't take it with me. Also was just wondering which resturant has the better view, the woman taking my reservation said I could keep calling back in case there is a cancellation at The Califonia Grill.

Thanks
Sheila

 

[Cinderumbrella]

The view at Cali will be better. At Narcoosees, there is a large deck that goes around the restaurant and some folks will go outside to watch the fireworks, and some, who are not eating there, will wonder onto the deck to view as well. If they stand, which most do, there goes your fireworks view...

 

[Sheila E.]

If we are stuck with the Narcoossee reservation and people start standing outside in my view, I will jion them and just tell the staff that's where we'll be till the fireworks are over. In the mean time I will try to call everyday between now and then to see if anyone has cancelled. By the way do you know how long they last?

Sheila

 

[Cinderumbrella]

If we are stuck with the Narcoossee reservation and people start standing outside in my view, I will jion them and just tell the staff that's where we'll be till the fireworks are over. In the mean time I will try to call everyday between now and then to see if anyone has cancelled. By the way do you know how long they last?

Sheila

Fireworks? About 10 minutes (give or take a minute or two)

 

[RemembertheMagic98]

I have eaten at both restaurants and have two very different experiences. We (DB and I) have eaten at Narcoosee's three times (twice during the fireworks) and usually just walk outside because they pipe in the music and people do stand on the deck outside the restaurant. The servers know you might get up so we just tell our server we are going out to watch and they have all been very accomodating. The food at Narcoosee's is wonderful and the staff has always been attentive. At Narcoosee's you also get a wonderful view of the electric water parade.

DB and I ate at Cali Grill for the first time in March. We were disappointed by the entire experience. We arrived a bit early so we could grab a drink and catch the fireworks. Unless you have the good fortune of getting a seat near the windows, the best view is out on the observation deck. I found it very windy out there (well duh on my part since it is at the top of the Contemporary) and very crowded (duh again - as people did exactly what we did and came up early). We were seated in "The Wine Room" which was good and bad. We had a 9:10pm ressie and I thought that we would not encounter many children running around (yes, I was wrong again). It was very loud in the main dining area so I was glad that we were in the Wine Room. It was loud because of the number of people as well as the open kitchen plan of the restaurant. On the bad side of the Wine Room, the windows face the back of the hotel so there was really nothing to see at that hour. The food was ok but our server was not attentive and we had to ask three times for water. What made me sad during the mean was watching a family drag a little girl to dinner at 9:45pm and have her fall asleep at the table strapped into a booster seat.

I was under the impression that Cali Grill was going to be an expensive night out with great ambiance and food and a spectacular view of the fireworks. I don't think it lived up to our expectations and at the end of the meal DB turned to me and said, "I wish we were at Narcoosee's".....lol

I hope you enjoy Narcoosee's as much as we do