Narcoossee's, California Grill, or Artist Point??

[GoofEeyore26]

So my DGF and I are heading down to the World in May and are conflicted over one of the places we want to dine at. We already have ADRs to Chef de France and Jiko but are trying to decide between Narcoossee's, California Grill, and Artist Point for our third “nice” meal.

Any feedback/suggestions that you all have to help make this choice would be greatly appreciated. Does the ability to watch the fireworks at Narcoossee’s and California Grill trump the quite/cozy atmosphere of Artist Point? Is the food at one place far superior to the other two?

All input would be very, very helpful as neither of us has been to any of these three restaurants. We both like all types of food so we won’t feel restricted by any of the menus.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[madalex]

I have never done Narcoossee's, so I can't comment on that.

CG is a wonderful restaurant, but with the whole "trying to watch the fireworks" thing, it attracts lots of families and big crowds. As a result, it is not a very quiet or intimate restaurant.

AP is one of my favorites at WDW. Great food and service and usually a quiet and relaxed meal.

Between AP and CG, I would not say that the food is far superior at one or the other; both are excellent.

 

[java]

Honestly you can't go wrong with any of the 3 I think.
Narcoossee gives you the feeling that you are on vacation NOT in Disney. It's a great restaurant and the food is so yummy. I love it.

Artist Point- that cedar Plank Salmon was spectacular. But dh didn't like his meal. It is a lovely restaurant. And probably the quietest of the 3.

California Grill was our best meal of our last trip. I tried Hamachi for the first time and it was so good. DH LOVED his sushi appetizer and his meal was also perfect.
Now we have 4 children and we did bring them to the grill. We went EARLY to avoid the romance seekers- and our children are well behaved- well in restaurants anyway.

So if you are looking for a non-kids place I would guess Artist's Point. But California Grill is really great- that area that you can go out and take in the view- oh so magical.
So my vote is CALIFONIA GRILL

 

[Tinkbellfan]

I voted for CG even though all three are great. Never had a bad meal there and the service is very good. If you go, remember to ask for a MK view when checking in. It really does add to the experience.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

I've done Narcoossee's but the food is better at Yachtsman Steakhouse.

 

[JoanneNC]

Having never been to the AP - I can't comment - but we preferred CG over Narcoosees and Jiko's.

 

[ededmd]

Not going to Narcoosee's until Sept.
For our March trip we are doing CG and AP having done both before as well.

If forced to only choose one, I would go with CG but mainly for the sushi. I decided after our last trip, I'm just doing apps and sushi next time. Have not LOVED either CG entree I've gotten in the past year.

AP is quieter. I think the food quality for the entrees may be a touch better here but some of the ingredients are a bit more esoteric than CG and as such not as universally appealing.

If I was looking for a more "adult" dinner, I would go to AP or go late, late reservation at CG (AFTER Wishes).

 

[MickeyNicki]

I have not been to any of them but we are going to try Cali Grill in Oct...we like the menu the best out of the three

 

[java]

I have not been to any of them but we are going to try Cali Grill in Oct...we like the menu the best out of the three

Just be aware that the menu is seasonal. So good chance things you see on there may not be there. But the general "flavors" are similar- so chances are if the menu looks good now you'll like it then. And be brave I never heard of Hamachi and it was the best fish I have ever had.

 

[Markstudy]

I voted CG because its the best looking restaurant. Looks luxurious

Artist Point and Narcoossees both seem to have a plain and minimal look

All three have a great view... but CG has the best view.

I think the staff at CG were a step-above the other 2 restaurants, very professional

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Been to Cali Grill and it would get my First vote Great Place
Citrico's would be my 2nd
Narcoossee's 3rd
Never been to AP but heard all good

 

[Pakey]

I've been to all 3 frequently. I voted CG because I love the eclectic menu; the variety offered here is still good even after the dining plan went into effect. Plus the stunning views out those windows is Disney magic.

Out of the other 2, I like the food better at AP but I really do not like the rustic atmosphere of that place. Narcoosees has a pretty location sitting on the lagoon but the food is my least favorite of any signature (if you want good fish/seafood, FF is better IMO).

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I have eaten at all three and I love them all. For me they rank:

1. Narcoossee's. Like a PP said, it really makes you feel like you're on vacation somewhere else. If you could not see the castle and other parts of MK in the background, you could easily think you were somewhere else.... that is until your awesome waiter gives you micky straws for your soda. It's my hands down favorite WDW restaurant. We go every year and it's our last day restaurant. The service is always excellent, the atmosphere is absolutely gorgeous and the food is wonderful.

2. California Grill. I love to watch Wishes from here. The food was good but I was more excited about the appitizers than the entree. The staff really seemed like they had been in the business for a while which is always a plus. We had an MK view from our table so we could watch Wishes but it was also close to the waiting area. There was a small little area that someone who was waiting could stand but it then would block our table and the table next to us from fully view the fireworks... our waiter politely asked them to move. He told us beforehand, they WOULD move at some point even if he had to tie them down, he was going to make sure his two tables were set!

3. Artist Point. This is where we ate for my mom's birthday last year. I really really really enjoyed it. The buffalo steak, caramelized sweet onions and yams were SOOOOOO delicious together. AP doesn't have this on the menu anymore instead they have buffalo short ribs which any kind of short ribs gross me out. The venison spring rolls were good too!

 

[billfatora]

As with some of the others, I've been to all 3, and rather frequently. My favorite, bar none, is "The California Grill". But I must admit, I go there for the "meal experience", not "the view" (fireworks) experience. Of the other two, the food "Artists Point" is super, but I just can't get into the peace and quiet... it's "WDW" ! And as for Narcoosees, the "atmosphere" and service are fantastic, and the food is first-rate; which means, no complaints. We will be stopping at all three when we go back, this year... but, if I had to pick one - no question: The California Grill !

 

[jimmalru80]

I vote for the California Grill.

 

[Tony NY]

I voted for Narcoossee's for it fine dinning and it viwe of the Water parade and wishes fireworks . but any one of the 3 would be great chose for dinner

 

[GoofEeyore26]

Thanks for all your input and feedback. I think we're going to go with CG. I just made an ADR for 9:10 with Wishes at 10:00. From what I've read, I think we'll try to get there early and request an MK view.

Thanks again everyone, hopefully we can get to the other two restaurants on our next visit!

 

[Mickey_Man]

I have been to all three and DW & I are in 100% agreement on how they rank. I will give them to you in reverse order.


#3 - Artist Point - There is certainly nothing wrong with this place - it is quite a nice meal in a lovely setting. It has little Disney feel to it, and I found the service the least attentive of all three. It is probably the quietest of the three.

#2 - California Grill - It shocks me that I rank this one second, because up until last summer this was tied for my favorite restaurant on property (with Citricos). I have nothing wrong to say about it, except maybe that people (customers) there are rude at times, will crowd your table, and last time a couple let their 3 1/2 year old run all over the restaurant, including nearly crawling right over DW!!! The food is awesome, the flatbreads and sushi are outstanding, the wine list is pretty good. The view is unique and worth seeing.

#1 - Narcoossee's - This has taken over as my favorite restaurant on property. We LOVED it last summer - the food was fresh, the service outstanding, the views outstanding. We love the GF anyway, so being there was a bonus for us. Obviously if you like seafood, that is a plus. I had the best calamari I've had in the state of Florida, an outstanding tuna dish, and the best non-chocolate dessert on property bar none- the Almond Cheesecake!! YUM!!! DW had scallops after enjoying a salad, and both were incredible. I couldn't recommend this place more.

Ultimately, you are probably comparing three restaurants that I would rate a 9, 8.75, and an 8, so you really can't go wrong. Hope you have a great meal!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Having been to all three many times, I would pick CG, then AP and lastly Narcoosees. All are great and I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices, but we prefer CG over most of the Disney restaurants.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

California Grill.