Narcosee's or California Grill

[jlb]

We will be going on the Dining Plan, and are trying to decide between Narcosee's or the California Grill. How is the food at either, can you see fireworks from both?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[BCV23]

We enjoy both very much. You can see fireworks from both but from reports here, enough people now stand on the balcony at Narcoossee's directly in front of the windows that you may need to go outside to see well. At CG, you may need to go out as well.

The big difference for Wishes is that Narcoossee's is low with a more direct view. CG has an eagle eyed view but from the side.

Narcoossee's is a much smaller restaurant than CG. It has a beautiful view of the lake. It also has a smaller menu and the focus is seafood although there are always other entrees as well.

But for us, we we enjoy these restaurants for the food and are usually gone before Wishes. More peaceful that way.

 

[gonga]

This is an easy one!

California Grill...hands down! It has the best view of fireworks because it is on the top floor of the Contemporary. There is also an observation deck so if you like you can walk outside. Not only does the CG have the best view, it is also one of the best restaurants in WDW (one of my all time favorites, too)

You must have a PS to get into the restaurant. Make your ps based on the timing of the FW. I think a ps 1/2 hour before the start of the fireworks is good.

Narcoosees is terrible in both food and service. It USED to be wonderful, but now it is a high priced Red Lobster, IMHO. It is a shame too, it was a restaurant I always looked forward to - not anymore. We walked out after speaking to the Mgr. and will never return. Well, not never I would say we will return when they get their act together.

Another great dining option is Citricos in the GF, however not great for fireworks viewing.

The CG is the best of both great food and FW viewing.

 

[jana]

Any restaurant can have an off night and if a particular server ( yours) has a really off night it can mean that one or two tables feel the restaurant "now it is a high priced Red Lobster " whereas everyone else in the restaurant that night (maybe even on the next table) thinks it's wonderful. We ate at Narcoosees in Jan and the food and service were outstanding. I wouldn't read too much into one or two bad reviews. No restaurant or hotel is every 110% every night for every customer, someone having a bad experience is much more likely to make a big noise about it than a customer who has had a good experience, therefore bad reviews need to be looked at in that light.

As BCV 23 says the views are slightly different, I wouldn't say either is "better" it depends on what each person likes or finds more attractive.
Personally I prefered the food at Narcoosees, but that isn't to say it's better (or worse) just it suits my individual tastes slightly better.

IMHO the main difference between the two is the ambiance of the restaurants. CG is a little more "glitzy and showy", Narcoosees is a little more personal and romantic. Neither has a "better" atmosphere over the other for all occassions, it just depends on what each group is looking for on that particular occassion.

People will always have favourites and will champion their "special" places so it's important to try and give (and read) a balanced opinion on these type of choices. Personally I'd never damn (or refuse to return to) a restaurant I had previously had good experiences at for one bad night. I would have to have two, maybe three bad experiences at the same place before I damned it or before I denied myself the pleasure of eating there in the future. I would probably demand a different waiter if the source of my previous bad experience was still there, but other than that IMHO one has to understand that bad experiences do happen occassionally, even at the best places in the world.

 

[stacy6552]

Both paces are nice. If you want to see the fireworks, go for Narccoosses. I thought CA Grille was overrated for the fireworks.

 

[gonga]

We gave Narcoosees 2 chances, not just 1 after a noticeable decline. The last time we were there, we got the wrong drinks...ok no big deal, didn't say anything. Then the appetizer(s) came. There was just 1 appetizer and there was also the wrong one too. We could not get the waitresses attention, (and it was not busy at all). The manager saw that we were trying to get her attention, so he came over. When she saw he was there she came over and I told her what happened. She said..Well I guess I didn't hear you then did I. I'm glad she said this in front of the manager. We told him we cannot eat here, he then appologized, and we left. The time before that the service was not nasty (but not great either) the food was mediocre at best. The reason why we went back is because they made a shrimp appetizer that was so good. Before that we used to go to Narcoossees all the time. It was one of our favorites. So I guess I am comparing it to what it used to be. We have noticed a steady decline in food and service over time.

We dine out often, at least 3 times per week. I know the difference between an off night and just plain lousy. If someone asks a question, my opinion is not based on 1 visit,( which could have been a rare "on" night) but several visits based on what it used to be like.

 

[BCV23]

Any restaurant can have an off night and if a particular server ( yours) has a really off night it can mean that one or two tables feel the restaurant "now it is a high priced Red Lobster " whereas everyone else in the restaurant that night (maybe even on the next table) thinks it's wonderful. We ate at Narcoosees in Jan and the food and service were outstanding. I wouldn't read too much into one or two bad reviews. No restaurant or hotel is every 110% every night for every customer, someone having a bad experience is much more likely to make a big noise about it than a customer who has had a good experience, therefore bad reviews need to be looked at in that light.

As BCV 23 says the views are slightly different, I wouldn't say either is "better" it depends on what each person likes or finds more attractive.
Personally I prefered the food at Narcoosees, but that isn't to say it's better (or worse) just it suits my individual tastes slightly better.

IMHO the main difference between the two is the ambiance of the restaurants. CG is a little more "glitzy and showy", Narcoosees is a little more personal and romantic. Neither has a "better" atmosphere over the other for all occassions, it just depends on what each group is looking for on that particular occassion.

People will always have favourites and will champion their "special" places so it's important to try and give (and read) a balanced opinion on these type of choices. Personally I'd never damn (or refuse to return to) a restaurant I had previously had good experiences at for one bad night. I would have to have two, maybe three bad experiences at the same place before I damned it or before I denied myself the pleasure of eating there in the future. I would probably demand a different waiter if the source of my previous bad experience was still there, but other than that IMHO one has to understand that bad experiences do happen occassionally, even at the best places in the world.

Very well said, jana.

We've been dining at Narcoossee's since the GF opened. The menu and chef have changed many times. At no point has the menu or quality been anywhere close to as bad as Red Lobster's. But not to say that Gonga didn't have that bad of an experience. It happens. In fact, a couple of years ago, part of my family dined at Narcoossee's and the server ticked off my husband enough that he hasn't been back yet even though the food was fine. I have been back with our daughter though as it is probably her favorite dinner spot in WDW.

But Gonga I actually remember reading your review and thinking how can you compare the food to Red Lobster when you didn't actually eat anything? But maybe I misunderstood both the original post and today's?

But for people who have never eaten there, I do think it could be a bit missleading to compare it to Red Lobster. No breaded frozen fish to be found on the menu at Narcoossee's.

Gonga, how long ago was your experience? Perhaps you had the same server my family did? Let's hope she's gone!

 

[gonga]

I think it was 2 trips ago. The second to last visit to Narcoosees, the food was no way close to what it used to be. I guess my words were taken too literally, it was Red Lobster-ish, when it used to be a high quality seafood restaurant. When we got the lousy service on our last trip to the restaurant we knew it wasn't going to get any better, remembering the so-so food from the last time, now add really bad service. We just always used to love that restaurant, so when you go for years and have great seafood then to see it go downhill, you have something to compare it to.

If I remember correctly, it used to be very difficult to get a PS there. The last 2 times we were there, it was not attracting the kind of crowd it once had.

There is no way my DH would ever go back again. There's too many great places to eat (all price ranges ) in WDW to pay for food that you don't enjoy.

 

[parrotheadlois]

I just made a reservation for Saturday night at Narcosees at 7:20. Is that too early to stick around and maybe catch Wishes? We've never seen Wishes. Should I try to make it a little later. Or is Wishes late that night, like 10?

 

[ducklite]

We gave Narcoosees 2 chances, not just 1 after a noticeable decline. The last time we were there, we got the wrong drinks...ok no big deal, didn't say anything. Then the appetizer(s) came. There was just 1 appetizer and there was also the wrong one too. We could not get the waitresses attention, (and it was not busy at all). The manager saw that we were trying to get her attention, so he came over. When she saw he was there she came over and I told her what happened. She said..Well I guess I didn't hear you then did I. I'm glad she said this in front of the manager. We told him we cannot eat here, he then appologized, and we left. The time before that the service was not nasty (but not great either) the food was mediocre at best. The reason why we went back is because they made a shrimp appetizer that was so good. Before that we used to go to Narcoossees all the time. It was one of our favorites. So I guess I am comparing it to what it used to be. We have noticed a steady decline in food and service over time.

We dine out often, at least 3 times per week. I know the difference between an off night and just plain lousy. If someone asks a question, my opinion is not based on 1 visit,( which could have been a rare "on" night) but several visits based on what it used to be like.

I agree, I've had steadily declining service there, and as of a little over a year ago, we are not going back anytime soon.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

I just made a reservation for Saturday night at Narcosees at 7:20. Is that too early to stick around and maybe catch Wishes? We've never seen Wishes. Should I try to make it a little later. Or is Wishes late that night, like 10?

WISHES is at 10:00pm Saturday night. IMHO it would be rude to hold a table for that long to watch the show. DInner at Narcooses shouldn't take more than about 90 minutes, two hours at most.

Anne