Narcossee or California Grill?

[cougmom]

Hubby and I are taking young adult children - 25, 24 and 20 to Disneyworld in December, first time for two of them. Want to do one signature meal - which do you think would be best Narcossee or California Grill (or other suggestions). I have done DDP but never eaten at any Signature Restaurants.

 

[NJ2Boardwalk]

If you are choosing between the two...California Grill - no question about it. The food is really good..but the atomosphere and view are fantastic! If you happen to get a table by the window around the time of "Wishes" - I assume that will be the firework show then - it is really a sight to see. If you don't have a table by the window, you can get up and walk outside to the viewing area and come back in.
Now, I will say, if it's a quiet atmosphere you want, Narcoosee's is better. I love California Grill, but it is a little noisy.

 

[Kathy Z]

Disney made the decision for us last December. I had a confirmed ADR for CA Grill at a perfect time to see the fireworks from a MVMCP (we didn't have tickets.) About 5 weeks before the trip we received a call from CA G. informing us that a private party had booked the entire restaurant that night and they could not honor our ADR. We went to Narcoossee's instead and had a fine meal there. PP is correct, Nar. is quiet. The deck beside their boat dock is a pleasant place from which to view the fireworks.

 

[cslittle999]

It's going to come down to personal preference. Both restaurants have good food, great service and a unique fireworks viewing experience. As others have said California Grill is noisy so go with Narcoossee's if you want a quiet meal. For us the choice is Narcoossee's since it tends to have more things on the menu that my wife and I like.

 

[Angel16]

If your meal time would be around fireworks time. My suggestion is go to Narcoosees. California Grill is VERY noisy with a lot of kids running around during the fireworks and lead up. (I love children, have some of my own) But I do enjoy having an adult dinner at times, and enjoy visiting with my family. Narcoosees food is wonderful, I love their filet and lobster. And the view for the fireworks is wonderful. The wait staff will hold up your order while you go outside for Wishes.



Angel16

 

[cbg1027]

I thought the food at CG was far superior to Narcoossee's. Narcoossee's just wasn't up to the same standard as the other Signatures for me.

 

[GreenTeaFrappe]

We tried CG on our last trip. We've got it booked twice for our upcoming trip this year. As you can probably gather, we hated it

 

[Muggle-born]

Both.

They both excel in places where the other lacks. Even with CG's reputation, I think Narcoossee's has a better viewing spot for the fireworks. You can see more at CG, but that's only if you can get a decent viewing spot... which can be hard, especially with 5 adults.

 

[MrsLS]

California is much much much better for food, service, view, everything. I love the food there. We were just there in April and plan to go back in November, its a must do every trip.

 

[KarenC]

We ate at Narcoosees with our twenty-something children last July and had a meal that everyone enjoyed. My picky son surprised me on that trip by trying things I'd never think he'd eat.

 

[Pakey]

My family (kids are now in late 20's) have been eating at these places for years. We all prefer CG over Narcoosees. The food and service is much much better and the sunset views are spectacular. I personally think doing fireworks at either place is overrated and prefer to dine when it isn't quite the zoo that the fireworks timeframe turns both of these places into.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Even though we have never eaten at Narcossee's before and would like to sometime, we absolutely love Cali Grill. My DH's mouth waters everytime the restaurant is mentioned. The food is excellent, the service is top-notch, and the view is breathtaking. We have a 9 and 6 year old who also love the food and atmosphere there, they often suggest returning whenever I am making out our ADR list . When we go, we always get a 5:30pm ADR because we love watching the sun set over the MK, plus watching all the rides still going from our table is also awesome to see, then when it is time for Wishes to start, we just show our dining receipt to the check-in counter and they let us go back up to watch on their balcony. Enjoy!

 

[TxRabbit]

Ate at both last June with DS then 8. While we were sitting in CG, he asks me, "Is this gourmet?"

IMO CG will give that more "gourmet" feeling. Narcoossee's is a very nice restaurant, but the navy table cloths, the loud wood floor, the atmosphere in general there is much, much more casual feeling than that at CG. If you are looking for a more "gourmet" feel, then I would opt for CG.

We enjoyed our meal at CG more than Narcoossee's. Also enjoyed our server. I think his name was David. He was AWESOME.

We didn't try for fireworks time. We went earlier in the evening. The restaurant was very quiet. Beware that if you do go earlier, the shades will be drawn. It will have a different feel to it. The view will not be as visible. If possible, I would try to time it so that you were there right before sunset. You can still see the view from the viewing balcony, the server will even suggest that you do this after ordering, or while looking at the menu (ours did). After the sun goes over the horizon, they lift the shades.

If you go earlier than fireworks, you can still go back to the restaurant later to view them, if you want. You keep your receipt and use that as admission back up the restaurant. There is a bar there, if you indulge, then you could get there earlier and have a cocktail and then go out to enjoy the view. David told us that the viewing balcony entered from the restroom side is a lot less crowded, FWIW, but we didn't opt to go back later, so I have no first hand experience there.

 

[kyirish25]

Both are excellent choices! I would show everyone the menus for each and then decide based on that. You really can't go wrong with either choice.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Both are great but if I had to pick one it would Cali Grill.

 

[sturgeon132]

California Grill by far, as it is best Disney restaurant in my opinion. Great food including excellent sushi, killer wine list, and an awesome view. If you squeeze in another signature, I'd recommend Flying Fish as a close 2nd best at the Boardwalk.

 

[tammyroo]

We've had excellent food and service at both restaurants. We keep going back to CG because someone in our party hasn't been to experience the view and the fireworks.
It depends on what you're looking for too. Cali has outstanding sushi which you won't get at Narcoosee's. You'll see very different views of the castle.
If you choose Narcoosees, I would HIGHLY recommend the whole lobster. My DD and I shared the surf and turf, which was delicious but my DH order the lobster and it was MUCH better than ours.
Hope you enjoy whichever you choose.

 

[eikseleg]

Ate at both places this past December- being 22 myself, my boyfriend 24, and brother 27 I can easily relate to your "dilemma." I enjoyed them both however I found the California Grill to be a bit more enjoyable; Narcossee's is a bit on the stiff side, while CG is more comfortable and laid back. Depending on your dining preferences either one can work but like I said, my family and I just being your average joes had a better experience at the California Grill.

 

[Mamu]

I dont think you could go wrong with either.

Narcooeess's is your typical east coast restaurant serving seafood.

Cali Grill more modern style serving food with a California flair.

Both are great restaurants with good service and good food.

 

[Tam1067]

We had dinner at both places in August and December. Both times we had better service and food at CG. We were very disappointed in Narcoossee's in December.

For our upcoming trip, we've booked CG, but we are skipping Narcoossee's even though we are staying at the Grand Floridian.