Uncleromulus
Plain grey will be fine
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2001
- Messages
- 15,529
Ah!! The California Grill. Home of the "fireworks view" table -and probably inspiration to more dress code questions than any other WDW restaurant.
But for us each was a non-issue--this was at least dinner # 12 at the Grill,(and I think maybe even more) so we'd "been there and done that". I'm pleased to say that standing on it's own, CG has good food and good service even without the fireworks (or even a "view") entering into the equation.
Dinner was set for 6:00 and ,thanks to our DDE free valet parking, we got to the Contemporary without the customary long walk to the entrance. Check-in is (as most now know) on the second floor. Tho this has clearly prevented the huge mob-like crowds in the restaurant itself, the crowd now assembles on the second floor. Even at 6:00 there were about 10 people in line to get on that one forlorn little closet-sized elevator that takes you to the restaurant. And we had to wait two trips due an over-sized stroller in front of us. And by the time we got on, there were about a dozen folks behind us!!
But as I said, it's still a lot better than before and once we arrived at the restaurant, we were led immediately to the table. The place was packed--full at 6:00 on a Thursday night. And it was a well dressed crowd too--about 90% in business casual, with a heavy dose of locals (there were at least two large birthday partys going on just around us--some of the people were arriving for those and commenting they were late having just gotten home from work). And LOTS of kids of all ages--from high-chair to teens.
After being seated ( not a window table--we were sort of in the middle), I looked out to see the Castle--and learned that at 6:00 PM in early May, there is NO view!! The sun is bright and shining from that direction--meaning the restaurants blinds were drawn and you couldn't see a thing!!
Our server for the evening was Saad and he was excellent. Had his hands full working several large-party tables, but took great care of us. Mrs U ordered a glass of wine from the excellent wine list, while I had to (once again) ask what beer they had. Didn't take Saad long to respond--it's a pretty short list!! I decided on a Kirin, but sorry to say, it was served "warm". Not "just out of the case" warm, but lots warmer than I like. And the next beer I got (I changed to Sierra Nevada) was the same--warm. So we can say they serve warm beer at CG--and that may be because wine is the big thing at CG and beer of little interest or consequence.
We started the meal by splitting a flatbread--Roasted Wild Mushrooms, Buttermilk Blue Cheese, and Red Onion Jam. Absolutely delicious!! Then we each got a "first course"--for me, Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli w/ sun dried tomatos and basil. For Mrs. U-grilled Asparagus w/ garlic vinaigrette and Abbaye de Bel'loc cheese. Both were very good.
The main course was next and Mrs U picked a real winner. It was Black grouper, with Olive-oil whipped potatoes, Piperade, Merguez sausage, and Crispy Rock Shrimp.The olive taste was subtle, enhanced by the 6-8 small pieces of that spicy sausage and about 6 small (and a bit spicy) rock shrimp. The whole thing blended into one fine entree.
I selected my "usual"--Grilled Pork tenderloin with Goat Cheese polenta. Perfectly tender, and with a hint of sage. Yum!!
Dessert followed--I had the Meyer Lemon and Buttermilk pudding cake with Huckleberry (yes-huckleberry) sorbet, candied kumquats, and anise "wafer" (ie cookie). Mrs U had the "Stratified" chocolate totre-- an orange crepe w/ chocolate cream, almond crunch, citrus salad, and candied citrus zest. Mine I think was the better of the two--a lot "lighter" after a big meal.
So two thumbs up to the California Grill!! Our meal took just under two hours and the food and service were excellent. We'll be going back again.
Coming up: Jiko
But for us each was a non-issue--this was at least dinner # 12 at the Grill,(and I think maybe even more) so we'd "been there and done that". I'm pleased to say that standing on it's own, CG has good food and good service even without the fireworks (or even a "view") entering into the equation.
Dinner was set for 6:00 and ,thanks to our DDE free valet parking, we got to the Contemporary without the customary long walk to the entrance. Check-in is (as most now know) on the second floor. Tho this has clearly prevented the huge mob-like crowds in the restaurant itself, the crowd now assembles on the second floor. Even at 6:00 there were about 10 people in line to get on that one forlorn little closet-sized elevator that takes you to the restaurant. And we had to wait two trips due an over-sized stroller in front of us. And by the time we got on, there were about a dozen folks behind us!!
But as I said, it's still a lot better than before and once we arrived at the restaurant, we were led immediately to the table. The place was packed--full at 6:00 on a Thursday night. And it was a well dressed crowd too--about 90% in business casual, with a heavy dose of locals (there were at least two large birthday partys going on just around us--some of the people were arriving for those and commenting they were late having just gotten home from work). And LOTS of kids of all ages--from high-chair to teens.
After being seated ( not a window table--we were sort of in the middle), I looked out to see the Castle--and learned that at 6:00 PM in early May, there is NO view!! The sun is bright and shining from that direction--meaning the restaurants blinds were drawn and you couldn't see a thing!!
Our server for the evening was Saad and he was excellent. Had his hands full working several large-party tables, but took great care of us. Mrs U ordered a glass of wine from the excellent wine list, while I had to (once again) ask what beer they had. Didn't take Saad long to respond--it's a pretty short list!! I decided on a Kirin, but sorry to say, it was served "warm". Not "just out of the case" warm, but lots warmer than I like. And the next beer I got (I changed to Sierra Nevada) was the same--warm. So we can say they serve warm beer at CG--and that may be because wine is the big thing at CG and beer of little interest or consequence.
We started the meal by splitting a flatbread--Roasted Wild Mushrooms, Buttermilk Blue Cheese, and Red Onion Jam. Absolutely delicious!! Then we each got a "first course"--for me, Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli w/ sun dried tomatos and basil. For Mrs. U-grilled Asparagus w/ garlic vinaigrette and Abbaye de Bel'loc cheese. Both were very good.
The main course was next and Mrs U picked a real winner. It was Black grouper, with Olive-oil whipped potatoes, Piperade, Merguez sausage, and Crispy Rock Shrimp.The olive taste was subtle, enhanced by the 6-8 small pieces of that spicy sausage and about 6 small (and a bit spicy) rock shrimp. The whole thing blended into one fine entree.
I selected my "usual"--Grilled Pork tenderloin with Goat Cheese polenta. Perfectly tender, and with a hint of sage. Yum!!
Dessert followed--I had the Meyer Lemon and Buttermilk pudding cake with Huckleberry (yes-huckleberry) sorbet, candied kumquats, and anise "wafer" (ie cookie). Mrs U had the "Stratified" chocolate totre-- an orange crepe w/ chocolate cream, almond crunch, citrus salad, and candied citrus zest. Mine I think was the better of the two--a lot "lighter" after a big meal.
So two thumbs up to the California Grill!! Our meal took just under two hours and the food and service were excellent. We'll be going back again.
Coming up: Jiko
