Our "non fireworks view" dinner at California Grill

[__disneygirl]

I LOOOOVE California Grill. I've only been once, I want to go back so badly. Thanks for this review!!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Answers:
The warm beer was the only thing preventing a "knock your socks off" award.

Very noisy.

Yes. The DDE card comes with free valet parking. Just show the card when you pick up the car. We were never asked for the dining room receipt, but I had it handy just in case.

A collared shirt seems to be the "main" dress code requirement. Shorts and a collared polo will be just fine--it's exactly what I had on. BUt as I noted, a few folks were there in t-shirts too--.

No tuna entree. Lots of Sushui tuna tho--

Portion sizes seemed to be right in line with most other signature restaurants--not small, not large, probably "ample" for most folks.

 

[islandbeachnut]

Explain business casual to me. If my DD6 and I both wear khaki skirts with polo style shirts, is that dressy enough? I figure my husband will probably wear khaki slacks and a polo style shirt also. Is that 'dressy' enough or do I need to rethink what we're packing? Thanks!

Absolutely dressy enough. I've seen everything from jeans & t shirts to dresses & suits. Enjoy yourself!

 

[chamonix]

We also had dinner early at CG and experienced the shades drawn against the blinding late afternoon/early evening sun. We were in a window table though so we could peek below and around the shades at the view. After a short time though, the blinds were raised, I think in shifts or increments as the sun sank lower and set in the sky. The blinds were raised completely well before the sun set and I really really loved the view with the gorgeous setting sun reflecting on the lake and watching the lights come up in the park and at the other MK resorts.

Someday we hope to catch the fireworks from the CR rooftop, but didn't miss it at all during our recent early CG dinner. We would go back at this time of day in a heartbeat. (it was a little less busy and noisy at this time too, so that was a bonus!)

 

[D&R love Disney]

Once again you wrote a great review of one of our favorites. We have an ADR for September!

 

[Cass]

Great review, I really enjoyed the food at the CG, if not the CR

 

[BCV23]

We dined there the last Friday in April and the blinds were drawn as we left. I can't remember if they were as we arrived. Like Chamonix, we fairly often have arrived there to drawn shades only to have them raised as the sun goes down a bit. We were in the wine room however and since it doesn't face West, the view was unimpeded. But as you said the restaurant certainly stands on its own view or not.

Although we dined the week before you, several items that you enjoyed weren' on the menu. They certainly do change often.

How would you describe the Abbaye de Bel'loc cheese...if Mrs. U let you have a taste?

 

[santonucci]

Then we each got a "first course"--for me, Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli w/ sun dried tomatos and basil.
...

I had the Meyer Lemon and Buttermilk pudding cake with Huckleberry (yes-huckleberry) sorbet, candied kumquats, and anise "wafer" (ie cookie). Coming up: Jiko

I haven't eaten there quite as often as you (maybe 6 times), but your review is dead-on.

The ravioli is to die for. When I younger and on a stricter budget, my wife and I used to get the ravioli and the flatbread pizza with a glass of wine. Dinner was under $40.

The last business trip I went on, I brought one of my coworkers to the CG. He had the same desert as you, and raved over it. It wasn't terribly crowded, so we spent a fair time chatting with the waiter. The waiter said that no one eats the kumquats, and he keeps telling the pastry chef, but ...

Loking forward to your review of Jiko. If you've ever had the Tofu and grains dish, it's not hard to imagine becoming a vegetarian...


Steve

 

[CamColt]

Thanks for the reviews (all of them). We are going to try California Grill for the first time this summer and I'm a bit worried about it. Hearing a good experience does help put my mind at ease some.

 

[Uncleromulus]

BCV23:
Dessert is usually the ONE thing that I don't get a taste of!! And I didn't at the CG.

 

[KFISCHER]

You selected what my wife always gets on every trip to CG....the goat cheese ravioli appetizer and the signature pork tenderloin. As often as we've been there, she has never been disappointed.

You always do a nice job!

 

[jimmalru80]

Thanks for the great review. We dine at the CG for the first time in June. I'm looking forward to the grouper.

 

[Cass]

We are going to try California Grill for the first time this summer and I'm a bit worried about it. Hearing a good experience does help put my mind at ease some.

Don't worry about it at all, great food, busy. noisy place - upbeat.

 

[Cruz Family]

Thanks for another great review! CG is one of our favorites, can't wait to go back in October. Maybe I sould give them a call so they can start chilling a beer for my DH, it should be cold by the time we get there!