Question about the California Grill...

[cgcruz]

I just made a reservation for Calif. Grill for 3-06-06. I didn't know that they would require a credit card for guarantee. Anywho, is the food a lot better than other similar restaurants at WDW? Also, do you get a pretty decent view of Wishes fireworks from the restaurants. I haven't heard much of it except of it having a view of wishes at night.

 

[liamsaunt]

The food is good at CG in my opinion, but I don't think I would say it is a "whole lot better" than similar Disney restaurants (I am thinking Jiko, Artist Point, etc.). I have always liked my food there, and thought it was a good value for the location.

As far as Wishes goes, the window tables are not guaranteed, though you can request one when you arrive. If you don't get a window seat, there is an outdoor observation deck attached to the restaurant that you can go out on to watch Wishes. The waiter will hold your food back for you if you let them know you are going out there.

 

[cgcruz]

eh, doesnt sound so good, i'll pbbly just cancel.

 

[Got Quattro?]

depends on who is eating...if it's adults...DO NOT SKIP CG....if kids are going...you may want to pass.

The food and wine selections are great. 2 adults with wine will cost an easy $100 for dinner, but oh so worth it.

In the 5 times I have eatin there, I was only in the "back" part of the resturaint 1 time, and we could still see whishes.

The trick is to make you PS time 1 hour before whishes. You will get seated about 30mins before whishes start. Get your drinks, and an apatizer...then whishes will start.

They hold your dinner till after whishes.

 

[MrsTink04]

Oooohhh...don't cancel!!! CG is fantastic!!! Our food has always been excellent and the service, impeccable! The view over the MK is amazing!!! We are not going there on our next trip because we wanted to try something different, but I'm sure I will miss it!

 

[Aliki]

Depends on what you are looking for. The food is fantastic, but probably too "artsy" for most young children who are just looking for chicken nuggets and french fries. If it's a group of adults, definitely go.

The view is fantastic, however window seating is not guaranted (ask at the podium). I definitely noticed that the better dressed you were (my DH wore dress shirt and dress pants, and several couples around us were also dressed in business casual) were right by the window. On walking to the bathroom, I noticed couples in "barely business casual" (t-shirt and slacks) were seated in the inner area. Dont know if they didn't ask for a window seat, or the CM placed them there. Take it for what it is-- a one-time observation.

The food is excellent, but the atmosphere/noise level is pretty high. Dont expect quiet romantic dinner. Everybody is quite chatty and you'll hear other guests talking away.

 

[D&R love Disney]

I wouldn't cancel. I've eaten there about 5 times and everytime has been great. We've had great seats and sometimes not so great seats but that didn't distract from a lovely evening and great food.

 

[raidermatt]

Based just on the food, its not really my kind of restaurant.

That said, it is a good experience, and they have a kid's menu, so there's no reason not to bring reasaonably well-behaved children. The views are nice (even without the fireworks) and the service is good.

 

[ufgator]

Why do you have to use a credit card to guarantee your reservation now? I haven't eaten there in a few years.

 

[lillygator]

We love CG ....and as far as "artsy food" for the kids....they have always brought out an appetizer plate of goldfish for DD without us even asking....and the kids menu has not so fancy food.

 

[Forever42]

The food is good at CG in my opinion, but I don't think I would say it is a "whole lot better" than similar Disney restaurants (I am thinking Jiko, Artist Point, etc.).

This is pretty much how I feel - the food is good, but not as good as other Disney signature restaurants. I think the food may lack partly because CG doesn't have to serve top notch food just to bring people in, the fireworks do that already.

Given a choice between Disney signatures, CG would probably be down near the bottom of my list.

We're definitely gourmet eaters, so the type of food is not a problem.

 

[BCV23]

California is probably on the top of our list for signature restautants at WDW. We all enjoy it very much which isn't as true of the other restaurants. For instance, I like Jiko but my DH doesn't. Four out of six of us love AP but I have trouble finding things on that menu that I enjoy. Narcoossee's is our daughter's favorite but my husband doesn't care for it much these days. But CG has so many options that we all can find something. Service is great, the view is beautiful and the wine room is quiet.