Recent Cali Grill thoughts?

[Skullcrusher]

Doing our anniversary dinner their in March. Would love to hear any good or bad reviews from recent visitors (especially entrée's suggested.

 

[wdwrich]

DH and I had our anniversary diner there during our recent 12-day stay in December. I have to say that the dinner at Cali Grill was the best meal of our trip. In second place was a tie between Artist Point and Restaurant Marrakesh. (Yes, RM was a surprise to us too!)

 

[TeresaWen]

We went in December. Loved it! Ate so much. BLT flat bread while we had drinks

pumpkin bisque next.

I had the halibut- best I ever had. My husband had the redfish. Amazing.

Don't remember what we had for desert.

Excellent by the glass wine list. We do not get bottles here as there is so much to try!

enjoy!!

 

[minniebeth]

We ate at California Grill a couple of weeks ago. We've eaten there quite a few times in the past. I have to say, it was one of the best meals overall that we've had there (and definitely on this past trip overall!) Everything was outstanding~ the food, service and overall experience. I'm pretty picky and can say we've had some not so stellar visits in the past, but it seemed to be hit or miss with some great experiences sprinkled in. It's my DS' favorite restaurant which is why we return again and again, and usually go to at his request. My observation is, that our experiences have been different depending on the time we go. We find early reservations (5pm) have always been our good experiences vs. late reservations (9pm), not so good. It is pretty quiet early on, and the servers and kitchen seems to be more attentive to details at this time. Later on seems to be rushed, crowded and full of tired park families. (Just our experiences...)
This past visit, (early, 5pm) we were seated at a beautiful window table, the sun was just setting and made for a very beautiful view. Our server was *wonderful* and very attentive to our needs. She just seemed to know what we needed and when. I wasn't sure about wine selections, so she had me try a few to find one that I enjoyed. (By the glass~)
My DD has several severe food allergies and is picky as well, so our server (at her suggestion) had the kitchen come up with something that was safe AND appealed to my DD's likes as well. That is above and beyond to me~ and very appreciated!
We enjoyed flatbreads, cheese plate (although not the one that has hints of "cave and grass"... it tasted like, well, cave and grass ), goat cheese sonoma ravioli (I could slurp that tomato broth alllllll day ), Oak fired filet, chicken, creme brulee, sundae sampler.... wine, hot tea ==== all excellent! (and love the bread and butter they serve too...)
Although our meal did take 2 hours, we were able to come back up for fireworks, it was an easy process to return. I like that better than interrupting the meal for fireworks, which we've done as well. Even though they time food so you're not served right before the fireworks, I still enjoy being done with dinner first.
The bill can definitely add up quickly if you are not on the dining plan. I didn't mind it because everything was so good. However, if it wasn't as good, I would have been annoyed with how expensive it is for a less than stellar meal. So I can see how people may be less than happy if their meal wasn't as good as they expect it to be.

I hope you have a wonderful anniversary dinner there!

 

[goofy4prez]

I like California Grill but I wish I could say that I love it. First off it does offer a spectacular view of the MK and Wishes that is unsurpassed anywhere in WDW. But from there it starts to be a bit less impressive. First off this place can get loud and when I say loud I mean really loud. I personally would not call the service excellent, rather I would say the service we have had the last three years was once good and the last two average at best (same server the last two visits). The sushi that is offered IMO is still excellent and is something I always get. As for the entrees; good but not great. The filet was good, the bison left me disappointed (I've had better), and the swordfish was pretty good. What really disappoints me is the dessert menu. I'm just not really all that excited about fritters, Sunday Samplers, a donut passed off as cheesecake and a breakfast for dessert cinnamon roll. I would like more from a signature restaurant dessert menu. But then these thoughts are only my opinion... Then again, that is what the OP was asking including the good and the bad and in my case the in-between.

 

[Kimosabe]

CG is probably my favorite restaurant at WDW, and the spicy kazan roll (sushi) there is one of the few things I can think about that actually gets my mouth watering, even if I am at home 500 miles away. Wife gets the filet and is usually happy. Last time we went, we got those two things as entrees, and got a flatbread and the meatballs as appetizers. The meatball appetizer was something we wouldn't typically get (wife is a salad fiend, and I usually get something fish-oriented or "unusual"), but it might have been the best thing I had that night. Served over grits, there was just something about the flavor of the meatballs that struck my fancy. Not sure everyone would feel the same, as it was a fairly unique flavor (a little pungent -- maybe harissa?), but I absolutely loved them. Not just your basic meatballs in marinara...quite the opposite.

We tend to go at fireworks time and have had good luck with that approach.

 

[TeresaWen]

I like California Grill but I wish I could say that I love it. First off it does offer a spectacular view of the MK and Wishes that is unsurpassed anywhere in WDW. But from there it starts to be a bit less impressive. First off this place can get loud and when I say loud I mean really loud. I personally would not call the service excellent, rather I would say the service we have had the last three years was once good and the last two average at best (same server the last two visits). The sushi that is offered IMO is still excellent and is something I always get. As for the entrees; good but not great. The filet was good, the bison left me disappointed (I've had better), and the swordfish was pretty good. What really disappoints me is the dessert menu. I'm just not really all that excited about fritters, Sunday Samplers, a donut passed off as cheesecake and a breakfast for dessert cinnamon roll. I would like more from a signature restaurant dessert menu. But then these thoughts are only my opinion... Then again, that is what the OP was asking including the good and the bad and in my case the in-between.

Now I know why I do not remember desert. We skipped it. Agree - with such an amazing menu & wine list, the desert selection was disappointing. It was all good though, tea and wishes was a great way to end a fabulous meal