Special occasion but picky eater- HELP :/

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

Our wedding anniversary falls during our first WDW vacation sans kids. I really would like to plan a nice sit down dinner as a surprise, so I looked at some of the fancier options, and wth kind of food is this stuff? I know I'm picky, and maybe even restrictive, but I don't even know what some of these items are. I had to google almost everything on the menu at California Grill. I am not an adventurous eater, but she is. Do I suck it up and find something as mild as possible on a menu at an adventurous place, or play it safe and do something more boring? Gah. What a conundrum. For example- I don't eat any type of condiments and eat very few types of sauces. I don't do well with foods mixed together. I don't do seafood. Basically, I'm a toddler. Hahaha! She is the type that if you go to a new restaurant, she asks the waiter what's the most popular dish and says "okay, bring me that". Anyone have any suggestions for either a happy medium or maybe somewhere I can get a "safe" option but still have a cool experience?

 

[wilkeliza]

Suck it up. There is a steak at California Grill so worst case just ask for whatever protein you will eat and for it to be served plain.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with PP. You should be able to get something " plain" for yourself.

 

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

Suck it up. There is a steak at California Grill so worst case just ask for whatever protein you will eat and for it to be served plain.

I saw that as well, but it's bison. Bummer. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to be an adventurous eater and try all of the things out there that are probably awesome and delicious. Living with SPD and anxiety really stinks sometimes. Blah.

Do you think that they would entertain the idea of serving me items from the menu a la carte? There are some sides and veggies I would eat but not as part of the meal it comes with, if that makes sense. I've heard that the chefs are very accommodating, but I don't know to what extent.

 

[wilkeliza]

I saw that as well, but it's bison. Bummer. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to be an adventurous eater and try all of the things out there that are probably awesome and delicious. Living with SPD and anxiety really stinks sometimes. Blah.

Do you think that they would entertain the idea of serving me items from the menu a la carte? There are some sides and veggies I would eat but not as part of the meal it comes with, if that makes sense. I've heard that the chefs are very accommodating, but I don't know to what extent.

I think you'll be fine with that. I think it said Beef and Bison so they should have a regular stake.

 

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

Oh!! I must have skimmed over it, there is a beef filet. So as an example, I would be okay with the filet (plain), and the asparagus and the carrot salad. Basically, a mix and match of different entree sides. Think that would fly?

 

[wilkeliza]

Oh!! I must have skimmed over it, there is a beef filet. So as an example, I would be okay with the filet (plain), and the asparagus and the carrot salad. Basically, a mix and match of different entree sides. Think that would fly?

I think it would fly. Not sure how they would charge it but I imagine you aren't the first and won't be the last person with such a request.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Have you considered a steak restaurant like Yachtsman's Grille, Shula's or STK? Nice, sit down restaurants where you can order a great, plain steak and sides a la carte. Might be more up your alley?

 

[scdak]

OP - we could be eating twins! I do not care for sauces, condiments etc and I have yet to walk away hungry from a WDW dining experience I order steak and chicken plain, plain potato of some sort or white rice if they have it, salads that are basically a bowl of lettuce with mayo to use as a dressing etc. 4 years ago my best friend and I had deluxe dining (TOO MUCH FOOD!) with 27 table service meals out of 30 meals so simple eating can be done. Surprise your wife with a special celebratory meal and enjoy every simple bite of your meal!

 

[dpswift]

I had the same argument with my husband this morning. I told him I was not going to eat at California Grill Not only am I picky but our ADR is late. I am however looking forward to going there

 

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

Thank you everyone for the replies (and commiseration haha). I am really looking forward to the whole experience, and hopefully getting a table at the right time for wishes!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I was going to suggest Yachtsman Steakhouse as well. Steak + mashed potatoes, ask them to leave off the cabernet wine sauce.

 

[Lisa F]

Disney is the best place to accommodate special snowflake requests. I had no problem taking my ASD son with sensory issues to CA Grill and if he can handle it, so can you! Also they can make an adult portion of whatever is on the kid's menu as well if something floats your boat. Believe me, you are not the first picky eater to go there and you won't be the last. It's a great place for your wife to order whatever her heart desires and for you to get something as plain as you like it. I'm guessing a lot of other restaurants would not be so accommodating.

 

[LowJones]

I have two adult extremely picky eaters in my family, and Disney has accommodated us everywhere we have been. They have never had any problems with special orders. We have done a lot of adult portions of kids meals.

 

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

Disney is the best place to accommodate special snowflake requests. I had no problem taking my ASD son with sensory issues to CA Grill and if he can handle it, so can you! Also they can make an adult portion of whatever is on the kid's menu as well if something floats your boat. Believe me, you are not the first picky eater to go there and you won't be the last. It's a great place for your wife to order whatever her heart desires and for you to get something as plain as you like it. I'm guessing a lot of other restaurants would not be so accommodating.

This makes my heart smile. My daughter is on the spectrum and has SPD, and it was fine requesting things for her because she's a kid. I feel like it's not as "acceptable" (in the eyes of strangers who don't get it) to be food/texture avoidant as an adult, and didn't want to embarrass myself in asking. I'm feeling much better about it now. Thank you all.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Try not to get too stressed about it! They will give you a plain steak without sauces and/or specific seasonings. The sides are often seasonal and change, so don't get your heart set on a specific side item yet. Best wishes!

 

[No.1000]

Had a wonderful experience at CG last week. It was our 16th anniversary. We are not picky eaters, but everyone bent over backwards to make sure we were happy. I don't think you will have a problem. P.s. I got a 9:30 reservation (with Wishes at 10) three days before we went. And we got to sit window-side. Hope you guys have as much fun as we did.

 

[Nancyg56]

This makes my heart smile. My daughter is on the spectrum and has SPD, and it was fine requesting things for her because she's a kid. I feel like it's not as "acceptable" (in the eyes of strangers who don't get it) to be food/texture avoidant as an adult, and didn't want to embarrass myself in asking. I'm feeling much better about it now. Thank you all.

Do not worry! Order your food, plain, swap sides around. Whatever it takes that I seasonable given the menu. We are going in December with my DS and DDIL. She is PICKY! We went over menus and CG was off her radar when she had checked it out. I showed her sides on each entree, assured her that they would leave the "goop" off and we are good to go.

We would never choose a restaurant that we could not find one thing that she would eat, but as long as we can reasonable ask for accomodation, I am not worried and neither should you be. Enjoy!

 

[winterwhite]

OP - we could be eating twins! I do not care for sauces, condiments etc and I have yet to walk away hungry from a WDW dining experience I order steak and chicken plain, plain potato of some sort or white rice if they have it, salads that are basically a bowl of lettuce with mayo to use as a dressing etc. 4 years ago my best friend and I had deluxe dining (TOO MUCH FOOD!) with 27 table service meals out of 30 meals so simple eating can be done. Surprise your wife with a special celebratory meal and enjoy every simple bite of your meal!

Mayo... As salad dressing?

Omg.

 

[Nancyg56]

Mayo... As salad dressing?

Omg.

My sister used to make us a salad that had mayo as the base dressing. I make one for my DH that has seasoned mayo. His family is Lithuanian and always had sour cream based dressings but he hates that, so we sub mayonnaise. It's delicious when I'm done.