Tell me about California Grill

[anniet]

Okay, I want to hear it! DBF wants to make ressies after hearing rave revues, and this is no small shock to me, since he usually likes the money in his wallet better than any fancy restaurant!

I am going to try to get a ressie during the fireworks, but since they haven't published the park hours for January yet, I can only guess when they will be having the fireworks....any of you care to make a guess for me? (we're looking at the weekend of 1/24 or 1/25, since I know Fantasy in the Sky is only shown on weekends in the off season)

I have heard to expect it to be about $100 for two people. Does this sound like a good ballpark figure?

Is the food good or great?

I figured I'd ask the Dis'ers since I know they are the experts!!!!.


Thanks!

Annie T.

 

[chezp]

I've just looked up our receipt for the last time we ate at the California Grill in December 2000 and it came to $104 for the two of us (including tip), BUT the receipt shows $40 of that was spent on two bottles of wine - it was my birthday! When we went to the California Grill the year before, it only cost us $60 (including tip). We didn't have room for a dessert on either meal and on the expensive occasion (the $104 bill), we only had a main course and no starters!

The food is very, very good and the California Grill has a fantastic atmosphere, but the wine is pricey - as you can tell from the above! But I would certainly suggest going there, it's very romantic and the service is excellent and there's nothing better than watching the fireworks before you eat. It makes for a lovely, romantic evening.

 

[perge33]

IMO, CG is the only restaurant in WDW that would excel not just in Central FL, but in NY, SF or any other top-notch dining city. And it's very "user-friendly", to boot-- we've taken our three kids (5,4,1) there and felt very comfortable.

$100 sounds about right for two, factoring in, say, one drink per person. Speaking of drinks, one of CG's strengths is that all of its wines (reserve list excepted) are available by-the-glass. That's (and I'm guessing here) roughly 50-60 choices, at different price points.

Enjoy!

 

[perge33]

Well, not quite the ONLY one--- V&A would probably fit that category, too. It's just been off our radar screen since we've had kids in tow.

 

[SuiteDisney]

It's one of the best restaurants on property and the view can't be beat!

Here are some PICTURES.

And here is the MENU.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

perge 23,

Do they have a normal kids menu? We are planning this for our next trip and it is DS's pick for some reason. He likes nice places but is a very pickey eater. What did your kids eat?
thanks.


Jordan's mom

 

[joyebean]

Yep, they have a normal kids' menu.

We were just there (without the kid, though) on Saturday the 28th. We were there during the fireworks, but even with the PS, they had told us it would take an hour to get a seat by the window (basically, after the fireworks were over), so we opted for another seat--we sat on the opposite side where we could see the Contemporary's marina. When the fireworks started, we were prompted to get up and go watch--the restaurant essentially shuts down during this time.

Our bill came to $157.08 including tax and tip. I had 2-3 glasses of wine (I don't remember!), we shared a flatbread while waiting for our table, and each got an appetizer, entree and dessert.

I agree with perge33--California Grill is the one of the only ones of the WDW restaurants I tried that measures up to some of the best places I've been in San Francisco, New Orleans, Seattle and so forth.

=joyebean

 

[perge33]

The kids' menu is pretty basic-- mac + cheese, chicken, pizza and the like, if I recall. Our kids are not adventurous eaters, either, but they did fine there. The staff is friendly and very used to children, too, which helps. My wife and love Flying Fish, too, but have found the atmosphere and the staff there just a notch below CG when it comes to making the meal pleasant for adults and kids alike.

Another tip that works for us. We try to be one of the first parties in the evening, which increases our chances of getting a window table. Everyone talks about the value of a window table come fireworks-time, but the view is a great diversion for children at any time of the evening.

 

[Synonymous]

I think $100 would be a no-frills dinner there. The $20 bottles of wine are probably the cheapest on the wine list, or close to it. If you are going to order desserts and appetizers, you will spend quite a bit more.

 

[anniet]

Thank you All for your replies!

It sounds like it is a go, since I'm a no frills kinda gal- no appetizers, no desserts for me, and if I dare drink more than one glass of wine I'll be napping under the table.

And Thank you Laura VERY MUCH for the link to the pics and the menu. I showed the pics to DBF and he was thrilled to see the restaurant and especially the views!!!!!! I've seen your website before (but somehow missed the California Grill section) and I think it's wonderful.

Look for my trip report in February and I'll let you all know how it went!

Thanks again!

Annie T.

 

[Pa@okw95]

CG is my favorite. It runs us about $125 to eat there for two adults. I go when there are no fireworks. I don't like eating with a lot of kids or noise. I understand it is quite noisy during the fireworks.

 

[disboo]

We also love CG. In January, I had tamarind barbecue beef filet served on braised escarole and mashed yukon gold potatoes. Very delicious! My sister had pork tenderloin with balsamic mushrooms and polenta. (My son and I shared the polenta), and my son had spit roasted chicken with roasted vegetables and rice.

Oh, yeah, the meal started with some fantastic warm bread with fennel infused olive oil and cracked pepper.

Desserts were equally spectacular - lemon meringue pie souffle, spiced cheese cake with orange saboyan, and butterscotch creme brulee.

I don't remember the wines we had by the glass (although they were good), or the cost of the dinner, but it was worth every penny!! I hope we go again when we are there in November!