Vegetarian at California Grill

[robinb]

California Grill is my DD23's favorite restaurant in all of WDW. She will be joining us in September and I realized this morning that my dining reservation window opened so I made a reservation. My DD and her boyfriend are both vegetarians. She really loved the old special plant based "unplugged" menu that allowed her to "pick 4" vegetarian app options and her favorite thing on the menu was the vegetarian roll. We have not been back since they changed to a prix fixe menu. There seems to be ONE option for an appetizer (and it's NOT a "sushi" roll) and ONE option for an entrée. Do they offer anything else off-menu? It seems very limiting and both my DD and her BF would have to order the same thing which doesn't make my happy to drop $90 bucks each for them to take it or leave it.

 

[Her Dotness]

I suggest having them look over the menu to see if anything appeals minus meat or seafood. That may give them a basis for deciding what dishes they'd like if they can be modified. Disney chefs can often substitute tofu, tempeh or some other meatless ingredient and make a menu item workable.

Tell your server--or daughter and boyfriend can--that they're vegetarians.

Cali Grill will have three courses for them or perhaps will have a chef come discuss what can be done.

Disney Signature restaurants are accustomed to doing this. No worries.

 

[Narcoossee11]

Seems expensive for what you could order.

 

[robinb]

Seems expensive for what you could order.

Yeah, but my DD loves the place and she's the one who would be limited.

 

[robinb]

Good morning! I'm bumping this for more comments. Has anyone asked them to make something special for a vegetarian since the restaurant has gone Prix Fixe? My DD's boyfriend is a cook himself and a foodie and I know that they would want to have separate entrees

 

[T.G.I.Friday]

This isn’t exactly relevant, but I am a vegetarian and the Contemporary Tower Club Level has their allergy/special request offerings come from the California Grille. Since they’ve gone prix fixed, I’ve had 2 stays and 4 dinners from the lounge.

The offerings that I have received have all been amazing in both preparation and taste. (Way beyond the buttered noodles that I am always happily prepared to receive.). I’ve never had the same thing twice, and it’s nothing that I see currently on the menu. Grilled tofu and vegetables, squash risotto, quinoa, udon, etc. I’m saying this to show that they have the ability and items to cook off menu.

Other than being a vegetarian, I’m not a picky eater, so I was thrilled to try whatever was offered. If your DD and boyfriend are similar, I feel like if they explained their backgrounds and just said chef’s choice or something, they would be able to have an off menu experience at the commensurate price point.

Hope this helps a little. Have fun!

 

[robinb]

I wanted to come back and give everyone an update. I don't think we will return to California Grill. It was WAY TOO EXPENSIVE for what you get. Our bill for 4 people was in excess of $600 with tip. We did all have cocktails and I had teh wine pairing. I wish I had taken pictures, but I didn't.

What was good: We talked to the waiter about vegetarian options and he spoke to the chef. The kids were give two other options over than the cavatelli. The sushi chef would have made them a vegetable roll. They could have 2 of the raviolis as an entree or they could have the halibut dish without the fish (Alaskan Halibut-Romanesco, Creamy Red Quinoa, Squash-Yogurt Purée, Charred Onion Butter, Citrus Agrodolce). They actually chose to both have the cavatelli and asked for them to add mushrooms. They both had the ravioli for their starter (It looked really good!) and they had different desserts. They loved everything. I had the filet which is always outstanding. I asked them to substitute green beans for the carrots and the waiter said they would serve the carrot puree on the side. They ended up serving my steak dry with both sauces on the side which was weird. I should have just told them to pass on the carrot stuff because the Cabernet Veal Jus was cold. My husband had the pork tenderloin which was a thing of beauty.

What was bad: The serving size reminded me of the old California cuisine from the 1980's. Our sushi starter and the cheese course were both very, very small. I remember the size of the sushi rolls from the before times. These were not even half the size and mine tasted like it was made hours before. Seriously, gas station sushi rolls are bigger. It was insulting. My cheese course had the teeniest, tiniest bits of cheese on it. Like, one small bite each. We're from Wisconsin and we like our cheese! There was seriously none to share with my husband because there was only one bite of each. Lastly, we booked our reservation to see the fireworks at 10:15. The server dropped our entrees at 10:05. We had to leave our entrees to get cold to watch the fireworks outside. What a shame for a meal that costs $90.

We ate at the new Shiki-Sai the day before and our meal was better and only half that of CG. California Grill has always been expensive but a family favorite, but it is now not worth the price of admission.