VAtink
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 5, 2013
Day 9, Part 4: I Saw Mel Torme Sing The Christmas Song Here!
After a nice long afternoon break we started getting ready for our next adventure.
Around 4:00 I called for an Uber, which arrived around 4:05, and by 4:15 we were pulling into the Contemporary!
The guard at the Contemporary couldn’t care less about us driving in, our driver didn’t even roll down the window, the guard just ushered us through. Maybe he recognized the Uber driver?
Since the Uber ended up being a lot faster than expected, we had some time to kill, so we decided to browse the shops. I was really impressed with the stores here, they seem to have a lot more cool stuff than the stores at the other hotels. There was a bunch of stuff I wanted to buy, but since they weren’t shipping things back to the resort, and I didn’t want to lug my purchases around all night, I opted not to buy anything.
After shopping it was still a bit early, so we found a table by the window to sit at and relax and people watch for a bit. Finally around 4:45 we made our way down to the second floor to check into the California Grill!
So, funny story (at least to me), I’ve brought up eating here to my mom often since I loved it last time we ate here years ago, and every single time I bring it up, my mom’s response is something like “don’t you mean the Top of the World? Did you know that we saw Mel Torme perform The Christmas Song there? Are they still doing concerts?” Literally Every. Single. Time. I bring up this place that’s the response I get, so it seemed fitting it be the title of this chapter!
Anyways, we checked in at 4:45 and were told they weren’t ready yet, but took my number to text when they were. So we went over to the couches nearby to sit and wait, and at 4:55 I got the text that our table was ready!
We made our way back to the check-in desk and let them know, and were quickly escorted over to the elevators where we were whisked up to the 15th floor. We ended up with a great table right up against the window.
There was even a little Mickey drawn out in sequins on the table waiting for us!
Our server ended up being fantastic, his name was either Chip or Dale….seriously, I made a mental note that it was one of the chipmunks name, but of course forgot which one!
We ended up ordering a bottle of zinfandel to split, and I got the goat cheese ravioli to start.
I had made this ravioli at home about a year ago, and while delicious, it was such a huge PITA to make, so it was super nice having someone else make it for me! I think they changed the recipe a bit since this one had fennel in it, which was fine by me since I LOVE fennel.
We also started the meal with a sourdough bread with this amazing dipping sauce with tomatoes in it, it was sooooo good!
For entrees mom got the salmon and I got the steak.
Now, corn must have been in season, or on sale, because both dishes were extremely corn heavy. Like there was corn in everything. Now, I’m not a huge fan of corn, so while I loved the steak, everything it came with I was only so-so about. It was still a good dinner, I just wish they had some dishes without corn.
Also, just another reminder of what a spectacular view it is from up there!
After we finished our entrees, mom decided she wanted to try the peach crème brulee for dessert, and I got a cut of cappuccino since we had a long night ahead and I need some caffeine!
While we were enjoying dessert, it started pouring outside, so we slowed down eating so we could hopefully avoid going out in the rain.
Finally we wrapped up with dinner, paid our bill, and headed downstairs to the bathroom to change. Yup, change.
We were going to Boo Bash this night, but weren’t sure with the dress code at California Grill that costumes would be allowed, so we brought them with us to change into after dinner. Turns out that was pointless since everyone else dining there that night was decked out in their party costumes!
Next Up: Boo Bash Take 2, Part 1
Around 4:00 I called for an Uber, which arrived around 4:05, and by 4:15 we were pulling into the Contemporary!
The guard at the Contemporary couldn’t care less about us driving in, our driver didn’t even roll down the window, the guard just ushered us through. Maybe he recognized the Uber driver?
Since the Uber ended up being a lot faster than expected, we had some time to kill, so we decided to browse the shops. I was really impressed with the stores here, they seem to have a lot more cool stuff than the stores at the other hotels. There was a bunch of stuff I wanted to buy, but since they weren’t shipping things back to the resort, and I didn’t want to lug my purchases around all night, I opted not to buy anything.
After shopping it was still a bit early, so we found a table by the window to sit at and relax and people watch for a bit. Finally around 4:45 we made our way down to the second floor to check into the California Grill!
So, funny story (at least to me), I’ve brought up eating here to my mom often since I loved it last time we ate here years ago, and every single time I bring it up, my mom’s response is something like “don’t you mean the Top of the World? Did you know that we saw Mel Torme perform The Christmas Song there? Are they still doing concerts?” Literally Every. Single. Time. I bring up this place that’s the response I get, so it seemed fitting it be the title of this chapter!
Anyways, we checked in at 4:45 and were told they weren’t ready yet, but took my number to text when they were. So we went over to the couches nearby to sit and wait, and at 4:55 I got the text that our table was ready!
We made our way back to the check-in desk and let them know, and were quickly escorted over to the elevators where we were whisked up to the 15th floor. We ended up with a great table right up against the window.
There was even a little Mickey drawn out in sequins on the table waiting for us!
Our server ended up being fantastic, his name was either Chip or Dale….seriously, I made a mental note that it was one of the chipmunks name, but of course forgot which one!
We ended up ordering a bottle of zinfandel to split, and I got the goat cheese ravioli to start.
I had made this ravioli at home about a year ago, and while delicious, it was such a huge PITA to make, so it was super nice having someone else make it for me! I think they changed the recipe a bit since this one had fennel in it, which was fine by me since I LOVE fennel.
We also started the meal with a sourdough bread with this amazing dipping sauce with tomatoes in it, it was sooooo good!
For entrees mom got the salmon and I got the steak.
Now, corn must have been in season, or on sale, because both dishes were extremely corn heavy. Like there was corn in everything. Now, I’m not a huge fan of corn, so while I loved the steak, everything it came with I was only so-so about. It was still a good dinner, I just wish they had some dishes without corn.
Also, just another reminder of what a spectacular view it is from up there!
After we finished our entrees, mom decided she wanted to try the peach crème brulee for dessert, and I got a cut of cappuccino since we had a long night ahead and I need some caffeine!
While we were enjoying dessert, it started pouring outside, so we slowed down eating so we could hopefully avoid going out in the rain.
Finally we wrapped up with dinner, paid our bill, and headed downstairs to the bathroom to change. Yup, change.
We were going to Boo Bash this night, but weren’t sure with the dress code at California Grill that costumes would be allowed, so we brought them with us to change into after dinner. Turns out that was pointless since everyone else dining there that night was decked out in their party costumes!
Next Up: Boo Bash Take 2, Part 1
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It's been a while since I've been to California Grill ... thinking I need to make a trip soon!
)
