Yachtsman vs California Grill

[frecklamy]

Hi,

I think this has been asked before but the last thread was quite old and didn't want to drag it up. So apologies for repeating. The short version of the question is in the title but in case it helps, here's some background:

We're going to WDW in May/June, which is just a little before our first anniversary and so we'd like to do one really nice meal while we're there. Type of food isn't too important - we're not fussy! - so long as it's delicious! We're travelling kid free, staying at Coronado Springs.

At the moment we're deciding between Yachtsman & California Grill.

- Option 1: Yachtsman Steakhouse at 7:30, explore Boardwalk before or after. (Daytime plan is AK, so should have time to go back to hotel & freshen up/relax before dinner.)
- Option 2: California Grill at 7:30. Go straight from MK (I'm guessing we wouldn't have time to go back to freshen up if that's our only MK day?) and hope we can find a nice bathroom to freshen up in! Go to Beaches & Cream (or somewhere else?) on Boardwalk evening.

Something else - CG would take the place of watching Wishes (rather than be in addition to watching it in the park). My husband's a first-time WDW visitor, so would he be missing out on any 'experience' if we went for California Grill? I'm not sure he'd be that fussed to be fair, but I'm determined to make him understand why it makes me tear up

Thanks very much in advance.

 

[JimmyV]

There is something special about the California Grill that Yachtsman just can't offer. CG is one of the few "only at WDW", or "this place just screams WDW" restaurants, and one that serves very good-to-excellent food. For a first time visitor such as your husband, I would go there. Watching the fireworks with a glass of wine/Champagne/cocktail in hand out on the viewing platform with his arm around his honey is sure to make him tear up as much as it will you. I can't think of anything at YC that would capture that moment. Note that this is not a "which restaurant serves the better food" answer, or a "which restaurant has better service" answer. There will always be battles on the Board about stuff like that. This is simply a "which restaurant will offer the most magical moment for a couple celebrating their first anniversary" answer, and there is simply no question which restaurant is the better choice.

 

[purple figment]

California Grill! Only in WDW would you be able to enjoy an excellent meal and have a view of the MK and the fireworks to make your anniversary memorable. Be sure to let the host/hostess on the second floor know that you are celebrating your first anniversary. Yachtsman's Steakhouse has excellent steaks, but there is little ambiance or atmosphere that would make the meal unique.

While seeing the fireworks while standing on Main Street is something i recommend for a first time visitor, in this case I think he would enjoy the view from the deck of the CG since it would be part of a memorable evening.

 

[Travis B]

Another vote here for Cali Grill. We went on our last trip and it was my favorite meal I've had at WDW to date.

 

[goofy4prez]

Between the two I personally think that Yachtsman Steakhouse has much better food and service than California Grill. When it comes to atmosphere and a spectacular view I would without a doubt recommend California Grill. I will admit that I much preferred California Grill much better before the remodel; the food and service were so much better than now. I have been there three times since the remodel, and while I wouldn’t say they were not good, but it’s just not the same as it was before.

I know the OP only asked between Yachtsman Steakhouse or the California Grill, but two signature restaurants that I would recommend both for excellent food and ambiance would be Jiko and Narcoossee’s. The later also offers a wonderful view of the Electric Water Pageant and the Wishes fireworks display.

 

[frecklamy]

Thanks very much everyone! Sounds like CG would be pretty special!

I know the OP only asked between Yachtsman Steakhouse or the California Grill, but two signature restaurants that I would recommend both for excellent food and ambiance would be Jiko and Narcoossee’s. The later also offers a wonderful view of the Electric Water Pageant and the Wishes fireworks display.

Thank you for the recommendations - I looked at Narcoossee's but for some recent wasn't sure the fireworks were as clear from there as CG, probably just because it's not recommended as much (wouldn't normally be fussy about the exact view but as it'd be our only chance to see them) - is it just/almost as good then?

 

[goofy4prez]

Thanks very much everyone! Sounds like CG would be pretty special!



Thank you for the recommendations - I looked at Narcoossee's but for some recent wasn't sure the fireworks were as clear from there as CG, probably just because it's not recommended as much (wouldn't normally be fussy about the exact view but as it'd be our only chance to see them) - is it just/almost as good then?

I would say that at California Grill the view of the fireworks is better in most peoples opinion, but it is from a different angle. You are high above and looking down upon the fireworks. From Narcoossee's you are at ground level. Both offer excellent but different views of the fireworks. Personally myself, I enjoy Narcoosee's view better. It is so nice to sit in the restaurant, enjoy an excellent meal and then watch the Electric Pageant go by and then the fireworks. The only drawback is from your seat there will be people going outside on the restaurants dock to watch the fireworks... Not really a big deal since you can also go out and enjoy them as well and then come back in and finish with dessert. Narcoosee's also pipes in the narration of Wishes as well. Either location you both will enjoy the dinner along with the Wishes Fireworks.

 

[hoffman1]

I am in the minority but...if it is his first time, there is something really special about watching Wishes on Main Street (even among the masses). You would also miss out on seeing the Electric Parade and the projection show on the castle.
I am a fan of both restaurants but for different reasons. CG has the best atmosphere. We prefer the food at Yachtsman's.
We did once see fireworks through the window of Yachtsman's. It was nice surprise but not a great view.

 

[hookedonears]

We've thought several times about going to the Yachtsman Steakhouse, though our question of comparison has always been Yachtsman or Shula's?

 

[jawa7400]

We've done both for special occasions and I think CG is what you're looking for this time. YC has wonderful food but doesn't have the atmosphere and experience that CG can offer. Enjoy!

 

[OKW Lover]

We've thought several times about going to the Yachtsman Steakhouse, though our question of comparison has always been Yachtsman or Shula's?

In that comparison the answer is "C - Bull & Bear". The B&B is at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Bonnet Creek. Easy to get there by car or taxi/uber. Their steak, and just about anything else, blows away Shula's.

 

[hookedonears]

In that comparison the answer is "C - Bull & Bear". The B&B is at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Bonnet Creek. Easy to get there by car or taxi/uber. Their steak, and just about anything else, blows away Shula's.

Bull & Bear is on tap during our next trip in late 2016.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Tough call...I think the food is better at Yachtsman, but the views/ambiance at California Grill are much better and work well for a celebratory meal. I'd go for California Grill just because dining atop the Contemporary is unique and special. I love a good steak, but you don't need to go to Disney to get great steak.

 

[B-Ride]

If you are a big steak fan then maybe that is a reason to go to Yachtsman but I prefer the food at CG. I agree with the PP who prefers heading over to MK to watch Wishes. The experience from a distance just isn't the same.

 

[GillianP1301]

I much preferred Yachtsman over CG both for food and service. Add to that the options listed, as far as the day plan and I think a nice signature meal after a shorter day in the parks with an opportunity to freshen up in your room and puts you close to the Boardwalk, which you want to do the same night, gives Yachtsman even more advantage.

 

[katt789]

I honestly prefer Cali Grill, although I can't really compare the two!

Cali Grill has amazing seafood, sushi, THE VIEW, the fireworks, and I've always had great service! Even if it's just drinks in the lounge area!

Yachtsman was also amazing, the truffle mac & cheese was to DIE for, but as a steak fan, I would do Le Cellier above it in a heart beat.

Experience was also much higher at Cali Grill!

 

[hedberg1661]

I have to say this is a tough one. From food perspective I really think the Yachtsman is better however, CG gives you the ability to see the fireworks which for your husband sounds like a real win.

 

[Alacrity]

I have to go with the folks for Cali Grill for the Disney experience. I like both (a lot) but CG, I think, is the better choice for a Disney celebration kinda thing. If you would prefer a more quiet, romantic evening, I would probably say Yachtsman. As for the freshening up plan, my wife and I have done similar and there are restrooms down the hall from the elevator up to the CG.

Yachtsman was also amazing, the truffle mac & cheese was to DIE for, but as a steak fan, I would do Le Cellier above it in a heart beat.

I may be in the minority but I can't disagree with this more I'm afraid. While its been a while since I've been to Le Cellier, our last time there was disappointing. The best thing on the table was the soup. And the bread. Not a good thing for a steak place. For a good steak I'd go to Yachtsman. (I also remember Shulas as being very good but I've only been able to get there once.)

 

[goofy4prez]

I have to go with the folks for Cali Grill for the Disney experience. I like both (a lot) but CG, I think, is the better choice for a Disney celebration kinda thing. If you would prefer a more quiet, romantic evening, I would probably say Yachtsman. As for the freshening up plan, my wife and I have done similar and there are restrooms down the hall from the elevator up to the CG.



I may be in the minority but I can't disagree with this more I'm afraid. While its been a while since I've been to Le Cellier, our last time there was disappointing. The best thing on the table was the soup. And the bread. Not a good thing for a steak place. For a good steak I'd go to Yachtsman. (I also remember Shulas as being very good but I've only been able to get there once.)

I couldn't agree with this more. For me Le Cellier fails to live up to the level of a signature restaurant like CG and YSH not only in the area of the food but in the decor, atmosphere and in service as well.

 

[akaler2010]

While I love CG and consider it a must do for us, every time we have gone, we have not been able to see the fireworks. I would easily give it up in order to guarantee a fireworks view in the park.