Brunch at California Grill?

[DE_DISNEY]

I wanted to get feedback from anyone who has had brunch at the California Grill? Is it worth it? Did you feel it was a good value and get the food, sushi and drinks you expected? Just considering going there, though first wanted to obtain any feedback.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Honestly, California Grill's "Brunch at the Top" was a huge dud for my family and I bitterly regret the time and expense of it -- in fact, even now, a year-and-a-half later, I'm still a little mad about it!

Here's a cut-and-paste of what I wrote about it (in another thread) after we returned from our trip in May 2018.:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

We just did Brunch at the Top, for the first time (we've never even eaten at California Grill before), this past Sunday.

[...]

It started off poorly when the receptionist handed us off to the wrong staff member, who got flustered when she realized we weren't the family she was supposed to be seating, and unceremoniously pointed us back to the podium like naughty children being sent to the corner. We were never welcomed to the restaurant, or offered the complimentary cocktails that other guests were handed as they arrived. The person who seated us noticed my daughter and said they'd bring us a "children's menu," which never materialized, since there is none (something one would expect the staff of a signature restaurant to already know). After we were seated, there was a good 10-minute wait before our server arrived to deliver the most pretentious pour of water in human history, gushing as she filled our glasses from what looked like a plastic sports bottle, that "this water is triple filtered! TRIPLE! FILTERED! You can't get this just anywhere." Then she disappeared for 20 minutes, an act she would repeat throughout the meal.

As for the meal, the sushi and charcuterie and cheese were very good -- just very good, not great, and on par with what I can buy at my local Wegmans supermarket. I ordered the Eggs Benedict with poached lobster as my entree, and it had obvious problems: it was served open-faced, but the English muffin halves were raw instead of toasted, and only one of them had ham on it. While both pieces were topped with a nice-sized chunk of lobster, the lobster was overdone and rubbery (in fact, the lobster on the lobster roll I'd had at Columbia Harbor House the day before was infinitely better), and the Hollandaise was so thick that it was sitting in jiggly, upright glops, like congealed pudding, instead of sauce. Although the menu said the dish included marble potato hash, there was none on the plate. I didn't want to complain and be "that person," and by this time, I'd had a plate-full of sushi and salad and was feeling pretty full, but I couldn't get over how pathetic my entree was, and how bad the quality control in the kitchen must be for this to have made it out to me.

Ultimately, the best parts of the experience were the beautiful view and the delicious coffee, but by the time the check arrived, I felt like a complete fool. I'd known that in the case of my children, I'd be paying a ridiculous price for them to eat pancakes and bacon and bagels because that's all they'd be interested in, and I had accepted that. However, I had really expected that my own dining experience would be special, if not amazing, and it was sub-par in every way. Our first experience at a "signature" restaurant couldn't hold a candle (in terms of service and food quality) to the meals we'd had earlier in the week at Yak & Yeti and Via Napoli for a fraction of the price. I can say with complete confidence that we will never be back.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

I wanted to get feedback from anyone who has had brunch at the California Grill? Is it worth it? Did you feel it was a good value and get the food, sushi and drinks you expected? Just considering going there, though first wanted to obtain any feedback.

We loved it. Our server was exceptional. We ate ourselves sick! It was about 2.5 hours total and it truly felt like an experience to us. We would definitely do it every other year.

 

[Zé_Carioca]

I had a great time there. It is VERY pricey, so I haven't been back. I went for an anniversary and so it felt like the perfect way to splurge and celebrate.

While it is expensive, you definitely get what you pay. All you can care to eat buffet of appetizers (and sushi which was the selling point for me lol), an entree, desserts and bottomless mimosas.

We had a great server and even got a special treat for our celebration. I have been dying to go back ever since but want to save it for another special occasion.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

I haven't done it myself but it's over $100 per person now but I hear nothing but great things about it

 

[networkpro]

It was meh for my wife and myself. The complimentary glass of carbonated wine like substance was atrocious, the cheese accompaniments could be used to either drive nails or absorb the contents of a small fountain. The Bloody Mary bar they touted was very disappointing, they should look to replicate Phin's over at the Dolphin.

The only decent thing we had was the Sushi and that was just adequate, not spectacular.


I'd go for Homecomin’ or Paddlefish for better food.

 

[Weather_Lady]

The Bloody Mary bar they touted was very disappointing, they should look to replicate Phin's over at the Dolphin.

When we went the Bloody Mary Bar was an additional cost -- $17 per drink! If it's included now, that may add a little something to the value, although it sounds like they must have downsized it. At the time of our visit, about the first third of the entire "Brunch Bar" was all off-limits Bloody Mary accompaniments!)

 

[Cutigerlady]

We did this when it first started at it was amazing! The food, service, and staff were all outstanding! We were given bottomless glasses of champagne. I was there two years ago and it was good, but not as amazing as my first experience. I went with my sister and niece and my niece is picky. She struggled with finding something to eat here. She said the pancakes tasted funny, so she ate a bagel and some yogurt, which at the adult price I had to pay for her was crazy. We didn't say anything, but the server didn't seem to care she had not touched her meal.

 

[Minthorne]

I went when it first opened and was $80 a person. They accept TiW so the price with the discount wasn't too outrageous. All the food was great and our waiter was excellent in keeping the bubbly filled.

Unfortunately from what I have read it seems to have gone up in price and down in quality. That seems like a theme for Disney recently...

 

[DE_DISNEY]

Honestly, California Grill's "Brunch at the Top" was a huge dud for my family and I bitterly regret the time and expense of it -- in fact, even now, a year-and-a-half later, I'm still a little mad about it!

Here's a cut-and-paste of what I wrote about it (in another thread) after we returned from our trip in May 2018.:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

We just did Brunch at the Top, for the first time (we've never even eaten at California Grill before), this past Sunday.

[...]

It started off poorly when the receptionist handed us off to the wrong staff member, who got flustered when she realized we weren't the family she was supposed to be seating, and unceremoniously pointed us back to the podium like naughty children being sent to the corner. We were never welcomed to the restaurant, or offered the complimentary cocktails that other guests were handed as they arrived. The person who seated us noticed my daughter and said they'd bring us a "children's menu," which never materialized, since there is none (something one would expect the staff of a signature restaurant to already know). After we were seated, there was a good 10-minute wait before our server arrived to deliver the most pretentious pour of water in human history, gushing as she filled our glasses from what looked like a plastic sports bottle, that "this water is triple filtered! TRIPLE! FILTERED! You can't get this just anywhere." Then she disappeared for 20 minutes, an act she would repeat throughout the meal.

As for the meal, the sushi and charcuterie and cheese were very good -- just very good, not great, and on par with what I can buy at my local Wegmans supermarket. I ordered the Eggs Benedict with poached lobster as my entree, and it had obvious problems: it was served open-faced, but the English muffin halves were raw instead of toasted, and only one of them had ham on it. While both pieces were topped with a nice-sized chunk of lobster, the lobster was overdone and rubbery (in fact, the lobster on the lobster roll I'd had at Columbia Harbor House the day before was infinitely better), and the Hollandaise was so thick that it was sitting in jiggly, upright glops, like congealed pudding, instead of sauce. Although the menu said the dish included marble potato hash, there was none on the plate. I didn't want to complain and be "that person," and by this time, I'd had a plate-full of sushi and salad and was feeling pretty full, but I couldn't get over how pathetic my entree was, and how bad the quality control in the kitchen must be for this to have made it out to me.

Ultimately, the best parts of the experience were the beautiful view and the delicious coffee, but by the time the check arrived, I felt like a complete fool. I'd known that in the case of my children, I'd be paying a ridiculous price for them to eat pancakes and bacon and bagels because that's all they'd be interested in, and I had accepted that. However, I had really expected that my own dining experience would be special, if not amazing, and it was sub-par in every way. Our first experience at a "signature" restaurant couldn't hold a candle (in terms of service and food quality) to the meals we'd had earlier in the week at Yak & Yeti and Via Napoli for a fraction of the price. I can say with complete confidence that we will never be back.

Thank you for sharing your detailed experience there. It sounds like skipping the brunch there is not a bad option. We really like the view there, though can go for drinks/appetizers in the evening instead.

 

[monothingie]

We went in September and absolutely loved it. The buffet items were top notch, and the menu items were very good. The live band was a nice touch and bottomless mimosas were a nice touch. I decided to try the bloody marry station, but didn’t really care for what came out. No problem they wiped it off the bill. Also our wonderful server let us in on a something not commonly known, you can order as many menu items as you want, no limit.
Overall was a great experience, would totally do it again.

 

[apartment j]

Also our wonderful server let us in on a something not commonly known, you can order as many menu items as you want, no limit.

After eating from the buffet, what benefit does multiple entrees per person serve? How much can one person eat? Do you just order them and take a bite of each and then waste the rest?

 

[Little Green Men]

I‘ve been twice. Once a year ago and again earlier this month. It was a great time. They offer champagne or mimosas for free, horderves buffet style, and ala cart brunch items. We ordered several entrees. You also get a little dessert plate of macaroons and chocolates. I didn’t notice a change in quality at all.

 

[monothingie]

After eating from the buffet, what benefit does multiple entrees per person serve? How much can one person eat? Do you just order them and take a bite of each and then waste the rest?

Maybe if something perhaps didn't appeal to you, or you wanted to try something else, or you didn't care for some of the buffet options. No need to get hostile.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Thank you for sharing your detailed experience there. It sounds like skipping the brunch there is not a bad option. We really like the view there, though can go for drinks/appetizers in the evening instead.

I think the view is much better in the evening, when you can see the Magic Kingdom and environs all lit up. In the daytime, the view is great so long as the weather is clear -- but marred by the distracting view of the dirty, tank-and-compressor-covered sections of Contemporary roof that are visible from many tables.

 

[apartment j]

Maybe if something perhaps didn't appeal to you, or you wanted to try something else, or you didn't care for some of the buffet options. No need to get hostile.

I didn't mean to sound hostile.
That's a good point, and a good answer. I genuinely was curious.

 

[WDWTrojan]

My favorite meal on property, it’s excellent. You’re also allowed to try multiple entrees so be sure to do that.

 

[Chi84]

This is a unique and relaxing dining experience - our favorite at WDW. We've been to this brunch four times, and each time was better than the last! Great buffet choices, excellent servers and delicious entrees. They have a trio of musicians playing Disney songs, and the view is spectacular. I don't doubt those who have had a bad experience - that can happen anywhere - but I would advise you to give it a chance and decide for yourself.

 

[networkpro]

I think the view is much better in the evening, when you can see the Magic Kingdom and environs all lit up. In the daytime, the view is great so long as the weather is clear -- but marred by the distracting view of the dirty, tank-and-compressor-covered sections of Contemporary roof that are visible from many tables.

Dont forget the buzzards!

 

[danyoung56]

We really like the view there, though can go for drinks/appetizers in the evening instead.

Remember that you can order off of the full menu in the lounge area. I've had several great meals sitting at the bar, and I didn't have to make an ADR 180 days out!