California Grill opinions for upcoming 1st experience.

[Figments Friend]

Hello friends.

I have an opportunity to experience the famous California Grill atop the Contemporary Resort this coming October.
Despite having visited WDW multiple times over the past four decades, I have yet to have experienced this fabled dining location in its various eras.
It just never worked out…either due to cost, scheduling, or menu offerings I just wasn’t keen enough on.
Well, that is about to change in two weeks.

So I am interested in hearing some insights and opinions on this place.
Naturally I am aware of its history, and know the basics…but any food suggestions, table location suggestions, or other insightful tidbits you would be willing to share would be welcome.

The reservation is for a late dinner, 9:40pm, which originally had me concerned as it is so close to closing time.
I didn’t want to feel like I was going to be ‘rushed’ through a expensive experience but others have assured me that will not be the case.
I will be dining during the Halloween Party fireworks if I am remembering my time table correctly, so this should make it all the more special for a ‘first time’.

Looking forward to your thoughts on the place.
Thanks in advance!

 

[christine7257]

I absolutely hate the prix fixe (whilst understanding why it was implemented) but the location is amazing and cast members are generally fantastic. Timed with Halloween Party fireworks sounds pretty special. I'm also going in October but on the very early side ... am there for an event and have a limited dinner hour and am too old to eat after 9pm. That said, I have dined close to closing and I don't think you have to worry about being rushed... they're used to this. The goat cheese ravioli has always been good (has been on the menu forever) and I loved this feature on one of the sushi chefs that has me wanting to try his food. I'm thinking about either the filet or wagyu strip loin (up-charge), or market fish. The pork has been on the menu forever and is very popular but has never appealed to me. I'm also thinking about the premium wine pairing ... though I have to return to my event so not sure how smart that is! In terms of location, I'd say you want to be in the main room and not in the side "wine room."

 

[HakunaMatata89]

The reservation is for a late dinner, 9:40pm, which originally had me concerned as it is so close to closing time.
I didn’t want to feel like I was going to be ‘rushed’ through a expensive experience but others have assured me that will not be the case.
I will be dining during the Halloween Party fireworks if I am remembering my time table correctly, so this should make it all the more special for a ‘first time’.

Looking forward to your thoughts on the place.
Thanks in advance!

when the fireworks start head out onto the balcony. They won't mess with your table because most every one does it. I haven't eaten there in a few years but it was a great experience for us.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Weve dined there multiple times. The prix fixe menu was put in place to help ensure tables would be booked for diners who were interested in a meal and not just diners who would sit and order something slight only to take in the MK fireworks view. I'm not a fan of the prix fixe menus but in this case it works. The food has always been prepared well and they have been fast to get the food out.
No one has ever rushed us or made us feel like we should move on. Servers are very good at what they do and want you to enjoy your meal at your pace.
DS loves the Kazan roll and Wagyu loin. Ive gone with Goat cheese ravioli and Venison or Pork loin.
it is pricey but if youve never been its worth doing at least once.
Enjoy your dining!!

 

[networkpro]

From our experience after the switch over to the fixed price menu, I would avoid any streak option unless you like well done, whatever you order that's what will come out. The current menu is just OK, not worth repeating.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

My first thought is that's a bit on the late side for dinner.
I've dined there a number of times in the past, but I am not a fan of the current pricing. Mind, I always thought dessert was a highlight of the menu, so we always got dessert with our entrees.

Most the staff have been solid. Some were excellent, some were just okay.

The view can be great from one's table, but it depends where you are seated. When they redid the place, they made the windows larger and changed the seating so that more tables have a better view. You can also go outside to see them.

If you have never been; then definitely try it at least once

 

[Centauri Space Station]

It still is a great place, the shrimp tempura is one of my favs, as is the pork tenderloin. They used to have the best cheese plate at wdw, the prefixe version is still good but now the honor goes to the flying fish imo.

 

[zurgandfriend]

As stated the view is fantastic and the service excellent. The California grill was always a must for us. The prix fixe menu is disappointing. I had the farmer’s market salad with sliced heirloom tomatoes. The tomato I got was green. I asked our server if they had any ripe ones. I had lamb as the main course, I asked for it to be cooked medium when I cut into it my lamb said Baaa. We have not been back since

 

[CAV]

I just canceled my ressie for 4. A couple we know are in Orlando the same time we are at WDW. I wanted to show them classic, epitome restaurant. The high price for such a limited menu, I just can't justify. Made ressies at Toledo Tappas instead.,

 

[monothingie]

I just canceled my ressie for 4. A couple we know are in Orlando the same time we are at WDW. I wanted to show them classic, epitome restaurant. The high price for such a limited menu, I just can't justify. Made ressies at Toledo Tappas instead.,

CG Regular here.

While I'm not a fan of the concept of the pre-fixe menu, it's by no means a limited menu. While CG certainly can't compare to the variety and volume of options you have with Toledo's Tapas, compared to Signature TS at WDW, CG has a more than the average amount of choices available on most TS menus.

If you're the type of person that will eat an appetizer, main, and desert at a TS, the menu actually offers an acceptable price point. However, if you typically share an app or a dessert, then not so much. But what it means is you sacrifice choice for raw volume of food that you may not want.

At CG a party of 4 with drinks and tip you're looking at around $600 bill by the end of the night. Toledo, will certainly be less, but it won't be the same experience or same quality of food.

Also I prefer the late seatings at CG (after 9), I've never felt like I've been rushed or made to pace myself to accommodate others. The bar will do last call around 11PM, but that's about all the pressure I felt being there at the end of the night.

What I would recommend is getting a reservation day before or day of, for later in the evening, and asking at the checkin podium to sit at the bar. The bar has its own bar menu which you can basically order the entire menu Ala-cart. (or you can do the pre-fixe.) If you want to experience CG without committing to the pre-fixe and you want a drink or two, this would be your best bet.

 

[CAV]

CG Regular here.

While I'm not a fan of the concept of the pre-fixe menu, it's by no means a limited menu. While CG certainly can't compare to the variety and volume of options you have with Toledo's Tapas, compared to Signature TS at WDW, CG has a more than the average amount of choices available on most TS menus.

If you're the type of person that will eat an appetizer, main, and desert at a TS, the menu actually offers an acceptable price point. However, if you typically share an app or a dessert, then not so much. But what it means is you sacrifice choice for raw volume of food that you may not want.

At CG a party of 4 with drinks and tip you're looking at around $600 bill by the end of the night. Toledo, will certainly be less, but it won't be the same experience or same quality of food.

Also I prefer the late seatings at CG (after 9), I've never felt like I've been rushed or made to pace myself to accommodate others. The bar will do last call around 11PM, but that's about all the pressure I felt being there at the end of the night.

What I would recommend is getting a reservation day before or day of, for later in the evening, and asking at the checkin podium to sit at the bar. The bar has its own bar menu which you can basically order the entire menu Ala-cart. (or you can do the pre-fixe.) If you want to experience CG without committing to the pre-fixe and you want a drink or two, this would be your best bet.

Appetizers- Toledo =8 CG =6.
Prix Fixe- Toledo =2 CG= 6
Entrees- Toledo =7 CG =0
Sides/enhancements - Toledo =9 CG = 3
Deserts- Toledo =4 CG = 2

At Toledo, you can order ANY combination off the menu. At CG, you cannot. Yes, CG menu is limited.

 

[monothingie]

Appetizers- Toledo =8 CG =6.
Prix Fixe- Toledo =2 CG= 6
Entrees- Toledo =7 CG =0
Sides/enhancements - Toledo =9 CG = 3
Deserts- Toledo =4 CG = 2

At Toledo, you can order ANY combination off the menu. At CG, you cannot. Yes, CG menu is limited.

Again you're comparing a Tapas type ala-carte restaurant with a 3 course pre-fixe. So simply counting the number of available options is not an apples to apples comparison.

Additionally the menu online is not up-to-date with the actual menu. CG is constantly changing dishes to reflect the seasonal changes. The menu posted online is missing new seasonal appetizer, mains, and dessert offerings.

Enjoy your dinner at Toledo.

 

[CAV]

Again you're comparing a Tapas type ala-carte restaurant with a 3 course pre-fixe. So simply counting the number of available options is not an apples to apples comparison.

Additionally the menu online is not up-to-date with the actual menu. CG is constantly changing dishes to reflect the seasonal changes. The menu posted online is missing new seasonal appetizer, mains, and dessert offerings.

Enjoy your dinner at Toledo.

No. Again. I am comparing a limited menus to a diverse menu. Topolino's Terrace, Narcooses, Steakhouse 71, and pretty much every other upscale restaurant at WDW have more items and much better options than the CG and for much better value. CG gets by on its history because its present is not good....and the reviews bear this out.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Hello friends.

I have an opportunity to experience the famous California Grill atop the Contemporary Resort this coming October.
Despite having visited WDW multiple times over the past four decades, I have yet to have experienced this fabled dining location in its various eras.
It just never worked out…either due to cost, scheduling, or menu offerings I just wasn’t keen enough on.
Well, that is about to change in two weeks.

So I am interested in hearing some insights and opinions on this place.
Naturally I am aware of its history, and know the basics…but any food suggestions, table location suggestions, or other insightful tidbits you would be willing to share would be welcome.

The reservation is for a late dinner, 9:40pm, which originally had me concerned as it is so close to closing time.
I didn’t want to feel like I was going to be ‘rushed’ through a expensive experience but others have assured me that will not be the case.
I will be dining during the Halloween Party fireworks if I am remembering my time table correctly, so this should make it all the more special for a ‘first time’.

Looking forward to your thoughts on the place.
Thanks in advance!

Was there about a month ago minus the teenagers…

It was pretty solid. It had been about 5? Years prior.

Had an excellent sushi app and the pork two ways. Wasn’t incredibly thrilled with the pork but it was RICH and I might not have been in the right “frame of stomach” for it at 8 pm?

Enjoy it…though temper your expectations. It’s a solid meal…set your expectations there and it might come in above it

 

[monothingie]

No. Again. I am comparing a limited menus to a diverse menu.

For the second time, the menu online is incomplete. Was there a week and a half ago and it had more than two deserts for example.

Topolino's Terrace, Narcooses, Steakhouse 71, and pretty much every other upscale restaurant at WDW have more items and much better options than the CG and for much better value.

Topolinio's is one of the most inconsistent restaurants on property. I've been there a dozen times and it ranges from excellent to send it back with very little middle ground.

Narcooses is the same way after it reopened a couple of years ago.

Steakhouse 71 is top notch value, but not in the same category as CG.

Comparing the top signature resort restaurants (CG, Narcooses, Citricos, Flying Fish, Jiko, Topolinos) they all have their ups and downs, but CG is certainly and objectively not deserving of the somewhat bizarre hate you're throwing it's way.

CG gets by on its history because its present is not good....and the reviews bear this out.

The main complaint is the pre-fixe menu concept, not the food. Which I would agree with because I preferred the Ala-cart menu. (Ironically I would always spend more there with that menu than the current, but I guess I was the exception and the table squatters were a problem...)

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

the table squatters were a problem...

“Always blame the guest” - Walt Disney
*sarcasm*

 

[Figments Friend]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions, recommendations, and general reviews of the place.
Much appreciated!

Looking forward to giving this a try.

Feel free to continue …I am enjoying the various opinions about the California Grill.


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[Dave B]

Please let us know how your experience was, I love it at the CG

 

[Figments Friend]

Please let us know how your experience was, I love it at the CG

Will do.
If all goes to plan I shall share my thoughts next week.

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[The Colonel]

I prefer to eat before the fireworks, then see the fireworks from the deck after. Doesn't interfere with my meal. I don't have to stress about getting a good view table. I dont have people standing over me to see, etc, etc.