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California Grill Question

DisneyConstruction23

DisneyConstruction23

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hello Everyone,

As some of you may have seen in the last week or so I have been working on a few of the Disney projects going on at the parks, be it the new Lion King Building or SDMC. Anyways I have never been to the California Grill but will be taking my GF there for her birthday in April. How is this place? I know it is pricey but is it worth it? I would like people to honestly answers this because it seems that I either see amazing reviews or horrible reviews on the Disney site with no real middle ground. For anyone who has been do u recommend it? Please let me know as much as you can about this
 
popcenturylover

popcenturylover

Well-Known Member
We ate at California in 09' & it was excellent! We celebrated our anniversary so, the cost was a bit more justifiable than eating there just because. We probably spent around $200 but, we did order a bottle of wine. Can't remember exactly what we ordered but, I remember my hubby ordering sushi & I think that I had a flatbread. I do remember completely enjoying the meal & watching the fireworks from the terrace afterwards! Just beautiful!!!
 
MaryJaneP

MaryJaneP

Well-Known Member
Also a fan of CG. Please check out the menu as it is limited and may not please all palates. A dinner at CG, with the very tasty food, the view overlooking everything, and catching Wishes from the walkway outside the restaurant, justifies the cost and dress code that go with eating there. Not surprised some are not fans, but we are.
 
Tinkerbell397

Tinkerbell397

Well-Known Member
You will love The California Grill....the food and service is above and beyond. It is an experience from the moment the hostess brings you up in the private elevator. Enjoy and take you time...relax and take in the experience. I enjoyed the anticipation, dress code etc. Also love Cirticos and the much overlooked Jiko for a very special dinner. I have never been to V&A but I understand it is also quite wonderful.
 
bmarkelon

bmarkelon

Well-Known Member
California Grill has been our favorite signature for years and we are really looking forward to checking out the new renovations and menu in April. The sushi is phenomenal but the flatbreads are quite delicious too, making it so tough to pick a starter. The wine list is fabulous and extensive and the servers are super helpful in leading you in the right direction there. Beautiful views and lovely atmosphere. I always used to order the Grilled Pork Tenderloin but that entree has changed a little and I've got my eyes on the new filet. You chose a winner, enjoy!!
 
cb3thatsme

cb3thatsme

Member
Like others have said California Grill is FANTASTIC! That Flying Fish and Jiko are my 3 favorite restaurants on property!

I love atmosphere and the views at California Grill are so incredible! Sushi is AMAZING as well as the new filet and Banana Fritters :)
 
janoimagine

janoimagine

Well-Known Member
DisneyConstruction23 said:
Hello Everyone,

As some of you may have seen in the last week or so I have been working on a few of the Disney projects going on at the parks, be it the new Lion King Building or SDMC. Anyways I have never been to the California Grill but will be taking my GF there for her birthday in April. How is this place? I know it is pricey but is it worth it? I would like people to honestly answers this because it seems that I either see amazing reviews or horrible reviews on the Disney site with no real middle ground. For anyone who has been do u recommend it? Please let me know as much as you can about this
Click to expand...
It is 100% worth it, but like any good high end restaurant, the service and your server can make or break it. We go every year, some times twice but their is a stand out server named George, 35-45 years old ... I cannot say enough good things about this guy, he knows his wine's inside and out, knows the perfect pairings for the meals, knows the food, he is phenomenal ... we ask for him every time now. Enjoy.
 
Mukta

Mukta

Well-Known Member
DisneyConstruction23 said:
Our reservation is at 5:00 though....will this ruin the experience being that I will not be there for Fireworks?
Click to expand...
I don't think it would ruin the experience. For me, eating at a signature is about the quality or food, service and wine pairings. Fireworks are a bonus, but not necessary for a great meal. You can always watch the fireworks from the observation deck of the hotel.
 
senor_jorge

senor_jorge

Barbara Eden+? Bring it!!
Premium Member
We were there in early December and really enjoyed it. If you are a party of two, and would like a little more privacy you might add a request to NOT be seated by the windows or request a table with a little more privacy for your special occasion to your reservation. The tables were close enough together that it wasn't necessary to eavesdrop to overhear a neighboring conversation. It wasn't a problem for us, and we enjoyed talking to one of the couples next to us, but if we'd wanted more privacy it might have been an issue for us. We were celebrating my wife's birthday and the gentleman at the table next to use shamed half of the restaurant into singing happy birthday to her, a second time. That's pretty memorable;)
 
docdebbi

docdebbi

Well-Known Member
DisneyConstruction23 said:
Our reservation is at 5:00 though....will this ruin the experience being that I will not be there for Fireworks?
Click to expand...


depends what you are doing the rest of that evening, anyone dining there for dinner is given a pass to get back in for the fireworks. so if you just want to do something little and come back, you can still go out and see the fireworks.
but the fireworks are not the main reason for going. i love almost everything about Cali Grill. food, decor, ambiance, wine list, location. i just don't like the crowds of folks waiting to get seated. i have waited 45 minutes after my reservation to be seated. this has improved somewhat since the "you can get back in later if you don't hog up the table from 6 til 9 PM" plan.

go- you will love it, even without fireworks
 
DisneyConstruction23

DisneyConstruction23

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Well we live about a mile from MK so we see the fireworks every single night from our patio which is why I booked it for 5 PM(I am working on actually syncing up the audio from wishes to a timer to go off exactly the same time as the show). What was planned was really just go back home and relax. The reason I asked though was to make sure the restaurant was not all about the view of the fireworks which is a lot of what I was reading.
 
Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
walkDisney

walkDisney

New Member
You'll find a lot of families who bring their kids here, because of the fireworks and the convenience to MK - so don't expect a romantic, intimate dinner. And don't think an early reservation means you'll have a lesser chance of sitting near a loud family - if you've dined there that night - even early - you can come back with your receipt and they'll let you onto the observation deck for the fireworks.

I love the food and decor - we went there not long after it reopened - but the fact it's often overrun with kids means it's not an annual must-do for us like Jiko. And the fireworks vantage point is terrible - unless you like seeing things go off by Space Mountain as opposed to the castle.
 
bmarkelon

bmarkelon

Well-Known Member
California Grill is not only my favorite restaurant in WDW, might be favorite anywhere! And that new filet on the menu is stupid good. I really can't take a trip without a reservation here. It drove me nuts when they were closed last year during my trip for renovations. This is where we ate after my sister's wedding at the Boardwalk this past April. Service and meal were fabulous for our party of 17! I could keep going but I'll stop.
 
ajrwdwgirl

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
We ate at the California Grill a couple weeks ago and it was amazing. As others have said it was pricy but it was the best meal we had at WDW. I had the pork two ways and it was so good, I didn't think that I liked polenta either but theirs was so good. I wish I would have had a bowlful. The only mistake we made was sharing the chocolate pudding dessert, we each should have gotten one. :)
 
LuvtheGoof

LuvtheGoof

DVC Guru
Premium Member
DisneyConstruction23 said:
Hello Everyone,

As some of you may have seen in the last week or so I have been working on a few of the Disney projects going on at the parks, be it the new Lion King Building or SDMC. Anyways I have never been to the California Grill but will be taking my GF there for her birthday in April. How is this place? I know it is pricey but is it worth it? I would like people to honestly answers this because it seems that I either see amazing reviews or horrible reviews on the Disney site with no real middle ground. For anyone who has been do u recommend it? Please let me know as much as you can about this
Click to expand...
How did your dinner go? Did you enjoy CG? We have been several times, and have loved it every time.
 

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