California Grill

[lawyergirl77]

To each his/her own, I suppose. I've been to the California Grill three times (I eat at WDW a lot), and never really been particularly impressed. Mind you, my interest is primarily the food and the service, and I don't let the view cloud that. If the view is what you are going for, fine, but I would rather spend my dining dollars elsewhere.

To continue into the "to his each own" vein - we were sitting pretty far away from the windows, so the view wasn't what coloured my opinion of my food. Our interest is also primarily in the food and service (can't imagine why else we would eat somewhere), hence why we loved our experience at the Grill. While it wasn't as ridiculously over-the-moon swoon-worthy as Jiko (Tamarind bbq sauce on filet mignon, while good, was not Jiko's red wine sauce), the service was absolutely amazing.

Too bad that they had three strikes for you! But, just goes to show how varied a person's experience can be at the same places - your descriptions of the CG would apply more to those we've had at the Brown Derby (twice!) Bistro (Haute Cuisine my ____ - I've had better in Montreal fast food joints and the service was straight outta Paris) and Portobello.

As for the Flying Fish, I wasn't all that impressed with the menu, so I can see how it would be overrated, except for the sinful dessert they used to have... While a view would not change my mind, chocolate certainly could!! :lol:

 

[imagineer99]

I agree with gatordoc.

Maybe I was expecting too much, but I found my experience at the California Grill to be less than Stellar. Yes, the view is amazing. But, beyond that everything didn't add up--primarily the service. Perhaps they were having an off night, but, waiting an hour and a half for your main entree is just too long. Couple that with the fact that it took another half-hour for the waiter to clean our plates, and it doesn't matter how good the ambience is or how the food actually tastes. Instead, the whole experience just feels rotten.

So, do I think Cali. Grill makes good food? Absolutely. Have I eaten at much better restaurants for the same (or less) price? Absolutely.

Some of my best meals at Disney have been at Artist Point, Jiko, and Marrakesh.

 

[PixyDust]

It's OK, but way overhyped. There are plenty of better restaurants at WDW.

This is my thought as well. The service was so extremely slow, and our food was ok, but I can't even remember what I had for my entree. The one thing I did LOVE was the cheese assortment. I can't remember all of the cheeses, but the one that you eat with the honey...:slurp:

 

[ilovepluto23]

It was very nice, but I honestly think it's a bit overrated!

 

[rbrower]

Thank you for all your feedback. Trust me, I probably am not going to go again because it was really bad the night that I went, but thanks for all of the reviews, positive and negative! Thanks

 

[ErickainPA]

we found them to be too pricey for the little food we got, the view was ok of MK during the fireworks, but definately too noisy and seemed like many people were pushing to get closer to the windows to see the fireworks. We were seated by the windows just by chance as we ate there during our honeymoon. We have no desire to ever go back. We will stick with Morocco, Artist Pointe, O'Hana's or some other place instead.

 

[The Mom]

I also had a less than stellar visit. Everyone else at the table had finished before I got my entree, and even then my waiter had forgotten the side vegetables I had ordered.

Another guest at our table never got his appetizer.

 

[DisneyFine]

The service is extremely bad, then the food is too fancy, because I dont want raseberry vinigrette on my steak or chicken! Also little portions are served to you so...it was for sure the worst disney food place I have ever been to! I would even prefer the POP centuries food court over that restaurant! The only god thing about it was that it had spectacular views!

 

[typhoonguy]

LOVE the cali grill. If you're not into the price but want the experience, go to the lounge-ish area at the entry-way and get a flatbread and some good wine. Then watch the fireworks

 

[typhoonguy]

The service is extremely bad, then the food is too fancy, because I dont want raseberry vinigrette on my steak or chicken! Also little portions are served to you so...it was for sure the worst disney food place I have ever been to! I would even prefer the POP centuries food court over that restaurant! The only god thing about it was that it had spectacular views!

Raspberry vinigarette is fancy? Where are you from? If a vinigarette is too fancy, Cali grill is CERTAINLY not your place. But portions being small? Are you sure you have the right restaraunt?

 

[typhoonguy]

we found them to be too pricey for the little food we got, the view was ok of MK during the fireworks, but definately too noisy and seemed like many people were pushing to get closer to the windows to see the fireworks. We were seated by the windows just by chance as we ate there during our honeymoon. We have no desire to ever go back. We will stick with Morocco, Artist Pointe, O'Hana's or some other place instead.

Why were people pushing to the windows? Was it raining outside? Everytime I go, 90% of the people go out onto the balcony.

 

[ErickainPA]

It was pretty cold out, we ended up getting me a sweatshirt since we had been out at the parks before hand. It was in December.

 

[typhoonguy]

It was pretty cold out, we ended up getting me a sweatshirt since we had been out at the parks before hand. It was in December.

ah, gotchya. I don't think I've ever been in December/January. That would make sense that people would crowd towards the windows.