Narcoossee's or California Grill? *UPDATE WITH REVIEW*

Nala06

Nala06

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
DH and I are coming down for a few day getaway, sans child. We are staying offsite and aren't doing the parks. We were just down for a full family trip in December. We plan to lounge by the pool and eat good food.

I am debating a nice dinner at either Narcoossee's or Cali Grill. I want a nice meal, and also be able to view the fireworks. I know you can't see the projections from either restaurant, I am more interested in the fireworks part anyway :D

These are pros and cons I can come up with for both restaurants (I haven't eaten at either)

Narcoossee's Pros
-quieter, more romantic
-menu appeals to me more
-I love the ground of the GF

California Grill Pros
-better view of fireworks? (unsure since I have never been, just assuming bc its closer)
-seems like a classic Disney experience

Narcoossee's Cons
-not as a good of a fireworks view?

California Grill Cons
-I've heard its louder inside
-filet looks good, but nothing else sparks my interest

What are you thoughts?? I have both booked around fireworks time, just need to pick.
 
S

sdemore

Active Member
Nala06 said:
DH and I are coming down for a few day getaway, sans child. We are staying offsite and aren't doing the parks. We were just down for a full family trip in December. We plan to lounge by the pool and eat good food.

I am debating a nice dinner at either Narcoossee's or Cali Grill. I want a nice meal, and also be able to view the fireworks. I know you can't see the projections from either restaurant, I am more interested in the fireworks part anyway :D

These are pros and cons I can come up with for both restaurants (I haven't eaten at either)

Narcoossee's Pros
-quieter, more romantic
-menu appeals to me more
-I love the ground of the GF

California Grill Pros
-better view of fireworks? (unsure since I have never been, just assuming bc its closer)
-seems like a classic Disney experience

Narcoossee's Cons
-not as a good of a fireworks view?

California Grill Cons
-I've heard its louder inside
-filet looks good, but nothing else sparks my interest

What are you thoughts?? I have both booked around fireworks time, just need to pick.
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I have only been to Cali once, but was very disappointed. The food was fine, but the service was poor and the noise level was like being in a school cafeteria. My husband and I literally had to raise our voices to hear each other. We could not see the fireworks from our table.

IMHO Narcoossee's had everything you described in your pros and we love it there. If we wanted to see the fireworks it was necessary to go out onto the deck.
 
Nala06

Nala06

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
sdemore said:
I have only been to Cali once, but was very disappointed. The food was fine, but the service was poor and the noise level was like being in a school cafeteria. My husband and I literally had to raise our voices to hear each other. We could not see the fireworks from our table.

IMHO Narcoossee's had everything you described in your pros and we love it there. If we wanted to see the fireworks it was necessary to go out onto the deck.
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Thats my fear, to spend a decent amount on a dinner and have the food and atmosphere be meh.
 
drwadadli

drwadadli

Well-Known Member
I agree with all your reasons.

I have been to CG once and will never go back ----- tooo loud, lesser caliber than other signature restaurants, not as romantic
I would go to Narcoossee's again and again though.
 
Nala06

Nala06

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Also considering Citricos if the food is better than the others, and just staying on the grounds to view the fireworks after dinner?
 
drwadadli

drwadadli

Well-Known Member
Nala06 said:
Also considering Citricos if the food is better than the others, and just staying on the grounds to view the fireworks after dinner?
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I have eaten at Citricos so no opinion there but if you are looking for excellent food and watch the fireworks afterwards, then also consider Victoria & Albert's.
 
danyoung56

danyoung56

Well-Known Member
I've gotta strongly disagree with others here. I've been to both restaurants multiple times, and while they are both terrific the California Grill is my favorite restaurant on the planet. The beef filet is cut-with-a-fork tender and tasty. And if you enjoy sushi, they do it better than most places. I had a so-so waitress once, but other than that I've always had really excellent service. And if your priority is to see the fireworks, you can't beat the balcony with speakers built in to give you the show soundtrack. Take a cool beverage out there, enjoy the show, and then come back in and have dessert. Pure Disney magic!
 
Nala06

Nala06

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
drwadadli said:
I have eaten at Citricos so no opinion there but if you are looking for excellent food and watch the fireworks afterwards, then also consider Victoria & Albert's.
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Thats a tad out of the budget at the moment :) but its on the list for someday!
 
OneofThree

OneofThree

Well-Known Member
I've eaten at both places. California Grill is a can't miss, IMO. There is nothing quite like the view from "the top", our food has always been very good, and the service we have received is among the absolute best on property this side of V&A. Narcoossee's is very nice as well, and our meal quality approached CG. Narcoossee's is quaint, but seems to lack any particular character. I agree with the posts above which paint CG as quite lively, almost bustling. That is the character of that restaurant, IMO. I have to add that reviews out of Narcoossee's lately are mixed. CG has a new executive chef whom many feel may be one of Disney's most talented. If I had to pick only one, it would have to be CG.
 
Nala06

Nala06

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
OneofThree said:
I've eaten at both places. California Grill is a can't miss, IMO. There is nothing quite like the view from "the top", our food has always been very good, and the service we have received is among the absolute best on property this side of V&A. Narcoossee's is very nice as well, and our meal quality approached CG. Narcoossee's is quaint, but seems to lack any particular character. I agree with the posts above which paint CG as quite lively, almost bustling. That is the character of that restaurant, IMO. I have to add that reviews out of Narcoossee's lately are mixed. CG has a new executive chef whom many feel may be one of Disney's most talented. If I had to pick only one, it would have to be CG.
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That is some great insight. Thank you! I think I am leaning towards Cali Grill. We have never been and I want to try it. You never know until you experience it for yourself!

I might have to try @Tuvalu 's trick of asking for the monterey room if it seems too loud.
 
drwadadli

drwadadli

Well-Known Member
If we decide to try CG again, we will also try to ask for the Monterey Room as @Tuvalu has talked about. I had also heard that CG got a new Head Chef. So, maybe with those two new knowledge combined, we might try CG again. Also, I know that one day could have just been an off day so we will just wait and see.
 
B

BASS

Well-Known Member
Well, the fact of the matter is that reservations at California Grill are VERY hard to come by, so you may get Narcoose by default.
 
Wngo905

Wngo905

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Nala06 said:
I might have to try @Tuvalu 's trick of asking for the monterey room if it seems too loud.
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drwadadli said:
If we decide to try CG again, we will also try to ask for the Monterey Room as @Tuvalu has talked about.
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Epcotfan21 said:
@Tuvalu what's the Monterrey Room? I've been to CG a couple times for dinner and have never seen/heard of such a thing.
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Tuvalu said:
It’s a small room in the back corner of the restaurant that faces Bay Lake.
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My family and I had our first meal (finally keeping the reservation after backing out on at least two prior trips, well before the trip btw) at CG on Christmas Day 2017. They sat us in the Monterey Room and told us it is where they usually put first timers. I don't know if this is true and it is probably not, as the room is not big. BUT WE LOVED THE ROOM as it is so much quieter than the main seating area. We are going back in July and I will request the room again.

After our lovely meal, which my Spicy Kazan Roll app and Swordfish entre ranks in my top 5 of all meals ever, we went out on the roof top, southside, and watched Happily Ever After. Great view and very different perspective.
 
Nala06

Nala06

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
We go next week so I will report back our experience. I an eyeing the pork loin at CG. Fingers crossed we have a good experience!
 

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