California Grill is a restaurant we save for a special occasion ~ anniversary, college graduation and birthday. Tonight we were going "just because." It threw me when the hostess asked what we were celebrating. The last time we had eaten at CG was for Woody's birthday, so I answered, "My belated birthday, I guess."
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We have eaten in both the main dining room and the smaller Monterey Room. We prefer the intimacy and quietness of the Monterey room, but tonight we were satisfied with our booth across from the kitchen as it enabled us to have both dinner and a show!
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Once again I didn't need to look at the menu because I knew exactly what I wanted ~ the oak grilled filet with risotto. I dream about this meal. And I had warned Woody in advance that I would not be having an appetizer since I was saving room for the amazing banana fritters that I was too full to eat the last time.
It would have been in my best interest to read the menu like Woody did.
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Doesn't he look like he belongs in this yellow booth?!
There isn't a picture of the bread basket because I had scarfed down both pieces of lavender focaccia before I realized it! Thankfully Woody is not a fan of the focaccia or he would have had to fight me for it. He did order an appetizer.
Rotisserie chicken flatbread (it was too spicy for me...which was a good thing!)
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Our server highly recommended the chicken tamale with salsa verde and fire roasted tomato sauce. Woody agreed it sounded interesting and said he would like to try it.
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Woody said this was very good.
And here is my filet:
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That's odd looking risotto, you may be thinking. Yeah, this is where reading the menu would have prepared me for the MASHED POTATOES that came with the filet. I can get plain mashed potatoes anywhere...not so much Zellwood corn or heirloom tomato risotto!! Our server said "guests were asking for meat and potatoes" when I inquired about the change from risotto. Boo!
Fortunately, the filet was amazing and I love asparagus so all was not lost. And I had my fritters to look forward to!
When we have celebrated our special occasions at CG, they were noted on our reservation and our tables were decorated with Mickey confetti and little streamers. That was all the "fuss" we received. So imagine my surprise when our server brought me this:
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"Peaches and Cream Creme Brûlée for your birthday!" he announced. Stunned, yet still not wanting to miss out on my fritters, I meekly said "We'd like some fritters too."
The Creme Brûlée was to die for. Rich. Sweet. Decadent. I let Woody eat most of it because
my fritters were coming!!
And then they came. And I really wished I had asked to see the dessert menu before ordering.
What I was craving ~ banana fritters with caramel, dark chocolate and peanut butter dipping sauces
What I got ~ berry fritters with mint
, raspberry caramel
and vanilla dipping sauces
Lesson learned? Always read the menu!!
When our server came with the bill he asked if I wanted to charge it with my MagicBand. I accidentally entered an incorrect PIN and quickly said, "I think I have to start over."
"No need," he replied. "The charge went through." And he walked away.
WHAT???
I thought, surely not...the PIN is supposed to provide security with charged transactions. It wasn't until I received our folio on check out day that I saw our server was right...the charge did go through! (It didn't occur to me to try a "wrong" PIN on another transaction to see if CG was an anamoly or if the PIN really doesn't matter. But I plan to on our next trip!)
Before leaving we went outside on the observation deck. It was an incredibly windy evening and we did not stay out long, because frankly it was a bit scary!
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Wishes was still over an hour away and we decided just to head back to POFQ. Night #3 and this fireworks junkie still hadn't seen any. Could I go an entire vacation without fireworks? You'll have to wait and see.
(Wait, no Em? She's one of the teachers doing the testing! 
)
.)
