Alright, it was finally time for California Grill!!
We drove over in our rental car and found a parking space easily. I would say that one of the main perks of staying on property is the ease of Disney transportation. Although, on this trip with visiting the other resorts as much as we did the rental car saved a lot of time and we probably broke even with what we would have spent on Uber's.
Originally we wanted to do the Highway dine around that is a progressive dinner around the monorail loop. But you had to prePay and by the time I got the go ahead from DH (1hr...he was at work) it was booked solid
I hope they keep doing it and we can another visit!
Anyhow...
The fellow that was our elevator concierge was pretty funny, I dont remember his name but he said" welcome to so and so's comedy hour" and had some good jokes. It was a light hearted way to begin our dining experience.
We were seated at one of the second row tables meaning we weren't at a window table but next to them. We were closer to the kitchen rather than the bar.
We had a direct view of the castle
and a family with their baby and toddler. I couldn't look at the castle without looking at their table.
The bread service with the lavender butter was yummy! Not quite Monseiure Paul's bread service but good!
Wendy recommended the Goat Cheese ravioli of course..."its been on the menu for 20 years," and the BLT flatbread.
I expected this to be delicious and it was!
But this...oh. My. Word. The heirloom tomatoes with the BLT aioli was the bomb! It had the classic BLT flavors in a refined manner. We both loved it
So, I eluded to an awkward experience earlier and here's where our dinner kinda took a turn.
**I hesitate to put this in here. It can be a sensitive topic. If you are looking for a debate please skip ahead! This is just my take.
We were having a great time, the setting, the food, the wine all was good except for the baby crying at the table over from us. Every time the baby cried out everyone was staring! Like I said before it was my direct line of site I could look at DH or at their table and the castle.
So, excuse me if I was taken aback when she very conspicuously whips it out and starts nursing her I'm guessing 7month old baby.
It was so uncomfortable. I don't want to look but I have no where else to look. DH too. They know we're talking about it. We are trying not to talk about it. I felt bad because all the tables around us were murmuring about it, it was obvious.
The hostess even offered a blanket. I'm guessing someone had to of let them know.
We were close enough that I could hear the hostess say maybe you would be more comfortable with a blanket. And she REFUSED!
Disclaimer-- I'm not trying to be insensitive I understand as a mother who has gone through the baby stage, that when a baby has needs they have needs and I'm completely supportive of a mother nursing their child. Even doing it in public (maybe under a blanket) this is not my issue. It's their right.
My issue is that if you are at this stage in life, then dining at a gourmet restaurant is not in the cards. Seems selfish.
As a patron if I'm going to Ruth's Chris for a nice meal with my husband the expectation is that it's not going to be interrupted by the other dining patrons let alone an infant at the next table. The same applies here.
She continued for the rest of the meal. We watched as she one handed tried to cut her steak. It did not even look enjoyable I have no idea why you would ever waste the money to not even be able enjoy it.
There should definitely be an age requirement just like there is at Victoria and Albert's. I also let Disney know that as well
It made for an awkward uncomfortable meal which was supposed to be a romantic celebration of our Anniversary.
Ok, rant over
I went with the filet and tomatoe risotto:
This was he most tender and flavorful filet I've ever had! I mentioned Ruth's Chris earlier and I have to admit that was the caliber I was expecting. This was way better!
The tomatoe risotto was disappointing it was too acidic. A creamy mushroom risotto would have paired much better IMO.
DH got the Line Caught Black Grouper :
Loved it! He said all the flavors came together nicely.
We had no room for dessert but they brought out a Boston Cream cupcake for our anniversary. Nice touch!!
Overall, we loved the food! We will be back for sure someday... with our kids when they are old enough to behave and appreciate it!! We would be thinking that the next night too!!
Next: More MK