Reviews of California Grill
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Menus at California Grill
Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 07/27/2023
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
Our waiter was rude and snapped at our party for asking to speak with the chef about allergies the way we have done at every other Disney restaurant. He then took it out on us by never taking our drink orders and delaying our main order. After 1.5 hours we had only received appetizers. The full meal took over 3 hours. For a supposedly fine dining experience, this was the worst meal of our trip.
Pros:
The view is amazing! The food (when we eventually received any) was also really good.Cons:
Our waiter was really rude and seemed to be punishing us for asking questions about allergies. It shouldn't take over an hour and a half just to get appetizers for a table of 5.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 05/31/2023
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
The California Grill certainly stuns with its amazing views and rooftop fireworks, however the price point is not at all worth it for vegetarians especially. Despite discussing no mushrooms for our dish with 4 dining staff members, the main entree arrived with whole mushrooms mixed in. They did offer, after a few conversations, to substitute tofu for fish on one entree. It was not well seasoned and bland and seemed an afterthought placed atop the dish with mushrooms. I would absolutely not recommend for vegetarians at this price point unless they begin to offer an on par outstanding vegetarian course.
I would add that the meat eaters with us did not think their meal was worth that price as well.
Simple standard Beverages (except water) are an also extra charge on top of the fixed price.
Pros:
View and deck to view fireworks but you can find good views elsewhereCons:
Vegetarian offerings and had to send back a meal which contained food we specifically asked to leave out and were assured this was not an issue.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 05/14/2023
Rating: (5) Not Recommended
Visited here recently for my husbands 60th birthday. The set meal was not brilliant very very expensive and I think they should introduce a more simple option on the set menu for more fussy eaters. We spent around 500 dollars and we were rushed to pay the bill before we'd even finished eating our cheese and crackers. Well that's what they called it but it seriously wasn't what we call cheese and crackers. Its an absolute rip off. Please if you are looking for a special meal do not go to this restaurant they are getting away with charging silly prices because you get to view the fireworks from the roof top. Always wanted to visit this restaurant but especially since they introduced set menu, definitely not worth the money. They need to stop set menu and let people choose what they want. I would never recommend this restaurant to anyone and the waiter just ruined it even more by asking us to pay the bill while we were still eating... just bad manners and not trained well. He actually came up twice to our table to ask my husband to settle bill while my husband was still eating...unbelievable. Just such a shame was so looking forward to this special evening.
Pros:
fireworks from rooftopCons:
overly fussy and over priced set menu. Nothing for people who want more simple optionsReviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 04/29/2023
Rating: (5) Not Recommended
Mused to be great. They we went to a set menu and it’s gone way down hill. Got a sashimi appetizer. Worst I have had. Grouper was fishy tasting.
Pros:
View of the fireworksCons:
For 4 people got a bottle of wine and 2 after after dinner drinks. Spent $650. Wouldn’t do it again. You are playing just for the view.Reviewed by Jamiegii Review Date: 11/11/2022
Rating: (10) Recommended
My fiancé and I went in February 2022 to celebrate getting engaged the week before our trip. It was our first night and we were there during fireworks. Bring it was a celebration, we added on the wine pairings to the meal and we still talk about this meal over 6 months later. The short rib wontons were my fiancés favorite thing by far he said. The service was amazing and our waitress took such good care of us. Watching the fireworks on our first night, before ever entering the parks was a surreal and magical experience! The best start to vacation ever
Pros:
The food, fireworks, atmosphere, service and everything!Cons:
Expensive, although worth itReviewed by Reed2015 Review Date: 06/07/2022
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
Worst meal and dining experience I have ever had at Disney World and I have been to Tony's and Nine Dragons... I prefer a Value Resort QS over it.
Pros:
The meal is overCons:
Food, Service, experience, and priceReviewed by Reed2015 Review Date: 04/30/2022
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
Awful experience. Food was nothing. Service was horrible. They didn't enforce the dress code. Which I don't care but we were told it was mandatory and had to buy a last min over priced shirt for my husband after we realized we forgot to pack his. We show up and there are people in flip flops, shorts and tank tops.
Pros:
A few seats have park viewCons:
Everything possible other than the view.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 04/19/2022
Rating: (10) Recommended
we have dined here 2X since menu change -still really enjoy and is our fav at the parks. the dumplings are great and my wife makes at home - filet is very good.
Pros:
food view drinksCons:
a little expensiveReviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 04/19/2022
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
They comped my husband's meal it was so bad. The steak was mostly fat, cooked very uneven and practically inedible. My salmon was very dry but we did not have the energy to complain about both. Waiter did not come over after the food was served to see how we were doing, only showing up once we were ready to get out of there. The only reason we booked this was so our daughter could see the castle and we were seated in a back room, away from the main dining room, with a view of construction on the hotel. It felt very much like we were being punished for having a child with us even though she was quieter and better dressed than most other adults in that place. We have eaten at many of the fine dining restaurants in Disney and this was our worst experience, especially for the price.
Pros:
My daughter enjoyed the dessert sushiCons:
Food was very overpriced for the quality, poor cook on everything, waiter was nonexistentReviewed by FleurDeLys Review Date: 12/13/2021
Rating: (9) Recommended
We dined here on Halloween with the 50th Anniversary prix fixe menu. We have been fortunate to have dined at California Grill 3 times previously, and it's a favorite special occasion dining experience. I always forget how noisy it is, though. It's not so noisy that you can't hear a dinner conversation, but it's still louder than it should be for a signature dining location. We were seated in a separate dining room at the far end of the main room (and it was still noisy). We had a lovely private table for two in a corner by the window and we watched the boats moving on the lagoon. We could also see the other fireworks shows from our table. Very romantic. We were seated right before the fireworks, and our waiter made sure that we got a good view on the balcony. I really do enjoy watching the fireworks up there with an unobstructed view - it seems as though we are transported to an island in the sky with no other people around. Of course, you can't really see the castle projections as well, and you are off-center from the castle, but we enjoyed seeing this different perspective. After we settled in back at our table, the server cordially presented our wine and chatted about the menu. The servers there are absolutely professional and make me feel like we are their only table - never rushed, always appearing just when you need them, with perfect timing for the courses. The food was excellent in both taste and appearance. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal, and it was definitely worth the time and cost.
