Reviews of California Grill
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Menus at California Grill
Reviewed by bosslady79 Review Date: 01/07/2014
Rating: (4) Recommended
Timed our meal for the fireworks on 11-12-13. Arrived 20 minutes before reservation. Server was spotty, it was my dd 10 and myself. Dined here last year it was amazing, this time was terrible. My dinner companion fell asleep at the table, did not eat dinner or dessert. They did not have packaging to take desert to go, very disappointing. We may have been ok if it had not taken 25 min for our server to take our order, and another 50 min for the food to arrive. I know it is signature dining, but a split app, two entrees and 1 dessert should not take 2 hours. May only go back for dessert during the fireworks, and not order an entree.
Pros:
FireworksCons:
everything elseReviewed by HappyClappy Review Date: 01/11/2014
Rating: (1) Recommended
We have dined many times at the old California Grill and we were looking forward to enjoying the new rehab. Oh dear, what a disappointment. We arrived 15 minutes early for our 7:30 reservation. Wishes was at 8:00. When we checked in the CM at the podium said they were very busy but that's nothing new.
However what we didn't expect was the total pandemonium in the lounge area. Every place in the lounge and at the bar was being used for walk ups eating. Worst of all we were presented with the sight of two adults eating on the floor! We understand that the fireworks are a feature but the management have full control of how many people they allow into the lounge. At no other signature restaurant would the management tolerate this ridiculous situation.
We did give the manager our views and his attitude was couldn't care less. He is obviously focused on squeezing as many dollars from letting as many people into the place as possible. Why have a reservation system at all?
The menu is hugely reduced, the staff appear new and inexperienced, our waitress never even bothered to offer wine suggestions. We didn't bother with deserts, we just didn't feel it was worth it. Sorry California Grill, you've lost your number one spot with me - spend your dollars or 2 table dining credits on Citricos instead - a much better signature experience.
Pros:
Firework viewCons:
Not a signature dining experienceReviewed by Wendy55 Review Date: 01/25/2014
Rating: (2) Not Recommended
We have made CG a must do for over 30 years and it is always a wonderful experience - not on this past trip of January 10th! We invited 3 couples to join us that had never been to CG before but have listened to us boast on how wonderful it is. What a nightmare from start to finish! Seated 35min past reservation time - waiter was most likely busboy who was pulled to help wait tables - very unprofessional in every way. We asked to try both a white and red wine - bottles were brought to our table 1/2 empty, when we asked for unopened bottles to be brought and opened in front of us we were told - No try first, if you like it then I'll bring new bottles! Only 1 wine glass for table of 8 which our waiter poured and left us to go around to empty tables and get glasses for ourselves! 2 of our guests never received their appetizers. Entree's were wonderful that is the only positive. We had 1 guest with a gluten allergy - when she asked the waiter to speak with the Chef she was told - Order the steak - her response I don't eat steak waiters response - I'll have the Chef steam some veggies for you! Very disappointed with the entire evening and our guests will never venture back again - such a nightmare! We asked to speak with the manager - no luck, in fact we complained to the concierge at our hotel and he also tried reaching a manager at CG - no luck! We will not be back which is sad as we have always made this a special dinner spot when in Disney. Artist Point from now on - fantastic dinner/staff there!
Pros:
FoodCons:
Service -Reviewed by jenniemouse Review Date: 01/29/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
Amazing date night. Server was awesome! Flatbread was superb! Ravioli and spicy roll delish! Wine outstanding and watching Wishes from look out so memorable! Can't wait to go back!
Pros:
everythingCons:
noneReviewed by LucyKate0811 Review Date: 02/14/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
My husband and I went to the California Grill on 1/27 to celebrate his birthday. We had ADR's for 7:45, and despite a crowd at the check-in desk upon arriving to the Contemporary, we were seated promptly at 7:45. The table was covered in Mickey Confetti, acknowledging the celebration. Our waitress explained how the firework viewing worked, we ordered drinks and sushi, both were delivered to our table in time for the fireworks. Our table was in a prime spot to watch the fireworks, and we never had to get out of our chairs! We were able to eat and watch the fireworks at the same time, from the comfort of the restaurant. Everything that we ate was fresh and delicious. We ordered the tomato flatbread (which is one of the best items I've ever eaten), garden salad and the scallops. By the time dinner was over and the dessert menu arrived, we were stuffed. The waitress did bring a complementary order of the creme brûlée. It was phenomenal, definitely on par with the rest of the meal. The California Grill was by far our favorite meal of the trip.
Pros:
The view, ability to watch the fireworks while dining...Cons:
Transportation back to our resortReviewed by angiem0217 Review Date: 02/19/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We had ADr and were seated right away. new renovation was really nice. Seated right by the window and had a great view of the fireworks. It was amazing. The food is awesome. It was me, husband and 6 year old son. The children's menu really did not have anything a 6 year old would like and he did not eat. I would not go back and take a child. This is a very nice upscale restaurant and if you want a nice dinner with no kids, this is the place to go.
Pros:
food, locationCons:
childrens menuReviewed by mawdryn Review Date: 03/18/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
My husband and I dined here for his birthday dinner on March 8th. We had reservations at 6:55pm and arrived at 6:45. We were seated right away.
Our table was just ok. We had to go outside to view "Wishes." But, that was fine, the view on the deck was amazing.
We were on deluxe dining, so for appetizers, we had the ravioli and California roll. For our entrees, we had the bison and dragon roll. Dessert consisted of the seasonal tasting and the creme brulee. Everything we ate was delicious and fresh.
The service was VERY slow and often lacked the kind of attention one would receive at a high end restaurant. The entire meal took over 3 hours. Our waitress was so loaded down with tables, that she couldn't provide adequate or reliable service. That's the best way to describe it.
I saw her leave our bread where the wine glasses are housed, and bring it to our table 20 minutes later. Needlesstosay, it was cold. She did comp us a glass of wine and a cup of coffee. We didn't even have to ask for it.
I would totally dine here again, just hope for better service.
Pros:
Location, View of MK Fireworks, and FoodCons:
ServiceReviewed by Staceylanee Review Date: 04/19/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
I'm saddened to read some of the negative responses concerning CG. My husband and I dined there Nov 2013 and it was incredible. We've enjoyed most of Disney's finer eating establishments and this is by far one of our favorites. Everything from start to finish was done with excellence. We had the rock shrimp salad, the dragon roll, short-ribs, and filet. The wine selection is outstanding. Planning to dine at CG again in May with a group of girlfriends! I would recommend CG over and over again!
Pros:
Amazing food, wine, service, and view.Cons:
NoneReviewed by fdmarks Review Date: 04/29/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We thought we would treat ourselves to a special night out and were not disappointed. My DD loves the MK fireworks but is not fond of the crowds rushing to leave the MK afterwards, do dining here was perfect. We only waited about five minutes to be seated and the view of the MK was perfect. My DD had the tomato flatbread and loved it. My DS decided on the roasted surf and turf and said it was quite good. My wife tried the octopus salad and thought the artichokes were a nice touch to the dish. I ordered the charcuterie and thought it was the best I have ever tasted. My DD had the dragon roll and shared it with my DS who had the shrimp salad. My wife ordered the farmer salad. We were not rushed and harried by the wait staff and leisurely took our time to order the entrees. I tried the bison tenderloin and thought it was quite good. It was different from what is offered at Artist Point. My wife had the veal chop and thought the presentation and taste of the food was superb. My DS tried the scallops and grits. He liked the scallops but the grits were not his favorite part of the meal. My DD loved the seafood stew. The waitress suggested we try the cabernet sauvignon to complement our meal and we were glad she did. Watching the fireworks while finishing up the meal with a great desert was such a treat. My wife and I had the chocolate pudding cake, my DD tried the sundae, and my DS had a crème Brule. To finish the evening, my wife ordered a cucumber fizz and I had a blue martini. The bill with a 20% tip came to $585, but it was worth it in service, quality, and variety of food choices. This is one of our favorite places to dine and relax after a hard day of walking around the parks.
Pros:
Stellar service, superb suisine, fireworksCons:
Can be priceyReviewed by BWK0701 Review Date: 06/23/2014
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
This is very hard to write since California Grill is one of my all time favorite restaurants. At first we were seated in front of the new kitchen which is extremely loud could not hear our own conversation, after requesting another table we were moved to an excellent location, waitress was nice. Food was not prepared correctly after pointing this out service and food quality went horribly wrong. After almost 2 hours of a very bad experience my party of three finally got out without desert or viewing fireworks. When concerns were brought to management they were basically ignored.
