Reviews of California Grill
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Menus at California Grill
Reviewed by EricSINY Review Date: 10/03/2021
Rating: (7) Not Recommended
Ate at California Grill for first time this evening after coming to Disney for almost 14 years. The view from the balcony was amazing and seeing the new fireworks show this way was a special experience. Sorry to say that the food was not a very special experience. Not to say it was bad in any way but for the price and compared to the ambience and decor it was disappointing. They were out of the rib eye (!) and the filet that was served was way under done. I love meat on more the rare side and ordered it medium rare and it was rare to the point where I almost sent it back. I actually loved my meal at Toledo earlier in week so much more. I also felt that for a place that seems to pride itself on a “dress code” there were a lot of people who weren’t even close to what I expected.
Pros:
View of Magic Kingdom fireworks. Decor. Cheese Platter.Cons:
Cost.Reviewed by Piccaso7 Review Date: 07/13/2021
Rating: (7) Not Recommended
Nothing special here. The food is okay, but certainly not great. It’s uninspired and average. California food is usually much
fresher with more robust flavors. California Grill falls short. I will not be returning. Service is good and the view is amazing.
Pros:
Beautiful view. Good serviceCons:
Bland uninspired food.Reviewed by Mattingly5 Review Date: 07/07/2015
Rating: (7) Recommended
We have dined at the California Grill several times before so we had certain expectations. We expect a good meal and we expect the prices to be completely inflated, but in return, we always get some magic (especially because I try to time our meal around the fireworks). Our most recent meal was on July 5, 2015. We entered the elevator and the gentleman manning the buttons had a Disney badge on, but since he didn't say a word the whole trip up, and by the uniform he had on, we thought he was a maintenance worker. The waitstaff, as it turns out, wears the same uniform just with an apron so they look a little more like restaurant servers. When we got upstairs, nobody greated us or told us to check in at the desk (which is closer to the bathrooms than the dining room). Our bright spot was our table location so we could view the fireworks from our seat. Beyond that, the server we had was not very friendly, didn't go out of her way to make recommendations or even to banter. We didn't get an pixie dust from anybody "upstairs". We had just sailed on the Disney Dream where we had been spoiled and attended to -- something you grow to expect when paying Disney prices.
Pros:
The viewCons:
Wait staff , uniformsReviewed by mindylee847 Review Date: 03/02/2015
Rating: (7) Recommended
I ate here for the first time the last week of February 2015. The views were a-MAZing up there. I had high hopes for the food.
I ordered the mushroom flatbread for an appetizer and this was the best I've ever had. Absolutely delicious.
I ordered the vegetarian squash ravioli and the ravioli was great, but it was sitting on top of some of the saltiest spinach I've ever had in my life.
Dessert was very lackluster. Nothing seemed that amazing. I had the sundae sampler since it seemed fun. The tiny soda bottle was cute, but the food was very average.
I don't know if I'd rush back for the prices they have. It's also hard knowing that I'll know what I'll be getting before going as a vegetarian. Limited options as far as entrees go.
Pros:
Views, FlatbreadsCons:
Salty Food, PriceReviewed by SharW Review Date: 10/20/2014
Rating: (7) Not Recommended
Definitely has gone downhill. Trying to make menu too fancy. Have gone here each year for the past 12 years but will be taking it off our schedule for next years visit. Waitress was very nice but we get great service and better food elsewhere at Disney.
Pros:
Great view of Magic KingdomCons:
food not that great and very costlyReviewed by Jade Review Date: 11/12/2020
Rating: (6) Not Recommended
California Grill is a signature dining experience at the Contemporary resort. You will need to take a specific elevator to go up to the restaurant. California Grill is very sleek and modern with floor to ceiling windows with a view of the Magic Kingdom. They have an open kitchen so you can see all the chefs at work. They use ingredients that are in season so their menu changes a lot. We went for dinner at 6:25. We didn't have a window table but our server said that we could pause our meal at 8 when the fireworks started and go outside to watch the show. They pipe in the music and you get a spectacular view if Happily Ever After. We started with the complimentary sourdough bread which is served with olive oil and tomatoes. The bread was fresh from the oven and tasty. Next, for appetizers we tried the Sonoma Goat cheese ravioli and the California roll sampler. The ravioli was very flavorful and the sushi was very fresh. For entrees my boyfriend ordered the ramen and I had bison with Gouda macaroni and cheese. The entrees were just okay which was a bit disappointing since they were the most expensive part of the meal. For dessert we sampled the warm chocolate cake and butter pecan sorbet. The cake was really good! As an extra surprise our server brought me a complimentary cupcake lit up for my birthday. Overall this meal was just okay. The best part was definitely the fireworks show. Some other tips: you can actually go to the lounge without a reservation and still get an awesome view of the fireworks! The lounge is full service and sells all of the food from the restaurant. Also, they have two outdoor areas for viewing the fireworks. The one closest to the elevators is a "better" view but more crowded. Finally, if you are a pin trader ask to see their wine cork pin board at the check in desk.
Pros:
Beautiful restaurant with view of Magic KingdomCons:
Food could be better, expensiveReviewed by Tamara Ervin Review Date: 09/27/2018
Rating: (6) Recommended
I wanted to like this restaurant more than I did. I had heard so many good things about it, and I was excited to get a reservation. We lined it up so we would see the fireworks during dinner. That didn't happen, there was a delay. Not their fault, but disappointing nonetheless. The location is beyond beautiful. The food was a bit too high brow for us. I couldn't pronounce half the menu, and it was a 1 page menu to start. Experience was worth it, but not sure I will go back.
Pros:
Beautiful location, peaceful dinnerCons:
Menu could use expandingReviewed by disney 522 Review Date: 03/02/2016
Rating: (6) Recommended
The first word that comes to mind is disappointed - we first ate here 2 years ago and i have been dying to return - i was so excited this time when we were able to fit it in to our trip - however, i will not make another reservation here - first of all, the dress code policy applies to no one! There were the sloppiest looking people eating there - i know we are on vacation and busy all day but i did like the fact that we could have one night of getting dressed nicely(khakis) and have a Nice dinner atmosphere - then the food was not nearly as good as i remember - it was no better than any other higher scale chain restaurant - i did like the new decor and we had a wonderful view of the fireworks but really if i was not on the dining plan i would have been upset for the amount i would have paid for a just ok meal
Pros:
Great atmosphereCons:
Not as good as previousReviewed by LLSS Review Date: 09/30/2014
Rating: (6) Recommended
My wife and I went for an anniversary dinner to California Grill. The view is absolutely spectacular.
We started with the appetizer meatballs. The flavoring was great, though they were a bit dry. We had the fillet and Seafood pilaf for our meals. The filet was good, but far from the best I have ever had. The seafood pilaf was actually quite good. We each had desserts which were good, but once again, not over the top great.
After dinner we hung around to see the fireworks from the deck, which was quite spectacular. Honestly, you are paying for the view here, not the food. The food was good, but nothing to write home about for the price we paid. Next time I think we will head elsewhere for a bit better food.
Pros:
View, good foodCons:
Very expensive for what you getReviewed by 1283alex Review Date: 05/23/2013
Rating: (6) Not Recommended
Location is nice being high up with view and all, but food was average - didn't really feel it was worth extra dining plan points - wouldn't go back again on dining plan or as a paying customer - have been to a lot of fine dining restaurants & this one is simply over-rated - have ate at many other restaurant on Disney property that are better than this
