Who's eaten at the California Grill ?

[tundramom]

We have an extra table credit due to a late arrival on the first night, attempted to get Brown Derby with no success. So I went with the Cali Grill, I did get a time that coincides with Wishes thanks to the tips on here My question is... what is your experience at the Cali? We are not big gourmet foodies and do not drink. We enjoy good flavor and will try about anything but no seafood for us. Tips anyone? Looking forward to your replies, thanks

[mousetrapper]

Our family of four really liked it, but we do enjoy gourmet foods. It's such a treat once in a while. The food, service and atmosphere at CG are so nice, and you really can't beat the view of the fireworks from the top of the Contemporary.

I hope you enjoy it!

[awaggett]

You will enjoy Cali Grill--my favorite entrees are the pork loin and the fillet. Either of these should work for you. The service is great, and Wishes makes the experience awesome. Have fun!

[SBETigg]

We eat there every trip. We love it. The Sonoma goat cheese ravioli is incredible, as well as the sushi. If you're less adventurous, there are still many appetizers to please, a cheese plate, flatbreads. The entrees, the pork tenderloin and oak fired filet are excellent. I haven't had the chicken, but I imagine it's pretty good, too. I've never had a bad meal there.

If you're adults without kids and looking for a quieter atmosphere, ask for the wine room (not necessary to drink wine, but no kids allowed). The wine room overlooks Bay Lake toward Epcot, so if you want a fireworks view, you will have to go to the observation deck.

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

I'm not an adventurous eater but the food & service here was fantastic! Probably one of our best meals of the trip.

[ransam]

we did that when i was a kid. i still have the family picture we took on my wall.
my whole family is going again. I'm hoping we can all take a pic together again.

[Disneyfun]

You really can't go wrong with Cali Grill - best food in Orlando IMHO! My DW and I used to eat there for our anniversaries when we lived in Kissimmee. Going during wishes is SOOOOOOOO spectacular! Extremely magical! You will love it!

Be advised - Cali Grill is 2 TS credits per person, so if you only have 1 TS per person, you will not have enough credits to use them for the meal.

[allentownguy]

we love the cali grill and have eaten there a few times and it is a great spot to watch the fireworks. just so you know the menu always changes!!! what they may have this week they may not have next week. they always have a steak, fish and chicken dish if you don't see it just ask
the one real cool thing about the cali grill is if you cant get reservation at night to see "wishes" but you ate there earlier in the evening just ask the matradee for wrist bands that get you back to the observation deck to watch the show
i hope this helped.

we have 11 days and counting till we get the "welcome home"
ASM aug22-28

[epceddie]

We ate at the California Grille on our honeymoon and neither of us really liked it.
The food was good, but it was a little too gourmet for our tastes and we were glad we were there on the dining plan, because paying OOP would have put a big dent in my wallet.
We were able to watch Wishes from the observation patio. That was really nice and Newt Gingrich (a former Speaker of the House) was there holding the patio door open and saying hi to everyone after the fireworks.

[A Mouse Fan]

GO FOR IT! We went to the Cali Grille for the first time in November 2008 and I would bet we will never go to WDW without visiting that restaurant! My DH is a meat and potatoes man and LOVED the restaurant. They have plenty of options for you to choose. You will not regret going!!

[SurferStitch]

DH and I love Cali Grill, and dine there every trip!

We love gourmet food, so it's right up our alley, but they aren't as fancy as a place like V&A.

The filet is awesome. I've had it several times. I'm a big seafood eater, so I almost always get a seafood dish. I'll concur on the goat cheese ravioli appetizer..... The flatbreads are also incredible.

We've almost always had phenomenal service there (with the exception of one visit). Last year our server treated us to complimentary champagne and desserts. We were there almost 3 hours because neither our server, nor ourselves, were in any hurry. We had an amazing view of Wishes from our table.

We plan to go back there in December, but I haven't nailed down a night yet.

[TinksDH]

The view is awesome, the food is great, and the atmosphere is really nice. Highly suggest that you go.

It's gourmet, but continental, so nothing too over the top. And the menu is varied enough that even folks who prefer things a little less fancy can still find a least a dish or two.

The flatbread appetizers are good, and if you are into sushi they have a good selection sushi appetizers as well. Or at least they did last December.

It's our favorite restaurant, but a little pricey (when you get a drink, wine and desert). With our family of 5 we don't eat there every trip, but every second or third.

[tundramom]

Thanks for all of the replies! I actually just found the MENU section on WDW site and looked at Cali and Brown Derby and now I'm really excited about The California Grill. We will be using 2 TS credits, does anyone know what exactly we can get? They have categories "Flatbreads", "Sushi", "First Course", and "Main Course" and of course "Desserts". I know we get at least Main Course and Desserts, I figure the flatbreads and sushi are appetizers, but what about the "first course"/ salad category?

[SBETigg]

If you're on the deluxe plan, you get an appetizer/main course/dessert, appetizers which can come out of Flatbreads, Sushi, or the First Course/salads selections. If you're on the regular DP, your two credits will get you a main course and dessert selection. But I'm not sure if they would let you swap something like a sushi out for your main course selection. It might be worth adding an appetizer course out of pocket, though, depending on your budget.

[kemps@wdw]

I wasn't too impressed w/the food, I'm not much on the type of gourmet cuisine they have there. A ittle pricey for someone like me (extremely picky). If it hadn't been for the "Wishes" viewing, I probably would have chosen somewhere else. That being said, DH did find a couple of things on the menu he liked, and D-SIL says they have the best sushi she's ever had!

[jenperich]

We are eating there in October. Our ADR is at 9:10, Wishes is at 9. Will they let us go up there early to watch Wishes? Also, if they do let us go up early, where is the best place to watch Wishes? Thanks for the help.

[SBETigg]

We are eating there in October. Our ADR is at 9:10, Wishes is at 9. Will they let us go up there early to watch Wishes? Also, if they do let us go up early, where is the best place to watch Wishes? Thanks for the help.

Yes, they will. Show up with plenty of time to spare. I would be there checking in at 8:30, definitely by 8:45. They need to send someone down to escort you up. You check in at the 2nd floor podium.

Then, upstairs, you can get a soft drink/drink or wine at the bar (or not) and take it out to watch the fireworks on the observation deck-- they will direct you once you're there. It's an amazing view. Be sure to note the times of the Electric Water Pageant and try to get a glimpse of that making it's way around once the fireworks are done (maybe inside from your table, if you have a view). Fun!

[jenperich]

Oh my gosh, I get so excited just thinking about it!! We ate at Narcoossee's last year and had the best time. The service was top-notch, the food delicious, and being able to leave our dinner table to watch the fireworks was just wonderful. How romantic it will be to be enjoying a glass of wine while watching Wishes. Do you think they will hold our reservation, knowing we're there until Wishes is done so we can see the whole thing? I hope so! Thanks a bunch!