California Grill

07/08/2008 Posted by jenheidir

It’s pricey for sure, reservations typically need to be made way in advance, and the same clothes you wore to the theme parks that day might not be appropriate at this upscale restaurant. Nonetheless, this is my favorite restaurant in the entire world. The views in this penthouse restaurant on top of the Contemporary hotel are spectacular, especially at sunset and when the fireworks shows are going on next door at the Magic Kingdom. The food is equally exquisite, especially the art-like sushi plates and the flavorful flatbread pizzas. Be sure to save room for dessert! The apple pie I had was AMAZING!

Pros: views, food, service, ambience

Cons: expensive, reservations usually necessary

04/13/2008 Posted by cutebirdie

Well, if you read the other reviews on this restaurant, it should convince you to pack your bags or get in your car if you live close enough and make your way straight to the California Grill. Our first experience was back in 2001--AWESOME! Next, we went in 2004 (2 x during our 5 day visit to Disney World)--AWESOME AGAIN! And then we just got back two days ago from Disney World and of course, eating at the California Grill--IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING HOW PLEASED WE WERE. I would recommend you make reservations at least 3 months in advance. If you don't like to preplan, they will still seat you w/o a reservation, but you will eat in the bar/lounge area--not bad, but you feel awkward sitting in Lazy Boy style chairs or on a sofa while downing one of their mouth watering meals--can put a damper on the ambience. Each time we've gone to this restaurant, we have NEVER been disappointed. The sushi is outstanding and fresh; in fact, I think their head sushi chef (a woman?) is world renown for her craft. The service is over the top!! We enjoy quality food and this restaurant definitely deserves recognition for giving their customers the best. I suggest if you do visit Disney World, to patronize this restaurant, as well as the Flying Fish Cafe (on the Boardwalk outside of the Epcot Center). Enjoy!!

Pros: Food, View, Service, Atmosphere

Cons: Need to reserve months in advance

02/04/2008 Posted by vgonzalez3

July 2007 my hubby & I went here to celebrate my birthday. Our table had Mickey Confetti on it & the best view in the house! Space Mountain, Cinderallas Castle, the Grand Floridian, all right there. Then we met Ron, our waiter. What a great guy! He went over the wine menus with us, asked us to ponder if we wanted dessert (as they take some time to make) was off to get water & main menus with a sincerely meant "Let's have some fun tonight!"We tried the spicy sensation sushi appetizer. Ick! The fish was not fresh, the nori was so dry you could hardly chew it, and the sauce was more like a goopy gravy. We had a couple bites, then pushed the rest aside. Certainly not up to the standards I expected.That's the only bad expereince. We then moved on to the Goat Cheese Ravioli & a Peach/Walnut Frisee salad. Both were yummy, but the Ravioli was to die for! It was served in a nice broth, not a sauce, which was nice to see.For dinner I had the beef tenderloin with bacon/garlic mashed potatoes and haircot verts w/garlic. Hubby had the snapper with a coconut curry lime sauce & asian rice patty. My tenderlon was very good! The sauce was yummy & the potatoes were awesome. Hubbys was very good. Fresh, not a bit fishy, a lovely light sauce and fantastic presentation. We tried four wines.A Riesling with the sushi. A great combo if the sushi had been to par. Then 3 different Cabernets. We really dont' do dessert but it being my birthday they brought a special sliver of dark chocolate with Happy Birthday from the California Grill on it. Dinner came to $200 but with our DDE we saved 20%. Afterwards we went out on the catwalk & took pictures of the fantastic sunset.All in all, a great evening, very good food, nice wine selection (albeit it from California) great service! NOT a place for the kids! Everyone was actually dressed to code the evening we went but I can see how a bunch of down dressers could ruin the mood for some. A lesser server could ruin this terrific experience

Pros: Great service, nice wines, delicious food

Cons: Tourists who dont obey dress codes and/or bring their kids

07/28/2007 Posted by buell22

Have had the pleasure of eating at the California Grill several times. Absolutely nothing compares to it. Like trying to explain a Lexus to a devoted Cadillac owner. WHO CARES where you sit..there are NO bad views..Last time we sat in front of the kitchen and watched the cooks...what a treat!! Service, Food, everything is Magic as Disney puts it.... But like anything else like it in it's class...if you have to ask "How Much?"...this place isn't for you!! Just try to find a post meal treat like watching the Magical Kingdom fireworks show on top of the Contemporary Resort after your meal...Eye Level..That itself is worth the price of admission...Can't wait until next year..am already saving up my change..

Pros: Food, Service, Ambience...one of a kind experience.

Cons: Not for the weak of wallet kind or then non- appreciater of the finer side of life's experiences.

05/06/2007 Posted by princesskim

We went to the California Grill on 4/7/07 to celebrate my son's 10th birthday. I was unsure about going there because of his age and the price on the menu but that is where he watned to go and we went. It was fabulous. We had a window seat and watched the sunset which was fabulous. The service was beyond great. The food is fabulous. We had the filet of beef that was to die for.The firebread and sushi melted in your mouth.I don't think there is anything on the menu that could possibly be bad.We came back later that evening to watch the fireworks from the rooftop and it was unbelievable.They made sure to help us make this the best birthday possible for my son. I would recommend this to anyone that wants to experience a really nice evening. It is not stuffy and made to feel uncomfortable by any means.It is warm and inviting and everyone working there wants to make sure you have a great time. The experience is worth the price.The only thing that bothered me when we went was another family was there with there teenage daughters that were dressed horribly.They were told about their attire but put on sweatshirts to cover themselves. They had on short shorts and it was not acceptable for dinner. Other than that one incedent I would recommend everyone to dine there.I will be going every year I come back to Disney!

Pros: Fabulous- only great things to say about it

03/24/2006 Posted by genkidama20

My wife and I were amazed at the excellent food, service, and atmosphere. First of all, the service was incredible. Our waiter, Ron, was super friendly. He talked to us about everything, even his future career plans. He was very quick to serve us and made sure our drinks were full and food was good. Secondly, the food was great. Definately worth the price. Try the sushi, even if you don't like seafood. It will make you think twice. The sushi chef is supposedly among top 10 in Florida sushi chefs. Lastly, the view was incredible at night. You got to see almost all of the Disney Resort area. And seeing the Magical Kingdom lit up with fireworks, was to say the least, "magical". Price is high, but quality is high too. You get what you pay for. Make sure you make reservations 3-5 of weeks ahead of time.

Pros: Great Food, Awesome Service, Romantic Atmosphere

Cons: Pricey

12/05/2005 Posted by juliep15

We have had a wonderful time during each trip we have made to the California Grill. The food is amazing (try the romaine salad with green goddess dressing and any type of sushi), the view is really neat, and the menu has something for everyone, including kids. The servers that we have had were very knowledgeable and their wine selections were great. It is especially fun to sit at the sushi bar, because the chefs are really fun. We had a great experience. Make sure to get priority seating as soon as you can in advance, because it fills up quick. Very much worth the price!

Pros: Food, Service, View

01/27/2004 Posted by ag2001

This restaurant has a GREAT view of Cinderella's castle and the fireworks. Just be sure to get a seat overlooking the Magic Kingdom when you dine here. Unfortunately, the restaurant thought they were doing us a favor by seating us in a more 'private area' which we overlooked nothing but darkness. The food was wonderful and I highly recommend the california rolls for an appetizer!

Pros: atmosphere, service, food

Cons: price

11/04/2003 Posted by cgingras

This is a fantastic restaurant! We spent our first dinner in Orlando here, with our 6-year old daughter. Since this restaurant overlooks Cinderella's castle and the fireworks, it's a magnet for families with kids, so it's quite noisy. Our evening started off badly because the folks at Disney quoted us the wrong time for the fireworks and we ended up missing them. However, our server "Ron" made up for it! He was pleasant, suggested a fabulous appetizer of Tempura-style breaded "Sushi" (words don't do it justice!). We had a great pork tenderloin with creamy polenta and the most spectacular kids' mac & cheese we've ever had. Definitely worth visiting, albeit a little pricey.

Pros: view, service, food

Cons: noisy, parking, crowded

01/22/2003 Posted by Krazeygirl222

My husband and I celebrated our 2nd aniversary at the California Grill and it was a night to remember!!! We had priority seating at 8:00, so when we arrived we requested a table by the window. We had to wait 15 min. for our table, but we didn't mind, we sat in the lounge area at a table by the window and had some cocktails overlooking the castle. Our table was perfect by the window, off to the side so it was a little more private than some of the other tables. Our server was attentive, but not in our face all the time, our every need was met and then some. And his recommedations were excellent. The pork eggrolls with a spicy voo-doo sauce were surperb! All in all we had a wonderful experience at the California Grill and would recomend it to anyone..... So enjoy!!

Pros: View, Food, Service

Cons: Kids, A little bright