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TourGuideMIKE


Trip Planning > Walt Disney World > Dining > Reviews > California Grill

TheMouseForLess Restaurant Reviews

California Grill, Contemporary Resort

Attention The Mouse For Less Readers: We are still looking for restaurant reviews. Please help us by filling out the restaurant review form. We appreciate all reviews! Please send any pictures of restaurants, menus or food that you would like to share with other Disney lovers to menu@themouseforless.com.

Who: Jen and Lisa

Where: California Grill, Contemporary Hotel

When: 4/30/2006

What: Dinner: Appetizers: Cheese 3 ways (Abbaye de Bel'loc made from Sheep's milk, San Joaquin Gold Cheddar, Echo Mountain Blue) $11.00, Yellowfin Tuna 3 ways $20.00. Entree: Oak Fired Filet $35.00, Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli(had app as entree) $11.00. Dessert Bananas and Butterscotch "Buzz" $10.00. Bottle of Hahn Cabernet $44.00.

Approximate Price of Entrees: Total $111.62 + tip. ($131 less DDE 20% +tax)

Rate the following (1-5, five being the best!)
Food: 3.5
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 2
Okay for Children: Ummm...probably. There were children there and all were very well behaved...
Okay for Couples: Yes, it's a great place to go for a "grown-up" dinner.
Be Sure to Try: The Cheese appetizer and the Bananas and Butterscotch dessert were to die for!! FANTASTIC!

General tips: Wonderful Deb at the Magic for Less got us a perfect reservation for 9:10pm in order for us to see Wishes at 10pm from there. We actually got a window seat, but it was on the Epcot side (we could see Illuminations off in the distance!) and the Castle was kind of behind me over my shoulder, but we could see Wishes from our table.

TheMouseForLess tips: The best way to save money here is the DDE 20%. This card has saved us hundreds during our three trips we had it for!

Extra Comments: Overall, I have to say we were a little disappointed in this experience. First of all, the atmosphere was LOUD...we expected more of a quiet meal. And it wasn't just children...the place was BUZZING...which all in all isn't bad, just not what we expected. Second, during Wishes we had read that they dim the lights and pipe in the music. Even the announcement stated that, during Wishes, the lights would be dimmed, so if possible, please remain in our seats (or something to that effect). However, the lights were not dimmed, although the music was present. So we went outside to see if it was better, but there was no music (and there was a COLD breeze!) So we still enjoyed Wishes from our table, but it was a little disappointing. Also, our server, Jose, while very nice, was a little absent for most of our meal. He came over once to ask how things were and fortunately it was shortly after he served our meal. My filet, which I ordered medium rare, was medium well...ick...I hardly EVER complain or return a meal, but in this case, I did send it back...and when he brought it back it was at best, medium...still way to done for my tastes, but because Jen was practically finished with her meal (The goat cheese ravioli, which she said was good, not great, but good) I just kept it and ate it. The flavor was very good and the Three cheese potato gratin was AMAZING! I usually do not like potatoes au gratin of any kind, but these were absolutely fantastic! But, after he dropped off the second filet, we didn't see him again for a while...waiting for him after we had finished our meal and wanting to order dessert. Which we did, and that also was out of this world! Also, the three cheese appetizer was great. I would go back here just for the wine, cheese sampler and tuna sampler...all were wonderful. The lounge, by the way, was full with people, all eating at the low tables...definitely something for us to consider in the future. I'm not sure if you can get and ADR for that seating??


Who: The Martin's

Where: California Grill

When: 03/08/06

What: Dinner. APP- flat bread,Quad cheese. He had- 8 oz. Filet I had- California roll (sushi) we shared a dessert and had soft drinks and coffee.

Approximate Price of Entrees: $82.00 total including tip

Rate the following (1-5, five being the best!)
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Okay for Children: ok, but is a nice adult venue.
Okay for Couples: absolutely YES.
Be Sure to Try: Flat breads and Sushi

General tips: Make ADR. You can sit in the lounge and eat or wait for a seat but an ADR at 7:15pm with a request for a window seat put us at the window overlooking MK for wishes. AWESOME!

TheMouseForLess tips: If you want the experience of Wishes from the top of the contemporary but do not want to spend the money for the dinner..... go to check in and ask to go to the lounge for drinks around 7pm and you will see Wishes. There were plenty of people just going to the lounge.

Extra Comments: You do not check in on the 15th floor. You go to the 6th floor, I think?? Then they escort you up to the 15th floor in a private elevator. Very nice.

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