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California Grill, Contemporary Resort
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Who: Moms and Two Kids
Where: California Grill
When: 05/12/08
What: Dinner: Cheese ravioli, steak, grilled pork with polenta, and others, plus dessert.
Approximate Price of Entrees: $ per person or total $ for a family of (#)
Rate the following (1-5, five being the best!)
Food: Five!
Service: Five
Atmosphere: Five
Okay for Children: Yes, but only if they are very well-behaved. The five-year old in our group was BORED. I actually saw fewer kids there than I expected.
Okay for Couples: Yes, absolutely. It's a nice place for mom and dad when they want a break from the kids.
Be Sure to Try: Everything is good. We had picky eaters and all were pleased. Of course, the pork tenderloin with polenta is kind of famous among us disney nerds.
General tips: Reserve far in advance (as soon as 180 days out if possible). Smaller groups (say two people vs six) will find it harder to get a table closer to their desired time. Ask about sitting in the quieter wine room. The dress code is pretty casual officiall, but I felt underdressed compared to the other patrons--dress up if you can. It's a lovely place.
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: You can park at the hotel if you are driving; otherwise, use Disney transportation. If you are going during free dining, make a reservation way in advance.
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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