California Grill worth it?

Meacave

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jan 4, 2017
I planned a date night dinner for upcoming trip in May. My husband is not into fancy places to eat and thinks it's a waste of money. Me on the otherhand enjoy fine dining. I would like to get input on your experiences and if if you felt it was worth the price?
 
Absolutely! It's my favorite restaurant anywhere. We were there for 4 nights last week and ate at the California grill twice. Love it!!
 
it was the best meal of our trip and the next thing I will be reviewing in my dining review. My son ordered the filet plain with mac and cheese on the side and it was his hands down favorite meal of the trip. He seriously nearly sat there moaning and saying "yummy yummy yum" between bites, lol. So yes while expensive it was so worth it. It was perfect from beginning to end and if you can request a server, you cannot go wrong with Jenny O.
 


You know you can enjoy without buying the expensive entrees. Last two times we all shared the appetizer flatbreads (delicious and big) and sushi.
 
The entree sizes aren't huge portions but more than adequate for our group. They are typical of fine dining and are smaller than fast-casual restaurants. They are sized assuming people will be ordering multiple courses which we always do.
 
it was the best meal of our trip and the next thing I will be reviewing in my dining review. My son ordered the filet plain with mac and cheese on the side and it was his hands down favorite meal of the trip. He seriously nearly sat there moaning and saying "yummy yummy yum" between bites, lol. So yes while expensive it was so worth it. It was perfect from beginning to end and if you can request a server, you cannot go wrong with Jenny O.
Wow mac & cheese and filet. Sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to going.
 


The entree sizes aren't huge portions but more than adequate for our group. They are typical of fine dining and are smaller than fast-casual restaurants. They are sized assuming people will be ordering multiple courses which we always do.
I did see flatbreads and other apps. It would be nice to sample a few things before main entree. Thanks for input.
 
We have eaten there on our last 3 trips and love the experience and it was my in-laws favorite meal of the trip this time which is funny because my husband and I just decided we probably won't be back when we go this year. It's enjoyable and unique and we like the restaurant but we aren't big eaters and skip the dining plan because we order small and rarely want dessert but even after each eating an entree and dessert, we were both hungry within an hour. Maybe we should have ordered appetizers as well? Maybe we were hungry because we don't like the bread?
 
You know you can enjoy without buying the expensive entrees. Last two times we all shared the appetizer flatbreads (delicious and big) and sushi.
Yes I did see those options. Thanks for reminding me of them. I'm looking fwd to trying it out. Thanks.
 
Since my mouth is watering terribly from the memory of our last meal at Cali Grill I thought a few pics were worth a thousand words.
I had the pork duo. This is one half of the plate
13495304_1179049602140476_5297232298976249741_n.jpg



This is the second half of the pork duo
13511019_1179049635473806_156899592420821718_n.jpg


I had the Zellwood corn and crab soup as my appetizer. With it being cold out now I could honestly eat a gallon of this soup right now.
13516583_1179049535473816_5534650479549611361_n.jpg



The view from my seat and of course I'm sure you've seen pics from out of the outside on the terrace area so yes...yes...yes...it is worth it.
13516314_1179049512140485_701046684551003397_n.jpg
 
Wow mac & cheese and filet. Sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to going.
well the filet comes with other sides, but she was happy to sub the kids mac and cheese, which is actually a housemade mac and cheese and was quite good according to my molten cheese loving child (he had commentary about the various mac and cheeses he had and said this was the best). It was a HUGE portion too. Just figured if your husband is not into fancy food it might be an option. A little preview for you:
20161204_174505_zps2osorc0u.jpg
 
Since my mouth is watering terribly from the memory of our last meal at Cali Grill I thought a few pics were worth a thousand words.
I had the pork duo. This is one half of the plate
13495304_1179049602140476_5297232298976249741_n.jpg



This is the second half of the pork duo
13511019_1179049635473806_156899592420821718_n.jpg


I had the Zellwood corn and crab soup as my appetizer. With it being cold out now I could honestly eat a gallon of this soup right now.
13516583_1179049535473816_5534650479549611361_n.jpg



The view from my seat and of course I'm sure you've seen pics from out of the outside on the terrace area so yes...yes...yes...it is worth it.
13516314_1179049512140485_701046684551003397_n.jpg
Oh
Since my mouth is watering terribly from the memory of our last meal at Cali Grill I thought a few pics were worth a thousand words.
I had the pork duo. This is one half of the plate
13495304_1179049602140476_5297232298976249741_n.jpg



This is the second half of the pork duo
13511019_1179049635473806_156899592420821718_n.jpg


I had the Zellwood corn and crab soup as my appetizer. With it being cold out now I could honestly eat a gallon of this soup right now.
13516583_1179049535473816_5534650479549611361_n.jpg



The view from my seat and of course I'm sure you've seen pics from out of the outside on the terrace area so yes...yes...yes...it is worth it.
13516314_1179049512140485_701046684551003397_n.jpg
Oh my goodness. Food looks so good & great presentation. Any doubts I had are gone. Thanks for sharing.
 
Since my mouth is watering terribly from the memory of our last meal at Cali Grill I thought a few pics were worth a thousand words.
I had the pork duo. This is one half of the plate
13495304_1179049602140476_5297232298976249741_n.jpg



This is the second half of the pork duo
13511019_1179049635473806_156899592420821718_n.jpg


I had the Zellwood corn and crab soup as my appetizer. With it being cold out now I could honestly eat a gallon of this soup right now.
13516583_1179049535473816_5534650479549611361_n.jpg



The view from my seat and of course I'm sure you've seen pics from out of the outside on the terrace area so yes...yes...yes...it is worth it.
13516314_1179049512140485_701046684551003397_n.jpg
I had the old version of the pork in 2014 and got the filet this time but wish I got the pork. You made me wish more. I think next time we might hit this place up twice. it was that good.
 
well the filet comes with other sides, but she was happy to sub the kids mac and cheese, which is actually a housemade mac and cheese and was quite good according to my molten cheese loving child (he had commentary about the various mac and cheeses he had and said this was the best). It was a HUGE portion too. Just figured if your husband is not into fancy food it might be an option. A little preview for you:
20161204_174505_zps2osorc0u.jpg
Nice to know they can accommodate.
 
I've been there, but I think there are better values elsewhere on the property, even for fine dining. For example, Jiko and Artist Point are a bit less pricey and are quite good. If you have your heart set on California Grill, maybe you and your husband can share an entrée. The entrée portions are large enough to share.
 
As DaisyDuck001 said Jiko and Artist Point are fantastic too. The only nudge over them I'd give Cali Grill is being able to watch fireworks from the observation deck but at Jiko we've taken time to check out the animals and sip a little wine before dinner... they're all yummy lol.
 
I did see flatbreads and other apps. It would be nice to sample a few things before main entree. Thanks for input.

I can very highly recommend the goat cheese ravioli, kazan roll, and pork two ways. The filet is great also.
 

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