California Grill - Picture Report - Relive the experience! ADDED MAY '09 Pics Page 23

[ehagerty]

Duplicate

[Need An E Ticket]

I don't want to be rude and hijack this thread, Ehagerty, those shots were very nice!!

I would like to know if you can eat on the balcony, or if there is a lounge that will serve dinner there. I have the pleasure of a business trip next week in Orlando and I am staying a couple of extra days, but I will be solo and would prefer not to take up a table.

Again, sorry to alter this post, hopefully I can post some shots next week and make up for it, although I am sure mine will not compare.

[Need An E Ticket]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1324152

Ok, I just didn't dig far enough.

Carry on with this post and ignore my intrusions.

[ehagerty]

I haven't read the solo links, but I presume it is all encouragement for not giving it a second thought - go, do, eat, enjoy.

I have a solo reservation for Victoria & Albert's in March - wait listed for the Chef's Table. Told them not to waste it on me - a solo - but the lady assured me that the size of the table doesn't matter and it is frequently a table for one. If that is true for V&A, it would have to be true for all the restaurants!

Look forward to your pictures!

[dawgfan]

Thanks for the review.

[ehagerty]

Originally Posted by dawgfan

Thanks for the review.

My pleasure - really!!

[ehagerty]

Lobster






Flatbread

[ehagerty]

Yellowfin Tuna, Three Ways

[ehagerty]

[ehagerty]

Strawberry






Chocolate Cake






Birthday Slice

[ehagerty]

Cheese Plate










Click here to go to next set of pictures

[Disney_Fanatic]

This might be a dumb question:

Can all (most) of the tables at CG watch the Wishes fireworks comfortably at their tables? Do we have to walk to the balcony and fight for a nice spot before Wishes starts? DBf was saying that he would eat at CG if we could watch Wishes at the dining table comfortably. He said the point of eating a CG this upcoming trip is that we could have a nice view of Wishes at our table without standing on our feet at the park. What should I do? I really want to eat at CG!!!

[PrincessTiff]

Amazing pictures, thanks for sharing!

[ehagerty]

Originally Posted by Disney_Fanatic

This might be a dumb question:

Can all (most) of the tables at CG watch the Wishes fireworks comfortably at their tables?

I would say that the tables close to the windows can probably view the fireworks from the tables, but it is my understanding that you cannot hear the accompanying music. My recollection is that they "moved" the music (speakers) out of the dining room, to the balcony as a result of people crowding the windows (and, therefore, the people sitting at table windows) to watch the fireworks.

At present, if you want a visual and audio fireworks experience, you must watch from balcony. Servers will allow you to step away from your table - and hold whatever course is pending until you return - to watch them. Another option would be to time the end of you meal with a comfortable transition to the balcony (my preference). A third is to return to balcony, with a gap between eating and viewing.

Since the music is, for me, an integral part of enjoying Wishes, I would not like to view from within the restaurant.

It is my experience that the balcony is not typically "crowded" - it is full, but comfortable amount of space between patrons.

In summary, it depends on the kind of fireworks experience you want. For example, if you want to propose - where your conversation is all the audio you need / want - with fireworks as a romantic, but silent, experience, by all means, view from your table. If you think you might dine here more than once, try once from your table and once from the balcony - then you will know which you will prefer.

[shovan]

Originally Posted by ehagerty

When can we expect the photo-journal of your birthday meal?? I look forward to your pictures!!!

The Canon is a great camera - not the only great camera, but a great camera that I know. If you are already a reasonably skilled photographer (lighting, composition), you will love the results. The beauty of digital is that you can take many pictures and delete the inferior ones!

These are my hints for food photography (there are books, but most of us can't think in terms of full checklists when taking a picture):

1. Patience - it's human nature to start eating as soon as the plate hits the table. Take a deep breath, lean back and view the plate like you would a flower.

1. Photo Check - I usually check for 3 simple things, just before - and after - taking the shot (to determine need for retake):

• Focus- is it sharp?

• Light- too bright? not bright enough? (how to correct for these is a longer thread)

• Composition / Clutter- are there crumpled napkins, dirty silverware, half an elbow, etc. in the shot? Depending on placement, some can be cropped out, but frequently, they cannot.

Kind of like an internlized photo-mantra "Sharp-Light-Clutter"...

Oh, and tell your server to ask Chef Jens what he recommends that night. Let them know you've seen the pictures and your expectations are HIGH!!

Thanks for the tips! I was just going to ask how you do it! Those pics are gorgeous! Love them! Now CG is going to be a must do for us. I'll have to start practicing more at home on my food shots!