Parks? What Parks? We're Here for the FOOD!**PICS!** COMPLETE!

[Ms. Heimlich]

Thank you so much, this sounds fantastic!! I appreciate you posting it!
So sorry you can't use your pin to return soon! But I am so glad you had such a wonderful time on your trip!

Thanks for the sympathy...

We want to go back soooo bad, but our financial resources need to be used elsewhere!

Thanks for reading!

 

[SunnieRN]

Thanks for the sympathy...

We want to go back soooo bad, but our financial resources need to be used elsewhere!

Thanks for reading!

I so understand the financial end!! And I really enjoyed reading! Thank you for sharing your memories with us!

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

California Grill

I have to say up front… This review will be somewhat lacking compared to previous reviews…

I suppose all the eating/drinking/rich food/quantities of food had begun to catch up with me…

By the time we got to this point in our trip, I was feeling ill. Frankly, after we toured the booths at the F&WF, we went back to POR, and I took a nap and a hot shower. I was NOT feeling well. But I didn’t want to miss our night at California Grill. I had set up the ADR’s just right so we would have the opportunity to see Wishes (actually HalloWishes) from the observation deck.

This was the ONLY repeat restaurant we had booked for this trip. It was the only place we ate at in 2006 that we decided to go back to. Thomas and I were really looking forward to it and I didn’t want to ruin it.

Thomas got me a Sprite to sip and he hung out in our room watching TV and downloading pictures while I “recovered.” I dragged myself out of bed and into the bathroom mirror.

Not a pretty sight. I had horrible bags under my eyes, my face was pale, and my hair looked like I had stuck my finger in a light socket. Ugh.

I fought with my hair and attempted to use a little concealer… It helped… Some.

See?


We finished getting ready and drove over to the CR, parked, and headed in to check in at CG. When we checked in, I requested the Wine Room. Thomas asked “What’s the Wine Room?” I told him it was a private room off the main dining room and was supposed to be very nice. Of course I had read about it on the Dis.

We were allowed up to the bar and found some chairs to wait. We really waited a while. I was glad… More time in between putting food in my body…

Finally, our little pager went off and we were escorted to our table… IN the WINE ROOM!!!



Thomas was thrilled! Later, he told me it was so much better because it was quiet and more secluded. He complimented all the work I had done again! What a guy!

I ordered a glass of wine, hoping I would be able to drink it… Nope. NO such luck. Thomas graciously took it off my hands. It tasted really good, but my stomach wasn’t up for it.

Charles Krug, Carneros-Napa Pinot Noir.


Time to order food…

Nothing sounded good.

Months and months of planning, reading, looking at food porn, salivating, emptying out my drool cup…. AND NOW NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD!

Ack! Why is this happening?

I ate some bread to try to settle my stomach. It kindof helped.

Finally I settled on the Lobster Appetizer.

Fresh Maine Lobster with Hearts of Palm, Avocado, Tomato, Crisp Serrano Ham, and Citrus Vinaigrette.


Maybe under different circumstances this would have been delectable… Delightful…. Yummy! Maybe even mouth wateringly delicious. Not on this night. All I could do was push it around on the plate. It was slimy, cold, and made me want to hurl.

Spicy Sensation. Scallops, Tuna, Avocado, Tobikko, and Fireball Sauce.


Thomas was waiting to eat the Spicy Sensation Sushi again… So his appetizer was a NO BRAINER! He REALLY enjoyed this in 2006. When it came, he took a bite and made a funny face... He hated it. He said there was WAY too much sauce and it was slightly sweet. He wishes, now, that he would have ordered a "plainer" sushi dish.

I was feeling really bad. I hadn't really touched my food. I nearly fled for the ladies room. Just about that time, it was time for HolloWishes. We went out to the observation deck and watched. It was good to breathe the fresh air and get away from the lobster dish...

WOW.


Those fireworks all the way around the MK are AMAZING from up there!!


When the fireworks were over, we returned to our table… And….

Miraculously, I felt better.

This was the best bit of magic I had ALL week!

Time for some entrees!!

 

[davinakb]

Finally, our little pager went off and we were escorted to our table… IN the WINE ROOM!!! ... Thomas was thrilled! Later, he told me it was so much better because it was quiet and more secluded.

We love the wine room at CaliGrill, it is nice and quiet, great for a relaxing dinner. Sorry to read you were not feeling well, couldn't fully enjoy your dinner.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Glad you're back with an update sorry you weren't feeling well, but great to hear you got sprinkled with some pixie dust

 

[kabuki]

I am sorry you didn't feel well! Thank you for the pics of the wine room. My husband and I love the food at Cal. Grill but are always sad it is so LOUD in the main room. This gives us hope for Oct.

 

[SunnieRN]

So glad you got to enjoy the fireworks and that it helped you feel better! Looking forward to your entrees and desserts!!
Thanks for the update!

 

[TigerKat]

Too bad you were feeling so bad, last time we were there DH got the Lobster appetizer and loved it. Looking forward to your entrees!!

 

[texasgirl73]

Ohhhh...I know exactly how that feels. In Las Vegas I felt awful during a long awaited meal at Picasso (over 400 bucks for the 2 of us...gulp) and I had to struggle to keep from throwing up....I finally felt better at the dessert course (and it was awesome) but wasted 3 perfectly good courses, barely nibbling....I was so looking forward to that meal....I hope I'm feeling great the night we go to California Grill, I'll cry if I'm sick....

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

We love the wine room at CaliGrill, it is nice and quiet, great for a relaxing dinner. Sorry to read you were not feeling well, couldn't fully enjoy your dinner.

I will never eat in the main room again if I can. We loved the quiet and solitude. It was even a little romantic.

Glad you're back with an update sorry you weren't feeling well, but great to hear you got sprinkled with some pixie dust

Thank GOD I started feeling better. It would have sucked to have to leave before the entree/dessert.

I am sorry you didn't feel well! Thank you for the pics of the wine room. My husband and I love the food at Cal. Grill but are always sad it is so LOUD in the main room. This gives us hope for Oct.

We love CG!! We will DEFINATELY be going back!! The Wine room ROCKS!! Thanks for reading!!

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

So glad you got to enjoy the fireworks and that it helped you feel better! Looking forward to your entrees and desserts!!
Thanks for the update!

Those fireworks were MAGICAL for sure!! Lots more still to come!

Too bad you were feeling so bad, last time we were there DH got the Lobster appetizer and loved it. Looking forward to your entrees!!

I am almost positive it was ME.. Not the food. I would try it again, for sure, but on that night, it just wasn't doing it for me...

Ohhhh...I know exactly how that feels. In Las Vegas I felt awful during a long awaited meal at Picasso (over 400 bucks for the 2 of us...gulp) and I had to struggle to keep from throwing up....I finally felt better at the dessert course (and it was awesome) but wasted 3 perfectly good courses, barely nibbling....I was so looking forward to that meal....I hope I'm feeling great the night we go to California Grill, I'll cry if I'm sick....

I would love to hear more about your trip to Picasso... Maybe a PM?? DH and I are going for our 10th anniversary and are looking for a "nice" restaruant for our trip... I need DETAILS!!

Thanks for reading! I am wishing for a great trip to GC for you... No sickies!!!

 

[DisneyJo]

Sorry you felt so bad thank goodness the fresh air helped, can't wait to read the rest

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Welcome to my dining review!

I hope you enjoy what I have to say and find some of it useful. Please post your thoughts on what I have to say!

I hope to do this day by day and sort of meal by meal. We did a ton of eating on this trip and I took pictures of most everything.


Pop Food Court - Day 1 - Right here!
Beachs & Cream, cake - Continued day 1 - Post 5
Riverside Mill & F&WF Booths - Day 2 - Post 8
Recipe for Soup - Post 12
Coral Reef Food & Wine Pairing - Post 16, page 2
More Food & Wine Booths - Post 17, page 2
Kona Cafe Dinner - Post 18, page 2
Kona Cafe Breakfast - Post 22, page 2
Pizzafari Lunch - Post 40, page 3

Chef's Table - part 1 - Post 41, page 3
Chef's Table - part 2 - Post 56, page 4
Chef's Table - part 3 - Post 60, page 4
Chef's Table - part 4.1 - Post 71, page 5
Chef's Table - part 4.2 - Post 74, page 5
Chef's Table - part 5 - Post 75, page 5
A Potty Break - part 5.1 - Post 83, page 6
Chef's Table - part 6 - Post 91, page 7
Chef's Table - part 7 - Post 98, page 7
Chef's Table - part 8 - Post 116, page 8
Chef's Table - part 9 - Post 119, page 8
Chef's Table - part 10 - Post 121, page 9
A Coffee Break - part 10.2 - Post 122, page 9
Chef's Table - Part 11 - Post 121, page 9
Chef's Table - Part 12 - Post 126 & 135, page 9
Overall Thoughts - Chef's Table - Post 137, page 10

Wolfgang Puck - DTD - Post , Page 10
Goofy's Candy Company Snack - Post 150, page 10
Gardenview Tea - Afternoon Tea - Post 160, page 11
Gardenview Tea - Afternoon Tea, part 2 - Post 167, page 12
Final Food of the Day - Casey's - Post 179, page 12

Sunshine Seasons & Starring Rolls - Post 193, page 13
Flying Fish - Post 195, page 13
Sassagoula Floatworks @ POFQ - Post 207, page 14
Food & Wine Festival Booths - Posts 222,223,224, page 15
California Grill - Post 243, page 17

_________________________________________________________________


Bon Appetit!

Day 1.

Today when we arrived at WDW, our first stop was to check in at POP. We got ourselves settled and headed down to the Everything POP Shopping and Dining food court. We hadn't checked in to our main resort yet so therefore we didn't have our dining plan yet either. We ordered one main course and a couple of sides to share.

We shared a Parmesan Chicken (it comes with a side arugula salad and breadstick), some carrots and celery with ranch, and a fruit cup. We also had a bottle of water to share.



Food totals:
Chicken Parmesan: $8.19
Carrots & Celery: $3.69
Fruit Cup: $2.99
Water: $2.00
Total OOP: $17.84

I thought the chicken was good. It wasn't dry or overcooked. The breading was a little too much in some places, but overall was really good. The salad was excellent. I loved the vinagrette dressing on it. The breadstick was okay... Not too good, not too bad. I thought the fruit cup was a little overpriced as it was just melon and grapes, but I felt better for eating it. The carrots & celery were.... Carrots & Celery. The ranch dressing that came with it was good (it was light - but didn't taste light) and we finished it.

Overall, I always think Disney food is overpriced, but this meal was satisfying and somewhat healthy so we walked away happy!

Stay tuned for more updates!

enjoying your review..just wanted to say something in regards to your comment of the fruit cup...you priced it as $2.99...that very same fruit cup is $3.79 at white water snacks in Grand California hotel...this is one of the less expensive food places in all of disneyland..and the messed up part is we grow the stuff but they want to charge us more than they charge people on the east coast where it has to be shipped ok rant over ready to move on...

 

[DisneyDancin7]

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for posting these reviews! They are so amazing, and all of your pictures make me want to lick my monitor! I only hope my reviews are just as good when I come back, thanks again, great work!

 

[oybolshoi]

The wine room is the only place we'll eat at CA Grill any longer - I never want to eat in the main dining room again.

Sorry you weren't feeling well to begin with - that stinks. And you're too hard on yourself ... you looked lovely in that picture.

 

[SunnieRN]

enjoying your review..just wanted to say something in regards to your comment of the fruit cup...you priced it as $2.99...that very same fruit cup is $3.79 at white water snacks in Grand California hotel...this is one of the less expensive food places in all of disneyland..and the messed up part is we grow the stuff but they want to charge us more than they charge people on the east coast where it has to be shipped ok rant over ready to move on...

Had to jump in and say that I LOVE whitewater snacks! Best place to eat in Disneyland. Whenever I've eaten there they have the best CM's also. If you are there early enough you can have a beautiful view from the outdoor tables also!!

 

[jedi jen]

Really enjoying your reviews.

 

[arieljasmine]

Sorry to hear you weren't feeling well, glad you picked up later in the meal. What an amazing view of the fireworks.

Laur's

 

[alexbrown]

Wow!! what a review..I love all the pictures

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

Had to jump in and say that I LOVE whitewater snacks! Best place to eat in Disneyland. Whenever I've eaten there they have the best CM's also. If you are there early enough you can have a beautiful view from the outdoor tables also!!

I haven't been to Disneyland in a LOOOOOOONNNNNNGGGG time, but you almost talked me into going again. I loved the fruit cup at WDW, though!!

Really enjoying your reviews.

Thanks for stopping by...

Sorry to hear you weren't feeling well, glad you picked up later in the meal. What an amazing view of the fireworks.

Laur's

The fireworks were so beautiful!! I'm glad I bounced back, too. Otherwise it would have made for a crappy evening...

Wow!! what a review..I love all the pictures

Thanks! I still have the rest of CG and a bruch to go...

But.... Then I'm done.