California Grill
September 28th
We love the California Grill and eat here at least once a trip. We even have a favorite server, Ron. Our reservation was for 7:45, but I had called Ron earlier that day and he said to check in at 7:15 and he'd get us a table at the second seating.
This ended up being our most....interesting....experience so far.
We ended up checking in at about 7:30 and I explained to the host that we knew Ron and would like to be seated in his section. The host said that was no problem, that we may have to wait 15-20 minutes and sent us upstairs to wait.
Luckily there were tables left in the lounge and we grabbed one right by the window. I noticed that there was a specialty cocktail menu on the table and I had never seen one at CG before:
I ordered the first item on the menu, the French Martini. It was good, but much stronger than I expected.
My mom had a glass of wine, Shiraz I think, and my Dad had a Sierra Nevada beer.
Now this is where the night gets interesting. The lounge was full, all the seats along the wall were occupied, the place was busy! I saw Ron--He was in the section closest to the castle and had 3 four-top tables, all along the window and 1 of the larger six-top booths.
We enjoyed our drinks and the view and at around 8:15 we noticed that Ron was delivering coffee to one of the 4 tops, so we figured we would be seated soon. Just as we noticed that, our buzzer went off...hmmm..
Dad and I went to the hostess station and Mom kept our table at the window as we figured there had been a mis-communication. We asked the hostess if we were to be seated in Ron's section, she said no and at that point we politely asked to see a manager to sort out the mishap.
At this point one of the managers, Sara, came by and we explained that we had been guaranteed a table in Ron's section. She said she would sort it out and come to see us in a few moments. We pointed out our table in the lounge and she said she's be back in 5 minutes.
Dad and I returned to the lounge, and watched as Sara wandered through the restaurant for 15 minutes. Never once did she speak to Ron, or the seater. We were getting a bit anxious as it was 8:30 and we had been at CG for an hour. Dad went back to the hostess station to see where Sara had gone, or speak to another manager.
All the while, I have been watching the table in Ron's section. Their dessert plates were cleared at 8, and they had been milking a cup of coffee for 30 minutes now.
Dad spoke to Ashley, the manager in charge that evening, and she quickly went to see Ron. Moments after she spoke to him, we saw her go and speak to the people at the table. There was a lot of hang gesturing by the woman there and after about 10 minutes of Ashley speaking to them they got up and stormed to the elevators.
We were seated at the table at 8:45, 1 hour after our ADR, and 1 hour and 15 minutes after we checked in. Ron explained that he knew the woman was attempting to hold up the table for Wishes and that Ashley had intervened to clear it.
From this point, we received many special touches that were not necessary but certainly appreciated.
Place Setting
Surprise #1 - A Champagne Toast
Surprise #2 - Amuse Bouche - Florida Beefsteak Tomato Soup - with Herbed Mascarpone and Pumpernickel Croutons
This was delicious! It tasted like an authentic tomato sauce, very fresh, sweet and acidic. The mascarpone added the perfect creaminess and the pumpernickel croutons were earthy and crispy.
After our amuse, they dimmed the lights and we got to see Wishes
For our first course we ordered a variety of Yoshie's fabulous sushi, delivered on a stunning platter:
From top to bottom we had
- Shrimp Tempura Roll with mango, watermelon and ginger-orange dipping sauce
- California Roll
- Spicy Kazan Roll - crab, shrimp, bay scallops, tuna and fireball sauce
I love all of these, but my favorite is the Spicy Kazan, very closely followed by the Shrimp Tempura. I could lick the fireball sauce, bay scallops and tempura crunch right off the plate
Next up was the cheese plate
Unfortunately, this was the weakest cheese plate we've ever had at Disney. I don't have the listings with me, but the first on the left was positively disgusting and Dad deemed it "dirty sock cheese"
The best item on the plate was the candied marcona almonds, addictive!
For the next course we ordered "first courses" because we weren't in the mood for full entrees after that much sushi and cheese.
Dad got the Maine Lobster Risotto - wwith Midnight Moon Goat Cheese, Lobster Oil, and Meyer Lemon Beurre Blanc
This was divine! It was so rich and creamy, but the tangy goat cheese helped to keep it balanced.
Mom got the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli
This item is classic, if they ever took it off the menu I think there would be a riot!
I ordered a side of Goat Cheese Polenta with Zinfandel Glaze
My Dad joked that I ordered the Grilled Pork Tenderloin minus the Pork Tenderloin!
As always, this was delicious and rich.
At this point Ashley came over to check on us. She asked if there was anything she could get for us and I mentioned that I had seen a very interesting dessert going around, it was three little pots. She explained that was a new dessert introduced that evening and she would send one over
Imagine our surprise when this was delivered to our table:
I think that the entire restaurant watched as this went by! It was spectacular and amazing because somehow they read our minds as the other desserts were the ones we were planning on ordering!
From left to right
Bananas and Caramel - Crispy Baked Phyllo Squares Layered with Banana, Caramel, Mascarpone Mousse, and Caramelized Banana...This was the one my mom wanted, it was crispy, creamy and decadent.
This was the one we mentioned to Ashley - "Trio of Temptation" (No Sugar Added) - Chocolate Cappuccino, Vanilla, and Mango Pot De Cremes...it was my Dad's favorite and you could not tell it was sugar free.
And last, but certainly not least, Valrhona Chocolate Cake - Warm Chocolate Cake with Molten Center, House-made Salted Caramel Ice Cream, and Roasted Golden Pineapple...This was the dessert I wanted because I adore molten chocolate cakes AND salted caramel
In the end, these desserts were comped and this glorious meal cost under $150. We each got a glass of wine as well!
)
but I will update very soon! I still have so many great pictures to share and I make my March ADRs on Tuesday!
I know it used to be a cheesecake, and now buttercream - I was curious how it tasted!!
Evil raisins, why must you ruin perfectly good food !?!
