California Grill Dining Review

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Disney California Grill Restaurant Review

We are at Disney World’s California Grill restaurant at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

We have a reservation for 10 and picked up 7 more on the way to dinner. So with a large party of 17 we were able to try almost everything at the CA Grill.

How to get to Disney’s California Grill Restaurant – The CA Grill is located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. You have to check in on the second floor and they will take you up in the elevator when your table is ready. If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort you can take the monorail from your monorail resort, or a bus from other WDW resorts to the Magic Kingdom and then the monorail or take the short walk over.

The decor – the original restaurant had rug art of the walls but was updated and renamed the “California Grill” but the Cheese Cake Factory 1989 decor eventually needed a make over so it closed to be re-imagineered. I love that word, re-imagineered. You should use that word today in your day to day conversation and post about it on our Mouse Chat Facebook page. So the restaurant has an entirely new updated look, new menu and even a new additional Magic Kingdom fireworks viewing area.

Starters:

Oven-dried Tomato Flatbread – Beefsteak Tomatoes, Mozzarella di Bufala, Aged Balsamic $13.00
We ordered a few of these.  Some came out ice cold or just slightly warm.  The second night these came out just right.

Spicy Kazan Roll – crab, shrimp, scallops, tuna and fireball sauce $26.00
Brett with WDW Fan Boys had this and it got two thumbs up

Tuna Four Ways – Poke, Tartare, Maki, Nigiri $26.00
This was top notch sushi.  I had this as my main course thinking it would be enough with the $26 price tag.  Lesson learned, it is definitely not big enough to be an entree.

Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli – Tomato-Fennel Broth, crispy Mushrooms, Basil, Benziger Estate Olive Oil $14.00
This got rave reviews, but it’s ONE, yes one Ravioli for $14, hey but it’s big.

Three-Meat Signature Meatballs – Picholine Olives, Herbed Orzo, Chimichurri, Lavender Mint $15.00
Another great item but if I remember correctly you get THREE meatballs so they are $5 bucks a piece.  But hey it’s not Chilli’s.

California Combination Roll – jumbo lump crab with avocado and cucumber and shrimp tempura $24.00
Great taste, crab was a little too chopped up, but worth ordering.
Entrees:

Pork Two Ways – Grilled Tenderloin, Goat Cheese Polenta, Mushrooms, Lacquered Belly, Applesauce $37.00
Rave Reviews!  To the point that I think Chris might eat this every night.

Oak-fired Filet of Beef – Heirloom Tomato Risotto, Marinted Baby Vine Tomatoes, Petite Basil, Tomato Butter $49.00
Lisa and Lauren loved this.  Bob’s came out not cooked as he had ordered it and we waited a long time and he did not want to wait longer to get it fixed.
We still like Yachtmen’s Steak House at the Disney Yacht and Beach Club resorts for steaks at Walt Disney World.

Bell & Evans Chicken – Teriyaki Barbecue Glaze, Truffle Macaroni & Cheese, Glazed Vegetables, Chicken Sausage $35.00
Tracey in our group had this. This came with the homemade mac and cheese. This was a terrific meal on its own merit, or a very nice, flavorful selection if you didn’t want to venture too far out of your comfort zone with a seafood or red meat dish.

Desserts:

All of these were exceptional except for the seasonal tasting which at the time as Apple.  See below for what we tried and also listen to our show.

Chocolate Pudding Cake – Luscious Chocolate Cake with Nutella Filling, Meringue Kisses, and Mint Chantilly $13.00

Warm Homemade Fritters – Banana-stuffed, Cinnamon-dusted Fritters with Toasted Caramel Marshmallows complemented with a Trio of Dipping Sauces $12.00

Sundae Sampler – Unique and playful Sundaes with a nostalgic twist: Caramel Corn, Coke Float, and Strawberry and Basil $12.00

Seasonal Tasting: Heirloom Apple – Apple Cupcake with Cream Cheese and Streusel, Warm-spiced Cider, Peanut Butter Caramel Apple, and Apple Cheddar Turnover with Compote and Cardamom Glaze $12.00

Pros:

High Quality Sushi
Amazing restaurant for a special occasion
Awesome viewing areas for Disney’s Magic Kingdom nightly fireworks show.
Our service for our large party was incredible
Wonderful Desserts, just a tad costly

Cons:

Price, but worth it for special occasions and going to Disney World is just such an occasion.
Some of our dishes were cold or not cooked to order

Overall:

Dinner at CA Grill was actually so good Chris and Lauren and several people in our group went back again the next night. And issues like cold appetizers that we experienced the first night was fixed the next night.
For the entire review please listen to our Mouse Chat Show here by clicking on the play button at the top of this article, or subscribe to us on iTunes for free so you get our weekly shows delivered right to you.

The California Grill Menu

From the Wood-Burning Oven

Oven-dried Tomato Flatbread – Beefsteak Tomatoes, Mozzarella di Bufala, Aged Balsamic $13.00

Three-Meat Signature Meatballs – Picholine Olives, Herbed Orzo, Chimichurri, Lavender Mint $15.00

Pork Pate Flatbread – Roasted Garlic, Mascarpone Cheese, Royal Trumpet Mushroom Chips $14.00

Baked Jumbo Prawns – Charred Lemon, Blistered Baby Tomato and Cipollini Onion Relish, Watercress $20.00

Roasted “Surf & Turf” – New Smyrna Clams, Saffron-infused Fennel and Chorizo Butter, Bone Marrow $16.00

Hand-Rolled Sushi

The sushi selections below may contain raw or undercooked fish.

Tuna Four Ways – Poke, Tartare, Maki, Nigiri $26.00

Yuzu Marinated Sashimi – Yellowfin Tuna, Salmon, Hamachi, Snapper, Wasabi Oil $24.00

Dragon Roll – Spicy and Tataki tuna with shrimp tempura, bell pepper, avocado, and chili soy glaze $29.00

Spicy Kazan Roll – crab, shrimp, scallops, tuna and fireball sauce $26.00

California Combination Roll – jumbo lump crab with avocado and cucumber and shrimp tempura $24.00

Pork Belly Nigri – House-cured Pork, Bacon and Yuzu Rice, Spicy Teriyaki $22.00

Soups, Salads, Appetizers

Crispy Rock Shrimp Salad – Baby Greens, Asian Pear, Red Onions, Soy Reduction, Wasabi Cream $17.00

Farmer’s Salad – Season’s Peak Vegetables, Soft-poached Organic Egg, Honey-Sherry Vinaigrette $16.00

Heirloom Tomatoes- Daily Variety with Grilled Bread, Baby Basil, Ricotta, Blistered Shisito Vinaigrette $17.00

Carrot and Cilantro Soup – Spiced Paprika Oil, Lime-blackened Halibut, Citrus-Coriander Bloom $12.00

Duck in all its Glory – House-made Sausage, Rillettes, Prosciutto, Duck Liver Pate, Cranberry Compote $17.00

Baby Romaine – Roasted Garlic Dressing, Boquerones, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Brioche Croutons $15.00

Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli – Tomato-Fennel Broth, crispy Mushrooms, Basil, Benziger Estate Olive Oil $14.00

Entrees

Pork Two Ways – Grilled Tenderloin, Goat Cheese Polenta, Mushrooms, Lacquered Belly, Applesauce $37.00

Oak-fired Filet of Beef – Heirloom Tomato Risotto, Marinted Baby Vine Tomatoes, Petite Basil, Tomato Butter $49.00

Wild Columbia River Salmon – Zellwood Sweet Corn Pudding, crispy Salmon Cakes, spiced Saffron Broth $42.00

24-Hour Short Rib “Filet” – Caramelized Root Vegetables, Olive Oil Potato Puree, Red Wine Butter $40.00

Georges Bank Scallops – Homemade Potato Gnocchi, Smoked Pork, Grilled Onions, Rapini, Parmesan Foam $43.00

Bell & Evans Chicken – Teriyaki Barbecue Glaze, Truffle Macaroni & Cheese, Glazed Vegetables, Chicken Sausage $35.00

Roasted Squash Ravioli – Root Spinach, Parsnips, Petite Herb Salad, Sage Brown Butter, 12-year Balsamic $32.00

Pacific Halibut – Parsnip Silk, Roasted Heirloom Beets, Arugula, Macadamia Vinaigrette, Beet Syrup $42.00

Desserts

Chef’s Selection Cheese Board – Selection of Five unique Cheeses with Accompaniments $20.00

Chocolate Pudding Cake – Luscious Chocolate Cake with Nutella Filling, Meringue Kisses, and Mint Chantilly $13.00

Warm Homemade Fritters – Banana-stuffed, Cinnamon-dusted Fritters with Toasted Caramel Marshmallows complemented with a Trio of Dipping Sauces $12.00

Sundae Sampler – Unique and playful Sundaes with a nostalgic twist: Caramel Corn, Coke Float, and Strawberry and Basil $12.00

Lemon Meringue Cheesecake – Meyer Lemon-Mascarpone Cheesecake, Ctirus Cookie, and Charred Meringue Clouds $12.00

Seasonal Tasting: Heirloom Apple – Apple Cupcake with Cream Cheese and Streusel, Warm-spiced Cider, Peanut Butter Caramel Apple, and Apple Cheddar Turnover with Compote and Cardamom Glaze $12.00

You can always find the latest up-to-date- Disney World Menus at All Ears.

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Steve Griswold
Mouse Chat
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