California Grill
- Cuisine: American
- Meal Style: Table Service
- Meal Seatings: Dinner
- Character Dining: No
- Location: Disney’s Contemporary Hotel
- Disney Dining Plan Credits: 2 Table Service Credits
- Tables in Wonderland: Yes
- Reservations: Suggested
- Price Range: $$$
- Menu: California Grill Menu‘s
The California Grill is located at the top of Disney’s Contemporary resort. Gourmet style food is dished out in front of the customers from the open kitchen of the California Grill. Customers also get access to a wonderful view when they are enjoying a world class meal. The views range from the Seven Seas Lagoon to a view of the Magic Kingdom theme park with the possibility of seeing the fireworks display over the Cinderella Castle.
American cuisine is the chief specialty served at the California Grill . Dinner is the only meal served and is provided in a la carte style. The menu mainly consists of Californian dishes. A separate California Grill menu has been created for adults and children at the California Grill.
California Grill Rooftop
Before dining at the California Grill, you should know that there is a dress code for this restaurant. No tank tops, offensive t-shirts, swimwear, torn clothing, cut offs, or hats for men. This is also one of the restaurants that falls under Disney’s new cancellation policy; you will get a penalty charge for cancelling late or not showing up for your meal. You will be apprised of the exact cancellation policy for the California Grill when you make your reservation.
To reach the California Grill, you and your party must check in on the 2nd floor of the Contemporary; from there you will be escorted up to the restaurant on the 15th floor in a private elevator.
When you enter the California Grill, you will first be provided with the drinks menu. A wide choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails can be found on this menu. Wine enthusiasts can entertain themselves with the wine menu which contains a wide collection of wines, with various vintages, originating from various parts of the world like France and Russia, but, this being the California Grill, the majority of the wine list centers around the fabulous wines made in California. A separate menu for reserve wines has also been created by the staff of the California Grill.
People ordering wine, or just those wishing to sample the variety of cheeses available at California Grill, can also request for the cheese menu. Detailed descriptions of the various kinds of cheese will be found in the menu. This cheeses can be made from the milk of cows, goats or sheep. The origin of the cheese and the method of its preparation will also be described in the menu in detail.
A separate California Grill menu containing a wide variety of teas is also available to interested customers. They have choices ranging from green tea and caffeine free tea to white tea and black tea. The Imperial Earl Grey as well as Darjeeling tea are some of the most well-known varieties of tea found on this menu which boasts selections from all over the world.
The California Grill dinner contains a variety of choices in terms of sushi and oven baked flat-breads for starters. The first course consists of many soups, starters and salads. Seafood starters made using crab and mussels can also be found on the menu. The salads range from the more traditional Hearts of Romaine to the more unique, like Crispy Rock Shrimp Salad and Florida Peach Salad. The entrees consist of dishes made using beef, pork tenderloin, fish, crab, bison, or chicken. A smaller selection is available for vegetarians like the Ratatouille. The Romaine salad is served as an appetizer for kids. The children’s entrees are comprised of macaroni and cheese, roasted salmon, oak fired steak, grilled chicken breast and whole wheat pizza. Chocolate pudding and vanilla bean ice cream create the foundation of the dessert menu for kids.
Whether you prefer to end your meal with dessert or an after dinner drink, like wine or brandy, California Grill has a variety of selections of both to choose from. The strawberry mascarpone cheesecake, the valrhona chocolate cake and the maple crème brulee are some of the sweet delicacies served here.
California Grill Review
The California Grill is a wonderful restaurant with many different food options. The menu changes over time; so you will get different options when you dine on multiple trips to the Walt Disney World Resort. When I ate here a couple years ago there was an ostrich filet on the menu, it was delicious, but at the moment it seems to have been replaced with bison, which I am sure will be equally enjoyable. The waiters are very nice and attentive. In all, with the amazing view and to die for food, you will find that the California Grill is a restaurant worth going to at least once and if you can, multiple times.
