Uncleromulus
Plain grey will be fine
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2001
Since I always seem to recommend CG as a perfect first night dining spot, it seemed only natural that Uncleromulus should follow his own advice. So at 8:00 on Saturday night, we found ourselves in the completely full (bar,lounge and restaurant!) California Grill. Only this time, there weren't an additional 100 people just standing around, lurking like hawks for that "chance" open lounge or bar seat. Thanks to the new entrance policy, you go to the podium area in the Contemporary Lobby and then take a private elevator up to the 15th floor. It seemed to work quite well-they communicate upstairs to be sure there is room if you want to just do the bar/lounge or to let them know there are dining tables for 2-6-etc needed. When you arrive upstairs and get off the elevator, no longer do you need to fight your way to the podium. They are waiting for you as you exit the elevator and lead you right to the table.
I think it's a positive step and has improved the CG dining experience considerably.
We had a table in the Wine Room that night and actually prefer that to the more noisy "open kitchen" area. It does have a view out the window (but not an actual MK view), but for that, all one needs to do is get up and go on the observation deck at fireworks time. The wine room seems just a little more peaceful, and a bit better suited for converstaion.
Before I forget--there were kids aplenty at CG that night, including at least 4 at the large table next to ours in the wine room. Most folks were dressed "resort casual" tho a fair # were in theme park casual. One fellow at a table behind us had on a hawaiin print shirt, white shorts and sandles. At another table were the only people we saw that night in sport coat/dresses. So basically, absent a bathing suit or tank-top--anything goes.
Our server for the evening was Donald and he did a fine job. A leisurely-paced meal with attentive service--exactly what we prefer. Mrs.U ordered a glass of reisling and later, a glass of a "blend" consisting of Sangiovese,Cabernet, and Merlot. Both excellent --Mrs. U is a big fan of the extensive wine list at CG. For me--beer. I had a Kirin to start, then an Anchor Steam. They also have Sierra Nevada,in addition to the "usual suspects". But at least that had MORE than the usual suspects, so that's a plus...
As I once mentioned I'm a fan of flatbread these days--for one thing, they can be shared, or if you are really hungry, they are quite filling for one person. Secondly, there are so many toppings that the list is almost endless. The Grill had 4 different ones on the menu, and I chose the BLT flatbread, with Nuskes bacon, heirloom tomatoe, and romaine lettuce. Plain, simple, but very tasty. Hit the spot!! Mrs. U went with an appetizer of summer melon, Urgelia Cheese and Serrano Ham. Light, refreshing and a perfect size for an appetizer.
Ordinarily at CG I'll find myself getting their signature Filet, or the pork that they do so well. But this time they had sablefish on the menu and having never had it, I gave it a try. THis was Black sablefish, served with corn-russet poato hash. The fish filet was served with the top skin "on"--a presentation I'm not fond of. The fish itself reminded me of Rockfish (or maybe perch) in taste and consistency. Sweet, and not terribly "firm". So while it was good, it's not something I'd order again.
Mrs U also had fish--for her, the Halibut, which came with basmati rice, cucumber salad, and spicy Hong Kong vinaigrette. Halibut is--well---halibut. In this case, a pretty basic fish filet made better by the tasty preparation. The cucumber was especially in evidence. So again, something she liked that night, but probably wouldn't order again.
Desserts were excellent--for me "'Melon World", which had watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe, served with cantaloupe nectar and melon sorbet. No missing the taste of melon with this!!--very light and refreshing and a nice size portion as well. Mrs U had a poached pear cake topped with almond ice cream and spiced pear liquor. She loved it!!
Finally, two coffees and the end of another good meal at CG. And leaving the restaurant is now a pleasure--no more pushing and shoving when 40 people try to squeeze into one elevator. For one thing no more of the "just fireworks" crowd. And since there is a private elevator going up, so too is there one going down.
No longer a 15 minute wait for that stray elevator to make it to the 15th floor!!
One more comment--fireworks. When the fireworks were about to start, we were just about to get our entrees. Donald offered to hold them up while we went to the observation deck. When the show was over, the entrees came to the table, fresh and hot.
Next review--Flying Fish
I think it's a positive step and has improved the CG dining experience considerably.
We had a table in the Wine Room that night and actually prefer that to the more noisy "open kitchen" area. It does have a view out the window (but not an actual MK view), but for that, all one needs to do is get up and go on the observation deck at fireworks time. The wine room seems just a little more peaceful, and a bit better suited for converstaion.
Before I forget--there were kids aplenty at CG that night, including at least 4 at the large table next to ours in the wine room. Most folks were dressed "resort casual" tho a fair # were in theme park casual. One fellow at a table behind us had on a hawaiin print shirt, white shorts and sandles. At another table were the only people we saw that night in sport coat/dresses. So basically, absent a bathing suit or tank-top--anything goes.
Our server for the evening was Donald and he did a fine job. A leisurely-paced meal with attentive service--exactly what we prefer. Mrs.U ordered a glass of reisling and later, a glass of a "blend" consisting of Sangiovese,Cabernet, and Merlot. Both excellent --Mrs. U is a big fan of the extensive wine list at CG. For me--beer. I had a Kirin to start, then an Anchor Steam. They also have Sierra Nevada,in addition to the "usual suspects". But at least that had MORE than the usual suspects, so that's a plus...
As I once mentioned I'm a fan of flatbread these days--for one thing, they can be shared, or if you are really hungry, they are quite filling for one person. Secondly, there are so many toppings that the list is almost endless. The Grill had 4 different ones on the menu, and I chose the BLT flatbread, with Nuskes bacon, heirloom tomatoe, and romaine lettuce. Plain, simple, but very tasty. Hit the spot!! Mrs. U went with an appetizer of summer melon, Urgelia Cheese and Serrano Ham. Light, refreshing and a perfect size for an appetizer.
Ordinarily at CG I'll find myself getting their signature Filet, or the pork that they do so well. But this time they had sablefish on the menu and having never had it, I gave it a try. THis was Black sablefish, served with corn-russet poato hash. The fish filet was served with the top skin "on"--a presentation I'm not fond of. The fish itself reminded me of Rockfish (or maybe perch) in taste and consistency. Sweet, and not terribly "firm". So while it was good, it's not something I'd order again.
Mrs U also had fish--for her, the Halibut, which came with basmati rice, cucumber salad, and spicy Hong Kong vinaigrette. Halibut is--well---halibut. In this case, a pretty basic fish filet made better by the tasty preparation. The cucumber was especially in evidence. So again, something she liked that night, but probably wouldn't order again.
Desserts were excellent--for me "'Melon World", which had watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe, served with cantaloupe nectar and melon sorbet. No missing the taste of melon with this!!--very light and refreshing and a nice size portion as well. Mrs U had a poached pear cake topped with almond ice cream and spiced pear liquor. She loved it!!
Finally, two coffees and the end of another good meal at CG. And leaving the restaurant is now a pleasure--no more pushing and shoving when 40 people try to squeeze into one elevator. For one thing no more of the "just fireworks" crowd. And since there is a private elevator going up, so too is there one going down.
No longer a 15 minute wait for that stray elevator to make it to the 15th floor!!
One more comment--fireworks. When the fireworks were about to start, we were just about to get our entrees. Donald offered to hold them up while we went to the observation deck. When the show was over, the entrees came to the table, fresh and hot.
Next review--Flying Fish
