California Grill, November 3
This was the last meal of the trip last year, and we decided to continue the tradition this year. Even the kids were excited about the CGnot for the food of course, but for the chance to see Wishes from the roofdeck, and perhaps as importantly, to color.
Food: We were starving when we got there, so put in an order for the kids meals and the triple cheese, carmelized onion, sun-dried tomato pesto flatbread while we looked over the rest of the menu. This was really greatso good that we decided to order another onethe fig and proscuitto, which, although a little sweet, was also greatly enjoyed. The kids both got mac and cheese. Liam pronounced it too cheesy, but he was just looking for an excuse not to eat it because he was mowing down all of the really tasty crusty bread on the table, with excellent olive oil. Pasta, bread, same thing, so whatever. Caili ate most of hers. They had no interest in dessert, so their dishes were cleared and they went on to what they had really been looking forward to: Coloring. Last year, the kids amused themselves during our long meal by drawing various rides that they thought up. Little Imagineers in training, they could not wait to design and explain this years creations. I came prepared with about 100 sheets of paper, and washable crayons and markers. Our waiter laughed when he saw me setting the kids up with supplies, but hey, it makes them happy, and most importantly, kept them quiet while we navigated the rest of the menu.
Next DH wanted to try the tuna three ways. I would have preferred this prior to the flatbread, but oh well. It was nice, though I only tried a bite of each kind, having psychologically moved beyond raw food at this point. DH and Dsis devoured it though. We also ordered a salad: Warm Bermuda triangle goat cheese, wax beans, frisee, and sherry vinaigrette. I did query the waiter about this one, wondering if the goat cheese would be too strong. He said if we did not like it he would take it off the bill. No worriesit was excellent. The goat cheese was so smooth and rich, even my Dsis, foe of goat cheese in any form, enjoyed it. The veggies were tasty too, perfectly blanched wax beans and frisee in a slightly sweet vinaigrette. For wine, Dsis and I had been enjoying a glass of sancerre. DH had, I believe, a rousanne.
Main course: Dsis and I ordered the same thing: gnocchi with roasted butternut squash, shi-ake mushrooms, truffles, and parmesean in a shi-ake (the filter bleeps out the real name!) broth. This was awesome. The squash was nutty and a little crisp, which nicely offset the pillowy gnocchi, and the whole dish had that great truffle aroma. The only thing that would have pushed it over the edge was if the shi-ake broth had been a shi-ake cream sauce. Yeah, it would have had about 500 more calories, but it would have been REALLY GOOD. DH had the grilled pork tenderloin with creamy goat cheese polenta, cremini mushrooms, zinfandel glaze, and sage. The pork was perfectly cooked to a nice pink, the polenta was rich and creamy, and the zinfandel glaze was rich and perfectly complimented the pork. Yum yum! With our entrees we shared a bottle of the Storybrook Vineyards zinfandel, which was amazingrich and fruity.
At this point, we were stuffed and Wishes was about to start, so we decided to skip dessert (though I saw the cheese plate and it looked amazing!). I told the waiter we were going to watch Wishes from the deck and he should feel free to flip the table for the next seating while we were goneit was really busy that night. Wishes was amazing, as always, though it was COLD out on the deck! The wind was a-blowing! What a great way to end an evening, and to end the trip with the kids. The best part: My nephew turning to me at the end of Wishes and saying: This trip was 10 times awesomer than last year. My wish is for another trip next year. I bet that one will be even ten times awesomer than this year! Well see
J
One final note for our waiter: He rocked! CG was slammed when we got there, but he was still able to be extremely attentive to the kids, bringing them drink refills, goldfish refills, whatever, while still presenting us with impeccable service. We never felt rushed, and we never felt like we were just waiting around for him to show up, bring food, etc. either. The only thing I disliked was that he would kneel down to talk to us. That really bugs me in any restaurant. On the other hand, CG was extremely loud, so I decided that maybe it was a way to project his voice across the table. He was also knowledgeable about wine, which was funwe got to trade some stories. Great service from waiter Gary. Thank you Gary!
Next up: Counter Service quick reviews, all in one post