Solo Trip Recap Part 8: California Grill

Okay boys and girls.  Sit down and get comfortable because I am about to tell you an incredible tale about a dinner.  Grab a diet coke, maybe a snack (because if you're not hungry yet, you soon will be), and settle in.  Is everyone ready?  Okay, let's go.

So I roll up to the welcome desk and am immediately escorted to the elevator.  Up up up up we go!  I am early so I hang out by the semi-crowded bar and get a glass of water while admiring my surroundings.  The decor is modern, sleek, warm and light.  Very loungey.  The view is, of course, incredible.

I tried to get some shots (I wonder if it would be as cool or cooler for lunch when it's not so dark?).  The wait was pretty long but eventually I get seated at the chef's counter and greeted by my awesome Cast Member waiter, Ron.

Bread and butter appear almost immediately as I perused the menu.  The bread and butter alone was amazing.  My mouth is watering right now as I think about it.   I also had the perfect view of the open kitchen and enjoyed watching the bustle of the cooks and waiters.  Each dish they put out looked better than the last - so of course I snagged some pics.

Wishes was starting and Ron suggested I watch out on the roof.  When I hesitated about leaving my seat (and thus prolonging my stay at the counter - I know waiters like a lot of turnover for tips), he promised me it was okay.  I grabbed my water (SO THIRSTY!) and went outside. 

I swear food pics are below.  Keep scrolling!

It was chilly for sure, but who cares!  I was on the freakin' roof of the Contemporary watching Wishes!  Of course I called my parents to rub it in a little lol.  (Brace yourself for a ton of Wishes pics - I promise food pics are coming as soon as you scroll down!)

 

Food pictures are coming I PROMISE!

The view was weird, being off to the side and a bit in farther away than I would have liked, but again, the whole experience was so cool I didn't care.

Almost there!!!!

After the finale, I headed back to my seat where I ordered a sashimi appetizer and two appetizers instead of an entree (my own ad hoc tasting menu).  Are you ready for these pics because, buckle up, this meal was incredible:

WHAM! Sashimi. I sat right in front of the sushi chef so I got a constant show of his skills.

WHAM! Goat Cheese Ravioli.  EAT THIS.  EAT THIS ASAP.  You will not regret it.  One huge ravioli filled with flavorful cheese in a light broth-like tomato sauce.

WHAM!  Gnocchi in a creamy sauce with crispy pork bits and a poached egg.  Heavy? Yes.  WORTH IT.  I ate until I popped.  I was uncomfortably full and not at all sad about it. 

OH YES.
Tragically, no room for dessert - all the more reason to make another ADR in the future!