Brunch at the Top - Cali Grill *new updates from 12/11/16 on p.6*

poison ivy

DIS Veteran
Joined
Mar 3, 2010
BRUNCH AT THE TOP - CALIFORNIA GRILL
SUN. MAY 22, 2016
10 AM

Thought I'd give a pictorial review of our exceptional brunch experience on May 22.

"Brunch at the Top" debuted on February 7, 2016, so it's fairly new. Offered only on Sundays which makes securing a reservation very limited. Not sure how I managed to get one but really glad we did!

Here's the official Disney Parks Blog: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...debuts-february-7th-2016-at-california-grill/

Price: $80.00 + $5.00 tax + gratuity.
Dining Plan accepted = 2 TS credits/pp + gratuity

also available: cash bar w/specialty drinks


OUR MENU



We drove over to the Contemporary from the VWL around 9:35am for a 10 o'clock resv.
The security guard directed us to valet park, stating it was included in the price of the brunch.



Score :thumbsup2



Front door service. (very nice perk)



The California Grill encompasses the entire top floor of the Contemporary Resort.
Hence the name "Brunch at the Top"!



It boasts spectacular views of Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake and provides guest access to 2 outside viewing platforms which extend from either end.





Lucky for us, both sides were open. We were invited to return back anytime that evening to view wishes.







We checked-in at the podium on the 2nd Fl of the Contemporary.



Here they will validate your valet ticket and hand you a buzzer to wait to be escorted via private express elevator straight to the 15th floor.

.

Where you are immediately greeted with a complimentary Mimosa - chilled champagne poured into a waiting glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. Delicious!



A refreshing non-alcoholic white grape juice was also on hand as the perfect alternative.



Their live band quietly set the mood with a stand-up bass and keyboard.



We chose the earliest time slot - 10 am, which placed us among the first to be seated.
This was a great advantage. Not only did it better our chance at securing one of the most coveted window seats on property, but it allowed for optimal photo opportunities without interfering with the other guests.

Our Table - Score 2 :thumbsup2:thumbsup2



our table sat among this small group of "2 Tops" symmetrically aligned to section off the main seating area.






Our Views:











Each table is pre-set with cream; sugar; whipped orange blossom honey butter; house strawberry jam (ridiculously good) and other sweeteners.





Starters:

fresh juice and ice water



Custom roast California Blend French pressed pot of coffee



Signature Bread service
Tillamook Cheddar Biscuit; Cranberry Scone; Caramel Apple Walnut Monkey Bread

(All so good!!)



Bloody Mary Bar - (alcohol cash add-on)



This bar takes up a decent amount of space.



it extends from the last bar stool to the entire case sitting under the sign



Drinks are served in a Large Hurricane Glass.



which leaves room for the 5 hand selected condiments to build your drink:
(carrots/Italian meats/candied bacon/brie cheese/dill pickle spear/green olives/pickled cauliflower/beets/lg cocktail onions/rosemary sprig)



including Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail



just about my entire 1st plate was from the Bloody Mary Bar. (toothpick items & bacon)
everything on that bar was there to enjoy with or without the cocktail. So have fun!




Continued............

 
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BRUNCH AT THE TOP - CALIFORNIA GRILL
SUN. MAY 22, 2016


continued....................

This brunch consists of 5 basic parts:

I. Starters (previously covered)
II. Self serve Selections
III. Entrée Selection
IV. Brunch Drink Offerings (see menu in post #1 + extensive beer and wine list)
V. Dessert

Since we didn't order any alcohol beyond the complimentary drinks mentioned in the first post, I'll walk you thru the Food Items here.

II. Self-serve Selections

(buffet stations)



the self serve portion of the brunch wraps around the entire bar/counter area of the restaurant.
Beginning with the Left Side: Bloody Mary Bar (see 1st post) / Cheese / Charcuterie Selections



Assorted Cheese = Cheddar / Bleu / Goat



House-made Charcuterie:

Orange Honey Ham / Beef Sausage / Bison and Sweetbread Terrine / Pork Belly Rillettes / Sweet Onion Jam / Whole Grain Mustard / Zellwood Pickles / Pickled Pero Farms Peppers (loved these) / breadsticks and crackers



Continuing with the Right Side: Sushi / Salads / Breads / Yogurt






where the culinary team was on hand to assist.



Assorted Sushi



California Rolls with Jumbo Lump Crabmeat



Salmon, Tuna and Hamachi Nigiri and
Spicy Tuna Tekka Maki Rolls




Salads / Deviled Eggs / Shrimp Tempura



Kale and Apple Salad - dried cranberries, pink pearl apples, marcona almonds, apple vinaigrette



Baby Iceberg Wedge Salad - marinated tomatoes, cherrywood bacon, avocado-buttermilk ranch dressing






Fregola Salad - crispy sautéed vegetables, lemon vinaigrette, florida hearts of palm
(apparently I don't have a buffet pic of this. But it's the fregola (pasta) salad shown here on my plate)



Deviled Lake Meadow Farms Eggs - crispy lardons, spiced aioli
(excellent!)



Shrimp Tempura - with orange drizzle and mango



Final Station






Fresh Fruit



Our Plates:









III Entree Selection - All specially prepared upon request, served cooked to order. You can request as many as you like. The server will need approx. 15min. lead time to place the order.



We decided to share 3:



Eggs Benedict - Two Soft-poached Eggs, Toasted English Muffin, Honey Ham, Classic Hollandaise
additionally available with Butter Poached Maine Lobster or Smoked Salmon. (free of charge)
(loved this!)



Blueberry Pancakes - Buttermilk Pancakes, Florida Blueberries, Vanilla Custard, Blueberry Compote, Powdered Sugar,
and warm Canadian Maple Syrup.
(delicious! Tasted like dessert)



Grilled Hanger Steak - Two Eggs any style, Chimichurri, Marble Potato Hash, Charred Red Onion
(So good but we couldn't finish it and took the rest to go)




V. And Finally: Dessert!

Homemade Confectionary Dessert Sampler for 2 - (we had it all wrapped to go)
salted caramel; white chocolate orange crème; dark chocolate toffee brittle; lemon madeleines; strawberry jam linzer cookies; and caramel and strawberry French macarons.

(words really can't describe how good this was! All fresh, homemade and delicious)






This entire meal was exceptional. Hope you enjoy it. Really can't wait to go back.
 
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That looks amazing! I was so happy to read your review last night as I had just booked this for our upcoming trip. This is the meal I am most excited for! We will be dining with our 8 and 12 year old. Did you notice many children?
 
It looks delicious. I will keep it in mind for a very special occasion!
 
Thank you for your detailed review. Good to know that you can order more than one entree. Looks like a great way to spend a Sun. morning.
 


Awesome review. Thanks so much for sharing. I've been eyeing this for our upcoming trip in Dec. since I booked it in April. Really hoping to score an ADR for this. Probably more so than any other. I'm a sucker for a good Bloody Mary. Also as PP asked, did you notice many children there? Will be me, DW, DD8 and DS2. Hopefully it's "kid friendly"
 
I want to say, that looks really incredible and makes me want to change my plans!! :) I am taking my 2 year old if ever though... Like previous posters, I want to ask u if you saw any children? Thanks!
 
That looks amazing! I was so happy to read your review last night as I had just booked this for our upcoming trip. This is the meal I am most excited for! We will be dining with our 8 and 12 year old. Did you notice many children?

We noticed quite a few children but it was a much smaller percentage compared to adults. Probably due to the price. But it is a very casual atmosphere despite the upscale environment and would be great for a family.

 
We noticed quite a few children but it was a much smaller percentage compared to adults. Probably due to the price. But it is a very casual atmosphere despite the upscale environment and would be great for a family.

Thanks! Glad to see children were the norm. there.
 
It looks delicious. I will keep it in mind for a very special occasion!

yes!! Definitely keep it in mind. We used DDP credits so I didn't feel the bite as much. When the bill originally printed it showed $170.00 ouch!! but when it came back as ZERO after applying the credits I smiled!! I'd consider splitting it between cash / DDP as well. It's so worth it.

Thank you for your detailed review. Good to know that you can order more than one entree. Looks like a great way to spend a Sun. morning.
It was the greatest kickoff that morning. I wish I had a bigger group so we could have sampled it all! Hopefully in Dec. Fingers crossed!

Awesome review. Thanks so much for sharing. I've been eyeing this for our upcoming trip in Dec. since I booked it in April. Really hoping to score an ADR for this. Probably more so than any other. I'm a sucker for a good Bloody Mary. Also as PP asked, did you notice many children there? Will be me, DW, DD8 and DS2. Hopefully it's "kid friendly"

So my photos are too far away to really pan the tables, but when I zoomed in on a couple pics such as this one:



I noticed several tables with a parent/child combo. you can safely book this with your family no problem. I'm serious about the atmosphere. Think of it as a really casual family brunch at a very nice restaurant minus the stuffiness. The service is impeccable and they work very hard to make everything special.
 
I want to say, that looks really incredible and makes me want to change my plans!! :) I am taking my 2 year old if ever though... Like previous posters, I want to ask u if you saw any children? Thanks!

It was such a great meal, I'd be trying to fit it in too. 2 yr olds are so unpredictable no matter what you plan. This meal doesn't start til 10 which is well into the morning for any little one. It runs til 2 though so maybe a lunch time would be optimal. Every child has their own clock!!

This is what heaven must look like.
If you love fresh, homemade everything! Absolutely.
 
Thank you so much for the outstanding review! Best review I've seen of this meal- great job and loved all the photos and descriptions! We have this booked for our September trip and can't wait! I'm excited to compare this brunch to the Narcoossee's brunch which we did last month. Thanks again! :worship:
 
Thank you so much for the outstanding review! Best review I've seen of this meal- great job and loved all the photos and descriptions! We have this booked for our September trip and can't wait! I'm excited to compare this brunch to the Narcoossee's brunch which we did last month. Thanks again! :worship:

thank you for the very kind remarks. I've been curious about the Narcoossee's brunch. Have read a few reviews but still researching. how was your experience?
 
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