California Grill Brunch at Disney's Contemporary Resort

Perks of the California Grill Brunch

We were very surprised when we pulled up at the Contemporary and said we were there for brunch to be told that we could use valet parking free of charge. What a lovely way to start the meal! From what we understood from discussions with the Cast Members there, it’s something they’re doing to encourage people to come and try out and the brunch. So while free valet parking could be stopped at any time, they gave us the impression it may continue for a while.

Perhaps the nicest thing about the California Grill brunch is that you get to see the stunning view from the 15th floor of the Contemporary in the daylight, something you don’t always get to enjoy if you go for dinner, as depending on the time of the year, it may already be dark by the time you’re seated. Prepare yourself if you haven’t seen this before, because there is so much to take in, and in my case, photograph! During or after your meal, you can wander around the restaurant or head outside on to the walkway to see more of what sprawls beneath you outside.

The other thing you immediately notice here is the fact there are musicians accompanying your meal. It really added a wonderful atmosphere, and it’s something I wish they’d do for dinner as well.

We were greeted with a wonderful selection of breads, and immediately asked what drinks we would like. Mimosas, or orange juice, are unlimited during your meal, and included in the cost, and one of our party even managed to get unlimited champagne, although whether that’s something they’d offer to everyone, I’m not sure. They do have a bloody Mary bar, but this is an additional charge, so we all decided we were happy with the drinks that were included with our meal.

Food at the California Grill Brunch

The way it works here is that it’s half buffet, half a la carte. The self serve selections are exceptionally comprehensive, and as you’d expect from a brunch, they’re a combination of breakfast and lunch items, but these are distinctly upmarket. To give you an idea, you can get devilled eggs, crispy lardons, with spicy aioli, hardwood smoked salmon with capers, egg, and red onion, or Greek yoghurt with vanilla scented granola, mixed berries and honeycomb. They even have salads, including kale and apple with dried cranberries, pink pearl apples, marcona almonds, and apple vinaigrette, or fregold with crispy sautéed vegetables, lemon vinaigrette, and Florida hearts of palm. But the section I was most delighted to see was the sushi, given how renowned the California Grill is for this – and with good reason. I loved the California rolls with jumbo lump crabmeat, and the salmon, tuna, and Hamachi nigiri selections.