On my visit to Walt Disney World I got some great updates on the California Grill renovation at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and on Epcot’s new L’Artisan des Glaces France Ice Cream Shop opening! And I just couldn’t wait to share them with you!
L’Artisan des Glaces — Epcot’s French Ice Cream Shop Updates
The new ice cream parlor in Epcot’s France pavilion — L’Artisan des Glaces — will open in mid-June! Recently, I spoke with a General Manager of Operations at the France pavilion and found out a few great updates about the menu!!
Ice Cream and Sorbet Flavors
They’ll have 10 ice creams and 6 sorbets available. Varieties will change regularly and be served in either one scoop or two scoops with a choice of a cone or cup.
Flavors will vary and rotate, but standards will include chocolate, vanilla, pistachio, and — this one sounds awesome! — profiterole!
Details and Flavors for Liquor-Topped Ice Creams
Remember, you can also top your ice cream with liquor! If you choose the liquor option, it will be served in the same types of martini glasses that the famous Grand Marnier and Grey Goose slushes are served in at the outside kiosk in France.
Liquor flavors are still being finalized, but will likely include Grand Marnier, Grey Goose vodka, a rum from Martinique, and other options.
California Grill Menu Updates
During an informative conversation with California Grill Chef Brian Piasecki this week, I uncovered these fun updates!
Chef Brian Piasecki at California Grill!
California Grill Opening Date
California Grill is still looking at a “late Summer” opening…likely September. Get ready to make your reservations as booking should be available in the next 4 weeks or so.
New! Omakase Menu
I asked the Chef if he foresaw any Chef’s Counter or Chef’s Table option at Cali Grill in the future. While he said there wouldn’t be a typical Chef’s Table option, California Grill will be offering an Omakase menu at the sushi bar.
“Omakase” means “I’ll leave it to you” in Japanese, and that’s exactly what diners will do when ordering this menu! They’ll receive a 12 course, chef-directed meal featuring modern interpretations of Japanese cuisine and sushi, progressing from lighter dishes and flavors to heavier and richer options in later courses.
The menu will change for this meal regularly, and that could mean that you get a completely different meal from night to night. The items will not be available on the regular menu and will only be available for those ordering the Omakase meal.
California Grill Menu Updates
We got a taste of a brand new menu item! The Oak-Fired Three Meat Meatball with marinated olives, chimichurri, and Meyer Lemon.
Oak-Fired Three Meat Meatball.
It was delicious, and had a little spice to it. I can’t wait to head over to Cali Grill and test out the rest of the dishes!!
Overall, the menu’s focus will still be on seasonal, fresh, and sustainable ingredients. Local sourcing will be utilized if possible, but “local will not trump quality — we’ll buy the best possible product out there,” says Chef Brian. Check out some photos here of new California Grill Menu Items!
There will be a greater use of technology and science in the kitchen — the whole kitchen has been replaced except for the pizza oven! For example, new on the menu will be a sous vide 24 hour boneless braised short rib filet.
That’s it for now, but I’m looking forward to new developments as we get closer to the opening of these two locations.
Tell us your thoughts on the California Grill renovation and menu changes! Or let us know what you think about the new ice cream parlor coming to Epcot. Chime in!
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Thank you for the updates! So much food to look forward to on my next trip 🙂 Did you get any tidbits on a vegetarian entree at California Grill? I am hoping to be able to dine there for our anniversary, but would like something tasty to eat, obviously 😉 Thanks, AJ!
Excited about the Omakase menu. Those are usually very good. Think about how when you go to, say, the chefs table at V&A and the chef makes a menu just for you. That’s Omakase.
Also, glad to have the new ice cream place. I hope they have worthy sorbet.
I really hope California Grill opens by September 🙂 I think the “12 course, chef-directed meal featuring modern interpretations of Japanese cuisine and sushi” sounds fantastic!!!
Wow, this is a lot of fantastic news! Like you, I’m excited for profiterole ice cream and the Omakase menu. I’m so excited that the California Grill refurbishment seems to be proceeding on-schedule. I’m looking forward to checking out the new interior and menu on our next vacation!
I’m very excited by the changes at California Grill. I’m pleased that Chef Brian has the opportunity to put his mark on the menu. We all want “the big chair” but when you get there, you’re not cooking your food anymore, you’re cooking California Grill’s food. I think it’s going to be new era for the kitchen in the sky.
P.S. I’m gonna miss Yoshie, though
So exciting! I’m all for change but I really really kinda hope they still have the oak-fired fillet of beef as an entree option though, it was the best steak I’ve ever eaten!! 😀
Still crossing my fingers that I get to go when I am there in Sept. We are in Disney the 12-22 so fingers crossed. This would be the first trip without CA Grill since our honeymoon 17 years ago so I really hope we can avoid breaking the streak.
Very early in September I hope…like the 1st – 2nd
Why is Disney putting in Starbucks??? Too commercial. Liked both of the locations they are removing and they always seemed busy. Lewis
Cannot wait to eat at the new California Grill and the idea of an Omakase menu is really exciting!
Will CG still be on the DP? If so, how many credits will it be?
Have you heard any more updates on the opening of the California Grill? I have been calling for weeks and checking the website daily to make a reservation in December and they are still not available. The cast members are still saying that reservations are not open at this time. They have not been able to give me a date as to when they will be available.