Day 11: Easy Like Sunday Morning / H&H@TP 2017

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Day 11 of Hibiscus & Holly At The Poly 2017, the latest of my Disney Trip Reports, is here! Today was an easy and relaxed day with Sunday Brunch at California Grill, followed by an afternoon at Disney Springs, some pool time, and then in the evening it was Trader Sam’s and watching Holiday Wishes from the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

The Hibiscus & Holly at The Poly 2017 Trip Report Index tells you a bit about the planning of this trip, as well as some info about me and my family (the Cast Members!) In short you have me, Michelle; Steve, my husband; and Liam, my son. It also, of course, has the full list of days for the trip.

Day 11: Sunday Brunch at California Grill

Disney Springs / Drinks at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto / Christmas Wishes from Poly
December 17, 2017
You will be able to find all of the images from Hibiscus & Holly At The Poly 2017 in my Flickr Collection of albums from this trip.
To see just today’s photos, you can view this Flickr Album.
Hibiscus & Holly At The Poly: Trip Report Index | Pre-Trip Report


Our morning started with another visit to Disney’s Contemporary Resort for Sunday Brunch at California Grill – called Brunch at the Top. This would be the second time we’ve been for brunch at Cali Grill, and knowing how good it was last time, were looking forward to it again.

Brunch is served on a Sunday only, between 10am and 1pm, and at the time of dining it was $80 per person. Complimentary valet parking is included, so if you drive to the Contemporary, you don’t have to worry about parking as it is done for you for free – you just have to tip the valet.

Once inside the Contempo, we took an elevator up to the second floor to check-in, and were then taken up in the private elevator to 15th floor where California Grill is located. We were lead to our table which was over on the other side of the restaurant, past the buffet line. We’ve dined at Cali Grill several times now, but never sat over here so it was nice to get a different perspective!

California Grill
California Grill Christmas Tree
California Grill Place Setting
Plates at California Grill

A complimentary glass of mimosa (you can get Faux-Mosa – without the alcohol – too) is included in the cost of the brunch – I can’t remember if you could get refills on this or not… However, since we dined here in 2017, things may well have changed.

Brunch is part self-service buffet (all-you-care-to-enjoy), and part table service – there are several entrée selections to choose from which I will tell you about later; and the meal ends with a dessert plate and coffee.

But first, the buffet!

Brunch at the Top – California Grill

Buffet Items

There is a wide range of delicious foods on the buffet line – sushi, salads, deviled eggs, charcuterie, smoked salmon, fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, bagels, and pastries. I imagine that some of these change seasonally, but from what I recall, there was not anything radically different between our 2016 visit, and this one.

Sushi Platters
Sushi Platters

Sushi

California Grill is famous for its sushi, and there are several kinds available for brunch:

  • California Rolls with Jumbo Lump Crab Meat
  • Salmon, Tuna, Hamachi Nigiri
  • Spicy Tuna Tekkamaki Rolls
  • Shrimp Tempura with Orange Drizzle and Mango
California rolls with jumbo lump crab meat
California Rolls with Jumbo Lump Crab Meat
Salmon, Tuna, Shrimp Nigiri selections
Salmon, Tuna, Shrimp Nigiri selections
Spicy Tuna Tekkamaki Rolls
Spicy Tuna Tekkamaki Rolls
Shrimp Tempura with Orange Drizzle and Mango
Shrimp Tempura with Orange Drizzle and Mango
Apple Salad
Apple Salad

Salads

  • Apple Salad – Tiny Reds and Greens, Apples, Young Goat’s Milk Cheese, Candied Pecans, Vanilla-Golden Raisins Vinaigrette
  • Bacon and Egg Salad – Greens, Frisse, Quiona, Avocado, Cherry Wood Bacon Lardon, Pecorino Romano, Sherry Vinaigrette, Egg.
  • Soba Noodle Salad – Amazu-Ginger Vinaigrette
Bacon and Egg Salad
Bacon and Egg Salad
Soba Noodle Salad
Soba Noodle Salad

Deviled Eggs

A staple food for American brunch! I love deviled eggs, and always make a beeline for them!

  • Deviled Eggs – Crispy Lardons, Spiced Aïoli
Deviled Eggs
Deviled Eggs
House-made Charcuterie
House-made Charcuterie

House-made Charcuterie

If you enjoy charcuterie, there is always a great selection of meats, cheeses, and accoutrements to choose from.

  • Toscano Salami
  • Proscuitto
  • Lamb Merguez
  • Pork & Bacon Terrine
  • Pork Belly Rillettes
  • Tillamook Cheddar
  • Tea Hive Cheese
  • Gorgonzola
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Zellwood Pickles
  • Marcoma Almonds
  • Sweet Onion Jam
  • Sweet Drop Peppers
  • Crispbreads & Breadsticks
Lamb Merguez
Lamb Merguez
Tea Hive Cheese & Tillamook Cheddar
Tea Hive Cheese & Tillamook Cheddar
Charcuterie Accoutrements
Charcuterie Accoutrements

Hardwood-Smoked Salmon

You’ll find smoked salmon on most, if not all of Disney’s breakfast buffets, along with accompaniments like Capers, Chopped Egg, Red Onion, and Cream Cheese. There was also a Smoked Cod Spread, and of course Bagels to eat along side these foods.

Smoked Salmon Accompaniments
Smoked Salmon Accompaniments
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Basket of Bagels
Brunch plate at California Grill

Other Items

  • Greek Yogurt – Vanilla-scented Granola, Mixed Berries, Honeycomb
  • Fresh Whole Fruit – Apples, Oranges, Bananas
  • Pastries – Guava Turnover, Wholegrain Croissant, Cheddar Biscuits, Sticky Buns, Gluten-free Scones
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Gluten-free Scones, Guava Turnover, Wholegrain Croissant
Gluten-free Scones, Guava Turnover, Wholegrain Croissant
Guava Turnover, Wholegrain Croissant
Guava Turnover, Wholegrain Croissant
Cheddar Biscuits, Sticky Buns
Cheddar Biscuits, Sticky Buns
Bloody Mar Bar at California Grill

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