House of Blues

There are some times when a restaurant can completely blow you away when you least expect it. This is exactly what happened to me at the House of Blues at Downtown Disney’s West Side. I decided to go here because I was looking to try something different, but I did not really know what to expect. Whenever I would think of House of Blues I pictured a bar or club-like atmosphere with music blaring and people being really loud and obnoxious, a place that you would be more likely to go to just to get a drink rather than a full sit-down meal. The reality turned out to be far different and I do not think I have ever been more pleasantly surprised by a restaurant at Disney World. House of Blues exceeded my expectations in every way in terms of the atmosphere, the service, and especially the food. After eating here just once I can say that it has become my favorite dining location at Downtown Disney and I will definitely be going back frequently.





Overview:
When you think of the House of Blues, a restaurant may not be the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, most people are far more likely to think of it as a concert venue. This is largely because House of Blues itself heavily promotes the various musical groups that it has coming to perform. The House of Blues draws performers from all across the country, some well known and others less so. However, the music hall where these groups perform is separate from the main dining room. Others may associate House of Blue with a bar or club for people looking to party. While the restaurant does have a bar, I found House of Blues to be a restaurant more along the lines of Raglan Road, featuring a laid back and relaxing atmosphere where you can come if you just want a drink at the bar or if you are looking for a nice sit-down meal. It is a dining location that offers something a little different from your typical Disney restaurant. While not inappropriate for families with children, House of Blues offers a more mature setting that can be enjoyed by adults looking to relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks.

Atmosphere:
The House of Blues is dedicated to educating and celebrating the history of Southern culture, especially African American contributions to music and art. Since the first House of Blues opened in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1992 one of its primary goals has been to introduce the world to the music of the rural south, including blues, rhythm and blues, gospel, jazz, and rock & roll. The result is an atmosphere which is very eclectic. Upon first seeing the interior of the restaurant I was not sure exactly what to make of it. On one hand the restaurant had a definite Louisiana bayou/voodoo feel. It is an atmosphere in which Dr. Facilier from “The Princess and The Frog” would feel right at home. At the same time, the restaurant is like a shrine to all things music, especially jazz and blues.

So puzzled by what the theme of the restaurant was meant to be, I went to the House of Blues website to do some research. It turns out that juke joints are a major inspiration for the look and feel of the restaurant. Juke joints have their origin shortly after the Civil War and emancipation where they were primarily operated by African Americans in the South. Plantation workers and sharecroppers needed a place to relax and socialize following a hard week, particularly since they were barred from most white establishments by Jim Crow laws. Juke joints were thus set up on the outskirts of town, often in ramshackle buildings or private houses, and offered food, drink, dancing, and even gambling for weary workers. Juke joints are still in existence today and are full of hand-painted collections of art, posters, furniture, wall murals, and all other sorts of decoration. This tradition is carried on in the décor of the House of Blues. In fact, many of the artifacts and items throughout the restaurant have historical significance.

The dining area itself was dimly lit and had a somewhat foreboding and mysterious feel, but what really stood out the most about the decor were the vibrant colors. The walls are littered with a wide variety of different types of art. A large amount of the artwork is a celebration of African American history, tradition, and culture, but strong religious imagery and many musical references can also be found.





Items on the walls are not limited to paintings and also feature an eclectic mixture of various types of artwork, such as masks, statues, and colorful musical instruments. This is definitely a restaurant that gives you plenty to look at while you are waiting for your meal.



The artwork is not only limited to the walls, and you might find yourself staring up at the ceiling even more. One thing not to miss is the painted ceiling above the bar area, which is like the House of Blues version of the Sistine Chapel and helps to reaffirm the strong religious imagery of the restaurant, where music is a religion.



There is also a vaulted ceiling which stretches the entire length of the center of the main dining area and features tiles with images of various jazz, blues, gospel, and R&B legends, ranging from B.B. King to Bob Marley to the Blue Brothers.





Overall, this décor helps to give the restaurant a very authentic feel, but at the same time one that is both exotic and adventurous.

The Menu:
I was very impressed by the menu at House of Blues largely because of its wide selection of offerings highlighting what can best be described as Southern soul food. The menu, which is the same for both lunch and dinner, starts with a vast array of appetizers, ranging from Spicy Buffalo Chicken Wings to Crispy Catfish Nuggets served with sweet potato fries, Whole Wheat Chicken Quesadillas, Spicy Calamari tossed with chili sauce, kalamata olives, parmesan cheese and lemon olive oil, Crab and Artichoke Dip, and Turkey Shrimp Gumbo.

The menu also features variety of burgers and sandwiches. Burgers include the Mushroom Swiss with sautéed mushrooms, onions, and Swiss cheese, The Bleu with sautéed onions and bleu cheese, and the Smokehouse featuring barbeque sauce, bacon, and cheese. Among the sandwich selections are the Pulled-Pork Sandwich, Shrimp Po-Boy, and “The Elwood,” a blackened chicken breast sandwich with chili garlic mayo, green chilis, and sour cream.

Entrees feature some traditional southern favorites, most notably the Creole Seafood Jambalaya with shrimp, chicken, andouille sausage, and roasted green onions. Entrée choices also include Grilled Citrus Chicken, Cajun Meatloaf, Baby Back Ribs with Jim Bean BBQ Sauce, Grilled Rib-Eye Steak with a spicy garlic-pepper cream sauce, and Wild Mushroom and Roasted Chicken Pasta featuring shiitake, oyster, and portobello mushrooms topped with smoked gouda cheese.

For an appetizer I chose the Pan Seared Voodoo Shrimp and it could have been a meal unto itself. The shrimp themselves were fairly large and were cooked so that they were perfectly tender. The shrimp came in a rich, thick, creamy sauce that was very spicy. This is definitely not an appetizer for the faint of heart. While the sauce is a beer reduction, I did not find the flavor of beer to be too overpowering. The shrimp is also accompanied by a large slice of the House of Blues’ famous Rosemary Corn Bread. This is was what really made the appetizer special. The sweetness of the cornbread provided a nice contrast to the spiciness of the sauce, but at the same time the two complimented each other perfectly. This would have been a great appetizer even without the shrimp because it was great to just dip the cornbread into the sauce.



With so many choices on the menu it was hard to decide what I wanted for an entrée, but I finally decided on the Eggplant-Stuffed Salmon. I have had salmon at many different restaurants before, but nothing ever like this; it was a dish that was truly unique. In contrast to the Voodoo Shrimp, the sauce that accompanied the salmon was milder in flavor and I had a hard time figuring out exactly what the sauce was. After asking my server I found that it was actually a balsamic-butter sauce. The piece of salmon was absolutely huge and was pan-seared perfectly so that it was slightly crispy on the outside but still soft on the inside, in addition to being very light and flaky. The stuffing was a mixture of eggplant and shrimp and its rich/heavier flavor paired well with the lightness of the salmon and sauce. The piece of salmon itself was not actually stuffed, but it was served on top of the stuffing. The salmon was also accompanied by four good-sized crab claws that were great to dip into the sauce. While this entrée was not spicy (especially compared to my appetizer) it did offer a variety of different flavors that all blended together very well.



For dessert I went with the White Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding and I was astounded by the huge portion size. This was an extremely rich and filling dessert and it was so big that I was not even able to finish it all. I was a little hesitant at first to order this dessert because it is served with a whiskey sauce. The sauce, however, is actually very sweet and the whiskey flavor was just enough to add an extra little kick to the dessert. The bread pudding was served warm, but not piping hot. There were pieces of banana inside which added extra flavor and texture to the dessert, but too much so that the flavor of banana overpowered everything else. The bread pudding also came topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, which was a light and refreshing compliment to an otherwise heavy dessert. I have tried bread pudding at several Disney restaurants and I would have to rank the one at House of Blues above that of Ohana and second only to Raglan Road.



Service:
I found the service at House of Blues to be very laid back and casual, which is in keeping with the feel of the restaurant on the whole. That being said, my server was very helpful in describing items on the menu and answering my various questions about the different dishes. Also, even though my server was waiting on several tables, she was also very attentive to my needs and made sure that I always had plenty of water (which is very important when eating spicy food). The service was efficient, but the meal progressed at a nice, leisurely pace, allowing some time to relax between courses.

Dining on a Budget:
One of the things that surprised me the most about House of Blues was that it offers Happy Hour every day of the week from 3pm to 5pm during which time all appetizers are half price. This is a great value, but one which is not very publicized. With such a wide variety available, you could easily make a meal of just appetizers. Whether dining by yourself or with a group of people, you could order several appetizers to share (or maybe a few appetizers and a dessert) and have a great meal at a very affordable price. Also during Happy Hour, House of Blues offers $2 domestic beer, wine, and cocktails. This is definitely one of the best deals on Disney property. Even if you do not go during Happy Hour, the appetizer prices are still very reasonable and the menu also features several other affordable options, such as the burgers for $12.99 as well as the Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich and Shrimp Po-Boy which are also just $12.99. Not only does the menu feature reasonable prices, but the portion sizes that you get for that price are very generous.

The Overall Experience:
While I did not really know what to expect when I went to House of Blues, I now know that I will definitely be going back again. Everything about the restaurant completely exceeded my expectations, especially the food. The menu features such a wide variety of offerings that there are several items that I still want to try. With an atmosphere that looks like something straight out of a Louisiana bayou and a menu that features flavorful and spicy southern soul food, House of Blues is an adventure for both your eyes and your taste buds. More than just a bar or music hall, House of Blues is a restaurant that offers great food and large portions at an affordable price (a real recipe for success). House of Blues is definitely a hidden gem when it comes to restaurants and, while other dining locations may receive more attention and a far more crowded, it has become my favorite restaurant at Downtown Disney.

Le Cellier

Le Cellier, nestled inconspicuously in Epcot’s Canada pavilion, is probably one of the most hyped and talked-about restaurants on Disney property. Getting reservations here for both lunch and dinner can be quite a challenge no matter what time of year you are visiting. There is good reason for the restaurant’s popularity and why many people, myself included, consider Le Cellier their favorite dining location in all of Disney World. I go to Le Cellier with perhaps higher expectations than any other Disney restaurant, and yet it never fails to exceed my expectations every time. Everything about the restaurant is of the highest quality, from the service to the menu to the ingredients used in preparing the dishes, and it delivers all of these things on a consistent basis. When it comes to creating a memorable dining experience this is the recipe for success and the reason why Le Cellier is the gold standard among Disney restaurants.



Overview:
One of the great things about World Showcase at Epcot is that it allows you to be completely immersed in cultures that are completely different from our own, experiencing the sights, sounds, and tastes of eleven different nations. Each pavilion has their own unique offerings of attractions, shops, and restaurants that help give us insight into what life is like in these different nations. The Canada pavilion may be the most beautiful and visually stunning in all of World Showcase. The first things that catches the eye is the Victorian-style Hotel du Canada, inspired by the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. The landscaping is likewise absolutely stunning with beautifully colorful grounds reminiscent of Victoria’s Butchart Gardens. The pavilion also pays homage to the Canadian Rockies with a boulder-strewn stream and thirty-foot waterfall. Just as the pavilion’s exterior captures the beauty of the Canadian landscape, Le Cellier offers an equally immersive experience into Canadian cuisine. It is a restaurant which offers an elegant and intimate escape and, during the course of a meal, makes one forget that you are actually dining in the middle of the theme park.





Atmosphere:
The great difficulty in getting reservations at Le Cellier is not only due to its incredible popularity, but also because of its size. Le Cellier is probably the smallest of all the sit-down restaurants at Epcot with exception of the Bistro di Paris, but this adds to its allure with the small size creating a very intimate atmosphere. The décor of the restaurant is simple and subtle, but elegant. True to its name, the restaurant is meant to feel as though you are dining in a wine cellar. Although the theming may not be as over-the-top as restaurants like Rainforest Café or 50’s Prime Time Café, it still has many little details that contribute to your sense of immersion. The stone and dark-wood paneled walls, the faux candle light fixtures, and faux fireplace all lend to the authentic wine cellar atmosphere, as well as the numerous wine bottles scattered around the restaurant.





The restaurant does not have any windows and so the dining area is somewhat dark and enclosed, but large mirrors on all of the walls give the sense that the restaurant is actually much bigger than it is. Due to its small space, the tables in the dining area are somewhat close together, but the restaurant is not loud at all even if all the tables are filled. With its refined and intimate feel, Le Cellier is a great dining location for a romantic night out, but at the same time it is not so upscale that you should hesitate going if you have children.



The Menu:
Le Cellier features a menu with dishes that highlight the different regions and provinces of Canada and the various culinary traditions of this vast nation. While the lunch and dinner menus have some similarities with certain selections found on both, there are also some noticeable differences between the two. The appetizer selections are identical on both menus. When it comes to appetizers, one of the must-have items at Le Cellier is the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup made with Moosehead beer and smoked bacon. Another popular appetizer is the Spicy Chicken and Chipotle Sausage served with a roasted corn polenta and sweet onion jam. Other appetizer options include Sautéed Prince Edward Island Mussels, Lump Crab and Sweet Corn Custards, the Tomato Stack with carmelized onions, cucumbers, and crumbled blue cheese, and Duck Three-Ways.

For entrees, Le Cellier is best known for its steaks. The New York Strip Steak, topped with bercy butter and served with Gruyere Yukon Gold Potato Gratin, as well as the Mushroom Filet Mignon, with wild mushroom risotto and a white truffle and herb butter sauce, are found on both the lunch and dinner menus. The Coffee-Rubbed Kansas City Strip Steak, with hazelnut butter and cream cheese mashed potatoes, is exclusive just to the dinner menu. Other entrees found on both menus are the King Salmon Two Ways (pan-seared and poached) and the Sautéed Potato Gnocchi served with grilled eggplant, cherry tomatoes, and pesto sauce.

The lunch menu also features a selection of sandwiches that come served with your choice of potato salad or French fries. These sandwiches include the Salmon Croque Madame with prosciutto, poached egg, and blue cheese sauce, the Shaved Prime Rib Sandwich topped with cheddar cheese, sauteed onions, and a horseradish cream sauce, the very popular Le Cellier House Burger served with maple barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese, and crispy onions, and the Chicken Crepe with roasted portobello mushrooms, peppers, and a blue cheese sauce.

Likewise, the dinner menu also has some exclusive items. Among the dinner selections are the Pan-Roasted Chicken Breast, a Salt-Crusted Prime Rib finished with au jus and horseradish cream sauce, a Spice-Crusted Pork Chop served with rosemary polenta, the Veal T-Bone, and a Brioche-Crusted Pacific Halibut that comes with sweet pea ravioli, carrots, and a white wine-butter sauce.

There are also several side orders which are available for both lunch and dinner to enhance your entrée selections. These include Oven-roasted Mushrooms, Grilled Asparagus, Creamed Spinach Gratinee, Sautéed Spinach, Onion Rings, Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Wild Mushroom Risotto, and Baked Macaroni and Cheese.

When dining at Le Cellier you want to make sure to save room for one of their delectable desserts. The dessert options are the same for both lunch and dinner and include a Chocolate on Chocolate Whiskey Cake, the Chocolate "Moose," Maple Creme Brulee, and Campfire S'mores.

For an appetizer I started with the Prince Edward Island Mussels which come sautéed with celery, shallots, ginger, garlic, and coconut milk. I am not usually a fan of mussels but these were outstanding and extremely flavorful. If you do not really care for garlic you may not want to order this particular appetizer because the mussels have a very strong garlic flavor. Surprisingly there was little taste of the coconut milk, which I thought would have stood out more. The mussels were cooked perfectly, were very tender, and come served in a skillet that is sizzling hot. Also of note, the sauce that the mussels come in is great for bread-dipping.



No meal at Le Cellier is complete without having the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup. In my opinion, it is the best item on the entire menu. I could go to Le Cellier, just order the Cheddar Cheese Soup, and leave completely happy and satisfied. What makes the soup so special is its incredible flavor. It is extremely rich and creamy, very thick, and very filling. The predominant flavor of the soup is the cheddar cheese, but there is also a slight hint of beer that adds an extra little kick. There is also the taste of smoked bacon, but this is just enough to enhance the overall flavor of the soup rather than being overpowering. The flavors of the cheddar cheese, Moosehead beer, and smoked bacon blend together in a way that creates a soup unmatched by any other that I have ever had. I would go so far as to say that Le Cellier’s Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup is one of my favorite food items in all of Disney World.



Despite Le Cellier being known for its steaks, my favorite entrée selection is the Sauteed Potato Gnocchi. For those of you not familiar with gnocchi, it is a type of pasta/dumpling made of potato and flour. The word gnocchi actually means “lumps” and it has been a traditional Italian dish since ancient Roman times. Like the Cheddar Cheese Soup, this is a dish which is very rich and filling. The gnocchi come sautéed so that they are just slightly browned on the outside, but still nice and soft on the inside, with an “al dente” consistency that is firm and not mushy. The gnocchi come in a pesto sauce that is very fresh and flavorful. The lightness of the pesto sauce provides a good contrast to the heaviness of the gnocchi. Also providing additional flavor to the dish are the diced eggplant and cherry tomatoes, which like the pesto add a refreshing and lighter texture to an otherwise very heavy dish. The gnocchi also come topped with parmesan cheese, just enough to add some additional flavor without overpowering the other elements of the dish.



With all this food it is very tough to still have room for dessert, but it is definitely worth your while. I opted for the Chocolate “Moose,” which presents a fun twist on a traditional dessert. Served in the shape of a Moose head, this is yet another very rich dish. The mousse is very thick and firm in texture, but still creamy and smooth. The mousse also has a toasted chocolate coating which provides additional texture and added chocolaty flavor to the dessert. While this dessert may be simple, it is still very flavorful and extremely good.



Service:
The service at Le Cellier is of very high quality. Because of the restaurant’s smaller size, it means that the servers are able to pay an even greater amount of attention to each table. It seemed as though the server was always coming by the table to make sure everything was okay and to see if anything was needed. I found my server to be very friendly and helpful. She pointed out some of the more popular items on the menu, her own personal favorites, and also offered suggestions as to which wines might be the best for certain dishes. One thing I enjoy about the service at Le Cellier is that, although they are very efficient and attentive, the meal still progresses at a relaxed pace. Even though the restaurant is extremely popular, I did not feel as though they were trying to rush me through my meal in order to get the tables turned-over quickly. While the service was not slow, they still allowed enough time between each course to digest a little before the next dish was brought out. I felt that this pace of service actually allows you to enjoy the meal much more and really appreciate the high quality of the restaurant.

Dining on a Budget:
Le Cellier offers a “Chef’s Favorites” prix fixe option for both lunch and dinner that includes your choice of an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. The price for lunch is $29.99 and $36.99 for dinner. The appetizer selections are the same for both lunch and dinner, with the choice of Mixed Field Greens, Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup, or Spicy Chicken and Chipotle Sausage. The lunch menu entrees include the Shaved Prime Rib Sandwich, Grilled Angus Chuck Burger, Sauteed Potato Gnocchi, and the Grilled Sirloin Salad. For dinner, the options are the King Salmon Two Ways, the Salt-crusted Prime Rib, Sautéed Potato Gnocchi, and the Pan-Roasted Chicken Breast. Both lunch and dinner dessert options feature the Maple Créme Brulée, Chocolate “Moose,” or the Seasonal Sorbet.

While this may appear to be a good value, you need to be careful with what you order because some combinations of appetizer, entrée, and dessert do not add up to the price you are paying for the prix fixe menu. In some instances you can save money. For example, if you were to order the Spicy Chicken and Chipotle Sausage ($9.99), the Sauteed Potato Gnocchi ($19.99), and a Chocolate “Moose” ($5.99) separately off the lunch menu your total would come to $36. In this case, you would be saving $6 by ordering off the prix fixe menu; it would be like getting a free dessert. Some combinations, however, just do not add up. For example, the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup ($6.99), House Burger ($13.99), and Chocolate “Moose” ($5.99) would come to $26 if ordered separately off the lunch menu, $3 less than if you ordered the prix fixe lunch. So, while it can be a good value, be sure to do the math before you order from the prix fixe menu.

The Overall Experience:
One of the main ways that restaurants become successful is to deliver a high quality product and to do so consistently. This is especially true at Le Cellier. It comes as no surprise that the restaurant is one of the most popular in all of Disney World. In all the times of have dined there I have never been disappointed. You go to Le Cellier with very high expectations and yet the restaurant delivers time after time; not only does it meet these expectations, but it exceeds them. I highly recommend Le Cellier as one of my “must do” Disney restaurants. If you have not experienced this restaurant yet, it is definitely worth trying. As soon as you have dined there once, you will want to keep going back again and again. However, be advised that reservations are a must and should be booked as far in advance as possible. If you cannot get a reservation, be persistent because you never know when there will be changes or cancellations. All this effort will be worth it because the experience of Le Cellier can best be summed up as Disney dining at its very best.