House of Blues; checking out Elwood’s place
To me, the House of Blues is what Downtown Disney is all about. Its a nightclub, music venue and themed eatery all wrapped into one. Plus, its got that great brand name, the Blues Brothers, behind it. I previously did a review of Boatwright’s at the Port Orleans resort wherein I criticized its “toned down” version of Creole cuisine. That’s not the case at the House of Blues. The food is very good and is complemented by its surroundings. After the Hard Rock Cafe opened years ago, we saw a plethora of themed chain restaurants like Planet Hollywood, the Rainforest Cafe, and the All Star Cafe. In my opinion, the House of Blues may very well be the best of the lot.
To give you an idea, the appetizers include pan-seared voodoo shrimp with rosemary cornbread (more on that later), crispy catfish nuggets, and parmesan fried artichoke hearts. These range from $9 to $11. For more substance, there is the “Elwood”, a blackened chicken sandwich with chili garlic mayo, green chilies, and sour cream- sounds good right? Entrees include Creole jambalaya, penne (with roasted red peppers, spinach, and roasted garlic in parmesan and a white wine sauce), and wild mushroom pasta. Cajun meatloaf is a specialty as is the grilled chicken with andouille-corn bread pudding and pinot noir sauce. There are also the typical Creole choices like gumbo, seared catfish and po’ boys.
Ambience is a key component to the House of Blues. The decor is fun in a voodoo sort of way- try to imagine the largest bayou hut you will ever find covered in folk art from the region. We ate one night at around 9PM and got to enjoy a very talented blues rock band. There is also a performance hall attached which very well may be showcasing a performer you know. The music runs the gamut of rock, folk, jazz, and, of course, blues. Also, there is a popular gospel Sunday brunch here. The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for kids.
Besides the music, my favorite part of the House of Blues is the cornbread (told ya I would get back to this). The skillet baked rosemary cornbread with maple butter is outrageously good and I can easily scarf down the entire pan myself. As you can tell, I highly recommend the HOB. Its remarkably authentic in both cuisine and vibe for a chain restaurant. I suggest you go a little later to improve your chances of seeing a talented band play in the main dining area. There is something enjoyable when you combine cornbread, andouille sausages, and good blues music.
Matt said,
June 4, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
I ate here like 5 or 6 years ago with my folks and it was a quick stop for an early dinner, as I recall. I need to hit up Downtown Disney a lot more than I currently have in recent years.
Mike said,
June 4, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
It was good though right?
Matt said,
June 4, 2007 @ 7:52 pm
As I recall, the food was good and we all enjoyed it. I’d like to revisit it and eat at a time where something is going on stage while I eat to really get a sense of what the restaurant is about.
Mike said,
June 4, 2007 @ 10:34 pm
go at about 9PM, and you should get a band in the restaraunt
Lou Mongello - DisneyWorldTrivia.com said,
June 5, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
I agree about the HoB and think that it is one of the often-overlooked treasures of WDW. The food is wonderful and quite reasonably priced, and offers a selection not found anywhere else on property, with a distinct ‘Nawlins flavor (try the voodoo shrimp and Parmesan fried artichoke hearts!!). The theming of the interior is fun and lively, filled with great memorabila and decorative elements on the walls (yet not giving the feeling that you’re at a TGI Fridays). Even the bathrooms are given some extra touches!
Of course, the atmosphere really gets electrified when there is live music - and don’t let the name fool you. You don’t need to be a “blues fan” to enjoy the music inside. Want to try something different? Head on over for their legendary Gospel brunch on Sunday mornings. The food is great and you’re treated to a very fun, unique entertainment experience.
Mike said,
June 6, 2007 @ 2:33 am
I am a blues fan myself so its great. But you’re so right about the cuisine. The extremely lame Boatwrights (even when it had a more Nawlins menu) cannot compare