HOLLYWOOD STUDIO’S “BROWN DERBY” by Bill Iadonisi

Located between the Starring Rolls Café and the Animation courtyard, Disney’s Brown Derby restaurant is an exact replica of the famous eatery in Los Angeles during the Golden age of Hollywood. It was a beacon for the Hollywood elite and gave birth to the famous “Cobb Salad” which was actually invented by Robert Cobb, one of the owners of the restaurant and has been the highlight of the menu here.

The Derby here at the Studios is a Disney signature restaurant, meaning if you have the Disney Dining plan, it will require 2 plans for one meal. You enter the restaurant under a long brown canopy and enter a small ante room. Here you will find a taste of things to come. Adorning the walls are caricatures of the famous celebrities of the day and many pictures and descriptions of who’s who in them and the years they were taken. It is well themed, and you may actually expect Lucille Ball or John Wayne to walk in! Joining my wife and I this evening were friends Steve and Vicki Barrett, whom like us, love to dine out at Disney. Our Reservation was for 5:30pm and a few minutes after checking in, our table was ready.

As with the check-in room, the main dining hall is beautifully themed with the pictures and caricatures on all the walls. The large dining room is surrounded by dark wood and overhead there are large period chandeliers. The architecture and warm light colored walls harkens back to the original. Circling the main dining area tables that are on a higher tier, many by the windows. After we were seated, our waiter was right there to take our drink orders. The Derby has a nice wine and after Dinner drink menu. They offer Dessert Wines by the ½ bottle or 3 oz pour, Ports, Sherries and Madeira and a fine list of cognacs and Armagnac’s.

After ordering drinks, my wife ordered the Blue Jumbo Lump Crab Cake appetizer, which was accompanied with potato crust, green cabbage slaw and Dijon Mustard and Remoulade Sauce. I had the roasted Sea Scallop with smoked bacon, summer peas, sweet corn Risotto and Lemon Aioli. Both appetizers were very good, the Crab Cake had a good balance of crab and breading. Since my wife does not care for slaw, I got to enjoy it! This was well made, fresh and crispy. My Sea Scallop was good, but scallops by themselves really have a bland taste so Hardwood smoked bacon helped enhance the flavor. Our server was prompt with the refills on the drink order and when it came time for the entrée, he was very helpful with suggestions. Steve ordered the Grilled Atlantic Salmon, his wife Vicki had the Split roasted Half Chicken. I was very tempted to order the signature dish, the Cobb Salad, but instead I had to try the Pan roasted Duck Breast and Venison Sausage. I am a big fan of venison and know it is a difficult meat to prepare properly, so that is a good test of a chef’s expertise. My wife is sort of a picky eater at times and gravitated to the Char-grilled New York Strip Steak which came with Roasted Red Potatoes and Cremini Mushrooms.

My experience dining at Disney has always been a pleasurable one, and this time was no different. The wait staff on property, for me has always been one of the best parts of the meal because of the special way the guests are treated. Their knowledge of the menus and recommendations when you cannot decide what you want are spot-on. You will enjoy the same here at the Derby. The atmosphere here is also nice, with the décor and pictures on the walls; you could actually believe you are in Hollywood during its heyday. The only complaint that we had was that the noise level is very high. This eatery is very popular and this is to be expected, so you may get that romantic dinner in, but it will not be too quiet.

My wife liked the New York Strip, but compared to the rest of our meals, it was just an ordinary steak, but was cooked just the way she liked it. My Roasted Duck breast was very tender and went very well with the Fresno Chili Jam. And I can report that the Chef certainly knows how to prepare venison, the sausages were outstanding! At first, I did not know if I would like the Lentils, but they were as outstanding as the sausages. They had a unique flavor and texture, and I know I will order this dish again. Steve’s Atlantic salmon was excellent, I know this because during the meal, he was very quiet, just enjoying the meal. The salmon was firm and was well balanced with the Balsamic Glaze and Gorgonzola cheese, which is very strong. Steve also said he would repeat this order. Vicki’s chicken, which was two large pieces, was very good. She liked the flavor of the Maple vinegar Sauce, but said she would get something more “exciting” next time around.

The food here at the Derby is very well prepared and presented, but my only complaint is that I believe the portions should be a little bigger. For example the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake for $ 11.00 could have been a bit bigger or there should have been two smaller ones served. Other than that, the Brown Derby, with its décor and fascinating history is a must stop when you visit the Hollywood Studios. Outside the Derby is a nice outdoor courtyard to enjoy lunch, the tables having red umbrellas over them and there is a wall and wrought iron fence for privacy. If you are a fan of the original Cobb Salad, this is the place to experience it. It is excellent!

The restaurant takes the Disney Dining Experience. It is open for lunch from 11:30am to 3:00pm and Dinner is 3:30pm to park closing. Prices are from $15.00 to $35.99 per person. A child’s menu is offered. Specialty celebration cakes are available which must be ordered 48 hours in advance. The restaurant is also available for the Fantasmic Dinner package. As will all Disney Restaurants, special dietary needs can be accommodated. Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made by calling (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463)