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Dining in Disneyland: Dinner at the Newly Renovated Club 33


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After a 6 month full renovation, Club 33 has re-opened to members and their guests.  The expansion includes a new entrance, a modernized and much larger kitchen, and the gorgeous new Salon Nouveau.

Similar, but much more swanky, Salon Nouveau is sort of like Disneyland’s equivalent to 1901; a members only, no reservations needed lounge serving up food, drinks and jazz. We will be posting a full review about Salon Nouveau in the very near future, but for now, let’s take a look at the new Club 33!

Club 33 Entrance

Club 33 Entrance

We gave you an atmosphere look previously, but we’ll cover a few more pics of the interior for you today!

Atmosphere

The entrance is now located just steps to the right of the old Club 33 entrance in New Orleans Square. The pretty new doorbell includes an etching of the new logo surrounded by a gold toned art nouveau design. It’s located on the side wall to the left of the door.

The New Doorbell

The New Doorbell

When you are buzzed in, there is a small reception area (formally the ornament shop) where you can check in for your meal and do some shopping from one of the two merchandise cases at the club.  Notice the bust? She is a piece from the club that was located on the old stairwell.

Check In Area & Merchandise Case

Check In Area & Merchandise Case

Once you check in, you’ll take a seat in the Court of Angels until you are escorted up to the restaurant.  The staircase leads to the Club’s new main entrance.

Court of Angels

Court of Angels

Lighted Stairway Detail

Lighted Stairway Detail

The doors to Club 33 are at the top of the staircase to the right.

Main Entrance

Main Entrance

A very intricate mosaic greets you as you step foot inside.

Mosaic Logo

Mosaic Logo

Relocated from the old Trophy Room, I was very happy to see this guy when I walked in!

Hello ol' pal!

Hello ol’ pal!

The new lobby is large, open, and airy.  Here you’ll find a desk with lovely cast members whose job it is to escort guests from the Court of Angels to the lobby and then to either Salon Nouveau or their dining table. Just look at these friendly faces!

Lovely Club 33 Cast Members

Lovely Club 33 Cast Members

The inlaid wood floors in the lobby are absolutely amazing.  So detailed and intricate, I can’t even imagine how many hours were put into them.

The inlaid wood floors include the club's new logo.

The inlaid wood floors include the club’s new logo.

The vulture isn’t the only piece that made its way into the new lobby.  Lillian Disney’s harpsichord is also there.

Lillian Disney's harpsichord a top the beautiful inlaid wood floors.

Lillian Disney’s harpsichord atop the beautiful inlaid wood floors.

From the lobby desk, you can either go left and take the wine cellar hallway to Salon Nouveau (more details later).

Salon Nouvaeu Entrance

Salon Nouveau Entrance

Or you can head right, traveling through the bright new hallway featuring large windows and freshly painted murals to the main dining room.

Looking Out to New Orleans Square

Looking Out to New Orleans Square

photo 1 (15)-001

Club 33 Hallway Mural

Club 33 Hallway Mural

Club 33 Hallway Mural

Once passing through the hallway, you enter the main dining room, now called Le Grand Salon.  Other than the complete decor makeover: new chairs, tables, place settings, artwork, flooring, etc., the most noted difference in the room is that the faux fireplace has been replaced with a giant window that looks out towards the Rivers of America.

Le Grand Salon

Le Grand Salon

The wine service area in the dining room appears to remain untouched.

Bar Area

Wine Service Area

The place settings include all new dinnerware, silverware & linens. Another new addition to the table are the mini lamps and fleur de lis napkin rings.

Table for 4

Table for 4

Place Setting Close Up

Place Setting Close Up

Eats

So, now that the “tour” is complete, let’s get to the food. Along with the refurb came a new to the club (not new to the Disneyland Resort) executive Chef.  Chef Andrew Sutton of Napa Rose and Carthay Circle is now the man in charge of Club 33.

Former Chef Marcel St. Pierre is currently leading the entire team at the Disneyland Hotel. This includes his new home base, Steakhouse 55. AND guess what? You can get the famous Chef Marcel Burger there. It’s not on the menu, but go ahead and order it and be surprised!!! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he adds his signature mac n’ cheese as a secret menu item, too. In fact I’m totally going to try and order it the next time I’m there.  It is going to be VERY missed at Club 33.

Club 33 now offers either a 5 course menu or a 6 course menu.  The difference is that a cheese course has been inserted just before dessert.

Club 33 Dinner Menu

With the addition of  Salon Nouveau, the drink selection has become quite extensive.  In addition to the menu below, you can order any other specialty type drink they serve over at the bar.

Club 33 Dinner Menu 2I tried the Orange Lemonade and it was so refreshing.

Orange Lemonade

Orange Lemonade

AMUSE BOUCHE

Dinner started with an Amuse Bouche: Peach Panna Cotta.  The bite sized treat had a yogurt-like texture with the flavor of sweet summer peaches.  Plus it was served with a tiny spoon! I love tiny spoons, for real.

Peach Panna Cotta

Peach Panna Cotta

BREAD SERVICE

The bread service has changed significantly at Club 33, there is no longer an assortment of breads, but now a round loaf of Brioche type bread with herbed butter.  Both the bread and herbed butter were delicious.

Bread Service

Bread Service

FIRST COURSE

The first course includes 4 options: Sauteed Asparagus, Salmon Carpaccio, Seared Beef, or Lobster Rockefeller.  I love asparagus of any type, so I went with it.

The asparagus was sauteed with red pepper remoulade and included a little side of asparagus panna cotta.  The stalks of asparagus had a very light breading on them that was amazing, and the red pepper remoulade they sat atop was such a great accompaniment.

After having the peach panna cotta, I learned that I prefer my panna cotta fruit flavored.

Sauteed Asparagus with Asparagus Panna Cotta

Sauteed Asparagus with Asparagus Panna Cotta

Other first course choices at our table included the Prime Beef and the Lobster Rockefeller.

Prime New York of Beef Seared Black & Blue with Tarragon Roasted Garlic Puree

Prime New York of Beef Seared Black & Blue with Tarragon Roasted Garlic Puree

DSC04124

“Lobster Rockefeller” with Crispy Oysters and Hollandaise

SECOND COURSE

The Second Course also has 4 offerings: Summer Garden Salad, Heirloom Tomato Salad, Watermelon Salad, & Summer Corn Soup.  This one was a tough choice for me, they all sounded so great.  I went with the Watermelon Salad with Southern Orange Creme Fraiche and Petit Greens.  Another very refreshing dish.

Watermelon Salad

Watermelon Salad

Other choices at our table included the Heirloom Tomato Salad and the Summer Corn Soup.

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Crispy Burrata Cheese and Green Tomato Gazpacho.

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Crispy Burrata Cheese and Green Tomato Gazpacho.

As a side note, I’d like to mention that I chose to opt out of the 3rd course because I wanted two things from the 2nd course. So I also had the Summer Corn Soup.

If corn soup or chowder of any type is on a menu, I’m in. This was no exception.  The soup was one of the best corn soups I’ve ever had. The broth was sweet and the andouille sausage gave it just a little kick.

Summer Corn Broth, Green Tomato Relish, Andouille Sausage and Gulf Shrimp

Summer Corn Broth, Green Tomato Relish, Andouille Sausage and Gulf Shrimp

THIRD COURSE

There are three options in the third course, all of which are seafood.  I really wanted two things from the second course, and I’m not a huge seafood fan, so I skipped this one.  Third course options include Iron Seared Fish with Crayfish, Grilled Diver Scallop and Gulf Shrimp, and Butter Poached Lobster with Braised Leeks.

While I enjoyed my delicious corn soup, others at my table tried the Iron Seared Fish with Crayfish and Butter Poached Lobster with Braised Leeks.

Iron Seared Fish with Crayfish Hoppin' John and Creole Yellow Tomato Sauce

Iron Seared Fish with Crayfish Hoppin’ John and Creole Yellow Tomato Sauce

Butter Poached Lobster with Braised Leeks and Minted English Pea Puree

Butter Poached Lobster with Braised Leeks and Minted English Pea Puree

PALATE CLEANSING

Before the fourth course a cute (and delicious) little scoop of Cucumber Lime Sorbet Topped with an Edible Flower is brought out.  Again, the tiny spoons!

Cucumber Lime Sorbet with Edible Flower

Cucumber Lime Sorbet with Edible Flower

Fourth Course

There are 4 options in the fourth dining course: Sassafras Dusted Duck Breast, Vegetarian Layered Ratatouille, Creole Mustard Crusted Rack of Lamb, and a Petit Angus Filet Mignon.  Yes, unfortunately the famous Club 33 Chateaubriand is no longer.

All 4th course entrees are brought out to your table at the same time and presented to each guest under a silver dome.  The lids are lifted simultaneously for a fun little “voila” moment.

What's behind dome #1???

What’s behind dome #1???

It’s Vegetarian Layered Ratatouille with Red Quinoa, Black Eyed Peas and Tomato Coulis!  I wanted to try something “new to me” so I went the vegetarian route.  I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into, as I’d never tried Ratatouille before, but I was presently surprised when my meal was revealed.

The plating of it was gorgeous and it tasted amazing too.  Wrapped in a neat little package of zucchini, the quinoa and black eyed peas made up the center of the dish.

Vegetarian Layered Ratatouille with Red Quinoa , Black Eyed Peas and Tomato Coulis

Vegetarian Layered Ratatouille with Red Quinoa , Black Eyed Peas and Tomato Coulis

Other 4th course meals at our table included the Petit Angus Filet and the Rack of Lamb.  I loved the plating of the 4th courses.  Just look at this stack of half-moon scalloped potatoes and the perfect row of pesto dots.

Petit Angus Filet Mignon with Tasso Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, & Collard Green Pesto

Petit Angus Filet Mignon with Tasso Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, & Collard Green Pesto

Creole Mustard Crusted Rack of Lamb with Summer Corn Succotash

Creole Mustard Crusted Rack of Lamb with Summer Corn Succotash (sorry for the blur!)

DESSERT COURSE

Next Up would be the Cheese Course which is described as a “Diligently selected trio of Artisanal Cheeses with Orange Blossom Honey Comb.”  Next time I may go for the cheese, I really love a good cheese plate, especially when honey comb is involved.  But, sadly, no one at our table went for the 6 Course menu, so let’s skip to the grand finale; DESSERT!

It’s never easy to choose a dessert, especially when they all sound incredible.  The four options on the Club 33 dinner menu include the Chocolate Hazelnut Gianduja Decadent with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Passion Fruit, Warm Monkey Bread with Old Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream & Candied Pecan Praline, Vanilla Mascarpone Velvet with Summer Peaches and Lemon Balm Peach Nectar, and Vanilla Creme Brulee with Apricot Conserve and Cognac Flambe.

When I was little my dad used to make us Monkey Bread on the weekends.  I hadn’t eaten it since I was a kid, so even though I really wanted to try the creme brulee, I went for the nostalgia of the Monkey Bread.  I’d describe this dessert as a comfort food treat.  The little cylinder of monkey bread was nice and warm and the vanilla ice cream paired perfectly with it.  The Candied Pecan Praline was just an added bonus!

Warm Monkey Bread with Old Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream and Candied Pecan Praline

Warm Monkey Bread with Old Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream and Candied Pecan Praline

Other dessert choices at our table included the Chocolate Hazelnut Gianduja Decadent with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Passion Fruit.  This dessert was gorgeous.  Topped with a layer of chocolate printed with the new Club 33 logo, the dessert was almost like a mousse type lava cake.  The warm ganache was poured table side into the center of the dessert causing it to melt the layer of chocolate on top and sink in the center of the mousse.  Really a lovely looking dish.

Chocolate Hazelnut Gianduja Decadent with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Passion Fruit

Chocolate Hazelnut Gianduja Decadent with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Passion Fruit

The biggest dessert hit was by far the table side presentation of the Creme Brulee. Because who doesn’t get excited by flaming food!?!

Table Side Creme Brulee Presentation

Table Side Creme Brulee Presentation

Vanilla Creme Brulee with Apricot Conserve and Cognac Flambe

Vanilla Creme Brulee with Apricot Conserve and Cognac Flambe

KIDS MENU

The Club 33 Kids Menu has also gotten an overhaul.  Instead of a leather book type menu, it’s now a standard disposable paper menu similar to the ones you see throughout the resort, minus the games and crayons.

The artwork on the cover features Ray from The Princess and the frog and is absolutely adorable.

Kids Menu Cover

Kids Menu Cover

Kids Menu

Kids Menu

The Kids Menu consists of three courses.  My boys chose the same menu items, so I don’t have a wide variety of photos to share here.

For the first course they both had the Peach Yogurt Parfait layered with Fresh Berries.  If it were me, I would have chosen the Farm House Tomato Soup with Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwich!

Kids Peach Yogurt Parfait Layered with Fresh Berries

Kids Peach Yogurt Parfait Layered with Fresh Berries

For the second course they went with the Petit Filet of Beef with Sauteed Green Beans, Rice Pilaf & Fruit Skewer. They aren’t big Rice Pilaf fans, so they were able to sub for French Fries, which by the way were amazing.  Some of the best fries I’ve ever had…  Somehow the fruit skewer didn’t make it on to the plate for a photo, oops.

Petit Filet Minus Rice Pilaf & Fruit Skewer Plus French Fries!

Petit Filet Minus Rice Pilaf & Fruit Skewer Plus French Fries!

For dessert, one of my boys went for the French Beignets with a Trio of Dipping Sauces: Chocolate, Caramel and Vanilla.  Unfortunately he dug into them before I could get a photo, even though he knows the “PHOTO FIRST” rules!!! Anyhow, they were not like the big puffy beignets we are used to over at the Mint Julep Bar, these were more like donut holes.  Still tasty, but sort of a let down…

My youngest just went with a bowl of Vanilla Ice Cream and Fresh Berries.  I really wanted him to get the “Cookies and Cream” Traditional Mickey Cookie with Strawberry Ice Cream, but he’s not a big strawberry fan and wanted something kind of plain.  It was not a problem at all to order something that was “off” the menu.

Vanilla Ice Cream with Fresh Berries

Vanilla Ice Cream with Fresh Berries

OVERALL

The food at the newly renovated Club 33 was fantastic, the service was impeccable and the atmosphere is gorgeous.  I will definitely miss some of the old menu items, especially the mac & cheese and the chicken dish as well.

It’s sad to see some of the physical changes to the Club, but I also understand that a renovation was needed to comply with building codes, efficiency & modernization of the kitchen, etc.

AND, for those of you wondering… I did inquire about the “thrones” in the ladies room.  Unfortunately they are no longer.  Although it’s upsetting that they are gone, there’s good hygienic reasoning to go along with their demise.

Since this is a food blog, I will spare you the details!

What would you order at the new Club 33? Let us know in the comments below.

Heather Sievers is the Disney Food Blog’s Dining in Disneyland columnist. See more of her columns here!

Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and:


Related posts:

  1. Dining in Disneyland Review: Club 33 Dessert Buffet
  2. Dining in Disneyland: Marc Davis Centennial Dinner INSIDE the Haunted Mansion
  3. First Look and Photo Review: The NEW Club 33 in Disneyland!


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