Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
228
meatloaf—plus some out-of-place Cal-lite stragglers like sear ed ahi and pesto pasta.
Sunday's G ospel B runch is an adv ance-ticket ev ent of hand-clapping, foot-stomping
proportions. The adjacent Company S tore offers logo war e interspersed with selected
pieces of folk ar t. HOB's state-of-the-art Music Hall is a w elcome addition to the local
music scene (advance tickets are highly recommended for big-name bookings).
1530 S. Disneyland Dr . (at Do wntown Disney).
&
714/778-2583.
w ww.hob.com. Reser vations not
accepted for restaurant (tickets r equired for performances). Main courses $8-$17. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Mon-Sat 11am-midnight; Sun 10am-midnight.
Rainforest Cafe
Kids
INTERNATIONAL Designed to suggest ancient temple ruins
in an overgrown Central American jungle, this national chain fav orite successfully com-
bines entertainment, retail, and family-friendly dining in one fantasy setting. There are
cascading waterfalls inside and out, a canopy of lush vegetation, simulated tropical mists,
and even a troupe of color ful parrots beckoning shoppers into the R etail Village. Once
seated, diners choose from an amalgam of wildly flav ored dishes inspired by Caribbean,
Polynesian, Latin, Asian, and M editerranean cuisines. M asquerading under ex otic-
sounding names like Jungle Safari Soup (a meaty version of minestrone) and Mojo Bones
(barbecued pork ribs), the food is r eally fairly familiar: A translated sampling includes
Cobb salad, pita sandwiches, pot stickers, shrimp-studded pasta, and charbr oiled
chicken. Fresh-fruit smoothies and tr opical specialty cocktails ar e offered, as is a best-
shared desser t called the G iant Chocolate Volcano. After y our meal, y ou can br owse
through logo items, environmentally educational toys and games, stuffed jungle animals
and puppets, straw safari hats, and other themed souv enirs in the lobb y store. There's a
children's menu, and the Rainforest Cafe is one of the few Downtown Disney eateries to
have full breakfast service.
1515 S. Disneyland Dr. (at Downtown Disney).
&
714/772-0413.
www.rainforestcafe.com. Reservations
recommended for peak mealtimes . Main courses $9-$21. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 7am-11pm;
Fri-Sat 7am-midnight.
Ralph Br ennan's Jazz Kitchen
CAJUN/CREOLE If y ou always thought
Disneyland's New O rleans S quare was just like the r eal thing, wait until y ou see this
authentically Southern concept restaurant at Downtown Disney. Ralph Brennan, of the
New Orleans food dynasty r esponsible for NOL A landmarks like Commander 's Palace
and a trio of Big Easy hot spots, commissioned a handful of New Orleans artists to create
the handcrafted furnishings that giv e the J azz Kitchen its believ able F rench Q uarter
ambience. Lacy wrought-iron grillwork, cascading ferns, and trickling stone fountains
enhance thr ee separate dining choices: The upstairs Carniv al Club is an elegant dining
salon with silk-draped chandeliers and terrace dining that o verlooks the “ street scene ”
below; casual F lambeaux is do wnstairs, where a bead-encr usted grand piano hints at the
nightly live jazz that sizzles in this room; and the Creole Cafe is a quick stop for necessities
8
Tips
For Sports Lovers
Sports fans may prefer to dine at the
ESPN Zone
in Downtown Disney, 1545 Dis-
neyland Dr. (
&
714/300-ESPN
[714/300-3776]; www.espnzone.com). More than
175 TV monitors allow you to watch just about every current sporting event in
the U.S. while dining on American grill food and pub fare.
