What's on the Menu? - Brown Derby

[Guest]

Brown Derby





If you are looking for the best Cosmopolitans in the World, then this is the place!
Served in super-freezey glasses and well balanced with hints of Curacao and cranberry with a generous slug of vodka!
They were so good we had two!





Paul had the only veggie appetiser available at lunch time - Market Greens Salad with asparagus, grape tomatoes, candied pecans, Midnight Moon goat cheese and cabernet vinaigrette

He’s had it before and made exactly the same comment “It’s ok but it would be much better with blue cheese - this cheese is boring.”
I’m sure they’d substitute blue cheese as they use it in the Cobb Salad. I wish he’d thought to ask.





I wasn’t very impressed with my starter of Maine Fruit Wood Smoked Salmon with caponata, cracked pepper dill mascarpone and crostini

Maybe it would have been better if it was served at room temperature as the first thing I detected was the distinct essence of fridge!
Also the ratio of caponata to salmon was way off balance. There was far too much of the caponata and the strong flavours of the aubergine and capers totally dominated the salmon.
I do remember thinking it would have been far more suited to a nicely grilled lamb chop.





Paul had his usual - Noodle Bowl with wok fried coconut tofu, soy beans, sugar snap peas, bok choy and shiitake mushrooms in a red curry broth

This dish never fails to please - he looks forward to eating it on every holiday.
I do seem to recall though, he was a little miffed to find there was less of the crispy coconut crusted tofu this time.





I chose Grilled Rib Eye Steak with arugula, crispy sweet onions, gorgonzola, red bliss potatoes, and oven-dried tomato vinaigrette

This dish was absolutely delicious although I confess I was expecting a bigger steak. It was a bit on the thin side - not exactly the man-sized portion one usually associates with a rib eye steak. The accompanying veggies and blue cheese were plentiful enough but I was left feeling I wanted a bit more meat. Perhaps all that alcohol at lunchtime had given me an extra hearty appetite!





Due to the squiffy-ing effect of two very strong Cosmo’s we obviously weren’t thinking too clearly when it came to choosing our wine - I ordered a glass of Fess Parker Viognier, Santa Barbara 05 and Paul the Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa valley 03.
We had two sips out of each then swapped over as the Viognier paired perfectly with Paul’s noodle bowl and the Cabernet was just right with my steak. Delicious!

We often say we’ll try a different restaurant at Hollywood Studios but we can never resist the lure of the Brown Derby.
As always we had asked to be seated in a comfy booth which affords an element of privacy in a large theme park restaurant. Our waiter was a gem who quickly sensed we were in no hurry and paced things perfectly.
Our food was a bit hit and miss (my salmon starter was pretty awful) but we really enjoyed ourselves at Brown Derby, our jollity no doubt aided and abetted by a couple of good Cosmo’s and a large glass of wine just after midday.

[Michelle]

LOL's at being 'squiffy' Su, I can't drink on an afternoon

I have never ate at the Brown Derby, for some reason it just has never appealed to us. Your steak does look a tad flat!

[Leanne1977]

We still haven't managed to make it here and I'm not really sure why.

Seemed a little hit and miss this time Su and I must admit I don't like the look of your salmon. The rest of the food looks fresh and nicely prepared though.

I do really like the look of Pauls entree. I love noodles and it looks like the dish isn't overun with an array of vegetables that I can hardly pronounce!

We may have to add this to the ever growing list for next Aug.

Thanks for sharing. xx

[truesdpr]

Shame about the starter Su but the steak does look good if a little on the skimpy side! Mind you sometimes I'm better for that as it allows me to have a pudding! We've also found that sometimes portions at lunchtimes are a little smaller than dinner.

Pam.

[Chelle27]

Sounds like you enjoyed the alcohol more than the food on this occasion Su!

[Guest]

The menu here has never appealled to us, I do like the sound of the Cosmos though

[Guest]

It did turn out to be a rather boozy lunch , especially as we hadn't had breakfast that morning. We certainly felt the effects as we wandered back down the walkway to the Dolphin - it seemed to take forever

I should have sent the salmon back in hindsight but I think I was feeling rather 'relaxed' at the time.

Leanne the noodle dish is quite spicy - do you do spicy? I think you'd really love the mushroom raviolo at the BD. It's on the appetiser list but you could double it up as a main. We are both very fond of it and miss it now its not on the lunch menu any more.

[Bob_and_Dawn]

I've noticed that alcohol in the afternoon takes the edge of poor food.

Bob

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Bob_and_Dawn

I've noticed that alcohol in the afternoon takes the edge of poor food.

Bob

See more...

Takes the edge off a lot of things Bob!

Thankfully my steak was lovely - I just wanted more of it.

[Treacle44]

Ooh those Cosmopolitans look syummy, must try one next year.

Not one of your favourite restaurants then Sue?

x