Blue Bayou closed... suggestions?

[amykilbreath]

My family and I are thrilled to be going to DLR next week, but are SO SAD to see that Pirates and Blue Bayou will be closed while we're there!!

It's been a family tradition for DECADES to always do the "special" dinner of the trip at the Blue Bayou, as we all love the atmosphere, being so close to the rides!

Any suggestions on a restaurant to fill in this year?

We will have a 5 year-old and three adults in our party.

Thanks!

 

[princesszelda]

If you want similar food, Cafe Orleans. Or you can try Steak house 55, Napa Rose. I am not sure what you are looking for. We always go to Cafe Orleans.

 

[FlameGirl]

Another vote for Napa Rose.

 

[Astylla]

Although I have not had the opportunity to dine there myself , from what I have heard and read Napa Rose cannot be missed. Hopefully you will find a new tradition suitable. Best of luck

 

[blackjackdelta]

I would do Cafe Orleans if you want the same type of food. Otherwise I would do SH55 for some atmosphere.

Jack

 

[Malcon10t]

I agree with Cafe Orleans. Its my go to restaurant.

 

[Topscot]

If you don't mind going to Downtown Disney, I'll recommend Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. The food is excellent. During the weekend, they have dining upstairs with a wonderful New Orleans charm. We go there every visit as well as the Blue Bayou. The Bananas Foster is to die for. Reservations recommended. Here's the menu...

3 Course Menu - $30

Soup or Salad

French Quarter Salad
Mixed greens, candied pecans, cherry tomatoes, cider vinaigrette
Louisiana Soup of the Day
Chef's creation

Entrees

Buttermilk Fried Pork
Candied sweet potatoes, Southern greens & Tasso cream sauce
Paneed Chicken Bercy
Andouille grits, artichoke hearts, roasted tomatoes, crimini mushrooms &garlic-lemon-white wine sauce
Catfish Court Bouillon
Cornmeal crusted, Gulf shrimp, Cajun rice

Desserts
New Orleans Bread Pudding
The Queen of Cresent City desserts... cream, eggs, sugar & raisins, housemade creme anglaise
Creole Red Velvet Roulade
creme anglaise

A La Carte Menu
Starters

Bourbon Street Sampler
A taste of New Orleans; popcorn calamari, coconut shrimp, Greg's Bayou BBQ ribs, crispy Parmesan artichoke hearts, three dipping sauces
Serves two or four 16 / 24

Crispy Parmesan Artichoke Hearts
Creole mustard aioli, tomato basil sauce 11

Cochon De Lait Quesadilla
Carmelized onions, goat cheese, chipotle-pesto dipping sauce 14

Louisiana Crab Cake
Cajon corn maque choux, red bell pepper salad 14

Popcorn Calamari
Creole mustard aioli 13

Coconut Crusted Shrimp
Pickled okra, Tabasco pepper jelly 13

Gulf Shrimp Ravigote & Avovado Napoleon
Pickled cucumber, heirloom tomatoes, smoked pepper coulis 13

Oysters on the Half Shell
1/2 dozen Pacific oysters, bloody Mary cocktail, mignonette sauce 15

Southern Garlic Cheese Bread
Basil, mozzarella, roasted garlic & olive oil pureé 8


Soups and Salads
Louisiana Soup of the Day
Chef’s creation 7

Gumbo Ya-Ya
Chicken, andouille sausage, dark roux, Creole seasoning, rice 8

Creole Onion Soup
Caramelized sweet onions, savory broth, croutons, Parmesan cheese 8

Soups 1-1-1
Trio of Gumbo Ya-Ya, Louisiana Soup of the Day & Creole Onion Soup 8

French Quarter Salad
Mixed greens, candied pecans, cherry tomatoes, cider vinaigrette 7

Fresh Mozzarella Salad
Baby Arugula, heirloom tomato, watermelon, pesto vinaigrette 8

Entrées
Pasta Jambalaya
Gulf shrimp, andouille sausage, roasted chicken, spinach fettuccine, Creole seasoning 28

Blackened Chicken Carbonara
Penne pasta, crimini mushrooms, peas, applewood smoked bacon asiago cream sauce 22

Drunken Chicken
Rum marinade, basil whipped potatoes, Abita beer battered onion rings, lemon-pepper pan reduction 21

Andouille Crusted Snapper
Cajun rice, corn maque choux 23

Blackened Salmon
Cajun rice, jalapeno-peach salsa, tequila-lim beurre blanc 28

BBQ Shrimp & Grits
"New Orleans" barbecue sauce, andouille-parmesan grits 24

Greg's Bayou BBQ Ribs
Chipotle-honey glazed, Southern mac & cheese, Cajun slaw 28

Grilled Medallions of Beef
Filet mignon, crawfish mashed potatoes, bacon & pecan-crusted green beans, zinfandel reduction 30
New York Strip & Pommes Frites
Truffle compound butter, asiago garlic fries 29

Black & Blue Filet Mignon
Blackened, blue cheese dauphinoise potatoes, butter poached asparagus, blueberry-Merlot demi glace 33


Sides -6
Bacon Pecan Green Beans
Andouille Grits
Corn Maque Choux
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Southern Mac & Chees
Cajun Rice
Asigo Garlic Fries
Bacon Braised Turnip Greens
Crawfish Mashed Potatoes
Butter Poached Asparagus
Cajun Corn Bread
Blue Cheese Dauphinoise Potato

 

[stitchy626]

I agree with Cafe Orleans. Its my go to restaurant.

Ditto

 

[DizMe]

I don't have a very good answer for you. There really is nothing that compares directly to BB. Cafe Orleans is similar food-wise but that's about as far as it goes. I don't care for the outdoor setting at CO for a nicer family dinner and have never had good service there. They don't offer the same combinations with sides so while it may look cheaper than BB, you get less food.

There aren't many fine dining options in DL park and no others that I can think of that overlook a ride the way BB does. I like the Italian restaurant in DCA (Wine Country Trattoria?) but again, it isn't the same as BB and it's more confusing to try to eat there these days with the WOC dining packages in effect, something I want to avoid. I love the interior of Ariel's but don't want the character meal situation these days. Napa Rose has exceptional food and a nice atmosphere but it isn't in the parks and doesn't really give you the sense of being in Disney so much.

Steakhouse 55 used to be excellent but I've not been there in some time. It's a fair distance away from the parks but if you take the monorail it's not too bad.

I've eaten at Jazz Kitchen and it was good but my kids wouldn't like it at all. It can also be noisy (live music) so you would want to make sure you had a table farther away from the band.

That's about the extent of my experience. I think you'll just have to pick something and enjoy the company you're with and look forward to your next trip when you can return to the BB.

Of all of the choices open to you, I think Cafe Orleans, though not my favorite, would offer you the best location if being in the park and close to the "action" is most important to you. Just be prepared for s s s s l l l l o o o o w w w w w service!!

 

[taaren]

We had a similar dilemma and ended up going to Wine Country Trattoria for our girl's night out. It wasn't as good as we were hoping for. We always do lunch at Cafe Orleans so that was covered, but if I had to pick again I'd try Steakhouse 55 as a replacement meal since Napa Rose is awesome, but too pricey for us. Or perhaps go off property to Roy's over at GardenWalk for their souffle ...