The fact that we had scheduled a late afternoon and early evening visit to Disney-Hollywood Studios settled the issue of where we were going to eat dinner on this particular day. It only made sense to go ahead and set a priority seating for dinner at this restaurant, which has proven on past visits to be the best restaurant in the theme park.

After I had selected an appetizer and narrowed the choice of an entrée down to one or two possibilities I allowed myself to reflect on what it is that keeps bringing me back here. I have always had a true appreciation of how the wait staff accomplished the difficult task of providing a relaxing and fine dining experience in the middle of a busy theme park. Also I have never been disappointed with the meals that I have chosen and the service has always seemed to be a step or two above what I have sometimes tolerated at other theme park restaurants. But there was something else about dining here that I had not really discovered until this visit. I will share more about my discovery a little later.

Our server was quick to find us and offer up a knowledgeable explanation of the dishes that we were considering. For appetizers we settled on the Potato Crusted Lump Crab Cake with frisee tossed in citrus beet vinaigrette and a classic tartar sauce, which I very much enjoyed and the Hearts of Romaine Salad with green goddess dressing, shaved prosciutto ham, browned butter capers and toasted fennel crostini that my wife selected.

We appreciated the ample time we were allowed to enjoy our appetizers, as we continued to wind down from the pace we had maintained while touring the park earlier. However it wasn’t until our server set down the Mustard-Brushed Rack of Lamb with minted Green Tomato Chutney, Pumpkin Spoon Cake that I had ordered and the Center Cut Filet of Beef with Dijon crushed red potatoes, Bernaise aioli and merlot jus that my wife selected that I finally realized what it was that made dining here special. I have had the opportunity to dine at some pretty good restaurants while visiting Walt Disney World and not to take anything away from them, but I believe the presentation of the dishes we were served this night was without a doubt the best I have seen anywhere. The effort that had gone into the presentation only added to our enjoyment of the marvelous combination of tastes that the chef had blend together.

Now maybe because I was consciously looking for it but the same effort in presentation was found in the desserts we selected. The Chocolate Flourless Cake with raspberry coulis and pistachio crisp that was ordered, upon the recommendation of our server and the Hazelnut Praline Crème Brûlée tasted every bit as good as they looked.

Dining at the Hollywood Brown Derby has taught me a couple of things. One of them is that good habits are indeed hard to break and the other is that on my next visit to Disney-Hollywood Studios I will be back to the Hollywood Brown Derby to enjoy another exceptional meal.



Introductions
Portabella Mushroom, Chevre Cheese Raviolo with tomato fennel sauce and sweet basil $6.25

Cobb Salad for Two with chopped greens, turkey breast, bacon, egg, tomatoes, crumbled bleu cheese, avocado, and Cobb dressing $13.00

Potato Crusted Lump Crab Cake with frisee tossed in citrus beet vinaigrette and a classic tartar sauce $8.00

Mixed Field Greens tossed in a black pepper cabernet vinaigrette with sun-dried cranberry bleu cheese $5.00

Hearts of Romaine Salad with green goddess dressing, shaved prosciutto ham, browned butter capers and toasted fennel crostini $7.00


Center Stage
Spiced Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin with white cheddar grits, melted chard, natural pan juices and warm stone fruit compote $22.00

Sesame Seared Tuna Mignon with Wasabi Whipped Potatoes, Sugar Peas and a a broken Ginger Soy Vinaigrette $20.00

Mustard-Brushed Rack of Lamb with minted Green Tomato Chutney, Pumpkin Spoon Cake and Port Wine $27.00

Pan-Fired Grouper over balsamic roasted asparagus, lemon plugra butter sauce, topped with Bermuda onion marmalade $23.00


Center Cut Filet of Beef with Dijon crushed red potatoes, Bernaise aioli and merlot jus $27.00

Tanglewood Farms Rotisserie Half Chicken served over warm spinach and bacon salad with sweet potatoes and pure maple-whiskey glaze $19.00

Grilled Atlantic Salmon on sweet corn risotto with oven dried tomatoes, fresh chervil and balsamic butter sauce $20.00


Grand Finale
Grapefruit Cake - A Brown Derby Original! Light Layers of Yellow Cake with fresh Grapefruit Cream Cheese Icing $6.00

Bananas Foster Mascarpone Cheesecake with cherry compote and port wine reduction $7.25


Chocolate Flourless Cake with raspberry coulis and pistachio crisp $6.60


Hazelnut Praline Crème Brûlée - with white chocolate biscotti $6.60


White Chocolate Raspberry Mousse served in a dark chocolate swirl and Bonny Doon Framboise Chantilly $7.00