Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen: New Orleans Style Dining on the Happiest Place on Earth

One cannot help passing by Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen and not notice the restaurant's exterior replica of a traditional French Quarter architecture or the smooth jazz melodies that stream out of its entrance way. At first the dinner menu and its prices displayed outside of the gates look a bit intimidating, but the atmosphere is what draws you in.

My friend and I had the privilege of dining in the outside tables of the restaurant where the weather was cool and comfortable. Although the dinner menu selection was sparse, we still took some time narrowing down to the entrée that we wanted. For dinner, this restaurant serves entrees from Seafood Jambalaya, Gulf Shrimp Crusted Yellowtail, and Grilled Chicken and Penne. Their appetizers include items such as Louisiana Crab Cakes, Crispy Creole Calamari, and Southern Garlic Cheese Bread. Soups and salads include Gumbo, Creole onion Soup, and Baby Arugula & Goat Cheese Salad. Sides such as Andouille grits, Popcorn Pilaf Rice, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Butter Poached Asparagus are also available for your liking. They also have a special dinner offer where you can choose from a selection of items and get a 3 course meal (starter, entrée, and dessert) for only $30 per person. The prices range from $7 to $33. The lunch menu basically consists of the same items except in smaller portions with different entrees. Lunch entrees include "Po-Boys" and other sandwiches, Grilled Vegetable Frittata, Southern Fried Catfish, and entrée salads such as the New Orleans Blackened Streak Salad. The prices range from $7 to $14. The dessert menu includes delectable items such as New Orleans Bread Pudding, Bananas Foster, Beignets, and Apple Blueberry Cobbler a la Mode, Crème Brulee, and Profiteroles. A kids menu is also available.

I ordered the Roasted Chicken Rosemary entrée along with the New Orleans bread Pudding for dessert. Both were delicious. It happened to be my friend's birthday and although none of us directly mentioned to our waiter that it was his birthday; our waiter surprised him with a complimentary birthday dessert (our waiter must have overheard us talking or something) which was a really nice gesture.

The restaurant also offers live jazz entertainment every night. The facility is open from 11 AM until 10 Pm, Monday through Thursday, and 11 AM to 11 PM on weekends. It is located in the center of Downtown Disney, in between Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks. If you park in the Downtown Disney parking lot, the first 3 hours are free and if you eat at any Downtown Disney restaurants you can have your parking ticket validated and gain an extra 2 hours of free parking.

This restaurant is a little bit on the pricey end, but the entertaining atmosphere, great tasting food, and excellent service are what make it completely worthwhile.