The Hollywood Brown Derby meets the true measure of greatness by being consistently spectacular and when Disney announced that it would be transforming its outside patio area into the The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge, intrigue naturally followed. Now open, the new Lounge is an exquisite delight with a tantalizing menu that accompanies the beautiful vista of the heart of Disney’s Hollywood Studios that was a staple of this patio prior to its reimagining. Whether you sit back, relax and people watch while you sip on your favorite cocktail or peruse through various small plate bites, it is the life of the stars and we’d expect nothing less from one of the premier restaurants at Walt Disney World.
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Being one of the lucky few to first enjoy some of the treats of this outdoor lounge, we can tell you that it is can’t miss! As we eloquently stated on Instagram, you think you’ve had sliders before but you haven’t. Not until you try the Derby Sliders with Wagyu Beef, Cognac Mustard Aïoli, Smoked Gouda Cheese, Bacon and Avocado. Oh and that slider is accompanied by my personal favorite slider with House-made Chorizo! This is just one of the amazing small plates and I’ll share more of my favorites in the days ahead. But first we must quench that thirst with a stunningly beautiful and simply refreshing cocktail.
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On my first visit to the Brown Derby Lounge, I ordered the Ben Appètit and discovered what I’m calling the Gin drink for everyone. It is simply a great cocktail. Light, flavorful and sets the perfect mood for a mid-afternoon at the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge. It features Nolet’s Silver Gin, X Fusion, Lemonade, Cucumber Slices and Simple Syrup. But the drink menu doesn’t end there! Alongside specialty cocktails are wines by the glass and half-bottle, premium ales, beer and cider, specialty iced-coffees and of course non-alcoholic drinks like the famous Shirley Temple created at the original Hollywood Brown Derby. Of course we’ve also got more than just great food and drink picks, we’ve got you an often overlooked but perfect tip for those who want a great beverage but have places to go and things to do at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You can simply walk up to the bar just inside the entrance to the new lounge and request your drink to go and they will gladly hand it to you in a plastic container, so you can sample the deliciousness on the go.
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The Classics
The Red Carpet
Absolut Peppar and Bloody Mary Mix 9.50
Side Car
Courvoisier VS Cognac, Cointreau and a splash of Sweet-and-Sour with a Sugared Rim 9.75
Mint Gimlet
Nolet’s Silver Dry Gin, Simple Syrup, Lime Juice and Mint Leaves 9.50
Shelby Mayer
Grey Goose Vodka and Dry Vermouth 9.75
Honey Darling
Bombay Sapphire Gin and Dry Vermouth 9.00
Jack Diamond
Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Sweet Vermouth, and Bitters 9.75
Ben Appètit
Nolet’s Silver Gin, X Fusion, Lemonade, Cucumber Slices and Simple Syrup 10.50
Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
Shirley Temple
Non Alcoholic Cocktail created at the Original Hollywood Brown Derby
Sprite and Grenadine 2.70
Mimi Ka-boom
Mint, fresh Lime Juice, Agave Nectar Pineapple Juice and Soda Water 4.20
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Domestic Beers
Samuel Adams 6.25
Bud Light 5.00
Premium Ales, Beers and Cider
Corona 6.25
Bluepoint Blueberry Ale 7.50
Long Coast Tangerine Wheat Ale 7.50
Magic Hat 7.50
Estrella Damn Daura (gluten-free) Spain 7.75
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Martini Flight of the Stars
A tasting of three Martinis 11.25
Shelby Mayer Grey Goose and Dry Vermouth
Honey Darling Bombay Sapphire Gin and Dry Vermouth
Dorma Nesmond Ketel One Citroen Vodka, Pomegranate Liqueur and Cranberry Juice
Citizens Take Flight
A tasting of three flavored Margaritas 11.25
Bucky Greenhorn’s Derby Margarita
Melvin Macheezmo Mango Margarita
Ready Freddy Fiddlesticks Pomegranate Margarita
Wine Flights
Champagne Flight
2-oz pour of each 16.00
Fairy Tale by Iron Horse Celebration Cuvée Brut, Green Valley ’12
Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto d’Acqui, Piedmont, Italy ’11
Tattinger Brut La Francaise Riems, France N.V.
White Wine Flight of the Stars
Fess Parker Riesling, Santa Barbara County ’11
Fess Parker Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County ’11
Fess Parker Viognier, Santa Barbara County ’11
The Belle of Hollywood
2-oz pour of each 20.00
Belle Glos Alturas Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County ’11
Belle Glos Clark and Telephone Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County ’12
Belle Glos Dairyman, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County ’11
Scotch Flight
.75-oz of each
The Macallan 12yr, The Macallan 15yr, The Macallan 18yr 25.00
Grand Marnier Flight
.75-oz of each
Grand Marnier, Grand Marnier 100yr, Grand Marnier 150yr 28.00
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White
Fairy Tale by Iron Horse Celebration Cuvée Brut, Green Valley ’08 14
Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto d’Acqui, Piedmont, Italy ’12 12
Fess Parker Riesling, Santa Barbara County ’11 9
King Estate Pinot Gris, Oregon ’11 10
Sartori Pinot Grigio, Italy ’12 11
Kenwood Vineyards Moscato Zacchero, California ’11 10
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ’11 10
St. Supéry Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley ’12 10
Fess Parker Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County ’11 9
MacMurray Ranch Chardonnay, Sonoma ’10 9
Kenwood Vineyards Yulupa White Zinfandel, California ’12 9
Red
Buena Vista Pino Noir, Carneros ’09 12
Coppola Diamond Merlot, Napa Valley ’10 10
Greg Norman Estate Shiraz, Australia ’10 9
Masi Campofioran Ripasso, Vento Italy ’09 10
Portilla Malbec, Mendoza Argentina ’11 9
California 37 Cabernet Sauvignon, California ‘119 9
Simi, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley ’12 12
St. Supéry Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ’09 13
Half Bottles
Merryvale Chardonnay, Napa Valley ’11 28
Frog’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford Napa Valley ’12 26
Duckhorn, Merlot, Napa Valley ’09 47
Stag’s Leap, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ’09 45
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Artisanal Cheeses and Charcuterie Board for Two
An assortment of Artisanal Cheeses and Salami Calabrese, Chorizo Picanta, Salami Toscano, Duck Rillette, Imported Prosciutto, Chicken “Faux Gras” Terrine 19.00
Artisanal Cheeses
Champignon Brie, Midnight Moon Goat Cheese, Flora Nelle Blue Cheese served with Raisins on the Vine, Pear Jelly, Spiced Pecans and Crostini 15.00
Derby Sliders
A Wagyu Beef with Cognac Mustard Aïoli, Smoked Gouda Cheese, Bacon and Avocado
and
House-made Chorizo with Chipotle Mayo, Manchego Cheese, Pickles and Crispy Onions
15.00
Prince Edward Island Mussels
Sautéed with Applewood Smoked Bacon and a Garlic Herb Butter Sauce 15.00
Duck Confit Tacos
Sweet Onion and Orange Conserve, Taleggio Cheese and Leek Rings 14.00
The Derby Cocktail
Jumbo lump Blue Crab, Black Tiger Shrimp with Avocado and a Horseradish, Tomato Juice 14.00
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Desserts
Chocolate Three Ways – Praline Milk Chocolate Cream, crunchy Ganache and Orange-Chocolate Mousse 9.00
Banana-White Chocolate Toffee Tower on Cocoa-Almond Cookie and Bananas “Foster” 9.00
Strawberry Champagne Cheesecake with Macerated Strawberries and Dark Chocolate Caviar Crisps 9.00
Dessert Wines
Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto d’Acqui, Piedmont ’09 12.00
Royal Tokaji Red Label 5 Puttonyos, Hungary ’05 22.00
Specialty Iced Coffees
Nutty Irishman Baileys Irish Cream and Frangelico topped with Whipped Cream 9.75
Alberto Dante’s Millionaire Cappuccino Bailey’s Irish Cream, Grand Marnier, Kahlúa and Frangelico 9.75
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There is little doubt in my mind that Disney’s Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge is going to be a beloved addition and we can’t wait to share more in our full-review soon.