The Exclusive Club 33

Being a family member to a Disney aficionado, I've grown up hearing about Club 33.  I've heard of the tens of thousands of dollars club fee plus the expensive yearly fee.  I've heard there was a waiting list of many years just to become a member.  I've heard of the exclusivity.  I imagined that only the rich and famous had dinner at this club.  But then I got older and my brother's company had membership and half my family went.  Living in southern California it seems that almost everyone you meet that knows about Club 33 has either gone or knows many people who have.  All of a sudden it seemed a little less exclusive and a little more attainable.  

A couple of months ago my brother called us up asking if we would want to go have dinner at Club 33.  Knowing it was a little expensive but recognizing it was a rare opportunity we decided to do it.  Last time we were at Disneyland we actually ran into (literally) Jennifer Morrison (from Once Upon a Time) and we saw that she went to Club 33.  Maybe we would see someone famous while eating dinner!

We rang the doorbell and were escorted inside.  There was a very fancy and old school, glass elevator complete with a sliding door.  My mom took the trip in the elevator and the rest of us walked the stairs to the top.  There were two main dining halls.  We were in what was called the Trophy Room.  We had a very energetic waiter and we settled in for a long enjoyable night.

Our waiter gave us a good history of the club and even indulged on which celebrities he had served.  He said some celebrities have their own memberships including Nicholas Cage (maybe that is why he's bankrupt) and even Jennifer Morrison.  I thought that was really funny that he said her because that is who we saw go into Club 33!  He served Ronal Reagan and even Michael Jackson.  He said Michael was disguised that he didn't recognize him at first.  

The Trophy room used to have animatronic animal heads on the walls and Disney had an idea that they would talk and respond to diners' conversations.  Each chandelier over each table had a microphone that someone would listen in on the conversation and then have the nearest animal on the wall respond.  This was soon axed as they realized there could be some compromising conversations.

The food was actually really good.  Sean got the Vitner, the 5 course meal that the Chef designed.  I couldn't even pronounce, let along recognize, half the ingredients on the menus.  I order a Kobe Steak which was seasoned well and very tender.

NOTE: These pictures aren't the best quality because I only brought my iPhone and I didn't use flash.  The good photos are courtesy of my brother's camera.

Compliments of the Chef.  I remember that it was cucumber soda but I can't remember what the other was called but it had a slice of radish and raw salmon with another piece of food topped with herbs.

Sean's first course: Muscovy Duck Confit, Local Berries, Micro Spinach,  Rhubarb Granita.  The Granita was an amazing touch!

Sean's second course: Rare Seared Sri Lanka Ahi, White Asparagus Orzo, Pea Shoot Frons, Citrus Froth.  The Orzo was DIVINE!

Sean's third course: Anaheim Ale Braised Short Rib, Yukon Potato Galette, Creamed White Corn.  This was the epitome of melt in your mouth, so good!!

My entre: American Kobe Hangar Steak, Mine Shaft Blue Cheese Fritter,  Yukon Gold Potato Puree, Chanterelle Mushrooms and Buttered Corn.

I ordered the cheese plate which was a larger sampling of Sean's fourth course.

My dessert was creme brûlée, it was delicious!

Sean opted out of his fifth course, stone fruit phyllo for a chocolate cake with raspberry sorbet.

Of course there was the birthday cake!  Cute little chocolate mouse Mickey Mouse cake.

The view from our dining room overlooked the square right outside the exit of the Pirates.

I heard the ladies room was a must see so I visited it.  It was so old school, I loved it!

After dinner we meandered our way to the other dining area which connected to the balcony.  Fantasmic was going but unfortunately the trees were too much in the way that you only saw snippets of it.