New Orleans in California

I have never visited Louisiana. But the thought conjures up images of fog-shrouded bayous, flickering fireflies, banjo and saxophone music, and cuisine with marvelously delectable flavors. Add palm trees, hot California breezes, and a hint of the piratical, you've got Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney. Yep, there are even foggy bayous of a sort, but I'll get to that later.

While visiting kin in Southern California this past autumn, my mom and I enjoyed a sunny afternoon exploring Downtown Disney. As if afternoons in CA could be anything but sunny. After searching Downtown Disney's website for spots to grab a gluten-free lunch, I found Ralph Brennan's:

In the mood for New Orleans cooking? Is that even a question?

Open-air foyer. Love the red walls,
wrought iron chairs, and zany fountain.

Lunch included iced tea, a gluten-free* jambalaya with fresh-tasting shrimp, and salad with balsamic dressing and candied almonds. I also ordered a Bayou Breeze, a drink especially recommended by the chef as gluten-free. A perfect example of classic Southern hospitality. Or is it typical California good vibrations?

The Bayou Breeze

I got a kick out of the drink's presentation, thanks to the emerald-hued Midori at the bottom and the pirate sabre roguishly spearing the maraschino cherry. Cruzan coconut rum, Midori liqueur, orange juice, and cranberry juice comprised the drink, which the waitress recommended stirring together before quaffing. Unless I wanted a full blast of Midori liqueur. Naw.

Crocodile mirror

Oh great, I'm photographing restrooms now. So I've become a total tourist, and loving it. So, here's the foggy bayou. Isn't that a spectacular mirror, despite the mosquito in the corner of the mural? I'd say it was a great specimen of Bayou Bling.

Anyway, I loved eating at Ralph Brennan's: New Orleans cuisine and atmosphere without the humidity and with all the charm. Fabuleux.

* In creating a gluten-free version of their Pasta Jambalaya, Ralph Brennan's simply substituted rice for the pasta. The restaurant has a gluten free menu available upon arrival, though not online at this time.

Featured Quote: Your Corner of the Forest

"You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you; you have to go to them sometimes."

The House at Pooh Corner (1928)
A.A. Milne

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

First Trip to the Magic Kingdom

I visited Walt Disney World for the first time ever in 2009. After dreaming and saving for years, I couldn't believe that I was finally going! I enjoyed the anticipation itself, filling the months leading up to the trip absorbing The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, the Imagineers' guides to Disney World, the website TouringPlans.com, and the Disney Vacation Planning DVD (which I ordered for free online, woo hoo!), all the while making lists of my top rides and shows to visit, places to eat, ops to photograph, pretty spots to take a break, trivia to know. 

Featured Quote: Pirates!

"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. 
We kindle and char, inflame and ignite. 
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho. 
We burn up the city, we're really a fright. 
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho. 

"We're beggars and blighters
and ne'er do-well cads, 
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho. 
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads, 
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho. 
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me."

"Yo Ho," by George Bruns and Xavier Atencio (1967)

Written especially for the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Disneyland

Does this really need a caption?

A golden cross from the wreck of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha,
discovered in 1971. The piece is (at the time of this blog's
posting) part of a museum display at the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Florida.

Photo Highlights from the Magic Kingdom

A few highlights from my trip to the Magic Kingdom in 2009... 

...like the riverboat, the Liberty Belle, which seems to be the sister of the Mark Twain in Disneyland in California...