It was strange walking through Disneyland in heels and a dress. My boyfriend insisted that I wear a skirt, as the restaurant he was taking me to, and surprising me with for my 31st Birthday had a strict dress code. It did not take long for me to guess where we were going. I could eliminate Pizza Port, and the Hungry Bear Restaurant right away simply by the direction we were heading, but The Blue Bayou was still very much in contention for the evening's final destination. I am a big fan of their Monte Cristo sandwich, and my mouth was already watering before I got to Pirates of the Caribbean. However, I was thrilled (and not entirely surprised) when we passed the entrance to the Blue Bayou and stopped instead in front of a very unassuming, plain green door with the number 33 engraved on a simple address plate next to it.
I had always heard that to enter Club 33, a guest must press a buzzer on an intercom concealed by a hidden panel in the doorway. A receptionist will ask for the guest's name over the intercom and, if access is granted, open the door. I was excited for this part. Yet when we got to the door, we saw no intercom. The door was cracked open and we just walked in to an empty lobby. Still I was thrilled to be on the other side of the green door for once. According to wikipedia.com, corporate members pay an initiation fee of $27,500, and individual members pay $10,000 in addition to annual dues, which are about $6,100 or $3,500, respectively. Initiation and dues may change annually. There are 400 members, and the waiting time for memberships is approximately 14 years. All members must have a valid membership card to gain entrance to Club 33. Additional utilization of the card is to spouse only, with reservations accepted only from the cardholder, the spouse or the cardholder's assistant. I don't know how my boyfriend got us in, or how far in advance he had to make reservations. But I was impressed. It's nice to assume he jumped through hoops to get me in, even if he does work for Disney.
I may have been more impressed by the fancy decor and old important things in the restaurant, were it not for all the dowdy guests marring the experience. I was told no jeans, or we would be sent home. Why did I see men and women in baseball hats, t shirts and shorts? I half expected Buzz Lightyear to come in and sign autographs. Nonetheless, the food was delicious as expected, and the service was spectacular. Even the mom nursing her baby at the table next to us could not spoil that. I ordered the 5 course tasting menu - warm spinach salad with pancetta, and Dijon dressing, lake whitefish with Meyer lemon and yam pomegranate croquette, followed by New York strip steak with roasted vegetables and hollandaise, a cheese course, and finally a caramel apple tatin. I licked my plates clean. What? They were tiny portions.
It was ultimately a very delicious and unique experience for which I am grateful. And though I didn't see Walt's head, or any of the celebrities that frequent the restaurant, I will never forget my 31st Birthday at Club 33.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_33
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_33
