House of Blues Anaheim: A Crossroads for Music, Food, and Art

[Phoenix]

Anaheim is a major tourist destination for being home to “The Happiest Place on Earth”. But for those looking for something more rough and edgy though no less magical, its next-door neighbor, House of Blues Anaheim is a place that you don’t want to miss.

 

House of Blues is a music-centered venue, hosting a number of fantastic events and musical talent. Now they are rolling out with a new menu by the famous chef Aaron Sanchez, one of America’s leading contemporary Latin chefs. He is the executive chef and part-owner of the restaurant Centrico and he has been showcased on shows such as Iron Chef and Chefs vs. City.

The unveiling of the menu in Anaheim coincides with the opening of House of Blues’ new restaurant, Crossroads: a place that serves as a crossroads for music, food, and art. I had the honor of trying out the new yummy arrivals at last Saturday’s Brewapalooza, where many local breweries showed and shared their best.

 

Insider's Tip:

House of Blues Anaheim is located within Downtown Disney, the outdoor shopping entertainment district right next to Disneyland Resort. The parking is free for three hours – or up to five hours free parking with validation from participating locations. So don’t forget to bring your parking ticket to get it validated!

 

Everything looked and smelled delicious so I was hard-pressed to eat a well-rounded meal. Let’s take a look at what I ate!

 

I first started out with a nice, cold India Pale Ale from Ballast Point. It was crisp, citrusy beer with a great amount of hops and a sweet malt undertone. It was bliss in a bottle after a long time in the hot sun earlier that day. 

 

Pulled Pork Sliders

Slow smoked pulled pork, topped with smoked tomato BBQ and sweet citrus horseradish slaw, served on a potato bun.

 

Holy cow, I had to try this and I am so glad I did! The meat was so soft and juicy that it just falls apart in your mouth to release a savory sweetness that is complimented by the sweet and slightly tangy slaw. The fullness of the potato bun brought it all together. The portion was of a good size for a slider and I can see this dish being a hit either if you’re enjoying them solo or with your friends. Be careful not to drip!

 

House of Blues Salad

Fresh field greens, red and yellow tomatoes, spicy pecans and crumbled goat cheese drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

 

Summer’s a great time for salads. They’re crisp and refreshing, and light on the stomach. But a big problem with a lot of salads is that they’re either boring or drowning in heavy dressing that negates the healthy benefits and the taste of the vegetables. Not this one! This house salad brings down the house. It’s a colorful plate that will tantalize the palate. The vegetables are all of great quality and the combination of the spicy pecans and the hearty and creamy goat cheese with the zing of the balsamic vinaigrette will make it hard to put your fork down. This is a light and easy treat even for avid meat eaters.

 

Insider's Tip:

House of Blues’ employees are extremely friendly and helpful. Don’t be shy to ask them if you have any questions about the menu or venue.

 

Beer Float

A grown-up version of the root-beer float.

 

I saw this and I just had to try it because the beers from Lost Coast looked tasty. And I really wanted to try the hazelnut ice cream. I paired the scoop of ice cream with a Raspberry Brown Ale. The hazelnut ice cream was perfect for the hot day and the sweet beer was interesting with its tart aftertaste. I think those with a penchant for beer might like such a treat.

 

Lobster Mac and Cheese

Maine lobster meat in a creamy Gruyere cheese sauce and topped with crunchy panko breadcrumbs.

 

 

Oh man. This more luxurious take on the humble mac and cheese dish is nothing short of amazing. The dish offers large chunks (not strings!) of succulent lobster mixed with the melted creamy cheese. The panko breadcrumbs (similar to what is used in tempura) offer a crunch to the otherwise soft comfort food and raises it to a rock star level! This would be a wonderful dish during chillier times.

Seared Tuna Tostadas: Adobo seasoned ahi seared rare, served atop crispy corn tortillas with drunken bean puree and sweet mango chile salsa! Yum!

There were so many dishes to choose from and I regretted the fact that I only had one stomach.  They draw from many Latin-American tastes but are also unique on their own. Many places dedicated to contemporary music focus on only the auditory arts and not on the cuisine, so I was very happy that this menu rocked just as hard as the music. And speaking of music, the event had invited a number of local bands for the event. What good is great food and drink without the music to match in heart and richness?  I had the chance to listen to The Paul Cannon Band – SoCal locals from San Diego - while I was at House of Blues and I enjoyed the mellow blend of guitar, cello, and vocals.

Insider's Tip:

House of Blues’ events might have age restricts (either 18+ or 21+) at times. Check the House of Blues website or call the House of Blues in Anaheim at 714-778-BLUE (2583) for verification on age restrictions on individual shows.

 

House of Blues Anaheim is a great place for music lovers and foodies alike. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

 

House of Blues Anaheim is located at 1530 Disneyland Dr., Anaheim. For more information, call 714-778-BLUE (2583) or visit houseofblues.com/anaheim. Don’t forget to find them on Facebook and Twitter, too.

 

House of Blues is open 11am – 1:30am. Restaurant menu is served 11am – 10pm. Breakfast is served Monday – Friday, 8am – 11am. Late-night Happy Hour is Monday – Sunday, 10pm – 1:30am.

[The Nightowl]

WOW. House of Blues Anaheim was already an awesome venue for music and a great place for cocktails... but look at those fresh new eats! I'm so excited to go check them out myself (P.S. I LOVE that you had a beer float!)