Message: | I stopped by Downtown Dis' on my way to San Diego recently... Why? Not sure. But I think it had as much to do with the lure of celebrity chefs as it did Mickey Mouse... Anyway, I agree the place is disturbing -- cured me of my longtime affection for crafstman architecture. (For those who haven't been, DD looks like Greene and Greene on acid.) It also almost but not quite cured me of my affection for La Brea Bakery -- didn't try the other restaurants. Yes, the menu was similar to the La Brea locale. But something ineffable was lost in the translation/mass production. The sandwiches were good, way better than anyone has a right to expect in a theme park -- not to mention, intelligently wrapped in a crispiness-preserving kind of plastic, instead of seran wrap. But they didn't have that ole Nancy Silverton magic. They seemed familiar, watered down -- "oh just another 'gourmet' tomato and mozz sandwich" -- and not marked by a creative culinary spark. (Echoes of old LB bread debates, I know...) Was this a real drop in quality or just my snotty reaction to my surroundings? Couldn't say... But I don't think you have to be a total reactionary to want to feel like your meal is something special and not just over-priced fast food... |