“Must-Go” NEW Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues Anaheim

(Gerry Furth-Sides) It ranges from invigorating to revitalizing and the last song at the House of Blues Gospel Brunch at the continually growing Anaheim Gardenwalk said it all, “Oh Happy Day”.  In fact, you might be part of the audience to end up on stage waving  dancing to celebrate a birthday, according to brunch history.  And even without the generous,  carefully prepared and delicious food, this is all it takes to  explain about why the House of Blues brunch is an all encompassing event, especially during these trying times.

Guests are seated at tables on the floor as well as around the perimeter on a raised level, called “rails.”  This gives the room a feeling of being more personal even with the  second story balcony ring of tables around the room.  ($21 for the main floor, $45 for the special events table and rail seats)

People are invited to get up on the floor and wave their napkins, in true Southern Baptist style, but it is more invigorating entertainment than religious church-going at this event with everyone in the room involved.  The MC took a lot of time welcoming the crowd and asking their preferences in style of music.  “We Are Family” was the first song, rather than a gospel number, to give an idea of the music.

The crowd was excited when we entered the room and charged up by the time the rousing, talented Soundnation gospel band was up on stage.  The mix was wonderful, including  families, couples, large teen-age groups.  The  birthday party group  at our table, where we all discovered (synchronistically?) that we each had family experiences Arizona in common.   The event is terrific for everyone from single diners at the friendly common tables to large parties for the entire family.

The generous buffet or the band alone is worth going to the brunch at House of Blues.  The fruit platter below shows the detail and care of the kitchen. The kitchen at this venue seems closer to the room than the WEHO House of Blues, so that all the dishes are at the right temperature  — and quickly replaced when running low.  

All the generously portioned popular dishes on the buffet table made a statement.  They included juicy sausages, just right-crisped applewood bacon, small roasted spicy roasted potatoes, smoked BBQ chicken, a tub of steaming chicken jambalaya and biscuits served with separate gravy and honey.

The carving station has a corner place of honor under a spotlight.  The young man serving was only too happy to help with end pieces.  Around the corner from him right was a performance omelette bar with friendly cooks at your service.  Guests could choose their own omelette ingredients from a variety of enticing ingredients.  Next to the carving table were desserts, including a luscious tub of whipped cream for the bourbon bread pudding.

And like any good southern host, the staff is there when you needed them, and also frequently moved by to fill bottomless mimosa and water glassed. There’s a bar and one good add-on option is the bottomless mimosas for $15.The all-you-can-eat brunch stations are open before the show and during the show as well.

The rousing, entertaining event was so powerful it made everyone in the room forget that we were the midst of California firestorms, mass murder and national political fights.  Times were different when the first House of Blues in LA opened on Sunset boulevard in West Hollywood.   As a Frommer Guide writer, I was among the first to be a guest, and turned out to be a VIP friend of this wonderful place filled with primitive art.  I even had a plate from the restaurant and used it for dinner the  night before.

The new Anaheim venue is more a personal and smaller space – the WEHO room was so big it had dramatic wall that opened the two parts up for concert groups.

House of Blues, Anaheim GardenWalk,  Please see //www.house of blues.com for more detailed information.   Contact lisamarieebright@livenation.com for group rates.  There is the alternative House of Blues restaurant for meals at this venue, too. And complimentary, easy accessible parking!   The LIVE NATION updated made the House of Blues a bit less artistic and more commercial but it also made it more accessible and personal and welcoming.