Any reviews for Todd English's bluezoo?

[Googelibear]

Hi all,
is there anyone out there who's been to the bluezoo at the Dolphin and can talk about it?
We are going in 12 days and I thought the restaurant looks good enough to eat....errrr...it looks great and I guess I can't go wrong, I still want to hear all about your experience
Thank you!

 

[gwensgoofy]

My dh and I have been twice -feb 09 and July 09. The feb trip was just the two of us -Valentine's Day - and was absolutely fantastic. I remember scallops and short ribs, my dh had their version of surf and turf. In July, we went with a group of 14 and were not as impressed. We had the chilled seafood platters to start and a selection of chilled shellfish for an entree. Okay at best, and seemed overpriced for what we got. I'm hoping July was just an off visit-we fell in love with the restaurant last Feb.

 

[annnewjerz]

DH and I were there for the first time October 17th to celebrate my birthday. The food/atmosphere/service were all outstanding, so much so that we made a reservation to go back in December.

I did a review with pictures of what we ordered here.

Hope that helps!
Ann

 

[Googelibear]

My dh and I have been twice -feb 09 and July 09. The feb trip was just the two of us -Valentine's Day - and was absolutely fantastic. I remember scallops and short ribs, my dh had their version of surf and turf. In July, we went with a group of 14 and were not as impressed. We had the chilled seafood platters to start and a selection of chilled shellfish for an entree. Okay at best, and seemed overpriced for what we got. I'm hoping July was just an off visit-we fell in love with the restaurant last Feb.

DH and I were there for the first time October 17th to celebrate my birthday. The food/atmosphere/service were all outstanding, so much so that we made a reservation to go back in December.

I did a review with pictures of what we ordered here.



Hope that helps!
Ann

thank you both so much. Don'tcha just hate it when it's 50/50?
Going to look at the pics. thank you

 

[Googelibear]

ok, wonderful. I have been salivating ever since I saw that there was tuna tartar on the menu. I think the idea of all appetizers works well. We do that a lot.
thanks, great report

 

[LisaZ1113]

Was just there the end of september for the second time...It is FANTASTIC....Everything was great.

 

[madalex]

I had dinner there on a trip last month. The food was delicious and the service was great. My only comment is that the restaurant was empty - we had a 6:30 reservation and were there until about 8:00. There were only 4 or 5 tables occupied the whole time we were there. I hope it was just an off night and not an indication of this restaurant's overall popularity (it was during free dining, so maybe that impacted the crowds?).

 

[Googelibear]

I had dinner there on a trip last month. The food was delicious and the service was great. My only comment is that the restaurant was empty - we had a 6:30 reservation and were there until about 8:00. There were only 4 or 5 tables occupied the whole time we were there. I hope it was just an off night and not an indication of this restaurant's overall popularity (it was during free dining, so maybe that impacted the crowds?).

Free dining = troublesome for non Disney restaurants, entirely possible.

 

[tony67]

I had dinner there on a trip last month. The food was delicious and the service was great. My only comment is that the restaurant was empty - we had a 6:30 reservation and were there until about 8:00. There were only 4 or 5 tables occupied the whole time we were there. I hope it was just an off night and not an indication of this restaurant's overall popularity (it was during free dining, so maybe that impacted the crowds?).

I've been there several times and it is usually very busy, but I have always been able to get a table. It's never been empty unless I've gotten there at 5PM.
The bar is usually standing room only by 6 in my experience..

I think it depends on how busy the Dolphin is.
If there is no convention then the Blue Zoo will be slow.
Most Disney guest won't travel to the Dolphin and they are most likely on the DDP.

I assume The Dolphin was very slow in September since rooms were available for around 109 a night when I checked it. The same rooms were 350 in October when the Dolphin was full for the IT convention.

The service is always exceptional.
I appreciate that they have water service for $5 per person instead of charging $5 per bottle. They are really quick to refill the water also. (Fuji or Pellegrino)

The food is very good in my opinion and it is a must do for my trips to Disney.
The seafood platter app is overpriced as a PP said, but it is at the Capitol Grille and many other high end restaurants also.
I can get the same thing at Legal Seafood for $30, but Legal's is not in Disney and Blue Zoo is much nicer then Legal’s.
I did think the littlenecks (very little necks) and the oysters were excellent.
I really enjoyed the day's ceviche that came with it also.
Of course the quality of this platter can vary depending on many things.

I really like the Cantonese lobster, but it is "overpriced" also. I liked it more when it was $15 cheaper. I'd prefer if they had it market priced instead of fixed at 60. Lobster has come down in price this year if I am not mistaken.

To be fair, I cannot think of a restaurant in Disney that is not overpriced.
I mean Maya Grille wants $30 for a below average Chilean Salmon Filet.
For $30 I think they should have wild Salmon.
I'd rather pay $35 and get Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass at Blue Zoo.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Bluezoo is absolutely incredible to die for delish! After reading many incredible reviews from Tigerkat, Olboyshoi and BriarRosie..Todd and I decided to eat there in June since we were staying at the Swan it was very easy to get to...well let me tell you we were in heaven and cannot wait to eat there again!

If you click on my June link there are a ton of pictures of the food and menu and full reviews of our meal

 

[Joshua_me]

"bluezoo" is one of our favorite restaurants on the property. Actually, it's one of our favorite restaurants, period.

If you love fresh seafood you really can't go wrong here. Prepared and presented in very creative ways, it's an enjoyable experience even before you take your first bite.

Last time we were there I had "This Evening's Dancing Fish" which consisted of one of the best pieces of sea bass I've ever tasted. Served in a sort of white sauce that defied description. My partner went for broke and ordered the Cantonese lobster, which was also incredible, judging from the small amount I was able to pry from his plate.

How crowded the place is can depend on how many conventions are currently staying at The Dolphin. Sometimes the restaurant is all but empty, other times so packed with conventioneers that you can barely see the entrance, let alone hope for a table or even a seat at the bar. So of course, reservations are an excellent idea.

Enjoy.

 

[Googelibear]

I've been there several times and it is usually very busy, but I have always been able to get a table. It's never been empty unless I've gotten there at 5PM.
The bar is usually standing room only by 6 in my experience..

I think it depends on how busy the Dolphin is.
If there is no convention then the Blue Zoo will be slow.
Most Disney guest won't travel to the Dolphin and they are most likely on the DDP.

I assume The Dolphin was very slow in September since rooms were available for around 109 a night when I checked it. The same rooms were 350 in October when the Dolphin was full for the IT convention.

The service is always exceptional.
I appreciate that they have water service for $5 per person instead of charging $5 per bottle. They are really quick to refill the water also. (Fuji or Pellegrino)

The food is very good in my opinion and it is a must do for my trips to Disney.
The seafood platter app is overpriced as a PP said, but it is at the Capitol Grille and many other high end restaurants also.
I can get the same thing at Legal Seafood for $30, but Legal's is not in Disney and Blue Zoo is much nicer then Legal’s.
I did think the littlenecks (very little necks) and the oysters were excellent.
I really enjoyed the day's ceviche that came with it also.
Of course the quality of this platter can vary depending on many things.

I really like the Cantonese lobster, but it is "overpriced" also. I liked it more when it was $15 cheaper. I'd prefer if they had it market priced instead of fixed at 60. Lobster has come down in price this year if I am not mistaken.

To be fair, I cannot think of a restaurant in Disney that is not overpriced.
I mean Maya Grille wants $30 for a below average Chilean Salmon Filet.
For $30 I think they should have wild Salmon.
I'd rather pay $35 and get Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass at Blue Zoo.

I don't know if you can call it overprized if what you pay for is not just food but also service (meaning a waitstaff that knows to stay out of your conversation, a pet peeve of mine - I am not friends with you, please bring the food) the waitstaff knows what they are serving - I am not stupid so don't tell stories that couldn't possibly be true and the decor and the atmosphere is superb.

Bluezoo is absolutely incredible to die for delish! After reading many incredible reviews from Tigerkat, Olboyshoi and BriarRosie..Todd and I decided to eat there in June since we were staying at the Swan it was very easy to get to...well let me tell you we were in heaven and cannot wait to eat there again!

If you click on my June link there are a ton of pictures of the food and menu and full reviews of our meal

Olboyshoi - one of my favorite food porn writers

Thank you everyone for your opinions. 100% yes.

We are so there. On the dining plan, but no problem slipping away and paying oop for something great.

12 days 1 hour 13 minutes to go

 

[Googelibear]

"bluezoo" is one of our favorite restaurants on the property. Actually, it's one of our favorite restaurants, period.

If you love fresh seafood you really can't go wrong here. Prepared and presented in very creative ways, it's an enjoyable experience even before you take your first bite.

Last time we were there I had "This Evening's Dancing Fish" which consisted of one of the best pieces of sea bass I've ever tasted. Served in a sort of white sauce that defied description. My partner went for broke and ordered the Cantonese lobster, which was also incredible, judging from the small amount I was able to pry from his plate.

How crowded the place is can depend on how many conventions are currently staying at The Dolphin. Sometimes the restaurant is all but empty, other times so packed with conventioneers that you can barely see the entrance, let alone hope for a table or even a seat at the bar. So of course, reservations are an excellent idea.

Enjoy.

I guess wrestling your partner to the ground for some more of that lobster was out of the questions, huh?
OMgosh, you guys make me more and more excited about that little idea in my little head that has grown into this totally anticipated event.

 

[Ramsfan28]

BlueZoo is one of my favorite places to eat at the World. I have eaten there about 6 or 7 times and have always had a great experience.

The Tuna Tartare and Flatbread are my two favorite apps.

I usually go with the Simply Fish entree or pork loin for dinner.

 

[Googelibear]

Bluezoo is absolutely incredible to die for delish! After reading many incredible reviews from Tigerkat, Olboyshoi and BriarRosie..Todd and I decided to eat there in June since we were staying at the Swan it was very easy to get to...well let me tell you we were in heaven and cannot wait to eat there again!

If you click on my June link there are a ton of pictures of the food and menu and full reviews of our meal

you didn't write a review of the restaurant on your October trip. Did you make it back or was there not time. or should I go read October and find out for myself?

 

[Googelibear]

BlueZoo is one of my favorite places to eat at the World. I have eaten there about 6 or 7 times and have always had a great experience.

The Tuna Tartare and Flatbread are my two favorite apps.

I usually go with the Simply Fish entree or pork loin for dinner.

Yup that tuna tartar has me wanting to go there. I love the tuna tartare at the Flying Fish Cafe as well. Oh that yummy plate of Nirvana

 

[Googelibear]

ok, how about this?

Is there a show kitchen and can one sit at the bar and enjoy the food?

 

[tony67]

I don't know if you can call it overprized if what you pay for is not just food but also service (meaning a waitstaff that knows to stay out of your conversation, a pet peeve of mine - I am not friends with you, please bring the food) the waitstaff knows what they are serving - I am not stupid so don't tell stories that couldn't possibly be true and the decor and the atmosphere is superb.

I agree. Sorry if that did not come through with my comments, that’s why I put the quotes around overpriced. I have returned several times and compared to other places in Disney it really is not overpriced.

Compared to what Disney calls signature Dining Blue Zoo is a bargain IMO.

That being said I think we are paying extra for Todd's name and I do not think he has much to do with the food here (other than the Shake and Bake Fries).
I've been to a few of his other places and they are not as good as Blue Zoo IMO.
I was also at the signature dinner he prepared here and it was not as good as eating at Blue Zoo and ordering from the menu.

 

[Googelibear]

I agree. Sorry if that did not come through with my comments, that’s why I put the quotes around overpriced. I have returned several times and compared to other places in Disney it really is not overpriced.

Compared to what Disney calls signature Dining Blue Zoo is a bargain IMO.

That being said I think we are paying extra for Todd's name and I do not think he has much to do with the food here (other than the Shake and Bake Fries).
I've been to a few of his other places and they are not as good as Blue Zoo IMO.
I was also at the signature dinner he prepared here and it was not as good as eating at Blue Zoo and ordering from the menu.

I didn't misunderstand your comment about overpricing. I was only agreeing.
And I am also agreeing with you that, of course, we pay for the name. Goes with the territory.

The food is only ever es good as the cook feels that day. So, here's to hoping that the chef is in love, feels the food and produces his best work ever when I finally get there

 

[Uncleromulus]

You certainly can sit at the bar and have a full meal. That's exactly what we did when we had dinner there on October 4!!
I don't think they have a show kitchen as such (where you can sit and watch the Chef's)--but I could be wrong.