Blue Zoo

[spetersen]

I am planning to try Blue Zoo this September for the first time as I have heard a lot of people on here talk about over the years. I noticed though quite a few negative recent reviews on Trip Advisor...... Has anyone eaten there recently?

 

[JimmyV]

Warning: Vast Generalization Ahead.....

Folks on Trip Advisor seem to think that they are all professional restaurant critics and that every restaurant should be measured on a scale of 1 to French Laundry. No one wants to be viewed as an apologist or flag waver, and many seem to want to show off just how precious they are about their food. As a result, TA reviews tend to be much more critical. And that is not to say that this site is anywhere near perfect. To the contrary. I find that there are too many people here who think that everything Disney does is the very best that they have ever had. "OMG. That bread stick I had at Tutto Italia was to die for. The very best bread stick EVER!!" So everything has to be taken in context.

To your point, I have eaten at bluezoo over half a dozen times, but no more recently than October. That said, every meal has been of high quality. No worries. And I am not a WDW apologist nor am I a Todd English apologist. In fact, bluezoo is the only Todd English restaurant that I enjoy. I have had some shockingly miserable experiences at some of his other places. Hmmm. Come to think of it...maybe I should go over to Trip Advisor and write about those bad experiences!

 

[BriarRosie]

I haven't seen the Trip Advisor reviews, but I have never had a bad experience at Todd English's bluezoo™. Some items are pricier than the Disney owned signature restaurants, so keep that in mind if you had a budget. Restaurant.com has some Swan/Dolphin restaurants available with the certificates, so that might help.

Here's what I found on the $25 certificate "fine print":

Minimum 2 entrees. 18% Gratuity added prior to discount. Excludes: Other Offers/Promotions. Not valid during Special Events. One certificate per table. Childrens menu not valid towards 2 entree minimum.

The only time I've been disappointed by Todd English, it was at a special Food and Wine Festival dinner he hosted. When I go at any other time of year, this place is good.

 

[bigdave10000]

We have reservations Sept 9th. It will be our first time and we are really looking forward to it. I am so glad they now honor the TIW card.

 

[spetersen]

I do agree that some people on Trip Advisor seem to really enjoy writing negative reviews. I have always seen the "disney can do no wrong" reviews on here. I guess everything needs to be read through those filters! Thanks for the feedback.....I'm looking forward to Blue Zoo. It's just my husband & I, so we enjoy trying some of the nicer places!

 

[skunkvette]

We visit Blue Zoo twice a year, always on the last night of our stay.

Was there in early June, once again it was a wonderful meal.

Did the five course tasting for the first time- excellently prepared and balanced.

Enjoy!

 

[BGK]

I was there on July 22nd, and it was excellent as always. I'm definitely in a chef's tasting rut, but that's a very pleasant rut in which to be.

Also, maybe because I was seriously delayed leaving work and arrived later than on any previous trip, but it was as crowded as I'd ever seen it. I talked a little to the tables on either side of me, and they were mightily impressed as well.

Ask for Brandon or Dustin for your server, if either is available, and you'll really enjoy it. Both know their menus and wines inside out.

 

[sueg]

We have always been fans of BZ, but I'm sorry to say that last night's meal did not meet our expectations. DH had the pasta of the day, which was overcooked, but the arctic char on top was perfectly cooked. I had shrimp cocktail, served w/ 4 different sauces, but I didn't like 2 of them, but shrimp was well cooked. I had the simply fish, which was surprisingly served with a thick slab of inedible skin on top & I was annoyed that our waiter tied to push the addition of lobster to the dijon/crab sauce, because it was only $5 more & "would really make the dish". DS had pork tenderloin, which was dry.
The high point of the meal was dessert of molton chocolate cake with delicious caramel sauce & great peanut butter ice cream.
An uneven meal & not worth $213 (inc. tip) for 3 people.

 

[BLTLDZ]

We have never had a bad meal there....LOVE BZ. Enjoy!!

 

[pixarmom]

Folks on Trip Advisor seem to think that they are all professional restaurant critics and that every restaurant should be measured on a scale of 1 to French Laundry.

This is hilarious - love it and agree entirely!

We just ate at Bluezoo in May and it was great. Probably not my absolute favorite signature, but it's up there.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Blue Zoo is one of our "must do" restaurants each trip...

 

[TDC Nala]

Bluezoo isn't owned or operated by Disney and is not in a Disney resort. So "Disney can do no wrong" shouldn't have any footing with that particular restaurant.

 

[Silver Queen]

We tried BZ for the first time in March (happy that they now accept TiW) and were disappointed. The restaurant was very loud and crowded with a number of business groups. We were seated, greeted and ignored for about 15 minutes when the head waiter saw that we weren't receiving any service and helped us out. The bass entree that I had was good, but not outstanding. actually, the bass that I had had earlier in the week at CR was at least as good. We were really looking forward to our dinner at BZ because we had read so many good things about it. We will give it another try in the future, but not soon.

 

[sueg]

So I don't fall into the category of "loves to give bad reviews", I'll contrast my BZ review with our meal the next night at Cat Cora. We really enjoyed everything, especially the appetizers. Perfectly done calamari & a delicious greek salad. I had the vegetarian entree, couldn't finish it, but I really wanted to. DH had the fisherman's stew & loved it, especially the addition of fennel. The only disappointment was the dessert where we shared a piece of baklava w/ pistachio ice cream. Nothing special.
But all & all, for almost half the price, a much better meal than BZ. Go figure.

 

[allie98]

I am planning to try Blue Zoo this September for the first time as I have heard a lot of people on here talk about over the years. I noticed though quite a few negative recent reviews on Trip Advisor...... Has anyone eaten there recently?

I've never been here before, but noticed that Bluezoo is participating in Orlando Magical Dining Month - which runs for the entire month of September...so if their dining month menu interests you, it might be the way to go! 3 course for $30.

http://www.visitorlando.com/magicaldining/restaurants/