Bluezoo and Il Mulino

[scubamouse]

We're not on dining plan and were looking to mix things up on some of the signature places. We've been to all of them on DDP but we've never tried Bluezoo or Il Mulino.

Has anyone been to either and care to share a review? They actually look a little cheaper than some of the signature places.

Also, it looks like Il Mulino is the same one as is in the Village in NYC. Can anyone confirm that? I love the NYC one even if it does get crazy crowded.

 

[redzinner]

We're not on dining plan and were looking to mix things up on some of the signature places. We've been to all of them on DDP but we've never tried Bluezoo or Il Mulino.

Has anyone been to either and care to share a review? They actually look a little cheaper than some of the signature places.

Also, it looks like Il Mulino is the same one as is in the Village in NYC. Can anyone confirm that? I love the NYC one even if it does get crazy crowded.

I won't give you reviews but I can tell you the Il Mulino in Orlando is a Trattoria, and is nothing like the Il Mulino in NYC. Same owners, two totally different concepts.

I've been to both and enjoy them for different reasons. Il Mulino for the pasta. bluezoo for the seafood. Both are great alternatives to Disney's signature dining restaurants.

 

[Leigh123]

scubamouse,

Blue Zoo is hands down the most delicious meal I have ever had in my life....whichever you choose enjoy!

 

[OKWAnneMarie]

I only ate at Bluezoo once and it was just average...except the Littleneck Clams Flatbread was outstanding. I've eaten at Todd English's restaurant in Vegas and it was excellent, but Bluezoo didn't do it for me

Il Mulino, on the other hand, has been consistently delicious!!! I've eaten in the one in WDW several times and it's wonderful.

I've also eaten at the Il Mulino in Vegas & Miami and the food is also fantastic. Funny thing, I'm from NY and I've never eaten at the one in Manhattan

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Il Mulino: (7/15/2011)
. . . food price value: B
. . . food quality: A
. . . food quantity per serving: B
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: B
. . . seating quantity: B
. . . seating comfort: A
. . . eatery atmosphere: B
. . . eatery convenience: B
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: A
. . . character interaction: n/a

NOTE: This is only one of five sit-down eateries we patronize
at WDW. The service is always exquisite and the food very good
to excellent. I want to feel important at a fine dinner, and IL Mulino
does this to their patrons. We felt the price-to-food/service ratio
to be of excellent value. We had two servers who kept our glasses
full and our needs always met. It is good to be pampered.

***************************************************

Our Ratings of Blue Zoo: (12/18/2011)
. . . food price value: C
. . . food quality: B
. . . food quantity per serving: C
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: B
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: C
. . . staff attentiveness: C
. . . character interaction: n/a

NOTE: Todd English's Blue Zoo has an excellent
reputation. The food quality at WDW is in line with
his other eateries. However, I think the price is slightly
high for the food received, yielding a "C" instead of
a "B" for value. Additionally, for $35 fish and $42 beef,
I expect superb service, and the service was not up to
that standard.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

In our opinion, bluezoo is the best restaurant we've eaten at at WDW & we've tried a majority of them. We'll be trying Il Mulino on our next visit, so I can't offer an opinion on that one.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I've eaten at every Signature restaurant on property over the past 16 years and I actually like them all.

Il Mulino has become a favourite of mine. My favourite Italian on property - the pasta is fresh, the meat dishes are really good, the wine list is a plus and the service is brilliant. I love this place because the atmosphere is buzzy, great upscale feel to it without the pricetag.

Bluezoo - I had a terrible meal there Thanksgiving 2004 vowed never to go back, of course I went back in 2010 and the food was good but I still think Flying Fish is better and I personally won't be rushing back as I thought the service wasn't great and the ambience was just bleh! The prices do not reflect the food IMHO If I was just an entree person (which I'm not... I ususally HAVE to have 3 courses) then I would recommend it but the other courses just didn't do it for me.

 

[scubamouse]

Trip advisor has lousy reviews for Il Mulino. Not universally but enough to give me pause.

The pictures of Bluezoo look gorgeous but it sounds like the ambiance is meh. Is that fair?

 

[Uncleromulus]

I don't think so.
Of course we always eat at the bar there, but the food is excellent and the bartenders attentive and friendly. And by Disney standards, comparatively few kids.

 

[Robert P]

i don't think so.
Of course we always eat at the bar there, but the food is excellent and the bartenders attentive and friendly. And by disney standards, comparatively few kids.

ita

 

[JZCubed]

My family just returned from Disney and ate at both places twice.

We prefer eating at Swan & Dolphin because they do not participate in Disney Dining (but do take Tables in Wonderland). The reason we avoid Disney Dining places is because the atmosphere is typically noisier and more congested.

For instance, BlueZoo on a Saturday night took a while before the tables were full. There was no commotion at the hostess stand.....and far fewer children....

As for the food - both BlueZoo & Il Mulino are our favorites.

 

[jcvalenti]

Il Mulino might be our favorite place in Disney. It is a far different experience from Il Mulino NYC, but the atmosphere is far more hip and upscale than any of the other restaurants at Disney. i dont hesitate to recommend it, and would only advise that you arrive a little early so you can enjoy a pre-meal cocktail in the lounge.

 

[shellybaxter]

We've eaten at both. We loved Bluezoo. The desserts were the best!! Very unique and delish. Il Mulino we didn't care for as much. We had a bad table and not the greatest service so that may have colored our judgement, but we didn't enjoy our meals that much

 

[skunk]

My family just returned from Disney and ate at both places twice.

We prefer eating at Swan & Dolphin because they do not participate in Disney Dining (but do take Tables in Wonderland). The reason we avoid Disney Dining places is because the atmosphere is typically noisier and more congested.

For instance, BlueZoo on a Saturday night took a while before the tables were full. There was no commotion at the hostess stand.....and far fewer children....

As for the food - both BlueZoo & Il Mulino are our favorites.

Our favorites too. Planning on Il Mulino for our anniversary dinner in November.

 

[scootert]

We ate at BlueZoo for the first time last week -- food was good but not in the "wow this is fabulous" category. Our server seemed to be going through the motions - could it have been my restaurants.com coupon? Was it because we didn't order drinks? He kept insisting that I have the crab sauce on my fish -- after I had told him I had a shellfish allergy..... hello?

Overall we enjoyed the meal, but thought prices were high for the overall quality and service. We would probably go back to Flying Fish next time.

 

[punkin712]

DH and I went to Il Mulino for the first time in March. We loved it so much, we are planning to go back next Saturday night for my birthday. The food and the service were fantastic and the limoncello service at the end of the meal reminded us of our trips to Italy.

 

[madalex]

I've been to both bluezoo and Il Mulino several times (and am going to both on my next visit in Oct 2012). I give bluezoo a slight edge over Il Mulino, but both are quite good.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Two very different experiences, both excellent!

Love Blue Zoo, I find the menu imaginative and so very tasty! The restaurant decor is fun as is the ambiance. We've seen it from very busy and bussling to a bit quieter, neither affected the service, but we do eat very late while on vacation, so that may be a consideration. They have wonderful drinks and appetizers. I have an opbsession with the tuna tartare, it is so good, I also love the beet salad! The parmesan and garlic fries, sinful! I would not consider them a seafood restaurant, though they do offer some dishes,the menu is really quite varied. The past entrees I've had are no longer on the new menu (black sea bass, and a pork dish), but the new fois gras appetizer has my name on it in June!

We've eaten there 3 times (6 of us, 2 teenagers incl.) and we have only raves! I have yet to make it to dessert, too full!

Il Mullino, how I missed this restaurant for so many years, I don't know. They have a, can't think of the name but it amounts to a cold antipasto platter with a wonderful selection of dried/cured salami's, prosciutto, mortadella, roasted peppers, mozzarella! It's meant to be shared but just give me crusty bread and I can eat that alone. The fried calimari, so tender! Here comes the hard part, deciding between the carpacio of beef or tuna, can't be done, order both! Veal Saltimbocca, only had better in Italy! My son had the veal chop, it was a thing of beauty! My friends had the Carbonara and the fish, I think snapper. The Carbonara will be my next selection. We had peas with pancetta and shallots as a side, I make these now and take full credit for the recipe! Didn't make it to dessert that night either!

We discovered Il Mulino last year, and yes we will eat there again!

Both are very expensive, at least for my pocket, but compared to typical Disney TS fare of similar pricing, the cuisine at both can justify the price!

Recommend both!

 

[coup2516]

We were in the same situation last year and went to Il Mulino. It did not disappoint. When we were there it wasn't very busy at all (we were the only ones in our room). Not sure if that is typical. If it is then a lot of people are missing out. The food is delicious. Never been to bluezoo but can definitely recommend Il Mulino.