Bluezoo vs. Flying Fish

[KristenHoneymooner]

My husband and I would like to have a fine dining seafood dinner on our Orlando anniversary trip. We're not doing the Disney parks, but we would like to get some of that Disney vibe by visiting the Boardwalk, so we seem to have two good seafood options: Bluezoo and Flying Fish.

The prices are similar, so it's really about the food. Both seem pretty well-reviewed here. Any pointers as to which we should try?

I will note that our favorite seafood is crab, and the entree I'm most interested in at Bluezoo is a softshell crab crabcake, so I also would ask, of anyone who has tried the dish, is the shell included in the cake? I always feel like I'm eating fingernails when I eat softshell crab, but if it is in a crabcake, maybe they would deshell it.... At Flying Fish I'd go for the scallops.

THANKS!

 

[baler31]

We prefer Bluezoo over FF, by quite a bit. However, while I love seafood I am not a crab fan and tend to order fish. Bluezoo has a large variety of fish and that influences my opinion. We also prefer the atmosphere at Bluezoo. FF is also wonderful and I really don't think you would regret either. Hopefully you will get someone to respond that has tried the crab.

 

[eva]

We had had great meals at both restaurants. But I could eat at Bluezoo over and over again. The atmosphere is great. And the fish is fantastic. We do enjoy FF, but Bluezoo is just a step above.

 

[BriarRosie]

I prefer Todd English's bluezoo™ over Flying Fish Café, in terms food and atmosphere. Flying Fish is good, but I think Todd's place is better. I can't tell you about the crab cake, and I won't even know if that will still be on the menu when you go. These restaurants tend to change menus a bit over the seasons.

 

[Pakey]

For an adult dining experience, I think bluezoo is quite a bit better than FF. I also can't answer on the crab since it is not a favorite of mine. I order something different each time and everything has been fantastic.

Flying Fish is good but its much more a casual family dining atmosphere.

 

[amberpi]

Bluezoo ovr ff any day. The atmosphere alone would make that decision but the food and the cocktails are in a different league at bluezoo. Much more adult and sophisticated.

 

[HelenParr]

Bluezoo is the better fish restaurant -- but I like both.

Stipulating that it is not the better restaurant -- you get way more crab choices at Fulton's, DTD. When we want full on crab experience at Disney -- we go to Fulton's Lounge (the bar side) and indulge in crab and drinks in a festive casual atmosphere.

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

Wow, thanks for all of the replies! Looks like Bluezoo is the way to go

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

Bluezoo is the better fish restaurant -- but I like both.

Stipulating that it is not the better restaurant -- you get way more crab choices at Fulton's, DTD. When we want full on crab experience at Disney -- we go to Fulton's Lounge (the bar side) and indulge in crab and drinks in a festive casual atmosphere.

Their menu is very attractive, I'll admit, but I hadn't heard very good reviews of the place on these boards (I've lurked on the Restaurant boards for the past 5 years, enjoying the reviews and food porn). I'm actually quite happy to just crack open my own crab legs and claws and eat them with melted butter... as long as they are hot (I don't like cold seafood).

edited to add -- Checked out the reviews on Tripadvisor. It's ranked below the local Red Lobsters, Joe's Crab Shack, Boston Lobster Feast, Bubba Gump, etc. ... lots of disappointed people. I'm glad to hear that you've had good experiences there, but it looks like bluezoo is more consistently good.

 

[CTcruiser]

If you like crab, you have to go to Bluezoo and try their crab nachos. They are out of this world! We go sit in the bar solely for them every time we go down. I'm drooling just thinking about them

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Blue Zoo has been my obession for last few years!

Dinner is fantastic but even for just appetizers and drinks it's great. The Tuna Tartare and the Fois Gras appetizers are among my favorites. Though I cannot attest to the crab as it is the only crustacean I do not eat, the other menue items are so tastefully done. I've had the sea bass, the swordfish, the scallops and those chefs know how to handle seafood and just about anything else.

Finish off your meal with Todd's version of Chocolate banana cream pie, I salivate at the tought of it!