Cost of Dinner at bluezoo

[JimmyV]

In listening to Kevin and John's review of bluezoo, the thing that stands out most is the complaint about cost. But it bears noting that the cost is very, very similar to Flying Fish, and the food at the latter is not nearly as good, IMHO. By way of comparison.....(menu prices at Flying Fish (FF) taken from Allears and menu prices at bluezoo (BZ) taken from the menu on line unless Kevin stated a different price):

Apps and Salads:
Tuna Tartare: FF=$18...BZ=$18
Crab Cake: FF=$17....Scallop and Short Rib: BZ=$18 (menu says $14.50).
Heirloom Beet Salad: FF=$13...Beet Salad: BZ=$14
She-Crab Soup: FF=$11...Clam Chowder (listed as "light and brothy"): BZ=$9.50

Entrees:
Signature Fish (Potato Wrapped at FF)=$36...(Dancing at BZ)=$39
Swordfish: FF=$36...BZ=$36
Steak: FF=$43...BZ=$43
Pork Tenderloin at FF=$34...Pork Collar at BZ (a far better dish)=$32

Sides:
Asparagus: FF=$12...Haricot Vert: BZ=$9
Potato Gratin: FF=$8...Lobster Baked Potato: BZ=$10
Mac-N-Cheese: FF=$10...Polenta/Grits: BZ=$8

While neither of these places is cheap, these are Disney Signature prices. It is hard to compose a meal at FF that is meaningfully less expensive than a typical meal at BZ (provided that one does not get the lobster at BZ).

I enjoy both restaurants, so I am not trying to slam Flying Fish. But in listening to the review, one might be steered away from bluezoo based on price alone. But if one is motivated to dine elsewhere because of price, know that any Signature meal is going to come in at or around the same price, lobster notwithstanding.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I think Flying Fish is wildly over priced and over valued as well.

That being said, I dont think Narcoossee's is either....so cost isnt the only barometer or consideration when I do a review.

There is an undefinable variable involved and that is value.

I believe you have to decide if you feel you have received adequate value for the price you paid.

I dont feel we received an adequate value for the cost we paid at bluezoo.

I havent eaten at Flying Fish in quite a while, but my feeling that it's over-priced and over valued are based on my last visit. As that wasnt a great experience, I havent been back.

I tend to not frequent places where I dont feel I received that for which I've paid.

My reviews are based on one visit and my opinion. Your experience and opinion may be different. I've said countless times that everyone should go and form their own opinion.

All that being said...I believe that folks who regularly listen to the show understand that not everything revolves around the price point.

 

[HubbDave]

Nice plug for Bone Fish....wish there was one here in Mass

Is the Yachtsman a decent value? (Have not eaten there but would like to someday)

Have you ever reviewed V & A?

 

[DisneyKevin]

I like the Yachtsman. They have incredible pull apart dinner rolls that are killer.

I think for a similar cost, you can dine at Bull and Bear. In my opinion, as far as steakhouses go...Bull and Bear wins.

I have not reviewed V&A.

Dining there would mean buying a sport coat or jacket.

I dont have a suit or sport coat job or life.

For me...dressing up means long pants.

I have been told that I can borrow a jacket from the restaurant, but I have issues with this. Who would I be pleasing / impressing in borrowed clothing?

I have been told that V&A's is wonderful and I will accept that as truth.

 

[JimmyV]

All that being said...I believe that folks who regularly listen to the show understand that not everything revolves around the price point.

Generally, I think this is understood. But I think that if you go back and listen to the review, you will find that cost was the central theme as opposed to value and I agree that the two are not interchangeable. I simply wanted to point out that from a purely cost perspective, bluezoo is not out of line with most (all) other Signature restaurants, especially Flying Fish, the one to which it is most often compared due to cuisine and location.

 

[JimmyV]

Is the Yachtsman a decent value? (Have not eaten there but would like to someday)

Yachtsman is priced very closely to both Shula's and Bull and Bear but really doesn't compare in quality to the the latter two. It is certainly not a "bad" restaurant, but if you are going to drop $45 on a steak, you would do better at the other places.

 

[HubbDave]

Yachtsman is priced very closely to both Shula's and Bull and Bear but really doesn't compare in quality to the the latter two. It is certainly not a "bad" restaurant, but if you are going to drop $45 on a steak, you would do better at the other places.

Thanks for the advice

And we do put a lot of stock in Kevin's reviews

Even our DD6 said that he was 100% correct when we were at 'Ohana a couple of weeks ago

We have brainwashed a 6 year old

 

[DisneyKevin]

Generally, I think this is understood. But I think that if you go back and listen to the review, you will find that cost was the central theme as opposed to value and I agree that the two are not interchangeable. I simply wanted to point out that from a purely cost perspective, bluezoo is not out of line with most (all) other Signature restaurants, especially Flying Fish, the one to which it is most often compared due to cuisine and location.

The price was a sticking point because I dont believe the value was there.

A restaurant is only "too expensive" if you aren't thrilled with the outcome.

I also don't understand any correlation with the pricing of Flying Fish.

The excuse that "so and so did it too" didnt work when we were kids being scolded by Mom and it doesnt really work here.

For $270...we should still be raving about our meal at bluezoo...and we're not.

 

[HubbDave]

$270 was almost the monthly rent my wife and I paid for our first apartment including cable and elect and a crabby landlady

 

[JimmyV]

I also don't understand any correlation with the pricing of Flying Fish..

Over on the Restaurant Board, it is a very, very common question as to which of these two restaurants a poster should choose. While you may not see these two places as being "apples to apples" comparisons, many people do. It doesn't make them right and you wrong. But as long as people are going to persist with the common question: "Which should I choose, Flying Fish or bluezoo?", then a comparison of price between these two is both fair and solicited. My original post was not intended in any way to "call you out". Rather, it was intended to further the research that someone might be doing in comparing these two restaurants that, like it or not, often get compared.

For $270...we should still be raving about our meal at bluezoo...and we're not.

That is perfectly fair, and your point is well taken. I have had several meals there for 3 people that came in at around $225 (after tax and tip, but before wine) that I thought were rave-worthy. Everyone's experiences differ. Back in the day when I used to write restaurant reviews, I would often say: "There is no such thing as a great restaurant. Only a great meal." Every visit by every person is unique and it is very difficult to dwell in the absolute.

 

[JimmyV]

Thanks for the advice

And we do put a lot of stock in Kevin's reviews

Even our DD6 said that he was 100% correct when we were at 'Ohana a couple of weeks ago

We have brainwashed a 6 year old

LOL. I wouldn't say "barinwashed". My experiences at 'Ohana mirror Kevin's exactly, and though many here love the place, I think that even a 6 year old can find the flaws that Kevin (and I) find in the place.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Over on the Restaurant Board, it is a very, very common question as to which of these two restaurants a poster should choose. While you may not see these two places as being "apples to apples" comparisons, many people do. It doesn't make them right and you wrong. But as long as people are going to persist with the common question: "Which should I choose, Flying Fish or bluezoo?", then a comparison of price between these two is both fair and solicited. My original post was not intended in any way to "call you out". Rather, it was intended to further the research that someone might be doing in comparing these two restaurants that, like it or not, often get compared.

I agree with the bolded statement. I would add that asking which restaurant they should choose has little to do with my review. I didnt review Flying Fish, so I am unsure why this is part of the discussion.

I understand that bluezoo, Flying Fish, Bull and Bear, Shula's, Yachtsman et all are similarly priced.

The price comparison is irrelevant if I didnt think my meal at bluezoo was worth the money...and I didn't.

Regardless of from whom or where the question arises...it's all entirely based on opinion. Just because two restaurants are similarly priced doesnt mean that they are comparable....as pointed out when I stated that I believe Bull and Bear (similarly priced but where I feel that I get value for my money) to be a far superior restaurant. One really has nothing to do with the other. It's just my opinion.

If I were to compare the food at bluezoo to any other restaurant, I feel the quality and portion size is comparable to BoneFish Grill....which is a quarter of the price. This comparison was made in order to give people listening a reference point to something more readily available than dinner at a Todd English restaurant.

My opinion is that my meal was over priced and as this was a review of blue zoo....that's what I discussed. Maybe someday I'll do a review where I will compare and contrast the similarities and difference between bluezoo and Flying Fish, but for the purposes of this review I dont see where Flying Fish prices are part of the equation.

That is perfectly fair, and your point is well taken. I have had several meals there for 3 people that came in at around $225 (after tax and tip, but before wine) that I thought were rave-worthy. Everyone's experiences differ. Back in the day when I used to write restaurant reviews, I would often say: "There is no such thing as a great restaurant. Only a great meal." Every visit by every person is unique and it is very difficult to dwell in the absolute.

You have just re-stated what I said earlier.

This review was based on three people's opinions after one visit.

Your experience and opinion may vary.

You should go and form your own opinion.

 

[joanjett1976]

I thought the review hit the nail right on the head when referring to Blue Zoo as an expense account kinda place.

As a business traveller and 'expense accounter', these restaurants can always be found near large convention centers.

When I dined at Blue Zoo, the first thought that popped into my head was how 'Vegas' this place was. The decor, the menu, etc...

 

[JimmyV]

I understand that bluezoo, Flying Fish, Bull and Bear, Shula's, Yachtsman et all are similarly priced.

In the end, this is all that I was trying to convey in my original post wherein I stated that these [meaning bluezoo prices] "are all Disney Signature prices". Maybe it is just me, (and I promise that I am letting this die here), but in listening to the review, it seemed [to me] as if the message being conveyed is that bluezoo is more expensive than its peers, and actually, quite a bit more so. I think the final takeaway is that you found it to be in the same price range as its peers, but not as good a value. Can't argue with that if that is what you found to be the case.

Keep up the good work. I find your reviews to be far more insightful than any other reviews of Disney food which are far too often clouded by the "magic" of the venue.

 

[tinkbutt]

The price was a sticking point because I dont believe the value was there.

A restaurant is only "too expensive" if you aren't thrilled with the outcome.

I also don't understand any correlation with the pricing of Flying Fish.

The excuse that "so and so did it too" didnt work when we were kids being scolded by Mom and it doesnt really work here.

For $270...we should still be raving about our meal at bluezoo...and we're not.

I totally agree with you here kevin

we went to the hollywood brown derby and both got steaks which we both thought were ok? and at the end of that meal decided we didnt need to go back again and spend 100$ on an ok meal! But we also went to citricos and spent over 100$ again only on two meals (cant remember exactly what we had) But we were practically licking our plates clean!!

After this meal we were eagerly planning our next meal at Cirtricos. So again like the cost of tickets or anything else it is the experience that makes the value worth it. I know I dont wanna pay 270plus dollars to be treated like I don't know how I wan my food and then to receive OK food!

 

[WaltD4Me]

Yachtsman is priced very closely to both Shula's and Bull and Bear but really doesn't compare in quality to the the latter two. It is certainly not a "bad" restaurant, but if you are going to drop $45 on a steak, you would do better at the other places.

Susan posted on FB earlier today that the Porterhouse steak at Yachtsman is now $65 That is mind boggling.

 

[HubbDave]

I totally agree with you here kevin

we went to the hollywood brown derby and both got steaks which we both thought were ok? and at the end of that meal decided we didnt need to go back again and spend 100$ on an ok meal! But we also went to citricos and spent over 100$ again only on two meals (cant remember exactly what we had) But we were practically licking our plates clean!!

After this meal we were eagerly planning our next meal at Cirtricos. So again like the cost of tickets or anything else it is the experience that makes the value worth it. I know I dont wanna pay 270plus dollars to be treated like I don't know how I wan my food and then to receive OK food!

You got off easy only dropping $100 at HBD for 2 meals.

 

[Paul in CT]

My DW and I have dined at FF several times and have an ADR for our next trip to do so again because we have always had an excellent dining experience there.

I must admit that the prices at all of the WDW signature restaurants have been increasing much faster than inflation would dictate. IMHO, cash paying diners are paying the price for the dining plans and "free dining". The only redeeming factor for us is that they honor the TiW card for a 20% discount. Blue Zoo does not since it is not a Disney restaurant.

 

[GatorLady]

I must admit that the prices at all of the WDW signature restaurants have been increasing much faster than inflation would dictate. IMHO, cash paying diners are paying the price for the dining plans and "free dining". The only redeeming factor for us is that they honor the TiW card for a 20% discount. Blue Zoo does not since it is not a Disney restaurant.

Blue Zoo does take TiW, we used it when we ate there in May.

 

[Paul in CT]

Blue Zoo does take TiW, we used it when we ate there in May.

Thanks! I was not aware of that, but I will still keep my ADR at FF instead.