Jiko, Shula's, Bluezoo, or Il Mulino? BEST FOOD?

[peeputt]

I want to go for one more expensive dinner on this trip. As it stands right now, I have Jiko booked for dinner on Sept 26th, but I noticed that some of the restaurants over at the Swan/Dolphin which get great reviews also have openings that night. Should I stick with Jiko, or switch? Which restaurant has the best food???? And yes, my hubby and I are adventurous eaters and like all kinds of food

Choices are:
Jiko
Shula's Steak House
Todd English's bluezoo
Il Mulino New York Trattoria

Thanks!

 

[JimmyV]

In order:
1. bluezoo (Unless you have a complete aversion to seafood, in which case, it shouldn't be on your short list).
2. Shula's (if you are big into red meat. If not, it slips to third place).
3. Il Mulino
4. Jiko

 

[Pakey]

It doesn't happen often but this time I disagree with JimmyV.

I would be Shulas third and Il Mulino second.

Disclaimer: I'm not much of a steak eater.

 

[JimmyV]

It doesn't happen often but this time I disagree with JimmyV.

I would be Shulas third and Il Mulino second.

Disclaimer: I'm not much of a steak eater.

Actually, I'm not either, so I actually agree with you disagreeing with me. I put Shula's second because we are in the minority when it comes to big hunks of red meat! So I graded on a curve!

 

[Pakey]

Actually, I'm not either, so I actually agree with you disagreeing with me. I put Shula's second because we are in the minority when it comes to big hunks of red meat! So I graded on a curve!

Not fair. Now I'm at work laughing and making a fool of myself.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

In order:
1. bluezoo (Unless you have a complete aversion to seafood, in which case, it shouldn't be on your short list).
2. Shula's (if you are big into red meat. If not, it slips to third place).
3. Il Mulino
4. Jiko

I would recommend bluezoo also, but not only for seafood lovers. The pork dish we had there was one of the best pork dishes I've had anywhere.

 

[gwynne]

Another option, Sept is Magical Dining Month in Orlando. If you can get reservations, Blue Zoo and Il Mulino are on the list. Tip--sometimes you have to ASK the server for the Magical dining month menu. They don't always just offer it.

Here's the link http://www.visitorlando.com/magicaldining/restaurants/

 

[BuffaloJim]

There's certainly nothing wrong with Jiko, but if you're not on the DDP, you can't do much better than Bluezoo.

Food wise that is, I can do without the decor.

 

[psac]

We haven't tried Bluezoo yet (will in Nov), but I would NOT recommend Il Mulino. Very meh for us. We've had better meals at many, MANY better places in WDW.

 

[brinkley07]

We had such a horrendous meal and experience at Jiko this year that I would say stay away. Previously it would have topped our list, and we went every time we were in Orlando (3-4 times a year). I agree with Jimmy V on the rest depending on your preferences.

 

[SamSam]

Does BlueZoo offer any discounts? AP, DVC, etc.?

 

[ppony]

Not being Italian food fans we haven't done Il Mulino, but I'll rate the others.

1:Shula's (best steak I've ever had, DH LOVED it as well)
2: Blue Zoo (I think we need to try again to see if we just ahd a bad night or if we just truly didn't groove on the food. I'm not a seafood eater at all and given that I don't like fungi of any kind, I was supremely limited to what I could get. So I was meh. DH said even his dish was good but not great)
3: Jiko (thought it was OK but doubt we'll go back. for the $$ it's Shula's every time for us meat eaters, and DH loves the lobster there too)

 

[peeputt]

Another option, Sept is Magical Dining Month in Orlando. If you can get reservations, Blue Zoo and Il Mulino are on the list. Tip--sometimes you have to ASK the server for the Magical dining month menu. They don't always just offer it.

Here's the link http://www.visitorlando.com/magicaldining/restaurants/

Gwynne, thank you so much for this tidbit!!!
This actually ended up changing all of our plans around. We were just gonna eat cheap the day we go to Universal IOA before we check into Disney, but now that we know about this, we decided to forgo an expensive out-of-pocket extra reservation at disney (we have 10 reservations so as it is ) and instead we're gonna eat at one of the places on Citywalk that's participating in this on our IOA pre-Disney day!
THANKS FOR THE TIP!

 

[cbg1027]

I have only eaten at bluezoo and Jiko from that list and they are pretty tied for me. I love them both! I would flip a coin.

Shula's hold no interest for me because it's not unique to WDW. Shula's is a chain and you can get it other places. Also, there are plenty of high end steak houses to try at most vacation destinations. I like to eat something special to where I am traveling, and I haven't found anything quite like Jiko or bluezoo when traveling to non Disney places.

Of course, I am partial to Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa, FL and am convinced there's no way any other steak place can top it.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

In order:
1. bluezoo (Unless you have a complete aversion to seafood, in which case, it shouldn't be on your short list).
2. Shula's (if you are big into red meat. If not, it slips to third place).
3. Il Mulino
4. Jiko

I agree!

Blue Zoo's drinks and appetizers rule! Foi Gras Terrine, Tuna Tartare (yum), Seared Scallops and if you love beets (and I do), the Beet Salad.

Tied for 4th place: Jiko/Sanaa

 

[brunette8706]

Another option, Sept is Magical Dining Month in Orlando. If you can get reservations, Blue Zoo and Il Mulino are on the list. Tip--sometimes you have to ASK the server for the Magical dining month menu. They don't always just offer it.

Here's the link http://www.visitorlando.com/magicaldining/restaurants/

*
OH WOW! Thanks so much!! What a great deal!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Gwynne, thank you so much for this tidbit!!!
This actually ended up changing all of our plans around. We were just gonna eat cheap the day we go to Universal IOA before we check into Disney, but now that we know about this, we decided to forgo an expensive out-of-pocket extra reservation at disney (we have 10 reservations so as it is ) and instead we're gonna eat at one of the places on Citywalk that's participating in this on our IOA pre-Disney day!
THANKS FOR THE TIP!

I haven't looked at the list. If Emeril's City Walk is on it this year, you should definitely eat there. It's excellent!