Jiko's or Bluezoo?

[lonegungirl]

Hey all--

On my next (short but sweet) trip to the World, I have room for 3 dinners. I have a ps for California Grill (hopefully in time for the fireworks), and the Fantasmic package with the Brown Derby, but am mulling over the 3rd night. I've never been to Jikos, and everyone seems to rave over it, however Bluezoo sounds wonderful as well...

I am also desolate that I can't fit in Spoodles and Palios, both of which I love as well, but alas, so little time, so much food...

Opinions solicited! Thanks!

 

[dmen]

Well, I have been to Jiko's several times and haven't been to Bluezoo yet (will be on our next trip). We have always been very happy with our meals at Jiko's (great food, great wine list, great service, cool atmosphere). It is one of our favorite restaurants at Disney (our Fav is California Grill, but we also like Jiko, Citrico, Narcoose's, V&A, Brown Derby, Yachtsman, Shula's, and Artist Point).

But being that I haven't been to both, I'll just give you a little to think about:

-if you haven't seen AKL, then I would recommend going to Jiko and see AKL and give yourself time to walk around

-if you are adults only, I might opt for Bluezoo (to me it doesn't look appealing for children)

-if you have a Todd English restaurant by you or other places you frequent, then I'd go with Jiko for the trip (my feeling is Todd English will be similar most places, but for a Disney restaurant, there are only a few places to be)

-I have heard lots of good things about Jiko. Reviews on Bluezoo have been mixed (still we have reservations there--I like to learn things for myself)

-if you love seafood, I'd go with Bluezoo over Jiko

-if you don't like slightly exotic food, I'd go with Bluezoo (and I do mean slightly exotic--you won't find anything too crazy or unusual on the menu)

I think you've narrowed it down to two good places. Good luck.

 

[Hopefully]

Where is Bluezoo located? How long has it been opened? Thanks

 

[wintermom]

Its at the Dolphin resort and it open last Jan. on about the 2nd
I think. We had priority seating last New Years trip, but called and
canceled because we were just too worn out thatnight. This year I am planning on it again and really looking forward to seeing
the place.

Wintermom

 

[Uncleromulus]

Bluezoo is a nice restaurant, but between the two, I prefer Jiko.

 

[Lewski709]

Well, I am a little confused about dmen's post above as they say:

Well, I have been to Jiko's several times and haven't been to Bluezoo yet (will be on our next trip). We have always been very happy with our meals at Jiko's (great food, great wine list, great service, cool atmosphere). It is one of our favorite restaurants at Disney (our Fav is California Grill, but we also like Jiko, Citrico, Narcoose's, V&A, Brown Derby, Yachtsman, Shula's, and Artist Point).

then says

I have heard lots of good things about Jiko. Reviews on Bluezoo have been mixed (still we have reservations there--I like to learn things for myself)

Maybe it meant to say I always hear for the paragraph above



I have not been to BlueZoo, but JIKO is WONDEFUL! I would not hesitate to go there. I have had the following:

OK:
Duck and Pork Firecracker - Hot Spring rolls with Hoisin sauce and jicama-apple slaw $9.75

EXCELLENT:
Crispy Cinnamon Spiced Beef Roll - with vegetable banana dip $8.75
Kalamata Olive Flatbread - with four cheeses, and Laura Chenel's soft goat cheese $8.75
Kenyan Coffee Barbecued Chicken Flatbread - with grilled onions, apple julienne, and four cheeses $9.00
Grains, Peas and Veggies - black garbanzo peas, kamut, wheat berries, quinoa, pearl and black barley with roasted vegetables and seared tandoori tofu $17.50

DID NOT CARE FOR:
Jiko Goat and Sheep Cheese Selection - Cypress Grove's Humboldt Fog Chevre, Montchevre Goat Milk Cheddar, Laura Chenel's Cabecou, Pyrenees sheep manchego, and "Le Cabrie" Goat Milk Bie, with cardamon spiced quince jam, and croutons $12.75

AND, not on the menu but available we had a Dessert Sampler which would feed more than 5 easily!!!! The Pistachio Creme Brulee was out of this world!

 

[vernon]

We had a wonderful meal at Jikos last visit. I haven't tried Bluezoo as yet, but it would have to be pretty DAMN special to be noticable better than Jiko. I had the Lamb shank and it was superb.

 

[Dana49]

We've eaten at both restaurants. If placed on a desert island and had to choose just one, we would go with Jiko. Jiko isn't as romantic as BlueZoo, but Jiko has a slight edge on service and menu preparation. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We have never been to Bluezoo but have dined at Jiko's many times.

Jiko's is one of our favorite places to eat at WDW. We have never had a bad meal there. We always start with one of there flatbreads they are so good.....

 

[dmen]

Lewski,

I am not sure I understand your confusion, but I'll try to clarify.

I have been to Jiko. I really like Jiko. And I have always heard others say positive things about Jiko. (Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever heard anyone not like it or give it a bad review--I am sure that is not the case, however!)

As for Bluezoo, I have not been there. I do have reservations for our upcoming trip there though. So while I cannot give my opinion on the food, the reviews that I have read here have been mixed. Although it seems that lately, the reviews for Bluezoo have improved significantly. In any event, I am very eager and excited to try the restaurant. It looks very cool. The menu looks fantastic. I am a fan of Todd English. And we are staying at the Swan, so it will be very convenient.

 

[rlduvall]

Lewski confused me, too. Not that that's too hard on a Monday. I thought dmen was very clear.

 

[UKDEB]

Originally posted by lonegungirl
so little time, so much food...

A woman after my own heart!

I've eaten at Jiko 3 times, although not for a while now, and BlueZoo once.

I agree with dmen - if you haven't visited AKL then take the opportunity to do so. The whole resort has a wonderful ambiance in the evening. Photographs of Jiko don't do it justice - it is a very inviting space with warm lighting. It's much more intimate than BlueZoo which is cavernous, although they do quite well at getting the ambiance right with low lighting.

I would say that BlueZoo slightly has the edge based on the food alone, although that's not to say that the food at Jiko is in any way disappointing. For service, Jiko wins hands down - friendlier and more attentive. BlueZoo is a hip, happening place and I found the service a little stand-offish. The bar area as you enter the restaurant seems to have become a hang-out for the local 'beautiful people', which I guess some may find a bit intimidating.

I wasn't overjoyed with where I was seated at BlueZoo - right at the back in the far corner next to the private dining room. I've made my second reservation for December 9 and I'll ask to be seated more centrally.

One final thought - Jiko, although some would say fairly inventive in terms of the menu, is still very 'Disney cuisine' to me - California Grill/Flying Fish Cafe/Citricos-esque. If you want something different, BlueZoo might be a better choice.

More confused than ever?

 

[ILUVDXL]

Wish I could help but unless I could do both, like we did 2 weeks ago, I'd be a very unhappy camper. Both are wondeful in their own right.

 

[lonegungirl]

Thanks for all the wonderful viewpoints! It sounds like both are great, but I think I'll give the nod to Jiko's this time out--I've never been to AKL and after a few days of park touring, I'm not sure I'll be up to the beautiful people at Bluezoo. I'll be getting an AP this time out for the room code discount though, so I'm sure I'll be back in a timely fashion, fork in hand...

Mmm...flatbreads...

 

[Muffy]

Both are wonderful restaurants but if I had to choice one I would pick Blue Zoo.

 

[Muffy]

Both are wonderful restaurants but if I had to choice one I would pick Blue Zoo.

 

[PAFamily]

I ate at the bluezoo in August and the food was great. However, I wouldn't say that it is an interesting spot for kids (We didn't have ours with us). We have ressies for Jiko in December with the kiddies, looking forward to it!