Mister Disney's Blue Zoo Review....and a few insights on Swan & Dolphin

[Mister Disney]

Many people asked Kevin and me to review Blue Zoo during our trip to the World on Easter Weekend. We gladly obliged because we both were very interested in giving it a try ourselves along with spending some time seeing the inside of both the Dolphin and Swan.

Before we do our food review, I feel compelled to offer my personal observations about the Dolphin and Swan...

The Dolphin and Swan are the only 2 hotels / resorts on Disney Property not actually owned or run by Disney. Kevin and I have to admit upon arrival at the Dolphin it was PAINFULLY obvious how true it was. While trying to park our car, the valet person was extremely rude, so much so that we reported him to the front desk. The person at the desk, just kinda shrugged and said, ok. No "I'm sorry" or anything.

We entered the Dolphin and immediately noticed how the "theming" was totally different than that of Disney owned property. Furthermore and probably the most disturbing was how horrible the "housekeeping" and maintenance was. Specifically, when you walk into the lobby of the Dolphin, you enter into a "tent" held up by ivy covered supports. FAKE ivy covered supports that had the "dirt of ages" on them. I was blown away at this fact. We're not talking a little need for endust, we're talking so much dirt that you could do an archaeological dig at the site!

The poor maintenance and housekeeping really put us on edge as to what to expect of Blue Zoo. So enough of my ranting and raving….on with the food review!

 

[Mister Disney]

Another vote for BLUEZOO specifically: the lobster bolognese or rotisserie roasted chicken or spit-roasted swordfish. Also: lobster broccoli stuffed cheddar potato or shake and bake fries. Thanks!

skiingwife asked for a review of the Lobster Bolognese at Blue Zoo, and because I love both lobster and bolognese, I salivated for the past two months awaiting a culinary double header, but after reviewing the menu, I passed on the bolognese and went for a 3 run homer that turned into a GRAND SLAM!

Blue Zoo is a contemporary space with very high ceilings. There are a mix of tables and booths. When you enter the restaurant you are immediately struck by the "swimming" silver fish behind the bar. It is probably one of the most outstanding art installations I have seen in a long time.

We saddled up to the bar for a cocktail before dinner as we had arrived right as they were opening for the evening. I asked the barkeep for something different for a martini. She proceeded to pour a bunch of juice into a shaker and then into the martini glass. I said to her, HEY…I am drinking alcohol….we're not after the non-alcholic drinks. She laughed and said what she made me was their signature martini. House Made Blueberry infused vodka Martini. Oh My God, was it good. This is a very, very DANGEROUS drink. It goes down just like cool-aid! Although it was $10, it is a definite must have.

 

[Mister Disney]

Our server Anthony showed us to our table and as we walked by the "dancing fish" he explained what they were. Tonight's offering was a fresh trout. The chefs skewer an entire fish onto a spit and it is roasted and served whole. As much as this did look quite interesting, we decided to pass on the trout that night.

Once we were settled at the table and looking over the menu we were brought a basket of breads and butter spiced with fennel.

The parmesan flatbreads

 

[Mister Disney]

After reviewing the dining choices, Kevin and I decided to order 3 appetizers and the shellfish platter, all of which we would split.

Teppan Seared Jumbo Sea Scallops - braised beef short rib, silky cauliflower puree

Although the "star" of this dish was supposed to be the scallops, the braised beef short ribs SO up staged the scallops on this one. The scallops were perfectly done and tasted wonderful, but the beef ribs just melted in your mouth. The ribs were just heaven.

 

[Mister Disney]

Vietnamese Crab Salad - "street vendor style" melon and mango, aromatic herbs, coconut, green curry

The crab was in huge chunks and very sweet. The melon and mango were a perfect compliment to the crab. The coconut, which is always a good pair with fruit lent the green curry sauce a "mellowing" effect.

 

[Mister Disney]

Hearts of Romaine - brioche crouton, "acg" emulsion, crunch elephant garlic chips

Our Server Anthony asked the kitchen to split the order for Kevin and I to share, so what you see pictured is only half of what the real order would be.

This was a great interlude prior to what Kevin and I would share as our main course. They have taken a head of romaine and pulled off the tougher, bitter outer leaves until they have the sweet tender heart of the lettuce. "acg emulsion" is an anchoive citrus garlic sauce. This sauce had NO fishy taste (for you anchovie haters out there) and was a mild citrus / salty garlic combination.

The "chips" where super crunchy (almost as good as crunchy tidbits in the bottom of the McDonald French Fry containers)

 

[Mister Disney]

For our final plate, we decided on the seafood platter. Anthony told us that they also had some excellant Jumbo Florida Stone Crab Claws that they could add, so we splurge and went for it!

Selection Platter of maine lobster tail, oysters, clams, jumbo shrimp, days ceviche, tuna tartare, dipping sauces along with the addition of the Jumbo Florida Stone Crab Claws

 

[Mister Disney]

Where do we start with this wonderful monster of a platter?

The Crab Claws were nice and sweet, and not at all like King Crab Legs, which I personally find to be just too salty for my taste (could be I've never had them prepared properly)

Kevin hated the raw clams and Oysters (3 west coast ones and 3 east coast ones). I really like them, but he can't deal with the "chewiness" factor of it all. I was turned onto raw Oysters here in CT at a restaurant called Max Downtown and have been trying them everywhere I go. Oysters take on a taste of whereever they are from, so one from Maine are not going to taste the same as say from Baltimore or from the west coast etc etc. I did not feel that there was much taste difference between the east and west coast oysters and also felt that the clams were a bit too small for my liking and did not have any distinct flavor per se.

From there we turned out taste buds to the jumbo shrimps, at this point it would be good to mention the 3 dipping sauces that were offered. One was a very standard red cocktail sauce, another was if I remember correctly a California Cocktail Sauce, which totally reminded me of French Dressing. the third sauce was more of a green chili oil. Each one of these added subtle differences to the shrimp.

The lobster tail. TOO SMALL and only a half of the tail. Coming from New England, I really enjoy lobster....this was just such a tease.....2 tastey mouth fulls and it makes you want more.....but then again....maybe THAT WAS THEIR PLAN!

Moving on to the tuna tartare. It was incredibly fresh (would you expect anything less at this point?) but I personally feel that the spices over powered the tuna. This feeling might have to do with the fact that Kevin and I have become somewhat purist with tuna tartare (or tatake for you sushi fans out there). We really like to taste te tuna without all the trappings of sauces.

The ceviche was a trout offering and was mighty tastey. Kevin wolfed it down in about 3 bites

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

Wow - I love your review so far! I can't wait to read the rest for BlueZoo and for the other restaurants you tried. I feel like I am at the table with you!

 

[jezebella]

Yum-O! I'm going to have to try this place. My DF has eaten there before and doesn't recall it being that memorable. Of course I don't think he appreciates food quite the way I do. Sorry we missed you guys on Friday night! Sick child prevailed! Next time you come down we'll have to meet up in Celebration for Mohitos at Columbias!

Oh, and that heart of romaine looks like a deconstucted caesar salad. What spices did they have on the tartar?

 

[Mister Disney]

Overall impressions?

We thought Blue Zoo had it all, but one thing....

The service was great, the drinks delicious and the food for the most part was outstanding. The one thing it lacked was its location.

We would defintiely go back again, but probably would take the Monorail over to Epcot and then catch one of the boats from the International Gateway over to the hotel so we wouldn't have to use their parking or walk through the hotel. Blue Zoo is easily accessible from the lower level which is very close to the boat launches.

 

[Mister Disney]

Yum-O! I'm going to have to try this place. My DF has eaten there before and doesn't recall it being that memorable. Of course I don't think he appreciates food quite the way I do. Sorry we missed you guys on Friday night! Sick child prevailed! Next time you come down we'll have to meet up in Celebration for Mohitos at Columbias!

Oh, and that heart of romaine looks like a deconstucted caesar salad. What spices did they have on the tartar?

We'd love to try a new restaurant with you when we come in October.

The hearts of romaine DEFINTIELY was a deconstructed caesar salad.

I think what I didn't like about the tartar was the over all bitter citrus taste and also, they included what I am assuming was jalepenos in the mix. It just had too much bite for me.

 

[Uncleromulus]

If this dosen't make folks want to try the Blue Zoo, then nothing will!!
Everything looked outstanding--even that bread basket (which I've had before and could have eaten two of them).
The Vietnamese crab salad looks like it just might be the appetizer for me when we do the Blue Zoo in less than 2 weeks!! But then again, that scallop/ribs dish looked devine too--
Of the two, which was the absolute favorite??

 

[Mister Disney]

The Vietnamese crab salad looks like it just might be the appetizer for me when we do the Blue Zoo in less than 2 weeks!! But then again, that scallop/ribs dish looked devine too--
Of the two, which was the absolute favorite??

HANDS DOWN winner would be the scallops with braised beef ribs!

 

[liamsaunt]

Mister Disney you have sold me on bluezoo!! DH and I have been avoiding it since we've got all the other Todd English places up here in Boston, but those dishes looked great. Next trip for sure. Thanks for the detailed review.

 

[Mainebound]

Overall impressions?

We thought Blue Zoo had it all, but one thing....

The service was great, the drinks delicious and the food for the most part was outstanding. The one thing it lacked was its location.

We enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Blue Zoo two years ago, and I think it has gotten short shrift from amateur and professional reviewers alike.

Thanks for the wonderful, detailed, and mouth watering assessment!


PS. Also agree about S/D!

 

[Jane and Ian]

Thanks again for a fantastic review. I am travelling out with a friend in December and we had made a decision to eat here, now having read this, I know we made the right choice.

Jane

 

[pennyplanner]

What, no dessert???

Looking forward to the rest of your reviews!

--penny

 

[Cruz Family]

Excuse me while I clean up the drool on my desk

 

[nybound]

Thanks Mister Disney. Keep up the wonderful reviews.

The DW and I have reservations to the Chef's Table at V&A in part because of you.