Shula's, Bluezoo or Chef's de France for our romantic night out?

[JMLBrats]

My cousin will be joining us and babysitting for one night while DH and I have a chance to go out w/out the kids! We're staying at BW so we want to go somewhere within that area and have narrowed it down to the above three choices. Which would you choose and why? We've eaten at many of Disney's restaurants, but these are three that we've never experienced. We're looking for good warm atsmosphere, great food of course and good service and a nice selection of drinks and wine.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I have only eaten at one and can tell you NOT to eat at Chefs if you want romance. We went there for our 1 night out and it's far from romantic, really. Very nice restaurant, had a great meal, but the toddler at the table next to us could have eaten off my plate we were so close. It's bright in there and very crowded. The family was very nice but a skinny person couldn't fit in the space between our tables it was so close; we had to move the table to get by.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Both Shula's and BlueZoo would fit the bill...I'd say will you be preferring seafood or steak?

 

[Quinn222]

I'd pick Blue Zoo. It's beautiful and quiet and the food is fantastic.

 

[JMLBrats]

I'd pick Blue Zoo. It's beautiful and quiet and the food is fantastic.

We actually have reservations at Bluezoo, but the atmosphere looked kind of cold to us, so I'm glad to have someone say it's beautiful there. I haven't been able to find any pics of it other than the one or two crappy ones on the Dolphin website.

 

[Dana49]

BlueZoo would be my choice. The have great seafood, a romantic atmosphere, and excellent service. You'll love it.

 

[ElizabethB]

Chef's is most definitely not romantic in any way. I agree the tables are far too close together -- we felt we could eat off the plates of our neighbors at the next table as easily as we could eat off our own. The food is only fair, too.

Shula's has wonderful steaks -- the best on property. But, it too isn't very romantic. We find it's usually filled with heavy drinking conventioneers on expense accounts. Sometimes we manage a quiet table in the corner if we go on a night when the hotel is between conventions, but that is pure chance. So we go there when we want great steaks and don't care about atmosphere.

We haven't been to BlueZoo, but given how unromantic your other two choices are, that's the one I'd pick.

Other suggestions: Victoria & Alberts (best restaurant on property, wonderfully romantic atmosphere), Artist Point (so long as you go late), Jiko (again, only if you go late). Narcoosee's can be nice if you go late. Are you sensing a theme here? Bistro de Paris on the second floor of the Epcot building where Chef's is located is another idea. We haven't tried Il Mulino, but look forward to it.

Frankly, really romantic restaurants are in rather short supply at WDW, IMO.

 

[Stuck In Wonderland]

Nothing says romance like football!

 

[JMLBrats]

Nothing says romance like football!

I'm sure DH would agree w/that, but even he won't eat at ESPN if that's what you're getting at.

 

[MinnesotaChill]

BLUEZOO!!! We love it there, it is pretty, the food is very good and it is unlike anything we have at home.

 

[EastonCat]

Any of the three can deliver a romantic event. It depends on the two of you.I've enojoyed all three and you will not have a bad meal regardless of your choice.

I'd recommend hotel dining for a romantic meal. They will not hurry you. Of Shula's and bluezoo, I'd recommend you pick your favorite menu and book there. Please note that you don't need to have the reservation zeal required for a Disney-owned venue. These are more like restaurants out here in the real world. If the Swan and Dolphin don't have large conventions, you can get in with a day or two's notice if you are a little flexible. Still, call ahead early to make sure.

Forced to choose, I'd pick bluezoo. The pictures make it look antiseptic, but that's becuase of all the glass. In person, it's quite nice. I've eaten in three of his restaurants and each has been romantically acceptable. And the menu is broad. Shula's is great, but it is a great steakhouse. They may not be a dime a dozen, but I've been to enough of them to know that I can find one when I want one.

 

[Joshua_me]

For us, it would come down to Blue Zoo or Shula's...

As stated above,

Seafood lovers ? Blue Zoo

Steak lovers ? Shula's...

Although, I've been to Shula's on nights when it seemed more like a bunch of conventioneers at a sports bar than a 'romantic' restaurant...

Given that, I'd lean slightly toward Blue Zoo, but it's an awfully close call.

 

[Quinn222]

I'm sure DH would agree w/that, but even he won't eat at ESPN if that's what you're getting at.

I think he's referring to Shulas.

I checked to see if I have any pictures of Blue Zoo but while I took photos of the food I didn't of the room.

 

[anbouk]

probably Blue Zoo, although everytime we pass by, it seems like a rather empty restaurant...dunno why? Shula's is very crowded with business men eating off of their expense accounts...not too romatic, if you ask me. Chef de France, ALWAYS overcrowded...not romantic at all...just a VERY busy place. Maybe you can try the Bistro (upstairs from Chef's). Never been there cause seems a bit too upscale, and w/o kids menu's ( JMHO: when I don't see a kid's menu, I prefer not to patronize a restaurant). Anyway, we always dine with my kids (no sitters for us ) near WDW!

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

If Shula's is being filled by conventioneers then so is BlueZoo, this is both of their target guests. If there are few conventioneers, as in summer, then both will be much, lighter in crowds.

I don't understand the comments about Shula's not being romantic. Yes it's a football theme but it's dark, with booths and the tables aren't too close. It's heavily carpeted so the sound is muted. It has that dark, clubby atmosphere but that would tend to be romantic, no?

Anyway, it still comes down to fish or meat.

 

[JMLBrats]

I'd probably like the feel of Shula's better than Bluezoo-just cause I like tradtitional more cozy feeling restaurants, but that said I think we will end up eating at Bluezoo. You guys have made me feel better about how it will look there and DH doesn't eat steak so his choices would be limited at Shula's. I mean they have a decent amount of other choices (unlike for instance the Yachtsman Steakhouse), but I think he'd prefer the menu at Bluezoo (although he keeps saying it's up to me )

If we were going for atmosphere alone, we'd prob opt for San Angel Inn, but we also want to feel like we had some decent food so that's out....(not to knock SAI, because we love Mexican, but you guys know what I mean....)

Thanks for all the tips guys, we're really looking forward to it!

 

[Robert P]

BlueZoo would stand out as the most romantic of the 3, followed closely by Shula's. Chefs, no way.

I have to back the Pirate on this one. Shula's has a decent enough romantic feel. Intimate setting, not wide open area, nice wood decor, a more formal level of service.... Disregard the football theme, and it could be one of the more romantic places on property to eat.

 

[ntsammy5]

Nothing says romance like football!

Yes, Yes, YES. And of course some good beer!

 

[MadToad]

For romance in the Epcot area, I'd go with the Bistro which is located above Chef's de France.

 

[Cinderella37]

We love the tasting menu at Bistro. We were there for over two hours for dinner and didn't feel rushed at all. Service was fantastic, as was the food. We also love Blue Zoo. The bar area is great for a pre-dinner drink and the food is incredible. The raw platter for two for an app is delightful. Shula's is on par with Morton's of Chicago (if you're familiar with the "chain") for both food and feel. Depending on the noise level, it may not be too romantic. Our Morton's in Pittsburgh is usually very noisy and when I've been to Shula's, it's been rather noisy too.

Have a great time!