Todd English's Bluezoo

If you are ever in the Kissimmee/Orlando area of Central Florida, you have to visit celebrity chef Todd English's restaurant. Bluezoo is located inside the Swan and Dolphin Resort, across from Disney's Boardwalk Hotel. You can't miss the humongous fish on its pillars, nor the massive Swans.

A two-time, Four Diamond Award Winner, Bluezoo specializes in seafood, with international cuisines -- all in a beautiful setting.

The serenity of blue calms the environment, while you listen to a live band. The lightning brings a romantic tone, and the waiters are ready to explain any dish in detail -- their favorites, traditional favorites, and will even scale your fish for you. The service is without a doubt very good. No questions. No complaints.

The restaurant was decorated by architect Jeffrey Beers, which is ironic, because Bluezoo's beer and wine list is extensive and of fine quality. Few are offered by the glass, so be prepared to buy a bottle.

Reservations are suggested and make sure to tell them if you are celebrating anything special. They will usually do a little something for you.

Their menu is not huge, but there are a lot of diverse choices.

The homemade bread they give you at the beginning is warm, fresh and refreshing. Instead of giving you a mundane butter spread, like garlic or honey, they paired the basket of bread with fennel butter. It was a great start to the meal.

Please... if you go, do not pass up the Teppan Seared Jumbo Sea Scallops. This appetizer is amazing. Cooked to perfection, the scallop sits on a bed of a juicy short rib and silky cauliflower puree. Because it was shared, the scallop dish was divided into individual portions, as you see above.

My entree was "this evening's dancing fish:" smoked paprika rub, fingerling chorizo hash, green olive, orange and saffron. That night, the special fish was yellow fin snapper, served whole. My server, however, showed her knife skills and de-boned it for me. Why work for it? You know?

We also ordered the Dirty South Swordfish -- the name caught our eye. This dish is barbeque rubbed, with house smoked tasso risotto, rock shrimp and little neck clams. The risotto was absolutely wonderful.

We didn't order dessert, sadly -- we were still full from Food & Wine earlier that day. However, to the left is a picture of the dessert menu (click to enlarge), and let me just say this: some of the desserts I saw were on fire. That makes any dessert better. :)

If you are looking for a heightened culinary experience, wonderful service, a romantic setting and love seafood, this is the place for you. With the food we ordered, plus two alcoholic drinks, our grand total was $120.

**Tip: park at the Boardwalk hotel (free if you stay at any Disney resort), and take the fairy over. At night it's so beautiful and peaceful.**


I hope I get to go back soon!

Grub on,

--Chels