Best Hip Atmosphere

Todd English's Bluezoo (Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel)

*Also Best Seafood

Contemporary seafood at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel. Dinner only; business casual dress. Open daily 5:30-11 p.m raw bar and lounge open daily 3:30-11 p.m.

You really must plan an evening at Todd English’s dreamy outpost at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel. It’s worth the cost of dinner simply to check out this stunning, underwater-like fantasyland adorned with air bubble light fixtures, gauzy swaths of silver-blue organza curtains, and carpeting mimicking an expanding drop of water. Seductive seating of chocolate brown leather booths interspersed with mango orange chairs completes the picture. The menu, as captivating as the surroundings, is fresh, inventive, and ultramodern. Meals here begin with a basket of savory house-made bread such as onion foccacia, sourdough, whole grain, or black olive.

A good starter is something from the raw bar accompanied by a choice from the extensive and sophisticated international wine list. It’s hard not to love the amazingly fresh sashimi here, but I can’t pass up the irresistible tempura haricot verts served with truffle aioli as an appetizer. A New England clam chowder with salt-cured bacon is another treat-lighter than most and bursting with flavor. Perennial favorites include the tender miso glazed Chilean sea bass with warm sesame spinach, or the Cantonese fried lobster tossed in a sticky soy glaze. But if it’s pasta you’re wanting, there usually a daily choice; ours was a lobster fidelini in a somewhat spicy cream sauce, nice if not a little heavy on the fennel. A king salmon dish might have been too bland if not for its savory bacon-clam ragoût topping. On a subsequent visit I was surprised with a super-flavorful, Cajun-style swordfish rubbed with spicy seasonings sitting atop a delish tasso and rock shrimp-spiked risotto surrounded by plump littleneck clams. And then there’s dessert: warm chocolate cake with a ganache center crowned with maracaibo chocolate cream pudding and a side of peanut ice cream or the sinful mai tai banana cream tart with rich roasted pineapple and a rum flambéed sorbet. Heaven!

Cara's Tip: For a light meal and cocktails head to Bluezoo’s divine lounge. Those traveling with small children should take advantage of the two hours of complimentary childcare at Camp Dolphin (one child per adult entrée). Be sure to reserve ahead and enjoy your time alone. Valet parking is complimentary when dining at Bluezoo.

Best Know For:

Dancing fish, fresh market fish whole roasted on a rotisserie.

Sample Menu Items:

Dinner entrees: Berkshire hefe weizen brinded pork loin, apple kraut, German potato salad, apple mustard glaze; Florida grouper, black truffle spaetzle, black radish, black truffle vinaigrette; Lone Peak beef tenderloin, parsnip, organic marble potatoes, brussel sprouts, agro dolce; dancing fish with smoked paprika rub, fingerling chorizo hash, green olive, orange, saffron; heritage half chicken, seasonal mushrooms, macaire potato, truffle chicken jus.