Shula's Steak House

Shula's Steak House is a new restaurant in the Dolphin Resort, opening in December 1999. We dined at Shula's on January 4, 2000. Our review of the steakhouse appears to the right, and basic information and links of interest are below.

Name: Shula's Steak House
Location: Dolphin Resort (Note: Shula's Steak House replaced Harry's Safari Bar and Grill in December 1999)
Reservation Line: (407) 934-1362
Restaurant Line: (407) 934-7272
Hours: 5 pm - 11 pm (dinner only)

Links of Interest:
Swan and Dolphin's Restaurant Listing
Wyndham International/Shula's Steak House Press Release
No Business Like Shu-Business (article about Don Shula)

Shula's is certainly the most upscale steakhouse on Disney property. The Yachtsman Steakhouse over at the Yacht Club is downright dressed-down and informal alongside Shula's. The surroundings are very "clubby" -- dark wood paneling, dim lighting, gold-framed football photos on the walls, formal, attentive service from the staff -- this is one of the few places on property where dresses and sports jackets feel "right" (although nobody blinked at our shorts and polo shirts).

The main course menus are painted onto footballs ("pass" it around the table), the various steaks (from a 48 oz. porterhouse on down) and 4 lb. lobsters are displayed on a roll-around cart, potatoes and veggies are only available as side orders, the wine list is excellent (but some wine list choices rival the price of a decent vacation).

Fortunately, the preparation lives up to all those trappings. We can't fault the service, or anything we tried. The steak and salmon were superior, and the hash browns are simply to die for, Simba!

This is a serious steakhouse, at very serious prices -- the kind of place you take a client when it's time to seal a really big deal. As they say in some circles, "If you have to ask, you can't afford it!" Entree prices (which range from $18.95-$65.95) are printed on the football menu, but nothing else is -- we discovered only upon asking for "menus" just how much those side orders cost (4.95-7.95). Prices are not volunteered for appetizers, salads, vegetables, or desserts -- when we requested a menu, they hand-wrote their list on a sheet of paper for us. We've duplicated the menu below for your reference.

Appetizers and Soups
Barbecue Shrimp Stuffed with Basil - $12.95
Shula's Steak Soup - $7.95
Stone Crab (Seasonal) - Market Price
Chilled 1/2 Maine Lobster - $14.95
Potato Skins - $4.95
Certified Angus Steak Tartar - $12.95
Colossal Shrimp Cocktail - $12.95
1/2 Dozen Cockenoc Oysters - $10.95
Oysters Rockefeller - $12.95

Salads
Beefsteak Tomatoes & Gorgonzola Cheese - $6.95
Traditional Caesar Salad with Herbed Croutons - $6.95

Entrees
12 oz. Filet Mignon - $31.95
32 oz. Prune Rib - $29.95
24 oz. Porterhouse - $32.95
48 oz. Porterhouse - $65.95
22 oz Cowboy - $29.95
20 oz. Kansas City Sirloin - $30.95
16 oz New York Sirloin - $30.95
4 lb. Maine Lobster - Market Price
10 oz Florida Red Snapper - $22.95
10 oz Mahi-Mahi - $20.95
10 oz Norwegian Salmon - $22.95
16 oz Herb-Crusted Chicken Breast - $18.95
22 oz Loin Lamb Chops - $32.95

Vegetables
Creamed Spinach - $5.95
Baked Potato - $4.95
Broccoli with Hollandaise Sauce - $5.95
Potato Pancake - $4.95
Fresh Asparagus Spears - $7.95

Dessert
Seven Layer Chocolate Cake - $6.50
Red Velvet Cake - $6.50
Chocolate Soufflé for Two - $13.00
Crème Brule - $6.50
Key Lime Pie - $6.50
Vanilla Cheesecake - $6.50
Ice Cream - $6.50

Tasty Tidbits:

• Shula's Steak House was named one of the top 10 steak houses in America.
• The restaurant is decorated with Miami Dolphins memorabilia and photos, representing the 1972 undefeated season under Coach Don Shula, the "winningest coach."
• The restaurant accommodates 175 diners.
• Shula's Steak House only serves dinner, but there have been rumblings of adding lunch hours later.
• The music you hear (and will always hear) is Frank Sinatra.
• No kids menu is available.
• A cigar menu is available, but cigar smoking is only permitted in the smoking lounge.
  

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