Foodies: Jiko, Narcoossee, Citricos, or ?? Please read and vote!

[vinotinto]

Of course, now that my ADRs are made, I'm totally rethinking them

I'm travelling with kids, ages 3, 5, and 37 (dh). So a restaurant that is kid-friendly is important, although my kids absolutely love to eat out, and are used to doing so. My kids tend to behave better at places that are not too loud. They did much better at The Wave than at Boma, for example.

Currently, I have 3 signature restaurants booked:
1) Cali Grill - on our AK day
2) Hollywood Brown Derby (with Fantasmic package - I'm not touching this ressie) - on our DHS day
3) Narcoosee - on our MK day

Cali Grill and HBD menus appeal to me. Narcoosee's - not as much. I would probably go for the whole snapper -and I love whole fish - but I don't know if they will be offering that when we go in September. Reviews on Narcoosee are so mixed. Some love it, some are not blown away. Some of the dishes don't look particularly exciting. The $58 lobster is kind of ridiculous. Who would go to fl to eat Maine lobster? And it's not even a creative preparation - just steamed and served with butter (great if you are in Maine, but not very creative in FL).

Options:
1) Change Narcoosee to
a) Citricos
b) The Wave (we've eaten here and loved it)
c) Kona Cafe (we're staying at the Poly and having Kona Cafe on our departure day for lunch; but like the menu and do like the idea of sushi appetizers).

I'm concerned that Citricos does not look too child-friendly.

OR

2) Change Cali Grill to Jiko on our AK day. Then, change Narcoosee to Cali Grill.

what do you think? Please vote!

 

[N10CJT]

Jiko is really a step above most of the other Disney restaurants, and is my favorite along with California Grill. We ate there in November and it was incredible. For fish lovers, they have a wonderful maize-crusted halibut, plus specials.... my fiance got a tile fish special that was giving me order envy. Narcoossee's has a great setting and the food is excellent, but it doesn't compare in my estimation.
Jiko is also relatively quiet, and the design of the restaurant might appeal to your children. It is, shall I say, whimsically sophisticated, with "birds" flying about the ceiling.
If you are a big fish eater, consider Blue Zoo. I have eaten there twice and say that hands-down it has the best fish on property. It isn't exactly kid friendly in the traditional sense, but I have seen children in there both times and there wasn't a problem.
I also have to recommend Kouzzina, but only for the whole fish. The rest of the menu is middling, but their whole fish compares to the "dancing fish" at Blue Zoo, and that is something.

 

[BriarRosie]

My first thought was that Jiko would be extremely convenient for you on the AK day. You can't beat a 5 minute bus ride.

My second option/opinion would have been to change to Citrico's. All the Disney restaurants (except Victoria and Albert's) are used to having kids of any age in the restaurant.

And well behaved kids? That's a plus at ANY restaurant, Disney or otherwise.

 

[PictureJumpr]

I'll second the advice to switch to Jiko on AK day, and California Grill on MK day.

I'm one of those who are underwhelmed by Narcoossee's.
But I love Jiko.

I don't know that I would do Kona Cafe twice in one trip - unless one was for breakfast. I like it but it's not repeat-worthy to me.

 

[Cptnkirky]

I agree to the others to switch to Jiko on your AK day, then change to Cali on your MK day...or to Citricos your MK day. I absolutely love Citricos, however I think that Cali has a more kid friendly environment/menu.

 

[RatherB@Disney]

I personally love Narcoossee's, Citricos, Cali Grill and Jiko - I would categorize them as having similar ambiances. They tend to be more quiet than other restaurants, so, based on what you said, your children may behave better at any of these. Citricos is a little bit more "plush" than the others (nice soft seats!) and has a more open dining area (may be a concern if you're worried about sound traveling).

If you don't like much of what you see on Narcoossee's menu, I would suggest changing your ADR (instead of praying that the snapper is still there!). While making your decision, keep in mind the logistics of getting from resorts/ parks to restaurants and then back to resorts/parks (which can be a big ordeal in itself!). (We always consider this to help plan our schedule with our DS)

For example:
On your AK day, Jiko would be a nice short ride from AK, but you'll likely have to take a bus to a park or DTD in order to get back to Poly or take a cab (if you're headed back to your resort). Any of your 1a, b, c or Cali Grill options would get you closer to Poly for dinner, thus saving some excess travel.

All that being said, if you hold my feet to the fire, I would suggest keeping Cali Grill on your AK day and changing Narcoossee's to the Wave or Kona Cafe (if you really want the sushi!).

Hope I helped - good luck and enjoy!

 

[AppleSister1]

I agree with other posters...do Jiko and switch your Cali Grill day.

I was underwhelmed by Narcoosee's...all of our entrees were extremely salty. I even wondered if somehow they got salted twice by accident on the way out of the kitchen!

Haven't done Citricos so can't speak to that, altho I'd love to try it! I also want to try Bluezoo. If you are looking for seafood, we also enjoy Flying Fish.

 

[Twitterpated!]

Have you thought about Flying Fish? I haven't been there yet (we are going in May and have ressies there, Jiko and Cali Grill) Their signature dish is the potato wrapped snapper, plus they have other seafood options to satisfy the Narcoossees fans. And of all of the signatures, this one looks the most kid friendly. The inside is themed like a boardwalk amusement park/circus tent, there are paintings that the kids are instructed to seek out certain images, and the kids desserts include the Mickey puzzle that they can paint with sugar.

Our plan is actually to do Animal Kingdom and then bus over to the Boardwalk Inn when it closes for our 7:15 reservation. We chose a Thursday night, because Thurs-Sun there is entertainment and games on the boardwalk.

Just a thought. Otherwise, go with Jiko, which we can't wait to try. We are actually making that our "date night" and our DD6 has a reservation at Simba's Cubhouse, the AKL Kid's Club.

We are foodies too. Last time we were at WDW we did he regular dining plan and added the Chef's Table at V&A. (An experience of a lifetime!) This time we are doing the DxDP and can't wait to try more signatures! Of all of them, Narcoossee's seems the most mainstream, borderline boring to me. Whatever you decide, Jiko, Citricos or Flying Fish, I am sure you will enjoy it more.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'd go with YOUR #2. . Citricos is an EXCELLENT restaurant, but you tend to see fewer children there than most other Disney spots. Not sure why--maybe because it's right next to V&A and perhaps has a more formal "feel" to it??

 

[Tam1067]

Just speaking from our experience--

We had dinner at Narcoossee's, Citricos, and Kona in both August and December 2009.

Our preference in order is Citricos, Kona, and Narcoossee's. We were underwhelmed with Narcoossee's in August, gave it another try in December, and then were very disappointed that time. I would not go there again. Citricos is one of my kids' favorites, and Kona is good but not special.

Full disclosure--we'll be trying Jiko for the first time this August, so I'll get back to you on that one

 

[kmk1180]

2) Change Cali Grill to Jiko on our AK day. Then, change Narcoosee to Cali Grill.

what do you think? Please vote!

I would definately choose Jiko over Cal Gril any day.
J

 

[missminniemouse]

Our kids love Citricos. They're a little older than your kids, at 10 and 14. If your kids are used to eating out, I think they'd love it there. It's much more quiet than Cali Grill is. The service at Citricos is also better than at CG.

Jiko is a place DH and I went for dinner without the kids 2 years ago. We loved it and our kids are requesting a trip there this year. We brought back leftovers 2 years ago and I don't think they lasted 5 minutes after we walked in the room. Our kids wolfed them down really fast.

Yes, our kids are spoiled rotten when it comes to disney dining!

 

[Silver Queen]

We've dined at all of these restaurants and I agree with switching to Jiko. In addition to great food and excellent service visiting AKL is always a treat for children.

 

[aussietravellers]

I vote change to Jiko too, we love it there.

 

[vinotinto]

The foodies have spoken, and I shall listen!

Jiko is really a step above most of the other Disney restaurants, and is my favorite along with California Grill.

I vote change to Jiko too, we love it there.

I'll second the advice to switch to Jiko on AK day, and California Grill on MK day.

I agree with other posters...do Jiko and switch your Cali Grill day.

I would definately choose Jiko over Cal Gril any day.

I agree to the others to switch to Jiko on your AK day, then change to Cali on your MK day.

I'd go with YOUR #2.

We were underwhelmed with Narcoossee's in August, gave it another try in December, and then were very disappointed that time.

I personally love Narcoossee's, Citricos, Cali Grill and Jiko

On your AK day, Jiko would be a nice short ride from AK, but you'll likely have to take a bus to a park or DTD in order to get back to Poly or take a cab (if you're headed back to your resort). Any of your 1a, b, c or Cali Grill options would get you closer to Poly for dinner, thus saving some excess travel.

We have a car (we drive from ATL), which does help with logistics of getting to resorts for dinners. But, with two kids, it's important to make sure getting to dinner is as easy as possible, even with a car.

Have you thought about Flying Fish? I haven't been there yet (we are going in May and have ressies there, Jiko and Cali Grill) Their signature dish is the potato wrapped snapper, plus they have other seafood options to satisfy the Narcoossees fans. And of all of the signatures, this one looks the most kid friendly. The inside is themed like a boardwalk amusement park/circus tent, there are paintings that the kids are instructed to seek out certain images, and the kids desserts include the Mickey puzzle that they can paint with sugar.

We are actually making that our "date night" and our DD6 has a reservation at Simba's Cubhouse, the AKL Kid's Club.

My DD will be a young 3, so she's too young to go to the Neverland Club, which is too bad because she's used to being in that type of setting and loves to "play" with other kids (she has been in daycare since she was 2 months old). But for our 2011 trip (I might as well assume we'll go back in 2011 ), I'm all for leaving the kids at the kids' club for an adult evening!

The menu at Flying Fish looks fabulous! I didn't realize FF was so kid-friendly. I may just have to ponder this one too. Too many signatures, too few nights!

My first thought was that Jiko would be extremely convenient for you on the AK day. You can't beat a 5 minute bus ride.

And well behaved kids? That's a plus at ANY restaurant, Disney or otherwise.

I hope I didn't just jinx myself!

Jiko is a place DH and I went for dinner without the kids 2 years ago. We loved it and our kids are requesting a trip there this year. We brought back leftovers 2 years ago and I don't think they lasted 5 minutes after we walked in the room. Our kids wolfed them down really fast.

Yes, our kids are spoiled rotten when it comes to disney dining!

It's awesome that you are cultivating your kids' palates! I mean, we all make sure they are exposed to different learning experiences, sports, music, why not add food to the mix?

We've dined at all of these restaurants and I agree with switching to Jiko. In addition to great food and excellent service visiting AKL is always a treat for children.

I had forgotten about this and I agree! We went to Bomas last year and the kids loved the AKL viewing deck. I also have a lunch at Sanaa scheduled.


So I'm switching to Jiko! Probably on the AK day, and moving CG to the MK day. However, if I do that, we will not watch Wishes from the CG viewing deck. The other option is to simply replace Narcoosee for Jiko on our MK day. I posted a poll:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2446612
Any of you fans of Wishes at CG?