How Do You Think We Stay So Happy?*Final Thoughts & Farewells* 10/7 p100

[MEK]

OMG - christine - that last picture is the perfect cat picture! It's the lion, but he is doing what any self respecting cat would do on a lazy day. I can't believe all these pictures were taken when all I got was the backside.

It!!!!!!!

So tonight we took Jen out for her going away dinner. That's the same Jen I traveled with last September. And what do you think we got her for her going away present?????? Well, a Disney Gift Card, of course!!!!!

It was a super fun night, but now I am too tired for a Jiko update. I promise to have it done by tomorrow night!

[MEK]

After a fabulous morning treking and a fabulous afternoon sipping the "can in the can" by the pool, we retreated to our rooms to get ready for dinner. Jen's flight had left earlier in the day and she was somewhere en route home. Tonight was Melissa's last night. Tomorrow she would be leaving as well.

But tonight was to enjoy! We were going to Jiko, a signature restaurant that I had been looking forward to for a long time. I've eaten at Cali Grill, Narcoosee's, Artist Point, and Flying Fish. This was a new signature experience I was really looking forward to. I've heard so many wonderful things about this restaurant.

Did it live up to the hype????? Well, Read On!

Our First Stop was



Such a pretty and unique bar area. I decided not to have a drink because I think I was still on a sugar high from the can-can drink, but here's what some of the ladies decided to try.

pretty!



This would be the superfruit martini and it came with a cute little bracelet.



Who still has their bracelet? Anyone?

Here is a blurry picture of the bar area.



If my memory serves me right (and I think i've already proven that it doesn't), this was a close-up of a big pillar-like supporting structure.



While the ladies were enjoying their cocktails, I decided to venture forth and take a few lodge pictures. It's no secret that AKL is one of my favorite resorts. I know it's Melissa and Tracy's home resort. I looked day after day, week after week for a 100 pt March use year add on at the resort, but I never found one. Never! That's how I ended up purchasing at VWL. I actually think I may have seen one right after I finally added on at VWL. Figures!

But it's all good, because I know I will stay there again in the future!

Lobby leading to the animal viewing area



Ahhhhhh - this is my favorite spot in the whole entire lodge



I think there was someone outside, but they quickly disappeared after I went out there. They almost had the attitude that I had interrupted their own personal space. Sorry!

I'll just post all my pictures since I love this place THAT MUCH!











I love this sign











On My Way back to Victoria Falls I tried to get some lobby pictures:







I believe this was a sneak picture inside Jiko!



It must have been time for our ADR because this next picture is of the wine racks in Jiko. Cool Huh?



I saw something like this in Kirkland's (well obviously on a much smaller scale) and it was SO hard for me to pass. It reminded me of Jiko!

The menu



OMG - I almost forgot about this. I got a Birthday Card from Jiko!!!!!! How cool is that?

Ahhhhh - Here's what I was waiting for. A nice glass of wine! Knowing that Cynthia was so good with wine, I had her pick my beverage de jour!



And because Cynthia picked, I have no idea what type of wine it was. I'm sure she'll remember. She's good like that. Whatever it was - it was delish and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

And because I enjoyed it so much, here's my artsy spin on my picture (or perhaps thats actually how the wine looked after a few glasses). Ho Hum!




Continued sometime later today with THE FOOD!

[MEK]

OOPS! Here's My Birthday Card:

[celeste.]

AKL is a beautiful resort! I visited it for the first time on my last trip..it kind of reminds me of wilderness lodge, but bigger (or maybe it just seems bigger because it's spread out with all the animals).
Great update..can't wait for more!

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

YAY JIKO!!!! Can't wait to see the rest of your meal there!!! I hope you enjoyed it there - I entirely admit to being someone that hypes that meal up every second I can!

[TanzUnited99]

I love all the pics of AKL and would love to stay there one day!

Yay on getting a birthday card from Jiko! That wine rack looks cool and I love that the martini comes with a cute little bracelet.

Can't wait to hear about your meal at Jiko and would love to know how you would rank the signature restaurants you have eaten at

[MEK]

Originally Posted by celeste.

AKL is a beautiful resort! I visited it for the first time on my last trip..it kind of reminds me of wilderness lodge, but bigger (or maybe it just seems bigger because it's spread out with all the animals).
Great update..can't wait for more!

Sorry I had to split up the updates, but I have a lot to do today, so I will do the other part this evening.

The animals at AKL really add so much to the property. It's amazing. And the music - I love the music - such perfect sounds for such a cool place.

Originally Posted by Stringbean&Wingnut

YAY JIKO!!!! Can't wait to see the rest of your meal there!!! I hope you enjoyed it there - I entirely admit to being someone that hypes that meal up every second I can!

I did love it there. Our waiter wasn't that warm and fuzzy like some of the cast members are, but he knew how to do his job and the food was fabulous. I really enjoyed it!

Originally Posted by TanzUnited99

I love all the pics of AKL and would love to stay there one day!

I love that resort! I hope you do get a chance to stay there someday. I think it would be a great resort for a non park stay because the restaurants are my favorite and there is so much to get lost in - the great pools, the animals, the music, the incredible artwork.

Originally Posted by TanzUnited99

Yay on getting a birthday card from Jiko! That wine rack looks cool and I love that the martini comes with a cute little bracelet.

Ya know - I'm not really sure I know what I did with my birthday card. So I'm really glad I took a picture of it! That was a nice touch.

yes - I do want to know you still has there. I think they may have run out while we were there.

Originally Posted by TanzUnited99

Can't wait to hear about your meal at Jiko and would love to know how you would rank the signature restaurants you have eaten at

I can definitely do a ranking after I finish this update. I promise to finish tonight!

[KatMark]

MEK, your pictures of AKL are getting me so excited (only 34 more days!). Thank you for posting them.

[saintstickets]

STILL loving your TR. Hope Jiko lives up to your expectations. DW and I ate there during our last trip and it was amazing! I'm anxious to see if you had some of the same items as we did on our trip.

[2xcited2sleep]

I AKL. What a beautiful resort! It seems like it gets a bad reputation for travel times and being a distance from the parks. I only stayed there once and for just a few nights but don't recall being aggravated by the bus service. I think it is especially gorgeous at Christmas-time

Sure wish I was dining at Jiko tonight!!

[MEK]

JIKO BABY Part II
Jiko has this interesting area off to the side where patrons can sit.





I wonder how that works for ADRs?

Next stop before dinner was the Ladies Room. I was told it was quite pretty and, therefore, worth bringing my camera.

One of the many reasons I love AKL - the artwork in the darnest place.






Pretty tiling, sinks, and mirrors.



Try as I might, I couldn't get a non-blurry picture of the door.



Back to the table in time to be served my app.

Mitmita Spiced Ahi Tuna "Tataki" - with with Hearts of Palm Salad, Avocado, and Peppadew-Cilantro Vinaigrette $16.00




It was delicious. Loved it!!!!!!!!

I didn't photograph any other apps. Sorry, but Jiko doesn't have much (if any) ambient light and I had to use my flash. Being that the room was dark, the flash was pretty disruptive.

Oh - I almost forgot - we must have had bread service with these wonderful dipping sauces.



So - My Entree



Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon - with hominy "risotto", California asparagus and Red Wine Reduction $41.00


Only - Note - my dish came with fingerling potatoes. Apparently the fingerling potatoes replaced the infamous mac and cheese. And now it appears that the potatoes are have been replaced by the risotto. Well, OK then.

So did I like it????? Yup - the filet was amazing. The potatoes and asparagus held merely supporting roles. In other words, they were fine.

I believe this was Cynthia's dish

Seared Barbarie Duck Breast - Potato and Spinach Masala, Royal Trumpet Mushrooms, and Port Emulsion $39.00




She loved it.

I also managed to get a picture of Melissa's entree.

Braised Beef Short Rib - Truffled Potato Puree, Pearl Onions, Baby Carrots, and Cabernet-Tamarind Sauce $39.00



I think we all agreed that Melissa's entree won the award. She absolutely loved it. The beef literally melted in her mouth.

Dessert was this



MY best guess is the above picture is

Cape Malva Pudding - Warm Cape Dutch Cake with Vanilla Custard and Mango and Apricot Sorbet $9.00


Cynthia had this



Cheesecake, Caramel and Toffee - Creamy Madagascar Vanilla Cheesecake with salted caramel, macadamia-almond toffee, whipped cream, and chocolate covered coffee beans $9.00


After my first dessert I was presented with my birthday dessert



Two desserts, it doesn't get any better than that!

So what did I think of Jiko. I loved it! The wine was great! The decor was beautiful. The food was melt-in-your mouth good! It was a great experience. Our waiter was very efficient, but I didn't think he was super friendly.

So in terms of my rankings. Well, I like to rank according to overall experience because the food is great in all there places.

1. Cali Grill gets number #1. It was my first siggie. The food was great. Our waiter was awesome and the view was gorgeous.

2. Artist Point - Loved the food and the whole experience. We were treated like VIPs cause it was our anniversary.

3. Jiko - do I need to explain further

4. Flying Fish - amazing food, great wait staff. Not my favorite decor.

5. Narcoossee's (still can't spell it) - beautiful location, but just OK food.

After dinner I walked out to take a few pictures of the pool.





This is one of my favorite pools.



Good Bye Jiko - Thanks for the great meal!



Of course, no trip report would be complete without a random light fixture!!!!



Can't say enough how much I love the artwork here.














Continued in Next Post

[MEK]

Continued......











I ventured into the gift shop where I got a few more pictures





[

This is my favorite. If anyone ever wants to get me a gift - here it is.......



Well, that's all my pictures from Jiko and AKL. But that's not all my pictures from the night. I took a few pictures of the Beach Club gift shop on our way back to the room.





On our way back to the villa









And to all a good night!

Up Next - Day 6 Wednesday May 5th! Bye to Melissa, HS, and How Do You Think We Stay So Happy!!!!!!

[MEK]

Originally Posted by KatMark

MEK, your pictures of AKL are getting me so excited (only 34 more days!). Thank you for posting them.

for 34 more days!!!! You are going to love it there. LOVE IT!!!!!! I hope you are eating at one of the restaurants there. They are all so good.

Originally Posted by saintstickets

STILL loving your TR. Hope Jiko lives up to your expectations. DW and I ate there during our last trip and it was amazing! I'm anxious to see if you had some of the same items as we did on our trip.

It was great! Loved it. I would love to take Denny there in December, but I really want to take my son Nick to Cali Grill and Artist Point. So I am going to do those repeats!

Originally Posted by 2xcited2sleep

I AKL. What a beautiful resort! It seems like it gets a bad reputation for travel times and being a distance from the parks. I only stayed there once and for just a few nights but don't recall being aggravated by the bus service. I think it is especially gorgeous at Christmas-time

Sure wish I was dining at Jiko tonight!!

I don't really understand why it has that reputation. I think the location was fine and the bus service was great. I miss it. I would love to stay there again in the near future!

Yeah - I wish I was at Jiko tonight too. Seeing those food pictures brought back lots of yummy memories!

[TanzUnited99]

Wow Mary Ellen the food looks amazing!! I'm glad you enjoyed the Tuna app as it looks great!

Thanks for your rankings - we are eating at Cali Grill and Artist Point so am glad they are your top two signature restaurants!

Again what great pics of the AKL pool, ladies room (love the mask as well as all the little details) and the art work

[sunny_stace]

Ok, even the bathroom at Jiko looks amazing! And even though I wouldn't eat it, the food looks awesome! The theming at AKL is just so lovely and rich and detailed! I love it! I need to spend more time there!