Sweetheart Dinner at Jiko

[GoofTroop]

Could anyone give me any information on this? Is it worth the cost? What were the menu options? Any pictures? Anything else you can share?

My husband will be celebrating his 40th birthday and I want to surprise him with something special.

Opinions? Other suggestions?

Elizabeth

[Hollytigs]

We had the Sweetheart Dinner for Two at Jiko a couple of weeks ago. I think the menu choices can change, but we had the following choices:

Appetizers:
Tibs Watt in Panekoeke (we both had this - it was delicious but strangely luke warm, we weren't sure if it was supposed to be hot or cold)
Curried Cauliflower Soup
Cucumber, Tomato and Red Onion Salad

Entrees:
Filet Mignon with Macaroni & Cheese in Red Wine Sauce
Tanglewood Chicken with Goat Cheese Potatoes
Seared Maize Pudding with Chakalaka
Maize Crusted Pacific Halibut with Vegetables

Dessert to Share:
Pistachio Creme Bruless, Housemade Lemon Curd with Blueberry Compote and seasonal sorbet selection

We also had a glass of sparkling wine (you get a choice, and it was very nice) in two decorated champagne glasses. They also bring you clean, boxed versions of the glasses to keep at the end and you keep the printed menus.

We both enjoyed the food and everything, but it was no different than if you were there for a normal meal, except for the champagne glasses. There was no special table or extra fuss made of you.

[TDC Nala]

Other than the sparkling wine and glasses, I'd think it would be more enjoyable to just order whatever you wanted off the regular menu.

[oybolshoi]

While we haven't tried this option, I really don't think it's worth the money.

Would you spend that much on dinner at Jiko if you ordered everything you wanted off their regular menu? If the answer is yes, then maybe it is worth it, but otherwise to pay that dollar amount for significantly reduced dining choices, a couple of glasses, and a pre-printed menu seems like a rip off to me.

I also think the way Disney markets this to couples is grossly misleading - it's not easy to have a truly romantic dinner for two in the middle of a dining room filled with various sized families and their children, even at a signature restaurant. I'm not saying it's not possible but it's really a crapshoot ... you could have a dining room full of considerate, well behaved guests or you could have meltdown central (we have experienced both at signature restaurants).

As long as you go into this with your eyes open then book it if that's what you want to do. Personally, I'd book a regular ADR at Jiko and then call private dining to arrange a surprise birthday cake for the hubby.

Either way I hope you both have a great experience.