Cinco de Mayo solo trip: Salsa, Tequila and NUTS? UPDATED 6-10

[cj9200]

Got up relatively early and made it to DHS. Did ToT, skipped Rock and Roller (too old for that unless my daughter makes me), walked by Toy Story and their 90 minutes wait. Then Muppets and a ride on Star Tours. No pics because forgot to charge the batteries (My Bad). Done with the Studios headed back to the bus stop and my home away from home.

Changed into the bathing suit and headed to the pool bar. Ordered a cocktail and a bag of chips. Decided to take a dip in the pool and when I get back, SOMEONE IS IN MY SEAT. Kim apologized and the guy offered to move. Grabbed my chips and left in a huff. Actually it was no big deal and just took another seat. Of course I kidded Kim about giving up my seat. More good conversation with the bar crew and patrons.

When I was headed to DHS I asked at the front desk about the Culinary Tour of Boma and Jiko. It happens every day at 4:00. No reservation needed, just show up at Boma. Decided to do the tour and after drying off, went to change and head down to Boma.

One of the many paintings and other touches that make AKL special




Show up and there are two ladies that were also waiting. A Boma staff member greeted us and took us into the restaurant. One of the neat things is that the tour is conducted by people who live in Africa. Asked if pictures were OK and he said sure. Some of the things I found out...

These pillars represent African Tupperware. The pots that make up the pillar are used to store food. Interesting contraptions. Buried in the dirt, cooler foods stay cool and warm foods stay warm.


Boma means a fortress or “safe” area. Hence the fences that are seen around the tables and throughout the restaurant. Keeps the lions out. Although I don’t think these will actually keep a determined lion from snacking.


The buffet line and the kitchen as they were prepping for dinner




Don’t know why but I didn’t get a picture of the different lighting fixtures above the tables. I asked him about it. One symbolizes the fire of the cooking pit and the other and more brighter on the outer parts of the restaurant symbolized the lights beckoning people to the Boma.

Now it was feeding time. We were offered one of three (or two?) soups. I opted for the corn chowder. Really good with lots of flavor. After soup, it was over to the desert station for you guessed it Zebra domes. Not a desert or chocolate fan but these are good. They use Amarula, an imported liqueur from Africa which can be pretty potent. Of course the alcohol is cooked out during the baking process so no drunk three-year-olds are stumbling around Boma.

From there we were escorted to Jiko. Met by a nice young lady for their section of the tour.

The chefs were doing prep work for the flatbreads and appetizers


Birds?




These rings symbolize status in the community. Mothers wear them for the number of children they have. (How Many?) The Village Chiefs also wear them.


The oven for the Flat Breads


We were given a sampling of the breads (pappadam, whole wheat lavosh and Naan) and dips. Really tasty. She warned us that one of the dips was pretty spicy. I found it had lots of flavor and some spice but not really hot. Favorite Bread was the Naan. I love bread and this was good stuff.


One of the neat things about the tour was the interaction with the guides. The young lady that gave the tour of Jiko came from a family of 13. When she was young, she was sent to a school many miles away. During the week she lived at a hostel associated with the school. Weekends she did not have a place to stay so either went to friends places or took a long bus ride home. Not an easy childhood. She is taking a break from college to work for Disney and is studying Hospitality Management in Nairobi.

So after that, needed to eat at Jiko. She suggested I go to Guest Services to get a reservation. So I went to see and they referred me back to the restaurant because they can not make reservations this close to the restaurant opening. Huh? Instead, decided just to take my chances at the restaurant.

So headed back to the room to relax and shower. Cleaned up and rested headed back to Jiko. Checked at the hostess station and asked if I could be seated at the “Chef’s Bar.” It was relatively slow due to the weather that night. They said sure, have a seat at the lounge and we will call you. Sat at the bar and ordered. Chatted with the Bartender and the other patrons.

Told the Bartender I was eating at Jiko and asked if he had any wine recommendations. He went through the list and told me to wait a minute and see if they had anything else open. They had two bottles available that were not on the by the glass list and he let me taste them. One (which I forgot the name) was really good. He told me to tell the waiter to see him and he would make sure I got it. Another example of a CM going out of their way to make sure their guests had a good time.

Soon was called and headed to the table. One of the chefs was the guy that made our flatbreads, the other was from the Northwest. I feel uncomfortable eating alone but this was a perfect place. The chefs were interesting to talk to and my “bar” mates were either solo or couples so the conversation flowed. Lots of fun.

For dinner I had the Braised Short Ribs. WOW. Very flavorful with some spices I am not used to. Enjoyed it anyway. Unfortunately I purposely left the camera in the room so no pictures. Unusual for me because the kid always makes fun of me when I have to take food pictures. For dessert I ordered Amarula Creme Brulee. Was pretty full so I asked if I could just get it to go. The waiter came back and said no, because the chefs were so proud of the presentation. He did say that he could bring me a box and if I wanted to ruin the presentation, I was welcome to do so. Tasted it and it was good and gleefully wrecked the presentation to take to the room.

The bill was high but worth it. Don’t have the exact amount but the entree alone was $41. Would I eat here again? You bet.

So fat and happy it was off to bed and pixie dust dreams.

Today was another good day. A quick trip to DHS, the pool, culinary tour and Jiko for dinner. Beats a kick in the head any time.

Sorry about the lack of pictures. My Bad again.

Up Next: Epcot and more pool (bar) time.

[franandaj]

Sounds like a nice day of relaxing. Thanks for sharing the culinary tour. I intend to that sometime, sounds like for someone with such a small appetite as mine, it could almost be a mini meal!

I'll have to go over to your PTR, I learned some pointers yesterday for your VGC trip.

Originally Posted by lisaviolet

And it would be very helpful to me if you used it for your lovelies. I'm getting old Alison and it would help me remember to catch up.

But then again you have your masses on the other so hard call.

Actually if I get lucky enough to actually DO another TR, it will be there. I just have to figure out how to not keep having to cancel my trips!

Originally Posted by sarahk0204

Thank you! I just have 1 ill-fated PTR on the Disneyland TR board.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2770187

I am considering starting another for our New Year's trip, but I don't want to jinx myself.

I have the same problem. Ever since I started doing PTRs, I've been canceling my trips. I was looking forward to your trip too! Especially after all the chatter we had going back and forth!

[bzzelady]

Originally Posted by cj9200

Now it was feeding time.

Originally Posted by cj9200

skipped Rock and Roller (too old for that unless my daughter makes me)

Actually...it is a great coaster-you should try it sometime. Trust me...you are through the first loop before you know you left the platform

Originally Posted by cj9200

Favorite Bread was the Naan. I love bread and this was good stuff.

CJ, I have the recipe from Disney for the Naan bread if you would like it. Just pm me and I will copy/paste it for you. It freezes well and I use it aside meals as well as quick flatbread pizzas.

Originally Posted by cj9200

Soon was called and headed to the table. One of the chefs was the guy that made our flatbreads, the other was from the Northwest. I feel uncomfortable eating alone but this was a perfect place. The chefs were interesting to talk to and my “bar” mates were either solo or couples so the conversation flowed. Lots of fun.

Yeah...me too. I told you that the Chef's bar was a great place for solo dining...glad you tried it out.
Sounds like you had a fantastic meal and experience there! Yes, we will chastise you for not having any pictures for us to drool over, but we will forgive you this once

[FreezinRafiki]

Originally Posted by cj9200

Changed into the bathing suit and headed to the pool bar. Ordered a cocktail and a bag of chips. Decided to take a dip in the pool and when I get back, SOMEONE IS IN MY SEAT.

I'll send Luca back. We'll take care of that seat thief once and for all.

Originally Posted by cj9200

These pillars represent African Tupperware. The pots that make up the pillar are used to store food. Interesting contraptions. Buried in the dirt, cooler foods stay cool and warm foods stay warm.

Yes, but do they make that burping sound when you open them?

Originally Posted by cj9200

They use Amarula, an imported liqueur from Africa which can be pretty potent.

I'm not just drunk, I'm African drunk.

Originally Posted by cj9200

He told me to tell the waiter to see him and he would make sure I got it. Another example of a CM going out of their way to make sure their guests had a good time.

Originally Posted by cj9200

The bill was high but worth it. Don’t have the exact amount but the entree alone was $41. Would I eat here again? You bet.

Yikes, that is steep. I've heard good thinks about Jiko, and Boma was good when we ate there. I'll keep Jiko on my "someday" list.

[afwdwfan]

I can't figure out why, but I feel really hungry after reading this latest update.

I'd love to have a day like that... start off at DHS, doing whatever I want.

Go to the pool bar.

Eat some really good food.

Yeah, I think that's a pretty good way to spend a day on vacation.

[cj9200]

Originally Posted by franandaj

Sounds like a nice day of relaxing. Thanks for sharing the culinary tour. I intend to that sometime, sounds like for someone with such a small appetite as mine, it could almost be a mini meal!

It was interesting. Nice way to spend a relaxing afternoon. Especially when it was raining outside. Also good marketing on their part. I ended up eating at Jiko because of the tour. So let that be a warning to you.

Originally Posted by bzzelady

CJ, I have the recipe from Disney for the Naan bread if you would like it. Just pm me and I will copy/paste it for you. It freezes well and I use it aside meals as well as quick flatbread pizzas.

Yes please. I cook a lot but not much of a baker. Will try it out though.

Originally Posted by bzzelady

Yeah...me too. I told you that the Chef's bar was a great place for solo dining...glad you tried it out.
Sounds like you had a fantastic meal and experience there! Yes, we will chastise you for not having any pictures for us to drool over, but we will forgive you this once

You were right. I tend to be chatty (a former boss said that I could talk to anyone about anything) and dining with solos and couples facilitated the conversation. It was a good (but not cheap) meal. Sorry about the lack of pictures.

Originally Posted by afwdwfan

I can't figure out why, but I feel really hungry after reading this latest update.

I'd love to have a day like that... start off at DHS, doing whatever I want.

Go to the pool bar.

Eat some really good food.

Yeah, I think that's a pretty good way to spend a day on vacation.

It was. Long gone are the days that I rushed from attraction to attraction. Only spent two other partial days in the parks and never touched foot in the Magic Kingdom. Wanted to see the parade and fireworks, but when I wanted to go, the weather didn't cooperate.

[Tinks "SS"]

Amarula is very good and very smooth and very potent. Just a little heads up, don't drink any after having a bottle of wine + then have a couple of glasses of Amarula on ice. not a pretty site. I went from having a slight buzz to pick me up off the floor in no time flat and sick for the whole next couple of days. that isn't something to repeat EVER! But our friends whose house we were at are from South Africa and we were having a good time and i wasn't being diligent on stopping as i should have. (obviously)

[franandaj]

Originally Posted by cj9200

It was interesting. Nice way to spend a relaxing afternoon. Especially when it was raining outside. Also good marketing on their part. I ended up eating at Jiko because of the tour. So let that be a warning to you.

I've eaten at Jiko maybe four times now. I would go back in a heartbeat, others in my party, not so much.

[cj9200]

Originally Posted by Tinks "SS"

Amarula is very good and very smooth and very potent. Just a little heads up, don't drink any after having a bottle of wine + then have a couple of glasses of Amarula on ice. not a pretty site. I went from having a slight buzz to pick me up off the floor in no time flat and sick for the whole next couple of days. that isn't something to repeat EVER! But our friends whose house we were at are from South Africa and we were having a good time and i wasn't being diligent on stopping as i should have. (obviously)

Maybe that is why I saw some toddlers walking kind of funny. Too many Zebra Domes. Wonder if they sell Amarula by the glass at Jiko. Maybe next time.

Originally Posted by franandaj

I've eaten at Jiko maybe four times now. I would go back in a heartbeat, others in my party, not so much.

The spices can be a little unusual for some. I know my daughter would love the flatbreads. I'd eat there again.

I may be breaking one of my rules by not completing a TR before the next trip begins. Internet was down last night when I was planning on doing another update. Only a couple more days to do anyway. But the "other" trip is rapidly approaching and I have to get ready for that one.

Maybe write it up on the long plane ride over there.

[koleta@mickey]

I just wanted to chime in on Laura and Kim as well! They are a riot, were so nice to my family and our trip was great, largely due to their great attitudes and friendliness!!