A Most Excellent dinner at JIko

Uncleromulus

Plain grey will be fine
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Jan 28, 2001
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Jiko has now become my second favorite restaurant (behind V&A) at WDW. I always knew it was in the top 5, but after this last meal here, I now know it's #2. Although we were with another couple this trip, they decided the menu at Jiko was too exotic for them, so they opted to stay behind at OKW and try Olivia's (Where they both had Prime Rib and liked it a lot). We arrived at Jiko fashionably early, right in the middle of a torrential downpour. Always the gentleman, Uncleromulus let Mrs. U off under the entrance to the AKL--and when I arrived at the entrance, I was pleased to discover that the staff had a cart of pool towls in the lobby for use by drenched guests (like myself). Somebody was thinking--it was an appreciated gesture.

Dried-out, we walked down the stairs, past Victoria Falls bar, to the JIko entrance. We asked for Ron as our server and we were in luck -he was working that night. Ron is a sommilier and very familiar with wines and the Jiko menu. For drinks, I orderd a Casablanca beer, and later, a Tusker. I preferred the Safari Amber they used to carry on draft, but sadly, they got rid of that a few years back. Mrs. U went with a South African merlot recomended by Ron.
As our appetizers, we orderd one each from the "Cooking Place" - Mrs. U' selection was Grilled Tomatoe and Spinich Flatbread with aged goat cheese and Cliantro Yougurt drizzle. Delightful!! The next selection was mine-lamb "patis". This is pulled lamb rolled in phyllo, onion salad, and mint chutney. Supurb!! We were tempted also by the duck and pork firecracker spring rolls, but those will have to wait for our next trip.
I could hardly wait to order my entree --in fact, I didn't even need to look at the menu for this choice--Berbere braised lamb shank, with toasted couscous and berbere sauce. This is served with the lamb shank over the couscous, then covered with the sauce. Alongside the lamb shank itself is a nice sized portion of pulled lamb. Talk about falling off the bone!! The lamb did just that. And the couscous was cooked thru as well. Add to that the mildly tomatoe tasting berbere sauce and you have what I think is one of the best entree's at any WDW spot.
Mrs. U went with the grilled salmon with black eyed peas, greens, and cornbread. She aslo had a glass of wine recommended by Ron. She was well pleased with each!
Next came desserts--I had the apple "Gallette" (cardamom spiced shortbread topped with sliced apples, caramel sauce, and vanilla bean ice cream) while Mrs. U went for the warm chocolate banana bread pudding. Also tempting was the dessert cheese plate--but like the duck and pork firecracker, it will have to wait until next year. Should note that we both had a dessert wine that was recommended to us by a server at V&A. It was Klien Constantina , said to be one of Napolean's favorites and actually the wine he was drinking while in exile and while being slowly poisoned!! Ours was poison-free, of course, and was an excellent choice.
JIko is a spledid restaurant and I cannot recommend it too much. Nice looking inside, kid-friendly, with servers attired in black pants and orange shirts. Dress is casual--or you can dress up a bit. We always see all kinds of dress here, from theme park casual, up to coats for men. The nite we dined it was almost completely full, which was nice to see. And I cannot recommend too much that you ask for Ron as your server. When he learned we were interested in dessert wines (and learned that MRS U has her own wine tasting each year in November), he wrote down several dessert wines as suggestions for her next affair.
So what are you waiting for!! Make those Jiko PS today!!!
 
I agree with uncle....Jiko is outstanding. Also one of our favorite places to dine while at WDW.

Make your ps's...but, leave room for us...lol.
 
Wonderful review as always!

I'd love to know which merlot Mrs U tried, there are a couple there that are incredibly good.

Glad you were able to get Ron--he is one of the very best in all of WDW IMHO.

Anne
 
I agree Jiko is one of our top choices at WDW also. After eating at California Grill on our last visit it is tops on our list also. Thanks for the great review.
 

Great review. Everything you tried sounds so good. We'll have to give it a try again someday...and ask for Ron!:D
 
Thank you so much for your review of Jiko. My husband and I are planning our "parents' night out" dinner there and are so glad we chose this place. After looking at a menu, I was considering having the lamb, also. Now I know I'll have it. Wow, my mouth is watering now just thinking about dining there. Glad to hear you weren't too drenched to enjoy yourselves. :umbrella:

~DawnMaree
 
We were at Jiko on our trip 2 years ago and I think it is time to go back!!!!!!!!! We were there with my brother and sister in law and we all enjoyed our dinners!!!!!!!!!!! It is getting harder and harder to decide which restaurants to go to on each of our trips. Thank you for the wonderful review!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
/
We'll be gobble-gobbling there on Turkey Day. I hope they compliment the traditional feast with some of their "non-traditional" items.
 
he claims it's his favorite WDW restaurant. (Hasn't been to V&A.) I wasn't quite as impressed but may need to give it another try. DH is looking forward to another meal there in October while on business and I will tell him he needs to consider that lamb shank. It sounds marvelous!

I'd like to know if your friends enjoyed Olivia's or did they have regrets after hearing your rave report.
 
Thanks Uncle R, I agree with you that Jio certainly is a top spot. Great reading!
 
Belle5
Yes-they enjoyed Olivia's. I've tried several times to generate some interest in JIko, but no dice!
 
yes, yes, yes!! get those reservations made for jiko's. you will not be disappointed. this is one we always fit into the schedule. wonderful!!:tongue: :goodvibes
 
Oh Uncle R... my mouth is watering after reading that!

I was really impressed by Jiko and loved the olive and cheese flatbread so much I had to get one to take out the next night :p

Thanx for the great review

>>^..^<<
 
Uncleromulus, Once again your reviews have me wishing I was in WDW dining at one of the many wonderful places.
We've only dined at Jiko's once, but that one time put it at the top of our must do list. :bounce:
Thanks for the great post.
 
Oh, my goodness. I can't wait. Let's go tonight! :)
 
Thanks for the detailed review - my mouth is watering and I just can't wait for our next trip! Tried the "macaroni filet" based on one of your reviews and that meal became my most memorable to date! I also had a glass of wine recommeded by our server and it too was excellent. Went very well with the entree.

May try the lamb on my next visit and I don't even like lamb! :teeth:

Thanks again for sharing.
 
I have to agree - Jiko is fabulous!!

hubby and I ate there during our honeymoon last week. hubby had the monkfish and I had some chicken (i'm a very plain/pickey eater and was pleased with my meal) I'm a martini girl and had 2 very yummy apple martinis. For dessert, which we were too stuffed to order, our waitress brought us the pistacio (sp?) brulee and it was delicious!
 
Thanks so much for your review. We didn't have time to fit Jiko in our last trip and was thinking about doing it for our next trip. After your review it is tops on our list.
Thanks
 
JIKO is our favorite restaurant (we have never tried V&A:):))....We haven't eaten there many times and loved it each time....I'm counting the days until we can get there again...DEC 30......
 

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