Uncleromulus
Plain grey will be fine
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2001
- Messages
- 15,529
Thursday evening and ADR's for 6:00. A meal I'd been looking forward to all week--especially since we were taking Mrs. U's sister with us. Would be her first visit to Jiko and I was sure she was going to enjoy it. Seeing the AKL is always a pleasure and we were hoping for a bit of animal viewing prior to dinner. Alas--it was raining hard, so nothing to do before dinner except--SHOP!! The store at AKL always has something of interest, and sure enough, after dinner Mrs U went back and was able to make several purchases...
We arrived at a bit before six and were shortly led to our table. Our hostess was pleasant enough, but I honestly could not understand a word she was saying. I think she was asking us if we had a nice day in the parks--. Since our usual server Ron was off that evening, we didn't ask for anyone special. Our server that night was Mary, and she was excellent. She took great care of us and of others as well. She had two tables near ours--one with a father and small son, the other with an older couple, the lady being in a wheelchair. In both cases , after their entree was delivered, she noticed that the small boy and the lady in the wheelchair were both having a bit of a problem cutting their food. She went over and, after asking, cut the meat for them. A nice thing to do under the circumstances and I noticed the appreciation from the father, and from the older man.
Anyway--we immediately ordered drinks--Mrs U and her sister from that excellent wine list (with a large by-the-glass selection) while I opted for one of the specialty African beers. This is a nice touch--I'm sure the "usual suspects "are also available, but having the special beers on the menu just adds to the occasion. Since I'd already had Casa and Windhoek before, I decided to try Castle, a beer from Sandton South Africa. Pretty good, but not great. I later had a Tusker, from Kenya. Much better!!
Mrs U and I always like to order flatbreads when they are on menu. The portions are usually large, and the variety is endless. And Jiko has excellent flatbreads!! On the advice of Chef Anette Gray (who stopped over at our table to say hello), we tried one of their newer ones (Bacon-Arugula-Tomato, with Midnight Moon goat cheese and cilantro-yogurt drizzle) along with an old favorite (Kenyan Coffee Barbecued chicken, with grilled onions, apple julienne, and 4 cheeses). These two flatbreads split among the 3 of us were PLENTY of food. That bacon-tomato was very tasty. Somewhat like the BLT flatbread at California Grill (which reminds me of a BLT sandwich), but with more pizzaz and a bit of a kick. Excellent choice!
Now--I couldn't imagine myself at JIko and ordering anything except the Braised Lamb Shank. But I was determined to try something else this time, so I went for the Seared Jumbo scallops. Five big ones on the plate, cooked just right, served with Golden Brown mealie "pap" and spicy tomato-onion "chaka-laka" Sounds a bit spicy, but really wasn't at all. Very nice. For her entree, Mrs U had the Chermoula roasted Chicken, while her sister had---wouldn't you know it--that Berbere Braised Lamb Shank!! What luck. Both entrees were excellent and, since Mrs U's sister couldn't quite finish all the lamb, I was forced to step in and help her out
Should note again that the "berbere sauce" on the lamb is not hot or spicy at all. Actually it's very mild and does not interefere with the taste of the lamb.
Dessert and coffee were next--Mrs U and I both ordered Jiko sorbet, with Green Apple and frozen buttermilk yogurt, combined with a spiced granny smith applecake. Yum!! Just the right size portion and light enough to really enjoy after a big meal. Mrs. U's sister got the Pistachio Creme Brulee'--and liked it as much as I do when I order it.
So dinner done and another fine meal in the books. Should say that altho Jiko wasn't very full when we arrived at 6, it filled up quickly thereafter. And for some reason that night, there were a lot more children than we're used to seeing at this restaurant. Additionally, there were a lot more folks in shorts and T's than we usually see. Most times it's about 80-20 in favor of "business casual" to "theme park casual" . That night, about 50-50. Why?? Who knows??
WHat I DO know is that we'll be going back again next May!!
As a note: I have a current copy of Jiko's (by the glass and bottle) South African wine list, along with specialty drinks. If anyone has any particular questions, feel free to ask. Or, PM me and I'll put a copy in the mail to you.
We arrived at a bit before six and were shortly led to our table. Our hostess was pleasant enough, but I honestly could not understand a word she was saying. I think she was asking us if we had a nice day in the parks--. Since our usual server Ron was off that evening, we didn't ask for anyone special. Our server that night was Mary, and she was excellent. She took great care of us and of others as well. She had two tables near ours--one with a father and small son, the other with an older couple, the lady being in a wheelchair. In both cases , after their entree was delivered, she noticed that the small boy and the lady in the wheelchair were both having a bit of a problem cutting their food. She went over and, after asking, cut the meat for them. A nice thing to do under the circumstances and I noticed the appreciation from the father, and from the older man.
Anyway--we immediately ordered drinks--Mrs U and her sister from that excellent wine list (with a large by-the-glass selection) while I opted for one of the specialty African beers. This is a nice touch--I'm sure the "usual suspects "are also available, but having the special beers on the menu just adds to the occasion. Since I'd already had Casa and Windhoek before, I decided to try Castle, a beer from Sandton South Africa. Pretty good, but not great. I later had a Tusker, from Kenya. Much better!!
Mrs U and I always like to order flatbreads when they are on menu. The portions are usually large, and the variety is endless. And Jiko has excellent flatbreads!! On the advice of Chef Anette Gray (who stopped over at our table to say hello), we tried one of their newer ones (Bacon-Arugula-Tomato, with Midnight Moon goat cheese and cilantro-yogurt drizzle) along with an old favorite (Kenyan Coffee Barbecued chicken, with grilled onions, apple julienne, and 4 cheeses). These two flatbreads split among the 3 of us were PLENTY of food. That bacon-tomato was very tasty. Somewhat like the BLT flatbread at California Grill (which reminds me of a BLT sandwich), but with more pizzaz and a bit of a kick. Excellent choice!
Now--I couldn't imagine myself at JIko and ordering anything except the Braised Lamb Shank. But I was determined to try something else this time, so I went for the Seared Jumbo scallops. Five big ones on the plate, cooked just right, served with Golden Brown mealie "pap" and spicy tomato-onion "chaka-laka" Sounds a bit spicy, but really wasn't at all. Very nice. For her entree, Mrs U had the Chermoula roasted Chicken, while her sister had---wouldn't you know it--that Berbere Braised Lamb Shank!! What luck. Both entrees were excellent and, since Mrs U's sister couldn't quite finish all the lamb, I was forced to step in and help her out
Should note again that the "berbere sauce" on the lamb is not hot or spicy at all. Actually it's very mild and does not interefere with the taste of the lamb.Dessert and coffee were next--Mrs U and I both ordered Jiko sorbet, with Green Apple and frozen buttermilk yogurt, combined with a spiced granny smith applecake. Yum!! Just the right size portion and light enough to really enjoy after a big meal. Mrs. U's sister got the Pistachio Creme Brulee'--and liked it as much as I do when I order it.
So dinner done and another fine meal in the books. Should say that altho Jiko wasn't very full when we arrived at 6, it filled up quickly thereafter. And for some reason that night, there were a lot more children than we're used to seeing at this restaurant. Additionally, there were a lot more folks in shorts and T's than we usually see. Most times it's about 80-20 in favor of "business casual" to "theme park casual" . That night, about 50-50. Why?? Who knows??
WHat I DO know is that we'll be going back again next May!!
As a note: I have a current copy of Jiko's (by the glass and bottle) South African wine list, along with specialty drinks. If anyone has any particular questions, feel free to ask. Or, PM me and I'll put a copy in the mail to you.
just finished V&A review..posting now.
