Birthday at Jiko

[hmdavid]

I am the designated planner for our Grand Gathering in September and I am starting to doubt a few of my choices. We have an ADR for Jiko to celebrate my MIL's 65th birthday. It sounds fabulous, but is it a good choice for a birthday? Has anyone celebrated a birthday at Jiko? What can they do to make the occasion special? I would love to see pictures if anyone has any. TIA!

 

[hanadg]

i celebrated my birthday at jiko and they gave me a very nice wood plate with my name written in chocolate and strawberries and special deserts just for me. it was the perfect celebration for me because im not big into being loud or embarrassed or even flattered i guess would better describe it. keep in mind that any disney is fun to celebrate at. its all about the company of friends and family that create a memorable birthday.

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm having mine there, next month. But I didn't pick it because I expect them to do anything special for me.

I think the only way one can expect special items or treatment is to order it and pay for it. It's possible you wouldn't get anything more than "happy birthday." It's also possible that you'll get some free food but I am not going to count on it.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I had my birthday there last year - it was grand.

This isn't a "stand on your chair and be sung Happy Birthday to" kind of place. It's quiet, intimate, and low key. My waiter brought a phone to me and a character (Goofy, I think?) was on the other end wishing me happy birthday.

I also was offered a dessert of my choice - which was the pistachio creme brulee. I think there may have been a candle in it but I really can't remember.

I went for the food and atmosphere, the birthday greeting and dessert was just an added bonus.

 

[Hopefully]

As a PP stated, if it is important for you MIL to have something "special" for her birthday, than the best plan is to order and pay for it. There is a whole birthday cake thread here on the DIS with numbers to call and all.
In general, Jiko is a wonderful restaurant, currently my favorite in all of the world.
On our last trip DH, Adult DS and I had a wonderful dinner here. It was quiet, I didn't see a single child in the restaurant that night. We shared a bottle of wine suggested by our server and it was great. The restaurant is beautiful, the atmosphere was romantic, the service was perfect and the food was outstanding.
I hope your MIL will enjoy it as much as we do.
Have a Great Trip

 

[ahill004]

Celebrated my b-day at Jiko last fall. It is definitely a quieter/ more romantic type restaurant. They did surprise me with a dessert at the end of my meal! Very sweet!

 

[inkkognito]

On our last trip DH, Adult DS and I had a wonderful dinner here. It was quiet, I didn't see a single child in the restaurant that night. We shared a bottle of wine suggested by our server and it was great. The restaurant is beautiful, the atmosphere was romantic, the service was perfect and the food was outstanding.

Trust me, you lucked out big time! We are local and Jiko is my favorite, so we go there a lot. Kids are the norm...lots of kids (thanks to the DDP)...and instances of screaming, running, misbehaving kids are becoming more and more common. I go there for the food, but not the atmosphere...it's Disney World, after all.

 

[OhhBother]

On my birthday at Jiko, I got a dessert and a card signed by all the staff with "Happy Birthday" written in their native languages.

It was awesome.

 

[hmdavid]

On my birthday at Jiko, I got a dessert and a card signed by all the staff with "Happy Birthday" written in their native languages.

It was awesome.

That sounds nice!

Thanks everyone for your replies. I have been on vacation and have not been able to respond until now! We are certainly not looking for anything free, but it is a special birthday celebration so I am just looking for ideas that I can plan around.

Thanks again!!!