Bring us a Shrubbery!! May 25-June 1, 2007!!

[oybolshoi]

Oh my - I don't even bake and I'm all over this recipe! Thanks for the 8am sugar rush!

No problem! Right now it sounds a lot more appealing than the bowl of cheerios I'm forcing myself to eat. I hate cereal for breakfast...by the time I get to work I'm hungry again. Then I become a hobbit and I have to eat second breakfast, which is usually yogurt. Once lunchtime rolls around my stomach is usually trying to digest itself because I'm still so hungry.

 

[HPHammer]

These future fashion accessories excite him almost as much as the prospect of attending the World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles with me in 2009.

Hey! That's my neck of the woods! And...although jknepfle may be on to something --

"This dessert is known to the state of California to cause cancer, gross obesity, and the desire for more. California: We're Legislating for Your Health."

We'll find us some al-kee-hall and compare Simpsons quotes!

Seriously...after having just bought our first house in L.A. this past summer, I have given up hope of having a WDW vacation anytime soon. Your tales are the next best thing!

 

[oybolshoi]

Lunchtime menu dreaming, because I can....

Saturday night (5/26) we have ADRs at Jiko for....uh, hang on...7PM. I'm not sure what time we should leave SSR for the AK... my thought is that we might be better off walking over to DTD and catching a direct bus to the lodge rather than waiting for a bus to the Animal Kingdom and switching out over there.

I want to allow enough time to explore the AKL and maybe stop in at Victoria Falls. I've heard that they still offer some unique drink selections.

And then there's the menu at Jiko...I'm really not the most adventurous of eaters. I've gotten better over the years, but let me tell you - Jiko is definitely outside of my comfort zone. I have high hopes, however, that it will be more rewarding than our experience at Restaurant Marrakesh last year.

Jay and I usually share an appetizer...so let's start with that option. Deb has a dinner menu from March of this year so my choices may be similar come May.

Of all the choices listed, I think the Kenyan Coffee Barbecued Chicken Flatbread (with grilled onions, apple julienne, and four cheeses) might be our best option. Although barbecued food and my intestinal tract really don't mesh well.

Here's an interesting second choice: Maize and Sweet Potato "Tamales" (herbed maize pudding and truffled sweet potato mash with shredded goat cheese in a corn husk boat). This sounds, at least on the surface, like a much less spicy and therefore less dangerous selection.

For our main course I do believe I'm going to have to play it safe: Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon, with macaroni and cheese and red wine sauce.

I will graze timidly from Jason's plate at this restaurant. And I have no idea what he's going to order because he'd eat every single item currently listed on Jiko's entree list. His potential choice will just have to remain a mystery for another 58 days.

I'm hoping we can save room for the cheese plate...I loves me some cheese.

Here's the current selection: Cypress Grove's Humboldt Fog, Midnight Moon, and Mt. McKinley Chevre, Laura Chenel's Cabecou, and French Abbaye de Belloc Sheep, with spiced fruit jam and crostini.

And then there is dessert.

If we share a dessert it will probably be this: Flourless Chocolate-Mocha Cake Stack with vanilla ice cream and chocolate caramel sauce. Sounds yummy, doesn't it?

Actually we share dessert and appetizers a lot when we eat out while on vacation. Last year was something of an oddity because of the dining plan - but gaaaaack...what an awful lot of food that forces you to order. And if you're like me and you rarely finish everything you order, stuff ends up getting wasted.

So those are my thoughts on Jiko for the moment. If anyone reading has any suggestions or comments about Jiko I'd love to read them.

 

[jknepfle]

Wow...lots of different/interesting/good choices there.

What about Berbere Braised Lamb Shank, Wood-Grilled Pork Tenderloin, or Tamarind Braised Beef Short Rib? Those all look really good to me, too. Although, short ribs, while they can be amazingly good, also tend to create "the window to weight gain" if you know what I mean.

 

[oybolshoi]

Hey! That's my neck of the woods! And...although jknepfle may be on to something --

We'll find us some al-kee-hall and compare Simpsons quotes!

Seriously...after having just bought our first house in L.A. this past summer, I have given up hope of having a WDW vacation anytime soon. Your tales are the next best thing!

I have high hopes of making it to LA in 2009 - I'm working on Jay with the idea that we could spend a few days at Disneyland first. He's never been to California or Disneyland...

It all depends on how much money we have to spend this year on our house.

Congrats on your house, by the way - that's great! I'll try to keep my standards high on the trip reports so that you can get some real benefit from reading them.

As for al-kee-hall and the Simpsons...why, we'd be stupid not to do that!

 

[oybolshoi]

Wow...lots of different/interesting/good choices there.

What about Berbere Braised Lamb Shank, Wood-Grilled Pork Tenderloin, or Tamarind Braised Beef Short Rib? Those all look really good to me, too. Although, short ribs, while they can be amazingly good, also tend to create "the window to weight gain" if you know what I mean.

Ahhh, Dr. Nick! It's my good friend Mr. McGreg, with a leg for an arm, and an arm for a leg!!

Well, for me...I don't like lamb and I'm not crazy about ribs. Since I know I'm going to end up with the pork tenderloin at California Grill later in the week, I'm pretty much left with filet unless they have a really good fish option available that night.

I just re-read this post...I'm actually talking about dinner two months from now...that's just sad!

 

[jknepfle]

Ah...not crazy about ribs, but have you had short ribs? Generally a different "animal", excuse the pun.

At any rate, the filet is probably a great choice. The pairing with mac and cheese scares me, but people on the dis seem to like it.

 

[PrincessV]

Okay, it's been years since I last ate at Jiko's, so menu items may have changed, but I can tell you without hesitation EVERYTHING I had was out-of-the-world, fantastic, amazing! Really, truly. Someone I went with did have the steak/mac&cheese dish you mentioned and, I tell you, this was no ordinary mac & cheese - goooo-ooood I keep wanting to say I had some kind of sea bass, but I could be mixed up. Oh, and let them pick your wines - you won't be disappointed!

 

[jakenjess]

I'm late to the party here!! This darn thing called WORK keeps getting in my way of DIS-ing!

We've never eaten at Jiko, but your choices sound fabulous. I'm glad I'm not alone in my food/drink obsession in my trip planning. The more we go, the more I'm focused on what's going into my stomach than anything else! So many choices, so few vacations!

Your kitty is so cute! Our 14-year-young cat Jake (the jake portion of jakenjess ) always plants himself firmly on the suitcases when I'm trying to pack. I know he doesn't want to come with us, because just the ride in the car to the airport (all of 10 minutes) would send him over the edge. He just doesn't want us to leave, but leave we must. I need my Disney fix, Jake! Sorry!

Looking forward to hearing more about your food plans!

 

[pixiesrule]

He's an orange tabby - the vet told us that this is typically one of the friendliest breeds of cat available to mankind, and I don't doubt it. When the doorbell rings at our house Pete is there before Jay or me. He never hides when we have people over, not even when my mom is around. He also has dog-like tendencies - he plays fetch, he chews on things, and he comes running whenever we call his name. Pete's been our baby for 6 years - we adopted him when he was only 6 months old. He's a great cat, but he doesn't like it when we travel.

We have an orange tabby named Chip, and that is EXACTLY how I would describe him. He is 6 yrs old, and my oldest son gave him to me on Mother's day a few months after I had to put my 19 year old gray tabby down with cancer. We always tell him he's not a dog! When someone pulls in the driveway, he runs to the back door and waits to see who it is. It's amazing. All you have to do is get his attention, and call his name, and he will come running. He loves to lay under my daughter's electric blanket, and he sets on the register with my son during the winter! Your vet is definitely right - our Chippie is 'Mr. Personality'

 

[DisneyMom5]

I just re-read this post...I'm actually talking about dinner two months from now...that's just sad!

Ummm...so what's your point?

For some of us obsessive menu reading/ trip planning is a cheap hobby.

A sick one, I'll grant you. But a hobby none the less.

You had to start a pre-trippie! Oh well, I guess resistance is futile.

Besides, your reports are one of the few things that makes me laugh out loud. (Real laughing out loud, not the obligatory LOL.)
And I like to laugh out loud.

Carry on...

 

[oybolshoi]

Hooray for people posting on our thread and sharing in the pre-trip fun!!

Ah...not crazy about ribs, but have you had short ribs? Generally a different "animal", excuse the pun.

At any rate, the filet is probably a great choice. The pairing with mac and cheese scares me, but people on the dis seem to like it.

I love puns - please don't hesitate to unleash them here! Actually I don't think I've ever had short ribs. What do they taste like?

Okay, it's been years since I last ate at Jiko's, so menu items may have changed, but I can tell you without hesitation EVERYTHING I had was out-of-the-world, fantastic, amazing! Really, truly. Someone I went with did have the steak/mac&cheese dish you mentioned and, I tell you, this was no ordinary mac & cheese - goooo-ooood I keep wanting to say I had some kind of sea bass, but I could be mixed up. Oh, and let them pick your wines - you won't be disappointed!

Thanks for the info, PrincessV. I'm gald you mentioned that about the wines, too. Do you know if they offer a wine flight with dinner? Jay and I would be all over that.

I'm late to the party here!! This darn thing called WORK keeps getting in my way of DIS-ing!

We've never eaten at Jiko, but your choices sound fabulous. I'm glad I'm not alone in my food/drink obsession in my trip planning. The more we go, the more I'm focused on what's going into my stomach than anything else! So many choices, so few vacations!

Your kitty is so cute! Our 14-year-young cat Jake (the jake portion of jakenjess ) always plants himself firmly on the suitcases when I'm trying to pack. I know he doesn't want to come with us, because just the ride in the car to the airport (all of 10 minutes) would send him over the edge. He just doesn't want us to leave, but leave we must. I need my Disney fix, Jake! Sorry!

Looking forward to hearing more about your food plans!

Thanks for posting - I'm glad you found your way here! Lately our vacations have become more and more about food...I'm not sure when that happened exactly but like my hubby always says, "Life is too short to eat bad food."

And thanks for the kitty compliment - he really is a sweetheart, and so handsome!

We have an orange tabby named Chip, and that is EXACTLY how I would describe him. He is 6 yrs old, and my oldest son gave him to me on Mother's day a few months after I had to put my 19 year old gray tabby down with cancer. We always tell him he's not a dog! When someone pulls in the driveway, he runs to the back door and waits to see who it is. It's amazing. All you have to do is get his attention, and call his name, and he will come running. He loves to lay under my daughter's electric blanket, and he sets on the register with my son during the winter! Your vet is definitely right - our Chippie is 'Mr. Personality'

Orange tabby = cat-dog!!!

What a sweet gift from your son.

 

[oybolshoi]

For some of us obsessive menu reading/ trip planning is a cheap hobby.

A sick one, I'll grant you. But a hobby none the less.

You had to start a pre-trippie! Oh well, I guess resistance is futile.

Besides, your reports are one of the few things that makes me laugh out loud. (Real laughing out loud, not the obligatory LOL.)
And I like to laugh out loud.

Carry on...

Thank you for stopping in and thanks for the compliment - I actually make someone (other than me) laugh out loud!!!

And I am all over the vacation planning hobby - I spend a ton of time researching possible vacations and I always end up spending most of it reading the menus.

And by the way - I read your trip / dining reports and it's really too bad that you didn't finish; you really had a great start. And I hope that your son's health is continuing to improve - sounds like you have a wonderful little miracle living under your roof.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Have you become addicted to the food photo thread on the restaurant board yet? It may be worse than the menu addiction.

 

[oybolshoi]

Have you become addicted to the food photo thread on the restaurant board yet? It may be worse than the menu addiction.

I try not to look at it too often. I actually prefer reading food reports - some people put in fabulous pictures of their food. Some of those photos are so good I have to restrain myself from licking my monitor.

 

[jknepfle]

I love puns - please don't hesitate to unleash them here! Actually I don't think I've ever had short ribs. What do they taste like?

Usually they're braised for a long time, and end up tasting like the beef from a very good beef stew. Mmmmm.....beeeeeeeef.

 

[PrincessV]

Thanks for the info, PrincessV. I'm gald you mentioned that about the wines, too. Do you know if they offer a wine flight with dinner? Jay and I would be all over that.

My pleasure! I do think they offer a wine flight... I know Boma does (and it was GOOD!), so I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[DisneyMom5]

Thank you for stopping in and thanks for the compliment - I actually make someone (other than me) laugh out loud!!!

And I am all over the vacation planning hobby - I spend a ton of time researching possible vacations and I always end up spending most of it reading the menus.

And by the way - I read your trip / dining reports and it's really too bad that you didn't finish; you really had a great start. And I hope that your son's health is continuing to improve - sounds like you have a wonderful little miracle living under your roof.

Thanks! He's doing great. He will probably always have some memory issues, but most people probably won't be able to notice.

They say if you are going to be hit in the head, do it when you are two, not forty-two. Children are amazingly resiliant. God is good.

 

[oybolshoi]

Usually they're braised for a long time, and end up tasting like the beef from a very good beef stew. Mmmmm.....beeeeeeeef.

Hmmm, the obvious solution is that Jay will just have to order short ribs some day and then I will graze from his plate to determine if I like them or not.

My pleasure! I do think they offer a wine flight... I know Boma does (and it was GOOD!), so I wouldn't be surprised.

Thanks!

Thanks! He's doing great. He will probably always have some memory issues, but most people probably won't be able to notice.

They say if you are going to be hit in the head, do it when you are two, not forty-two. Children are amazingly resiliant. God is good.

Glad to hear that - it's wonderful news!

 

[oybolshoi]

Now once we roll out of Jiko I wonder what Jay and I are going to do with ourselves...

I was thinking that the Adventurers Club would be a fun way to end the evening, but we've never been there on a Saturday..I wonder if it will be crazy busy?

Oh well, if it's too crowded we can leave. I think it will be fun to wander around DTD on a Saturday night, and I'm curious to compare their crowds with the ones we saw at City Walk last year at the same time.

Sunday morning is Gospel Brunch at House of Blues - we're really looking forward to this. Jay and I are big fans of HoB and we think this should be a really interesting experience. And...

I've heard that the mimosas are pretty darn tasty!!