days5-9

[mark smith]

Day 5-DD insisted on Chef Mickeys, so we enjoyed the characters at he always non-descript breakfast buffet. C-;F&W noshing and back to GF for room service(w/fireworks to boot)-DW had salmon, me prime rib, her ceasar was good, my blue cheese too sharp. We usually enjoy GF room service-B

Day 6-Lunch at Rainforest Cafe(another DD request)-chicken sandwiches and the like.Service was very good, in-fact, when DD did not like chicken fingers a turkey sandwich on white appeared within minutes n/c.Nothing special-C+

JIko-We had eaten here once prior and enjoyed one of the most interesting/fun meals ever at WDW, so we were really looking forward to our return trip. After 3(yes 3) soaking trips on Kali river rapids, we changed to dry attire and proceeded to AKL where we enjoyed a MOunt Kilamanjaro cocktail in the lobby.
When we were seated for our 6:00 ADR, we met a very pleasant but hurried server named Sally. We ordered a bottle of Pinotage(name escapes me, but very enjoyable). DW had Filet w/ mac and cheese and I had Lamb Shank for our entrees. We startes w/ duck firecrackers and a flat bread for APps. The kitchen would not split a sea scallop entree as an app. In short, food wise a big fat average meal at best. We were disapointed to say the least. As an aside when, my DD was thrown off by the red, white and blue bread-no regular bread was available and no other option offered. She was fine helping my wife w/ her steak. As noted above, even rainforest cafe was able to help out on a simple kid meal problem. Unfortunately-no better than a C-

Day7-Kona Cafe for bkfst-Tonga toast and eggs benedict-B,F&W in afternoon and Gf roon service for dinner.

Day 8-PinochioHaus at Mk for a quick lunch-D and onto one of our favorites for dinner-Narcoosee-The kitchen eagerly split a wonderful rissotto w/ sea scalopp app.-delightful and we both enjoyed very nice ceasar salads. I ordered the wahoo and my wife an outstanding fillet. She also had the "best" dessert of the trip which I cant remember what it was. Our wine choice was Gary Farrell Pinot Noir. Our meal in Feb. was great here and again this trip. Honestly, it was very close w/ Blue Zoo as our #1-A+

Day 9-1900 Park Fair character buffet-C+;then on to check-out

A quick note we used DDE on all applicable meals. A great deal.

In summary:#1-Blue ZOO; #2-Narcoosee; #3-Ca Grille #4-citricos

 

[PamNC]

for the rest of your reviews. I noticed that your #1-#3 is the same as mine. My sentiments exactly. Now, Citricos doesn't even make my list. If I had to come up with a #4, I'd say Flying Fish.

I'll be posting my dining reviews for my T-Day trip so be on the lookout. So far, we've got ADR's at Kona Cafe (bfast), Blue Zoo, The Dolphin Ballroom for Thanksgiving Dinner, and we're leaving the rest "up to chance." We'll probably do Boatwrights for bfast one day and we'll definitely eat at Beaches & Cream for lunch or maybe a late lunch/early dinner. We're only staying 4 nights...this is an extra quickie trip for us. Decided pretty much at the last minute. 6 weeks prior. Hence no BRP...but the Dolphin had a great AP rate of $100 off a night.

PamNC

 

[mark smith]

Thanks for the reply. Kona is always a fun breakfast for us. I have never eaten at Flying Fish, but would like to try. Have also heard Le Cellier is worth a go. Maybe next trip.

Your upcoming trip seems like alot of fun, have a great time and I'll look forward to your reviews.

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your reviews ~ Thanx for posting.

 

[BCV23]

Good to read a positive review of Narcoossee's again. We're going back next trip. My daughter loves that restaurant!

I don't think I've ever read of a restaurant at WDW refusing to split an appetizer nor have I encountered it anywhere! Did you consider one of you just ordering it and splitting it anyway? I can just see the server rushing over and saying "Oh, no you don't!"

 

[Uncleromulus]

At Jiko, was more the rushed service, poor bread selection, and refusal to split an entree for you--or the food itself??
Just curious--which flatbread did you order??

 

[BCV23]

refusal to split an entree for you

Oops...missed that.

But I wonder why the server wouldn't do that anyway?

 

[mark smith]

Jiko-the served did ask the chef(although it seemed reluctantly) about splitting the app. and reported back -no go. So we moved on to our other choices, as reported. I had even indicated in my initial request that cost was not an issue.
Nonetheless, the sea scallop app. seemed interesting to try, but my DW had her heart set on fillet w/ mac that she had heard about(which turned out good meat-wise but the red wine reduction w/ the mac pretty rich. I had the lamb shank previously and was excited to try again, as it had been great before(and I think good tender lamb is hard to come by). It was just ok yhis time, tender enough but rather tasteless. The accompaniment of couscous and spinach, too was bland.

In summary,I quess it was a combination of the rushed service(upfront),followed by uneven attention, plus the other nimor issues of bread for DD and not splitting the app. that set a not so great tone.Again, the minor issues we encountered, were easily handled at Rainforest cafe(kid issue) and Narcoosee(split app.). All that aside , the food was just average for us this time. A disappointment based on our last great meal at JIko. We will try again, as all establishments have off nights.

P.S. There was only one flat bread offered the evening we were there-I believe a goat cheese w/ kalamata olive and sometype of clover leaf(nondescript)-not bad at all.

 

[mark smith]

Sorry, to clarify-the sea scallop dish was an entree, we requested to have as an appetizer, in aaddition to our regular entrees.