Onto the meal! Before I forget, I got caught (by our server Shellie) taking a pic of the embroidered cloth napkin.
They said since I thought so much of the napkin they would give me one to take home as a souvenir.
We were lucky enough to have Shellie as our server for the evening. She is by far the best and most knowledgeable server we've ever had at WDW. During our conversation the DIS boards came up and she said she is very familiar with many DISers! She enthusiastically agreed to make some recommendations for us throughout the meal with regard to both food and wine choices.
For appetizers DS & GF both ordered flatbreads (sorry no pics) - Artichoke & Pappadew with Goat Cheese, Arugula and a Cilantro Yogurt sauce and the BBQ Chicken flatbread with Grilled Onions, Julienned Apples, African BBQ sauce and Cheese. They were both very good but the BBQ Chicken was the better of the two.
Shellie recommended DH & I share the "Sampler Platter for 2" which is not on the menu. It's a combo plate of some of their best appetizers - Lamb Patis, Lentil Pastilla, Maize and Sweet Potato Tamales and Fire Roasted Shrimp. The wine she chose for us with this course was a Fairview Shiraz which paired very well with the platter. This platter was amazingly good and having the chefs describe everything as they prepared it was the best part of the evening for a foodie like me!
For the entrees - DS & GF both chose the "Filet with Mac & Cheese". I knew I'd at least get a taste of this famous dish.
I had decided a long time ago on the Maize-crusted Sturgeon with Vegetables of the Moment only to find out from the chef that the Sturgeon had been replaced with Black Cod on the menu just days before. I asked Shellie about the Cod and she just said she wouldn't recommend it. DH & I decided to split our entrees so we could both experience a little of each. The man loves his scallops so it was a no-brainer for him - Pan-roasted Jumbo Scallops with Golden Brown Mealie "Pap" and spicy Tomato-Onion "Chakalaka" (I did enjoy saying chakalaka!!). I on the other hand was completely undecided so I asked for Shellie's help. She didn't hesitate and recommended the "Short Rib" dish, in her words we'd be "very happy" with these two dishes. So I ordered the Kenyan Coffee BBQ-braised Beef Short Rib with Crushed Idaho and Sweet Potatoes, Onion-Garlic Sauce. This is probably the last dish I expected to be eating this night, but am I glad she suggested it. The scallops were excellent but that huge short rib was unbelievable. The meat literally fell off the bone and there was surprisingly not as much fat as I'd expected. The crushed potatoes in the onion garlic sauce were fantastic. I did get a taste of the Filet with Mac & Cheese and I see now why everyone raves about it. DS & GF were in heaven!! The wine we were served with the entrees was a Spice Route Chenin Blanc which was great with both entrees.
I really was stuffed at this point but Shellie insisted I eat dessert with the rest of my gang. DS & GF both ordered the Tanzanian Chocolate Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache, Amarula Sauce and Lavender Ice cream. I had to taste that ice cream - very unique subtle lavender flavor. They both loved the cheesecake. DH & I ordered the Pistachio Creme Brulee, what a great ending to such a fabulous meal.
To sum it up - WE LOVE JIKO !!! It is an amazing dining experience. Will we go again? In a heartbeat!
Up next: KONA
You know how much we enjoyed Jiko! I'm excited to hear about sitting at the Cooking Place! Can't wait for the rest of dinner.
