Eating at Jiko's bar?

[Simba's Mom]

Has anyone eaten at the counter/central bar area at Jiko? I'm eating at Jiko on my next solo trip, and I was thinking of asking to sit there. They say you can request it only at check-in. If you asked to sit there, did you have to wait extra time? Was it enjoyable?

 

[webray]

Do you mean the little bar area at Jiko, they serve the full menu, great place to eat as a single person

 

[lady_hlh]

There is also a counter at the open kitchen area that you could ask to sit at to watch the chefs. I read in a review that this was an interesting experience and it would be good for a solo diner.

 

[TDC Nala]

I have eaten at both - but I've gotten the counter seating inside when I walked up as soon as they were opening. If you arrive for an ADR and the counter's full they won't be able to seat you there, or it may be a long wait.

They also serve full menu at the small bar opposite the check-in desk thingy.

 

[mullertwin]

On my last and solo trip, I sat at the chef's *table* which is really the open bar area in the center where the chefs prep some stuff like the flatbreads and salads, etc. I LOVED it! I got to speak to the chefs. I asked them questions about what they are doing and even got a samosa as a treat to sample. I would highly recommend it! It was one of my favorite meals!

 

[inkkognito]

DH and I sat at the counter once and loved it. Only problem is, you'll be drooling as you see all the delicious flatbreads and other items being prepared right in front of you. The service there was really good...we just did a walk-up at opening time and asked to sit there.

 

[TigerKat]

We sat at "The Cooking Place" our last time there and LOVED chatting with the chefs preparing the appetizers. They even gave us some samples!

 

[zackiedawg]

The cooking place is absolutely the finest place to get a solo meal in Disney. Not too many top-end restaurants are comfortable for a solo diner, but that one is...and the atmosphere is fun and social. I take 1-2 solo trips a year to Disney, just to get away from the family-and-friends schedules and hectic running around...Jiko is always a favorite with all of my family and friends. I am so happy they have this type of seating option which works great for my solo trips - I don't have to live on counter-service, or sit at a lonely table with no conversation.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Remember tho that they do NOT cook the full meals there (as at Flying Fish, California Grill. etc). It's just the appetizers and flatbreads.

 

[TDC Nala]

Remember tho that they do NOT cook the full meals there (as at Flying Fish, California Grill. etc). It's just the appetizers and flatbreads.

They will SERVE other meals there if you order them - but the only things you will actually be able to watch them cook are appetizers and flatbreads.

 

[madalex]

Not too many top-end restaurants are comfortable for a solo diner

Off topic, but I certainly disagree with this sentiment. I have done several solo trips to WDW and I only eat dinners at the signature restaurants. I have never felt remotely uncomfortable at any of them. Feeling comfortable or not as a solo diner is more of a reflection on the person eating than the restaurant.

 

[zackiedawg]

Off topic, but I certainly disagree with this sentiment. I have done several solo trips to WDW and I only eat dinners at the signature restaurants. I have never felt remotely uncomfortable at any of them. Feeling comfortable or not as a solo diner is more of a reflection on the person eating than the restaurant.

Actually, so have I. I have no stigma about dining alone. However, it's a fairly well accepted stereotype that does ring true more often than not that most solo diners DO feel a certain discomfort or shyness about it. Whether it is reflective of them or of society doesn't much matter - the stigma is still there somewhere. I was just referring to that in deference to the solo diners that might be reading this - just to make them feel more comfortable.

I've eaten solo at Maya Grill & Narcoosee's, at a good old fashioned table. Doesn't bother me!

 

[Simba's Mom]

On my last and solo trip, I sat at the chef's *table* which is really the open bar area in the center where the chefs prep some stuff like the flatbreads and salads, etc. I LOVED it! I got to speak to the chefs. I asked them questions about what they are doing and even got a samosa as a treat to sample. I would highly recommend it! It was one of my favorite meals!

Wow, thanks for the review. Sounds like a lot of fun! Is it hard to get seated there, or do they always seem to have seating available there if you ask?