Help Make Two Dining Decisions for Me (Please!)

[jimmymc]

I have two decisions to make regarding dining on a trip this fall, and wanted to hear your opinion! For context, I'm a solo traveler and staying at Wilderness Lodge.

1. On Thursday, I do not have a park ticket and will be working remotely from the resort. I would like to do a nice dinner and have a reservation at Jiko, but I am also considering Paddlefish and Boathouse at Disney Springs. Which of these would you recommend, or do you have another suggestion for dinner outside the parks? I've already done Flying Fish, Jaleo, and Wine Bar George, and while I really enjoyed all of them, I'd rather try something different. I'd also consider doing two restaurants, or a lounge and then a restaurant.

2. On Saturday, I'll be in Epcot. I currently have a lunch reservation for Space 220, but I also really want to try Shiki-Sai, which has plenty of availability. Never been to either, which would you go with? I've done plenty of festivals over the past two years, and I'll be trying the new booth offerings during the same day, but I will need a real meal to supplement them.

Thank you!

 

[Chili327]

Just following.

 

[Skippyboo]

DS restaurants would be easier to get to if you don’t have a car. None of the restaurants on the monorail interest you ? Those would be easy to get too.

I would keep Space 220 just because it’s something you can’t do somewhere else. Sushi is something that can be easily gotten elsewhere.

 

[jimmymc]

DS restaurants would be easier to get to if you don’t have a car. None of the restaurants on the monorail interest you ? Those would be easy to get too.

I would keep Space 220 just because it’s something you can’t do somewhere else. Sushi is something that can be easily gotten elsewhere.

I've done Steakhouse 71 and Kona Cafe, not really interested in O'Hana, Cali Grill, or GF Cafe. I would consider Citricos or Narcoose's if anyone strongly recommends them.

For Jiko, I'll have plenty of time to take the busses there early, then either connect at MK or take an Uber back. Dinner is the only plan I have for that night, so time isn't too much of a concern.

 

[Skippyboo]

You could just take MK bus at AKL and then the bus or boat back to WL. I liked Narcoosee when I dined in early August. It’s supposed to reopen mid October

 

[rangerxenos]

Jiko was one of the best meals I've ever had on Disney property. That being said, Boathouse is a huge favorite of mine, you can't go wrong there either, and if you get a dinner reservation around sunset, ask to sit out on the deck if the weather is nice, it's lovely!

I know that Space 220 gets a lot of hate, but it's actually a favorite of mine, I love the atmosphere!

 

[Marthasor]

As a solo diner, I, personally, would rather do a resort restaurant than the chaos of DS (unless you want to do some shopping as well?) Jiko is a great choice. We also love Citricos and Topolino's for dinner. If you stay in the MK area, perhaps go to Trader Sam's at Poly and then head to Citricos for dinner. You could also stop in Enchanted Rose. Citricos also has a lounge, so if you don't want to make a reservation, you have a pretty good shot at a walk-up as a party of 1.

For your EP day, do you have a Space 220 restaurant or lounge reservation? If it's the lounge, I would do both Space 220 lounge and Shiki-Sai. We just went to Shiki Sai a few nights ago and it was fantastic. They have a lot of smaller plates on the menu, so you can definitely just graze if you want. If I had to choose one or the other, I would choose Shiki-Sai.

 

[jimmymc]

As a solo diner, I, personally, would rather do a resort restaurant than the chaos of DS (unless you want to do some shopping as well?) Jiko is a great choice. We also love Citricos and Topolino's for dinner. If you stay in the MK area, perhaps go to Trader Sam's at Poly and then head to Citricos for dinner. You could also stop in Enchanted Rose. Citricos also has a lounge, so if you don't want to make a reservation, you have a pretty good shot at a walk-up as a party of 1.

For your EP day, do you have a Space 220 restaurant or lounge reservation? If it's the lounge, I would do both Space 220 lounge and Shiki-Sai. We just went to Shiki Sai a few nights ago and it was fantastic. They have a lot of smaller plates on the menu, so you can definitely just graze if you want. If I had to choose one or the other, I would choose Shiki-Sai.

The only shopping I would do at DS is Gideons or Salt n Straw, so not a huge concern. I am now looking at Citricos too, since I can do some monorail hopping at the same time.

Space220 is the restaurant side. Tried for the lounge, but those may be the single rarest reservations on property.

 

[CynBeth]

1. The Boathouse
2. Keep Space220.

 

[BeachMouse1]

Recently ate at all of these. Jiko is one of our favorites and we eat there all the time! We also on our last trip went back to the Boathouse and I’ll probably catch grief for saying this but it wasn’t all that great. Let me expand I had the filet sliders which for the price were amazing and delicious and great value. My wife has an allergy and they were not able to accommodate her that well. She has a salt intolerance and ordered the baked sweet potato. They dont put too much salt on the skin when they cook it so she was able to peel the skin off but I comes with a cinnamon butter. The waiter said they only had salted butter so she had a pretty dry potato. I was surprised as every restaurant we have eaten at Disney is super accommodating even quick serve. We asked just for plain unsalted butter and they said they didn’t have any of that either. I realize it’s not their job to accommodate us and just mentioning this for reference. Every other restaurant will even send the chef out before we order to discuss her options and the waiter told us they don’t do that. As we realize this is our problem we don’t make a fuss and just get what we can. The next night we went to Jiko. Not only is the meal amazing but we arrived early and went out to look at the animals and had a great discussion with a keeper and thoroughly enjoyed the lodge. Can have a drink at Victoria Falls and at Jiko ask to sit at the cooking place. That’s a bar type seat at the wood burning oven. If your alone the cooks are back there preparing the pizzas and salads and great to have conversations with!

We have eaten at Space 220 but we did the lounge. We liked that better because we didn’t have to do the whole price fix thing. The food was good and the experience was very cool but I feel no pressing need to do it again.

We ate at sushi Sakai twice. The sushi is amazing if your into sushi. It’s better quality than most sushi places in our home town. We ate there twice because sushi is very easy for my wife with her allergies. They even made her rice without salt. Now would I have eaten there twice if not for my wife probably not. I am no sushi expert but was able to taste and see the difference in the quality of the fish but it is on the expensive side for sushi (so is space 220) and I can get sushi anytime at home all be it not as good but I’m not that much of a sushi connoisseur Where I feel I need to eat that all the time and am good with my local sushi place. In Disney I want the experience as well. So I would do Space 220 and ask for loung if you’re alone. Can sit at bar and chat.

If you really like food I would also mention Monseuir Paul. It’s a great dining experience, the food is excellent and if you make like a 6:30 or later reservation you will be there and able to watch fireworks from the window. It’s a neat experience and when we were there saw several solo diners. Plus the whole thing is an experience and the wait staff makes nice conversation

 

[jimmymc]

Recently ate at all of these. Jiko is one of our favorites and we eat there all the time! We also on our last trip went back to the Boathouse and I’ll probably catch grief for saying this but it wasn’t all that great. Let me expand I had the filet sliders which for the price were amazing and delicious and great value. My wife has an allergy and they were not able to accommodate her that well. She has a salt intolerance and ordered the baked sweet potato. They dont put too much salt on the skin when they cook it so she was able to peel the skin off but I comes with a cinnamon butter. The waiter said they only had salted butter so she had a pretty dry potato. I was surprised as every restaurant we have eaten at Disney is super accommodating even quick serve. We asked just for plain unsalted butter and they said they didn’t have any of that either. I realize it’s not their job to accommodate us and just mentioning this for reference. Every other restaurant will even send the chef out before we order to discuss her options and the waiter told us they don’t do that. As we realize this is our problem we don’t make a fuss and just get what we can. The next night we went to Jiko. Not only is the meal amazing but we arrived early and went out to look at the animals and had a great discussion with a keeper and thoroughly enjoyed the lodge. Can have a drink at Victoria Falls and at Jiko ask to sit at the cooking place. That’s a bar type seat at the wood burning oven. If your alone the cooks are back there preparing the pizzas and salads and great to have conversations with!

We have eaten at Space 220 but we did the lounge. We liked that better because we didn’t have to do the whole price fix thing. The food was good and the experience was very cool but I feel no pressing need to do it again.

We ate at sushi Sakai twice. The sushi is amazing if your into sushi. It’s better quality than most sushi places in our home town. We ate there twice because sushi is very easy for my wife with her allergies. They even made her rice without salt. Now would I have eaten there twice if not for my wife probably not. I am no sushi expert but was able to taste and see the difference in the quality of the fish but it is on the expensive side for sushi (so is space 220) and I can get sushi anytime at home all be it not as good but I’m not that much of a sushi connoisseur Where I feel I need to eat that all the time and am good with my local sushi place. In Disney I want the experience as well. So I would do Space 220 and ask for loung if you’re alone. Can sit at bar and chat.

If you really like food I would also mention Monseuir Paul. It’s a great dining experience, the food is excellent and if you make like a 6:30 or later reservation you will be there and able to watch fireworks from the window. It’s a neat experience and when we were there saw several solo diners. Plus the whole thing is an experience and the wait staff makes nice conversation

I don't have any food restrictions, but I'm still glad you shared the story for anyone else reading this.

I do want to try Monsieur Paul one day. I looked at it for this trip, along with Omakase service at Morimoto Asia, but decided to keep to a lower budget for now.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Jiko v. Boathouse is difficult as I adore them both. Ultimately give edge to Jiko as I love making a whole evening out of a visit to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and love sitting at Jiko's chef's counter. The food is exquisite (don't miss the wild boar tenderloin appetizer) and the South African wine selections are fantastic. Boathouse won't disappoint, so you can't go wrong, I just think it can get chaotic in Disney Springs.

220 v. Shiki Sai. I vote for Shiki Sai as I'm not a fan of prixe fix menus. We enjoyed Shiki Sai and thought the service was amazing.

 

[disneyfan123]

Jiko all the way...the wild boar appetizer is the second best thing I've ever eaten, next to real wagyu steak. Just order 3-4 servings of the wild boar and you will be good to go. It was so good, the lamb I had for my main course was a bit of a let down, and not because it wasn't good. The lamb was wonderful, but the boar is just out-of-this world good, imho.

 

[Chili327]

Jiko all the way...the wild boar appetizer is the second best thing I've ever eaten, next to real wagyu steak. Just order 3-4 servings of the wild boar and you will be good to go. It was so good, the lamb I had for my main course was a bit of a let down, and not because it wasn't good. The lamb was wonderful, but the boar is just out-of-this world good, imho.

Does Jiko have a lounge?

 

[disneyfan123]

Does Jiko have a lounge?

No, there's a small bar when you first walk in, but no separate lounge.

 

[Chili327]

No, there's a small bar when you first walk in, but no separate lounge.

Can you order food and eat in the bar?

 

[disneyfan123]

Can you order food and eat in the bar?

I don't believe so, although I can't be 100% sure if the menu had food on it. Pretty sure it was just drinks, although there could have been some appetizers as well? I don't think you could order from the main menu, but perhaps someone else can confirm this.

 

[jimmymc]

Can you order food and eat in the bar?

The bar has some snacks, but you can't order the Jiko menu.

 

[Newsies]

I, personally, have not been to Jiko yet but honestly WFH at the Wilderness Lodge followed by a glass of wine at Jiko sounds like my idea of heaven and I would probably choose Jiko if I was in your shoes. DS can be a lot of chaos and just not where I would want to be after a day of work (even WFH at Disney!) Boathouse is otherwise good but prefer Homecomin' for DS dining.

For Epcot, I would probably do Shiki-Sai. Again, have not been to Shiki-Sai yet, but didn't have a good experience with Space 220 (quality of food and portion size didn't match price point, service was just okay, ended up being very anxious/claustrophobic being in a room without windows which has never happened to me before). Have heard terrific things about Shiki-Sai and want to try it very badly!

 

[jimmymc]

I, personally, have not been to Jiko yet but honestly WFH at the Wilderness Lodge followed by a glass of wine at Jiko sounds like my idea of heaven and I would probably choose Jiko if I was in your shoes. DS can be a lot of chaos and just not where I would want to be after a day of work (even WFH at Disney!) Boathouse is otherwise good but prefer Homecomin' for DS dining.

For Epcot, I would probably do Shiki-Sai. Again, have not been to Shiki-Sai yet, but didn't have a good experience with Space 220 (quality of food and portion size didn't match price point, service was just okay, ended up being very anxious/claustrophobic being in a room without windows which has never happened to me before). Have heard terrific things about Shiki-Sai and want to try it very badly!

I am not a big fan of shopping at Disney Springs; I really just go for the upscale restaurants and nice desserts. So it would just be getting in, eating dinner, and heading back to WL. Also now considering Citrico's or Narcoossee's at GF, which I think I would also enjoy more than DS.

I'm not usually claustrophobic, but the price and portions are why I was even hesitant about Space 220 in the first place. I'm OK supplementing the meal with some food booths if it ends up not being enough, but that's still a lot of money.