Help us pick! Jiko, California Grill, Artist Point, Citricos

[kaybird]

we have eaten at all but Jiko's (next trip) and found Citrico's to be the best. We had a wonderful server, the food was all out of this world, and Chef Tony came out and visited with us for some time. The others are good too, but can't wait to go back to this one.

 

[BlueFairy]

Uncleromulus is right - the tables inside the restaurant main area of CG are no worse than the window tables. In fact, I like the window tables less. Reason being - in order to see the view, you put your back to the restaurant - including the show kitchen. There is a ton going on in the restaurant, and if you are a people watcher you can see more from a non-window table.

I voted for CG over AP. We ate at both on our honeymoon, once more at AP, and countless other times at CG. It just doesn't get any better to me than sunset out the CG windows/balcony with a cocktail and lingering over a long meal. Tell the waiters you want to take time out for the show and linger. They will pace your food accordingly (and make sure it comes out hot regardless, a rarity at Disney). They don't mind if you take your drink and step away to look around. I find the service at CG to be head and shoulders above our AP experience.

As for Wishes, this is no replacement for seeing them from inside the park. But if you got a 7:30 ADR, you should get there early (like 7 or so) if you are determined to see the show from your table at 8. Friends have gone at 7 and been immediately seated. But those with 7:45 ADRs were made to wait and wait - because no one wants to give up their table that close to the show. Right after the fireworks the place clears out and gets MUCH quieter.

Your best bet, if you want a quiet dining room for initimate conversation - either wait and beg for a wine room/EPCOT view table at CG, or go to AP instead.

I think you will see when viewing the menus on allears.net that AP's food has a very northwestern flair. CG is more continental and has a wide variety. What kind of food do you prefer? Sushi and flatbreads are only at CG. Salmon and buffalo are at AP.

As for Jiko- I find it to be hit and miss, but it is a must do for DH. And the filet and mac n cheese with cabernet sauce is TO DIE FOR!!!! Love the dining room (not as quiet as AP, but more intimate than CG). And the decor and setting are quite unique. Allow for time to go outside and view the animals through night vision before or after your meal.

Also, with AP you can finish your meal and enjoy the beautiful landscaping of WL, walk to the boat dock and see the Electric Water Pageant (with lights and music) at 9:35. You must leave the restaurant to see it, though.


Well, if all that "advice" doesn't confuse the issue, I don't know what will.
Good luck.

 

[honeybee30]

dqpowell: I just thought of something else (to further complicate your decision...). When we ate at AP in May, we had an ADR for 7:30 and finished up right around 9pm. We then decided to take the ferry back to MK, and luckily we were able to catch Wishes and the Electrical Water Pageant from the boat. We sat outside in the front of the boat (the bow, I think it's called? ) and just had a fantastic view of the high fireworks and the flotilla. Anyway, it was very romantic and a highlight for us! Not sure if this will influence your decision, but it might add to Artist's Point's appeal.

 

[Inkmahm]

Here's the situation: For our trip in December, most meals will be with the group -- four adults, three children.

However, my wife and I will have two evenings to ourselves on the trip thanks to Grandpa & Grandma, who will be watching the kids. Each of the following restaurants intrigues us: Jiko, California Grill, Artist Point and Citricos. So now we're trying to figure out which ones to try!

The question is this: which of the four is your favorite? It would be helpful if you mentioned which you've tried and which you haven't in your comments. We'll be picking two of the four after we get some feedback.

Thanks!
David

Jiko's is our favoritie WDW restaurant closely followed by Cali Grill. We also really like Artist Point but I'm a steak lover so that tips it towards Jiko's or Cali Grill.

Haven't ever been to Citricos although I've heard many positive things about it.

 

[Inkmahm]

Well, here's what happened.

I called this morning and got a reservation for California Grill at 7:30 PM. The CM indicated this was a good time to catch Wishes at 8, and that I should be able to get a table with a nice view of the fireworks. After reading pilferk's comments, I'm wondering if that's true.

Artist Point's menu is more in line with my tastes, and California Grill's is more in line with my wife's tastes. I'm sure we could both find something suitable at either location, but I didn't want to steer the decision based solely on which one I would prefer. So I was letting the fireworks show drive the decision.

Now I'm thinking we might be better off trying for an Artist Point reservation. Ugh... I'll show the menus to my wife and see what she thinks.

David

You won't get a table in time to see the fireworks at 8 pm is my bet. I have 6:10 pm reservations and plan to actualy be seated by 6:30. By 8 pm we should be on dessert or done and can watch the fireworks then. 7:30 is cutting it way too close.

 

[Kata]

I have only eaten at Jiko and CG, but I had the best meal of my life at Jiko!!!!!!!!! I am looking forward to trying AP and Citricos in December.

 

[goodeats]

I've eaten at both CG and Artist Point (both twice actually).

Artist Point - Once fairly early around 6:00 during less crowded time of year. Once later at a more crowded time of year (WL was sold out). The ambience here is more business like as opposed to romantic. Food and service was outstanding both times! The Coffee Two Ways dessert is excellent, so is the Buffalo Sirloin. I would go here again, but probably not on next trip. I need to branch out! It wouldn't be my choice for an intimate anniversary dinner, but for a nice dinner definitely.

Calfornia Grille - Once when it was fairly empty around sunset and once after dark where it was packed with firework campers. This restaurant can be fairly romantic if you aren't near the bar. I found the view at sunset to be outrageously amazing, even more so than the nighttime view. I was also put off by the amount of kids waiting to view the fireworks in the bar. We arrived around 7:00ish and had three courses and did not feel the need to stay around for fireworks. I probably will only go to CG now on non-firework nights. The food is very good, but not as good as AP imo. I thought the service was a tad 'snooty' both times.

Wow, I'm kind of negative huh! Of the two I'd be more likely to go back to California Grill. Especially for drinks and appetizers in the bar.

 

[disprincess86]

I've never been to CG, but AP is great! It's a quiet atmosphere and the food's yummy DBF and I have eaten there twice, on our last two visits, and we love it! But I'm sure either will be great, good luck choosing!

 

[Leota]

I have eaten at all four & had wonderful meals at each. Jiko has recently pulled into First Place for me as my favorite WDW restaurant (I don't count V&A - that's more of an event than a restaurant) The atmosphere, food, service & wine list were all top notch. The sommelier was terrific.

You can't go wrong with any of them, IMHO. They all do what they do very well.

As much as I love CG, it gets noisier each time we visit. It has gained so much popularity on the boards for it's Fireworks view, that lots of families go for that & not the event of fine dining. There seems to be an awful lot of tired kiddos with parents determined to keep them there for Wishes no matter what the cost to the kids or the other diners. Not all parents & not all kids - but one family with an exhausted, writhing & screaming toddler that doesn't do anything about helping the child calm down can really put a damper on a romantic evening of fine food & wine with your lover. If I go back, I will be sure to wait for the wine room, no matter how long it takes.

 

[MulanMom]

We have not eaten at Jiko and look forward to trying it someday. CG and AP we've eaten at numerous times over the years and quality has varied with the result being we aren't drawn to returning to them any time soon. Last year, we were very pleased with our meal at Citrico's and the service was excellent. The atmosphere was quiet and classy. Even with a large group seated near us, my husband and I were able to carry on a conversation without having to raise our voices.

Have you considered Victoria & Albert's for one of your meals? That would be an experience you will remember!

 

[dqpowell]

We thought about Victoria and Albert's, but (at least for this particular trip) it would mean dumping two or three other dinner reservations, including one involving the whole group. My wife and I intend to dine there the next time we're traveling to WDW alone, which will be for our 20th wedding anniversary in 2009.

I want to thank everybody (again) for contributing comments and votes to this thread. In case you're interested, here's what we did. We have ADRs for two at Jiko and at the California Grill. CG is at 7:30 on a night that Wishes happens at 8. We'll show up by 7:15, and if we get a table with a view of the fireworks, great. If not, we'll ask for a table in the wine room and then just wander out to watch Wishes with a glass of wine at the appropriate time.

The strong showing of support for Artist Point was enough to convince me to make an ADR for the entire group - all seven of us, the last night we'll be in Orlando. However if I'm being realistic about it, there's a good chance the majority of our party will not want to go, and we'll have to cancel. I'll do my best to convince them, but I have a feeling they're going to be more interested in spending the last few hours of our last day in Orlando at the Magic Kingdom than they will be in spending the last of their budget, assuming they have any left, on another dinner. We actually have a lot of great ADRs already. If we miss Artist Point this trip, there's always next time.

Thanks again for everybody's input.

David