I can't believe I ate it all 7day DXDP Reviews-COMPLETE 5-2 QSR&Aloha Dinner Show
- Thread starter ChefMickey123
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Castillo Mom
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I'm really enjoying your straightforward reviews. Looking forward to more!
mommytothreeboys
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Just popping in to say hi! Great reviews...someday I'll be able to go to Disney and eat like this, but until then I'll live through you! 
momthechauffer
Earning My Ears
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Looking forward to the Jiko review. I ate there last year and I'm curious to what your thoughts were and to see if you ate the same things we did.
Great reviews! Thanks!
Great reviews! Thanks!
maryann92201
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Subscribing! Love your reviews. So very thorough.
DisneyHolidayFan
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Best review I have ever read!!! Keep up the great work. You should be a food critic!!!!! 
disneysuncat
Putting the "cat" in meerkat!
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Just subscribed to the thread. Your reviews are well written, and I truly enjoy reading them from your culinary-trained perspective.
disneyquilter
It's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow...
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Love your dining reviews so far!! The family & I are going to try Chefs in August. Now I can't wait. 
seasideteacher
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now THIS is what I have been waiting for!! Hopefully you will finish your reviews right before I head to the world! Yummy pics!
flowergirlbecca
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Great reviews- I can't wait to read more!
ChefMickey123
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Before I get going with the next review, I wanted to say thanks again to everyone reading and making comments. I regret that I cant individually quote and respond to all of them at this time. You should all know that it is extremely motivating to me, and helps me keep writing. I especially enjoy the quotes from other people in the food service business.
And now, my review of
Dinner at the Jiko Cooking Place Chefs Bar
April 20th, 2009
I dressed for dinner after a wonderful and long day at Epcot with Mom. Unbelievably, I was feeling hungry after my Chefs de France lunch. But, this was on purpose, as I made a late reservation for Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
After the 15 minute cab ride across property from the Port Orleans Riverside Resort, I stepped out of the car at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and through the front doors. I was instantly transported to another world and was instantly lost. Though the place is extremely beautiful and well done, the signage was a little subtle for me to figure out where I was going.
So, after wandering aimlessly for a minute, I found a kind bartender who pointed me in the direction of Jiko. To spare you of this-go to the back right of the hotel from the front doors and down the winding staircase. Jiko is on the right, and the seemingly packed Boma buffet restaurant is on the left.
The host desk was easy to find, and the host/esses were very nice. They explained to me that they were running 15 minutes behind on reservations (which is no problem, it happens), and asked if, since I was dining alone if I wanted to sit at the chefs cooking bar. I happily accepted the offer, and my pager, and made my way to the restaurants small, but cozy lounge.
The very nice South African bartender lady made me a Kilimangarita. Though very pink, it was very tasty. It was pretty much a margarita with a little kiss of cranberry juice to soften the blow from the sour mix. Like most cocktails in WDW, it was about $10 plus tip and tax.
About half-way through my cocktail, the pager started to buzz and blink, and I was seated at the Jiko or the cooking place which is a very elegant marble topped wide bar with about a dozen seats in front of the appetizer show kitchen island. The kitchen is composed mostly of workspace, a small fryer area, cold storage facilities, serving area, hand washing sinks, and two of the ultimate chefs toystwin free-standing wood-fired ovens. I was seated on the end closest to the ovens, but amazingly, could not feel the heat-even though the oven gauges read at 800 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the evening.
Across the bar from my seat was an amazing view of the custom round wine storage cabinet. People spent serious time and money making Jiko right.
After being seated, my order was taken promptly. Delicious bread followed-my favorite of the basket being flax seed foccacia. The spiced butter served with it was delicious, and cold. I actually stopped myself from eating the whole basket of bread, because I knew I had a lot of food to go before the night was over.
I began my meal with the Barbecued Chicken Flatbread.
I watched this being made before my very eyes. Generous amounts of chicken, cheese, caramelized onion purée and coffee barbecue sauce we placed on the thin crust before it was baked in the blazing, stone deck, wood-fired oven. If that were all that was on the flatbread, it would have still been delicious. However, the chef-mastermind at this establishment went a step further. After baking, the flatbread was topped with grated Granny Smith apples tossed in finely chopped cilantro, adding the most wonderful contrast to the hot and savory flatbread below. I devoured this dish so quickly, I nearly embarrassed myself, but it was so good.
After my first course, my plate was cleared, my glass of Kanonkop Pinotage wine (excellent, by the way, as it should have been for $20 a glass) was poured for me.
I was then offered a hot towel scented with rose water to ceremonially cleanse my hands before dinner. It was a refreshing touch, and a level of service not often seen much.
My next course-Spiced Beef Briouats (lovely spiced curried shredded beef baked in Naan bread dough and brushed with oil) were one of many high points of this meal. Soft and hot with their dipping sauce-it was like eating a curry-scented hot pretzel stuffed with the most amazing shredded beef anyone could muster. Again, the plate was clean.
Sadly, I dont have a photo of my main course, but it was beautiful. Swahili curried shrimp with coconut rice, fresh greens, and peas was the most creative, flavorful entrée I enjoyed my week at Disney World. There was a great abundance of medium sized-shrimp tossed in a not-overbearing African-style curry and herb-field green salad. The crispness and freshness of the shrimp were complemented perfectly by the soft peas and delicious rice below. I left only a forkful of rice on the plate.
I sipped my wine, and basked in the glow of the glorious feast I had just eaten. I chatted with my fellow bar-diners while waiting for the dessert pitch from my server. If I had one complaint to make about this restaurant, it is that the servers sections seemed a bit large, and they were always barely catching their tails. However, everyone, including some of the hostesses and the manager pitched in when things got really busy, and I never waited for anything for too long.
I chose the Tanzanian Chocolate Cheesecake with lavender ice cream for dessert with coffee. The coffee arrived fresh, hot, and delicious. My dessert was the perfect size. I was worried that I would be unable to finish it. It was a small, round cheesecake, coated in dark chocolate ganache with a frilly garnish on top. Across the plate was the lavender ice cream. Again, a balance was achieved as the lavender ice cream was not too heavy as often times restaurant made ice creams can be. I alternated between the coffee, cheesecake, and ice cream, and was well satisfied.
My bill outside of the deluxe dining plan came to about $48 because I had an expensive glass of wine, a cocktail, and an extra course not on the plan. The deluxe plan bill was around $70.
This restaurant was a great escape from the theme parks. This restaurant has a great adult vibe about it. You would not know you were in Disney World, had it not been for the servers name tags. I could dine at Jiko regularly once or twice a month and not get bored with the menu. The wine list is amazing. Be forewarned though. If you have picky eaters in your party, remember that all of the food tastes like something (good). Spices and salt are applied deftly everywhere.
If you have to have a plain steak with a potato and green beans with a shrimp cocktail every time you go out, you will not find it on the menu (although the Disney chefs would probably indulge you if you asked) at Jiko.
If you have kids, they make a rather yummy looking cheese pizza for kids in their wood-fired ovens. Another thing to note: Pork is a scarce, if non-existent ingredient at Jiko. If you are looking for it, wait for my upcoming reviews of Citricos and Flame Tree Barbecue.
Once you eat at Jiko, you will be hard-pressed to find a better dining experience anywhere.
And now, my review of
Dinner at the Jiko Cooking Place Chefs Bar
April 20th, 2009
I dressed for dinner after a wonderful and long day at Epcot with Mom. Unbelievably, I was feeling hungry after my Chefs de France lunch. But, this was on purpose, as I made a late reservation for Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
After the 15 minute cab ride across property from the Port Orleans Riverside Resort, I stepped out of the car at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and through the front doors. I was instantly transported to another world and was instantly lost. Though the place is extremely beautiful and well done, the signage was a little subtle for me to figure out where I was going.
So, after wandering aimlessly for a minute, I found a kind bartender who pointed me in the direction of Jiko. To spare you of this-go to the back right of the hotel from the front doors and down the winding staircase. Jiko is on the right, and the seemingly packed Boma buffet restaurant is on the left.
The host desk was easy to find, and the host/esses were very nice. They explained to me that they were running 15 minutes behind on reservations (which is no problem, it happens), and asked if, since I was dining alone if I wanted to sit at the chefs cooking bar. I happily accepted the offer, and my pager, and made my way to the restaurants small, but cozy lounge.
The very nice South African bartender lady made me a Kilimangarita. Though very pink, it was very tasty. It was pretty much a margarita with a little kiss of cranberry juice to soften the blow from the sour mix. Like most cocktails in WDW, it was about $10 plus tip and tax.
About half-way through my cocktail, the pager started to buzz and blink, and I was seated at the Jiko or the cooking place which is a very elegant marble topped wide bar with about a dozen seats in front of the appetizer show kitchen island. The kitchen is composed mostly of workspace, a small fryer area, cold storage facilities, serving area, hand washing sinks, and two of the ultimate chefs toystwin free-standing wood-fired ovens. I was seated on the end closest to the ovens, but amazingly, could not feel the heat-even though the oven gauges read at 800 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the evening.
Across the bar from my seat was an amazing view of the custom round wine storage cabinet. People spent serious time and money making Jiko right.
After being seated, my order was taken promptly. Delicious bread followed-my favorite of the basket being flax seed foccacia. The spiced butter served with it was delicious, and cold. I actually stopped myself from eating the whole basket of bread, because I knew I had a lot of food to go before the night was over.
I began my meal with the Barbecued Chicken Flatbread.
I watched this being made before my very eyes. Generous amounts of chicken, cheese, caramelized onion purée and coffee barbecue sauce we placed on the thin crust before it was baked in the blazing, stone deck, wood-fired oven. If that were all that was on the flatbread, it would have still been delicious. However, the chef-mastermind at this establishment went a step further. After baking, the flatbread was topped with grated Granny Smith apples tossed in finely chopped cilantro, adding the most wonderful contrast to the hot and savory flatbread below. I devoured this dish so quickly, I nearly embarrassed myself, but it was so good.
After my first course, my plate was cleared, my glass of Kanonkop Pinotage wine (excellent, by the way, as it should have been for $20 a glass) was poured for me.
I was then offered a hot towel scented with rose water to ceremonially cleanse my hands before dinner. It was a refreshing touch, and a level of service not often seen much.
My next course-Spiced Beef Briouats (lovely spiced curried shredded beef baked in Naan bread dough and brushed with oil) were one of many high points of this meal. Soft and hot with their dipping sauce-it was like eating a curry-scented hot pretzel stuffed with the most amazing shredded beef anyone could muster. Again, the plate was clean.
Sadly, I dont have a photo of my main course, but it was beautiful. Swahili curried shrimp with coconut rice, fresh greens, and peas was the most creative, flavorful entrée I enjoyed my week at Disney World. There was a great abundance of medium sized-shrimp tossed in a not-overbearing African-style curry and herb-field green salad. The crispness and freshness of the shrimp were complemented perfectly by the soft peas and delicious rice below. I left only a forkful of rice on the plate.
I sipped my wine, and basked in the glow of the glorious feast I had just eaten. I chatted with my fellow bar-diners while waiting for the dessert pitch from my server. If I had one complaint to make about this restaurant, it is that the servers sections seemed a bit large, and they were always barely catching their tails. However, everyone, including some of the hostesses and the manager pitched in when things got really busy, and I never waited for anything for too long.
I chose the Tanzanian Chocolate Cheesecake with lavender ice cream for dessert with coffee. The coffee arrived fresh, hot, and delicious. My dessert was the perfect size. I was worried that I would be unable to finish it. It was a small, round cheesecake, coated in dark chocolate ganache with a frilly garnish on top. Across the plate was the lavender ice cream. Again, a balance was achieved as the lavender ice cream was not too heavy as often times restaurant made ice creams can be. I alternated between the coffee, cheesecake, and ice cream, and was well satisfied.
My bill outside of the deluxe dining plan came to about $48 because I had an expensive glass of wine, a cocktail, and an extra course not on the plan. The deluxe plan bill was around $70.
This restaurant was a great escape from the theme parks. This restaurant has a great adult vibe about it. You would not know you were in Disney World, had it not been for the servers name tags. I could dine at Jiko regularly once or twice a month and not get bored with the menu. The wine list is amazing. Be forewarned though. If you have picky eaters in your party, remember that all of the food tastes like something (good). Spices and salt are applied deftly everywhere.
If you have to have a plain steak with a potato and green beans with a shrimp cocktail every time you go out, you will not find it on the menu (although the Disney chefs would probably indulge you if you asked) at Jiko.
If you have kids, they make a rather yummy looking cheese pizza for kids in their wood-fired ovens. Another thing to note: Pork is a scarce, if non-existent ingredient at Jiko. If you are looking for it, wait for my upcoming reviews of Citricos and Flame Tree Barbecue.
Once you eat at Jiko, you will be hard-pressed to find a better dining experience anywhere.
Castillo Mom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 5, 2003
- Messages
- 3,837
Another wonderful review. Looking forward to the next one.
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