I was really looking forward to this meal. We had made reservations here before but I always canceled at the last minute. Part of the problem is that we usually rely on Disney Transportation and it’s just such a pain to get from a resort to a resort. Since we were staying at Corondo Springs for this half of the trip I thought it would be great take a taxi from CSR to ALK, since we were so close in proximity it wouldn’t be too expensive. And I was right, it only cost us $12 including tip. Which is pretty good considering on our last trip we were staying at POR and we went to AKL for a breakfast at Boma and the taxi was around $20.
We got the AKL around 6:30 and we had some time before our 7:15pm ADR at Jiko. So we took our time exploring the resort. I love this resort and would love to stay here when we go back. It’s not even the animals. I’m not a huge fan of the animals. I think it has something to do with me spending a lot time at the zoo as a child and then going to the zoo a lot when I was used to work at a summer program. Call me crazy but the Animals around the savannah do not relax me, they remind me of stress.
However, I love the décor of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The colors are just so a warm and appealing.
It was getting close to 7pm so we decided to check in to Jiko. We told there would be a few minutes wait so we sat down at the bar area. Within a few minutes are name was called and we were taken to our table.
When I walked into the main restaurant I was in awe. The décor was just so beautiful. I wish I had taken pictures.
Our waiter came to the table a few minutes after we were seated and took our orders and then came back with a basket of bread.
I’m not sure what type of bread this is or what type of seasoning was in the spread but it was delicious. The bread was very light and moist and the spread had a bit of a kick to it. I thoroughly enjoyed it but had to limit myself because I didn’t want to get too full before our appetizers arrived.
Chris and I shared the Barbeque Chicken Flatbread - With apple-jicama slaw, African barbecue sauce, and four cheeses.
Barbeque Chicken Flatbread $10.00
This was so good. I didn’t know if I would enjoy because I’m not a huge fan of apples. I’m weird like that.
But I really appreciated how the flavors complemented each other. I would come back to Jiko just for the flatbread alone.
I knew before I even made a reservation for Jiko that I had to order the Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon - with Macaroni & Cheese and Red Wine Sauce. I just had heard so many rav reviews about it. I also ordered a glass of the Hartenburg Riesling $12.00
Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon $39.00
I was very disappointed when I cut into my steak. I had ordered it medium well and it was medium rare. It was bright red and there was blood oozing onto the plate. Our waiter returned and noticed that I wasn’t eating my steak because it was too rare. He was very apologetic and took it back to the kitchen. A few minutes later he returned with my entrée and said very sarcastically “I guess you like your steak well done” and then laughed as he walk off. I was in shock.
I couldn’t believe he would say something like that to a customer. I was fuming at this point. His comment was ruining the meal. I got the impression that the kitchen was complaining that the steak was returned and he was just passing along the complaint to me. He was apologetic one moment and then blaming me for not knowing how I like my steak cooked. Excuse me! I know how a medium well steak should be cooked. It should be a light pink in the centre. I even used to work at a meat shop where I instructed people on the best type of steak for their cooking preference. This girl knows her steak.
I tried not to let this bother me but when the manager came over to check on our meal I let him know that I was very disappointed in the treatment I received from our server. I told him I thought our waiters comment was very unprofessional. It was also very unexpected as he had given us great service up until that point. The manager was very apologetic and said he would speak to our waiter. I was very pleased with that response and even saw the manager talking to our waiter a few minute later.
Once that issue was taken care of I went back to enjoying my filet mignon. The steak was very good but I wasn’t a fan of the macaroni & cheese or the red wine sauce. I found the mac & cheese too sticky and the red wine sauce way too bitter. I’ve never been to Jiko before so I’m not sure if it was an off night or it was just not my taste. Chris thought it tasted ok, but it was not nearly as good as his entrée.
Chris ordered the Barbeque Beef Short Ribs - with Roasted Yukon Gold Potato Salad and onion-garlic sauce and a vodka tonic. $6.50
Barbeque Beef Short Ribs $37.00
This was our server’s recommendation. He said it was his favorite entrée at Jiko and I have to agree. I don’t usually eat short ribs but this was beyond amazing. Every bit was so moist, tender and flavorful. It was just plain WOW!
For dessert we shared a Tanzanian Chocolate Cheesecake - With chocolate ganache, amarula sauce, and lavender ice cream. I had a Thunder Darjeeling Tea $5.95.
Tanzanian Chocolate Cheesecake $8.00
I really enjoyed the chocolate cheesecake but the lavender ice cream threw me off. Chris thought it tasted like soap.
It was definitely a nice twist on a traditional dessert.
The waiter brought out a complementary Pistachio Creme Brulee - With a chocolate-layered bottom, to congratulate us on our recent engagement.
Pistachio Crème Brulee
This pistachio crème brulee was just bleh! I like my crème brulee to be a little sweeter.
Overall, I would still return to Jiko. Other than the rude comment from our server he was still very attentive and provided good service. When we go back I would probably order the flatbread and the short-ribs. That alone is worth the trip to AKL. Plus the ambiance just can’t be beat
Total with TIW
$122.24
Up Next: Dinner at Beaches & Cream
i've told my DB i wanted him to propose to me at WDW and he says 'AND go there for our honeymoon?!' he's never been to WDW before and can't understand why i want to go there all the time 
I was more than happy to send them the gift and it turned out even better than I expected! The Mickey and Minnie were added by a close friend of mine that works at CSR in admin.
