Jiko and kids

[ducklite]

We had a great experience with my 4 & 6 year old nieces this past October. dinner lasted over 2 hours and they were perfectly fine suring the meal. That day, we didn't do the parks so, they were well rested. (We had been up in Gainesville visiting family for the day). We took a little time before dinner to tour the savannahs and pool area. Also, our server, Shellie, was just absolutely amazing with er service and her interaction with the girls. She got a huge tip and a letter to Disney from us.

Oh--you got SOOOOO lucky! She's a real gem of gems! One of WDW's very best servers!

Anne

 

[GoodFairies]

We went on 12/4 expecting the more leisurely paced meal that I always read about here with regards to Jiko, yet we were finished everything approximately 1 hr after being seated. This includes the fact that we waited at least 10 minutes for anyone to even come to our table once we sat down. We shared appetizer, dessert, and press pot, and had our own entrees, so it's not like we only ordered one thing.

Duck and pork firecracker was very good.
Monkfish was very good but I hated the tomato butter sauce -- it wasn't needed and detracted from the fish I thought.
He had the berbere braised lamb and also hated the sauce it was in.
Dessert was Amarula melktart and it was a nice and light way to finish the meal.
So while overall good, they really went overboard with the sauces.

We sat in the room with the projection screen, and there were several families that I saw. I would not describe it in anyway to be a quiet restaurant. All the lobby noise comes right in. Our dinner was at 7pm -- we were seated promptly and walked out at 8pm.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Alas, the monkfish is no more.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

We ate there in early Oct with our DDs (DD1 turned 7 last week and DD2 turned 4 just 3 weeks after our trip). My DDs are realtively well behaved in restaurants (since we eat out so much!!!), but we were worried about the leisurely pace of a signature restaurant. We didn't need to worry. Our server was awesome and totally in tune with families. She did not wait for the adult entrees to be readt to bring out the kids. And timing was perfect. Just as we got the girls settled with their meals, the adult meals were served. And my DDs loved the S'Mores and More dessert!

I echo the need for an early ADR, but well worth the trip. FYI, when we were making our ADRs, we were trying to decide between California Grill and Jiko. We ended up going with Jiko because we were staying at AKL. The thought of trying to get to CR without a rental was our final deciding factor! We do not regret our decision.

 

[GoodFairies]

Alas, the monkfish is no more.

Since less than 2 weeks ago?

 

[Uncleromulus]

It had been removed in October when we ate at JIko-in favor of Halibut.

 

[GoodFairies]

It had been removed in October when we ate at JIko-in favor of Halibut.

So then what did I eat on 12/4? Monkfish was on the menu, and that's what I ordered. Server didn't say anything about halibut.

 

[ducklite]

Sounds like the monkfish has been put back on the menu.

Anne

 

[Uncleromulus]

Let's hope so!!
As for October-I have the printed menu from that night right in front of me--NO monkfish.

 

[Forever42]

Oh--you got SOOOOO lucky! She's a real gem of gems! One of WDW's very best servers!

Anne

We adore Shellie! We've only had her as a server once since she doesn't work on the weekends, but she made that dinner an over the top experience.

 

[winechick]

We adore Shellie! We've only had her as a server once since she doesn't work on the weekends, but she made that dinner an over the top experience.

Gee, thanks, guys! One of our managers gave me a copy of some posts from this site today so I logged on to check it out. You are all SO sweet, and it has been a pleasure taking care of you. It's so gratifying to me that you enjoyed yourselves!! For those of you who have had less than stellar experiences, please come back. We really are very good! (And for the people who were sat in the side room, it wasn't because of the children, I promise. We rotate through the stations, and that was just the next turn.)

Jon, thank you for the post! I recognized the name!! Hope you're feeling better, and I hope to see you and Jim soon! XXXXX

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

How cool! A celebrity CM on the boards! Shellie...I will ask for you next time we are at Jiko (which may be a while...) How long have you worked there?

 

[jazznms]

Last time we where there around newyears eve (just me and my dh) The server where passing phones around for Kids to call Mickey I think we didn't here who they where calling but the servers where all doing it at the tables with kids and just giving the phone to the kids (all of them can’t be making a bet with there bookies)
We are bringing our two nieces with us this time and had a great time there so we are going back. we where hoping they still do this any one know it they still are

 

[madalex]

Thanks everyone for all the replies and advice. What we will do is make an early ADR for Jiko. DH and I really want to go there, but we have always been very concsious of where we bring the kids. I have to say that they are well behaved, but I still feel that no matter how well behaved they are, that anything can happen at any moment and there are some places that I just wouldn't bring them (such as V and A). There is nothing worse than paying top dollar for a meal and having to listen to a toddler meltdown - we've had it happen to us when we were dining without the kids in a nice place.

I love my kids but I realize that everyone else may not have the same affinity for them that I do

You are to be commended for considering all this. If you are this concerned about how your kids will be received, I am sure your are bringing them up to be well behaved in public and that you are the type of parent who will take appropriate measures in the (hopefully unlikely) event a "meltdown" does occur. Your children are lucky to have such concerned parents.

Enjoy your meal - it truly is a great restaurant (my favorite at WDW)!