Jiko early or late dinner?

[Jaimiebear5]

Hey everyone!I have been a long time lurker and need some advice. My DH and I planning on being in the world the end of September for our aniversary and a celebration for me losing 50 pounds. My DH is a really picky eater but with the help of all the fabulous reviews of the steak with Mac and cheese(his favorite foods!) at Jiko I will finally get to eat here! Right now I have it planned at 5:30 on our aniversary September 30th for an early dinner.... However this might not get us much park time as we are not usually morning people and I want this to be a special day. We are staying at CSR so it will take us awile to get here. Does anyone have any thoughts on if early or late is better? Or does it matter at all? Thank you for all your advice in advance.And I apologize if this post looks funny I am posting from my blackberry for the first time!

 

[sleepydog25]

I've eaten both as the restaurant opened and later in the evening, and I didn't notice any difference in service or food. Obviously, if you go later, you might have a slightly longer wait (even with an ADR) than if you go early, but again, I've not had any issues there, either. Jiko is one of my favorite spots, mostly because I like a menu that actually has more than steak or mac-n-cheese. If you do go when they open, ask to be seated at their chef's bar (or whatever it's called). Essentially, you get to sit at the counter and watch the food being prepared and can interact with the staff better there. I would think that might be a fun thing to do to celebrate! Either way, enjoy!

 

[Golf4food]

It just depends on you. Do you want to eat early or late? Spend more time in the park or not? I don't think it effects the food either way and only moderately effects wait time if you have an ADR, especially during a fairly slow time of the year, which Sept 30th is.

Jiko is great - enjoy!

 

[ElizabethB]

Because there are not many dining options at AKL, in our experience, Jiko often has lots of kids. So, we always book 9 pm or later at Jiko, when at least some of the families with young children (though by no means all) have cleared out.

If you like, you can arrive ahead of time, go out and see the savannah, check out the animals with night vision goggles and then have a pre-dinner drink at Victoria Falls.

 

[snowdrift7]

We never, ever eat at 5:30. However, when we first ate at Jiko (anniversary trip in Sept 2007), I posted on these boards before we left that we had a late ADR (8:50) so we had time to watch the animals first. Someone here recommended that we change it so we're there when it first opens. That was great advice!

Our table was right at the window - looking out at the water. Our server was able to spend extra time with us, explaining each dish, giving us recipes, etc which was really nice. And when we were finished, we strolled out to the lookouts to see all the animals just coming back across the savana. Very relaxing, beautiful and the dinner before wasn't rushed & was delicious. I really encourage you to go early!

We leave tomorrow for Disney and have dinner at Jiko next Saturday at 5:30 - it's my family's favorite restaurant and they're the pickiest eaters I know.

Enjoy!

 

[Piglet843]

I've eaten both as the restaurant opened and later in the evening, and I didn't notice any difference in service or food. Obviously, if you go later, you might have a slightly longer wait (even with an ADR) than if you go early, but again, I've not had any issues there, either. Jiko is one of my favorite spots, mostly because I like a menu that actually has more than steak or mac-n-cheese. If you do go when they open, ask to be seated at their chef's bar (or whatever it's called). Essentially, you get to sit at the counter and watch the food being prepared and can interact with the staff better there. I would think that might be a fun thing to do to celebrate! Either way, enjoy!

Thank you sleepydog for this tip
We are going in October - it will be our second time - we absolutely loved it the first time! I'm going to ask for this seat at the bar!
Thanks!

 

[RachaelA]

We usually eat at Jiko around 7. That way we can wander around the resort after dinner.

 

[Jaimiebear5]

Thank you everyone for your advice!!! After reading what everyone had to say and having my DH read them it came down to two main arguments... If we did early we might have a good seat and not be rushed BUT if we did a late ressie we would probably not have to many kids in the resturant with us. No offence to familys with childeren I come from a family of five girls, but we do not have childeren yet and enjoy our time together. SO what really tipped it though is because it is our aniversary and we want this to be a nice relaxing non rushed day we chose to do a first opening ressie. Also what my DH is really hopping for is a view by one of the windows that sounded really nice and romantic. Thank you everyone!

 

[sleepydog25]

Thank you sleepydog for this tip
We are going in October - it will be our second time - we absolutely loved it the first time! I'm going to ask for this seat at the bar!
Thanks!

You're welcome! Hope it works out for you.

 

[sleepydog25]

Thank you everyone for your advice!!! After reading what everyone had to say and having my DH read them it came down to two main arguments... If we did early we might have a good seat and not be rushed BUT if we did a late ressie we would probably not have to many kids in the resturant with us. No offence to familys with childeren I come from a family of five girls, but we do not have childeren yet and enjoy our time together. SO what really tipped it though is because it is our aniversary and we want this to be a nice relaxing non rushed day we chose to do a first opening ressie. Also what my DH is really hopping for is a view by one of the windows that sounded really nice and romantic. Thank you everyone!

I'm sure you'll enjoy yourselves. It's truly one of the better restaurants on property. Enjoy!

 

[blanq]

Hey everyone!I have been a long time lurker and need some advice. My DH and I planning on being in the world the end of September for our aniversary and a celebration for me losing 50 pounds. My DH is a really picky eater but with the help of all the fabulous reviews of the steak with Mac and cheese(his favorite foods!) at Jiko I will finally get to eat here! Right now I have it planned at 5:30 on our aniversary September 30th for an early dinner.... However this might not get us much park time as we are not usually morning people and I want this to be a special day. We are staying at CSR so it will take us awile to get here. Does anyone have any thoughts on if early or late is better? Or does it matter at all? Thank you for all your advice in advance.And I apologize if this post looks funny I am posting from my blackberry for the first time!

I don't really think it matters. We always choose to dine earlier, only because I hate going to bed on a full stomach. Enjoy your special meal, and congrats on your stupendous weight loss!!