JIKO, great experience!

[imatoad]

My friend and I dined at Jiko during our Oct. stay, and not only was the food fantastic, but the service was outstanding. We are not huge dinner eaters, and decided to order 4 appetizers and dessert, but my friend was a little concerned about the possible reaction from our server. Well, she was incredible, approx. mid-50's in age, and just so knowlegeable about the menu, and even upon our ordering, you would think we ordered 5 courses, she treated us with the same top notch service as a party of 6 getting dinner with wine. I wish I could remember her name, but regardless, we will be returning again this Oct.

 

[jwfla422]

We've eaten here twice last year. After the first time I had to go back. Unfortunately we didn't get back there on our last trip but I will try my darnest to get there this coming trip!! What a great find Jiko's is! The food is excellent and the service is right up there as well!

I actually did the same thing with the appetizers when I went the first time. It was just me and my 6 yr old dd. She enjoyed it as well. I had the salad with that delicious watermelon dressing and on of the pizzas and that was PLENTY! Honestly, whenever I've done this at any WDW full service restaurant (including the S/D restaurants), I've never encountered any kind of "attitude" from the servers for ordering just appetizers.

Last time dh joined us and liked it as well. I took a chance and decided to be adventurous and tried the monkfish! AND I'm glad I did as it was excellent (tasted like a really good lobster). I highly recommend this place. It's definitely taken the slot for one of favorite "fine dining" places in WDW. And if you just do some appetizers it can be quite reasonable (the wines are great too). Next time I just try the filet as I hear that is also out of this world

 

[Scratch42]

My friend and I dined at Jiko during our Oct. stay, and not only was the food fantastic, but the service was outstanding. We are not huge dinner eaters, and decided to order 4 appetizers and dessert, but my friend was a little concerned about the possible reaction from our server. Well, she was incredible, approx. mid-50's in age, and just so knowlegeable about the menu, and even upon our ordering, you would think we ordered 5 courses, she treated us with the same top notch service as a party of 6 getting dinner with wine. I wish I could remember her name, but regardless, we will be returning again this Oct.

Did she have Blonde Hair? It sounds like our beloved Sally!

We usually ask for her when we eat at Jiko! Unfortunately, the last time we ate there was her night off. Hope to see her our next trip though!

Scratch

 

[Laurajean1014]

We love Jiko! Everything we try there is wonderful and I especially like the South African wines. They are not expensive but darn near impossible to find where I live.

Jiko service is up there, as well. Jiko and California Grill are my favorite WDW restaurants.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Glad you enjoyed it. Jiko is one of our favorite WDW spots!!

 

[stinkerbelle]

We've dined there 3 times now...twice after the Sunset Safari offered through AKL concierge.

They really do go above and beyond. In December, we were there with DH's family, one member being his 15 year old sister...who obviously couldn't partake in the wine pairings with the meal. Our server spoke with her parents, then brought her out a virgin daquiri along with her soda. How very thoughtful!

This place IS amazing...best restaurant on property if you ask me. (I do like the Cali Grill...but Jiko really wins it for me.)

 

[disboo]

A couple of weeks ago we had our final dinner at WDW at Jiko - nine adults, lots of food, lots of wine. It was specatcualr. Everyone agreed it was their favorite meal of the trip. We had different food concerns (Atkins, for instance) and the waiter never blinked. No request was unreasonable. The setting was beautiful (we sat at a sort of triangle shaped table and it was lovely all by itself!), and we were unhurried and happy. Fortunately, we had the DDE card and it helped, but the joint is expensive - especailly when you just have to over-tip because the service is so good!

A couple of years ago we had a celebration dinner for 13 people, and they seated us in the Wine Room. That was great, too! I'll go back again!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Thanks for the review. Jiko is our favorite place to eat at WDW. We ate there again this past December and just loved it.

 

[akghutton]

For those of you helpful DISers, who have experienced the Sunset Safari, would you recommend it for a couple, who doesn't really drink much. We have been on the Sunrise Safari and loved it. We have also dined at Jiko's, which is one of our favorite restaurants. However, for the cost, I just can't decide if the Sunset Safari will be worth the money for us.

Is the tour of the AKL savannahs a little disappointing compared to the Sunrise Safari tour, considering that there are less animals to see? Also, when you are dining, do you order anything, as you would if normally dining there, or is it a set menu?

Thank you for all of your help. My DH and I are trying to decide whether or not to do this for my birthday.