Jiko or Boma for picky eaters?

[Kara]

From what I've read, both restaurants are beautiful....and I do have an ADR at Jiko on our first night arriving at AKL..but DH isn't the most adventurous eater...not big on veggies..My youngest will eat off the kids menu..and if my oldest can get steak or salmon kinda plain, he will be fine...Is it worth the ADR and the chance???? or should be try for something else??

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

We love both places. However, some of our family are VERY picky and they did not enjoy Boma at all.

I'd go with Jiko. As a full service restaurant they will be able to alter your menu selection to your taste.

Or, as you mentioned, choose a place that has less dramatic dishes. Artist Pointe is lovely, and has a true American flair.

 

[FireDancer]

Hello from someone else in NE Ohio. I would go with Boma. Now, I admit I am a bit biased because it is my favorite restaurant but I have brought skeptic eaters there multiple times and they always leave happy. There has been salmon and prime rib most of the times I have gone so you can check that off. The other thing I have found is that some of the "exotic" sounding dishes are not nearly as exotic as the name. Compared to more traditional African restaurants the flavors are toned down.

The other thing you get with a buffet is the ability for less adventurous eaters to try something. At a standard restaurant people are often afraid to order outside of their comfort zone because they are paying $20 + for that dish they may not like. At a buffet they can grab a little bit and if they don't like it, they can go get something else.

In the end there is a section with standard kids food if anyone needs to resort to that and a pretty big dessert area that will make up for lack of choices in that case.

If you are a coffee drinker make sure to get the press-pot. I rate it higher even then the Kona coffee

 

[aussietravellers]

From what I've read, both restaurants are beautiful....and I do have an ADR at Jiko on our first night arriving at AKL..but DH isn't the most adventurous eater...not big on veggies..My youngest will eat off the kids menu..and if my oldest can get steak or salmon kinda plain, he will be fine...Is it worth the ADR and the chance???? or should be try for something else??

The filet is a plain steak, not spicy at all, then it sits on the mac & cheese that is just delicious, very mild in flavour and not spicy and then the sauce, well it isn't spicy either, but you could get that on the side for your oldest. The kids menu has the usual fare. But for your DH, it is a signature restaurant with everything cooked to order so you will have no problem asking for this without that etc. It is one of our favourite restaurants, we LOVE Jiko

 

[Nadjalu]

I can't tell you about Jiko but I can tell you about the food at Boma.

We didn't like it. It was a bit to sweet for our taste.

I guess African spicey means sweet spicey. Even the meat had a sweet cinnamon taste to it. Believe me, we can eat pretty much anything from a buffet and while the dishes weren't horrilbe if you are not prepared to eat dessert for your whole meal you will not be ready for Boma.
My DH is a very adventereous eater and even he was put off by so much sweetness.

 

[Pakey]

I think Jiko's entrees are plain enough; the appetizers are much more adventurous. I would not really recommend this place for picky eaters though; there are better choices on property if you want a plain steak.

Boma's buffet is not the best choice for plain eaters. When we took our friends here, both of whom are fairly plain eaters, they ended up eating from the children's pod.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Funnily enough I have two picky eaters. DD is just a meat and fruit girl, no spice, no sauce no cream etc. DH is picky because he follows a low fat diet.

Both love Boma and would be gutted if we didn't go there. DD loves the prime rib, the kids station of fries and chicken, likes the fruit 'it hasn't been messed about with' and the cookies for dessert make a nice plain alternative for our girl.

DH loves the meat and fish choices, the stews salads etc.

We also find that DS and I try things we wouldn't give a go in an a la carte restaurant as it doesn't matter if we don't like it on the buffet we just return and make a different choic.e

 

[Klashy]

Both my DH and dad are picky eaters but they loved Boma. There are plenty of choices and if all else fails the desserts are wonderful!

 

[Golf4food]

I am a picky eater. I love Jiko. The filet and mac & cheese is great and not weird at all. Very, very normal. The sauce is just a red wine reduction/demigalze which is not weird: beef bullion, water, and red wine and you can make it at home yourself. It just adds some rich flavor but is not spicy or odd tasting. Get it on the side if you are really concerned. Best steak I've had in WDW so far.

Apps at Jiko can be a little unusual, but the BBQ Chicken flatbread is great and the only unusual thing about it is the green apple and jimica shreds on top, but you could ask for those on the side. It is actually pretty darn tasty. No more unusuall than a hawaiian / ham & pineapple pizza.

One thing to keep in mind is that many of the menu items at the signature restaurants "sound/look" fancier than they really are: they use the biggest words, the foreign words, and as many of them as possible when really all you are getting is a steak with potatoes and green beans. Doesn't sound nearly as fancy when you just say steak with potato and green beans, though, does it?

 

[wolf29]

My kids are pretty picky, but Boma is one of their favorite restaurants. Frankly, I'm pretty surprised to hear people say they have a hard time finding food there, as there is a very wide variety to suit most every taste. Haven't done Jiko, but would recommend Boma without hesitation.

 

[stephmarty]

Well, now I'm more confused than ever. I've had the same concern about Boma because my wife is a picky eater. After reading these posts, I'm right back where I was--not sure whether to risk it or not. Oh well, I got Le Cellier for her twice. Hopefully that buys me a night at Boma!