Jiko or California Grill?

[skiingwife]

I've got Jiko booked but I just found an opening at California Grill for the same night. If you've been to both - which would you choose?

Thanks!!!

 

[Hootch]

at Jiko as having a quieter, more personal atmosphere with food that is different but traditional in different cultures. To me CG is louder more vibrant atmosphere with a more cutting edge California style food.

I'd choose Jiko for a more romantic, exotic meal and CG for a more socially active meal with great food.

 

[Trinityloo]

My husband and I were not thrilled with Jiko despite the many positive reviews. We enjoy all cuisines, so it was not that the food was exotic. It was just okay for us. We love CG and watching the fireworks from their balcony is a bonus!

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Jiko is my favorite restaurant at Disney World. California Grill is a near second. I think that the quieter, more romantic atmosphere at Jiko gives it a slight edge in ambiance even though the view from California Grill is something that should be experienced at least once. The service at both is fantastic. The menus and wine lists differ considerably, but I find both equally appealing. Both have outstanding appetizers, and I generally prefer Jiko's entrées but California Grill's desserts. Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with either place. Good luck making a decision!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Both are great restaurants and both have great food.

I give the edge to California Grill, the view of MK is really something special and in my opinion should be experienced at least once.

 

[cbg1027]

They're both great, but I think Jiko is a bit better food-wise. If you haven't been to either one before, I think I would recommend Cali Grill. It's such an essential Disney experience to me, so for first time signature diners, I would go with the food with a view.

 

[DW2010]

Both were on our list, but we ended up choosing CG .

 

[MickeyNicki]

Been to both and Cali Grill is a million times better than Jiko

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I'd pick California Grill, I usually like the food there better, and the view is amazing.

 

[disneygirlinnj]

I would pick Jiko...by far in my top 3 restaurants at Disney

 

[Pakey]

It's a close call for me. We've had great luck with having quiet dinners at Jiko which is such a rarity at WDW that it has to count for something. Service has always been great, I enjoy having African wines that I can't get here in California. I like the appetizers here and especially the soups which I think are the best on property.

Ca Grill has an interesting and thorough menu, complete with very good sushi. This is one of the few places that I will order dessert because they are better here than at the other signatures. The views are very nice. I've never had an entree here that bowled me over and the noise level can be excruciating.

So overall, I'd have to pick Jiko. I can get great sushi at home but the African wine selection puts Jiko slightly above Ca Grill.

 

[madalex]

It's a close call for me. We've had great luck with having quiet dinners at Jiko which is such a rarity at WDW that it has to count for something. Service has always been great, I enjoy having African wines that I can't get here in California. I like the appetizers here and especially the soups which I think are the best on property.

Ca Grill has an interesting and thorough menu, complete with very good sushi. This is one of the few places that I will order dessert because they are better here than at the other signatures. The views are very nice. I've never had an entree here that bowled me over and the noise level can be excruciating.

So overall, I'd have to pick Jiko. I can get great sushi at home but the African wine selection puts Jiko slightly above Ca Grill.

I frequently agree with Pakey's dining recommendations and this is yet another example of that. He has taken the words right out of my mouth on the comparison of the two restaurants.

I like CG very much, but the uniqueness of the menu and wine list and the ambience (e.g., quiet) at Jiko make it my favorite place at WDW.

 

[tinkgirl1984]

I just had the same dilemma for the last night of my October trip. I canceled Cali Grill for Jiko.

 

[skiingwife]

Thanks for all the great opinions. It seems like both will be wonderful, so I'm keeping the California Grill reservation and changing my Jiko reservation to a different night! Jike was going to be an adult only dinner (its our anniversary and our friends' anniversary also!) but looks like we get 2 adult only dinners now.

When we get back, I'll report on both and let you know which we liked best.

Now to figure out what the 15 and 12 year olds are going to do while we are at dinner. I'm thinking Winter/summerland golf while we're at Jiko, then they can take the bus over to Animal Kingdom Lodge and have dinner themselves at Mara and see the animals. Then we can all take the bus back to CSR.

While we're at CG, they can have dinner at the counter service at Contemporary or even Polynesian. Then spend time at the arcade. Can they watch fireworks from the Contemporary somewhere? (while we're upstairs with our lovely fireworks view at the CG!!!)

Or I guess they can stay back at CSR and swim, watch tv, eat at Pepper Market. I'm sure they'll be fine while we dine. (One is our son and the other is our friends son and they are very reponsible.) Any other ideas? Thanks a lot!

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm into California Grill right now...but I never order entrees or desserts there. I can't get past the sushi and flatbreads. I really don't care at all about the view.

 

[gilsan]

Good choice. If you are looking to dine at CG in a quieter setting ask to eat in the wine room.

 

[scubamouse]

I'm sorry, the question is like asking me to pick a favorite child!

Jiko is my favorite restaurant at Disney World. California Grill is a near second. I think that the quieter, more romantic atmosphere at Jiko gives it a slight edge in ambiance even though the view from California Grill is something that should be experienced at least once. The service at both is fantastic. The menus and wine lists differ considerably, but I find both equally appealing. Both have outstanding appetizers, and I generally prefer Jiko's entrées but California Grill's desserts. Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with either place. Good luck making a decision!

I think this is very accurate. We did both this trip last week and both meals were amazing. We did Jiko as a date night while the kids hung out at Simba's Club. It was the kids' first trip to CG and we lucked into a window table which was a dream for all of us.

At Jiko DH and I split the BBQ chicken flatbread and both got the filet with mac and cheese. It's one of my all time fave meals! We had the Jiko trio for dessert which was just ok.

At CG we had the goat cheese ravioli and lobster salad to start and swapped half way through. I think we both had the pork tenderloin, I know I did. It was all fantastic. We split the valhona chocolate cake. Definitely the better dessert.

We finished dinner, went downstairs to shop and came back up for Wishes firework. It was a fantastic cap off for all of us!

 

[AbbyPan]

I like Jiko, but California Grill is my absolute favorite- definitely better imho.
Hope you like it!!

 

[Golf4food]

This is a very good comparison. We prefer Jiko slightly for our more laid back style.

at Jiko as having a quieter, more personal atmosphere with food that is different but traditional in different cultures. To me CG is louder more vibrant atmosphere with a more cutting edge California style food.

I'd choose Jiko for a more romantic, exotic meal and CG for a more socially active meal with great food.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

California Grill & Jiko are our 2 favorite places to eat at WDW. We try to eat at both on every trip. We have ressies for both again next month.