Jiko or Flying Fish

[disneyfav4ever]

Wow, thanks for all the opinions! The menu at FF looks great, and we love the BW area. But, we haven't been to AKL, and I know my DD would get a kick out of the animals. Someone mentioned night vision goggles, that is very cool! I'm still torn... maybe I'll try to fit them both in!

Thanks all!

If you want to eat at AK Lodge, I'd go to Boma. I like it much better then Jiko.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Umm...do work there or something? As I have stated. I have been to Jiko 3 times, and every time it was sub par. I even spoke to one of the Chefs at the "cooking place" while we were seated there, and he agreed with me. Once again his opinion is subjective too. I consider myself to have a broad palate and have eaten in some of the country's top restaurants (fortunate to live near NYC). At Jiko I've had a dry and flavorless lamb shank. I've had Halibut that shouldn't have been served. And I've also went with what I consider a no brainer...the filet...and it was so bland and under seasoned you'd think someone from a HS Cooking class had prepared it for the first time. I love the decor and the service was ok, but it's a shame when it comes to MY experience with the food. I figure I have given the place 3 chances and that has been enough for me. FF has been consistent every time I have been. Do I put it up there with Gramercy Tavern or Per Se? No. But they do know how to prepare food properly.

I agree with you about Jiko, the food is average at best. Though I've only eaten there twice, but I am thinking about eating there a third time this year, hoping "third time's the charm."

 

[Booyakasha]

Do I put it up there with Gramercy Tavern or Per Se? No. But they do know how to prepare food properly.

How about 11 Madison. I was there for our aniversary one of the best meals I have ever had anywhere.

FF rules

B.

 

[Pakey]

If you want to eat at AK Lodge, I'd go to Boma. I like it much better then Jiko.

This is a good idea. BOMA is a great place, only one TS credit and you'd still get to wander around AKL.

What I didn't say in my first post is that I'm not much of a meat eater. I prefer fish. The fish dishes I have had at JIKO were not out of this world. I do like the atmosphere, I like that it is quiet and elegant, but I still think that Flying Fish has better fish/seafood.

Now BOMA is one of my favorite places to eat and out of all the restaurants that are a one credit (vs a two credit), BOMA is my favorite.

 

[itchin2go]

Wow, thanks for all the opinions! The menu at FF looks great, and we love the BW area. But, we haven't been to AKL, and I know my DD would get a kick out of the animals. Someone mentioned night vision goggles, that is very cool! I'm still torn... maybe I'll try to fit them both in!

Thanks all!

I will now attempt to further confuse you. We ate at Jiko this past January. Me and 3 other adults. I think everyone else loved the food, but I was kind of . I could chalk it up to the fact that I ate vegetarian and everyone else went carnivore... but I don't know. Just didn't knock my socks off. We drove from WL to get there and got PLENTY lost, let me tell ya. So, we had planned to have this leisurely night at the AKL, with drinks and wandering and animal viewing, and instead, we were lost, confused, frustrated and hurried. Now, clearly this is not the restaurant's fault, but in my head, Jiko = me being frustrated and unsatisfied. No pre-dinner drinks, couldn't tell you what the lodge looked like, neverl saw an animal, and the food was, well, just ok for me. My hubby liked it well enough that we're going back in 1/08. Maybe it will fare better for me too. We're trying FF for the first time in the same trip.

 

[jarrdisney]

I can't attest to how long the chef may have been there, but most don't stay too long. He was from Morocco and had worked for several Michelin rated restaurants in Europe. This was his least favorite experience. He agreed with me about the quality of food that Jiko put out and what was to be expected of them.

 

[jarrdisney]

How about 11 Madison. I was there for our aniversary one of the best meals I have ever had anywhere.

FF rules

B.

Haven't been yet. I have a long weekend of food related stops to make, but 11 Madison would put me way over budget. Now that the weather reflects the season I may head to Henry's End in Brooklyn for their Wild Game menu. Back to the topic at hand. Everyone has differing opinions on disney restaurants. I can only go by my own personal experiences. I want to LOVE Jiko more than anything. I'm just not prepared to drop more coin on a restaurant that has failed to deliver time and time again.

 

[jenbierling]

We thought about Boma, but with the kids being so little buffets are kind of a pain, so we're trying to keep the buffets to just the ones we have to do for the characters. Boma will definitely be on the list once I have two kids who can fill their own plates!

This has turned into such a lively debate that I have looked at my dining schedule and moved one of my dinners to a lunch, so that I can try both Jiko and FF. Much easier not having to decide!

Thanks to all for your opinions!

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Both are very good. Jiko is currently the critics choice and has a loyal following because people sense something different, even if it is just smoke and mirrors.

IMO, FF has been the best Disney run restaurant year in and year out. They have the best steak on property (IMO) in the charred NY Strip but if you prefer a filet that can be cut with a butter knife then JIKO wins. FF wins the seafood battle as they have a bigger variety in their offerings and JIKO hasn't been able to adequately replace their 'signature dish' (which WAS the monkfish) in an acceptable fashion, again JMO. Jiko wins the salad/appitizer battle by a nose (thanks to the flat bread) even though they callously discountinued their hands down best app (duck and pork firecracker) a couple years ago.

The atmosphere is quite different. JIKO is subdued and generally quiet and certainly more romantic while FF is a bit noisy and festive.

I have always found FF's service to be far superior to JIKO but I've heard tell of some great servers at JIKO, I've just never experienced them.

Good choice both...

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Both are very good. Jiko is currently the critics choice and has a loyal following because people sense something different, even if it is just smoke and mirrors.

IMO, FF has been the best Disney run restaurant year in and year out. They have the best steak on property (IMO) in the charred NY Strip but if you prefer a filet that can be cut with a butter knife then JIKO wins. FF wins the seafood battle as they have a bigger variety in their offerings and JIKO hasn't been able to adequately replace their 'signature dish' (which WAS the monkfish) in an acceptable fashion, again JMO. Jiko wins the salad/appitizer battle by a nose (thanks to the flat bread) even though they callously discountinued their hands down best app (duck and pork firecracker) a couple years ago.

The atmosphere is quite different. JIKO is subdued and generally quiet and certainly more romantic while FF is a bit noisy and festive.

I have always found FF's service to be far superior to JIKO but I've heard tell of some great servers at JIKO, I've just never experienced them.

Good choice both...

I did like the flatbread I had at Jiko, it was a chicken bbq one with apples, I also liked the sweet potato and maize tamale I had there, and the pistachio creme brulee, all of the other desserts were too tart IMO.

 

[Booyakasha]

We thought about Boma, but with the kids being so little buffets are kind of a pain, so we're trying to keep the buffets to just the ones we have to do for the characters. Boma will definitely be on the list once I have two kids who can fill their own plates!

This has turned into such a lively debate that I have looked at my dining schedule and moved one of my dinners to a lunch, so that I can try both Jiko and FF. Much easier not having to decide!

Thanks to all for your opinions!

Ha, Ha, Ha, our plan worked. I should expect my commission check from Disney any day now.

Seriously, you made a great choice please let us know your thoughts when you return.

If you are a big fish eater you will really like FF. Try some of the more unusual dishes at Jiko and you will be happy also. Don't forget to experiment with some of the S. African wines. They have the largest list outside of South Africa. Hopefully your server will help you make a nice pairing.

Cheers!

B.

 

[itchin2go]

I should add that Jiko did not seem like the kind of place I would want to take my child to. Just felt very upscale and adult. Just my two cents.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I should add that Jiko did not seem like the kind of place I would want to take my child to. Just felt very upscale and adult. Just my two cents.

I agree with you, the atmosphere at Jiko seems more adult then Flying Fish.

 

[spooky1]

Flying fish !!! Loved the food and the waiter was very nice - played a movie game with us and the kids - they had lots of fun.

The crab cakes are devine !!!

 

[Pakey]

I should add that Jiko did not seem like the kind of place I would want to take my child to. Just felt very upscale and adult. Just my two cents.

I agree. That's why I said in my first post that I would not take my grandson here. He's well behaved too; it's just not the place for kids.

 

[NMW]

Flying Fish hands down! We have eaten there almost every trip since since I was pregnant with my youngest and my boys were toddlers. They are wonderful with the kids and the Boardwalk location is lively and fun. Food has always been incredible as well as the service.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Jiko !!!!!!!

 

[N.Bailey]

I know some will hate me for this, but if if it were me, I would go to Jiko and Flying Fish and dump the Coral Reef (though you'll probably have to make a credit up somewhere along the line). I have never been even slightly impressed with the Coral Reef. Others have, but that's not been our experiences there.

 

[jdvm]

Perfect advice, N.Bailey! Choosing between Flying Fish and Jiko is impossible in my view...they're both great. The view at Coral Reef is spectacular but that's about all it has to offer in my view.
John