Jiko or Grand Floridian Tea--Which risk to take?

[figment814]

So, my DBF is a VERY picky eater! I figure I can get away with one risky type meal for him...whenever we go to dinner, I typically need to make sure there is one of three things on a menu: steak, hamburger, or spaghetti. He may try something else, but I'm "safe" as long as these exists.

I currently have booked the tea and Jiko. I know Jiko has a filet, so that's awesome, but the mac and cheese will throw him. I think this is the risky meal I should pick, but I guess I just need reassurance. It looks awesome to me!!!!!!

Thoughts?

P.S. He really is the sweetest guy ever. He would sit with no food on the table and watch me eat if it made me happy and then stop and McD's and be fine. It is also me who wants us both to enjoy the same meal.

 

[perla75]

I would go with the tea. I'm not sure what your DBF's preferences are, but I'm guessing the food here will be less "weird"-it's just a large selection of teas (ranging from very normal tea to some creative concoctions), he can get tea sandwiches (choice of chicken salad, tuna, shrimp salad, even PB&J), and a slew of yummy desserts including just plain old strawberries & whipped cream and cakes and pastries. Also, Jiko is alot more expensive (it's a signature restaurant), so he might not get his money's worth over there. The tea room is alot more moderately priced. Also, worse comes to worse, your DBF could just end up enjoying a cup of tea and a pastry and hen stop by one of the GF counter service places for something more his speed afterwards!

I am the very picky eater in my relationship, but opposite from your DBF because my top choices would be places like Jiko and Boma! It's the burger, pasta, and seafood places that I have a hard time with!

 

[N10CJT]

If you're interested in a signature restaurant, might I suggest Yachtsman? Fantastic steaks there.
Or you could go to Brown Derby. It has some slightly more adventurous choices for you, and basics done right for him.
Really, I didn't think Jiko was that adventurous. It's more like African food for beginners.... it's almost classic American bistro with an African twist. Great flavors, though. And a superb and quite reasonable wine list. I think the menu looks more exotic than the food is.
I'm with perla! To me, McDonald's is seriously gross. Even the commercials make my stomach turn a bit. Different strokes. Your boyfriend sounds like a good guy, hope your choices work out for both of you!

 

[Mickey_Man]

I currently have booked the tea and Jiko. I know Jiko has a filet, so that's awesome, but the mac and cheese will throw him. I think this is the risky meal I should pick, but I guess I just need reassurance. It looks awesome to me!!!!!!

He should order the filet at Jiko and ask for something other than the mac and cheese. They will have no problem subbing in a vegetable or potato or whatever. Maybe you two can look at the menus online and he can pick out which side dish he does like and have them sub in that for the mac and cheese. BTW, the mac and cheese is awesome!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Dh loved the tea at the GF...we had a blast! The pics and reviews from April are in my signature.

We are going to try Jiko in Oct..cannot wait!

 

[MadamMim]

I feel your pain with a sweet sweet picky eater. I actually went so far as to plan an imaginary vacation with all the resturants picked out so that I could then go to allears and get the menus. That way my picky eater could see and have some mental prep time about what choices he was going to have.

Jiko will probably be fine, because they can substitute something else for the mac 'n cheese (maybe even pasta with tomato sauce a' la spaghetti).

I wouldn't worry too much about the GF Tea either, just because it's not a meal as such. It's a snack in the afternoon and it's about the experience rather than filling up, so you can both feel ok if you need to get a couple burgers afterwards. (My father and brother did so when my family went as my college graduation gift. The look on those men's faces when they brought out a delicate plate of tea sandwiches... )

 

[LisaInNc]

I would skip the tea. There is nothing normal here. Everything is fussed with, no plain food unless you want the pb&j from the kids menu.

Jike has the filet and he can opt for something other than the Mac and Cheese if he wants.

 

[Minnie]

From a very picky eater -

Do you and your DBF a favor and skip the tea

We did this last July and it wasn't that great. We ended up paying around $30 for a ham/cheese sandwich and bowl of strawberries

I think that fillet looks lovely! If he doesn't care for the mac&cheese ask for a seperate veggie or just ask to have it plated separately

 

[figment814]

Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions!


We do already have Brown Derby on the schedule. It is one of three I know he likes/loves. His other two choices are California Grill (more for wishes) and Le Cellier.

He has been to Disney a couple dozen times and is okay with eating at the same restaurants over and over again. This is only my second big trip and I am always looking for something different to try.

I think Jiko is going to be the winner this time...maybe the Tea will be on the agenda on a future trip.

 

[N10CJT]

Good to hear, I think you'll enjoy it.
California Grill is my favorite restaurant in Disney World hands down. I would have suggested it, but the menu can scare people (not so much for what the entrees are, but for the ingredients that some people are unfamiliar with). Then there are people (like me and my girlfriend, for instance) eating sushi, and, well, I know that some people find that weird. But it's definitely a place not to be missed, I'm happy to hear you'll get a chance to eat there!
Le Cellier appeals to another of my foodie desires. The cheese soup is serious comfort food. In my trip report I quipped that I wouldn't have minded eating a big bowl of that with some of the bread for dinner. I wonder what they'd do if you requested a "vat" of it, served tableside.....
Enjoy your trip!

 

[Luv2Roam]

I just was at the tea yesterday... sigh....
DH and I go occasionally. He is not real big on it, but never refuses it either. He really loves strawberries and fresh whipped cream.
I have never heard him complain about the tea. He even really likes the watercress and cucumber sandwiches.
They also have some offerings with cheeses and pates. One pate is duck. I have not tried it, but those I have been with were impressed.
By pate it really is what I consider a small slice of sausage.
However if you wanting a big beefy hamburger, the gardenview tea is not the place to go.
(Try the Big River Grill on the Boardwalk. yummy)

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I would keep Jiko and skip the tea.

 

[MelanieC]

I would do Jiko - My husband is the same and he absolutely love JIKO and is looking forward to going to Jiko again. We both had the steak with the mac and cheese - boy is the mac an cheese good and the steak with the sauce just went so well with it. The Pistacio creme brulee was awesome too. An incredible meal all around. I loved their ice tea too.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Never ate at either but I would try Jiko. Have a magical Trip!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Hope you like whatever you choose!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Jiko is really not adventurous - and they will remove the mac and cheese and do something else if he wants.

My DH would never do the tea - just NOT his thing - he's not the kind of guy who goes to afternoon tea. Only you know your BF on that one... it's fussy food, though, and they don't have a lot of wiggle room to change things up.

 

[emmaleigh47]

I am the picky eater in my group and second whoever said printing off the menus and analyzing them is the way to go. DH and I are going for our 1yr anniversary and he wanted to get the DXDDP so I had to figure out which of the signature restaurants I could find something to eat.

I initially crossed off Jiko -- LOL until my best friend who is a foodie translated the menu for me. I plan on getting the filet with the mac and cheese -- but all of the sauce on the side.

We are also eating dinner at: Cali Grill, CRT, OHana, Hollywood and Vine (my fav), Boma, Kona Cafe, and of course Jiko.

Enjoy!