Maistre Gracey
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2002
- Messages
- 11,569
While we had many terrific meals on our recent trip, two specifically are worthy of mention. Both were at Jiko, the more formal restaurant at The Animal Kingdom Lodge. We canceled our Citricos dinner, as it was my wifes birthday on the last day of our trip, and she wanted to return for another fantastic dinner at Jiko. Both visits were equally great, so this review will count for both visits. There were four of us dining, including my mother & father in law, my wife and me.
Server/Waitress: (I am not sure what the proper name is these days)
It should be noted that our servers name is Lita. She was so knowledgeable about the African wine, and meals served, that we requested her again on our second visit. More than just knowledgeable, Lita was a very fun person overall. She spent a huge amount of time helping us with all aspects of our meal especially the wine selection. Lita really made the difference between a great meal, and a great time.
Atmosphere:
Although Jiko is nicely themed, there is a section of tables toward the back that are brighter than the rest. I find this distracts a little from the evening dinner atmosphere. We were originally seated there, and we asked to be moved (good thing, as this is how we ended up with Lita!)
Service:
Simply outstanding. We were seated within five minutes of our priority seating time. Lita gave us the option of ordering right away, or waiting until after our appetizers, and more importantly .the awesome wine. The appetizers and entrees were prepared in a timely fashion.
The Wine:
We were, and still are, all novices when it comes to African wine. (I am a novice when it comes to any wine). Anyway, Lita took a lot of time explaining the different selections, and brought three wines out for tasting. As none of us knew the names of these wines, we referred to them as bottle number 1, 2, and 3 until the second visit when Lita brought out three more. We then were confused, so we came up with the ingenious, ultra-high tech idea of bottle numbers 4, 5, and 6". I highly recommend bottle number 3. Just ask Lita for bottle number 3, and I am sure she will get a good laugh at that! Actually, it was so good, we brought a bottle of number 3 home with us, so I know the name of this one- Slaley Shiraz. Some at the table also liked bottle number 1, and 4, but I havent a clue what they were. One of them had a picture of a dog or something like that.
Food Quality & Preparation:
On our first visit, three of the four of us had the filet over mac & cheese, and the forth tried the Monkfish (my brave father in law). On the second visit, we all had the filet over mac & cheese (okay, okay so I wimped out). Both times we got both flatbreads. I cant remember the technical names, but one has bacon, and the other has pungent olives. Our second visit we also tried the lobster tail.
The flatbreads were phenomenal. As I am a little more laid back, I decided to put a piece of the olive flatbread on top of the bacon flatbread, and eat them together. I found the bacon flavor along with the pungent olives, worked harmony together. (My mother in law was appalled at me for doing this oh well!).
The lobster tail was very good. My mother in law thought it was a little fishy tasting, but under further investigation, I think it was the sauce over it. Anyway, the other three of us really liked it.
The filet over mac & cheese is just so yummy, that I could eat it every day of the week. It was perfectly prepared, and that is not easy for my wife and me, as we like it no pink and not burnt. My mother in law said her mac & cheese was cold, but I think she was imagining it, as all of ours were hot. (I think there is a mother in law pattern developing here).
My father in law indicated that the Monkfish was good, but I noticed he didnt order it on the second visit. (Perhaps he just likes variety).
Closures:
I cant remember what I had for dessert on the first night .I think it was some sort of chocolate cake, but I do remember that it was very good. The second night, I had the pistachio crème brulee. Lita brought a complimentary one out for my wife (her birthday), and it was so yummy that I ordered one.
We finished off the evening with a cordial (or two) of Amerula (spelling very questionable here). Amerula is kind of like a Baileys but much, much better. You should definitely give this one a try!
Summary:
I would give Jiko a perfect 10 out of 10. This is partly because of Lita, who truly made this a great dining experience. This restaurant is one of the few on our must do list.
Lita- I know you are reading this, so just a couple of things.
First, my wife and I won the mini-golf challenge no matter how my father in law tried to score it!
Second, I hope your wedding day is perfect, and I hope it is everything that you can imagine. Have fun on your honeymoon!!!
We will see you in late January of 03
Thanx again,
Karl & Maja
Edited for spelling...I hate that
Server/Waitress: (I am not sure what the proper name is these days)
It should be noted that our servers name is Lita. She was so knowledgeable about the African wine, and meals served, that we requested her again on our second visit. More than just knowledgeable, Lita was a very fun person overall. She spent a huge amount of time helping us with all aspects of our meal especially the wine selection. Lita really made the difference between a great meal, and a great time.
Atmosphere:
Although Jiko is nicely themed, there is a section of tables toward the back that are brighter than the rest. I find this distracts a little from the evening dinner atmosphere. We were originally seated there, and we asked to be moved (good thing, as this is how we ended up with Lita!)
Service:
Simply outstanding. We were seated within five minutes of our priority seating time. Lita gave us the option of ordering right away, or waiting until after our appetizers, and more importantly .the awesome wine. The appetizers and entrees were prepared in a timely fashion.
The Wine:
We were, and still are, all novices when it comes to African wine. (I am a novice when it comes to any wine). Anyway, Lita took a lot of time explaining the different selections, and brought three wines out for tasting. As none of us knew the names of these wines, we referred to them as bottle number 1, 2, and 3 until the second visit when Lita brought out three more. We then were confused, so we came up with the ingenious, ultra-high tech idea of bottle numbers 4, 5, and 6". I highly recommend bottle number 3. Just ask Lita for bottle number 3, and I am sure she will get a good laugh at that! Actually, it was so good, we brought a bottle of number 3 home with us, so I know the name of this one- Slaley Shiraz. Some at the table also liked bottle number 1, and 4, but I havent a clue what they were. One of them had a picture of a dog or something like that.
Food Quality & Preparation:
On our first visit, three of the four of us had the filet over mac & cheese, and the forth tried the Monkfish (my brave father in law). On the second visit, we all had the filet over mac & cheese (okay, okay so I wimped out). Both times we got both flatbreads. I cant remember the technical names, but one has bacon, and the other has pungent olives. Our second visit we also tried the lobster tail.
The flatbreads were phenomenal. As I am a little more laid back, I decided to put a piece of the olive flatbread on top of the bacon flatbread, and eat them together. I found the bacon flavor along with the pungent olives, worked harmony together. (My mother in law was appalled at me for doing this oh well!).
The lobster tail was very good. My mother in law thought it was a little fishy tasting, but under further investigation, I think it was the sauce over it. Anyway, the other three of us really liked it.
The filet over mac & cheese is just so yummy, that I could eat it every day of the week. It was perfectly prepared, and that is not easy for my wife and me, as we like it no pink and not burnt. My mother in law said her mac & cheese was cold, but I think she was imagining it, as all of ours were hot. (I think there is a mother in law pattern developing here).
My father in law indicated that the Monkfish was good, but I noticed he didnt order it on the second visit. (Perhaps he just likes variety).
Closures:
I cant remember what I had for dessert on the first night .I think it was some sort of chocolate cake, but I do remember that it was very good. The second night, I had the pistachio crème brulee. Lita brought a complimentary one out for my wife (her birthday), and it was so yummy that I ordered one.
We finished off the evening with a cordial (or two) of Amerula (spelling very questionable here). Amerula is kind of like a Baileys but much, much better. You should definitely give this one a try!
Summary:
I would give Jiko a perfect 10 out of 10. This is partly because of Lita, who truly made this a great dining experience. This restaurant is one of the few on our must do list.
Lita- I know you are reading this, so just a couple of things.
First, my wife and I won the mini-golf challenge no matter how my father in law tried to score it!
Second, I hope your wedding day is perfect, and I hope it is everything that you can imagine. Have fun on your honeymoon!!!
We will see you in late January of 03
Thanx again,
Karl & Maja
Edited for spelling...I hate that
