Hi everyone! I just got back yesterday from WDW, and Wednesday night had my second dining experience at Jiko. The first was 3 years ago. Sorry that there aren't any pics.........I didn't even think about it (can you tell I'm a restaurant review novice?)! 
Anyway, on with the story.
First of all, we had an INCREDIBLE server at Jiko 3 years ago named Shellie (who also happens to be a sommelier for all of you wine lovers, which we are, too, so it's very awesome) whom I have stayed in touch with and requested her for this meal, too, and they did honor our request. If you enjoy Jiko and haven't had an "out of this world" server, or haven't tried it at all and want the best experience and are willing to shell out the $$$, then I would definitely suggest requesting her as your server. The reason that I mentioned the being willing to shell out the $$$ part is that she is very good at her job, and will go above and beyond to fulfill your requests. For us, that has meant things that aren't offered on the menu, such as wine pairings, appetizer samplers, and dessert samplers. I will tell you though, that if you are adventurous, Shellie will take over and wow you with some of the food. She did for us, and the person that I was with is a MAJOR "food snob", and he was amazed. Just a clue...........she was a server at Victoria & Albert's for a long time, so she goes above and beyond. She has a very outgoing personality which is much better suited in her current situation. Ok, on with the review.
First of all, when we arrived at Jiko, Shellie brought us warm damp towels for our hands. Then she was getting ready to place the napkins (white) in our lap when she noticed that I had black pants on and immediately brought me a black napkin. Very nice touch that only V&A's has ever done before on WDW property.
We started looking over the menu and there were so many wonderful sounding appetizers, so Shellie said that she could do an appetizer sampler. Ours included the following:
Duck and Pork Firecrackers
Lamb "Patis"
Lentil "Pastilla"
Maize and Sweet Potato "Tamales"
Lemon-Cumin Marinated Ahi Tuna
Let me say that they were all very good, but the tuna is out of this world!
Next, we split an asparagus soup which is thickened with risotto, contains some cottage cheese and a crisp piece of asparagus. Very good!
For our entrees, Brian had:
Tamarind Braised Beef Short Ribs with Idaho and Sweet Potato Gratin, and Tamarind-Onion-Garlic Sauce
My entree was:
Pan-Roasted and Maize-crusted Halibut - with vegetables of the moment, tomato butter sauce, and crispy sweet potatoes
These both were Shellie's suggestions and she did not steer us wrong. They were both wonderful.
As noted above, she did do wine pairings with the courses, but she split glasses with us so that we didn't have as much wine to drink. Last time it was way too much wine, and this year I received a pretty bad sunburn the day of the Jiko experience, so I wasn't feeling the need for tons of wine. It was still way too much wine in my opinion.
For dessert she brough us some type of Granny Smith Apple dessert that is new. I know that it had apples and caramel in it, but not sure what else. It was served in a sundae or parfait glass. I was getting so tired at this point that I couldn't think straight. That was her dessert suggestion for us and it was very good. She did give us complimentary glasses of dessert wine, which was very sweet.
This was an incredible experience thanks to our wonderful server. Our dinner lasted from 9pm to 12am. Sounds kind of like a V&A experience, doesn't it?
She sent us home with menus, but Brian left them at the hotel accidentally. When I find out what the new apple dessert is, I'll post it, or if any of you know, please let me know! It's not the dessert that's currently on Allears. She said it's a new one.
By the way, if anyone is interested in requesting Shellie as a server, she only works Sunday through Thursday nights.
Anyway, on with the story.First of all, we had an INCREDIBLE server at Jiko 3 years ago named Shellie (who also happens to be a sommelier for all of you wine lovers, which we are, too, so it's very awesome) whom I have stayed in touch with and requested her for this meal, too, and they did honor our request. If you enjoy Jiko and haven't had an "out of this world" server, or haven't tried it at all and want the best experience and are willing to shell out the $$$, then I would definitely suggest requesting her as your server. The reason that I mentioned the being willing to shell out the $$$ part is that she is very good at her job, and will go above and beyond to fulfill your requests. For us, that has meant things that aren't offered on the menu, such as wine pairings, appetizer samplers, and dessert samplers. I will tell you though, that if you are adventurous, Shellie will take over and wow you with some of the food. She did for us, and the person that I was with is a MAJOR "food snob", and he was amazed. Just a clue...........she was a server at Victoria & Albert's for a long time, so she goes above and beyond. She has a very outgoing personality which is much better suited in her current situation. Ok, on with the review.
First of all, when we arrived at Jiko, Shellie brought us warm damp towels for our hands. Then she was getting ready to place the napkins (white) in our lap when she noticed that I had black pants on and immediately brought me a black napkin. Very nice touch that only V&A's has ever done before on WDW property.
We started looking over the menu and there were so many wonderful sounding appetizers, so Shellie said that she could do an appetizer sampler. Ours included the following:
Duck and Pork Firecrackers
Lamb "Patis"
Lentil "Pastilla"
Maize and Sweet Potato "Tamales"
Lemon-Cumin Marinated Ahi Tuna
Let me say that they were all very good, but the tuna is out of this world!
Next, we split an asparagus soup which is thickened with risotto, contains some cottage cheese and a crisp piece of asparagus. Very good!
For our entrees, Brian had:
Tamarind Braised Beef Short Ribs with Idaho and Sweet Potato Gratin, and Tamarind-Onion-Garlic Sauce
My entree was:
Pan-Roasted and Maize-crusted Halibut - with vegetables of the moment, tomato butter sauce, and crispy sweet potatoes
These both were Shellie's suggestions and she did not steer us wrong. They were both wonderful.
As noted above, she did do wine pairings with the courses, but she split glasses with us so that we didn't have as much wine to drink. Last time it was way too much wine, and this year I received a pretty bad sunburn the day of the Jiko experience, so I wasn't feeling the need for tons of wine. It was still way too much wine in my opinion.
For dessert she brough us some type of Granny Smith Apple dessert that is new. I know that it had apples and caramel in it, but not sure what else. It was served in a sundae or parfait glass. I was getting so tired at this point that I couldn't think straight. That was her dessert suggestion for us and it was very good. She did give us complimentary glasses of dessert wine, which was very sweet.
This was an incredible experience thanks to our wonderful server. Our dinner lasted from 9pm to 12am. Sounds kind of like a V&A experience, doesn't it?
She sent us home with menus, but Brian left them at the hotel accidentally. When I find out what the new apple dessert is, I'll post it, or if any of you know, please let me know! It's not the dessert that's currently on Allears. She said it's a new one.
By the way, if anyone is interested in requesting Shellie as a server, she only works Sunday through Thursday nights.
Glad you enjoyed it!!!! Thanks for the review!
That appetiser sampler sounds delicious, might try asking for that 
