Jiko

[Wee Annie]

Having gotten bored with the redundancy of the "Let The Flames begin" thread (if you haven't been there, take my advice -- just say no, ignorance CAN be bliss under some circs!),

Does anyone have any dining suggestions for Jiko? Something that you had that was outstanding? And conversely, anything to avoid?

Thank in advance for any/all suggestions!

 

[chobie]

I've heard the lamb shank is lovely.

 

[Wee Annie]

Thanks, Chobie! Good to be in another, more harmonious forum!

 

[chobie]

I have so wanted to go to Jiko but have never made it. If I go, I want the shank and I want DH to get the fliet mignon with mac and cheese. For dessert I want one of everything.

 

[cherie]

My friend had dinner at Jiko a couple weeks ago--she raved about the filet, the wines, and her dessert (but I don't know what it was).

I'm going there in a little less than 4 weeks, and am very much looking forward to it.

 

[pozey]

I think I am in the minority that did not care for the meal we had at Jiko. We were there in 2001, just after it opened. I had the Filet, and it had some sort of green pesto on top. I did not care for it at all. My wife had the Monkfish and she didn't much care for hers either. I think they have since changed Chefs since it opened and the menu has been adjusted and altered somewhat.

I am glad we went because the restaurant is beautiful, but it is one place that we probably won't visit again. Too many other choices.

Again, I am probably in the minority.

 

[chobie]

I think I am in the minority that did not care for the meal we had at Jiko. We were there in 2001, just after it opened. I had the Filet, and it had some sort of green pesto on top. I did not care for it at all. My wife had the Monkfish and she didn't much care for hers either. I think they have since changed Chefs since it opened and the menu has been adjusted and altered somewhat.

I am glad we went because the restaurant is beautiful, but it is one place that we probably won't visit again. Too many other choices.

Again, I am probably in the minority.

We go to Disney ALOT. A few restaurants we go to almost every time and sometimes, the just have off-nights. If its the first time though, I most likely would not go back. What nice palce would you suggest instead?

 

[pozey]

We absolutely LOVED Artist Point. The Filet I had there was among the best steaks I have ever had. And the Berry Cobbler dessert was fantastic! Artist Point is one of our MUST DO restaurants every trip we make.

We had a very nice dinner at Le Cellier as well. The steak (seems I am a steak person, huh?) was excellent here as well.

As far as Jiko having an "off night"....I think it was more "me" than "Jiko". I just didn't care for the seasonings, I guess. I love the restaurant's location and atmosphere. We sat by the window overlooking the water. It was a fantastic view.

 

[Unofficial Fan]

The taste of Africa appetizer was outstanding when we visited in January! I can't wait to go back there again, just for this dish! Three types of flat breads (really flat breads, not "pizzas," these are more pita-ish or tortilla chip-ish) are served with three types of dipping sauces. One is a kalamata olive hummus, the other a cilantro based sauce and the third is red pepper based. I couldn't decide which one I liked better than the other! DD (9) also enjoyed the breads. The lady dining next to me (Hello Shannon from the South ) asked what we were eating and she ordered it and loved it as well!

I had the scallops as an entree and it was good as well, though not as inventive as the appetizer.

 

[Merylj]

We ate at Jiko twice during our last trip. The flatbread with tomatoes and yogurt was wonderful. Also had the Taste of Africa appetizers and the lamb shank on both visits - I should have been more adventerous (sp!)
This was my favourite restaurant in WDW.

Merylj

 

[Mymatisse]

Our meal at Jiko was wonderful. I had the Filet and mac and cheese and a nice South African wine (don't remember which one). I had pistaschio creme brulee for desert. YUM!

 

[pammypooh]

We have dined at Jiko's twice and both times were very pleased. I especially enjoyed the different wines. I let my server suggest one, knowing that I enjoyed Shiraz, and he picked a great one.

Pam

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

Taste of Africa Appetizer...
Filet...
Warm Octopus Salad!...
Flatbreads...
A must do every trip!

I have had the monkfish and veggies and grains and I will not do those again, but one or two bad entrees that aren't exactly to my liking will not cause me to "never go back". We go two or three times a year and will continue to sample and enjoy food at JIKO!

 

[Ajax]

I think I am in the minority that did not care for the meal we had at Jiko. We were there in 2001, just after it opened. I had the Filet, and it had some sort of green pesto on top. I did not care for it at all. My wife had the Monkfish and she didn't much care for hers either. I think they have since changed Chefs since it opened and the menu has been adjusted and altered somewhat.

I am glad we went because the restaurant is beautiful, but it is one place that we probably won't visit again. Too many other choices.

Again, I am probably in the minority.

There are two of us, pozey.

We dined at Jiko in January of 2002. Our server was snobish, and the red wine reduction on the Filet w/Mac & Cheese was so acidic that on our way to La Nouba we had to take a detour to our resort for a dose of antacids, nearly missing the opening of the show.

What didn't help Jiko's case was the meal that we enjoyed the following evening at Artists Point, which was nearly perfect. But I've heard so many good things about the place that I'm ready to give it a second chance.

 

[Wee Annie]

Thanks for all of the tips, both good and bad! It's always good to know what people enjoyed, and equally important, when you're spending a lot on a dinner, to know what possibly should be avoided!

Thanks to all!

 

[jwfla422]

I thought the monkfish was excellent - my first time ever having it too I might add I've enjoyed the tomatoe, onion and cucumber salad both times we went and also enjoyed the flat bread pizza with the goat cheese.

On both occasions that we dined there (one being JUST MYSELF and my then 5 yr old dd) we've found the servers to be quite friendly, accomodating and knowledgeable about the food. I'd go back again in a heartbeat, hope to go again next trip and try the filet or even get the monkfish again.

BTW, we are big fans of AP but IMHO Jiko has given them some competition however the menu items are different but the atmosphere is similar.

 

[Harambe]

Forgive me!

 

[kathymc]

I LOVED the monkfish and my 3 dinner companions raved about the filet. We also had the yummy goat cheese flat bread that I could have eaten for dinner all by myself. We had a fantastic meal with great service and wines and would definately return. I think I might be the only one who didn't care for the pistachio creme brule - but I thoroughly enjoyed my zebratini!

 

[nwdisgal]

We dined at Jiko and were happy with it. I am very picky about the quality of my food. I'm in the culinary field and will nit pick everything on the plate from the way it is presented, to mistakes in the preparation, etc. I had the lamb shank and was quite pleased with it. Also,the waiter offered us a sampling of African wine before we made our selection, which was a nice touch. Every restaurant can have an off night or nights. Overall, we were very happy with our meal at Jiko. Certainly, if the menu interests you, give it a chance... In fact, Jiko was one of the few restaurants at WDW that I felt was up to standard on that particular trip besides Kona Cafe...

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well-I'm a "fan" of Jiko and the 9-10 meals we've had there since it first opened have all been excellent. I can recommend any of their flatbread appetizers and the Berber Braised Lamb Shank is probably my favorite entree at ANY WDW restaurant. Service has always been top-notch and if wine holds any interest, it's definately the place to go.

If pressed to find any fault with Jiko, out of all the times we've dined there, the restaurant manager (the person out in the dining room, walking about, etc) has NEVER approached our table to inquire how the meal was going. At almost all other "high-end" Disney restaurants (at one time or other) that person has at least made a polite inquiry. This is a small thing to be sure, but it's a "touch" that most fine restaurants seem to have. At Jiko, the manager always seems to be walking around with a scowl on his face.