Mom & Son-One More Time w/Dad! 11 days of DxDDP-10/21, Grand Finale, FF Chef's Table!

[emmysmommy]

Aww man! Wish you had a better dining experience. I agree that I can over-look spotty service if the food wowed! But at least you have your least favorite meal behind you and now on to better and brighter!

Oh, just saw your Sanaa pop up... I'll be back.

 

[deenbrad]

That's pretty much how I felt about Boma - like I was mousing something! Why did everyone else love it when I just thought it was ok?!

Sanaa keeps sounding better and better but we haven't tried it yet! That was great of your server to put aside your gc!

 

[emmysmommy]

DS arrived, we hung out in the room watching the animals & catching up on stuff.

Now you are confusing me!!! Do you mean DH?

We all shared the Breads - Our choices were the Naan, Papadum and Paneer Paratha with Cucumber Raita, Garlic Pickle and Roasted Red Bell Pepper Hummus.

I REALLY want to try these!!! Especially the naan bread.


I really wanted to try the tomato soup with paneer cheese

OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHH, I truly loved this soup! Rich and tomato-y with the melty cheese cubes.
The soup looks/sounds amazing!

I asked about getting just the chai cream for dessert and was told that it is only part of the sampler. But that instead of the three desserts in the sampler, we could have three of the chai creams! OK!

Amazing, creamy goodness in a cup! Katie gave us the recipe, maybe I will give it a try at home one day!

I have a silly question. What is chai cream? Is it like pudding?

 

[smile4stamps]

Ohhh! I'm surprised that Boma was the least favorite as well!!

Sanna actually looks good! I've not looked into it because I always think it will be too spicy for me. Were any of the dishes spicy?

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Aww man! Wish you had a better dining experience. I agree that I can over-look spotty service if the food wowed! But at least you have your least favorite meal behind you and now on to better and brighter!

Oh, just saw your Sanaa pop up... I'll be back.

Yeah, I like and expect good service especially at WDW but I recognize everyone has a bad day. So the food will do a lot to make me forget the service.

That's pretty much how I felt about Boma - like I was mousing something! Why did everyone else love it when I just thought it was ok?!

Sanaa keeps sounding better and better but we haven't tried it yet! That was great of your server to put aside your gc!

Wow, someone else that doesn't love Boma! I feel so much better!

Yeah, she could have pocketed that gift card and no one would have known. I wasn't even sure I left it there.

I have a silly question. What is chai cream? Is it like pudding?

It is very creamy, lighter than pudding. A bit thicker than whipped cream. It is really amazing. A very nice end to a meal!

(Yes, I meant DH arrived, not DS!)

Ohhh! I'm surprised that Boma was the least favorite as well!!

Sanna actually looks good! I've not looked into it because I always think it will be too spicy for me. Were any of the dishes spicy?

No, not real spicy at all. I am sure lovers of true Indian food probably think it is too tame. Just a hint of spice, really. We enjoyed our meal so much we may even try our local Indian restaurant!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

No, not real spicy at all. I am sure lovers of true Indian food probably think it is too tame.

Yep, that's me.

Very interesting that our opinions of Boma and Sanaa were completely flipped this time. Your Boma food certainly looks "just okay", but most of it seems be the same stuff that's available at other Disney buffets. I loved it because there were so many unique dishes - roasted tomatoes, turkey bobotie, pap and chakalaka, asparagus, carved beef, African fruit salad, etc. And it might have been because we'd just finished traveling and were super hungry, but I loved their french toast bread pudding with bananas foster sauce.

BTW, those don't look like the goat cheese scrambled eggs. The ones with goat cheese are full of green leaves and specks (from spinach or chives, I think). Here's a pic of them. I actually liked the goat cheese eggs more than Boma's plain scrambled eggs!

As for Sanaa, I'm glad you really enjoyed it this time. It's probably never going to be a favorite of mine, but I'm happy to see that so many people love it.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Who knows what this week will bring so I am going to post one more review ... Jiko dinner. Originally we were going to snack around DTD after spending the afternoon at the Pool. Two problems with that plan ... DH forgot his swimsuit and DS and I didn't really feel like swimming. So after our wonderful lunch at Sanaa, we walked around AoA and took a few pictures, then headed to DTD. We parked down by Cirque and were up by the Christmas Store when the storm rolled in. I jumped on the bus and sent them back to get the car! Well, the busses were all called to Typhoon Lagoon because of the storm so it took about 90 minutes for me to get back to AKL! So I texted DH and told him to try to make a later ADR at Jiko for dinner. No way I was going back out!

First up was the bread -

I admit, I am not a fan of the tandoori butter and I like a crusty vs soft bread so this doesn't really appeal to me. But DH and DS loved it.

We decided to share the African Spiced Fire-Roasted Chicken - with four cheeses, bacon, arugula, peppadews and zough.

This was quite tasty. I wanted to try the braised oxtail flatbread on the menu but this one had bacon and I was outvoted! Turned out to be fine because this was really good. Very cheesy, nice flavor from the spices. We all enjoyed it.

For entrees, DH had Grilled Swordfish Roasted Vegetables, Stuffed Squash Blossom, and Romesco Sauce with Toasted Pine Nuts

Again, DS and I were not yet adventurous so we did not try the swordfish. I did enjoy the couple of bites of the squash blossom with the romesco sauce. It was very crispy, not at all greasy. DH enjoyed this meal.

DS had the West African Braised Beef Short Rib Roasted Peanuts, Roasted Vegetables,and spicy Tomato Demi-glace

He only allowed me one bite of the meat and it was amazing! Tender, flavorful. Really great. Ultimately he declared this his favorite entree of the entire trip. He all but licked the plate!

I didn't see any entrees that appealed to me so I decided to have the cheese plate

and Jiko Salad Bibb Lettuce, Sorrel, Blueberries, Peaches, Celery, Pine Nut Brittle, and Preserved Lemon Yogurt

I really like Jikos cheese plate. The cheeses were all at room temperature rather than cold. I think the flavors come out much better than way.

But the salad was the true star for me! Sweet fruit, crunchy celery and the pine nut brittle! Yummy crispiness. Everything worked very well together. I could have eaten a whole nother one!

For dessert we shared the Chocolate and Tea Safari- Vanilla Rooibos-Tanzanian Chocolate Cake, Free Form “Kit Kat”, and Green Tea Ice Cream

I have read great reviews of this but other than the Kit Kat, we were not overwhelmed. It was just Ok for us.

What we did love were the chocolate chewy cookies we were given with the check -

Dark chocolate chewy yumminess! I would have paid for a whole plate of them to take back to the room!

Jiko was another meal that disappointed me last year but this year was terrific! Total cost (I am sure with wine) was 145.52. Definitely giving Jiko a

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

In summary, the first part of our trip cost us $293.04 out of pocket and we ate all of the AKL restaurants. We really enjoyed both Sanaa and Jiko but have decided that there really is no 'draw' for us to return to Boma.

All in all a great way to start our vacation in an absolutely beautiful resort!

Next up, we check into Coronado and being deluxe dining! First up, Main Street Bakery 'snack' breakfast!

 

[nanienamou]

I think it's a great idea to have tried all your resort's restaurants! We have ADRs for Sanaa and Jiko and I can't wait! Glad you loved both this year!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I've had to really trim our dining and Boma for breakfast was still on our To Do list......bummer it wasn't a good experience!! Does any of the other restaurants do breakfast at the AKL?? We're trying to justify making the trip out there so we can see the holiday decorations....but it would need to be a breakfast.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I've had to really trim our dining and Boma for breakfast was still on our To Do list......bummer it wasn't a good experience!! Does any of the other restaurants do breakfast at the AKL?? We're trying to justify making the trip out there so we can see the holiday decorations....but it would need to be a breakfast.

No,I don't think so. Many, many on the Dis are Boma-lovers. It just didn't do it for us either of the times we ate there. That doesn't mean that you won't absolutely love it! If you want to see the Resort, definitely go for breakfast. AKL was beautiful at Christmas time. Well worth the trip!

 

[smile4stamps]

Your Jiko meal looks good! I especially like that you didn't do an entree. The cheese plate and salad look like excellent choices!

Did you happen to see anything posted about Jiko doing wine tastings on Wednesdays? I read about it but the posts were over a year ago and I haven't seen anything recently about it.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Your Jiko meal looks good! I especially like that you didn't do an entree. The cheese plate and salad look like excellent choices!

Did you happen to see anything posted about Jiko doing wine tastings on Wednesdays? I read about it but the posts were over a year ago and I haven't seen anything recently about it.

I believe it was mentioned in the information about the Lodge that we were given, yes. I had originally wanted to fit it into our plans this trip but then never made it over there on Wednesday.

 

[smile4stamps]

I believe it was mentioned in the information about the Lodge that we were given, yes. I had originally wanted to fit it into our plans this trip but then never made it over there on Wednesday.

Thanks! I would like to try and book it. I figure if I can get my hubby in the restaurant for that he may be willing to stay for dinner! :cool

 

[jabead]

DS had the West African Braised Beef Short Rib Roasted Peanuts, Roasted Vegetables,and spicy Tomato Demi-glace

He only allowed me one bite of the meat and it was amazing! Tender, flavorful. Really great. Ultimately he declared this his favorite entree of the entire trip. He all but licked the plate!

And there you have it...further evidence that my fatty short rib was an exception rather than the norm at Jiko. Now I know how Linda felt when she was served cold cream cheese wontons at Yak & Yeti!
Anyway, I see that they have changed it up a bit since our visit in May. Very interesting with the roasted peanuts. I will probably still try a different entree next time around though, or I might follow your lead and go with the cheese plate and a salad.

 

[emmysmommy]

Glad to see that for the most part Jiko delivered. I would definitely try the short ribs (hold the fat please!) and maybe even the salad as well. It is a nice touch that they present complimentary cookies at the end of the meal. Can you buy those anywhere?

Seeing as how Boma is the only AKL restaurant for which we have dined, I have so much to look forward to trying with Jiko and Sanaa.

Looking forward to the Deluxe DD portion of your trip next!

 

[sushi candy]

The Jiko meal looks amazing- a great bounce back from your disappointing Boma breakfast. I love the flatbread and the braised ribs just looks yummy.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Wow, once again my opinions are flipped from yours - I thought that salad was very good, but the cheese plate was fantastic! Probably my favorite in WDW right now. And the chocolate and tea safari is one of my favorite Disney desserts at the moment - I'm a huge fan of both rooibos and green tea, and I thought the flavors were very fun and creative for a dessert. In fact, the kit kat was my least favorite part of the dish.

Based on the current pattern, I'm already worried to read your review of Artist Point.

 

[DizNee Luver]

No,I don't think so. Many, many on the Dis are Boma-lovers. It just didn't do it for us either of the times we ate there. That doesn't mean that you won't absolutely love it! If you want to see the Resort, definitely go for breakfast. AKL was beautiful at Christmas time. Well worth the trip!

Thanx Vicki! I think we'll just stick with the plans and give it a shot. I'm actually more concerned about the crowd & noise level due to the twins.....but we'll probably run into those issues most places.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Thanks! I would like to try and book it. I figure if I can get my hubby in the restaurant for that he may be willing to stay for dinner! :cool

That's a great plan!

And there you have it...further evidence that my fatty short rib was an exception rather than the norm at Jiko. Now I know how Linda felt when she was served cold cream cheese wontons at Yak & Yeti!
Anyway, I see that they have changed it up a bit since our visit in May. Very interesting with the roasted peanuts. I will probably still try a different entree next time around though, or I might follow your lead and go with the cheese plate and a salad.

Loved them both. My perfect plan if we were to go back would be to do just what we did ... DS can have the short rib and give me a couple of bites and I will get the cheese plate and salad!

Glad to see that for the most part Jiko delivered. I would definitely try the short ribs (hold the fat please!) and maybe even the salad as well. It is a nice touch that they present complimentary cookies at the end of the meal. Can you buy those anywhere?

Seeing as how Boma is the only AKL restaurant for which we have dined, I have so much to look forward to trying with Jiko and Sanaa.

Looking forward to the Deluxe DD portion of your trip next!

I would have loved buying those cookies. I didn't see them, but I didn't really look either. Definitely put both Jiko & Sanaa on your next list!

The Jiko meal looks amazing- a great bounce back from your disappointing Boma breakfast. I love the flatbread and the braised ribs just looks yummy.

Yes, a very nice meal. And we hadn't planned on going there. Last minute decision.

Wow, once again my opinions are flipped from yours - I thought that salad was very good, but the cheese plate was fantastic! Probably my favorite in WDW right now. And the chocolate and tea safari is one of my favorite Disney desserts at the moment - I'm a huge fan of both rooibos and green tea, and I thought the flavors were very fun and creative for a dessert. In fact, the kit kat was my least favorite part of the dish.

Based on the current pattern, I'm already worried to read your review of Artist Point.

I have noticed our flipped opinions as well. You will just have to see what we thought of AP!

Thanx Vicki! I think we'll just stick with the plans and give it a shot. I'm actually more concerned about the crowd & noise level due to the twins.....but we'll probably run into those issues most places.

I will say that our Boma breakfast was one of the loudest meals were had. Maybe you could request a table towards the back, away from the buffet.