This is my first review so go easy on me 
I had a 5:30 ADR for Jiko. I arrived about 20 minutes early to look around the lodge so I decided to check in. I asked to be seated at the Cooking Place since I was a solo diner and felt I did not need to take up an entire table. They said it was no problem. When I check in, I noticed that my ADR was listed for 2 people. I imagine that even if you are solo, they mark you as 2. Don't know why
I was seated at 5:20 and was given time to look at the menu and extensive wine list. The host explained that my server would be there at 5:30 since they were in a meeting before. This was fine since I needed to go over the wine list.
At 5:30 on the dot, I was greeted by a manager (I think). He explained the restaurant and pointed out some of his favorites as well as the best sellers. I started out with a glass of Excelsior wine (Cabernet Sauvignon). This was an excellent wine, and went well with my meal. One problem I did have was that I saw many other people being served hot towels to wipe their hands but I never received one. I felt a little left out but that was OK.
My server's name was Michael and he was very attentive. He filled my water almost immediately after I took a sip and was always there to see if I needed anything else. He was very polite and knew the wine list and had great recommendations.
I ordered the kalamata olive flatbread as an appetizer. This was excellent and would definitely be enough for 2 people. It was a great taste. It had the kalamata olives and a blend of 5 cheeses. There was fontina, greyuere, asaigo, provolone and goat cheese. The goat cheese was extremely creamy and had such a great flavor. I ate the whole thing
In between my appetizer and main course, I was given a selection of breads with a spiced butter. The breads were very fresh and the butter was excellent. It had a sweet, spicy flavor that went great with the bread. There were 4 kinds of breads but I only had 1 since I didn't want to fill up.
For my entree I ordered the Oak Grilled Filet Mignon. I ordered it medium and when it came it was a smidge, a very small smidge, undercooked. It wasn't undercooked enough to send back. This dish could be the only thing on the menu and I would be fine with that. The filet was sooooo tender and so delicious. It is served on a bed on macaroni and cheese with a red wine sauce. The macaroni and cheese is to die for. The taste was very unique and I could taste the sharpness. I asked the server what cheeses were used and he told me that it was the same cheese blend as the kalamata olive fflatbread but without the goat cheese. The red wine sauce was a great addition to the dish and added the perfect amount of flavor to the filet and macaroni and cheese.
I ate the entire dish. When I was done, my server brought out the dessert and after dinner drink menu. I am not a huge sweets fan and I was stuffed so I passed on dessert. For those of you that would like to know, the Zebratini that everyone raves about is on the dessert menu and not on the regular wine and drink menu so if you don't see it when you arrive, it's still there.
My overall grade is an "A" for this restaurant. It is a great restaurant and I will be taking my wife there in June when we are on vacation.
I had a 5:30 ADR for Jiko. I arrived about 20 minutes early to look around the lodge so I decided to check in. I asked to be seated at the Cooking Place since I was a solo diner and felt I did not need to take up an entire table. They said it was no problem. When I check in, I noticed that my ADR was listed for 2 people. I imagine that even if you are solo, they mark you as 2. Don't know why
I was seated at 5:20 and was given time to look at the menu and extensive wine list. The host explained that my server would be there at 5:30 since they were in a meeting before. This was fine since I needed to go over the wine list.
At 5:30 on the dot, I was greeted by a manager (I think). He explained the restaurant and pointed out some of his favorites as well as the best sellers. I started out with a glass of Excelsior wine (Cabernet Sauvignon). This was an excellent wine, and went well with my meal. One problem I did have was that I saw many other people being served hot towels to wipe their hands but I never received one. I felt a little left out but that was OK
.My server's name was Michael and he was very attentive. He filled my water almost immediately after I took a sip and was always there to see if I needed anything else. He was very polite and knew the wine list and had great recommendations.
I ordered the kalamata olive flatbread as an appetizer. This was excellent and would definitely be enough for 2 people. It was a great taste. It had the kalamata olives and a blend of 5 cheeses. There was fontina, greyuere, asaigo, provolone and goat cheese. The goat cheese was extremely creamy and had such a great flavor. I ate the whole thing
In between my appetizer and main course, I was given a selection of breads with a spiced butter. The breads were very fresh and the butter was excellent. It had a sweet, spicy flavor that went great with the bread. There were 4 kinds of breads but I only had 1 since I didn't want to fill up.
For my entree I ordered the Oak Grilled Filet Mignon. I ordered it medium and when it came it was a smidge, a very small smidge, undercooked. It wasn't undercooked enough to send back. This dish could be the only thing on the menu and I would be fine with that. The filet was sooooo tender and so delicious. It is served on a bed on macaroni and cheese with a red wine sauce. The macaroni and cheese is to die for. The taste was very unique and I could taste the sharpness. I asked the server what cheeses were used and he told me that it was the same cheese blend as the kalamata olive fflatbread but without the goat cheese. The red wine sauce was a great addition to the dish and added the perfect amount of flavor to the filet and macaroni and cheese.
I ate the entire dish. When I was done, my server brought out the dessert and after dinner drink menu. I am not a huge sweets fan and I was stuffed so I passed on dessert. For those of you that would like to know, the Zebratini that everyone raves about is on the dessert menu and not on the regular wine and drink menu so if you don't see it when you arrive, it's still there.
My overall grade is an "A" for this restaurant. It is a great restaurant and I will be taking my wife there in June when we are on vacation.
I'm definitely ordering the filet.
)
