Need some expert opinions please...

[mommy22pumpkins]

We are going to the world in 16 days and I am having major restaurant anxiety We are doing DxDDP and lord knows we will not be able to do this again for a very long time so I want to make the right choices. Plus my Dad will be going with us and he hasn't been in over 25 years- since we were little kids!

Here is my dilemma...I have Narcoose's and Citricos and Jiko booked right now. I was wondering if I should change any of them to Artist Pointe or Yachtsman. I am equally interested in ambiance as well as overall food quality and service. Please give my your favorite and why!

thanks in advance

Danielle

 

[gismo1554]

OK personally I would change either Narcoose or Citricos to Artist Point as I think this one is the most unusual and you get to another hotel. I haven't eaten at the first too but Artist Point is amasing! I love Yachtsman but I think Artist Point is more unusual. Jikos is fantastic!

 

[jemgumby]

Well I have eaten at Jiko's, Narccoossee's and Yachtsman and they were all very good. I have to say that I was a little disappointed in Jiko. Don't get me wrong the food was great but compared to Narccoossee's and Yachtsman it was not as good to me. However, if your father has never seen The Animal Kingdom Lodge it would be worth it to eat at Jiko's just so he could tour it. I really don't think you could wrong with any of the above choices! Have fun!

 

[castle ball hat tree]

In my order of preference, some mini-reviews:

Citricos (Signature Service) ☺☺☺☺☻
One word, “Gateau of Crab”, one of those dishes that makes you stop what you’re doing and concentrate completely on the food. Chef Phillip’s kitchen runs like a well-olive oiled machine creating one Tuscan enchantment after another. The hardest decision at Citricos is what to order. I usually settle for swordfish or the Tuscan filet. Don’t forget to choose a selection from the 10,000-bottle wine cellar or ask about wine flights to complement your dining choices.

Jiko (Signature[edit] Service) ☺☺☺☺☻
Jiko is gourmet New African Cuisine, prepared fresh and served at its peak with the largest African wine list in North America. The staff is first rate with an expansive knowledge of the foods and spices that abound at Jiko. Personally, I could eat the gourmet mac & cheese (which takes two days to make) for every meal.

Narcoossee's (Signature Service) ☺☺☺☺
The last of the surf-n-turf venues accepting the dining plan, don’t let that novelty lull you into thinking this place is anything short of spectacular. Offering the best seafood chowder I’ve ever tasted, the seafood-centric menu teems with exciting culinary delights. Give a try to inspired crab cakes, perfectly grilled scallops, or one of the best salmon dishes on property. And for the sweet tooth, there are a lot of places at Disney cranking out crème brûlée but Narcoossee’s Key Lime Crème Brûlée far outshines the rest.

Artist Point (Signature Service) ☺☺☺☺
Cedar Plank Salmon is the order of the day here. Actually, it’s the order of the decade. If a place can be known for something, AP is known for the salmon, consistently wonderful. Don’t despair if the salmon doesn’t rock your boat, there are three hot and three cold appetizers competing for your early palate and a moderately eclectic list of entrées ready to take your mind off salmon should you choose. Where I get lost at AP is the dessert tray. Nothing wows me on the dessert list. The desserts here seem to be an afterthought. It’s a shame that such great meals have to end with a thrown together cobbler or lackluster panna cotta.

Yachtsman Steakhouse (Signature Service) ☺☺☺☻
Bringing up the rear in the line of signature dining locations, Yachtsman offers decent steaks and pretty good service. They do have a great porterhouse and the diver scallops appetizer is excellent. This venue just lacks that special something that sets apart the signature restaurants from the mundane. For the money (or for the credits), there are many places that come through more consistently.

 

[mantismad]

I have eaten at all five restaurants and my preference is Narcoosee's not just for the food but because it is lovely visiting to look round the Grand Floridian as it is just so beautiful and we especially love to watch the fireworks whilst we eat.
My least favourites would have to be Jiko's and Yachtsman Steakhouse. On our two visits we found the service to be very poor and the food was okay but for us not worthy of the price they charged. The only plus point for us at Jiko's was looking round the Animal Kingdom Lodge before we ate and seeing the Giraffes.

 

[gismo1554]

Jiko (Table Service) ☺☺☺☺☻
Jiko is gourmet New African Cuisine, prepared fresh and served at its peak with the largest African wine list in North America. The staff is first rate with an expansive knowledge of the foods and spices that abound at Jiko. Personally, I could eat the gourmet mac & cheese (which takes two days to make) for every meal.

Jikos is a signature though right? I'm assuming you are saying that it isn't up to the standard in your opinion but it is still listed as signiture everywhere I've seen it.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

We are going to the world in 16 days and I am having major restaurant anxiety We are doing DxDDP and lord knows we will not be able to do this again for a very long time so I want to make the right choices. Plus my Dad will be going with us and he hasn't been in over 25 years- since we were little kids!

Here is my dilemma...I have Narcoose's and Citricos and Jiko booked right now. I was wondering if I should change any of them to Artist Pointe or Yachtsman. I am equally interested in ambiance as well as overall food quality and service. Please give my your favorite and why!

thanks in advance

Danielle

I would NOT change it.

 

[mommy22pumpkins]

Okay thanks for the advice I would really like to see the insides of AKL and Wilderness Lodge. But some of the reviews for Yachtsman and Citricos lookes SO darn good I was tempted to change them but maybe we will keep them as is. So I will change Citricos back to Artist Pointe...and keep Jiko!

I know we will not go hungry on this trip no matter what

thanks again I don't know what I'd do without you all

Danielle

 

[Twilightlover]

I have only to Artist Point. I thought the menu was great. My husband had the famous salmon and i had the scallops. Both dishes were amazing!!! The desserts we had were great. I had the chocolate torte with orange sauce and honey lavender ice-cream. DH had the berries and cream which I can say is not thrown together. Also the wilderness lodge is such a great setting.

 

[davinakb]

The only one I have not tried (yet) is Yachtsman. For the others, I would keep Jiko and swap either Citricos or Narcoosees (same resort, similar ambiance, with proper timing, you can watch the MK fireworks from the pier) for either Yachtsman or AP. FWIW.

 

[Pakey]

I've been to all and I would leave them the way they are.

 

[castle ball hat tree]

Jikos is a signature though right? I'm assuming you are saying that it isn't up to the standard in your opinion but it is still listed as signiture everywhere I've seen it.

My bad, that was a mistake. It is a sig choice.

 

[suzimar57]

narcoosees (only one we've eaten at!)

the atmosphere and view from inside is beautiful, service is excellent, the food is incredible: crabcakes, lobster, and almond crusted cheesecake!

 

[Donald Fan 2005]

the only one i've eaten at is narcoossee's and i would definitly keep it. The food, atmosphere and service are incredible!! If you plan it right you can watch the MK fireworks and it is an amazing view.

 

[gismo1554]

My bad, that was a mistake. It is a sig choice.

few! You worried me for a moment lol

 

[castle ball hat tree]

few! You worried me for a moment lol

I just like to see if anyone's paying attention.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

Id say Artist Pointe is a must Artist Pointe, Yaughtman's Steak House, and Narcooses. Steak House is just a great experience and great desserts. Artist Pointe its the experience of the Wilderness Lodge its just quiet the food is so good, seems a shame to miss. And Narcooses well I just heard nice things about it and I love the Grand Floridian i had no other reason for it ive only tried the other two but Artist Pointe and the Steak House Definetley!!!

 

[septbaby]

narcoosees (only one we've eaten at!)

the atmosphere and view from inside is beautiful, service is excellent, the food is incredible: crabcakes, lobster, and almond crusted cheesecake!

Ditto and timed just right you can see the Electric Water Parade go by and walk out to the deck to see Wishes.

 

[bsbrady]

Jiko is a must

 

[cdtommie]

I voted for Jiko's, AP and Citrico's. Yachtman's is nice but steak is steak and Narcoossee's we would put at the bottom of the signature restaurants (we're going to give it one more shot next month).