ONYD!! We celebrate 15 years of Magic! Dining Report with lots of pics! updated 8/30

[Steamboat Girlie]

Hi there!! This is my very first dining trip report and I have been waiting a long time to do this!

First, a little back ground. This was our first trip "home" as DVC members to Animal Kindgom Villas, and we were also celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary. We decided to leave our boys home (gasp!). We have two gorgeous little boys, Presley (4 yrs.) and Cash (18 months). Up until the day we left we kept waffeling back and forth about bringing them. As the mommy, I was really having a hard time...but the kids ended up staying home with "Mimi" and "Grampy Jim" and ended up having a great time and being spoiled rotten!

So the dates of our trip were August 10th- August 16th, 2008

Cast of characters:
Me- Steamboat Girlie, age 36
DH- Planecrazy4dis, age 36

So where did we eat?

Here is the list:

Jiko (x2)
Boma
The Mara (x3)
Victoria Falls (appetizers)
The Wave (just drinks)
In Room Dining(x2)
Narcoosee
Boatwright's Dining Hall
Tambu Lounge
Kona Cafe
Beaches and Cream
California Grill

I think that list is complete. So now I have to resize all my pics and then my report can begin.

Oh, and a word about the title of my trip report. This is a wink and a nudge to my darling and wonderful husband. Whenever something undesirable happened, (for instance, when the CM checking us in to our Savannah view room tried to put us on the Sunset Savannah,overlooking the construction, or when they tried to seat us in the middle of the Calfornia Grill) I would look at my husband and say, "ONYD!!!" For those of you who aren't into text messaging, this is short for "oh no you didn't'!!!!!!". This sort of became our motto on the trip, which we found hillarious, especially after a Lapu Lapu or 2!! So "ONYD"!!! We are in the house (what what)!!!

Let the dining report commence!!!

 

[quixoticvalue]

Good list of restaurants. I can't wait!

 

[TigerKat]

I'm really excited!!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Cant wait!

 

[Lynnsky]

You ate in a lot of our favorites! Can't wait for the reviews.

 

[ChelleinNC]

I'm in

 

[Minniespal]

Excellent

 

[Melisa1]

Can't wait for the reviews!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I can't wait to read your reviews.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

OK, here we go. The first review!
Jiko, on our first night.



Here is the menu. I like to take pics of all the little details!


Here is me, Steamboat Girlie, in front of the menu!


This is an anniversary card that the staff presented us with! Pretty cool!


I know, enough details already, but this is the inside of the card. You can see that all the hosts signed it! I thought it was so nice.

ON WITH THE FOOD!


We decided to share an appetizer because I definitely wanted room for dessert!
Above is the new ostrich appetizer:
Pokanoket Farm Seared Ostrich Filet - creamy vidalia onion fondue, rocket cream, spiced cherries
I would describe it as very lean meat, no fat at all, but very tender none the less. The meat itself did not have much flavor, but all the sauces were incredible. The rocket cream, which I believe is made out of Arugula, was to die for! I would have liked a vat of it with some good bread to eat.
Which reminds me.... The bread basket was amazing! Let me post a pic of the bread!


For those of you who have not tried Jiko, you must go on the basis of the bread and butter alone! The butter is mixed with several spices, which the waiter rattled off, and I tried to remember, but can't! But it was sexy to say the least.

OK, now the main courses.....


The above is what DH ordered.
Swahili Curry Shrimp - with East African Curry Sauce, Artichokes, and Coconut Rice. He absolutely loved it. I tried it and loved it too! It was very spicy. I do not recommend this dish for the faint of heart. This really had kick. And we are not wimps when it comes to heat! My hubby makes his own salsa with habanero peppers, so we know heat! But the heat in this dish did not overpower the delicate flavors. Soooo good. DH says this was his favorite entree of the whole trip!


The above is my entree. Wood-fired Lamb Loin- with Berbere Spiced Lentils, Baby Carrots, and Lemon Infused Demi Glace. Now, I am not a big lamb eater, but the reviews on this forum actually got me wanting this dish! And it did not disappoint. The meat was "like butter", the spices divine! And I could not get over the lentils! Who knew somthing healthy could be prepared so sinfully! My mouth is watering remembering it! And the portion was huge!

Next dessert.....


We decided to go with the Pistachio Creme Brulee - with a chocolate layered bottom. I had heard about it being legendary and all so I had to try it. Better than the hype! And the drink is a Zebratini! It had espresso and godiva liqueur. Yum!


One more pic of me and DH. This was before the meal. I don't think you want to see us after that meal!

So overall, we would give Jiko an overwhelming two thumbs up!!!!
It certainly lived up to the hype and then some!

Stay tuned for our in room breakfast review on day 2 and Narcoosee for dinner...

 

[iluvpluto27]

Great start. I just love Jiko, we're eating there twice on our trip as well and I can't wait!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Great review of Jiko, both the lamb and ostrich look good. I can't wait to hear about Narcoossees.

 

[ChelleinNC]

I can't wait to try Jiko! Both of my kids (DD14 & DS11) have picked Jiko as our next signature meal Your meal sounded delicious and I love the little extra attention you got for your anniversary

 

[AussieAngel]

Yum! We're heading to Jiko in January, and it's an ADR I am really looking forward to! I really like the look of that shrimp dish... but I really fancy the filet with macaroni cheese, too! I'm torn!!

Can't wait for the rest of your reviews!

 

[mcrabeck]

Great start to your reviews! Can't wait for more!

 

[butiflfeet]

Great list of restaurants! We have Narcoossees and Kona and Cali Grill booked for our anniversary trip at the end of September. Tell me more!

 

[World Bouncer]

Great Review of Jiko!!!

 

[The Marsons]

Great first review!

That Zebra drink at Jiko looks so yummy!

 

[Quacktatty]

Can't wait to hear about the In Room Dining, I've got that planned for my upcoming trip!

 

[John's Mom]

Great review of Jiko!