Please help me pick a signature restaurant

[pinkxray]

DH and DD6 are picky eaters. DH's idea of eating out is eating in the dining room of Wendys instead of going through the drive through. DD6 is getting her choices of Sci-fi twice and T-rex. I want to do a signature but I don't want them to be completely miserable.

Choices are
Jiko
Yachtsman
Il Mulino
Flying Fish(noteH does not eat seafood, but would survive with the steak)
(California Grill was an opinion but I can't get an ADR for the day/ time I would like)

No dining plan, will have a car so not worried about transportation. I was leaning towards Il Mulino but we already have Mama Melrose and Via Napoli.

Thanks!

 

[AKVHutch]

We have eaten at both Jiko and Yachtsman with our then 5 year old granddaughter. She is a reasonably picky eater and enjoyed herself at both. At Jiko, they really played to her by bringing her a phone message from Goofy and they had some other things. However, I think that is spotty as DW and I have eaten their other times and not seen other younsters getting any notice.

Yachtsman was just so-so until the kids desert came (we were on dining plan). She loved that. However, most of the servers there are good with kids.

We have never been to the Il Mulino.

I would probably recommend Yachtsman over Jiko, especially for the kids. We had a great time at both however.

 

[gerows]

Out of your choices, I have only eaten at Jiko, and it was amazing.

 

[Belleandtinker]

I vote for Jikos. You can make a whole evening out of going to AKL - the animals, storytelling, night vision, etc.

Every trip after our first AKL vacation, we go back for an evening. Either to Boma or Jiko. Last trip we stayed at AKL so got both. This trip, we are going for Boma, but I would rather go to Jiko. My DH got to pick this time.

Have fun!

 

[Pakey]

I've eaten at all of them, more than once.

Il Mulino is by far the best on this list. However, you are really going to be disappointed in Via Napoli and Mama Melrose if you eat here (yes, I've done both of these too). It is a bit more upscale than Disney's signatures so you might want to tell your husband what an amuse bouche is because they are going to serve one here.

Of the other choices, Flying Fish is the most casual and has the best food. The steak here, I've been told, is very good. I always get fish. The snapper, their signature dish, is very good and so are the scallops but my favorite is the yellowfin tuna.

Due to your husband's taste, I'd pick Yachtsman next. The restaurant is nice, a little more upscale than Flying Fish (but not as much as Il Mulino). However, the food is not fancy at all. It's just an average steakhouse (not at the level of Flemings or Ruth Chris).

Last I would pick Jiko. It's a gorgeous restaurant and they have some very good appetizers here (I'm not so impressed with the entrees or desserts) but the food is a bit more complex than the other restaurants. I don't see this being to your husband's liking.

 

[Pugmalion1]

For a picky eater and a real steak and potatoes sort of guy, I guess Yachtsman would probably be the best choice for you. Your husband and daughter should be able to both find something that they enjoy in a steakhouse, at least I'd hope so, and you might be pleasantly surprised with the variety on their menu.

Their appetizers are very good, and between their steaks and other offerings, I'm sure there's at least one thing that will pique your interest.

Jiko is always my first answer, but in this case, I think Yachtsman is a safer bet.

 

[pixie08]

We really like both Jiko and Yachstmen. They are such different experiences. yachtsmen is a traditional steakhouse and Jiko has an African flair. Look at the menus, maybe that will help you decide.

I am not a fan of Il Mulino, I am from NY and one of Il Mulino's is down the block from my house (they have one in NYC and one ion Long Island). We were shocked they opened in Disney because while they are decent Italian they are far from being great, even locally although I could have been there on an off night. That being said Blue Zoo is supposed to be fantastic and Flying Fish is also very good, but those both specialize in seafood. So it depends if you want African infused, steak, seafood or Italian.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Il Mulino is a fantastic restaurant. Our food was amazing and the service was incredible

Citricos, another to die for place

Flying Fish, we have been three times and each time DH orders the NY Strip and proclaims it the best he has ever had.


We will not go back to Cali Grill, Yachtsman or Jiko because the food is just not as good as the above mentioned

 

[pinkxray]

Thanks for all the great replies. It is so tough deciding. I wish I could pick them all.

I am thinking Yachtsman might be the best choice or Il Mulino. Just wondering if Jiko has a bar that you could get the flatbread or dessert at? Of all these places Jikos entrees seem the least intiscing to me. Maybe I could sneak over there while DH and DD check out the animals.

 

[wezee]

Agree, for a picky eater YSH would be the best pick, great steak and potatoes. It also has a very nice kids menu.

 

[Pugmalion1]

Just wondering if Jiko has a bar that you could get the flatbread or dessert at? Of all these places Jikos entrees seem the least intiscing to me. Maybe I could sneak over there while DH and DD check out the animals.

They do indeed have a bar area in which you can order the full restaurant menu. It's just to the right after you walk through the restaurant doors.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'm thinking now--how about Narcoossee's? Pretty good food, nice view and you can see the fireworks as well. Menu should appeal to eveybody. Or Fulton's? Eating on a boat (well, sort of) might be nice for DD.

Otherwise, I'd agree with Pakey. Il Mulino is the best of your listed choices but that's a THIRD Italian place!! So I'd go with Flying Fish especially as YOU aren't that taken with Jiko. The steak at FF is quite good, but it's their ONLY steak....no other choices.