Please Rank: Artist Point, Jiko, Yachtsman

[MartyM]

So I have two nights open and three interesting signatures....

Artist Point
Jiko
Yachtsman Steakhouse

Can you all please rank the three for me? Are there two there that aren't to be missed? Is there one that's not a must-do? And if you can, describe the reason for your ranking.

FYI, our other dinners look like they'll be CG, Fulton's (before La Nouba), and Citricos.

Thanks!!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I like all three of these restaurants, and ultimately I'd say it depends on what you feel like.

Artist Point is currently my favorite Disney restaurant. The atmosphere is very tranquil and serene (especially compared to Yachtsman and California Grill, which are 2 of the noisier signatures), and the food has a unique Pacific Northwest inspiration (salmon, buffalo, berries, mushrooms, seafood from the Pacific Ocean, etc). Currently, my favorite appetizers there are a crab salad with cucumber mint sorbet and black sea salt, and the seasonal risotto with pork belly. For entrees, the cedar plank salmon was fabulous. For dessert, the fresh berry cobbler is one of my favorite desserts in WDW, very light and enjoyable with the cold, fresh berries on top.

Jiko is currently my third favorite restaurant (behind AP and California Grill). My family is South African, so what I love about Jiko are the dishes that taste authentically South African (peri peri chicken, malva pudding, the wild boar appetizer with mealie pap and chakalaka, etc). Jiko's menu has some interesting spices on it - sometimes I think the food is too safe, while other times I don't think the flavors work, but I appreciate Jiko for being a more adventurous choice with authentic touches (plus, the menu incorporates Indian and Mediterranean flavors, which I also love). The South African wine list is very impressive, and the atmosphere is soothing and quiet - I love the blue and orange tones in the dining room.

Yachtsman would be in my top 4 signatures, but we were disappointed with our entrees last time (so it's currently my 6th favorite, behind AP, CG, Jiko, Narcoossee's and Flying Fish). Still, I think we ordered badly and I'm looking forward to returning. There are some exciting appetizer choices, such as ahi tuna crudo and a delicious tomato salad. If you're a steak lover, you have some really satisfying choices for your entree. And for dessert, I had a chocolate pistachio cake that was really great. Yachtsman is noisier than the other two options, and the menu is more meat-focused, which may or may not be a good thing depending on your interests.

Overall, I really like all 3 of these restaurants. I've been to all of them over the past half year (my last visit to Jiko was in March, but I've been to the other 2 this month), and I can say I'd be happy to return to any of them. AP is definitely my favorite, with Jiko up there and Yachtsman close behind, but you should just pick what you feel like. Yachtsman for a good steak dinner, Jiko for some unique African flavors, or AP for an upscale take on Pacific Northwest cuisine.

 

[OKW Lover]

We'd rank all three as #1. Does that help?

Really, you won't go wrong no matter which you chose. YSH is our personal favorite because we love the filet there and we have a favorite server there.

 

[MartyM]

I appreciate your responses! Thank you, and keep the great info coming!

 

[Pakey]

I'd rank Jiko a bit higher than the other two. If I want great steak, I'd go to Shulas.

 

[aubriee]

I go to WDW several times a year and love the DxDDP, so do alot of Signatures. I'd rank them:

1. Flying Fish-prefer their char crusted steak over any I've had at Yachtsman. also love their scallops with risotto, mussels, cheese plate, tomato/mozzarella salad, any of their dessert trios
2. Artist Point-mushroom soup, mussels, buffalo
3. California Grill-sushi, flatbreads, best cheese plate on property, pork loin
4. Jiko-flatbreads, cheese plate, Jiko salad, lamb, filet, fish, curry
5. Citricos-crab gautea, steak, swordfish, short rib, pork two ways
6. Yachtsman-lamb, steaks are just OK, love their garlic rolls though
7. Narcoose-filet and lobster, almond cheesecake
8. Le Cellier-tomato stack appetizer, duck, filet with risotto, choc cake
9. Brown Derby-tuna appetizer, cobb salad, pork loin, grapefruit cake
10. CRT-not a big fan

 

[MartyM]

Since we're talking about your full list, Aubree, where does Fulton's fit in there for you?

We're looking at 4 of your top five, plus Fulton's.

 

[madalex]

Of the three listed, I'd rank them in this order: Jiko, Artist Point, Yachtsman. But, they are all great, so if you have never been to any of them, you can't go wrong with picking any two of the three.

 

[aubriee]

Since we're talking about your full list, Aubree, where does Fulton's fit in there for you?

We're looking at 4 of your top five, plus Fulton's.

Since Fulton's only takes the Platinum or Premium plans and not DDP or DxDDP, I haven't been to Fulton's in several years, but loved it the last time I was there. I'd probably rank it between Jikos and Citricos.

 

[TDC Nala]

Jiko, then Artist Point. I have never been to Yachtsman.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Jiko, Yachtsman, Artist Point

 

[Capt'n Tom]

We would rank them as follows:
1) Artist Point - Have been there multiple times and it has been by far our best meal - scheduled for 9/12 for return visit.
2) Yachtsman
3) Jiko

 

[AngelFace]

6. Yachtsman-lamb, steaks are just OK, love their garlic rolls though

I think Yachtsman had the best bread I've ever had! Those were the highlight of our meal! The kids puzzle dessert is adorable. I would certainly return.

I haven't been to your other options, so I can't rank them. I would like to try Artist Point, it always seems to get great reviews and I haven't visited WL. We have been to Citricos however and liked it there. I think I had the pork which was good. The atmosphere was nice- love the GF.

Have a magical trip and good luck deciding- it seems like all three are great, though!

 

[GailT]

AP last December was my first time and I loved it, app crabcakes, pear salad the salom for dinnr desert the berry cobbler, wow the cobbler was enough to fill a cavity but the food was oh so good

 

[Straughn]

I would rate Jiko and Artist Point as equal. Don't misunderstand- Yachtsman Steak House is fabulous, but I am surrounded by great steak houses at home.

 

[chefconti]

#1 Jiko - braised beef short ribs, ambience, AKL at night, Victoria Falls for cocktails

#2 Artist Point - salmon, always nice to visit the WL, Territory Lounge for cocktails

#3 Yachtsman Steakhouse - no standout dish for me, but still a good restaurant, love the Yacht Club/Epcot Resort Area, Crew Cup Lounge for cocktails

 

[beachclub]

1. Jiko's. It didnt get a 5 diamond award for nothing and the staff is incredible there.

2. Yachtmans, This used to be our #1 but Jikos is there now.
There is notihng like the Boardwalk area eateries

3. Flying fish. The best fish we have ever had at Disney. This is soon to take over the 2 spot

4. IF i have to, Artist Point. This used to be a favorite but has gone downhill.
Just not our kind of food here. You have to have a specific taste to eat here, The food is prepped in a very different than normal way.
For example, That crabcake someone else mentioned here , you would think its the normal seared then baked a bit with a reduction sauce crab cake with veggies inside and a garnish.
The crabcake here is some weird greens with uncooked (on purpose) very chilled crab meat on top and a cucumber slice or something to that effect.

And to the person who said the atmosphere is serence and quiet,. Thats cause its always empty (the last 3 times we've gone there was like noone there) cause it to be very quiet.

When you take the food Artist point creates and receive the final bill you will be surprised if you are a cash payer.
For 2 adults who had one glass of wine, one beer, 2 apps and 2 entrees with no dessert. with the Tables in wonderland discount it was 150.00
originaly around 190.00 for a crappy dinner

Stay away from Artist Point.
Jikos, yachtmans or Flying fish will be a better choice

So I have two nights open and three interesting signatures....

Artist Point
Jiko
Yachtsman Steakhouse

Can you all please rank the three for me? Are there two there that aren't to be missed? Is there one that's not a must-do? And if you can, describe the reason for your ranking.

FYI, our other dinners look like they'll be CG, Fulton's (before La Nouba), and Citricos.

Thanks!!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

1. Jiko's. It didnt get a 5 diamond award for nothing and the staff is incredible there.

2. Yachtmans, This used to be our #1 but Jikos is there now.
There is notihng like the Boardwalk area eateries

3. Flying fish. The best fish we have ever had at Disney. This is soon to take over the 2 spot

4. IF i have to, Artist Point. This used to be a favorite but has gone downhill.
Just not our kind of food here. You have to have a specific taste to eat here, The food is prepped in a very different than normal way.
For example, That crabcake someone else mentioned here , you would think its the normal seared then baked a bit with a reduction sauce crab cake with veggies inside and a garnish.
The crabcake here is some weird greens with uncooked (on purpose) very chilled crab meat on top and a cucumber slice or something to that effect.

And to the person who said the atmosphere is serence and quiet,. Thats cause its always empty (the last 3 times we've gone there was like noone there) cause it to be very quiet.

When you take the food Artist point creates and receive the final bill you will be surprised if you are a cash payer.
For 2 adults who had one glass of wine, one beer, 2 apps and 2 entrees with no dessert. with the Tables in wonderland discount it was 150.00
originaly around 190.00 for a crappy dinner

Stay away from Artist Point.
Jikos, yachtmans or Flying fish will be a better choice

I didn't like Artist Point's crab cake, but just letting you know that they replaced it with a crab salad served with cucumber mint sorbet and black sea salt. It's one of the most interesting and delicious appetizers I've had at WDW.

Also, the main reason Artist Point is quiet and tranquil is because of the very high ceilings, adequate space between tables, and peaceful background music. I've seen it empty at 5:30 (right when it opens), but it always gradually filled up, and noise is still never an issue.

You say the staff is incredible at Jiko, but I have to say Jiko is the one signature where we've had the most unfriendly, unhelpful service multiple times. We even received palate cleansers on two different occasions to make up for the unusually long gap in between courses.

Just pointing out that it's not necessarily fact that Artist Point is below the others. We frequent all of the signatures, and AP has been our favorite signature since summer 2010 (before then it was Citricos, which has taken a dive in our ranking). I think Artist Point was at its worst in early 2009. Since then, our meals there have been mostly creative and tasty.

 

[barbarabini]

Artist point, then jiko.
Do yourself a favor and skip yachtsman. Walk to the dolphin and get a real steak dinner at Shula's. Prices are comparable but service and quality beat the yachtsman hands down.

PS - shula's beats jiko and artist point to.

 

[MartyM]

Thank You guys! Our Dinner List is now:

Mon- Cali Grill
Jiko
Flying Fish
Artist Point
Fri- Citricos

Yachtsman just seems to have less of an overall theme/atmosphere going on, and we have lots of great steakhouses here at home. I'm still considering losing artist point, having a relaxed resort dinner at kona before La Nouba on Wed, and moving FF to Thursday so that we might be able to catch a minute of illumations as we walk over to dinner. Complicated, aren't I?

Thanks again.