We ate at Jiko and California Grill this past December. It was our first time at both locations. I thought Jiko was good, but I thought CG was GREAT! At Jiko, I had the filet and the macaroni and cheese. The mac and cheese that everybody raves about? First, it was miniscule and, to be quite honest, I thought it was just . . . meh. It didn't have any real flavor. It was just like noodles with no real cheesy flavor coming through at all. The filet was good. Not great. But good. Now my wife had the swordfish there and she still raves about it. We both were absolutely wowed with the California Grill, though. The wait staff was extremely professional. The atmosphere is very elegant. The food is completely memorable. We loved CG so much that on our upcoming trip this summer, we're dining there three times. I also booked Jiko because I really want to give this place another shot.
Somebody else mentioned Artist Point. I think this restaurant, sadly, is on the decline. We have dined there numerous times in the past and it was my favorite until this past December. Every time we dined there, it seemed to be worse than the previous time. The first time ever was outstanding. The buffalo steaks progressively got worse as did just about every other menu item I ordered. That's sad, too, because I love the lodge and loved this restaurant. Must've been some changes in chefs - that's all I can guess. Sadly, this will the first trip in five years that we skip AP. I'll have to start reading some glowing reviews before I spend my entitlements there (BTW, does anybody else find it odd that the term for the
DDP is entitlement?)
Brown Derby is another outstanding restaurant. This is, without a doubt, the best meal in all of the theme parks. We've eaten there a number of times and it has been consistently excellent! My wife, more a fan of fish, loves the salmon and the grouper here. I, more carnivorous in nature, have loved the steak. All the apps and deserts have been fantastic. I thought I might not like the grapefruit cake. . . it's delicious! I keep telling myself I'll try something else for dessert, but I go back to the cake because it's just THAT good!
Done CRT and, as you might guess, you're really paying to dine in the castle. It's the draw for this ADR. The food is good - OK - not spectacular. For my money, I may do this one every so often but just for the novelty of eating in the castle, but more likely, for the advantage of getting into the MK earlier on a day when the EMH is at some other park.
The first time I ate at Narcoosees was also the last time I ate at Narcoosees. Nuff said! I don't want to begin reverse peristalsis again!
Citricos. . . meh.
It's been a long time since I've done the Hoop Dee Doo. We're going to try that and the Luau this summer. Similarly, it's been a long time since the luau for me. In fact, I was probably ten years old when I did either of those dining experiences. I know I enjoyed both when I was a kid. My gut feeling is that these are going to be much more about the show and the fun atmosphere than the food. I'm fine with that, too since I have that expectation going in.
I've only eaten once at the Flying Fish and I liked it. I had some sort of scallop entree and thought it was great. I was dining alone so I didn't take my time to enjoy a dessert, coffee or ambiance. In fact, I sat at the bar/counter. I'd like to dine there again, but I'm having a hard time finding any menu items that appeal to my son.
Kids! Sheesh!
Hope that helps. If not then it's worth exactly what you paid for it!
