Solo Dining on DxDP - Dec 2009 *Completed

[PrincessTrisha]

So on Tuesday I ate my leftover scallops and risotto for breakfast in my room (in bed, watching the Disney family channel and enjoying every minute of being lazy).

I decided I needed to head out around noon to take some pictures of the hotel and allow the maid in to tidy up.

So I walked around the resort (debated on going swimming but wasn't really in the mood for it) and ended up at Mara.

I had a craving for something "healthy" (I never feel like I eat enough fruit and veg at Disney) so I decided to use some of my snack credits for a light lunch. I also had my journal with me so I sat at a table near the drink station with my snacks, refillable mug (included in the DxDP) and my journal and caught up my trip so far.

For lunch I enjoyed:

Carrot and celery sticks with dip

And some juicy red grapes

And the decidedly unhealthy zebra domes. This was actually my 2nd pack of them. I had stopped by on Sunday after I got up (which was around noon - I think I got back to my room after DAP around 2am and then didn't go to bed until after 3am). I ate the first package 1 or 2 at a time but this package I enjoyed while sipping Coffee/hot chocolate from my mug.

It's funny - the first time I tried zebra dome (back in 2005) I wasn't impressed but this trip it was like I couldn't get enough of them! They just really, really hit the spot.

Some pictures of Mara (tried to avoid other people which was easy since there were only a couple of other families in there with me).

tables and chairs:

Condiment station:

Next up is Jiko (my favourite food of the trip).

 

[ClareH37]

I still can't believe I've never had a zebra dome lol - what exactly do they taste of?

Looking forward to your Jiko report as it's somewhere I'm seriously considering for my May trip.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Thanks for the update. I love those Zebra domes. When we get back from the park...I had to get them for my evening snack. After I put my son to bed, my husband and I sit at our AKL balcony and watch the zebras and giraffes and I ate those zebra domes (I don't share with hubby )

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I still can't believe I've never had a zebra dome lol - what exactly do they taste of?

Looking forward to your Jiko report as it's somewhere I'm seriously considering for my May trip.

Zebra domes are mousse covered in a ganache kind of icing with a little sliver of thin cake on the bottom.

Thanks for the update. I love those Zebra domes. When we get back from the park...I had to get them for my evening snack. After I put my son to bed, my husband and I sit at our AKL balcony and watch the zebras and giraffes and I ate those zebra domes (I don't share with hubby )

That's one of the nicest things about a solo trip - no sharing. Of course it also means no poaching off of any one else's plate.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

So I checked in for my ADR at Jiko on time but still had about a 30 minute wait. I should have known that my table was going to be "less than desirable" when the couple before me came back and waited some more instead of taking the table. It was up against the windows but right by the emergency exit. It's funny because they take you on this walk down through the restaurant and then back up through the seating area only to find out you're two steps behind the check in podium.

Anyways - I ordered a drink. It was a speciality of Jiko - I think it was a Mount Kilomanjaro? It was okay but not my favourite drink. I would have ordered a Magical Star cocktail as a second drink but my server wasn't around enough for me to ask.

First up was their bread. Oh it was so good and the flavoured butter was outstanding!

For my appetizer I was going to order the olive flatbread but when it came time to order - the word "Ostrich" just seemed to pour out. It wasn't until after the server had left that I realized that I hadn't ordered what I intended. Of course - things worked out incredibly well since this dish was just outstanding! I mean - the meat was so tender and tasty and the spiced chick peas - wow! Even if you don't like chick peas - you can still order this. They didn't taste like chick peas - I would have sworn that the Ostrich was sitting atop the tastiest risotto ever. I really can't say enough good things about this dish.

For my entree - it was a toss up between the filet mignon (because of the macaroni and cheese) or the beef short rib (because I heard the meat was outstanding). Instead of making a choice between the two, I asked if I could have the beef rib with the macaroni and cheese. I think I found Nirvana. The BBQ sauce on the beef rib was incredible - sweet and tangy. The meat was so well cooked that it just pulled apart. And the macaroni and cheese was so creamy - and with a little of the bbq sauce mixed it - it just sang! This was the best entree of the entire trip (actually of any trip I've had at Disney).

I was stuffed to the gills at this point but just couldn't stop because of what I spied on the dessert menu. Homemade coffe ice cream with fresh made donuts. O!M!G! The donuts were freshly fried and rolled in sugar with a nice crispy exterior but a soft interior. And the coffee ice cream was like eating a fully frozen cappacino. It was real coffee - not coffee flavoured. Again - so good.

The food at Jiko was just incredible. It's the one place I want to take my parents when we return in October because the food is that outstanding that I'm willing to PAY CASH to eat here (unusual).

The service though was lackluster. I don't think it was me though - I think the server was just - blah. I didn't see anyone in his area getting what I consider good service. Even the people bringing out the food (which was never my server) just kind of threw the plate down without a word and walked away. My water glass also stood empty for most of the meal and my server was ready with my bill before I had even ordered dessert (which I consider odd since he knew I was on the Dxdp - I mean - why would he assume I was not ordering dessert? Nor had I had a beverage at that point - when I ordered coffee, he brought me just a cup of coffee - no offer of a pressed pot or anything either. And I had to ask for milk to go with it a second time).

 

[tinkerbell48]

Loven your food porn!

 

[catsaneda]

36 more days to go...and I can't wait! Jiko will be our first meal there. We are going to be on the DxDP also. Love your reviews BTW. Cant wait for another one.

 

[anthonut]

Jiko looks outstanding and if all goes as planned I will be dining there a week from tomorrow. I too have been debating the beef short rib vs. filet choice. Since I will also be dining at Le Cellier and have already decided to have the filet there, I was hesitant to order a filet at Jiko. May have to go for the Frankenstein's monster entree you have created

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Loven your food porn!

Thank you.

36 more days to go...and I can't wait! Jiko will be our first meal there. We are going to be on the DxDP also. Love your reviews BTW. Cant wait for another one.

Next one coming up.

Jiko looks outstanding and if all goes as planned I will be dining there a week from tomorrow. I too have been debating the beef short rib vs. filet choice. Since I will also be dining at Le Cellier and have already decided to have the filet there, I was hesitant to order a filet at Jiko. May have to go for the Frankenstein's monster entree you have created

Oh Yes! I highly recommend it. The two best things from the 2 best entrees melded together. mmm, mmm, good.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Well - every trip has some kind of disappointment and this was mine. I booked breakfast at the Wave (supposed to go to the MK afterwards).

Breakfast was a bit of a bust. I had lousy service, and kind of crappy food.

First up was a cup of less than stellar Disney Coffee. The wave is supposed to serve Organic Colombian coffee but this tasted like weak Nescafe to me.

had to wait until they delivered my breakfast for milk since he didn't bring any with the coffee but said "he'd be right back with it". Yeah - right.

I had debated between an omelet or the "multi grain waffle". I mistakenly went with the waffle. It was bland and boring and I didn't detect any "multi grains". It tasted like a plain, boring regular waffle. The fruit compote was bitter and it was served with no syrup or butter even to be able to dress it up if you didn't like the fruit compote. I choose chicken sausage and when it came, I didn't even touch it (other than to take it off my plate and put it on the table since I didn't even have a side plate or anything). It was pale and didn't even looked cooked. It was in a casing and very squishy. When the server came by at the end of the meal he just picked it up off the table and said, "You didn't even try it, oh well.".

It was a lousy breakfast with lousy service and was a little ticked that I wasted a credit on it. This was the only restaurant where I didn't tip either the recommended 18 or 20%. I left about 10% and he was lucky to get that. He never checked to make sure my breakfast was okay, never explained what I could get for breakfast with the dxdp and really didn't speak to me other than to ask what I was going to order. I never saw him while I was eating my bland waffle and having to wait for the milk for my coffee just cheesed me off.

Ironically - after breakfast I rode the monorail intending to get off at the MK but I noticed it was soooooo busy (I should have known since it was the only day that week that the MK was to be rated a 7 or 8 for busy-ness), I decided not to go. Instead I rode around on the monorail most of the morning - going between the Resort line and the Epcot line. I hadn't riden the monorail to Epcot in over 10 years so that actually made for an interesting morning. I was amazed at the pictures I got of Epcot from the Monorail. Really, really great pictures. It actually made for a very fun and relaxing morning. People watching was great and it was interesting to listen to the different conversations of the families who were riding with me.

I did a little shopping at the CR and the Polynesian and then decided after my less than stellar breakfast, I'd use one of my credits (having 3 left at this point) on a true and trusted restaurant - Kona for lunch.

 

[ClareH37]

I've gone ahead and booked Jiko your photos look good enough to eat!

That's such a shame about The Wave, I'd also booked a breakfast there before heading over to MK but looking at what you had, I think I'll give it a miss, very disappointing.

 

[vinotinto]

First up was a cup of less than stellar Disney Coffee. The wave is supposed to serve Organic Colombian coffee but this tasted like weak Nescafe to me.

I mistakenly went with the waffle. It was bland and boring and I didn't detect any "multi grains". It tasted like a plain, boring regular waffle.

Well, I had The Wave on my breakfast list, but not anymore! Loved the idea of Organic Colombian coffee and particularly multi-grain waffles. And that's my "beef" with multi-grain. They'll add an extra flour to regular white flour and call it "multigrain." Always tough to find those whole grains at Disney.

 

[emmysmommy]

I know I'm late but I wanted to jump in here anyway! Jiko sounds amazing. Sorry about The Wave... the server is lucky he got the 10% you gave him. And that chicken sausage....it looks horrible! Yuck!

 

[darthtatty]

Awww thats such a shame you didnt have a great breakfast. I agree theres always one meal that is such a let down, there shouldnt be the prices we pay. We stay at the Contemporary but have yet to try the Wave, still not sure we want to try it. Mind you ive seen other reviews and the food looks delishious, yours looks as described.
Cant wait to see what you had at Kona

 

[connorsmom911]

Loving your dining report!! You have inspired me to one day take a solo trip on the DxDP, although I'll have to wait a few years until my kids are older and my mom no longer wants to take our mother-daughter getaways.

I totally agree with you about Jiko!! My mom and I dined there last fall for my birthday meal and it was the best meal I have ever had, ANYWHERE!!! We were lucky enough to have the most amazing server as well, so much so that I wrote a glowing letter to guest services about his service! I'm almost afraid to eat there again for fear that my expectations have been set so high.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I loved that dessert from Jiko...if we ever go back to Jiko we will dine on appies and desserts since they are incredible!

So sorry about your Wave breakfast but those pitiful sausage links would send me running to the nearest CS place!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I've gone ahead and booked Jiko your photos look good enough to eat!

That's such a shame about The Wave, I'd also booked a breakfast there before heading over to MK but looking at what you had, I think I'll give it a miss, very disappointing.

Jiko truly was outstanding - I hope you love it as much as I did.

Well, I had The Wave on my breakfast list, but not anymore! Loved the idea of Organic Colombian coffee and particularly multi-grain waffles. And that's my "beef" with multi-grain. They'll add an extra flour to regular white flour and call it "multigrain." Always tough to find those whole grains at Disney.

Yeah I agree - they may call it "multigrain" but it was not what I expect of a multi grain item.

I know I'm late but I wanted to jump in here anyway! Jiko sounds amazing. Sorry about The Wave... the server is lucky he got the 10% you gave him. And that chicken sausage....it looks horrible! Yuck!

I have a problem with undercooked meat and I don't think the sausages were fully cooked. I wish the server had checked on me at any point during the meal but he didn't. I admit, I tip at least something out of guilt but he didn't really deserve anything.

Awww thats such a shame you didnt have a great breakfast. I agree theres always one meal that is such a let down, there shouldnt be the prices we pay. We stay at the Contemporary but have yet to try the Wave, still not sure we want to try it. Mind you ive seen other reviews and the food looks delishious, yours looks as described.
Cant wait to see what you had at Kona

In October my parents and I had dinner at the Wave it was very good. It might have been an off day (or an off breakfast).

Loving your dining report!! You have inspired me to one day take a solo trip on the DxDP, although I'll have to wait a few years until my kids are older and my mom no longer wants to take our mother-daughter getaways.

I totally agree with you about Jiko!! My mom and I dined there last fall for my birthday meal and it was the best meal I have ever had, ANYWHERE!!! We were lucky enough to have the most amazing server as well, so much so that I wrote a glowing letter to guest services about his service! I'm almost afraid to eat there again for fear that my expectations have been set so high.

I had originally booked only the DDP for my solo trip (and had debated on not getting a dining plan at all) but I like going into things knowing that I have X # of meals prepaid. I am also a big fan of room service so the dxdp fits me well. It was my second time on the DxDP so I have had the opportunity to try several of the 2 credit restaurants and really enjoy the more upscale dining.

I know what you mean about the great service - sometimes you think - I can't be that lucky twice. Still - even with less than attentive service, the food was so outstanding that it made for a wonderful meal.

I loved that dessert from Jiko...if we ever go back to Jiko we will dine on appies and desserts since they are incredible!

So sorry about your Wave breakfast but those pitiful sausage links would send me running to the nearest CS place!

That dessert was incredible - I wished there was more ice cream because it was the best ice cream I've ever had. The donuts were so fresh and tasty. There was no part of that food at that meal that I would have changed.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

So after the lackluster breakfast, I wanted my next meal to be a "tried and true winner" so I choose Kona Cafe (it was between that an the GF Cafe but I had lunch at the GF back in October but didn't make it to Kona so it won out - I also enjoy shopping at the Poly a little more).

From the moment I was seated (without an ADR I might add) things went perfectly. My server was attentive and stopped by to talk with me several times, made good suggestions and positive comments about what I was ordering and kept my diet coke consistently full.

To start with I went with the Shrimp and Coconut Curry soup. I had this a few years back and it by far my favourite soup of all time. It's thick and creamy with a touch of spice and many, many plump cooked shrimp. It may not look like much but when you dip your spoon in, there are treasures deep down. It's red curry which I much prefer to yellow curry.

For my entree I went with my servers suggestion which was the Polynesian Plate Lunch - Chicken with coconut and mango sauces. The chicken was pressed and breaded and crispy and juicy. It was very tasty. The sauces were amazing and it made me actually eat the plain rice (at least that which had / I put the sauce on). I was hesitant about the macaroni salad but it was tasty - a little different - but good. It was really enjoyable.

For dessert I ordered the Banana Chocolate Creme Brulee. It was between this and the cheesecake but I don't get a chance to have creme brulee much at home (cheesecake I can make myself or purchase a pretty decent one). It was perfect. The creme part was cold on top but warm on the bottom and the brulee was perfectly done (not the slightest bit of burnt). The chocolate at the bottom was melted as it was served atop a warm plate. Super good.

Overall it was a perfect lunch - quiet and pleasant - tasty, well prepared food and excellent service. I was in no rush and I was able to eat at my pace. My server checked in with me several times to make sure everything was to my liking and I was happy with what I ordered.

After lunch I grabbed a cab back to the AKL to check in to my club level room. This was my last day on the DxDp (though at this point I still have 2 credits left).

I have two more meals left to review - after this point I ordered room service 2 more times (dinner to use up my last two credits and breakfast on my last morning).

Other than those two meals - during the next two days I mostly ate at either the club lounge or leftovers. After 4 nights on the dxdp, I was ready for a little less food.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

That soup at Kona looks really good, I may have to try it.

 

[MickeyNicki]

OMG my hubby had the chicken plate from Kona and I swear it was the best thing ever! I could not keep my fork on my own plate...and the dessert you had is exactly what we shared and loved it!

Kona is our fave lunch spot now