Thoughts on Jiko...?

[*TheWigs*]

Hi Everyone! We are going to WDW Nov 28-Dec 4th (thank you Monster Pin! ) and would like your thoughts on Jiko's. We have been to see Mickey 4 other times, so we at least have some planning knowledge. We were able to get all of our dining ressies I wanted...Cali Grill (new one for us), CRT breakfast, Ohana's breakfast, LeCellier for lunch, and Fantasmic Pkg at Hollywood and Vine. I let my DH pick one we haven't tried before and he chose Jiko's. We both love interesting food and just wanted some reviews from others so we know what we're in for. I have viewed the menu online and it all looks yummy....

 

[DisneyFamily123]

We loved Jiko. DW, DH, DS4 took the bus from Animal Kingdom Park, was about a 10 minute ride. On Oct. 30, 2009. Our waitress was wonderful -- top notch service as fine as anywhere, wonderful interactions with our DS4 and that makes me happy. Very great wine choice and very knowledgeable about the wine choices. For appetizers, DW had a beet salad with pecans, goat cheese, and other stuff - it was delicious. I had the curried soup - also great. I had the maize crusted halibut and DW had the Oak Grilled Filet Mignon... having a loving wife, I tasted both and it was all perfectly cooked. The lighting is kind of dim, could be romantic. I can't remember what we had for dessert. It was all good. We were not staying at AK lodge so it was kind of out of our way but we took a cab back to the Polynesian, cab was ready and waiting. The lodge itself is nice and great gift shop with some neat stuff like is sold at AK park. There are some fun evening activities but we missed them (African story telling at the fire pit and parade). There also is night watching of animals but we were ready to head back so we didn't do that either.

 

[*TheWigs*]

Thanks! Sounds like the food is definitely delish! Didn't know about the nighttime activities...our dinner res is later in the evening so that may be fun for the kids if we choose to hang around.

 

[Golf4food]

You can read our review here in our 2009 trip report. We thought it was fantastic.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2247568

 

[Eljay]

Jiko is wonderful. Did you ever see the episode of Great Hotels with Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel that was about the AKL? When she was eating at Jiko, she looked at the camera and said, "This is one of the best meals I've ever had." I agree with her! As said before, knowledgeable and professional service, delicious and unusual food. Take time to chat with the CM's about their homelands. You will meet some amazing people and hear amazing stories.

Iron Chef Cat Cora also did a segment from Jiko.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oawgozRfdW4

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

we loved Jiko that my husband had to eat there again on the same trip and On our last night he had Jiko as room service.

 

[FredQc]

Just use the search engine with "Jiko" and check the Disney Restaurant Review section: you are going to find numerous reviews and will see that most of them are very enthusiasts. Jiko is one of the best venue at WDW.

 

[jdisnut]

I adore Jiko and consider it one of the greatest restaurants on property. My girlfriend and I had dinner there in May to celebrate our college graduation, and the entire meal was perfect. Our server was lovely, the staff graciously and simply handled my girlfriend's minor dietary restrictions, and the staff even left a card at our table congratulating us!

I am already looking forward to my next visit, because there were so many menu items I wanted to try. My stomach can handle only so much food in one sitting!

 

[TwingleMum]

We Have ressies in Aug what is not to be missed??

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We love, love Jiko's. We have been dinning there since it opened and have never been disapointed. Along with California Grill it is our favorite place to dine at WDW.

 

[E&K's Dad]

I believe that Jiko was my best meals on our last trip and probably one of the best meals and service I have experienced in a long time!

 

[acc82]

I was wondering the same thing too - we've never eaten anywhere at AKL before and I looked at the menu for Jiko and found that a ot of the food was exotic. I heard such great things from the people on the boards, that I made a reservation for our vacation in August. People really love the restaurant.

As a by the by, it seems the message board community really does have good advice. It was by their advice that I made reservtions at Citricos, Yak and Yeti and Ohana's on our last vacation. EAch place was awesome.

 

[LIBLULA]

I'm so excited to try Jiko in September!!! Thanks for all the great posts

 

[Belleandtinker]

We've been there three times each for an anniversary dinner and LOVED IT!!!

The food is amazing and different than other place in WDW. I always get the steaks and mac/cheese. I very seldom get a steak, but after I ate it the first time I fell in love. The mac and cheese is the best. The red wine sauce brings the steak and mac/cheese dish to another level of yummy.

My husband the steak and potatoes guys gets something different (and never a steak). All of his meals have been amazing too.

Desserts - I do miss the chocolate puzzle dessert for the kids - it was entertaining as well as good. The FUNdue was boring and lacked - I could have made it at home. The adult desserts have been amazing too.

We love Jiko's for the food, service, and atmosphere, plus you can explore the resort which is worth a couple hours. Check out the list of activities when you arrive to see what's going on.

Enjoy!

 

[RachaelA]

We love Jiko! Its our favorite signature restaurant. The cream cheese mashed potatoes are so amazing!

 

[ElizabethB]

We love Jiko -- and really enjoy their more exotic offerings. We avoid the steak with mac and cheese -- what could be more American -- and less exotic and interesting?

 

[DigDug]

Jiko and California Grill are tied for our favorite signature restaurant. We have to hit Jiko each time we go and we've never had a bad meal there. The BBQ braised short ribs are to die for!