We're Still Hungry! A DDW July Getaway - 8/5 Complete!

[Linda67]

What a wonderful review of Jiko
Such an excellent restaurant and I just love how creative the menu always seems to be, particularly the desserts
Mmm...gonna have to get back there one day

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

What a wonderful review of Jiko
Such an excellent restaurant and I just love how creative the menu always seems to be, particularly the desserts
Mmm...gonna have to get back there one day

It was truly an amazing meal, with the desserts possibly being my favorite part. Hopefully the food will be just as fantastic whenever you make it back there.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

I definitely have Jiko envy now! I've always wanted to try it, but unfortunately it won't be on our next trip.

Everything you and your Mom had looked wonderful. So glad you had such a great meal and shared the pictures with us.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I definitely have Jiko envy now! I've always wanted to try it, but unfortunately it won't be on our next trip.

Everything you and your Mom had looked wonderful. So glad you had such a great meal and shared the pictures with us.

It was a great meal overall, and I'd be happy to eat the same dishes again. It's okay that Jiko isn't in your plans for next time - I also enjoy reading reviews of restaurants I can't fit in anytime soon (there's just too many to choose from!).

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Another review is coming up soon! It's been a busy few days, and in addition to that, we've been trying to figure out our plans for the rest of the summer. We might be taking another short trip to Disney (since once the academic year starts, it's much harder).

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

We were out of Jiko by about 6:40, which meant I had some time to do a few rides in MK. After walking back from MK to CR, I was feeling slightly hungry, so I used this opportunity to convince my mom that we should head up to Cali Grill for a flatbread. We went up at about 9:20 and were quickly able to find a table in the lounge.

I forgot to take a pic of the current menu, but the online menu still shows what we ordered. We had the Korean chicken flatbread with kimchi, ssamjang pepper sauce, and cilantro sour cream. I’d been looking forward to this flatbread for months since I love Korean food - I’d even conducted some research on it, and I found out that ssamjang is a thick, spicy paste that’s often served in Korean lettuce wraps (called “ssam”). Cool! I love spicy things. Here’s the flatbread:

The flatbread was quite good. I would’ve liked it to be spicier, but my mom thought it was too spicy (meaning it’s just right for someone out there ). Also, I would've liked the kimchi to have a more fermented flavor to it - it didn't excite my taste buds as much as kimchi I've had before. On the bright side, the cilantro sour cream served its role in tempering the heat, while also adding a tangy flavor. And of course, I loved that there was fresh cilantro on the flatbread. Maybe part of the problem was that we’d had Jiko's oxtail flatbread earlier, and we both liked that one better.

Somehow, we also ended up splitting a dessert! We decided to try the Florida blueberry tart with lemon ice cream and honey-thyme anglaise.

This dessert was very pretty, but neither of us loved it. I liked the blueberry layer of the tart (although the texture was a bit ‘thicker’ than I would’ve liked, compared to Artist Point’s berry cobbler where you can appreciate the freshness of the blueberries). The lemon ice cream had a bright and zesty flavor to it, which the fresh thyme on top enhanced. I guess the problem was the crust (it was pretty generic and hard; we’re not crust lovers as it is, so we left it) and the honey-thyme anglaise (it didn’t have much flavor to me). After enjoying a salad with fresh blueberries at Jiko (and with Artist Point’s berry cobbler in my mind), I didn’t love this dessert.

We've been very impressed by the other signatures we've been to this year (Artist Point, Yachtsman, Flying Fish, Brown Derby, Narcoossee's, and Jiko). Sadly, Cali Grill is the odd man out. It’s hard to believe that until August 2008, California Grill was our favorite Disney restaurant - things have changed a lot over the years, and I don't know why. Maybe the other signature restaurants have really stepped up their game, while California Grill has remained relatively stagnant? I don’t know what to say. I want to like California Grill and say nice things about it. But almost a year after our last meal there (which was disappointing), we still aren't feeling it.

I'm still happy we went back, however, since now I'm much more excited to see how Cali Grill will be reworked in 2013. The chef and his team will be staying (which I think is a good thing). However, the article on the Disney Parks Blog mentioned that there will be some enhancements to the kitchen. Perhaps this will allow them to incorporate some molecular gastronomy or another example of cutting-edge technology? Whatever happens, I can't wait to see how the menu and decor are updated. Hopefully, the new menu will be a satisfying combo of old classics and newer, creative concepts.

 

[sushi candy]

I love your insightful reviews and great pics. I was wondering, have you ever had the bison at the California Grill?

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I love your insightful reviews and great pics. I was wondering, have you ever had the bison at the California Grill?

Nope - during my meals it hasn't been on the menu. But I've had the buffalo at Artist Point and loved it.

 

[smile4stamps]

I'm sorry Cali Grill was disappointing to you again! Hopefully it will be better for you after it reopens!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I'm sorry Cali Grill was disappointing to you again! Hopefully it will be better for you after it reopens!

It's okay - I'm very optimistic about the refurbishment. Hopefully after it reopens I can come back and tell everyone that Cali Grill's one of our favorites again.

 

[Linda67]

It's okay - I'm very optimistic about the refurbishment. Hopefully after it reopens I can come back and tell everyone that Cali Grill's one of our favorites again.

I can't wait to see what they do with CG
The location is perfect but it's in dire need of a re-do

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I can't wait to see what they do with CG
The location is perfect but it's in dire need of a re-do

Agreed. Compared to some of the other signatures (which have a timeless or thematically appropriate look), the decor at California Grill is very 90s. It brings me back to the days when my older sister made me listen to Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys music. IMO, the signature restaurant at Disney's Contemporary Resort should look more modern.

Combined with a menu update, I know the finished product could be incredible.

 

[happy2012]

What surprises me more than you not enjoying CG is that you could just walk in! Are there other lounges where you can order an app from a signature like that? b/c I like the way you think!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

What surprises me more than you not enjoying CG is that you could just walk in! Are there other lounges where you can order an app from a signature like that? b/c I like the way you think!

I'm not completely sure, but I think Flying Fish, Citricos, and Jiko also have separate bar/lounge/"chef's counter" areas where you can order a few appetizers (or even entrees and desserts) from the full menu.

 

[MissPrice]

Hi There Donald I have been anticipating you dining review for a while now. Officially all caught up! Let me say you have a way with words. Your descriptions of the food are amazing and remind me a bit of Tom Siestema who is the dining critic for The Washington Post. Narcossess looks so yummy. I wish my husband ate seafood so we could go there. We have actually never been to any signature dining option, which would you suggest? I think Cali Grill will be closed for refurb when we are there in January. I'm also loving your pictures of the menus. Looking forward to next update. -Amanda

 

[tangled up]

Thank you do much for your reviews, I am salivating from your photos and descriptions. Everything looks amazing. We are eating at them all this October, and I am more excited now, after reading this.

Thank you, Sarah xx

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Hi There Donald I have been anticipating you dining review for a while now. Officially all caught up! Let me say you have a way with words. Your descriptions of the food are amazing and remind me a bit of Tom Siestema who is the dining critic for The Washington Post. Narcossess looks so yummy. I wish my husband ate seafood so we could go there. We have actually never been to any signature dining option, which would you suggest? I think Cali Grill will be closed for refurb when we are there in January. I'm also loving your pictures of the menus. Looking forward to next update. -Amanda

Thanks so much for the kind words! I'm really happy that you're enjoying the reviews. I know I can be wordy, but it's only so I can show why I liked or disliked something.

Besides Jiko and Narcoossee's (which were both great a few weeks ago), my other signature recommendations would be Artist Point and Yachtsman Steakhouse. AP offers Pacific Northwest cuisine, and it has some awesome dishes on the menu such as buffalo and a fantastic berry cobbler (here's my March 2012 review, and a pic of the berry cobbler). Yachtsman Steakhouse offers plenty of "meat and potatoes" dishes, but it also offers some surprisingly creative food (here's my May 2012 review). Even Narcoossee's could still be a good choice even though your husband doesn't like seafood, since their filet has gotten great reviews. As of right now, all four of these signatures (AP, Jiko, Narcoossee's, and Yachtsman) are my favorites, and I think if you pick whichever menu looks best to you, you'll probably have a great meal.

Thank you do much for your reviews, I am salivating from your photos and descriptions. Everything looks amazing. We are eating at them all this October, and I am more excited now, after reading this.

Thank you, Sarah xx

Thanks for joining in! I'm really glad that you like the photos and descriptions. Soon enough, you'll be enjoying a lot of this awesome Disney food.

 

[happy2012]

I'm not completely sure, but I think Flying Fish, Citricos, and Jiko also have separate bar/lounge/"chef's counter" areas where you can order a few appetizers (or even entrees and desserts) from the full menu.

That is really a GREAT tip!! Ya learn something new everyday!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

That is really a GREAT tip!! Ya learn something new everyday!

It's definitely useful to know! And at quite a few of the signatures (including Jiko and Artist Point), you often don't even need a reservation to eat in the regular restaurant.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I'm very excited to say we might be going back in August. The flights aren't too expensive right now and there have been solid hotel discounts floating around. But first it's time for another review.