Where the magic lives! An August solo dining adventure! Final thoughts and cost analysis 11/12.

And eating dinner at Jiko!

I am jealous... and also trying to decide whether to go back to Jiko on my next trip or try something new... Jiko has risen in ranks to my #1 favorite. R had this amazing seafood curry last time we were there and I got the filet with mac n cheese - old school style. My mom got the "menu version" mac n cheese with bobotie and HOLY WHOA. Best thing I think I've ever eaten. And their wine list... and their desserts... Plus the 30% off promo currently running?! Okay, I think I just made up my own mind. I'm jealous and excited and I hope you have a fabulous trip ahead of the school year starting for you. You deserve it! Teachers are the hardest working folks in society, I swear. R is loving his second year way better than the first (all 11th graders this go-round). I think I would do much better with littles than with high schoolers, but that's still an exhausting and very noble profession!
 
I am jealous... and also trying to decide whether to go back to Jiko on my next trip or try something new... Jiko has risen in ranks to my #1 favorite. R had this amazing seafood curry last time we were there and I got the filet with mac n cheese - old school style. My mom got the "menu version" mac n cheese with bobotie and HOLY WHOA. Best thing I think I've ever eaten. And their wine list... and their desserts... Plus the 30% off promo currently running?! Okay, I think I just made up my own mind. I'm jealous and excited and I hope you have a fabulous trip ahead of the school year starting for you. You deserve it! Teachers are the hardest working folks in society, I swear. R is loving his second year way better than the first (all 11th graders this go-round). I think I would do much better with littles than with high schoolers, but that's still an exhausting and very noble profession!
Thanks Melinda! Good for R with high school....that is a tough gig! My oldest son is going in to grade 12 and my twins are starting grade 10 so I know how demanding working with teenagers is. Give me kindergarten any day! Although, we have 15 4 yr olds and 13 5 yr olds in our class this year, so will be busy for sure. I will be sure to take lots of photos during the trip. I am drooling over the Jiko menu and have 4 appetizers that I absolutely must try although I also have my heart set on the maize crusted halibut. Mmmmm!
 




I'll be following too! I have my first solo trip planned for the beginning of October, and can't Wait to Try Some new Foods also.
 
I'm back from an amazing trip to my happy place and ready to talk about all the food! The good, the icky and the in-between. I certainly started things off well with a delicious dinner at Jiko! But before getting into that meal, I have to thank @kastoney for her pool drink recommendation, the Coco-Jito. This was so delicious with the combo of lime, coconut rum and mint. Mmmm!
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After relaxing poolside and enjoying my drink, I was ready to head up to the room and get ready for my yummy dinner at Jiko. I arrived on time at 5:50 pm and was warmly welcomed by the staff. I chose to sit at the Cooking Place as I thought it would be fun to watch the chefs prepare some of the food. I had the special allergy menu as I have a tree nut allergy and they were fantastic about ensuring everything was safe for me.
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My waiter was Nasser, who has worked at Jiko since the day it opened. He was very friendly and professional and really made me feel at ease as a solo diner. I chose to begin with ice water and lemon while I looked over the menu. Nasser brought over the awesome dinner rolls with honey spiced whipped butter. These were excellent and the butter was out of this world!
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I had been thinking of appetizers for ages and had been going back and forth between the Inguday Tibs in Brik and the Mushroom Leek flatbread. I ended up choosing the Tibs in Brik (mushroom, spinach, cheese in crispy Tunisian filo with apple slaw and a curry vinaigrette). This was great with the curry sauce playing off the spinach and mushroom beautifully.
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Next up was the meal I had been dreaming of; the Maize crusted Halibut in a Tomato Butter Sauce with vegetables of the moment. The fish was perfectly cooked and the maize crust gave a nice texture to the meaty fish. The tomato butter sauce complemented the fish perfectly. There was a bean and vegetable mixture under the fish that was just okay but the braised leeks were excellent.
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I asked Nassr if he could recommend a wine to complement the fish. He brought out a gorgeous buttery South African chardonnay for me to try. This was delicious with peachy overtones and a clean finish.
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I was too full to even think of dessert but I did have fun with a little Hidden Mickey hunting close to the Cooking Place.
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Meal total:Tibs in Brik $10.00, Halibut $41.00, glass of chardonnay $11.00 for a total of $66.03 with tax. I left a $15.00 tip as Nasser's service was exceptional.

Daily total OOP for food: $51.00
Refillable mug: $17.99

Coco-Jito $9.75 and Wine $11.00 for a total of $20.75
 
Wow, you are off to an amazing start! Jiko is such a fantastic meal. We did it on our last trip and enjoyed it so much that I have it booked for this weekend as well! I have been on a diet and dreaming of that bobotie mac n cheese that comes with the filet. I think we may have had Nasser as our server before. I have to say my service each time there has been nothing short of impeccable. The cooking place sounds like a fun spot to dine! Did you get to talk with the chefs or see anything cool being prepared? We sat in the wine room once and loved the change of scenery and the pretty Christmas decor, but I also love the main dining room. Welcome home and enjoy your Labor Day weekend!
 
Welcome back! Those rolls look so good :goodvibes We have yet to try Jiko though I go back and forth with booking it. Some day we'll get there, glad you enjoyed your meal and you were off to a good food start!
 
Joining in our your dining trip report. Your food at Jiko looks great. I think I'm going to have to fit this place in on one of my upcoming trips. Great review
 
trying Jiko's for the first time during my December trip and can't wait. Traveling with my mom so will pick two entrees and share :cloud9:
 
Wow, you are off to an amazing start! Jiko is such a fantastic meal. We did it on our last trip and enjoyed it so much that I have it booked for this weekend as well! I have been on a diet and dreaming of that bobotie mac n cheese that comes with the filet. I think we may have had Nasser as our server before. I have to say my service each time there has been nothing short of impeccable. The cooking place sounds like a fun spot to dine! Did you get to talk with the chefs or see anything cool being prepared? We sat in the wine room once and loved the change of scenery and the pretty Christmas decor, but I also love the main dining room. Welcome home and enjoy your Labor Day weekend!
The Cooking Place was awesome! The chefs were super friendly and explained what they were doing as they went along. They also answered questions about their favourite Disney restaurants. I loved watching dishes come together like works of art. I met two couples sitting there as well and we had fun chatting about all things Disney. I think you and R would really enjoy it!

Welcome back! Those rolls look so good :goodvibes We have yet to try Jiko though I go back and forth with booking it. Some day we'll get there, glad you enjoyed your meal and you were off to a good food start!
Thanks Ariane! I would definitely plan on a Jiko meal your next trip. It really was wonderful! :)

Joining in our your dining tip report. Your food at Jiko looks great. I think I'm going to have to fit this place in on one of my upcoming trips. Great review
Thank you so much! It was a great meal. I am going to have to catch up on your latest culinary adventures. what a fun year you are going to have!

trying Jiko's for the first time during my December trip and can't wait. Traveling with my mom so will pick two entrees and share :cloud9:
You will love Jiko! Thanks for joining in with my review. :)
 
Glad to hear you loved the CocoJico as much as me!!!! It really is the perfect, refreshing poolside drink.

Your Jiko meal looks incredible. I think we had Nasser as our server one time too and I recall him being phenomenal. Speaking of phenomenal, your fish looks and sounds amazing. I had something similar a few years ago there and it is still hands down the best fish and disney meal I've ever had. Jiko definitely knows what they are doing
 
I was so excited to wake up this morning for my first full Disney day!! There really is nothing better. My breakfasts most of this week were quick and boring as I had packed protein bars and just picked up some fruit and coffee to go with it. The coffee from the Mara was excellent however, probably the best I've had on Disney property.
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Of course, having this gorgeous view to enjoy with breakfast didn't hurt either. :)
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Soon I was finishing the last of my coffee and was on my way to Magic Kingdom for lunch at Be Our Guest! This was my first time eating here and I was looking forward to it. Here I am looking ridiculously excited to be back in my favourite place in the world!
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After enjoying some time in Adventureland, Frontierland and Liberty Square, I was ready for a little refreshment so popped over to Cheshire Cat for a raspberry lemonade slushie.
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This was so refreshing on an already hot and steamy morning. I enjoyed this before hopping on the People Mover for a pre-lunch tour of Tomorrowland. I had pre-ordered at BOG so after checking in and paying for my lunch, I went off to find a table. I had really hoped to eat in the West Wing and was very happy to find a perfect table not too far away from the rose.
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I went with the French Onion soup which was excellent. There was a very thick topping of Gruyere cheese...so gooey, rich and delicious. The broth was rich and flavourful with lots of onions. I was pretty surprised they managed to have such a lovely broth for a vegetarian soup but it was very good. I chose ice water to drink due to the heat.
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For dessert I knew I had to try the Grey stuff. For lunch it is served atop a chocolate sponge cupcake. I enjoyed this but wasn't wowed by it. The Grey stuff tasted like a whipped frosting and the cupcake was moist and chocolatey. Not a bad combo but definitely an once and done for me.
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It was an awesome morning at MK! It was time now to head back to AKL for some pool time and a rest before heading out to Epcot this evening!
 
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