Jiko - The Cooking Place
Located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Dinner

One of first things that struck me as we were escorted to our table was the number of families with children that were scattered around at various tables. Now I know that Disney is synonymous with kids, but perhaps because this is the fine dining restaurant for the Animal Kingdom Lodge coupled with the fact that I was on a business trip and I had left the family back home I found myself a little surprised by this. This initial concern was overcome quite frankly by some well behaved children, as well as, a spacious dining room that has an uncluttered feel with comfortable colors and soft lighting, which served to enhance the subdued and relaxing atmosphere. The multilevel dining room was also nicely divided with decorative metal pieces that serve both function and form.

After being seated our server was quick to greet us and presented us with a through knowledge of the menu, as well as, a description and explanation of how many of the dishes would be prepared. Her narration was both entertaining and informative and led me to ask her how long she had been at Jiko. She told us that she had been at Jiko since it had opened, but had recently secured a position at the coveted Victoria and Albert’s, which is considered to be Disney’s finest restaurant and is located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

With at least a suspicion as what we might order for an entrée we had enough courage to order the wine. After our server disappeared to retrieve a Pinotage, The Wildekrans “Barrel Selection”, Walker Bay ’01 that was ordered we began to focus on the appetizer section of the menu.

No Sudden Moves Please
The legs on our table were uneven causing an unstable dining experience. A mention of this to our server brought only a sigh as a consolation.

Not having settled on an appetizer selection by the time our server return with and poured the wine we allowed her to suggest the appetizer combo, which was a combination of any three appetizers we selected. For our combo we ordered the following:

Duck and Pork Firecracker
Hot “Spring” Rolls with Holsin Suace, and Jicanna-Apple Slaw

Crispy Cinnamon Spiced Beef Roll
with Vegetable Bannana Dip

Lentil “Pastilla”
Lentil filled Phyllo Pockets with Sweet and Sour Sauce

Understanding that not all appetizers are created equal allowed us to enjoy enough of the sampler, as not to regret having ordered it, but also gave us the opportunity to note which we would not order as stand alones.
Which was which you ask? Order the sampler and decide for yourself, because venturing into the culinary unknown is part of what makes a restaurant like Jikos worth dining at.

Oops
Please note that Silverware striking a hard wood floor makes a lot of noise.

After the appetizer was cleared away and some dropped silverware was picked up off the floor for the third time we took the opportunity during this break in the action to order our entrees.
My dinner companion had dined here previously on several occasions and highly recommended the Monkfish. So, with not much more than a polite review of the entrées offered we both ordered the Pan Roasted Monkfish with Vegetables of the moment, crispy Sweet Potato Ribbons, and Tomato Butter.

If the appetizer combo had been a split decision the Monkfish was an unqualified winner. Beyond the fish itself I enjoyed each tasty bite of the Sweet Potato and Tomato Butter Sauce

Help Yourself
Having asked and been denied a second napkin I remained undaunted. Seeing a stack of napkins not fifteen feet from my table I took in upon myself to retrieve my own. I was fully prepared to defend this decision based on the fact that I had asked for one twice, before attempting this bold move.

Desserts are always the highlight of a fine dining experience for me. It presents the opportunity to taste and enjoy a dessert that takes more preparation than simply opening a container and scooping some out.

As for my self I enjoyed the Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee with layered chocolate bottom
My companion order the Tanzanian Chocolate Candies -- dark chocolate filled beggar's purses with white chocolate and orange "Van der hume" dipping sauce

During my introduction to this article I posed the question as to whether I was delighted or disappointed with my dining experience. The answer is yes.

I have always delighted in a well prepared meal that offers tastes that I have not had the pleasure of experiencing before, while I also feel the disappointment found with inattentive service that unfortunately I have had the displeasure of experiencing before.


Here is a sampling of the menu that was presented

From The Cooking Place

Taste of Africa...Three African Dips with Breads $7.75

Maize Tamales”
Truffle Oil, Fine Phyllo Pocketswith Sweet and Sour Sauce $7.00

Kalamata Olive Flat Bread
With Five Cheeses $7.75

Lamb “Patis”
Pulled Lamb rolled in Phyllo, Onion Salad, and Miny-Cilantro Chutney $8.50

Appetizers

White Canellini Bean Soup
With Whole Wheat Croutons, and Cilantro – Cilli Drizzle $6.75
Roasted Warm Octopus
With Tomato-Caper Salsa, Black Chickpeas, and Pea Shoot Salad $9.59
Marinated “Ahi” Tuna
With Heirloom Beans, and “Zough” Yogurt Sauce $11.75


Entrees

Jumbo Scallops “In a Bag”
Steamed in Parchment Paper with Spicy “Chaka-Laka”, and Mealie “Pap” $26.98

Broiled Buttermilk – Curry Shrimp
With Crisp Rice Cake, Spinach, and Sagh Dhal Drizzle $24.50

Kalamata Olive Crusted Golden Bass
With Sweet Potato-Plantain Cake, and Cilantro Broth $23.50

Oak-grilled Filet Mignon
With Macaroni & Cheese and Red Wine Sauce $28.50

Pomegranate-glazed Quails
Stuffed with North African Style Red Colusari Rice, on Organic Greensand Braised Beet S alad, with Pomegrante Dressing $23.50

Grilled Slamon
With Black Eyed Peas, “Soul” Greens, Cumin Vinaigrette, and Corn Bread $23.00

Grains, Peas, and Veggies
Wheat Berries , Black Garbanzo Peas, Kamut, Quina, Pearl and Black Barley , with Roasted Veggies , and Seared Tandoori Tofu $17.50
 

Desserts

Jiko "Baklava" - Phyllo dough roll with mixed nuts and tea steeped dried cherries and rooibos honey tea $7.00


Coffee and Amarula Cheesecake - with chocolate cookie and amarula creme anglaise $7.00

Pistachio Creme Brulee with layered chocolate bottom $7.25

Apple "Galette" - cardamom spiced shortbread with thin sliced gala apples, apple-caramel sauce, apple wafer and vanilla bean ice cream $7.00

Warm Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding with banana caramel sauce and banana ice cream $7.00

Today's Jiko Sorbets - blood orange and strawberry sorbets in a basket with citrus strawberry salad and citron green tea $7.00