Need Reviews for....

[mssparrrow]

Hi,

Mom & I are planning our dining schedule. Never been to:
Jiko
California Grill

Need the good & the bad!

Thanks,

[Rash]

California Grill - don't miss it! Some of the best food I've had, anywhere. Pricey, but worth it. Without kids, you'll be in heaven.

Mama Melrose - we did this last year instead of Brown Derby as part of FDP. We were reluctant, as we love Brown Derby. As it was, we didn't regret it. Very casual, EXCELLENT service, very good basic italian entrees, fun comfortable atmosphere. And more affordable than Brown Derby.

Have fun!

[Deep-Thots]

I would second everything Rash said abot CG amd Mama Melrose's. And if you happen to be at CG on a night when they will have fireworks at MK, ask for a seat near the windows so that you can see the fireworks: they are awesome to see from that vantage point!! (We got to see Hallowishes from there as well as from the ground; it was great and a totally different experience both times.) Haven't been to Jiko yet, so I can't help you with that!

Kim

[idratherbeinwdw]

Hi,

Mom & I are planning our dining schedule. Never been to:
Jiko
California Grill
Mama Melrose

Need the good & the bad!

Thanks,

Jiko-Never been but a good friend whose opinion I trust says it's excellent

California Grill-Service sometimes slow but I found the food here super and so is the view. Dress code here, business casual. And you have to reserve it with a credit card, $20 per person, which is refundable within 24 hours of the date your due to dine if you change our mind.

Mama Melrose-I didn't care for it. It may be that I am used to much spicier food, but I found the Italian Food here very bland. The food quality was good, and the service was fine. If you like your food without a lot of spice this may be a good choice.

[Deep-Thots]

Jiko-Never been but a good friend whose opinion I trust says it's excellent

California Grill-Service sometimes slow but I found the food here super and so is the view. Dress code here, business casual. And you have to reserve it with a credit card, $20 per person, which is refundable within 24 hours of the date your due to dine if you change our mind.

Mama Melrose-I didn't care for it. It may be that I am used to much spicier food, but I found the Italian Food here very bland. The food quality was good, and the service was fine. If you like your food without a lot of spice this may be a good choice.

Oh, gosh, two additional things: On our last trip to the World, when we went to CG, Eric and I were less than amused to find two couples (with little kids in tow - at 10 in the evening) dressed in t-shirts and athletic shorts. I am really of the opinion that if they are going to have a dress code, then they need to enforce that dress code. Believe me, there's nothing more I'd rather do than just go up to a nice restaurant after a day in the parks, sit my butt down, and enjoy an excellent meal in upscale surroundings while decked out only in jeans shorts and a t-shirt myself. But, for food on the scale of the California Grill, I'm willing to schlepp my butt home, take a shower, get made up, and put on nice clothes. You just can't have a double standard. I mean, we're only two people, and when we're there, we easily drop anywhere from $300-$400 (depending on my level of alcohol intake).

Re: Mama Melrose's: We've only been there for lunch, and I can't do spicy food.

Kim

[DSNY FN]

CG, Eric and I were less than amused to find two couples (with little kids in tow - at 10 in the evening) dressed in t-shirts and athletic shorts. I am really of the opinion that if they are going to have a dress code, then they need to enforce that dress code. Believe me,
Wow we went to CG on out trip and went directly from the parks my mom took the kids back to the room for the night and we went up and watched the fireworks then had dinner we were not dressed up to eat there we had on short and t shirts and running shoes also as were many of the other tables that night. There was myself and DW and our friend Alan from Cali and my in laws and we honestly didn't seem out of place how we were dressed at all in comparing it to a large number of others that were dining at the same time. I didn't even know there was a dess code at CG I knew of the one for V&A but that is it.



California grill was ok for what they had on the menue that I would eat but it is very expensive it was well over 500 US for our party of 5 before tax and tip.
Apparently I wouldn't like eating in California LOL as there was only 2 or 3 things on the menue that appealed to me.

[Leftcoaster]

From your list, I've only done Jiko and it's on my must do list at WDW. I love the food (Duck & Pork Firecracker spring rolls for an appetizer, Filet Mignon with Mac & Cheese for my entree, and for dessert either the Tanzanian Chocolate Beggers Purses or the Chocolate Cake with peanut butter Ice Cream), I llove the wine list, I love the atmosphere, and I've loved the service there.

[dianeschlicht]

California Grill has great food, but the service can be abismal, and we have walked out without being served after waiting 2 hours past our ADR time.

Mamma Melrose's is okay but pretty run of the mill, and I wouldn't exchange it for Brown Derby.

We are trying Jiko for the first time on the upcoming trip.

[mssparrrow]

From your list, I've only done Jiko and it's on my must do list at WDW. I love the food (Duck & Pork Firecracker spring rolls for an appetizer, Filet Mignon with Mac & Cheese for my entree, and for dessert either the Tanzanian Chocolate Beggers Purses or the Chocolate Cake with peanut butter Ice Cream), I llove the wine list, I love the atmosphere, and I've loved the service there.

Hi,

Thanks for the jiko review. You are making my mouth water!!!

[dvcconvert]

Mom & I are planning our dining schedule. Never been to:
Jiko
California Grill

Need the good & the bad!


I have been to both on mulitiple occassions.
I think it really depends on the dinning experince you are questing for, as to which you might enjoy more. Here are my observations:

CG:
Great exciting view of MK. Food can be very good. It helps to be a lover of flatbreads. I accept (readily) that this is WDW, but I was put off somewhat by the fact that on the 3 occassions I've been to this 'signature' facility, the table clothes were topped with a huge sheet of paper, and crayons were on our table so kids could color. While normally this wouldn't bother me, I guess I was expecting a slightly more formal environ at the CG. It can also be very, very noisy - and if anyone at your table has any hearing issues, this can be a real problem for them. I would always encourage anyone to try anyplace (at least once) to have the experience. I have many friends that really love the CG as is -- and that's fine! :)

Jiko:
IMHO is amoung the top 5 places to dine (note: not just eat) on property.
They arguably have one of, if not the best, offerings of South African wines in the United States. The menu is diverse and inventive. The decor is muted but visually interesting, and the service (personel dependent of course) can be 5 star quality. I never miss a chance to visit Jiko.

HTH

:)

[jaysue]

We have not gone to CG

As for Jiko's - it is on our must do list for every trip - The Flatbreads, Lentil Pastilla, Veggies n Grains Dish, great wine list, nice ambience and of course just the buzz from walking into the AKL lobby

Can't wait to go!

Cheers
jaysue

[mssparrrow]

We have not gone to CG

As for Jiko's - it is on our must do list for every trip - The Flatbreads, Lentil Pastilla, Veggies n Grains Dish, great wine list, nice ambience and of course just the buzz from walking into the AKL lobby

Can't wait to go!

Cheers
jaysue

Yes, I can't wait to go back to AKL!!