Sunday, September 3, 2006

We had previously scheduled spontaneity so, when the MGM bus was the first to arrive, that's the one we chose. We went straight to the Great Movie Ride and walked right in. From there we enjoyed Star Tours, and the  Back Lot Tour. We had lunch at the ABC Commissary of Cuban Sandwiches and Black Bean salad which was rather good. After lunch we enjoyed the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular before performing a cloud check and returning to the room.

From the park entrance, the Tower of Terror is visible.

Tom, on the speeder, patrols Endor An Imperial Walker has been sited Lyd is looking for Empire Storm troopers
The Back lot Tour
Sigourney Weaver's Alien Darth Vader A Star Wars Clone
P-41's in the back lot bone yard
The Narnia carriage
Two versions of the "Earful Tower."
Catastrophe Canyon
At MGM we found Sal's Pawn Shop. Lyd is in the snow in Narnia Pyrotechnics finish the Indiana Jones Spectacular

Jiko

We left the hotel and took two busses via Downtown Disney to get to Jiko by 1730. We were seated promptly and though Anette is off tonight, Kimi came out to say hello. Jessica and our new friend, Daniel, from Durban, did most of our cooking. Our server declined to be included on our web site.

Drinks

Lyd started with a Gin Martini (7.25) and I had my Manhattan (7.25)

Starters

We chose the "left side" of the "Cooking Place" (20) and enjoyed samples of: Lamb "Patis" pulled lamb rolled in Phyllo with Mint-Cilantro Chutney, Lentil "Pastilla" lentil-filled phyllo pockets with sweet-and-sour sauce, & Maize and Sweet Potato "Tamales" Herbed maize pudding and truffled sweet potato mash with shredded goat cheese in a corn husk boat.
We added the  Kalamata Olive Flatbread with four cheeses and Laura Chenel's Soft Goat Cheese, prepared by Daniel!

Salad

We shared the Cucumber, Tomato and Red Onion Salad with Organic Arugula, Cottage cheese, and watermelon vinaigrette (8). [The Disney cookbooks purchased this trip have the recipe for this watermelon vinaigrette and we're anxious to try it.]

Entree

Finally, we shared a Berbere-braised Lamb Shank with Toasted Couscous, Baby Spinach, and Berber Sauce (27)
Friends
Daniel, from Durban, is our new pal at Jiko.  He's only been there two months, recently graduating from a culinary school in S.A. He makes flatbreads and works the two wood-fired ovens which work in the 650-720o range!
It was a great pleasure to see Jessica, once again.  We talked about the recent snow in S.A., which is quite abnormal. She does it all, from salads to flat breads to anything on the "Cooking Place" menu.
Kimi was working the back-kitchen grill but still managed to make it out to say hello.  We value her friendship and the service she provides to Jiko.
We captured a bus to EPCOT and then the pair of monorails back to the Contemporary; avoiding Downtown Disney congestion. Our next visit to Jiko will be in January.
We watched a little Disney Channel and listened to the thunderous sounds of the fireworks, which preceded the boat parade at 2205. Tomorrow we head for home.