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View Full Version : My Sanaa review with pictures

fakereadhed
05-20-2009, 10:37 AM
I agree with Kevin's review for the most part, but thought I'd share some of our experience with pictures. And I know, Kathy, I should have read the camera instructions, and my photos show it. :lmao:

I thought the Kidani Village was well-themed. When you walk in you see this outside:

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh262/fakereadhed/cruise2099.jpg
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh262/fakereadhed/cruise2100.jpg

The animal viewing area outside:

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh262/fakereadhed/cruise2066.jpg
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh262/fakereadhed/cruise2060.jpg
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh262/fakereadhed/cruise2070.jpg


Inside photos:

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh262/fakereadhed/cruise2080.jpg(note hidden mickey)

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh262/fakereadhed/cruise2081.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh262/fakereadhed/cruise2083.jpg(bar area)

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh262/fakereadhed/cruise2085.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh262/fakereadhed/cruise2086.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh262/fakereadhed/cruise2090.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh262/fakereadhed/cruise2088.jpg(tabletop hidden mickey)

Now for the menu. We hate the weird standardized drink menu(smoothies, tink drinks, etc)and it's especially out of place at a place like this. The menu was a little confusing, but at least there were plenty of choice. We aren't big eaters, so sharing works for me and DH.

We chose the potato and pea samosas with mango chutney. They were so good that they were not on the plate when I took the picture. ;) They did not last long. Also chose the salad sampler.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh262/fakereadhed/cruise2087.jpg

L-R is Carrot, orange, and mint salad(I liked this! DH not so much),Chickpeas with cucumber and tomato(tastes like something from Tangierine Cafe), and Roasted potato, corn and spinach. That one tasted like a potato salad my MIL makes and we only found one piece of corn in there.

We ordered a side of Stir-fried Green Beans.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh262/fakereadhed/cruise2092.jpg

These were crisp green beans with a hot chili sauce and they were nothing I'd want to order again. Just hotly spiced flavorless green beans.

We ordered the Spice-crusted cornish game hen with turnips and cherries to share.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh262/fakereadhed/cruise2091.jpg

No complaints here! It was nicely spiced and the turnips were more like potatoes- I was worried about them being mushy but they weren't. I would order this again.

DH ordered a side of Five-Grain Pilaf. It was not fully cooked(think crunchy) so they took it off our bill.

We asked about the Carrot Halvah. I am a big Halvah fan, but sweetened cooked carrots in a mold is not what I consider it to be. :crazy2: I was expecting a sesame candy made with carrots. Nope! We passed on dessert which wasn't a big deal because we usually don't order it.

I loved the wine menu! They had an impressive selection and I ordered a glass of Pinotage. :thumbsup2

We put our 5 yo in Simba's cub house and he got mac and cheese there, which I would recommend. He loved it and wants to go back again.

All in all, I guess I am a pushover, because even though the food wasn't too impressive I might try it again. Yes, I'm a sucker for atmosphere. It was a fun experience and I'd give it another try for sure. Hopefully they will tweak their menu before then.
nikjd68
05-20-2009, 10:46 AM
So if you weren't staying at Kidani or AKL and ate there, how long would it take you to get there from, let's say Animal Kingdom.

Is it like going from MK to Hoop De Do?
fakereadhed
05-20-2009, 10:50 AM
So if you weren't staying at Kidani or AKL and ate there, how long would it take you to get there from, let's say Animal Kingdom.

Is it like going from MK to Hoop De Do?

The actual bus ride from AK to AKL is not bad, but plan on some extra time to get to Sanaa. We had a car, but I don't think it would be easy because after getting to AKL it looked like quite a walk to Kidani. They said they will have a transportation from AKL later, but for now they recommended driving.
kingcrab
05-20-2009, 11:33 AM
thanks for the pics, and info.

We have a dinner reservation for June 14th, and are hoping for a decent meal. The draw is the possible view of the animals, if the food is decent that will be a bonus.
Tamdude
05-20-2009, 11:48 AM
Just got back and ate at Saana last week.... we really loved it! If anyone is going there, you must try the short ribs...it is boneless pork - the most tender, melt in your mouth Pork ever!!

Service and decor were great... and the soup and salads were great too! the prices were reasonable. Oh, and you have a view of the Savana!
h0cusp0kus
05-20-2009, 11:49 AM
Ah, we were going to eat here last week, but we changed our reservation for T-Rex at the last minute. I wish we had tried it.
dpuck1998
05-20-2009, 11:52 AM
I guess I was a little skewed. I had horrible service and the food we choose was either flavorless or over the top. I doubt I'll go back.
btrim
05-20-2009, 11:53 AM
from AKL to Kidani. We were just there before the Podcase Cruise and we walked back and forth. It is about a 10 minute walk. Wouldn't do it with little kids unless they are in the stroller just because it would take longer. There is a sidewalk from one to the other. We enjoyed the walk and would do it again. Just allow yourself enough time to get there from AKL. We also enjoyed our evening at Sanaa. The atmosphere was nice and our server was very good and asked that we please give them another try at a later date. He was very good at explaining what the food was and we tried several different things at our table just for fun.
cchev
05-20-2009, 11:55 AM
They have their own drink menu specific for the restaurant too, not just the generic one. We just had them remove the generic one and we tried some really good drinks :)
Stitchmistress
05-20-2009, 11:57 AM
Thank you! I really enjoyed this review. Your pictures were great! I love restaurants with atmosphere, so I am excited to try this. Our kids are adventurous eaters, so they will be right at home. Thanks for the info on the wine list. A decent wine list is a must for me at dinner. Your pictures and review have convinced me that this would be a must do on our next trip. :thumbsup2
cchev
05-20-2009, 12:05 PM
Thank you! I really enjoyed this review. Your pictures were great! I love restaurants with atmosphere, so I am excited to try this. Our kids are adventurous eaters, so they will be right at home. Thanks for the info on the wine list. A decent wine list is a must for me at dinner. Your pictures and review have convinced me that this would be a must do on our next trip. :thumbsup2

I would definitely go to this place...it is really high quality and delicious. I recommend the Indian Style Bread Service as an appetizer at the least. I hope it stays as good as it is.
Disney Khi
05-20-2009, 12:57 PM
Thanks for the great review and pictures! I was wondering how this restaurant compares with Jiko. We ate at Jiko on our last trip and loved it! We also love Boma, so I imagine that Sanaa would be a hit with us, but I was just wondering if it was "fancier" or more casual.
fakereadhed
05-20-2009, 03:52 PM
Thanks for the great review and pictures! I was wondering how this restaurant compares with Jiko. We ate at Jiko on our last trip and loved it! We also love Boma, so I imagine that Sanaa would be a hit with us, but I was just wondering if it was "fancier" or more casual.

It's between Boma and Jiko IMO, but both Boma and Jiko offer more choices. I thought the menu was pretty limited. Worth a try once though!