Your thoughts on Jiko and Sanaa - The DIS Discussion Forums

DaveinFallsChurch · 02-09-2013, 07:33 PM

We haven't tried either but would like to try at least one of them for our next visit. Would love to hear your opinions of the two places. No picky eaters in our family of DD7, DS4, DW and myself. Kids like Indian food which we do take out quite frequently and behave well at restaurants. I have to say, from just looking at the menus I see a lot of dishes on Jiko that sound very intriguing.

LaurenT · 02-09-2013, 07:41 PM

If you're just going to do one, I'd recommend Jiko. It's much more unique and it's a step above Sanaa. If you do Indian at home, Sanaa will be enjoyable, but will not provide you with a "revelation" in dining....I can almost guarantee that Jiko will.
Having said that, I LOVE Sanaa. If you can do both, I don't think you'll regret it!

MrEVILdrPorkchop2u · 02-09-2013, 07:42 PM

We went to Sanaa this December for the first time and LOVED it! Amazing food and service. The views were incredible. After dinner we were able to go out onto their patio and use the night goggles to view the animals. We sat around the fire pit. Our group loved everything!

DaveinFallsChurch · 02-09-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaurenT

If you're just going to do one, I'd recommend Jiko. It's much more unique and it's a step above Sanaa. If you do Indian at home, Sanaa will be enjoyable, but will not provide you with a "revelation" in dining....I can almost guarantee that Jiko will.
Having said that, I LOVE Sanaa. If you can do both, I don't think you'll regret it!

As it looks right now, we probably have time to try only one which is why it's such a tough choice. Wish we could. Thanks for your thoughts. Whether Sanaa's food would provide a elevated Indian/African fusion cuisine compared to what he have at home was one of the things I was wondering.

DaveinFallsChurch · 02-09-2013, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrEVILdrPorkchop2u

We went to Sanaa this December for the first time and LOVED it! Amazing food and service. The views were incredible. After dinner we were able to go out onto their patio and use the night goggles to view the animals. We sat around the fire pit. Our group loved everything!

Thanks for your thoughts! From what I was reading, it sounded like the combination of the food and atmosphere with the views really works well for Sanaa. I did not know they had night goggles!! The kids would probably love love all of this!

blackacex2 · 02-09-2013, 08:06 PM

Sanaa is a hidden gem! Moderate prices and REALLY good food and atmosphere. However, Jiko has a more impressive atmosphere.

LaurenT · 02-09-2013, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveinFallsChurch

As it looks right now, we probably have time to try only one which is why it's such a tough choice. Wish we could. Thanks for your thoughts. Whether Sanaa's food would provide a elevated Indian/African fusion cuisine compared to what he have at home was one of the things I was wondering.

I also have Indian food at home. You will find the Sanaa cuisine quite similar. The quality is very good, the service, atmosphere and view are all fabulous...
BUT...
Jiko is something you will not find anywhere else. The food, service and atmosphere are all excellent. You can go out to the savannah after your meal and watch the wildlife from a rocking chair next to the firepit.
If you're only doing one, do Jiko. But be sure to visit Sanaa next time!

Gaia · 02-09-2013, 08:12 PM

We went to Jiko on or trip 3 years ago, and my husband is still talking about it! Both of our mouths water at the mention if it. It was absolutely wonderful! Food was excellent and service was exquisite. Our server was from Africa (can't remember exactly where) and he made wonderful conversation with us about the food, and also the culture of his home county. We are debating whether to go back or try somewhere new on our trip in December!

MrEVILdrPorkchop2u · 02-09-2013, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveinFallsChurch

Thanks for your thoughts! From what I was reading, it sounded like the combination of the food and atmosphere with the views really works well for Sanaa. I did not know they had night goggles!! The kids would probably love love all of this!

One thing I forgot, they also have someone outside who is knowledgeable about all of the animals on the savannah! What a perfect way to end our evening. Enjoy your trip.

tarheelmjfan · 02-09-2013, 10:07 PM

We're in the minority on the thread, but we weren't as impressed with Jiko as we thought we would be from reading the DIS. The atmosphere was very nice & quieter than most of WDW's restaurants, which was great. The food, OTOH was very avg. We didn't find it exotic in the least. The appetizers were good. Everything else was mediocre. I suppose we were expecting too much from a Disney restaurant, but it was much more bland than we expected. It wasn't that we didn't like the spices. We just wondered where they were.

If you have great Indian restaurants around you, I doubt you'll be blown away by Jiko. You can expect a good (not outstanding) meal, with a nice atmosphere. There are several signature restaurants that we feel offer better food. However, Jiko is near the top for atmosphere. We haven't tried Sanaa, but will definitely dine there, before considering a repeat visit to Jiko.

02-09-2013, 07:33 PM	#1
DaveinFallsChurch DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,970	Your thoughts on Jiko and Sanaa We haven't tried either but would like to try at least one of them for our next visit. Would love to hear your opinions of the two places. No picky eaters in our family of DD7, DS4, DW and myself. Kids like Indian food which we do take out quite frequently and behave well at restaurants. I have to say, from just looking at the menus I see a lot of dishes on Jiko that sound very intriguing. __________________ A Photo Safari Solo Halloween Disney Trip October 2013 PTR A Winter Escape to the Enchanted Forest - January 2013 Trip Report/PTR A Solo Trip to Disneyland 28 years in the Making! A Trip Report for October 16 and 17th, 2012 Our First Magical Poly Vacation! April 14-21, 2012 - Trip Report/ Live Report/ PTR

02-09-2013, 07:41 PM	#2
LaurenT DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 5,866	If you're just going to do one, I'd recommend Jiko. It's much more unique and it's a step above Sanaa. If you do Indian at home, Sanaa will be enjoyable, but will not provide you with a "revelation" in dining....I can almost guarantee that Jiko will. Having said that, I LOVE Sanaa. If you can do both, I don't think you'll regret it! __________________ Lauren DH DD Anniversary May 2013 at the Swan : Mommy & Me July 2013 offsite The Whole Gang August 2013 AKL 1st Family trip to UO August 2013 RPH

02-09-2013, 08:12 PM	#8
Gaia Earning My Ears Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 64	We went to Jiko on or trip 3 years ago, and my husband is still talking about it! Both of our mouths water at the mention if it. It was absolutely wonderful! Food was excellent and service was exquisite. Our server was from Africa (can't remember exactly where) and he made wonderful conversation with us about the food, and also the culture of his home county. We are debating whether to go back or try somewhere new on our trip in December! __________________ Sarah

02-09-2013, 10:07 PM	#10
tarheelmjfan Proud Redhead Does anyone have any more secrets to add? Join Date: May 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 7,658	We're in the minority on the thread, but we weren't as impressed with Jiko as we thought we would be from reading the DIS. The atmosphere was very nice & quieter than most of WDW's restaurants, which was great. The food, OTOH was very avg. We didn't find it exotic in the least. The appetizers were good. Everything else was mediocre. I suppose we were expecting too much from a Disney restaurant, but it was much more bland than we expected. It wasn't that we didn't like the spices. We just wondered where they were. If you have great Indian restaurants around you, I doubt you'll be blown away by Jiko. You can expect a good (not outstanding) meal, with a nice atmosphere. There are several signature restaurants that we feel offer better food. However, Jiko is near the top for atmosphere. We haven't tried Sanaa, but will definitely dine there, before considering a repeat visit to Jiko. __________________ (\__/) (='.'=) (USO) (")_(")

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02-09-2013, 07:42 PM	#3
MrEVILdrPorkchop2u DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 505	We went to Sanaa this December for the first time and LOVED it! Amazing food and service. The views were incredible. After dinner we were able to go out onto their patio and use the night goggles to view the animals. We sat around the fire pit. Our group loved everything!

02-09-2013, 08:06 PM	#6
blackacex2 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 351	Sanaa is a hidden gem! Moderate prices and REALLY good food and atmosphere. However, Jiko has a more impressive atmosphere.