I originally had reservations for Jiko this night - but I just wasn't "feeling it" - we had gone out shopping and neither of us was dressed up (we were in shorts and t shirts) so we decided to see if we could get into Sanaa.
It was a 5 minute wait so no problem (we were earlier than our Jiko reservation so I thought, worse case scenario, if we can't get into Sanaa, we'll go over to the main building and enjoy Jiko). The hostess couldn't believe that I was cancelling Jiko for Sanaa - she said, "I think it's the first time I've ever heard of anyone cancelling there for here? Are you sure?"
We were seated at a table for two in the middle of the restaurant - we could see the windows but were not too close to them.
Our server Giovanni was training another server this evening so things were a little odd - it felt very crowded when the two of them kind of surrounded our table of two but our main server was very knowledgeable about the menu and his trainee was a very pleasant woman who had worked as a hostess since the restaurant opening.
to start with we had the bread service (recommended by Giovanni) with the Naan, Roti and Paneer Paratha for the breads and the Mango Lime Chutney (hot), the cucumber Raiba (cool) and the red pepper hummus (we knew we'd like).
This was a very pleasant starter - I had wanted to order one hot and one cool dip to balance each other and they were both very good.
For the other starter we ordered the scallops - not only did our server recommend them, but I had read many good reviews of them on the DIS boards so I really wanted to try them.
These were better than the one's at Yachtsmen steakhouse (mainly because of the sauce and the mustard seeds) After Cindy ate one of the scallops - she was like, "those little black things on top are so good - please tell me they're not fish eggs (i.e. cavier)".
For entrees, we both ordered off the slow cooked menu so that we got to try all 6 things (shrimps in green curry, chicken in red curry, beef short ribs, spinach with paneer cheese, basmati rice and 5 grain rice pilaf). There wasn't a bad dish in the bunch! I was a little hesitant over the spinach and paneer cheese but it was a pleasant surprise - the cheese is in little white chunks and reminded me more of tofu than anything else (it doesn't melt in the hot dish
but stayed in chunks). Cindy had never had red or green curry (only yellow - which she loves) but she found that she really enjoys both of them. The beef ribs are good - as long as you like braised meats - they were well cooked and seasoned.
And then on to dessert:
We again went with one of the servers suggestions (the dessert sampler) and one that was recommended on the DIS boards (the chai cream)
The chai cream was fantastic! If you like chai lattes, you have to try this - smooth, sweet and creamy.
The dessert sampler was three small desserts:
The first one was the Mango mousse which was the favourite of the three - it was like creme brulee without the brulee part. And it tasted like fresh fruit not mango flavouring.
the chocolate cake thing was kind of dry and stiff. We didn't finish it. I can see though if you have kids and want to share a dessert, this would be good because it's kind of like a chocolate brownie, and they'd probably like it which you could enjoy the other stuff
And last was the orange Cardamom-butter cake. At first taste, I wasn't too crazy about this but I ended up eating it all (after Cindy had a bite but really, she was too busy polishing off the chai cream - I would have been taking my life in my hands to wrestle that away from her). The flavour seemed familar to me but I still can't place it. It was a dense cake but with a light flavour. It was rather addicting.
For drinks I had a diet coke during dinner (Cindy had water) and then with dessert, Cindy ordered the Mango Rooibos tea. She loved the little pot it came in and looked to see if they sold them in the gift shop (they don't). The tea smelled wonderful.
I think what I liked best about this meal was that we ate a lot of different things without eating too much of any one thing. It was like sampling at a buffet without having to get up.
I'm glad I ate here with Cindy because I know that my parents would not enjoy the diverse flavours of most of the food. If you're not adventerous, I wouldn't try this restaurant. If you're a little adventurous or like diverse flavours, I can highly recommend Sanaa. It was a "different" disney experience.
. I guess we let him eat dinner and watch tv (he can only do that on vacation). Last trip, we check in and I said lets walk around and get CS at AKL and he said no mommy what about my room service? Can't wait to read your yummy reviews.
And thanks 
Glad to have you aboard.
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