Can someone compare Jiko and Sanaa

[fjs08]

We've eaten at Sanaa and loved it.
Thinking of Jiko, but not sure if it is similar or not to Sanaa?
Thanks.
Frank

 

[pooh2007]

We just got back from a week at Disney World and we ate at both Jiko and Sanaa. Personally we love Sanaa much more than Jiko. The atmosphere is wonderful at both places and the food at Sanaa is fantastic the food at Jiko is pretty good too but for the price we would much rather eat at Sanaa. If you are on the dining plan Sanaa is only 1 table service and Jiko is 2 table service. I have attached some pictures from our meal.

Jiko - Oak Grilled Filet

Grilled Flank Steak Flatbread

Cape Malva Pudding

Amarula Creme Brulee

Beef Short Ribs and Chicken with Red Curry Sauce with Basmati Rice

Same as Above

I have more photos just don't have them downloaded yet.

 

[Pakey]

I don't think they are comparable in either food or atmosphere. Sanaa is more casual, the food is more basic, the restaurant is much more casual/noisier/busier. I thought Sanaa's food was a bit more flavorful with the excellent bread service and the spiced entrees.

Jiko's stars are the appetizers and wines. The soups are always outstanding. The entrees are much tamer, a hint of seasoning but not as spicy as Sanaa. The restaurant is dark, quiet, more upscale and definitely a nice adult dinner.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

We've nver dined at Jiko (we've always preferred the menu at Boma), but I can say the focus at Sanaa is more American style Indian cuisine (as in the country India, not native Americans), where Jiko and Boma are more American style-South African. (i.e. South African and Indian flavors that aren't too extreme for American tastes)

Personally, I think they all tend towards the very mild side, in terms of spice and flavor strength. I also agree that all signature dining (= 'double' credits on DDP) at WDW (Jiko) is going more towards upscale style dining. Consider the image of the Jiko dessert picturted, and the quality of the presentation. Of the DDP 'single' credit places at WDW, I would put Boma and Sanaa in the more high end (Much better quality than say, Chef Mickey's) Evne if you aren't using the Disney Dining Plan - using the DDP lists as a reference is handy I think.

 

[fjs08]

>>I think they all tend towards the very mild side,<<

thanks for the notes
When we were at Sanaa, we were asked if we wanted the food to be "spiced" up any. We did. It was great.
Thanks again for the notes.
Frank

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I've only been to Sanaa once, compared to the five times I've been to Jiko, though I think I prefer Jiko. The atmosphere is much more relaxed, and I liked the food there much better. Though I'm comparing the only two dishes I've tried at Sanaa, to the at least dozen I've had at Jiko, so if I tried more, I would have a more accurate opinion.

That being said, I really like the lamb on naan bread at lunch at Sanaa, and the tomato bisque I had there last year. At Jiko my favorites are the filet mignon, the vegetable trio currently on their dinner menu, and the bbq chicken flatbread. Jiko's menu changes so often that other items I've enjoyed are no longer on their menu.

Also, OOP or on the DDP, Sanaa is a better value.

 

[lucyem]

We went to Sanaa & Jiko last week. Sanaa was good and Jiko a big disappointment. I would not spend the money on Jiko again and would go to Sanaa. Sanaa was certainly more casual and you can see the animals.

Sanaa I had the tandori chicken and Chai cream for dessert. Both very good. The waitress was very nice and helpful when we had to leave half way through our meal.

At Jiko the Filet with Mac & Cheese is no longer on the menu, but you can request it for now. My husband requested it and I decided to get the new filet with scalloped potatoes. Bad move. I had a bite of the mac & cheese and regretted not getting it. My filet was tough as leather as was my husbands. Seriously I was sawing pieces off. My scalloped potatoes were cold in the middle. I did like the bbq chicken flatbread. That was quite good. Before going I checked the menu for desserts and only one appealed to me and of course it is no longer on the menu. I had some chocolate cherry cake like thing. It was not very good.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

We went to Sanaa & Jiko last week. Sanaa was good and Jiko a big disappointment. I would not spend the money on Jiko again

1) ABSOLUTELY.
2) We ate (cannot use the word "dined") last weekend.
3) WIFE:
. . . chicken was dry
. . . green beens were positively excellent
. . . cassava was bland and highly lumpy
4) SELF:
. . . halibut was overcooked, dry and rubbery
5) Definitely not fine dining.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Amarula Creme Brulee

Holy cow! That sounds amazing. I cannot fathom mourning the pistachio crème brûlée when it was replaced by Amarula. I'm really looking forward to trying that.

 

[lucyem]

Holy cow! That sounds amazing. I cannot fathom mourning the pistachio crème brûlée when it was replaced by Amarula. I'm really looking forward to trying that.

My husband had the amarula and said it was just OK, not wonderful. I tasted it and it was not to my liking. The waitress said it was like Bailey's so we were expecting a more coffee type flavor. The nutty flavor was a little unexpected. We had never seen amarula before so I checked online later and saw it was a type of cream liqueur like Baileys is a cream type of liqueur but no similarity in taste. Wish the waitress had explained that better as we would have skipped dessert.

 

[LaurenT]

I love both! If I had to choose just one....oohhh....I guess Sanaa would be my pick. They are nothing like each other though. Completely different cuisine. IMHO, Sanaa is not really African, it's a really good Indian restaurant with a slight African twist.
So, you can go to both without worrying about eating the same thing....however, if you're only going to pick one, I'd go with Jiko, only becuse you haven't been there yet and it is really excellent.

 

[onelilspark]

Jiko has always been one of my favorites. But I have to say, I was severely disappointed on our last trip (at the beginning of the month.) We might have had an off night, but so many things went wrong I don't know if I'll be back any time soon.

We also went to Sanaa, which was fabulous. Service was a little slow, but that was a trend on our trip.

If I had to eat at one tonight? I'd pick Sanaa. Sanaa is also a little bit more adventurous, Jiko a little safer.

 

[daisygirl902]

I tried both on our last trip, and find it hard to compare the 2....I love Saana, the menu is great and so is the atmosphere, it's loud, more casual, and has inventive choices on the menu. On my trip in June I stayed at aKV by myself for 4 days and ate there 3 times...

HOWEVER - we tried Jiko on our last trip too, and it was above and beyond a GREAT experience for us! Our server Nasser was amazing, the food was stellar, and the entire experience was phenomenal. I had the BBQ chicken flatbread, which was one of my favorite apps on the entire trip, and the filet with mac&cheese, and it was delicious - the filet was cooked to perfection and the red wine sauce complemented it perfectly. The Warm Malva Pudding was also great...

If I had to choose one, I'd choose Jiko for sure, although that being said it doesn't take away from the fact that Sanaa is amazing too!

 

[Sweet Melissa]

My husband had the amarula and said it was just OK, not wonderful. I tasted it and it was not to my liking. The waitress said it was like Bailey's so we were expecting a more coffee type flavor. The nutty flavor was a little unexpected. We had never seen amarula before so I checked online later and saw it was a type of cream liqueur like Baileys is a cream type of liqueur but no similarity in taste. Wish the waitress had explained that better as we would have skipped dessert.

People have been recommending Amarula to me for years because I like other dessert liqueurs. I finally got around to trying some at the Sanaa lounge earlier this year and really enjoyed it. I agree that I don't understand why everybody says it's "like Bailey's" — the only thing that Bailey's and Amarula have in common is that they are both cream liqueurs. But since Bailey's and other Irish creams are flavored with whiskey and Amarula with sugar and marula fruit, I'm not really sure it gives people a realistic expectation to compare the two.

 

[BriarRosie]

I don't think they are comparable in either food or atmosphere. Sanaa is more casual, the food is more basic, the restaurant is much more casual/noisier/busier. I thought Sanaa's food was a bit more flavorful with the excellent bread service and the spiced entrees.

Jiko's stars are the appetizers and wines. The soups are always outstanding. The entrees are much tamer, a hint of seasoning but not as spicy as Sanaa. The restaurant is dark, quiet, more upscale and definitely a nice adult dinner.

LOL! When I dined at Jiko on October 15th, I had soup, a wild boar appetizer, a glass of wine, and shared the amarula creme brulee dessert and had a fabulous meal there! So I guess appetizers and soups are the way to go.

I am not a fan of Indian curries, so I was able to find a dish at Sanaa that didn't turn my stomach. (I seriously find the aroma of Indian curries off-putting.) Unfortunately, the arctic char fish is not the current sustainable fish, but that was fantastic when I ate there last December. I would return and probably try a tandoori dish.