Favorite Dishes in the AKV Restaurants?

[Granny]

We'll be staying at AKV later this month for the first time (Kidani Village, Savanna View, 1BR). We've never stayed at AKL or AKV but visited a couple of times and I know we'll enjoy the theming and the animals.

As for the sit down restaurants, are they very different from each other? We like the exotic foods but can go with pretty much any kind of menu. Are all the restaurants table service?

Most importantly, since the menus do feature some exotic foods, what dishes do you like the best?

We won't be on the meal plan but will be spending a lot of time at the resort. I appreciate the DVC point of view on the food choices.

Also, does Kidani have its own general store where I can stock up on some basic food stuffs?

 

[dianeschlicht]

We LOVE Jiko! I'm not sure I'd say they are exotic though. THe menu is pretty normal and VERY good. It does change often, and the chef will work with any allergy or diet challenge anyone has. African food tends to have a lot of curry, and I stay away from that because of a curry allergy. No problem at Jiko, but BIG problem at Boma. Sanaa also is difficult with a curry sensitive person, but again, the chef will work with you.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Granny, if you want a real treat, order the ribs at Jiko. They are VERY filling though. I LOVE their dessert trio too. For salads, I like their signature cucumber/tomato salad.

 

[Granny]

Diane...thanks for the great tips. I love curry (Mrs Granny doesn't care for it) and ribs are a favorite too.

I'm really looking forward to exploring AKV and its restaurants!

 

[twinklebug]

Boma is a buffet style restaurant. It has many high praises from many folk, but when i tried it on our visit in Feb I just didn't see the appeal. It was extreamly loud, we had poor service and the food on the buffet was all either over or undercooked.

My kids are pretty open to trying new foods, but they just couldn't feel this place. DS(12) ate nothing but a piece of roast(he asked for med-well, but I swear it was still mooing) and coke. DD(16) ate only mac & cheese. I really, really wanted to like the food and tried almost everything aside from the deserts. It was all pretty bad.

Next time we'll try Jiko. I like curry when it's cooked right.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I LOVE the Butternut Squash soup at Mara. They told me it's the same soup as at Boma, but I had it at both places and it tasted better at Mara. Maybe that's only because it cost me less there! The Butternut Squash soup is more like a soupy pumpkin pie filling. I want to mention the stew in a bread bowl at Mara-for those of us who don't like spicy food, it's too spicy.

 

[Inkmahm]

Boma isn't a favorite, but it is edible.

Our favorite restaurant is Jiko. The filet with mac and cheese is great. So is the BBQ chicken flatbread. Pistachio creme brulee for dessert.

 

[El&Asmom]

We loved Sanaa when dh and I went there for our anniversary dinner in Jan. We had the bread service with mango chutney, a cucumber dip, and red pepper hummus. We had naan and two other flatbreads. It is a favorite appetizer. Dh then had shrimp in a green sauce, and short ribs. I had the tandori chicken. We both loved our meals. We were too full for dessert, but ran over to Mara to grab some Zebra domes for dessert in our room.
We have been to Boma a couple of times. We like it for breakfast, but dinner is ok. I tend to be a picky eater, so there isn't a lot on the buffet that I like other than the butternut squash soup, the hummus, and the desserts. I can get all of those at Mara for a lot less money.

 

[La2kw]

We don't do signature restaurants, and even the TS restaurants are a splurge. We enjoy Boma lately, though we didn't always. I love the couscous salad (which is also available at Mara) and the salads and fruits. Also, the falafel is not bad, but is much better at Mara. We also enjoy tasting the other exotics like fufu and bobotie.

We tried Sanaa a week or so ago for the first time and loved it. DW had the fish cooked in a curry broth and we loved the bread service- definitely worth the extra cost. Here's the view from our table:

and what we ate:
Bread service

 

[CruznLexi]

we do not do Signature dinning but we have eaten at Mara numerous times. The She Crab soup, couscous is so good. Even though it is not exotic the Turkey Chibatta is really good. We tried Boma on the last trip and loved it. We can't wait to go back in Oct! They had this beef that was covered with almost like custard that was so good. We are going to try Sanna for lunch in Oct. Can't wait.
Lexi

 

[MiaSRN62]

Also, does Kidani have its own general store where I can stock up on some basic food stuffs?
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Hi Granny....the dishes everyone mentioned are some of my favs. Even Mara over at Jambo House has great flat bread pizza....we love the African Stew bread bowl and butternut soup especially----and ----you can buy Zebra Domes to take back to your room !

But to answer your above question, yes, Kidani has their own general store off the lobby. Here's a couple pics I shot when I was there last May to show you some of the offerings :

Maria