Food review in middle Sept 2 to Sept 7 High end foodies

[garneska]

Players: Me – 37 year old female
DH – 36 year old male
No kids we have two furry dogs
Dates: Friday Sep 2 – Wed Sep 7
Resort: Animal Kingdom Lodge Club level
Activities: Wanyama Sunset Safari and Sunrise Safari
Restaurants: Jiko, The Bull and The Bear, Bistro De Paris, Victoria and Albert’s, Sanaa, Mara


AKL Club level observations: First time club level at AKL, I really wanted to do the sunrise safari, but have stayed AKL once standard and once as DVC. Have always enjoyed AKL. I love animals and like to sit on the balcony and look out over the savannah. The only reason I stayed club was for sunrise safari. I have stayed club other places but I only do it if the premium is not much. While I enjoy wine in the evenings, because the lounges close at 10 I don’t count on the food or wine offerings unless I want to pass on fireworks. The lounge really needs to shut down one hour later to allow guests to get back from the park, the shutdown at 10 really seems like Disney nickel and diming the Club Level guests. Thought the food and wine offerings were normal. Nothing fancy but nothing bad. My issue is always with the time of the offerings, if you are park crazy people I don’t ever think it is worth paying extra for the club level. Some things I was surprised by at AKL club level, no view of the savannah in the club lounge and no private balcony. Just thought there would be and in general I wish Disney would keep the lounge open till 11, so you can enjoy fireworks and come back and get a few things before bed.

Safaris: Have to say I loved both but if I was only going to do one I would do sunset. It only goes on AKL savannahs but I thought dinner at Jiko was much better (yes sunset is more expensive but worth it for food). I also really liked how close you got to the animals. Sunrise was cheaper but you were not as close to the animals and I thought the breakfast buffet was good but not African. I had really good biscuits and gravy but it was not like Boma breakfast buffet.

Parks: We come down at least 4 times a year so we did parks casually this trip. We did go on Star Tours and loved the new version. Also did Tiki Room and loved it, but I love the Tiki room regardless. Did go to all 4 parks but it was casual.
Food

Jiko: Dinner as part of sunset safari, eaten at Jiko many times liked the family style got to have the old stand bys and some new things because of the family style meal. It was good. Wine was flowing not the top shelf, but decent and flowed abundantly. Food was also abundant. They would bring out more if you wanted it.

Bull and Bear (Waldorf): Steak was awesome. Wine was great. Service was incredible. It was pricey but worth it. Loved the meal. Had the beignets for dessert and loved it. We would go back, this put Yachtsman Steakhouse to shame (and that’s tough).

Bistro de Paris: Thought it was good. I still think Bull and Bear and V & A better but it was good. I would definitely say signature, everything was good but not fabulous. One (wine snob alert) comment: the wine glasses were not commiserate with the wines that were served. Also, the wait staff was not overly helpful with the wine selection.

Victoria & Albert’s: Ate in Queen Victoria Room, which is a small room off the main dining room. The difference, it serves a tasting menu of 10 courses. You don’t have a menu choice here, as compared to the main dining room – this is not an issue, its all good. It was wonderful. Lots of food. Highly recommend it. Not something to do all the time but definitely worth it if you are a foodie and have the money. Also we got our own wine pairing. Some people share but DH and I work a lot so I guess we play hard.

Sanaa: Had lunch there. Atmosphere is great. I loved watching the animals, which you can’t really do at dinner. Food was ok. Tasted fine but nothing special. It is definitely not authentic Indian food. If you are looking to try something that might be close to Indian try it. If you are used to real Indian food (which I am with lots of Indian co workers who bring in food) then this is not it and set your expectations accordingly. Because of this we can’t recommend Sanaa, your money is better spent elsewhere (unless you really want faux Indian food).

 

[POOHsie]

I am intrigued with your review of Bull and Bear. I downloaded their menu, which does not list prices. Without wine, would you say this meal would be $100/person, $150/person, more?

 

[garneska]

Actually i did not think the prices were bad. It was excellent steak. DH had the NY strip it was $58 and I had the filet mignot $45 (i think, definitely remember DH). We also had appetizers goat cheese and beet salad and escargot something, which was excellent and a side of mushrooms. We had a bottle of wine, coffee and dessert. Cost was about $350. We had to wait a while for food to settle so we could enjoy dessert. Definitely came out stuffed.

We drove our car, and did vallet. We were not staying at the hotel but the restaurant did validate the vallet so it only cost $5. I recommend as the parking for the hotel is not super close and not sure how much it cost.

I always stay on property, mostly delux split between club level (when it is a deal) or regulare. With out kids we go during non peak times. However the Waldorf looked amazing. I may actually stay there sometime. It really seemed deluxe and it does not hurt that i have status

 

[POOHsie]

The prices you described, including wine, coffee and dessert, were reasonable for such a fine meal. I will look into a meal there next time I'm at WDW. I've also heard that the hotel is very fine.

 

[garneska]

Highly recommend it. I enjoy Yachtsman but thought Bull and the Bear was only a bit more expensive but thought the food was worth it. Service was top notch too but i have always had fine service at Yachtsman. Have not tried Shula's yet so can't compare.

 

[ssagurit24]

@garneska

Thanks for the review all of this food. And this would be in my check list to search this kind of foodie and put some teaser in my blog. Thanks

 

[Simba's Mom]

Players: Me – 37 year old female
DH – 36 year old male
No kids we have two furry dogs
Dates: Friday Sep 2 – Wed Sep 7
Resort: Animal Kingdom Lodge Club level
Activities: Wanyama Sunset Safari and Sunrise Safari
Restaurants: Jiko, The Bull and The Bear, Bistro De Paris, Victoria and Albert’s, Sanaa, Mara


Safaris: Have to say I loved both but if I was only going to do one I would do sunset. It only goes on AKL savannahs but I thought dinner at Jiko was much better (yes sunset is more expensive but worth it for food). I also really liked how close you got to the animals. Sunrise was cheaper but you were not as close to the animals and I thought the breakfast buffet was good but not African. I had really good biscuits and gravy but it was not like Boma breakfast buffet.

Jiko: Dinner as part of sunset safari, eaten at Jiko many times liked the family style got to have the old stand bys and some new things because of the family style meal. It was good. Wine was flowing not the top shelf, but decent and flowed abundantly. Food was also abundant. They would bring out more if you wanted it.


Sanaa: Had lunch there. Atmosphere is great. I loved watching the animals, which you can’t really do at dinner. Food was ok. Tasted fine but nothing special. It is definitely not authentic Indian food. If you are looking to try something that might be close to Indian try it. If you are used to real Indian food (which I am with lots of Indian co workers who bring in food) then this is not it and set your expectations accordingly. Because of this we can’t recommend Sanaa, your money is better spent elsewhere (unless you really want faux Indian food).

When you were at Jiko, did your Wanyama safari dinner have the fish? If so, opinions? I did the Wanyama safari, and thus also ate there 2 weeks ago. I was very disappointed in the fish, as was everyone else at our table. Previously it had been my favorite offering, but this time it was very dry and sparse on the creamy tomato-type sauce. I didn't get to try the chicken, but other participants said it was very good. I also had the Lunch with the Animal Keepers at the Sanaa resturant and loved almost everything about it. The main course offerings weren't particularly to my taste, but the passion fruit-mango ice cream was outstanding. Another man at our luncheon, also a self-described "foodie" loved all the offerings. I could have made a meal out of the Naan bread and Raita dip, with that ice cream for dessert.

 

[garneska]

I thought the fish was good. It was not dry, however I did enjoy it more when they served monk fish years ago. I did think that with family style it was hard to get the sauce off the plate. I would have preferred the dish all to myself. I thought the chicken was ok. It was not my favorite and would not order it but I did not think it was horrible, it was just chicken. As far as Sanna I really am not a fan. I have eaten there on three occasions the meals have ranged from bad to uninspired. I have quite a few Indian coworkers, and eat "real" Indian food all the time; making Sanaa dumbed down Indian at best.

 

[poohbear227]

What is "Bull and Bear" and where is it?

 

[POOHsie]

What is "Bull and Bear" and where is it?

It is a steakhouse at the Waldorf Astoria. I have read several wonderful reviews. Pricey, but wonderful.

 

[poohbear227]

It is a steakhouse at the Waldorf Astoria. I have read several wonderful reviews. Pricey, but wonderful.

Thank you. Isn't it in NYC?

I'm curious to know the NYC part of the OP's review-what led them to stay there and what else did they do in NYC? Sounds like a very exciting trip!

 

[POOHsie]

Thank you. Isn't it in NYC?

I'm curious to know the NYC part of the OP's review-what led them to stay there and what else did they do in NYC? Sounds like a very exciting trip!

No, there's a Waldorf Astoria on Bonnet Creek Resort Lane at Walt Disney World in Florida. It's fairly new. http://www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com/dining/bullandbear/

 

[poohbear227]

No, there's a Waldorf Astoria on Bonnet Creek Resort Lane at Walt Disney World in Florida. It's fairly new. http://www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com/dining/bullandbear/

LOL!! Thank you! Sorry about the confusion-I didn't realize there was a Waldorf Astoria anywhere else besides NYC!

 

[POOHsie]

LOL!! Thank you! Sorry about the confusion-I didn't realize there was a Waldorf Astoria anywhere else besides NYC!

I haven't stayed at either hotel, but I am tempted to have a meal at the Bull and Bear in Orlando. I am getting tired of the same-old at WDW.

 

[TDC Nala]

Sanaa is not an Indian restaurant and not meant to be one - it is listed as "African cuisine with Indian flavors."

Although some of it isn't really African either - seeing as a lot of Disney guests don't want foods that sound too "ethnic." I can understand the disappointment of anyone who went in expecting an authentic Indian restaurant, because it's definitely not that.