Jiko or Sanaa?

[wishinon3stars]

I will be making my dining reservations on Tuesday and will be picking one of these two restaurants for dinner.
It will be 4 adults. Any advice?

 

[JZCubed]

I will be making my dining reservations on Tuesday and will be picking one of these two restaurants for dinner.
It will be 4 adults. Any advice?

If you are staying at AKLodge, then even without a Savannah Room View, you enjoy the view of the animals just by walking around the resort. The Resort is spectacular.

But, if you are just visiting AKLodge for dinner, then you might consider that you can only enjoy the animals while dining at Sanaa during daylight - for lunch or early dinner.

Of course, you can enjoy the Resort and do the adult thing - grabbing an afternoon cocktail and also enjoy the animals before going to Jiko.

Jiko is the 'Signature' place for food, Sanaa is more like a good curry restaurant (Indian is most often used analogy).....but Sanaa has a daylight view of the animals and Jiko does not.

 

[ToddyLu]

We always eat at Jiko. For some reason in our minds ( DH and I ) the food is more upscale and Sanaa just has too many unusual flavors. Plus Jiko is Pete's ( DIS Unplugged Fav). He says he always gets a filet and the mac and cheese. I think you have to ask for it? He talked about it on one of the recent podcasts. DH and I are DVC at AKV and we always eat there once or twice each trip. The restaurant is just off the pool area and across from Boma. There is a pleasant little stream from the side window view. We are eating there our first night 4/28.

 

[Branflakes]

Jiko. It is a really good signature restaurant at AKL Jambo.
The Barbarie seared duck breast or the African Perch is delicious
Cheeese selection is very good.
Husband like the wild boar app.
Orange and anise cake is tops.
Jiko has never disappoints.

 

[goofy kc]

I agree. Jiko!
Sanaa is good but for a special night out for adults Jiko is fantastic.

 

[aviva5675]

I agree that for me, Sanaa is just a little too different, flavorwise. Ate at Jiko recently and really enjoyed the filet. My cousin had the lamb shank (pork?) anyway, and looooved it.

 

[jwfla422]

JIKO

 

[B-Ride]

If money is no object then Jiko. If money is a consideration then Sanaa is good value with excellent food.

 

[sleepydog25]

You don't give much criteria for the choice. Are you looking for an upscale restaurant? A quiet place for 4 adults? Is it a joint "date night" dinner? Do you want more casual service? A more relaxed atmosphere? If I were to choose one in a heads up comparison, then Jiko wins simply because it's a bit more elegant, quieter, and a more unique experience (unless one dines early enough to catch animals Sanaa). The food at Jiko is exceptional, though you pay for that as it's a Signature, and the wine list is topnotch. That being said, Sanaa is an excellent eatery in its own right. The bread service alone is worth a trip to Sanaa. The service is good, the food tasty, and the wine list also quite solid. If you dine before it gets dark, then you do get the benefit of likely being able to see animals outside the windows. Certainly, the cost is significantly less at Sanaa which may be an important consideration. You will be fine with either choice, but choose Jiko for a special night and Sanaa for a more convivial, casual outing.

 

[wishinon3stars]

Thanks everyone! You confirmed my original thought of dining at Jiko!
Looking forward to eating there,

 

[disneydreamer781]

Even with the price and not having yet tried Sanaa, if I had to choose between one of the two it would be Jiko. I had the most amazing meal there this past December. I need the recipe for that tomato butter sauce on their fish entree. We weren't even staying there in December and had to try it. Will be back this October and will also be staying at this gorgeous resort.

 

[MHDTS]

We really like both of these fine restaurants, but for a really fine dining experience, Jiko can't be beat.