Raglan Road or Sanaa?

[cubfans]

We are going to WDW the last week of March for spring break. The adults in out group are getting a "parents night out" and plan to go to Jelly Rolls. We are doing dinner beforehand and have it narrowed down to Raglan Road or Sanaa. We have been to neither, but have read many great reviews for both. As usual, I defer to the experts on Disboards to help us with our final decision. Please help!

 

[jekjones1558]

They are such different restaurant experiences. I like the food at both places. DH likes Raglan but does not care for the curry/coriander type dishes at Sanaa. Raglan has the lively Irish music. Sanaa is has a more sedate feel but there are also regular rather loud drum tributes to birthday celebrators. Somehow Raglan seems like a better fit for a pre-Jelly Rolls night, but that is just my opinion. I'm sure that others will chime in with their ideas. Have fun!!!

 

[rutgers1]

I can't comment on Sanaa, but here is my take on Raglan Road...
1) If I were going on a little adventure with adults, I would want to be at Epcot or Downtown Disney....so Raglan Rode gets my vote for that reason alone.

2) Also, if I were out with adults, I would want to be in a place where I could skip over and get a drink somewhere else. Downtown Disney has more options.

3) We though the food was good, though it wasn't overly memorable.

4) I though the atmosphere was unique, though not quite the "This place is GREAT!" experience that I was hoping for. I think unique is the best way to describe it, as it certainly was something new.

From my perspective, the reason why you don't see many "You HAVE to go to Raglan Road!!!!" posts is that they do everything adequately, though not spectacularly. Good food, good atmosphere -- but not great food or a great atmosphere. Yet if I were choosing a place to go to with friends, and if World Showcase weren't an option, then I would go there.

 

[Caren]

I dined at both just last week. Raglan Road has pretty good food, great entertainment, and it's packed. Sanaa is mainly Indian food and is more laid back and quiet. Entertainment is at Sanaa is watching animals on the Savanna.

What it would come down to for me if I were deciding is, do you actually want to have a conversation with the people you're dining with? Raglan Road was noisy enough that we had to yell at each other to be heard; Sanaa was great for quiet conversation.

 

[ssawka]

I agree with PPs in that Ragland Road is a better location since it is in the heart of DTD. Will someone be driving? If not, going to Sanaa might be rather time consuming with the bus ride to and from the resort and including transfers.

Ragland Road is your typical Irish pub. I'm not sure where you live, but around here there are several Irish pubs where you can have a similar experience to RR any time. Sanaa is a much more unique experience. Also, Sanaa is a Disney restaurant where as RR is a third-party restaurant. I'll let you decide if that is good or bad.!

 

[Anal Annie]

I have never been to Ragland Road but have been to Sanaa and can only imagine that they are at 2 different ends of the spectrum. Sanaa would be quieter and definitely more unique. I see what others are saying about being at DTD but since you're going to Jelly Rolls later you may want to start out more subdued and enjoy your conversations with each other before you go to Jelly Rolls. Have you asked about these choices on the Restaurant board yet?

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I think were I in your shoes I would try to figure out depending on the adults if some may have issues with the typical Indian/African seasoning of Sanaa's menu items.

I love both restaurants and our traveling party (6-8) is made up of adventurous eaters, foodies, and people who enjoy ethnic foods. At Ragland,s you will have a huge selection with many choices suited for pickier eaters, meat and potato people and then the more Ethnic Irish offerings. Sanaa, is a more limited menu, restricted by the Indian/African influenced cuisine!

Ragland's - Love the (?) Forest Appetizer (Fried Scallops served lollipop style) Love the braised beef w/ horseradish mashed potatoes, Tasty chicken mushroom pies! And the piece de resistance " The Bread Pudding" Add table top dancing, music and a rousing ambiance!

Sanaa - We love the bread service, the roasted tomato soup with paneer cheese, my son loves the beef short ribs and the Bhue Piri a puffed rice {?} salad. My faves, the Roasted beet salad and the golden lentils with tomato and the Mustard seed crusted scallops. A calmer eating experience, surrounded by the African Savannah!

Maybe print out the menu from allear.net and get opinions from your traveling party!
Good luck with your decision!

 

[AmyB2006]

We've done RR and liked it. I agree, not spectacular, but good. One thing I wish I would have known is how the restaurant is set up. It was recommended to me and I was told that it was nice, they have a live band, nice and lively. All great, until the waitress leads you off into this little side room where you can't even see the band. :/

Had I known, I would have requested a "main room" table when we arrived and waited the few extra minutes for it. Very disappointing (for me at least) to be whisked away to a "quiet" corner where you can't even see the entertainment.

But I do agree about being either in DD or Epcot.

Amy

 

[MouseMomx2]

We love both, but if we were going to Jellyrolls afterwards we would eat at Kouzzina. It is, hands down, our favorite restaurant at WDW and just steps away from Jellyrolls. You will save so much transportation time and will have more time to relax and enjoy your evening. As mentioned, we love Sanaa and Raglan Road as well but they rank just below Kouzzina for us.

Just some food for thought.

 

[rentayenta]

Sanaa for sure. We've been to both. Sanaa is just cool but we love the vibe at AKV. Raglan is nice too but it's a pub and not at all unique but still great. Sanaa is just so unique in terms of decor and food, great wine list too. We really enjoyed both but I'd choose Sanaa.

 

[Irishmom23]

I love both Sanaa and Raglan Road but I agree with the above poster, Kouzina for the food and proximity to Jelly Rolls

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

Sanaa. How I loved you Sanaa. We were there at Christmas after being gone for 18 months. The food had become less adventurous, less spiced (not spicy but spiced). It had become Indian for middle America as opposed to an authentic pan-African/Indian experience.
Same trip - Raglan Road - competent food, good wine/ beer list, and entertainment and fellowship, much more interactive.
Based on your post, I vote Raglan Road.

 

[Song of the South]

Echoing previous replies...Kouzzina is one of the best places at all of WDW to eat. Second only to Flying Fish which is definitely an adult friendly place. Flying Fish is simply amazing!

We ate at Raglan Road in late September and thought it was pretty terrible. Maybe it was an off night? We have not tried Sanna yet.


SotS

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I have not been to Sanaa, but do enjoy Raglan Road.

As someone else said...it did seem more memorable the first time over our trip in January.

I will say this though...if there are TWO of you at RR...there is this great appetizer for two people. Its $26 which outside of Disney would seem outrageous, but oddly reasonable for Disney. Anyhoo...if you order the appetizer for 2 it is a very filling meal for 2 people, and very very good.

Hubby and I have walked out stuffed after eating this dish. It seems like it has scallops, ribs, sausages and something else.

 

[cubfans]

We love both, but if we were going to Jellyrolls afterwards we would eat at Kouzzina. It is, hands down, our favorite restaurant at WDW and just steps away from Jellyrolls. You will save so much transportation time and will have more time to relax and enjoy your evening. As mentioned, we love Sanaa and Raglan Road as well but they rank just below Kouzzina for us.

Just some food for thought.

Kouzzina would have been a great idea. I keep forgetting it's there. I guess I still have Spoodles in mind when I think of that area. Maybe we will check to see if there are reservations available for our night. I have also heard that Kouzzina has one of the best breakfasts in WDW......I still vote Kona Cafe.

 

[wdwdano@yahoo.com]

I have never been a big fan of Sanaa. The food wasn't that impressive when we ate there. I did like the naan bread though. I love raglan road. Great atmosphere and I recommend the shepards pie.

 

[backyardponder]

Cubsfan: I assume you are from the Chicago area. There are lots and lots of Irish places in Chicago. Finding a place like Sanaa is difficult. Same with Kouzzina...there's lots of Greek restaurants in Chicago too.

 

[cubfans]

Cubsfan: I assume you are from the Chicago area. There are lots and lots of Irish places in Chicago. Finding a place like Sanaa is difficult. Same with Kouzzina...there's lots of Greek restaurants in Chicago too.

Good point! Plus after the corned beef and cabbage marathon we just had topped off with a few pints of Smithwicks, I'm probably good on Irish cuisine for a while. I wasn't considering the proximity of St. Patty's day to our trip. We are in fact from the Chicago area.....NW Indiana actually. Jeff Samardzija's hometown. Afraid this still won't be the Cubs year. But we still love Cubby blue!

 

[cubfans]

We opted for Kouzzina! Due to a rainstorm and 50 degree weather we thought it best to stay close to the Boardwalk. We were very happy with our choice! The food was delicious and our waitress "Gret" was phenomenal! I stopped at guest services at DTD the next day and filled out an "Applause-O-Gram" for her. If you go to Kouzzina I recommend the fisherman's stew. The Saganaki was also some of the best I've ever had. The "Blood of Bacchus" wine flight was not my favorite but the wine list was not bad and I'm sure there are better selections. Kouzzina is now on our Disney favorites list!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We opted for Kouzzina! If you go to Kouzzina I recommend the fisherman's stew. The Saganaki was also some of the best I've ever had. . Kouzzina is now on our Disney favorites list!

I agree! We love it too, the appetizers, the dips and hummus, my son loves it! I'm a fan of the whole roasted fish with fennel, I've tastes almost every other dish but I get the same thing each time! It's constantly being bashed for one thing or another but we laways make late ADR's, and enjoy a leisurely meal, service has never been an issue and the faood is so tasty!

But I also love Ragland's and Sanaa! it's fantastic to have such variety! My ultimate favorite though is "Bluezoo"