Saana with allergies?

[threeboysmom]

My DH has an onion & garlic allergy (poor thing, lol). Makes it VERY difficult to dine out as you can imagine since just about everything is flavored with onion & garlic.

I booked an ADR for Saana since we're staying at AKL, but now I'm thinking maybe I should cancel? I don't think there's anything on the menu that he'd be able to eat unless it can be modified. Does the chef there make everything from scratch? He can't even have onion or garlic powder as seasoning.

Anyone have any allergy experience at Saana? Thanks!

 

[LJSquishy]

I've heard the restaurants at AKL are amazing at handling all types of allergies. When you arrive at Sanaa, let the hostess know you have a guest with allergies and once you're seated the chef will come out to speak directly with your husband. He'll let him know what dishes are safe for his allergy or will offer to put together a special dish not on the menu if nothing is safe for him (or if he doesn't like the choices). This will be the same scenario at every table service restaurant you go to. Counter service restaurants may be quite a bit trickier but you will be able to speak with a manager at each location and they'll bring out an allergy/ingredients binder so you'll be able to try to find something safe for him to eat. I've been reading all about allergy accommodations because my husband is most likely Celiac (his endoscopy w/biopsy is today) so I'm doing as much research as I'm able to so we don't have any surprises or feel disappointed once we're there. I hope this helps! PS: What terrible allergies -- I loooove onion & garlic!

 

[PsychoCelloChica]

We traveled in January with quite a few food allergies, one of the women in our party with a Garlic/Shallots/Raw onion allergy.

We didn't eat at Sanaa, but did eat at Boma and the Mara. Both Boma and Mara bent over backwards for her to get her a safe (and tasty) meal. Boma did the normal buffet walk, but the chef wasn't happy with what her meat choices were, so he made her a fresh steak and plate of roasted vegetables to go with everything else she could eat. I assume it was tasty because she (jokingly) tried to stab her husband with a fork when he attempted to steal a slice. I would expect no less success and care from Sanaa.

Other than those two, her best meals were Be Our Guest, Artist Point, and Raglan Road, and Crystal Palace breakfast. She was NOT happy with Coral Reef, 50's prime time, or counter service anywhere in Animal Kingdom (she couldn't even handle standing near the quick service place in Asia, she finally did find a burger at Restaurantosaurus though). But the absolute worst meal of the whole trip for her was the Luau show at the Poly. Do NOT do it. Despite 2 phone calls about our allergies beforehand, she still ended up with overcooked bland chicken, bland rice, and bland veggie medley.

We also had good luck at Universal (the Leaky Cauldron had safe options), and off property (Shula burger on 192 was only about 10 minutes off property and was fantastic).

 

[threeboysmom]

PS: What terrible allergies -- I loooove onion & garlic!

ME TOO! I really miss cooking with them... especially my beloved garlic! Sigh.

Thanks for your help, both of you. It's good to know that Disney is willing to work with those unfortunate enough to suffer from food allergies.

And no Luau booked!

 

[geek+nerd]

I have 10+ food allergies, including onion and garlic. Sanaa is my absolute favorite place to eat at Disney. More than likely, something will have to be customized for him, but every chef that I have dealt with there has been more than accommodating. They will make him something flavorful, delicious and safe!

 

[Luv2Run]

Another rave review here for Sanaa! We booked a lunchtime ADR at Sanaa for our trip in February, and my dbf is severely allergic to cinnamon (which is a common spice in many of the dishes at Sanaa). The hostess, waitress, and chef were all very accommodating and knowledgable, and the chef was able to modify the Indian Bread Service appetizer and my dbf's main course to suit his allergy. The staff at Sanaa is stellar.

 

[threeboysmom]

Thanks! I'll be keeping my Saana ADR then!