Sanaa Opinions

[Christine]

Just went to Sanaa last night after hearing all the rave reviews. I thought it was very good. Having said that, this is probably my third time eating Indian food and I have realized that it's just not my thing. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it but it's not anything I "crave."

We got the breads service, which was wonderful. My favorite sauce was the Tamirind sauce. We also had Mango Chutney and Cucumber Raita.

I got the two meats in the gravy. I got butter chicken (DELICIOUS) and the short ribs. I was just okay with the short ribs. Tasted kind of like a pot roast recipe I make at home. This dish would be great for people who like things kind of plain. Others in my party got the Tandoori Chicken and Tandoori Shrimp. Again, just fine for people who like plain food and are on the picky side.

I got the banana kulfi sundae for dessert which was very good. Small portion but just right. Kids got the chocolate cake.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

WOW ! This looks like a FABULOUS Choice !

I hope you get your ADR's.... and can't wait to hear about it !

(HUGS)

 

[tchrrx]

We will be taking the bus from AK to AKL. Which stop do we get off at? Thanks!

 

[Best Aunt]

Sanaa is at the Kidani Village part of AKL, so you get off at Kidani Village. That's the first stop when you are coming from the Animal Kingdom theme park.

Here's the Tandoori Shrimp. Sorry I didn't think to take the picture until I had already eaten some of the shrimp.

 

[Aerinha]

Just went to Sanaa last night after hearing all the rave reviews. I thought it was very good. Having said that, this is probably my third time eating Indian food and I have realized that it's just not my thing. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it but it's not anything I "crave."

We got the breads service, which was wonderful. My favorite sauce was the Tamirind sauce. We also had Mango Chutney and Cucumber Raita.

I got the two meats in the gravy. I got butter chicken (DELICIOUS) and the short ribs. I was just okay with the short ribs. Tasted kind of like a pot roast recipe I make at home. This dish would be great for people who like things kind of plain. Others in my party got the Tandoori Chicken and Tandoori Shrimp. Again, just fine for people who like plain food and are on the picky side.

I got the banana kulfi sundae for dessert which was very good. Small portion but just right. Kids got the chocolate cake.

Hoping to get an ADR there (window not open yet for my next stay), how was the mango chutney and tamarind sauce? Spicy? I want to do the bread service and don't care for spice.

 

[Aerinha]

We will be taking the bus from AK to AKL. Which stop do we get off at? Thanks!

It is not always the first stop. I stayed at AKL last April and it was mostly the first stop, but a handful of times they went to Jambo house first. Only guess is that the driver got word there was a long line at Jambo?? Anyway, the buses will announce that you are approaching Kindani, home of Sanaa restaurant so no worries. It will also say approaching Jambo, home of Boma and Jiko.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Sanaa: (*rev 01/21/2015*)
. . . food price value: B
. . . food quality: B
. . . food quantity per serving: B
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: B
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: A
. . . staff attentiveness: A
. . . character interaction: B (views of animals on Savannah)

Our Recommendations:
. . . appys:... Indian Style Bread Service, Lamb Kefta
. . . entrée:.. Tandoori Lamb, Beef Short Ribs
. . . dessert:. Banana Kulfi Sundae (available seasonally) or Banana Cheesecake

NOTE1: Has good regional African food. Americanized, but definitely more adventurous than
other eateries. The menu is shorter than other table service eateries, the wine list average,
but the quality of the food and presentation are high. An added benefit is the viewing animals
on the Savannah during the meal (for daylight hours). There are eight window tables and six
more with good views. For lunch, try the Lamb Kefta open face sandwich; for dinner, try the
beef and lamb. Don't miss out on the Banana Kulfi Sundae. We like the bread appy/sampler,
as well as the salad sampler with three salads; either will feed two people. Be aware that items
labeled as "Durban" are highly spiced, best washed down with cold milk! It is out of the way,
but is worth the long drive. This is only one of the five sit down eateries we patronize at WDW.
In our opinion, Sanaa is better than Jiko or Boma. As a PS, they accommodate kids really well.

NOTE2: There has been a MAJOR menu change for lunch. The bread and sandwich offerings are
still there, but CONSIDERABLY toned-down for "heat". I had the Lamb Kefta (aka, Lamb Burger).
It was very tasty and nicely spiced, but no "heat". I asked, and yes, the menu items have
been altered. I asked for some Peli-Peli sauce, which is a VERY, VERY hot Indian sauce. If
I put more than 1/32" ball on my fork, my lips and tongue would go numb! This was great, as
any Indian food that doesn't bring sweat droplets to your forehead is too mild. So, if you
enjoy something very spicy, ask for the Peli-Peli on-the-side in a ramekin, but use sparingly.

NOTE3: Sanaa is a really good place to split/share meals. It not only helps cut the cost of
eating, but gives you a chance to sample the various offerings.

NOTE4: We prefer the lunch over the dinner.
. . . the fare is a little lighter
. . . the price is better
. . . the appys and salads are the same
. . . the lower number of people eating
. . . the ability to see animals on the Savannah

 

[Megara5115]

Absolutely LOVED it! Bread service was amazing as were our entrees and drinks! Definitely a must do!

 

[Disney Mom 7272]

Glad to see so many positive comments. We are trying it for the first time in Septmeber

 

[Luv2Run]

We loved Sanaa so much on our last trip that we have decided to stay at AKL for next year's trip! LOL
My bf has a severe cinnamon allergy, but loves Indian/African cuisine, so when I made our ADR I indicated that we had a food allergy in our party. At check-in, we told the hostess about his allergy to cinnamon, so our server met with the head chef to go over our options. We ordered the Indian Style bread service with 9 accompaniments, where the chef subbed out the sauces that contained cinnamon with extra tamarind chutney (I think that's what it was) and pickled garlic. The chef then came out to our table to offer meal suggestions, where she recommended that my bf order the open-faced tandoori chicken sandwich, but instead of cooking the chicken in the curry/spices, she cooked it in the pickled garlic sauce with more of the cucumer raita on top. It came out fantastic! I had the regular open-faced tandoori chicken sandwich. We were so stuffed by the end, but it was all amazing.

Now time for pics:

Indian-style bread sampler

Bf's meal

My meal w/bf's meal in the background for comparison

 

[MrsDuck]

We love Sanaa!!

 

[lovin'fl]

One of my very fave places to eat at WDW!!!

 

[greentea]

We love Sanaa!

Here are photos of our bread service with all sauces, and an appetizer sampler (lamb sliders, samosas, and chana tikki)



Dessert! Kulfi and ginger cake:




ETA: Didn't realize this was an old thread that had been resurrected until now. Oh well!

 

[villainj]

I cannot wait to try this in a couple of months! I loved boma and have high expectations for sanaa! Counting down the days

 

[Goofy'slady]

My girls and I tried Sanaa for the first time in 2013 and we loved it. The food was inspiring and provided my girls with an opportunity to try foods they would normally shy away from and the views with the animals were just the icing on the cake. My youngest requested to dine there again for our trip in August and can't wait to go back.

Good choice, I don't think you'll be disappointed.