As part of the Monkey Kingdom Event, I was treated to lunch at SANAA Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Animal Kingdom Lodge. Opinions expressed are that of my own.
SANAA Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Animal Kingdom Lodge is an exotic dining environment offering foods inspired by African and Indian cuisine.
Located in the Kidani Village, this culinary destination is surrounded by a savanna easily seen by patrons via the adjacent windows.
Photo credit SANAA.
I got to try the flavors available this restaurant by way of a 4 course meal. This feast is actually based on the offerings that are available during the Dine With Animal Specialists – An Untamed Lunch at SANAA.
For more information about this dining opportunity visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Experience.
To begin our meal, we started off with an Indian Style Bread Service. This included 3 varieties of bread – Naan, Paneer, and Onion Kucha.
There were also multiple dipping sauces and first one I tried was a Cucumber Raita, which actually reminded me of a tzatziki sauce. There was also red pepper hummus, mango salsa, a coconut chutney, as well as many other sauces. FYI, they actually make their Naan fresh at onsite Tandoor Ovens.
Then it was time for the second course featuring 3 different salads. There was Chickpeas with Cucumber and Tomato; a Watermelon, Cucumber and Fennel; and a Kachumbari (Tomatoes, Onions, Peppers). Each of these were beautiful dishes with diverse flavors and vibrant colors.
While dining our chef actually came out to explain to us what we were trying as well as the countries of origin. I have to admit I was intrigued by a dessert she mentioned called Kulfi, it is Indian and similar to ice cream.
After we sampled the salads, it was time for the main course. We would be eating a Butter Chicken and Goan Seafood Curry with Basmati Rice.
Out of the 2 the Butter Chicken was my favorite, however I enjoyed dipping the rice in both of the gravies. It was a delicious way to eat.
For the finale, we had a dessert trio. I finally got my chance to try the Kulfi as well as a Tanzanian Chocolate Mousse and Banana Cheesecake.
They were beautifully arranged on a platter with an edible blue butterfly atop the Chocolate Mousse. All 3 sweets were pretty and tasty.
Of course the best treat is being able to see wild animals walking around the Animal Kingdom Lodge property. Between gazelles, zebras, giraffes, kudu, ostriches and cranes, that in itself is worth a visit to the restaurant.
To learn more about this dining experience, visit SANAA Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Animal Kingdom Lodge.
About Disneynature Monkey Kingdom:
Life is an adventure for Maya, the clever and resourceful blonde-bobbed monkey in “Monkey Kingdom,” Disneynature’s new feature film set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia. Maya’s world is forever changed when she welcomes her son, Kip, into her complicated extended family. Like all families, Maya’s has more than its share of colorful personalities—and she’s determined to give her son a leg up in the world. When their longtime home at Castle Rock is taken over by powerful neighboring monkeys, Maya’s whole family retreats, and she uses her street smarts and ingenuity to uncover untapped resources amidst strange new creatures and unsettling surroundings.
Ultimately, they will all have to work together to reclaim Castle Rock, where Maya can hopefully realize her dreams for her son’s future.
Featuring a rich variety of characters, including a mischievous mongoose, simple-minded langur monkeys, predatory leopards and monitor lizards, “Monkey Kingdom” is narrated by Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), directed by Mark Linfield (“Chimpanzee,” “Earth”) and co-directed by Alastair Fothergill (“Chimpanzee,” “Bears”).
With music from award-winning composer Harry Gregson-Williams (“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” “Shrek” movies).
Monkey Kingdom is rated G and out in theaters NOW!
For more information on the film visit nature.disney.com/monkey-kingdom.
You can also like Disneynature at Facebook.com/Disneynature and follow along at Twitter.com/Disneynature.
FFM
Comments