Just got my first look at the lunch and dinner menus for Sanaa, the new Indian restaurant that will open May 1st at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and my heart sank when I saw it. I had hoped for authenticity, for a restaurant that wouldn’t pander to plebian palates but would strive to teach newcomers something about the cuisine.
True, I haven’t tasted the food yet, so perhaps there is a chance for authentic seasonings. So what makes me think that won’t happen? The lunch menu has beef short ribs, grilled angus chuck burger and grilled pork chop. On the dinner menu there’s also a New York strip.
Most Indians are either Hindu or Muslim. Cows are, of course, sacred to Hindus. And to Muslims, pigs are considered to be unclean animals and should not be eaten. At least the Culinears at Disney chose to offend both dominant sects.
And true, under the logo above it says “the art of African cooking with Indian flavors,” so maybe that’s the fudge factor. But still.
Other items include chicken with red curry sauce, dum biryani, tandoori lamb chops and potato and pea samosas.
Take a look for yourself at the Sanaa Lunch Menu (642.51 kB) and the Sanaa Dinner Menu (528.04 kB) .