Sanaa Breakfast Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in July 2018.

Breakfast at Sanaa

Sanaa, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, is a table service restaurant for lunch and dinner that offers a quick service style breakfast from 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. daily. I had the chance to stop by and try this breakfast for the first time back in February 2018. And, I loved it so much, that I was super excited to go back again recently when I had breakfast with my friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures who was at Disney World on vacation with her family.

Atmosphere

I have written many blog posts over the years about Sanaa and its amazing theming. It's beautifully decorated. And, you simply cannot beat the view of the Savannah and the animals there.

Sanaa Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of the things that I love about breakfast is that the restaurant is very bright during the daytime. It gives it a totally different feel from the evening.

Sanaa - Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

When you arrive at the restaurant, you do not have to have a reservation or check-in at breakfast. Simply walk-in to the right, where you will find a grab and go station and a cash register for ordering freshly prepared meals too.

Sanaa Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Seating is up to you. And, you can sit wherever you would like. We had a lovely view of the side of the Savannah and got a chance to see lots of animals throughout our breakfast.

Sanaa Table Number / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I also love that you get these adorable numbered animals for your order. This helps the cast members identify what tables to bring food too. Ever the cat lover, I love that I got a cheetah.

The Food

Unlike lunch and dinner, Sanaa does not carry an allergy-friendly breakfast menu. The cast member at the cash register can let you know what items are currently marked gluten free on the register. But, we recommend speaking to a chef to discuss options, especially if you have questions or additional dietary needs. If you're just gluten free, you'll find a ton of options and almost every item on the menu can be made gluten free, easily.

Sanaa - Boere Breakfast / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I opted for the Boere Breakfast with Two Cage-free Eggs served any style with Tomato Chutney, Tanzanian Hash Browns, Boerewors Sausage, and Bacon. It is normally served with a Johnny Cake, but it is not gluten free. In speaking with Chef Fallon who was working at Sanaa when we visited for breakfast, I asked if I could get a single allergy-friendly Simba Waffle in place of the Johnny Cake, and she was happy to accommodate.

The Boere Breakfast can be made both gluten free and dairy free, which is great. As I learned on my last visit, the hash browns don't contain any dairy either -- another great feature of the menu. Overall, it's hard not to order this entree because I really enjoy it. The savory sausage (which is my favorite) works really well with the eggs, hash browns, and the tomato chutney. This is an all-around delicious breakfast entree.

Sanaa - Allergy Friendly Simba Waffle / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I absolutely adore the Allergy-Friendly Simba Waffles served here. They're just so cute! They currently make these waffles using a combination of Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix and Namaste Pancake & Waffle Mix and prepare them in a dedicated allergy waffle maker. Topped with some maple syrup, and you have one sweet ending to your meal.Alexis ordered the Safari Waffles which included four allergy-friendly Simba Waffles that were topped with Seasonal Berries. These looked delicious. And, I might have to order these on another visit. You can read more about Alexis's dining experiences at Disney on her blog Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures.

Overall

Sanaa continues to be a great quick service breakfast option. If you're looking for a bit more variety or items like Bobotie, we recommend heading to The Mara at Jambo House at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. But, they both offer something unique and tasty for breakfast. I think I prefer Sanaa just a little bit over The Mara mostly for those delicious hash browns, the sausage, and those adorable Simba Waffles. They make for a perfect way to start your day.

Have you been to Sanaa for quick service breakfast? What did you order when you dined there?

Boma: Flavors of Africa -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge

*This dining experience took place in March 2018.

Breakfast at Boma

Boma: Flavors of Africa is probably one of my most favorite restaurants on Disney property for breakfast. And, I've probably written more posts about Boma breakfast than any other restaurant meal here on the blog. So, when I say I'm a fan of this restaurant, it's definitely true! I recently stopped by Boma for breakfast with my family to celebrate Easter. We decided that instead of cooking a big dinner, that we would get together for a nice meal that someone else cooked. My family also wanted to go to breakfast the day before Easter, so we would avoid the crowds.

Atmosphere

Although I have to say that the atmosphere is probably the thing I pay attention the least at Boma (hello, Mickey waffles!), the restaurant is beautifully themed and decorated. The restaurant's name, Boma, means enclosure. And, the name really reflects that theme. From thatched roofing over the buffets to wooden fences, you see nods to the restaurant's name everywhere.The seating is plentiful. And, I love getting a table with views outside. On the morning we visited, we got a great view, which also provided lots of light into the restaurant seating area.

The Food

Upon arriving at the restaurant, the hostess provided me with an allergen guide. Because Boma is an all-you-care-to-enjoy restaurant, they do not have an allergy-friendly menu. But, this guide will help you navigate the buffet and determine which items might be safe for you. Because any type of buffet setting has an increased chance of cross-contamination, I highly recommend speaking to a Disney chef and discussing options. You can also ask the chef to bring you items from the back of the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination, which I do on any visit I make.On this visit, I got a chance to see Chef Frank, who is always really awesome! He does a great job handling special dietary needs requests. Because I have been so many times, I actually knew exactly what I wanted to order from the kitchen. Otherwise, Chef Frank normally takes me through the buffet. You know you've been to a restaurant a lot when you know the menu practically by heart!While Chef Frank was preparing my food, our server Tristin brought out drinks. Don't forget to try to the Jungle Juice while you're at Boma. It's a great juice option (although a little sweet) made with guava, passion fruit, and orange juices.I did opt to go to the buffet area for the carving station, breakfast meats, and grilled asparagus. All of these are in areas where there is low chance of cross-contamination. So, I feel comfortable getting those few items there.While I was chowing down on my plate from the buffet, Chef Frank brought out a bounty of food. First up, a ham and onion omelet and tater tots. Both of these are gluten free and dairy free. The omelet was perfectly cooked. But, the tater tots. Omigoodness. These were so good. Honestly, every breakfast should include tots.One important note about the tater tots. These are not safe on the buffet. And, the team actually has to make these in the Mara side of the kitchen. So, there is always a chance that this might not be an option when you visit. I have had tot-free breakfasts on occasion at Boma. And, oh, how I missed them!Chef Frank also brought me two allergy-friendly Mickey waffles and an Udi's Gluten Free blueberry muffin toasted with some Earth Balance vegan buttery spread and 100% pure maple syrup.I have to say that my favorite way to have the waffles here were inspired by a suggestion from Chef Frank. On this visit, I got banana chips (I also usually add walnuts), along with the Earth Balance and maple syrup. It's a fantastic gluten free and dairy free combo!As you can see, I had a huge spread that also included dairy free pap, hot quinoa with brown sugar, and fresh pineapple. I must have been enjoying way too much as I forgot to get them in the photo too.

Overall

Boma's stellar breakfast options make it a perfect place for guests with special dietary needs. The chefs here are fantastic. And, I never feel like I leave hungry. In fact, it's usually my only meal fo the day after dining here. Add in some great atmosphere, and you have a great breakfast option whenever you travel to Disney World. It's a breakfast spot that is a must-do for my family.Have you been to Boma? What did you think of the breakfast options? 

Sanaa -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge

*This dining experience took place in February 2018.

Breakfast at Sanaa

Sanaa, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, has long been one of my favorite table service restaurants for lunch and dinner. And, back in late 2016, Sanaa began offering a quick service style breakfast daily from 7-10 a.m. Given how much I love Sanaa, I can't believe it took me this long (over a year!) to check out the Sanaa Kuamsha (which means "Awakening" in Swahili) Breakfast. But, now that I've been there, I know I'll be back again soon. Their breakfast has easily become my personal favorite quick service option at Walt Disney World.

Atmosphere

I absolutely adore visiting Sanaa for lunch and dinner not only for the food but the wonderful atmosphere and beyond amazing savanna views. But, visiting at breakfast gave me a chance to experience the Sanaa atmosphere in a totally new way.I arrived around 8 a.m. -- the perfect time of day to see the sun shining on the savanna with mild temperatures. The bright sunshine made for an impressive view inside the restaurant.When you arrive at Sanaa for breakfast, you may or may not see cast members at the front podium. Because it is a quick service style casual breakfast, guests can leisurely walk into the restaurant and turn right into the ordering area and find grab and go stations.Breakfast is currently offered daily from 7-10 a.m. and has a totally different vibe than any other meal at Sanaa. Things feel relaxed, quiet, and casual. There were hardly any other tables filled when I arrived and very few guests in the restaurant, making it a very low-key and easy-going meal, which I loved.Our course, with the bright sunshine flooding in the restaurant, I chose a seat near the windows with a savanaa view. But, as you can see from this photo the entire restaurant gets plenty of sunshine in too.

The Food

Of course, what I was most excited about when visiting Sanaa for breakfast was the food. I'd read lots of reviews about the restaurant and saw that Josh from Easy WDW had given it a very positive review when it opened in 2016, so I was hoping that my experience would be the same.When you first arrive, you'll see several grab and go options, including drinks, and an ordering station. You'll order any of the items that need to be freshly prepared, and they will be brought to your table by a cast member. It reminds me a lot of the newer quick service location offerings like Satu'li Canteen in Pandora at Disney's Animal Kingdom, which we love.Note, there is no allergy-friendly menu at Sanaa for breakfast (but there is for lunch and dinner). The cast member at the register said that she could let me know what options were available based on what the register told her were options. But, I did ask to speak to a chef. I always find that speaking with a chef gives you a better idea of what is actually available (sometimes menu items that are safe or just need a slight modification aren't listed on a menu) or can be customized easily.Chef Amy greeted me, and she let me know there were several options available gluten free. These included:

• Boere Breakfast (minus the Johnny Cakes)
• Savana Platter (minus the Johnny Cakes)
• Fruit Sosatie
• Fruit Plate
• Safari Waffle (served with Allergy-Friendly Simba Waffles)
• Sunrise Sandwich (served on allergy-friendly bread)

I was definitely interested in the breakfast platters and decided to get the Boere Breakfast with scrambled eggs and a Simba allergy-friendly Mickey waffle in place of the Johnny Cake. Chef Amy had suggested fruit as a substitute, but when she mentioned Simba waffles, I asked if I could have that instead and was super excited when she said yes. Once I had that decided, the order was placed, and I went to get a seat and wait.One quick side about condiments. Sanaa's breakfast includes individual containers of ketchup, maple syrup, hot sauce, and other options. Be sure to check all the labels to ensure they are safe for your dietary need. They may look cute but may not necessarily work for you. You can always ask for condiments from the kitchen that will be safe (including things like maple syrup).Once you place your order, you are given a table marker and can choose any seat you like in the restaurant. I loved my little giraffe placemarker.On a quick drink note, I am a huge iced tea fan. Oddly enough, Sanaa does not offer iced tea at breakfast. The cast member at the register suggested I make my own hot tea and add ice to it. I just thought that was a slightly odd thing about the breakfast. As you saw from the photos above, they don't offer fountain soda either; guests will need to buy a bottle of soda if they want one.My wait for my breakfast was short and soon I had an amazing looking plate of food at my table. The Boere Breakfast can be made gluten free and dairy free by omitting the Johnny Cake and making sure that the eggs served are made without dairy. I checked with Chef Amy and she said the Tanzanian Hash Browns are naturally gluten free and dairy free, which is amazing.I have to tell you, this was hands down the best quick service breakfast I've ever had at Disney. The quality of the food was outstanding. And, of course, I'm partial to African and Indian flavors, so Sanaa's breakfast was a home run for me. The Tanzanian Hash Browns were a highlight. They were crispy and super flavorful and had what I believe was cilantro and some other herbs in them. I could have eaten these all day.My eggs were well cooked and very fresh. They clearly make these to order, and you could tell with every bite. The bacon was good -- nothing special, but as the kiddo at the table next to me said, "Wow! Bacon! I love Bacon." I can't argue with that!The other highlight to breakfast was the Boerewors Sausage a traditional South African style sausage. The flavors were outstanding, and there wasn't anything pre-made about these. If you like breakfast sausage, the Boere Breakfast should be on your list!Chef Amy had told me that she loves the Allergy-Friendly Simba waffles served at Sanaa's breakfast. They are currently being made using Namaste Foods Pancake & Waffle Mix and Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix. The mixes are blended together to make one outstanding waffle. Plus, the fact that they are Simba shaped makes them even better! Adding one waffle in to my meal made it the perfect sweet ending to the breakfast.And, don't forget to ask about 100% pure maple syrup. Mine came in this adorable little single serve cup of syrup!

Overall

I was beyond pleasantly surprised after having breakfast at Sanaa. Their quick service options were great for guests with special dietary needs and just plain delicious. I also loved the calm atmosphere and low-key vibe for breakfast. It made visiting Sanaa and the Animal Kingdom Lodge a real treat. If you're a guest staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, this is a must-do for breakfast at least one of your days on your trip. The prices were reasonable, the food excellent, and the atmosphere was great. It's definitely a spot I'll be going back to again soon as a local for another delicious breakfast. In fact, I want to go back and order several breakfast items to split since my first meal was so great!On a side note, they do not currently offer any discounts at breakfast (including Disney Vacation Club or Annual Passholder).Have you been to Sanaa? What do you think of their breakfast options? 

Boma: Flavors of Africa -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge

*This dining experience took place in December 2017.

Breakfast at Boma

Boma: Flavors of Africa is one of my favorite table service restaurants on Disney property. And, their all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet breakfast is one of my favorites too. As you'll learn in this review, even though it's a buffet, there are plenty of safe options to enjoy with special dietary needs. So, much so that I always end up beyond full by the end of my meal. Recently, my family and I went to Boma for breakfast during the holidays.

Atmosphere

I love everything about Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. And, the inside of Boma is no exception. The word boma means enclosure. And, the restaurant reflects this theme with lots of thatched roofing and coverings.I also love the dark wooden tables and chairs that make you feel super cozy and comfortable during your meal.

The Food

But, my favorite part about Boma is the food. Because it's a buffet style restaurant, you might be wondering how safe it is to eat there. Luckily, the chefs at Boma are fantastic and will work with you to not only show you safe items on the buffet but also make you food in the kitchen, to avoid cross-contamination.When you arrive at your table, you will be presented with a breakfast allergen guide. This guide tells you what allergens are contained in the dishes typically served on the buffet. But, don't be discouraged by this list. My recommendation is to always ask for a chef to discuss additional options, as there are many dishes that can be easily modified or prepared in the back in the kitchen. If you go to Boma for breakfast chances are Chef Frank will be on duty. If so, you're in luck. He does an excellent job with special dietary needs and always makes sure I get plenty to eat.While waiting for Chef Frank to come to the table, our server brought us Jungle Juice. This juice is a combination of Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava juices. It's super sweet but super delicious.When Chef Frank came out, we chatted about options that would be safe for me gluten free and dairy free. While you can get custom omelets, Chef Frank said he would make mine in the back. I opted for a custom omelet with ham and onion in it. This is one of my Boma breakfast must-do's and is always really good. You can get just about anything you want in your omelet, so feel free to customize and load up on your favorite meats and veggies.Because I know Boma really well, I did opt to get a few things off the buffet line at the pods where cross-contamination is less of a risk. So, I got grilled asparagus, sausage, bacon, carved ham and carved turkey -- all of which are gluten free and dairy free.If you check out your allergen guide, you'll see that pap (essentially grits) is made with dairy. But, if you speak to a chef, they can actually get you pap from the kitchen that is dairy free. Chef Frank also made me tater tots -- which are one of my favorites at Boma -- and are not listed as safe on the allergen guide due to a shared fryer. This is one of the biggest reasons I ask to speak to a chef. If I hadn't, I might not know these would be an option.And trust me, tater tots are ALWAYS worth asking about.Boma also carries a selection of gluten free and dairy free breakfast pastries that are not on the regular buffet. Chef Frank brought me a Kinnikinnick vanilla glazed donut and Udi's Gluten Free Blueberry Muffin, toasted with Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread. This is one of those tips that Chef Frank turned me onto a while back. And, now I always have to get my Udi's blueberry muffin toasted. So good!I also got a bowl of the hot quinoa with raisins and apples. You can top it with brown sugar. But, be sure to avoid the toasted quinoa that's also a side option, because it is fried in a shared fryer. I wouldn't say the hot quinoa is my favorite breakfast item at Boma. But, I always feel like I should get it to be a little "healthy."One of the best parts about Boma are the allergy-friendly Mickey waffles. These are the stuff dreams are made of. And, the ones at Boma are some of the best at Disney World. These appear to be made currently with a combination of Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix and Namaste Pancake & Waffle Mix and are so good. Super crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they really are my favorite part of any breakfast.Chef Frank is always so great at making suggestions, and the one he suggested a few years ago is a version I still order. I always get allergy-friendly Mickey waffles with 100% pure maple syrup and a side of toasted banana chips and walnuts. I don't know what it is but the combination is SO good.These waffles make for one decadent and sweet way to end your meal at Boma and a must-do on any breakfast trip to this table service restaurant.

Overall

Boma continues to be one of my favorite breakfast spots on Disney property. It may be a little pricey, but it's totally worth it. Not only is the atmosphere great, but the food is outstanding. There are so many gluten free and dairy free options to choose from, that I never worry about going hungry at Boma. Add to that amazing chefs like Chef Frank who really truly work to make sure you have safe and delicious options, well, that truly makes it even more special.Have you been to Boma? What meal do you prefer when you go there?

Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village

*This dining experience took place in March 2017.

Dinner at Sanaa

When it comes to favorite restaurants at Disney, I gotta admit, I keep going back to Sanaa. This table service restaurant, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is a not-so-hidden gem these days. It seems the word on how amazing Sanaa is has gotten out, and it's become pretty popular. With African and Indian inspired food that might not seem so approachable for a lot of guests, it's a pretty big testament to how great the food is! On this particular occasion, we had dinner at Sanaa with friends who were visiting from out-of-town. I knew they'd enjoy the food and the amazing atmosphere.

Atmosphere

Sanaa is a gorgeous restaurant with a beautiful theme. Sanaa means work of Art in Swahili, and you can see lots of art and artifacts throughout the restaurant.The restaurant is set to look a bit like you're in the African woods. It's pretty amazing. Plus, even more amazing is the view. If you're ever wanted to dine with giraffes, zebras, spring bok, and other African animals, Sanaa is the place to do it. Sanaa overlooks the savanna at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the views really are amazing.

The Food

In addition to an amazing theme and view, the food at Sanaa is delicious. Even though the food may seem a bit exotic, you'll find that Disney uses these flavors in approachable ways, so you won't end up with super spicy or totally unappealing dishes. If you're not sure what might be safe for your special dietary need, do check out the allergy friendly dinner menu for Sanaa. And, if you see something on the menu that isn't listed, ask to speak with a chef. They can often make easy modifications to dishes (you'll see that first-hand with my meal on this visit too).The first thing I ordered on this visit was the African Starr Mint Mojito. It's my hands down favorite drink at Sanaa. It's made with rum (typically gluten free), fresh mint, and simple syrup. So tasty and a refreshing alcoholic drink on a hot day.Up next, our group ordered the Sanaa Bread Service, which is a must do. All of the dips are currently gluten free, and only one dip contains dairy. How awesome is that? Plus, they make gluten free & vegan naan. So, I'm basically in heaven when I get bread service...because...gluten free carbs and dips! The gluten free & vegan naan is made with Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour Blend, which is gluten free and dairy free. If you're craving it at home, you can even make yourself with this recipe for the gluten free and vegan naan.The chef served my bread on a separate plate, and before everyone else dug into the dips, I made sure to scoop what I wanted onto a safe clean plate for myself. You can always ask for separate containers of dip too (though this may include an upcharge, depending on how many dips your group orders). My favorite dips still include the roasted red bell pepper hummus, tomato date chutney, coriander chutney, and mango chutney. They are so good (and all are gluten free and dairy free).For my entree, I asked about the Sustainable Fish. I thought it would be similar to the old version of their sustainable fish dish, which included a light curry broth and vegetables. I was told that they could make it gluten free with a few modifications (I did not ask for it to be dairy free, as I have been reintroducing a bit of dairy back into my diet). So, you can imagine my surprise when the tile fish I ordered arrived.I gotta admit, it looked nothing like what I imagined. The little peppers included were actually quite sweet and not spicy at all. They added a bit of punch and flavor to the fish and pap (aka grits) which were both a bit bland. The sauce tasted like coconut milk, but since the dish wasn't listed as dairy free, I'm guessing there was either butter, cream, or milk in the sauce and/or the pap. Everything was tasty, but it definitely wasn't the best thing I've ever ordered at Sanaa. Next time, I'd skip this and go back to some of my favorites like the Durban Shrimp, Goan Seafood Curry, and Grilled New York Strip.

Overall

I can't say enough good things about Sanaa. The restaurant theme is amazing. The view is incredible. And the food is outstanding. There are a ton of gluten free and dairy free options on the menu, and the chefs there are amazing at customizing and modifying dishes. Plus, they have one of the best bread service options for guests with special dietary needs, which is a rarity!Have you been to Sanaa? What do you enjoy about dining there?

Boma -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in February 2017.

Breakfast at Boma: Flavors of Africa

Boma, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, is a buffet restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. I'm a huge fan of their breakfast options. So, when I thought about where to go at Disney for my recent birthday meal, I decided brunch at Boma was just the ticket. Boma's breakfast is African inspired but has a lot of classic American breakfast options too. This means that even though it might seem like it has some exotic dishes, there are plenty of breakfast staples you'll recognize and enjoy.

Atmosphere

Boma's interior is simple but artfully designed. The buffet area has a charming thatched roof and some nice African touches. The main dining area has beautiful mix and match wooden tables and chairs, which I love. It's a buffet, so it's meant to hold a large number of guests, so some of the seating areas can be a little too close for comfort in my opinion. The best seating is near the windows, where you can find larger tables and cozy corners. Of course, the best part about Boma is the smells from the amazing open fires and the aroma of delicious food cooking.

The Food

I had recently been to Boma in December with my family during the holidays, so I was pretty sure not much on the menu offerings had changed. Because Boma is a buffet style restaurant, there is no allergy friendly menu. But, don't be too discouraged. When you arrive, you'll meet with a Disney chef who will take you through the buffet options, noting items that are safe for your special dietary need. If you are concerned about cross-contamination, the chefs will prepare you safe items from the back.On this visit, the chef took me through the buffet line, and I opted to get many items from the kitchen and a small select amount of items from the buffet, including the carving station.Up first, I made sure to get a bowl of the hot quinoa with apples and raisins. I had this on my last visit, and with a bit of brown sugar, it makes for the perfect hot cereal. They do offer oatmeal, but it is not certified gluten free. So, if you have celiac disease, you'll want to avoid that one. I have been told in the past that they carry Bob's Red Mill certified gluten free oats that they can make for you, but you'll want to check with a chef to confirm that they have them on hand. You'll also want to watch out for the bowl of fried quinoa next to the hot quinoa. I was told that it was fried in a shared fryer.After enjoying some hot quinoa, I made sure to get some grilled asparagus, along with some breakfast meats including the carved ham, bacon, and sausage. The asparagus was unbelievably good on this visit, and it continues to be a major favorite of mine. The ham is another favorite, and I can't not get it from the carving station on every visit.I was disappointed on this visit to hear that they didn't have turkey on the carving station, which they usually do. The chef said they are rotating it with other meats, and on the day I visited it was corned beef, which was not gluten free.Bummer.Still, there were a ton of breakfast meat options to choose from.Though not photographed, I did also have a bowl of pap, which is a fancy word for grits. It's really hit or miss whether the ones on the buffet contain dairy, and on this visit they did. The chef brought me some from the back. They went perfectly with my custom omelet that contained ham and onion along with baked breakfast potatoes.The regular breakfast potatoes are gluten free, but are fried in a shared fryer, which means cross-contamination might occur. Because of this, the chef made me some baked ones. Sadly, she didn't really season them at all, so they were really boring and bland. I managed to salvage them by adding some salt and pepper, but still. They could have used some of Boma's signature Afritude seasoning that they use, which is gluten free and dairy free.The chef also baked me some plantains. They had the same issue as the potatoes with a shared fryer. Again, this was another underwhelming option. They didn't have any flavoring at all, making them just really bland. My stepdad ate a ton of them, but they weren't high on my must eat list that morning.The best part of the meal had to be my allergy friendly Mickey waffles. I was able to add a few fun toppings for something different. I got toasted coconut, walnuts, and banana chips. Note that these were all served on the side and separately, as the allergy Mickey waffles are prepared in dedicated waffle makers.The allergy friendly Mickey waffles were served plain and with 100% pure maple syrup, along with my toppings on the side. The waffles at Boma are currently made with a combination of Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle Mix and Namaste Pancake & Waffle Mix.They were absolutely perfect with the added toppings to them. The waffles themselves were crispy but not overly chewy. Thankfully, they were really well cooked, and I could dig into them happily. If you're just gluten free, you can get a bananas foster sauce there too, which is a nice option. But, I've really become partial to adding mix and match toppings to the waffles.I forgot to take a photo, but the chef also brought out an Udi's Gluten Free Muffin, Kinnikinnick donut, and some mini brownie cupcakes from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC, the gluten free and allergy friendly bakery at Disney Springs. This was a nice little touch. But, it was also a ton of food. Thankfully, they gave me a small to-go box for my baked goods to take with me. Though this isn't usually allowed at buffets, I have found that if you have a special diet, they will let you take extra food home with you, which is so nice.

Overall

Boma continues to be one of my favorite brunch spots at Disney. This visit wasn't the best in terms of food quality, with some underseasoned and bland dishes, but overall, I always find the breakfast there to be delicious and filling. Plus, the amazing allergy friendly Mickey waffles there and carving station make it a must do for me.Have you been to Boma? What is your favorite meal there?

Sanaa -- Dinner Review -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village

*This dining experience took place in January 2017.Sanaa, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, is one of my favorite table service restaurants on Disney property. Serving up African and Indian inspired food, the offerings here are not only delicious but very special diets friendly. Not only do they carry an allergy-friendly menu, but they also have some really great dishes, like the gluten free, dairy free, and vegan naan bread (more on that in a minute!).Sanaa has recently updated its menu and after a not-so-great experience this summer, I had been wanting to check out the menu changes for a while now. Thankfully, I had a good excuse to visit when Travel Planner Mary Morales invited me to dinner.On a side note, if you are interested in booking a vacation, I can highly recommend Mary. Her services are free (score!) and she takes care of all the planning and work for you (double score!). You can find out more info about Mary on her Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MaryMoralesTravelPlanner/ First things first, we decided to get the Sanaa bread service, which is always a winner. We decided to split it, so I was able to get 2 pieces of the gluten free and vegan naan bread and Mary could get the regular naan. Then, I made sure to scoop up some of the dips on my side plate so we could both enjoy without worry of cross-contamination.I was a little surprised to see the new Sanaa bread service platters, and I can't say I'm that impressed. I actually miss the rustic boards they used to use with the sauces surrounding the bread. Plus, the ramekins just seem smaller to me. That being said, I know change can be a good thing...just as long as they don't remove my gluten free and vegan bread option!Of the dips, all of them are gluten free and dairy free, except the cucumber raita, which is just gluten free. I'm a huge huge fan of the roasted red bell pepper hummus, mango chutney, coriander chutney, and tomato date chutney. The others are good, but these four are my  jam! I highly recommend combining the mango chutney and coriander chutney together. They make for a delicious chutney on chutney combo!The naan itself is made from Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour blend and is gluten free and vegan. The restaurant gave me the recipe, and I've since re-created it on my cooking video series, "My Gluten Free Disney Kitchen," for you to check out! It's fairly easy to make and is sooooo delicious!Brandon and I had been at the Epcot Festival of the Arts that weekend to check out the new gluten free options and to enjoy the festival. So, to say I was a bit over-indulgent is an understatement. I was craving something simple, so I asked Chef Fallon if she could re-create the tandoor chicken dish that used to be on the menu. Ultimately, she ended up just making me some rice, grilled chicken with tandoor seasoning and seasonal vegetables.It was exactly what I wanted for my meal -- something simple and easy. I could eat rice for days, and I loved the combo of the flavorful chicken and mild bland rice and sauteed veggies. It wasn't anything special but definitely was perfect for the evening.Mary got the Potjie-inspired dishes which has definitely changed some since my last visit. Instead of getting your choice of 2 meat or vegetarian dishes, you are given one meat and one vegetarian dish along with rice. For a $10 upcharge, you can get a second meat item, but you will keep the vegetarian dish, for a total of 3 dishes. Chef Fallon noted that they are doing this to give guests more composed dishes, but I'll be honest, it feels like it's an excuse to be a bit cheaper on the entree since typically vegetarian dishes are cheaper to prepare. I like having variety, but I know that a lot of folks are disappointed by this change.That being said, Mary really enjoyed the Chickpea Wat (which is gluten free and vegan) with her meal. She also got two gluten free options -- the Butter Chicken and Braised Beef (which is also dairy free). The dishes are also served with yogurt but it can easily be left off the plate, as it's served in its own dish.I will say the portions did seem bigger, so that's at least an upside to the changes.For dessert, I decided to get the Chai Spiced Tapioca Pudding with fresh berries. The restaurant always has a gluten free and vegan version on hand made with coconut milk, and it's delicious. It's very comforting to the stomach too if you've overindulged or have a tummy ache. It was another simple and tasty dish and rounded out my meal nicely.Overall, you can't go wrong with Sanaa. I love the flavors and options for all courses the meal here. Plus, their ability to customize and cater to special dietary needs is pretty outstanding. Big shoutout to Chef Fallon who always does a really amazing job there too!Have you been to Sanaa? What do you love to order there?

Jiko -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in December 2016.Jiko: The Cooking Place, a signature table service restaurant, is located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. African inspired, it features an upscale menu with unique flavors. I've had hit or miss experiences with Jiko, but I had a wonderful experience last fall when dining at the chef's counter.On this particular occasion, we dined at Jiko for Brandon's birthday. Last year, we went to Artist Point which was fabulous, but we knew we wanted to do something different this year. We both love the atmosphere and ambiance in Jiko, especially that the restaurant actually changes color throughout your meal, in order to represent an African Sunset.We went with a medium size group and were seated in the cozy booths in the back of the restaurant.Jiko carries an allergy-friendly menu, though it's important to note that you can ask for a chef at any time. I chose to order on the menu, without a chef consult on this visit, though I often do ask to speak with a chef.I'm not sure what it is about signature dining restaurants, but they always seem to carry Ener-G rolls, which are allergy-friendly and vegan. I'm not a big fan of these, as they turn hard as a rock almost immediately, so I was definitely disappointed to see these rolls. I much prefer the Deanna's Gluten Free (formerly known as GNI Brand Rolls), which are also allergy friendly and so much tastier.I was served a side of butter with sea salt, but you can easily get extra virgin olive oil upon request. I didn't really eat the rolls because they were not very well heated.On a side note, Brandon did order a cheese plate, and I'm assuming you could easily get it gluten free with some slight modifications.While the rolls were really disappointing, I was more than pleasantly surprised with my entree. I decided to get the 7 oz Oak-grilled Filet Mignon with Pumpin Pap “Isidudu,” Brussels Sprouts, Caramelized Onions, and a South African Red Wine Sauce. This dish contains dairy, but can be modified to be dairy free, as well as gluten free (you'd get marble potatoes instead of pap, etc.)Wow. The flavors in this dish were outstanding. The filet was perfectly cooked and tender (served butterfly style) and the pap was creamy and delicious. The absolute stars of the dish were the Brussels Sprouts (my favorite), caramelized onions, and red wine sauce. I could have drank that red wine sauce; it was that good!There were a lot of dishes on the menu that I was interested in. Normally, I don't go for beef, but I'm glad I did. This was super delicious and a perfect meal for a birthday celebration. I'm also partial to the maize crusted fish, which I've had gluten free & dairy free on several occasions and is delicious.Have you been to Jiko? What is your favorite menu item to order when you go there?

Boma -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in December 2016.Boma: Flavors of Africa, is a table service buffet located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House. Hands down, if someone asked me what my favorite breakfast was on Disney property, this restaurant would be it. I love everything about Boma - from the theming to the food.On this particular visit, I was joined by my family for an early holiday celebration. We all adore Boma, and since I had booked a DVC villa for my family at Jambo House, breakfast at Boma was a no-brainer.Boma is a buffet, which can be scary for those of us with special diets. The stuff of cross-contamination nightmares, buffets outside of Disney are places I avoid. But thankfully, Disney is really amazing with handling buffets for special dietary needs guests.Typically, the chef will first walk you through the buffet, noting items free of the special dietary ingredients you need to avoid. If you're comfortable dining straight off the buffet after this tour, you can. However, I often ask for food items from the kitchen to ensure safety. Much of the Boma buffet is gluten free, so I do a bit of a mix here; I tend to get a few things off the buffet and then request the remaining items from the kitchen. Of course, you'll want to use whatever strategy you're most comfortable with. Chefs will make all of your food from the kitchen, so you don't have to get items off the buffet at all, if you prefer too!Prior to getting to speak with a chef, our server brought us drinks. I always go for unsweetened iced tea and the signature juice -- Jungle Juice. It's a combination of orange juice, passion fruit juice and guava juice. Yum!After my tour of the buffet with the chef, I opted to get a few things off the line. This included grilled asparagus (a favorite for me), pap (grits), turkey, ham, bacon, and sausage. I also got some hot quinoa, which is now served with apples and grapes in it. I can't say I loved that combination, but it was nice to see it served in a different way besides plain.The carving station meats (turkey and ham) are perfection. Both are super moist, tasty, and just perfect for brunch. Even better, I had grilled asparagus and pap to enjoy with it. I was not a big fan of the sausage (really greasy on this visit), and the bacon wasn't anything special.I always always get fresh fruit at Boma. I don't know what it is, but I swear they have the best pineapple there. Pineapple is a fruit I can't get enough of, so I got a few small servings throughout my meal.The chef also prepared me a custom omelet, which I got with ham, onions, and cheddar cheese. Because I've been adding a bit of dairy back into my diet, I decided to get the cheese, and it was a really nice addition. I've also had an omelet with goat cheese on previous visits, if you are looking for a non-cow's milk option too.The breakfast potatoes on the buffet line have a cross-contamination risk now, as they are fried in a shared fryer. Because of this, the chef made me some in the back, sauteed with olive oil. And they were super crispy and delicious.And because you need Mickey waffles, I got the allergy friendly ones. They are currently being made at Boma as a blend of Namaste mix and Bob's Red Mill pancake & waffle mix. I thought they were extra crispy on this visit. I still personally prefer the straight Bob's Red Mill Pancake & Waffle mix myself, but at least they weren't the awful ones using the new mix served at some locations like Captain's Grille.If you're feeling fancy, ask the chef for banana chips or any other kind of topping you'd like to add to the waffles and your pure maple syrup. So good!Overall, I can't say enough good things about Boma. Their breakfast is outstanding and really delicious, and they have a ton of gluten free and dairy free options!Have you been to Boma? What has your experience been when you visited?

Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge

*This dining experience took place in August 2016.Sanaa, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village, has long been one of my favorite restaurants at Disney. I love the Indian and African inspired dishes, the amount of gluten free and dairy free offerings, and of course, the amazing views.On this particular occasion, I visited with my mom and stepdad who were in town briefly, having just arrived back from a trip to Europe. Their tradition every time they come back from vacation is to dine at Sanaa. And who am I to argue with their tradition?!I looked over the Sanaa allergy friendly menu but asked to speak to a chef, as I had a few questions about some of the new regular menu dishes that are not listed on the allergy friendly menu. As I learned from a recent visit to Sanaa, many of the dishes on the regular menu are gluten free and dairy free but oddly not listed on the allergy friendly menu.Chef Fallon who assisted me and my friends back in April is a rockstar and helped me out on this visit. She deserves some huge kudos.For an appetizer, we had to get the Sanaa bread service. It's a must. I love that I can get gluten free and allergy friendly (and vegan!) naan bread. Because we were splitting it, I ordered two pieces of the special diets naan while my mom and stepdad got regular naan.Before anyone else dug in, I immediately scooped up some dipping sauces for myself. I'm a huge fan of the Coriander Chutney, Mango Chutney (which I recently made on My Gluten Free Disney Kitchen!), and the Roasted Red Bell pepper Hummus. I also really enjoy the Tomato Date Chutney.The gluten free and allergy friendly naan was good, but probably the least well cooked compared to other visits where it has been divine. It wasn't bad, but it seemed a bit dry. Thankfully, I had lots of dipping sauces to help with that.The gluten free, allergy friendly, and vegan naan bread is made with Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour blend and is listed as gluten/wheat, egg, fish/shellfish, milk, peanut/tree nut, and soy allergy friendly. This is a photo of the traditional bread service. This naan is egg, fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, and soy allergy friendly.For my entree, I ordered the African-inspired Biryani which was listed as Fragrant Rice with Seasonal Vegetables influenced from the Cape of Good Hope. This is a vegetarian dish (I believe it was also vegan).Chef Fallon noted that many people ask for protein in the dish and that she could do so for me. I told her to surprise me for whatever was easiest for her, as I'm not fussy and like most proteins. This would later come back to be an issue with the check, but more on that later.The Biryani was served with crispy fried onion straws on top. Because I was unsure about the safety when it arrived (I've had the wrong thing given to me before at Sanaa), I asked server Jonathan to ask Chef Fallon and confirm its safety. I learned it was made with a gluten free flour, so that was great.Unfortunately, I had to wait a good 10 minutes before I could even talk to a server about this (Jonathan was not our server was a total rockstar; sadly, our server Eddie virtually ignored us throughout our meal and sent over other servers to assist us, while waiting on tables located directly next to us.). It did take another 5 minutes or so before I got confirmation, so I waited at about 15 minutes before I could eat my meal.Overall, once I finally got to eat it, I really enjoyed this dish. I loved the protein addition (Chef Fallon noted they will be updating the menu soon, and the protein add option will be listed), and I thought the rice was well cooked. The crispy fried onions were amazing!My only slight negative was the vegetables in the Biryani. I'm all about a nice vegetable melange but Brussels Sprouts, Green Beans, Carrots and some other root veggies seemed an odd combo to me. I love all of those, but they seemed a bit out of place with my dish.My mom got the Butter Chicken and Braised Beef with Basmati Rice, all of which is gluten free. The Butter Chicken contains dairy, but the Braised Beef is dairy free. I've had the Braised Beef on a previous visit and thought it was just OK.My stepdad had the Braii Lamb with Apricots, Squash, Bacon, Cashews, and Goat Cheese. It looked amazing. It wasn't listed as gluten free, but I am thinking it might have been easily gluten free, if not naturally gluten free, as all of the lamb dishes at Sanaa have been gluten free in the past.The Braii Lamb, I've had before was gluten free on the Braaivleis - South African Braai Sample Plate. Next time, I will ask because it looked incredible and was a great value compared to the other dishes at $22.Everyone enjoyed our meal, but I was a bit shocked when I got my bill and noticed a $15 upcharge for the protein I got. I definitely don't mind upcharges and am used to them at restaurants (thought to be honest, it's not all that rare at Disney), but I was shocked that it was so much and not communicated to me prior.I did speak to the manager Zach who basically said the restaurant charged that much because they needed to recoup their cost. He also noted that the new menu will be coming out and that this price was reflective of new price increases at Sanaa. I did explain to him that had I known there was an upcharge that high, I would have ordered my standard faves. I also let him know that I at no point specifically requested those proteins (he indicated the seafood made it a higher price, which I do understand, of course) and that the chef came up with those.He did reduce the price down to $26 total, which was the same price as the current pricing for the curries on the menu. Still, I was a bit stunned at the experience, and it's definitely not something I've experienced at Disney before without telling me prior to ordering.Overall, we enjoyed the food and atmosphere, but the experience with service was a bit lacking on this visit. I'm sad to hear that a new menu coming out will now price the curries from $26 to $34 and include 3 choices. My guess is the portion size will be lowered for each of the sauces, but that remains to be seen. Of course, menus and prices are always subject to change, so I will let you know if this new proposed change takes place.I love Sanaa, but I think I may skip it for dinner for a while and maybe only go at lunch where the prices are a bit more reasonable. It's a shame because it's my favorite restaurant, but this particular visit makes me want to take a bit of a Sanaa break for a while.As an update, I did speak with Disney's Guest Services, and they were also surprised by the upcharge I received and assured me that this is not a new common practice at Sanaa or other locations. Hopefully, others will not experience the same issue I did on this visit to Sanaa. This was a rare occurrence, and I'm glad it's not the norm.Have you been to Sanaa? What is your favorite dish there?

Boma -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in June 2016.Boma: Flavors of Africa is a table service restaurant located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House Resort that offers breakfast and dinner options -- all buffet style.Despite the fact that it's a buffet (which are always cross contamination nightmares for those of us with many special dietary needs), Boma is the perfect spot for a wonderful meal, because the chefs there are so amazing and providing safe options and even bringing you food from the back of the kitchen to ensure safety.Boma continues to my favorite brunch spot on Disney property because the food is amazing with lots of gluten free and dairy free options and even has some unique dishes to round out the meal. I enjoy dinner at Boma, but if I had to pick breakfast or dinner at Boma, I'd pick breakfast every time.On this particular occasion, I went to brunch with Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures. We both love Boma, so it was a great choice. You can read her full review on her blog.After arriving and being seated, our server brought us Jungle Juice, which is a combination of passion fruit, guava, and orange juices and is really delicious. It's a lot of sugar, so I usually only drink one glass of this.Once we got our drinks, the chef came out to go through the buffet with us. We asked if she could bring most of our food from the kitchen, with the only exceptions being the fresh fruit and the carving station meats.Every time I go to Boma, I have to get the fresh pineapple. I don't know what it is, but Boma always has the freshest best tasting pineapple. This visit was no exception!I did also go to the carving station which has smoked ham and smoked turkey on it. The chef carves it fresh for you at the carving station, and it's always amazing. Check with a chef about any of the accompaniments at the carving station. Typically, the only sauce that is gluten free and dairy free is the sambal. Sadly, the Boma mustard contains gluten.The chef brought out several items for me, including grilled asparagus (a Boma favorite), bacon, breakfast potatoes, and allergy friendly Mickey waffles. The Mickey waffles were made from Namaste mix, and I topped them with banana chips and warm pure maple syrup. They were extra crispy, which was great.I also ordered a ham, onion, and goat cheese omelet. Though they do have an omelet station, I asked if the chef could make this in the kitchen. Usually I really love the omelets at Boma, but I found that the amount of goat cheese in this dish made the flavors too overpowering. It was OK, but next time I would order without it.I also ordered a side of pap, which is basically grits.You can also request a variety of breakfast pastries, but since I was going to a work conference that day, I opted to skip them. Typically, Boma has Udi's Gluten Free pastries (like muffins and bagels) and Kinnikinnick donuts.Once Alexis and I stuffed ourselves silly with delicious breakfast offerings, we decided to take a stroll through the Jambo House grounds. I love that you can see the Savannah and check out all the amazing animals at the lodge, while you are there!Overall, I can't recommend Boma enough. It's been a consistently great option for brunch and always has amazing options that are safe and delicious. I can't wait to go back and brunch here again soon.Have you been to Boma? What do you love about this table service restaurant?

Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village

*This dining experience took place in April 2016.Sanaa, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Disney World. It used to be a hidden gem but word has gotten out about this Indian and African inspired restaurant, and it's become very popular among Disney foodies.I never turn down an invite to Sanaa, and I had the chance to dine with friends visiting from out-of-town recently. They also have special dietary needs, and while I didn't get photos, they did get some great special diets options that I'll post about!Sanaa, like most Disney restaurants, does have an allergy friendly menu. But, I always recommend getting a regular menu in addition to the allergy friendly menu when you dine here, as often dishes that may be safe for you aren't listed on the allergy friendly menu. This happens a lot with gluten free only items, so it never hurts to double-check and consult with a chef.On this visit, my friends had multiple dietary needs that included: gluten, dairy, soy, corn, MSG, and Xanthum Gum free. Chef Fallon took care of us, and she did an amazing job making sure everyone had something safe and delicious.When Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando and I dined here for lunch back in December 2015, we discovered a new version of the gluten free & vegan naan bread made with Cup4Cup Wholesome Flour Blend. We were both wowed by the pliable texture and taste.On this visit, I mentioned this to my friends, and we were able to get a customized version of the bread service. My friend who is gluten, dairy, soy, and corn free did eat the naan (xanthum gum is not an issue for him) but his mom who is gluten free, MSG, and xanthum gum free was served pappadums and lentil chips as an alternative. Chef Fallon also made my friend safe versions of the red pepper hummus, coriander chutney, and mango chutney so that he could enjoy them.Overall, the bread service was a home-run and everyone was happy with their options. My only slight complaint would be that the bread itself seemed a bit less pliable than my previous visit.For my entree, I chose the braised beef and Durban shrimp with Basmati Rice. I'm super sad that the goan seafood curry is gone now, as I really enjoyed it. The Durban shrimp is always good, though quite spicy. The braised beef was just OK. Some portions of the beef were very fatty and tasted like it hadn't been braised long enough. I'm not sure I'd get the beef again because of that.My friend's mom had the Tandoor Chicken which needed no modifications for additional dietary restrictions beyond gluten.My friend got a version of the Durban shrimp and the appetizer Boerewor and Slaphakskeentjies (Traditional South African Sausage and Cape Malay Onion Salad) as a main dish with Basmati rice. Chef Fallon made all of his dishes from scratch due ingredients like soy and corn being present. My friend raved about his meal, and it looked delicious too!After our meal, the group was stuffed, and no one could manage dessert, though, I mentioned to Chef Fallon that I loved the chai spiced tapioca pudding (which they make gluten free and dairy free by adding coconut milk). It was a lovely surprise as we were leaving that she brought a to-go container of the tapioca pudding for me to enjoy at home, which I did the next morning for breakfast!Huge shoutout to Chef Fallon who did an amazing job at handling so many dietary restrictions and for making tasty and delicious options for everyone. It was a great meal and yet another reason why I love Sanaa so much!Want to learn more about Sanaa? Check out Podcast Episode 27 where we talk all about the restaurant!Have you been to Sanaa? What's your favorite dish there?

Sanaa -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village

*This dining experience took place in December 2015.Sanaa, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village, has long been one of my favorite restaurants on Disney property. I've often referred to it as a hidden gem of a restaurant, and in many ways, it still is. However, the word has definitely gotten out about this African and Indian inspired restaurant, which proves that good food and great atmosphere will bring guests to even the more remote locations on Disney property. It's that good!On this particular occasion, I had lunch with my friend Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando. You can read her full review of our dining experience at Sanaa on her blog.Like most Disney restaurants, Sanaa now carries an allergy friendly menu for both lunch and dinner. Both Alexis & I looked over the options, as there were some new dishes added. Because many of the sandwiches were not listed, I asked if I could speak with a chef to discuss potential gluten free and dairy free sandwich options.Chef Marilyn came out to greet us, and she answered any questions that we had about the menu. She did let me know that I could get either a Local Oven bun or the house-made gluten free and vegan naan as a wrapper for my sandwich. Of course, after hearing about the naan recipe update, I couldn't pass up getting a naanwich!First up, was the Indian style bread service. This is a must at Sanaa and even more so now that they have a newly modified gluten free and vegan naan. Using Cup4Cup's dairy free Wholesome Flour Blend, the naan was a huge improvement on this visit from the previous version made with Bob's Red Mill. Though I liked the BRM version (it was more like a cracker/flatbread), this one with Cup4Cup was actual pliable! It's the little things in life that make me excited and naan that actually bends is one of those things!This version was delicious and paired really well with the accompaniments. My favorite dips include the mango chutney, coriander chutney, red bell pepper hummus, and tomato-date chutney. Ever the condiment queen though, I adore pretty much all of the dips they have at Sanaa.My sandwich took a bit of extra time to make, so while we were waiting, Chef Marilyn sent out a Sanaa salad sampler. The salads included: Watermelon and Fennel, Chickpea and Cucumber, and fresh fruit. The chickpea, cucumber, and tomato salad is one of my favorites, and I could eat it all day. It's very light and refreshing.I also ate the fruit, though I prefer the pineapple, grapes, and apples over the melon included in this dish.And, the watermelon, cucumber, and fennel salad went to Alexis and her daughters. Oddly, I really dislike watermelon, so I happily gave it to them. They all enjoyed it, though no one was a big fan of the fennel, as it often has a sharp licorice taste.For my entree, Chef Marilyn suggested the Peri Peri Chicken Sandwich. Served on the gluten free and vegan naan with pickled red onion, rocket (a bitter lettuce), tomato, and a side of sambal mayonnaise, this sandwich was outstanding. The chicken had been marinated and grilled and was cooked perfectly. No dry chicken here. With the warm naan and the sambal mayonnaise, this sandwich might be my new favorite lunch item at Sanaa. The naan versus a gluten free bun is absolutely the way to go too!For my entree side, I was given roasted regular and sweet potatoes. These are a wee bit bland but topped with sambal mayonnaise were quite tasty.As always, Sanaa hit this lunch out of the park. I'm so impressed by the latest version of the gluten free and vegan naan. To have a truly pliable and tasty bread made my dining experience here even more magical. And, the fact that you can get the naan as a sandwich bun substitute is pretty magical too. Naanwich for the win!I can't wait to go back soon for lunch or dinner. I literally could eat at Sanaa once a week and be a very happy Disney camper.Have you been to Sanaa? What was your favorite dish here?

Mara -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in August 2015. The Mara, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, may very well be one of my most favorite quick service locations on property. I love that you can get standard Disney fare like burgers and fries but also get quick service options that are totally different than anywhere else on property. From African Stew to Pap, there's something unique to try at any meal at the Mara. And the best part? Many of their unique items are naturally gluten free and/or dairy free.On this particular occasion, I stopped by for dinner and wanted something easy. The restaurant does now carry the allergy friendly menus, but don't let that deter you from speaking to a chef if you are interested in something outside of the main menu. During this meal though, I opted for the chicken tenders straight off the allergy friendly menu.Once ordered, I was given a pager and told to come back when the pager went off. I would say there was about a 10 minute wait overall, which gave me some time to explore the quick service location, and pick up a bottle of South African wine to take back to my DVC room for the evening. The Mara has a great selection of reasonably priced wines available for purchase. This one was a bit sweet for my taste but not bad.The allergy friendly chicken tenders, as always, were delicious. Super crisp and perfectly fried. They are great with a side of French fries. Do note that there has been some changes in the distributor of the allergy friendly chicken tenders as of Fall 2015, so these tenders may not be the same when you dine at a Disney restaurant. At press time, they are currently using Saffron Road chicken tenders.Have you been to the Mara? What did you enjoy when you dined there? 

Jiko -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in August 2015.Jiko, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, is the signature dining location of AKL. Set to resemble an African sunset, the restaurant is a gorgeous place to have a celebratory meal or romantic evening. Even more amazing is that the lighting in the restaurant subtly changes throughout the evening to reflect the actual African sunset. How amazing!On this particular occasion, I dined at Jiko but wanted to sit at the open air chef's table, which is a lovely and approachable way to dine solo at Disney. I also knew I didn't want a full meal, so getting a glass of wine and a gluten free flatbread seemed like a great option.I haven't been to Jiko in a few years, and a recent stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge gave me the perfect excuse to visit. One of Jiko's amazing features is that they have the 2nd largest collection of South African wines in the world (the first location is actually IN South Africa), so if you are a wine lover, this is a restaurant for you.If you're dining solo, I can highly recommend the Chef's Table. You get a chance to watch the action and even interact with members of the culinary team.Since Jiko is known for their South African wines, I ordered the Black Pearl which is a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz. It was delicious and a great red wine to order with my meal.Though the restaurant does have an allergy friendly menu, I did ask to speak to the chef, as I was hoping they might be able to make me a flatbread gluten free. As the chef noted, they don't normally carry the Udi's gluten free pizza crusts at Jiko anymore, but he offered to get one from the Mara so that I could have a flatbread. He said this might take a bit of time, so he brought me some Udi's Gluten Free rolls with extra virgin olive oil, and I ordered a salad.I opted for the Jiko Salad which was Poached Pears, Heirloom Spinach, Kobocha Squash and Pear Vinaigrette and marked gluten free and dairy free on the allergy friendly menu. I can't say I loved this salad. It seemed underdressed, a little too bitter, and bland.For my flatbread, I ordered the Roasted Cauliflower flatbread which had Bhuna Masala, Roasted Cipollini Onions, and normally comes with Lamb Chopper Cheese. I have been trying to experiment with non-cow's milk cheese, so I asked if they could add a small amount of goat cheese to the flatbread. The Purple Haze goat cheese worked really well with this dish, and I'm excited that I am being able to add some sheep and goat milk into my diet successfully on occasion.This flatbread was outstanding, and one I wouldn't hesitate to order again. The flavors were so good, and if you loved roasted cauliflower (like I do), you will love this. Hands down a big winner for me.I love going to Jiko for an appetizer and drink. It's such an affordable way to experience the restaurant without breaking the bank. As a DVC member, I also saved 10% which also helped with affordability. You can read Gluten Free in Orlando's full dinner review on her blog.Have you been to Jiko? What did you order when you dined there? 

Sanaa -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village

*These dining experiences took place in August, September, and October 2015.Sanaa, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village, continues to be one of my favorite restaurants on Disney property. Not only is the food amazing but the atmosphere is unlike any other. Where else can you sit and watch zebras and giraffes while eating dinner? It really is incredible.This review covers 3 separate visits that I had throughout the months of August, September, and October. Many times, I went just for drinks and appetizers which is a great way to cap an evening. I could sit at the Sanaa bar area for days. It's so relaxing! And, if you don't have a reservation and want a quick bite, the bar is the perfect place to grab a meal, as you can order everything off the regular menu in the bar area.Perhaps my most favorite drink on Disney property is the African Starr Mint Mojito. The simplicity of rum, fresh mint, and simple syrup makes this a refreshing drink, perfect for cooling off after a long day in the hot parks. This drink never disappoints, and I think Sanaa has the best mojito on property!Bread service is a must whenever I go to Sanaa. Since the launch of a gluten free and vegan naan bread offering this summer, I have been back a ridiculous amount of times to order their bread service. It's best piping hot from the oven and tastes amazing with any of the dips offered.Equally amazing is the Sanaa soup. Though not currently listed on the allergy friendly menu, the soup is still gluten free. It can be made dairy free by removing the addition of cream. Trust me, this soup is so delicious you won't miss the cream at all! I can highly recommend the soup and bread service combo as a winning option when dining at Sanaa.Sanaa also has some new appetizers out, and one evening I did try out the Oxtail Umngqusho, which is made of cracked hominy, black-eyed peas, and braised oxtail. I enjoyed this dish a lot though I would have liked to have had a bit more oxtail in the dish. This dish has a unique taste and was very filling. The oxtail tastes a bit like short ribs, so while oxtail might not sound appetizing, it's actually quite delicious!Whenever I get bread service, the biggest decision is to get all of the dips or just 3. I'm partial to the mango chutney, red pepper hummus, and coriander chutney, but I love so many of the others too. The only one that isn't dairy free is the cucumber raita, and you can easily swap out that dip for a second of your favorite one when ordering the full bread service. For me, that always means more red pepper hummus! I have to admit though, the tomato date chutney has been my new favorite dip that they've added recently. So good!The Sanaa dinner menu has changed somewhat, and I was curious to try some of the dishes. On my most recent visit, my friend and I both ordered the Braaivleis, which is marked as gluten free and dairy free naturally. It comes with Boerewor (a sausage), lamp chop, pork tenderloin, Tunisian olive oil crushed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.I loved the Tunisian olive oil crushed potatoes, as they were very flavorful. The sausage was milder than I expected it to be, which was great. I loved the pork tenderloin, though I should have asked to have it cooked longer. Cooked medium still seems a bit to raw for my tastes. And speaking of raw, if you are concerned about raw meat, avoid the lamb or ask them to cook a wee bit longer (which be warned, may toughen the meat). My lamb was entirely too rare for my liking but I found the flavors of the lamb delicious.Overall, if you visit Sanaa, you won't regret it. It's a one of a kind restaurant at Disney, and is very affordable and approachable. The bread service is a must! I can't wait to go back again to try some of the new dinner offerings.You can also read Gluten Free in Orlando's reviews on Sanaa too.Have you been to Sanaa? What did you love about this restaurant? 

Sanaa -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village

*This dining experience took place in July 2015.Sanaa located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village has long been one of my favorite restaurants on Disney property. I'm such a fan of all types of Indian-inspired food, so I've always been impressed with the palate of flavors that Sanaa presents its guests. I love how approachable the food is, despite being a bit exotic for most folks. And, it doesn't hurt that they offer amazing gluten free and dairy free offerings, set in one of the most gorgeous restaurant settings at Disney World.On this particular visit, my mom and I stopped by for lunch during a very full day of shopping in Orlando. Shopping clearly makes me hungry, and I couldn't think of a better place to grab a bite than Sanaa. It's been ages since I've been, so it was long overdue.After we were seated, I was given one of the new allergy friendly menus that have been appearing throughout the Disney restaurants. The first thing that popped out on the menu was gluten free AND vegan naan. WHAT!? Yes, you read that right, gluten free and vegan naan. Sanaa has long been serving a gluten free naan, but it has been very dairy-filled, which meant I had been still eating falafel chips.Of course, ever the skeptic, I asked to speak with a chef, as I was very curious if this bread was really gluten free and dairy free, or if this was too good to be true. Chef Michelle let me know that it was indeed gluten free and vegan. The restaurant now uses Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Flour instead of cup4cup. I hadn't planned on ordering bread service that on this visit, but gluten free and dairy free naan. I had to have it.We ordered the full bread service with all the dips (minus the cucumber raita which contains dairy), and I was excited to see 5 pieces of naan available with the bread service. This girl loves a good carb, especially one smothered in delicious dips and chutneys.Overall, I have to say, I was pretty pleased with the naan. It was a bit more like flatbread, rather than traditional naan. But the flavors were delicious, and the chickpea flour, in this instance, works really well with the Indian flavors. They were also piping hot from the oven (which is where they prepare them), so I enjoyed immensely. My favorite dips, of course, continue to be the coriander chutney, mango chutney, and the roasted red bell pepper hummus. These are my hands down musts every time I order bread service. I also enjoyed the pickled garlic and the tomato date chutney a lot too. My verdict on the naan? Really good (not amazing but really good), and something I wouldn't hesitate to order again.For my entree, I went with the Durban Shrimp and Goan Seafood Curry. I have to admit, I still very much miss the green curry shrimp and wish it was still around, but I do also really enjoy the Goan Seafood Curry. The first time I tried it, it lived up to its goan (aka spicy) name, but since then it's become very toned down and is quite mild, in my opinion. Which works perfectly with the spicy Durban Shrimp which is ridiculously but deliciously spicy. If you do not like spicy food, avoid this one.Overall, I was really pleased with my meal at Sanaa. It's hard not to love everything about this restaurant - from the food, the special diets accommodations, to the atmosphere. All that was missing on this visit was an African Starr Mint Mojito.Chef Michelle said the dinner menu has changed quite a bit, so I can't wait to check it out sometime soon, especially so I can order the bread service again. They are also working to tweak the recipe, so I can't wait to see how it changes and evolves. If you're curious about other folks' thoughts on the new gluten free and vegan naan bread, check out Alexis' review from Gluten Free in Orlando!Have you been to Sanaa? Are you looking forward to trying the new gluten free and vegan naan? What about the other offerings on the menu?

Boma: Flavors of Africa -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge

*This dining experience took place in May 2015.Boma: Flavors of Africa has long been regarded as one of the best buffets at Disney World, and they are well-known for their delicious brunch. In fact, the Disney Food Blog ranked high on their, "The Best Thing I Ever Ate at Disney: Breakfast" list. While the options featured on the Disney Food Blog aren't exactly gluten free and dairy free friendly, there are tons of special diets friendly meal offerings at Boma brunch, which is one of the many reasons it's my personal favorite breakfast buffet on Disney property. Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando also enjoys this buffet breakfast, and you can read about her previous visits, including the gluten free Bananas Foster & Pecan Praline Mickey waffles, on her blog. On this particular occasion, my visit to Boma was a special request from my mom. We were celebrating Mother's Day, and this was her pick for brunch. My entire family loves Boma because the food is so delicious and the offerings are different than a typical breakfast buffet (though you will find a lot of common brunch options available).Usually when I dine at Boma, I see Chef Frank, Chef Chris, or Chef Vickie but on this visit Chef Norma helped me out. She was just as terrific as the other Boma chefs and really went above and beyond to make my breakfast delicious and safe. Typically, the chefs will walk the buffet line with you, pointing out safe items for your special dietary needs. Of course, it is a buffet, so cross-contamination is always a potential risk. The culinary team is terrific at bringing items from the back for you. On this visit, a good portion of my food came from the back to avoid cross-contamination. I usually get the carved meats and grilled items from the buffet but ask for the rest from the back. That includes omelets and allergy Mickey waffles. First up was the carving and grill station. Both the carved turkey and ham on the breakfast buffet are safe to consume and oh so delicious. Their ham is probably my most favorite on property. I also love the grilled tomatoes, grilled asparagus (which was insanely good on this visit), chakalaka (stewed tomatoes and peppers), and pap (which is now completely dairy free, only using water to make it). The breakfast meats on the buffet (sausage and bacon) are also gluten free and dairy free. Chef Norma mentioned that the tater tots are gluten free and dairy free but are placed directly next to the bread pudding and offered to bring me fresh tater tots from the back. I have to say that I loved the seasoning on the tots. The African spices along with the fried tots was the perfect combination. Ever since Chef Frank introduced me to the banana walnut gluten free and dairy free Mickey waffles, I've been hooked. Made with banana chips and toasted walnuts and piping hot real maple syrup, these are easily my favorite thing about Boma brunch. This time, I restrained myself and only ordered two. Chef Normal also brought out an Udi's blueberry muffin and some Enjoy Life Cookies. They also still have Kinnikinnick donuts on hand, and I should have asked for one. I haven't had them in ages, and they are always a delicious breakfast treat. Of course, I did not go hungry at this breakfast by any means. I also got a ham and onion omelet. I get this every time I go to Boma (for like 5+ years). I love the diced ham they have here and the finely chopped onions. Best omelets EVER! Another staple is the hot quinoa. I was told by Chef Normal that they oatmeal they use is now gluten free, but she wasn't able to tell me the brand (I know that Bob's Red Mill and Ancient Harvest are currently being used on property, as of this post). And lastly (as if I hadn't eaten enough at this point), I had fresh pineapple. This is another must-do when I dine at Boma. I get it every time, and I swear there pineapple is some of the best.  Overall, I can't say enough good things about Boma. It really is one of my Disney must-do's! I usually visit several times a year because it's just that good. If you are more of a dinner person, they also have a wonderful dinner buffet as well. Have you been to Boma? Which do you prefer -- breakfast or dinner? 

The Mara -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in October 2014.The Mara, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House, is one of my favorite quick service locations at Disney. Where else can you get African stew and gluten free (not dairy free) zebra domes?Because I have Disney Vacation Club, I often stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge when I'm at the parks and resorts for a long weekend, especially during holiday events and runDisney races. This visit timed up with my first runDisney race of the season, the Happy Haunted 5K during the Tower of Terror 10 Miler race weekend. Sure, I don't really need to carb-load before a race, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a few pre-race treats.I decided to stop by the Mara for lunch and was greeted by Chef Frank, who recently made me some amazing allergy Mickey waffles with toppings at Boma. Good thing I'm going to visit there for a post-race breakfast after the Jingle Jungle 5K!On a previous visit to the Mara, Chef Chris made me the Barbecue Bacon Burger, and it was outstanding, especially the barbecue sauce. When I arrived a the Mara, I saw it was back on the menu. Yep, that sounded like the perfect lunch to me. Chef Frank asked if I wanted to try it on an Udi's Pizza Crust, as a bit of a twist along with some additional toppings. Always one to try something different, I told him I was game.What he presented to me, was a beautiful (if that's the right word for a burger) presentation. It just looked delicious! The burger was topped with barbecue sauce, sauteed peppers and onions, cucumber slices, fresh tomato and lettuce -- all wrapped neatly in an Udi's Gluten Free pizza crust that was perfectly heated. On the side, Chef Frank added extra barbecue sauce for the French fries. Talk about a condiment upgrade!The burger itself was delicious and the accompaniments were a nice twist. As much as a loved the regular barbecue bacon burger, this was as equally delicious. I would definitely order it again jazzed up this way.Chef Chris also popped by during my lunch and brought me a nice treat - an OMG It's Gluten Free (and dairy free) chocolate chip cookie. You know, to keep my race strength up!As always, the Mara continues to be a delicious quick service option. If you're staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (either Kidani Village or Jambo House), this is the place to go.Have you been to the Mara? What are your favorite offerings there?

Mara -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in September 2014.The Mara, located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, is one of my favorite resort quick service restaurants. I frequently stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, as a DVC member, and it's my go-to spot for a quick bite that's a little out of the ordinary (and beyond allergy chicken tenders -- though they do serve them there!). With African inspired flavors, you're sure to have a variety of options that will delight your taste buds.On this particular occasion, I stopped by for lunch before we headed to the pool for an afternoon swim and then later to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. On a previous visit, I enjoyed the African Stew, a dish that I had to check out after reading my friend Alexis over at Gluten Free in Orlando's review! This time, I knew I wanted something else, and I saw a dish that caught my eye on the daily menu specials -- the Barbecue Bacon Burger. Once I got up to the ordering station, I notified the cast member that I had special diets and he called over Chef Chris. Chef Chris also works at Boma, and I've seen him many times at breakfast, so I knew I'd be taken care of. I asked Chef Chris if they could make the burger gluten free and dairy free, and I was excited when he said yes. Woohoo! I love a good sauce, and I was hoping that the sauce was house-made. (it was). While I waited, I was given a pager and made myself cozy in the Mara dining area. The Mara has such amazing murals and decor. It's a great place to just sit and rest, especially in the afternoon when it's slow.Once my pager went off, I met Chef Chris near the ordering area. I was ready for my burger and fries. Chef Chris told me that the bun was Local Oven and that the bacon was a nice thick cut bacon, not that stringy stuff they normally serve. Gotta love that chefs aren't fans of the stringy bacon either!It might not be much to look at this, but this burger was really quite good. The bacon was excellent and the burger was well cooked (you could add cheese to this, if you wanted to). But the house-made barbecue sauce really made it. It was a little sweet and super flavorful. It had some type of spices in it but I couldn't identify them. It was the perfect sauce though, and if it's featured the next time I'm there, I'm asking for extra sauce on the side...for dipping in fries, of course!I wasn't planning on getting dessert but Chef Chris surprised me with some OMG It's Gluten Free & Dairy Free chocolate chip cookies for the road. What a nice extra touch!I also could have purchased a 4 pack of the mini brownie cupcakes from Babycakes NYC. The Mara is one of the locations that always has them on hand.Overall, the Mara continues to be one of my favorite resort quick service spots. It's quality and the chefs there are always terrific. I'll be heading back there soon, and I can't wait to try other offerings available!I'd give this a solid 8 out of 10.Have you been to the Mara? What are your favorite items to order here?