We spent two meals in the Valley of Mo'ara, dining at Satu'li Canteen. In those two meals we managed to put a pretty big dent in the menu. Said menu consisted of two categories. There were Steamed "Pods" (Bao Buns) or Create-Your-Own Satu'li Bowls. We'll start off with the most intriguingly "alien" of the two, the Steamed "Pods".
This was Satu'li Canteen's version of a cheeseburger. There was a vegetable curry version too, but I'm way to carnivorous for that. I was a little worried as I usually order a plain cheeseburger & there's no option with these. It wound up being pretty good though. In the "pod" (bao bun) there was a "sloppy joe" like concoction consisting of what would usually come on a cheeseburger. So you had the cheese, meat, mustard, ketchup, & pickle all ground together. Not only did I surprisingly like this, I loved the root vegetable chips on the side. They were seasoned great. There was also a vegetable slaw with yogurt balls. Not much on slaw in the first place, but the little yogurt balls were good. That's about it for that one. Now we're onto the bowls.
The bowls consisted of 3 steps. First, there was the protein. There's a choice between slow-roasted sliced grilled beef, chopped wood-grilled chicken, sustainable fish fillet, or chili-spiced crispy fried tofu. We went for the first 3. My favorite protein was the beef with the chicken a close runner up. The fish was decent, yet a little under-seasoned for my taste. Second, you select your bowls base: quinoa & vegetable salad, red & sweet potato hash, mixed whole grain & rice, or Romaine & Kale Salad. I'm not a salad person, so the first time around we tried the red & sweet potato hash. I don't dig sweet potatoes, but nonetheless this was tolerable. Especially the reds. Next time we just doubled down on mixed whole grain & rice& yogurt balls mentioned before. Finally, the third step to the bowl was the sauce. These were very much like salad dressing which yours truly does not care for. That being said the wife seemed to like them all. There was a charred onion chimichurri, a black bean vinaigrette, & a creamy herb dressing. Now came my favorite part of any meal, dessert.
The dessert, or "Ber'ri" as it's labeled on the menu consists of two options, both amazingly delicious. The top one is a blueberry cream cheese mousse with passion fruit curd. I don't like fruit & I loved this thing. In contrast however, my wife that does like fruit, didn't like this at all. Said it tasted too much like candy. This was the strangest, yet most delightful thing I tried all day. It definitely has the feel of an alien type fruit. The bottom one is a chocolate cake with a crunchy cookie layer, banana cream, & goji berries. This was really good, but the "chocaholic" that I am can't believe I'm about to say I prefer the first. I would not have even placed the banana cream though until I read it just now off the menu. It tasted like cookie shell & creamy chocolate.
Last but not least, the drinks. I'm not a beer drinker, but part of me wanted to at least sample the "local" brews, Hawkes' Grog Ale & Mo'ara High Ale. However, we went, & came back again, for a Dreamwalker Sangria. That would be that blue concoction you see above. It's a refreshing white sangria with a hint of blue curacao. They used the right word when they say refreshing, this is probably the most refreshing alcoholic beverage I've ever tasted. This drink is why we didn't get to visit Pongu Pongu, the local waterin hole to get a Mo'ara Margarita, it was just too good. Then what Disney Theme Park restaurant would be complete without a signature refillable cup? That would be the wood cup with flute you see above, I even heard some people getting their flute to actually work. Nothing beats a drink & a toy combo.
All in all I really enjoyed this place for what it was. It was far lighter food than I'm used to eating at Disneyworld all together. It seemed like a great spot for lunch to keep you going through the park without weighing you down. The atmosphere is awesome which I will include in the landscape entry coming soon, along with entries for the merchandise, & rides. So follow us on social media, like, & share. There's more to come from our trip to Pandora: World of Avatar. For all of it click here.
