It's funny you bring up the Jiko filet, because I've been hearing people rave about it for years. I order my steaks rare, which tends to be harder to cut, so I'd be in serious trouble with that Jiko steak you got. Ultimately, I vowed that if I ever get to Jiko, I'd order something other than steak. I know their menu can change periodically and there are usually so many interesting looking dishes being offered. I've had similar responses to some of my negative dining experiences. I want to be caught up in the magic as much as the next person, but if it's bad...it's bad. Food is tough because you've got a blend of consistency issues and individual tastes that factor into all of these opinions. Heck, my friend traveling with me in January has several places that she loves that I have completely written off, but we both have some restaurant industry experience and get it when one of us isn't fond of something the other one likes.
I think I have had that same California Grill dish. Did yours look anything like my dark and blurry
picture below? When I had it, the tuna was phenomenal and the veggies were good, but the broth was too salty for my tastes so I skipped eating the noodles. I don't know if it was me or if the broth was actually over-salted that evening.
I adore Sanaa. If we end up at AKL for lodging, I must just throw it in since it's right there. It would also mean I could easily work in breakfast at Boma. I just don't know if I can get over my mental hangups with AKL. It was our big car accident trip when we stayed there and it's hard for me to shake that.