Yummy Vol 27: Nairobi Restaurant Week

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Vol 3.01 | January 2017

ABSOLUT VODKA PRESENTS

NAIROBI RESTAURANT WEEK CHEF ASHLEY PALMER-WATTS Michelin star chef visits Nairobi for NRW2017!

FARM TO FORK We tour Farm Africa’s urban gardens

WIN A TRIP TO BANGKOK The ultimate street food tour

Take amazing food pictures in Food Mode on your Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge / S7 during the Nairobi Restaurant Week. *Food Mode is also available on Samsung Galaxy A Series 2017

*Terms and Conditions apply Available at Samsung Experience Stores,Safaricom Shops and Authorised Dealers Countrywide. www.samsung.com

Call us on: 0800 545 545 (Toll Free) . Join us on

facebook/Samsungmobilekenya. Follow us on:

@Samsungmobileke

FOREWORD

YUMMY NAIROBI Kenya is a destination on many people’s bucket list. It is the original safari country with an assortment of award-winning adventure, business and leisure options. Over the years, food lovers have come to enjoy a burgeoning culinary industry that continues to form an integral part of any visit to the country.

Nowhere else are culinary skills better showcased than during the annual Nairobi Restaurant Week (NRW), running January 26th 2017 – February 5th 2017. This fourth edition promises to be an exciting week of gastronomic prowess and discovery.

The Kenya Tourism Board is proud to have endorsed the past three editions, alongside the Burger and Pizza Festivals. We look forward to a week of fine dining and invite you to this exciting week that extends a taste of Kenya’s very best.

Another experience from Magical Kenya!

Karibuni!

KTB Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Betty Radier

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EDITORIAL

NRW2017 IS HERE! Nairobi Restaurant Week is back! Nairobi’s most anticipated culinary event is set to hit the city from January 26th - February 5th in partnership with Absolut Vodka, with over 60 of the best restaurants participating!

Chefs around the city have spent months crafting special menus exclusively for NRW. The 3 course prix fixe menus are priced at Ksh 1,950, with a majority also including a 2 course lunch option at only Ksh 950.

If you love experimenting with food and trying out new places, Nairobi Restaurant Week is right up your alley. While it’s normal to have your old faithfuls, sometimes you need a little nudge to try something new.

With the insanely pocket-friendly menus and wide selection of cuisines available, you’ll have 10 solid days worth of culinary exploration!

As always, our lovely team have put together all the information you’ll need, complete with a full list of all

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participating restaurants and their selected price points. Be sure to flip through to page 36, grab a pencil and start marking out the spots you want to hit. It will get busy so my advice is to book in advance to avoid disappointment!

It’s a new year so we of course have lots of great content to help you shake off your January blues. On page 32 get to know the secrets behind earning yourself a Michelin Star in our interview with Chef Ashley PalmerWatts who’s in town to launch NRW. Try out our classic cocktail recipes on page 34 and read Susan Wong’s take on what a foodie really is on page 24.

Before I sign out, I need to let you in on all the NRW freebies this year!

Firstly, to celebrate NRW2017, all restaurants will extend a free cocktail to all diners courtesy of Absolut Vodka. EatOut will be giving away hundreds of dinner-for-two vouchers to your favourite restaurants via our social media channels and through our radio partners Kiss FM, East FM and X FM, so be sure to tune in. Our other partners will also be dishing out lots of goodies: Little Cab vouchers, Bidco hampers, delicious Brown’s Cheese hampers, free Samsung phones (for those that will be going Instagram crazy) and so much more!

You also stand the chance to win our grand prize of a fully paid trip to any food lovers dream, Bangkok, thanks to Holiday Bazaar. This

includes three nights accommodation, return flights and an exclusive street food tour which I honestly want for myself! See more details on page 28.

Do keep us posted on your experience via our social media pages and website using the hashtag #NRW2017. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Bon appetit!

Michelle Slater General Manager

JANUARY 2017

CONTENTS 28

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DISTURBING NAIROBI Anyiko snags an exclusive interview with English rapper and producer Tinie Tempah

NRW2017 18

Find out all you need to know about this 10 day dining festival! Participating restaurants, price points, prizes and more.

ISLAND PARADISE Chef Kiran explores Sri Lanka during monsoon season in search of prawns and palm wine

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WHAT’S A FOODIE Susan Wong dissects the popular term “foodie” and challenges ideas surrounding this common term

30 FARM TO FORK Yummy visits a Farm Africa project located in Dagoreti to learn about their work empowering smallholder farmers

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COCKTAIL PARTY Pernod Ricard Kenya shares five classic cocktail recipes that you’ll be able to try during NRW2017

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NRW17 RECIPES Together with five influencers, we visit some of the NRW2017 participating restaurants to share restaurant recipes with you

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70 EXPLORE DIANI Feeling the holiday blues? Plan your next trip as we share tips

LONDON TO KISUMU

on the beautiful coastal town, Diani

We talk to Michelin star chef, Chef Ashley Palmer-Watts to learn about his time in Nairobi and his experience as an award-winning chef.

YUMMY Vol. 3.01 · January 2017 · PUBLISHED BY EATOUT, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. MANAGING DIRECTOR Mikul Shah GM Michelle Slater EDITOR Soni Adriance DESIGN Rachel Mwangi SALES, MARKETING & OPERATIONS Daniel Muthiani, Devna Vadgama, Fred Mwithiga, Fridah Gumba, Gilbert Chege, Joy Wairimu, Seina Naimasiah, Wanjiku Mungai , Winnie Wangui CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Katy Fentress, Wanjiku Mungai CONTRIBUTORS, Anyiko Owoko, Chef Kiran Jethwa, Chef Ray Cournede, Jackson Biko, Sophie Gitonga, Susan Wong PHOTOGRAPHY Tatiana Karanja, Louis Nderi, Mwarv Kirubi IT Kelvin Jayanoris SALES INQUIRIES Call Yummy, 0711 22 22 22 EMAIL info@yummy.co.ke

/eatoutkenya

@EatOutKenya

@eatoutkenya

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NEW RESTAURANTS

LITTLE ERITREA Injera or Tibsi? Asmara’s famed Eritrean cuisine comes to Karen!

Set to open in Karen, just past the Talisman Restaurant, Asmara creates a casual and friendly dining atmosphere offering a truly unique dining experience that’s ideal for friends and family. Enjoy their authentic and stylish afro-contemporary cuisine, which is created using the finest and freshest ingredients! eatout.co.ke/asmara-karen

POOL SIDE Outdoor dining reinvented at Radisson Blu’s New Al Fresco Restaurant.

Embrace serenity. Radisson Blu’s latest restaurant, Al Fresco, aims to reinvent outdoor dining with it’s breathtaking ambiance, prompt service and well articulated menu, which has been composed by nutritionists to emphasise moderation and balance, while incorporating local flavours. Perfect for a date night, we reckon this will be a favourite with your significant other. eatout.co.ke/al-fresco

MAMA DELTA Nyama Mama finds a new home at the Delta Towers.

Mama has a new home! Can’t get enough of Nyama Mama’s famous ugali fries, chapati wraps, ribs or their amazing cocktails? We’ve got good news for you, their new branch at the Delta Towers features old favourites and new items on their menu, you won’t have to go anywhere else when that craving hits you. eatout.co.ke/nyama-mama

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KSH500 OFF FOR EVERY DINER GET A SAFE, RELIABLE RIDE AT THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON, DITCH THE KEYS AND EXPERIENCE NAIROBI RESTAURANT WEEK WITH KENYA’S MOST POPULAR HAILING APP

TO GET KSH500 OFF YOUR RIDE

YUMMY

WE WANT YOU! We’re looking for passionate foodies to help us test our iOS App before we oďŹƒcially launch.

If you think you have what it takes and would like to learn more, register your interest at eatout.co.ke/betatester

NEWS & EVENTS

HAUTE COUTURE Nairobi’s most fashionable event is back for its 7th time!

Arguably one of the most exclusive events of the year, the 7th annual Fashion High Tea, hosted by Zen Garden, is back on Saturday 25th February from 2:00PM – 8:00PM. With a wide array of international and local designers showcasing their designs on the runway, high profile guests, plus lots of delicious food and free flowing drinks. You better be getting your outfit ready. Keep it Yummy for more details! eatout.co.ke/events

STRETCH IT Get in shape and get your belly full at Tribe Hotel’s Bend & Brunch Sundays Nothing beats spending your Sunday afternoon with friends and family, so why not check out Tribe Hotel’s weekly Bend & Brunch in partnership with the Africa Yoga Project. Kick your morning off with yoga from 10:30AM to 11:30AM with a delicious brunch and a live band performing afterwards till 3:30PM. Charges are: yoga alone - Ksh. 1500, yoga and brunch (non alcoholic) - Ksh. 4300, yoga and brunch (bottomless cocktails) - Ksh 5300 per person. eatout.co.ke/events

CHINESE SPECIAL Celebrate the Chinese New Year with a delicious dinner at Double Dragon Happy New Year... Again! According to the Chinese calendar, 2017 is the year of the Red Fire Chicken. Set at the Junction Mall, Double Dragon will host a special dinner on January 27th and 28th to celebrate the new year with a menu featuring iconic Chinese dishes. We wish all our Chinese brothers and sisters a happy new year. Visit EatOut for more details. eatout.co.ke/events

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TAKE TEN

TEXT ANYIKO OWOKO PHOTO FELIX MAGARA

DISTURBING NAIROBI Our latest Yummy columnist Anyiko Owoko manages to pin down English rapper and producer Tinie Tempah during a recent visit to Nairobi for his Jameson Connects Kenya concert.

Famed for global hit songs like Pass Out and Girls Like Feat. Zara Larsson, Tinie Tempah— née Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, is a quirky yet down-to-earth guy. For our Yummy Magazine interview, he shows up wearing a tiny golden burger chain and when asked what he would like to eat, settles on plain rice. Even though he’s lived in Britain all his life, Tinie never forgets his Nigerian roots.

His face lights up whenever the talk turns to African food, so we instantly settle in to chat about his favourite dishes, places to eat and what’s on his hospitality rider.

Tinie Tempah originated as a childhood name in reference to your personality, do you still feel like it fits you now?

Yes! I always felt like it’s a good name.

I think it’s fitting yet weird that people still pronounce it differently around the world.

What do your friends and mum call you?

Just T, though my Nigerian name is Chukwuemeka.

How did your expectation of Kenya compare to what you’ve experienced so far?

I am originally from Nigeria and growing up in Britain we heard

luxurious things about Kenyan wildlife and nature. It was amazing to finally go to the [Nairobi] National park. I hope to do a safari before I leave.

In 2007, you founded Disturbing London Records alongside your cousin and manager, Dumi Oburota.

Why the title ‘Disturbing’?

Tinie: I’ll let Dumi speak on that ...

Dumi: We chose the name Disturbing London because we’re very proud to be from London and wanted to disturb it [musically speaking].

The name is also easily adaptable.

Everywhere we go, we disturb it – now we’re disturbing Nairobi!

things because we’ve put our country [Nigeria] on the map and did crazy things despite the situations we grew up in. Just before coming to Kenya, we were together in L.A. where we recorded some music. He will be releasing a new EP soon.

in London but the further you get out of London the harder it gets to get it. Have you ever tired Surinamese food? It’s a mixture of Caribbean food and Chinese food all into one and it’s really delicious – we try to have that too while in Europe I also love rice.

Tell us about Nigerian food culture?

Suya for us is the main dish we enjoy. Obviously there’s Jollof rice, I love Egusi soup, plantain, beef and pounded yam! There are so many different things – Ogbono soup, Okra soup, Moi Moi, Edikaikong, Amala and Moleka. My favourite place to eat is at home.

Coffee or Tea? Tea

You don’t try too hard. Your sense of fashion is comfortable and edgy.

I am good with that.

What’s a special meal your mum cooks for you and a meal that you whip to perfection?

That’s probably pounded yam and Egusi, definitely. For me, I could make a really good breakfast. What I can make in confidence is salmon, sweet potato, vegetables and a salad on the side.

You have signed Wizkid to Disturbing London and you both collaborated on your single Mamacita. What’s your relationship like?

We became friends and when he joined the Disturbing London family in 2013 we started making records.

Our relationship is kind of a lot of

What’s in your hospitality rider?

Popcorn – sweet and salty, have you tried it? It’s one of the greatest inventions of all time … Lots of fruits as it’s quite healthy, and lots of alcohol! My ideal comfort food is African food and Caribbean food.

There’s a big Caribbean food culture

You are a prominent fashion figure.

How would you describe your style and expression?

You describe me.

Whisky or Vodka?

Whisky Beer or cocktail?

Cocktail Fish and Chips or Bangers and Mash?

Fish and Chips Full English Breakfast or Sunday Roast?

Sunday Roast Any other thing you want to share with your fans about your time in Nairobi?

As an African, I am really happy to be here to meet people and my fans - it feels good. This year I’ve been quite lucky to be in Africa a lot. I had a show in Nigeria and then shot my video in South Africa and now I am in the very beautiful Kenya. We’ll also go to Cape Verde before year ends.

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COFFEE

ARTCAFFE KAHAWA DIARIES WE SPEAK TO DENNIS MWAKULUA, THE GROUP CHEF OF EVERSHEDS, RESTAURANT ASSOCIATES ABOUT COFFEE, HIS LIFE AS A CHEF AND RESTAURANT WEEK! What do you do for a living?

I cook for a living and I would not swap it for anything else.

What is your morning routine?

Alarm goes off at 5:10AM every morning. I get ready while catching the morning news and checking my emails and social media. I take the bus to work, where I change into my chef’s whites, pick up the daily business newspaper and get to the team’s morning meeting in the main kitchen at 7:00AM. What’s your favourite way to have your coffee?

Café Latte with a touch of cinnamon and a teaspoon of brown sugar.

How did you get started in the culinary industry?

I moved to London in May 1994 to study Business and Finance after pressure from my mum to do something with my life rather than trying to get into the music industry as a rap artist. I took a kitchen portering job to fund my studies and in the summer of 1996, while washing dishes in one of the investment banks in London, I experienced a revelation that

changed the course of my life. Suddenly, I was seeing food with a different perspective and appreciation and I decided cooking was the way forward.

Would you say the culinary industry is fueled by caffeine?

You could say that but my personal routine is only to take two cups of latte (in the early part of the morning) a day. The rest of the team stick to a double shot of espresso while we have the morning meeting and lots of sparkling water with citrus for the rest of the day.

Have you ever participated in a Restaurant Week? Where?

This is the first time I have participated in a Restaurant Week and I am really excited about the whole experience that lies ahead of me, especially networking with my fellow professionals and sharing ideas.

What do you hope to accomplish in 2017?

To become more effective in helping out other chefs, especially those from ethnic backgrounds. I would like to inspire new chefs and to support them in searching for that breakthrough that can make all the difference!

Drop by your nearest Artcaffe at Galleria Mall • Garden City Mall • Junction Mall • Karen Crossroads, Lavington Mall • The Hub The Oval • The Village Market • Thika Road Mall • Westgate Mall• Yaya Centre Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/artcaffekenya

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Kiran Jethwa is the Chef & Co-Owner of Nairobi’s award winning Seven Restaurant. His TV show, the Fearless Chef, has aired in over 100 countries on National Geographic & now on Channel 4 in the UK.

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FEARLESS CHEF

TEXT KIRAN JETHWA

ISLAND PARADISE In this episode of Fearless Chef, Chef Kiran Jethwa fishes for prawns during monsoon season and goes toddy tapping in coconut trees 100 feet high!

I feel like I’ve been climbing for hours when I eventually reach the canopy.

I’m exhausted, petrified and my head is spinning. What am I doing up a coconut tree 100 feet in the air? I begin to wobble as the magnitude of what I’m about to attempt hits me.

You fall from here and you die, simple as that.

My most bloodcurdling experience to-date while filming The Fearless Chef took place on the beautiful spice island of Sri Lanka. Knowing of its rich melting pot of cuisines and fascinating culinary heritage, I was excited for the chance to hunt some of the country’s tastiest food offerings. To do this, however, I had to face two of my greatest phobias: claustrophobia and vertigo.

Our destination: the stunning west coast. To get there, I hop on a motorbike in Colombo and head off to find one of the most delicious ingredients that exist on our planet – Estuarine prawns. It’s the monsoon season so I negotiate the wet and very narrow village roads, avoiding tuk tuks, motorbikes, dogs and trucks, until I eventually get to the Madu River. Kumar, the chap I’ve come to meet, leads me through his colourful village until we reach our mode of transportation for prawn fishing-- a fiberglass canoe. Nobody had informed me that we were to be fishing in crocodile infested waters but Kumar assures me that to the best of his knowledge nobody has ever been eaten by one.

We reach the intricately designed prawn traps: funnels made from bamboo sticks under the water. Lights attract and trap prawns into the back of the net but the hard part is retrieving them, which involves diving down into a very dark, confined space.

After a minute under, Kumar emerges with our first delicious prawn. Now it’s my turn. I drop down to the bottom of the net but the complete lack of visibility makes it very difficult to fish

and the floor of the trap is a good three metres down. It’s hard work and after half an hour in the muddy water, my claustrophobia gets the better of me. I manage to scoop out a few midgets which pale in comparison to Kumar’s healthy catch.

Next, we head to the coast where I am planning to take to the treetops to harvest one of Sri Lanka’s delicacies: palm wine. It’s an extreme feat known locally as toddy tapping. As I arrive at

the beach I can see ropes tied from one palm tree to another creating a highway in the canopies. They are completely natural and woven entirely from coconut husks but news that they have to be replaced twice a year due to rats scaling the trees and chewing through them does not fill my heart with courage.

I meet Anoura who shows me how he climbs a tree by looping a woven coconut husk around the trunk. It starts to drizzle, making everything a bit damp and slippery. ‘Shouldn’t there be a safety harness, a rope, something to clip in on?’ I think, as my heart pounds away audibly.

The tree is a good 100 feet in the air. “My life is in your hands” I say to Anoura, “Go for it!” He clamps me in and the madness begins. After a mere 20 feet, the ground looks a long way down, I muse to myself that the old saying ‘don’t look down,’ was probably invented by toddy tappers. By the time I reach the top, I am shaking and covered in a cold sweat. Anoura slinks away, expertly using the coconut tightropes to glide across and down to a lower tree. With my level of skill and the precarious safety equipment at my disposition, I decide there is no way on earth I can accomplish this feat. I am surrounded by a morass of ropes and with one false step could come tumbling off.

Torn as to what to do, I glance at Anoura and am suddenly overcome by a sense of confidence. Gingerly I step out onto the rope and edge out

into the air. As I reach the midpoint, the opposite tree bends inwards which destabilizes me and leaves me clutching the ropes and shaking with fear. After what feels like hours (but was probably no more than a few seconds) I regain a semblance of balance and decide I have had enough and want to come down. And not a minute too soon as bad weather is moving in and I have no idea how I would handle being up there in a storm. When my hands and knees are finally on firm ground again and I have had a swig of the tapped toddy, I make sure I tell the tappers exactly how much respect I have for them and their completely insane job.

The following morning, I head off a few kilometres inland to a local farm in order to source the last ingredient in my dish: cinnamon. With this, I plan to add some warming spice to balance the fermented sourness of the sap. With my three main ingredients ready, I set to putting my own twist to a favourite Sri Lankan dish: a Tiger prawn and cinnamon curry with toddy dumplings.

I gather my new friends round to my steaming pot of curry and they all pronounce it delicious. With that, I set off home but leave Sri Lanka knowing that I have not even begun to scratch the surface of the greatness of this country. My memories are packed full of adrenaline and fear but my heart is full of the warm love and delicious food the island has to offer.

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KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

FRESH START Chef Ray explores the culinary challenge most of us face, eating healthy in the new year. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and Chef Ray shares an easy and nutritious smoothie recipe for you to make at home.

January is the only month during which we stand a chance of realistically reaching our culinary health goals. The gravity of ending a year and the beginning of a brand new one, along with the extra pounds from festive over indulgence, make us even more determined to raid the organic section at Zucchini or peruse the aisles of Nairobi’s ever-growing organic markets and fill the fridge up with an idealistic version of our future glowing (from the inside) selves. This, of course, must be achieved before Nairobi Restaurant Week kicks in and all resolutions fly out the window!

Eating well is not difficult to do but it does require serious discipline.

For most chefs this is a constant battle. We are always tasting and always surrounded by food. We eat at ridiculous hours, often eating on the go or regularly falling asleep with full stomachs after consuming our one meal of the day at 1AM. Basically everything a nutritionist tells you not

to do, we do it.

But January brings new hope and fresh intentions and so with this in mind we usually turn to our old friends: the infamous super-foods.

“Welcome back kale… Nice to see you again turmeric… It’s been a while quinoa… How have you been moringa?” The mere mention of these “super” ingredients can make most people turn green and quit their New Year’s resolutions in a matter of seconds!

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring or excessive. Don’t set yourself up for failure with unrealistic resolutions, no-one is saying that you suddenly need to drink spinach juice for every meal. Start with small goals like eating a healthy breakfast everyday or taking up the #MeatlessMondays campaign. It is important that you balance your new diet so that we don’t go cold turkey and lose all energy levels. If you don’t normally eat breakfast, this is a great

place to start. We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and there is certainly some truth to this. The idea of putting good things in your body as soon as you wake up is common sense really.

A smoothie bowl (AKA sunshine in a bowl) is a really creative way of starting your day and really easy to make in many different ways. It’s a great way of packing in all those superfoods in one meal. The key to this is the freshness and quality of the produce you use. Go and get inspired at the organic markets, source locally as much as possible, visit some of these incredible farms that we have around us.

Ingredients • 1 ½ cups mango chunks • ½ cup frozen pineapple chunks • ½ banana • 1 cup coconut water (from Zucchini Greengrocer) • ½ teaspoon spirulina or moringa or baobab powder • Toppings • ½ cup diced mango and pineapple chunks • ½ cup blueberries or raspberries • ¼ cup coconut flakes, ideally lightly roasted • ¼ cup of your favourite granola • 1 tablespoon goji berries • 1 tablespoon cocoa nibs Method • Blend the coconut water and fruit until thick and creamy • Pour in a bowl and get creative with your toppings!

Make sure to catch the nutritious Culinary Collective in January at Talisman with guest chef Flora Hilleary from Green Hill Kitchen, who will be preparing mouth watering vegan treats for everyone to try, even the more skeptical of us!

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YUMMY

WHAT’S A FOODIE

The word ‘foodie’ has quickly grown in popularity over the past few years. Susan Wong dissects this term, what it means and how it applies to the Kenyan culinary scene.

W

iggle for me Texas-style barbecue brisket. Linger and swirl in my mouth Cognac. Comfort me freshly roasted Yirgacheffe coffee beans. Brighten my day sprig of mint.

Coat my tongue rich and creamy ramen broth. Numb me Szechuan peppercorn. I could go on forever because food to me is sexy, therapeutic, experiential and most importantly, a passion that has always been a part of my life.

It certainly helps that I was born into a family of epicures. My parents’ temperature controlled pantry was

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the size of a bedroom with floor to ceiling shelves. I grew up marveling at our collection of dried spices, pickles, sauces, and toilet paper – their supply seemed never-ending.

I enjoy not only the eating aspect of food, but also its preparation: sharing time and conversations with others as we commune and learning more about the individual ingredients. I love the nuances of flavours, colours, textures, the endless ways ingredients can be prepared and combined, and the cultural context of food.

First used in the 1980s, the word “foodie” according to Google Ngram— which tracks the frequency of words

in digitized books, has steadily grown in popularity and is pretty much everywhere now. It’s inescapable.

It feels like almost everyone is a “foodie” these days. If you enjoy eating food you’re a foodie. But who doesn’t like food? While eating as a hobby should not be the preserve for a select few, have we, however, debased the word by using it so easily?

Everyone’s a critic and someone calling themselves a foodie empowers them to talk about things that they sometimes don’t actually understand. I once attended a press lunch and a colleague from one of the newspapers couldn’t tell the differ-

SUSAN EATS

ence between salmon and Nile perch.

Scary, I know. Very, very scary.

There are certainly varying opinions as to what a “foodie” is. According to the Oxford English Dictionary it refers to a person with a particular interest in food. And to that, I would add a person who is keen on cultural education and culinary tourism. Someone who cares about the quality and origins of the food they consume, and about responsibility when it comes to how it was farmed or caught. A foodie is someone who is ready to accept that sometimes cooking may take a few hours longer or a few more trips to different markets to find the exact ingredient. Most importantly, a foodie will enjoy exploring and searching for defining culinary moments – basically not someone who eats only for the sake of hunger.

In regards to Kenya, the food scene is still in its adolescence in terms of choice, though it is growing with the influx of imported cuisines and cultures, quality produce and young talent.The general sophistication of diners’ palates and preferences are still developing and only those privileged to travel and explore other cultures have sampled other cuisines in their native lands and not just an adapted version in Kenya. There is a limited number of restaurants that aren’t just in business to make a quick

A foodie is someone who is ready to accept that sometimes cooking may take a few hours longer or a few more trips to different markets to find the exact ingredient. profit off of Kenyans that are enjoying their spending power but rather are interested in serving diners a great experience regardless of price point.

Kenyans are vocal about their opinions, creative and tech-savvy. As a result, the thriving food blogging and foodie community continues to grow strength-to-strength, but are some of these opinions and reviews based on comparisons that are international, regional or local?

It’s only natural that everyone is a critic. We all make the judgement:

“Will I come dine here again and would I refer this restaurant to a friend?” With the exponential reach of social media, the growing influence of bloggers and foodies and the convincing opinion of a trusted friend or family member, a positive recommendation can be great for a restaurant’s publicity but a negative one could actually damage a business or discourage a talented chef. The volume of all this critical chatter, often based on little knowledge, drowns out other aspects that foodies should champion.

In the same breadth, based on knowledge and experience, opinions should be critical. Don’t be afraid to share your opinion if you know what you’re speaking about, but don’t be mean about it either. Your goal should be to better a food experience, sort of like contributing to open-source software, and not to attack someone or to prove that you know more.

A word of caution: don’t believe everything you read…even what I write. Use it as inspiration and an invitation to see food from an experiential perspective. What’s important is that a foodie will want to experience it for themselves. So go out there, eat and revel in it. Don’t let chatter, sometimes based on lack of knowledge, turn you off from trying a new restaurant, or a highly-produced

television show define your experience. Only through experience and self discovery does one really live up to the title of “foodie.”

Nowadays the word “foodie” is considered fashionable, trendy and, more than anything, is a marketing buzzword. The use of the word is not necessarily negative, but its application has evolved and we must remember that it’s because of this evolution a new generation is now closer to food and all its aspects. While we’ve slowly become disconnected with the production, quality and origins of our food, the word “foodie” has in some respects, helped the food movement thrive. The more foodies that celebrate the entire culinary experience, the more people will be interested in good food and the more discerning palates will become. Restaurants that offer mediocre service or inconsistent food will be challenged to do better.

Great restaurants will be pushed to continue to set new standards.

The more foodies, the better for the culinary scene, and the better we can all eat. So if you’re a foodie, do us all a favour and continue to seek, explore and share. Maintain that open mindedness and humbleness when sampling and learning about new experiences; because without the experience, food would have no life – no breath.

25.

THE FOOD LIFE

FEAST IN EATALY Charity Keita is admittedly a bit sad to be missing Nairobi Restaurant Week but discovers there is something that can keep her mind off of it.

Past the store entrance, the scene is one of merry post-Christmas chaos. Offers of discounted organic panettone cakes and Canadian salmon smoked in Italy cram the foyer, eagerly clamouring to get snaffled up before the last of the Christmas spirit dies. The people wander around with a glazed look; they appear torn between their desire to snatch up a bargain and the guilt of having once again let themselves go during the yearly holiday season of excess.

We are in Rome, or more precisely we are in “Eataly”, a global Italian marketplace for fine foods. The date is the 5th of January, or more specifically the eve of the Epiphany, an important date in the Italian calendar as it marks the thirteenth day of Christmas and the day in which the “Befana”, a well-meaning ugly old witch, does the rounds and fills the stockings that children leave hanging by the fireplace with chocolate and sweets.

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The Rome branch of Eataly was built in a converted railway station and offers its clients four floors packed with only the best produce that Italy has to offer: cheese, meats, fish, groceries and of course aisles and aisles of quality booze. There is even a shelf dedicated exclusively to different traditionally handcrafted vermouths. Each floor has a different casual dining restaurant. Whether it’s high class hamburgers, dainty selections of fried fish or simply a plate of pasta, there is a feeding station for everyone here and afterwards you can get a blue mountain bean espresso (for about a gazillion euros) to wash it all down.

Just back from Kenya from my own Christmas holidays, I take the opportunity of a couple days in Rome to go and visit this famed gourmet establishment. Turns out the end of season sales crush is a bit much for me though, and I spend the first three minutes simply gazing around feeling

quite overwhelmed. I curse myself for not having made a grocery list of what I actually wanted to buy.

As I gather my courage to tackle the melee, I glance up and notice a sign hanging from the ceiling which reads: “Carbonara Festival: 20, 21, 22 of January”. At the thought of a festival dedicated entirely to my absolute favourite pasta dish, my stomach starts the rumble and I firmly relegate any residual dietary New Year’s resolutions to the bin.

My mind is filled with questions: what is a carbonara festival? Is it a competition? Are people only allowed to cook the traditional version or can they get creative? Do people get kicked out if they use cream instead of simply eggs and bacon? How many different carbonaras are people allowed to try? I can hardly contain my excitement.

Led by my loud and demanding stomach, I march with focus to the charcuterie section and have them cut

me two thick slices of the fattiest and most succulent guanciale (pork jowl) bacon they have on offer. Next I head to the cheese section and get a hunk of their most aged parmesan and then locate a recycled cardboard box containing four “super happy chicken” organic eggs—between you and me, I thought eggs were sold by the half dozen but maybe happy chickens have different laying rhythms. I finally pick up a pack of the most artisanal pretentious penne I can find (this is Eataly after all) and voila! I have all the ingredients to make a perfect carbonara.

I may be missing my first Nairobi Restaurant Week in three years but by the looks of it I’ve found a worthy replacement! Do write in and tell me about how Talisman fares though… I’m eager to know if they hold onto their crown!

Holiday Bazaar Kenya

Holiday Bazaar Kenya

WIN A TRIP TO

BANGKOK WE’RE GIVING 2 LUCKY DINERS A CHANCE TO WIN THE ULTIMATE STREET FOOD TOUR IN THAILAND.

Fly to Bangkok with Emirates. We’ll start at Bangrak Market, famous for its wide selection of flowers, with a traditional ‘Khao Tom’ for breakfast. Next a quick hop on a ferry and take a ride to Tha Chang Pier, home to Bangkok’s most extensive Buddhist amulet market. Then it’s off to bustling Chinatown where we can enjoy Dim Sum and other Chinese specialties. Our final destination is Sam Yan Market, affording an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and meat. We’ll lunch in the open air food hall, a gourmet’s delight of Thai food stalls centred on a Thai-style steakhouse.

For a chance to win simply log on to www.nairobirestaurantweek.com Holiday Bazaar Limited 14 Ring Road, Parklands, Nairobi, Kenya +254 722 354 333 / 733 616 445 info@holidaybazaar.com www.holidaybazaar.travel

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#NRW2017 26th JAN - 5th FEB Enjoy prix-fixe menus of Ksh 950 for a 2 course lunch, Ksh 1950 for a 3 course dinner and cocktail and Ksh 3950 for a 5 course dinner and cocktail at over 60 participating restaurants You also stand the chance to win rides in Toyota Fortuners, Samsung Galaxy phones, meal vouchers for two at participating Nairobi Restaurant Week restaurants and more. Simply follow EatOut Kenya on our social media platforms or tune into Kiss FM, X FM or East FM to win!

nairobirestaurantweek.com

YUMMY

James Njuguna and his tomato harvest.

FARM TO FORK Yummy visits Dagoretti to explore a slice of Eden right in the heart of Nairobi, and learns more about Farm Africa’s work empowering smallholder farmers.

It is a hot January day in Dagoretti but despite the heat, James Philip Njuguna, a member of the Kirigo Itura Self Help Group, is hard at work loosening soil around crops with a fork hoe. Spread out across their one eighth of an acre plot of land, the fruits of the group’s labour are clearly visible. Rows of leafy spinach sit next to capsicum vines from which large shiny green bell peppers

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dangle invitingly as they await to be harvested. Next to these are empty tomato vines. “We harvested tomatoes at the end of last year, and they turned out very well,” Njuguna says in Kiswahili, his face lighting up with pride. On the opposite end of the field, grow a series of vertical sukuma wiki gardens, rows of cylindrical sack farms made up of piles of rocks, soil and manure and

irrigated using a drip system. The bounty that lays before us stands in stark contrast to the field next door, in which sickly passion vines have barely succeeded in climbing their way around the wires that stretch from one fence to the other. These vines are a reminder of James’ first attempt at farming a few years back, when he lacked technical knowhow on farming and had not yet partnered

up with the organisation Farm Africa.

Farm Africa has, since 1985, been working with groups of smallholder farmers to improve their yields and the economic benefits they gain from farming. “We train the groups on how to run the farms, to practice organic farming, and to look for markets,” says Solomon Onyata, head of Marketing and Communications in Kenya. Also through the organisation’s

PRODUCER TO YUMMY PLATE

TEXT WANJIKU MUNGAI PHOTOS MWARV KIRUBI SOLOMON ONYATA

We want to have entrepreneur farmers who have records, who can access finance from institutions like banks

trainings, farmers learn business planning, financial management and bookkeeping, and are able to build networks that empower them to bargain collectively for better prices.

“We call it a farm to fork approach,” explains Country Director Tom Cadogan, referring to Farm Africa’s holistic approach to every part of the value chain, which allows them

to step in at points that often inhibit farmers. This might mean supporting mango farmers in Kitui to start their own juice processing plant, or supporting fish feed retailers in order to jumpstart the entire aquaculture market of an area.

In Dagoretti, the urban agriculture project is a collaboration with AMREF Italy, and Farm Africa agronomist Gabriel Kitetu manages its implementation on the ground.

“We target 200 farmers, through community groups and schools, probably the Parent Teacher Association and the agriculture clubs in schools. Through the project, farmers practice animal husbandry and vegetable production through various technologies: greenhouses, drip irrigation, open fields and vertical gardens. We also build capacity amongst the farmers through training and provide inputs,” explains Gabriel as he is walking me through the farms.

He stops at a demonstration garden and stoops down to scoop some of the soil in his hand, before letting it fall back onto the ground.

Gabriel, who has been working in the field for 13 years, spends about half of his time with the farmers, listening to their challenges and designing programs that match their most pressing needs. This year, for example, farmers have been concerned about rain shortages. As a result, he has been encouraging them to utilize farming and irrigation methods that can help maximise water even when supplies are low.

One way he uses to train them is through these demonstration gardens: a raised patch of soil measuring less than a square metre is mixed with compost; spinach is planted side by side with sukuma wiki and African nightshade, and interspersed with stalks of onion and chili. “They repel pests,” says Gabriel as he plucks out a bright red chili pod to show me.

As for the future? Farm Africa strives for sustainability for all of their projects, which is why a market orientation is so important. Onyata elaborates: “All our projects are time-bound. When the project is over we want the groups to sustain

the business. If the group is in the position to step out alone we leave them to sustain themselves and pick up a new group and do the same process again. The group we have trained can [then] train another group on our behalf.” For the future, they intend to strengthen this market orientation, and to embed a strong focus in the programing towards sustainable business. This would mean educating the farmers on market trends and opportunities, all the while ensuring quality production of whatever it is they are growing.

“Initially, we were just supporting livelihoods, but now it’s more focused on markets and natural stock management and quality production.

We want to have entrepreneur farmers who have records, who can access finance from institutions like banks.”

And finally, “we intend to reach as many farmers as we can for as long as we can.”

To learn more about Farm Africa’s work empowering smallholder farmers, visit www.farmafrica.org/kenya.

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CHEF PROFILE

TEXT SONI ADRIANCE

LONDON TO KISUMU Chef Ashley Palmer-Watts is a Michelin star chef based in the UK and visits the city to launch Nairobi Restaurant Week 2017 as well as continue his work with Farm Africa. We interview him to understand his growth, approach to cooking and what he plans to do while in Kenya.

In YouTube videos and in person, Chef Ashley Palmer-Watts speaks as much with his hands as with his words, waving his hands around to pepper sentences with description and feeling. We interviewed Chef Ashley over email prior to his arrival in the city for Nairobi Restaurant Week 2017.

Although we were unable to see his gesticulations, what is clear, even in his writing, is a thoughtfulness in his personality which manifests not only in his approach to the kitchen, but also in the reason for his connection to Kenya.

Growing up in Dorset, England, Chef Ashley’s love for food began with his love of the countryside and his familiarity with the seasons and produce of the British Isles. His culinary career started like many others, working an after school washing up job at a local restaurant at the age of thirteen. This job ignited Chef Ashley’s passion for cooking and once he finished high school, he began to work at Le Petit Canard in Dorset. It was here that Chef Ashley learned the fundamental disciplines of the kitchen while he spent most of his free time visiting producers and suppliers.

From his beginnings at Le Petit Canard, Chef Ashley’s career sky rocketed. In 1999 he joined British celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal at Heston’s restaurant The Fat Duck in Bray. At the time when Chef Ashley joined, the restaurant had just received one

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of the now three Michelin stars to its name. Within two years, Chef Ashley was promoted to Sous Chef and in 2003 he became Head Chef. By 2004, the restaurant had acquired three Michelin stars, which Chef Ashley says is one of his biggest accomplishments as a chef.

In 2008, Chef Ashley took on the role of the Executive Head Chef for The Fat Duck Group: this includes The Perfectionists’ Cafe, The Crown at Bray, The Hinds Head and of course, The Fat Duck. Chef Ashley remembers developing into the role of Executive Head Chef for The Fat Duck Group as being a pivotal moment in his career.

The role led to opening pubs, casual dining restaurants, food styling projects for cookbooks as well as opening Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London and Melbourne, all the while

allowing him the opportunity to gain a varied body of knowledge in different operations and projects.

Currently, Chef Ashley heads up the kitchen at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental in Hyde Park. In October of 2015 he opened Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in Melbourne Australia, his first restaurant outside of the UK. In his kitchen, Chef Ashley is meticulous not only about ingredients, but also about infusing the cultural and historical tradition of a place into a meal. This means taking an almost academic approach to the kitchen: reading voraciously and working with historians in the field of food and culture. For the Nairobi Restaurant Week launch, he has helped design canapés that bring a distinctly Kenyan element to the fine dining experience.

In 2012, Chef Ashley visited Kenya to explore the work done by Farm Africa in the western part of the country.

During the trip, he had the chance to experience what it was like to live and work in a rural Kenyan community -- including going fishing in one of the fish ponds and eating a meal of githeri after a morning out in the farm. He also worked with Joyce Kadenge, one of the smallholder farmers supported

by Farm Africa, to build a sustainable fish farming business. When he returned this year to launch Nairobi Restaurant Week 2017, alongside Chef Dennis Mwakulua, a highlight of his return trip was visiting her farm again. There, he found that Joyce and her family now operate two fish ponds and through the second fish pond, have generated enough income to build a third one and to send her three grandchildren to school.

“My role with Farm Africa is supporting their great work and helping to spread awareness of their story whilst bringing together others in our industry to help raise funds and aid the ongoing cause” says Chef Ashley of working with Farm Africa.

We asked Chef Ashley what his advice to upcoming chefs would be and he said this, “Take your time and build a solid base of both modern and classic techniques and work with those and fully understand them and learn as much as possible.”

TEXT SONI ADRIANCE

In his kitchen, Chef Ashley is meticulous not only about ingredients, but also about infusing the cultural and historical tradition of a place into a meal.

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COCKTAIL PARTY During Nairobi Restaurant Week 2017, enjoy a range of premium cocktails from Pernod Ricard Kenya while you dine.

These five classic cocktails with Absolut Vodka, Beefeater Gin, Chivas Regal, Havana Club and Olmeca Tequila are available in every participating restaurant. Dining al fresco? Why not enjoy a refreshing Beefeater and Tonic?

Looking for something to accompany your Spanish dish? Grab a margarita!

We’ve broken down the five delicious cocktails you can expect this Nairobi Restaurant Week.

Cheers!

ABSOLUT MULE Ingredients: • • •

50ml Absolut Vodka 150ml ginger beer 10ml fresh lime juice

Method: Pour all ingredients into a mule cup filled with ice and garnish with a lime wedge.

MIXOLOGY

HAVANA MOJITO Ingredients: • • • • • •

2 teaspoons sugar The juice of half a fresh lime 2 sprigs mint Sparkling water 1 shot Havana Club Ice

Method: Mix 2 teaspoons of sugar with the juice of half a fresh lime. Muddle 2 sprigs of mint. Next add the ice and a shot of Havana Club and top up with sparkling water.

BEEFEATER TONIC Ingredients: • • • • •

50ml Beefeater Dry Gin 150ml tonic water Cubed ice Wheel of lemon Wheel of orange

Method: Pour Beefeater Dry Gin and premium tonic into a premium highball glass. Half-fill the glass with ice and add a wheel of fresh orange. Top up the glass with ice and add a wheel of fresh lemon.

OLMECA MARGARITA Ingredients: • • • •

60ml Olmeca Blanco 30ml Cointreau 30ml freshly squeezed lime juice Salt for garnish

Method: Run a lime around the rim of your glass and dip the glass in salt. Pour Olmeca, Cointreau and freshly squeezed lime juice into a shaker with ice. Strain the margarita from the shaker into the glass and garnish with a fresh lime wedge.

CHIVAS COLLINS Ingredients: • • • • •

2 slices of Green Apple 1 part Chivas (50ml) 2 parts lemonade (100ml) 1 part soda water (50ml) Garnish with a lime wheel

Method: Place apple slices at the bottom of the glass and pour Chivas over top.

Allow the mixture to stand for a few minutes. Fill the glass with ice cubes and slowly pour in the lemonade. Stir and top up with soda water. Garnish with a lime wheel.

#NRW2017 www.nairobirestaurantweek.com

NRW2017

Adega

Lavington Curve Mall, Lavington Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Adega Restaurant is an upmarket Portuguese restaurant that caters for a variety of tastes and styles. The restaurants offer a warm unpretentious ambience allowing diners to feast in true Portuguese style.

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About Thyme

Eldama Ravine Road, Westlands Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 (Only on weekdays) Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 This restaurant offers intimate dining in a secluded and leafy outdoor setting. The cuisine is continental and the menu eclectic and imaginative with well informed, fast and friendly service.

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Arbor

James Gichuru Road Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 The Arbor is an eco-friendly garden cafe with an eclectic selection of food and also a marketplace in a tranquil garden setting in the heart of Nairobi. From our cocktails to our bites to our mains, we’ll cater to all types of palates.

Relax and take a breather from everyday life and pop in for a enjoyable experience.

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Amber

Ngong Road Lane, Ngong Road Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Danish executive chef, Frederik Olesen brings the best of Amber’s charmed setting to the NRW menu, as well as regular menu signature dishes like crispy pork belly and grilled ribeye steak among others, making this restaurant a true culinary destination in Nairobi.

4 Anghiti New Rehema Hse, Rhapta Rd, Westlands Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Anghiti is a superb choice for Indian food with great ambiance and service, and is a favourite among locals. The menu usually features classic curries and tikka masalas, with the restaurant’s signature murg malai kebab which has soft nuggets of chicken roasted in a tandoor then blended with yoghurt and spices.

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#NRW2017 www.nairobirestaurantweek.com

NRW2017

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Artisan

Sankara, Westlands Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Artisan’s global cuisine evokes artistry and craftsmanship. Each dish reveals the chef’s personal touch.

The philosophy revolves around fresh, seasonal and organic produce served in an authentic yet contemporary way.

6 Artcaffe Grand

Westgate Mall, Westlands Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Looking for a great escape from hectic city life? Artcaffe Grand is your perfect destination. Whether you are looking for a quiet cup of coffee, drinks, pastries or fine dining, Artcaffe places a premium on great service and signature offerings. Go beyond food and indulge in culinary pleasure.

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Bangkok

Amee Arcade, Westlands Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Chinese cuisine catered to the Kenyan palate. Get your dose of Gong Bao chicken, dry chili beef or bean curd from this city favourite. Flavour and depth best describe Bangkok dishes.

Brew Bistro

Piedmont Plaza, Ngong Rd. Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Rooftop, Fortis Towers, Westlands Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Brew Bistro and lounge combines modern dining and a chic lounge all Into one offering, a dynamic fine dining experience with the superior quality of a unique microbrewery featuring Nairobi’s premium craft brews.

The Brew Bistro & Lounge Rooftop is the quintessential escape from the hustle and bustle of the city with a superb eclectic food and cocktail menu aimed at taking revelers on a exciting journey of the five senses.

#NRW2017 www.nairobirestaurantweek.com

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8 Asmara

General Mathenge Lane, Westlands Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 In addition to a beautiful, modern, child friendly setting; Asmara offers amazing afro-contemporary cuisine created using only the finest and freshest ingredients. You can indulge in the highly sought after Shiro Tegamino and Keyh Tibsi from their Eritrean menu or freshly made wood fired Italian style pizza from their continental menu.

NRW2017

Caramel

ABC Place, Waiyaki Way, Westlands Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Dining at Caramel Nairobi is all about fine dining, especially with choices in the Mains menu like the juicy Pan Seared Lamb Loin or the delectable Petite Beef Sliders with aged cheddar and balsamic red onions. Caramel Nairobi caters for vegetarians with the delicious Veggie Risotto with baby spinach, asparagus tips and mushrooms and the Truffled Penne Pasta with black truffles end petit pois. Of course, you can add on sides like the scrumptious Pomme Frites with garlic and parmesan, or Saute Spinach, or the delightful Forest Mushrooms with fine herbs.

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Bonhomie

The Concord Hotel & Suites, Parklands Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Bonhomie is an elegantly designed restaurant with the best of Western and Italian Cuisine. Its name is derived from the original 18th century French word ’bonhomie’ translated to mean ‘good fellow’, and also makes reference to cheerful friendliness or geniality, a concept that represents the warmth and a truly authentic, pleasant and friendly atmosphere that the restaurant is home to.

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Curry Flavors

The Concord Hotel & Suites, Parklands Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 The restaurant offers authentic Indian cuisine with an eclectic mix of rich Indian dishes from the past expertly prepared, plated & presented with the contemporary modern flavors.

Cheka Izikaya

101 Manyani East Rd, Lavington Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Japanese style Restaurant&Bar “IZAKAYA” which is operated

by Japanese in Nairobi, Kenya.

The restaurant name “CHEKA” means “Laugh” in Kiswahili.

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15 The Curragh

Ngong Racecourse, Ngong Rd Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 At this Irish Pub and Bistro, live music, sports and banter will be the order of the day. They serve a wide range of local food and drinks, as well as some familiar Irish staples. This year The Curragh will be showcasing their new 2017 menu consisting of a comforting Irish Shepherd’s pie and their house 350g sizzling T-bone steak.

#NRW2017 www.nairobirestaurantweek.com

NRW2017

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Garden Restaurant Lotos Suites, Westlands Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950

Calling all Chinese Food Lovers!

Come experience exciting authentic chinese cuisine with a dazzling view of the stars at night, combined with the picturesque Westlands skyline making it a lovely place to be this NRW2017.

17 Emerald Garden UN Avenue, Gigiri Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950

An open-air restaurant tucked away in the heart of Gigiri, Emerald Garden serves up Pan-Asian dishes with a flair. From Vietnamese pho to spicy chicken ramen noodles to Indonesian gado gado, take a trip around South East Asia.

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Havana

Woodvale Grove, Westlands Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 From finger licking appetizers to lip smacking desserts and weekly chef’s specials, Havana offers you Latin American cuisine with modern European fusion. Let our friendly staff cater for you while listening to smooth Cuban music as you relax in the candle lit restaurant enjoying our delicious daiquiris.

Jiko Tribe Hotel, Gigiri

Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 3,950 Jiko holds true to the glamorous yet sophisticated feel of the hotel whilst maintaining the warmth and personality of Kenya. Its contemporary international cuisine focuses on carefully grown fresh ingredients and specially sourced imports.

The extensive menu features grilled meats and vegetables as well as house made pastas, breads, pastries and gelatos.

#NRW2017 www.nairobirestaurantweek.com

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19 Golden Spur

Southern Sun Hotel, Westlands Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 A South African chain that offers delicious speciality steaks, burgers and a wide range of exciting salads for lunch, dinner and in-between. This classic family restaurant also has an activity area for children.

NRW2017

Lucca Villa Rosa Kempinski, Westlands Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Villa Rosa Kempinski is participating in the fourth edition of the Nairobi Restaurant Week. Do not miss out on the chance to celebrate rich gastronomic delights at Lucca, their Italian Restaurant. Lucca offers a relaxed atmosphere, distinctive dining with a friendly décor and authentic Italian cuisine.

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Larder at Radisson Blu Elgon Road, Upper Hill Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 This is an all-day dining restaurant that serves local favorites as well as international dishes with an African twist. Cosy enclaves create a sense of intimacy, complemented by low lighting and warm candlelight. Sink your teeth into slow-roasted local meats, or delight in the rich medley of a traditional fish stew.

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Masala Twist

9th Floor Victoria Plaza, Westlands Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Warm, spacious, well lit and a rooftop open terrace restaurant specializing in outstanding molecular gastronomy and fusion Indian cuisine with a twist. First of its kind in kenya. The food philosophy is all about taste. Indian food presented in a contemporary style. Also known for their world class Cocktails! Check out their menu for something absolutely to die for!

Mandhari

Serena Hotel, CBD Dinner menu @ Ksh 3,950 Offering an exclusive fine-dining experience. Renown for the excellence of its seasonally inspired menu and extensive wine cellars, it is also celebrated for the welcoming elegance of its spacious interior dining space, which features a magnificent soapstone fresco, a pre-dinner cocktail lounge, a private dining area, a charming outdoor terrace and live piano music nightly.

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25 Marula Mercantile Marula Studios, Karen Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950

Marula Mercantile is a family-friendly restaurant in Karen that provides a haven away from the bustle of Nairobi. We provide good, wholesome food and innovative cocktails to suit all palates. Almost everything is made from scratch in our kitchen – breads, jams, pickles, pastries, sausages and more – to make sure our customers receive nothing but the best.

#NRW2017 www.nairobirestaurantweek.com

NRW2017

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Mediterraneo

United Nation Ave, Gigiri The Junction Mall, Ngong Rd 9 West, Westlands Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Set in three convenient locations, you can come enjoy fresh flavours and a new menu which has some classics such as baked eggplants and courgettes ‘’parmigiana’’ with tomato sauce, smoked scamorza and Fresh Basil to start with. For the main, you can choose the goat cheese and herbs saffron ravioli, tossed in garlic and parsley butter and topped with sweet and sour ratatouille.

27 Mayura

The Hub, Karen Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 The Mayura is the first modern Indian fine dining experience in Nairobi, Kenya. The menu is traditional classic with modern fusion. The master chefs have been brought from India to ensure true authentic Indian flavor. Sourcing is done from the best vendors to maintain highest levels of hygiene. It is the first theme-based restaurant in Kenya housing the best décor, both indoors and terrace and with varied seating options – dining, cushion, coffee table, low height and even a swing – it is the best experiential dining in Nairobi.

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News Cafe

Sarit Centre, Westlands Adlife Plaza, Hurligham Hardy’s Mall, Karen Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 By combining the service and product attributes of a coffee bar, cocktail bar, restaurant and entertainment venue, News Cafe is a trendsetting and benchmarking brand within the industry. The brand has become synonymous with innovative thinking and application within the food, beverage and social market place.

Nyama Mama Delta Delta Towers, Westlands Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950

Nyama Mama Delta, mama’s flagship branch, boasts a breakfast menu, extended menu, late night menu (11:30PM – 4AM) and lots of distinctive cocktails. Treat your morning appetite to a chapatti breakfast burrito, indulge in mama’s signature ribs and gratify that sweet tooth with an orange crush cheesecake.

#NRW2017 www.nairobirestaurantweek.com

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31 Moca Loca

Garden City Mall, Thika Road Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Join us for great coffee, tasty meals, drinks & crazy cocktails in a beautiful space with ambience! Our menu offers a variety of appetizers and wholesome meals that are a fusion of culinary traditions and tastes from around the world, freshly prepared and crafted from quality products. We have mastered the art of mixology and our cocktail menu showcases both classic and specialty cocktails.

NRW2017

Ocean Basket

The Hub, Karen The Oval, Westlands Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Across the 10 countries that the Ocean Basket franchise has found a home, you will find the same formula for success – simplicity, value for money, best seafood in the world, served piping hot in a pan. They make delicious seafood with an irresistible creamy lemon sauce, with very friendly service.

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Nyama Mama Express Village Market, Gigiri Yaya Centre, Hurligham Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950

Nyama Mama Xpress is an unpretentious, fun, modern day African roadside diner. Locally inspired, some of our skillfully concocted dishes range from Chapatti wraps to Mama’s stews and flavourful sides. Cocktails are refreshing, unique and served in iconic metal vikombe.

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Picazzo

The Hub, Karen

Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Picazzo Gourmet is a restaurant where emotions multiply, and where each corner, detail and service reflects the personality and philosophy of the Artist. We specialize in Fine Dining, Gourmet Tapas and Cocktails.

OhCha Village Market, Gigiri Westgate Mall, Westlands Lunch & Dinner Menu @ Ksh 950 Ohcha has the distinction of being Nairobi’s first noodle bar.

Southeast Asian cuisine meets the excitement of “street food” culture and is reflected in an authentic menu with dishes from Thailand, Vietnam and Japan. It is a flavour explosion of hot and spicy soups, stir-fries, salads and noodles.

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42 Olpul

Two Rivers, Limuru Rd Dinner menu @ Ksh 3,950 Olpul steak house and grill brings to life this exotic Kenyan culture in a modern 21st century setting. The meat presented is from the finest ranches in Kenya – Naivasha, Nanyuki and Kitengela – with options of freshly cut to 21 day aged meat set on the menu. All marinades are made from locally sourced spices, oils, and herbs to ensure that both the flavor and the texture of the steaks served are as delicious and authentic as the culture that inspired it.

#NRW2017 www.nairobirestaurantweek.com

www.eastfm.com

East FM Kenya @EastFMKenya

Win with

East FM & NRW2017 Tune in to Kenya's Premier Asian Mix every day from 23rd January for a chance to win fabulous NRW gift hampers and EatOut restaurant vouchers.

KISUMU 89.9

NAIROBI 106.3

MOMBASA 89.5

NRW2017

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Rendezvous

La Maison Royale, Westlands Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 The Rendezvous Restaurant is located on the 5th floor of La Maison Royale Hotel.

Rendezvous Restaurant is where French Cuisine meets Mediterranean style and African and Indian dishes are brought to life using the freshest local ingredients.

44 Purdy Arms

61, Marula Lane, Karen Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Purdy Arms is a British inspired family friendly Sports Bar, Restaurant and Bed & Breakfast establishment set on a stunning 23 acre property that beautifully blends quirky with classy.

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Royal Tulip

Tigoni Rd, off Chaka Rd Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 The Mosaic Restaurant serves cuisine from around the world in its contemporary and modern interiors. Chef Khan, with his vast international experience, and the ever cheerful crew make this a place for any occasion. Enjoy your meal by the pool, with cocktails served by our super mixologist.

Secret Garden

14 Riverside, Riverside Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Secret Garden’s Chef strives to keep the menu simple, fresh and natural. Their NRW menu has great healthy and delicious options like vegetable lasagna, Secret Garden vegetarian burger, risotto funghi porcini, with a choice of tiramisu or black or white forest gateaux and more for dessert.

#NRW2017 www.nairobirestaurantweek.com

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46 Royal Kitchen

Pride Inn, Westlands Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 The quaint, warm Royal Kitchen offers an extensive menu of Multi-Cuisine Foods, beverages, desserts and a daily specials menu.

NRW2017

Sierra Brasserie

Yaya Centre, Argwings Kodhek Road Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Sierra is a modern interpretation of a classical French brasserie serving simple yet elegant continental cuisine made using the best ingredients available.

They also offer signature beers brewed at their state-of-the-art brewery on Mombasa Road.

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Seven Seafood & Grill ABC Place, Westlands Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950

Already considered to be Nairobi’s premier seafood destination, Seven Seafood & Grill offers a sumptuous selection of the finest Indian Ocean seafood in one of Nairobi’s most distinctive and innovatively designed restaurants.

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Steak Out

102 Manyani East Rd, Lavington Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 The Steak Out restaurant specializes in succulent steaks as well as interesting options of chicken, fish, pork and vegetarian dishes. Enjoy the tranquil and serene ambience as you dine either inside, on the balcony in the garden or at the bar areas. A great venue too for parties, events and conferencing!

Simba Saloon

Carnivore, Langata Rd Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 The Simba Saloon menu offers an extensive selection of light appetizing meals such as pizzas, (from a traditional, domed, brick oven) burgers, steaks, chicken dishes and salads, not to mention the Carnivore famous meat platter from the Carnivore grill.

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52 Spring Valley Oven Spring Valley, Lower Kabete Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950

Spring Valley Oven, a semi al fresco pizzeria, cafe and bakery is located along Lower Kabete road in the Spring Valley area.

It is renowned for its flavourful brick oven pizzas and boasts a menu with a variety of Mediterranean, Indian and Continental dishes. Our signature dishes include the BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pizza and the Falafel Pita Pocket, which can be enjoyed with our vitamin packed smoothies.

#NRW2017 www.nairobirestaurantweek.com

NRW2017

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Tapas

Westgate Mall, Westlands Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Tapas brings together an eclectic mix of Spanish cuisine to excite your taste buds. A meal typically consists of a variety of small plates thus allowing you to explore and share.

Exciting flavours define Tapas from the food to the sangria specials and the sultry sounds of the Spanish guitar.

54 Talisman

320 Ngong Road, Karen Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 This is an elegant Gastro lounge with an eclectic twist. Described as “The best place in town” by New York Times’ Spirited Traveler and consistently the #1 restaurant in Kenya on Trip Advisor, it offers a myriad of experiences to patrons. The Talisman blends fine dining with unbridled eclecticism in a sumptuous setting, serving up a delightful fusion of European, Pan-Asian and African cuisines.

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The Wine Shop Ltd

671 Piedmont Plaza, Ngong Rd Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Swirl and sip vino or snack on small plates at The Wine Shop, offering gems from the world’s best cellars. The approach at The Wine Shop is small but exacting. The collection showcases international bottles offering a smart balance of Old and New World options that pair beautifully with the eclectic small plates.

Toranj

912, James Gichuru Road, Lavington Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 For the best of Persian, Turkish and Italian dishes. Tasty kebabs, wood fired oven baked pizza with a blend of fresh juices and mocktails. It is a relaxing place and the food can be an adventure!

#NRW2017 www.nairobirestaurantweek.com

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56 The Tav

The Mirage, Chiromo Rd, Westlands Lunch menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 A rustic but modern Pub with an Irish flair situated in the heart of urban Nairobi, the Tav offers a vibrant experience with tastefully executed meals and a wide array of local and international beverages, and will have a tasty menu of classic pub food for both meat lovers and vegetarians alike.

NRW2017

Utamu

Tune Hotel, Westlands Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 Situated on the ground floor, the 164 seater, Utamu casual dining offers a wide selection of continental cuisine with 2 outside terraces with seating and patio heaters. The restaurant serves freshly prepared food on a la carte. Lunch is offered by prior reservation.

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Umami

The Concord Hotel & Suites, Parklands Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 The restaurant’s name comes from a Japanese synonym literally meaning ‘deliciousness’. Umami signifies an induced meaty and savory taste sensation originating from our delectable Pan Asian inspired fusion restaurant, showcasing truly authentic Chinese, Japanese, Thai & Korean dishes.

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Urban Gourmet Burger Garden City, Thika Rd Westgate, Westlands The Hub, Karen Village Market, Gigiri Lunch & Dinner Menu @ Ksh 950

Burgers are elevated to an artform at Urban Gourmet. Every bite of the succulent burgers is an experience with different options to suit your taste. The menu has prime beef, lamb, chicken and vegetarian options. Sports fans will absolutely love the large HD screens on game days.

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Villa Rosa Kempinski, Westlands Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950 88 at the Villa Rosa Kempinski is a Pan-Asian Restaurant, which takes you on a culinary journey through Asia. Admire gastronomic artistry from within its theatre kitchen as you watch the master chef prepare your favorite dishes.

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65 Ventana

Bidwood Suites, Westlands Lunch Menu @ Ksh 950 Dinner menu @ Ksh 1,950

The décor here is an eclectic mix of jazz-fusion, African glass art and Moorish touches. Their NRW menu has options like mustard crusted pork chops, beef stroganoff, masala chicken and vegetable enchiladas. For dessert, try the chocolate brownie à la mode which is rich, decadent chocolate squares served with a scoop of ice cream and fresh whipped cream.

#NRW2017 www.nairobirestaurantweek.com

TUNE INTO KISS FM DURING NAIROBI RESTAURANT WEEK 2017 AND WIN GREAT PRIZES!

We had the chance to sample a taste of #NRW2017 in 5 participating restaurants with influencers DJ SAK, Clare, Sylvia, Sheila and Jayson.

NRW might last only 10 days, but with Elianto and these easy, tasty recipes, you can enjoy gourmet dining in the comfort of your house all year round!

DJ SAK

zindagiwithsak.com Former Radio Jockey Shaheed Ali Khan (SAK) has made headlines as a Disc Jockey, Promoter and Musician.

Zindagi With SAK is the current popular vlog which shares everything from the world of food, celebrities, events, entrepreneurs, lifestyle, fashion and glamour. DJ SAK visited Bonhomie restaurant at The Concord hotel. He loved the ambience, portions of food and friendly service from the kitchen staff to the waiters and managers.

Herb Crusted Chicken INGREDIENTS 1/2 spring chicken with skin and bone, 10ml white wine, 10ml olive oil 5 garlic cloves, 2 slices white bread, 1/2 bunch parsley, 30g Parmesan cheese, salt as required, black pepper as required METHOD Marinate the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic, white wine and olive oil. Rest the chicken in the cold place for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 180°C. After 30 minutes, roast the chicken in the oven for 20 mins.

For the herb crust: Cut the edges off the 2 slice of white bread. Place bread and parsley in a food processor and blend until breadcrumbs form. Add grated parmesan cheese and gently mix together.

Take the roasted chicken grease and pour over the roasted chicken for. Gently sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top until chicken is covered. Place chicken back into the oven until the breadcrumb coat browns.

Bonhomie Restaurant

Check our social media sites to win restaurant vouchers and Bidco hampers!

Clare Karatu clarestake.com

I’ve always known I have an adventurous palate from a very young age. Food was and is, my happy place. The best part about Cheka was not only the amazing food, but the authenticity of the establishment as a whole; from the traditional seating area, imported brew, to the super fun collaged menu.

Sashimi INGREDIENTS 100g of fresh salmon fillet 100g of fresh tuna fillet 100g of fresh grouper 50g of white radish 20g of carrot Wasabi and soy sauce METHOD Shred the white radish and carrot Slice the fish fillet (nice cuts according to your desire) Place the radish, carrot and fish in a bowl Serve with Wasabi and soy sauce

Cheka Japanese Izakaya

Check our social media sites to win restaurant vouchers and Bidco hampers!

Slyvia Jemutai dinewithjemutai.com

As a food photographer, writer and food stylist, I explore life through delicious food one plate at a time.

With NRW2017 coming up, I got to dine at Marula Mercantile in Karen.

Their contemporary menu offers hearty healthy dishes bound to convert any meat eater to try a meat free dish.

Healthy never tasted so good!

Garden Pea Falafel INGREDIENTS 1 cup (250 grams) fresh garden peas 1/2 bunch mint 1 clove garlic 1/2 bunch cilantro 1/4 cup chickpea flour 2 tablespoons all purpose flour 2 tablespoons ground cumin 1 tablespoon ground coriander 1/4 tablespoon ground chili flakes salt and pepper to taste 1/2 L corn oil (for frying) METHOD Blanch the garden peas in a medium pot of boiling water for 5 minutes.

Remove from the water. Cool in an ice bath for 20 minutes.

In a food processor, mix the blanched garden peas, garlic, mint, and cilantro at medium speed for 1 minute.

Transfer to a mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Heat the corn oil to 160°C. Use a small spoon to form balls, 30 grams each. Fry 5 pieces at a time for 4 minutes, until the exterior turns medium brown.

Remove from the oil and pat dry with paper towels.

Serve with roasted carrots and flatbread.

Marula Mercantile

Check our social media sites to win restaurant vouchers and Bidco hampers!

Sheila Rabala sheilarabala.com

I am a self-proclaimed lover of everything delicious. I started Rabala’s Delights blog to simply show how you can create beautiful, delicious, and filling dishes from locally available produce!

The only thing that matches my love for cooking is a great restaurant experience and Ocean Basket delivered that for me in readiness for NRW2017. The chef prepared a sesame crusted tuna served with peppers that had me grinning from ear to ear. Ocean Basket has great service and an array of seafood, for anyone looking to explore. Definitely one of Rabala’s delights!

SESAME CRUSTED TUNA INGREDIENTS Tuna 200g White pepper 2g Salt 2g Corn oil 5ml Mixed toasted sesame seeds 10g METHOD Pat dry the tuna with a kitchen towel.

Season it evenly with white pepper and salt.

Apply corn oil evenly so the sesame seeds can cling to it.

Coat the tuna with sesame seeds generously.

Cook for 1 minute on each side until you get a nice sear.

Ocean Basket

Check our social media sites to win restaurant vouchers and Bidco hampers!

Jayson Mbogo jaytakeapic.com

Yo guys I’m Jayson. I’m a food and lifestyle blogger with a mission of rediscovering life and biting my way through new experiences. I had a chance to visit the Toranj Restaurant and I loved the experience. I have always been a huge fan of Middle Eastern cuisine. They just have a way with their flavors that are always sure to excite your palate. I had the Persian mixed platter that was to die for.

Persian Mixed Kebab Plate INGREDIENTS 200g boneless chicken 200g beef fillet 200g lamb minced meat METHOD Cut the boneless chicken in pieces and marinate it with lemon and saffron. Put the marinading chicken in the fridge for 2 days.

After the 2 days, place the chicken pieces on special Persian skewers. It is ready to be grilled!

For the beef fillet, cut it into slices and marinate it in onion, lemon juice and saffron. Put the marinating beef in the fridge for 2 days.

After 2 days, place the beef pieces on special Persian skewers. It is ready to be grilled!

Marinate the minced lamb with Persian seasoning and place it on special Persian skewers.

Cook your meats on an open fire and serve with the Iranian rice.

Toranj Restaurant

Check our social media sites to win restaurant vouchers and Bidco hampers!

WINE PICKS

To health and success this year!

To start off 2017, we’ve picked a selection of award winning wines you can enjoy with award winning meals.

Teperberg, Israeli Shiraz Israel, Ksh 1,500 Available from: The Whisky Shop in Lavington and Galleria Mall or 0791389771 for delivery Nose: Exhibits cherry, plum and black currant fruit notes Palate: A soft, round and very accessible Mediterranean-style wine with balanced acidity and a rich body.

Food pairing: Serve with grilled lamb chops, a rare roast beef, or a rich cassoulet.

Golan Heights, Gamla chardonnay Israel, Ksh 1,700 Available from: The Whisky Shop in Lavington and Galleria Mall or 0791389771 for delivery Nose: Displays bright citrus, melon and honeysuckle notes Palate: This medium-body dry chardonnay has layers of tropical fruit characters and a touch of French oak.

Food pairing: Pair this food-friendly wine with poached salmon, roast chicken, or pasta primavera.

Cinsaut Pinotage South Africa, Ksh 915 Available from: WOW Beverages, The Wine Shop Kileleshwa, Just Wines The Hub Nose: Crushed summer berry and ripe plums aromas with delicate vanilla spice and earthy undertones.

Palate: Medium bodied explosion of red berry flavours offset by a hint of spice.

Food Pairing: A smooth easy drinking red blend. Enjoy on its own or with pasta, pizza and red meat dishes.

Douglas Green Chardonnay Ksh 1,100, South Africa Available from: WOW Beverages, The Wine Shop Kileleshwa, Just Wines The Hub Nose: Tropical pineapple and honey melon aromas Palate: Delicate lemon lime flavours tinged with subtle oak complexity and a generous zesty fruit finish.

Food pairing: Enjoy full flavoured firm fish with herb or creamy sauces, pan fried veal picatta, roast chicken or creamy pasta dishes.

WINEMASTER’S RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC Ksh 1,635, South Africa Available from: Nederburg Pairing: Seafood, salads, chicken, veal and light meals.

Nose: Melon and herbaceous nuances with fresh gooseberries and a hint of green figs.

Palate: Distinctive tropical fruit, gooseberry and herbaceous flavors support a balanced palate with a pleasant lingering finish.

WINEMASTER’S RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON Ksh 1,325, South Africa Available from: Nederburg Pairing: Beef stroganoff, winter stews and mature cheeses.

Nose: Blackcurrants and cherries with violets and nuances of vanilla oak spice in the background.

Palate: Ripe fruit, cherry and delicate oak spice flavours, firm tannins and a lingering aftertaste.

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ADVERTORIAL

TEXT KELVIN WANJIRA

KNOW THY WINES It had been a rough week and all I wanted to do is sit at the corner table of a restaurant with a tall glass of Tomassi Merlot accompanied with a well done T-bone steak. As I was minding my own business, I couldn’t help but notice, across the room, a lady who seemed to be in her early thirties and a gentleman who looked like a business associate. Even before the waiter could hand them the food menu, they spelled out exactly what they wanted (I guess they were hungry).

The waiter asked the next obvious question: What can I get you to drink?

There was a moment of silence, they stumbled through the wine menu and the waiter had to answer a myriad of questions. Ordering wine doesn’t have to be a tough task, especially with the Nairobi Restaurant Week fast approaching. Your inner self is urging you to up your wine game and make simple, informed choices.

WOW Beverages is your one-stop shop in all matters wine. We help you steer clear of those embarrassing moments especially if you want to impress a business guru, a loved one, your new catch in town or your colleagues.

The tips below can help you

become a self-made connoisseur in under two minutes. When ordering your wine please consider:

Country: Majority of your decisions are influenced by your favourite destinations or a country’s culture or food. These are good places to start, if you traveled to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup and enjoyed wines from Chile and Argentina, you may enjoy the Catena, Tilia or the 35 South Range. If you’re a fan of French cuisine, try pairing your food with a Grand Sud wine or an Italian Tomassi.

Price: How much are you planning to spend? Many restaurants have wines ranging from entry, mid-range to highend, giving you a rich set of options.

Food Pairing: What meal have you ordered?

Tomassi Merlot loves a tasty steak just as much as you do while a light salad will do well with a refreshing white wine such as a glass of Douglas Green Chardonnay.

Palate/Wine style: Do you prefer dry, sweet or semisweet wines? Spice things up a little

and allow your tongue to explore more.

If you are a semi-sweet person try a dry wine such as a Catena Cabernet Sauvignon. You may never know what you have been missing. Full bodied wines such as Catena Cabernet Sauvignon usually exhibit powerful notes and rich tannic structures.

Wine Type: Red: Red wines range from being light to bold on the palette.

White: Pineapples and citrus fruits are characteristic of white wines Rosé: With a slight hint of colour, this wine is very fruity especially when properly chilled.

Time of Day: Quite often, a warm afternoon will be blissful with a properly chilled white wine or a rosé. For a chilly evening with friends out, powerful red wines tend to warm up your body for the night.

With these helpful tips, we hope you feel more informed going into your next meal. Whatever factor determines the wine for your occasion remember, Wines of the World is always here to help you navigate your experience.

MAN ABOUT TOWN

TEXT JACKSON BIKO ART MOVIN WERE

MYSTERY WOMAN Jackson Biko loves his Saturday morning runs in Karura forest and is intrigued by the people he sees on the trail.

T

here was an old Indian woman who used to run in Karura Forest. A small ball of shrivelled mass, with a slightly stooped back, brittle-looking wrist bones, a shock of white hair tied in a bun behind her head and her face a mask of determination. She was easily 80-years old. The first time I saw her, I was like, “Whoa, granny, shouldn’t you be bouncing grandchildren on your lap on a Saturday morning?”

Then I saw her the next Saturday, and the next and the next. She kept at it, becoming a distinct figure on our runs. She was more consistent than Gogo, my other running partner who, as it happens, is as consistent as the Lunar eclipse.

That old lady was our posterchild of determination and true grit. I suspect that she was doing the 15 KM track because we would meet her running towards us in the opposite

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direction. She would show up like clockwork every Saturday and run, head bent down, fist clenched, cutting the wind with her forehead. I used to tell Gogo that, “I would kill to interview that old lady, I bet her story can blow us away.” For weeks at the finishing zone - called K-Feet - I was always on the look out for her, to see if I could start a conversation. She was never there; maybe she used a different gate, maybe she skipped the stretch and warm-down sessions and was promptly picked up by a fat grandchild. (Grandchildren are spoilt, spending days slumped before their Playstation, eating bag after bag of vinegar crisps and cookies).

I saw her on the trail the whole of 2015 but never thereafter. The stuff that myths are made of: “The OId Lady in the Bush and Other Stories”, kind of thing. We - my peers - run mostly out of vanity, to look good and feel good about our lean torsos and taut

guns and hopefully, in the process, to avoid lifestyle diseases. I would wonder why she ran. I bet it was to keep fit and to stay healthy. Maybe to feel alive, to feel her aged heart beat fast like it did when she was younger and a boy she liked touched her hair.

Maybe because Saturday mornings in her household are a chaotic melee with pots clamping with chole masala and grandchildren making a ruckus and her daughters-in-law singing songs loudly and her last born son (the lazy one who smokes a pipe) playing Lucky Ali loudly from upstairs.

2016 was the year we embarked on the 15 KM run because we were older and needed to run longer and stay fitter so that the younger chaps didn’t call us “old.” (For the record, most younger guys - 25 to 35- are unfit, they are wasting their youth drinking and eating double cheese burgers thinking they will be young forever. Ha!)

Weird thing is, I never saw the old lady last year. I was on the lookout for her but she was nowhere in sight.

I found it disconcerting, her marked absence. The other day I found myself praying for her, telling God that I hope he has protected her, that he has given her more life in her bones so that she can enjoy the beauty of the run in the forest and so that her loved ones (even the undeserving pipesmoking-Lucky-Ali-Loving ones) can enjoy her many years left on earth.

Today I hope she is in sound health and will make her return so that she can inspire us to keep at it even when we don’t feel like it. I doubt she reads this whisky-rambling column (oh, I’m not off whisky this January, only moderating it) but if she is then, ma’am, please come back to Karura, you are our silent and most profound inspiration.

ADVERTORIAL

WHISKY PAIRING A fine meal deserves a fine whisky to pair with it. Whether you’re enjoying an appetizer, main course, dessert or simply looking for a delicious whisky to sip on, you’ll find some great suggestions below.

GLENFIDDICH 12 Our signature malt, the pioneer of the single malt Scotch whisky category, is renowned for its beautifully complex flavour. Delivering a classic refined flavour with rich, sweet and fruity tones developing into butterscotch, cream, malt and subtle oak flavours.

Glenfiddich 12 year old pairs well with salmon and less spicy seafood.

GLENFIDDICH 15 Our unique Solera system marries whiskies matured in sherry, bourbon and new oak casks to create a deliciously harmonious and intensely honeyed single malt. Experiencing a premium, mature, rich, silky smooth malt with an intriguingly complex aroma and subtle, sweet layers of sherry oak, marzipan, cinnamon and ginger. This variant pairs brilliantly with desserts particularly dark chocolate inspired meals.

GLENFIDDICH 18 Patiently matured in the Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks, before being married in small batches to create an extraordinarily smooth, rich and mellow single malt. Experiencing a classic rich Glenfiddich with luxurious dried fruit, candy peel and date flavours overlaid with elegant oak notes. This works well with a main course - a medium rare steak will be perfect!

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WALKER FESTIVAL This year from December 1st to January 1st Tapas Cielo bar in Mombasa hosted the Walker Festival which aimed at providing the Johnnie Walker experience to customers as they enjoyed their holiday. The festival featured DJs playing every evening including DJs Me Supafly, MR T, Lady Shiroh, Aj, Electrik, Abstrakt, T-Fresh, N. Kai, Bones, Malaika, Kace, Stretch, G-Money, Nijo, N-ruff, Que & Resident’s throughout Kez, Dennz, Flaxx. There was a raffle held where six lucky customers were rewarded for purchasing Johnnie Walker. The winners walked away with Johnnie Walker hampers, drink vouchers and the top prize was a night for two at Msambweni Beach House and private villas. To sum up the month of December, the Walker Festival was truly an amazing experience at Tapas Cielo Mombasa.

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ADVERTORIAL

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EXPLORE DIANI Diani is a love at first sight kind of place. Everything about it seems pristine and untouched, a veritable Eden of sorts. What everyone who goes there can agree on is that it’s a place to be visited again and again and again. With Jambojet flying to Diani daily your coastal adventure is only an hour away with affordable flights.

YUMMY TRAVEL

TEXT SOPHIE GITONGA

YUMMY TRAVEL

To Stay

To Play

To Visit

To Eat

If a meditative silence and a back rub is what you are after, then Sukuma Guest House is definitely the place to head for on your Diani getaway. With beautiful Lamu-style architecture, a teardrop pool and a yoga platform to practice your vinyasas and inversions on, this is the place to go when you aim to rebalance your inner chi.

Closer by the beach, Diani Reef Hotel is built into the coral reef and overlooks a brilliant white beach which seems to never end. When you walk into your room and you find the origami towel animals and flower petals on the bed, a nice touch.

It’s a typical hotel room setup with double beds or single Beds and a TV set in the corner. Spend most of your time outside your hotel room where devastatingly beautiful beach goes on for days with sands so white they could burn your retina.

Moving south to the more secluded Galu beach, you can find Moring House, a set of four charming cottages with direct access to a private beach. Peter, the charming proprietor, furnishes the houses with beautifully repurposed dhows.

The open plan patios are perfect for taking in the last rays of the sun with a drink in hand while you wait for dinner to be served.

Jumping out of planes is not recommended for people with heart conditions but for the rest of you, right this way to Skydive Diani. With what many skydivers insist is one of the most beautiful aerial views in the world, this is an experience that puts you back a few thousand shillings but is well worth the adrenaline-filled drop. Your first jump, get strapped onto a pro jumper so you don’t have to remember to open your chute.

If water is more your element, then check out Sand and Sea Water Sports for wind and kite surfing, snorkelling or a gentle boat ride if all the sporting sounds like too much work and you’d rather not have to put your drink down.

If you want to watch other people get active, head to Harry’s bar in Diani Beach Shopping Centre where you’ll can imbibe a couple of sundowners as you catch a game on their big screen TVs. The high thatched roof is appealing to stare at and when you are done with that activity, you can order from a standard menu and a nicely stocked bar.

Diani Beach Art Gallery is the only gallery in the south coast, that boasts some elegant works from contemporary artists around Africa.

Definitely a good place to start to expand your art collection or simply absorb a bit of the higher local culture. You might catch some exhibitions or visiting artists doing a small personal show so make sure you visit again each time.

For the nature lovers amongst you make sure you head to the Colobus conservancy at the south end of Diani where you can watch these majestic primates as they are rehabilitated and released into the wild.

No Shirt No Shoes No Service is not a set of rules that apply to Colobus Shade restaurant and we thank them for their flexibility. They serve the best, freshly caught seafood right there on their sandy shoreline.

Their décor is simple and functional because your main interest is eating and not the colour of the tablecloth.

What’s good there? Well the calamari, the lobster, the white fish all at a decent price.

The world is a much better place because of Italian food. Eating at Aniello’s will remind you of that. The pasta is delicious, the pizza divine and the price is right. They are located at Colliers Centre and open for lunch and dinner.

You could also hop into a tuk tuk and find a kibanda for some authentic Swahili food like mbaazi slow cooked in coconut cream, or cardamom mahamris or chapatis served with mchicha. Everything is tastier when it’s said in Swahili, don’t you think? In the kibanda you get to eat like the locals do and probably using your hands instead of utensils.

It’s alleged that the Shah of Iran said that eating with utensils was like making love through an interpreter, that doesn’t sound like an affair to remember. So go ahead, lick that little finger, you know you want to.

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RESTAURANTS

GIGIRI, MUTHAIGA, UN AVENUE, VILLAGE MARKET

Artcaffe

La Dolce Vita

Asmara

Bonhomie

The Village Market Cafe 0712143839 An elegant and simple style gives Artcaffe at the Village Market a distinct class. It is the main bakery for all their cafes and serves an extensive menu through- out the day.

Muthaiga Shopping Centre, Limuru Rd Italian ​0722 624 100​ Nairobi’s La Dolce Vita Restaurant has a bright interior filled with artwork, creating a stylish but unpretentious space for lunch or dinner.

General Mathenge Lane, Westlands Eritrean 0721 948 020 A modern and friendly dining atmosphere with fresh, authentic Eritrean and Continental cuisine. They also have an extensive alcoholic beverage selection and children’s play area.

The Concord Hotel, Parklands Italian and Continental 0709 466 444 For a tantalizing array of contemporary Continental gourmet dishes paired with a superb range of fine wines and beverages. An italian dining experience like never before.

Cake City

Mediterraneo

Artcaffe

Brew Bistro

Warwick Centre Bakery & Juice Bar 0715 991 879 This spot uses traditional recipes to make delicious treats that feel home baked. Cake City will always be there to deliver carefully created cakes and pastries exactly as desired.

UN Avenue, Gigiri Italian, Sea Food 0705 269 841 Evocative of an Italian Villa capturing Italian love for dining from their A la Carte & Chefs Special menu reflecting traditional specialties of Sea food, Pasta, Meat Pizzas.

The Oval Café 0717 193 895 Distinctly chic style with creative décor including the largest balcony space among the Artcaffe outlets. The ArtBakery serves freshly baked homemade breads, pastries and desserts.

Fortis Tower Lounge 0705 466 836 This spot reaches new heights of luxury with an expansive lounge and exquisite outdoor terrace where guests can feast on delectable bites and sip specialty brews and cocktails.

Big Square

Suite 101

Artcaffe Grand

Cafe Vienna

UN Avenue Burger, Casual Dining 0714 782 380 This branch is located at the corner of United Nations Avenue and Limuru Road. This is the perfect spot to eat, work and chill with either friends or family.

Tribe Hotel, Gigiri Bakery & Patisserie 020 720 0000 Get all your custom cakes, novelty cakes, freshly baked pastries, gourmet chocolates, authentic Italian homemade gelatos and much more, all at Suite 101 at Tribe.

Westgate Mall Café 0725 202 020 A warm and inviting space filled with freshly baked breads and patisserie, the heartwarming scent of fresh coffee and relaxing music; Artcaffe Grand is a haven from hectic city life.

Nakumatt Ukay Ground Floor Cafe 0708 877 811 Open for 24hrs,we have an authentic,sophisticated and rustic ambience.

Famous for the legendary Dr. Oetker Pizzas,glorious breakfast selection,soups and love-filled desserts.

Dormans

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Artisan

Cafe VILLA ROSA

The Village Market Cafe 020 500 6662 Aside from your favourite cup of coffee, this latest branch of Dormans boasts a new menu including a wide selection of salads, delicious sandwiches, pastries, cakes and cookies.

Golden Tulip, Muthithi rd Westlands Indian, Chinese 0733 888 068 Nestled at the top of the Hotel the restaurant offers an exotic blend of the best Indian and Chinese Cuisine.

Sankara Hotel, Woodvale Groove International 020 420 8000 Located in Sankara Hotel, from the outdoor terrace to the private dining room, Artisan is designed to reflect a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere.

Perfect for sun-downers!

Villa Rosa Kempinski Cafe 0703 049 000 This spot is an ideal destination for an international dining experience.

Whether it’s a taste of home or something rather different you are after, Cafe Villa Rosa is the place to be.

Habesha

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Bamboo

Cake City

United Nations Crescent Ethiopian 0725 869 955 Reknowned for its authenticity in Ethiopian cuisine, Habesha offers a wide array of traditional, hearty Ethiopian cuisine served in a rustic and homely atmosphere.

Villa Rosa Kempinski Pan Asian 0703 049 000 Let them take you on a culinary journey through Asia. Admire artistry from within the theatre kitchen as you watch the restaurant’s master chef prepare your favorite dishes.

Zen Garden, Lower Kabete Rd Pan Asian 0717 542 017 Bamboo is a fine dining restaurant offering the finest fusion cuisine. You can enjoy a combination of Chinese, Thai and Japanese cuisine, set in an elegant atmosphere.

Diamond Plaza Bakery & Juice Bar 0701 671 891 Using traditional recipes to make delicious treats that feel home baked, Cake City will always be there to deliver carefully created cakes and pastries made just like you like them.

Jiko

About Thyme

Big Square

Cake City

Tribe Hotel International, Formal Dining 020 720 0000 Jiko is glamourous yet sophisticated whilst maintaining the warmth and personality of Kenya. Its contemporary cuisine focuses on fresh ingredients.

Eldama Ravine Road Continental 0721 850 026 Offers a well-prepared menu and beautifully presented dishes from around the world. Enjoy an intimate dining experience in a leafy area of Westlands.

The Oval Burger, Casual Dining 0714 781 351 Visit Big Square’s new branch at The Oval, Westlands and enjoy juicy succulent burgers, creamy milkshakes as well as a fun kiddie corner. Let’s make a square mess!

Next to Soin Arcade, Westlands rd Bakery & Juice Bar 0709 729 000 This spot uses traditional recipes to make delicious treats with a homebaked feel. Cake City delivers carefully created cakes and pasteries made as desired.

List your restaurant for only Ksh 5,000 per month. Email sales@eatout.co.ke

LOWER KABETE, PARKLANDS, SPRING VALLEY, WESTLANDS

Cake City

Garden

Jade Tea House

Mama Rocks

Sarit Centre Bakery & Juice Bar 0770 808 451 Using traditional recipes to make delicious treats that feel home baked, Cake City will be there to deliver carefully created cakes and pasteries made exactly to your liking.

Lotos Suites, Next to Oshwal Centre Chinese 0702 874 571 Enjoy authentic Chinese Cuisine at the roof top in the heart of Westlands with a magnificent view of Nairobi Skyline.

Zen Garden, Lower Kabete Rd Multi Cuisine 0724 288 791 Overlooking the beautiful Zen Garden, Jade is a beautiful venue, situated in the heart of Spring Valley. The food quality and high level of service, attracts customers to this area.

Inside the Alchemist Bar Food Truck 0705 801 230 Enjoy African-inspired gourmet burgers and sides. With a range of gourmet burgers, wings, fries, milkshakes and artisan ice creams this fun food truck will satisfy your craving.

Caramel

Golden Spur

KFC

Mediterraneo

ABC Place Contemporary American 0716 663 463 The warm, inviting ambiance and relaxing atmosphere here is perfect for a quick bite, business lunch or celebrating special occasions with friends.

The service is also really great!

Southern Sun Hotel, Parklands Rd Steak House 0724 253 804 Offers delicious specialty steaks, burgers and a wide range of exciting salads. This classic family restaurant also has an activity area for children, with a kiddy menu and playground.

Woodvale Groove Fast Food 0708 515 168 KFC is the largest international chicken franchise serving the world famous Colonel Sanders secret recipe for over 60 years. Enjoy dining-in or order-in through the delivery service.

9 West, Westlands Italian, Sea Food 0725 547 800 A new modern drop back to the very best Italian fine dining experience; from their Mosaic Pizza Oven to Mediterranean Seafood dishes and Handmade genuine Italian Ice creams.

Cloud 9

Grab & Go Coffee

KFC

Ocean Basket

Clarence House, School Lane Continental 0725 894 477 A hidden Gem, in the heart of leafy Westlands.

Enjoy rooftop experience, with a fusion of cuisines & artistically prepared Mocktails & Cocktails.

Tune Hotels, 155 Raphta Road Cafe 020 5147500 The place to enjoy a unique selection of gourmet coffee, sandwiches, salads, freshly baked pastries and a wide variety of juices, smoothies and milkshakes.

Westgate Mall Fast Food 0722 532 532 KFC will cater to all taste buds, from the little ones to the oldest in the group, there’s something for everyone. Friendly staff will ensure your order is out in a few minutes.

The Oval, Westlands Seafood, Sushi 0786 227 538 Here you’ll find people who share a love for delicious seafood served hot.

You can expect quality seafood, a cool relaxed atmosphere, friendly service and great value.

Curry Flavours

Graze

KFC

Phoenician

Concord Hotel, Parklands Indian 0709 466 700 The restaurant offers an authentic Indian cuisine with an eclectic mix of rich Indian dishes expertly prepared, plated and presented with the contemporary modern flavors.

Sankara Hotel, Woodvale Grove Steakhouse 020 420 8000 Enjoy aged beef, succulent seafood, and classic steakhouse dishes exquisitely paired with an eclectic wine and whisky list featuring some of the finest producers in the world.

Limuru Road Fast Food 070 8515 168 Situated on Limuru road, with ample parking and quick service, KFC will cater to all your chicken cravings with a wide range of menu offerings. You can dine-in, take away or get delivery.

Off School Lane, Westlands Japanese, Lebanese, Sushi 0716 161 011 The Phoenician is a fabulous restaurant which serves sushi, Lebanese and Teppanyaki courses, in an al fresco atmosphere at the Junction.

Furusato

Haandi

Kafe Afrikana

Royal Kitchen

Ring Road Parklands Japanese 0722 488 706 Furusato specializes in authentic Japanese cuisine and friendly service that will make your dining experience unforgettable. Now with 6 Teppanyaki tables and a Sushi Bar.

The Mall, Westlands Indian 0736 651 933 Haandi - the ultimate name in quality North Indian Cuisine. They offer a bespoke menu and a large selection of wines & beverages that will satisfy any discerning patron

The Mall, Westlands Cafe 0700 592 028

Pride Inn Hotel, Westlands Rd Continental 0728 224 595 Lovers of authentic Indian or Chinese cuisines are in for a treat at Royal Kitchen. Customers are guaranteed of genuine and tasty cuisines.

Fogo Gaucho

Havana

Lucca

The Tav

Viking House, Waiyaki Way Brazilian, Steak House 0729 243 202 Fogo Gaucho Churrascaria will serve you more than a dozen cuts of meat and 20 different salads prepared by Brazilian cuisine experts in an elegant South Brazilian ambience.

Woodvale Grove Continental 0729 864 511 The restaurant at Havana is taking ‘bar food’ to the next level with a latin inspired menu featuring fresh local ingredients with weekly chef’s specials.

Villa Rosa Kempinski, Westlands Italian 0703 049 000 A popular spot for family brunch on Sundays with a wide range of Italian cuisine, live entertainment, children’s play area and a fantastic mini-buffet.

Sankara Hotel, Woodvale Grove The Mirage, Chiromo Road 0726 848 444 A rustic but modern Pub with an Irish flair offering a vibrant experience with tastefully executed meals and an array of local and international beverages.

Kafe Afrikana is an authentic Kenyan brand, serving Premium Kenyan Coffee brewed to perfection and accompanied by great tasting snacks.

Fantastic discounts at your favourite restaurants. eatout.co.ke/yummycard

RESTAURANTS

JUNCTION, HURLINGHAM, KILELESHWA, LAVINGTON

Sarabi

Tambourin

Upendo Pizza

Artcaffe

Sankara Hotel, Woodvale Grove International 020 420 8000 Enjoy sweeping views of Nairobi in this exclusive rooftop location as you try expertly made cocktails. Note that the age limit after 6pm is 25 years and above.

Villa Rosa Kempinski Levant Cuisine 0703 049 000 An intimate rooftop lounge, bar and restaurant with a striking decor, exceptional Shisha, authentic levantine cuisine and electrifying performances by belly dancers.

The Alchemist Pizza 0728 451 383 Upendo Pizza is where you can enjoy the original oven baked Italian Pizza and a lots more... Make pizza, not war!

Yaya Centre Café, Continental 0719 269 477 Artcaffe ensures a warm and welcoming environment. Enjoy freshly brewed coffee, delicious pastries, cocktails and a full menu. Enjoy great happy hour offers and delicious food.

Secret Garden

Tandoori Patio

Urban Eatery

Big Square

14 Riverside Drive Cafe 0708 800 847 Conveniently located in the new office blocks at 14 Riverside Drive, they strive to keep their food simple, fresh and natural. Secret Garden is one of Nairobi’s must-try healthy restaurants.

Junction of Lower Kabete & Peponi Indian Cuisine 0702 018 709 A hidden gem with an upscale patio style set up that is serene and pocket friendly serving hearty meals for healthy eaters. Best for hot naans, Curries and Tandoori bbqs.

PWC Towers, Westlands Multi Cuisine 0709 815 000 Offering an energized atmosphere in the heart of Nairobi,consisting of four different kitchens; a frozen yogurt counter and a signature bar.

The Junction Mall, Ngong Rd Burger, Casual Dining 0714 781 351 You are guaranteed to enjoy the ambiance as you eat your favorite fries, the famous square burger, crunchy onion rings and juicy ribs marinated in Big Square’s secret sauce.

Seven

Tulip

Utamu

Brew Bistro

ABC Place, Waiyaki Way Seafood 0737 776 677 Offers a sumptuous selection of the finest Indian Ocean seafood. Indulge in one of Seven’s decadent desserts to complete Nairobi’s most unique and sought-after dining experience.

Golden Tulip Hotel Multi Cuisine 020 403 4200 Tulip Restaurant serves multi-cuisine fine dining delicacies. Be it lunch or dinner with family, friends or business colleagues there is a cozy ambience and warm service.

Tune Hotels, 155 Raphta Road Continental 020 514 7500 Utamu provides a young, vibrant and informal setting. They serve a fusion of international cuisines and daily specials at a pocket friendly price with high service levels.

Piedmont Plaza, Ngong Rd Bistro 0771 152 359 Fine dining section complimented by a centralised open kitchen which serves Pan-Global cuisine, incorporating a fusion of French, European, Asian and classic Kenyan flavours.

SOI

Sky Bar

Adega

Cheka

dusitD2 Hotel, 14 Riverside Drive Thai 020 423 3000 SOI brings world-renowned Thai street food with a modern twist to your plate. SOI also features a communal table and an enclosed space with its own terrace for more privacy.

Tune Hotels, 155 Raphta Road Bar 020 5147500 A classic sports bar designed for watching the latest game and enjoying sporting events with stunning and unobstructed panoramic views across the Nairobi skyline.

Lavington Curve Mall, James Gichuru Rd Portuguese 0723 111 999 An upmarket Portuguese restaurant catering to a variety of tastes, including a Halal menu; a combination that will leave you wanting more.

101 Manyani East Road Japanese 0717 700 666 The only Japanese restaurant actually owned by Japanese in kenya. Try authentic meals including sushi, noodles, a variety of seafood specials and imported sake from Japan.

SOKO

Masala Twist

Artcaffe

Double Dragon

dusitD2 Hotel, 14 Riverside Drive International 020 423 3000 Soko offers a private dining roundel and a sublime terrace perfect for an upscale business lunch, a get together or a romantic dinner completed with an international and eclectic menu.

9th Floor, Victoria Plaza Mordern Indian Fusion 0733 678 153 Specializing in Indian Fusion Cuisine with a twist of Molecular Gastronomy.

First of its kind in Kenya. Exotic Indian food served in a contemporary style, delightful ambience and good service.

The Junction Mall, Ngong Rd Café 0708 906 504 Bright, light- filled café famous for its roasted coffees,hearty dishes and mouth watering deserts. It is the ideal spot for postshopping coffee and cake, breakfasts and leisurely lunches.

The Junction Mall, Ngong Rd Chinese 0722 739 143 Double Dragon is a Chinese restaurant located at The Junction Mall.

The location offers great service and authentic Chinese cuisine to its customers.

Spring Valley Oven

Umami

Artcaffe

Fogo Gaucho

Lower Kabete Road, Spring Valley Continental 0711 557 272 Located in the leafy suburbs of Spring Valley, this restaurant serves as a great place to catch your morning coffee or grab lunch with some mates.

The Concord Hotel, Parklands Pan Asian 0709 466 400 The restaurant's name means 'deliciousness', It signifies an induced meaty and savory taste sensation originating from our delectable Pan Asian inspired fusion restaurant.

Lavington Green Mall Café, Continental 0700 037 059 Artcaffe ensures a warm and welcoming environment. Enjoy freshly brewed coffee, delicious pastries, cocktails and a full menu. Enjoy great happy hour offers and delicious food.

Kilimani, Galana Rd Brazilian, Steak House 0715 414 141 Brazilian Steakhouse with a set price for all you can eat, magnificent buffet professional baristas and specially selected wine list. Beautiful ambience with outside terrace seating.

Fantastic discounts at your favourite restaurants. eatout.co.ke/yummycard

KAREN, NGONG ROAD, LANGATA

RESTAURANTS

Habesha

Noah

The Steak Out

Artcaffe

Argwings Khodek Rd, Hurlingham Ethiopian 0733 730 469 Renown for its authentic Ethiopian cuisine complimented by great hospitality, Habesha has continued to win hearts around Nairobi and is set in a warm homely atmosphere.

Eastlands Hotel, Ngong Rd Multi cuisine 020 386 1005 Noah Restaurant offers an array of delicacies with contemporary fusion of the west and orient, Karaoke and hotpot on griddle tables available in private VIP rooms.

102 Manyani Rd. Off James Gichuru Multi Cuisine 0726 211 443 The Steak Out is an elegant and urban steakhouse serving creative foods for all palates in a comfortable ambiance ensuring a memorable dining experience.

Karen Crossroads Shopping Centre Café, Continental 0703 216 579 Offers a tranquil setting for work and play, boasting a two-level restaurant space including the famous Art Bakery, a coffee bar, cocktail bar and outdoor seating

Kengeles

Nyama Mama Xpress

Toranj

Artcaffe

Lavington Green Centre Continental 0719 142560 We are a Bistro and Bar located on James Gichuru road. Live Music, Live Sports, Open Mic Wednesdays, Networking Evenings , our Yummy BBQ bites & alot more new vibes.

Yaya Center, 2nd Floor, Food Court African, Local Fusion 020 7 602 066 An unpretentious, fun, modern day African roadside diner. Locally inspired, some of our skillfully concocted dishes include chapatti wraps to Mama’s stews and flavourful sides.

912, James Gichuru Road Turkish & Persian 0795 800 800 Three worlds in one, Toranj serves Persian, Turkish and Italian dishes.

Toranj offers a relaxing environment suitable for families, friends, meetings and events.

The Hub, Karen Café, Continental 0790 124 892 Artcaffe ensures a warm and welcoming environment. Enjoy freshly brewed coffee, delicious pastries, cocktails and a full menu. Enjoy great happy hour offers and delicious food.

Mediterraneo

PABLO’S

The Arbor

Artcaffe

The Junction Mall, Ngong Rd Italian, Sea Food 0728 855 100 For an Unforgettable taste of true Italian dining set in its family like atmosphere with a variety of traditional Mediterranean Seafood, Home made Pastas and Sicilian Icecream.

BEST WESTERN PREMIER, Hurlingham International 020 292 7000 The menu here encompasses a wide variety of international cuisine, from Asian dishes to Italian pastas and pizzas. Sit either indoors or outside and be sure to be spoilt for choice!

House 904, James Gichuru Rd Café 0729 400 291 The Arbor is an eco-friendly garden cafe with an eclectic selection of food and as well as a marketplace in a tranquil garden setting in the heart of Nairobi.

Galleria Mall Cafe 020 233 0772 Their quietly elegant décor and amazing art provides the perfect setting for the intermingled aromas of freshly baked bread, pastries, cakes and specially roasted coffee.

MEZZE on the deck

Phoenician

The Wine Shop

Big Square

BEST WESTERN PREMIER, Hurlingham Middle East & Mediterranean 020 2 927 000 For traditional Arabic hospitality, food, an exotic array of sheesha flavours and a breathtaking view of the Ngong Hills, Mezze on the deck is ‘the’ place to dine in Nairobi.

Junction Mall, Ngong Rd Japanese, Lebanese, Sushi 0717 522 374 Come and get our amazing offer, buy 1 sushi roll get half free, Buy 2 glasses of wine and get 1 free. Get the offer when its still happening!

671 Piedmont Plaza, Ngong Rd International 0718 003 302 The Wine Shop encourages you to explore your palate and experiment either by the glass or bottle. They also offer a selection of delicious complimentary dishes for your wines.

Karen Square, Ngong Rd Burger, Casual Dining 0714 781 351 Big Square Karen offers some of the best burgers and ribs that your teeth can sink in to. Features play area for children that has iPads and latest gaming consoles.

Monikos Kitchen

Pizza Mojo

Afghan House

Carnivore

Lavington, Valley Arcade Continental 0737 032 064 Inspired by the abundance of fresh and organic produce in Nairobi and across the country. Offers guests a delightful menu and tranquility at the heart of the shopping center.

Adlife Plaza, Kilimani Pizza 0729 918 435 This spot has a perfect classic pizzas menu and more available on a ‘Two for One price’ being served in a stylish ambience perfect for creating memories and capturing moments.

The Hub Afghan Cuisine 0717 781 815 It provides freshly prepared Afghan Food that is made on order and delivered all around Nairobi. They also specialize in Turkish baklava. Middle Eastern cuisine not to be missed!

Carnivore Rd, Langata African, Barbeque, Kenyan 0722 204 647 Considered as ‘Africa’s Greatest Eating Experience’, the Carnivore serves exotic meats roasted over charcoal and carved in front of the guests’ eyes at their table.

Mosaic Restaurant

Sierra

Amber

Js Fresh Bar

Royal Tulip Hotel, Tigoni Road International 0709 464000 A contemporary restaurant with a world cuisine setup that provides a personalized service and memorable experience to its esteemed clients.

Hurlingham, Yaya Centre Continental 020 806 8594 Sierra Brasserie is a modern interpretation of a classical French brasserie serving simple yet elegant food using the best ingredients available and with fast and friendly service.

Ngong Lane, off Ngong Rd International 0709 090 000 Spread out over the first floor, Amber Hotel’s all day dining restaurant offers culinary experience at its best with savory international Cuisines. A great dining experience.

Karen - Opposite St. Christopher’s Continental - British Inspired 0718 607 197 J’s is East Africa’s Café Del Mar, serving fabulous British inspired cuisine in a sumptuous wooden shack; in an informal and cool atmosphere, always with great music.

List your restaurant for only Ksh 5,000 per month. Email sales@eatout.co.ke

CBD, INDUSTRIAL AREA, MOMBASA ROAD

RESTAURANTS

KFC

Simba Saloon

Baraka

Cin Cin Bar

The Hub, Karen Fast Food 0708 515 168 KFC is a great place to bring family and friends. From burgers to buckets, KFC will cater to all your needs; be it a meal for one or a group, enjoy Colonel Sanders’ famous recipes.

Carnivore Rd, Langata African, Barbeque 0722 204 647 A vibrant informal restaurant which fuses a childrens playground and a lively nightclub. You are welcome to for their fine cuisine or a themed night out with your friends.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Upperhill Continental 020 274 6000 An All-day restaurant on a terrace overlooking the hotel’s main pool.

They serve full english buffet breakfasts, contemporary buffet lunches, and an al a carte or set dinner menu.

Fairmont The Norfolk, Harry Thuku Rd Bar and Lounge 020 226 5000 A classic yet modern upscale exclusive lounge bar with a garden view, personalized service and an exclusive G.H. Mumm Champagne Bar with tapas, canapes and signature drinks.

KFC

Talisman

Bhandini

Flame Tree

Junction Mall, Ngong Rd Fast Food 0722 532 532 One of the first KFC outlets to open in Nairobi, this conveniently situated location is a great place to enjoy some of your favourite Colonel Sanders recipes.

320 Ngong Road African, Pan-Asian, European 0733 761 449 Talisman serves up a delightful fusion of European, Pan-Asian and African Creations by their creative chefs. Live music and art exhibitions are available at the Veranda.

InterContinental Hotel, CBD Indian 020 320 0322 Bhandini transports you to Northern India in first-class style with fine cuisine and a sophisticated setting.

The Chef works his culinary magic in a glass-enclosed kitchen.

Sarova Panafric, Valley Rd International 0709 111 000 Dine at this restaurant overlooking manicured gardens and prepare your senses for an unmatched culinary journey. Their personalized service will ensure a great experience.

KFC

Tamambo Blixen

Big Five

KFC

Galleria Shopping Mall, Karen Fast Food 0700 324 945 Walk in and enjoy a meal in minutes freshly prepared to ensure great quality always. The Colonel Sanders secret recipe will always satisfy every chicken craving.

336 Karen Road Continental 0733 603 065 Relax in the cozy indoor restaurant with adjacent outdoor garden, remodeled with a variety of functions areas set in one the largest and oldest formal gardens in Kenya.

Ole Sereni Hotel, Mombasa Rd Multi Cuisine 020 390 1000 Prepared to savor and relish over the finest of five cuisines of the world as you watch their award winning chefs prepare each order before you with a bonus view of Nairobi National Park

Mama Ngina Street Fast Food 0722 532 532 This KFC will cater to a quick lunch.

Freshly made meals, great quality and finger licking good chicken recipes will leave you coming back over and over again.

Mackees Burgers

Tamarind Nairobi

Black Gold Cafe

KFC

Galleria Mall 1st Flr, Karen Fast Food 0715 980 085 For Burgers carrying the Mackee effect, reflected in the distinctive flavour in each of the burgers which are vibrant and Tasty; from cheesy Mackee to Spicy Mackee.

Karen Blixen, Karen Seafood 0733 603 065 Tamarind Nairobi offers some of the city’s leading seafood in an ambience of elegance. Enjoy a drink in their bar or a well-prepared meal as a live band entertains you.

The Panari Hotel, Mombasa Rd Cafe 0711 091 000 Black Gold Cafe is known for its well roasted coffees, teas, light meals, smoothies and desserts. Its location gives it the atmosphere of a game lodge as it faces Nairobi National Park.

Kimathi Street Fast Food 0708 515 168 Situated in the CBD, this KFC is a great spot to enjoy a quick lunch or bring your friends and family to treat them to some great offers.

Ocean Basket

After 40

Cafe Maghreb

KFC Drive Through

The Hub Seafood, Sushi 0786 227 538 At every Ocean Basket you’ll find people who share a love for delicious seafood. Great dining spot for a seafood lovers with a home-from-home feeling and great value.

Biashara Street, CBD Continental 0710 500 377 Well known for the international cuisine with emphasis on use of organic and locally sourced ingredients; ensures that every meal prepared is both nutritious and healthy.

Nairobi Serena Hotel, CBD Seafood, Cafe 020 282 2000 An international buffet is served in the Moroccan Café Maghreb, which also features a table d’hôte dinner menu and 24-hour brasserie service.

Mombasa Road Fast Food 0705 505 050 Want to grab a quick meal on your way to work or on your road trip? Visit this KFC drive through to enjoy quick service without stepping out of your car.

Purdy Arms

Argenti

Chop House

Larder

61 Marula lane, Karen Continental 0712 007001 Family friendly british inspired sports bar, restaurant bed and breakfast establishment that beautifully blends quirky with classy menu of continental indian and pizza.

Gem Suites, State House Crescent Continental with Italian Fusion 020 263 5556 ‘Argenti”, meaning “silver” in Italian, communicates the fine dining and elegance of the restaurant while retaining an air of exclusivity. They also have very efficient service.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Upperhill Formal Dining 0704 810 000 Specialising in a holistic dining experience that highlights modern African flare, dining at Chop House is a theatrical event in itself.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Upperhill Casual Dining 0704 810 000 Serves local favorites and international dishes with an African twist.

The Larder’s cosy ambiance enclaves create a sense of intimacy. In-door and ourdoor seating.

Fantastic discounts at your favourite restaurants. eatout.co.ke/yummycard

THIKA ROAD, TRM MALL, GARDEN CITY

RESTAURANTS

Makuti Bar & Grill

Sikia Fine Dining

Artcaffe

Pizza Mojo

InterContinental Hotel, CBD International 020 320 0324 The restaurant is popular among businessmen and other prominent personalities who frequent it for lunch and meetings. Situated by the pool, this is also ideal for families.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Upperhill Formal Dining 020 274 6000 The Sikia Fine Dining room is perfect for lunchtime catch-ups or mid-week dinners with friends and family. The modern menu is delightful and the dining room is comfortably elegant.

Garden City Mall, Thika Rd Cafe 0707 175 574 A place to rest and relax over great food and drinks made by their passionate team of chefs, baristas and mixologists, to ensure each visit is a memorable experience.

Garden City Mall - 1st Flr, Thika Rd Pizza 0729 918 435 With a perfect classic pizzas menu and all available on a ‘Two for One price’ being served in a stylish ambience perfect for creating memories and capturing moments.

Mandhari

Soaring Eagle Spur

Artcaffe

Sugarcane

Nairobi Serena Hotel, CBD Formal Dining 020 282 2000 This restaurant overlooks the pool and offers a fine- dining experience.

Known for the excellence of its seasonally inspired menu and extensive wine cellars.

Eka Hotel, Mombasa Rd Steakhouse 0786101102 Our restaurant offers delicious specialty steaks, burgers, chicken, seafood and Tex- Mex dishes. We are very popular for our ribs and buffalo wings.

TRM Mall, Thika Rd Cafe

Garden City Mall - 1st Flr, Thika Rd Caribbean 0792 482 042 The recently opened Sugarcane offers Caribbean food in a casual, stylish atmosphere. Favorites like Jerk Chicken, Curry and Roti, tropical desserts and yummy drinks!

Mdalasani

Tatu

Cake City

Heron Portico, Milimani Rd International 020 272 0740 Mdalasini is a bright new concept for Nairobi featuring a serene dining hall, airy balcony and sunny patio.

Fairmont Norfolk, Harry Thuku Rd Formal Dining 020 226 5000 This restaurant offers flame grilled, aged cuts of high quality meat. The fine dining experience comprises of an a la carte menu and an international range of wines.

TRM Mall, Thika Rd Cafe 0709 729 000 Cake City uses traditional recipes to make delicious treats that feel home baked. Delivers are available and include carefully created, personalised cakes and pastries.

Mukutan Garden

Thai Chi

KFC

Fairview Hotel, Upperhill Cafe 020 288 1000 The Mukutan Garden Café overlooks a beautiful water feature and is known for coffees and light meals such as gourmet sandwiches and pizzas.

The Sarova Stanley, Kimathi St,CBD Thai 020 275 7000 One of the city’s most elegant dining establishments, The Thai Chi boasts the finest in authentic Thai cuisine. A small piece of Thailand in Nairobi.

Garden City Mall, Thika Rd Cafe 0722 532 532 KFC’s secret Colonel Sanders recipe is finger licking good. Located at Garden City Mall, you can now enjoy great meals at a great price.

Pango Brasserie

Lord Delamere

Mambo Italia

Fairview Hotel, Upperhill Formal Dining 020 288 1330 With its famous underground wine cellar, romantic ambience, quality service and excellent taste, the Pango Brasserie is indeed in a class of its own.

Fairmont Norfolk, Harry Thuku Rd Formal Dining 020 226 5000 Classic, charming and modern restaurant ideal for business executives, families and groups of friends. The menu features robust international and authentic Kenyan cuisine.

Garden City Mall, Thika Rd Italian 0703 967 149 Mambo Italia is a casual Italian restaurant and café specializing in gourmet pizzas, pasta, salads and more. Enjoy thin-crust pizzas, home-made gelato or coffee.

Road House Grill

Thorn Tree Cafe

Moca Loca

Menengai rd, Upperhill Continetal 0720 523000 Enjoy ROAD HOUSE GRILL nyama choma, drink specials and DJ. The perfect spot in Upper Hill to unwind, watch the game, catch up with friends or beat the traffic.

The Sarova Stanley, Kimathi St, CBD Continental 020 275 7000 This is a legendary open-air, bistro style pavement cafe most famous for its message board located at the centre of the restaurant. The cafe is the perfect meeting place for friends.

Garden City Mall, Thika Rd Cafe & Lounge 0708 084 835 Moca Loca - a cafe, restaurant and lounge serving breakfast, lunch & dinner, as well as coffee and cocktails .

Ambiance is central to this new brand which also has a location in Nakuru.

0708906505 Their quietly elegant décor and amazing art provides the perfect setting for the intermingled aromas of freshly baked bread, pastries, cakes and specially roasted coffee.

List your restaurant for only Ksh 5,000 per month. Email sales@eatout.co.ke

Exclusively Portuguese Wines

@1,630.35

@1,000.01

@1,651.04

Wines of Porto P.O. Box 23674 • 00100 Nairobi • Kenya +254 718 023 984 sales@winesofporto.com • www.winesofporto.com Not for sale to persons under the age of 18 years. Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health.