LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT VALENTINE’S DAY – OR ANY TIME - VENUE?

from Refined Magazine ZW Issue 5 (Monos Restaurant)

Monos Restaurant

Café Nush at Highlands Park is sure to impress

Tripadvisor has recently awarded Café Nush at Avondale four stars ranking it amongst the best cafes and restaurants in Zimbabwe and internationally. The same great atmosphere, food and service can be enjoyed at their Borrowdale branch at Village Walk and now at their exciting new venue at Highland Park.

Café Nush at Avondale was their first branch and it was so popular and successful that they opened a second branch at Village Walk in Borrowdale in 2017. Terrace Africa are the developers of Village Walk Borrowdale, so when they began the development of Highland Park, they approached Café Nush to become the anchor food outlet at the mall. They offered Café Nush the prime corner site right at the front of the new mall, adjacent to the parking area and backing on to Arcturus Road. It’s a sophisticated but casual venue that’s ideal for a cup of coffee and a slice of cake before or after shopping, to meet up with friends and family for lunch or dinner, or for a quick business meeting.

The new Nush has similar interior design features as the other branches maintaining their trendy and welcoming atmosphere, although each branch has its own distinct personality and character. The interiors were designed by Abed Khalatbari, owner and manager of the Cafe Nush franchise, in collaboration with architect Mirko Tucakov. The two of them have worked together for many years designing the other Café Nush branches, as well as the upmarket Sandalwood Lodge, so the make a great team and understand each other, and the design needs of the different projects.

Café Nush has always been renowned for their great coffee. At Highland Park they’ve gone a step further and included an industrial coffee roasting machine inside the restaurant. They purchase the best quality raw beans from all over the world including Colombia, El Salvador, Tanzania and Zimbabwe to create their own unique house blend. The beans are freshly roasted every morning filling the café with a delightful and tempting aroma.

Once roasted to perfection the beans are ground for the freshest, tastiest coffee in town. The roasting machine looks like a piece of steam punk sculpture and the whole process adds a bit of theatre and drama to the ‘coffee experience’, something unique in Harare and a great conversation piece. Their in-house blend is also packaged for takeaway sales – a treat for coffee lovers to enjoy at home, any time. There’s a variety of coffees available including espressos, filter coffee and blends with chai spices, hazelnut or turmeric. Apart from coffee they offer a number of different flavoured teas and hot chocolate drinks. All their hot beverages are available with oat or almond milk for vegans.

If you’re wanting something cool to drink, try out their choices of freshly pressed juices, smoothies, shakes and mocktails. Healthy and delicious – so there’s no guilt attached to indulging yourself. Café Nush offers the best breakfasts in town including the full breakfast feast as well as lighter, and healthier options including omelettes, French toast, warm spinach salad and homemade granola. Together with a cup of coffee or a juice it’s a great way to start your day.

Nush is also famous for their cakes and pastries – made freshly in-house at each restaurant. Although the recipes are the same the bakers at each venue add a slightly different individual character and taste. Their main bakery in Avondale makes all the breads - burger rolls, wraps, pitas and other delicious products. Their popular beef burgers are each hand made on site from the best quality beef and a selection of herbs and spices. In line with current foodie trends away from the consumption of red meat they also offer chicken, mushroom and vegetarian burgers. Their signature pastas and pizzas also come in a variety of flavours – some including meat and some with vegetarian or vegan options. Together with their salads, sandwiches and pitas there’s something for everyone.

For more substantial meals Nush offers a variety of steaks, fish and chicken entrees and beef or chicken Persian kebabs. They’re family friendly too with a special selection of meals on their kids’ menu.

Abed’s cousin, Kimia Khalatbari, is an experienced master chef from Iran. Recently she joined the Café Nush group and is overseeing the kitchens at all three branches, bringing new and exciting flavours and taste sensations. Kimia is passionate about Persian and Mediterranean food and she has brought her wealth of experience to Zimbabwe to delight our tastebuds with the best international cuisine. She’s been helping the staff at the restaurant kitchens training them in new techniques and food preparation for the pastries and confectioneries as well as for the savoury meals. Her skills bring a new dimension to Café Nush’s already awesome selection of fine dining options.

Café Nush will be offering Valentine’s specials so visit their social media pages for updates:

Instagram: cafenush_zim

As yet they’re not licenced but you’re welcome to bring your own bottle.

To book your table call: +263 77 863 9551

Taste the Delicious Joy of Communion at Lotus Wellness Spa’s Bespoke Private Dining Experiences

As we continue to explore ways to enhance the wellness journey at Lotus Wellness Spa we realize that it is necessary to not only offer cooking lessons but expand our spa services by offering a bespoke private dining experience.

In the past the Spa has hosted guests for memorable celebrations and special occasions such as birthday parties, baby showers, friendship bonding events, book launches, to mention a few.

This 2023 Lotus feels it important that its guests gather around a table with friends and family. The Covid experience certainly left us starved of the joy of communion. This year the Spa aspires to make your special occasions delicious and unforgettable. Lotus intends to continue to offer cooking lessons as well host cocktail and wine tasting events. In addition, the Spa will offer simple spreads of appetizers, Sunday brunches to lavish multi-course bespoke meals which are unique and personalized. These events can be complimented with an offering of live music where required.

To take part in all we have to offer, we will have an event coordinator on standby to assist with all bookings.

Allow us to tailor the space to your design and needs - from cuisine to room decor. Our Gazebo can comfortably cater for small groups which will enable us to provide the detail that comes with private dining experience

Lotus Wellness Spa and its Chef are excited to host its valued guests this year for an exclusive private dining experience!