Foods with Finesse
Easter time is here. Being the oldest festival of the Christian Church, celebrating the resurrection of Christ, it is definitely the most important. Besides the spiritual importance, Easter is also a time to reflect on the year that has been and catch a breath, which we so need to now. It also a time to celebrate – celebrate making it this far. A time to share. To share the small things that matter most. Love, have faith and gratitude.
In our Kenyan culture, Easter being a public holiday we celebrate (no one has ever understood Nairobians and their partying on public holidays). We meet friends, have family reunions and take our loved ones out.
However, the catch comes at finding the right place to go out for the adults. This is a hard one, especially if you are after some fine dining: a place with some world class food and breathtaking ambience. But this is Nairobi and as yours truly always says: you can find anything here; you just need to know where to look. Here are some of the places to look;
1.Mandhari – Nairobi Serena Hotel
Designed with mahogany and red velvet and a having vibrant view of Nairobi, this restaurant is simply a classic. Your evening here starts with a welcome drink on the balcony. You will then be guided through a 5-course meal by friendly and knowledgeable staff over glasses of whisky and wine. End your meal with macaroons and some of the most artistic desserts.
2.The Traveller’s Restaurant – Hilton Nairobi
This is the main dining restaurant at the Hilton Nairobi. It offers an extensive buffet that features themed nights and an à la carte menu (choosing off the menu – choose what you want and pay the individual menu prices for each item as opposed to having a fixed price meal). with an extensive wine list
This unique Nairobi restaurant is unrivalled in ambiance, quality of food, and dining options and offers the perfect setting for business lunches, romantic celebrations, or family dining within the central business district.
- Hemingways Brasserie Nairobi
Hemingways’ Brasserie serves European classics with a modern twist -by focusing on simply cooked free-range products sourced directly from local farms.
A unique feature here is their indoor barbecue which is the first of its kind in Kenya, specially imported to produce the best steaks sizzling at 800F. The special blend of charcoal used to fire the grill helps in creating their signature char grilled steak. The Brasserie is also famous for beef ribs and slow cooked pork belly.
They have a wide dessert menu that has the finest cheesecake you’ll get anywhere.
- Lucca – Villa Rosa Kempinski
The Villa Rosa Kempinski in Westlands is one of the prettiest we have. In terms of hotels, it is a big girl – because all food places are girls. Lucca is just one of the main attractions at this wonderful establishment. With freshly baked Italian bread and cuisines that will send your pallet on a trip around the world, this tranquil restaurant is the perfect place to bring friends and family. You are advised to make a reservation.
- Pango Brasserie – Fairview Nairobi
The Fairview Hotel in Upper Hill is home to the warm and inviting Pango Brasserie. Pango is a unique restaurant, styled after a French bistro. Here you get to sink deep into the countryside ish ambience by starting out with a tour of the underground wine cellar where you can choose your own wine with a bit of help from the seasoned staff. Your taste buds will also go on a journey you enjoy food made with a twist.
- About Thyme
Located on Eldama Ravine Rd, in Westlands, About Thyme has become famous over the years for the serene, leafy setting it offers and the eclectic menu it has. They have an International cuisine menu which even covers vegetarian dishes.
About Thyme is one of the few restaurants that excels in the desert menu. With stuff such as the Strawberry Cheesecake and Wild Chocolate Brownie, it explains why people love this place.
- Sikia – Crowne Plaza
Sikia is a Fine Dining Cuisine restaurant offering a unique mix of exclusivity, comfort, sophistication and design. Located on the mezzanine level of the Crowne Plaza hotel in Upper Hill, the restaurant serves a specially crafted lunch, dinner, and dessert menu complimented by an extensive, handpicked range of wines from across the world. It is open six days a week, and closed on public holidays.
- Soko – Dusit D2
‘Soko’ directly translates to ‘market’ and this all but highlights the restaurant’s focus on using the finest fresh organic ingredients. This plus seasoned chefs mix to produce an exciting and progressive cuisine. The restaurant with its cutting edge design, warm amber tones, and a beautiful terrace is the perfect venue for an upscale business lunch, a get together or a romantic dinner for two.
