waytob's Profile
Kampala
Try out the Lawns for some nice grilled meats and game, try the kudu poppers if you like a bit of heat
I love the Mediterraneo, great bread and their tagliata with fresh rucola is delicious.
There is one fine dining place although I feel its very overpriced for what you get - The pearl of Africa at the Serena, however the desserts at the coffee shop at the Serena are great
I agree with Emin Pasha - I stay there on occassion and they serve a great a la carte breakfast
Moving to Nairobi from US - foodstuffs to take?
Hey GD have you tried the bagels from Cafe Luna? (they are in Loresho). Those are the closest I have come to real bagels in Nairobi.
They also do some great bagel chips and muffins
Moving to Nairobi from US - foodstuffs to take?
I agree, with regards to containers. Anything coming in via large shipping is scrutinized very carefully
Suitcase travellers on teh other hand can get away with practically anything. Last time on my way back from South Africa I brought back 6 bottles of Diemesfontain and a large wheel of parmesan without any hassle.
Now lets see what my london exploration brings forth.....hopefully will get some good smoked chillies
Moving to Nairobi from US - foodstuffs to take?
Maybe next time you are in town. I'm always up for meeting new wine partners
Moving to Nairobi from US - foodstuffs to take?
Lol...have a look below, he gets some really good cheeses and cured meats as well.
Plus I get my arborio rice, olive oil and balsamic from there too
BORGO ALLE VIGNE ZOVENIN 2007
FRIULLI DOC GRAVE CHARDONNAY 6 13% 0.75 789
FRIULLI DOC GRAVE PINOT GRIGIO 6 13% 0.75 986
FRIULI DOC GRAVE MERLOT 6 13% 0.75 986
Moving to Nairobi from US - foodstuffs to take?
Hey GD, for wines I get mine from Mombasa either Roberto's or San Giorgios, can email or link in thier wine list and they deliver to your door from Mombasa at 100 shillings per case.
In the really hot days my favourite tipple is Prosecco Blu with fresh raspberries, and they sell it at 10 dollars a bottle
Moving to Nairobi from US - foodstuffs to take?
Hey GD, agree whole heartedly on the Chipotles, also ancho chillies etc. Am off to Borough Market on Saturday in London to pick up that as well as some of my specialty oils
Regarding maple syrup, never had a problem actually, got it last time at Muthaiga Mini Market and before that at Chandarana in Mobil Plaza.
SLS - Regarding the fruit loops, you really shouldn't have a problem bringing them in. My SIL brought a huge suitcase full of baby formula last time and had no issues.
Bourbon, definitely, your wallet will thank you. You get a seletion of baking flour and I have never had any issue with baking here (My dad used to run a bakery so its in the blood) again if you're looking for specialty stuff like gluten free flour etc then there may be a bit of a search involved
Moving to Nairobi from US - foodstuffs to take?
You're welcome....shampoos etc mainly. I find what we get in Kenya very overpriced compared to what I buy at drugstores in London, I actually come back with a suitcase full of shampoo, showergel, face wash and conditioner plus hair products when I travel to UK, South Africa or Australia.
I also pick up certain chocolate brands as the ones we get here are again quite overpriced (especially my beloved Toblerone and Terry's Orange - a non-gourmet vice I'm afraid).
We get some fairly decent wine here, but you have to hunt for a good supplier as there have been many occassions where poor transportation has lost a case of good wine (african heat and road travel)
If you are a drinker (notice a theme here?) then for specific liquors (single malt especially), bring your own brands, as unique whiskey's, cigars etc are not at all pocket friendly.
My mother gets me to buy things like almonds (for indian sweets) and pistachio's as well as certain spices when i travel (cinnamon from Tanzania and cloves from India), but if you don't plan to use them in huge quantities you will get pretty decent quality here.
A couple of friends who are in the export industry have told me that Kenya exports its best quality (coffee, tea, macadamia and cashew nuts etc.) so what you find on the shelves is not top level, I love the flavours nevertheless.
Let me know if you have any specific questions
Moving to Nairobi from US - foodstuffs to take?
Hi there, and welcome to Kenya
With regards to foods like graham crackers etc, I really think its a matter of how particular you are to American brands. You can get maple syrup, chocolate chips and digestive biscuits (very similar to graham crackers), however it just may not be a brand you are familiar with.
Due to the large number of expats here there are several shops that store exclusive imported items such as boxed cake mixes, hershey's brownie mixes etc. You can even get the whole range of Tate and Lyle sugars (molasses, brown sugar etc.)
If you could specify some of the items you think may not be available here, I would be able to provide a more concise answer, however IMO I think you'll find that you can get almost anything you want here, albeit after a bit of a search
Going slightly off topic here but what you'll have greater difficulty in finding is beauty products at a reasonable price.
Asian (non-Indian) grocery store in Nairobi?
Thanks TSparxx...the hunt continues, I'll keep an eye out for the Village Market house.
I lucked out recently with my neighbours though, 2 Malaysian ladies who came back with a goody bag from back home, and they were kind enough to share.
At the moment it seems that's the best way to pick up some of the more exotic spices and dry goods - I got an amazing garlic chilli paste and they made a very sweet dessert that had a tapioca consistency, couldn't make out what else was in it, but it tasted like condensed milk that had been pressure cooked to a caramel consistemcy, mixed with a red bean paste
Asian (non-Indian) grocery store in Nairobi?
Hi Junchow
To be honest, I am very similar to you as Zucchini works out more convenient albeit pricey. I shop at City Market when I have a big dinner to prepare for, simply due to the price compared to colume. However on Tuesday's the market is bursting with fresh produce.
I am looking to try out http://freshandmore.kbo.co.ke/home due to my current work schedule. Will keep you posted on how that works out.
Asian (non-Indian) grocery store in Nairobi?
Sorry Junchow, there are limitations unfortunately, and I haven't been there in a while either so I guess there has been a big drop in standards.
Did you havce any luck at the City Market?
Kenya: Nairobi - Where to find good cheese
Hi There
Welcome to Kenya, hope you're enjoying it. It really depends on what you are looking for. The Browns farm is actually out in Limuru and you can go for a great lunch day out and buy your cheeses http://www.brownscheese.com/?lunches-at-the-farm,22
Other options are the Deli sections in places like Muthaiga Mini Market. There is a good Italian supermarket next to Dhanji Apartments off Gitanga Road, who also do cold cuts and olives.
One of my favourite places to get good cheese and pate was at the Prime Cuts Deli in Village Market, howwever I haven't been there in a year so can't vouch for how good it still is
Hope that helps
Dining recommendations South Coast Kenya, Diani area?
Hi there, I guess you're heading down to the coast for Christmas?
Plenty of choice, although the best is always to simply buy fresh fish and seafood off the fishermen and cook over your own beach side grill. However for other options:
Italian - Anielo's, its in teh shopping centre near leisure lodge, great Tagliata and the rucola is so refreshing in the heat
Seafood - pricey version is at Al Barbours - restaurant is set in a natural cave, beautiful ambience
A more reasonable option would probably be at Wasini island although don't get conned into diving there, the reef is dead due to over commercialisation
Stay away from Diani reef hotel - food standards have really gone down
For a chilled out sunday lunch with plenty of beach side sports you can go Nomads or fourty thieves, if i remember correctly, Nomad's has the better salad bar with lots of variety.
For a more upmarket lunch go down to AlManara - it was the venue for my wedding and the food was great
Let me know if you're looking for any specific items
You should really try coming up north if you can, to indulge in the street side treats of old town Mombasa - grilled meats, fresh cassava chips, spicy potato curry and biryani's
Asian (non-Indian) grocery store in Nairobi?
Unfortunately not really. You get good Asian vegetables at the main City market opposite Aga Khan on 6th Parklands. Fabulous Pak Choy, Chinese Cabbage and holy basil.
For other items such as Nori and sticky rice you can try Helthy U in Sarit Centre.
There is also a chinese centre on Ngong road where certain novelty items can be found, including a wonderful range of dried mushroom
Zen Garden in Nairobi: delicious Asian fusion
Zen is good but it can be very hit or miss. On days when the owners are not around Service goes rapidly downhill, the Thai dishes start suffering, and they serve up defrosted dim sum instead of fresh made ones.
From an ambience perspective its fantastic, lovely to sit outside in the well maintained gardens in the glorious December heat
Thanksgiving in Kampala?
Interesting to hear. I agree with checking on wine prices, I have very rarely found any wine off restaurant wine lists, matching up to price. Most are badly transporetd resulting in the wine being damaged.
Wasn't the pearl of Africa doing anything special for thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving in Kampala?
Serena hotel will have a Turkey special, not sure how traditional it will be though
Dining in Nairobi - An Overview
Hey there, its hotel Sagret and its on Milimani road in Nairobi, just off the city centre
East Africa Trip Report: Nairobi, Dar Es Salaam, Zanzibar
Interesting report, am actually of the same mind about Blanco's after my last meal there.
I can only hope they pull up their socks and come back to the same standards they started off with
Dining in Nairobi - An Overview
Hi there
I agree with you, especially being a vegetarian, Carnivore is a bit of a rip off and very touristy. Depending on which area of Nairobi you are staying at:
Abyssinia - a bit of a dive but good food and very cheap - Ethiopian cuisine.
Stavrose is good for meat eaters - very limited on vegetarian and Haandi - the posh North Indian version of a tourist trap, I prefer Open house, which has similar cuisine at half the price
Chowpaty in shimmers plaza has a good balance of North and South inidan with excellent paper dhosa's, and it is completely vegetarian
Blanco's would be my recommendation for African choice, however not hundred percent sure on veg options as focus on the menu is predominantly meat driven
There's a new place thats modern Indian that has just opened called Benares, it might catch your fancy. very different from normal restaurants here
A firm favourite for me is Tamambo, the sister restaurant to Carnivore, but not a tourist haven at all.
You might want to try out our version of Chinese - its very indianised but delicious, theres a restaurant called Bangkok that does excellent ginger garlic crab and has some great vegetarian options too.
Let me know if this helps
Foodie dining partner in Nairobi June/July 2011?
Hi PP
In Karen, unless you find a local Nyama Choma place, not really. In town there are plenty, however from a safety aspect I would hesitate to recommend you walking to any of them late night.
The best places are the cafe's you will see along the sidewalk, often spilling over onto the road.
Biashara street has several such cafe's and a couple fo bar's.
There is also Tamarind, in town, part of our famous carnivore group.
If you fancy some spice but not typical formal north indian food then I would really recommend you make your way to Stavrose...this is an old very fanous restaurant in the CBD that is very popular with the local Indian community who don't like the heavy cream laden North Indian food
Hope that helps
Foodie dining partner in Nairobi June/July 2011?
Hi PP
My apologies for the late reply, I have been travelling for the last 2 weeks and haven't had any access to the net unfortunately.
I am not sure if you have already made your trip, so will give recommendations either way:
Karen - there is the Talisman which is great for lunch or alternatively Que pasa which is also really nice
The Junction is a huge mall that is not too far away and has lots of options, including a great frozen yogurt place.
Diamond plaza is open till midnight, but some stalls close at 10, although this month they will stay open later because of Ramadhan.
The Hilton is in town so DP will be a bit out of the way, there are plenty of late night cafes open in the area, but I would recommend you don't walk around once it is dark.
I am not sure how long you will be in Nairobio for, but Blanco's will definitely be a treat for you, and there is a great karoga place round the corner from there called Azalea, where you can probably get a snack at after 10.00pm
Hope this helps
Foodie dining partner in Nairobi June/July 2011?
From Lavington there are plenty of options in both ranges:
Habesha (hurlingham) and abyssinia (brookside) are both good Ethiopian low cost options and veg friendly, I find Abyssinia much better in quality and service.
You shoud go to Chowpatty for a full Indian veg meal, its cheap and does some great south Indian dishes.
Another place I think you'll enjoy is Diamond Plaza, set up by the new influx of Indians into Kenya, its a range of food stalls set around a central eating area and you can get anything from fresh sugar cane juice to a whole deep fried chicken with a spicy chilli sauce.
Local food tends towards Nyama choma, not very veg friendly - from lavington there's a place called Njuguna's thats a local haven.
If you're likely to be out and about at night there are some bars that are very tourist friendly - Gipsy, Black Diamond and Bacchus (on thursday's)
Our Japanese restaurants are run by Koreans (go figure) and in my opinion the best one is Furusato - love their sushi and they do a nice spicy vegetarian bibimbap
There's a new non-alcoholic place that is quite good for lebanese food, its called cafe habibi....in westlands.
Your average meal for the above places will be between $5 and $30, although Diamond plaza and abyssinia are very cheap. Furusato is probably the higher end of your eating experience, and we pay on average $30 per head (including wine or sake)
I hope this helps you, please let me know if you want anymore info
Dining recommendations in Mombasa?
Lighthouse is a place, not reallyt a restaurant, any taxi driver should be able to help.
Stall food is fine as long as its cooked, follow your nose and you should be fine.
La Verandah etc are on Bamburi beach which is 20 minutes by taxi from where you are.
On Moi avenue there is a place called Rosina's that does some great chicken wings
You can go to Blue room in town for a reasonable priced meal, it does lots of snack foods and is popular with the locals
If you want a decent steak, go down to hunters, its just past Tamarind, and for rich North Indian curry, served 'dhaba' style you can go to singhs restaurant, which is close to where you are.
Hope this helps
Foodie dining partner in Nairobi June/July 2011?
It used to be fantastic, but I'll be honest the last time I ate there was over 3 years ago, just before they put the game meat ban on. The place as a whole is a long way from what it used to be when it was on the top 50 list, and is more of a tourist gimmick now than anything else, hence the personal avoidance.
I think the average cost will be about $40, again prices may have gone up since I was last there, but the Kenya shilling is very weak against the USD, so you will benefit from the exchange rate.
It's a unique experience eating there, but in my opinion the lack of the real game meat makes it a rather pricey option for a grilled meat experience, at present the only exotic meats they serve are crocodile and ostrich, both of which are farmed. Occassionally they have gazelle from a farm up in Nanyuki.
Regarding other recommendations, its again very dependant on what sort of food you enjoy, you can get anything from a dingy ethiopian cafe, to a high priced amazing cellar experience. Perhaps if you could give me some boundaries or guidance tracks I would be better able to help.
Also it depends on where you are staying as well, to factor in the traffic etc.
Foodie dining partner in Nairobi June/July 2011?
Hey there
I was just wondering if there is a particular reason you are going there? Bearing in mind that they no longer do the wild game meat that they used to
Dining recommendations in Mombasa?
Right up my alley...lived in Mombasa for 6 months in 2009 and had a blast.
Whereabouts will you be staying? There's lots of options at each end of the spectrum:
1) Seafood - Tamarind is most famous for this, however aquamarine in Mtwapa is also worth a visit and they have a free shuttle service
2) Ali baba's in south coast is a unique experience, the restaurant is inside a natural cave
3) Love the food at the beach side bar at Al Manara in South Coast, nomads is also a good place to spend an afternoon
4) Yuls in north coast is a standby favourite, great lobster and proper thin crust, brick fired pizza's
5) Il covo is a great beachside bar, again has good pizza's and sushi
6) Japanese tepenyaki is available at misono, i find they also have the freshest tuna
7) La veranda behind nakumaat nyali is a firm italian favourite, huge portions
8) Mombasa is really famous for its indian barbeque food - kebabs, tikkas etc, served in dingy little cafe's but well worth it. There's one in kizingo called shamura's i think, and a couple in nyali, one in the shopping centre where there's a place called fishette that does average fish and chips but a great kheema naan, and one opposit it on the corner. Have it with fresh bongo juice, a local favourite
9) If you venture into old town mombasa. you'll find things like kachri bateta (spicy potato curry, served with crisps and seva and tamarind chutney) and fagia mushkaki (very tender miniscule portions of lamb barbequed on a charcoal grill)
10) Lighthouse is another firm favourite with the locals, you go there to have fresh madafu (green coconut), roasted sweet potatoes and casava served with lemon, salt and chilli, fried casava crisps and heart of palm
I would recommend going for the sundowner cruise on the tamarind dhow.
If there is a particular cuisine, item that you are looking for, please let me know as there are plenty of items I haven't included in this list.
Hope this helps
Dining in Nairobi - An Overview
Hey there, you can try Blanco's, the closest you can get to African food in a higher end environment.
They serve alot of the typical AFrican side dishes and have very good lamb chops.
Kenya: Good wines or wine shops in Nairobi?
Hi there, sorry for the late reply, have also been busy travelling.
I second teh Wines of the World recommendation, its a pity you missed the wine festival last weekend. I actually buy all my wines from mombasa either from roberto's or from San Giorgios...they are very very reasonable (I buy lots of Prosecco Blu from them at under $10 per bottle) and deliver to me in Nairobi at a reasonable price (I pay about KES1000 for 6 -8 cases). I also get my extra virgin olive oil, olives, risotto rice and balsamic from them.
Another option is the Italian supermarket on Gitanga Road behind the petrol station, I normally go there for my cold cuts and cheese
Nakumatt has a reasonable South African selection, however if you want to get the bottles at a more reasonable price you should contact their reps directly. The Nederburg baronne and duet are my two favourite SA reds and I buy them directly from Nederburg in Kenya.
I hope this helps
