An evening meal it was, and we were welcomed at the door and led through to the dining room where we were ecstatic to be near to the fireplace which certainly lifted our warmth and boosted our appetites. Sadly the up-market ambience within was somewhat destroyed by a flat screen TV, screening “the rugby”, hardly an evening dining experience welcome accompaniment! More puzzling than this though was the enigma which transpired in us trying to decipher the décor theme.
The light fittings and other wall-attachments were draped in an almost bohemian way with sarongs; the windowsill adorned with an old-fashioned police hat; and Turkish coffee pots. A yester-year fire extinguisher and associated bric-a-brac stood succinctly in one corner, while diagonally opposite, a dated wireless, right beneath, which a modern “beat-box” played music “du jour”. Some almost aboriginal artifacts also decorated the walls, not quite fitting in . . . however the pièce de resistance was a haute-couture manikin displaying an “olde worlde” ball gown, which stood sentry outside the toilet: perhaps it was on loan from chateau Nesbitt up the road? Maybe the story is antique-Africa, but admittedly, lost on us.
Our waiting staff were courteous and efficient the entire evening. The waiter almost smiled at one point, but then we realised that it was but a facial tic. Our waitress was doing her best to keep us placated and certainly ensured that our appetites were adequately attended to. My companion to start opted for the leek and potato soup, which was garnished with coriander and a swirl of fresh cream.
It was quite delectable, I insisted on trying everything; especially as my livers were so spicy that I could barely eat them! However they were extremely tender and the sauce was very tasteful, just high on the chilli-biting scale: it was at this point of the meal that I finally snapped out of my coma and realised what the fire extinguisher was for!
After this fiery hors d’oeuvre our main courses arrived: mine a beef curry with basmati rice and sambals, and my co-diner the spicy chicken and chips. Both meals were very well-presented with garnish and salad; however like the liver starter, this chicken too must have come in on the New Delhi express! Suddenly the mouth-burning joke was no longer on me. Ironically the curry was pleasantly mild, however the quality of the rice was not great, a bit stodgy and I was not happy with the quality of the beef: I did not expect gristle, which unfortunately was the case.This restaurant is well worth a visit, they do lunches and coffees as well as catering for private functions.
Family Restaurant3 PlatesExpect to spend US$25-40 per head26 Park Road, Suburbs, Bulawayo
