It’s piping hot at Peppers

Wining & Dining
  By Le Connoisseur Being the new kid on the block is often a tricky experience, do you try and stand out from the crowd, or do you meld into the background — a force to be reckoned with or a mere presence?

 

Peppers Restaurant at 147, The Chase, Mount Pleasant, seems to have decided upon the former strategy as it makes a name for itself in Harare. The bold sign at the entrance entices you inside, making you feel as though this “new kid” is ready to take its place alongside the fine restaurants of Harare. Categorised as a Family Restaurant, Peppers has much to offer in the way of fun outdoor entertainment for the children, as well as a more sophisticated sector for adult diners.

 

Outdoor tables look onto the fenced sparkling-blue swimming pool and provide easy access to the jungle gyms and children’s area at the bottom of the garden. If the weather is hot or rainy, you can sit on the wide veranda. Inside, there is a choice of an open-plan dining area, or a more intimate, exclusive dining room.

 

The small pub area is welcoming and would be a great place to stop off for a sun-downer after a long day at work. The décor and trimmings at Peppers are modern, with plenty of smooth granite surfaces in view.

 

Things are looking good on the outside, but the acid test is on the inside; has this “new kid” managed to produce a mouth-watering menu, and is the food delicious? In a nutshell, the answer is Yes.  The menu is varied, but not overwhelming, with the emphasis on “hot” dishes — piri-piri and chillies being base ingredients for many of the dishes. So if you are looking to spice-up your dining experience, Peppers is the place for you. However, the menu does cater for tender palates, with several milder choices available. The menu is geared towards lunch, dinner and in-between meals.

 

The evening our family went to dinner was mild and balmy, so we sat on the veranda. Peppers has light meals on offer — croissants, wraps, saltimbocca, Omelette-à-Trois and spicy fajitas, but we were hungry and so zoned in on the main courses. Fillet, rump, chicken, salmon and prawns tantalised us, and the Pasta dishes complimented the choice. This is where the “heat scale” comes into play.  The boys decided on piri Peppers chicken and Cajun fettuccine and both dishes hit high eights (and went off the scale for my more discerning palate). Nonetheless, both boys loved their meals; the chicken was tender and exciting, and the pasta bristled with chicken strips and substantial chunks of chili. If your palate is accustomed to hotter food, then these dishes are perfect. There is an option of mild or hot for the piri-piri dishes, but even the “mild” option was pretty powerful.

 

My daughter and I opted for more moderate dishes and were well-pleased with the Ballantine; a delectable chicken breast stuffed with spinach and feta, and the fillet steak, which was tasty and tender. The dishes are served with vegetables and the creamy butternut was exceptional. Main meals cost between US$10 and US$18.

 

After his red-hot pasta, my partner declined dessert, but the rest of us were intrigued by the espresso and vanilla and strawberry pannacottas. They were beautifully plated-up; the smooth dessert nestled in a fine biscuity cradle. A robust Malva pudding oozing with syrupy sauce, filled the last empty space. Also on offer were chocolate mousse and chili chocolate Ice-cream. Desserts are priced at around US$6. Our after-dinner coffee was robust and enjoyable.

 

Our meal at Peppers Restaurant was exciting and memorable and we will definitely support this “new kid” as a sizzling addition to our repertoire of restaurants in Harare.

 

4 Plates

Expect to spend US$20 – US$30 per head

147 The Chase, Mount Pleasant, Harare

Family Restaurant

 

Devising a ‘heat scale’ for the dishes offered at Peppers

The starters were rapidly delivered and we had fun testing each other’s choices. The piri Peppers livers were delicious — saucy and almost a meal in themselves. We quickly devised a “heat scale” to warn the children of how fiery the food tasted.

 

On a scale of one to 10, the livers come in at three; perfect for introducing children to piri-piri.

 

The Peppers mushrooms were crumbed and deep-fried, creating that sensational contrast between the smooth mushrooms and their crispy jackets.

 

The tempura vegetables were short on flavour and the sauce was a little too non-descript for our liking.

 

The Carpaccio was magnificent, resplendent with a castle of divine mushrooms and shredded beetroot atop thinly sliced slivers of smoked beef.

 

Also on offer was a good selection of salads, including the Peppers tangy apple and Avo salad and the Oriental beef salad, complete with a “cheeky dressing”.

Starters range in price between US$5 and US$8.