Archive for the ‘Kenya’ Category
Swahili Fashion Week – Day 1
In Beauty, Culture, Events, Fashion, Kenya, Slideshows, Tanzania on November 5, 2010 at 05:12What’s Dating Like in East Africa?
In Books, General, Nairobi, Rwanda, Uganda on October 14, 2010 at 21:54
Hmmm…Riiight. Like I can even attempt to answer that question with any sort of authority. Although a friend recently called me the East African Carrie Bradshaw during a late night Facebook chat (you can imagine the kind of stories we were swapping 
), I’ll have to decline the title because it’s simply not true. Nonetheless, I have recently realized that I have been on at least one date with men from each of the five East African countries (and had relationships with men from three of these), so neither am I entirely clueless on the subject. Read the rest of this entry »
Have your Say…
In Dar es Salaam, General, Kenya on August 4, 2010 at 22:35
I love to hear from you, dear reader. I love it even more when, in your comments, you tell me about a product, service, or establishment in East Africa that I know little about but that hopefully, I can try for myself one day. Last month, I was pleased to receive my share of such comments. In case you missed them, allow me to share a few of these with you.
Early in July, I received a comment from Timmy, who had recently purchased a Toyota Vitz. Here’s what he had to say about his new car: Read the rest of this entry »
Has Fiber Made A Difference?
In General, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda on February 16, 2010 at 20:47
Photo Credit: Jurvetson
Some would be embarrassed to admit it, but I am going to give it to you straight up: I don’t watch, listen to, or read the news. It’s not that I like to be out of the loop; rather, this is a defense mechanism that I developed after first being exposed to the gruesome, horrific, doomsday nature of news in Kenya. After spending many troubled nights feeling like the world was a horrible place, nights on which coincidentally I had watched the evening news, I put two-and-two together and decided to forgo having my finger on the pulse of current events, in favor of being a calmer, happier, more positive Nairobi resident. This defense mechanism eventually spilled over to all forms of daily news including newspapers and news on radio, as well as to other countries (well, except for Uganda, where I find reading The New Vision a real pleasure…but I digress).
How do I keep abreast of what’s going on in the world, you might ask? My response to you would be: if something is really important and worth knowing about, then people will be talking (and blogging) about it, so eventually I’d find out somehow. Take, for instance, the advent of submarine fiber optic cable to East Africa. Read the rest of this entry »
The Secret – Really the Secret to Life?
In Books, Cinemas & Movies, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda on October 15, 2009 at 02:35
It’s been 3 years, give or take, since the release of The Secret – the popular film and book. Produced by Rhonda Byrne, an Australian television writer and producer, The Secret was hugely successful with DVD sales reaching higher than 2 million within the first year of its release and book sales reaching higher than 4 million within 6 months of publication. In 2007, this success earned Rhonda Byrne a spot on Time Magazine’s Time 100, a list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Here in East Africa, the phenomenon that was The Secret was not lost on us. Bookstores across the region (at least in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda) brandished huge displays advertising the book, and within 7 months of the film’s release, I (living in Nairobi at the time) was able to get a copy of The Secret’s first edition.
Chances are that many of you, my readers, have already either watched or read The Secret. Today, I would like to share a bit about The Secret with those of you who haven’t, while engaging those of you who have in a discussion as to whether “the secret” contained in The Secret is really the secret to successful, joyful living. Read the rest of this entry »
20 Hottest Blogs in East Africa
In Kenya, On The Internet, Tanzania, Uganda on September 20, 2009 at 20:31
Recently, I had the pleasure of spending an entire week with one of my favorite cousins who was visiting from Kampala. We hung out and caught up like we used to way back in the day when we were both still single young females (I am still single; she’s married with two kids). We talked about everything under the sun, and of course, because she’s an avid reader of ChickAboutTown, we also talked about blogging and about our respective experiences in the blogosphere.
During one such conversation, my cousin let on that she now reads blogs regularly and that she discovered a couple of the blogs she reads through my “The Chick Behind the Blog…” post. I was surprised and pleased. The blogs that she mentioned are ones that I enjoy reading, and I knew her life must be richer for reading these blogs too.
It got me thinking. Although I never read blogs before I started blogging (don’t ask me how I decided to start blogging – call it divine inspiration 
), I have since become an avid frequenter of the blogosphere, in general, and the East African blogosphere, in particular. Why the East African blogosphere? Well, mainly for two reasons. First, the subject of my blog is East Africa so I tend to attract East African readers. It’s only natural, therefore, when these readers also happen to be bloggers, to be curious about their blogs and to find my way to them. In the 2+ years that I’ve been blogging, I’ve come to know and love my fair share of blogs in the East African blogosphere this way. The second reason is a little more intentional. Reading East African blogs helps me keep informed about everyday living in the different countries that make up this region. There’s nothing like reading blogs to find out what’s truly on the hearts and minds of a people.
And now to today’s list. With the endless number of blogs across the East African blogosphere, how do I choose which blogs to read regularly? Honestly, it’s quite simple: I don’t. Instead, I let someone else do the choosing for me. What?! Yes, you heard me. To figure out what blogs to read in the East African blogosphere, I turn to Afrigator, an African social media aggregator. Read the rest of this entry »
Who Exactly is Mr. Price?
In Dar es Salaam, Fashion, Kampala, Kenya, Nairobi, Shopping, Shopping Malls/Complexes, Tanzania, Uganda on September 11, 2009 at 19:57
I can still remember the day when I first became aware of Mr Price’s existence. The year was 2007; I was driving along Ngong Road in Nairobi near Prestige Plaza. I looked up to see a huge banner announcing the opening of a home furnishing store called Mr. Price Home at the Westgate Centre in Westlands. I found the idea of a home furnishing store interesting and made a mental note to check out the store the next time I was in its vicinity. Read the rest of this entry »
Thirsty for Dawa
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Beverages, Kenya, Nairobi, Spirits on August 14, 2009 at 18:16
I’m feeling thirsty. No, not that kind of thirst – water can do nothing for me right now. I mean THIR-STY thirsty. Catch my drift? (It’s Friday, don’t think too hard! ) So…this evening, I’m going to take inspiration from all the honey and lemon that I have been handling for my hair and make a Dawa. What? You don’t know what a Dawa is? Read the rest of this entry »
Ramblings about Bridal Showers
In Culture, Kenya, Nairobi, Tanzania on July 9, 2009 at 20:34
Hi…so did you miss me these past three weeks? Please excuse the silence – it’s just that I got caught up in a flurry of activity related to a cousin’s wedding. You know how weddings can be. But how so exciting! This wedding was particularly exciting for me because it was the first truly Tanzanian wedding I was attending in 18 years. On top of being a great opportunity to catch up with the Tanzanian side of my family, I was looking forward to this wedding because I knew it would offer me a chance to attend some typically Tanzanian wedding functions for the first time. Of particular interest to me was attending a kitchen party.
If you’ve not heard of Tanzanian kitchen parties before, basically, these events are a sort of bridal shower where the bride-to-be’s close female friends and relatives get together to “provide her with all the necessary qualities and material things she needs to be a proper wife to the man she is marrying”. On top of the gifts she receives, mostly household items (and of course kangas), the women present offer the bride advice on how to have a happy marriage based on their own marital experiences. Sounds harmless enough, no? Yes, except that I’d heard that kitchen parties, despite being an all-female affair, could turn extremely wild and racy. This, I wanted to see for myself! Read the rest of this entry »
So Soft and yet so Hard…
In Kenya, Product Reviews, Shopping, Tanzania on June 12, 2009 at 19:18
I’ve been told by some people close to me, recently, that I am rigid. The first time I heard this, I was shocked and sure that the person I was talking to had it all wrong. On second thought, though, I see where these people could be coming from. About certain things in my life, I see no compelling reason to compromise (at least not for the most part) and so, in these areas, I stick to running my life exactly as I see fit. One such area of my life is sleep. Read the rest of this entry »
Bags Whose Name I Know Not…
In Nairobi, Product Reviews on May 28, 2009 at 20:18
As a child, growing up in Côte d’Ivoire, I found myself at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport quite regularly. Often, it would be to send off or welcome my Dad to or from one of his many work trips, but at other times, it would be because I, some other member of my family, and/or one of our many visiting friends and relatives were headed to or from yet another destination by air. Whatever the case, it was during these frequent visits to this airport that I first became aware of the item that I would like to tell you about today. Read the rest of this entry »
What I Value in KQ…
In Kenya, Travel on May 8, 2009 at 18:28
On a random day in February, I was unexpectedly offered the opportunity to visit Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. I had not been to Addis since I was a teen, and frankly, I knew I would have a great time visiting this historically rich city for more reasons than one (and yes, by that, I am referring to my much-written-about love for Ethiopian food – see this and this post ). Once my travel party had confirmed its plans in terms of number of travelers and dates, we quickly set off to make travel arrangements. The obvious airline to use from Dar es Salaam was Ethiopian Airlines. Read the rest of this entry »
Will That Double be Gilbey’s or Gordon’s?
In Arusha, Beverages, Hotels & Accomodation, Moshi, Nairobi, Spirits on April 20, 2009 at 21:21
Yes, I know. I’ve written my share of posts about alcoholic beverages. First, there was the post on rum, then the one about wine, and more recently ones on gin and cocktails. I write these posts not because alcohol is always on my mind (disputable by some ), but rather because I am fascinated by all the different alcoholic beverages that exist and the even greater variety of drinks that result when you mix these beverages together or with other non-alcoholic beverages. For instance, think about how different a rum and coke is from a vodka and coke, even though both look the same and vary only by the clear spirit used in making each drink. Then compare the latter to a Bloody Mary (a cocktail made of vodka and tomato juice), the difference this time being the mixer used.
Well, that’s all great and good, but today I would like to talk about a difference that is a little more subtle. Imagine making the same drink, say a gin-and-tonic (G&T), and varying the type of gin used. Do you think this difference would be noticeable to anyone other than the greatest connoisseurs of gin? Read the rest of this entry »
Let’s Talk About Cocktails
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Beverages, Dar es Salaam, Kenya, Nairobi, On The Internet, Tanzania on April 2, 2009 at 20:40
In the comment sections of this and this post, some readers and I shared our views on the quality of cocktails served at some of Nairobi‘s most popular bars and nightclubs. In this discussion, Mercury Lounge and Casablanca were named as establishments that were thought to serve good cocktails, while Hidden Agenda and Soho’s came up as places to avoid when in search of a good cocktail. Read the rest of this entry »
Ethiopian Coffee
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Beverages, Kenya, Nairobi on March 12, 2009 at 19:11
When I was at University, I used to drink cups and cups of coffee. I’d drink coffee during the day to get me through boring lectures (especially when I hadn’t had enough sleep the night before) and at night to keep me awake while studying. It was in those days that I developed my taste for coffee: dark and sweet, preferably with no milk. Read the rest of this entry »
You Missed This – Kumekucha
In Kenya, On The Internet on March 9, 2009 at 20:11
As much as I blog, I am not an avid reader of blogs. It’s not that I am not interested in what others have to say, rather, in this fast paced world of having so many things to do, I am not too keen to add tasks to my regular to-do list. Still, there are a couple of blogs that I enjoy reading whenever I do get the chance to do some leisurely internet surfing. One such blog is You Missed This – Kumekucha (which I will simply call Kumekucha from this point on in this post). Read the rest of this entry »
Kosewe/Ranalo Foods
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Kenya, Nairobi on February 16, 2009 at 18:16Kosewe/Ranalo Foods
1st Floor, Balfour Hse.
Kimathi St., Nairobi
Tel: +254-(20)-2249728
www.ranalofoods.com
Picture courtesy of Kip of The Porky Gourmand (http://arapleting.com/porkygourmand)
When I am in Nairobi, I often get requests from friends that are visiting from outside the country to take them to a restaurant where they can taste authentic Kenyan cuisine. Of course, I could take them to a place like Blanco’s, which is upscale and serves Kenyan-inspired cuisine, but for real, everyday Kenyan cooking, the perfect place, in my opinion, is Kosewe (also known as Ranalo Foods), on Kimathi Street in downtown Nairobi. Read the rest of this entry »
Fisherman’s Friend
In Dar es Salaam, Kenya, Nairobi, Product Reviews, Tanzania on February 7, 2009 at 18:54
When I “pack” my handbag before I go out everyday, I recite a list of items that I want to be sure not to forget. Without going into too many details, my current recitation goes: phone, money, swipe…(insert a few more couple of items here that include a small tin of petroleum jelly )… mints, camera. I am sure you can understand why I carry items such as my phone and money, but an item like mints may baffle you a bit (as it has people who’ve seen me put my bag together in the past). Read the rest of this entry »
RU-21, The Hangover Supplement
In Kenya, Nairobi, Product Reviews on January 15, 2009 at 14:53
Now that we’re two weeks into the month of January, I think it’s safe to say that the holiday season has (finally) come to an end. How was your festive season? Was it a pleasant one? Did you have lots of fun, with many opportunities to merry-make? I hope so. I definitely did. But…there’s nothing quite capable of spoiling fun times like the difficult morning after having one-drink-too-many during one of those merry-making opportunities. I am sure you know just what I am talking about … that nasty little thing called … a hangover. Read the rest of this entry »
Afripay
In Kenya, Nairobi, On The Internet, Services on December 29, 2008 at 19:36Afripay
Mezzanine Floor, Titan Complex
Chaka Road (off Argwings Kodhek Road, near Yaya Center)
Tel: +254-(20)-2730770
Mobile: +254-(722)-256368
Website : www.afripay.net
Email: sales@afripay.net
In the developed world, almost everything can be bought and sold online, and so it often is. On my most recent visit to the US, a couple of years ago, I asked a good girlfriend to recommend stores that she thought I should visit during my then-quest to buy a new laptop. My friend seemed a little flabbergasted. She couldn’t understand why I would go through all the trouble of shopping for a laptop in person when she felt I could do so more efficiently online. Her reaction surprised me a little bit. The African that I am (or at least that I was at the time) was used to shopping for things in person and, especially in the case of an expensive purchase, much preferred to physically see the item I was purchasing before I actually paid for it.
This experience was to be my first aperçu of how pervasive shopping online had become in the Western world. Later, during that same trip, I often saw my parents (who were soon to be 60 years old at the time) and brothers do the most mundane things (like buying books) as well as some not-so-mundane things (like buying complex musical instruments) online, seemingly without giving it a second thought.
This was a far cry from my reality in Kenya at the time. Although I moved in pretty technologically savvy circles, partaking in e-commerce was not a main stream activity for most people that I knew. Although the reasons for this were many, I am pretty sure one of the main reasons for this was that so few of the people I knew had credit cards (and this was pre-M-pesa days in the case of local e-commerce). Speaking for myself, the lack of a credit card was definitely the reason I never sought to buy anything online or even subscribe to some of the online services that I found interesting. Do you find yourself in the same situation? Read the rest of this entry »
Auto Assured
In Auto, Kenya, Nairobi, Services on December 23, 2008 at 18:18Auto Assured Ltd.
The Motoring Centre, Lenana Road
Tel: +254 -(20)-2711420/1, +254-(20)-2727914/5
Mobile: +254-(722)-752543, +254-(733)-730763
Email:info@autoassured.com
Yes, I know Christmas is right around the corner so I would do well to write a Christmas-related post today, but frankly, I am not a big fan of Christmas. What I will offer instead, in an effort to appease my readers who are in the throes of the holiday season, is that the service I am going to tell you about today would make an excellent gift for a loved one whose life you would like to make (safer and) easier. The company I am going to tell you about today, Auto Assured, provides among other services, a road rescue service which I can vouch for a hundred times over. (To find out more about Gift Memberships, visit their website.) Read the rest of this entry »
Public Service Announcement (or Beware of Airtime Thieves!)
In Kenya on December 4, 2008 at 22:57
I am livid to say the least. Let me to tell you why. On Monday morning, I woke up to realize that it was the first of the month. For me, the first of any month means one thing: it’s time to take a look at my finances and make a budget for the month ahead. The first of the month, this month, found me in Kampala, Uganda, so I quickly knew that my list of things to do on Monday would have to include making a couple of calls to Nairobi. Read the rest of this entry »
Sensations, Nakumatt
In Kenya, Nairobi, Shopping on November 29, 2008 at 20:53
My mother often half-jokingly says that I eat toilet paper and drink perfume. That’s in reference to how fast I use up each of these items. Let’s leave the first item alone for now (toilet paper might one day be the subject of a post because here too, I have advice to offer about what brands to use - Eurosilk anyone?) and focus on the second item, perfume. Well, not really perfume itself, rather I’d like to talk about where to purchase perfume, in Nairobi. Read the rest of this entry »
Studio Bar, Dagoretti Corner
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Kenya, Nairobi on November 23, 2008 at 23:15
Hmmm…I am not quite sure how to begin this post. Oh well, I guess there’s no better place to begin at than at the beginning, so here goes: A while back, on a busy Tuesday, as I was going about doing all the things I needed to get done that day, I received a phone call from a friend. She was having a very bad day at work and asked me if I would join her for a drink later in the evening. As much as I wanted to be there for my friend, I wasn’t sure whether or not I would be able to make it, so I asked her to check in with me a little later in the day.
My friend did check in with me a little later in the day, just as I was finishing up the last task on the day’s to-do-list. She told me that she was at Dagoretti Corner at a place called Studio Bar and asked me to join her as soon as I could. Happily, I told her that I was just about done and that I’d join her shortly. Since I had never heard of the joint, I asked her for directions. She told me: Get to Dagoretti Corner, and take the road that leads to Kikuyu (instead of continuing on Ngong Road). Take the first left after the gas station, then ask anyone for directions to Studio Bar. She told me that everyone in the area would know where it was.
To be honest, I was pretty excited about hanging out in Dagoretti Corner. Ever since I first moved to Nairobi, I had been dying to find out what drew such crowds to the area. Read the rest of this entry »
What Do You Think About 24-Hour Supermarkets?
In Kenya, Kigali, Nairobi, Rwanda, Services, Shopping, Shopping Malls/Complexes on November 2, 2008 at 22:43
It’s been over a year since Nakumatt turned Nakumatt Ukay into a 24-hour facility. 24-hour shopping has become quite normal in Nairobi with Nakumatt Downtown and Nakumatt Ngong Road both also having become 24-hour facilities in the recent past. How has the phenomenon of round-the-clock supermarket availability affected your life during the course of the past year? Read the rest of this entry »
Does Your Bank Make You Smile?
In Banking, Kenya, Services on October 15, 2008 at 07:00
Today, I have a number of banking transactions to perform. Most of these transactions are to be performed on a couple of accounts I hold with Standard Chartered Bank Kenya, while one of these transactions is to be performed on an account I hold with KCB Kenya. Despite the disparity in number (and complexity) of the transactions that I have to perform at each bank today, I can safely say that the one transaction to be performed at KCB – despite it being a very minor transaction – will probably take more than twice the amount of time (and hassle) than the plural transactions that I need to perform at Standard Chartered. Needless to say, the service that Standard Chartered Bank provides me makes me smile, while the service I get from KCB doesn’t. Read the rest of this entry »
Yaya Centre – Y go anywhere else?
In Kenya, Nairobi, Services, Shopping, Shopping Malls/Complexes on October 1, 2008 at 19:28Yaya Centre
Argwings Kodhek Rd., Kilimani
Tel: +254 (20) 2713360/1
Email: info@yaya.co.ke
Website:www.yaya-centre.co.ke
When I first saw Yaya Centre‘s new slogan a couple of years ago, I thought: How pompous! No, there really is reason to go elsewhere. That was back when the revamping of the Yaya Centre had just begun, and Yaya’s greatest claim to fame, at the time, was that it had been one of Nairobi‘s first shopping malls. A couple of years later, I see where Yaya Centre was coming from with its slogan – Y go anywhere else?. I guess the management at Yaya Centre already knew what Yaya was about to become though it took us, its customers, a little longer to find out. Read the rest of this entry »
Wi-Fi at Java Junction
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Kenya, Nairobi, Services on September 12, 2008 at 20:43
In a previous post , I told you about how I love to surf the Internet at the Books First Ukay cybercafé because it’s quiet, inexpensive, and a place where I can focus and concentrate when I need to get some work done. Sometimes, although I need to get online, I am in the mood to do so in a more social and relaxed atmosphere. When I feel this way, I choose instead to head to the Dagoretti Corner area, to the Nairobi Java House at The Junction Shopping Complex, more commonly referred to as Java Junction.
I love Java Junction. I go there often to eat, meet friends over coffee, and surf. I love its high ceilings, bright lights, and brightly colored artwork. When I go to surf at Java Junction, I usually do so in the evening when the crowds have died down a bit and all the pretty lights are on. :-) I usually sit at one of the indoor booths because they are more comfortable and have power outlets. I order a hot Mocha (for my sweet tooth), curl my feet under me, and surf away on my laptop. Java Junction, you see, offers a free Internet hotspot. Read the rest of this entry »
Utalii Hotel
In Hotels & Accomodation, Kenya, Nairobi on September 4, 2008 at 17:25Utalii Hotel
Nairobi-Thika Highway
Tel: +254-(20)-8563540-6
Website: www.utalii.co.ke
A while back, when I was staying with my hospitable friend from USIU, I happened to have family members visit from out of town. Usually, these family members would have stayed with me – I make it a point to always have enough room for visitors in any of my homes – but this time, surely I couldn’t take further advantage of my friend’s hospitality. My family would have to stay elsewhere – and it was up to me to arrange that. Read the rest of this entry »
Pampa Churrascaria, Panari Sky Centre
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Kenya, Nairobi on August 30, 2008 at 22:28Pampa Churrascaria
1st Floor, Panari Sky Centre
Mombasa Road
Tel: +254 -(20)-828132/3/4
Website: www.pampagrillkenya.com
E-mail: reservation-nbi@pampa.co.ke
I’ve been trying to write this post for several days now, but I think I am suffering from writer’s block. Not one to push too hard against a closed door, I am going to go the lazy route and do something I haven’t done on this website until now.
The establishment I would like to tell you about in this post is a Brazilian restaurant called Pampa Churrascaria, located in the Panari Sky Centre. Read the rest of this entry »
Campus Life at USIU
In Kenya, Nairobi on August 27, 2008 at 19:17
Part of the transition I mentioned in my last post included moving in with a friend who was studying at The United States International University (USIU) Nairobi Campus in Kasarani. (DK, if I haven’t said it enough, allow me to say it here in writing: Thanks a mil for the hospitality.) That was both interesting and weird because campus life (anywhere) is a blast, and yet I hadn’t been anywhere near campus life in over 7 years (Wow! Has it really been that long?!) Staying near USIU, I was amazed at how self-contained life in the area could be as well as how much fun was to be had on that side of town. Here’s a little bit of what I found there. Read the rest of this entry »
Message Boards, Yaya and Sarit Centres
In Kenya, Nairobi, Services on August 24, 2008 at 23:18
A while back, during a certain transition in my life, I realized I needed to sell quite a number of household items – fast! I had moved many times in my life before and was skilled at separating what I needed to keep from what I needed to let go, but the difference this time was that, inspired by a friend of mine (the friend mentioned in the Nail Buffing post), I had decided to sell most of what I needed to let go -rather than just give it away, which is what I had done previously.
With under two weeks to complete my transition, I was in a bit of a panic. Still, because I know that panic accomplishes nothing in and of itself, I decided to calm down, come up with a plan, and then do my best to follow through with this plan within the allocated time. Read the rest of this entry »
The Thorn Tree, The Sarova Stanley, Nairobi
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Kenya, Nairobi on August 12, 2008 at 07:30The Thorn Tree Café
The Sarova Stanley
Tel: +254 (20) 316377
About ten years ago, The New Stanley renovated and became The Stanley (or The Sarova Stanley to be precise). I don’t know that I really had an opinion of the hotel when it was The New Stanley, but I know that I quite like it now as The Stanley. I often enjoy sitting at the elegant first-floor Exchange Bar looking out onto the busy city streets, or just enjoying the quiet, chic atmosphere while catching up with friends (usually who are in from out of town and need to stay in the CBD area for some reason).
Any talk about The Stanley would not be complete without mention of The Thorn Tree Café, The Stanley’s open-air pavement brasserie/bistro-style café. Built around an actual Thorn Tree (the original existing as early as 1959), The Thorn Tree Café, over the years, served as a message center for settlers settled in the more distant parts of Kenya. Today, the Thorn Tree at The Thorn Tree Café still has a message board that can be used for messaging, though I am sure travelers leave messages here more to emulate the past than out of a real need to communicate. Whatever the case, I always enjoy reading these messages whenever I am at The Thorn Tree Café.
In this post, I would like to discuss The Thorn Tree Café’s merits as an eatery rather than as a historical monument. What do you think of The Thorn Tree Café? Have your experiences there been positive, or have they been negative? Read the rest of this entry »
What’s Interesting to Do on a Sunday?
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Kenya, Nairobi on August 10, 2008 at 07:30
What do you normally do on Sunday? I am a pretty disciplined person on all other days, but whenever Sunday rolls around, then all I want do is just let loose and have a good day. This has nothing to do with what I’ve been up to the rest of the week. It doesn’t need to have been a particularly busy or productive week. It’s just a Sunday thang! On Sundays, I want to dress up to match the weather (hopefully sunny but not too hot) and just spend a pleasure-filled day.
Often, if there’s someone I want to catch up with, I’ll suggest having breakfast at Java at an un-breakfastly hour like 1.30pm (because Java serves breakfast all day on weekends). At other times, I’ll want to head out of town and get as far away from urban life as possible.
At yet other times, there is always my default hang: going to eat meat with a friend at The Hood and somehow ending up at Tamasha for Jazz. :-) Then, there are days like today, when I just want to do something different and unusual.
A quick scan of potentially interesting Sunday plots leads me to the following ideas: Read the rest of this entry »
Casablanca (on a Saturday Night)
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Beverages, Kenya, Nairobi, Nightclubs on August 8, 2008 at 22:52
Casablanca. If you are up and about on the Nairobi social scene, then you probably already have an opinion about Casablanca. What is your opinion? Is it positive or negative? I can’t quite decide myself, which is why I resort to asking you first. In this post, I will do my best to tell you what I can about Casablanca, then you’ll have to judge for yourself.
Casablanca is a lounge bar/nightclub (do you think that is an apt description?), located in Kilimani on Chaka Road, off its intersection with Lenana Road. Located in the same complex as my favorite Italian restaurant in Nairobi, Osteria del Chianti, Casablanca was all the rage when it first opened its doors close to four years ago.
At the time, it was a member’s only (or so I was told) up-market establishment known for its great décor, swanky crowd, and interesting – though expensive – cocktails. I first heard about Casablanca from a friend who lives in that neighborhood. She was totally blown away with its beauty and all of a sudden seemed to frequent nowhere else. Read the rest of this entry »
Body N’ Soul Gym, Kilimani, Nairobi
In Fitness, Nairobi, Services on August 1, 2008 at 21:17Body N’ Soul
Chaka Road, Kilimani
Tel: +254-20-2712017/2712021
Mobile: +254-733-561783
Website: www.body-n-soul.net
I am thoroughly in love with the gym I go to! I have been a member for over four years and, truly, I can’t imagine what would ever make me go elsewhere!
I love Body N’ Soul, that’s its name by the way, because it is extremely clean, has a lot of space, and has great machines. Read the rest of this entry »
Sunday Jazz at Tamasha, Hurlingham, Nairobi
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Events, Kenya, Nairobi on July 31, 2008 at 16:33Tamasha Ltd.
Roughton Plaza
Argwings Kodhek/Jabavu Close
Hurlingham, Nairobi
Tel: +254-(20)-2711772
Website: www.buffetpark-tamasha.co.ke
Is it possible that what I am going to post about today will be new to anyone? I am sure I will be amazed, which is why I am going to go ahead and post about it anyway. After all, a couple of weeks ago, I got an SMS from a sworn Tamashan telling me that he was enjoying Sunday Jazz for the first time. Who knows? Let’s see whose life I am going to change for the better!
I cannot believe that this is my first time to post about Tamasha on ChickAboutTown. I thoroughly love the pub, and if I did not restrain myself, this entire blog could be about how great and fun Tamasha is. Well, I am not going to try to cover Tamasha in one post. Rather, today, I’d like to tell you about a theme night that takes place at Tamasha every Sunday night - Jazz Night. Read the rest of this entry »
Books First Ukay Cybercafé
In Kenya, Nairobi, Services on July 29, 2008 at 16:53
In writing for ChickAboutTown, among other things, I spend my fair share of time on the Internet. When you hold a regular 9-to-5 or are at school, Internet access is something that you take for granted. In the Western World, having an Internet connection at home is almost a given – even my parents, one of whom only recently learned to type his own emails, got a home computer with Internet connection when they moved to the US a couple of years ago. In Africa, without an Internet connection at school or work, you have to think a little harder about how to connect with the rest of the world via the Internet. This post is about a great place that I’ve discovered in Nairobi to do just that. Read the rest of this entry »
Absolute Juice, Yaya Centre, Nairobi
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Food, Kenya, Nairobi on July 25, 2008 at 07:30Absolute Juice
2nd Floor
Yaya Centre
Tel: +254-20-201037
Aren’t you guys really impressed with how Yaya Centre is reinventing itself? Frankly, I am. Every time I go to Yaya, there’s something new to see and contemplate. I was recently surprised to see that Yaya Centre even has its very own Java. I am not sure how Dorman’s and Java manage to coexist so close to each other, but that’s for them to worry about while I get the pleasure of enjoying both coffee houses at a place so convenient to me.
Although a lot of the changes that have taken place at Yaya are quite superficial, some of the changes are not superficial at all. Take, for instance, the opening of what seems to be a whole new wing on the second floor. You know the one that houses the gym, and the children’s play area? Yep, where did that come from? Is that where the Indian restaurant Minar used to be located? Well, not only does this area house a gym and a play area, this new wing also houses a great new eatery called Absolute Juice. Read the rest of this entry »
The Rough Guide Series
In Books, Kenya, Product Reviews on July 24, 2008 at 07:30
Hi all. How are you today? I hope all is well in your respective corners of the world. For me, all is good, though I need to rave about a book, or should I say a series of books, that never fails to come in handy. Allow me to start at the beginning.
Three years ago, I wanted to take my then-boyfriend on a trip to see the ocean. He was turning 27 and, believe it or not, had never seen the ocean. He was Ugandan, born and raised, and had never been outside Uganda. My birthday present to him that year, I decided, would simply be: a visit to the ocean. Read the rest of this entry »
Stantech Motors, Nairobi
In Auto, Kenya, Nairobi, Services on July 23, 2008 at 17:44Stantech Motors
Shimo la Tewa Rd. (off Mombasa Road)
Tel: +254-(20)-530662 )(pilot line)
+254-(20)-558460-1
+254-(20)-555249
+254-(20)-552107
Website: www.stantechmotors.co.ke
Hi, reader. How are you today? Allow me to deviate from my usual subject of places to go to and products to buy and instead tell you about a great auto garage that consistently gives me great service. Today, I’d like to tell you about Stantech Motors, an auto garage located off Mombasa Road (before the turnoff to South B), near Marshalls.
Before I get into why I recommend Stantech Motors, allow me first to tell you a little bit about why you should or shouldn’t listen to what I have to say. :-) Read the rest of this entry »
Wednesday Nights in Nairobi
In Nairobi on July 17, 2008 at 07:30
A friend of mine recently told me: “The one thing I know about Nairobi, is that people really party here.” He had been out on a Wednesday night and told me that everywhere he went, the pubs and clubs were full.
Last night, I got an opportunity to see that for myself. I am not going to lie and say that I don’t normally go out on Wednesday nights – I do – but I hadn’t been out on a Wednesday night for a while!
This Wednesday, I met up with a friend for dinner at Dass Restaurant in Westlands. We had a great time hanging out and catching up, but somehow at 11pm, we still weren’t done with our night out – the stories we had to share were far from over. Since we were in an area with many hangouts, we decided to extend our evening a bit by having a night cap at one of the many bars nearby.
We could hear music blaring from Crooked Q, so that’s the first spot we decided to check out. Read the rest of this entry »
The Hood, Kilimani, Nairobi
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Kenya, Nairobi on July 11, 2008 at 22:24
Nairobians, where do you go to eat nyama choma? Do you go out for nyama choma at all? When in Rome, I suggest you do like the Romans – when in Kenya, you must enjoy the local delicacies!
I don’t eat nyama choma very often but, sometimes, when it’s nice outside, I like to sit out in the sun and enjoy my favorite kind of nyama choma – “Beef Marination” – at The Hood, a joint not far from Yaya. Read the rest of this entry »
Soho’s, Westlands, Nairobi
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi, Nightclubs on July 9, 2008 at 19:34Soho’s
Parklands Rd, Westlands
Tel: +254-20-3745710
Nairobians, where do you go when you are in the mood for some serious dancing (and by that I do not mean structured dancing like salsa)? I mean shake-a-leg dancing when you truly want to bust a move and express yourself? For me, hands down, it boils down to one of two places – Dolce on Koinange Street or Soho’s in Westlands. Today, I would like to tell you about the latter!
Soho’s is located near Unga House, not far from the crafts market across from Sarit. Read the rest of this entry »
Zahava Shanny
In Nairobi, Shopping on July 1, 2008 at 21:15
A while back, I stopped by Yaya briefly to buy something from Chandarana supermarket. I entered Yaya through the entrance near the Barclays ATM, but it was business as usual until I found myself at another exit, the main entrance/exit.
Lately, I have noticed that Yaya often has exhibits at their main entrance area during the latter part of the week. Sometimes, stores within the complex exhibit their wares; at other times, the exhibitors are from places other than Yaya.
This time, as I was rushing out of Yaya, trying to get to my next destination, I had no intention of spending any time at the main entrance exhibitions, but when some jewelry caught my eye, the woman in me had no choice but to stop and take a closer look. Read the rest of this entry »
Salsa Night, Safari Bar, InterContinental Nairobi
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on June 24, 2008 at 20:59InterContinental Nairobi
City Hall Way
Nairobi
Tel: +254-20-3200000
Some things are so commonplace in my life that I forget how noteworthy they are. Today I am going to tell you about one such thing.
For the last four years, the majority of my Friday nights have been spent at The Safari Bar, at the Nairobi Intercontinental Hotel, listening to the beat of salsa music, dancing ecstatically away.
Every Friday, The Safari Bar hosts a live band that plays salsa, meringue, and a myriad of other Latin beats. A Friday evening at The Safari Bar is always a lot of fun no matter how proficient (or not) a salsa dancer you are. Read the rest of this entry »
Nakumatt, Westgate Centre
In Nairobi, Shopping on May 13, 2008 at 23:00
Westgate Centre by Night - Image Credit: www.nairaland.com
Wow! Nakumatt has outdone itself again in the form of Nakumatt Westgate and the Westgate Centre! Granted, I am sure credit for the center is not all Nakumatt’s (as I hear Nakumatt leases the space that it occupies), but still I am sure Nakumatt had a great role to play in making the Westgate Centre what it is today. Read the rest of this entry »
Korean Restaurant Spotted in Nairobi
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on May 12, 2008 at 18:58
A while back, while a friend showed me a route he uses to avoid traffic between Hurlingham and Kenyatta Market, I happened to spot a Korean restaurant called New Seoul Restaurant on one of the many back roads in the area. Read the rest of this entry »
Salsa Night–Thursdays at Pavement Club ‘N Cafe
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Events, Kenya, Nairobi on May 8, 2008 at 19:18Pavement Club ‘N Cafe
Westview Centre, Ring Rd
Tel: +254 (20) – 4442357
What’s interesting to do on a Thursday night in Nairobi? Quite frankly, there’s a lot to do as the city seems to wake up for the weekend as early as Thursday. If you are in the mood for something really different and fun, then consider going to Pavement in Westlands where a salsa night takes place every Thursday. Read the rest of this entry »
Pots d’Afriques
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Kenya, Nairobi on April 19, 2008 at 21:47
Chaka Road is a street that I frequent often, for all sorts of reasons. I know this street well and notice anything new on it in a flash! In the month of June, on my way to the gym, I noticed a big sign post across from Coco J. that had a picture of a clay cooking pot on a three-legged fire with the words Pots d’Afriques written on it.
I am not sure why I paid attention to the sign – it might have been the French or maybe the vivid colors and picture. Whatever the case, I was keen to try out this restaurant, which I imagined would serve West African cuisine, a cuisine that I absolutely adore!
Coincidently, within a week, I found myself at a social engagement where I got the chance to meet one of the owners of Pots d’Afriques. After some conversation, he invited me, along with a friend, to lunch with him during the course of the week to try out what Pots d’Afriques had to offer. Read the rest of this entry »
(KBC) Channel 2
In Kenya, Services on April 18, 2008 at 20:18
Last April, I was watching some TV (something I rarely do) in Nairobi, when I came across a new channel. Truth be told, I had been flipping through the channels a bit earlier in the week, when on my fifth channel, I kept getting an under construction sign. The sign made me think of the message you get on a website that is under construction, and yet, this was on TV. I figured we were to expect another channel on Kenyan TV. Surely enough, we were.
When the new channel was finally unveiled, it turned out to be a channel called Channel 2, a dedicated 24-hour entertainment channel. Read the rest of this entry »
Dass Restaurant
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Kenya, Nairobi on April 17, 2008 at 19:39Dass Restaurant
Pride Towers, Woodvale Grove, Westlands
Nairobi
Tel: +254 (20) 4453262
Mob: +254 (722) 388388
Email: dass@dassrestaurant.co.ke
Just when I thought the jury was in with regards to Ethiopian restaurants in Nairobi, something new came up from “left field”. It all began on a Wednesday evening, when I was hanging out with a friend and started to have an Ethiopian food craving. We had things to do in the Kileleshwa-Riverside-Westlands area, and so my friend was adamant about not driving to Argwings Kodhek, where our favorite Ethiopian food restaurant is. Whatever his opinion, I really needed some Ethiopian food so suggested that we try a new restaurant in Westlands – Dass Restaurant – that came highly recommended to me by my ex-housemate. Read the rest of this entry »
Mercury Lounge
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Kenya, Nairobi on April 15, 2008 at 20:11Mercury Lounge
ABC Place, Westlands
Tel: :+254 (20) 4450364/4451875
Website: mercurylounge.co.ke
How many of you reading this post partied at the famous Kengeles ABC? I didn’t grow up in Nairobi, but even I partied there a couple of times. Loud music blasting, young people spilling over into the parking lot at ABC place, this is what comes to mind when I think of Kengeles ABC. Those were the days (some would say)!
Things have changed, and Kengeles ABC is no more. In its place is a gorgeous, swank bar by the name of Mercury Lounge! Read the rest of this entry »
Coco J.
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Kenya, Nairobi on April 14, 2008 at 20:24Diagonally opposite Chaka Place on Chaka Road (off Argwings Kodhek, near Yaya) is an oldie but goodie by the name of Coco J. Coco J. is a bar and restaurant that used to be called Coco Jambo but has recently changed its name to the cooler, and gistier, Coco J.
I was surprised when, in a conversation with the owner, I was told that Coco J. is first and foremost a restaurant. Quite frankly, I think of it more as a bar that happens to serve food. Finally I understand why I often see a sign in front of Coco J. during the day announcing an African Buffet! :-) I have never been to Coco J during the day, so I won’t pretend to discuss its merits as a restaurant. Instead, I will tell you how I know it best: as a great place to hang out in the evenings. Read the rest of this entry »
The Talisman
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Kenya, Nairobi on April 10, 2008 at 20:11320 Ngong Road,
Karen, Nairobi
Tel: + 254 (20) 883213
Fax: + 254 (20) 883213
Mobile: +254 (733) 553083
Tucked away, in the heart of Karen, in Nairobi, is a beautiful heart-warming restaurant that provides both a feast for the palate as well as one for the eyes. Talisman, located a little after Karen Shopping Center, is a well-kept secret that deserves to be shared with the world. Read the rest of this entry »
Nairobi – Kampala by Bus, Part III
In Kampala, Kenya, Nairobi, Services, Travel, Uganda on November 30, 2007 at 00:36(This is the third part of a 3-part series. Here are Part I and Part II .)
In parts I and II of this series, I told you about traveling between Nairobi and Kampala using both Akamba and Scandinavia. In this last post, I’ll tell you about Regional, another bus company that serves this route. In my opinion, Akamba and Scandinavia are by far the superior services. Sometimes, though, when these service providers are fully booked or when the service they provide simply doesn’t meet your need, Regional is a third option to be considered. Read the rest of this entry »
Nairobi – Kampala by Bus, Part II
In Kampala, Kenya, Nairobi, Services, Travel, Uganda on November 22, 2007 at 20:32(This is the second part of a 3-part series. Here are the links to Part I and Part III .)
If you read Part I of this series, then you are already up to speed on Akamba and the services that it offers on the Nairobi-Kampala route. Let’s now move on to discuss Scandinavia, the better of the two remaining services that I plan to discuss. Read the rest of this entry »
Nairobi – Kampala by Bus, Part I
In Kampala, Nairobi, Services, Travel on November 21, 2007 at 18:01
This is the first post in a 3-part series. Click here to read Part II and Part III.
Update: The website for Akamba Public Road Services Ltd. is www.AkambaBus.com.
Have you ever traveled by bus from Nairobi to Kampala? If so, what bus service did you use? Did you travel during the day or at night? What route did you choose? Read the rest of this entry »
Lost your Nakumatt Smartcard?
In How-to, Kenya, Services, Shopping on November 8, 2007 at 19:49
I first signed up for Nakumatt’s customer reward scheme in 2003, when it first came out. I was making a big purchase at Nakumatt Mega, when the cashier asked me whether or not I had a Nakumatt Smartcard. Having no clue as to what he was talking about, he told me that a Nakumatt Smartcard was a card that allowed customers to accumulate points with every purchase made at Nakumatt. These points would then one day be redeemable for awards – sort of the way it’s done in a frequent flyer’s program.
At the time, I was not much of a Nakumatt shopper. In those days, Uchumi was my preferred supermarket chain. Still, I knew I would be making a number of big household purchases at Nakumatt in the near future because I was moving into a new home and so decided to sign up. Read the rest of this entry »
Taidy’s Sports Bar, Nairobi West
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on November 6, 2007 at 21:29Website: www.taidys.co.ke
Honestly speaking, most of the places that I have written about in my previous posts have not been new to me. Rather, they are places I’ve been to many times before but thought you might be interested in knowing about. In this post, I’d like to tell you about a place that was as new to me as I hope it will be for you!
At the height of the rugby Tri Nations series (sometime in June) after a night of intense partying, some friends invited me to join them for some recovery nyama choma. The friends in question were all male and rugby die-hards. After the meat, their plan was to watch the game of the day – a plan that I clearly was not invited to because I am not a sports fan in any way.
Unfortunately for me (or maybe fortunately, as you will read later in the post), I had left my car at home with the promise of being dropped back before the guys went off to watch their game. Somehow, this was not to be, and the next thing I knew was that I was being dragged along with them to Taidy’s Sports Bar to watch the game too! Not one to cause a fracas, I just decided to go with the flow. Read the rest of this entry »
Habesha II, Downtown Nairobi
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on October 31, 2007 at 19:35
I am not sure whether or not I said this in my last Habesha post: I LOVE ETHIOPIAN FOOD! Until very recently, the three restaurants that I considered when in need of satisfying an Ethiopian food craving were Pink Lady at Metropolitan Court in Hurlingham, Red Sea on Lenana Road, and Habesha on Argwings Kodhek. Earlier this year, while talking to friends who share my passion for Ethiopian food, I discovered that there was yet another Ethiopian restaurant worth going to, located in the most convenient of places: downtown Nairobi! (I’ve also recently discovered another one in Westlands, but that’s for another post!) Read the rest of this entry »
Dinner at Slims
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on September 6, 2007 at 21:25
Recently, on a Tuesday, I was leaving the gym when a friend offered to buy me dinner. Not one to resist such an offer, I quickly finished what I was doing and accepted to meet her in 15 minutes, at Slims.
My friend is a regular at Slims. She loves the ambiance and thinks they make the best Margaritas in town. I don’t quite agree with her. Nonetheless, I must admit their cocktails are very good and more pocket friendly than most in Nairobi. Read the rest of this entry »
Sunset Hotel, Kisumu (or My Trip to Kisumu, Part II)
In Hotels & Accomodation, Kisumu on September 5, 2007 at 18:01Sunset Hotel
Aput Lane, Kisumu
Tel: 254 (0)35 41100-3
After leaving Merika Hotel (see my last post), we continued our journey to Kisumu over very bad road. My parents had chosen to spend the night at Sunset Hotel in Kisumu, based on an acquaintance’s recommendation. A Kisumu local, he told them that Sunset Hotel was one of the two best hotels in Kisumu, the other being Imperial Hotel. We were not sure what to expect, but decided to trust our informant.
Sunset Hotel is located 2.5 km outside downtown Kisumu. Not a significant distance, especially by car, the journey to Sunset Hotel takes you into the pleasant, flowery, residential areas of Kisumu. As we headed to Sunset Hotel, I remember thinking that I had never known anything other than the hustle and bustle of downtown Kisumu. As I traveled through this area, it seemed to me that Kisumu would be a very pleasant place to live.
Finally, we arrived at Sunset Hotel. Sunset Hotel is a grand hotel. It spreads wide and is 5 floors high. I’ve since come to learn that the reason it stretches so wide is so that every room in the Hotel has a view of Lake Victoria. The hotel gets its name from the magnificent sunsets that can be seen from every room in the hotel.
Sunset Hotel was opened in 1977 and must have been quite an impressive hotel in its day. Some of its past glory can still be glimpsed at in small details such as the artful water fountain, designed in the shape of African pots, that marks the entrance of the hotel. For the most part though, to quote another writer, Sunset Hotel is a bit worn at the edges.
You might ask me why I bother to write about it then. I write about Sunset Hotel because I think it still has many positives that you would not expect from an upcountry hotel. For instance, the rooms are very tastefully decorated. From the first time you enter the rooms at Sunset Hotel, it is obvious that a lot of thought went in making the rooms a pleasant place to stay. Well decorated and well maintained, the soft furnishings match and are in good condition (maybe I am particularly aware of this because of a bad experience I had at Lake View Hotel in Mbarara, Uganda last Christmas). The rooms have glass windows on the facade of the building that overlook the lake.
I did not pay attention to the view when I first got into my room, since we arrived at night, but the next morning, I was amazed by the view that I saw. This was the first time that I had seen Lake Victoria from Kenya (having seen its Tanzanian and Ugandan shores many times). The true expanse of the lake, finally dawned on me.
Other strengths that I noted at the Sunset Hotel were a mean breakfast, complete with bacon, eggs, sausages, baked beans, and cereal, and beautifully manicured gardens, full of flowers, which were a pleasure to walk through.
The Sunset Hotel is a 3-star hotel, so this gives you an idea of the general feel of the hotel. Still, I think it’s a nice 3-star hotel. If I were to go back to Kisumu, I would not hesitate to stay there again.
Many of the people that I tell about the Sunset Hotel seem to already know about it. If you had never heard of the hotel until now, or have never stayed there before, I hope this post gives you an inkling of what to expect.
If you do stay there, or have more to add to this review, please drop me a comment.
For now, I wish you a good rest of the week.
Biche
P.S. To be sure not to miss future posts on ChickAboutTown, sign up to receive posts directly by email or subscribe to ChickAboutTown in a reader.
Photo Credits: www.kenya-travel-packages.com; www.skyscrapercity.com
Merica Hotel, Nakuru (or My Trip to Kisumu Part I)
In Hotels & Accomodation, Nakuru on September 1, 2007 at 18:20Merica Hotel
Kenyatta Ave, Nakuru
Tel: 254 (0)51 221-4232
Email: merica@kenyaweb.com
Three months ago, my parents were traveling from Dar es Salaam to Kampala and stopped to visit me in Nairobi, for a couple of days. On the following Sunday, they set off to continue on the rest of their journey, WITH me in tow. Not one to be left behind, I decided that I would accompany them halfway until Kisumu.
My parents are cool travelers, you see. They never let travel ruffle their feathers, nor accept to travel at a pace that is beyond their comfort. For this reason, taking a road trip with my parents is a real pleasure. They stop during the journey, often, to take breaks and see interesting sights along the way.
On this trip to Kisumu, our first stop was Nakuru. After a grueling journey due to the extremely rough road, my parents decided it was time to stop, relax, and have lunch. I couldn’t have agreed more. Read the rest of this entry »
Havana
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on August 29, 2007 at 21:43Havana
Woodvale Grove
Westlands
Tel: 254 (0)20 444-0964 / 444-0836
Havana, a cozy Cuban bar, in the heart of Westlands, is a regular stop for most YUPs (Young Urban Professionals) that live in the environs. Almost always full to capacity, with waiting for seating a regular occurrence (especially late on a weekend night), Havana is best known for its amazing cocktails – margaritas, daiquiris, mojitos – all made to perfection, in flavors not to be expected outside the tropics. The Mango Margarita, a personal favorite, is one that I recommend highly, despite the hefty price tag attached to it. Read the rest of this entry »
Trattoria
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on August 28, 2007 at 19:08
Trattoria
Town House
Wabera Street (corner Kaunda St.)
Nairobi
Tel: + 254 (0)20 340855/240205
On a rainy cold Friday night, in the middle of Nairobi’s last rainy season, I promised myself to stay home and rest. Sick, and just plain tired, I was settled in for the evening when friends from out of town called to invite me for dinner. Given they were leaving the next day, and it was Friday, I ended up accepting their invitation.
I joined them at their hotel, The Stanley, hoping that we would eat indoors and not venture out into the cold. Alas, my friends had other things in mind and were determined to experience Nairobi nightlife on a Friday. We decided to eat at Trattoria, the Italian restaurant located at the corner of Kaunda and Wabera Streets, as it was not too far and we’d all heard that it served good food.
A bona fide Nairobian, I pass Trattoria regularly. I often even use it as a landmark when giving directions. Still, in over 9 years, not once had I stepped into the restaurant. Gosh, I was truly missing out! Read the rest of this entry »
Nu Metro Website
In Cinemas & Movies, Kenya, Nairobi on August 28, 2007 at 17:23
Update (February 20, 2009): In late 2008, Nu Metro (K) Ltd. was acquired by the Silverbird Group. The website for Silverbird cinemas and lifestyle stores in Kenya can be found at www.silverbird.co.ke. Thank you, Bex, for pointing this out. (The website for Nu Metro Cinemas in South Africa is www.numetro.co.za.)
As I was writing my recent post on Nu Metro cinemas, I looked all over the Internet for an official Nu Metro website that had information about its Nairobi cinemas and the movies showing in them. Much to my dismay, despite being skilled at searching for information on the net, I found zilch. Read the rest of this entry »
Sexy Saturdays/ Sept.1,2007/ Simba Saloon, Carnivore
In Events, Nairobi, Nightclubs on August 24, 2007 at 14:30Before today, I used this website to write reviews. Today, I am going to do even better and give you a plan! Read the rest of this entry »
Mediterraneo
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on August 23, 2007 at 21:25Mediterraneo
Ristorante Pizzeria
The Junction Shopping Complex
Tel 254 (0)20 3878608/3873823
or
Pamstech House
Woodvale Grove, Westlands
Telefax: 254 (0)20 4447494
Have you ever eaten at Mediterraneo restaurant located at The Junction Shopping Complex? If you have, I would not be surprised if you have only good things to say about it. Mediterraneo-Junction brings together some of the best qualities that someone would seek in a fine restaurant: good food, good ambience, good service, and great wine. Read the rest of this entry »
Cedars
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on August 22, 2007 at 21:23Cedars
Lenana Road
Tel: +254 (0)20 2710399
In my last post, I wrote about Al Pasha, a restaurant in the Panari Sky Centre that serves Lebanese food. While we are on the subject of Lebanese food, why don’t I tell you about my favorite Lebanese restaurant in Nairobi? Read the rest of this entry »
Al Pasha
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on August 21, 2007 at 20:56Al Pasha
2nd Floor, Panari Sky Centre
Mombasa Road
Tel: + 254 (0)20 828135/6
Recently, I found myself at a restaurant/bar that I enjoy tremendously but that I had not been to in a while. Al Pasha, a Middle Eastern style restaurant, located on the second floor of the Panari Sky Centre, is a delightful place to have a meal and drinks, especially at dusk or early in the evening.
The entrance to Al Pasha is located between the two elevators on the second floor of the Panari Sky Centre. The entrance, a small archway that could easily go unnoticed, belies the beauty and charm of the space that it leads to. The narrow entrance leads to a cozy den that houses a bar and a dining area, though the true beauty of Al Pasha lies further still, on the terrace outside. Read the rest of this entry »
Olepolos Country Club
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Kenya, Nairobi on August 16, 2007 at 20:45
Olepolos Country Club
Olepolos Road
Kiserian, Rift Valley, Kenya (Click for map)
Tel: +254 (0)716 737423
Email: olepolos.nyama@gmail.com
Olepolos on Facebook
Before I made it out to Olepolos Country Club, I used to often find myself in conversations like the following:
Speaker 1: Yesterday, I had a great day hanging out with friends at Olepolos.
Biche: Olepolos? Where’s that?
Speaker 1: You’ve never been?! It’s a place in the hills on the way to Magadi. It’s so beautiful!
Biche: Oh really? What goes on there?
Speaker 1: It’s a great place where you can sit outside, eat meat, and drink overlooking the most amazing view. We should organize a trip and go sometime…
Somehow, we always never ended up going. Read the rest of this entry »
Tamasha Joint, Karen
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on August 14, 2007 at 20:45
To all my Nairobi readers, what is the first thought that crosses your mind when I say Tamasha? Some of you might think of the Swahili word ‘tamasha’, which means ‘festivity’ or ‘festival’, though most of you probably think of the Hurlingham pub with the same name. Do you know that there is also another recreational establishment that goes by the same name in Nairobi? I didn’t – until recently – and was very shocked to find out that one existed. I actually didn’t believe it until I saw it for myself. I was very pleased with what I found, so would like to share what I found with you today. Read the rest of this entry »
Blanco’s Lounge And Grill, Timau Plaza
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on August 14, 2007 at 19:40
I had been wanting to go to Blanco’s for a long time but had never managed to until recently. If you have no idea where Blanco’s is, it is a lounge and restaurant located in Timau Plaza on Argwings Kodhek, diagonally opposite Yaya Center (in the new building where Prime Bank has its new headquarters).
Blanco’s had been taunting me for a long time. I would see it almost daily while driving on Argwings Kodhek, whenever I was in the Yaya area, but somehow never found myself there socially. One night, when the temptation became too great, I decided to drag a group of friends there to see what it was like.
The beauty of Timau Plaza set the stage for what we were to see the rest of the night. A truly beautiful building, Timau Plaza is designed to have running fountains at the front of the building. Blanco’s takes full advantage of this design by having partial glass floors on its balcony, under which these fountains run into. Read the rest of this entry »
Azalea
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on August 9, 2007 at 22:10
A few months ago, on a cold rainy night in Nairobi, I met with an acquaintance for an evening that was supposed to end at the movies. Not in the mood for a movie though, we decided instead to go somewhere for dinner and drinks. My acquaintance suggested Azalea, where I had never been but had heard a lot about. Eager to try out a new place, I quickly agreed to that venue.
Nothing that I had been told about Azalea had prepared me for the wonderful place that I found it to be. Read the rest of this entry »
Habesha
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on August 4, 2007 at 16:44Habesha
Argwings Kodhek Road
Tel: 254 (0)20 3755418
Today, I would like to tell you about a regular eating spot of mine, Habesha. Habesha is an Ethiopian restaurant where I find myself, at least once or twice a week. Located on Argwings Kodhek (on the right hand side before the intersection with Elgeyo Marakwet when coming from Yaya), Habesha is the Ethiopian restaurant of choice for many people who live in its environs. I was introduced to it by an Ethiopian workmate who called it the preferred Ethiopian restaurant for Ethiopians living in Kenya. Read the rest of this entry »
Lunch at Barizi
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on August 4, 2007 at 16:04
The day before yesterday, I found myself at Yaya, to meet a friend for lunch. He was coming from work and thought we would have lunch at Yaya, but without anywhere interesting to go to in the complex, I suggested we cross the road and have lunch at Barizi, Read the rest of this entry »
Club Afrique, Museum Hill, Nairobi
In Nairobi, Nightclubs on August 4, 2007 at 15:27
I am a great fan of all things African – African music, African people, African arts & crafts, African clothing – the list could go on and on. At the beginning of this year (or at the end of last year – I no longer remember which), friends who know how much of an ‘African woman’ I am started to call me and tell me that they had been to a nightclub that they knew I’d love. The club, Club Afrique, is located on museum hill (in Nairobi) and plays strictly African music (though I have heard some non-African music there a couple of times in the wee hours of the morning). Read the rest of this entry »
Fresh ‘n’ Juici
In Beverages, Nairobi, Product Reviews on July 23, 2007 at 21:06
How open are you to trying new products? When you walk around the supermarket, do you stop to look at product displays? Do you taste or try samples offered? Sometimes I do; sometimes I don’t. The determining factor for me is how time-barred I am while shopping. If I am shopping leisurely, I will stop and try anything that I find interesting. If I am time-barred, I pick what I need and go!
Recently, on a day when I was shopping very leisurely, I noticed something new at Nakumatt Prestige. In a corner near the fresh foods area and the butchery, I saw a stall advertising ‘Fresh ‘n’ Juici’ juices. More out of curiosity than anything else, I stopped by to taste some of the juice samples offered. I tasted mango juice, passion juice, pineapple juice, tree tomato juice, and a number of juice cocktails. Each juice I tasted was fantastic. The juices were truly fresh as though they were made from only the sweetest, ripest fruit! The choice of juices was wide and the cocktails served were well combined. The first day I tasted ‘Fresh ‘n’ Juici’ juices, I bought two flavors to take home with me – a juice cocktail containing tree tomato juice (for a friend who I was having over for dinner and who loves tree tomato juice) and a juice cocktail without tree tomato juice for myself. Since then, I have bought a number of ‘Fresh ‘n’ Juici’ juices to take home, the last being a pineapple juice that I bought to mix with vodka. Never have I been disappointed!
To tell you more about these juices, a liter of ‘Fresh ‘n’ Juici’ juice costs KSh. 179. The juices can be stored refrigerated for 2 days, at which point they must be consumed or thrown away. I am told that they can be kept in the freezer for longer, but I have never tried to do this, so I will not vouch for it. Some would say this is a downside of the product, but to me, this is simply a true mark of the freshness of the juices. After two days, or if left unrefrigerated, the juices become tangy just as freshly squeezed homemade juice would. Not to worry, if you feel you cannot or do not wish to consume a liter of fresh juice in this amount of time, ‘Fresh ‘n’ Juici’ juices also come in half-liter packaging.
If you enjoy fresh juices and somehow do not have the time to make your own, this is definitely something you ought to look out for. If you just generally like juice and always buy packet juice, how about putting something more nutritious in your body to get the full health benefits of fruit juice? I am in no way affiliated to the makers of this juice, but if they continue to make juice with the same consistency that I have experienced with them so far, these juices will definitely not let you down.
To try ‘Fresh ‘n’ Juici’ juice, make your way to Nakumatt Prestige, to the corner near the fresh foods section and the butchery. I have never seen a ‘Fresh ‘n’ Juici’ stand at any other Nakumatt, but maybe I just wasn’t paying attention. For other locations, please enquire at a Nakumatt near you.
Please let me know what you think if/when you try this product.
I wish you a great week.
Biche
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Silver Springs Hotel, Nairobi
In Hotels & Accomodation, Nairobi on July 18, 2007 at 22:40Silver Springs Hotel
P.O. Box 61362 – 00200 Nairobi
Tel: 254 (0)20 2722451-7
Fax: 254 (0)20 2720545
Email: silversprings@iconnect.co.ke
Are you a Nairobian, i.e., someone who lives in Nairobi? If so, how often do you pass Silver Springs Hotel without giving it a second thought? Do you even know where Silver Springs Hotel is located? To make sure we are talking about the same place, the Silver Springs Hotel is located off the roundabout where Vally Road meets Argwings Kodhek. The main entrance of the hotel is located on the road leading to the Nairobi Hospital, immediately on your left after coming out of the roundabout. Read the rest of this entry »
Nu Metro Cinemas
In Cinemas & Movies, Nairobi on July 17, 2007 at 21:17
You would have to be blind to live in Nairobi (please excuse my political incorrectness) and not notice the rising phenomenon that is Nu Metro, both the cinemas and mediastores. I say phenomenon because from having five cinemas to go to in Nairobi, that number has now doubled, with Nu Metro playing a big role in that development. Read the rest of this entry »
Hanging Out At The Panari Sky Center, Nairobi
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi, Nightclubs on July 17, 2007 at 20:29
A few weekends ago found me at Club Liquid, a nightclub at the Panari Sky Center. A friend of mine was invited to an exclusive party there and invited some of her female friends to tag along with her. Since it was a club that none of us had been to but had heard great things about, we decided to make a girls’ night of it and go all out. We dressed the part, met up at said friend’s house, and headed out all together to have a great night on the town, just as we would have in the heyday of our university partying careers.
Club Liquid was not all we expected it to be. The deco was great, the cocktail list extensive, and the music something to write home about, but somehow the night never picked up. Read the rest of this entry »
Ben’s Burger at The Nairobi Java House
In Food, Nairobi on July 17, 2007 at 19:56
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Today, I want to tell you about one of the tastiest foods you will ever eat in Nairobi. It’s a burger, unlike any other burger, that is sure to knock the socks off your feet! Read the rest of this entry »
Are All Pedicures Equal?
In Beauty, Nairobi, Services on July 14, 2007 at 20:40
Sorry gents, this one might be of interest only to the ladies (though I am aware that nowadays some men also take good care of their feet and nails with pedicures and the like)! Yesterday, I went for a pedicure at my regular ‘local’ beauty salon – and truth be told, I left less than pleased despite my nails having been saved from the raggedy state that they had been in. This brought to mind a pedicure that I had had a little while ago that had me thinking: are all pedicures equal? Read the rest of this entry »
The Outback
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Nairobi on July 12, 2007 at 22:38
A while back, I woke up to find a piece of paper under my front door. At first, I thought it was my electricity bill, but then quickly realized that it was a flyer from a snack bar called The Outback. On first impression (understand: from reading its name), I thought The Outback was some sort of American-style steakhouse. As far as first impressions go, that’s not a good one for me. I dislike imported, unadapted, copied concepts (can you tell that I fell strongly about this?:-)). On the front of the flier was a picture of a kangaroo, fork and knife in hand, with a napkin around its neck. Again I thought, a kangaroo in Kenya? Read the rest of this entry »
The Cellar
In Bar/Restaurant/Café, Kenya on July 10, 2007 at 21:44
Last night found me at one of my old hangout spots. I hadn’t been for a while but being back reminded me of why it was a place that was well worth going to.
The Cellar, located diagonally opposite The Methodist Guest House in Kileleshwa, is a quiet, classy bar and restaurant. It takes on so many different characters depending on where you sit, what you do there, and what company you are in, that I barely know how to describe it to you. Let me try to describe it to you by telling you what the Cellar has been to me over the years. Read the rest of this entry »
Saint Jaume Valley, White Wine
In Beverages, Kenya, Wines on June 29, 2007 at 22:33
A few months ago, I was having dinner and drinks with a friend at Red Sea, an Ethiopian/Eritrean (I think more the latter) bar/restaurant, on Lenana road, where I often go when I want good Ethiopian food in a good social ambiance. The Red Sea, for all its good points, is generally not the kind of place in which I would ask for a glass of wine. In a place that I feel would not invest in their wine, I know that wine there can taste more like vinegar than anything else.
At the end of my meal though, I felt like having an alcoholic beverage to wash my food down. I was not in the mood for something strong, so decided not to go with my usual choice of alcoholic spirit. Instead, as I saw a cold glass of wine pass my table, I decided to order exactly that. Let me just tell you the first sound that passed my lips after tasting the wine that came to my table. It was a sigh of utter pleasure! Read the rest of this entry »
