Nairobi Lowdown

Dining: Paprika Mexican Restaurant

Paprika Mexican Restaurant at Karen Crossroads opened within the last few days, so of course I had to try something.  I ordered the Fajita Bean Burrito for 380 KS.

It was served in about 5 minutes on a plastic tray, wrapped in branded paper with individually labeled cups of sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. It tasted as a fajita burrito should, no complaints on the taste.  I thought it rather small for the price.  Also, the vegatables were either too wet or the wrap too thin. 2/3rds of the way through, I was struggling to hold it together. The guacamole looked nice, but some of the avos in the mix were not yet ripe.  Unacceptable for Kenya, we've got tons of mafuta embe.  The salsa had the flavor of gazpacho soup and was chopped to small.  Of course, everything was light years ahead of Taco Bell.

The outside seating area was pleasent. The decor and whole package was professional, to the point of looking like a high class franchise.  I'm sure that they will have some teething as things start up and I'll be sure to try some more items.  Overall, the bean burrito from Nairobi Java House is a much better value though.

UPDATE:  Ok, I went Nairobi Java House last night.  It is now a certainty in my mind.  Yes,  the offerings at Java House are not quite proper "Tex/Mex", but from a quality, quantity, and price standpoint, Paprika's is rubbish.  When you order the Bean Burrito platter at JH, one get almost 4 times the food for the same price.  And good taste too.  Paprika's - time to up the ante.

Upcoming Restaurant: Paprika Mexican Restaurant

Hallelujah!  A Mexican Restaurant is coming to Karen. It will be on the side of the Nakumatt Karen entrance at the Crossroads. I don't know what format it will take, whether more take away or sit-down style.  I assume considering the location that take away will feature strongly.  Does anyone out there know when the opening will be?  I hope they can get near the standards of my favorite Mexican chain of take aways - Chipotle.  Chipotle sets the standard in terms of style, quality, and taste.  All the best to Paprika. I hope they have success commiserate with their product.

Dining: Industrial Eating

So your slaving away all day in the industrial area, buying supplies for camp or the mission station. What's a good place for lunch?  You could always buy a plate of beans and chapati from one of the mama's that service the fundi's and workers in the area.  But, you want to sit and relax.  A couple of options - # 1 next to Car & General on Lusaka Rd. is a little place called "Baguette".  And, of course they have lots of sandwich options based on a baguette.  And salad's and fresh fruit juice.  And very good apple pie with ice cream.  Seating is very good and on two floors. It is owned by a charming Iranian  or Lebanese(wild guess, I'll have to ask her next time I go) women.  Which might explain it's popularity with the muzungu businessman crowd.  Other than the excellent food that is.  Expect to spend around 600-700 for lunch. #2 Motorway Cafe behing the Paranah Centre on Mombasa Road.  Clean, very basic sitting area on a shaded outdoor patio. They serve a variety of westernized Indian food.  They have very good veggie burgers, meat and veggie curries served with rice and salad.  The very cheerful couple serve a large lunch time crowd.  This is Indian "grub" at it's best.  Not gourmet, but great tasting fare that will fill you up.  Your spend around 300-400 KS.

Food: Haveli's Orient Grill

I ate at Haveli’s Orient Grill this evening.  This branch of the supposedly world-class  (they have branches in London and Kampala) Haandi Indian restaurants is located at the Capital Centre along the Mombasa Road as you head out of town.

The service was fast. Hot washcloths offered before the meal felt great, especially as I had just come from rock climbing at Lukenya.  The music was relaxing.  The décor was so, so.  Chairs looked like they came from the garden section of Nakumatt or Walmart.

For a highly rated Indian restaurant, I was underwhelmed.  The Dal Haveli (lentils cooked for 24 hours, that you can’t resist, blah, blah priced at 385 KS ) was more hot than flavour.  I have no problem with hot in my Indian food, but it shouldn’t overwhelm the flavour.  The  steamed rice was 275 KS.  The Methi Nan was perfect and priced at 90 KS.  I ended with a pot of Masala tea priced at 150 KS.  The complementary salad was fresh, but based on a bed of white cabbage.  Okay, so it was “free”, but to me it still screams, “I’m cheap and trying to save a buck”.

I’ll reserve overall judgement on Haandi until I try some other dishes at the location in The Mall – Westlands. All menu prices are inclusive of any tax.  They also offer take away service, outside catering, banquet hall, and conference facilities.

Contact: Tel. 020-651933, 020-531607 Fax. 020-4445807 Mobile 0733-648294 0722-803154